Courier News - the voice of the bayshore

Adopt Me!

The Courier,July 17 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Mini
Mini is a 1-year-old 13" tri-color Beagle mix. Mini is fun loving and playful. She also walks nice on a leash. If you love beagles, come on down and meet Mini. She’s a beauty.

Max
Max is a 1-year-old border terrier mix. He came to the shelter as a stray. Max has shown himself to be friendly and full of energy. He would prefer to be an only pet.

Benny
Benny is a brown and tan tiger domestic short hair kitten. He is only 8 weeks old and ready to begin his journey with a home of his own. If you are looking for cute and playful, come meet Benny.

Blaze
Blaze is an 8-week-old black and white female domestic short hair kitten. With one black eye and one white eye, her markings are stunning. This friendly and outgoing kitten is sure to make you smile. If you want a stunning little girl, come meet Blaze.

These and other animals are available for adoption at the Monmouth County SPCA,
260 Wall Street, Eatontown. For more information, call (732) 542-0040 or visit:
www.monmouthcountyspca.org.

Hit-and-run driver sought

The Courier,July 22 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Around 12:15 a.m. on Monday, July 21 a Matawan Avenue resident was struck by a small silver vehicle with NJ license plates while in the cross walk on Main Street toward High Street, near the train station, police said.

The victim was taken to Jersey Shore Medical Center and is in stable condition, police said.

The vehicle could have front and windshield damage, police said, as the victim was thrown 30 feet from the impact.

Anyone with further information should contact Matawan Police Traffic Safty Patrolman Joe Lovallo at 732-290-2024.

— Alyssa Passeggio

Court: Hazlet to see townhouses

The Courier,July 22 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Lawrence M. Lawson overturned Hazlet Township's denial of the Elegant Properties LLC application to build 26 townhouses on Poole Avenue.

Lawson rendered a decision against Hazlet Township Friday morning, by granting Elegant Properties a motion for summary judgment in its builder's remedy suit.

The township was assigned a special master, at its expense, to oversee the proceedings, documents said.

The Poole Avenue property was zoned for 11 single-family houses and neighboring residents protested the development of 26 townhouses on the property. Therefore, the Township Committee denied the rezone, which had been a means to settle the dispute between he parties.

Court documents stated that Elegant Properties was ready, willing and able to construct up to 63 townhouses on the 4-acre piece of property. Elegant Properties has expressed intent to purchase other properties in the township for similar development.

Check Thursday's Courier for a more detailed story.

— Alyssa Passeggio

Sisters are on a mission of Mercy in Monmouth-Ocean

The Courier,July 17 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Sisters of Mercy are a Catholic religious order that is very prominent in the Monmouth-Ocean County area. I have had some experience with two institutions that have involved the Sisters: Georgian Court University, in Lakewood, and the Bayshore Senior, Health, Education & Recreation Center, in Keansburg.

Georgian Court is a wonderful school, which I attended several years ago while seeking my bachelor’s degree in history during the 1990s. The Sisters of Mercy own the school and its buildings and grounds, which were purchased from the Gould family. In fact, the university is celebrating its centennial this year, and it is quite a proud tradition. Sister Dorothy Lazarak was in charge of the Evening Division, which all males had to belong to when they attended the university (then a college), as it is otherwise an all-girl school.

Several years later, while at The Courier, I encountered the Bayshore Senior Center, where Sister Elizabeth Garvey is the executive director. The center serves the needs of hundreds of seniors throughout the Bayshore. The center has been open the past 32 years and grew out of a program offered at St. Ann’s Church, in Keansburg, during the 1970s. While it is not a religious organization, there are Sisters of Mercy employed as part of the center’s administration.

It has been my pleasure to meet many Sisters of Mercy, and at each occasion it has been special. The Sisters of Mercy are, essentially, a teaching order. Yet, what I have learned from the Sisters is almost unintended because it is not taught as a part of a curriculum, nor in a program offering somewhere.

In a world that is so grounded in the everyday grind, these Sisters make faith a tangible part of that world. The Sisters do not retreat from the world, creating a space where they pursue after abandoning the everyday world. Rather, they bring active faith in God into every activity that they do — and do it well, which is not something that is ordinarily found.

Sister Dorothy is still at Georgian Court. During my time at Georgian Court, she had to deal with thousands of ‘real-world’ situations involving school administration. Far from ‘uplifting’ or cloistered, she had to remain accessible for many tasks associated with administering to a very dynamic, growing area of the university’s concerns. Still, she did not get caught up in the everyday. Rooted in her faith, Sister Dorothy was an example in respect, courtesy, efficiency and faith. Georgian Court is very diverse, but I found myself truly appreciating the durable nature of her religious beliefs, and that example teaches a great deal in itself.

Meanwhile, Sister Garvey has been a mainstay at the Bayshore Senior Center since 1981. She has such regard for the seniors there, and for people in general. The sister had to see many seniors pass, and has fought a daily battle to make the center even better than it is. She is dedicated to the Bayshore’s seniors, with a great and gentle kind of determination. Frankly, there are not enough good things to say about the simple and yet poignant way she goes about her duties, all the while a great example of Christianity ‘in the world.’

It is easy to lose touch with faith in the commotion of the everyday: the commute, the job, the mortgage, the kids, recession, stress, conflict and doing it all over again the next day. Perhaps I could add sleeplessness, frustration and a constant battle to try and be as healthy as you can while running at the pace of a greyhound on the track. For some, faith is there, but bringing faith into the everyday can be hard because of the pace of the train. I suggest that the attempt is worthy, and in the end the peace it brings can be priceless.

Neither Sister Dorothy nor Sister Garvey would ever say, I think, that they ‘have it’ when it comes to being as spiritually progressed as they try (who is?). But their walk of life is notable, and the way they each do it is beyond admirable and borders on quietly incredible. I think that speaks volumes for their order, the Sisters in the Order and their commitment to helping others while growing in faith themselves.

I think all of us could take a page out of their book, and be the better for it.

The importance of assimilation in America

The Courier,July 17 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Amnesty is dead, according to Michelle Malkin, an Asian columnist who specializes on immigration.

A couple of years ago, hundreds of thousands of illegal alien demonstrators took to the streets lobbying for amnesty. Marchers waved “Amenstia Abora!” placards in one hand, the flags of their native countries in the other.

Open-borders strategists quickly replaced the foreign flags with Old Glory after militant activists cause a public backlash last year.

National newspapers played the dutiful propagandists and splashed patriotic photo-ops of the “undocumented” masses wrapped in red, white and blue to drum up sympathy.

“But now that they’ve lost their amnesty fight, will they still embrace American symbols and traditions?” Malkin raises the question in her weekly syndicated column.

Or was it all for show?

And what of all that talk of illegal aliens being willing to study citizenship and civics. And take English classes?

“Why must they be bribed with the promise of temporary guest worker visa and mass governmental pardon in order to adapt to our way of life?” Malkin asks. “When did assimilation become the means and not an end in itself?”

The inflection point can perhaps be traced to the moment when politicians were permitted to invoke the “America is a nation of immigrants” platitude as a mindless justification for open borders, Malkin pointed out.

The fact is: We are not a “nation of immigrants.” This is both a factual error and a warm-and fuzzy non sequitur, according to Malkin. Eighty-five percent of the residents currently in the United States were born here, she reported. “Sure, we are almost all descendants of immigrants. But we are not a ‘nation of immigrants.’”

Isn’t it funny, she says, how the politically correct multiculturalists who claim we are a “nation of immigrants” are so sensitive toward Native American Indians, Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiians and descents of black slaves who did not “immigrate” here in any common sense of the word.

Even if we were a “nation of immigrants,” it does not explain why we should be against sensible immigration control. And if the open-border advocates would actually read American history, instead of revising it, they would see that the founding fathers were emphatically insistent on protecting the country against indiscriminate mass immigration. They insisted on assimilation as a pre-condition, not an afterthought.
Historian John Fonte assembled their wisdom:

• George Washington, in a letter to John Adams (his vice president and next president), stated that immigrants should be absorbed into American life so that “by an inter-mixture with our people, they, or their descendents, get assimilated to our customs, measures, laws – in a word, soon become one people.”

• In a 1790 speech to Congress on the naturalization of immigrants, James Madison (our fourth president) stated that America should welcome the immigrant who could assimilate, but exclude the immigrant who could not readily “incorporate himself into our society.”

• Alexander Hamilton (America’s first Treasurer) wrote in 1802: “The safety of a republic depends essentially on the energy of a common national sentiment: on a uniformity of principles habits; on the exemption of the citizens from foreign bias and prejudice; and on that love of country which will almost invariably be found to be closely connected with birth, education and family.”

• Hamilton further warned that “The United States have already felt the evils of incorporating a large number of foreigners into their national mass; by promoting in different predilections in favor of particular foreign nations, and antipathies against others, it has served very much to provide the community and to distract our councils. It has been often likely to compromise the interests of our own country in favor of another. The permanent effect of such a policy will be that in times of great public danger there will be always a numerous body of men, of whom there may be just grounds of distrust; the suspicion alone will weaken the strength of t he nation, but their force may be actually employed in assistant an invader.”

Malkin noted that the perils of ignoring the founding father’s advice was the nation’s first attack by ideological terrorists who bombed the World Trade Center’s twin towers, the nation’s Pentagon military headquarters, and the crash of a commercial air plane in the fields of Pennsylvania, killing some 3,000 innocent civilians and costing the nation’s economy trillions of dollars.

Yes, “The safety of the public” is indeed at stake.

New Jersey taxpayers stuck with another $4 billion debt

The Courier,July 17 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

New Jersey, already in debt to some $75 billion, faces another close-to-$4 billion debt because its governor, Jon Corzine, refuses to put the multi-billion-dollar “mortgage” issue on this November’s election ballot so the taxpayers can decide whether they want to saddle property owners with even more oppressive taxation.

