Welcome to Freehold Township Republican Club

David Segal, probably born in Brooklyn, New York, doesn’t mention it because as far as he’s concerned, his life began after arriving in Freehold Township, New Jersey, is probably its greatest cheerleader. Graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, a heritage he shares with other attendees and graduates like Clive Davis, Neil Diamond, James Florio, Beverly Sills, Barbra Streisand and Eli Wallach, just to name a few. No, Dave does not personally know them all, even if they may have voted for him as mayor of Freehold Township, which he served 5 times during his tenure of 26 years on the governing body.

Retiring in 2000 to move to Florida with his patient and wonderful wife, Celia, she following family, and he following his passion for boating and great fishing. I guess he didn’t find Lake Topanemus challenging enough.

According to Dave, “I’m just another guy retiring from public office.”

Well not so insignificant. He served for 26 years on the town’s Board of Health and 20 years on the Planning Board. He was also involved in county government having served on the Monmouth County Planning Board, as emergency management coordinator and as a commissioner and former chairman of the Manasquan River Regional Sewerage Authority.

In 1999, Segal was inducted into the New Jersey League of Municipalities Elected Officials Hall of Fame in recognition of 20-plus years spent as an elected official.

As he often puts it,” I still consider Freehold my hometown and follow the news there regularly.” Dave still keeps up with goings on in Freehold Township either thorough Facebook, emails, Skype, and oh yes, even through cell or land line phone calls.

Oh, did I mention that Dave is a former Marine! Semper Fi.

When thinking about the legendary Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, the reputation for leading New Jersey with innovation and attentiveness to its citizens is resounding. Building upon that standing is Christine Hanlon’s daunting effort she faces every day as the newly appointed County Clerk replacing Claire French who retired in March 2015.

While Ms. Hanlon could easily sit back and glide along with our former County Clerk Claire French’s milestones, Christine as the current County Clerk is creating new defining moments.

Under her leadership, the Clerk’s Office is responsible for an enormous amount of work from recording property deeds, mortgages, liens, etc.; business documents such as trade names and contracts; overseeing elections; filing notices; handling applications for passports, processing veteran ID’s; archiving and keeping historic records; and performing weddings, just to name a few.

Christine comes well equipped for the job as an Attorney of over 20 years most recently with one of New Jersey’s largest law firms, her focus has been on government and municipal law. She has been a Commissioner on the Monmouth County Board of Elections and President of the Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce.

Christine has always worked hard toward excellence through her education at top institutions graduating from Barnard College, Columbia University, and receiving her law degree from Fordham University. 

She was a Law Clerk to a Chief United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and served as a member of the Arson and Economic Crime Unit in the capacity of Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, New York, prosecuting white collar, narcotics and violent felony cases.

Claire French has spoken of her confidence in Christine’s ability, now we need to come out vote for Christine Hanlon either at the poll or by mail-in ballot to assure the continuing reputation of Monmouth County leading New Jersey.

Fellow County Committee Members and Township Committee,

It is with sadness to inform you of the passing of the wife of our fellow County Committeeman, Michael Tucker. His wife, Sandra Tucker, died early morning on Monday, June 15 from complications due to a recent heart operation.

Michael has been the County Committeeman for District 21 (Raintree) for many years.  Even though Mike has physical limitations, he is always present for our County Committee meetings and supports our Candidates.  He is truly an upstanding individual and this loss is going to be very difficult for him.

Below is the information for services and Shiva for Sandra Tucker.  If you cannot attend the Shiva, perhaps you can pay your respects to Mike and his family by sending a sympathy card to him.  This is a time when we need to show Mike our support.

If you have any questions, please contact either Chairman Graziano or Debbie Aurilia.

Time:         7Am to 9AM is Shiva with services scheduled for 8PM at the same location

Location:        Mike’s daughter’s home at 10 Liberty Rd, Marlboro, NJ 07746

In lieu of any personal donations or flowers,  the Tucker family would like a donation in the name of Sandra Tucker to your favorite charity.

