Thomas Wall was unanimously elected Chairman of the Atlantic Highlands Harbor Commission for another year, with Michael Curry also being unanimously re-elected vice chairman at the reorganization meeting of the Commission this week.
Councilman Brian Gorsegner also was welcomed as the new council representative to the Harbor Commission, joining Councilwoman Alyson Forbes who had been sworn in for her third term at the borough’s reorganization meeting. Gorsegner replaces Councilman Vito Colasurdo whose term expired this month.
Richard Janow was continued as the chief financial officer and William McGuinne as commission attorney. Colliers was continued as engineer along with a pool of four other engineering firms and five banks were named as official depositories. Jessican McLain continues as the commission’s treasurer, secretary and client services representative.
Gorsegner said he is happy to be a council representative to the harbor and has visited both the harbor and familiarized himself with its activities, leases, and essentials in keeping the harbor running successfully.
The commission will continue to meet on the first Tuesday of every month at borough hall at 7 p.m.
In their reports, Commissioner Jim Krauss reported the here will be a second RFP posted for lease of the former Shore Casino at the Harbor, since the Commission rejected the lone bid submitted last month. He noted prospective leases do not have to limit their expertise, experience or plans for the former Casino into a catering facility and noted the Commission is open to new ideas and innovations in its commitment to its fiduciary obligations for taxpayers. The new RFP is anticipated to be announced following next week’s meeting of the Mayor and Council.
While Curry announced income is down by 5 percent because of fuel income being down as well as leases rentals, which are down 18 per cent, expenses are also down by 9 per cent he said, leaving the harbor in a good position. The new budget is currently being prepared, he said, and should be ready for approval by mid-April.
Krause also noted the lease with the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club expired in December; however, it is continued on a month to month basis until the new lease can be agreed upon a signed by both parties.
McQuinn reported he is hopeful the Kappa litigation will be settled before the next court date February 17 and noted Kappa is paying for all the repairs necessary through a third party.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
Congratulations to the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education on its reorganization this week and its enthusiasm for continuing to represent taxpayers in both municipalities in providing education for the pre-K through 12 student population.
Board member Rebecca Wells said it right when she noted that while the board president elected for the upcoming year is from Highlands, it’s a sign of members from both towns working well together with the election of Atlantic Highlands resident Kim Kozic being elected vice-president. With regionalization with Sea Bright still a question to be decided by voters, it’s great to see this body working together to get things done. Congrats also to Rich Colangelo for his term; it couldn’t have been easy to be the first president of a brand new board and to set direction for its future.
Congrats also to the board administrator for anticipating questions and finding right responses. It seems when a board member nominates someone for an office, it isn’t necessary to have a second to the motion; at the meeting, candidates were nominated for both offices but with and without a second, and the administrator said her research showed either way was proper.
And Atlantic Highlands resident Mark Fisher was at it again, this time protecting safety for property and personnel as the dedicated firefighter he is. He got assurance when asking whether regulations prohibiting parking in fire zones would be enforced this year. It was attendees at a meeting last year that noted that a vehicle which apparently belonged to a paid contractor was parked in a fire zone; at this meeting, Fisher noted there were several vehicles that were parked illegally and given the few persons in attendance at the meeting, it appeared the violations were either by employees, contractors, or at least folks arriving very early for the meeting.
But on the good news side, I Join that with the mayors of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright getting together over lunch or whatever, and seemingly working well together to come up with the pay schedule each town will pay to continue the education in the district. It’s hard to see how Highlands and Atlantic Highlands taxpayers can continue to pay the millions of dollars for education of such a relatively small group of students without the help of another borough. Sea Bright’s millions coming in could well help keep the school district very similar to what it is now; looking at Middletown’s problems and soaring taxes for education in their schools and the need to either tear down or pay millions to renovate old schools, especially one so close to both the bay shore towns in Navesink, and looking at how new state law is calling for larger regional districts, it’s looking more and more like this charming regional district could well be swallowed up as Middletown East if this board and towns don’t take action and let the people decide.
Not so pleasant, and certainly apparently not aware of the Bill of Rights of the United States, was the stand-in at the Henry Hudson organization meeting for its regular attorney, Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch.
