March 27, 2024
Hello and Happy Spring! I'm sure we all share the excitement of welcoming this beautiful season with open arms. It's a wonderful time of year to step outside and enjoy the nice weather.
It’s also a great opportunity to shop local, which is exactly what everyone can do during the Annual Made in Monmouth event on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert J. Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College on Arena Drive in Lincroft.
The County is excited to team up with Brookdale Community College once again to offer this free event to vendors and residents to support Monmouth County small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and the Made in Monmouth event is an excellent opportunity for them to showcase their wide array of locally made products, such as baked goods, jewelry, wine, home décor and so much more.
I encourage all residents and visitors to take advantage of this free event that features hundreds of consumer products made right here in Monmouth County. At the end of the day, it’s all about buying and shopping local to support the small business owners who we know to be our friends, relatives, neighbors, and colleagues. I believe small businesses are the backbone to our economy and that we should give them our support.
To learn more about the Made in Monmouth program and to view a directory of over 500 vendors that have participated in program events, please go to www.madeinmonmouth.com.
Switching gears, I want to update everyone on what I have been up to the last several weeks.
Last week, on behalf of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, I had the honor of delivering the 3rd Annual Monmouth County State of the County address. This address highlighted our achievements in 2023 and outlined our aspirations for the year ahead.
I am proud to share the many goals and accomplishments of the County as we look forward to the year ahead. I would like to thank my fellow Commissioners, the Constitutional Officers, County Administration, department heads and every employee for their hard work and dedication to the residents of Monmouth County. We promise to continue our efforts to make Monmouth County the best place to live and work—and a County that our residents can be proud of.
For those who missed it, the State of the County address was live-streamed and is available for viewing on the Monmouth County Government’s Facebook and YouTube Channel.
Furthermore, in partnership with the Monmouth Vicinage and the Monmouth County Bar Association, my fellow Commissioners and I unveiled the west entrance/security vestibule of the Monmouth County Courthouse as the “Honorable Lisa P. Thornton Memorial Hall”.
Judge Thornton was a remarkable public servant. Not only did she reshape the Monmouth Vicinage but her willingness to partner with the County to create programs to assist those in need showed her incredible level of compassion. Through this memorial, her legacy will live on in Monmouth County and the State of NJ.
The dedication ceremony was live-streamed on the Monmouth County Government’s Facebook and YouTube Channel.
Additionally, my fellow Commissioners and I hosted a kickoff event at Long Branch Distillery where, for the first time ever, we proclaimed March as Craft Beverage Month through the Brewed & Distilled in Monmouth initiative.
Brewed & Distilled in Monmouth is our latest program for economic development that focuses on the promotion of the breweries, distilleries, and wineries in Monmouth County. I would like to encourage everyone to visit our breweries, distilleries, and wineries during March in honor of Craft Beverage Month. To learn more about Brewed & Distilled in Monmouth, visit www.BrewedandDistilledinMonmouth.com
Lastly, County Clerk Christine Hanlon and I have been actively engaged in touring municipalities across Monmouth County, engaging in discussions centered around "Talking 250". Throughout these visits, we engage with local governing bodies to highlight the significance of "America 250 Monmouth NJ", commemorating Monmouth County's pivotal role in the American Revolution and marking America's 250th anniversary in 2026.
Additionally, we discussed the exciting events planned for this historic celebration. For further details and to explore these events further, we invite you to visit https://monmouthnj250.org.
As always, it’s a privilege to serve as your Commissioner Director.
Sincerely,
Tom Arnone
Commissioner Director, Monmouth County
