That group of motorcycles, cars and trucks, many sporting American flags flying in raised positions, that raised the concern of some Atlantic Highlands residents last week is known as the Garden State Deplorables, a New Jersey-based organization formed in January 2021.
It was designed with a goal of opposing injustice to American people in New Jersey, which they identified as “one of the highest liberal populated states In the United States. “
Their goal is to “Make New Jersey a place that is affordable and safe again. “ They support and promote only political candidates they believe have the interest of the residents not the lobbyist in the state known for high property taxes, high crime, and extreme utility costs, tolls and road conditions “ There are more than 2,000 members and growing.
The name, was co-opted when former First Lady Hilary Clinton told supporters at a New York fundraiser several years ago that half of Donald Trump supporters fell into what she called a “basket of deplorables” They took their action similar to Revolutionary times when American patriots took the Yankee Doodle derivative that the British overlords used in describing them,
The members of the group treat the former insult as a badge of honor and celebrated at a rally called The Day of the Deplorables in campaigning for President Donald Trump.
In the past, locally they held a protest on Route 35 in Middletown in support of Trump, an anti abortion rally in Shrewsbury, a meeting in protest over the suspected plan Red Bank to be designed as a sanctuary city, something that did not happen.
As Mayor Lori Hohenleitner of Atlantic Highlands said at a borough council meeting she has seen the group several times at the municipal yacht harbor. She said it is a group that meets Sundays and travels together in cars and motorcycles throughout the state and in Monmouth County, frequently travels from Howell to Atlantic Highlands.
Sunday, they have planned another rally by Kohl’s in Toms River honoring the late Charlie Kirk beginning at noon. On October 14, they are asking everyone to wear something in red to honor the memory of Charlie Kirk and is bravery on his birthday, October 14
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Sign “We addressed the situation immediately as soon as we were contacted,” Police Chief Scott Reinert told the crowd gathered at the Atlantic Highlands meeting of the Mayor and Council. “We did not want to create a mass public alarm. We handled the situation behind the scenes quickly and immediately.”
Atlantic Highlands Police Chief Scott Reinert
The chief spoke at the end of the meeting in which half a dozen or so parents expressed shock, fear, intimidation, and an inability to discuss the situation with a ten year old child while at the same time calling for more police protection and government action to insure more safety for students in the elementary school.
The subject was started during the public portion at the meeting following comments which started with complaints about the police not only permitting but also aiding a group of what was described as a hate group in cars and motorcycles who, one speaker said, formed a parade down First Avenue to the Yacht Harbor.
Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner
Mayor Lori Hohenleitner explained that she has seen the group in the harbor multiple times in the past, describing it as a group that appears to meet weekly and travel together throughout Monmouth County. While they have in the past parked at the harbor, that did not happen this year because of the heavy crowds present for the Flea Market which was ongoing there Saturday, she said.
Most of the comments then focused on the previous day, a Friday morning when a man appeared on the sidewalk across the street from the school wearing a handmade sign tied across his shoulders that said “Dems = Murder. “
The chief confirmed indeed there was a man wearing a sign, he was not doing anything unconstitutional or not permitted. He said he spoke to him about security, and had a conversation with him in Police Headquarters. Because of fears expressed, he also checked with school officials who have their own security in the building rather than the police presence. His decision was bringing further attention or action where it was not needed would only cause public alarm.
Kathleen Scatassa, who has a daughter in the third grade at the school, was the first to speak during the public portion on this matter, citing her concerns about the “parade” which she said was by a hate group as identified by the Anti- Defamation group .She would not specifically identify the group, she said, to avoid giving them any further attention. She said such a group should not be welcomed to the borough, let alone assisted by the police.
Scatassa, who has lived in Atlantic Highlands for seven years and is a former newspaper reporter according to her biography, is a Democratic candidate for council in the November election.
Lindsay Cohen objected to an organized group using borough roads and questioned whether permit were required or secured and noted this town is no place for hate groups, pointing out they are bad for business. Hohenleitner said while she has seen the group in the past, the group appeared larger this year and noted the police had to “act in the moment’ when alerted to it. She praised the “wonderful police department and how they moved in quickly.” The mayor also told the resident “I feel you are here to make us accountable,” thanked her for it and said she feels the council encourages people to attend meetings, give suggestions and become involved. Hohenleitner also said she feels the borough far more welcoming than it was 20 years ago and much more friendly.. She advised the resident that she needs to trust the police department.
