Mayor Veni Vidi Scripto is a blog that goes to more than a hundred and fifty countries, most of the continents and is read by hundreds of thousands of people a year. Some like recipes, some like the heart warming stories, others like the history or the travel stories.

Some soldiers and sailors read it simply because no matter where they are serving, it gives them a touch of home. Women especially like the stories on breast cancer and the little company in Israel who is now making headlines in the United States for its painless easy cure now available for some women.

Yet when it comes to stories about Highlands, there is no doubt a faction of people have their minds made up before even reading a story.

They want to say VeniVidiScripto supports one candidate over another.

They want to say VeniVidiScripto is too harsh on a particular school board member, or the mayor, or council members.

They simply don’t read stories, they conjure up their opinion of what is written, then go on nonsense Facebook pages where they do not identify themselves but freely criticize news. Simply because it isn’t news they like.

It happened this week where some unidentified blogger posted a story saying the news of all the new businesses in Highlands over the past five years was a press release that originated from the Mayor.

News Alert! It was not press release. And it was not originated by the Mayor.

It was plain and simple a news story. The mayor was questioned, of course, since she’s been the Mayor for the past five years. But she did not know the thrust of the story or why VeniVidiScripto was running it at all. She simply responded to the questions she was asked.

Let me tell you about Highlands. It is a town where, though the writer does not live there, her heart still remembers, and loves the joys of bringing up a family there, a close knit community where everyone cared for each other’s children.

In the mid 1950s, there were fewer than 3,500 residents, and names like Hartsgrove, Parker, Monahan, Higgins, Dominguez, Guiney, Black, Bahrs, Katz, O’Neil, Ptak, Dempsey; and more were families everybody knew.

It was a town where the police either brought home an errant youngster who had crawled out of bed and snuck out of his house to go early morning fishing or just checked on him to be sure he was ok.

It was a town where the kids would bring dog biscuits to the big St. Bernard who lived across the street from the catholic school. And it was a town that took high water in the street as a nuisance, and flood waters in the house as a bigger nuisance but something that would pass as the tide went out.

That’s the kind of Highlands VeniVidiScripto loved. Sure there were some empty stores, the business area didn’t look too terrific, the roads were in bad shape, the sewers were old and often clogged, and there were no life guards on the beaches in the summer.

Covid came and things changed. Families lost their homes, people whose families had been here for generations sold what was left of their homes and moved to less dangerous areas. Elderly people moved south or in with family.

But Covid also meant people could work from home. And it did not take long for New York couples to realize they could buy a three bedroom house here and pay the ferry or bus to get to New York the few days they had to get there, all for less than it was costing for that one bedroom apartment in a crowded area of New York.

Builders were the first to recognize it, and apartments cropped up. But businesses that were forced to shut down for lack of money or experience simply abandoned their properties and they fell into disheveled messes.

While the town had all the advantages of a spectacular view, historic sites and wonderful natives, it needed sprucing up for the new folks coming in.

That’s when stores that had been closed were scooped up by others, purchased, renovated and put to use. The governing body, itself shaken by Sandy and Covid, wasn’t up to speed in correcting decades old problems, right away. Things like an aging sewer system or unpaved or poorly maintained roads.

So yes, it did take a mayor and council who wanted to improve things, who wanted the borough to clean up, be better, and show its true face, a face of beauty, friendliness, and convenience. And in the past five years, Highlands had a Mayor, and a council, who took the necessary steps to bring its infrastructure up to a level that the newcomers would be eager to pay their taxes and appreciate everything about living here.

It apparently worked. The story is in the fact so many businesses did come into town, so many more adventurous property owners dared to take a risk, the town’s population as grown and word has been spreading Highlands is a great place to live.

And that, simply, is news.

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New businesses including both a Portuguese and Indian restaurant, a music café and a bagel shop that draws standing room only crowds on a routine day are only some of the new businesses that have opened in the Borough of Highlands since Carolyn Broullon became Mayor four years ago.

