The town is going to the dogs. In a good way! Because it’s going to the hamsters and fish and birds as well!
Not having a dog nor any household pets, I’ve never been in Feed & Seed, the corner store at Miller and Bay avenues in Highlands; I remember the store from more than half a century ago when it was a thriving and very neatly kept A&P store.
Through the years it had been many other things as well, until it fell into a time of disuse, had no use as a commercial business, was home for a local resident, and fell into even more disrepair, and in general an eyesore and useless bit of construction in the heart of the Highlands business district.
But about a five years ago, when Donica and Carolyn took over that corner they wanted renovations made and a piece of history kept. So armed with a postcard they produced it for their building contractor showing the building in its more popular days. Carolyn, who was also a councilwoman at the time and is now Mayor, told him she wanted the building to look like it did in the 1940s.
When she learned the art classes at Henry Hudson Regional had painted the huge sign identifying the site as The Great Atlantic & Pacific Company, she asked the school if she could have it. They agreed, figuring it would be seen more often and more prominently in the shop than if it were kept in the art classroom at Hudson. So that sign now holds a dominate location at the back of the store, visible from all over and recognizing the talent of those Hudson artistic students. And for any who ask, it’s a starting point for Carolyn to tell the whole story of why it’s there.
But it’s a pet store, so what could be the drawing card? Dog biscuits and canned cat food? Bird seed and fish food? You bet! And that’s just the top of the barrel.
Having time to spare, and wondering what exactly was inside that building, I took a few minutes, well, it turned out to be much longer, to see what kind of pet supplies are in the store.
Even without a pet, it’s a great place to spend a half hour or so.
Surprisingly, walking down the main aisle of the store, there are shelves filled with all kinds of things on both sides. But look again. There is so much stuff there that the shelves are not parallel with the center aisle. No indeed, there are numerous shelved cabinets, so many that they have mini aisles on their own perpendicular to the center aisle! And they’re all filled.
That’s what this pet supply store in all about.
Feed & Seed is, indeed, feed and seed for all kinds of pets from cats and dogs to gerbils, fish, hamsters, mice and more. But it’s even more than just feed and seed for all kinds of critters. It’s got a little, or a lot, of everything every pet owner may want, need, or think about either for their own pet or for a gift to a new pet owner.
There are all varieties of food, including a rather gourmet selection of canned goods for dogs and cats. The Fromm company, a family owned business that started in Wisconsin and is now home based in Illinois, retained a chemist in the 1940s to research and develop a process to create the first complete and balanced dry dog food with high scale scientific feeding treats for four legged friends. The store has shelves and shelves of pates including all kinds of vegetables, sweet potatoes blended pates and more. Amazing how many dogs like vegetables which are so good for them nutritiously.
There are separate sections for all the accoutrements for all kinds of animals, including all the tools and equipment needed to keep the animals clean, as well as the areas in which they live. There are all kinds of plushy and cushioned beds, carriers for vehicular travel, gadgets that help in grooming and games and toys galore. And it’s all organized! So if you’re searching for a new food for your pet gerbil you don’t have to sift through all the bird seed, or fish food…the merchandise on all those cabinets is separated by animal.
There are a couple of things that strike you at the front counter, among them a sign with prices and the message, “Smiles are free.” But my favorite is what for many is a religious observation of the season before Christmas, but is also a very popular method of introducing youngsters to the wonders of the season, the Advent Calendar. Feed & Seed offers a special Advent Calendar for Pets! This is a box of 24 little treats, designed to be given one each day beginning Dec. 1 to a well-behaved dog. The treats range from cheese or bacon candies to carrot cake and peanut butter. It’s up to the pet owner to decide what the canine has to do to earn his daily treat! A great pre-Christmas gift for your family’s pet or the dog next door.!.
The shop is open six days a week, closed on Mondays. Tuesdays through Friday, it’s open from 11 a.m. to 5 p. m and Saturdays and Sundays, you can stop in between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
And notice The Groom Room right next door on Bay Avenue….it’s a pet grooming business where the entire staff is trained in all different services specific with many different breeds. They have plenty of experience and are up to any grooming challenge to even pets with special needs are accommodated.
