Senator Sean Kean recently visited the Shark River Hills Elementary School to talk to 5th grade students about state government.
Senator Sean Kean was joined by local Gold Star families and representatives from military organizations at a press conference to highlight legislation he has sponsored in honor of New Jersey military families. Pictured from left to right are: Lou Parisi, Past Commander, Asbury Park VFW Post #1333; Kathleen Quinlan, Robert Quinlan, both of Bradley Beach; Bernadette Sherman, Neptune Township; Terry Wildeman, Farmingdale; Senator Sean Kean; Barbara Saba, Anthony Saba, both of Toms River; and Joe Keddy, Commander, Asbury Park VFW Post #1333.
The Wall Township Environmental Advisory Committee (WTEAC) sponsored the 5th Annual Environmental Summit at the township municipal building. The event was hosted by Senator Sean Kean, Assemblyman Dave Rible, and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini and gave residents the opportunity to discuss legislation, concerns, and issues related to the environment. Pictured from left to right are: Rich Mertens, Vice Chair, WTEAC; Trish Longo McCarthy, Secretary, WTEAC; Senator Sean Kean; Wilma Morrissey, WTEAC Chair; Assemblyman Dave Rible; Committeeman Jeff Foster, WTEAC Liaison and Wall Councilman; Joe Balesterri, pending member, WTEAC; and Sue Klinger, WTEAC.
James Gray of Troop 333 of Wall Township was recognized with a resolution from the 11th District legislators for having achieved the high rank of Eagle Scout. Pictured from left to right at the ceremony are: Senator Sean Kean; James Gray; Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini; and Assemblyman Dave Rible.
Pictured at the annual Italian American Festival in Ocean Township from left to right are: Deputy Mayor David Hiers; Councilwoman Donna Schepiga; Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini; Assemblyman Dave Rible; Mayor William Larkin; Senator Sean Kean; Councilman William Garofalo; Mario Delano, Co-Chair of the Italian American Festival; and Carlo Gallello, Co-Chair of the Italian American Festival.
Senator Sean T. Kean called for the DOT to implement new traffic patterns at the site of the new Route 36 Highlands Bridge. Pictured from left to right are: Mike Carson, Brooks Seafood Distributors; Kathleen Brooks, Something Fishy Restaurant; and Senator Sean Kean.
The Ocean Grove Home Owners Association held their Annual Breakfast at the Starving Artist Restaurant. Pictured from left to right are: Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini; Assemblyman Dave Rible; and Senator Sean Kean.
Assemblyman Dave Rible (L) and Senator Sean Kean (R) are shown presenting a resolution at the dedication for the Gregory Francis Rubin and Carlyn Kelly Wallach Family Room at the David S. Zocchi Brain Tumor Center at Monmouth Medical Center.
Senator Sean Kean is shown speaking at the Clean Ocean Action “Rally for Ocean Independence” held at the Asbury Park Boardwalk at Langosta Lounge.
The 11th district legislators recently honored local historian for West Long Branch Arthur T. Green, II with a resolution recognizing his record of service to history and historical preservation within his community through his roles as a Veterans Grove Registrar for Monmouth County and as Departmental Historian of the City of Long Branch Fire Department. Pictured from left to right are: Bridget Green; Assemblyman Dave Rible; Michelle Green; Paige Green; Arthur T. Green, II; Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini; and Senator Sean Kean.
$400 Billion in Federal Funds at Stake for Local Communities
Senator Sean Kean, Assemblyman Dave Rible and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini are strongly urging all residents to fill out the 2010 United States Census.
“The purpose of the census is to make sure that everyone residing in the United States is properly counted,” said Kean. “Encouraging residents to complete the survey will help to ensure that our area receives an accurate amount of appropriate resources.”
Governor Issues Executive Order to Freeze COAH
Senator Sean Kean and Assembly members Dave Rible and Mary Pat Angelini (all R-11) held a town meeting last night in Wall Township to discuss updates regarding the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) rules. Many residents were in attendance to learn how the rules will mean for their town.
Governor Chris Christie issued an executive order to halt COAH and created an advisory panel to provide recommendations for this policy within 90 days. During the 90 day period, the Council on Affordable Housing cannot take any action to process applications for substantive certification or to take any other actions to implement the COAH third round regulations.
Measure Would Limit Artificial Reef Use to Recreational Anglers
Legislation introduced by Senator Sean Kean (R-11) that would restrict the use of New Jersey’s artificial reefs to recreational fishermen will be heard by the Senate Environment Committee Monday, February 1. The hearing will be in committee room 10 at 10 A.M. in the State House Annex. Senator Kean will testify in favor of the bill at the hearing.
