It is unique as far as American flag etiquette is concerned, and is unofficially often regarded as the start of summer. Yet Memorial Day has a greater significance for the nation and those who have served in the U.S. Military.
This is the only day on the calendar that the flag is raised for only half the day.
At sunrise on Monday, Memorial Day, the flag should be raised to full staff, then lowered slowly to half staff until noon. At noon, the flag should once again be raised to full staff then remain at full staff throughout the rest of the day. At all times, the flag should be lowered at sundown, unless kept illuminated throughout the night.
Memorial Day as a day of observance dates back to the Civil War. Three years after the end of the war, Union General John A. Logan called or a national day of Remembrance for all those who fought in the Civil War. Southern widows and daughters chose the day to lay flowers on the graves of loved ones in time for the summer growing season.
The day was originally known as Decoration Day because of all the flowers, wreaths and flags that were placed on soldiers’ and sailors’ graves. But it did not become an official federal holiday until 1971.
For the first 50 years, Decoration Day only commemorated those killed in the civil war. However, after World War I, it was expanded to honor fallen military in all wars.
The federal government has recognized Waterloo, New York as the designated Birthplace of Memorial Day based on Governor Normal Rockefeller citing it in 1966, and reinforced by President Lyndon Johnson signing legislation to that effect later in the same year. Legislation was based on the belief the city had celebrated the holiday in 1866 when businesses were closed and residents marched to cemeteries to decorate military graves.
Today, residents are urged to observe a moment of silence at 3 p.m..in order to have a National Moment of Remembrance for all fallen military of all wars.
Ceremonies, in addition to being held at numerous cemeteries across the nation, are conducted at Arlington National Cemetery where new flags are placed on every grave and a wreath is placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Residents can also hang a black mourning ribbon from the flag on Memorial Day as a public sign of mourning all fallen military.
Spec4 Thomas [Tommy] J. Ptak, Killed in Action, 22 March 1968Read about a mere handful of heroes that our Country has produced HERE
Bananas are the most popular fresh fruit in the United States and generally one of the more economical fruits to purchase year-round. They are rich in fiber and potassium which makes them a must for a healthy heart; being low in sodium makes them an even better choice. Because of their potassium and fiber levels, bananas are also great for eye health and can be eaten daily by almost everyone. Over ripe bananas can be frozen and used in ice cream and other desserts, ripe bananas are a regular ingredient in breads, puddings and muffins. This recipe adds walnuts or pecans for added eye and heart health and muffins can be eaten immediately, will keep for a couple of days or can be frozen.
BANANA NUT MUFFINS
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large egg whites
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup canola oil
½ Cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, oats and spices. In separate bowl, beat egg whites bananas egg whites and liquids together before stirring them into dry ingredients. In a small bowl, beat the egg whites, bananas, brown sugar, milk and oil. Stir long enough to have mixture moistened. Stir in nuts.
Coat greased or sprayed muffin tins and fill 2/3s with batter. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until a toothpick stuck on a muffin comes out clean.
For variety, substitute ½ Cup cranberries or raisins for nuts, or try half and half fruit and nuts.
For more healthy recipes and stories on health, view HERE
FishingThey spent time over bagels and coffee in the Senior Citizens building to learn each other’s names, meet the captains of their boats, and compare stories of fish they never caught. But by the end of the day, the more than 80 men and women veterans of every war since Korea had traded e-mail and phone addresses and boasted and showed photos about the striped bass they caught and had to toss back in the ocean, the blue fish that would be dinner that night…and thrill of a day whose memory will stay with them forever. Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing
It was Fins for Freedom who planned, organized, raised the funds and sought out boat captains who eagerly gave their boats, fuel, time, and expertise to be part of a program that brings aqua therapy to men and women who have served in our armed forces.