All Saints’ Memorial Church, also known as the Stone Church, is once again featuring Eric Wyrick, NJSO’s Concertmaster, Alisa Wyrick, violinist and violist with the NYC Opera Orchestra, Brett Deubner, violist with the NJSO, and Tomoko Fujita, cellist with the NY Chamber Music Co-op for this year’s Annual Candlelight Concert.
The event will be held Sunday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. at the historic Church for its 40th anniversary candlelight event and reception.
This performance highlights the refined musicianship of each individual, and collectively, an exuberance that has gained them rave reviews and national recognition.
The program for the November event includes String Quartet in E Minor Op. 44 No. 2 by Felix Mendelssohn and, String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 “American” by Antonin Dvorak.
Tickets are $45 per person and include the concert in the church sanctuary followed by a candlelight reception in the parish house. This will give attendees the opportunity to mix and mingle with the performers and fellow concert- goers.
To ensure of seating, make reservations early as seats are limited. Contact the Church by phone at 732-344-9081 or by website, www.allsaintsnavesink.org, News and Events page for inquiries or reservations.
All Saints’ Memorial Church, an example of English Gothic Revival architecture and National Historic Landmark since 1988, hosts a number of stellar musical and theatrical presentations annually. The Candlelight Concert at All Saints’ has become an autumnal classic offering a unique opportunity to enjoy superb chamber music in a warm and inviting setting. Guest ensembles rave about the sanctuary acoustics and attendees rave about the beauty of the space resplendently framed in candle glow. A lovely and lively reception follows in the parish house and offers a perfect venue for performers and attendees to mix and mingle.
Richard “Richie” Halsted of Atlantic Highlands passed away suddenly at his home on Tuesday October 4th. Born in Jersey City NJ on July 14, 1955, he moved to Atlantic Highlands in 1992. He went to trade school and became an electrician, plumber, air conditioner repairman, and so much more. Richie operated his own business Halsted’s Electrical and Maintenance strictly by word of mouth. He was an outgoing guy who loved to go on cruises with his Mom, sister and brother in law. He loved his two dogs, taking them on walks and visiting neighbors. He will be sorely missed. He is survived by his mother Catherine, sister Janice Halsted and brother in law Carl Muhlhauser. Funeral arrangements handled by Posten McGinley Funeral Home 59 E Lincoln Ave, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 will be Private.
“Just whisper my name in your heart and I will be there”
Richie Halsted has died, a shock to all of us.
I did not know Richie until I met him in response to his advertising an apartment for rent. It was on a quiet street, up 15 steps, and he and his mother lived downstairs. I loved the apartment right away, spacious, a wonderful fenced in back yard, and a mini forest beyond that to keep out the highway noise a block away. I knew several others who were looking to rent the same apartment, so I felt fortunate and happy when he told me I could sign the lease.
Nor did I get to see Richie very much; I suspect he kept friendship separate from business relationships. It didn’t matter. He was nice, he was fair, and he was always calm and pleasant.
I used to see him a few days a week, early in the morning while I was walking to church and he was walking his two dogs, Paige and Penny. They were happy dogs, and adored Richie, albeit a bit feisty at the ends of their leashes he held securely. He always stopped to chat a bit, tell me something new that was going on, and letting me spoil the dogs as much as I wanted to.
I had a minor problem with a window in my apartment. I mentioned it to Richie and he took no time at all to repair it himself. I didn’t know at the time what a wizard and technical guru he was with all kinds of electrical and plumbing things. But it was easy for me then to understand the outstanding reputation he had.
Stop in Jaspan’s Hardware Store and they’ll tell you about Richie, how he can create, repair or replace just about anything in a house or apartment. Talk to anyone in Highlands and they’ll tell you I’m not the only lucky one, Richie has apartments there as well which are a distinct asset to the residential and business area below the hill. See him with the neighbors, all of whom love talking to him, trading stories, talking about what jobs they’re in the middle of, how they can help one another. You know the neighbors love him when you see Gene come over to trim his trees, or Erica and Joe bringing over their dog to cavort with Richie’s two.