If you’d like to send a sympathy card, Mike’s address is below:

Michael Tucker, 79 Aspen Lane, Freehold, NJ 07728

Monday, June 22nd

Paul Smith, of Privacy Patrol, and Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon were guest speakers.

Mr. Smith, owner and president of an identity protection company located in Avenel, NJ shared his experience in helping clients with fraud, identity theft, wallets stolen, and credit card abuses, just to name a few issues we are all vulnerable. Paul spoke of everyday awareness when we answer an email, use a credit card, answer a solicitation call, and other common activities, that threaten our identities and privacy. While difficult to completely stop, he made suggestions to provide some degree of protective measures we can enact.

Christine Hanlon introduced herself and made a few brief comments on changes within the County Clerk’s office and plans for its future. Ms. Hanlon will return after the summer break on September 8th to expand on the Clerk’s Office.

“This is getting to be a little outrageous to me, as well as in the minds of many residents and commuters,” Beck said. “Just five years ago, NJ Transit increased fares by 25%. Now they have come back with another plan for a 9% increase in fares, paired with service cuts. Residents in my district, who overwhelmingly use NJ Transit if they are commuting into North Jersey or New York City, shouldn’t be saddled with constantly increasing fares. These residents deserve better.”

May 6^th, 2015 – The first excerpt of Guest Speaker, Senator Jennifer Beck of the New Jersey Legislature representing District 11, comments at the April 27^th Freehold Township Republican Club meeting.

 [Author’s note – Senator Beck presented a great deal of candid and very insightful information in her remarks. Therefore, in order to do justice to all she offered, this update will be spread in a number of postings over a period of time. Please come back each time for more. Your comments are welcome and will be passed along to Senator Beck.]

The Senator presented and answered questions regarding expected poor voter turnout for the upcoming election; the impact of public employee pension and health benefits on the NJ budget; funding the Transportation Trust Fund and potential of a gas tax; education reform and more.

Senator Jennifer Beck stood for well over an hour to the largest turnout in quite some time. Unlike the turnout for this meeting, she began her comments with concern of the “oddness” of the upcoming election season. Reminding the group that during the 2011 election, when redistricting created the new district 11, she, Mary Pat Angelini, and Caroline Casagrande faced a low 28% voter turnout. This time however, with the State Assembly leading the ticket, only a lower 20% turnout is expected. Those highly educated and followers of politics expect a negative aura for Republicans considering the usual polling levels of a governor’s 6^th year at the close of his office and press reporting of the Bridge Gate indictments over the summer.

The best results in raising turnout would be a campaign strategy targeted to encourage citizen voting, those who voted in the last 3 or 4 general elections and the handful of individuals who have special interests. Senator Beck offered her readiness to assist candidates both financially and with her traditionally effective walking tours to meet their respective constituents.

In addition, of the “three things most often” making the press recently, she began her remarks regarding the growing budget.  As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, she is acutely aware of the issues. The Senator indicated that while the state government has grappled with two billion less discretionary dollars since the 2008 budget, overall it is still growing “completely due” to obligations of providing pension and health benefits to New Jersey public employees.

New Jersey’s “Platinum Plan” makes it the 3^rd richest health benefit plan in the country. In addition, the Northeast’s medical expenses are high and contribute to the extraordinary cost. The average yearly price of the public employee’s family plan is between $26,000 and $36,000, with the vast majority funded by tax payers. While understandably complaining when the reality of their contribution increases hit after the 2010 benefit reforms, they “don’t come close” to what private sector employees contribute.

Further, should a full pension payment be made to the public employees plan, and the required funding of the healthcare program, 23% of a thirty-four billion dollar budget will “just go to funding” benefits. And the “scary thing” is that’s almost a quarter of the budget. “It is not sustainable” according to Senator Beck. We are headed to a day when the pension can become bankrupt, and as such, they will say “we are going to give you 25 cents on the dollar”. The Senator is “disappointed the teacher’s union walked away from the table” in spite of “a road map we had started to discuss.” The road map kept current employees to what they had, and a reviewed potential different tracks in terms of changing retirement and health plans going forward.