Fins for Freedom also accepted the aid of cadets from MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, many of whose students will be going on to attend colleges under ROTC scholarships and military academies including both the Coast Guard and Space Force, and spending time in the military themselves, spent the morning under personnel from Fins for Freedom greeting the fishermen, signing them in, helping with breakfast, then escorting or leading them to their crafts, scattered over the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor’s five piers. That’s where the veterans, in groups of three to six, met each of their individual boat captains and crafts, learned the rules of that particular captain, then settled in for a day of relaxation, friendship, and fishing. Fishing Fishing
At the end of a phenomenally successful day, even for those who had never fished before, captains, crew, other volunteers and fishermen met at On the Deck Restaurant to talk about their day and the benefits they got from it. On the Deck closed the restaurant Saturday night in order to honor the private party of anglers who will never forget their experience. Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing
Mike Marinac, president of the non-profit Fins for Freedom, brought his entire family to help make the day the success it was. He and his wife were both at the Senior Citizens with the MAST cadets at 6 Saturday morning, preparing everything for the veterans and instructing the cadets in how to register the anglers and then take them to their boats at the piers. The couple’s two daughters, Charlotte and Lexie, 6 and 5 years old, were undaunted by the early hour and eagerly rushed back and forth carrying supplies from one place to another, emptying garbage and in general doing whatever they could to keep the transition running smooth.
Six-year-old Charlotte, a first-grade student at Middletown Village, said she wanted to be there because she was helping people and thought it was the right thing to do. She said she knew each of the fishermen had served the country in some way so she felt she should help them when she could. Her sister Lexie, a five-year-old who goes to Prime Time in Belford, agreed with Charlotte and nodded her head happily when asked if she would do it again.
Marinac Family
Eight MAST students were among those working throughout the morning. They volunteered for the program after Junior Tyler Terhune of Tinton Falls, who is the commander of A Company at MAST, organized the group of five seniors and three juniors, many of whom have already been awarded college ROTC scholarships. Terhune, of Tinton Falls, Carter Braun of Middletown and Thomas Clark of Little Silver were the juniors at the program, seniors were Brandon Weiss of Oceanport, who earned an Army scholarship to the University of Miami, Ronan Alo, Keansburg, Cornel University scholarship, Calvin Tern of Middletown, a Navy ROTC scholarship to Cornell, Ananya Vuppala of Marlboro an Air Force Scholarship to Yale with the Space Force, and Gerard Flynn of Eatontown, a scholarship the US Merchant Marine Academy. Commander Tracie Smith Yeoman, chief of Naval Science at MAST also said as a volunteer, said volunteering for Fins for Freedom gave the students headed for military life an opportunity to meet with veterans and learn more about their experiences.
Battalion Commander for the 2024-2025 school year, Cadet Lieutenant Commander Thomas Clark, places a flag on the grave of a vet who served at the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. Clark is a junior at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology. Eleven cadets from MAST and four students from Rumson Fair Haven High School, all members of the school’s Veterans Appreciation Club, replaced more than 700 American flags on veterans graves at Bayview Cemetery, Leonardo. The program is sponsored by the American Legion, Post 141 of Atlantic Highlands.
Twenty-six owners of private boats volunteered their boats and trips for the day.
Dan Brady, who is treasurer of Fins for Freedom, and Marvin both showed appreciation for how the program has grown in the past three years, thanks to the generosity of so many businesses and individuals including the boat owners. When it first started it was an informal idea Marinac had with his friends when they took a few veterans for the day; last year there were between 40 and 50 veterans who took the trip and this year there were more than 80. The friend who started the idea with Marinac are Kevin Noal, Jackson, Paul Hewitt, John Nolan, Bill Carle and Paul Novello.
Some of the major companies supporting the program include SSA Atlantic, Ports America, Stevedoring, Jersey Shore Marine Group at Oceanport Landing, West Gulf Maritime Association, Thomas Contracting, Ghanem Forwarding, Sallaum Lines, Red Hook Terminals, SDA (Sport Drinking Apparel), Candid Logistics, LLC, Kuratli Photography, Plan B Promotions,, Auto Export Shipping, Inc., McAllister, and NORAD, world class processing.
AmericanWarriorOutdoors.org,is also a staunch supporter of the program, and assists veterans and their families through organizing and providing outdoor programs for continued health and comradeship.
Once again, the borough of Atlantic Highlands is taking on a subject that is of vital importance to the residents. But only thirty-ish residents turned out for the meeting and it was not held virtually.Bad & Ugly
The mayor said it could not be held virtually because it was not a regular council meeting and there were not personnel who could handle the online aspects. Similar to Highlands last week when their most important matter, whether there should be a wall around the borough was held at Henry Hudson Regional school which already earned its own reputation for never offering anything virtually and which happens to be the most distant public building for the majority of residents to attend.
