 |
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD
|
 |
||
|
||||
| ||||||||
T E L L T H E M Y O U S A W I T I N T H E H E R A L D
The exhibit will run from May 3, through May 28, 2003 in the main gallery of the Guild at 620 Broad St., Highway 35, Shrewsbury, just opposite the Grove. A reception will be held May 4th from 3-5pm. Work of Ms. Brandenburg's students will be displayed in the studio and a mini-show will feature the work Cynthia Fleureton.
Guild of Creative Art Schedules Judging for Artist Work Artists who wish to become classified as ‘Exhibiting Artists’ or ‘Associate Artists’ of the Guild of Creative Art may present seven works in any one medium for judging. The Guild at 620 Broad St., Shrewsbury, will receive works, fully framed or ready for exhibit in the case of sculpture, on Friday, April 25 from noon through 4:30. The media, which will be considered, are acrylics, drawing, oil, pastel, watercolor, prints, photography and sculpture. Judging will be done the morning following the receiving and artists can pick up their work in the afternoon learn of their classification. Those interested may call the Guild at (732) 741-1441.
../news/2003/0410/gca_brandenburg.htm
by ALLAN DEAN ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS , NJ — The Borough Council last night passed an ordinance which creates processing/records fees for construction permits, certificates of occupancy and variances and subdivision approvals. The measure will make the applicant responsible for more costs associated with Planning Board applications - namely many engineering and legal fees.Under ordinance 2-2003, construction and demolition permits and certificates of occupancy will each cost $10. People coming before the Planning Board will see an increase in fees as professional costs, especially those associated with subdivisions, are shifted to the applicant. An informal subdivision concept plan review will cost $250 under the new ordinance. Minor subdivision fee is $400. Preliminary Major subdivision fees are $200 per lot and final major subdivision fees are $100 per lot. Combined preliminary and final major subdivision fees are $250 per lot. Site plan fees will see a similar increase. Fees for processing variance approvals will cost $20 and subdivision approvals $50. According to Borough Clerk David Palamara, the municipal tax map must be updated periodically to reflect new subdivisions. This costs the town about $500. The processing fee for subdivision approvals will help defray that cost. Applicants for construction permits who submit sealed plans and drawings will be required to submit an electronic copy of all drawings in addition to required paper copies. The file must be a CADD drawing of the work in a .pdf format as well as a .dwg, .dxf or other generally used format on a 3 ½ inch diskette or CD and be accompanied by a sealed certification letter from a NJ Licensed Architect, Engineer or Surveyor. Upon completion of the project, a copy of “as built” plans and drawings must be submitted together with a sealed certification letter from a NJ Licensed Architect, Engineer or Surveyor containing a summary of the changes. The Construction Official may waive this requirement and substitute a $10 per page fee if electronic submission is unavailable or unduly burdensome to the applicant. The council also voted to accept a $2,500 NJDEP Environmental Services Program Grant for Phase 2 of the Many Mind Greenway Stream Corridor Protection Plan. The grant will provide funds for engineering plans to lay back the creek at both banks, widening the banks and providing vegetation for stability and aesthetics. A cinder bicycle/pedestrian path will be installed along the greenway to connect the existing path at Aveneue D and at the harbor.The mayor and council, in addition, discussed a concept plan for a cul-de-sac for Bayside Drive at the eastern border of town. The road has been closed since 1999 when retaining walls failed at two homes built next to, and just above, the road. The road has failed several times in recent years as a result of water run off from the hills above. Councilman Louis Fligor has said in previous meetings that the borough has spent more then $1 million to repair the constant road damage. Borough Engineer David Hoder told the council that there is about half a million in repairs needed on the road at present. If the council decides to create a cul-de-sac on Bayside Drive, they will need land currently owned by the county. Highlands has also closed the Bayside Drive on the their side of the border to make major repairs to the roadway.
../news/2003/0410/ah_fees.htm
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS , NJ — If you wish for your children, family, and friends to know what living is about, then take them the woods, water, and hills in Atlantic Highlands. On Saturday, April 26th, the Borough of Atlantic Highlands will celebrate EARTH DAY!A series of four (4) outdoor events will take place that are designed to educate people of all ages about their environment. Every event is free of charge and is sponsored by the Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission. The public is invited to the following free events:
Time: 10am
Time: 10:30am
Time: 11:30am
Time: 2-4pm The Borough of Atlantic Highlands is a beautiful community located along Sandy Hook Bay in northeastern Monmouth County. Within its modest 1.2 square mile landscape, the Borough contains a variety of parks and natural areas, including the Atlantic Highlands Harbor, Lenape Woods Nature Preserve, and Mount Mitchill Scenic Park. In addition, the Borough contains a diversity of environmentally sensitive areas, such as wetlands, steep slopes, and an estuarine shoreline. Celebrate Earth Day 2003 this year in Atlantic Highlands! For more information, please contact Joe Reynolds, Environmental Commission member, by telephone at (732) 291-1444 or by email at sosap2002@comcast.net
../news/2003/0410/ah_earth_day.htm
KEANSBURG, NJ — The Mayor and. Council of the Borough of Keansburg will be hosting its annual Student Government Day. This event is normally open to Keansburg High School Seniors only, however this year the Mayor and Council have expanded this program to St. Ann's Middle School and Joseph R. Bolger Middle School 8th graders as well. The program. is designed to have 5 members of the schools Student Council chosen to attend a meeting of the Keansburg Mayor and Council. During the meeting, students will participate and assist in running the council meeting. Students will gain knowledge about their local government and will get a tour of town hall and all of its departments. Mayor Michael Minervini said, "This is a great learning experience for our youth. I can remember attending Student Government Day when I was in High School. That experience, amongst others, led me to want to serve in local government." The dates of the meetings for each school are: Keansburg High School: April 10,2003 5:00PM ../news/2003/0410/kb_student_government.htm PRINT THIS ARTICLE 
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ — The Monmouth County Democrats held its mini-convention Saturday at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands to nominate candidates to run for Freeholder, State Senate and State Assembly. Amongst those in attendance were Representatives Rush Holt and Frank Pallone along with local elected officials and party leaders from the different parts of Monmouth County. Chairman Victor V. Scudiery expressed his gratitude for the assistance of local Democratic leaders in nominating candidates for county and state office. “This is a system of inclusion,” Scudiery stated, “and I intend to endorse the candidates which you have selected. This is a good year to begin taking back Democratic seats on both the county and state levels. With the Republicans being in such disarray, we have been given a golden opportunity to achieve victory this November.” Scudiery also mentioned that with Governor Jim McGreevey and the current Democratic majority in the State Assembly and with equal division of the State Senate, that the legislative candidates were sure to receive significant support from the state party. Tinton Falls resident, Jeffrey Pringle, received the nomination to run for the sole freeholder seat that is up this year. Mr. Pringle, a Colts Neck school teacher, ran a tough race against Freeholders Larrison and Powers in last year’s election and will continue to work hard this year to defeat current Freeholder Ted Narozanick. Amongst those nominated for the State Legislature in the 11th Legislative District were Councilman Paul Escandon, an attorney practicing in Allenhurst, for the State Senate, along with Asbury Park Councilman John Loffredo, a real estate agent, and Eatontown Councilman Charles “Chuck” Davis, a former police sergeant in the Borough, for State Assembly. In the 12th Legislative District, Marlboro Council President Ellen Karcher was nominated to run for Senate. Dr. Robert Morgan, a pediatrician, who lives in Little Silver and is a member of the Red Bank Regional Board of Education and Michael Panter, a business owner and managing partner of a financial services firm in Red Bank, were nominated for the Assembly. Former Assemblyman Bill Flynn, from Old Bridge, was nominated to run for the State Senate in the 13th Legislative District with running mates Thomas Perry, an attorney and Councilman in Aberdeen and Leonard Inzarello, a member of the Middletown Board of Education who runs a local mortgage company, for State Assembly. In addition, candidates for the 10th and 30th Legislative Districts were nominated by acclimation at the mini-convention. In the 10th Legislative District candidates Paul Brush, for Senate, and Mark Troncone and Desmond Abazia, for State Assembly were nominated. In the 30th Legislative District, Steve Morlino of Howell was nominated to run for the State Senate and Mitch Dolobowsky and Joseph Grisanti were nominated to run for the Assembly. All of the candidates, in all five legislative districts, accepted the nominations and the position to run on the county line in the primary election. The two Democratic Congressmen from Monmouth County stressed that voters statewide are likely to favor the Democrats this November on important issues that face New Jersey. “Whether the issues are the environment, health care, or the economy, most of my constituents tell me that they would rather see Democrats in the State Legislature because they are more likely to be looking out for the interests of the average person in Monmouth County,” said Representative Frank Pallone. ../news/2003/0410/mon_dem_mini_convention.htm PRINT THIS ARTICLE
KEYPORT, NJ — The Keyport Business Alliance is seeking additional participants to join its second annual Memorial Day Parade, set for 1 p.m. Sunday, May 25. Marchers and floats will wind their way through the historic borough, ending at the Mini Park on American Legion Drive. Kathaleen Shaw, advocate for the KBA, invites school and civic organizations and bands, scout troops, clubs and other participants to join the growing number of groups assembled for the parade. She said the event will be a tribute to Main Street America, with a renewed focus on patriotism. “Now, more than ever,” Shaw said, “we need to come together as one American community and remember the soldiers – our country’s true heroes — who gave their lives defending the ideals of liberty and freedom-loving people throughout the world.” The Keyport Business Alliance is working with Cathy Armstrong, events manager at Allen Consulting in Holmdel, N.J., to plan the parade and line up marching units. Groups or individuals interested in participating or volunteering during the parade may contact Armstrong at 732-946-2711 or by e-mail at events@allenconsulting.com for additional information. ../news/2003/0410/keyport_parade.htm
PRINT THIS ARTICLE
HIGHLANDS, NJ – The 20th Annual Bahrs 5-mile run will be held 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2003.The extremely challenging course begins in the parking lot of Bahrs Landing and Moby's, 2 Bay Avenue, Highlands. Runners then climb uphill toward the historic Twin Lights lighthouses overlooking the Shrewsbury River and Atlantic Ocean, and return to the Bahrs Landing for a Clambake Deck Party at Moby's. "This run is one of the most challenging in the state, and it attracts a highly competitive field of runners," said Jay Cosgrove, co-owner of Bahrs Landing and Moby's. "The post-race deck party is a favorite for both runners and non-runners and kicks off the summer season at Bahrs and Moby's. In its nearly twenty year history, the run has raised approximately $10,000 for the Twin Lights Historical Society." Race forms are available at Bahrs Landing, or runners can register online at www.bahrs.com. The race is limited to 250 runners. The fee for advance registration by May 10 is $20. Late registration is $25. Registration includes a T-shirt and the post-race clambake. Awards will be given in all age categories, and overall winners receive trophies. For more information, call Bahrs Landing, (732) 872-1245. The Twin Lights Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Twin Lights of Navesink. Information about the organization and the Twin Lights can be found on their www.twin-lights.org or by calling (732) 872-1814.
../news/2003/0410/bahrs_5_miler.htm
Students named to the Academic All-Region status are required to have maintained a 3.3 or higher grade point average during the semester they participate in a sport. Over 25% of the Brookdale athletes achieved this status. All five of the sports programs offered at Brookdale had student athletes ranked at the Academic All-Region level. The teams were equally successful on the playing fields with notable placements. The Brookdale teams won three conference championships, two region championships, a fourth place finish in a national tournament and a national runner-up honor. The following students have been named to Fall 2002 Academic All-Region status:
Women's Basketball
Men's Basketball
Women's Tennis
Men's Soccer
Women's Soccer *Indicates student with 4.0 GPA ranking. "We encourage our student athletes to achieve academically, on the playing field and in the community," said Wayne Wedderman, Assistant Athletic Director. "In addition to competing and studying, each team does a community service project during the year," he explained. Recent team community projects have included adopting families from the College's annual Giving Tree list and providing holiday gifts and financial assistance for their needs, a winter clothing drive for children in DYFS care, and running a softball/basketball program for youngsters through Mid-Monmouth Recreation. "We couldn't be prouder of our 66 students who participate in Intercollegiate Athletics," said Frank Lawrence, Associate Director of Athletics.
