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Regionalization: The Beams Letter

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Beams Letter

 

Residents and attendees on ZOOM got to see and hear both an alleged lie by the Superintendent of the tri-district schools wrote to the Commissioner of Education as well as apparent lies from their own governing body when they indicated they never saw the letter in which Dr. Tara Beams  inferred that she represented not only them, but the mayors and councils of Highlands and Sea Bright before the state education commissioner.

In a meeting made even more dramatic when it had to be halted for a brief medical emergency, and a firm exchange of information between Sea Bright Councilman Erwin Bieber and this borough’s councilman Jon Crowley, residents also learned that in spite of the borough attorney’s declaration at previous meetings, the public does have the right to ask questions  during public portions of the meeting.

In response to a question from a resident as to whether the governing body gave Beams authority to represent it in the ongoing discussions and actions on the question of school regionalization, Mayor Loretta Gluckstein said  she had not seen the letter and no other member of the governing body admitted they had.

It was only after resident Mark Fisher said during the public portion, he had e-mailed each of them, as well as the borough clerk and administrator, the March 17 letter Beams sent to state Education Commissioner Allen-McMillan that the public learned their elected officials were either lying or did not read e-mails directed to their official e-mail addresses in spite of being at Borough Hall for several hours before the meeting.

After repeated questions, Council Member Jon Crowley eventually admitted that he did in fact receive the Beams letter.

Nor did council take any action on a request from another resident that the elected officials take immediate action with at least some sort of censure of the schools chief for lying to the commissioner when she sent a petition to the state Commissioner “submitted with full collaboration by the Boards of Education of Henry Hudson Regional School District, Atlantic Highlands School District, Highlands Borough School District and the Boroughs of Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Sea Bright.

Mayor Gluckstein said after the meeting that council members all had to be at borough hall from 4 p.m. the afternoon of the meeting to go over borough business and she had not had time to look at any e-mails addressed to her in her borough file. She did not say whether  the clerk or the administrator had advised the elected officials they too received the letter.

Earlier in the day, Highlands Mayor Carolyn Beams confirmed she had received the letter Beams wrote to the state  almost immediately after their attorney in the regionalization matter had received it from the state commissioner. Sea Bright Councilman Bieber confirmed at the meeting that Sea Bright’s officials had also received the letter the Atlantic Highlands council members denied knowing about and that the letter had been sent to all three boroughs.

Although Gluckstein refused to accept a copy of the letter during the meeting, she did say she would like a copy, which she received from a resident after the meeting.  This was a bit strange.  When another resident was speaking on another subject … not only did the new Borough Attorney want a copy of a document he was speaking from … she actually asked for the document.

VeniVidiScripto will also have separate and more complete stories on Councilman Bieber’s comprehensive and thorough comments to the governing body as well as the reversed opinion of the attorney that conceding the public does have the right to ask questions at a meeting

Beams letter

OPEN Public Meetings Act?

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Open

Don’t know if there is a connection or not, but shortly after Mark Fisher posted a long involved message on his well-read and very popular page, the agenda for tonight’s council meeting was amended to include another item , a discussion on OPMA, which is the Open Public Meetings Act.

Here’s the irony of the amended agenda item: discussion of the OPEN public meetings act will be in executive or CLOSED, session!

That’s all well and good, because it is within the law. But it does seem kind of silly that talking about being OPEN has to be done in EXECUTIVE or CLOSED session.

The state law is specific on what can be talked about in executive or closed sessions.  It’s ok if the matter being discussed is one  “in which the public body is or may become a party” or “matters falling within the attorney-client privilege,” or “if confidentiality is required in order for the attorney to exercise his ethical duties as a lawyer.”

That last part sounds a bit ironic as well. Does that mean that an attorney can only exercise his ethical duties as a lawyer” if it is kept confidential?

In the final analysis, it does make you wonder … Is the new Borough Attorney going to enter into the Executive Session to defend this new Orwellian rule of “Ask No Questions”

 

Regionalization: Parents

By
Muriel J. Smith
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1
Parents

It seems there are several parents, particularly those with children in the Atlantic Highlands elementary and Henry Hudson schools, that are terribly disturbed about what’s being taught or not taught to their children.