Add to that the opening of the new borough hall which had been on the agenda amid rising costs and changes  for years and construction of new apartments on a long empty lot on Bay Avenue have enlivened not only the entire community but the amount of visitors who come into the borough, visit their shops, try out new restaurants, and come back again to attend any of the numerous activities and events staged by the active Highlands Business Partnership.

“Sometimes, people just need a bit of encouragement to open their businesses in the borough, “ the Mayor said, when asked why some 20 establishments have opened their doors since she has been mayor. “Once they see the potential in the borough, the charm, beauty and history of Highlands, and the welcoming attitude of the residents, they want to stay.” As a businesswoman and property owner who fell in love with the borough when she first arrived, she added, “It doesn’t take anyone long to realize our location is excellent for businesses that cater to the needs of the people and that they are welcome here.”

Stores that were empty for decades, or since Hurricane Sandy have changed the appearance of a main street where for several years many businesses were closed and buildings left unkempt. Each of the new businesses or reopening older buildings and restoring formerly successful businesses not only make the business district more inviting, but also add considerably to the income from taxes without adding any costs for education in the regional school district.

It took Broullon most of her first year in office to conduct her own studies and listen to the residents on what they felt the borough needed most. She then decided on a variety of paths of both introducing new businesses to the borough and enticing older businesses to reopen after Sandy so could go about accomplishing that mission.

But by 2021, food establishments like Franny’s Pizza and the Sandbox at the Sea Streak ferry terminal in Waterwitch found success would follow their openings. Allegra Law took over an attorney’s practice on Route 36, and Wolf Claw Ceramics and Core 9 Catch Jujitsu both decided Highlands would be the perfect place to open their unique establishments.

Gert’s re-opened in 2021 after having been closed since Sandy and Gianna’s also opened that year. The following year Et al moved to the old Scuba on Shore and both U.N.Owens Music Cafe, and the Farmacie, opened by Rumson’s French Market also decided Highlands was the best place for their new businesses.

When the ever-popular Girl’s Café closed in 2024 when the Hartsgrove sisters decided to retire or take life a little easier, the Highlands Café with it homemade ice creams and other delicacies continued to fill the bill for breakfast and lunch. Bistro Iberia, Saltwater Social, which had also been empty since Sandy and construction of the Gipper Way Apartments got underway on the lot that had been empty for 40 years and the street behind it was created and named for Gipper O’Neil, a beloved longtime resident and father of a former mayor.

During the pasts year, it’s been busy and unique for Bay Avenue as the borough became one of the first in the Bayshore to open a cannabis business after the Honorable Plant met all the stiff specifications of both the state and the borough and opened in another building that had been closed since Sandy. The Honorable Plant was welcomed in the borough even before the additional money it brings in started , because of its added vivid exterior murals, in a shore related theme, cleanliness and ample parking for the shop run by one of the most respected leaders in the cannabis field.

Gems opened in the former Katz Confectionery, one family business following another, and was an immediate hit from early morning to mid-afternoon every day of the week. Most recently Not 2 Shabby opened its much needed and most unusual thrift shop where the Farmacie had been and Sea & Sand brought a highly reputable Indian restaurant to another site which had been vacant for 25 years.

“There’s no doubt about it,” Broullon said when asked about all the new businesses in town. “People know a good thing when they see it, business owners want to be profitable, but also be a part of a community, and all of these different business owners cold see the value of having their establishments in a borough that appreciates quality with a home-town feeling.”

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Always Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon can cite a number of ways in which she has helped Highlands residents and would continue to do on a daily basis if re-elected next month to another four year term as Mayor.

But to those residents who want an answer right away, want something researched, or simply want to feel important and know someone is listening to them, her response could be summed up in a single sentence: “ I am always here and ready to meet anyone at any time to hear what you have on your mind.”

VeniVidiScripto asked both Mayor Broullon and Rebecca Wells, a former councilwoman who is opposing the mayor in the mayoral election, a question on how an individual resident of the borough, not the borough as a whole, or a group of people, club or organization, would benefit the most if she were elected.

Wells opted not to respond to the question at all.

Broullon not only responded, but listed a series of ways the individual resident and taxpayer benefits by her leadership. In saying “I am always here and ready to meet” it is an indication of the open government, the transparent way she has served the municipality during here time not only as mayor but on the council previously as well.

When it comes to issues that face the entire town, Broullon does her research and discusses the matter with both professionals and elected officials. But then she calls for special meetings; she calls for the professionals to stand up before the residents, explain their plans and take questions from the public. She only takes action after hearing all the viewpoints, weighing all the information, then deciding the way the people indicated they wanted to be answered.

The retaining wall the Army Corps of Engineers wanted to build around the borough is only one example. Rather than to accept the expertise of the Army Corps, its offer of tens of thousands of dollars, and its ideas, Broullon turned to the public, called for an open meeting, and let the public be heard.

They were, and when it was all over, she listened. And the wall will not be built around Highlands, just as the Highlands residents asked.

When the question of regionalization with Sea right in the school district was the hot topic of conversation, rather than make a decision herself, the mayor called for a non-binding referendum, simply a vote to let her know what the people wanted. The result was their overwhelming support of Yes, including Sea Bright into the school district and accepting the millions of dollars they want to bring with their handful of students.

The mayor listened, but the town, and Sea Bright, have since been frustrated by expensive, never ending legal actions by two other towns who do not want to lose Sea Bright’s money. That matter is now before the New Jersey Supreme Court. With arguments heard last week, it appears hopeful the Highlands voters will finally get an answer. But regardless, the people of Highlands know they expressed their opinions and the mayor listened to what they wanted.

Perhaps one of the primary assets of having Broullon as mayor if individuality of each resident is an important criteria, is the Feed and Seed, the pet shop owned by Broullon and her spouse, Danika, and located in the heart of town at Miller Street and Bay Avenue.

The mayor is there on a daily basis when it’s open. (Closed Sundays and Mondays.)

While she is adept at assisting a pet owner with selecting the right kind of food for a dog, or helping a youngster pick out and unusual toy for his kitten, she is also there to greet ever resident who comes in with a question, a problem, or simply reassurance of some event or incident going on in town. At her computer in a second’s notice, she can research information or direct questions to the proper person for immediate assistance. And she gives answers.

You might not always like the answer, but you will have the most up-to-date information and will be able to recognize the transparency of her statements.

When questioned specifically on how the individual resident profits from her leadership, Broullon described herself as “a dedicated public servant who is always looking to best serve the taxpayers, from updating infrastructure to rebooting our public spaces.”

As to what’s in it for the individual taxpayers, she said “it is my proven record of winning more grants to fund these initiatives than any other administration.” As proof of her statement, Broullon added “Previous administrations proposed projects, but never got it done. Again, I’ve proven I get projects from brainstorming with Council to delivering results to the people of Highlands.”

In the end, the mayor agreed the single most explanatory response to the question, What is in it for me, Joe Resident, is simply “I am always here and ready to meet anyone at any time to hear what you have on your mind.”

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Always always always always always always

If you ever want to be in a place of kindness, thoughtfulness, innovation, great prices and a wonderful addition to Highlands, be sure to stop into its newest business, Not Too Shabby.

This very busy little shop, located on the corner of Miller St. and Bay Avenue, is run by the Kailla family, who always seem to be looking out for others before themselves.

The shop is jam packed full of clothes, toys, knick knacks, holiday decorations, jewelry and more, all at prices hard to believe. Many of the items are gently used and collected by the family; some are generous donations by others and are brand new.

But not only is N2S..a great logo…. offering clothes and gift items at great prices, but 10 per cent of their profits go to a local charity first.

The Kaillas have chosen the American Legion and VFW as their first quarter recipient in honor of Veterans day this month. They will have a different recipient for their kindness every four months, with the area food pantries the recipient of their second quarter recipient. The shop is assisting non profit agencies that help others throughout the Bayshore, which is the entire area from Highlands to Keyport.

Not Too Shabby, or N2S, opened Saturday without ceremony, simply opening its doors for the scores of people eager to try on jackets, coats, shoes and boots, or to pick up a toy for a gift or some fun decorations for Halloween.

The shop will be open every day except Sundays and Mondays . It’s worth a visit.

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shabby shabby shabby