Several residents spoke about the man with the sign, some admitting they had not seen it but had heard about it and were appalled. One mother said her child went to school and lived in his fear throughout the day until going to bed at night. Another resident said she was out of town but was calling into the meeting to voice her concern, another said she was horrified at the lack of response and said the police should have remained in the school all day.
One mother said if there were a borough meeting at 3:05 in an afternoon, every student from school would attend, and idea Hohenleitner supported and said she would follow through with a special meeting. One resident said she was “horrified” by the response by the police to the fact the man was walking with the sign in front of school, while yet another said she could not explain the situation to her son saying that freedom of speech was different from the event under discussion. One resident suggested that communications perhaps through the school PTA might be a solution, whole another noted that communication and education could be part of the cure.
The resident carrying the sign the parent complained about was Michael Ciano, a borough resident since 1973, and a frequent attendee at council meetings. Ciano, when contacted by VeniVidScripto, displayed the sign he had carried and explained he had left home shortly before 8:30 a.m. Friday morning and began his walk along the First Avenue side opposite Borough Hall at approximately 8:30.. He walked the sidewalk on that side of the street, not adjacent to the school, from borough hall to the area by Naylor’s, then returned to the borough hall area before returning home about 9 a.m.. Ciano said he also believes in free speech and felt the need to express his own opinions openly in the wake of other incidents which have occurred in the nation recently.
Nor is this the first time the resident has been challenged for his free speech, losing his position with the US Post Office several years ago. When he challenged that action, he was returned to employment when a federal court judge ruled there was no basis for the allegations charged against him and restored his position. Now retired, Ciano, who has also faced several family illnesses and deaths within a short time, also said a number of people who saw him walking with his sign applauded him and thanked him for his courage in expressing an opinion. He is the son of a veteran and a strong supporter of defense of the American flag and a person’s right to free speech.
In other business at the meeting, the council unanimously approved an ordinance amending its ordinance on standby generators, with no one offering any comments during the public portion. It also proclaimed the weeks between September 15 and October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month and another resolution honoring the Celebration of the Discovery of Quantum Mechanics, at the request of resident and frequent council attendee Joshua Leinsdorf.
It approved an amendment to the approved minutes of the April 26 meeting at the request of Councilman Brian Dougherty, a well as authorizing the award of a bid for contract for mooring tackle helix inspection at the municipal yacht harbor. Another resolution approved the payment of bills since the last meeting totaling $36,677.13.
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Former Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry was laid to rest in Atlantic Cemetery adjacent to the Church Tuesday afternoon following a Monday evening visitation at Holmdel Funeral Home and a service at First Reformed Church in Colt Neck Tuesday.
Senator Vin Gopal, former State Senator John Bennett, and Muriel Smith, all friends of Burry, gave remembrances of the late Monmouth County leader which, while different, all hinged on the same attributes Lillian espoused and practiced…her goodness, her willingness to help others, her leadership, love of helping others and ability to get things done. Lillian’s sister, Alba DiBello, drew on memories from childhood through modern day about growing up and living near an older sister of such renown, giving the churchgoers an opportunity to see the more personal side of Lillian’s life.
All spoke of their personal interactions with Burry, drawing laughs over some of the amusing experiences they told, expressions of hope and sadness, as well as exclamations of approval and agreement from the filled church. Their memorials were followed by similar comments from both religious leaders at the Church, the Senior minister Rev. Scott Brown and Rev. Gene Ryan, family life minister.
The funeral service followed an evening when thousands came to pay tribute and offer condolences to Burry’s husband, Don, their daughter, Lenore and her husband. grandchildren Stephanie and Vito and their families as well as Alba all honoring Burry’s memory.
Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden had Sheriff’s Officers stand watch at her casket throughout the five hours the family accepted condolences. NJROTC leaders, MAST principal Earl Moore and NJROTC cadets from MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, also came in uniform to honor Burry, as did police officers from many Monmouth County municipalities.
Traffic was closed along Holmdel Road with police officers on scene to direct motorists around the busy intersection throughout the late afternoon and evening.
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Six Police Explorers with the Highlands Police Department from Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Middletown joined police explorers from across the state at the NJ Law Enforcement Youth Academy recently, an annual week long event.
The local youth were accompanied by Patrolman Alexander Braswell, the local Explorer Post Advisor, who served as assistant coordinator for the Phase 1 program at the Academy and Patrolman Kevin Connor, who assisted Phase 3 as a role player in various scenarios. During the course.
The teens, with four in the first-year program, one in the second, and one in the fourth phase are all part of the program which has been active in the Academy program 2013. The Explorer program itself has been active in the borough since 2007.
“ Our Police Explorer program for 14 to 18 year olds is second to none,” said Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon in praising both the officers and police chief who support and assist in the program. “It is such a great way for these teens to grow with their community and learn life tools. They made us all very proud.”
One Explorer took a 2nd place award for academic achievement for Phase 1, and another Explorer took a third-place award in the same phase.
Braswell said the local department under Police Chief Rob Burton holds the police academy program in high regard primarily because “it challenges our explorers mentally and physically to show them what they are capable of if they persevere. The academy aims to instill teamwork, pride, discipline and accountability into the explorers so they may apply those life skills to any path they choose.”
The local PBA in past years has held fundraisers including events and raffles to raise the funds so the Explorer families do not have to face the tuition costs alone. However, for the past two years, local businesses and generous individuals impressed by the caliber of the program and the enthusiasm of the would-be students have sponsored them for the program. Tuition for each Explorer for the Academy is $850. Both boys and girls at least 14 years of age and 8th grade graduates are eligible to become members of the Highlands Explorers, Braswell said.
Explorers in Highlands have a series of responsibilities as part of the program. These include responsibility for parking locations and safety during the Twin Lights Ride bike event. “This is one of the busiest days for traffic in Highlands and the explorers do a great job getting the cars parked in an orderly fashion in the designated parking areas for the event,” the advisor said.
Braswell himself is an example of the caliber of the Explorer program as well as the foundation it has set in his own life. A Highlands Police Officer for five years, he was a Highlands Police Explorer from 2013 to 2017 and saw himself how beneficial it was then and is rewarding to now In addition to Braswell, Sgt. Kevin O’Donnell and Patrolman Robert Alvator are also both former Explorers in this post.
Each of the officers now exemplifies that the Explorer program taught valuable life skills applicable to any profession, The officers cited the discipline, teamwork and personal accountability that are instilled in them and all say they continue to remain active with the program because for each of them, it guided them in their own pursuit of a career in law enforcement.
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Reinert As a journalist, I’ve sat at thousands of meetings of mayors and council, county boards of freeholders, state official boards, and dozens of other public boards and committees from harbor commission to sewerage authorities, from library boards to historical societies. I’ve seen outright fist fights at public meetings, calls to the police department of threats to kill, drunks thrown out of meetings, a woman having a stroke at a meeting, and even fights among elected officials that called for an end to a meeting. My own life has been threatened by my honest and truthful accounts of these meetings.
But never have I been so shocked as I was at this week’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council when people came out to question the efficiency, effectiveness and wisdom of the Atlantic Highlands Police Department.
Don’t any of these people know this department?
Don’t any of these people know the integrity, wisdom and outright ability to size up a situation and act accordingly of this police chief?
Are they all new to town?
Have they never called on the police department for help, or just to ask a question?
Haven’t they ever seen these police on the street, stopping to talk with a youngster or reminding a teen he needs to wear a helmet?
Don’t any of these people know these cops have kids of their own, many in the local school system?
My concern is, not so much with the fear these parents apparently have over the sight of one apparently harmless and unarmed man on a public sidewalk with a sign that expressed one man’s opinion. My concern is that these people don’t know the excellence of the Atlantic Highlands Police Department.
There were people at this week’s council meeting who perhaps have never been at a borough council meeting before.
There were people who perhaps have been long time residents of the borough and may have had other interactions with the police in the past.
There were certainly some who indeed must be new to the town and do not know the excellence of what the men in blue in this borough are like.
There may have been people in that council meeting room who came from towns where police are more standoffish, nor towing the line, sticking to the absolute rule. Maybe they can be forgiven for not knowing what an Atlantic Highlands police officer is like.
Yet they all turned out, this group of mothers who expressed terror and shock and fear, who said they were appalled, unable to explain to their children the horror of the scene, who said the world has indeed become a dark place, all because they saw a lone man with a lone sign they did not like standing on the main street in town, a county road, near a school where every kid knows he can trust a cop, can talk to them, heck, even had a cop in his classroom or meeting him at the library to read him a story or teach how to call a police officer if he’s afraid.
As a writer, I do see a lot of police action, do get to hear a lot of stories, do get to interact with officers and their records. I’ve been threatened more times than I can count for some of the stories I have written about police on and off the job. I’ve seen good cops turn bad, and I’ve seen bad cops who have been forced to leave departments.
But not in Atlantic Highlands.
I’ve known every police chief in this borough from the days of the great Chief Jim Egidio, and Sam Guzzi, the police chief who spent the rest of his life tracking down a murderer until he was finally convicted of the murderer of a local teenager.
I’ve covered the tenures of the incredible Jerry Vasto, the unforgettable Charlies Mazzarella, even the current chief’s predecessor David Rossbach. And when Current Chief Scott Reinert came into the position, it was with class, integrity, dedication, and a background that proved he is an outstanding chief strong enough to take on great battles, yet soft enough to sit with a youngster and wipe away a tear over a lost dog.
Borough of Atlantic Highlands police chief Chief Scott Reinert
To have these dozens of people vent at a council meeting, and be encouraged by the mayor to speak out more and be heard in their shock and horror was nothing short of simply not knowing anything about the Atlantic Highlands Police Department and its chief.
Cheers to Chief Reinert for speaking up at the end of the meeting. Cheers to the Chief who calmly, but clearly, outlined exactly what his department knew, what they did, and how very protected all the people in this borough were from the dangers of a single man carrying a single sign ion the sidewalk of a county road that runs through the middle of town.
Even in this instance, when dozens of people were challenging the wisdom and work of the department and expressing fear and questioning their attendance to duty, this Chief stood up, explained everything he had done, told everything of which his department was aware, cited his conversation with the single man with a single sign, exercising his First Amendment Right, standing on the sidewalk of a county road in the middle of town, and calmly assured these parents and others that yes, in Atlantic Highlands, under his leadership, this is truly a Police Department that knows and does it job.
Whether the people know it, or appreciate it, or even recognize is, aren’t the important thing even now. What they really need to know is Chief Reinert and the Atlantic Highlands Police Department always have, and will continue, to keep this borough safe.
Even if there are people who are scared silly by a single man carrying a single sign and standing on the sidewalk of a county street in daylight in the middle of town.
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I like to tell people it was Thomas Jefferson who introduced Lillian and me. I knew about this gracious lady who was mayor of Colts Neck for many years, but I did not know much more about her other than she was a Monmouth County Freeholder and had been Mayor of Colts Neck and active in many different areas helping people in all kinds of situations.
When I went to a meeting of the freeholders and heard her speak, Lillian quoted Thomas Jefferson and said how important it was to stick to the ideals he had established.
As a Jefferson aficionado for many years, I was impressed by her ability to quote the third President. So I wrote her a letter congratulating her on being a freeholder and saying how I admired the fact she quoted Jefferson. She called me up and asked why I thought that was so good. I said I always loved Jefferson and think he’s the best President we ever had. She laughed and said, “So I guess we’ll be lifelong friends.”
And so we have been. Every April 13 since then, Lillian and I have met for lunch exchanged gifts and toasted the third President of the United States. While we also celebrate the Fourth of July, we do take a moment to observe his death on that date 50 years after signing the Declaration of Independence.
But I learned so much more about my new friend in the intervening years. I learned that if you gave her a cause, and she believed in it, you could pretty well count on it being accomplished. I learned that if you said something great about the US Navy, she might agree with you and even add something else. But then she would tell you something pretty spectacular about the Coast Guard and let you know that Don was a Coast Guard Captain. When she recommended me for my position on the Monmouth County Library Commission, she made it clear I would have to work at it, be knowledgeable about everything going on, and I better have good reasons to back up any suggestion I had. She also told me she felt confident I would follow my acts with personal fortitude and conviction. I hope I lived up to her expectations.
I learned how much she and Don loved Sandy Hook, how they would drive out there from Colts Neck, just for the beauty and historic significance of Fort Hancock. I learned she was on the 21st Commission and outspoken at every meeting. I learned she was just as active and outspoken on the Fort Monmouth Authority. I learned how she loved books and the importance of reading them. I learned that her granddaughter and grandson were the best grandchildren anyone, including me, could have. Yes, we did have arguments over that and in the end agreed they were all perfect. I learned that those three great-grandsons are the smartest, the best, the most adorable, the best brought up, and the most fantastic of any great grandchildren…including my own 13. Another friendly argument. But she always won.
It was easy to see how much she was in love with Don. It seemed they had the perfect marriage, Don taking all the ribbing he always took for being her chauffeur. But his genuine love for her surpassed any jokes he might have taken because of it.
And I learned the fun side of Lillian. She had fun when she was doing things for others, when she was helping a cause, protecting a veteran, advocating for a book or heck, even writing one about the historic sites in Colts Neck. But she also had fun sitting in Bahrs restaurant watching the seagulls perch on the pier; greeting the dozens of people who also ate there and always stopped at the table just to say hello. I learned that even when people she has worked with kind of cut her out of some things, she’d simply smile, nod, and go on her own way, confident in her own strong step, her own abilities to accomplish what she set out to do.
And I remember and so appreciate the impact Lillian had on teenagers. I would see her at MAST for every event they had, always calling aside a cadet or two to ask a question, compliment a uniform, or praise formation or drill. She inspired these teenagers, this little white-haired lady with the perfect make-up, the perennial smile, the inquisitive mind. She taught them to strive more, to be proud of themselves, and always treasure their memories. She promised them a new building to avoid those wintertime drills on Pershing Field, Hopefully one day that too will happen.
Lillian did not flaunt her religion; she simply practiced it every day in every way… She reached out to others and accepted with dignity any unhappiness or even illness that befell her.
Lillian Burry was truly Mrs. Monmouth County. But more than that, she was a dear, sweet, wonderful friend who put everyone ahead of herself. It was impossible to have a conversation with her without coming away from it just a bit smarter, a bit more thoughtful ,perhaps even a bit more open-minded.
My prayers and sympathy are with Don and Lenore and her husband Bob, Lenore, that incredible daughter who was always there to do her mom’s bidding, with Stephanie and James, Vito and Pamela, those fantastic grandchildren, with her sister Alba and Patrick and those greatgrandchildren Luca, Lorenzo and Rocco who brought her so much joy, The next generations have so many of Lillian’s fine qualities and excellence that indeed her spirit and charm will live forever. My prayers and sympathy to the friends and family who will miss her dearly. Today, the entire county is in mourning and one day, even more will be when everyone realizes that in the end there is really no one who can fill her shoes.
But my joy is with the fact she considered me her friend. And I will forever be grateful for that.
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There are still some opportunities for those who would like to participate in the annual Memorial Mass for Mater Dei High School graduates, set for Saturday, September 27 at noon. All are invited to attend the mass, an annual memorial to honor all past students at Mater Dei High School.
The Rev Stanley Lukaszewski, Father Stas, former pastor at St. Mary’s in New Monmouth will say the mass honoring all Mater Dei graduates who have passed. Classmates and relatives and friends of the deceased former students are actively participating in the mass and the necrology roll call of each of the deceased by class.
Persons who know any former Mater Dei High School students who have not been included in the necrology can contact Mari Kovach with the information to have them included this year.
The annual Memorial has been organized by Kovach, Class of 1978, Cathy Daniels, 1979 and Tom Dooley , 1965 for many years.
During the Mass, Sister Patricia Russo, a faculty member in 1965-66, will carry the gifts at the Offertory, and Kerrin McCarthy Regan, class of 2011, will be cantor. Deacon Marty McMahon will serve as deacon during the mass.
The high school was founded by the late Monsignor Robert T. Bulman, and Mother Bede Loob, OSF, was the founding principal.
Those who want to participate or add names to the necrology can visit deckhill@comcast.net
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It was simply a way to handle the grief they all shared. It was Rhoda who came up with the idea, then e-mailed a dozen or so friends of the late Lillian Burry. Her suggestion? Before going to the viewing later in the afternoon, why not meet for lunch and share some of the stories we all hold in our hearts about Lillian Burry, Mrs. Monmouth County, the woman who could do anything.
Of course the group would meet at Huddy’s. Everyone knew it was one of Lillian’s favorite restaurants, and all of them had met Lillian or been there with her on more than one occasion. Lilian would like it, they decided, if we all met there.
This all happened September 8, the day of the viewing for the late freeholder/commissioner who died August 28 and is being buried after a church service at the Reformed Church in Colts Neck at 11 a.m. September 9.
Eight friends, most of them women who had worked with Lillian in some capacity, some friends who simply enjoyed her company. But all with stories to tell about special moments with the woman who could accomplish anything.
Gerry started it off recalling one of the Presidential inaugurations she and her Jim went to with Lillian. She was impressed by her vivacity and encouraged her to run for freeholder; confident she would make it. Jim, Gerry recalls, ran her first fund raiser for that successful run…and several others afterwards. It was easy to see Gerry can tell excellence when she sees it. So many stories, Gery sighed, grateful for the memories and opportunity to share them.
Rhoda remembered dozens of activities, parties, business meetings she was at ; a photographer known to everyone in the Monmouth County political world,, Rhoda insisted on photographing Lillian, sometimes in one of her St. Johns suits, always with her spike heels, ever the fashion plate. She smiled, so happy she has taken so many photos that will now be constant remembrances of her friend.
Priscilla remembered Lillian always stopped at her table in Huddy’s to share some news and just to spread happiness.
Tamara had tons of memories about Lillian and her love for, and knowledge of, local history and events or personalities including Molly Pitcher and Revolutionary War stories.
Even Diana the waitress, wanted to join in the conversation with an unusual story of her own. A Union Beach resident, she had brought her dog along to watch a parade there when Lillian was passing and waving from the passenger seat of the car in the line of march. Diana ran closer to the parade contingent, eager to say a special hello to Lillian. Her dog leaped out of her arms and into Lillian’s lap. The gracious lady just laughed and said the dog could finish the ride. And Diana met her at the end of the parade, a dog a bit happier for its little trek.
But there’s more to this story, Dianna said, “and it’s eerie.” As the group of eight bent to listen, Dianna said, “that dog? That dog who jumped in with Lillian so many years ago. He just died August 28.” That was the day Lillian Burry passed away.
Pat and Nancy listened to all the stories, and for certain had their own as well. Pat told a few short quips about Lillian at Cream Ridge and how they rolled out the red carpet for her, coming in out of the rain in her spiked heels and latest fashions. She and Nancy smiled, they agreed with the others, ,then they sat back and reveled in their own memories about a friend they could never forget.
Marian remembered so many things about the woman she worked with and loved. She remembered baking biscotti for her as well, something she loved to enjoy with a glass of Santa Marguerita Pino Grigio.
The Monmouth County working group also had fond memories of others whose names came up in Lillian conversations; They remembered the kindness of Jane Clayton, the thoughtfulness of Ted Naronzanick, and the list went on.
And when conversation died down, the dishes were cleared, the ice tea and soda glasses drained, the ladies agreed it had been a beneficial get together; a time when they could laugh, recall, and reiterate the many lessons they learned from Lillian Burry.
They left Huddy’s Restaurant, a bit happier, a bit more content with their memories of a lady who had made a deep influence on all their lives. They headed to the Holmdel Funeral Home where they now felt strengthened and able to share prayers and sympathy with the entire Burry family, Don, daughter Lenore, two grandchildren and Lillian’s sister Alba, along with the hundreds of others who wanted to extend sympathy and memories with the distraught family.