That’s only one of the problems with this workshop. If it wasn’t a regular or special meeting of the governing body, why was it advertised?
Why was the borough attorney there?
How could a majority of council, including the mayor, be there and not have it be a meeting?
How come minutes were not taken?
The highly educational meeting on cannabis is also the only one the borough plans on holding, the mayor said later. Even if the borough is planning to allow a cannabis business in town. Of course residents will have the opportunity to speak at the public hearing portion if an ordinance is proposed. But why not before?
The experts and judging from their background they were all indeed experts in their fields, were outstanding at the cannabis meeting. They were enthusiastic about the benefits of regulate cannabis, gleeful at its health benefits, and even noted the money it would bring into the borough is pretty nice as well. They told how by regulating pot they would save and improve lives and cut down on illegal purchases and serious accidents or deaths that result from some of those purchases.
It all sounds great and is true.
But people need to hear the negative side of everything as well. If Cannabis is still on the table..it’s been talked about for years now….then present both sides of such a major decision.
Why not have another informational workshop like this one, and maybe have police officers from towns that have businesses in place talk about how, if at all, it’s impacted their towns.
Have realtors come in and talk about how, if at all, cannabis businesses have affected real estate purchases? Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly
Have store owners in the vicinity of other successful cannabis shops talk about how, if at all, the new business has impacted their own business.
Have public officials from another town talk about how they got the money, what they spent it on, and whether it’s lowered taxes or called for more costs for some reason or another?
Ask some of the folks who have already dealt with a new business how it works and what recommendations they have to make it even better. Heck, a former borough councilman is in the business in California, why not have him speak as well?
Currently, of the 53 municipalities in Monmouth County, ten have approved cannabis dispensaries, not all of which are active yet or have completed the arduous process they must go through to be properly licensed. That represents approximately 20 percent of Monmouth County municipalities, compared to 28 per cent of towns across the state who have approved dispensaries. A few have approved marijuana cultivation or manufacture. Locally, Aberdeen, Eatontown, Highlands, Keyport, Long Branch, Red Bank, Shrewsbury Township and Tinton Falls have approved cannabis business in their communities.
Atlantic Highlands seems to be taking a giant step towards informing the public of the positive impact of a properly conducted business.
It has a Cannabis Task Force which apparently has had at least some input in this workshop meeting; it seems Councilwoman Cusick has worked hard, and it appears all members have played important roles, they’re all hard workers and generous with their volunteer time. The members, in addition to Councilwoman Cusick are James Krauss, Joanne Dellosso and Michael Pado.
Do those board members believe they were named to promote and endorse a cannabis business in town or think the Task Force should simply bring out all the good things a new business, and new kind of business, would be advantageous but not even mention any possible bad sides of something new.
Don’t they want to look at both sides of every issue before making decisions or presentations of half a story?
The workshop was good, very good. It would be ever so much better if the borough presented all sides of the issue at another workshop so the public gets to hear the whole story, good, bad or indifferent.
About three dozen residents turned out for a special workshop meeting at Borough Hall Tuesday night when a series of experts in the fields of medicine, cannabis and pharmaceuticals gave a series of positive results should a cannabis business be approved in Atlantic Highlands.
Borough Attorney Peg Schaefer, herself recognized as an expert in the field, was part of the panel and explained some of the confusion in the state legislation which permits, under specific regulations and laws, municipalities to pass their own laws for cultural, manufacturing or retail licenses.
The attorney explained she takes no position on whatever the borough decides, but pointed out it has great control over all aspects of any cannabis business, including where it could be located, the hours it could be open and what safety regulations would have to be followed by those in the business.
Leading expert in the panel was Hugh O’Beirne, president of the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association, a non-profit agency working for the legalization of cannabis in New Jersey, and an attorney who has dealt in corporate and securities law as well as real estate investment trusts.
Hugh O’Beirne
O’Beirne is co-founder of Hawthorne Avenue Strategies, a consulting firm on the business goals for US operations and has done policy work in several states. The attorney holds his master’s degree from Boston College and his doctorate from Vanderbilt University.
The attorney reviewed the history of adult use cannabis regarding the regulations imposed by states without federal regulations on the industry and noted its benefits in a variety of medical programs.