The Garden State’s liberal government doesn’t want voters making decisions on how their taxes should be spent.

Under our Constitution, aren’t voting taxpayers supposed to be making these decisions – after all, it’s their money?

New Jersey is under a liberal dictatorship where working taxpayers and voters are told they have no business interfering with an out-of-control, runaway, tax-and-spend state government.

Welcome to a communistic form of government in New Jersey, which already is the laughing stock of America because of the infamous “Jersey Joke.” Yes, we make fools of ourselves in New Jersey simply because we allow our liberal-socialist-Marxist government do what they want, when they want by ignoring the voters who put these “crooks” in public office to represent “the people.”

It’s no wonder some 57,000 New Jersey residents are leaving this state in 2008, with another 75,000 expected to flee the Garden State next year because they no longer want to be the most taxed state in the nation.

I’ve lived my whole life (70 years) in this once great Garden State. We have a proud tradition. Our state slogan is “The Crossroads of the American Revolution.” Ironically, that revolution was a tax revolt against the King of England who was imposing taxes on the earlier settlers in America’s original 13 colonies.

So much for a victorious revolution over taxing tea known as the “Boston Tea Party.” In those days, the colonists really had an anti-tax society. In a word: Freedom. There were no property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes and countless other taxes and fees before the Revolution.

Yes, we won the war, but it didn’t last long. Taxes started creeping and crawling across an expanding nation, and by the 20th century, taxation and liberalism had taken over America. We became a liberal socialist society.

And by the looks of America today, we don’t seem to care. Liberalism has reached its highly level.

After examining the numbers on Wall Street, I’m not too optimistic our country can roll back liberalism and return to a society founded on fiscal conservatism: Smaller government, smarter economists.

After all, don’t “We the People” – some 300 million of us – deserve the same freedoms as those who lived before the 20th century who were not burdened with property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes and endless other taxes that fill up hundreds of pages of tax laws?

George Washington may have won the Revolutionary War, but Karl Marx won today’s wars with his communist philosophy of “redistribution of money,” so we all make the same amount of money, regardless of your status.

What we have today is a “welfare state” with horrendous “entitlements” for everyone, including those who don’t work.

Frankly, we’ve lost America, at least the America that existed before the illegal federal income tax became law in 1913. That’s right! The income tax is illegal because it was not ratified by the 38 states in 1913. So much for law and order.

The politicians and bureaucrats have become nothing more than greedy “government thieves” – stealing our money by creating corrupt laws and ignoring those laws that protect “the people.”

I always like to end my columns with “God Bless America” – but nowadays so many people don’t believe in a God that it no longer has any meaning.

Medicaid planning with annuities

The Courier,July 17 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Annuities have been part of the Medicaid planning arsenal for years. The reason elder law attorneys recommend annuities has to do with the distinction that the Medicaid law makes between resources and income.

Let’s assume that Mr. Smith, a married man, breaks his hip and ends up residing in a nursing home. He and his wife, Mrs. Smith, own their home, worth $400,000, and approximately $300,000 in cash and investments.

The Medicaid law would permit Mrs. Smith to retain the home and about $100,000 of the cash. If the Medicaid Office had its way, Mr. and Mrs. Smith would spend the excess $200,000 on Mr. Smith’s care at the nursing home.

Elder law attorneys, such as I, are in the business of attempting to preserve as much of that $200,000 as possible for the benefit of Mrs. Smith. One way that an elder law attorney might suggest to do that is through an annuity.

An annuity is a planning technique because unlike resources, such as the house and the $300,000 in cash that the Smiths own, income belongs to the spouse whose name is on the check. In other words, if Mr. Smith receives Social Security income of $1,000 a month and a pension of $500 a month, that is his income. If Mrs. Smith receives $500 a month in Social Security income, that is her income.

Resources are pooled. Stated otherwise, whatever Mr. Smith owns, Mrs. Smith owns, and whatever Mrs. Smith owns, Mr. Smith owns. It is irrelevant which spouse’s name is on the resource or which spouse brought the resource into the marriage.

Income, unlike resources, is not pooled.

A properly structured annuity can convert excess resources into income payable to one spouse. For instance, going back to the Smiths, the Smiths have $200,000 in excess resources. Barring any plan, the Smiths would need to spend $200,000 on Mr. Smith’s nursing home bill before Mr. Smith would qualify for Medicaid.

But if Mrs. Smith takes that $200,000 and purchases an immediately payable, irrevocable, non-assignable annuity in her name, she will effectively convert the $200,000 in excess resources into income. Since the income from the annuity is payable to her, and not to Mr. Smith, the income is Mrs. Smith’s. Moreover, since Mrs. Smith’s income does not count against Mr. Smith, Mrs. Smith has sheltered the $200,000 in excess resources, and Mr. Smith will qualify for Medicaid.

As you might surmise, the Medicaid Office hates annuities. Any planning technique that can qualify a married individual with hundreds of thousands of dollars in excess resources for Medicaid within a matter of days annoys the Medicaid Office.

So, the Medicaid Office has attacked the use of annuities for years. In recent years, the focus of the Medicaid Office’s argument is on the ability to sell an annuity on a secondary market.

There are companies that will purchase these annuities for a discount. For instance, there are companies that will give Mrs. Smith a portion of what she paid for her $200,000 annuity, based upon her age and other discount factors. These companies, for instance, might pay Mrs. Smith $170,000 for the $200,000 annuity that she just purchased.

According to the Medicaid Office, since these companies exist, annuities are resources, not income, so the use of annuities is an ineffective Medicaid planning technique.

I, and other elder law attorneys, would vehemently protest the Medicaid Office’s argument against annuities, but one thing I know for certain. The Medicaid Office’s position is completely unsupportable when it comes to annuities purchased inside qualified plans, such as IRAs.

I have a letter from the leading company in the secondary market that specifically says that company will not purchase an annuity owned inside a qualified plan, such as an IRA. The reason these companies will not purchase annuities owned inside IRAs has to do with the tax liability associated with withdrawals from this type of account.

I believe the Medicaid Office will relent on its position with regard to annuities owned inside IRAs. As for annuities not owned inside IRAs, the beat goes on.

Middletown GOP misleading residents

The Courier,July 17 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

To the Editor:

As a registered Eisenhower Republican for the last 50 years, I would have never thought I would see the day that my own party would stoop to deception and lies to scare the public instead of informing the public.

Over the past few months I have been reading about the issues from Middletown. It concerns me to see that Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger and Deputy Mayor Pamela Brightbill have consistently misled the public on many issues.

On the issue of affordable housing, Mayor Scharfenberger and Deputy Mayor Brightbill are saying that 8,000 units will have to be built to satisfy the COAH housing requirements. If you want to reach this number you would have to take the total of our round one, two and three requirements and times that by four.

A good portion of round one and two housing requirements have already been satisfied. The question is how much was left unfunded and not built from the first two rounds of COAH rules. Unless the town is saying it hasn’t done a thing in 28 years.

On the issue of the budget, the statement “leave it to the professionals” from the Republican committee just doesn’t cut it. I have paid taxes to Middletown for over 40 years; this is our money that they are wasting on failed legal challenges and mismanagement. For the GOP to tell me to shut up and pay, shows a total disregard for the people who put them in the majority in the first place.

What’s going on at town hall sounds like camp run amuck, this along with the fact that they published that the budget had passed before it was even voted on in “Middletown Matters.” Politics this maybe, but this isn’t responsible government and it is disrespectful to the residents of Middletown.

As a retired resident at 73 years old, it sends shivers down my spine to see that my party could sink so low. It is my hope that the Middletown GOP gets their act together soon or I will not vote for them this November.

David Hermanson
Middletown

RCAs force M’town to provide housing

The Courier,July 17 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

To the Editor:

With the ending of RCAs, now the Township of Middletown must do what it avoided for some 27 years.

That is now providing housing for not so much the elite as in the past but maybe now the blue collar worker who makes $50,000 a year or less. They also must provide for the retiree who is taxed highly in order to drive out of town and the young who are discouraged from living here unless they are upper crust.

The RCAs kept Middletown from having to build real affordable housing and kept so called unacceptable people out of town. If Uncle Sam looked close he just might see a shadowy form of segregation. Is that possible here in Middletown, N.J.?

Hopefully, the ringmaster and all the eloquent elephants will pack their trunks come November and go back with Ringling Brothers.

Bob Latsch
Belford

NJDOT and bridge safety

The Courier,July 17 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

To the Editor:

It certainly is interesting how the Commissioner of the NJDOT has defined urgency and danger. It is also interesting that depending upon the convenience of the situation, those definitions are prone to change.

In both federal and state court, the NJDOT characterizes the Highlands Bridge as a near death trap, unsafe and dangerous. Last year state and local officials used the tragic events in Minnesota to create a perception of danger and used that tragic event to create some minor hysteria over the safety of the Highlands Bridge.

Safety of our bridges and roads is the number one responsibility of the NJDOT and that responsibility should never be taken lightly or diminished.

However, to alleviate what the NJDOT describes as an unfair situation for area businesses, residents and tourists, the NJDOT has agreed to stop any further demolition until after the Fourth of July holiday.

The fact of the matter is the NJDOT has created a false façade regarding the true condition of the Highlands Bridge and has done everything possible, whether proper or not to destroy as much of the historic bridge as possible so to neutralize any finding of fact which might lawfully stop demolition. I can just hear it now, "But, Judge, your decision to save the historic Highlands Bridge is too late, we already knocked it down."

If the NJDOT was so concerned about the residents, businesses and tourists; construction planners would have been careful to maintain a schedule with no disruptions through this summer season. Moreover, if Kolluri was so concerned, he would have made sure that the process regarding the destruction of portion of a national landmark and issues such as forgery and misconduct would never have slithered its way into this project.