../news/2003/0410/bcc_athlete_all_regional.htm
Calling All Volunteers: Openings in Many Areas -- Have Fun While Supporting Local Charities LONG BRANCH, NJ — The New Jersey Road Runners Club (NJRRC), the only statewide running club in New Jersey, announced the upcoming Seventh Annual New Jersey Marathon Weekend (April 25th through 27th) with activities for everyone. "We are expecting weekend participation of about 5000, with a record field of over 2000 runners and walkers in the marathon event and another 600 or more in the 10-Mile Fitness Walk/Run. "Add to these all of the participants in the Family Marathon, the Kids' Races and the WindMill 3-Mile Breakfast Fun Run/Walk, and the visitors to our Health and Fitness Expo, and you have a great way to showcase the Jersey Shore," said race director Art Castellano. A minimum of 1000 volunteers are needed for everything from assisting at the Health and Fitness Expo at the Holiday Inn at Tinton Falls to staffing fluid stations along the marathon course--a scenic 26.2-mile journey along the New Jersey coast, through the four boroughs of Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, Long Branch and Deal--to helping at the finish line at Long Branch High School stadium. "So if you don’t want to run or walk the marathon or the 10-Mile Fitness Walk/Run, you can still enjoy and be a vital part of this terrific Marathon Weekend to benefit various local charities like Rainbows, Inc., the Long Branch Police Athletic League, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Spina Bifida Assoc. of the Tri-State Region and the Long Branch Middle School STPO," said Castellano. "No experience is necessary to volunteer, only a desire to enjoy the day and take part in your community. All volunteers receive a unique New Jersey Shore Marathon Volunteer T-shirt and a goody bag. Return volunteers receive a special marathon commemorative pin." To volunteer or for more information about any of the events or the New Jersey Road Runners Club, call 732-578-1771, send e-mail to volunteers@njshoremarathon.org or log on to www.njmarathon.org. Marathon Weekend Schedule APRIL 25 AND 26--HEALTH AND FITNESS EXPO AT THE HOLIDAY INN AT TINTON FALLS The public is welcome to attend and there is no charge. Hours are 3:00-7:00 PM on 4/25 and 9 AM to 7 PM on 4/26. APRIL 26--THE WINDMILL 3-MILE BREAKFAST FUN RUN/WALK (8:30 AM) Staged by the New Jersey Road Runners Club and sponsored by The WindMill Restaurants. This fun run/walk will start from the WindMill Restaurant across from Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch and benefits The Marc Roberts Cancer Fund, The CJ Foundation for SIDS and Interfaith Hospitality Network. Afterward, participants will be treated to a breakfast of bagels, fresh fruit salad and other goodies. APRIL 26--THE KIDS’ RACES AND THE FAMILY MARATHON (4:00 PM) To be held at the Long Branch High School stadium track. The Kids’ Races are for children from ages 3 thru 12. They will run various distances on the track and will receive T-shirts and ribbons. The Family Marathon, for ages 7 and older, is open to those who have previously registered and have run 25 miles on their own before April 26th. Participants will run the last 1.2 miles of the marathon distance along the same course that the marathoners will take and will also finish on the track at Long Branch H.S. They will receive T-shirts, medals and certificates. APRIL 27--THE NEW JERSEY MARATHON AND 10-MILE FITNESS WALK/RUN. (Marathon Walk Start--8:00 AM, 10-Mile Fitness Walk/Run Start—8:15 AM, Marathon Start--9 AM) The start for these events is on Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area) near the Sea Gull’s Nest. The Fitness walkers/runners will head south through Sandy Hook, Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach and Long Branch to finish at the Long Branch High School stadium track. The marathon course runs north on Sandy Hook around the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse with views of the New York skyline and harbor, then south through Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, and Long Branch to the turnaround point in Deal, then north to the finish at the Long Branch H.S. stadium track. Participants receive a custom designed T-shirt, finisher's medal and certificate. There will be refreshments at the finish and a post-race party. About the New Jersey Road Runners Club The NJRRC is New Jersey’s statewide running club. It is made up of runners and walkers of many different ages and different abilities, though all with a common vision. The club’s objectives include the promotion and encouragement of long distance running and walking and the education of the public to its benefits as a means to achieve physical fitness. The NJRRC supports and engages in community activities and supports many charitable organizations through its events. Events Organized by NJRRC The New Jersey Shore Marathon Weekend Group Runs every Sunday Log on to www.njrrc.org for more information. ../news/2003/0410/marathon_weekend.htm PRINT THIS ARTICLE
LINCROFT, NJ — What do the Kentucky Derby and Brookdale Community College share?The 41st running of the Kentucky Derby in 1915 made history as the winning horse, for the first time in Derby history, was a filly. "Regret," so named because she was not a colt, trained on the horse farm that has since become home to Brookdale. The Brookdale Community College Alumni Association, proud of their Kentucky legacy, will sponsor Derby Day at the Student Life Center, Lincroft Campus, on Saturday, May 3. The 129th Run for the Roses event is from 4:30 - 7:00 P.M. Gentile refreshments will be served. Ladies are encouraged to wear the traditional, fancy Kentucky Derby hats, the bigger and fancier, the better. Guests will join in the excitement of watching the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs. There will be a special historical presentation about the history of the Derby and Regret's role in establishing the Derby as an American institution. "The race needed only a victory by Regret to create some more coast-to-coast publicity to really put it over. She did not fail us. Regret made the Kentucky Derby an American institution," explained Colonel Matt Winn, owner of Churchill Downs in 1915. Tickets to Brookdale Derby Day are $20. RSVP's must be made by Friday, April 25. Call 732-224-2705 for information. ../news/2003/0410/bcc_derby_day.htm PRINT THIS ARTICLE
TRENTON, NJ — The Green Party of New Jersey today urged that Senators Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg and New Jersey's Representatives in Congress call for an immediate ceasefire in Iraq as a prelude to a negotiated settlement. "Such an action is needed to stop the loss of lives and injury to innocent men, women, and children in Iraq and to the American military," said Joseph Fortunato, Green Party State Chairman. "It’s time for our senators and representatives to take the courageous and ethical steps that are needed to stop this brutal conflict that could end in tens of thousands of casualties on both sides." Fortunato called upon New Jersey's Senators and Representatives to support the public call of Congressman Dennis Kucinich for an end to the war. "Each day that this unjust war continues also heightens the risk to the American civilian population because of retaliatory acts of terrorism," Fortunato said. Fortunato also pointed out that the financial costs of the conflict are robbing the nation of funds sorely needed to bolster domestic priorities in medical care, employment, housing, education, and environmental protection. "President Bush is irresponsibly adding to the nation’s deficit, and thus burdening our children and grandchildren with the task of trying to get out from under massive debt," Fortunato said. "The President, with his cabinet and advisors, have cynically pushed this nation and its people into a war for oil and power and wealth in the Middle East."
../news/2003/0410/njgp_iraq_ceasefire.htm
LINCROFT, NJ — Ocean County Lodge #10 of the Fraternal Order of Police will be holding their Annual Flea Market from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday May 3, 2003. It will be held at the Lodge Headquarters at 1791 North Bay Avenue (Off Church Road behind the Dover Township Public Works) in Toms River, New Jersey 08753. Admission is free and refreshments will be availableThe Fraternal Order of Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 2,100 lodges and nearly 300,000 members. FOP members are committed to protecting and serving their communities. Ocean County Lodge #10 is the oldest branch of the Fraternal Order of Police in Ocean County. The FOP is comprised of both active and retired law enforcement officers from all branches of government, together with associate members who are dedicated to serving the public through protection and safety. Among the various activities supported by the fund raising efforts of the Lodge is the awarding of the Annual SANDRA G. KAYE SCHOLARSHIP MEMORIAL FUND for local students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. The Lodge also supports Deborah Hospital and other local charities. Spaces will be available for rent at a rate of $10.00 per space. For further information about the Flea Market or about joining the FOP as either a regular or associate member, please contact the Lodge at (732) 255-7300 or by e-mail at nj-fop10@csionline.net.
../news/2003/0410/fop_flea_market.htm
RED BANK, NJ — The sun is not yet brightening the horizon, but the Monmouth Migrants are standing in a field – listening.“This is great,” said John Temple, back for his ninth year as a member of the Monmouth Migrants. “The wind is calm, and the sky is clear. You should have been here the year it rained for all 24 hours. We turned into prunes before noon.” The group, five strong, sipped steaming cups of coffee somewhere in Sussex County, waiting for the occasional peep, chirp or hoot to break the silence. “Listen – Barred Owl.” Whispers Neva Temple. “And there’s the (Yellow-breasted) Chat again,” added Debbie Grob. What brings the five birders to a field in northwestern New Jersey, hours from a warm bed, is a scouting trip in preparation for New Jersey Audubon Society’s World Series of Birding. Teams from around the country race from one end of New Jersey to the other, trying to prove, by finding more bird species in 24 hours than any other team, that they are the best. This year, the 20th annual event will take place on May 10. The competition is very serious to the participants. Teams are often sponsored by companies whose profit-and-loss statements are driven by the preferences of the birding community: optics manufacturers, magazine publishers, bird-feeding franchises, even outdoor clothiers. Other sponsors include state utilities, which enjoy the benefits of positive environmental PR. The ultimate success of the event is not measured solely by the total number of bird species documented, but by the amount of money raised for environmental charities. The Monmouth Migrants are birding to benefit both New Jersey Audubon Society’s Sandy Hook Bird Observatory and the Monmouth County Audubon Society. Friends and well-wishers pledge varying amounts of money; often, the pledges are based on the total number of bird species seen by the team. “Once a year we approach our friends and colleagues for pledges,” explains team captain Dena Temple. “Some pledge more than others, but you would be surprised how quickly small pledges add up. We’re grateful for every pledge,” she concludes. New Jersey Audubon Society’s Sandy Hook Bird Observatory opened in the Fort Hancock area of Sandy Hook in 2001. One of the fort’s historic buildings serves as their headquarters, and restoration of the structure was expensive. Funds raised by the Monmouth Migrants will help offset some of this expense and help them to provide service to the community. The portion of the pledges donated to the Monmouth County Audubon Society will be used to continue the organization’s community outreach programs, which include monthly speakers, field trips, educational material for classrooms and special programs, such as the native plant garden at the Red Bank Library. The Monmouth Migrants participate as a Level II team, which means that they have no corporate sponsor and pay their own expenses, such as gasoline, van rental (24 hours in the family sedan can strain even the best relationships), food and lodging. While they take the challenge seriously, they are no competition for the top teams. “Last year we discovered a total of 171 species of birds by 11:00 p.m., when we crossed the finish line,” said Dena Temple. “The top team scored 224. But since our goal is to improve every year, both in total bird species and in total money raised, we have achieved our goal every year – so far. But 2003 will be tough – our score last year was really good, and it will be hard to achieve that again.” The team has taken their story – and their pledge drive – to the Internet. Supporters can log on to www.monmouthaudubon.org to get the full story on the team, their plans for the big day, strategy, and even an online pledge form. The team’s supporters receive a detailed diary after the event “to make them feel like a part of the team,” explained John Temple. “And they are a very important part of our team.” Further information and an interactive pledge form can be found at the Monmouth County Audubon Society website at http://www.monmouthaudubon.org.
