Monmouth Republicans Sweep County Races

Freeholders Curley and DiMaso defeat challengers William Shea and Kevin Lavan; incumbent French best Steinhorn in county clerk bid.

The Monmouth County Republicans will retain a 5-0 majority on the Board of Chosen Freeholders. With 99 percent of districts reporting, Freeholder Director John Curley and Freeholder Serena DiMaso led their Democratic opponents William Shea and Kevin Lavan by over 25,000 votes, according to unofficial results from the Monmouth County Board of Elections. "We are gathered here tonight to make sure that what you have entrusted in us remains and creates the greatest county in the state of New Jersey," Curley said during Monmouth County Republican Committee’s election party at South Gate Manor in Freehold Tuesday night. Curley, a Middletown resident, had 134,510 votes to Shea’s 105,356. The win gives Curley a second full term on the county …

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Hurricane Sandy

Text First, Talk Second During Hurricane Sandy

Monmouth County Freeholder Serena DiMaso collaborated on this public service announcement about using texting instead of land lines after a flood, earthquake, hurricane or tornado.

In a campaign to encourage Americans to "be prepared, not scared" in emergencies, Freeholder Serena DiMaso of Holmdel collaborated with the National Foundation for Women Legislators and the Safe America Foundation to encourage Americans to do a “texting drill." The text-messaging drill, to be used in emergencies, is just two steps.  "The idea is that many times circuits are busy, and phone lines cannot connect," said DiMaso, who created the video for the September 2011 National Preparedness Month.  For millions of Americans, the idea that they can rely on texting in an emergency could be a new concept.   But it makes sense because, during 9/11 as well as the earthquake on the east coast, wireless networks that were unable to transmit a …

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Monmouth County Freeholder Candidates Vie for Office

Republican incumbents John P. Curley and Serena DiMaso face Democrats William Shea and Kevin Lavan

The incumbents touted cost-saving measures and corruption-fighting, while the challengers appealed for political diversity during a debate among the Monmouth County freeholder candidates. The Monmouth County League of Women Voters hosted a forum at Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Wednesday featuring all four candidates seeking slots on the freeholder board. Two seats on the all-Republican county board of five are up for grabs in the November election: a three-year, full term spot currently held by Freeholder Director John P. Curley and a one-year, unexpired term for a seat held by Freeholder Serena DiMaso. Democrat William Shea of Howell is challenging Curley, a former Red Bank councilman who currently resides in …

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JosephGhabourLaw

10:32 am on Monday, October 22, 2012

A big "thank you" to League of Women Voters for holding this event. When doing one's duty as citizen to vote, being informed is key. Debates such as this let us know where the candidates stand, by having them answer questions in an unscripted, neutral setting.   more ›

Serena DiMaso Joins Freeholder Board

Former Holmdel mayor and committeewoman was sworn in to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomed a new face on the dais. Former Holmdel Township Committeewoman Serena DiMaso was sworn in as a member of the county board during the governing body’s regular meeting on Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Hall of Records building in Freehold. “I am honored and humbled to stand on the shoulders of these great men and women who came before me, whose foresight and vision for Monmouth County has made it one of the best—if not the best—place to live in the United States,” said DiMaso, who was joined during her swearing-in ceremony by her husband and four children. “My promise to all you is this: I will continue the tradition of providing Monmouth County residents with quality of life that is second …

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DiMaso Sworn in as Newest Freeholder

Won election after Howell Mayor Robert Walsh conceded in second round of voting

A unique election cycle came to an end on Saturday morning when Holmdel Deputy Mayor Serena DiMaso resigned to be sworn in as the newest member of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Saturday's election at Colts Neck High School was voted on by members of the Monmouth County Republican Committee with a total of 486 ballots being cast in the first round. Needing 50 percent of the vote plus one more to gain a majority, DiMaso garnered exactly 243 votes to force a second round of voting. Her closest competitor, Howell Mayor Robert Walsh, who was a distant second with 140 votes, conceded the election before the second round of voting was completed. DiMaso said after the election she was looking forward to taking on this latest …

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GOP to Select New Freeholder Saturday

Howell mayor among field of four contending for unexpired seat

Monmouth County Republicans will gather at Colts Neck High School Saturday to determine who will fill a vacated seat on the county Board of Chosen Freeholders. Howell Mayor Robert Walsh, Holmdel Mayor Serena DiMaso, Atlantic Highlands Councilman Peter Doyle and Manalapan Councilman Ryan Green all vie for the unexpired seat left vacant upon former board Director Robert Clifton’s election to the state Assembly. County committee members will cast ballots that will be tabulated immediately Saturday, with the winning candidate taking their oath of office later this month. The winner will run to keep the seat in fall 2012, with the chance to run for a full term in 2013. Walsh, who would have to resign his Howell post if selected, said he is “…

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