But parents are afraid to talk out! Parents … adults with jobs, mortgages, housekeeping, and many other issues and concerns are afraid to speak out in defense of their children’s education.

Perhaps the reason is retaliation, perhaps it’s a ‘social’ thing because they  do not want to be tagged as complainers. Perhaps it’s because they differ with their friends and don’t want to lose a friendship over it. Perhaps it’s just a case of “what good will it do? They won’t listen to me anyway.”

There is one parent, however, who is not afraid to speak, to go public, to have her name in VeniVidiScripto which circulates all over the world.  She’s not afraid of losing a friendship, being mocked, criticized, or thought poorly of.

Kris Frazier is scared to death of how her kids are going to grow up, proceed to college or elsewhere and make highly successful citizens in their adult lives because of inferior education.

She’s scared because she sees things being done wrong, she sees things she doesn’t like, she sees things for her younger kids so different from when her older kids were in elementary school. And she already sees results she doesn’t like.

So, as a deeply concerned parent, Kris Frazier is speaking out, publicly no matter what it costs herself. She’s a devoted mother who simply wants the best for her kids.

Kris, as other parents have also indicated, had a lot of concerns about the change in the educational system since Dr. Tara Beams became the superintendent of the Tri-District, which also includes the Highlands elementary school.

She wrote a letter to the Atlantic Highlands  Board of Education, where the majority of her concerns are focused, with copies to each one of the 26 members of all the boards.  She got two responses, one each from members of two different boards.

But since the responses were from board members, all they could say was they received her letter, or they would bring it up at a meeting.

Absent any official answer or acknowledgement her letter was received, Kris decided to write Dr. Beams herself, even though that’s about whom she was complaining.

In her early morning letter, Kris wrote the superintendent that she was “concerned that the students in the 4-6th grades will be unprepared to test into a higher level math in middle school.”  She pointed out the accelerated math class has been discontinued and the children are not receiving any individualized math instruction. She pointed out that the students “could be learning at a faster pace but are not.”

Then the concerned parent asked why the change? Why is the teacher who is familiar with and trained in the range of past math curriculum not teaching all the 5th and 6th grade students’ math? And the more fearful questions, “How are you setting these students up to be eligible ..for the more challenging classes at Henry Hudson?”

Dr Beams is far quicker and far more responsive than the Board of Education. She answered Kris minutes later with a highly detailed e-mail.

She was passing the letter on to another educator who would follow up with the mother on her child’s progress and classroom instruction, she wrote. She recommended Kris reach out to the teachers to discuss how they are “differentiating instruction to meet students’ needs, and gave her the contact she should make if the needs are not being met.

Dr. Beams followed that advice with several paragraphs on the Challenge program phased out before she got here two years ago and said the 6th grade students “were the final cohort to complete the program.”   Since she wasn’t in the decision making process she could not address that, she said, .’”However, tracking just one academic group in elementary school causes significant inequities”

The superintendent then explained the truth of the challenge program contrary to what was being circulated…she did not say where or how it was being circulated, and why it has not been corrected….. then went on to explain the necessary certifications for teaching with few exceptions, she said the teachers “are providing instruction in the appropriate areas.”

There was another paragraph explaining all the certifications the staff has, the training and personal development they have, and the “differentiated instruction they should be providing based on their performance levels and need. “ As a final reminder to Kris, Dr. Beams told her the contact who could “review student performance data and look into instruction in the classroom.”

That’s a lot of explanations in general but little independent attention paid to Kris’ concerns early in the morning. And no answer to her questions in the first place.

But that was not the end of the letter. Dr. Beams wanted to address this parents concerns about Henry Hudson, which she did, talking about departmentalization being implemented, slowly dismantled, causing significant gaps in staff schedules and a few other problems for staff. Before saying “We are confident that are staff are adequately preparing our students for HHRS and the pre-algebra or accelerated ELA options that are now offered.”
Dr. Beams expressed hope she had answered the questions, assured Kris she would speak with the educator and invited a meeting she would be happy to set up when the youngster begins in the new school. With the new program.

Unhappy, dissatisfied with the response, and continuing to be frustrated, Kris decided to once again try a letter to the Board of Education.

That’s when she learned there’s a new policy in place.

From what this parent knows, though it does not appear to have happened by any vote at any board meeting, the new procedure said letters of concern should first be addressed to the principal, then the superintendent, and only then to the elected officials.  That, Kris thinks, gives the superintendent the opportunity to intervene before any complaints actually reach the board.   She wonders if that is appropriate, especially since the board is in the process of deciding whether they want to renew Dr. Beams’ contract, and would they do it for five years rather than the current three?

All of which preceded the letter Kris planned for the Board this week. But with the new directive apparently in place, she’s following the rules and sending it to the principal first.

Any parents with concerns should follow the example of Kris … voice your concerns

 

Students & War

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Students
Reading the news of the fights, drunken brawls and injuries during Spring Break among local college students today, it made me think of the teenagers in the Bayshore who lived through and very close to a war. Here are  a few recollections from Middletown High School students a month after the war ended in Europe.
   In 1945, four graduating students from Middletown High School each wrote about the military and the impact it had on everyone in the Bayshore. and had to read their essays at their graduation exercises.  Dick Wacker spoke of the soldiers and sailors they knew who were in service. Virginia Trotter described the home-front efforts Middletown offered as part of the war effort. John Nelson highlighted the parts played by “the project which is peculiarly our own…the Navy and army ammunition-loading pier at Leonardo.” He also highlighted the ramifications of the base at Earle, with its headquarters 12 to 15 miles southwest of Leonardo.
That all preceded Nancy R. Meeker writing and speaking about Earle’s pier in Leonardo. In presenting her talk, the very articulate graduate reminded her audience that “this project is peculiarly our own. How else could I speak of it, when the pier, the very lifeblood of the project, starts within a mile of this auditorium where we are?”
Nancy went on to explain how the spot in little known Leonardo was selected by the military, from its proximity to New York to the navigable bay and the railway and highway transportation already in the area.
She spoke of the ten thousand acres of scrub pine land “such a common sight to those of us who live in central Monmouth County,” and how ground was broken in October of 1943 and seven months later, military were moved into the administration building and Earle began to function.
She described the ammunition magazines “resembling igloos” and placed “several hundred feet apart for safety in case an explosion should occur.”
The student spoke of the army railroad spurs, barricaded by concrete abutments explaining that should there be an explosion,  “these reinforced barricades would send the force of any explosion straight up into the air and probably prevent it from spreading to other spurs.”
  The graduate described the pier in Leonardo, the city in Colts Neck where Navy and Army families were living on that portion of the base on streets named for the battles our military had fought….Saipan, Lungo, Tulagi, Oran, Munda, Coral, Wake, Midway and more..
She described the joint enterprise of all branches of the military serving as “a constant example of the cooperation and teamwork needed in winning a war. She spoke of personnel..Army and Navy staffs, colored and white , ordnance men and Marines, civilian employees, and overseas veterans working here while undergoing rehabilitation.
She praised Capt. Gilbert C. Hoover, the CO and his aide, Lt. H.D. Leuin, told the range of work the Earle team does and what they accomplished from the Normandy landings through V.E.Day.
Then student then asked,” What part will Earle now play since V.E Day is an accomplished fact?” And she answered her own question. “We can be certain that it will continue its operations full speed for the duration of the war with Japan…It will also continue, in the years of peace which will follow victory over Japan, to be a storage and loading center for ammunition for both the Navy and the army.  It is a permanent project” She added that “we citizens of Middletown Township have played a definite part in the success of Earle, one that has not been without cost.  “The leisurely calm of a summer resort has been replaced by the feverish activity of a wartime ammunition pier that has helped and is helping to win the war. We are content’
After thanking the Board of Education, the principal Mr. Megill and the entire staff for advice and training, this teenager concluded with “We are glad to have the knowledge which we have gained, but we are thankful for the memory of these four happy years, a memory which will remain after many of thr facts we have learned are forgotten.
Then this teenage who came through four years of a nation at war said “the last word is the best, but tonight I do not enjoy saying it, for the last word, from the class of 1945, is farewell!”
Read the Story about the man whom the Base is named after Here

Wildlife Habitat Community

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Wildlife Habitat Community

Now that I have my Certified Wildlife Habitat designation and certificate, there are only a dozen more residents of Atlantic Highlands who need to apply to be wildlife habitat certified before the entire borough can be declared a Wildlife Habitat Community.