../news/2003/0410/monmouth_migrants.htm
TRENTON, NJ — The Green Party of New Jersey today called for a blitz of messages to lawmakers and President Bush protesting plans to erode the 40-hour work week and thus deny overtime pay to millions of workers. "While the nation’s attention is focused on the Iraqi invasion, the administration sneakily is trying to slip legislation through the Congress that continues to hurt the working and middle classes," said Joseph Fortunato, state Green Party chairman. Fortunato referred to proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which would cause more workers to be classified as managers or professional personnel and thus exempt from overtime provisions. "At a time when families are feeling the pinch of a troubled economy, Bush is trying to rob them of the overtime pay they need to makes ends meet," Fortunato said.
../news/2003/0410/njgp_overtime.htm
KEANSBURG, NJ — The Mayor and Borough Council of the Borough of Keansburg will honor the top three finalists for this years "New Jersey State League of Municipalities Scholarship Competition." At this Thursday's Keansburg Borough Council meeting on April 10, 2003 at 5:30PM, Marrissa Cassidy will be awarded as Keansburg's 2003 Semi-Finalist and will compete statewide for one of three $1,000 scholarships. The meeting will be held at 29 Church Street, Keansburg, NJ. Meghan McAvoy will be awarded the first runner up position and Vicky Frantz
will be "We are extremely proud of Marissa, Meghan and Vicky for their
accomplishment, as
../news/2003/0410/kb_scholarship.htm
Hawaii State Senator Carol Fukunaga Will Present Awards to 9/11 Teens at the Hawaii State House MIDDLETOWN, NJ – For Brad Smith, 17, of Little Silver and Peter Milano, 17, of Middletown, September 11, 2001 might have been the day the music died, but instead it was the day the music was born. Both Smith, a junior at Red Bank Regional High School, and Milano, a junior at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, have discovered the healing power of music since they lost their fathers in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. “Before my father died, music was just music, but after his death music became therapeutic,” Milano said. “Sometimes I would just listen to music to get my mind off of what happened, and other times whatever I was feeling was the type of music I would play.” Milano adds, “When I was mad I’d play something heavy, but when I remembered the good times I had with my dad I liked to play The Time of Your Life by Green Day.” Both Smith and Milano have been playing the bass guitar since they were
14-years-old. Through their affiliation with this organization, they met Rick Korn, a producer and owner of In Plain View Entertainment. After learning about their interest in music – Smith aspires to become a music and film producer and Milano plans to pursue a career as a musician or music producer – Korn invited the teens to help him produce a multi-part documentary about the healing power of music when people are facing tragedy and personal loss. Smith and Milano will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii this April to work on the documentary. Korn, Michael Attardi, a producer and owner of Dream Balloon Productions Inc., and Lou Morreale, the owner of the Mulberry Street Café at 35 Broad St in Red Bank, are sponsoring Smith and Milano’s trip. While in Hawaii, Smith and Milano will begin working on the documentary by interviewing Pearl Harbor survivors near the Arizona Memorial. The survivors will share their memories of the attack that they endured more than 60 years ago and how music has helped heal their wounds from that experience. During the next few months, Smith and Milano will add to the documentary by interviewing music artists and kids from around the world about how music has helped them cope with losing loved ones as a result of terrorism or war. The documentary is scheduled for release in Fall 2003. Taimane Gardner, 14, a well-known ukulele player in Hawaii who will also take part in making the documentary, will serve as a host for Smith and Milano while they are in Hawaii. On Thursday, April 10, Hawaii State Senator Carol Fukunaga will present awards to Smith and Milano at the Hawaii State House for their roles in creating the documentary. Since Milano will be unable to attend the ceremony, Gardner will accept the award on his behalf.
../news/2003/0410/healing_music.htm
LINCROFT, NJ — Brookdale will serve as local host to the Hospice Foundation of America's annual bereavement teleconference, "Living With Grief: Coping With Public Tragedy." ABC News correspondent, Cokie Roberts will moderate the 1:30 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. Wednesday, April 30 event.
The teleconference provides
an educational forum for an expert panel to discuss
factors that define a public tragedy. It will reach an
estimated live audience of 125,000 people nationwide.
The panel will offer insight and advice to organizations
and professionals as they support their communities and
assist those coping with loss.
· Kenneth J. Doka,
consultant to HFA and professor of gerontology at the
College of New Rochelle Hospice Foundation of America, a non-profit organization, is producing the event. The organization educates health care professionals and the families they serve in issues relating to illness, loss and grief. The program is sponsored in part by a grant from Last Acts and the Foundation for End of Life Care. It is in cooperation with the Adventist Communication Network, Association for Death Education and Counseling, Project on Death in America and The Compassionate Friends. The program is free to the public. For educators interesting in earning three continuing education contact hours, a $25 CEU fee is payable at the conference. For information, call 732-224-2089.
../news/2003/0410/bcc_tragedy.htm
PORT MONMOUTH, NJ — There’s an old fraternal organization with a new beginning in Monmouth County. On April 29, 2001, The Loyal Order of Moose established Monmouth County Lodge #2593. At present the lodge is operating out of VFW Post #2179, Port Monmouth, and N.J. General meetings are the 1st Wednesday of each month at 8 PM.The Loyal Order of Moose is no longer considered just for its lodges not just a place to go just to have a beverage or two. The Loyal Order of Moose is now very family oriented with family centers located through out the country. Founded in 1888 the Loyal Order of Moose currently has approximately 900,000 members. Its responsibilities involve two major locations, Mooseheart located in the Fox River Valley, Illinois about an hour west of Chicago and Moose Haven located in Orange Park, FL. Moose Heart is home and school for under privilege children ages 1 thru 18. These children attend school on campus grades K-12. Upon graduation they are offered 4yr. scholarships to a college of their choice. Moose Haven is an adult living community where a member having at least 15 years of membership can live upon retirement. Local lodges such as Monmouth County also serve the community. The lodge conducts Bi-Annual blood drives, delivers meals to needy families during the holidays, and assists other organizations by cooking breakfasts and assisting at various veteran functions.
The following is a list of upcoming events to be
conducted by the LOOM lodge at VFW Post 2179: If you are interested in serving your community and want to make a difference in Monmouth County call (732) 607-3900. Mike Kenyon (Administrator).
../news/2003/0410/moose_families.htm
OAKHURST, NJ — The Shrewsbury Chorale will hold its annual giant Garage sale on Saturday, April 26, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 103 Monmouth Rd , Oakhurst NJ. (Near So. Lincoln Ave) 732-531-1150. The sale will include merchandise from more than 70 families: furniture, rugs, small household appliances, pots and pans, plates and dishes, clothing, jewelry, books, toys, games, sporting goods, tools, and much, much more. All proceeds will benefit the music programs of the Shrewsbury Chorale, a not-for-profit group. For information call, (732) 776-5276.
../news/2003/0410/chorale_garage_sale.htm
by ALLAN DEAN RED BANK, NJ — Poets from the Writer's Ink Poetry Group will present a poetry reading and book signing to celebrate their new book, "Monmouth County: A Poetic Portrait 1601-2002." Poets: Healy, Nirella, Wardell, Lutz, Bouno, Rosenblum, Moore, Kernan, Kreuter, Finale, Hardy, McKenty, Drake, Erbe, Canfield, di Pasquale, Sause, Valentino, Bershad, Pinsky and McNeil will share some of their work Saturday, April 12th from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Red Bank Public Library, 25 West Front Street. There will be an open mic period for those who would like to share their own work. Refreshments will be available and the admission is free.
../news/2003/0410/poetry_signing.htm
by ALLAN DEAN ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS — Candidates for Mayor and Council throughout the state filed election petitions on Monday for the June primary races. In Atlantic Highlands, there will be a new mayor and two new council members. Mayor Michael Harmon has decided to not run for re-election. Councilman John C. Archibald, Jr., the top vote getter in November 2002, will run for the Mayor's position under the Republican ticket. Archibald will face former Councilman Peter Donoghue, a Democrat. Mr. Donoghue was twice elected to the Borough Council, serving six years from 1974 to 1980. Newcomers, Carl Nolan and Stephanie Ladiana will run for council under the Democrat banner. Debra Traphagen and Martin Shann will run for council seats under the Republican banner.
../news/2003/0410/ah_candidates.htm
NEW JERSEY'S UNCLE SAM Dan Rice born 1823 in New York City is credited by many to be the inspiration of America's symbol "Uncle Sam." He started his performing career as a clown in 1844 in Galena, IL for $15 a week. Deemed America's first great clown, Rice was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in 1991. A friend of Dan and Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln, Rice happily earned the nickname of President Lincoln's Court Jester. In fact, Rice attended Ford's Theater and witnessed President Lincoln's assassination.
Rice, well-loved carnival man, is credited to be the image for Uncle Sam drawn in Ogden Nash's political cartoons as well as the model for illustrator Thomas Nast's caricature of Uncle Sam. However, others claim that Samuel Wilson, a meat-packer from Troy, New York was the impetus for the national figure. During the War of 1812 meat rations packed in barrels were stamped US. Soldiers are said to have jokingly tagged the initials US as Uncle Sam. Their embellished stories created and perpetuated the legendary figure of Americana folklore. In 1961, the 87th Congress of the US adopted the following resolution: "Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives that the Congress salutes Uncle Sam Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of America's National symbol of Uncle Sam." Many New Jersey residents take acceptation to the resolution. They prefer to call Dan Rice the inspiration for our national symbol because he brought the fictionalized character to life. In 1901, the body of Dan Rice was interred in a West Long Branch, NJ cemetery behind the Old First United Methodist Church. Sam Wilson, the other Uncle Sam inspiration, died in 1854 and is enshrined in the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, NY.
../news/2003/0410/nj_uncle_sam.htm
PEOPLE AROUND JESUS DURING THE HOLY WEEK - PILATE The process of judging and sentencing Jesus became very complicated once Jesus was apprehended in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Gospels record for us six trials of Jesus. Out of these trials, three were called religious and three were called civil. The religious trials were before Annas (John 18:12-14), before Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57-68) and before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1-2). The civil trials were before Pilate (John 18:28-38) which came to an inconclusive end because Pilate sent him to Herod (Luke 23:6-12). Herod, however, in this specific case knew that he could not give to the Jews what they were demanding and sent Jesus back to Pilate for the third trial (John 18:39-19:6). Because Judea was an occupied Roman territory, sentencing someone to death was the prerogative of the Roman governor (John 18:31). Pilate was one of those governors on whom we have sufficient documentation by the Jews, Romans and Christians (the gospel writers). Pilate governed Judea from AD 26-36. (It is of interest that Caiaphas, who ruled as a high priest from AD 18-36, was replaced in the same year that Pilate was called home to Rome.) Some of the Jews believed that Pilate’s sole purpose during his time in Judea was to create annoyance for them. In a letter of complaint to Emperor Gaius, Pilate is described as “naturally inflexible, a blend of self-will and restlessness.” Pilate was entrusted to direct the affairs of the Roman Empire according to the Roman law. The presence and the practice of the Roman law is evidenced by Apostle Paul, who as a Roman citizen was entitled to be judged by Caesar. While the Romans could be as cruel and barbaric as any other conquering force, they boasted that they ruled the conquered people by the Roman law. According to the interpretation of the Roman law, Pilate declared: “I find no basis for a charge against him.” (John 18:38). If Pilate found no basis for the charge against Christ, how could he have sentenced Jesus to be crucified? The only answer that can be given is that Pilate laid the law aside and made a judgment to please the audience. The priests were demanding a sentence against Jesus who claimed to be a king and who was therefore against Caesar. In order to carry this sentence, the priests had to lie and declare, “we have no king, but Caesar” (John 19:15). Everyone knew, the priests and Pilate, that there was no love lost between the priests and Caesar. At the same time, Pilate in his last duplicitous act wrote the sentence on the cross “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (INRI on many crucifixion sculptures in Catholic Churches). It was Pilate’s act of saying to the accusers that there was no basis for the crucifixion charge. However, all the things that Pilate did, excuse him not from what he did not do - he did not do his job. He was manipulative, he was arrogant, he was trying to play one group against the other, and most significantly, he was not a good judge. That day he was called to pass a sentence according to the laws of the Roman Empire and he failed because he rarely practiced what he was sent to do - pass a just sentence.