“The state spends large amounts of time and effort constructing and maintaining artificial reefs in local waters, ” Kean stated. “It is important that we take the necessary steps to protect our artificial reef system from damage of over fishing.”
In light of the recent massive earthquakes that have devastated the country of Haiti, the office of Senator Sean Kean, Assemblyman Dave Rible, and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini has been designated as a drop off location for any residents interested in donating to the millions of people who may have been affected by the quake. New Jersey and the local communities in Monmouth County are home to many Haitian immigrants who have surely been impacted by this natural disaster in some way.
Builders Remedy Suits May Result in Hundreds of Affordable Housing Units
Senator Sean Kean and Assembly members Dave Rible and Mary Pat Angelini held a town meeting last night at the Ocean Township High School Auditorium to discuss the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) rules. Hundreds of residents were in attendance to voice their opposition to the COAH rules that will result in the construct of hundreds of units of affordable housing due to builders remedy lawsuits that have been filed against the town.
“Ocean residents are obviously concerned about the impact the construction of new affordable housing units will have on their community,” said Kean. “Requiring the town to build hundreds of new units will dramatically change this community as it can result in overdevelopment and higher property taxes.”
Senator Sean Kean, R-Monmouth, said he was glad to see that Senators Raymond Lesniak and Kip Bateman are moving forward with hearings on Senate Bill 1, which seeks to abolish the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and create a fair plan to meet affordable housing goals. Kean noted the move comes after New Jersey’s unemployment rose to 10.1 percent in December – higher than the national average and the highest level in 33 years.
“So-called ‘affordable’ housing rules are blocking development at a time when New Jersey desperately needs the jobs these projects should create,” Senator Kean said. “These rules also will force towns to raise property taxes to pay for housing that may not be needed at a time when New Jersey property taxes are already the highest in the nation.”
Five Republican senators today said that it’s unlikely that a bill redefining marriage can pass the Senate and asked their Democratic colleagues to join them in a bipartisan effort to strengthen New Jersey’s civil union law. The five said that while they can’t support the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act (S-1967), they will work to ensure that New Jersey civil union law is enforced and provides all rights and benefits that legislators intended.
“Moving testimony in Senate hearings suggests that New Jersey’s civil union law is not always understood or followed,” Senator Tom Kean said. “We need to educate the public about the law, and enhance it if necessary so that no civil union partner is turned away from the hospital bed of a loved one.”
Bill Authorizes Gold Star License Plates for Parents of Soldiers Killed Overseas
Senator Sean Kean stood with Gold Star families and representatives from military organizations at a press conference to highlight legislation he has sponsored in honor of New Jersey military families that would authorize a special Gold Star Family license plate for families of servicemen and women who have lost their lives while on active duty for the United States.
Senator Sean Kean was joined by local Gold Star families and representatives from military organizations at a press conference to highlight legislation he has sponsored in honor of New Jersey military families.
According to the Washington Post, nearly 4,400 servicemen and women have died while serving in Iraq and more than 900 in Afghanistan. 93 have come from New Jersey.
How Much Road Maintenance Would Be Cut, How High Would Tolls Be Raised?
Senator Sean T. Kean questioned whether Governor Corzine has a new plan to lease New Jersey toll roads to a foreign business. Just hours after the New York Times reported that Governor Jon Corzine discussed in an interview reviving his massively unpopular plan to sell the New Jersey Turnpike and raise tolls by 800%, a spokesman for Corzine quickly claimed that the Governor was actually referring to a toll road in Indiana. When discussing monetization, the Times quoted Corzine as saying, “This idea worked.”
“Governor Corzine’s comments to the New York Times seem pretty clear, I don’t see any mention of Indiana,” said Kean. “In either case, if the Governor has a new secret plan to lease the New Jersey Turnpike to a foreign operator, he should disclose the plan immediately.”
Legislator Contests Imposition of Emergency Ban on Recreational Anglers
Senator Sean Kean introduced a Senate resolution opposing the federal six-month ban on black sea bass fishing beyond three miles of shore. As of October 5, 2009, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has imposed a ban on the recreational fishing sector harvest in response to a report release by the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey that suggested the 2009 federal quota for black sea bass would be surpassed.
“It is unfair to take such a drastic measure and restrict fishermen when other conflicting reports show that the quota for black sea bass will not be exceeded,” he said. “Local anglers should not be punished as a result of this flawed data.”
