The Truth Squad pens an interesting post

The Truth Squad put together an interesting post. I think this is an unconventional blog, but this person has something to say and they have a cogent argument (albeit expressed strangely).

The GOP bloggers are an active bunch. If nothing else, they are marked by their individuality in many ways. This is strange, since they are part of a party that patently does not abide with individuality. Click on the headline and go there.

Walsh posts on Monmouth County freeholders' decision

Mrs. Walsh has a well thought-out post on her site, discussing patronage and Monmouth County, a big subject. She also references the Sunday Press and its editorial about the Tobia hire by the freeholders.

One thing struck me: If Monmouth County voters voted for change last year, as they did, then probably the newer members on the Board of Freeholders should do something other than what everyone else has always done. It's not what the voters wanted. It's what is wrong with this county. And, Mrs. Walsh is right in her post and, respectively, the Press is right in its editorial.

SEN. MENENDEZ, A LEADING PROPONENT OF STEM CELL RESEARCH, APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF BILL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2007
CONTACTS:Afshin Mohamadi (Menendez) 202-224-4744

Senator reiterates his call for the

President to sign legislation into law

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a staunch supporter of stem cell research, applauded the passage of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in the United States House of Representatives today.

The bill, which has already passed the Senate, will now be presented to the president to sign into law or veto. Menendez, whose mother suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, reiterated his call for President Bush to retract his veto threats.

“Today, Congress voted in favor of hope,” said Menendez. “Now it is time for the President to turn the hopes of millions suffering from debilitating diseases into reality.

“A threat to veto is a promise to kill hope. And for those who insist on playing politics with people’s lives, make no mistake about it: the American people are watching and they will not take kindly to seeing their last flicker of hope being extinguished.

“I urge the president to withdraw his warnings and to embrace the will of the American people and the possibilities of science.”

President Bush last year used his first veto in office to strike down similar legislation that passed the Congress.

Monmouth County Fire Academy graduates 81

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 7, 2007

Ceremony includes first-ever Firefighter II graduates

FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Fire Academy recently graduated 81 volunteers from Firefighter I Classes #70 and #71 and Firefighter II Class #1. The ceremony was held May 31.

Twenty-three Firefighter II graduates became the first advanced firefighter class to graduate from the Monmouth County Fire Academy after completing course work and more than 100 hours of training in fire rescue and extinguishment that included incident command, specialized search and rescue, communication, and safety procedures. The 58 Firefighter I graduates also attended weekend classes and completed more than 130 hours of course work. They received training in rescue, fire extinguishment, hazardous materials response, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, electrical safety, and care of hoses and other equipment.

Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, who spoke at the graduation, commended the new and advancing firefighters for their dedication and willingness to serve. “Firefighters, like any emergency responder, must be available all hours of the day and night. They are at times, confronted with life and death situations and their ability to react properly and safely can be attributed to the training program they have just completed at the Monmouth County Fire Academy,” Burry said.

“This new crop of firefighters joins the ranks of 6,000 other local firefighters who serve their neighbors, friends and communities. Volunteer firefighters provide a necessary service and assist in the delivery of quality public services at the local level,” said Freeholder Director William C. Barham who also attended the graduation. “The men and women graduating today will provide a high level of safe and valued service because they have proven themselves throughout this County training program.”

Each firefighter was awarded a certificate of course completion by Freeholder Burry and Monmouth County Fire Academy Training Officer William Itinger.

* Attached are lists of the graduates.

Firefighter I graduates from Class #70

Homan M. Alavi, Oakhurst; Sebastian J. Bianchi, Matawan; Mark T. Biddle, Millstone; Richard C. Brady, Jr., North Centerville; David C. Burns, South Wall; Jenson J. Chundamala, Freehold Township; Robert L. Cole, Allentown; Vincent E. Ernst, Avon; Mike A. Ford, Monmouth Beach; Matthew C. Greimel, Oakhurst; Aubrey J. Guldager, Freewood Acres; Eric A. Halle, Cliffwood Beach; Jason R. Halpern, Freewood Acres; Joshua T. Modlin, Oceanport; Gregory J. Penn, Millstone; Justin N. Penn, Millstone; Wilson Plaisimond, Wayside; Christopher S. Poles, Allentown; Ryan S. Romano, Ramtown; Carmin J. Roth, Gordon’s Corner; Michael A Seaman, Freewood Acres; David A. Shotwell, III, Ocean Grove; Robert E. Taylor, Neptune City;
Richard Trombetta, Robertsville; Michael D. Vollbrecht, Neptune City ; Trevor J. Wellet, South Wall; Donald W. West, Freehold Township

