Atlantic Highlands Veterans Affairs Commission

The Atlantic Highlands Veterans Affairs Commission, formed last July, has a series of plans and ideas designed to bring recognition to veterans of all branches of military service,  both living and deceased, one of the missions of the committee whose members are appointed by Mayor Loretta Gluckstein with consent of council.

Most visible of the plans ongoing and in place are the poster size photos of three of the veterans named on the stone at Veterans Park across the street from Borough Hall which were on display at a recent meeting of the governing body. Each of the military members cited on the plaque in Veterans Park were killed in action during World War II.

“These are the beginning of the research effort to have all borough residents learn more about these local residents who served during World War II and possibly World War I, “said Regina Keelan, who was elected by the Veterans Affairs Commission to serve as chairman for the first year.

The Veterans Affairs Commission was formed by Ordinance last year to become effective this past January and is limited to five members, at least three of whom must be active military or veterans of a military service.

With the initial Veterans Affairs Commission membership elected to staggered year terms, in the future all terms will be for three years.  Serving two-year terms as members of the initial commission are Peter Doyle and Ellen O’Dwyer, with Andrew Zuzulock serving a one-year term and Bob Sherman and Hawley each serving three-year terms.  All but Hawley are veterans of one of the military services.  Councilwoman Eileen Cusack serves this year as council representative to the governing body.

Missions of the Veterans Affairs Commission include relaying the concerns of veterans to the Mayor and Council as well as providing veterans with information on local, state and federal programs which may be available to them.

The Veterans Affairs Commission is also committed to researching and analyzing the needs of local veterans in order to make recommendations to the governing body so those needs could be addressed. It is also committed to researching and providing information to the governing body on the accomplishments of veterans so they can be recognized by the general public.

Hawley said having the veterans photographs which are at borough hall is part of the mission to recognize veterans and learn more about those already identified and recognized at Veterans Park.

The goal is to produce photos of each of those men who gave their lives for the nation and have them in our first displays, along with biographical information on each, at borough hall.

“Each of these men, though I don’t know them, inspires me for the very fact they served in our military and defended our country,” said Hawley, enthusiastically explaining how Veterans Affairs Commission members are reaching out to descendants and other family members of each of the men to gather the information.

Plans also call for making changes to Veterans Park to make it a focal point in the borough and to ensure everyone knows the specific reason why the park is dedicated to veterans. Some of those ideas could include a sprinkler system to maintain the lawn, possibly areas for picnics where parents can bring their children and explain the importance of the nation’s military and the volunteerism that keeps the nation protected. Possibly planting poppies,  known as the flower honoring fallen military since the time of the Civil War and ensuring that any trees planted in Veterans Park be planted in honor of someone who has served as a veteran.

“These are all long-term plans, we know,” Hawley said, noting the ordinance creating the Veterans Affairs Commission does not include any budgetary line. “But we want to look long range, have goals and do something to be sure our military are remembered and honored.”

Hawley said the Commission also welcomes ideas from the public on how it can honor veterans of all wars, or how it can find innovative ways to ensure today’s residents who are veterans are fully aware of any grants, programs, or assistance to which they are entitled because of their service, including information on tax deductions to which they may be entitled..

World War II veterans listed on the stone in Veterans Park who gave their lives during the War are John Joy, John Pape, John Daly, James Latta, Paul Brunig, David Bashan, Bruce Cowden, Corval Mosely, John Gallagher, Edward Johnson, Edward Finnegan, Ralph Ricciardelli, William McLaughlin, and Paul Brunig, who may be a veteran of World War I.

Persons having any information on any of the Atlantic Highlands veterans, or having ideas on how the Commission can honor former military members, are invited to call  Hawley at  908-902-8743 pr e-mail her at rhawleykeelen@gmail.com

Atlantic Highlands and the American Flag

This isn’t the first time Borough Council members have quibbled over the American flag and what it stands for.

Two council members gained the support of the majority of council when they opted to disregard the Governor’s directive to keep the American flag at half staff for three months during the Covid pandemic. Instead, they argued, at the very least, it should be raised to full staff for the nation’s birthday.