Observe how he treated his mom. There simply aren’t many sons like that. But Richie tended to her needs got, her to the physical therapist, put together runners for the steps so his mom had an easy and comfortable means of getting to the vehicle he had specifically for her comfort. When you meet his sister, who with her husband spends so much time making her mom even happier, and you see how both siblings learned kindness and gentleness, to say nothing of patience, from their mom. It was wonderful to hear the tales from their recent cruise together, the proud Mom with her son, her daughter and her son-in-law. Truly loving and caring family.
From the beginning of tomato season, Richie would leave plastic bags of freshly picked tomatoes, two varieties, at my door. And when the grapes grew on the vines around the freshwater pond, I’d find them attached to my doorknob as well. Among all his talents, Richie was also a great gardener. He taught me the benefits of bees, pointing out the apiary of a friend. Or explain the comforting noise I heard at night was from the toads in the pond.
His obituary tells a short version of who Richie Halsted was. But it doesn’t depict all the sadness of friends, the shock of his sudden death, the placid, composed and even imperturbable personality that was Richie.
He will be sorely missed by not only those who knew him well but all the rest of us who feel privileged to have known him even for a short time.
One of the things that made me happy early one morning this week was seeing the Atlantic Highlands Police Department at work. While they are always at work, and always taking great care of the residents and visitors to Atlantic Highlands, what I saw on my windshield when I went to my car early in the morning was one more proof that when the police are patrolling the town throughout the night, they’re not just driving; they’re getting out and checking things.
Seeing the ‘ticket size’ piece of cardboard under my windshield wiper, I immediately wondered what I did wrong that earned me a ticket.
The car was parked on the street in front of my apartment, legally, close enough to the curb, and not blocking anyone else’s driveway. What could it be for, I wondered as I took the cardboard out from beneath the wiper and began to read.
It wasn’t a ticket. It wasn’t a warning. It was simply a reminder I should be more careful in this time of so many car thefts throughout Monmouth County.
The card clearly identified it as a notice from the Atlantic Highlands Police Department under Chief Scott Reinert, and noted that a professional only needs 30 seconds to steal any vehicle not properly protected by its owner. “A vehicle with an unlocked door or open window is an easy target,” the narrative explained before urging me to roll up windows, lock doors, and not leave keys inside the vehicle, or of course, leave the vehicle running nor leave any valuables in plain view.
So yes, I was ‘careless.’ I had my windows closed, which doesn’t always happen, and I never leave my keys in the car, or leave it running. The only valuables I leave in the car are the plastic bags I re-use when I bring newspapers to the recycling yard. But I usually don’t lock my car.
Not in Atlantic Highlands. Not in the quiet charming residential area where I live. But the notice reminded me even in quiet neighborhoods like there are all over the borough, things are different today. And sadly, even here, it’s necessary to lock vehicles.
The officer who left the notice signed his name, Austin Cheesman and badge number, #302, in case I wanted to check the veracity of the card. He had dutifully checked off “Vehicle unlocked” the only one of the four conditions that could put my vehicle at risk.
But he also signed the time and date in which he put that notice under my windshield. It was Oct. 9…..at 1:01 a.m.
Thanks Officer Chessman for patrolling my neighborhood. Thanks for making me aware I should be more careful. Thanks for taking the time, in spite of the heavy rain that night, to get out of your vehicle, check my car, and put a reminder under the wipers.
No wonder I can sleep so well nights living in Atlantic Highlands
Frustrated by not being able to attend, see on ZOOM and not being able to clear everything a day or two later on the recording of the meeting of the Mayor and Council, I’m grateful for a copy of the Mayor’s monthly report which is always read at the meeting and explained in detail to anyone who is able to attend a Council meeting and asks for more information.
But every month the list seems almost endless with everything that’s going on in town and how well the Mayor stays connected and up with it all. September’s statement, read at the October 6 meeting is as comprehensive and full as every other one.
For instance, the Mayor reminded everyone that while a lot of construction is going on, and proceeding timely, nonetheless, she told resident:. All constructions dates are weather and supply-chain permitting, just a reminded of how so many projects and plans have been thwarted in every business because of not always being able to get the supplies needed to proceed.