../pastor/2003/pc030410_holy_week_pilate.htm
12th DISTRICT DEMOCRAT PRIMARY COULD DEFLECT BENNETT SPOTLIGHT One of the most interesting political races of the year has begun taking shape over the past few days. Sensing the vulnerability of State Senator John Bennett, you would think that the opposition party would be salivating in anticipation of taking out the highest -ranking Republican in the state. However, a split appears to have developed between the Democratic Party faithful in deciding who should oppose Senator Bennett in the 12th Legislative District this fall. The race is between Oceanport Mayor Gordon Gemma and Marlboro Borough Council President Ellen Karcher. Just a few months ago, Gemma was the darling of the Democrats and had declared his intention to take on Bennett in the fall campaign. When the firestorm around Bennett exploded, Karcher threw her hat into the ring for the Democratic nomination as well. In a matter of days, Karcher secured the support of key Democrats and had the party line sewn up. Gemma did not take this turn of events very well and has declared his willingness to run a primary against the Democrat machine and Karcher. To many Republicans that feared a brutal campaign against Senator Bennett, a primary between his Democrat challengers was a gift from above. It is still not too late to see some kind of deal between the two camps to spare the party a primary, but Gemma has opted not to seek re-election to his post in Oceanport in an effort to concentrate on his Senate bid. No matter who emerges from the primary, Senator Bennett is facing a difficult year. None of the high profile Republicans in his district had the stomach to run a primary against him, but he still faces a challenge from a little known conservative, Richard Pezzullo. He won’t underestimate the challenge, because the Senator remembers 1996, when Somerset County Freeholder Mike Pappas defeated him in a Congressional primary with the help of the pro-life conservatives. If he beats Pezzullo in the primary, and if he improves his polling numbers enough to please Republican Party bosses, Bennett will face his strongest challenge in years this fall. Until then, he can only hope that the Karcher- Gemma squabble continues into June and deflects some of the spotlight from his current affairs.
http://www.ah-nj.com/
../atlantichighlands/index.html
../bodypolitic/2003/bp030410_dem_primary_12th.htm
WATCHING THE WAR “Every morning I get up and I watch the war(watch the war) There have been a lot of complaints since September 11th about the incessant news coverage of the war and terrorist activity. “Do we really have to see this stuff all day long?” many people ask. “I can’t stand watching this anymore,” others complain. “It’s all about ratings,” some theorize. I agree, for the most part. There is a lot more coverage of these types of world events than there was when I was growing up. But there are also a lot more channels. And many of those channels are news channels. Television stations know that people around the world are uneasy. They know that our desire to “stay informed” is greater nowadays than it ever was. So, aren’t the networks merely giving us what we want? If we don’t like the color tie that an anchor on Fox News is wearing, we can switch to CNN. If we don’t like the “angle” a story is getting on CNN, we can switch to CNN Headline News. If we don’t like the anchor’s hairstyle on CNN Headline News, we can switch to CNBC. If the reception is a little fuzzy on CNBC, we can switch to MSNBC. And, if we don’t have cable, we can wait until 12:00 noon, when the local stations being their news reports. If we miss the 12:00 show, some of the local stations begin their “nightly” news at 4:30 in the afternoon. If we miss that, you can see it again at 10:00 p.m. And then at 11:00. And, if that’s not enough news for you, you can quench your investigative thirst with “60 Minutes,” “20/20” and “Dateline.” Personally, I’m grateful that I can turn on the news at any time of day and catch up. And I’m grateful to the journalists out there who are willing to put their lives on the line so that I can have that news at my beck and call. I wouldn’t go out near the front lines for a zillion dollars a day. Would you? When I saw NBC’s David Bloom reporting from Iraq a few weeks ago, wearing goggles during a sandstorm, I found myself literally talking to him through my television set. “DAVID! What are you DOING over there? You’ve got a wife and three little girls. Get the hell home where you belong. You should be back doing “Weekend Today,” reporting from the nice, safe NBC studios on Sunday morning with Soledad O’Brien. You should be talking about the New York Times’ Best Seller List or learning how to make a chocolate soufflé from a chef from a posh New York restaurant. When I heard over the weekend that David Bloom had died, my heart sank. Even though he died of a pulmonary embolism, which wasn’t war related, I couldn’t help but think that he could have spent his last few weeks alive with his family, instead of with a bunch of American soldiers he barely knew. I felt equally nervous when Matt Lauer began reporting from Iraq. Here’s a guy who also has a young child at home. Although he wasn’t reporting from the front lines, he was still in Iraq, which in my book, rates as “The Number 1 Country I Don’t Want to Be In at the Moment.” War is a very dangerous business. And anyone who is in a war zone is putting their life at risk. I wouldn’t care if a network offered me my own show, ten journalism awards, a chauffer, three Porsches, a book deal, and a lifetime supply of caviar to report from Doha, Qatar. I still wouldn’t agree to go into a war zone during a war. Dan Rather can have my Peabody Award. The next time we find ourselves complaining about how much news coverage there is of the war, we should think about all those journalists out there who are risking life and limb to bring us that coverage. And their cameramen. Talk about unsung heroes. They don’t even get their faces on television. And if we still don’t like it, we can always change the channel. ../barbieri/2003/ls030410_watch_war.htm PRINT THIS ARTICLE
TAX MONEY IS GOP'S ADDICTION Here it is, time for another school board election again. In Middletown, the only ting that the candidates aren’t talking about is the more than $50 million that the Township Committee has borrowed from the school district and hasn’t paid back. There’s no ‘free money’ anywhere, let alone in government. “Government money” is tax money. “School board” money is tax money. School board money is for kids, so why are a pack of vulture politicians on the Committee doing put their hooks into it? I don’t care what the excuse is! Leave the kids alone and leave the taxpayers money for them alone too. What makes this Committee think it can get away with taking money from the district (whether it’s called a ‘loan’ or not)? Now, I’m not talking about once or twice. No, this has been going on for years and the Committee has yet to pay back on thin dime to the district. Why does the district take it? Let me tell it to you straight: It’s a Republican Crony Machine on the Township Committee and it’s a Republican Crony Machine sitting on the school board. They’re all Republicans, so I guess that’s OK then. It’s OK in a pig’s eye! Maybe it’s legal but it isn’t right in my book, and the whole thing smells bad. Ladies and gentlemen, your elected Republicans in town have a taken a big joy ride at your expense. When the Committee gets short of money, they legally raid the school district and hire Republican accountants to make it look OK. Then, the Republican school boards points at the teachers and says, “Look, they’re the ones taking all the money”! Well, here’s some cold water in your face Middletown: It’s your elected politicians right now, on the Committee and the school board that are, in my opinion, solely responsible for the school district’s ‘shortfall’ of recent years. The Committee borrowed $50 million from the district over the past 10 years and never paid it back. The school board didn’t say a word. Not a peep. These ‘non-partisan’ Republicans wouldn’t dare ‘rat out’ their own. So, where do you fit in Middletown taxpayer? You’re the poor sap footing the bill. It’s the truth, whether you like it or not. There it is, now what are you going to do with it? Be good, quiet residents and listen to the politician’s lies, or demand an accounting of the district and a reconciliation of all the money the Committee has borrowed? That’s what needs to be done right now! By the way, what are these Committee Republicans spending all of the kids’ money on? Let me tell you that too…the Banfield Cultural Center, the Grover House and (my personal favorite) the Swim Club. Want to get out of this mess? It’s easy…vote! RUMOR HAS IT that a certain out-of-county Democratic big shot has joined forces with the Middletown Republican Machine to try and salvage this year’s election. What do these big shots have in common? Real estate. Well, these big shots should put a lot of money into winning. But, they’re not going to win. The truth is a hard thing to put back into the ground once it becomes unburied. (Joseph Caliendo is a lifetime Middletown resident and businessman. He is also chairman of the Middletown Township Democratic Party.)
../democrat/2003/dy030410_tax_addiction.htm
MUSLIMS SEE ‘LIBERALISM’ AS AMERICA’S DOWNFALL Islamic terrorists hate America because it has been corrupted by “liberalism.” To understand why terrorists call Americans the “infidels,” you have to understand the Islamist philosopher Sayyid Qutb, an Egyptian born in 1906. His writings in the 1950s and ‘60s set the stage for today’s showdown between the Muslim fundamentalists and the “liberal societies” of the West. Qutb (pronounced KUH-tahb) lived in America in the late 1940s while earning a Master’s degree at the Colorado State College of Education. He was shocked by America’s “sexual freedoms” and other liberal ideas about women and society. Qutb’s saw the danger of America’s liberty society as the separation of the church and state. He was concerned that people with liberal ideas were mounting a massive campaign against Islam. Qutb’s brother, Muhammad, was a distinguished Saudi professor of Islamic Studies. One of his students was Osama bin Laden, the leader of the terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Sayyid Qutb’s influential book, “In the Shade of the Qur’an” (from the prophet Mohammad’s Koran), set forth the Koranic principles to turn Islam into a political movement to create a new society – one that would be the opposite of a “liberal society.” Qutb outlined a revolutionary program that was going to relieve the psychological pressure of modern (liberal) life by putting humanity at ease with the natural world and with God. Qutb opposed the United States because it was a liberal society that had lost its way . Religion was the issue. For Qutb, religion was central to human behavior, and survival. America had separated the sacred from the secular, sowing the seeds of atheism and a disregard for human life. Qutb became a martyr after Egyptian authorities hanged him in 1966 for his moral religious beliefs. It doesn’t take a genius to see that American culture has deteriorated over the past 50 years, with drugs, pornography, crime, murder, political and corporate corruption at an all-time high. Today, some three out of four babies are born out of wedlock in Urban America, with the national average reaching one out of three babies being born out of wedlock. And that doesn’t include millions of abortions. Also, America’s divorce rate is now more than 50 percent. What happened to fatherhood and marriage? The nuclear family has been devastated by modern liberal ideas, as has our liberal educational system. Now add to that growing list of failures, the liberal dumbing-down and downsizing of our once laudable standards and values, originally set forth by our freedom-loving founders more than 200 years ago. What a frightening future for anyone with faith and values. America is at a historic, global crossroads. Will liberalism continue to demoralize and ultimately destroy our society? Or will America return to the common sense principles of our Constitutional Republic based on the “rule of law?” For more on the issues presented in this column, read Paul Berman’s upcoming book “Terror and Liberalism” (W.W. Norton). (Gordon Bishop, a national award-winning author, historian and syndicated columnist, is New Jersey’s first “Journalist-of-the-Year” – 1986/New Jersey Press Association.) ../bishop/2003/gb030410_muslims_liberalism.htm PRINT THIS ARTICLE
IF REGIONALIZATION IS THE ANSWER, WHAT IS THE QUESTION? I had planned to discuss the financial aspects of the bond referendum in this column, however, the meeting with our financial advisor and bond counsel has been scheduled for later this week. I will report on the information gained in the next week or so. It appears, however, that a hotter topic is surfacing in our community, once again . . . the issue of regionalization of our schools. In our recent town newsletter Mayor Michael Harmon predicts Regionalization within the next ten years. His recent visit to a committee meeting at Henry Hudson Regional provided Mr. Harmon with the opportunity to support his case for regionalization of the schools. While he has neither broached the subject with the Atlantic Highlands Administration or Board of Education nor the Highlands Administration or Board of Education, his agenda is clear. So I ask, if regionalization is the answer, what is the question? Is the impetus for regionalization a desire to reduce costs, to improve educational programs and services, or to limit local control? Regionalization will have a different impact in each of these areas. If we look from a financial perspective, some taxpayers may feel that a regional operation (one larger district versus three smaller districts) would reap financial benefits. The New Jersey Legislature may have had that idea in mind in passing various Regionalization incentives since 1871. The importance of this issue led to the establishment of the Assembly Task Force on School District Regionalization which conducted an in depth study and presented its findings and recommendations to the New Jersey General Assembly on February 25, 1999. The complete report can be accessed at www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/reports/school.pdf. The Executive Summary of Findings (pages i and ii) presents the following key points: 1. Past studies about school Regionalization share certain consensus points.
