Democrats hold Chairman's Ball at Addison Park, Aberdeen

Top: Sisters Edwina and Elizabeth Garvey with Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Victor Scudiery. Second from top: Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo and Matawan Councilman and Democratic Chairman Joseph "Bud" Mullaney. Third from top: Middletown Democrats Mike and Debbie Morris. Second from bottom: Democratic Party members Mary Foster (l) and JoAnn Dinan (r) were honored for their service by Chairman Scudiery. Bottom: Middletown Democratic team (l-r) Committeeman Patrick Short, Committee candidate Janet Moscuzza, Middletown school board member and 13thDistrict Assembly candidate Patricia Walsh, Democratic Committee candidate Sean Byrnes and 13th District Senate candidate Leonard Inzerillo.

The Highlands Bridge: A hot topic in the Bayshore

The Highlands Bridge: Now there's a hot topic.

The state Department of Transportation wants a bridge that's 30 feet higher. There is a movement by some in Highlands and Sea Bright to just refurbish the bridge that's there.

Some people are for the new bridge and some are against. My biggest problem with the bridge as it stands now is that any guy with a sailboat can weigh anchor and hold up traffic by having to have the bridge raised, creating a back up on Rt. 36. Adding 30 feet to the bridge would change that and allow for an uninterrupted traffic flow along Rt. 36.

I respect other peoples' points of view, but that's where I'm coming from.

Bowes pens piece about sign in Middletown

Karen Bowes wrote a great piece about a Middletown issue. The headline is great. It's worth a look and you'll probably get a laugh out of it.

Courier will create Boardwalk archive this summer

The Courier is creating an archive about the Keansburg Boardwalk; a historical record that basically goes over the beginning of the attraction until today. The way we intend to do this is by locating historical records, news articles and by conducting interviews of people who have Boardwalk memories stretching back from more than 80 years ago to very recently.

After we've collected enough information, The Courier will create a Web site, which will basically be permanent. We'll add to it every few years. We could care less about politics associated with the Boardwalk or who doesn't want the Boardwalk recorded.

Long story short: The Keansburg Boardwalk is an invaluable part of Garden State history that has played a great role in the mystique of the Jersey Shore. How many people have had first dates there? Spent endless summers with their friends and family there? And had their lives wonderfully touched by this Jersey Shore staple? If area residents want to talk about it, our reporters will be creating a living archive, conducting digital recordings of favorite Boardwalk memories.

This archive has nothing to do with who owned what or did this or that. It's about the Jersey Shore experience the Boardwalk has to offer, and that's really about it.

People who want to take part in this can, if they don't then no one is going to be twisting anyone's arm. The project manager for this is Senior Reporter Scott Shanley, on vacation this week. But he can be reached by calling (732) 957-0070.

ACLU takes on organized prayer in military

I was recently sent an e-mail from someone who noted that the ACLU is trying to make some court case out of Marines taking part in group prayer. Somehow, someone at the ACLU thinks that is a bad thing, I suppose.

Well, that's just nonsense. No one makes a member of the armed services believe in God, but I have seen more than a few atheists get epiphanies. No one makes anyone in the service believe in God, it's just one of those things that happen, in my opinion.

As for the ACLU, I think they do some good work, but just not in this case.

The Fourth of July: A special time for Americans

The Fourth of July is a special time in the history of the country. Thirteen colonies decided to try their fate alone, and contest the greatest military force in the world: the United Kingdom.

Well, things worked out after a lot of sacrifices by so many people. I was speaking to someone on line in the store today, they informed me the 4th was about the troops and it commemorated the Gettysburg Address.

Don't get me wrong, President Lincoln's address was a biggie; best speech ever. As for the troops, they deserve our every prayer and hope. But let's not confuse what the Fourth of July was about: It was about some guys who dedicated themselves, their futures and their fortunes to the prospect that liberty was more important than anything else. They believed in the rights of man and the imperative of those rights. They believed a country could be forged where those rights meant more than anywhere else on the earth so far. And that is something to commemorate alright.

You know, it might not be a bad idea for folks to remember just what those guys back in the day thought was so important about the natural rights of man and what they meant. It was worth everything to them, so maybe it's still worth an occasional read today. As I see it, we probably owe them at least that much.