How much new construction is going on and how is it proceeding? Well, for a starter, at the North St pump , a new breaker panel is completed but they’re waiting for First Energy to connect new electric. At the new municipal building, steel installation is continuing, and it’s fascinating to see it rise and even more fascinating to see those workers walk across those beams. At South Bay and Hillside Ave, the storm and sanitary work is completed, next it’s concrete and paving. By the bank there is a large sanitary sewer project for Waterwitch Area in Phase 1 and they’re waiting on materials.
At Snug Harbor Park, Work was scheduled to start Sept. 12 on the playground area, basketball and tennis courts. The Mayor probably updated whether it did start Sept. 12, but couldn’t hear that on the meeting recording.
Work is supposed to start this month on the Twin Lights Terrace Gabion and it’s also supposed to start at Ederle Park since the Pre-construction meeting which was held in August.
The Marine Place Elevated Walkway West at Snug Harbor started this month and they were actively working on it the week of the meeting.
With the electrical work at the Waterwitch Pump Station done in September, the prefab structure is due to start this month as well
Concerning the Skate Park , the mayor said the application review has been submitted to CARFA, and the borough is waiting for their ok to proceed, expected by Oct. 17.
Monmouth County will do the easterly portion of Jones Creek once again after the borough gets its CAFRA permit from DEP.
The borough was going out for bid this month for an EV Charging Station at 171 Bay Avenue, the parking lot where the borough hall used to be, a bit of irony in itself since it certainly wouldn’t work if the parking lot is under water, the reason Borough Hall isn’t there now.
And the borough is waiting on the County to repair the guard rail along Portland Road
With all these projects in various stages of completion, there are still more projects planned. Including an upgrade to Frank Hall Park which will be a joint venture with the Open Space/Lions Club/Green Team looking for grants.
Plans for the Veterans Park improvements are with Engineering along with a Local Recreation grant from DCA $75,000 for funding it.
There’s another plan to create an Overlook Park on the empty lot on the highway and more plans for an elevated walkway East at Sea Drift Ave, a Monmouth County Open Space grant, ,another grant for design and engineering for a living shoreline and bulkhead at Veteran’s Park., seeking funding for the Snug Harbor pump and surrounding area.
On the all-important topic of School Regionalization, the Mayor pointed out again Highlands has agreed to go to mediation on the cost haring. But now has to wait while the attorneys are negotiating who will be the mediator.
Good news in the report is the fact the borough has received $771,518 so far this year and is working on the FEMA BRIC [Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities] grant funding for the Snug Harbor Pump station and to mitigate the runoff from Monmouth Hills. The public meeting on this project will be at the next meeting Oct. 19 r, in the meantime there are on-going discussions with Monmouth Hills HOA, State, County and Middletown officials and the promise , according to the mayor that “we look forward to working on a solution together. The borough will enter the Community Rating System [CRS] program for lower flood insurance.
Gregory Valesi, Pe, PP, CME will be named CRS Coordinator on Nov. 11 and the next step is for FEMA to conduct a visit or contact the Borough to review National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.
That ‘s one heck of a comprehensive report. Too bad Highlands residents are not interested in knowing not only the bad things, but also the good things that are happening in their town
It’s infants in arms and kids riding ponies. It’s octogenarians clapping their hands and humming popular tunes. It’s goats and sheep and even a Jerusalem donkey! And to all residents, employees and their families, it’s one of the best days of the year!
That’s the outdoor barbecue and an afternoon long visit of Happy Trails and Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue to the Care One at King James Care Center, an annual event that staff and residents alike call one of the very best days of the year.
“It’s certainly one of my favorite days,” said administrator Jimmie King as he wheeled a resident up close enough so she could pet the donkey and hold a duck. “You just feel good inside seeing so many happy faces and seeing how much this animals touch the heart of our residents.”
Happy Trails is a family owned business started more than 30 years ago and comes to King James, as it does to birthday parties, picnics or wherever it’s arranged, complete with a wide array of chickens, ducks, goat, sheep, a riding pony, bunnies and donkey and more . Sunday, they set up a fenced in area at the King James parking lot, under plenty of shade trees so that both the ambulatory and chair bound residents could sit and watch the animals, hold them in their laps or nuzzle them with sheer joy. For many residents, the animals often bring up fond memories from a resident’s youth or an amusing incident that happened sometime earlier in the lives. To all, they bring laughter and smiles.