Like Schaefer, he stressed the fact the municipality holds great control, under the newly enacted laws in New Jersey, in governing any cannabis business within its limits, and as such can ensure safety and community harmony. He cited cases from his own experience where cannabis has been the medicine of choice and success in controlling a number of different diseases.
Schaefer added that as attorney, she would not advocate which actions the borough should take in either approving specific types of cannabis business or denying any or all within her borough but cited the many financial benefits resulting from additional taxes for the borough. The attorney also noted that the laws do not allow for the borough to restrain any deliveries to persons within the borough from cannabis businesses approved in other municipalities.
Luke Lieberman of Brick was another of the panelists who spoke at the meeting. The General Manager of NJ Leaf, a cannabis dispensary on Park Avenue in Freehold, Lieberman cited how cannabis regulations are strict in controlling the quality of products and adult use of cannabis from approved sources ensures it is dispensed safely.
Panel members explained the difference between the variety of hemp or cannabis containing subjects currently available including the variety of forms from pills and liquids to chocolate and gummies, and how approved dispensaries would be more beneficial for health and safety reasons.
Jay Dhaduk or Parsippany is a New York licensed pharmacist and founder of Legacy Pharmacy, a chain of pharmacies that offer cannabis sales. He is also a patient education chair at Bayshore Senior Center and instructs on ways to stem the opioid crisis and addiction through better education of all products.
Panelists responded to questions from the residents concerning how businesses would be run should a retail shop be approved for the borough, highlighting the borough could mandate whatever type of security it felt necessary, from armed guards to concealed weapons carriers ; every adult potential purchaser would have to show proper identification in order to enter the store and would have a choice of either seeking out the product they wanted, or seeking the assistance of the trained and professional employees to guide them. Because of complaints in other areas about long lines waiting for access to a retail business, it is necessary at the start of a new business for customers to have appointments in order to be at the shop.
Stores would also have to meet esthetic requirements for exterior appearance according to borough regulations and would be restricted to the specific business district any borough ordinance would allow.
Panelists in a variety of ways showed how a regulated and licensed retail business whose owner has been thoroughly investigated and approved, and whose employees have also undergone stringent investigations and background checks would cut down on deaths from illegal drugs while at the same time bringing in thousands of dollars to offset borough taxes or be set aside for specific purposes.
Councilwoman Eileen Cusick, the borough representative on the Cannabis Committee former earlier this year, put the meeting together in order to provide more information should borough council choose to introduce a cannabis business ordinance. Mayor Lori Hohenleitner opened the meeting, explained its purpose and introduced all the panelists together with asking them specific questions. Cusick delivered hand-written questions from the audience to Hohenleitner who then read them to the panelists for their response.
This is the only workshop of this type unless an ordinance is introduced, Hohenleitner said after the meeting. Should an ordinance be introduced, the public would have another opportunity to ask questions during the public hearing held for every proposed ordinance before its approval.
Eddy Rosado served with the Marine Corps for four years during the Vietnam war. He was an instructor with the Corps and lives in Philadelphia. He heard about the Fins for Freedom fishing day at an event he attended in Oaks, Pennsylvania, and signed up. Friends
Eddy sat alone at the senior Citizens building in Atlantic Highlands waiting for instructions on which boat he would be going on and enjoying bagels and coffee. Fins for Freedom ws just starting to kick off a day that would make memories. Friends
There were a couple of other men seated at the same table, none of whom knew each other.
But when questioned by a reporter, Eddy said he was getting older, starting a new life, and had been fishing for a long time and loved it. But in starting his new life, he didn’t really have many friends and was kind of on his own, he said. Friends
It took a second for Rich Oshaughnessy, seated across from him at the table to stand up, put out his hand and say heartily, “hey, now you have a friend. I’m Rich.”
Shaughnessy was also signed up for the trip, a 20 year veteran of the Navy retiring as a Chief. He learned about the program from a lady named Dawn, who worked at a Speedway gas station and knew Rich was a veteran. They started talking, he said, adding he was happy to be on this trip, even though he never has a bad day. Friends
When the reporter left, Eddy and Rich were already deep in conversation about their lives in service and their recent activities.
Meeting up with them again at the end of the day, they both had stories to tell of the striped bass they had caught and released, and the other friends they met on their day of fishing.