• Not every school district is conducive to a regionalized arrangement. 2. School regionalization does not automatically reap major savings or improve the quality of education. In fact, some studies have shown the converse. For example, expenses relating to teachers’ salaries and transportation costs may actually increase. 3. Small school districts can produce excellent results and should not be regionalized because their enrollment falls below a certain number. 4. The disproportionate distribution of costs among constituent municipalities in regionalized districts is a major disincentive to regionalization. However, any formula change designed to bring parity in the per pupil costs of the constituent municipalities will result in “winners” and “losers”. 5. Smaller, more affluent communities in regional school districts, which are locked into paying based on their equalized valuation, as opposed to on a per-pupil basis, may wind up paying more than what they otherwise would pay in a non-regionalized district. 10. Representation on regional school boards can also be a disincentive for regionalization. Small communities with limited representation may not see an advantage to regionalizing. These findings resulted in a series of recommendations from the Task Force including the following: 11. Prior to even considering regionalization, a preliminary study should show that such an arrangement will improve the education quality of the district’s students and achieve savings. 15. Encourage sharing of services between school districts and municipalities. Such a move could avoid formal school district regionalization. 20. Prior to regionalization and deregionalization, the affected communities should weigh factors such as tax increases, salary increases, loss of State aid, etc. If there is significant interest in the potential regionalization of our local schools, recommendation 11 should occur. The Atlantic Highlands Board of Education, in conjunction with Highlands and Henry Hudson Regional Boards and Administrators, has studied regionalization on at least 3 separate occasions. It seems logical that the impetus for change should come from the parties who can effect the change, i.e., the Boards and Administrators. If regionalization is the Mayor’s answer to economic concerns, perhaps the town should model the process for the districts. It is a far simpler task to combine two local government entities than to combine 3 separate school districts.
../elementary/2003/ie030410_regionalization.htm
TOGETHER WE PREPARE America is at War. That fact is very clear as we turn on our t.v's and open the newspaper each morning. Our days are full of breaking news reports and updates on the status of our 250,000 troops in Iraq. Many of us may even have loved ones fighting across the world to preserve our safety here at home. Our sons, daughters, mothers and fathers may be thousands of miles away protecting our future. So we must ask ourselves, what can we do to help these men and women in uniform? What, can we, as citizens and relatives do for our troops and our Nation during this difficult time? Currently, the American Red Cross is launching a program called "Together we prepare." The program hopes to assure that our communities are prepared for any possible occurrence. With uncertainty at such an all time high this program will help families in our community get organized and hopefully feel a sense of security. The Red Cross lists five main steps in their new program. Make a plan, Build a kit, Get trained, Volunteer, and Give blood. The first involves making a family plan based on the individual needs. The second encourages households to assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit containing necessary items in case the family is told to evacuate, or must be confined to the home for an extended period of time. Getting trained promotes First Aid, CPR, AED, and Community Disaster Training. The fourth step, volunteering, encourages us to volunteer in our community. Many military service members who normally perform volunteer work are now deployed. You can volunteer to help watch neighborhoods. You can volunteer to help neighborhoods become better prepared. You can volunteer for the Red Cross. Lastly, giving blood reminds us that blood donations are vital to our area. Our blood supplies are seriously diminished and giving blood may save the life of a loved one in the future. The Armed Services Blood Program has also asked that we provide shipments of blood and blood products for our troops. Communities can still show financial support by:
Hopefully this war will end quickly and our troops will come home safely. While we wait it is important that we continue to keep vigilant and be aware of what is happening around us. Protecting our families is an essential link in the chain or national security.
../trenton_talk/2003/tt_030410_prepare.htm
ONLY THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE According to our own Dr. Simon in Red Bank, we live in a sea of bacteria which our immune system defends us against. When stress, diet, lack of sleep, age or lack of exercise depresses our immune system we become susceptible to colds, flu, viruses and infections. Antibiotics have played a major role in our fighting off most of the above but slowly they will become ineffective as new strains of germs and viruses develop their own immunization to the antibiotics. From the black plague of the middle ages to polio in the 50's, aids in the 80's and now Sars today we have fought a constant battle for life itself against these microorganisms. Many we defeat, others take years to get under control if ever. Aids is a perfect example of one of those assaults that as of yet has not been conquered. Many believe that the best way to protect ourselves is by enhancing our immune system to its highest possible level. A number of wellness centers have developed over the past couple of years. Each having a different personality, one might contain a compilation of yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy and various healing arts. A new center has opened in Red Bank, one that deals with your body chemistry, weight, diet and exercise. Its goal is to get you as healthy as possible, boost your immune system and extend your life. The Nutrition Treatment Center at 54 Broad Suite 106 is owned and operated by Dr. Thomas Bilella. He is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a clinical nutritionist of the American College of Nutrition. I met him years ago at his extremely busy office in Matawan. He is a total dynamo that emanates energy every time he speaks. Over the years he has worked thousands of people for weight loss, digestive disorders, diabetes and various disorders in and effort to promote overall health. More notably he has worked on Victoria Friedman, Ph.D., author of "Back on Track," Luke Petitgout, of the New York Giants and personal nutritional consultant and fitness agent to John Valentin of the New York Mets. Sixty percent of American teenagers are clinically overweight which contributes to heart attacks, strokes and diabetes as well as lowering their immune systems as they grow older. They are the forth generation of fast foot eaters. Throw in the rest of us and you can understand why I was excited to see this new practice in Red Bank. As explained to me Dr. Bilella's goal is to improve the overall health of his community by building up our immune systems, lowering our weight and improving our dietary habits to match our body needs. It may not be the fountain of youth but it could be close. Welcome to Red Bank Doc!
../window_redbank/2003/wrb030410_strong.htm
YELLOW RIBBONS SHOW SUPPORT FOR TROOPS The residents of Keansburg have continued to show their support for our Armed Forces. Within the last week or so yellow ribbons and bows have begun sprouting just like springtime all over our town. It is a great show of support and I urge all of our residents to put out yellow ribbons to show support for our Armed Forces. Friendship Park has sprouted some new yellow bows in many of the trees and all of the trees around the senior citizens building on Church Street have beautiful yellow bows. I would like to thank all of the people who took the time to put up those bows. Since the council meeting scheduled for the previous week was cancelled, last week there was a special council meeting to take care of some borough business. The main purpose for the special meeting was to approve amusement game licenses for the Keansburg Boardwalk. There were 6 resolutions on the agenda for this meeting and in addition to the amusement licenses mentioned above there were resolutions to approve a raffle license for the Bayshore Senior Day Center and the normal payment of bills. Late additions to the agenda included a resolution to use funds already obtained from the Monmouth County Improvement Authority to purchase a needed software upgrade for the borough’s finance department. Also a resolution canceling the public assistance trust fund that use to be administered by the town but is now administered by the county. There was a brief Executive Session following the open public portion of this meeting. Additionally this week after the council meeting the borough manager announced through press releases that he had hired a police director for our town. For more information on the hiring of the police director, you can read the press release right here on this web site by using the following link: ../news/2003/0403/keansburg_pd.htm Regular Borough Council meeting dates for April. The two normal borough council meetings during the month of April are scheduled for Thursday 4/10 at 5:30 PM and Thursday 4/24 at 7 PM in Keansburg Borough Hall. Easter Egg Hunt April 20 The borough of Keansburg will host an egg hunt and meet the bunny event. It will be on Sunday 4/20/03 at Noon in Friendship Park. All children 12 and under are invite to attend. Please help spread the word about this event by telling as many of your friends and neighbors as possible.
../spotlight/2003/sk030410_yellow_ribbons.htm
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE! Every school kid is taught that Columbus discovered the new world. But few of them know why. Columbus was seeking an alternative route to India in an attempt to break the monopoly that Venice held on the world spice trade. Little did he know that there was another whole continent in the way. Nevertheless, he was serendipitously successful for he also “discovered” new spices, such as chiles, allspice and vanilla. The quest for herbs and spices over the millennia has led man to exploration, to financial success, and even to war. Spices are aromatic seasonings that come from the bark, (cinnamon), buds, (cloves), fruit, (paprika), roots, (ginger), or seeds, (nutmeg), of plants. Herbs are the leafy parts of plants such as basil, mint, or oregano. Spices should be kept in a cool dark cabinet. Heat and light will facilitate deterioration. It is generally recommended to discard any spices more than six months old. Herbs should be wrapped in a damp paper towel or cloth and then placed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Or, you can trim the stems of some herbs like parsley and cilantro and place them in a glass of water in the fridge. The sooner you use fresh herbs the better as they rapidly lose their potency once harvested. Fresh herbs are usually best when added to a dish near the end of cooking or even after it has been removed from the heat. Overcooking will dissolve their fragrance. The exception is preparations that are not cooked such as salsa, dips, and marinades. Adding the herbs at the beginning and allowing the item to rest will give the herbs time to infiltrate the base ingredients. Many spices, since they are dried, can be added at the beginning of cooking since heat and moisture is needed to release their essential oils. There are individuals who have never bothered to take the time to buy and use fresh herbs. Instead, their parsley comes out of a plastic jar. This is dreadful since there is a world of difference between fresh herbs and their dried counterparts. Believe me, the small amount of effort involved in washing and chopping fresh herbs will be repaid magnanimously. Most spices on the other hand, do not necessitate the same degree of freshness as herbs and are perfectly suitable dried. Many for that matter only come in dried form. There are some however, nutmeg being the quintessential example, that are best whole and not ground. Do not be tempted to buy the large jars of spices to save money unless you will use them within six months. An abundance of insipid spices is not a bargain. As for which herbs and spices best accompany which foods; there are many cookbooks in your local bookstore that publish such lists. Classic pairings include rosemary or thyme with lamb, dill with salmon, basil with tomato products, etc. But combine knowledge of standard gustatory pairings with creativity and your own taste. Some stodgy nineteenth century Frenchman’s opinion is not etched in stone. Herbs and spices are a wonderful way to bypass unwanted salt, butter or oil on foods. Steam your asparagus and then add lemon juice and chopped chervil. Braise your carrots in low fat chicken broth and then sprinkle them with fresh mint, parsley or cinnamon. Chicken breasts go great with rosemary, paprika, or sage. For those of you who are less calorie conscious, here is one of my favorites: herbed goat cheese. Take a package of plain goat cheese and mix in three or four tablespoons of fresh chopped herbs. I like a combination of parsley, rosemary and thyme but use whatever combo you prefer. Then add some chopped red bell pepper, salt and pepper. This spread is delicious on crackers or vegetables. For a scrumptious hors d’oeuvre, take well buttered sheets of phyllo dough, place a dollop of the herbed goat cheese in the center, fold into a packet, butter the crease, and then bake at 350 degrees until golden brown. My favorite way of employing spices is in rubs for meat. A rub is basically a dry marinade. For example, brush both sides of a steak or pork chop with olive oil. Then liberally apply a mixture of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, paprika, and cayenne powder. Push in the rub with your fingers or a fork, allow it to rest for 10 minutes, and then sauté, broil, or grill the meat. For the freshest herbs possible, nothing beats planting your own herb garden. It is also convenient and cost effective. I like to plant parsley, cilantro, thyme, basil, and rosemary but many more are available at most garden centers. Thyme and rosemary I plant in pots instead of the ground. They will last through the winter on your sunny windowsill for a year long supply.