Clearly, Commissioner Kolluri only becomes concerned if and when an incident will reflect poorly on his boss – the governor. I'm just wondering what Senator Kean had to threaten Kolluri with in order for demolition to stop, even for a short period of time?

Jim White
Keyport

Dowd foundation to host hockey benefit

The Courier,July 17 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Jim Dowd "Shoot for the Stars" Foundation will host its 11th Annual Monmouth vs. Ocean Shore High School All-Star Hockey Game on Sunday, August 10.

The benefit will be held at the Red Bank Armory Ice Complex, in Red Bank, and will begin at 6 p.m.

Tickets will be $10 at the door.

Last year, Dowd's foundation raised money for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Ocean County.

This year's proceeds will be donated to the Marks Family Fund.

Randy Marks passed away last Mother's Day of an unexpected heart attack.

Marks was 40 years old. He left behind his wife, Susan, and six children, ranging in age from a 7-month-old to a 9-year-old.

The Marks are long-time residents of Spring Lake.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle during the hockey game. Prizes include a Jenkinson's Family Fun Pack and various National Hockey League (NHL) signed memorabilia. A 40-inch LCD TV will also be auctioned off.

Limited edition All-Jim Dowd Team signed posters will be for sale, at $25 each.

The Monmouth County All-Stars include students from Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank; Red Bank Regional, Little Silver; Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; St. John Vianney, Holmdel; Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, Rumson; Manasquan High School, Manasquan; Wall High School, Wall; and Middletown High School South, Middletown.

The game's officials will be Bill Bredin, Matt McNulty and Jim Carlucci.

Dowd was the first New Jersey native to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, when he played for the New Jersey Devils.

He played for the Philadelphia Flyers this past season, his 17th in the NHL.

Any donations to the Marks Family Fund will also be accepted, and can be mailed to: "Shoot for the Stars" Foundation, 708 New Jersey Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., 08742.

— Melissa L. Gaffney

Mat-Ab Warriors season wrap-up

The Courier,July 17 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The inaugural season for the U8 Aberdeen-Matawan Warriors has come to an end and what a season it was. From the first games in the Piscataway Ice Breakers tournament playing on frozen fields and in bitingly cold weather to their last game on their home field against Highland Park, it was exciting, it was fun and more importantly, it was a season of growth and development for the players.

The development started during the preseason indoor practices and training. It grew with their outdoor practices, scrimmages, travel and tournament games. By year's end, Coach Frank McStravick, along with Assistant Coach Patrick Mills, had a hand in creating what will be a battled tested U9 team with talented players with dynamic personalities.

The young Warriors showed their skills with an undefeated travel season where the Warriors compiled a 10-0-0 record against some of the best and more experienced teams in central New Jersey.

The Warriors offense was headlined by Declan McStravick, Deni Radoncic, Christopher Festa, Griffin Hayward and Ryan Cavanagh. The defense's hustle, discipline and gutsy play helped keep many opposing teams frustrated and off the scoreboard. The defense was led by Bobby Kakoleski, Sophia Murillo, Jared Mills, Griffin Hayward and Steven Johnson. There were key contributions on both sides of the ball from forward TJ Boatote and midfielder Mike Devino.. The team's main goalie, Miguel Crespo, Ryan Cavanagh and Matt Weisburg held the line and turned back some really good teams with guts and guile.

The end of the season, with their impressive all-around win against Highland Park and the games played during the Brick Memorial Weekend tournament, stood out as extra special, among some incredible and special moments during the season.

The 6-2 victory against Highland Park, a tough, skilled and well-coached team, capped off a great season with Chris Festa netting yet another hat trick, Deni Radoncic scoring two and Declan Mcstravick coming out of his strong midfield position to score one. The team again played hard and determined defense, made some great passes and Matt Weisburg stood tall in goal.

But prior to that game the Warriors truly came together as a team at the May 24 and 25 Brick Memorial Weekend tournament. Over two days the young Warriors proved all the hard work and dedication does pay off. The Warriors played their best soccer with spectacular wins in three games against some really good teams, Marlboro Galaxy Gold, Brick Bulldogs and Berkeley Rein and one hard-fought tie with the Patriots from Toms River. The games were highlighted by some great individual performances on both sides of the ball. Also on display was great team play with key contributions coming from every player.

COURIER ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

The Courier,July 17 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Name: Kevin Pecca, Red Bank Catholic recently graduated forward

Favorite athlete: Brian Gionta

Favorite team: New Jersey Devils

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite TV show: That ‘70s Show

Favorite movie: A Bronx Tale

Favorite musician or group: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Most memorable moment playing sports: When I was little, my team played at the Madison Square Garden and I scored a goal

Matawan favored in development decision, looking forward

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

For the first time in five years, major redevelopment in Matawan can move forward.

A state Superior Court decision published on Monday, July 14, cleared Matawan, and its governing body, of any wrongdoing with regards to the hiring of a developer.

“We find none of the [plaintiff’s] arguments persuasive,” the unanimous decision read.

The Aberdeen and Matawan Joint Management Committee that was created to ease redevelopment around the train station split in 2002, when each municipality hired its own developer, according to the court decision. There was debate as to which town broke the agreement first.

Matawan hired K. Hovnanian Companies, Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and the Columbia Group after the collective group was introduced to the council by Senator Joseph Kyrillos, R-Monmouth/Middlesex, court papers said.

Aberdeen had previously hired Silver Oak Properties, Inc., who filed a lawsuit against Matawan, the council and its contractors. Silver Oaks alleged that the Columbia Group and its entities were hired without factual findings and due to improper political pressure.

Kyrillos had reportedly received $45,000 in campaign contributions from the developer during a four-year period.

During the initial lawsuit, both parties filed for summary judgment in January 2008, and the court ruled in favor of Matawan. Subsequently, an appeal was filed and has since been denied.

“The developer’s political connections may have facilitated a prompt meeting with the municipality…but [the court] concluded that the municipality’s designation was based upon other legitimate factors,” the decision said.

The plan for Matawan’s 44 acres included mixed-use development consisting of mid-rise apartments or townhouses, office and retail space, a hotel and open space for recreation, according to court documents.

Councilman and Redevelopment Committee Chairman Robert Bunyon said the group has not been able to do much work since the matter has been tied up in litigation.

Bunyon said the committee would hold a meeting as soon as possible to move the borough’s redevelopment plans forward.

However, Mayor Paul Buccellato noted that the plaintiff has 20 days to file an appeal in state Supreme Court.

Borough Attorney James Aaron said Silver Oak’s probability of being granted an appeal is unlikely due to the unanimous position by the Supreme Court judges.

“I am looking forward to working together to move forward with redevelopment,” Bunyon concluded. “If developed properly, this can be a great asset to all Matawan residents.”

UB set project priorities for Army Corps

The Courier,July 17 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

During its recent agenda session, the Union Beach Borough Council sat down and discussed area priorities to send to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

The Army Corps recently introduced a $125 million shore protection project for the borough that included road improvements, floodgates, levees, berms and dunes.

The council decided on five key pieces when it came to Union Beach's overall protection.

The first priority would be the levee and floodwall project from 7th Street to Bay Avenue, up to Florence Avenue.

The internal levee and road raising at Harris Avenue would be next on the list.

Third would be the Brook Avenue pumping station, which would include a floodwall system and levee.

A levee and the raising of roads at Florence and Union avenues fell next, followed by any remaining floodwall systems and beach fill.

The coastal evacuation route was also included on the priority list.

The council said several times it wished all project points could be "number one," as every piece is important when protecting the community.

With the introduction of its newly updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) informed the Army Corps that its current standard for levees does not meet FEMA's new requirements for shore protection.

Councilman Michael Harriott said the only question for FEMA would be what structure they consider sufficient now, as the agency has deemed dunes unacceptable because they are "sacrificial elements."

The council said its ultimate goal is to protect the residents of Union Beach from any kind of natural emergency with shore protection projects.

None of the projects have received funding yet.

— Melissa L. Gaffney

A day in court

The Courier,July 17 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Attorneys for area residents and officials were in court attempting to delay the demolition of the Route 36 Highlands bridge up until Monday afternoon.

“There are still outstanding issues regarding preservation of historic landmarks, but the big issue in this case was the prevention of the unnecessary destruction of this landmark,” Citizens for Rational Coastal Development (CRCD) Counsel Stuart Lieberman said.

The group filed an application for an injunction Monday morning and was heard that afternoon, Lieberman said. He noted the speedy, but thorough, judgment.

However, the motion for an injunction was denied and the destruction was permitted to proceed, he said.

“This seems to be becoming a mute point because in a short period there is no longer going to be a bridge,” Lieberman said. “We are all heartbroken.”

The counsel said his clients still had to meet to decide how to proceed with the suits currently filed against borough and state entities.

Sea Bright Mayor Maria Fernandes said the borough was still waiting for a response to motion for a stay that was filed on Friday, July 11.

Fernandes made no indication that Sea Bright would be withdrawing its complaint.

“I don’t understand why other things can’t be put aside to take care of this. This is a bridge being demolished,” Fernandes concluded. “We are at the mercy of a federal judge.”

— Alyssa Passeggio

PIECE BY PIECE: DOT starts destruction of bridge, community copes

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Despite community outcry, lawsuits and investigations, demolition of the Route 36 Highlands bridge began on Monday, July 14.

“The bridge demolition had produced a little anxiety among all of us,” Highlands Mayor Anna Little said. “ I know that there are some members of the public that have had safety concerns and we are advocating those concerns.”

A backhoe was used to remove the railing and sidewalk on the south side of the bridge this week. New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) contractors, J.H. Reid General Contractors, South Plainfield, are removing the portion of the structure to begin replacing the drawbridge with a 65-foot fixed-span bridge.

