11th District legislators: Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (L), Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, and Senator Jennifer Beck (R) Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, NJ. August 3, 2013. Photo by Paul Goldfinger

Paul Goldfinger,  Editor  @Blogfinger

It was raining lightly today on Main Avenue in the Grove when I noticed a flurry of excitement by the OG bakery.  There was a photo shoot of some elected and aspiring Republican women. So I pedaled Blogmobile, Jr. over there and joined in the media frenzy.

Our district, the 11th (of 40), is represented by one State senator and two members of the Assembly.  Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, who has been in the Assembly since 2008, said that the Governor and his staff are taking an active interest in Ocean Grove’s second appeal to FEMA.  She said that the Governor’s office was  “very upset” when our first appeal was rejected and that there is a good chance for FEMA to reverse its decision.

State Senator Jennifer Beck, Senator since 2008,  has been directly involved in discussions about the FEMA situation along with Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, who has been in the Assembly since January, 2012.   Sen. Beck said that she has “high hopes” for a FEMA reversal.

Assemblywoman Casagrande, from Colts Neck,  is considered a rising star.  At the age of 36, she is the youngest woman to ever serve in the NJ Assembly. She is leaving for Israel this month having been selected for the fact finding trip by the American Jewish Council.

The New Jersey legislature currently is dominated by Democrats in both houses.

Also present for this political rendezvous in the Grove were Republican candidates for Neptune Township Committee: Danielle Daly and Alva Flores, who will be campaigning  as a team for two seats at the mother ship’s  big table. That election will be in November.

For you history buffs, the first NJ Senate President from Monmouth County was Anthony Reckless in 1863.  It would be fitting if Anthony Weiner were to adopt that name for his internet travels.

FRANK SINATRA: