Mayor Gluckstein- Shut Up! for 5 minutes

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May 26, 2023

Shut Up!

Blame it on her having a long day, or simply being tired, or perhaps she had an obligation she was trying to get home to resolve. Or blame it on the fact that maybe she’s just getting tired of being the Mayor. Whatever it is, it was a shock to hear Mayor Loretta Gluckstein tell an Atlantic Highlands citizenry that she’s in favor of shutting them up.

Well, to be honest, she doesn’t want them shut up forever. She just wants to limit their speech… That’s the first step to shut them up forever.

She wants to do that for every meeting of the Mayor and Council. No matter what the issue. No matter what ideas a citizen might suggest.

No matter that council members can interrupt a speaker and carry on a debate between themselves for many minutes.

Mayor Gluckstein doesn’t think the folks who put her and everyone else up there in office, the folks that pay those taxes and sit through discussions of an ordinance they obviously haven’t thought enough about in the past month … should only be able to have their say for five minutes.

Doesn’t She?

Doesn’t she remember all the grief the borough attorney just went through when she tried to tell these same people they had no right to ask questions? When the Council tried to shut them up before …

Doesn’t she remember when this five-minute gag was tried before and shot down? When the Council tried to shut them up before …

Didn’t she hear the speaker at this very meeting remind everyone there that it is Effective Communications Month?

Doesn’t she realize that effective communications come about through speech, sharing ideas, sharing thoughts?

Doesn’t’ she remembers Mark Fisher’s famous last words a little more than two months ago? Or did she really think because Mark wasn’t present in the meeting room that she could get something past him?

Mr. Fisher

Mark Fisher isn’t an elected official. Nor does he want to be. He just loves his town and spends an awful lot of time studying it, riding around it, thinking of how it could be better…and keeping his eye on the folks that run it. He’s told them about many times in the past that he believes, as have Americans believed since the days of Thomas Jefferson, that everyone has the right to have something to say to the people who elect them.

Mark’s parting words to the many who read his thought provocative and news-filled Atlantic Highlands news page, ahnewsbymarkfisher@gmail.com in April were:

I’ll keep watching and listening for the future attempts to muzzle the public at Council and other meetings. There is ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT in my mind that sometime again in the future, another attempt to deny or limit our free speech right WILL be tried again.”

He certainly can read his elected officials far better than I can.

Can You Repeat That?

I was so stunned at the mayor’s suggestion I had to ask her to repeat it. Then define whether she meant she wanted to shut people up just at this meeting or at every meeting. Did she mean people could only speak once then forever hold their peace? She explained she meant it for every meeting from this day forward. But they could talk twice, she said, once during the public comments section on the agenda at the beginning of the meeting and once at the end.

I think she was also hinting at permitting someone to speak more than once during each of those sessions if they kept each address down to the five minutes. She did not say whether the borough would be paying a timekeeper to be sure everyone obeys the rules. But she says yes, there would be a timekeeper… A time keeping to insure that after 5 minutes, you shut up!

Continuing with Mark’s opinion, he was not there in person listening from his seat in the back of the room last night. But he was there via ZOOM. And he told the governing body once again he would continue to stand up for his rights and fight it if the idea comes up again.

Shut Up! Sit Down!

He’s started his defense of the Constitutional right already. In his comments today, Mark termed the idea “asinine”. Then, always looking forward rather than predicting the future, he piqued interest by saying it will be VERY interesting to see how the 2023 Mayoral and Council candidates will react to this next attempt to tell the residents of Atlantic Highlands…their voters…that “shut up, and sit down, your 5-minutes are up” is a swell idea.

Then he urged his many readers to be sure to show up at the June 8 meeting to see if anyone has the audacity to try to shut up the public. And he urged them also to be sure to let the elected officials know how they feel about at attempt to keep them quiet.

There are three members of council on the ballot in five months. Bet none of them will offer a Your Speech is limited motion at any meeting between now and November. Know there was another candidate at the meeting who herself often gets up to opine. Never timed her, but know she always likes to detail her ideas just to be sure they’re understood. She also listens, which is apparently a novelty these days. Don’t think she would want to muzzle the folks either.