The railing debris was collected and carried down the road by machinery. The concrete from the sidewalk was pounded out by the backhoe and fell to the ground under the bridge.

DOT Director of Communications Erin Phalon said the debris over the land was falling into a closed area for collection.

On Monday, cones on the road and plastic fencing near the river marked off the site where debris was falling. A J.H. Reid representative was standing in the street to direct traffic.

However, two boys managed to ride bicycles under the bridge until they were shooed away by the contractor in the street.

Little noted that she received requests from the public for netting to catch the falling debris and said she would discuss the option with the DOT.

Phalon did not say that netting was planned to catch debris over the land or water, but she did say if Little had concerns the DOT would discuss the issue.

One way

Resident and business owner Nick Evangelista, who lives five doors from the bridge, said he was concerned about the traffic issues on Route 36.

“Traffic is a mess. There are no clear detours and the signage is insufficient,” Evangelista said. “People are crisscrossing the road here because there is no other way to get around.”

The southbound ramp to Bay Avenue, which is also used for U-turns, has been closed since Tuesday without warning signage, according to Evangelista. Therefore, drivers are scrambling to turnaround on the highway before crossing the bridge, he said.

Evangelista said he was also concerned about how the highway narrows from four to two lanes in front of his driveway, which makes it nearly impossible for him or his customers to enter his bed and breakfast during the weekends.

“The traffic was as far as the eye could see at 9 o’clock on Saturday night. People were stranded on Sandy Hook,” Evangelista said. “It is a nightmare here on the weekends.”

Sea Bright Mayor Maria Fernandes said the bottleneck of traffic during this time of year would kill the economy of the area. Visitors will be frustrated by the traffic and not return to the area, she said.

Little said she was advocating for traffic abatement, such as rerouting drivers from Route 36. However, she noted that redirecting traffic would affect other areas as well.

Discussion is anticipated for the Bridge Liaison meeting on Friday, July 18, at 9 a.m. at Borough Hall.

Checks for DWI ongoing in Bayshore area

The Courier,July 17 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

While many residents and visitors are enjoying the summer season, the Bayshore Task Force has been out in full force with its Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) saturation patrol.

Officers will be deployed in unmarked, semi-marked and marked patrol vehicles, seeking those driving under the influence.

Participating police departments include Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Matawan, Middletown and Union Beach.

Also participating in this year's task force are the New Jersey State Police Department and the Sandy Hook National Park Rangers.

The Bayshore Task Force will operate saturation checkpoints periodically throughout the year.

The force is funded through a grant from the New Jersey Department of Highway Traffic Safety.

Reckless driving, speeding, unsafe lane changing and aggressive driving are all grounds for violations.

The Bayshore Chiefs of Police ask drivers to be responsible, always have a designated driver, take mass transportation, reported impaired drivers and always buckle up.

— Melissa L. Gaffney

Matawan: Aid is not going to be enough

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Matawan Borough was one of the few towns lucky enough to receive extraordinary aid from the state this year, but officials said that is not going to cut it.

Councilman and finance chairman Michael Cannon noted that the borough was awarded $200,000 in extraordinary aid, which was the amount initially lost during the municipal aid cuts earlier this year. Since a portion of the initial aid was restored, Matawan ended up with about $17,000 more than it expected, he said.

A tax point in the borough is about $103,000; therefore, the additional aid would reduce the tax rate about 2 cents, Cannon said. The money had to be used to offset the property taxes, he added.

"The tax rate increase will drop from 7 cents to 5 cents, but keep in mind that next year the budget will start with a 2 cent tax increase," Cannon explained.

Mayor Paul Buccellato explained the aid did not cover increases for come important budgetary items, particularly in the case of items that involved gas and oil..

As of July 9, not even halfway through the year, more than 50 percent of several line items have been spent, according to borough documents.

For example, 108 percent of the heating oil allotment, 72 percent of the natural gas funding, 71 percent of the gasoline account and 62 percent of the electricity appropriation were spent as of last week, borough documents said.

One suggestion that was resurrected at the meeting was a four-day workweek to save on building costs.

"I actually think we have no choice but to shut the building down three days a week," Cannon said. "The majority of heating oil for the borough is for this building."

Borough Administrator Fred Carr said borough employees would work 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a 45-minute lunch, rather than a regular eight-hour day, to make up the time difference from the closure. Weekend events or requests to open the building would have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, Carr said.

Long-term savings were also suggested.

Councilman William Malley introduced the idea for the borough engineer to prepare an estimate regarding the switch from oil to gas in borough hall. Malley said the savings could be worth the expenditure in the long-run and insisted the governing body at least look into the switch soon in order to move things along.

Buccellato also noted the possibility of joint electric with other towns in the area through a company that made a presentation to the governing body during a workshop meeting. Officials directed Carr to forward the company the necessary information to sort out how much the borough could save with the program.

Officials also discussed changes to the borough employee health insurance program, as that account has also been overspent so far.

Carr noted that the borough has been on a complete freeze with only necessary items appearing on the bill lists.

Buccellato pointed out that the council borrowed $125,000 from this year's budget last year, which he said has to be addressed.

"The budget needs to be addressed sooner than later," Buccellato concluded. "I am looking for some heavy-duty action, now."

Republican candidate caught in recreation fibs?

MELISSA L. GAFFNEY, Staff Writer,The Courier, July 17 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Fiore wasn’t ‘recreation director’ in either Carteret or Linden

If the township of Middletown is looking for a candidate with grandiose talk and minimal experience to boot, it has found such a politician in Anthony Paul Fiore.

The Republican candidate for Township Committee apparently has limited experience in the field of recreation, despite allowing the public to believe he could make significant contributions in that department, were he elected.

In a June 5 article from The Courier, titled "Fiore on M’town: ‘The greatest town in the country,’ " Fiore said he has "a solid history in the field of recreation."

According to the article, Fiore said he was the recreation director in both Carteret and Linden, respectively. “I love kids and athletics,” he was quoted as saying.

Upon further investigation, the career Fiore said he had a "solid history" in turned out to be nothing more than temporary summer employment.

In reality, Fiore spent a handful of months working in the field of recreation.

As for his quoted title, recreation director?

He never held such a position, according to recreation documents.

"It's a great summer job," Fiore had told The Courier of his employment sandwiched between studying at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

According to the Linden Recreation Department secretary, Ginger Brady, Fiore was employed from June to August of 1999 as a summer playground director.

In Linden, a playground director is currently required have at least two years of "playground experience" or equivalent, according to an application for employment.

Recreation department paperwork cites "considerable knowledge" of sports, games, handicrafts, music, dramatics and other playground activities as a job requirement.

Brady said Fiore made $11 an hour.

Some things have not changed, as the going rate for a playground director is still $11 an hour in Linden, according to the same paperwork.

The following summer, in 2000, Fiore worked for the borough of Carteret in the summer recreation department.

According to Christine Kazio, in the Borough Payroll Department, no title is listed for Fiore.

Payroll statements indicate Fiore earned about $104 that summer — after taxes.

The assistant municipal clerk, Linda Rivera, said there was no actual file for Fiore because he was temporary summer help.

When asked about job descriptions, Kazio said Fiore could have been in charge of summer programs offered through the department, such as a softball or tennis clinic.

Fiore, 31, would have been in his 20s during said recreation employment.

The Republican candidate for Township Committee did not return phone calls as of press time.

However, Brady said Fiore's file noted he was a very good employee.

In fact, she said he was eligible for rehire.

New principal brings fresh approach to CBA tradition

SOMDATTA SENGUPTA, Editor, The Courier, July 17 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Brother James Butler, the new principal, is proud to have the opportunity to work on perfection. He is motivated to make Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, even better than what it is today.
“I have learned over the years that I like a challenge that I can meet with a community of people. I like a situation where I know there is a good reason to get up in the morning, and I am making a difference throughout the day,” he said.

Butler joined CBA on June 1. He said his driving force is the example that is in front of him. “The brothers who have been here before me have made this institution the finest it can be,” he said.

That makes his job even more appealing to him. “At the present moment, I see this as a school that is running extremely well. I see this as a school that has academics that is second to none, that we take pride in,” Butler said. “A school that has a robust service program, a highly competitive athletic program, and a structure of faith formation for the young man that really permeates the institution. My goal is to enhance each of these areas, to create new opportunities for service.”

Butler is a Long Island native who grew up in Florida, according to a CBA Today article introducing him to the community. He attended Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando; earned his bachelor’s degree from LaSalle University in Philadelphia in 1982; graduated in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania in the 1990s; and taught at the University of Tasmania, Australia, as part of his graduate work between 1994 and 1996.

Butler also taught at Bethlehem University in the West Bank during fall of 2002. It was a very unique experience he said.

“The university is located 10 miles out of Jerusalem,” Butler said. “My teaching experience there helped me realize the advantages that we have in a place like this where we are able to pursue education in a very comfortable, very ordered environment, as opposed to the difficulty that came with the Intifada there.”

He said the university was basically under a state of occupation while he was teaching there.

“I taught English literature and English as a second language,” he said. “I was also teaching the literature of the Irish revolution that was written in Ireland around 1970. The students would read it and come to the insight that [the Irish] people were struggling against the British Empire exactly like their own people. It was fascinating to see the connection that they were making with their experience by the reading that they were doing in class.”

Butler said he also had the opportunity to teach in Africa and in high schools around the country. “I was assigned over the years to high schools in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Jersey City,” he said.

This is his seventh high school appointment and in the brief one and a half months that he has been here, he is excited with the potential that the school has, its reputation and its students.

“I want to be a representative of the values of this institution so that I can motivate the young people here to manifest the academy’s core principles as well,” the principal said.

Having been in the habit since 1981 when he joined the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Butler said he brings a wide range of skills to his current appointment.

“I have seen various ways to solve a problem. I have a big skills set that I can bring to addressing any problem,” he said.

His whole career has been inspired by the brothers he had met at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Butler said.

“I joined the brothers because I was very impressed with the spirit of the order and the quality of the men at LaSalle University when I was a student there,” the principal said. “We had 40 brothers on campus involved in teaching and administration. I had the opportunity to have a lot of daily contact with them.”

The interaction that he had at LaSalle University made Butler choose a teaching career that imparts not just education but also spiritual growth.

Being with the religious order, Butler said he was able to travel to different countries and learn from his exposure.

Administratively, the new principal believes that a variety of experience like his is very helpful in routine problem solving. “My experience has taught me that what works in one situation does not necessarily work in another. I have learned that you have to tailor your response to fit the context of the problem,” Butler said.

In the context of CBA, Butler said he wants to develop marquee academic programs that would attract the best and the brightest. “I think more niche programs, such as the ones that public schools have in the magnet programs, would attract more talented individuals,” Butler said.

The CBA advantage, according to the new principal, is that the school offers academic excellence without having to sacrifice the dimension for faith formation and character education that is unique to a Catholic and LaSallian school.

That added dimension of character formation is key to the institution and the individuals in it, Butler said. “You want people with character so that you don’t have instances of corporate corruption and greed that we see in the world around us today,” he said.

Getting it right is just as important as starting it right, Butler said.

“I believe I will spend most of the first year learning about the needs of the school that will attract the most support as a project,” he said.

Butler said he has already met quite a few parents and hopes to meet many more in the coming months.

“My priority is to get to know the young men and their families because it is part of our tradition to motivate people from the inside out,” Butler said. “That’s how we make a young man the best that he could be.”

K'burg Amusement Park celebrating 105th year

The Courier,July 17 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

It's a take on numbers. The Keansburg Amusement Park, located right off Exit 117 of the Garden State Parkway will be celebrating its 105th year at an amazing price.

$1.05.

That's the cost of many rides, games and foods on Thursday, August 7, at the Keansburg Amusement Park.

The establishment is well known in the Bayshore as a colorful, family-friendly Shore icon.

Katharine Koehler, the park's marketing director, said William Gehlhaus originally created the resort more than a century ago.

She said the area quickly became an entertainment hub. The park was eventually taken over by Gehlhaus's son, Henry.

It was sold during the 1970s. In 1994, Henry's sons, Hank and Bill, had the opportunity to buy the park back.

Koehler said the two jumped at the chance.

"The first thing [Hank and Bill] did was add a water park to put [the area] back on the map," she said.

Runaway Rapids has been operating for 13 years and has already been renovated to add new attractions. Koehler said there are always new water rides.

Koehler said visitors love the amusement park because it is timeless. She noted vintage kiddie rides and antique car rides as crowd favorites.

However, Koehler also said there were many modern rides, equally as popular, including the "techno" Frog Hopper.

Koehler said the anniversary date would celebrate "the way it was then."

To read more about the Keansburg Amusement Park, visit its Web site at: www.keansburgamusementpark.com.

— Melissa L. Gaffney

A page of their book

The Courier,July 17 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Monmouth County Archives have a specific process in place to ensure the preservation of the county’s history.

First, historical documents are acquisitioned and organized before they are preserved.

The facility has a special vacuum and ventilation system to delicately clean old documents, Archivist Gary Saretzky said.

The preservation process includes removing acidic paper or rusted staples that could damage the materials, he said.

In compliance with the strictest standards, copies of original documents are made on microfilm and/or digital media, Saretzky said. Sometimes the initial documents are duplicated to avoid excessive handling of delicate materials, he added.

After the documents are prepared for storage, they are properly arranged and a description is written up for the record, Saretzky said. The description would include historical or biographical information, he said.

Finally, the information is indexed so researchers can easily locate desired documents.

— Alyssa Passeggio

History in the digital age: County archives online

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Monmouth County is celebrating its 325-year anniversary, but the real details of the county’s history can be found underground.

The Monmouth County Clerk’s archives, ranging from name changes to debtors prison, are stored in the lower level of the county’s library headquarters in Manalapan.

The facility houses about 20,000 cubic feet of archives, according to Archivist Gary Saretzky.

“Working here is really exciting,” Saretzky said. “I especially like reading about what other archives in the area are doing.”

The county archive room was initiated by former Monmouth County Clerk Jane Clayton in 1980, he said. The facility was moved into its current location on Simms Road, Manalapan, in 1987, he added.

However, Saretzky said the vast array of records only became open to the public in 1994, when he started working for the county.

The archives currently have six databases of records from the late 1700s to the early 1900s easily searchable online: Naturalizations, marriages, coroner inquests, insolvent debtors, illegitimate children and overseers of the poor.

Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French said the records were commonly used for people who are searching genealogy.

“When people do research they want to know the good and the bad,” she explained.

Saretzky said some of the records were authorized for destruction, but he felt they held historical value. For example, records of freed slaves and indentured servants are available, he added.

“It is important to have an archivist so things do not fall through the cracks. Sometimes there are historical or legal reasons to hold on to records,” French said.

Saretzky emphasized the importance of name change records for identification purposes, specifically since regulations for licenses have become more stringent and people need more records for proof of identification.

French noted how the improvements in technology have allowed more records to be put online for public access.

“There are an enormous amount of people looking for deeds and mortgages [and the information] is now easily available because of the digital imaging,” French explained.

The county archives posted its first major body of records, the 1875 census, last month on its Open Public Record System page.

Next the county is looking to make its oldest deeds available online as well, Saretzky said. Deed books from the 1660s are currently being digitized and will hopefully be on the Web in six months, he said.

French said the archives staff are also starting to work with the municipalities in the county for historical information.

The archives office would allow 10 cubic feet of space for historical municipal records to be stored in the facility for free, she said.

“There is no cost to the municipality, but we would want the right to digitize and make the information available to the public,” French said.

The towns would still own the documents and could retain them again if necessary, French said.

So far, Marlboro, Manasquan, Freehold Borough, Atlantic Highlands and Rumson have submitted information, Saretzky said. Further, 12 other towns are working toward providing the documents, he added.

For more information about the archives visit its Web site at www.shore.co.monmouth.nj.us/archives.

Amato up for hero of the year

The Courier,July 17 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

There are few things Victor "Buddy" Amato has not done.

Amato is the chief of police for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

On any given day at the office, Amato might deal with coyotes, geese, Santeria or hand grenades, to name a few more colorful instances.

He is also the owner and operator of Amato's Goju-Ryu, on Palmer Avenue in Keansburg, a dojo recognized internationally for its system of self-defense.

Most recently, Amato has been nominated for Animal Planet's Hero of the Year Award for his animal achievements.

Barbara Ling, of Holmdel, said she nominated Amato because there are just not many animal welfare folk who compare to him and his impressive accomplishments.

To vote for Amato, visit: www.barbaraling.com/hero.html.

The nominations for Hero of the Year close on Friday, July 19, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

— Melissa L. Gaffney

Recital puts a spin on tradition

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Musician John Albino said most music school recitals are the same: These springtime shows are used to make money.

Albino decided to break from the norm by organizing a recital for charity in the summer.

“This is just for the community. It is not about how much money we can keep,” Albino said. “This is not your typical recital.”

The students from Absolute Music Instruction, Hazlet, will be performing an array of music on stage at the King of Kings Lutheran Church, Middletown, he said.

The students, ranging in age from 4 to 84 years old, decide on a song to perform and are assisted by other students in the performance, Albino explained.

“It is really great to see all of the people perform. We even have a mother who is playing backup for one of her sons in the concert, which is really sweet,” Albino explained.

About 28 sets are planned and Art Neil will be the master of ceremonies for the event.

The music will vary from Broadway tunes to modern rock, Albino said. Songs from bands such as Nirvana, The Beatles and Paramore are on the schedule as well as original music written by students.

With 15 years of experience in the music industry, Albino said he has professional musician friends who volunteer their time to help the students perform with a full band.

“Most importantly, we do not turn down anyone who wants to play,” Albino said. “We find a place for every student.”

Albino’s children, Autumn, 11, and Jonathon, 9, will even be performing the bongos and guitar, respectively.

This is the third year the school has put on such a show and donated the proceeds to a group who needs it and can host the concert.

The hosting facility simply provides an empty room and the school takes care of the rest, he said.

BML Blackbird Theatrical Services, Secaucus, donates the lighting and sound services. Perkins and Dunkin’ Donuts of Hazlet will donate the food for the event. T-shirts are provided by Brown and Bigelow, Long Branch.

Raffles of sports and music memorabilia will also be organized, with the proceeds going toward charity, he said,

“Every possible way to make money, we do it and donate it,” Albino said.

This year the collected funds will be split between the King of Kings and the Bayshore Senior Center, Hazlet, Albino said.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, July 27 at 1 p.m. at King of Kings, Harmony Road. Tickets can be purchased at Absolute Music, Airport Plaza or at the door.

For more information call Absolute Music at 732-888-4404.

Corzine to sign away RCAs

The Courier,July 17 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The creation of affordable housing has been shrouded in debate where location, funding and open space are involved.

Many New Jersey municipalities have used Regional Contribution Agreements (RCAs) as a tool when seeking compliance with the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH).

RCAs allowed a town to send up to 50 percent of its affordable housing obligation to a neighboring community.

On Thursday, July 17, Gov. Jon Corzine will formally alter the COAH process when he signs Bill A500 into law.

The legislation was recently passed in both the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate.

Notably, the bill abolishes the use of RCAs. This aspect of the legislation has sparked significant controversy, particularly in Middletown Township.

On more than one occasion, Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger has said the elimination of RCAs would raise property taxes, put more children in the school system and, ultimately, affect the quality of life in Middletown forever.

The law will also create a 2.5-percent development fee and require a municipality to provide 13 percent of its affordable housing to those "truly poor."

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr., D-Camden; Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-Mercer; Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union; and Sen. Dana Redd, D-Camden, are also expected to attend the ceremony.

The bill signing will take place in Mount Laurel, where the fight for affordable housing began back in 1971.

The law will be in effect immediately upon the governor's signing.

— Melissa L. Gaffney

AH to COAH: Enough is enough

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Atlantic Highlands Council demonstrated its frustration with the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) during its meeting on July 9.

“[These obligations] make no sense. I don’t know where they get their information from,” Borough Administrator Adam Hubeny said.

Hubeny said the borough’s previous affordable housing obligation was 87 units, and as of May 6, its assignment was 146 units.

“By increasing the number of units in the suburbs [COAH] has imposed a substantial burden on the municipalities,” Borough Attorney Bernard Reilly said.

Under the 2004 COAH projection, 25 jobs were created in town and three shared growth units were required, Hubeny said.

The initial third round obligations anticipated 379 jobs and required 44 units in growth share, he said. The updated third round obligations predicted 602 new jobs and mandated 54 new units, he added.

“I have no clue where [COAH] gets these numbers. It is totally absurd,” Hubeny said.

The obligation was being fulfilled through senior housing, low-income apartments and Regional Contribution Agreements (RCAs).

Reilly said recent legislation was passed prohibiting municipalities from using RCAs to fulfill its obligation.

Hubeny said the town had already submitted a third round plan that included 20 RCAs with Lakewood that the borough was still to be approved.

Taking a stand

The governing body authorized its special counsel to join in on an appeal being organized by the League of Municipalities.

According to Reilly, the league is trying to gather a group of municipalities to appeal the decision in order to avoid financially burdening any one town.

It would cost $500 for a town to join the suit or $750 to file an individual appeal, which the council also authorized.

Since the appeals need be filed by July 17, the attorney noted the minor period for the league to prepare. However, Reilly noted that if the borough did not file it would lose its chance forever.

The individual appeal would only go forward at the delegation of Reilly and Hubeny, Reilly said.

Mayor Fred Rast stated that the town was in no way against affordable housing, rather they were protesting the most recent obligations from COAH. He added that property was recently purchased for future units in town.

Rast suggested that COAH was trying to alleviate housing problems in cities by passing obligations onto the suburbs.

“We are trying to say that the figures are unrealistic, especially in a small community,” Rast concluded.

Trash to treasure? AH considers town car wash

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

While prices rise for everything from gas to milk, what is better for a municipality than a source of revenue? Two.

Atlantic Highlands has used its harbor as a revenue source to prevent tax hikes despite constant budgetary increases over the years.

Recently, Borough Clerk Dwayne Harris proposed the borough invest in another project to produce revenue for the town: a car-wash facility.

An abandoned car-wash facility has sat vacant on West Avenue for about three years, while borough officials debated purchasing the property for various projects.

“The borough would miss a wonderful opportunity if they let that property go unpurchased,” Harris said.

Harris noted that as of February 2009, storm water management regulations would require that residents and municipalities purchase carwashes, rather than rinsing vehicles in a driveway.

The abandoned facility was equipped with the ability to recycle water, which is a requirement for car-washing facilities as of 2009, Councilman Louis Fligor said.

“That’s like the Cadillac of carwashes over there,” Fligor added.

Harris estimated that if the borough purchased the property for $1 million and invested about $250,000 the 20-year bond service payment would be about $100,000 a year.

Further, even after $65,000 in salary, $28,000 in lost tax revenue, $15,000 in utilities and $5,000 in supplies, the total cost per year would be about $226,000, according to Harris’ calculations.

The clerk said the investment would turn back into a profit maker through the residents and municipalities that will need carwashes.

There are about 2,800 homes in the borough with at least one car in the driveway, Harris said. After surveying about 50 people, Harris figured that people tend to pay about $20 twice a month for carwashes.

Harris recommended residents see a discount with $5 washes and outsiders be charged $10. If just residents paid for two carwashes a month, the borough would receive $366,000 in revenue a year, he said. That is a profit of $109,000, which is about three points on the tax rate, he added.

Harris also noted that surrounding municipalities would either have to build a facility or find a place to wash town vehicles and suggested the borough could reach out for the business.

Police Chief Jerry Vasto pointed out that a carwash facility could create a traffic problem and that a waiting pattern should be well thought out.

Resident William Phillips pointed out that the facility might not still be functional after three years.

Atlantic Highlands Mayor Fred Rast noted that the idea was still in the conceptual stages but that it was worth looking into. Borough Administrator Adam Hubeny and Harris agreed to do further research into the idea and report back.

AH waits turn, questions FEMA

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

While the bulk of the flood map debate has taken place in Middletown and Keansburg, Atlantic Highlands residents met with officials on July 9.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent an insurance representative and a project manager to answer questions from the shore community.

The borough did not waste time during the months leading up to the meeting. Officials submitted topographical information from recent projects in town in order to ensure the most up-to-date information was used.

“Over the last three months, [Councilman Louis Fligor] gathered information,” Borough Administrator Adam Hubeny said. “Some of it was helpful and some matched their information.”

About 50 homes and businesses in the borough would be affected by the map updates, Hubeny said.

Project Manager John Chayko, of Medina Consultants, Hackettstown, said none of the information submitted has disputed anything already on the maps to date.

Natural Hazards Program Specialist Richard Einhorn noted that the comment and appeals period is currently open and will end in September.

Einhorn said the public process had a late start due to the large impact. The updated maps would affect about 2,000 structures in the area.

Once the public comment and appeals period is closed, FEMA would issue responses to the appropriate parties, Chayko said. Barring any complications, the maps would become final in about six months, Einhorn said.

He warned that once the maps become final, the insurance rates would be locked in and urged property owners in the impacted area to take advantage of the grandfathered rates currently available.

Homeowners or commercial entities in the floodplain with mortgages would be required by their banks to obtain flood insurance, Einhorn said.

“If you wait for the bank to notify you there is not a thing I can do for you,” Einhorn said.

Officials recommended that property owners on the fringe of the floodplain appeal the maps by hiring an engineer to conduct a survey.

Information proving a property is above a specific elevation level could help the parcel be removed from the flood zone, officials said. However, a bank may still require flood insurance due to a property’s proximity to the flood zone, officials said.

Comment period

Resident Joseph Hawley questioned the representatives on the happenings if recent efforts to delay the maps were successful.

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-NJ, introduced legislation in June that would place a moratorium on the adoption of the maps to give communities more time.

“I can tell you [Congress] is not going to change it. We are under their mandate,” Einhorn said. “I don’t think [the legislation] is going anywhere and I wouldn’t hang my hat on it.”

Einhorn explained that the project was mandated by Congress and is up for reauthorization this year. Until that point, FEMA is to follow its orders with the maps, he added.

Fligor noted how maps in Washington D.C. were rescinded when their buildings were in worse shape than those in this area.

“I have a hard time with these maps [here] knowing their buildings are currently underwater and their maps were rescinded,” Fligor said.

Several residents questioned the expense of the flood insurance, noting the difficult economy. Borough Clerk Dwayne Harris questioned how the price would rise in the upcoming years.

Resident Mike Rybeck asked how the recent information would be put to use to avoid flooding in the region. Einhorn said that was the responsibility of Army Corps of Engineers.

Hubeny said the borough would put together a list of all the affected properties by block and lot in the near future. For more information visit FEMA’s Web site at msc.fema.gov.

Trinity to host benefit for cancer patient

The Courier,July 17 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Theta Phi Alpha's Northern New Jersey Alumnae Association (NNJAA) will host a benefit for Stephanie Coonan at Trinity Restaurant in Keyport.

The benefit, called "Don't Stop Believing," will be held on Saturday, July 26, at noon.

Coonan, a Hazlet native, was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer last fall.

The 23-year-old had her stomach removed and has since gone through chemotherapy and numerous surgical procedures.

Prior to her diagnosis, Coonan was a senior at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), in Ewing.

All proceeds from the benefit will be donated to the Coonan family to help with medical expenses.

Tickets are $30 per person.

The event's coordinator, Danielle Friend, said she has never met Coonan, but felt compelled to help a sorority sister during her battle with cancer.

Coonan was a member of Theta Phi Alpha's Beta Beta Chapter at TCNJ, and Friend is a member of Fairleigh Dickinson University's chapter, Beta Gamma.

Friend said she hopes many will turn out to support Coonan and enjoy an afternoon at Trinity.

Menu choices include grilled salmon with watermelon, and cucumber salad with creamy lime vinaigrette; reconstructed chicken Parmigiana over Insulata Caprese; or vegetarian moussaka with ratatouille vinaigrette.

Fresh strawberries in 25-year-old balsamic vinaigrette with mascarpone mousse and katafi will be served for dessert.

There will also be a raffle drawing during the luncheon for various prizes.

The event is open to the public; any donations to Coonan's fund are appreciated.

Seating is limited. To reserve a place, contact Friend by sending an e-mail to dani0622@mac.com.

— Melissa L. Gaffney

Keelen's offers 'good food, good drink'

The Courier,July 17 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The walls decorated with Irish sayings, blessings and Celtic stained glass, Jackie Keelen's is the end o' the rainbow for local patrons.

Keelen's, located in Keansburg, has been serving spirits and Irish traditions for almost 45 years, according to one of the owners, Susan Lee.

Lee said her parents, Jackie and Wilma, purchased the then-restaurant in 1964.

Since then, the establishment has transformed into a social hub, catering business and packaged goods store.

Lee said Keelen's is proud of being family-owned and -operated since 1964.

Outside the building, standing guard at all three corners, are three large bear statues. Lee said her father picked them up in Manhattan many years ago; the bears have become iconic symbols in town.