Firefighter I graduates from Class #71

Joseph Barbato, Englishtown;Mark T. Bennett, Holmdel;Thomas J. Butler, Holmdel; Jonathon L. Carter, Matawan; Anthony Castro, Matawan; Matthew J. Clemente, Colts Neck #2; David Vincent Dochnahl, Union Beach; Timothy J. Durkin, Pinebrook; Robert William Eyers, Holmdel; Vincent J. Ferrante, Jr., Matawan; Allen Keene, Glendola; Patrick N. Kesler, Manasquan; Kevin Felix Ketelson, Colts Neck #2; Jason W. Kirkland, Englishtown; John Kruse, Oakhurst; Joey J. Laguna, Keansburg; James A. Lasky, East Freehold; Cody T. Lovgren, East Freehold; Andrew Lydick, Allentown; John P. Mazza, Millstone; Daniel McGaheran, Millstone; Dennis M. Mignone, Spring Lake; Cenildo V. Moreira, Gordon’s Corner; Alfred Louis Mottola, Allentown; Andres J. Paganucci, Holmdel; Anthony Page, Englishtown; Jeremy J. Schulte, Wanamassa; Brian M. Spitzfaden, Keansburg; Christian Stevens, Ocean Grove; Peter A. Thierry, Morganville Vol. ; Ian P. Thompson, Morganville Ind.

Firefighter II graduates from Class #170

Oliver C. Chang, Marlboro; Thomas J. Ditre, Freehold Township; Michael Egnatowicz, Gordon’s Corner; Richard A. Gallo, III, Oceanport; Ryan Howlett, Adelphia; Michael D. Johnson, Freewood Acres; Richard W. Leswing, III, Keyport; Kenneth M. Lucas, Freehold Township; Robert A. MacGeorge, Glendola; Alonzo Meachem, IV, West Keansburg; Sean Polito, Colts Neck # 1; William M. Scanlon, Freehold Borough; Gregory T. Shinn, Spring Lake Heights; Michael Silvani, Squankum; Daniel J. Spicuzza, Jr. Freehold Township; Robert P. Tice, Adelphia; David M. Weir, Long Branch; Thomas G. Weldon, II, Morganville Ind.; Christopher C. Willms, Sea Girt; Robert J. Woodhead, Jr., Union Beach; Douglas Ziemba, Jr. Holmdel; Douglas Ziemba, Sr. Holmdel; Bryan Zuccarelli, Freehold Township

Editor's Note: Congratulations to these volunteers, and thanks for the great work you all do.

Kenny takes on circulation manager role at Arizona weekly

Congratulations are in order for Courier Circulation Manager Michael Kenny. The Kennys are moving to Arizona at the end of this month, and Mike is going to be put to work as the circulation manager for the Peoria Times, a great weekly out there.

For those who are not involved in the newspaper business, perhaps the most pivotal position on any staff is the circulation manager. In addition to his circulation duties, Mike has been very active as a columnist and sports reporter for Courier, a role he will be keeping with his new paper. Mike has done a great job at Courier and, in my opinion, the Peoria Times is getting a great asset.

An interview with Sean Byrnes, Democratic candidate for Township Committee

Recently, at an event held by the Middletown Democrats honoring Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, I interviewed Sean Byrnes. Mr. Byrnes is running for one of two seats up on the governing body this year locally.

Bean pens strong editorial in "Coda"

Great editorial from Greg Bean at Greater Media. Give it a look. Click on the headline.

Are coyotes making their home on the wetside of 36?

According to a local eyewitness, coyotes have been seen in a few areas of the Bayshore in the vicinity of Route 36. The Courier will be checking this out tomorrow with a look into the areas and what was found, if anything. Whatever we find will be in this week's upcoming edition of The Courier, in stories by Alyssa Passeggio and Scott Shanley.

Caption: Yet another shameless way to get my Old English bulldogs, Winston and Baxter, on my blog.

Burry marks battle's anniversary at NWS Earle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 4, 2007

Freeholder Burry, Navy mark the Battle of Midway

COLTS NECK – Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry and representatives from Naval Weapons Station Earle marked the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Midway today with an overview of the famous World War II battle and the placing of a wreath.

The battle, fought June 4 through June 7, 1942 near the central Pacific island of Midway, is considered the most decisive single naval battle in U.S. history. It signaled a turning point in the war in the Pacific and helped shape the future of Europe as well. Before this, the Japanese were on the offensive, capturing territory throughout Asia and the Pacific.

The Japanese had planned to capture Midway to use as an advance base, as well as to entrap and destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Because of communication intelligence successes, the U.S. Pacific Fleet surprised the Japanese forces, sinking the four Japanese carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor only six months before. After Midway, the Americans and their Allies took the offensive in the Pacific.

“The Battle of Midway was the turning point of World War II and the victory signaled the beginning of the end for the Imperial Japanese Navy,” Freeholder Burry said. “We can never forget the ultimate sacrifices that were made by our U.S. Navy seamen and U.S. Marines.”

Following welcoming remarks by Lt. Cmdr. E.M. Prezioso, Master Chief Joseph Eppolito and Cmdr. Richard Valentine presented an overview and interpretation of this important battle.