Disappointment

Sorry, Mayor, but you already know how I feel about Thomas Jefferson and the magnificent things he has done for our country; you already know his strong feelings on freedom of speech…. without any limits, since limits by their very definition, prevent freedom of speech.

But even before the third President, Voltaire had a few things to say about freedom of speech. “I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

It’s disappointing you would not do the same.

Another Council story here

Superintendent’s Evaluation – BOE 1 OPMA 0

By

Muriel J. Smith

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May 26, 2023

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Let the Public be Damned

With something as important as the Superintendent’s Evaluation and the board of education fails to act within the intent of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, and then tries to explain it away with questionable interpretations of the law, it’s more than enough to make one wonder.

When a board of education is taking this action at a time when the governing bodies of three different towns are trying so hard to get things together so the electorate can make a decision on a very important educational matter for its children, it smacks of attempts of secrecy and concealment.

When this all happens while, in addition to that big education decision, the three school boards are also wrestling with whether they really want to renew the contract of the superintendent, it certainly looks like a great big game.

It smacks of “let the public be damned. They don’t need to know everything. We’re doing things our way.”

This week, the Highlands Board of Education fell far short of the high standards they have exhibited in the past by apparently holding a special meeting illegally, taking action contrary to what was advertised, and apparently trying to cover it all up with very loose interpretations of the Sunshine Law.

It’s the little, technical things that are sometimes overlooked, or hidden under the carpet that cause people to file lawsuits. Public bodies are then forced to pay out more taxpayer money to defend themselves. All because they simply did not do things correctly in the first place.

Superintendent’s Evaluation

Let’s take that special Highlands Board of Education meeting Monday, May 22, at 8 p.m.

Its purpose was advertised for then purpose of “the superintendent’s evaluation.” It also said, “Action may be taken by the Board of Education at the Special Meeting.”

If the board REALLY wanted the people to know what was going on, If the board actually want people to get involved and attend meetings, is it fair to assume that, with nothing else advertised as taking place at that special meeting, the action taken would have something to do with the superintendent’s evaluation?

That isn’t the way it worked.

School Administrator Chris Mullins was quick in responding to queries about that this week. When asked about it, his response was to quote the ad posted on the borough website:

Action may be taken by the Board of Education at the Special Meeting.

He further explained, “It did not say action may be taken on the Superintendent’s evaluation at the Special Meeting.

After indicating the night of the meeting that the board would not be discussing the Superintendent’s evaluation, He subsequently confirmed that yes indeed, they did discuss the Superintendent’s evaluation at the special meeting. That was all that was advertised to take place at the meeting, making that proper action if the board did discuss the superintendent’s evaluation.

The Open Public Meetings Act

But hiring or approving a contract for an assistant, therefore, does not appear to follow the law that says they must publish the agenda as known as the time of the notice, namely they were going to take action on the assistant to the business administrator.

Or does it mean this board really approves a contract so important that it has to be heard at a special meeting without knowing they were even going to be talking about it 48 hours beforehand? “

Then Mr. Mullens told explained as per the Sunshine Law, public bodies are required to provide the public with “adequate notice” of all their meetings. Adequate notice MAY be provided at least 48 hours prior to each meeting.

The board posted in the school, filed with the municipal clerk and sent to the two newspapers. he said…

Well, that isn’t exactly right either. The notice isn’t something that “MAY” be posted, according to the law, it’s something that “MUST” be posted.

Delivering to at least two previously designated newspapers appears to be a stretch as well.

Doesn’t the public have the right to presume that by “delivering it to two newspapers” means the newspapers have PRINT it so the public will know about it at least 48 hours before the meeting as well? None of that happened either.

The notice of the May 22 meeting was delivered via e-mail to both the Asbury Park Press and the Two River Times on May 17, at 12:30 p.m.. The Press printed the legal advertisement on May 22, far less that 24 hours, let alone 48 hours of the meeting. It cost taxpayers $42.92.