“That’s what we do this for,” said an emotional Dan Brady, one of the Fins for Freedom officers, “ Fins for Freedom wants to keep these guys together, and as fishermen, we all know the camaraderie that comes about on any fishing trip. These guys deserve all of that and more.”
Rosado was proud to show photos at the end of the day of the two stripers and one blue he and yet another new friend caught. Jorge Quinga came from Jersey City for the trip, he was an army veteran who served with the infantry from 2003 to 2006. He had never been out fishing before. “I loved it,” he laughed, “and I learned a lot. I didn’t even know the language of fishing or being out on a boat.”
When he hooked into a striper, he didn’t even realize it, he said, when another veteran on the boat said “you snagged it.” “I didn’t know what that meant, until I started reeling it in, and wow! …..” then he pulled out the photo of him and his striped bass.
Quinga also caught a bluefish, a fish he could keep and was planning on baking for dinner. The Ecuador born American and Rosado both also said that they were on Boat Ten…That’s Capt. Bill (William DiStaso) and he was great. “
“We must have had the best captain and crew of anybody for the day,” they both agreed.
Other veterans would have differed, putting up their own captains and crew for perfection.
But besides the fish, the captain, and the wonderful day, Rosado was truly happy for something else. “Jorge and I have already exchanged telephone numbers ..we’re going to be getting together soon.”
Whether it’s because the National Park Service never has enough money to spend, or whether it chooses to spend it in the wrong places or for the wrong reasons is something that can be debated forever. John Brown John Brown John Brown John Brown
But at least at the Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park, which covers pretty much all of the town and sites from Jefferson Rock from the 1700s and the national armory in the 1800s, including the pre-Civil War assault on that armory by John Brown to Storer College, a post-civil war school of upper education for all races, but predominantly black, that closed in 1955, to say nothing of a railroad museum and more, there doesn’t appear to be great leadership in promoting the historic sites or having visitors enjoy an educational and memorable experience.
The highlight on much of the literature around town is how parking is at a premium, hard to find, with streets blocked off for residential parking only and a shuttle taking motorists from a Park parking lot by shuttle a relatively short distance to the beginning of the historic area and leaving you on your own to walk the ups and downs of a town built on the sides of a mountain. When a deer apparently went through the window of one of the park’s historic buildings sometime last week, and though the deer itself left a mass of blood on the floor but managed to escape, three days later the building was still not opened, nor any signs posted giving the reason for its closure.
On the good side, the Harpers Ferry Park Association, a non-profit partner of the national park, seems to offer a lot more help and friendliness for visitors and great support for preservation, hiking trails, group workshops, and historic demonstrations. The Association has one of the best shops in the entire town, loaded with books, photos, souvenirs of all kinds, and much more you can see on their website www.harpersferryhistory.org.
Still, the National Park Service in this particular park does not offer much for the couple or individual visitor on foot and not part of a crowd.
But the history is incredible and part of America. The city was once part of Virginia, and during the Civil War changed hands no fewer than eight times between North and Southern forces. John Brown John Brown
The emphasis in the town is on John Brown, the white evangelical Christian raised Puritan in his native Connecticut. His faith convinced him he was born to be an instrument of God and it was up to him to use violence to rid the South of slavery.
Raised as one of six children, he went on later in his life to marry three times and sire a total of 20 children. Because of his father’s work, Brown also lived in Ohio, ran a safe house for fugitives along the Underground Railroad and, along with one brother, was a forceful opponent of any slavery.
At one time he was a minister but was better known as a tanner and at one point was even a postmaster named by John Quincy Adams. He was also a banker, at another time was very wealthy, later illegally tried to hold onto property belonging to another, and bred horses and ran a farm.
It was the Bleeding Kansas years, when the country was divided on entering free and slave states to the Union, that Brown led a radical group of pacifists and killed five supporters of slavery and commandeered more forces in other battles before Harpers Ferry.
But it was at Harper’s Ferry that Brown felt he could liberate all the slaves in what was then Virginia simply by taking the federal armory under his control and inciting local slaves to join his mission.
That idea didn’t work both because of the federal forces that came in to preserve it was well trained and the sparse few local slaves who thought it was an idea worth joining. His plans included not only the federal armory but also the federal rifle factory and ultimately the town.
The federal forces that won that battle and preserved the federal property that led to Brown’s trial and conviction were led by then Lt. Colonel Robert E. Lee, the West Point graduate who two years later had to leave the United States to fight for his beloved South in the Civil War that was precipitated in large part by John Brown’s Raid and insurrection.