../food/2003/ft_030410_spice.htm
Series on Success Philosophies (Part 2): A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH I saw a Dateline Survival Story of a young hiker, getting caught in a blizzard, and surviving for days with only his lunch and water bottle. (He didn’t sleep to prevent freezing to death and used the snow to refill his water bottle, first warming the bottle with his hands.) This story illustrates an important point: when you want to succeed that badly, you will find a way. This man wanted to live. He realized, if he lived, he had a chance to be rescued. He couldn’t do everything on his own (i.e., rescue himself from the mountain), so he focused only on what he could do: stay alive – not alive for a certain time, not alive with all his belongings, just alive. So it should be with our goals. When we have the same life/death clarity, goal or no goal, we focus on what we can do. However, many of us pick a goal and assign extraneous conditions to it. We don’t just want to be a successful actor; we want to be a successful actor by a certain time (typically very soon after we decide to be an actor). We don’t just want a fulfilling career and family; we want them both now and moving in lockstep each and every day. Unfortunately, goals are messier than that. Our goals push our mental, physical and emotional limits. Our goals conflict with other things that we want. How do you know to keep pushing yourself? You need life and death clarity about your goals. If success in your goal is as meaningful to you as staying alive was to that survivor, then keep scrambling. You may be rescued and have your dreams come true. Caroline Ceniza-Levine, a resident of Little Silver, is an adjunct professor of Professional Development at Columbia University and a career/life coach. Caroline can be reached at 212-502-8593 or at her website at www.thinkasinc.com.
../jobpath/2003/jp030410_life_death.htm
REPORTS OF RIVER, BAY AND OCEAN FISHING The John Murphy/Bob Hunter Clean Ocean Action Flounder Tournament held here at Bahrs Landing on Saturday was won by Roy Koch of West Keansburg . Weighing in with just 5 minutes left in the day, Koch beat out Chad Hacker of Middletown by a small fraction of a pound. Hacker's fish 2.50 lbs looked like it was going to win him the $300.00 prize plus the coveted trophy plaque with but Koch's winner came in at 2.54 lbs. I am glad that we had such an experienced weighmaster in Derry Bennett from the American Littoral Society. Third place went to John Anderson of Pompton Lakes with 1.86 lbs. This years FREE event, with an estimate of 250 participants, took the poor weather in stride and tried to coax the bigger flounder out of the mud. The colder temps, seemed to slow down the day's bight. The winning fish were caught near the Rumson Oceanic bridge near high tide. The winner used night crawlers and clam chum as is bait choice. The free tournament is a charity event
to support Clean Ocean Action based out at Sandy Hook.
All monies are donated by local businesses and youth
organizations who support the very important work that
that Clean Ocean Action does for our Shore Communities.
Here are some photos of the winners taken at the fun
awards party at Bahrs Landing.
I have some reports of small bass being taken up in the bay near Keyport. Still no weigh-ins down our way as of Sunday Morning. STILL LOOKING TO GIVE AWAY $50.00 GIFT CERT. FOR A STRIPER!
http://www.bahrs.com/weekfisrep.html
../fish_report/2003/nb_030410.htm
WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY LIFE? What should I do with my life? By the time you read this, Oprah will have aired the show featuring the author of the book, "What Should I Do With My Life." He is Po Bronson, who traveled the country finding people who have discovered their true passion after starting off clueless, aimless, penniless and many other words ending in "less." I brought that bright red-jacketed book home from Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago and placed it on my "to read" table. There it would sit until I got a free moment. Lo and behold, didn’t Oprah tout this book on Friday as the amazing subject of her next show. How I wish I could have let you know in advance. I did find out something about myself though. Now Po’s book jumped from the "to read" category to the "must read" armchair. I know it’s all a lot of media-hype promotion, but still, doesn’t it prove that Po knows what to do with his life and how to do it? Well if this isn’t relevant, then what is? About 30 years ago I got an interview with a large Placement Agency for the job of Professional Placement Counselor. I was a little worried because I had no experience in counseling people. My perception of the job was that I would learn how to be a rather imperious-type person who would sit behind an elegant desk, interview clients, counsel them, and then hand out job opportunities. WRONG! Thank God I didn’t blurt that out when the two interviewers asked me what I thought the job entailed. I knew this business was a real moneymaker. It had been around for a long time. So I blocked out all the "helping others" crappola spiel that is always waiting to drip off my lips, and I said, "I see this as a real sales job. Sell the job seeker on the client company; sell the client company on the job seeker." Bingo! Right answer. Pure intuition. I got the job. I also had the good sense to ask for the job. I didn’t know until later that I would teach others to "ask for the job." That job taught me so much about life, certainly not limited to such a small segment of life called "employment." Nothing is as it seems. It is your perception that others pick up. If you can still manage to exude confidence and self-esteem, (and that’s a tough one when you’re out of a job, or out of the job market as we are), others will perceive you as a confident, assured person. It’s all done with mirrors. I’m happy to know that I did help many people find their confidence and self-esteem. I would pick up the phone as the hopeful job-seeker sat at my desk, and I would present the most original and glowing picture of their capabilities, their good qualities, and would even add tantalizing (but realistic) projections of their future success in enhancing that employer’s business. The job seeker never knew that there was no job opening at that company. I was making the opening happen at that very moment. They were the catalysts. As I smiled, nodded my head in the applicant’s direction and started filling out an interview card, I swear I saw them growing taller in their chair. If they did or didn’t get the job, they would now have a more pleasing perception of themselves. What did it teach me? For one thing, try this. See yourself as that job applicant. See the job counselor who is rattling off all of your good qualities. Start swelling up with pride and confidence, and then go out there and kill ‘em. Did I accomplish so much for others? No. I would say that I learned far more from them. When I had an enthusiastic, energetic, warm-spirited individual at my desk, I knew I had struck pay dirt. Yes, it’s true that so much is expressed in terms of money. It meant money for me when I placed this ball of fire, but it also meant money for the employer who had the good fortune to get him/her. It never ceases to amaze me that "good" travels in huge circles, and keeps expanding, making bigger circles all the time. "What Should I Do With My Life?" We can still, and continuously, ask that question of ourselves. It is not age-related. Find your passion. It’s there if you will think hard, and then acknowledge it. We can keep making those big circles and see what comes back to us. more . . Good news. The application date for filing for the Property Tax Reimbursement program has been extended from March 17, to June 1, 2003. This program will stabilize your tax at the year in which you qualify. Call their HOTLINE 1-800-882-6597 or check out www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation.
../senior/2003/ss030410_do_with_life.htm
FEE SHIFTING STATUTES The New Jersey Legislature has recognized that there are certain types of claims that allow Courts to shift the lawyers’ fees to the losing party. The reasoning behind these statutes is to promote the enforcement of these laws that would otherwise not be enforced. There are many scenarios that would preclude cases being pursued because of attorneys’ fees. For example, someone who is wrongfully terminated but has limited damages because they have found another job would probably not bring a case because of the value of their case. No attorney is going to take a case that has a value of a couple of thousand dollars. However, because of the fee shifting component of the Law Against Discrimination (LAD), an attorney may very well take the case because if he wins for his client, the violator would end up paying his fee. The rationale is to root out all discrimination no matter how small or inconsequential as far as money damages are concerned. There are other similar statutes such as the Consumer Fraud Act that also has a fee shifting agreement.
../legal/2003/lg030410_fee_shifting.htm
ANOTHER MARCH ON TRENTON It has been fairly quiet on the front lines--the medical front lines that is. With the war in Iraq, much attention has been taken away from the New Jersey physicians and their continuing struggle with the medical liability crisis. As of July 1, 2003, many physicians are facing malpractice insurance renewals. Many physicians are also facing an important career decision. Do they continue to practice in a state where malpractice insurance premiums are escalating to the point where they can no longer afford to make a living? Do they retire early if they are approaching their planned retirement age? Or, do they change the scope of their practice so that they no longer do high risk procedures, thus limiting their liability and hopefully keeping their malpractice insurance rates down. This is what has been happening in New Jersey. Over 25% of our obstetricians no longer deliver babies. We have two counties without neurosurgeons. There is already talk of radiologists not doing mammography because it is such a high risk procedure. We even have emergency rooms that are in danger of closing which would be catastrophic. Access to quality heath care is being adversely affected in our state because of our liability crisis. As many of you know, we have been fighting for meaningful tort reform in New Jersey and finally got a compromise bill passed through the state senate. This bill has many features which we feel will help to bring down malpractice insurance premiums. We are on hold at this point as we await the hearing of this bill in the assembly. Barring any changes in scheduling, the general assembly plans to hear this bill on May 15, 2003 in Trenton. We are hoping the bill will pass without significant changes or else we are back to the drawing board. To show our support and solidarity, the Medical Society of New Jersey is asking all New Jersey physicians, as well as concerned citizens to join us in a third march on Trenton on May 15. We had about 7000 people in attendance at the last rally, and are hoping for 15,000 to 20,000 this time. Please show your support by marching with us and also by calling your local legislators at 1-877-KEEP MDs. Tell them that we need their help to save access to quality healthcare in our great state. Email-
Aldozac@netzero.net
../physicians_forum/2003/pf030410_another_march.htm
SUN, SAND, AND MORE TRAFFIC AT SANDY HOOK Mark you calendars for Saturday, April 12th. The National Park Service at Sandy Hook will host another public meeting on the re-development of Fort Hancock from 2-5pm at the Post Theater. It should be a very interesting meeting. This time, the focus of the gathering will be on the recently released Park Service traffic study. The study concludes that the proposed plan to make Fort Hancock a private business (at the sacrifice of other values, such as peace and quiet) will have some ratio of “impact on traffic in the Keyport area,” especially near the intersection of Highway 36 and the Garden State Parkway. In my opinion, this is an amazing study put forth by the federal government. The study (prepared by JE/Sverdrup & Parcel Consultants Inc.) predicts that the greatest environmental impact from the proposed commercialization of Fort Hancock will be felt around 10 miles away from Sandy Hook. Never mind the other Bayshore communities east of Keyport, and North Coast towns south of Sandy Hook that will be compelled to absorb an increase of weekday and weekend traffic from the commercial development of resorts, taverns, restaurants, offices, conference centers, educational institutions, and ticky-tack gift shops at Fort Hancock. It is like another town being built in an already over-developed Jersey Shore region. Also not addressed in the study is how will people cross Hartshorne Road (a 4-lane thoroughfare) from an increase in traffic. Hartshorne Road is the only road in and out of Sandy Hook. Additional cars and trucks will make it difficult for a mother and her small children, school groups, bird-watchers, anglers, or surfers to cross Hartshorne Road to enjoy the bay. Of course, besides traffic, there are numerous other concerns that are not being properly considered by the federal government. Some of those uncertainties include: • Why did the National Park Service favor a single
developer (Sandy Hook Partners) with a 60-year lease to
refurbish over 36 buildings rather than have a diversity
of developers with shifting lease agreements, so no one
private entity will have full control over a large area
of public property? The good news is that I am not alone in asking these questions. Over the last several months, many people who love Sandy Hook and the Jersey Shore have been expressing their concerns. Like many people, I feel that the NPS should set aside the current redevelopment plan of Fort Hancock. An independent organization (made up of local citizens, public officials, and scholars) should then be created to conduct a study to determine the best way to preserve Fort Hancock that is harmonious with the character of Sandy Hook. Let us preserve all of Sandy Hook for all species to enjoy! For more information on the traffic study, you can visit this National Park Service website: http://www.nps.gov/gate Public comments on the traffic study may be made
through April 30th and can be mailed to:
sosap2002@comcast.net
../oaktrail/2003/oot030410_sandy_traffic.htm
***NOTE NEW ADDRESS*** The Volunteer Center of Monmouth County, (732) 728-1927, offers hundreds of unique volunteer opportunities. The Center is now located at 1900 Highway 35, Oakhurst, NJ, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See Volunteer
Opportunities
Each week we'll browse through two or three books and provide you with a brief assessment. These books can all be found in local bookstores. ___________________________ The Jester by James Patterson & Andrew Gross (hardcover) Regular fans of this team will find their newest offering a departure from the norm. You will find no police, no forensic investigation and hardly a civilization. Working within the framework of the Crusades, The Jester is the story of a common man who, driven by the need for a love denied, seeks justice for the wrongs committed against him. With a few tumbling and juggling skills, he weaves his way into the life of the Duke. Start this one early on a Saturday so you don’t miss any work. Summary: Patterson fans - don't wait for the paperback ___________________________ The DaVinci Code By Dan Brown (hardcover) This one is an interesting companion to The Jester. Again , the Crusades hold a pivotal role in the story. But it’s it what the Knight brought back and hid that drive the plot. The threads of history are woven into the story line with enough accuracy to send you to the Bible, your history books and a good search engine. The plot is straightforward and does not suffer from the coincidences or contrivances so often found in this genre. The close escapes are workable. The intrigue builds nicely. The ending satisfies. Summary: a good read. Wait for the paperback if you can. (Save the big bucks great books) ___________________________ The Paris Option (The Covert One Series) Robert Ludlum and Gayle Lynds (paperback) Ludlum was a god to me. For years he could do no wrong. My pillars of faith began to wobble with these posthumous publications. The Paris Option made them crumble. One of Ludlum’s signature plots was to put a common man into an uncommon situation. Readers were subtly invited to imagine the same chaos entering their own lives, wondering if they would make the same decisions. The Paris Option brings together teams of operatives skilled in the craft of intrigue. To hold the plot together, Ludlum incorporates too many coincidences, opportunistic lapses, and overlooked escapes. The temporary suspension of disbelief required of a fiction reader stretches until it finally snaps. Unless the villain, the hero, and the reader are all willing to wear blinders, this novel is not an option. Summary: Sorry Ludlum fans.