Some scenes from the settlement at Jamestown, Va.

Sights of Williamsburg, Va. on vacation this week

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July to one and all. Despite the frustrations we have with government, individually and collectively, something we should all remember is that, despite whatever shortcomings there may be, it is still the best in the world and far better than whatever comes in second.

My very best to the readers of The Inside Clamdigger. Thanks for making this a destination. Have a great day!

Shore cops come under review for public conduct

There are allegations being made about the Seaside Park Police Department regarding inappropriate conduct. This is something that should be reported and discussed. But with all respect, policing any town on the Jersey Shore is a challenge to law enforcement professionals. They deal with crowds that are often unruly, and police have to earn a certain amount of respect on the street to get the basic job done: Protect people and property.

It's a tough job in these Shore communities. If someone has gone over the line then it goes without saying that they have to face the piper, regardless of their public office, but they deserve a fair look into what happened or didn't. Trying something like this in the press isn't going to serve anyone. These cases should be looked and an a broad brush treatment avoided to the greatest extent possible.

I used to serve the communities on the Barrier Island, as editor of the Ocean County Review, and it was a good introduction into common sense and policing Shore towns. Not everything in law enforcement in these towns are black and white. I never witnessed unprofessional conduct by the departments there in 18 months of looking into several complaints, and the officers deserve their day in court and an open mind about the facts of the case going into this thing. That's just my opinion.

Let's see what the facts are and go from there. Click on the headline and go to the APP story by clicking the headline.

Regaedless of opinions, mine or anyone else's, it comes to what happened and what didn't.

The Victory Center at Yorktown, in Va.

During my recent visit to Colonial Williamsburg, I went to the Yorktown battlefield, and its Victory Center (done superbly well by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation with the National Parks System).

I was browsing the exhibit at the center and noted there were attractions featuring English writer John Locke ("The Second Treatise of Gov't," 1690) and American writer Thomas Paine ("The Rights of Man," 1792).

This was interesting because I recalled something an anonymous blogger once said on one of the message boards. I brought up that people like John Locke, Thomas Paine and Jean Jacques Rousseau (a French writer who penned "The Social Contract," 1762) were the 'ideas' behind the founders of this country.

This anonymous blogger, defending the administration for the GOP, disagreed with me about my point that government's mission is to adequately serve all residents, all the time, without bias to parties and the like, and without prejudice to responsible criticism of the government by residents. Yes, this was disputed for some reason. Whatever the blogger's point was lost to me by that time, but fascinated me the way one might be looking at a car wreck as they pass by.

Anyway, I made mention of these writers, and this blogger said he heard of Paine, but "looked up" Locke and Rousseau because he had "never heard of them." Well, according to the research by this anonymous GOP blogger, what he did find was that Locke and Rousseau were "early communists" and suspect.

I dismissed the blogger as at least ill-informed but something occurred to me at Yorktown. First, this blogger was probably somehow affiliated with government or politics in the county where I live. Second, he or she knew next to nothing about the sentiments of the Founders and what they considered good ideas and was involved with government and/or politics. Finally, it was a 'knee jerk' reaction for this anonymous blogger, serving in government and/or politics where I live, to freely label writers (regardless of their historical context or work) as somehow terrible if their work disagreed with the party or person the blogger was defending at the moment. So people like Locke, Rousseau and Paine are out of vogue these days, I suppose, in favor of who? Limbaugh, Hannity and Coulter? Is that the best of ideas for this society today? These opinions are so better informed, I guess, then those that formed the imaginations of people like Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson and the like.

Yet, these ideas are what made this country, inspired the people who created this country, who first "conceived of our liberty." Have notions of rights by citizens insofar as safeguards against their government, and about private property rights, become so threatening to warrant venom from members of this county's ruling party? I know that is not the case in the vast majority, but the small minority is concerning.

I wonder what the guys who started this show in the first place would have thought of that, or the fact that the influences that stirred their ideas of the rights of citizens have basically been forgotten or reduced to a one-line glitch term by some (they were "communists").