In another area of the parking lot, The Castle of Dreams Animal rescue non-profit organization of Cliffwood, together with its founder and volunteer teens from Thorne Middle School encourage residents and guests to pet the dogs waiting for adoption and eager to accept hugs, pets, and happy faces.
And in still another area, a musical group, the Hitz Squad was playing a variety of sing-along and dance tunes for residents sitting happily in the sun and keeping time with the music.
Besides that, there are tables that organizations generous two the Care Center, Ascend and Kindred hospice as well as the East Brunswick Recreation Department, filled with gifts for residents and their guests alike, ranging from coloring books for the youngsters to key chains and sanitizers for the adults, and candy bars and lollipops for everyone.
In addition there were chips and soda to go along with bottled water and lots of candy for everyone in yet another area of the front areas of the Route 36 building..
“ Keeping our residents happy at Care One is a tradition as old as the nursing home itself,” said Karen Cohen, herself an employee of more approximately 15 years and currently the Activities Director for the facility. “We all look forward to this day and everyone pitches in to ensure all our residents can take advantage of it. We were so fortunate to have a warm and sunny day which made it all perfect.”
“Our whole family loves this day,” said Monique Wilkenson, who, as receptionist and all around aide at the care center is the first smiling face you see as you enter the facility. Other relatives and generations of her family are also employed at the facility and three generations of her family were on hand to help with the preparation and presentation as well as to enjoy the pony rides, giveaways and music.
“Maybe it’s because our employees treat our residents as they should be treated,” King conceded, “ they treat them like family, like this is their home. And so many of the employees have been here for decades, and truly love their residents. Many, like myself, have started in the nursing care field and advanced not only in knowledge and experience right here at King James, then assume new positions here, armed with the experience of all the years they have been employed and gotten to know their residents here. It’s all about family,” the administrator added.
Does your child know all the anatomically correct language identifying private body parts? (That means parts like penis, clitoris, labia, vagina) How about the importance of staying away from potentially unsafe body fluids and objects? That’s blood, I suppose, not exactly sure what unsafe body objects are.)
Don’t worry. If he or she doesn’t know all of this vitally important information for children, beginning Oct. 17, they’ll be able to learn it in the classroom. From a teacher.
That is what your taxes are paying for.
Oh no, wait. The youngster won’t learn this in first grade. Heavens, why would a first grader need to even speak about private body parts using the proper names they can’t even spell, let alone understand?
You child won’t learn this until SECOND GRADE!
And that’s good. Because that will prepare him and her for third grade. That’s where they all will learn about the reproductive system, going into detail about those private body parts they all learned about the previous year. They’ll learn about all the reproductive anatomy and function, about hormones and all the reproductive organs, of course using the proper names and terminology since this is education.
It’s in the public schools in New Jersey school, indeed right here in the Bayshore schools like Highlands and Atlantic Highlands. It’s funded by your tax dollars.
As third graders, they’re also going to get a definition of sexual orientation, not exactly sure what that means. I think it means that even though they have vaginas and labia but they feel like boys who have penises, that’s ok. They can feel like that.
And they’ll learn all about hormones and their effects on the body. They’ll even learn about gender expression, and how to be respectful of gender expression and sexual orientation. And of course, because we want our children to be safe, in third grade … where they will learn about staying away from those potentially unsafe body fluids and objects.
By the way, does your third grader know how much six times nine is?
How about how to spell the capital of the state of New Jersey? Or of the United States? Does your third grader know how to spell vitamin? Or medicine? Does he or she know the difference between subtraction and multiplication? No? Perhaps you want them to learn those basics that they will use all their life rather than concentrate on masturbation or the difference between a penis and a vagina.
I have no doubt at least some of those basics are taught in every public elementary school in New Jersey, though I’m not certain at what age. But do you think more time could be spent on addition and geography and American history than on masturbation and penises and hormones?
But wait a minute. These kids in the primary grades aren’t going to be taught all this through textbooks like atlases or things like the Constitution or Declaration of Independence. No siree, this new stuff they’re going to be learning beginning this month is going to be taught in a way the kids can understand better. They’re going to get little comic books, books with happy looking children, cartoon style, jumping into bed, pulling up the covers, putting their hand beneath the covers, then smiling big smiles of satisfaction while masturbation is explained to them. Does that make you feel batter?
Yes, it has been made clear by Senator Gopal, a great and wise State Senator, and Governor Murphy, who just spent an afternoon with the President yesterday, that parents can ‘opt’ out their kids from these sex classes if they want to. They have the right to tell the school officials that even though they are paying for it through their taxes, they don’t want their kids to take those classes. Not exactly sure what they would do if their own children are included.
And what about the kid whose parents chooses to opt out? Are the other kids going to mock him? Are they going to bully him or laugh at her? Are they going to come out of that class and tell the “opt out youngster’ what they just learned? In their own way? With their own interpretation?
Since the subject is so sensitive and there are parents who still believe they have the right, duty, obligation and know-how to teach their own children about their personal life, why can’t it be switched/ Why can’t these classes be taught as an elective so parents can choose this class like they can choose French or Spanish or music or art? Because they don’t have electives in elementary school? Why not? This could be the first!
Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, former Mayor of Middletown, brilliant archeologist, father and grandfather, doesn’t like this new class and voted against it in the Legislature. So did Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer. She’s a single parent raising a couple of kids on her own and knows she has enough time to teach them at home everything about sex and sexuality, at the proper time in the proper manner in her opinion. That right is being taken away from her by her own tax dollars. Like all parents she can “opt out” but then there’s no control over the bullying a youngster might be subjected to because some parents might not want their children to learn how to talk about vaginas and penises when they’re still trying to decide what to wear to school that day. The two assembly members have put together an outstanding video that rather spells out clearly what kids are learning at what grade level.
It’s about time other parents took a close look at what’s going on in the classroom. With your tax dollars. Take a look at the comic book the kids are going to be learning through.
And if you’re a taxpayer whose own children are grown, take a look at the video and see what your kids missed. Think of how not knowing about these things when they were eight or nine years old has impacted them at this stage in their lives. Then think if you really want your tax dollars spent on sex education in the classroom.
By the way, the Highlands Mayor and Council just had their meeting which includes payment of bills. There are two bills they approved, one for Highlands Elementary, one for Henry Hudson. Each of the bills was for more than $350,000. They do that every month, so keep in mind Highlands taxpayers are paying more than $700,000 for the education of the children in town every month. At the same time, Atlantic Highlands has two similar bills they pay every month as well, one for their elementary school, the other for Henry Hudson. So that’s more than $1.4 million a month for education of the children in these two towns.
Would you rather the kids learn about masturbation and the proper names for private body parts or more time on what is the name of the ocean closest to you?
With CCD classes in full swing at OLPH-St. Agnes parish and with warm days still predicted before fall sets in in earnest, the parish has a need of some fans for the classrooms. The program could also use a television or two, big enough for classroom viewing, small enough to be carried from room to room.
IF you have either you can donate, call Mary McKelvey at 732-291-0272, ex. 116 or email her at reled@olphstagnes.org for more information.
Hey my friends in Highlands! Hey, all you Highlands taxpayers I don’t even know! Hey! All you Highlands residents who complain about stuff but never do anything about it.
Wake up!
You just might be in big trouble!
You just might have taxes you can’t afford pretty soon. For those of us that lived in Highlands before it was fashionable … We already can’t afford the taxes
And for sure you don’t even know where all your tax money is going ! Don’t you even care?
I care.
I care a lot…
But I don’t live in Highlands anymore. The politicians ruined it … and residents who have sat idly by enabled them to ruin it.
I lived in Highlands for over for 40 years … I had a home there, I raised my children there, I loved it there… and I was forced to find someplace else to live after my husband died, I couldn’t afford to come back to Highlands. Can you believe that? So I moved to Atlantic Highlands, but forever, I have left my heart in Highlands.
But I’m tired of fighting for all you residents who don’t seem to care about anything.