We can work together to fix it for the almost 500,000 active and retired employees, or it will resolve itself. “It could come to employees relying on certain pension dollars”, that “it is not going to be there”. This year $1.3 billion will be put in the budget as a pension payment. Senator Beck doesn’t believe it fair to blame Governor Christie for the problem when he has funded the pension at the highest level since any of the last five governors. While the court did not order the payment be paid for the last year, it has directed that the problem of funding be figured out by going back to negotiate with the public employees union.

In spite of attempts, as of last week the state was sued to fully fund the pension at $3.3 billion. The Senator expressed that “it just doesn’t exist”. She stated that even should the millionaire’s tax be raised, it would only bring in only $600 to $700 million, and she wasn’t sure where the additional $2.7 billion would come from. That thinking is “folly” and she has difficulty understanding the “lunacy” of representatives of the state legislature, Senate President and the Assembly Speaker, as sponsors of the budget, joining in the law suit against the state of New Jersey. While putting the budget together, they are suing themselves, which adds to the current “chaos”. But have faith, they will be working to resolve this as in many others state’s and municipalities are grappling with similar issues.

[The next postings will continue with Senator Beck’s presentation which includes comments on funding the Transportation Trust Fund and potential of a gas tax; education reform and more]

FREEHOLD AIRPORT – Gateway to?

What, you haven’t heard that Freehold has an airport? Well rest assured, there is such a thing. You can in fact join the Nutmeg Club Association of Freehold at their open house on Sunday, May 31st and even win a free glider ride. They’ve been around since 1956. Or, you might want to attend the 2015 Blue Grass Event in August sponsored by the Freehold Airport Association.

If you are planning to visit Freehold Airport, the trip will probably take 2½ hours from Freehold. That’s because Freehold Airport is in the Catskill region of New York. Yes, the airport is in Freehold, New York.

So if you’re inclined to visit as I have, check out the website for the Nutmeg Association or The Freehold Airport Association.

Just a few things to help you spend a nice day –

41st Annual Monmouth County Fair – Rain or Shine, You’ll All Have a Great Time”–

Wednesday, July 22nd through Sunday, July 26th.  – 5:00 – 11:00PM Weekdays; 3-11:00PM on Saturday; 11:00AM – 6:00PM on Sunday

Food, Shows, Contests, Face Painting, Rides, Entertainment, and much, muc more. Guaranteed to have aa good time and get tired. . See link for more details

The Great Auditorium at Ocean Grove–

If you’ve never been at an event in the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, you need to add this to your “Beach Blanket List”. Unlike like the “Bucket List”, you’ll want to do this as many times as possible. Ocean Grove is a lovely area just south of Asbury Park, offering a few quint restaurants and shops, and an easy stroll on the newly post Sandy reconstructed boardwalk. And of course, one must stop at Nagles for an ice cream treat.

There are many things to do from rummage sales, art & crafts festivals, vintage car shows. See link for more details

Lake Topanemus Park

Whichever way it’s pronounced, it should mean “a nice quiet place to get away to” just for relaxation, watching the birds and fishers. However, if you want to and the serenity, ask a local if it is in the Borough or Township. Open daily, for free if you help keep it clean and follow a few modest rules.

As described by the described by the Lake Topanemus Park Commission

Lake Topanemus Park is a 71-acre site with abundant natural beauty. The park has been a long time favorite spot for those who like to fish, jog, bike, boat, picnic, walk, and bird watch. Many folks just use the park to relax in a tranquil setting full of trees, flowers and wildlife. The care of the park is overseen by the Lake Topanemus Park Commission.

April 17th,2015 – County Committee Members:

We are having our first Freehold Township County Committee meeting of 2015 on Monday, May 18, 2015, at 7:15PM.  The meeting will be held at iPlay and we will follow up with an email containing the details and the agenda at a future date.

We ask that you mark your calendar to attend this very important meeting to kick off the 2015 Election on Monday, May 18th.

We look forward to seeing all of you there!