The Japanese were shaken by an April 1942 air raid led by Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle, in which targets in Tokyo, Yokosuka and a score of other towns were hit. A battle scheme was drawn up by the Japanese to attack the U.S. Pacific Fleet in the waters around Midway in order to move the line of battle away from Japan. However, earlier that year, Americans had broken the Japanese naval code and had been able read at least 10 percent of the Japanese Navy’s radio transmissions.

“The Battle of Midway changed the world forever,” Eppolito said. “The balance of sea power shifted from the Japanese to the United States and set the table for our later successes.”

Valentine said that it was because of Midway that the United States did not have to fight the enemy on its own soil, because the Japanese never got that far. “England had its Battle of London,” he said. “The only reason we didn’t have a Battle of America is because there was a Battle of Midway. The Japanese turned back and their opportunity was lost forever.”

Japan’s loss of four out of its six fleet carriers, plus a large number of their highly trained aircrews, stopped the expansion of the Japanese Empire in the Pacific.

“The Battle of Midway enabled the U.S. Navy to go on the offensive, which is why this battle was so important,” Freeholder Burry said. “Thanks to American signals intelligence, judicious aircraft carrier tactics and some luck, the U.S. Navy inflicted a devastating defeat on the Japanese.”

The wreath-placing ceremony led by Valentine with assistance from Freeholder Burry.

New coyote sighting...along Route 36 near Union Beach

I met a Northern Monmouth resident at a Blue Claws baseball game yesterday, at First Energy Park, in Lakewood. He went on the record about a coyote sighting not far from the Henry Hudson Trail. Click into the You Tube video for more information.

AP reports on Dems' "pork barrel" issues

The AP reports about Democrats and their "pork barrel" items in the federal budget. These 'unnecessary' items include support for hospitals, dams, beach issues, among others. If federal money is being spent in this country, to help with the welfare, safety and quality of life of Americans, I cannot see how it is a "pork barrel" issue.

Nevertheless, if the Democratic Congress has sidestepped rules, that should be examined. There have been enough shortcuts in government in this country for quite some time.

Click on the headline and see the AP report.

Farewell to Mr. Carton

The Asbury Park Press printed attorney Larry Carton's obituary today. He served as the Middletown Planning Board attorney. He died on June 1, peacefully at home. Sympathies to the family. Click on the headline to go to the obit.

Shore residents react to terror plot

A good story in the APP about the reaction by locals to the JFK terror plot. Click on the headline to go there.

Rutgers still alive in NCAA tourney

Rutgers Baseball rallies to stay alive in Charlottesville tournament, wedging past defending champ Oregon State. Click on the headline and go to NJ.com.

Terrorists stopped in JFK terror plot

Click on the headline to go to the Asbury Park Press, which gives a good report about the alleged terrorists stopped in their plan to destroy JFK Airport and kill U.S. citizens.

Carton dies after long illness

Reportedly, Middletown Planning Board Attorney Larry Carton died yesterday, at his Middletown office. It is unknown what Mr. Carton died of but he was reportedly ill for a long period.

Rutgers Baseball handed loss in Charlottesville tourney

Rutgers Baseball fell to Oregon in their opening game against them in a Charlottesville tournament the team played. Click into the headline for the NJ.com story.

Chivukula given award by Middletown Democrats

Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, D-Middlesex, was honored this evening by the Middletown Democratic Party. Chivukula was presented the award by Democratic candidate for Township Committee Sean Byrnes on behalf of the club.

The event took place at the American Legion, in Middletown, on Route 36.

In attendance was, among others, Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Victor V. Scudiery, Middletown Committeeman Patrick Short, Deocrat for 13th District Assembly Patricia Walsh, Democrat for Monmouth County Freeholder John D'Amico, Democrat for Monmouth County Sheriff Jack Hill and the Chivukula family.

Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo lauded Chivukula's work in Trenton on behalf of the state's residents. Meanwhile, Chivukula noted that the work of township Democrats through the years has culminated in an election this year where control of the municipal governing body is being competed for by both parties in town.

Scudiery said he is optimistic about Democratic chances this year, and noted that the determination of the Democratic faithful in the township has been a key part of that optimism in races throughout the county this year.

Book Expo America 2007: Filip Sablik from Top Cow Comics

At Book Expo America 2007, at the Javits Center, held in Manhattan, New York, I interviewed Filip Sablik today, the vice president for marketing and sales from Top Cow Comics. He was talking about a new product coming out, from the "Darkness" series. A new game is coming out relating to the title. Click into the YouTube video for the interview, or go into the headline for the comic's Web site.

Book Expo America 2007: Steve Wilson on Springsteen book

At Book Expo America 2007, at the Javits Center in Manhattan, New York, I interviewed Steve Wilson, vice president for business development for The Music Sales Group about a new Springsteen book that is on the shelves. Click into the You Tube video for more, or click inito the headline for the Web site.