While my certificate for  “Muriel’s Garden on the Deck” shows that even a small space that offers food, water, protection , cover and a place to raise young can be certified,  still a dozen more residents are needed to officially make Atlantic highlands as a whole a Wildlife Habitat Community.

That’s why Marilyn Scherfern, who is always looking out for betterment for the town she loves, is asking for nature loving residents to send their $20 and registration to the National Wildlife Federation before Earth Day on April 22 for an extra reason to celebrate the concern this borough shows for protecting the environment.

The former librarian and always active environmentalist and active citizen explained that with 100 habitat points, or members, the borough becomes a certified Wildlife Habitat Community , an honor shared by other active  environmentally concerned communities throughout the nation.

At a meeting of the  Borough Council, Scherfern, appearing via ZOOM, urged residents to join the many others in the borough who have enjoyed and appreciate birds and other wildlife and work towards keeping them  alive, well and continuing to be a source of beauty and recreational activity for residents.

It’s easy for homeowners in this area to provide a  habitat site for birds and other wildlife. It can be done in a yard, on a balcony, in a container garden, workplace landscape, or any public or private outdoor space.

All it takes is providing the four things birds need: Food, water, a places to raise young and some sustainable practices.  It doesn’t even have to be a birdbath or birdhouse, a simple daily cleaned and re-filed pan of water, bushes in the yard that provide safety and birdseed or natural plants or flowers that birds thrive on  in the vicinity qualifies.

The $20 application fee supports the National Wildlife Federation’s programs that help the environment in numerous ways, from being a loud and forceful voice in addressing issues of declining habitat for wildlife to supporting programs that inspire others to make a difference.

“Every little garden is a big step towards replenishing resources for all kinds of wildlife,” Scherfern explained, “from bees and butterflies to birds, and even amphibians.” Pollinator-friendly plants and monarch butterfly friendly plants are great to add to any garden.

The $20 application offers more benefits than the official certificate you receive for the specific area that is the Habitat which can be named whatever you decide.    The application also includes membership in the Garden for Wildlife community, a one year membership in the National Wildlife Federation, a subscription to National Wildlife magazine, ten percent off Federation catalog merchandise, including feeders, nesting boxes and numerous other items, a subscription to the monthly Garden for Wildlife e-mail newsletter with gardening tips, wildlife stories and other resources, and an option to purchase a garden sign to place in your garden identifying it as a Habitat.

Earth Month begins April 1,” Scherfern said, “ and Earth Day, is April 22.  We are so close. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could celebrate this April with the new and cherished designation as a National Wildlife Community and show our town-wide support for Earth Month?” the nature enthusiast asked.

Further information and the application for the certificate are available at https://www.nwf.org/certify

For the Birds

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Birds

With the advent of day light savings time, it’s another sign that Spring cannot be far away. And that means it is also time to start planning outdoor spaces if it’s important to you to have birds around your home.

It’s also time to build a nesting shelf for birds to rest and have protection. Both barn swallows and tree swallows are comfortable in this area of Monmouth County, but both are seeing a decrease in numbers, along with terns.

So it might be fun to make it a family project and build a bird shelf from one of the  ideas below. Not only will birds love it, but you’re recycling as well.

For all who want birds to stay in the area, it’s important give them plenty of opportunities for water, be it a quick sip or a place to bathe.

Even a pan on the ground, washed and filled every day, will make do for some birds, and bird baths give them more opportunity to splash, sip and bathe.

If you have youngsters in the home, stop in the Library in Borough Hall for the rest of the month and pick up one of the Take & Make crafts, a fun project for youngsters to do at home, complete with directions and themed reading. The craft for the last half of the month is Spring Robin.

While at the library, pick up a copy of Audubon’s Plants for Birds, or visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology site for plants that thrive in this environment, are native to the area, and provide both food and shelter birds can enjoy. Audubon’s online program also gives tips on creating gardens especially designed to help birds thrive.

If you’re putting up a birdhouse, make sure it’s in a location that is both h attractive and secure for birds, rather than close to the house or family activity. Make sure the size of the hole in the house is the right size for the birds you want to attract, just to be sure the eggs and the y8oung aren’t destroyed by larger birds.

