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Around the County
A Republican's Guide to Federal, State, and Local News
Freeholder Matt Holts Calls Upon Gov. Murphy "Clear The Roadblocks, Get NJ Back To Work Again"
As New Jersey hits 1 million residents who are now unemployed, Freeholder Matt Holt has called to set reasonable goals and requirements for the opening of the State.

Freeholder Holt, the Freeholder Board’s Economic Development liaison, stated, “Businesses that are still open have
adapted to protecting people’s health with directional signage, social distance marks on the floors, handing out
sanitary wipes, mandatory face coverings, and plexiguard shields. Let’s give closed businesses a chance to open
and implement the same safety precautions to get our economy moving again.”

Freeholder Holt continues, “We recognize COVID-19 is contagious and can be dangerous. That is why precautions must be taken with any business re-opening. But the Governor’s plan is out of sync”.

Murphy’s “plan requires 14 consecutive days of reductions in COVID-19 positive cases in the state. Yet the plan also calls for 20,000 tests per day statewide by the end of the month. But more testing will result in more positive tests, and with the increased testing we may not hit 14 straight days of decline in positive cases until sometime late in the summer or later”, Holt stated .
Senator Tom Kean (LD-21) and Senator Kip Bateman (LD-16) at the Raritan Valley Community College joint Hunterdon-Somerset Counties COVID-Testing Center

“Here in Hunterdon County we’re taking the steps necessary; we have a joint test site with Somerset County, our Health Department has made over 4000 tracing contacts, the Freeholders have approved an expanded municipal economic development grant program and have introduced a budget with no tax increase for the second year in a row, as part of our economic recovery plan”.

“Now it is time for the state to set more reasonable goals, to provide the funding to do the added testing and the
contact tracing that is needed, and, even better, the state should set up some state run test sites to help the
counties out”.

“We all know it will be sometime before we can go to a ball game, a concert, or even a movie theater. But with a more reasonable requirements, many of our businesses can re-open, bring people back to work, and begin the return to the new normalcy. We all look forward to it happening sooner, rather than later,” Holt concluded”.
First Weekend of Hunterdon County Parks Reopening Was A Success


The first weekend of Hunterdon County Parks being opened, was a success. There were no reportable incidents over the weekend, after county parks and trails re-opened, Sheriff Fred W. Brown has reported.

Freeholder John E. Lanza, the Board’s liaison for Parks, stated, “The public more than ever needs the fresh air, exercise opportunities and physical activity that also helps to improve mental health, made available by visiting our parks and trails.”

“Many people flocked to the county’s parks and trails over the weekend and it could not have gone better. Whether those in the parks were Hunterdon County residents or visitors enjoying our open spaces, everyone got the message,” Sheriff Brown said.

We'd also like to thank our Legislative delegation, Senator  Kip Bateman  (LD-16), Senator  Mike Doherty   (LD-23), Assemblyman  Erik Peterson   (LD-23) and Assemblyman  John DiMaio  (LD-23), for their efforts in advocating to the Governor for the parks to re-open.
"The psychological and economic consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to be devastating for many, further exacerbating risk factors for mental health related morbidity and mortality for our veteran community,” said Doherty (R-23). “This unprecedented crisis is a stressor for vulnerable veterans with mental health issues. COVID has the potential to worsen their overall health and put them at higher risk for suicide and other adverse outcomes, as well as for veterans who have no previous history of mental illness", Senator Mike Doherty says.

Tragically,  women veterans are 250% more likely to commit suicide  than civilian women.

“If you are a veteran experiencing emotional distress, please call the Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 and press 1,” added Doherty. “If you are the family member or friend of a veteran, reach out to them during this time of social distancing. We can help heighten awareness and prevent the unthinkable for our veterans and their families".
Tom Kean To Host Congressman Dan Crenshaw At Roundtable Discussion
Tom Kean   will be joined by Congressman  Dan Crenshaw   (TX-02), this Tuesday at 5:30pm for a roundtable discussion.

Tickets are $75 per person / $50 for Young Republicans
Rik Mehta Calls Out Cory Booker's Double Standard When It Comes Joe Biden
U.S. Senate Candidate Rik Mehta called out Senator Cory Booker and the media on the hypocrisy over the coverage of allegations against Joe Biden, compared to the treatment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018.