Former Borough attorney Jason Sena opposed the idea. So did Councilmembers Lori Hohenleitner and Jon Crowley. In fact, the Democratic party then issued a public statement chastising the Republican council members for their stance in believing the American flag had never been lowered for such a length of time and the Governor was disrespectful in doing it.

The Republicans won by a 4-2 vote and the American flag was at full staff for July 4.

The Governor, by the way, rescinded his own order prior to July 4. Councilmen Brian Boms and James Murphy issued a statement indicating their pleasure that the Governor followed the lead of Atlantic Highlands.

This was in 2020.

Boms, and Murphy who is still on council, were both on council with other Republicans Steve Boracchia and Roy Dellosso. It was Boms who brought up argument that the flag should be raised at least for July 4; Murphy quickly seconded the motion and urged its adoption.

Borrichia and Dellosso quickly followed suit.

But the Democratic Club backed its two council members and issued a statement to local newspapers.

Calling it a political move to want to raise the American flag for July 4, the statement went on to say the Republican controlled council “voted to illegally defy Governor Murphy’s Executive Order.”

They complained the action was proposed by the two councilmen without submitting it in writing or sharing it with the rest of the governing body in advance.

The release termed Boracchia’ s comment that in July, 2020, the Covid pandemic was over, as shortsighted. The release said the councilmen’s  action lacked transparency, and deprived residents the opportunity to make council opinions heard prior to a vote.

Responsible governing requires the input of the public when making decisions that could bring about litigation against our town, the press release continued, referring to Sena’s statement the Governor could very well take action against the borough for disobeying his executive order.

They termed the action of the GOP councilman “a blatant disregard for public opinion…” and added the Republicans “don’t’ seem to care what the town’s constituents think or let them have their say.”

In the end, the press release said, it isn’t really about the flag or patriotism, but rather “these councilmen are simply thumbing their noses at Governor Murphy and misrepresenting the flag as a prop in order to gain notice from their base.”

In contrast, both Crowley and Hohenleitner, the release went on, “were clear in their willingness to compromise over the July 4th holiday weekend.” (Both opposed the resolution as brought by the GOP majority.
“What are we teaching our children?” they asked. “Do rules not apply if we don’t like them? Where does it end?”

In the end, the press release concluded that “Crowley and Hohenleitner continue to work across the aisle, as they have each done since being elected. While the GOP insists on playing politics, we are sure that Crowley and Hohenleitner will continue to do their best to ensure that open discussion and public input is always a part of a transparent — and representative — government.”

Special Planning Board Meeting

Councilman Brian Dougherty announced at last week’s meeting of the Mayor and Council that the Planning Board will hold a special meeting Tuesday, July 18, to hear the application for a second high rise apartment complex on First Ave. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dougherty is the council representative on the Planning Board.

Contrary to what the planning board had indicated earlier, the meeting will be held in Borough Hall in spite of their belief the meeting room might not be able to accommodate the number of residents expected to turn out. At its meeting, the planning board indicated it was seeking larger accommodations because of the anticipate turnout to hear the application.

The application, submitted by the Kalian Company who also owns the adjacent property, if approved would permit a second building adjacent to the current complex under construction at 158 First Avenue. Kalian has also built the apartment complex on Avenue D near the Public Works Department yard.

The property for the planned new construction  is currently the location of Mike’s Convenience Store and Scenic Liquors, both of which would not have leases renewed. The building would be demolished and the property cleared to make room for the new mixed-use proposal.

The building plans do not come unexpectedly to borough officials or residents. When construction began on the mixed use four story building currently under construction at 158 First Avenue, there was talk that a second building adjacent to it was a possibility, an idea that explained the fact the building has no windows on the exterior wall facing Route 36 adjacent to 160 First Avenue.

Now both properties belong to Kalian Properties and the application for construction of a more than 40-foot-high building at 160 First Avenue is on the planning board agenda.

Dougherty said at last week’s council meeting the planning board was unable to secure an alternate location for the application presentation. However, the borough is making plans for ZOOM and other accommodations to enable the public to attend and have input.

Unlike the building now under construction where the first floor is dedicated to commercial use, the first floor of the planned construction would provide some tenant parking as well as other parking behind the building. Plans also call for this building to be higher than the 158 First Avenue building but would be built with similar materials to blend in with the first building. Both buildings are across the street from the Elementary School on First Avenue north of Borough Hall.