Put out food for the birds you want…..orioles like citrus fruit, hang it on a nail,  chickadees and many more love sunflower seeds, woodpeckers and wren love suet feeders., hummingbirds love sugar water on a 4-1 basin with water. Here it’s essential to wash the feeder once or twice a week and add new sugar water. Hummingbirds also love brightly colored tubular flowers, like phlox, salvia, and columbine as well as delphinium and fuchsia, and all birds love fruit trees, holly and oak.

Mourning doves, robins and cardinals will probably gravitate towards a nesting shelf instead of the more closed in boxes or bird houses.

This is what you need:

Old bucket

Hammer and nails

Spray paint

Paint the exterior of the old bucket but leave the interior alone.

Prepare to hang. If you’re screwing it into a tree, drill a hole in the center of the bottom of the bucket. If you’re attaching it in a different way, be sure it’s ready for hanging before doing anything else.  Decorate the exterior it you want it to look attractive with more than birds .

That’s all there is to it.  Don’t have an old bucket? Try an old mailbox, or an old porch light. Be creative, the birds will love it.

MOH: Benfold

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0

Edward Clyde Benfold was only 21 years old when he was killed as a US Naval corpsman serving with the First Marine Division in the Korean War. It was his heroic  actions there that made him the posthumous recipient of the Medal of  Honor.

The Staten Island native, born Jan. 15, 1931,  the son of  Edward and Glenys Benfold,  grew up in his early years in Haddon Heights before the  family moved to Audubon, the New Jersey City of Heroes.

He graduated from Audubon High School in 1949, and enlisted in the Navy in nearby Philadelphia days after graduation.

Following recruit training at Great Lakes, he was selected for an “A” training school at the Naval Hospital Corps School and was promoted to hospital apprentice that same year. In April 1950, he as transferred to the Naval Hospital at Newport, R.I. where he completed the course and was  promoted to hospital man, third class.

He then had further training at the Field Medical Service School, Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, graduating with a designation of Medical Field Technician. He went on to study in a four month course in Neuropsychiatric Nursing Technique at the Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, graduating with the designation Neuropsychiatry Technician.

He then deployed for duty with the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPac).

Returning to the United States, the sailor served for a short time again at the Marine Barracks at Camp Pendleton  before returning to the Pacific area and rejoining Fleet Marine Force, Ground.  It wads in July 1952, when Benfold was assigned to the 1st Marine Division in Korea with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.

Benfold’s personal life was as active and moving as his Naval life. He was the son of Edward Benfold, a first engineer in the Merchant Marine during World War II. The senior Benfold was serving aboard the Castilla, a Honduran steamship built in Ireland in 1927. The ship was enroute to Jamaica with flour with it was struck by a torpedo from German U-Boat 107 during World War II. That was June 7, 1942, and the ship sunk so quickly it was not possible to lower lifeboats. The ship’s master and 20 crewmen went down with the ship and one other crewman died in the life raft. Thirty-five merchant seaman survived, but 24 were lost in that attack.

In June 1951, in the midst of his training and movement with the Navy, Benfold married Dorothy Groff and the couple had one child.

Benfold was killed in action Sept. 5, 1952, while saving the lives of two wounded Marines during the Battle of Bunker Hill, the ten day battle in western Korea.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

CITATION:

For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Hospital Corpsman, attached to a company in the First Marine Division during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on September 5, 1952. When his company was subjected to heavy artillery and mortar barrages, followed by a determined assault during the hours of darkness by an enemy force estimated at battalion strength, HC3c. BENFOLD resolutely moved from position to position in the face of intense hostile fire, treating the wounded and lending words of encouragement. Leaving the protection of his sheltered position to treat the wounded when the platoon area in which he was working was attacked from both the front and the rear, he moved forward to an exposed ridge line where he observed two Marines in a large crater. As he approached the two men to determine their condition, an enemy soldier threw two grenades into the crater while two other enemy charged the position. Picking up a grenade in each hand, HC3c. BENFOLD leaped out of the crater and hurled himself against the onrushing hostile soldiers, pushing the grenades against their chests and killing both the attackers. Mortally wounded while carrying out this heroic act, HC3c. BENFOLD, by his great personal valor and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, was directly responsible for saving the lives of his two comrades. His exceptional courage reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for others.

