Two days after news of Atlantic Highlands School Board member Erin Dougherty’s resignation from the board of education was released in VeniVidi Scripto, the former board member addressed a letter to the Atlantic Highlands Herald citing her reasons for her resignation. Although a similar letter was not released to VeniVidiScripto, in fairness we are reprinting what appeared in the Herald to ensure as much coverage as possible of the very major decision of whether the public should have the right to vote on a regionalization question is resolved.

The resolution that both Highlands and Sea Bright already approved, and which is at issue before the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council simply requests the state Commissioner of Education to allow a question on the November ballot. It would simply ask if voters favor regionalization of three municipalities, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright, for K-12 grades, and how it would impact taxes.

There has been one study completed, which appears to show both educational improvements for students and economic savings for taxpayers regionalizing in all three municipalities. The Henry Hudson district encompassing Highlands and Atlantic Highlands is anticipating the results of a second study, now expected to be completed sometime in late April or May. But there is no indication whether that study will show the same or different results. There is a deadline of Aug. 15 in order to get any question on the ballot this November.

Proponents of having Atlantic Highlands follow the lead of the other two municipalities in forwarding a resolution to the Commissioner to vote on the three town regional district, argue Council action soon in order to ensure the timeline is met to get the question on the ballot. Atlantic Highlands council could approve it and still have time before November to conduct public hearings, informational sessions and more information on how such a regionalization would be finalized. There is nothing to stop the borough council from conducting town hall meetings, informational sessions or any other public hearings after approving a resolution request to the Commissioner and submit a second question for the residents to vote on in November should they think an alternative idea is better.

Ms. Dougherty indicated she is resigning from the school board to ensure there is no conflict for her husband, Councilman Brian Dougherty, voting as a councilman on whether to put the question, or questions on the ballot so the public can make a decision on regionalization.

Should the question be resolved before the deadline for filing to fill an unexpired term on the school board….her own…there is also nothing preventing Ms Dougherty from also being on the ballot in November running for the one year unexpired term she was elected to two years ago created by her resignation this month …Let that sink in …

Ms. Dougherty’s letter:

Dear Atlantic Highlands Residents, It is with openness and gratitude I write this letter today to inform you of my resignation from the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School Board of Education. On Monday, April 4, 2022, after more than four years of service, I submitted a letter to both Board President Dr. Elisabeth Eittreim and Superintendent Dr. Tara Beams informing them of my resignation.

My journey on the school board began in 2018 with a goal of increasing awareness of the importance of social and emotional health within our school. I’m so proud of the care and attention AHES has paid towards this matter over the past four years – implementing classroom morning meetings, increasing recess to 30 minutes daily, and dedicating resources to social and emotional curriculum.

Another focus of the school board for the past few years has been the study of the feasibility of school regionalization. In May 2020, the Tri-District boards of education of Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Henry Hudson were awarded a $65,000 Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) grant from the state of New Jersey to study the feasibility of consolidation. In summer 2021, the Tri-District boards of education moved forward with proposals in all five areas of the LEAP grant – legal, demographic, facilities, educational and financial analyses – with the work beginning in January 2022.

It is at this juncture, with analyses completion anticipated by May 2022, and as the Tri-District boards of education prepare to review the LEAP grant findings and make expertly-informed recommendations regarding the future of our schools, that I have chosen to step down as a board of education member.

You see, my spouse, Brian Dougherty, is a newly-elected Councilman in Atlantic Highlands, taking office January 2022. As elected officials, we both feel it is our responsibility to avoid even the appearance of any conflict of interest in our positions of public trust. It would seem that if Brian remains on the Council and I remained on the Board, we would both likely need to recuse ourselves from regionalization discussions and voting matters to avoid any semblance of conflict. And if we were both to recuse, I see this as a great disservice to the community that chose to elect us individually.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said “One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes…” While my husband and I both have strong voices as elected individuals in our respective service positions, it became apparent to me that I would rather one of us participate in these salient conversations surrounding school regionalization than neither of us.

I thank the Atlantic Highlands community for the opportunity to serve as a member of your school board. I ask you all to please stay informed on the LEAP grant and the school board’s upcoming recommendations regarding regionalization by attending any of the Tri-District boards of education meetings or by visiting the Tri-District website at www.tridistrict.org.

While I step aside to allow others to have a voice, I strongly encourage you to use yours. Ask the AH Borough Council to allow the school boards and the experts they contracted to finish their work on the LEAP grant. You have elected a very capable AHES school board with extraordinary administrative and board leadership. Please be attentive to their non-partisan recommendations, as they are only interested in what is best for Atlantic Highland’s students, and our community as a whole.

With great appreciation,

Erin Dougherty

Forty-nine historic sites throughout Monmouth County will be featured t April 30 and May 1 as the Monmouth County Historical Commission offers a return of ‘A Weekend in Old Monmouth.’

“We are excited about the return of ‘A Weekend in Old Monmouth’ historic tour, after a hiatus due to the pandemic,” said Commissioner Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Monmouth County Historical Commission. “The tour is organized into four segments and will feature local organizations’ museums and historic buildings, which will provide a glimpse of Monmouth County’s extensive history. All fees will be waived at the participating sites during the weekend.”

The sites on the tour are generally operated independently. The self-guided tour allows for easy access and various transportation routes between the sites. To start planning your route, preview the tour sites on the County’s website at www.visitmonmouth.com. Each of the sites will be open for visitation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. April 30, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. May 1.

A published tour guide that includes all participating site locations and map, programing and contact information will be available at any historic site on the tour or by downloading the guide at www.visitmonmouth.com.

The Historical Commission is also offering a virtual tour that will present all 49 historic sites in an interactive format which will include information, photos, and a map of the tour guide. Each tour site is now a “story point” on an interactive map using state-of-the-art technology.

The annual Weekend in Old Monmouth tour is coordinated by the Monmouth County Historical Commission. The Commission, which was established by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1988, is dedicated to the preservation of the County’s rich historic heritage. As advocates for the preservation of historic properties, sites and projects, the Commission encourages residents to be involved as well.

The complete list of 2022 Weekend in Old Monmouth sites is as follows:

All Saints Memorial Church, Middletown,

Allaire Historic Village, Wall Allen House, Shrewsbury,

Allentown Presbyterian Church,

Baird Homestead, Millstone,

Battery Lewis, Hartshorne Park, Highlands,

Burrowes Mansion Museum, Matawan.

Christ Church, Shrewsbury,

Covenhoven House, Freehold, Craig House at Monmouth Battlefield, Freehold Township,

Crawford House, Tinton Falls,

Dr. Cooke’s Medical Office, Holmdel,

Eatontown Historical Museum,

First Presbyterian Church, Rumson,

Friends Meeting House, Shrewsbury,

Great Auditorium, Neptune,

Holmes-Hendrickson House, Holmdel,

InfoAge Science, Museum (Camp Evans), Wall,

Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township,

Joseph Murray Farmhouse, Middletown

Keyport Fire Museum, and Keyport Historical Society,

Longstreet Farm, Holmdel,

Marlpit Hall, Middletown

Monmouth County Historical Association Museum, Freehold,

Montrose Schoolhouse, Colts Neck,

National Guard Museum, Sea Girt,

Oakely Farm House, Freehold Township,

Ocean Grove Historical Museum,

Old Brick Reformed Church, Marlboro,

Old First Church, Middletown,

Old Tennent Church, Manalapan,

Old Wall Historical Society, Wall,

Old Yellow Meeting House, Upper Freehold,

Parker Homestead, Little Silver,

Red Bank Women’s Club,

Roosevelt Borough (Jersey Homestead) Historic District,

Saint Peter’s Church, Freehold,

Shrewsbury Historical Museum,

Spring Lake Historical Society,

Squan Village Historical Society Museum, Manasquan,

Stephen Crane House, Asbury Park,

Strauss Mansion Museum, Atlantic Highlands,

Taylor-Butler House, Middletown,

Township of Ocean Historical Museum,

T. Thomas Fortune House, Red Bank,

Twin Lights Museum, Highlands Village Inn, Englishtown,

Walnford, Upper Freehold

Although the question on whether the governing body should ask the Commissioner of Education to put the question of a K-12 school regionalization on the November ballot is not on the agenda for Thursday night’s regular meeting of the governing body, it promises to be a busy night.

Mayor Loretta Gluckstein is expected to make the motion to promote police officer Michael Zudonyi to the rank of lieutenant, filling the vacancy created by the promotion of Captain Harry Murtha last month. The governing body is also scheduled to approved Joseph Labella as a regular police officer, bringing the department’s complement to its full 15 members. Both appointments are at the recommendation of Police Chief Scott Reinert.

Sgt. Zudonyi is a graduate of Felician College with a degree in business management and a minor in criminal justice. He joined the local department as a class II officer in January, 2014, and was full time six months later. In January, 2020, he was promoted to sergeant and currently serves and is qualified in a number of instructional areas from firearms to field training.

Labella is a native of Hawaii who grew up in Jackson where he attended school before earning a degree from Ocean County College and a degree in arts and communication from Kean College. The son of a retired New York Police officer and a member of a family long involved in law enforcement, Labella served as Class 1 and II officer with the Avon department before starting in this borough as a Class II officer last December. He has completed field training as well as the police academy and has also assisted in active police duties here.

Council is also expected to approve the budget for the upcoming year, award a contract to DRM architects as redevelopment planners, and approve the purchase of six 25 foot tall flag poles at $11,550 for installation along the meridian on Memorial Parkway.

However, apparently council has not yet received, or has not completed reviewing if received, the anticipated feasibility study authorized by the tri-district regional boards of education. Council is apparently not taking any action on the resolution that would ensure time limitations are met in order to get a question on the November ballot. That question would enable voters to decide whether they want the three local boards of education, representing the three schools in Highlands and Atlantic HIghlands, to regionalize with neighboring Sea Bright for a three town school regionalization under a single board of education. Such a resolution has already been unanimously approved by Highlands and Sea Bright, but a decision by the commissioner requires a similar resolution from Atlantic Highlands.

Both Highlands and Sea Bright have indicated the possibility they might proceed with a second question which would regionalize those two municipalities and have Atlantic Highlands become a sending district to Henry Hudson Regional School. They have already contracted for a study for the regionalization of those two towns without Atlantic Highlands. That study will also be discussed as a possible alternative should Atlantic Highlands choose not to adopt a resolution for the three towns to have on the ballot.

Several residents indicated this week they plan on once again bringing up the regionalization issue during the public portion of Thursday’s meeting.

Tracey Abby-White, who was recently named chairman of the Atlantic Highlands municipal Tri-District Feasibility Study Committee, is being honored as Trustee Woman of the Year by the American Association for Women in Community Colleges.

The former councilwoman in this borough, as well as former member of the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education and former Middletown Township teacher, received announcement of the honor from Dr Monique Umphrey, Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs for the Austin Community College District. Dr. Umphrey is also president of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges.

In her letter to Ms. Abby-White, Dr. Umphrey said the honoree was also recognized at the Annual Awards Breakfast of the AACC National Convention.

“We applaud you on your accomplishments and your esteemed work as a Trustee for Brookdale Community College,” Dr. Umphrey wrote. Ms Abby-White is currently serving her third term on the Board of Trustees for the community college. She is also the Senior Director of Global Sales Enablement for IronNet Cyber Security.

Ms. Abby-White will accept her newest honor Sunday, May 1 in New York.

In issuing the invitation, Dr. Umphrey also said “you have joined an elite group of women community college leaders who are making a difference for their institutions and the communities they serve.”

In a high-level meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal today, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) raised the need to indict and prosecute Vladimir Putin for war crimes now.

At the meeting, Smith, the Congressman who is leading efforts in Congress to push for Putin’s indictment and prosecution, proposed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as one of the most viable venues for a timely trial. He pointed out that both Russia and China would veto the creation of a tribunal in the UN Security Council; however, they have no veto power in the General Assembly.

The Ukrainian Prime Minister told Smith he would “absolutely support such a move by the General Assembly.”

Smith added that another high priority to resolving the dire humanitarian situation currently unfolding, is putting an end to the escalating risk of human trafficking.

“The trafficking of innocent Ukrainians—most of whom are women and children—as they seek shelter after being forced out of their homes is an affront to humanity that must end now,” he said. The Congressman has authored five laws to combat human trafficking, including the United States’ historic Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000

“Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and others responsible for unleashing the massive death and destruction against innocent Ukrainians must be indicted and prosecuted immediately for their egregious war crimes,” he said. Smith also chaired the first hearing in the House of Representatives to hold Putin accountable for his actions

Smith noted more than seven million Ukrainians have crossed into neighboring countries fleeing the aggression, which is targeting civilians and non-military infra structures, including schools hospitals and residential buildings.

Prime Minister Shmyhal told Smith that Ukraine would stand in solidarity with efforts to prevent trafficking and protect victims from perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Smith, a strong supporter of those on the frontlines defending freedom against tyranny, voted to provide Ukraine with critical military assistance and ban U.S. imports of Russian oil in the wake of Putin’s attack on the neighboring country.

The Rev.Joseph Donnelly Knights of Columbus will be out in front of Bayshore Pharmacy and the Liquor store at the Foodtown Shopping Plaza from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 23 accepting donations of dimes to dollars or more for ARC of Monmouth County, one of the great local groups the Knights support on a regular basis.

Too often we forget about these charities that do so much good for the less fortunate, or those in particular need, but the Knights always manage to come through and raise funds for so many great causes. Don’t pass them by if you’re in the Shopping Plaza tomorrow.

It’s another one of those things that will make YOU feel good, besides helping someone else. And be sure to make your reservations for their great Entertainment Night and diner next month. It’s another fundraiser for all their charities, but what a fun way for all of you to contribute towards helping others. Sounds like the Charles Hesse Parish Center will be full to overflowing, based on the caliber of the entertainment, the meal, and the price!

“My concern is that the parents will not have the opportunity to hear their options and vote in November because of the process and timeline required to get a question on the ballot.” said Tracey Abby-White. “While parties are urging the AH Regionalization committee to “stand down and wait” for the Tri-District study to be completed, it is important to know that two studies are different. “

Abby-White was recently name chairman of the Tri-District Feasibility Study committee in this borough by Mayor Loretta Gluckstein. She comes to the committee position well prepared and well versed in the duties and obligations of both school boards and council members. She has served on both and taught in the Middletown school system. and is serving her third term as a member of the Board of Trustees for Brookdale Community College. She is the Senior Director of Global Sales Enablement for IronNet Cyber Security currently, and is neither involved politically nor serving on any of the three school boards or governing bodies.

The completed Feasibility study commissioned by the Borough will add approximately 60 Sea Bright students, averaging 3 per grade level, to a new Pre-K – 12 district. Adding the Sea Bright students will provide funding for educational programs without taxing the families in Atlantic Highlands or Highlands. This authorized study was conducted by Prozio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. who has handled the only three regional school district dissolutions in state history.

The Tri-District includes Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Henry Hudson Regional. The Tri-District feasibility study, the one that is still in process, will look at consolidating Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Henry Hudson Regional and then also look at what other districts would be feasible to include in a new consolidated district. “It is the adverb “then “that is misleading,” said Abby-White. “We are waiting to compare apples and oranges. In the meantime, the clock is ticking.”

In a recent article in NJ.com, Dr. Tara Beams, Tri-District Superintendent, said, “There are some governance and operational efficiencies that we think we would find if we operated, maybe, as one district. We don’t know that until we get our study back.” But at the same time, Beams said she doesn’t think the Tri-District will see “these giant cost savings, because we share so much as it is.”

The school regionalization question resurfaced in 2019 under Mayor Randi LeGrice. Sea Bright wanted to join Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, separating itself as a sending district to Oceanport elementary school and Shore Regional High School. However, at that time, school board members here were fearful of litigation from any district from which Sea Bright attempted to withdraw and declined any further action on the feasibility study done at that time. With the passage of the state law by unanimous consent in both houses and signed by the Governor in January, new regionalization possibilities are permitted and encouraged to improve better education for students and cut costs for taxpayers.

“Today’s children compete globally and need a competitive edge. Based on the findings of the completed study, we can provide more educational programs at no cost to the taxpayers.” the Chairperson of the borough’s Committee said.

The first step is to send a petition to the Commissioner of Education for approval to regionalize. The Commissioner can deny or approve our application. Highlands and Sea Bright have already unanimously approved the resolution and are still waiting for action by Atlantic Highlands. If approved, several steps must happen before a question can be added to the ballot by August 15.

Former and current council and board members serve on the regionalization study committee with Abby-White, including Kim Spatola, Sara Ann Weiner, Councilman Steve Boracchia, Councilman Jon Crowley, and Mayor Loretta Gluckstein. The committee has no authority other than to review the feasibility study information updated recently by the Porzio firm and inform the public of their findings.

There have been no meetings of the Regionalization committee since March because the Atlantic Highlands Council is waiting for the Tri-District study to be released. “I am hopeful that the council will pass the resolution and submit our application to the Commissioner so that we can continue the process and hold town hall meetings,” Abby-White said. “Atlantic Highlands could be among the first to set an educational precedence in New Jrsey, and our children would reap the benefits. If not, we are leaving ourselves open to having the regionalization decision made for us.”

Interested persons attending Wednesday evening’s Speaker Series presentation on the Titanic at the Strauss House Museum will also want to plan a second visit to view the new Titanic exhibit that just opened and will be on display through May.

Give credit to a mom who wanted access to her dining room table and an equally creative and ambitious daughter adept at putting together Lego blocks to create a scale model of the famed passenger liner.

Joanne Dellosso, the acting vice-president of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society, researched and created a Titanic Exhibition for the Mansion, located at 27 Prospect Circle., after her daughter, Katie, frustrated by Covid restrictions and shutdowns, purchased a Lego kit of the Titanic. Over the course of a week, working every night, Katie transformed 9,090 Lego blocks into the 1:200 model of the ship, doing her work on the Dellosso dining room table.