Well, if anyone is ever interested, there's this great book, called "Keystones of Democracy," which is printed by Barnes & Noble of New York (Introduction Copyright 2005 by Barnes & Noble). I suggest these are not bad ideas for anyone to be familiar with, and probably more so for people involved with things like politics and government. My anonymous blogger, I recall, had used something called "Wikepedia." Maybe that's not the best. Some things still require reading actual books or cannot be reduced to a few moments on the radio.

Colonial Williamsburg: Lessons to learn then and now

I just returned from a vacation to Colonial Williamsburg, in Virginia. The history was great, educational and cannot help but make one thankful to those who founded this country.

But in this century, I was struck by the great planning and execution that has gone into a business environment that grows 300 percent in the summer, welcoming several million visitors from around the world in an area that is roughly 10 square miles.

While Williamsburg of the 18th century has volumes to teach us about our freedom, and those who gave it to us, Williamsburg of today has many lessons of its own for us -- mostly economic.

The synergy between the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the local government, Chamber of Commerce and the fine folks over at William and Mary should serve as a model for communities that succeed.

I spent my last morning in Williamsburg at an IHOP, speaking informally to the manager (originally from Chicago). He said that the business environment in Chicago was bad for small business. "It was take, take and more take and absolutely no cooperation." I asked him what the difference was in Williamsburg. He said, "Government gets out of the way and lets business people do business without any games."

I was compelled by the evidence that he must be right. Failing to plan for economic success is planning to fail, which is basically my argument about the Bayshore and, to a broader extent, the county. Common sense and getting politics out of commerce is always going to be the only way for an economy to succeed. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be in the offing anytime soon locally.

Yahoo report from the AP

Something about the Guiliani staff from the AP, reported by Yahoo News.

Going on vacation from June 23 to July 1...Seeya then

I will be on vacation from June 23 until July 1. If the blog is updated at all during that time it will be about interesting factoids I find during my trip that may have an entertainment value. Otherwise, thanks for reading and I'll look forward to updating when I get back. Thanks for the readership.

Caption: Yet another totally unrelated way to get photos of my Old English bulldogs, Winston and Baxter, onto my blog.

BUSH VETOES RESEARCH BILL AS NEW JERSEY ADVANCES FUNDS FOR STEM-CELLS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2007

CONTACTS:
Afshin Mohamadi (Menendez) 202-224-4744


BUSH VETOES RESEARCH BILL AS NEW JERSEY ADVANCES FUNDS FOR STEM-CELLS
Senator Menendez blasts administration, praises state

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a staunch supporter of stem cell research, today blasted President Bush for again vetoing legislation for federal support of embryonic stem cell research. Bush vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act just a day after New Jersey awarded $10 million in stem-cell research grants aimed at avoiding federal restrictions on embryonic stem-cell work.

“Once again, President Bush has used his veto power to advance ideology, ignore the overwhelming public sentiment and play politics with people’s lives. Once again, he has used the stroke of his pen to dash the hopes of millions suffering from debilitating diseases.

“The president continues to choose the certainty of suffering over the possibility of science. That will not stop me or my colleagues in Congress who believe in the hope this research offers from pushing to override the veto.

“I am proud that New Jersey has its priorities intact. The funds approved yesterday by our state will do what the president refuses. States like New Jersey can reignite the flame of hope that the president has sought to extinguish with his actions.”

The Senate, which passed the current bill 63-34, will have the first opportunity at overriding the veto.

Previous Menendez statements on stem cell research:

Floor Statement on Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, April 10 2007 http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=272168&&

CITING PAINFUL CONNECTION TO ALZHEIMERS, SENATOR URGES STEM CELL RESEARCH, April 10, 2007 http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=272160

SEN. MENENDEZ, A LEADING PROPONENT OF STEM CELL RESEARCH, APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF BILL, April 11, 2007 http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=272223

# # #

MTPD Press Release

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

Prepared by Detective Lt. Joseph C. Capriotti

On June 20, 2007 at about 4:00AM, Middletown Twp. Police Officer Kimberly Best was patrolling on the southbound side of Highway 35 when she passed a silver colored car parked off the highway with all of its lights out and a person outside the car. The car was parked near the tree line adjacent to Monmouth Cycles, a motorcycle dealership.

Officer Best had to travel past the car to turn around to come back and investigate the car and while doing so called for additional police assistance. As she was coming back northbound on the opposite side of the Hwy. 35 to return to the motorcycle dealership she saw a motorcycle operated by a person wearing a baseball hat leave the dealership southbound on Hwy. 35.