Let me explain. I like your Mayor. Indeed, I don’t always agree with her. But I respect her because she’s smart, she’s got great ideas, she gets things done. But she doesn’t always tell you everything.
That’s not her fault. You don’t even ask. You don’t even go to meetings to find out what’s going on. And I can also blame you for my not being able to go to meetings, too.
You see, just about every town I know has ZOOM. So people who couldn’t get to meetings, whether it’s because they are disabled, have no babysitter or any other reason, can still be active participate in their town.
Not Highlands.
Do you even know that two nights ago the Highlands Council voted to approve three cannabis dispensaries in town? THREE, yes, that’s right. Only one Councilman, Mr. Melnyk, voted against two or three, not sure. Everybody else approved them. I’m not sure of Mr. Melnyk’s vote or even the reason for it each of the three times. That’s because since I couldn’t go to the meeting, I wanted to at least hear it. I had read the agenda online, one very positive action of the borough clerk. But when I got to hear the recording, the background nose, rustling of papers, and poor audio system at the Community Center made it almost impossible to hear every word. In some places, I could ‘t hear any words at all.
It ceases to be the fault of the Mayor and Council if nobody in town gives a good darn about whether they know what’s going on or not.
I couldn’t tell how many people were at the council meeting; they don’t announce it. And you can’t see it on the recording. But I know only two people gave opinions at the meeting. So approval of THREE cannabis dispensaries were okayed by a major vote. Is that what everyone in town wants?
Had you attended the meeting, I’m sure the Mayor would have told you, as she told the one questioning resident. Of course there won’t be THREE cannabis dispensaries in town. And the borough doesn’t make the final decision either, that’s up to the state. But just in case, three are in the running and nobody but the one resident who asked a couple of questions even knew it was happening at a meeting that probably would have been well attended, or ZOOMed if the borough offered that option.
It takes reading the resolution, or attending the meeting to know that in the end only one of those three will actually be successful in opening a business in Highlands. And that the borough will also approve it once the state has said the first of three is ok to go. Don’t know how the borough will decide which one if the state sends all three approvals together.
Now the Mayor, like I said, is really smart and really cares for the town. I think she wants people to know what’s going on. But it isn’t up to her to make sure you go to meetings. Or read the resolutions attached to the agenda a day before the meeting.
You, the taxpayer, have to do something on your own.
Ok, that’s one thing, and even those opposed to a dispensary will get used to it, once it’s profitable, the police department has added new levels on demand to their already busy schedules, and all the borough departments keep on top of any violations, as they generally do on all businesses in town.
But there’s another bit of borough business the towns people aren’t paying a speck of attention to. That’s the multi-million dollar cost of that new borough hall on the hill. The builder and borough have a camera on site so you can watch the construction as it’s happening. It’s a bit ahead of schedule, I think and going up as it should be … I suppose.
But try and find the paperwork that guides it. Try and find out how they’re paying the architect his close to a million dollars and what he’s doing to earn it. For that matter, try and find the architect’s contract!
Kevin M. Settembrino is the architect. He’s also overseeing the construction, along with, yes, another salary, the project manager. So far, he’s been paid over $700,000 over the past few years.
But where is his contract?
I asked for it. Couldn’t get it.
I OPRAed it. Still couldn’t get it.
Waited after the clerk told me they couldn’t find it.
OPRAed it again. Still couldn’t get it.
Clerk told me they were asking Sentebrino for it!
Ok, stop and think of that for a minute.
The borough is paying all the bills. Hopefully, but I don’t know, they wrote the contract with the architect. But they told me they don’t have it. They told me they had to ASK him for it?
Are you kidding me?
It only gets worse. He never sent it. Or maybe he did, how would I know? They never told me.
Then they closed my OPRA request and deemed it complete. Complete without giving me what I was asking for.
And the firm gets paid every month or so. Based on what? If there’s no contract, or it’s a contract he supplies…don’t know if it’s signed by the borough, because of course I haven’t seen it, how do they figure how much he gets paid each month?
That’s only the tip of the iceberg. The borough accepted a bid of $10,599,000 for the building.
Then they said it would cost $10,400,000. Where did that figure come from?