The meeting for the Superintendent’s Evaluation never got printed in the Two River Times. That’s because that is a weekly newspaper, with a weekly newspaper deadline. IF the law means that the public should have 48 hours NOTICE of a meeting, that means the ad, to be legal, would have had to appear in the May 11 issue of the Two River Times. It did not.

Not did it appear in the May 18-24 issue of the Two River Times. It could not have been possible considering the paper did not receive the ad and request for publication until after the May 18-24 issue was in print and in some cases already delivered. The deadline for legals in this weekly newspaper is the Friday before the publication date, in this case, May 11. That’s a fact the board would have known about when they named the paper for legal advertising at its reorganization meeting.

The Board

Board members present for the meeting in which the board took action on a matter they did not advertise would be occurring were Board President Rebecca Wells, Board Vice President Robyn Sanfratello, Paul Cefalo, Diane Know who exited during the executive session, Melissa Reeves and Melissa Zachok-Fierro

Superintendent Contract Renewal & Regionalization – Caution

By

Muriel J. Smith

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May 25, 2023

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With all the discussion of the renewal of a contract for the superintendent of Henry Hudson Tri-District coming at the same time as the possibility that in the school year 2024 the school district might be drastically changed, are the school board members taking all of that into consideration?

Current Salary

The current superintendent’s three year $180,00 a year plus annual increases contract expires June 30, 2024. By law, if she is not going to be offered another contract, she must be notified by June 30, of the year previous. Next month.

New School District

If they do not plan to hire her, and inform her of that by June 30 of this year, that makes the last year of her current contract expire at possibly the same time as the new PreK -12 school district gets underway. The new nine member one board over all three schools could then have almost a full year from the time of the action at a November election to search for a replacement for the new and different school and board.

Length of Contract

If they do offer her a contract before July 1, 2023, are they looking at another three year contract? Or are they looking at a five year contract? If the regionalization question is defeated at the polls, whatever was agreed on before July 1 would presumably be in place.

New Board

If regionalization is approved, the superintendent, like the entire faculty, would most likely than negotiate with the new board of education over their contracts. The boards who signed the contract would be dissolved, replaced by a single board made up of nine people possibly from three towns, so it appears contract negotiations would be similar to that for faculty members.

Would the superintendent with a contract have priority to renegotiate her contract over other superintendents who might apply because it is a new PreK-12 school district that never existed before?

Complaints

On the other hand, one might question why the boards of education are even considering renewing any contract with the current superintendent.

There are records that show that more than 20 per cent of the total staff have retired or left for other jobs during the past two years. Have board members compared that percentage of employees who leave in similar school districts? Covid cannot be considered a factor. All schools went through the same thing.

Have there been exit interviews with faculty members who chose to leave? Including not one, but two principals?

There are records that show education at the two elementary schools is at best average, and sometimes not even that. Have school board members compared that to previous years before the superintendent was hired?

Have board members listed the improvements that have been made in the tri-district under this superintendent?

There have been letters to boards of education concerning complaints of bullying, unfair treatment, parental discontent. There has even been a petition in an attempt to stop the contract renewal. Have those letters been investigated for veracity and responded to? If legitimate, have the corrections be made? Has action been taken?

There have been several stories about parents being afraid to write similar letters for fear of retaliation to their children. Has anybody asked the sources of these stories or why parents would want to make certain things public but not want to be identified with their complaints?

One Year Contract

Have any boards considered signing a one year agreement so that, if the public wants a preK-12 school district and if it goes into effect in a year, the brand new board then have the advantage of conducting a broad search for a superintendent for a brand, new, Pre-K through 12 school district that could well be the model for similar regionalization programs across the state?

Perhaps some of these questions should also be raised, and answered, before the June 30 deadline passes.

Raise Your Voice

It is up to the people who elected the members to the boards of education to tell them what they think. If board members do not hear from the people who elected them, then board members will never know.