When the motorcycle approached the intersection of Hwy. 35 and Apple Farm Road the driver made an illegal U-turn in the southbound lane and began traveling north in the southbound lane until it met up with the silver colored car she originally saw parked off the highway. The motorcycle then made another U-turn in the southbound lane and began following the car south on Hwy. 35. Officer Best radioed the direction of travel of the two suspicious vehicles to other police officers who were coming to assist. As she was broadcasting this information, Middletown Police headquarters received a burglar alarm activation from the motorcycle dealership.

Corporal Ralph Flannigan, who was further south on Hwy. 35 and saw the motorcycle and the car approaching but prior to reaching Cpl. Flannigan, the motorcycle made an illegal U-turn through the barrier at Rt. 35 and Pine Street and proceeded northbound at a high rate of speed. Officer Lawrence Seymour was traveling south on Rt. 35 and saw the motorcycle on Rt. 35 north at an estimated 100 miles per hour.

The officers radioed for additional assistance to intercept the motorcycle further north on Rt. 35 as attempts to pursue the motorcycle at such high speed would have been dangerous and futile, especially since it was raining and the roadway was wet. Police officers positioned themselves along Rt. 35 in an attempt to maintain visual contact with the motorcycle as it proceeded north on Rt. 35. Officer Seymour was the last officer to see the motorcycle in the area of Cherry Tree Farm Road and Rt. 35 until Officer Brian Dilworth located the motorcycle lying on its side and abandoned at the bottom of the entrance ramp at the Target Department Store on Rt. 35 at Palmer Avenue.

Middletown, Holmdel and Hazlet officers searched the immediate area and requested the assistance of a tracking K-9 from the Hazlet Township Police Department. Hazlet Officer Kevin Geoghan and his K-9 partner, Memphis, responded to the scene. Memphis picked up the fresh scent from the motorcycle and tracked across Palmer Avenue to a gas station where Nicholas Ventarola, age 19 of Staten Island, NY, the operator of the motorcycle, was found lying under some bushes. Ventarola was arrested by Officer Best with assistance from Middletown Officers Lawrence Seymour, Brian Dilworth, Anthony Bumbico and Donald Coates and Sergeant Charles Terefenko. Officers from Hazlet and Holmdel also assisted with the arrest.

Continued investigation at Monmouth Cycles by Officer Best and Officer Seymour revealed the motorcycle, a 2005 Suzuki GSX, had been stolen from the dealership through on opening in a fenced in area.

Detective First Class Jeffery Barner was assigned to conduct the follow up investigation. He was able to identify other conspirators involved. At approximately 8:00PM Lucian Acosta, age 25, of Staten Island and John Vaccaro, age 24, also of Staten Island were arrested by DFC. Barner at Middletown Police HQs and charged with conspiracy to commit theft. Vaccaro was released on his own recognizance. There was a warrant for Acosta issued by the Superior Court in Monmouth County for failing to appear for a court appearance stemming from an incident in 2006. He was held on $10,000 bail.

Nicholas Ventarola was charged with Eluding, Resisting Arrest, Theft of Movable Property (motorcycle) and numerous motor vehicle violations. He was held on $100,000 bail with a ten percent option.

"Monk" is told to take sign down

A good story from GM News' Karen Bowes about a committee decision about a self-described Greek Orthodox monk in town. Click on the headline and go there.

APP piece about arts center incident

The APP has a story about what happened with some of the folks arrested at the PNC Bank Arts Center, in Holmdel. Click on the headline and go there.

Moscuzza joins MT ticket

At a meeting of the Middletown Township Democratic Party Executive Committee, held at the American Legion on Route 36, Tuesday, June 19, a new committee candidate was selected from the party.

Resident Janet Moscuzza will replace candidate Patrick O’Keefe on the ballot this fall. She will join newcomer Sean F. Byrnes in the race for two, three-year seats on the governing body.

Moscuzza is a retired educator who has been active in township and youth sports. She is also active in the St. Mary’s community in town.

Bloomberg won't be running for Prez this year

The best guy in a presidential election isn't running. That's the news from the AP. Click on the headline and go there.