   The Medal of Honor was presented July 15, 1953 by Rear Adm John .JH. Brown, Jr., Commandant of the 4th Naval District. It was presented to the sailor’s infant son, Edward Joseph, his closest relatives since his wife had remarried.

Hospital Corpsman  Third Class Clyde Edward Benfold is buried at Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, NJ

The sailor also earned the Purple Heart for injuries suffered in battle, as well as the Navy Good Conduct and Navy Commendation medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with FMF Combat Operations Insignia and bronze campaign state, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

In addition to  the memorial and annual ceremonies at Audubon High School in which the entire borough participates, and honors the three Audubon residents who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the only small city in the United States with such an honor, Corpsman Benfold has also had  a ship, DDG 65 named in his honor. The guided missile destroyer was commissioned Nov. 9, 1994, and has as its motto,, Award with Valor. She is homeported at Yokosuka, Japan.

The Marine University Education Council at Quantico, Virginia whose purpose is to prepare leaders for military challenges and preserve the history of the Marine Corps, also remembers Benfold in their history and legacy at the Center.

The Benfold Center, Naval Branch Health Clinic (Building S-771), in Millington, Tennessee was also named in his honor.

USS Benfold
Nelson Vogel Brittin
Samuel Major Sampler

Contest

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Contest

A contest for fourth graders to design what they like about Monmouth County  is being offered with a deadline May 1 at 4:30 p.m. for entry.

The contest is sponsored by Monmouth County Constitutional Officers Surrogate Maureen T. Raisch, Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon and Sheriff Shaun Golden calling for fourth grad posters depicting “My County” .

“I am thrilled to announce the ‘My County’ poster contest for 2023,” said  Surrogate Raisch. “We invite all fourth graders to take part in this great contest to illustrate what they love about Monmouth County including our county government. I can’t wait to see the creativity of these posters!”

Since the majority of fourth graders study the State of New Jersey as part of their social studies curriculum, all school principals in Monmouth County are being asked to get fourth-grade students involved in creating posters that relate to Monmouth County.  The posters  should depict special and unique things about Monmouth County.

Rules for the contest:

  • Posters must be on a standard 22-inch by 28-inch poster board.
  • The words “Monmouth County” must appear at the top of the poster in 4-inch letters with black marker.
  • The student’s name, teacher’s name and school must be printed neatly in the lower right-hand corner of the back of the poster.

“As New Jersey’s fourth graders study New Jersey as part of their social studies curriculum, the ‘My County’ poster contest helps students gain an understanding of what County Government does each and every day,” said County Clerk  Hanlon. “The design and content are up to the students’ imaginations, and I am excited to see their creativity in depicting some of Monmouth County’s best features.”

“We look forward to the ‘My County’ poster contest every year since it’s a project where students dedicate valuable time and use innovative ideas to create posters about Monmouth County,” said Sheriff Golden. “It’s also a notable example of civic engagement, as it helps our students learn more about the great County we live in.”

Posters must be mailed or delivered to the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office at the Hall of Records, 1 East Main St., Freehold by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 1.  Invitations to participate in the contest have been sent to all County school principals.

Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third-place winners. Nine posters will also receive honorable mentions. Each of the twelve posters will be  displayed at the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.

The poster contest is sponsored statewide by the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey to commemorate County Government Month in April. All posters become the property of the Constitutional Officers Association and the County of Monmouth. Submission of a poster grants the Constitutional Officers Association permission to display a poster in public places.

For more information about the poster contest, go to www.visitmonmouth.com or contact the Surrogate’s Office at 732-431-7330, ext. 7331

 

Facebook Groups

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Facebook Groups

It’s hard to tell where the professionalism day where employees are paid by taxes ends and recreational time where things may be portrayed differently begins. Sometimes it’s even difficult to tell whether something is ‘official’ and represents the actions, functions and decisions of the officials and employees representing the taxpayers, or whether it’s just a similar sounding Facebook group name to make you think it’s official.

There’s one Facebook Group that sounds like it would include everything that happens in Monmouth County, talking about the great events offered here, as well as highlighting unusual photos or historic happenings that might not make history books but do bring smiles and happy memories to many residents. It’s a great sight, full of information, and fun to read.