It’s time for people who have strong opinions, one way or the other, to tell their boards about them. Afraid of being in the minority or of retaliation and can’t put your name to your letter? Write it to VeniVidiScripto. You can trust me not to divulge my source of investigation. But I can make board members aware of your feelings or concerns.

Mgannon@henryhudsonreg.K12.nj.us Henry Hudson president Michael Gannon

rwells@hesk6.us Highlands Rebecca Wells

Mmurphy@ahes.k12.nj.us Atlantic highlands Elementary Molly Murhy

Carrots are Number 1!

By

Muriel J. Smith

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May 25, 2023

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Carrots – I certainly appreciate and listen to the advice from Mayo Clinic dieticians on the importance of eating the right fruits and vegetables for eye health and admit that that is one of the reasons I like carrots.

But besides all the nutritional value of carrots, the beta-carotene that converts to Vitamin A which has also been proven to reduce the risk of cancer, carrots are inexpensive year-round, they’re versatile in that they can be used in breads, puddings, soups, and colorful additions to salads and entrees. And for many, they satisfy a sweet tooth with fewer calories than other desserts.

Carrots are also rich in fiber and oxidants, which make them great for the heart, and Vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system.

Cooked, raw, sliced, chopped, shredded, or blended to a juice, carrots are an everyday good buy. Try any one or these side dish receipts (or all, to see which you like best!)

Sweet, glazed carrots

4 C baby carrots, rinsed and split lengthwise

2 Tbsp soft tub margarine

2 Tbsp brown sugar

½ tsp ground cinnamon

Place the carrots in a small saucepan and add enough water to barely cover them. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Cook for 7–8 minutes, or until the carrots are easily pierced with a sharp knife.

While carrots are cooking, combine margarine, brown sugar, and cinnamon, in a small saucepan, and melt over low heat (or microwave for a few seconds on high power, until margarine is mostly melted). Stir well to combine ingredients.

Drain carrots and leave in the saucepan. Pour cinnamon mixture over carrots. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, until carrots are thoroughly coated, and the glaze thickens slightly.

A bit tart and nutty, this recipe is just plain fun and festive. Check out rainbow carrots for a special party, as nutritious as the popular orange variety.

Cider Glazed Carrots with Walnuts

2 1/2 pounds medium carrots, peeled and cut into pieces (about 9 cups)

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon kosher salt (if you must)

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 cup toasted walnut pieces.

1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat leaf parsley.

Place carrots in a large saucepan with water to cover, bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to low, and simmer until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Combine brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, butter, salt, dry mustard, and paprika in a large nonstick skillet over low; cook, stirring often, until butter melts. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; add carrots. Cook, stirring constantly, until carrots are glazed, and sauce is syrupy, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in walnuts; sprinkle with chopped parsley and toss to combine.

Honey Glazed Carrots

2 cups sliced carrots.

2 teaspoons butter

3 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage.

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a boil. Add carrots and boil for about 5 minutes until fork tender. Drain and set aside. Preheat a medium sauté pan and add butter. Once the pan is hot and the butter is melted, add carrots, honey, sage, pepper and salt. Sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and serve.

Some Other Eye healthy Stories:

Corn

Cranberries

Cajun Shrimp

NJROTC MAST- A Cut Above

By

Muriel J. Smith

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May 25, 2023

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The first of two buildings for the NJROTC program at MAST were officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony May 15, with Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone leading commissioners and County Vocational Board of Education members in cutting the ribbon and praising the expansion of space for the NJROTC program.

Arnone traced the history of the former army mess hall dating back to its construction in 1905 and praised Commissioner Lillian Burry for her work and leadership in having the construction completed on the first building, with hopes the larger building which will provide indoor space for NJROTC drills and practices as well as bathroom facilities where none has existed before.

The building officially opened this month is large enough to provide storage for the estimated $1 million in US government equipment, including three uniforms for each of the approximate 300 cadets in MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology.

MAST is one of few schools across the nation where all members of student population are also members of the NJROTC and are required to pass all the Navy programs to earn a MAST diploma.

Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman, USN (ret) the senior instructor for the Naval Science Program at MAST, also spoke during the ceremony, expressing the gratitude of Senior Chief Michael Vaccarella, Chief Wil Fetherman and the cadets of MAST NJROTC “for the opportunity to publicly thank the Monmouth County Commissioners for earmarking the funds for the restoration of building 56 and hopefully soon, the renovation of building 23.”

Smith-Yeoman also thanked “the Monmouth County taxpayers for paying those taxes so that money was available.”

She said she reserved her most praise for Commissioner Burry, who because of recent hospitalization was not able to be present for the opening of the first of two buildings he has worked for years to make possible. A frequent visitor to the campus

Burry has been present for all graduations and NJROTC events through the years.

In speaking of the Commissioner, Commander Smith-Yeoman said none of the construction advancements would be possible without her indefatigable support of the program.

Commander Smith-Yeoman said, “It was the perfect juxtaposition of many of Commissioner Burry’s passions that led us to this spot today – – her love of MAST NJROTC, her love of the military (particularly as the wife of a retired Coast Guardsman), her love of Fort Hancock, and her love of history.” Because of those passions, the officer said, “She had the idea of taking these historical yet broken down buildings and bringing them back to life, mixing the history of yesterday with the future of tomorrow in the NJROTC program. She knew that we have been tight on space for many years, and she had the foresight to bring this project to life.”

The senior instructor noted the building now allows the NJROTC staff to expand from the two trailers the school district has rented for years, giving the Naval staff the ability to hang inventory in a more orderly fashion, allow for better ease of uniform issue and more precise accountability of the nearly one million dollars’ worth of items.

Commander Smith-Yeoman thanked Director Arnone for the tireless support of himself and all the commissioners of MCVSD in general and MAST specifically. She also thanked Gateway National Recreation Area Superintendent Jen Nersesian and Pete McCarthy, “who has been here with us on a daily basis going through everything right alongside of us, for working so hard to get this partnership approved, and thank you to everyone who has made this possible.”

Also speaking during the ceremony were Principal Earl Moore, Charles Ford, Jr., Superintendent, and Dr. Brian McAndrew, president of the county Board of Education.

A reception in the building followed courtesy of the MAST Parent Teach Student Association.

The MAST color guard presented colors for the program, and the Battalion Chorus sang the National Anthem.

All photos by Cadet Samantha Vo

Regionalization: Resolutions Sent

By

Muriel J. Smith

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May 24, 2023

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Atlantic Highlands Borough Administrator Robert Ferragina confirmed that the three resolutions unanimously adopted by the three boroughs of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright requesting authority from the state Commissioner of Education to put the question of a Pre K- 12 regional school district on the ballot for voters to decide has been forwarded to the Executive County Superintendent on behalf of the towns, the apparent routine method for getting the Commissioner’s approval of the resolutions.

Although each of the resolutions was adopted unanimously by each of the governing bodies, neither Councilman James Murphy nor Jon Crowley cast ballots in their borough.

Murphy, who is expected to announce this week he is running for Mayor in November, has consistently recused himself from any discussion on regionalization, citing the fact his wife is president of the Atlantic Highlands Board of Education and that represents at the very least the appearance of a conflict of interests.

Crowley, who is a candidate for re-election to the governing body, has been outspoken on the process and has raised several questions on regionalization at various meetings. However, at last week’s meeting he abstained from voting without giving any reason. Contacted by VeniVidiScripto, Crowley said that while he “supports regionalization, he doesn’t agree with the current resolution and will comment in the coming days.” The councilman did not expand on why he does not agree with the resolution which has been discussed for several months.

In Highlands, Mayor Carolyn Broullon and all members of the governing body present at the joint meeting approved the resolution. Councilman Leo Cervantes was absent and therefore could not vote; however, in the past he has indicated his approval of regionalization and the Highlands’ council resolution calling for an election for voters to make the final decision.

In Sea Bright, all council members and Mayor Brian Kelly were present for the meeting an unanimously approved the resolution.