Now the cost, when you add them all up..which I can’t of course, because thee again, I asked for the actual contract with Kappa Construction, the builder, and I only got the routine one every contractor has, not the specifics for this specific construction.
I asked for the bids and estimates for Furniture … The Borough refused to provide them;
I asked for the bids and estimates for Fixtures … The Borough refused to provide them;
I asked for the bids and estimates for Equipment … The Borough refused to provide them;
You’ve heard of Kappa Construction’s name. You’ve seen it in writing in recent months. It’s the same company who two years ago built that $1.5 million building in the Yacht Harbor in Atlantic Highlands, the next town over. That’s the building that now involves lawyers, the Harbor Commission, the Mayor and Council trying to figure out how the things that were done improperly when it was built and bonded haven’t been fixed, replaced, or modified in the 20 months the tenant has been pointing them out. Actually, the renter has gotten so frustrated with the dangerous situation the faulty construction puts him in, he’s asked to be released from his lease.
Is this what Highlands wants, fighting two years after construction is complete after official borough, court and police protection are moved in?
Stick around; I’ve asked a lot more questions, gotten many non answers and I can explain what hasn’t been answered and possibly why, and then tell you some of the answers I have received, with information that might shock you.
And if that happens, I hope it shocks you enough to wake up, ask questions, demand answers, find out actual costs, look at approved bills and save my town from economic disaster.
My heart is still there and I don’t want it broken..
Check out recent related articles concerning the new Borough Hall
Fish of all kinds have always been known as healthy food for not only good eye health but general good health and especially good for avoiding heart problems as well.
The oily fish, those fish that have oil in their body tissue, are considered the best because they are so rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Having oil fish as part of your diet at least twice a week gives you a generous supply of fish oil without any need to take supplements.
Among the fish highest in omega-3 fish oil are mackerel, salmon and sardines, as well as tuna, trout, herring and anchovies. But check about salt content as well with the canned fillets, if it’s necessary to maintain salt intake.
There are still arguments on both sides, but a lot of research also shows that fish oil is particularly good for dry eye syndrome, another age -related disease which can also be caused by other diseases but is damaging regardless of cause.
Dry Eye Syndrome leaves the viewer with blurry vision, often with burning or itching. Spending too much time in front of a computer without blinking or facing strong winds on a windy day can also cause discomfort from dry eye.
Aging causes all fluids normally excreted through various means from the body to dry up; so older people may urinate less, sweat less, cry less, and lose fluid through the skin less, causing those wrinkles in age.
Aging also dries the natural liquids in the eyes that keep the cornea from becoming irritated. The cornea is the covering over the front part of the eye where the iris and pupil are. Without enough tears, the fluid in the eyes, and blinking, prevents the cornea from being lubricated enough and results in dry eyes.
But dry eyes can also be a symptom of a variety of conditions, and can result from such things as being outside on a windy day or staring too long at your computer without blinking to keep the lubricant moving across the cornea. You may also experience the discomfort of dry eyes due to a health problem or a new medication you’re using. Regular visits to the eye doctor can help you and will also determine whether eye drops or a prescription medicine is the best.
In every case however, all that copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin found in seafood are necessary for eye health of all kinds.
Soups are such an easy and delicious way both to prepare a great dish to enjoy as a meal lunch, or as a smaller bowl before an entrée for a multicourse dinner.
What makes fish soups even better, is that in addition to vegetables, always good for eyesight as well as heart health, fish high in oil have added benefits.
Try this Mediterranean Chowder for healthy heating.
Ingredients
1 onion, chopped
½ green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. diced tomatoes, or 1 28 oz. can diced tomato, drained
2 cups chicken broth, canned or homemade
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
½ ounces canned mushrooms
1/4 cup sliced black olives
½ cup orange juice
½ cup dry white wine
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon fennel seed, crushed (optional)
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 Cup shredded carrots (optional but great tasting)
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound cod, mackerel, trout or tuna, cubed
Directions
Put everything except the seafood in a slow cooker, Cover, and keep on low for 4 hours or until the vegetables are crisp tender.
Stir in shrimp and fish, cover and cook 15 to 30 minutes, until shrimp are opaque. Serve and enjoy.