../leafnotes/2003/ln030410.html
THE TOWN CAFÉ You can see it on the rack Its owner took an unscheduled trip But on November 23, 2002 PAUL KLEISER APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH.
../poet/2003/pl030410_town_cafe.htm
(editors note: Do you have poetry to share? Send your submission to editor@ahherald.com.) PICTURE THIS!
Click the
image to see a larger picture. ../picture_this/2003/pt_030410.htm or click here Picture This! We'll show you a photo each week and you tell us where in Monmouth County that photo was taken. If you have not won in the last 30 days and you know the answer, send your response to trivia@ahherald.com along with your name and the town where you live. Be the first person to respond with the correct answer and we will publish your name and the town where you live. Only those responses received on, or after, the date above will be accepted.
Can you identify the location from
this photo taken in Monmouth County, NJ? Last Week's Picture This! Answer
The AH Herald provides this space for community commentary on issues of local importance. The extended format of our Readers Write page will remind many of the Op-Ed pages in print newspapers. We hope you find the information compelling and informative. If you have something to say about a LOCAL issue, send your comments, along with your name, street address and daytime phone number to: editor@ahherald.com WHAT "SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS" SHOULD REALLY MEAN Like Bret Schundler, I think we should express support for our troops, but I disagree that it's something for public institutions to get involved in. It's individuals that have freedom of expression in this country and it's up to individuals to adopt whatever symbols they choose to show their support for whatever cause they choose. In my mind, though, what's more important than who displays what symbols is what these symbols really mean. In the case of "support our troops" what I mean is they should be brought home immediately before any more are hurt or killed or do more killing. It's just not good enough to simply hope for their safe return, as Mr. Schundler would have us do. We must be clear in our understanding that the war against Iraq is being fought for reasons invented by the Bush Administration and we must demand the hostilities against Iraq cease immediately and that our troops to be taken out of harms way. Let's be true patriots and insist the brave men and women of our armed services not be sacrificed for Mr. Bush's phony war; phony reasons, but very tragic consequences for our troops and the people of Iraq. Tragic consequences such as the deadly effects of "Gulf War Syndome" and of war itself. In 1991, 147 US troops were killed (from friendly fire or battlefield accidents) and, according to the V.A., nearly another 10,000 have died since then (mostly from exposure to depleted uranium munitions). The numbers will be just as bad this time around, perhaps even worse. Support our troops, value their lives and bring them home now!
Paul Doughty
../readers_write/2003/030410_troop_support.htm
PROCESSING ERROR DISCOVERED AND CORRECTED BY MIDDLETOWN BOND COUNSEL Reference Mr. Caliendo’s article (TWO PARTIES MAKE ONE GOOD GOVERNMENT) in your March 27th issue. For the record, our bond counsel is John Draikiwicz, Esq., at Gibbons, Del Deo, Griffinger and Vecchione. Your article asserts that our bond counsel made a $14,000 billing error to the Township of Middletown. That assertion is incorrect! Indeed, the firm billed the Township $13,573.06, on its invoice number 1074419, for services it rendered in connection with our 2002 bond sale. However, an error was made in the Township finance office when the same voucher was inadvertently processed twice for payment. This processing error generated two different checks for the same amount. Upon receipt of the second Township check, bond counsel realized that an error was made by the Township, and returned it to our office to be voided, under cover letter dated March 12, 2003. A copy of both that letter and the voided check are attached for your examination. I trust that this now clears up any questions you may have about this issue, and I request that you publish this response as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Robert A. Roth
../readers_write/2003/030410_mt_bond_counsel.htm
PRAISE FOR BRICK VETERANS CLINIC Brick has an excellent VA clinic on Rt. 70. I would recommend a visit by any veteran who is entitled to use it. It is convenient, has an excellent staff, and appointments are kept in a very punctual manner. Of particular value is the reduced price of prescription drugs. Most are just $7, a few going for $28. Many are generic, but I save quite a bit and find them of excellent quality. Dr. Sapporito has taken excellent care of my needs in this department. Ed Toner
../readers_write/2003/030410_brick_va_clinic.htm
KUDOS TO AHES FOR MUSICAL THEATER PERFORMANCE Thank you so much for your wonderful article and pictures on the AHES musical "Into the Woods." What a great way to congratulate the kids than to let them see their hard work honored like this. What a nice bunch of kids and what a great job they did. Kudos to the school for allowing such a production for the first time! What a nice time to raise kids in. Thanks again. Jean Springsteen
../readers_write/2003/030410_ahes_performance.htm
I read your article about communications, and, if you'll pardon the expression, I'd like to say "Amen!" Having offered pastoral care to people who are receiving medical care for nearly thirty years, I can say that the vast majority of patients I have listened to have a high degree of confidence in their physicians, and have indicated that their relationship with their physician is healthy. However, there have been some cases where unheard concerns from the physician or the patient have prevented positive communications from taking place. I often find myself in the position of reminding patients of the human limitations of physicians, and that physicians have homes, families, feelings, problems, fears, hopes and dreams like every other person. Physicians are not healing machines. When people take the time to hear each other, and value each other, many of the conflicts can be resolved. Over the years I have witnessed unhappy patients who have stopped talking to their physicians because they have given it up as useless. There are also patients with whom it is simply difficult to communicate. I have listened to a physician or two who have needed to take the time out to care for their own unmet needs. I have also been in the room when families have made the decision to change physicians because animosities have arisen which could have been avoided with more positive communications. Having witnessed the anger in some cases, it doesn't take much for me to imagine someone taking things further in the courts. "Ninety percent of the friction of daily life is caused by the wrong tone of voice." -- Author Unknown (Printed in the clergy journal, Leadership, Vol. 1, no. 4.) Best wishes in your endeavors to communicate the difficult circumstances physicians find themselves in these days. Shalom,
../readers_write/2003/030410_zaccaria_communication.htm
LANDAU ACCEPTS POSITION AS BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK IN FAIR HAVEN Dear Mayor Szostak and Members of the Council: I accept your offer to serve as Borough Administrator/ Clerk for a three-year term beginning on April 15, 2003. I am honored that your agent, Borough Attorney Martin Barger and Council President Bea Sena have extended a formal offer to me. As I have recorded Mr. Barger’s offer via audiotape, the Mayor and Council, meeting in session on Friday March 28th, agreed to hire me. I am to be paid $85,000 per year on a joint salary line for both positions listed as Borough Administrator/Borough Clerk. I am to receive an automobile and a lap top computer and a cellular telephone. I am to receive 15 days of vacation and all the benefits accorded to any and all borough employees. In addition, you have agreed to enroll the borough in an annuity or 401k or 401. In addition, he further agreed that in order for me to honor Council President Sena’s request to start the position of Borough Administrator/Borough Clerk on April 15 the borough had agreed to permit me time off from borough work so I may honor a previous commitment to my prior employer. I have purchased two round trip airline tickets in order to honor that request. According to my audiotape record of Council President Sena’s request via telephone recorder March 27, I am to be available as soon as possible and this is in accordance with the agreement Mr. Barger conveyed. Accordingly, I would like to notify you that in compliance I have given notice in my current position and withdrawn as a candidate for three other positions. I have given up my residence. Because several members of the Borough Council have recently claimed ‘collusion’ between the mayor and other council members in violation of the ‘sunshine law’ regarding the appointment of other borough officials, specifically Mr. Barger, the integrity of this process must be maintained. My independence also must be preserved so that I may impartially serve the entire borough in this politically charged atmosphere. In addition, since the Acting Borough Clerk is a contract employee for a firm who has lobbied the council, I respectfully request that all original tape recordings and minutes of meetings relative to my interview and hiring be first of all safeguarded. I am concerned that the Borough does not have a vault. Therefore, I recommend that they should be transferred into the custody of the Monmouth County Prosecutor or the New Jersey Depart I look forward to serving the Borough of Fair Haven over the next three years. Sincerely yours, Dr. Douglas A. Landau
../readers_write/2003/030410_landau.htm
ETHICS - REALLY, I WONDER WHERE? A local parent of a Keansburg High School student took it upon herself to bring ethics charges of bullying, harassment, unprofessional conduct at public and disregard of board policies against Board of Education President Joseph Hazeldine. That parent has yet to hear back for the commission in writing or by any other means. This all happened in October of 2002. Yet, this week an article appeared in a local paper claiming that Joseph Hazeldine claims to have beaten the charges against him. Now it is April 2003 and yet another parent has pressed charges against the same president for abusive and vulgar language. She said he and a local police lieutenant acted in this way when she was leaving the school and again later on Beachway by a local tavern. The commission looked at over 19 depositions and heard from three witnesses in reference to the original complaint. In ethics proceedings such as the one described above it is normal procedure for notify the plaintiff and the defendant of any decisions at the same time. The decisions are published on a web site. So far, the plaintiff has not received notification and the results have not been published. Yet the paper claims Joe says the charges were dismissed. I wonder, is it ethical to lie? The Board Administrator and Secretary lied to the commissioners on the ethics board about an order he was given by the president to place an ad in the newspapers for the replacement of a deceased board member. This ad was placed on the very day the deceased member was being buried. This administrator told me that he was ordered by the president to do it even though the administrator himself felt the timing was bad. “I am the president and I don’t care who is being buried” said president Joseph Hazeldine. Mr. Finger was requested by the commission to send a deposition and in it Mr. Finger denied all of this. He claimed he followed past practice, which was a lie. Never has a vacated seat been filled within one day. The president thought he could pull a fast one and get Judy Ferrara named to the seat. This same Judy Ferrara was censured by the ethics commission along with president Hugh Gallagher for illegal solicitation of campaign donations from a board service provider. Judy came to the meeting that night all decked out for her appointment but thankfully it never happened. The board president Joseph Hazeldine was stopped cold dead in his tracks because the board voted to table the motion he made to appoint this now censured person to the board of education. Judy Ferrara then withdrew her name from consideration and at that point, they appointed Mary Ann Franklin to the seat. Joe, Judy and Bob Finger can deny this all they want and call me a liar, which has already been done by both Joe and Bob, but I stand by all of this information. It is too realistic not to be true. This is not the first time that administrator Bob Finger has denied statements made in private by minority board members but it may soon be his last denial to the board. I have to wonder why he lost two administrative assistants in one year. Our $100,000 dollar club of administrators if too close with out current board president. Even the KEA union who got a hefty contract unheard of two years outrageously supports this board president. If they loose the support they have on this current board they give me the dollars party will soon be over that’s for sure. The Borough of Keansburg is assessed about 390,000 dollars every month to the school through your tax dollars yet the president of this board claims the town pays nothing to the schools. This is and out