Speaking for the governing body, Councilman Erwin Bieber, who has been studying and urging action on a regionalization possibility since the question first became a subject for discussion, said ““We are very pleased that Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Sea Bright have come together to request approval to put the option of Regionalization on the ballot allowing our residents to decide. This PK-12 Regionalization will offer high quality education for our students at much more equitable costs for our taxpayers.”

Mayor Kelly and council members Jefferey Booker, Samuel Catalano, Heather Gorman, William Keeler and John Lamia, Jr., all indicated their agreement.

Also outspoken in her support of putting the regionalization question before the voters, Atlantic Highlands Resident Ellen O’Dwyer, who is seeking a seat on borough council in the November election said, “I am encouraged by the non-partisan progress that all three of our boroughs have made by their unanimous vote to move Regionalization to the ballot for vote by our citizens in the general election in November.

About 10 months ago, the three towns were just short of completing a petition to the Commissioner of Education for a 3-town K-12 Regionalization with a pending funding formula to be submitted “forthwith”. Unfortunately, and for varying reasons, we got off course, and forward momentum ceased. In a January special meeting, the Tri-District Boards of Education voted to move forward with a 2-town petition netting only $400K in shared savings for Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, rather than the strongly recommended 3-town petition which would result in savings of two million dollars per year.

In several public meetings since January, I have shared my personal experience with school regionalization in my former town of Colts Neck, acknowledging the lengthy process and work involved, but the many benefits that came of it, and continue to come of it in terms of efficiencies and a better education and school experience for the students.

Members of the public joined me in urging the mayor and council of Atlantic Highlands to work with Sea Bright and Highlands to finalize the funding formula to complete the original petition as promised, and without further delay. The Commissioner needs to review and approve the joint petition before an August deadline to submit the referendum for the November general election.

Both expert reports (Porzio and Kean) and the financial expert’s research involving blinded analysis and comparison to analogs all resulted in the same recommendations that are now listed in the Resolutions. It is my sincere opinion that we are bringing a solid solution to the people.

While Regionalization may seem daunting, and rightfully so based on our work ahead, I am very positive the councils’ recommendations place us on solid footing and support the momentum needed to move this to a referendum for adoption by our citizens. We must let the people of Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Sea Bright vote on this pivotal decision for the future of our education system and our children.” she said.

Azzolina and the Battleship USS New Jersey

By

Muriel J. Smith

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May 24, 2023

1

It was an opportunity for two proud sons to see their dad memorialized on the Battleship New Jersey, BB62. Brothers Greg and Joe Azzolina, sons of former State Senator Joseph Azzolina, Sr., and the former Naval Captain who was so instrumental in his unwavering fight to bring the decommissioned highly decorated battleship New Jersey back to her home state to become a historic museum, were present May 23 for the 80th anniversary of the commissioning of the battleship, now a museum on the Camden waterfront.

While touring the ship, Joe, Jr., a member of the Board of Trustees of the Battleship USS New Jersey, pointed out the plaque in the ship’s Officer’s Wardroom area that memorializes trustees who have passed away. Captain Azzolina was the founding president of the State Commission in 1980, and was also aboard the ship in Panama as she prepared to go through the Panama Canal enroute from Washington State to her final resting place on the Delaware River in her home state. The naval officer also served as assistant to the commanding officer of BB62 during Beirut. He died April 15, 2010.

The occasion for the visit by the brothers and VeniVidiScripto, in addition to the celebration of the 80 years since Battleship New Jersey was commissioned and became the most decorated ship in the history of the United States Navy, was to add another 22 flags to honor 22 more American heroes with special recognition aboard the ship. Among those added this year were two Congressional Medal of Honor recipients already featured in VeniVidiScripto, Jedh Barker of Essex County, and Charles J. Watters, a Catholic priest and chaplain from Hudson County, both honored for their service during the Vietnam War.

VeniVidiScripto will feature several stories in the next weeks on the Battleship, Senator. Azzolina’s service, his family’s continued support of the Battleship Museum, the 22 heroes named to the ship’s honor index this year, and the moving ceremonies that featured speakers from every decade since the ship was first commissioned May 3, 1943.