And like Lillian herself,, the family put aside their own grief, their own trauma, to graciously accept the prayers and sympathy of those they knew she loved…and they loved her.
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Justin Thomas, a member of the Henry Hudson Regional School Board of Education, has joined Laura Hesse as candidates for the two council seats to be decided the November election in Atlantic Highlands.
Former police officer Thomas Stone had originally planned on campaigning with Hesse for the two council seats but has since stepped down because of other personal commitments and has endorsed as an outstanding candidate. Hesse successfully won the June primary to be on the ballot for council in the November election.
Neither of two Democrat council members, whose terms expire in January, chose to run for another term. Eileen Cusick and Vito Colosaurdo did not indicate reasons for not seeking another term on all Democrat board.
Additionally, Regina Hawley Keelan, who has been Democratic chair for the borough for many years, resigned the position last April and has not indicated her reasons for stepping down from what many assumed would continue to be an ongoing volunteer position.
The Hawley family has been, and with other family members, continues to be, hardworking, active volunteers for the borough for generations. The Monmouth County Democrat site still lists Hawley-Keelan as chairwoman and former Councilman Roy Dellosso as municipal vice-chair.
The election of the two Republican candidates would mean a bi partisan representation on the current all Democrat council with Democrat Mayor Lori Hohenleitner.
The two Republican candidates come into the November election with life time residencies in the borough and years of volunteer service in a variety of areas.
Thomas a lifelong resident of the borough other than the time he lived in New Brunswick attending Rutgers and one college semester he was studying abroad. A graduate of Henry Hudson Regional School in 2010, he earned his degree in sport management and a second degree in Portuguese from Rutgers University. In 2018, he also earned a master’s degree in labor and employment relations at Rutgers. He also completed a Lean Six Sigma certification from New York City College of Technology in 2020 a well as a mini MBA in digital Supply Chair Management in 2024.
Thomas also worked at the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Yacht Harbor in customer service and security for two years while attending college.
Currently, Thomas is the Senior Services, Supply and Support Analyst/business relationship manager for Wakefern Food Corporation. As part of his position with Wakefern, he works in expanding its Tech and Wholesale Divisions by supporting the firm’s Banners, Supply Chain, Corporate Systems, and expansion of its wholesale business while at the same time continuing with some of its Supply Chain Strategic Initiatives.
Thomas was elected to his first time on the expanded Henry Hudson Board of Education and serves on the finance and facilities, personnel and regionalization committees.
Thomas said he desires to seek election to municipal government to “assist with ways to help generate revenue and drive down costs where applicable, especially if it meets the strategic direction in which our community wants to move.”
He believes in aligning with residents on strategic development through encouraging new businesses and homes which can bring in income for the town. He is concerned he said with the loss of land for new development, but adds “there’s always new and fresh ideas of what can be added.” Even there, however, he cautions such development must “ truly meet the identity of our town and what can be constructed in different zones,” designating that end as a key focus for himself.
Thomas believes there are many areas and policies he would like to understand in greater depth but believes there are many opportunities for “ innovative ideas for town events, collaboration with our businesses, Green Economy/Eco Friendly Initiatives, and more.”
The candidate recognizes that the only constant in life is change and believes the borough becomes more and more appealing to people from all over. That presents a challenge on its own, he said, since it also requires preserving some of the small-town characteristics and quintessential things that make Atlantic Highlands such a special place.
“ Being part of the strategic direction of the town is one of the most important things for me,” Thomas said. “Understanding what our residents and community want is critical. But there are usually alternative, efficient, and equitable ways to implement most things depending on the subject. “
He believes that with innovative ideas and opportunities increasing, “ I don’t think we as residents should lose sight of why people moved here in the first place.”
It’s for those reasons, said Justin Thomas that he is looking “ forward to meeting, connecting, and serving our community!”
Laura Hesse is also a lifetime resident of the borough from a family that has for generations been heavily involved. Her current business as a NJ Realtor and Property Manager in which she has worked for 37 years is located at the Hesse Building on First Avenue.
Currently, Hesse is a member of the volunteer fire department, as well as a member of the Rent Control Board. She also previously served as a planning board member and was also cheer-leading coach for both St. Agnes elementary school and Henry Hudson.
Ironically, Hesse ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for borough council 21 years ago, and lost. This is the only other time she has sought elective office.
One of the reasons Hesse is running now, she said, is because it is difficult for her “to see other lifelong residents be priced out of our town by high taxes and frivolous government spending. Our community and its residents need to be the priority, I think the current administration has forgotten that. “
Divorced, the mother of three grown children and seven grandchildren, Hesse attended St. Agnes School and is a third-generation parishioner at St. Agnes Church.
Her primary goals in seeking election as a Republican in this election are to cut
“ excessive spending, expensive signs, feasibility studies and attorneys fees for issues that after years still haven’t come to fruition. “Bringing diversity and a different point of view to the current council would be a strong means in accomplishing those goals, she said.
Hesse traces her roots with pride back to when her grandfather purchased the Stone Pier where she was born and where she has stayed and raised her family and where she hopes her children could also afford to raise their families here. Her family owns several businesses under Hesse companies and several years ago moved their Belford office to the First Avenue address…
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On what could be described as a “perfect Anne Petereit Day,” more than 50 members of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society, gardeners, environmentalists and neighbors formally cut the ribbon dedicating the Anne Petereit Native Plant Garden in front of the Strauss House Sunday afternoon.
”Anne Petereit loved a rainy day,” said Joanne Delosso during the ceremony, “she loved the rain for the plants and flowers, so it’s fitting we had rain today.” The rain, which had been heavy earlier in the day, cleared in time for the dedication and the festive celebration which continued inside the Strauss House later.
Anne Petereit, the Flower Lady
Known as the Flower Lady, Petereit for many years made it her personal mission to care for and tend gardens and plantings throughout the borough as well as being a strong proponent of historic preservation.
Mayor Lori Hohenleitner was joined by Marlyn Scherfen, a volunteer with the Historical Society, Lisa Ramsthaler, Mrs. Petereit’s daughter, Joanne and Roy Dellosso of the Historical Society and Jeff Lewandowski, owner of Jeff’s Landscaping, in officially cutting the ribbon and displaying the engraved stone noting the name of the Garden. Historical Society president Lynne Petillo welcomed everyone to the museum.
Scherfen, who works with a native species group, explained that the native plants in the new garden, which replaced lawn that went up to the house, were all native to the state with another two that are native to the southern United States. She also pointed out the Butterfly Weed with its orange flower, is a milkweed Monarchs butterflies use for their entire life cycles and worms have already been visible on the plant.
Some of the other native plants in the garden include Black-eyed Susans, New England asters, Sunflowers, BlueStar’s, Cardinal flowers, indigo and Kobold, blooming in blues, yellows, pinks and purples, all plants that attract birds as well as butterflies.
Some of the other plants in the Petereit Garden are designed to bloom from early spring through late fall and range in size from inches to four feet, also include winterberry holly, which grows to 12 foot and blooms in June and July.
Roy Dellosso, society vice-president, who has worked in the garden with his wife Joanne since it was started more than four months ago, noted Joanne applied for a grant after Scherfen suggested native plants for a Petereit garden and was successful in securing that to cover much of the cost for the engraved stone. The plants were secured from Jeff’s Landscaping in Farmingdale and Lewandowski volunteered to clear the area and put in the plants in. Dellosso’s have been watering the plants since the garden started.
Mrs. Petereit’s daughter, Lisa, in expressing her thanks for the honors bestowed on her late mother, said the native plant garden in front of the historic society’s mansion is the perfect blend of her mother’s dedication to the borough and her affection for it.
It has been a busy season for the Historical Society and continues throughout the month. The Society one of the more than 100 vendors in the Flea Market scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Yacht Harbor and Thomas Craig Finnegan is continuing the Society’s lecture series on September 17.
Finnegan, a surveyor and historian, will speak on the history of surveying in the area since the 1700s ,highlighting the Presidents who were surveyors as well as the importance of early survey maps .
Finnegan’s program will be held at the Mansion at 7:30 on September 17, and admission is free. Guests are invited to make donations or bring non-perishable items for the local Food Pantry.’
The Museum is open on Sundays throughout the month from noon to 4 p.m.
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