Seven people were killed in Brown’s raid, another ten or so injured and many others arrested by the Marines . Brown was tried in court for his treason and became the first American ever executed for treason against a state.
News of his assault on Virginia gained national news and escalated what ultimately became the South’s secession from the Union and the start of the Civil War.
The John Brown museum in the Park complex tells the story along with outstanding videos, many artifacts and memorabilia inside three rooms of displays and audio, another part of the Park’s several buildings including the firehouse the Marines had to batter down the doors to quell the raid. Not only did few local slaves join Brown in his insurrection, but some were taken hostage by him and died in the raid. History depicts Brown both as a heroic martyr as well as a madman and terrorist. But it is American history.
You Have a RIGHT to Know … But They Don’t Want You To
The OPRA-killing bills just passed by legislators from both parties in both the Senate and Assembly which will most likely be signed into law by Governor Murphy is one more example of how those elected to government office really don’t want the public to know everything that’s going on. RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT
Locally, if passed, it means all requests have to be made on a specific document, the excuse being that making the OPRA regulations more stringent will save time for busy county, borough and township employees.
There’s a lot more to that law as well , but adding it to the lack of transparency residents have to face now makes it an issue that every local citizen should be aware of and pay attention to.
Rights are being taken away slowly, so they are not being noticed until it’s too late. It’s time for residents, taxpayers, the elderly, and very citizen to start paying attention, asking questions, and advocating for change.
Look at transparency at school board meetings and municipal meetings. Highlands borough, in spite of its upwards of 12 million dollar building and wonderful facilities, does not offer their meetings virtually, meaning everyone interested in being heard at a meeting either has to come down from further up the hill or come up the hill and cross the highway to attend a meeting.
Few do right now. Is it because they are not interested, think council is doing a terrific job, or simply don’t know or care what’s going on? Nor are the meetings recorded, though they are on some other site.
Atlantic Highlands does offer some municipal meetings virtually, though their microphone system is set up so there is sometimes so much background noise it’s difficult to catch every word; the mics aren’t even close enough to capture the words of residents who speak during the meetings. The Planning Board has testimony presented at its meetings, often difficult to hear or understand completely, either in person or virtually.
School boards are the biggest offenders in the Bayshore and worse, they don’t even seem to care about it. None of their meetings, be it elementary, high school, or the new transitional board are offered virtually. Not many people are able to walk all the way up to Henry Hudson particularly on a dark rainy night. But that’s the only way to hear most of their meetings.
Even present at a meeting at Hudson is a challenge; the room, so often complained about, is so large, the mics so few, and the distance between the board set-up and the audience is widespread, so hearing everything is difficult even for those not hearing impaired. The board never seems to care, in spite of numerous complaints at every meeting.
Highlands held an important meeting of a proposed flood plan for the entire borough at Henry Hudson to ensure everyone who wanted to hear could be present. The fact is, it would have been easy and so much more accommodating if they offered it virtually. But even the Army Corps of Engineers present at the meeting had to fiddle around a while to get the mics in a position to be heard, at least part of the time.
It certainly appeared that the borough clerk, as efficient and capable as she is, was struggling to hear the names of residents speaking, let alone hear everything they said. Yet minutes would be taken of that meeting since it was an official meeting of the council.
Henry Hudson prides itself, as well it should, on the excellence of their play presentations. One wonders how acoustics can be just fine for that but not for a meeting when the board is voting to approve tens of thousands of dollars. The superintendent has said at a public meeting their emphasis is on education, which is correct. But a few tax dollars could be spent so the taxpayers can hear what kind of education their kids are getting.
Hearing, attending, speaking, and being kept informed of both municipal and school business is difficult even for those with perfect hearing and vision. Aside from that, how public entities get away with not accommodating the disabled is still a mystery.
Even with complaints filed, the state offices designed to protect the disabled, the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, don’t give much of a darn either; cases languish between state offices for years before IF they are actually ever resolved. But that is after the issues at hand that are so important to be heard are long since decided with the disabled never having an opportunity to have their voice or opinion heard.
The people do have the right to know. And it’s up to the people to make their voice heard when they are being shut down or kept out.