Gopal v. Golden?

By

Muriel J. Smith

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May 23, 2023

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State Senator Vin Gopal is being congratulated and commended for introducing a bill he has indicated for some time that, if approved, won’t let elected officials also be their political party’s chairman. The bill, if approved, would force Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden to either resign his position as the elected Monmouth County Sheriff or step down as the Monmouth County Republic Party Chairman.

Republicans see this as a politically motivated issue … and well it may be. But it does not seem right that people who depend on party support for backing to get to their position should then be the chair of the very party that got them into office, or in the position to have political influence over the people who pay his salary.

Sheriff Golden, County Clerk Christine Hanlon, and County Surrogate Maureen Raisch are all in elected positions Gopal’s bill would prohibit from holding county political positions as well. Each is elected to the office with the backing, support and funding from the Republican party to win their election. So, for them, like Golden, be the chair of the party that got her into office certainly seems like a recipe for intrigue and influence, or at least the appearance of influence that party officials have on elections.

Introduction of the bill was approved by the judiciary committees of both the Assembly and the Senate after Gopal introduced it as the prime sponsor. It now awaits the vote of both chambers.

If the bill passes, and if Governor Phil Murphy signs it this month, Golden would have to step down as GOP chairman before the November election.

Gopal said he introduced the bill because of the undue influence he feels party leaders could exert on elections, or by intimating public servants to gain advantage in future elections. “We don’t allow judges to be political bosses. We don’t allow prosecutors to be political bosses. We’ve got thousands of Hatch Act jobs, federal jobs, where you can’t even be involved in politics, so this is simple,” the Senator said.

Opponents to the bill say Gopal introduced the bill specifically to target Sheriff Gulden. The Sheriff is the only constitutional officer in the state who both holds the office and chairs the county political party. Gopal is expected to run for reelection in November in the 11^th district, which covers many municipalities in Monmouth County.

Both Republicans, the Sheriffs Association of New Jersey and Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey oppose Gopal’s bill, saying it is unreasonable and unconstitutional.

Senator Gopal is a Democrat and widely believed to be a leading candidate in his district and a potential candidate for higher office in the future.

Applause

By

Muriel J. Smith

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May 23, 2023

0

An audience that interrupted the speakers with applause no fewer than eight times packed St. Agnes Church Sunday afternoon to hear a conversation focusing on the Dobbs Decision by national leading attorneys on the matter. Professor Robert George of Princeton University and Harold Cassidy of Ocean Township, the certified civil trial attorney in practice for 47 years known for litigation in numerous precedent-setting cases.

Introduced by the pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, the crowd came not only from this parish but from throughout New Jersey to hear the experts in the church as well as the estimated 770,000 streamed live throughout the United States.

In introducing Professor George, Attorney Cassidy, who is originally from Atlantic Highlands, traced George’s decades of expertise, including with Mother Theresa when he drafted statements when she presented before the Supreme Court urging the court to consider when life begins in the Roe vs. Wade case of abortion. In that statement written by George, Mother Theresa, an Albanian by birth living in Calcutta, India, quoted from the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal…”

George told the audience of his upbringing when he and his four brothers were taught about the importance of every life by their parents, and he saw his own mother volunteering for mothers in need.

George said it has been 49 years, five months and two days between Roe V. Wade and the first step in changing abortion statues in the United States and concluded at the end of the afternoon that even if it takes that long from then on to accomplish the change which would make abortion illegal throughout the country it can be accomplished if all work towards that goal.

In a 90-minute session with Cassidy primarily asking questions and citing areas where George has been recognized as an expert, George makes it clear his opinion that the Rove v Wade decision that legalized Abortion was based on fraud, citing proof of lies in the court procedures and the need to restore integrity in the court processing. He cited the case as based on assumptions with no findings of fact.

George also cites the 14^th amendment as a basis for condemning abortion, noting the amendment prohibits any state from making or enforcing any law that abridging the privileges or immunities of citizens, or decreases any person of life, liberty or property.

