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Christie, Scudiery take honors at Crystal Beacon gala

 By JIM PURCELL, Publisher

 The Northern Mon-mouth Chamber of Commerce held its annual Crystal Beacon Awards Dinner on May 15, at the Oyster Point Hotel, in Red Bank. About 300 area residents took part in the annual chamber event.

This year, the chamber awarded its Business Ambassador of the Year award to prominent Bayshore business owner Victor V. Scudiery, owner of Scudiery Enterprises, Hazlet.

In addition, the chamber awarded its Public Servant of the Year award to U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie.

The Timothy Pauxtis Foundation was also recognized with the “Non Profit of the Year Award” and accountant Lynn Conover, from Middle-town’s Curchin Group, was presented with the chamber’s President’s Award.

The guest emcee for the event was state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, R-Mon-mouth/Middlesex.

“Every year, the Northern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce comes together as leaders in business and politics to celebrate our wonderful community and to honor select individuals and organizations,” chamber President Arthur Gallagher said. “Each of tonight’s honorees has contributed mightily to what is great about Northern Monmouth County.”

The event brought out luminaries from around Monmouth County and included, among others: former state Sen. Joseph Azzolina, Sr.; freeholders Barbara McMorrow and John D’Amico; Hazlet school board President Glenn Mason, who is also running for freeholder this year on the Democratic ticket; former Assembly candidate Amy Mallet, who is running for freeholder this year with Mason; Red Bank Councilman John Curley, who is running for freeholder on the Republican slate this year; former Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph Oxley; Highlands Mayor Anna Little; Greater Long Branch NAACP President Lorenzo W. Dangler; former Middletown Mayor Joan Smith; as well as Hazlet Business Association co-founder and prominent Bayshore businessman John Conti.

Once misconstrued as a predominantly Republican organization, Smith noted that the chamber has always been a bipartisan group. She noted that the selection of Scudiery as the chamber’s businessman of the year reflected that, given the fact Scudiery is also the county Democratic chairman.

Meanwhile, Gallagher lauded Christie’s efforts to battle corruption in the state. “It may be bad news when [Christie] makes an arrest, and news that shakes our confidence in some of the people the public has chosen to trust, but it is needed for things to get better,” said Gallagher, referring to Christie’s prosecution of several Bayshore area officials during Operation Bid Rig.

Azzolina is a multiple Crystal Beacon Award winner. He congratulated each of the honorees. “The Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce is a great institution that has made a real difference in this county,” Azzolina said. “Each of these awardees have made a great contribution to our area and truly deserve this honor.”

Azzolina applauded the direction of the chamber, as well. “The chamber is definitely heading in the right direction. At a time when business is being most challenged, this chamber is showing resolve where it involves the area business community.” Azzolina said such resolve makes a difference in a successful area business community.

Formerly the Greater Middletown Chamber of Commerce, Smith said she has witnessed the transformation of the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce into a larger organization, inclusive of so many nearby areas. “It’s wonderful to see things happen at the chamber,” she said.

During the presentations, Kyrillos said he has always admired Christie. “I used to tell [Christie] that, if he wanted, there would be a place in my administration when I became governor,” Kyrillos joked. “As things turned out, my vision may be true, but it may not be my administration as governor.” Kyrillos alluded to political rumors around a possible run by Christie for governor, after he concluded his term as New Jersey’s U.S. attorney.

Afterward, Hazlet attorney Patrick Healy introduced Scudiery. Healy noted Scudiery’s great generosity through the years, which included a multi-million-dollar gift to the Bayshore Senior Health, Education and Recreation Center, in Keansburg.

Healy said, “When [Scudiery] makes a commitment to the community, it is not an idle thing. [Scudiery] believes in giving back and doing so in a way that is both personal and heartfelt.”

Scudiery is the owner of Airport Plaza, in Hazlet, as well as IEI Electronics, located in Airport Plaza. Scudiery arrived to the Bayshore more than 30 years ago, and said he saw something in the area.

“The Bayshore’s Route 36 has such great potential, and I saw that then,” Scudiery said. “This entire area can offer so much, and is still evolving.”

Among others, during his address, Scudiery made note of the ongoing efforts of the Hazlet Business Association and that group’s efforts to bolster business along the major thoroughfare.

All photos Jim Purcell

AWARDED: (l-r) Northern Monmouth County Chamber President Art Gallagher, U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, and state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos. The chamber presented Christie with its “Public Servant of the Year Award.”