Lee; her sister, Deb; and her brother, Jack, are the current owners; all of the Keelens were born and raised in Keansburg, Lee said.

The family keeps a portrait of their parents above the fireplace, as well as a picture of Lee's son, Michael.

"They are always remembered," Lee said.

Her son, Pat Robinson, operates the bar.

The welcoming bar area includes a pool table, darts and arcade games.

Robinson said Keelen's offers drink specials on Tuesday nights, when it hosts a pool tournament.

He said the tournament is popular among patrons.

On Wednesdays, Robinson said the bar continues drink specials for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Fight Night.

Keelen's also runs specials during football season, including a free buffet during the games.

Jackie Keelen's is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., and on Sunday from noon to 2 a.m.

— Melissa L. Gaffney

AH carwash: Plan shifted but not gone

The Courier,July 17 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Residents can wash their own cars, but Atlantic Highlands is not giving up on their carwash facility idea.

The borough was under the impression that 2009 storm water management regulations would prohibit residents from washing cars in their driveways. However, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) deemed the law too difficult to enforce, according to borough officials.

Borough Administrator Adam Hubeny said a DEP official told him that residential carwashing would be prohibited as of 2009. He characterized the confusion as miscommunication and wrong information.

The regulations, which were adopted during the Fall of 2007, would require that state, county, municipal and commercial vehicles be washed at a facility that would recover any oils or contaminants that could make its way to open waters, Hubeny said.

Hubeny noted that the municipality already has two facilities that can comply with such regulations: the OEM building and the public works department. However, the borough police vehicles are currently washed at an outside facility.

The municipality is still researching and crunching numbers to see if the carwash facility would produce revenue for the borough. The town has also received calls from companies from around the country about carwashing equipment, he said.

"The town has been very supportive of the idea," Hubeny concluded.

— Alyssa Passeggio

Bye bye bridge?

The Courier, July 14 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Demolition of the Route 36 Highlands bridge began about 12:30 p.m. today, July 14.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) contractors, J.H. Reid, began ripping down portions of the south side of the structure on the Highlands side of the Shrewsbury River.

A back ho was used to knock down the railings and then burst through the sidewalk. Some of the debris was collected on the bridge, while other pieces of concrete fell to the ground under the bridge.

Reportedly, the demolition of the south side of the structure will take about two weeks. The $1.24 million project to replace the 35-foot drawbridge with a 65-foot fixed-span structure is expected to take three years.

Several lawsuits were filed concerning this project, including an injunction filed Friday by a group of citizens. A meeting is expected for 3 p.m. today in Freehold with Judge Lawrence Lawson about the injunction.

Visit www.ReadAllAboutItBlog.blogspot.com for more photos, videos and updates.

— Alyssa Passeggio

Affordable housing is a necessity for working families

The Courier, June 14 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I grew up in the West Keansburg section of Hazlet and moved to Middletown a few months before I got married, it was 1990 and I was 25 years old. I had a factory job making $17.35 an hour; I worked a rotating schedule and almost always 7 days a week. The money was good; Saturday was paid at time and a half rate, while Sunday was double time.

For two years my wife and I lived in the Knollwood Gardens Apartment complex off of Kings Highway, the rent on a one bedroom unit back then was $750 a month, while the two bedroom apartment went for $850. It was pretty expensive for us at the time, but my wife and I both had jobs, our combined incomes was around $72,000 per year and we had lot of stuff so we opted for the extra bedroom. When we left Knollwood Gardens and purchased our first home in 1992, my wife and I were scared to death.

The house was a small Cape Cod fixer-upper, with a small yard and garage out back. We purchased the home for $105,000 with 5 grand down and an 8% interest rate with PMI insurance. Our monthly rent went from $850 to a whopping $1,089 a month mortgage payment with taxes and everyone said we were crazy. If it wasn’t for the help of my in-laws and parents we would have never been able to survive and fix up the house.

My wife and I lived in that house for 11 years before my family outgrew the house and it was time to move on. We sold the house for $200,000 in the spring of 2003, just as the real estate market started to heat up. We then had a nice down payment for our current residence. Today, the first home that my wife and I purchased back in 1992 is currently on the market with a list price of $350,000

Why am I telling you all this? Well it’s an attempt to put into perspective the arguments for the need of affordable housing in Middletown and throughout the County and State. Young, first time homebuyers or renters simply cannot afford housing. It has nothing to due with whether or not a person is lazy or has a job, it is all about affordability. Today, individuals or couples with incomes of less then $75,000 just can’t afford to live in Middletown or much of Monmouth County.

The first apartment that I lived in over at Knollwood Gardens now rents for $1200 a month. My first house if purchased today would cost the buyer with a 5 percent down payment and a 6% interest rate over $1890 a month before property taxes add another $400 - $500 a month to it. Young couples and singles just can’t afford to pay that much for a decent place to live.

Today, more and more empty nesters throughout the Country, State and I am sure Middletown, are finding that their grown children are coming back home to live with them. Their adult kids can no longer make it on their own due to the effects of having to take a lesser paying job due to a job loss, a divorce or a medical condition.

Wages today are stagnant; they have been this way for many years while the cost of living continues to rise. Simply put, the purchasing power of a dollar in 2008 will not buy you the same things that it once did in 1992.

This is why it had become so important for Middletown to provide affordable housing. It is not just some young, crazy, lazy, socialist hippies that think they are entitled to something for nothing, like Matt Morehead, the Chairman of the Monmouth County Young Democrats have been described as. It’s about letting men and women continue to live in the community where they grew up, went to school and have roots in place. Having affordable areas to live in Middletown would also allow people that had moved away to attend school or get a job or even served our Country come home again.

Since 1985, Middletown with its Republican rulers has done everything in its power to avoid its fair-share obligation under the Fair Housing Act and turn Middletown into a gated garden community.

If Middletown had embraced the Fair Housing Act instead of trying to run away from it by using Regional Contribution Agreements (RCA’s), many of which were left unfunded, the town would not be in the mess it finds itself in today; noncompliance with the Commission On Affordable Housing (COAH). This means that Middletown soon will not be able to have a say on how the township grows and gives developers a green light to build large scale projects in town. What would it have taken for Middletown to be within compliance of COAH since 1985? 39 affordable units per year, that’s all.

If these units of housing had built in accordance with COAH from the beginning, the impact on the community would have been negligible. Proper planning would have been done and the units would have been spread out over the township. Now, Middletown is facing developers who want to build colossal developments that would have an immediate adverse impact on our town, with little recourse.

One has to wonder why Middletown chose this path. Was it racially based? Or did the Republicans running Middletown for the past 25 years just not want any riff raff or low lives entering our town? Well according to U.S Census data, in 2006, Middletown's total population was 69,870, Of that, whites made up 63,297, or 90.6 percent of the township's population; Hispanics were 3,584, or 5.1 percent; Asians were 2,600, or 3.7 percent; and blacks were 1,119, or 1.6 percent.

I think the reason is obvious, the Middletown Republicans, like most Republicans are elitists. They don’t want outsiders moving in, particularly ones that may be of a lower class then themselves. They must remember however, that affordable housing and the people in need of it can no longer be considered “low income”. People that need affordable housing are individuals and families with incomes greater then $40,000-$60,000 year. They are our children and grandchildren, working productive individuals trying to make ends meet, not just illegal immigrants or drug dealers and addicts.

Hazlet Rockets: Clean up at Olympics, break for summer

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 10 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

After a season of work, practice and competition, the Hazlet Rockets are looking forward to summer break.

The group of seven athletes, all graduates of Raritan High School, competed during the summer games of the New Jersey Special Olympics from June 6 to June 8 at The College of New Jersey, Ewing.

As a team, the Rockets took home seven gold, two silver and five bronze medals last month.

“The medals make the practice worth it,” Greg Recco, 25, said.

Recco earned bronze medals in both the 50-meter dash and the softball throw. The training for the dash included running both sprints and distance on the track as well as practicing starts one or two times a week, he explained.

Lauren Bace, 23, won a gold medal in the 100-meter walk as well as fourth place in the softball throw.

Bace said part of her training for the race was walking her 10-year-old Keeshond, Missy, every day.

“She doesn’t listen but that makes it more of a workout,” Bace explained. “It was easier in the race because I didn’t have Missy.”

Bace said it took a lot of practice with her overhand softball throw to reach the 13-meter mark during the competition.

Heather O’Brien, 22, clinched second in the unified 4x100-meter relay, third in the softball throw and fourth in the 200-meter dash.

O’Brien said the Rockets had an edge due to their good handling of the baton. The team often practiced handoffs and the result led to a quicker finish, she said.

More than medals

The teammates have been together since their days on the high school Rockets team and said it is like a big family. The group is funded by a small parents organization, according to Coach Tony Recco.

“They practice once a week during the season, which includes bowling and weight training,” Tony Recco said.

The group practices with the athletes involved in the high school Rockets program, the coach said.

O’Brien said the older athletes help their younger counterparts during practice and cheer them on.

The high school coach, Mary Beth Stansfield, said the group is also accompanied by unified partners, which are high school students who participate in the Special Olympics training as volunteers.

“[The unified partners] are just another set of friends,” O’Brien explained. “We taught them how to hand off for the relay.”

Greg Recco said he really enjoyed meeting the different people at the various tournaments.

Off the field

Regardless of the recent medals, Bace and Greg Recco said their favorite sport was bowling.

“Bowling is my favorite event because I have been doing it with my brother, Phil, and my dad since I was little,” he explained.

Bace said it was a fun form of exercise.

O’Brien said her favorite event took her the longest to learn: skiing. The athlete said she liked the challenge it posed.

The group said they also planned to keep in shape this summer by swimming.