State legislators in both the NJ Assembly and Senate from both parties make it official they prefer secrecy and withholding public information from the public, encouraging lack of accountability from government at all levels when they when they approved Bills which makes it more difficult to get public information, in spite of the Open Public Records Act ( OPRA )
Assembly Woman Vicky Flynn was the primary sponsor of the Assembly bill that shuts down accessibility to public records, and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and Flynn both voted in favor of it. Senator Declan O‘Scanlon voted against the bill in the Senate, but there were not enough negative votes to retain the current OPRA regulations.
The Senate voted 21 -10 in favor of the bill, with nine Senators choosing not to vote at all; the Assembly passed the bill by a vote of 42 -27 with one abstention and ten members not voting
The bi-partisan bills will become law if signed by Governor Murphy; however, a spokesperson for the Governor declined to comment on the Governor’s position or whether he will sign the bills.
Legislators indicated they approved the bill in order to cut down on time paid employees at every level of government having to spend in providing information to the public. The bill also allows municipalities to sue OPRA requestors as retaliation against those seeking the same information that is available under the current law.
The League of Municipalities, which includes memberships from most of the boroughs and cities in Monmouth County, and the New Jersey Association of Counties, of which Monmouth is a member, declined to discuss provisions of the bill at the hearing.
Assemblyman Brian Berger of Morris County described the bill as “malicious and intentional” in casting his vote opposing it. The Senate vote was not live-streamed and came without any debate. At least one legislator declined to respond to any questions during a debate on the Assembly floor. Berger added that “It’s this type of bill that really erodes the public’s trust.”
One provision of the bill ends the mandate that governments that lose records disputes in court pay the legal fees of the requestors. Another portion would allow towns to sue requestors they believe are using records requests to interrupt government functions. If it becomes law, every municipality would be required to adopt a uniform records request form which would allow custodians to deny outright requests that do not include a requestor’s name, address, email, and phone number.
The legislation would also create new exemptions barring the release of information on a broader range of electronic devices, public security systems, and metadata, would require redaction of personal information — including names, addresses, telephone numbers, personal emails, and bank and credit card information, from documents ranging from pet permits to Motor Vehicle Commission records, safety emergency response plans and government notification systems.
Interested persons are invited to join the conversation at EMACC’s Women Business Leaders Forum: Leading Ladies – Leadership in the Professional Sector.
During this moderated discussion, panelists will showcase their unique talent, approach to opportunities, and inherent strength that women bring to the world of business.
Siekerka is President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and leads the nation’s largest, most influential employer’s organization advocating on behalf of New Jersey’s large and small businesses for policies geared to making New Jersey more affordable and regionally competitive. Women in Business
Graham, is the visionary force behind Graham Behavior Services serving as its Executive Director and founder. With a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from Kean University, Graham pursued her passion by completing her Applied Behavior Analysis coursework at Caldwell University, earning her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Women in Business
She is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities delivering personalized, home and community-based services.
Gaynor is president of the Junior League of Monmouth County and a seasoned marketing professional with a deep commitment to community health and women’s empowerment.
She has spearheaded impactful initiatives including Period Project, launched during the Covid-19 pandemic to distribute over 100,000 period products to under served populations.
Gaynor a board member and Secretary of the STAAR Ovarian Cancer Foundation, the only U.S. charity dedicated to fundraising for ovarian cancer for life saving research.
Event moderator Kelly Power is the Operations Manager for Absolute Home Mortgage – Team Cook, facilitating all aspects of the mortgage process. An accomplished professional in the mortgage industry, specializing in branch operations, Power is known for her exceptional communication skills and ability to build strong relationships, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable mortgage experience. Women in Business
The moderagtor is proud to serve on the EMACC Board of Directors and co-chair of EMACC’s Women in Business committee; she is also a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of NJ Women’s Committee. Women in Business
Premiere Sponsors for the event are the Alternative Board Jersey Shore North, Annie-Mac and Nest Seekers International with May & June All Events Sponsor Rope Drop Travel and Executive Sponsors Nissan City Red Bank, Packaging & Distribution Resources and Townsquare Ignite.
For event registration and information, visit www.EMACC.org or call 732-741-0055.
The Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1928 has supported our business and community for almost 100 years. EMACC plays an essential role in the health of the business community regionally and statewide. Proudly serving Eatontown, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls. All are welcome!