Knowing others would enjoy seeing the model, and realizing the intricacy of it since it also includes interior rooms in her daughter’s Lego model, the society’s vice president focused on more research to open a special and limited exhibition at the Museum.

With the approximate five foot long completed model a focal point of the exhibit, there are also numerous photos, historic explanations of the ship and its crew and passengers, along with décor and fashions of the 1912 era when the Cunard ship struck an iceberg April 15 on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York. Discovery of the remains of the ship in the 1980s regenerated interest in the ship, its passengers and crew with most stories concentrating on the wealthy and well-known names of travelers. Ms. Dellosso did all the research herself on this special exhibition at the Strauss House and created a unique angle for the presentation..

The local exhibit focuses more on the lesser known names and personalities, including stories on the two dogs that were rescued from the ship, as well as the second and third class passengers. It gives details about the brothers who were orphaned on the trip as well as the cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and stories associated where some of those who lost their lives are buried.

During the exhibition, Dellosso said visitors will also have the opportunity to either sit and watch an entire 90 minute movie on the Titanic, or simply stop and view small portions of it depending on their own schedules., Three different videos will each be on screen in the living room of the Mansion each on separate Sundays, when the Museum and exhibition are open to the public. The Museum is open every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to make a $5 donation for their visit.

Local resident Steven Schwankert will present his program on a small group of passengers aboard the ill-fated Titanic when he addresses the Society Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30 pm. His presentation is part of the museum’s feature of shipwrecks and maritime disasters as its central theme for 2022, and Schwankert’s presentation presents a unique and surprising view of six Chinese passengers, all survivors, as well as Titanic owner J. Bruce Ismay. No reservations are required and the lecture is free and open to the public, though donations will be accepted.

On Friday, Apr. 22, the Museum is also offering a showing of “A Night to Remember” at 7:30 p.m. with seating limited to 30.

For more information on this and all programs, events, and hours at the Strauss House, visit the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society website at http://www.ahhistory.org.

While it has always been an area that movie stars, journalists like Jim Bishop, tv personalities, and entertainers like to call home because of its serenity and natural beauty, Highlands had more than its share of popular stars of the stage and screen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nellie McHenry Webster was just such one of those famous names.

Known professionally as Nellie McHenry, she was born in St. Louis, Missouri, this lady who toured the country as well as Canada with other stage stars like Edwin Booth and Lillian Russell. She began her career in her native city but then went on to Chicago, where she performed with the Hooley Comedy Company. She met John Webster, whom she later married, and Nate Salsbury, a theatrical impresario, and the trio formed the Salisbury Troubadors, touring for nearly 20 years in the 1870s and 1880s.

It was Salsbury, who also lived in Highlands, who organized actors into a small series of plays joined with a single threat of a plot, an idea that was hugely successful and led to the troop, Nellie included, even going to Australia and Tasmania of all places, to display their talent. The Troubadors disbanded around 1890 but Salisbury kept things alive as co-owner of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show which went on to even greater acclaim.

Nellie toured numerous countries of Europe as well, bringing her stage talent to the public through her expertise in both comedy and drama. At one time, in the 1880s, she had a week’s engagement at the Chestnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, and many extras were needed for minor roles at those performances. They were provided by none other than J.S. Hoffman, who also happened to be a Highlands councilman in 1935 at the time of her death.

Nellie and her husband had their home atop the hill on Portland Road, a gracious old Victorian with massive porches on two levels to ensure constant views of the Shrewsbury river and Atlantic Ocean. Salsbury also lived in the area, as did Wallace Reed and Franchon Campbell Webster, Nellie’s daughter, who, like Nellie’s son, John, Jr., made her living on stage and was a highly regarded actress.

After starring in “M’liss” and having a huge success with that one-act play, Nellie bought the rights to the play, then conducted her own highly successful tour around the country with it.

Nellie died at Monmouth Medical Center, then known as Hazard Hospital in Long Branch, when she was 82 years old. Her funeral was at the A.M. Posten Funeral Home in Atlantic Highlands and the service was held at All Saints Memorial Church in Locust, with the rector, the Rev. Charles P. Johnson, officiating. She is buried in the church cemetery.

Her husband, John Webster, disappeared on night in 1899 and it is believed he committed suicide by jumping into the rapids at Niagara Falls. His body has never been found. Their son, John, Jr. died in 1925 in his dressing room at the Henry Miller Theater on West Forty-Third Street, NY, of a heart attack. It was a scarce few minutes before his curtain call for the play “The Poor Nut”.