Hurricane Sandy

Local Officials Describe Sandy's Widespread Devastation, 'Human Misery' to Senate Panel

State Senate looking to improve infrastructure, hear from local mayors, police chiefs on Hurricane Sandy specifics

Local officials described in dramatic detail the work of rescue and rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, as state senators listened to how the Jersey Shore is grappling with widespread devastation and how to improve for the future. “This is flooding, devastation, I’d never have imagined in my lifetime,” said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy, one of the first panelists detailing specific anecdotes and financial spending in response to Hurricane Sandy. The panelists were called by the state Senate Budget Committee, held in Toms River Monday. It was the first of several meetings aiming to equip senators with a better understanding as the state figures out how to fund the rebuilding of a collapsed infrastructure and to improve it in …

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Direct from the Source

Column: Holzapfel Calls for Bail Reform

Holzapfel Supports Governor’s Call for Constitutional Amendment on Bail Reform

Column as submitted by the District 10 office of Sen. Jim Holzapfel: Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-10), a member of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee, announced his support for Governor Chris Christie’s proposal to modify the right to bail through an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution. Holzapfel, a former county prosecutor, has long supported reforms to prevent violent criminals from having the opportunity to continue preying on the public. “Anyone who has worked in law enforcement or the courts knows that we have a virtual revolving door for violent offenders who are arrested, charged and released back to the streets where they often commit more crimes before they reach trial,” said Holzapfel. “Governor Christie is 100 percent …

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Somethin' To Talk About

Poll: Where Do You Stand on SOPA?

Discussion on the federal legislation before Congress

An online protest of the SOPA and PIPA legislation is building today with Wikipedia blacking out its content, encouraging users to contact legislators on the two bills. Now before both houses of Congress, SOPA and PIPA aim to curtail piracy and strengthen protection of intellectual property, but opposition says it's at the expense of the free distribution of information and is tantamount to censorship. We've put up a poll to share your thoughts on the legislation. The full text of the bills can be found online here and here. Where ever your opinion falls on the subject, to share your thoughts with legislators, though, first determine which legislative district you reside. Toms River is in New Jersey's Third Congressional district, …

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10th District Senate, Assembly Seats Up For Grabs

With Ciesla retiring, a long-time assemblyman looks to move to the upper house of the legislature

Next Tuesday will mark the first election day since 1992 when voters will not be able to cast their ballot for Andrew Ciesla to represent the tenth district in the New Jersey State Senate. The longtime GOP legislator from Brick's Herbertsville section announced in February that he would retire at the end of his term. That announcement prompted Ciesla's longtime Assembly running mate, James Holzapfel, also of Brick, to run for the open seat. Holzapfel, a Republican, is being opposed by frequent Democratic candidate Charles Tivenan, another Brick native. But while the players on the Senate side of the race are well-known to voters district-wide – with Holzapfel having the advantage of both incumbency and a heavily Republican district behind …

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