and out lie - - Hazeldine and Cocuzza you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Thanks, CALIENDO COLUMNS PROVIDE STEADY DOSE OF MISINFORMATION - SPY HOUSE IS NO EXCEPTION Dear Editor: For months now, Joe Caliendo has been giving your readers a weekly dose of self-serving opinions based on a steady dose of misinformation. His April 3, 2003, column is no exception. Here are some facts about the Spy House and its contents: • The Seabrook-Whitlock-Wilson House (better known as the Spy House) predates the Revolutionary War by more than 100 years. The house originally belonged to Thomas Whitlock, the first permanent settler of record in New Jersey under British rule, who scouted the land in 1663. The dwelling was then owned by several generations of Seabrooks, Rev. William V. Wilson, who established the New Monmouth Baptist Church, and Martha S. Griggs, Wilson’s daughter. Middletown acquired the house in 1972 after it had remained vacant for several years. • Middletown agreed to transfer ownership of the Spy House to the Monmouth County Park System, along with the adjacent fishing pier, observation deck, public restroom, and surrounding 11 acres in 1997, in exchange for a $1.3 million reduction in Middletown’s $4.5 million share of the $10 million road and bridge projects in Belford and Port Monmouth. The joint project included the replacement of the Pews and Comptons Creek Bridges, reconstruction of two miles of Port Monmouth Road and a half a mile of local side streets. • Substantial savings were realized for Middletown taxpayers, since the transfer defrayed the cost of nearly 31 percent of Middletown’s share of the improvement project. In addition, it was felt that the house, which was in need of extensive maintenance, would benefit from the county’s greater resources to undertake such work. • The historic home is now part of the county’s 150-acre Bayshore Waterfront Park. Further savings are realized in Middletown annually since the county now cares for the house and the surrounding grounds. • The Spy House collection is still in Middletown. It is and has been on display for public viewing at the historic Heath Farm on Harmony Road since July 19, 1998. • In a July, 1998, article in the Independent, Vincent Neidlinger, a nephew and executor of the late Gertrude Neidlinger’s estate, noted “[The Heath Farm] is a good resting spot for the artifacts.” We agree. That’s why the township worked with Walter Spradley, the late Bertha Heath’s nephew and caretaker of the farm, and Spy House Museum supporters who had worked with Mrs. Neidlinger, to bring the collection to its current location. Some items within the Spy House were on loan and were returned to their owners upon request. I hope this clears up any confusion that Mr. Caliendo’s column has generated. Sincerely,
HARBOR COMMISSION HAS ALWAYS WORKED IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE BOROUGH In response to “AH Harbor v. Pete’s On the Bay” published in your April 3, 2003 edition, on the advice of counsel the Harbor Commission and the Borough do not intend to respond in detail to the totally false and misleading statements of that letter. As the facts are revealed through pending litigation, it will be made clear that the Harbor Commission always has been working in the best interests of the Borough. It is anticipated that within a very short time the full facts of the case will be announced to the public. Jane Frotton
LEAVE THE CHILDREN OUT OF KEANSBURG POLITICS Once again, I am sickened and amazed at the depth to which people will go in involve innocent children in politics. Although I did not have an opportunity to attend the Borough meeting tonight, I did however get to see the tape of the meeting. I was totally disgusted by the comments spewed at a council member concerning her daughter. These comments were made by Chris Huff to Councilwoman Patricia Gilligan. Since both the Asbury Park Press and the Courier were there, I do not hesitate to use their names, as I am sure it will be in the paper. Mr. Huff reached a new low, even for him, when he openly accused Mrs. Gillian's daughter of being involved in a sexual affair with a Keansburg Police Officer. He referred to it as NEPOTISM. Someone should hand Mr. Huff a dictionary because OBVIOUSLY he has no clue what that word means. There is no excuse for his behavior. His attack on Mrs. Gilligan's daughter is proof positive that him and others like him will stoop to any level to malign, humiliate, and degrade anyone they deem United For Change. No one is safe, not even our children. There is information about Mr. Huff's personal life which I am sure he would not want discussed in an open venue, and I am grateful for the fact that Mrs. Gilligan is classy enough to not bring it to the forefront. Shame on you Mr. Huff. You represent everything that gives our town a bad name. It is people like you, dripping with disdain, that keep the real issues from being bought to the public at our Borough meetings. Every time Mr. Huff steps up to the microphone, he takes away an opportunity for someone with legitimate questions to speak. I have yet to hear one honest, intelligent, heartfelt question from Mr. Huff at a Borough meeting. Because of people like Mr. Huff, our Borough meetings have become a cesspool of misinformation and personal attacks on the council. LEAVE THE MICROPHONE FOR THE PEOPLE WITH REAL ISSUES. You should be careful Mr. Huff. Someday someone might get up to the microphone and open your closet door, but the difference is THE TRUTH WILL FALL OUT. In yet another attack on a child: The child of a candidate for the BOE was verbally attacked by A TEACHER in his classroom. It could only be described as a vulgar, biased personal attack on this child simply because of the fact that his parent is running for the BOE. I will not name the child or the teacher since charges may be forthcoming. This attack on our children has GOT TO STOP. Just how far are these people willing to go in the name of politics? In my wildest dreams, I could never imagine that any rational adult would stoop so low. But I guess a reality check is in order here. This is not a dream, THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING. It should also be noted that this teacher is openly supporting the opposing ticket, so it leaves little room for his behavior to be misconstrued as anything but politically motivated. WHAT HAPPENED TO LEAVING POLITICS OUT OF SCHOOL. If our own teachers won't abide by the rules, how can we possibly expect our children to learn anything from them. I sincerely hope the parent of this child does file harassment charges against this teacher. Just the fact that he would use vulgarity to a student speaks volumes about the character of this teacher. At this same meeting, a Courier reported was highly disrespectful to a current BOE member, and told her that WE ARE A BUNCH OF DISGUSTING PEOPLE. When someone intervened, and told the reported not to speak to the woman in that manner, the reported said "go home and cry about it" and then gave them the finger. THIS IS ON TAPE, don't take my word for it. It is no secret that the Courier has waged a campaign against the candidates running under the banner Our Town, Their Future. THIS PAPER IS A DISGRACE TO JOURNALISM. They are one step below the Enquirer. Fair, honest reporting is a concept that is totally alien to that paper. Selective, biased journalism is something that we can all do without. I can't speak for anyone but myself when I say that ALL ARTICLES SHOULD CONTAIN AT LEAST ONE MODICUM OF THE TRUTH. Well if you like truth in your articles, then don't buy the Courier. Mr. Purcell is a disgrace. I wish the honest, decent residents of Keansburg will stop buying this low class rag paper. LEAVE OUR CHILDREN ALONE. If that is how you people need to win an election, then you are truly in trouble. The residents of this town are not deaf or blind, and I can assure you any self respecting person will be equally disgusted with the constant attacks on our children. Mr. Dean, I wish you could bring your website to paper. We are sorely short-handed on truth in reporting. I find your reporting to be both honest and unbiased. WE COULD REALLY USE MORE OF THAT. Karen Goode
THE FUTURE OF SANDY HOOK & FORT HANCOCK The National Park Service is calling on the public to comment on the traffic study for the proposed Fort Hancock historic restoration on Sandy Hook. In response to public concerns about the effects of increasing traffic to a restored Fort Hancock, the National Park Service (NPS) has released the results of a study of the local area road system. The NPS study focuses on the Route 36 corridor between the Garden State Park and the intersection with NJ Route 520 at the entrance to Sandy Hook. The traffic study is available for review at Sandy Hook Park Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The study is also available at local area libraries and on the Internet at WWW.NPS.GOV/GATE. The Park Service is accepting written comments on the traffic study through April 30. Comments should be addressed to: Superintendent, Sandy Hook, PO BOX 530, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732. The study evaluated conditions at six representative intersections along the Route 36 corridor, as well as under several scenarios with and without replacement of the Highlands Bridge, according to William G. Garrett, Acting General Superintendent of the Gateway National Recreation Area. The NPS study found that there is not likely to be any “unacceptable adverse impacts on traffic” at five of the six intersections along the 36 corridor, which could give the Fort Hancock restoration project the “green” light. The study, however, predicts that the level of service at the intersection of Route 36 and Broad Street in Keyport (17 miles from Fort Hancock) could be “adversely affected” by a combination of normal annual growth in traffic, completion of already approved development projects along the 36 corridor, and the Fort Hancock restoration. The study did find that traffic delays at the Route 36 Highlands Bridge would be “eliminated” by the replacement of the bridge with a new fixed span, as planned by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT). Should the bridge not be replaced, or be replaced with another drawbridge, the Fort Hancock rehabilitation would add about 45 seconds to the current average delay of nearly five minutes. The NJDOT has stated that for technical and substantive reasons, no mitigation of the predicted impacts would be required. The Fort Hancock Gateway Village Rehabilitation Project will, for the first time, allow the National Park Service the opportunity to fulfill its obligation for the long-term preservation of this National Historic Landmark, according to Gateway Superintendent Garrett. The traffic study did not consider the proposed ferry service at the tip of Fort Hancock that would alleviate traffic by using existing waterways to carry visitors between the New Jersey and New York waterfronts along the bi-state harbor – the Gateway to America. That would relieve traffic on the Garden State Parkway and the Route 36 east-west corridor to Sandy Hook and Fort Hancock. Following the April 30 close of public comments on the new traffic study, the NPS Northeast Regional Director will review all public input and make a final determination as to the significance of the identified impacts. Built at the mouth of New York Harbor as a bulwark against maritime invaders, Fort Hancock was a premier fortification for New York City and coastal northern New Jersey. The legendary Sandy Hook Lighthouse, dating from 1764 and located at the northeast end of Fort Hancock, is the oldest, continuously operating lighthouse in North America. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1982, Fort Hancock and its artillery proving grounds are prized features of the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. The National Park Service, the guardian of America’s federal parks, is in the U.S. Department of the Interior.
[editor's note: The National Park Service will hold a meeting Saturday, April 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Post Theater to hear from public hearing on the traffic study]
PUBLIC NOTICES, ANNOUNCEMENTS, P L E A S E T E L L T H E M Y O U S A W I T I N T H E H E R A L D
*******************************************************
________________________________
Keansburg
________________________________ AREA ANNOUNCEMENTS: __________________________________________________
CLASSIFIEDS: AHHerald CLASSIFIEDS
EVENTS: Visit our NEW EVENTS CALENDAR for all the area events.
Send your events news to
events@ahherald.com CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
For a complete listing of area clubs, and
organizations
click here: P L E
A S E T E L L T H E M Y O U S A W I T I N
T H E A H H E R A L D
The Atlantic Highlands Herald
Community Websites The editor wishes to acknowledge and correct mistakes made in this electronic newspaper and on the AHHerald web pages. If you find an error, please send email to: editor@ahherald.com If you would like to
receive a free subscription to the Atlantic Highlands
Herald each week via email, complete the subscription
request form found at:
../subscribe.htm To be removed from the email list, simply reply with Remove in the subject line. Copyright 2002, Allan Dean, All Rights Reserved.
If you
chose to print this publication, please use recycled
paper. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||