Cassidy cited the national scandal where women were not told of all of the ramifications of abortion, were forced into having them or suffered serious effects after unwanted abortions.

Both attorneys made it clear that lawyers, scientists, and the medical world and so many more really do “know when live begins “and it is at the moment that the two individual cells of a man and women mesh and become one single living new cell that had never been alive before.

While last-minute audio problems delayed the start of the program for a few minutes, and a video scheduled to be part of the presentation had to be discontinued, a substitution was made to enable the discussions to be heard throughout the church.

At the end of the discussion, and after a thunderous applause and a standing ovation for both speakers, organist Courtney Grogan ended the program with two hymns, and the group retired to the church’s lower level for refreshments and more personal meetings with both Cassidy and George.

Board of Education Meeting Followup

By

Muriel J. Smith

-

May 23, 2023

0

To the readers of VeniVidiScripto who are waiting to read this morning’s article on last night’s meeting of the Highlands Board of Education, I have sad news. Board members present, together with school business administrator/secretary Christopher Mullins, told Highlands Councilwoman Joann Olszewski and me, the only two people present, that the executive session called for 8 p.m. was not about the superintendent’s evaluation.

I had my information wrong, Mr. Mullins told me when I challenged his statement. I saw it in writing that this was the purpose of tonight’s meeting, I explained. Not so, the business administrator responded. It was simply a meeting to discuss a replacement for another employee in his office, he said.

But I saw the notice of the meeting, I continued. No, he insisted, the reason for the meeting is to discuss a replacement for someone in my office.

This is the Special Meeting as advertised on the tri-district page of the Henry Hudson Regional Tri-District page.

HIGHLANDS BOARD OF EDUCATION

SPECIAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Highlands Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. in the All Purpose Room of the Highlands Elementary School, 360 Navesink Avenue, Highlands NJ. The purpose of the meeting is the Superintendent’s evaluation. Action maybe taken by the Board of Education at the Special meeting.

None of the five board members present offered any further information, further explanation or any reason why this notice was on the Henry Hudson Regional Tri-
District website. Pleasant, courteous, and friendly, they reiterated the purpose of
the meeting was not as this notice on the official website said.

The councilwoman and I both left the meeting since they were going into executive session. Rather than wait the anticipated hour board members and the administrator indicated the meeting would take before action would be taking place, we felt assured that Mr. Mullins would respond to my e-mail “tonight,” as he generously offered, informing me of the action taken at the meeting.

As of 7 a.m. this morning, I have not had a response.

That isn’t the only strange thing that happened at a board meeting of one of the
Tri District meetings. The minutes for the April meeting of the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education has a single line about the resignation of member Rosemary Ryan.

As the fifth item in his five item report, president Michael Gannon reported Rosemary Ryan resigned today from the Board of Education. We wish her well in her future endeavors.

Ryan, who has served both on the Highlands Borough council and on the regional board in the past, was recently elected to another term on the Board of Education as a Highlands representative.

The minutes of that meeting do not show any letter of resignation, any action that ousted her, or any reason for her resignation. The only other reference to the board member, who was not present at this meeting, came towards the end of the meeting in the board of education comments. Minutes show that Dr. Beams will post the need for another board member to replace Ryan on the board.

Veni Vidi Scripto

Veni Vidi Scripto

Veni Vidi Scripto

Veni Vidi Scripto

Shut Up!

Doesn’t She?

Mr. Fisher

Can You Repeat That?

Shut Up! Sit Down!

Disappointment

Let the Public be Damned

Superintendent’s Evaluation

That isn’t the way it worked.

The Open Public Meetings Act

The Board

Current Salary

New School District

Length of Contract

New Board

Complaints

One Year Contract

Raise Your Voice

Sweet, glazed carrots

Cider Glazed Carrots with Walnuts

Honey Glazed Carrots

Directions

HIGHLANDS BOARD OF EDUCATION

SPECIAL MEETING

Veni Vidi Scripto

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