Pizarro pens piece about new Oxley era

On the Politicker, site Staff Writer Max Pizarro has written a piece about Sen. Joe Kyrillos and his endorsement of former Sheriff Joe Oxley as chairman. This is a thoughtful piece, and very timely considering some of the rumormill surrounding this year's event. Click on the headline to go to Mr. Pizarro's piece on the Politicker.

Coverage for tonight's partisan conventions

MONUMENTAL MOMENT MOVES CLOSER? Monmouth Republicans and Democrats, respectively, will be selecting chairmen for their parties tonight. Democrats will return veteran Chairman Victor Scudiery to office, while Republicans are likely to install former Sheriff Joe Oxley as their new leader.

The Courier is going to cover tonight's Republican and Democratic conventions, respectively. Senior Courier Staff Writer Alyssa Passeggio will be covering the Republican Convention, being held at Colts Neck High School (7 p.m.). Meanwhile, Courier Staff Writer Melissa Gaffney will be covering the Democratic Convention, being held at the Shore Casino, in Atlantic Highlands (6 p.m.).

Stories will be posted on Ms. Passeggio's, Ms. Gaffney's blogs. In addition, digital video will be shot at the Republican Convention. By request of the county organiztion, video will not be shot at the Democratic Convention. However, both conventions will be covered, in detail, by still photography.

Obviously, this is a big night for Monmouth County going into this year's Fall Classic. At the very least, tonight is the unofficial beginning of the Summer Campaign Season. Start checking for video, posts and stories by about 9 p.m. tonight.

Guadagno: Strong, talented and making a case for sheriff

I had an opportunity to interview Kim Guadagno today. She is the Monmouth Beach commissioner and former assistant U.S. attorney running for Monmouth County sheriff this November for the Republican Party.

Mrs. Guadagno's resume is very impressive. She holds a juris doctor degree from the American University in Washington DC., and has significant experience on the frontline against crime. Mrs. Guadagno has worked for the U.S. Marshal Service, and, working for the U.S. Attorney's Office, prosecuted several organized crime family members.

She has lived in Monmouth for 17 years and knows the county well. Mrs. Guadagno is a clearly competent, qualified and energetic candidate who has a number of fresh ideas and plans to continue the five-star agency Monmouth County Sheriff Joe Oxley has created over his 12-year tenure.

Mrs. Guadagno is running against Belmar Police Chief Jack Hill. I will be interviewing Mr. Hill in a week or so. Mrs. Guadagno's feature will be appearing in next week's Courier.

On a personal note, after interviewing both Mr. Hill and Mrs. Guadagno, I find it refreshing that the county has two strong, talented people, each of whom are a credit to this county. Of some comfort is that each of them are intent upon continuing another distinct legacy Sheriff Oxley leaves, which is the one whereby Joe kept politics at arms' length during his time in this important county post.

If every race had candidates this strong in both parties, Monmouth would be a better place.