So why would it decline a story about the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Highlands? Here’s a little town that has gone above and beyond with bringing in bands both locally, county wide, and even out of state, along with its own terrific Henry Hudson Regional School band, together with floats, dancers, military, cadets from MAST and so much more from in and around Monmouth County. Yet a story giving the time, location and some background on it was rejected as not good enough, I suppose. There was a photo of four young Naval officers all celebrating getting through their first school to be naval aviators. That was rejected.

Then there was another really nice story about the hardworking Atlantic Highlands Public Works employees, and praise for a councilman who not only knows how great they are, but rode that awful trip on the truck to the dump one day just so he can tell the town some of the inconveniences and pains the workers go through daily to be sure they are appreciated even more. But that, too, wasn’t good enough to be included as a story on one Facebook page.

Perhaps the administrators don’t like to see anything negative on their page and that could be the reason why so many stories on the delays and frustrations of the public aren’t included about school regionalization in the Bayshore.  Neither was a story on the cannabis applications going on in Highlands.

There are other stories I send that make it to most Facebook Groups. The story on the Guinness Run another Irish festivity was posted for a while. Then it was removed. Another one of those regionalization stories was up for a while before it, too, was removed. OK, so maybe a memory of a journalist remembering a personal meeting with  President Jimmy  Carter as he lay dying isn’t really a story of great interest to many. But it did get on one page for a while. Then, for no apparent reason, that was removed.

To its credit, there were many stories Facebook Groups included from this writer. There were stories on the Atlantic Highlands Employee of the month, well deserved, another on  Commissioner Lillian Burry, a fine lady, and another on other peoples’ memories of the late and great Jim Truncer who helped make Monmouth County so incredibly wonderful with all its parks. All stories that drew a lot of interest and many comments.

Then there are several Facebook Groups that I guess, once they see it’s a story I’ve written, they simply eliminate it all together. In fact, they ban me from the page! The ban a writer who has never written an offensive word, an untruth, scandalous story, or libel. Yet I am banned and nothing I write can make it to a page, be it one read by a dozen or so people or one read by hundreds.

So with the stories posted, the stories posted and removed, and the stories downright declined and tossed … what exactly makes the difference in deciding what goes on some Facebook groups.

I don’t know much about the design of these groups, nor how these decisions are made. But I know that  every page has administrators.

On several of Facebook groups, the administrators are elected officials, politicians, hangers-on trying to impress a powerful politician, or paid government employees at every level.

Which gets me back to my first statement…how does one know whether content on these Facebook groups are decided by politicians who just want to get a point across or down right nice folks who just want to spread the word about good things happening, events in the offing, or history of a great county and state?

There doesn’t seem to be any law against conflict of interest when it comes to Facebook.

In either case, I will never understand why any administrator, be he politician or plain old resident, would turn down a story about an American hero, a recipient of the highest award given to any military member, the Congressional Medal of Honor, a recipient who has had a school in Monmouth County named for him.

Accurate and complete as it is, I would hate to think  was declined for a Facebook group  simply because the administrators don’t like the writer

Wildlife Habitat

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
Habitat

Marilyn Scherfern doesn’t nag or push or become a nuisance when she wants you to do something. She simply explains why she has done it, what the benefits have been and her enthusiasm is enough to make you want to investigate further.  That is why the outdoor deck off my second floor apartment is now certified as a National Wildlife Habitat!

Not only that, but at my request, Marilyn even stopped at the house to be sure I met all the requirements and was doing it all right.

Not  that it’s difficult, it’s very easy. But she was impressed with the cardinals, mourning doves and sparrows I already have practically knocking on the door for the feed I put out.

Being in an apartment on the second floor, I wondered whether the location could qualify for the security measures necessary for the  wildlife habitat certification. Not to worry, she calmly explained, looking at the numerous fruit and other trees, flowers and native plants my landlord has in the yard.  The nesting and security places in the yards plants are all in close proximity, the birds don’t care whether it’s at your level or below and close by. They know how to fly!

The fact I encourage squirrels to visit the deck as well  as the dozens of birds who come daily is more proof it is a wildlife habitat, she said, though conceding the little mammals can be a nuisance to their winged friends. So it is necessary to be certain feeders are  difficult, if not impossible, for squirrels to reach.

Another plus for my habitat is the fact my landlord has a lush pond in the yard as well as a busy apiary which is a sign the spring flowers are plentiful and the honey is delicious

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