Warmest Regards,

Tony Graziano, Freehold Township Republican Chairman

Debbie Aurilia, Freehold Township Republican Vice-Chair

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

April 1st,2015 – County Committee Members:

From Debbie Aurilia, Vice Chair

County Committee Members:

We do plan to have our first County Committee meeting of 2015 either in April or May.  Details will be sent in a future email.

As a reminder, we want to point out your importance as a County Committee person. You are the direct official representative of the Republican Party to all Republicans in your election district.

As such, we ask you to be aware of problems in your district and if a problem presents itself to you, please contact either the Township Committee or the Freehold Township Republican Committee, Chair, Tony Graziano, or myself, your Vice Chair so that immediate attention and action can be taken to resolve the problem.  Being a County Committee person is a twelve month obligation.

We strongly advise you to join and attend the monthly meetings of the Freehold Township Republican Club.  Township Committee always has a presence at these meetings which helps to keep you informed of the goings on of the township.  This allows you to be aware of things that may be of interest to the constituents in your district.   The information for the Republican Club’s next meeting is below!

Next meeting is Monday,  April 27, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. we will have an opportunity to hear from State Senator Jennifer Beck. As usual the meeting will be at the Szechuan Star Restaurant located at 3338 Route 9 South. Prior to the meeting, dinner will be served at 6:30PM and a nominal fee of $5 will be charged for dinner.  If you have any questions about the Club, please be free to email or call us!

We thank you again for all your efforts and look forward to seeing you at our first meeting of 2015

Tony Graziano, Chair
Debbie Aurilia, Vice Chair

 April 4, 2015 – FREEHOLD’S OWN – ARTHUR KONDRUP

Arthur R Kondrup, born in Jersey City, graduated from Seton Hall University majoring in industrial management, and then received an MBA from New York University, He is also a former member of the Freehold Township Committee serving as mayor five times, and is a well-known face who has brought much to our area.

It’s always a thrill sitting next to Arthur and his spouse Patricia, who have been married for over 61 years, in a restaurant watching locals coming up and saying nice things to them. Pleasantries such as, “Gee Art, it’s great to see you and Pat looking so well.” Or, “Remember us, you married us in town hall”; “Great speech when you presented me with the award”; Mom and Dad wanted me to say hello”; and other expressions of familiarity. The fun is watching Arthur try to convince those coming forward that he actually knows who they were. A true master politician.

Art and Pat raised their 5 children in Freehold, who also blessed them with 10 grandchildren and step grandchildren. In addition, they’ve continued the Kondrup standing in their individual successful paths as a retired member and now a consultant to the Prosecutors Office; a highly respected financial advisor First Vice President at Morgan Stanley; a 911 dispatcher for the New Jersey State Police, a Superior Court Judge in Monmouth County, and a Financial Executive with AIG.

Arthur has served his family and community very well. He introduced information technology to the New York/New Jersey Port of Authority while there in the 1950’s. In his Masters papers he forecasted the proliferation of computers to a personal level, when only mainframe computers were the norm and required a sizeable staff to operate them. Also in the 1950’s. After his tenure on the Township Committee, Art expanded his public service as the first chairman of the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing and Deputy Commissioner of DEP, as well as serving on many Boards and Committees. He returned to the private sector in executive positions for firms such Shoprite Supermarkets and Hovnanian Builders. He fostered the introduction of the Freehold Raceway Mall and as Chairman of Freehold Area Hospital, led its transition to what has become CentraState Healthcare System. Arthur steered restoring the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce to its current place as the Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce. He finally retired to become a southern gentlemen where he and Pat continue to live in Freehold Township and occasional spend time at the family home in Salisbury, North Carolina.

So if you find yourself running into Arthur, say on Kondrup Way as it crosses Route 33 getting a cone at Dairy Queen, or a sub at Sorrento’s, or hopefully staying out of trouble at the Prosecutor’s Office, say hello to Arthur and watch him struggle remembering your name. You’ll enjoy his often heard expression, “High Guy”.