Even though practices are on hold, the team will gather during the summer for BlueClaws games and a trip to Seaside Heights, Tony Recco said.

The group will also host a carwash on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Centerville firehouse, Middle Road. The fundraiser will provide for the team T-shirts and trips, he said.

Come this fall, the Rockets will return to the high school weight room to work out with elliptical machines, treadmills and jump ropes.

For more information on Special Olympics organizations in the area visit the organization’s Web site at www.sonj.com.

Athlete Spotlight

The Courier, July 10 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Name: Heather O’Brien

Team: Hazlet Rockets

Age: 22

Events: 200-meter dash, softball throw, unified 4x100-meter relay, 4x1K skiing

Favorite athlete: Derek Jeter

Favorite team: New York Yankees

Favorite subject: Writing

Hobbies: Dance, hanging out with friends

Most memorable moment playing sports: Being a part of the first Rockets relay team to win the skiing event in the winter games.

M’town All-Star team won district championship

The Courier, July 10 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The 8-year-old Middletown Babe Ruth All-Star team won the District 11 Championship. The team went 5-1 in the District Tournament with victories over Matawan (6-5), Manalapan (10-5), Cheesequake (10-6), Matawan (5-3) and Hazlet (9-5) in the final game on June 28.

Middletown was led by the strong pitching of Jake Dillon, Brendan Doherty, Nick Donato, Robbie Higgins and Jason Timmons. Dillon, Higgins and Brian Quinn also led the team in hitting throughout the tournament. Higgins had a clutch 3-run triple in the initial game vs. Matawan and used his bat and legs throughout the tournament to account for several runs. Dillon went 3 for 3 with 6 RBI vs. Manalapan and had a clutch, game-winning double vs. Matawan in the elimination game. Dillon, Quinn, Timmons and Connor Welsh had clutch, run-scoring hits in the final vs. Hazlet.

Dillon (SS/3B), Brendan Doherty (1B), Higgins (SS/3B), Michael Racioppi (2B) and Welsh (C) stood out defensively for the Middletown squad. Other offensive and defensive contributors included Carmine Cardile (2B/CF), Nick Donato (3B/P), Chris Price (C/OF), Ryan Rhatigan (OF/1B) and Brandon Wallrabe (OF).

Each game was a close contest in which the Middletown squad displayed excellent teamwork and resiliency. Middletown fell behind 2-0 and 5-1 in the championship game versus a tough Hazlet team, who previously defeated Middletown in the Pool Play portion of the tournament, but staged an exciting comeback win with timely hitting, good defense and excellent relief pitching by Dillon and Higgins.

Former stars to appear in wrestling benefit

The Courier, July 10 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

National Wrestling Superstars will return to the venue that hass become their Bayshore home base, the Middletown VFW Hall, 1 Veterans Lane at Route 36, on Friday, July 25, in a benefit for the Keansburg’s Titan Wrestling Recreation Program beginning at 7:45pm.

There will be plenty of tables highlighted that night as Matt Hyson, better known to ECW and WWE fans as the former Spike Dudley, will be in the main event, which will feature tables galore.

Pro wrestling’s newest female knockout, Lacey Von Erich, daughter of the late WWE and World Class Wrestling star Kerry Von Erich, will make her second appearance in the Bayshore area as she battles Northeast area standout Reyna Fire with special guest referee, former ECW Women’s Champion Angel Orsini.

Former ECW and WWE hardcore icon Al Snow, along with his famous sidekick, Head, will also top the bill along with local favorites, Dan Rageous, Jumping Joey Janella, Corey Havoc and much more.

Tickets for the much-anticipated event are only $20 for adults and $18 for kids and seniors, and can be purchased at the following outlets: Original Bavaqua’s, 305 Port Monmouth Road, North Middletown; Bray Avenue Deli, 190 Bray Avenue, North Middletown; Natural Man Haircutters, 104 Leonardoville Road (Campbell’s Junction), Middletown; Keansburg Pharmacy, 199 Main Street, (next to Dunkin Donuts), Keansburg; Keller’s Deli, Florence Avenue, Union Beach; P&P Lunch, Middle Road and Laurel Avenue, Holmdel/Hazlet; Trading Hut Army & Navy, Route 36 and Atlantic Street, Keyport; and Tattoo Tony’s, 73 Memorial Parkway (Route 36), Atlantic Highlands.

You can also purchase tickets by calling the NWS box office at 732-888-1704. All major credit cards are accepted, and group rates are available for groups of ten or more.

Group gathers to fight cancer

The Courier, July 10 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A new group has emerged in the fight against cancer in the county and supporters can be recognized by a simple slogan on a T-shirt: "Save The Boobs."

The Next Generation Foundation's (NGF) mission is to inspire young men and women to become involved with philanthropic endeavors by raising awareness, fundraising or educating themselves on cancer.

"It got started by just throwing something in the air and hoping it works out and it is actually working," NGF President Deanna Fumando said.

One way the group has reached out to youth is through a peer leadership program at Middletown High School North, she explained.

Recently, NFG awarded three $1,500 scholarships at the high school in hopes of creating a pay-it-forward effect, Fumando said. The idea is to inspire the young people to follow NFG's example in the fight against cancer.

The hope is for the scholarship program to be added to other schools until NFG is influential across the county, Fumando said.

NFG also funds mammograms and donates money to further medical equipment to treat and identify cancer, she said.

However, the group initiated in its goal to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in a different city each year. This year a group of 33 women will be participating in the walk in New York City from Oct. 4 to Oct. 5, the president said.

The not-for-profit organization has raised $170,000 since 2006 and hopes to add another $100,000 this year, Fumando said.

NFG will hold its fourth annual Save The Boobs fundraiser on Saturday, July 12 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Mad Hatter, Sea Bright.

A percentage of the sales from that night will be donated to the group as well as any proceeds from the raffle, dunk tank or merchandise sales, Fumando said.

For more information on NFG visit its Web site at www.nextgenerationfoundation.com.

— Alyssa Passeggio

A bit of history for the holiday

ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 10 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

As citizens reflect on the history of our country after the July Fourth celebrations, Monmouth County residents can peek back into the records of history.

The county clerk’s office has made available the 1875 census as part of the Open Public Records System (OPRS) on its Web site.

“It is interesting to read because almost everyone was a farmer. Now, farms have almost disappeared,” Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French said.

French noted that the county still has some farmers due to the ability to sell off development rights during a better market.

The clerk said there were a notable number of fishermen, and that shellers were the most unusual profession she came across.

Shellers worked on sections of the river that were used to harvest oysters, she said.

About 3,300 people were listed as in the agriculture industry on the census, with nine in commerce, 62 in manufacturing and six in mining.

The manufacturers of that day were blacksmiths and shoemakers, unlike the manufacturers found in the county today, she said.

Mining was based around the natural occurring marl in the soil, which was a major industry in the time, French said.

The census shows a population in the county of 34,174 for that time. Today the county’s approximate population is more than 655,600 people.

The census is broken up into the 10 towns that existed only 100 years after the Revolution: Atlantic, Freehold, Holmdel, Howell, Marlboro, Middletown, Ocean, Shrewsbury, Upper Freehold and Wall.

Visitors to the site can also look up birth and death records in the county.

French noted the authenticity in the system that allows visitors to view an image of the actual page, rather than information that was just entered onto a computer page.

“By putting it on the OPRS, people can download the image in good quality. It is as if they were looking at a photograph of the page,” French said. “It is fun just to look at some of the historical names on the pages.”

The clerk’s office has been working on making this document available online for several years and it was posted about three weeks ago, she said.

Since 1996, French said her office has made documents available online for people to do research. Further, clerk employees have been backlogging information with the goal of having 60 years worth of information available online.

The 60-year goal came from a requirement for title searches, which typically go back about 60 years, she said.

Until everything is online, French said the research room in the lower level of the Monmouth County Library’s Manalapan Branch, Simms Road, contains archives on microfilm and some on DVD.

To view the 1875 census visit the OPRS at the clerk’s Web site at http://oprs.co.monmouth.nj.us, click on the County Clerk tab, then click on the Archives tab.

Dog on the run

MELISSA L. GAFFNEY, Staff Writer,The Courier, July 10 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A feisty little firecracker got loose long before dusk on the Fourth of July.

That is, in the form of a five-pound runaway Chihuahua.

On Friday, July 4, a cream- and gold-colored Chihuahua stopped traffic intermittently over the course of about 20 minutes on Route 36 North in Keansburg.

First seen by a resident sitting on a street corner near Palmer Avenue, the dog proceeded to stop at least four cars exiting Route 36 on the Main Street ramp.

During that time, there were attempts by nearly a dozen residents and vehicle drivers to catch the dog — none of which were the Chihuahua's owner.

Futile tries at best, the Chihuahua evaded beckoning hands with snaps and bites; he continued his quest up Route 36.

Running from the Dollar Tree to the gas station, he zigzagged between vehicles and even tried to jump over the concrete highway median at one point.

He missed, crashing headfirst into the structure, but managed to stop all lanes of traffic and continue up the highway at top speed.

Two Keansburg policemen responded to the highway scene, including Ptl. Les Thompson.

A second police officer, also in pursuit, said he saw the Chihuahua run into the woods behind the gas station, followed by a man chasing after him.

That man, Troy Anthony, turned out to be the only one who could catch the frisky escapee.

After seemingly disappearing into the woods, Anthony was seen carrying the dog along the highway about 10 minutes later, a few lots down from the gas station.

"[The dog] ran through all the backyards," Anthony said. "He's scared."

The Chihuahua was scared, shaking in his fur.

Anthony said the dog did not try to bite him when captured.

The dog's owner could not be identified during that time and was taken by Anthony to his residence until the owner could come forward.

It turns out the Chihuahua had a little too much fun on the Fourth, as he managed to throw up a bit of lasagna while Anthony carried him away.