After the meeting was ended, when a journalist went up to the newly elected board president, and after congratulating her, asked what she is thinking about regionalization, the representative, presuming she is an attorney, quickly jumped in and told the journalist she can’t ask a question after a meeting. It was only after the questioner reminded the woman that Highlands where the meeting was held is a part of the United States and 250 years ago a lot of fine men fought to give us all the right to free speech, that she changed her story and said the board member doesn’t have to answer. Good she knew that right is also guaranteed by being in a free country. But the taxpayers still pay for her appearance and her opinions at a public meeting.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
Loss It has been a tough month for Atlantic Highlands as well as the entire Henry Hudson Regional School community wot the deaths of three well loved and devoted men who carved special places in the hearts of the community.
Former Atlantic Highlands Mayor Robert Schoeffling
Former Atlantic Highlands Mayor Robert Schoeffling , and Henry Hudson regional school retired teachers Vincent Whitehead and Peter Lardieri all died within weeks and whose funeral services are all within days of each other.
Visitation for Mayor Bob will be on Friday, January 9 at the Posten McGinley Funeral Home from 3 to 7 P.M. A funeral service will take place Saturday at 9 a.m. at the United Methodist Church followed by interment at 11 a.m. at Cedarwood Cemetery in Hazlet. The family has invited all to attend visitation and services as signs of remembrance and love for the former mayor.
“Coach” Arthur Vincent “Vinnie” Whitehead
“Coach” Arthur Vincent “Vinnie” Whitehead, beloved family man, coach, and youth pastor died Jan 3 at age 73 following a swift battle with esophageal cancer.
Described as a devoted husband and father, as well as family man, the Coach was also a passionate mentor to countless students and youth.
Born Dec 3, 1952, in Anchorage, Alaska, Coach Whithead earned his degree in Health and Physical Education from Brookdale and Furman University where he was part of their baseball programs, He spent his career teaching and coaching at Henry Hudson Regional School for 44 passionate years.
Coach impacted multiple generations of students with his unwavering integrity, and commitment to making everyone the best they could be- on and off the field and classroom. He coached cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, and field hockey at Hudson, Brookdale’s basketball program, and countless AAU and travel teams, camps, and recreation programs, creating lasting bonds with his students and players that have turned into family.
Vinnie was a faithful servant to his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ with a faith that was a cornerstone of his life, and a driving passion for local and international missions work. He spent many years helping communities in need through his church and organizations including Fellowship Of Christian Athletes, which allowed him to share his faith and sports knowledge around the globe. He has enjoyed decades of service as an Elder and Youth Pastor at Calvary Chapel Crossfields in Jamesburg.
The coach also loved to read, was an avid fan of college basketball (especially March Madness) and the New York Yankees. He loved spending time with his family, always cracking a joke or up to a prank, rarely seeing him without a smile and taking the prize for always being the silliest in any situation. There was no one more loyal, trustworthy, and devoted as a husband, father, mentor, or friend.
Vinnie is survived by his dedicated wife Maria of 45 years, his daughter Ashley, his brother Cliff and his wife Marybeth with their sons Jonathan, Gabriel, Joshua, and Caleb, his sister Carolyn and her children Michael and Emily., brother- in-law Vinny and his wife Barbara and their children Chrissy and Jimmy, bother-in-law Joey and wife Tina and their children Joey, Michael, David, and Maria as well as many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Arthur and Anna Whitehead.
A celebration of Coach’s life will be held at Posten McGinley Funeral Home on Tuesday Jan. 6 from 4 to 7pm and Wednesday, Jan 7 for a Chapel Service at 10am. Graveside commitment at Monmouth Memorial Park to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory to The Fellowship of Christian Athletes New Jersey. https://www.fcanj.org/donate
Peter J. Lardieri
Retired teacher Peter J. Lardieri, 80, of Bradenton, Fla died December 21. Born and raised in Newark, Mr. Lardieri graduated from St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in 1962 and from Colby College in 1966. While at Colby, he was a Dean’s List student and was selected as an All-Conference baseball player. He earned his master’s degree from Boston University in 1968, graduating with high honors and was selected as one of three Gillette Teaching Fellows.
A highly respected educator, he taught mathematics for 36 years at Henry Hudson Regional School, retiring in 2004. For much of his tenure, he served as mathematics supervisor as well as coaching 49 various seasons in baseball, softball, field hockey and chess. He was twice selected as the school’s “Teacher of the Year.” He was always willing to help students, colleagues and friends when they asked for advice.
Mr. Lardieri played semi-pro baseball for Ye Cottage Inn in the Jersey Shore League and, in its 1970 championship season, was elected the team’s “Most Valuable Player.” He played many years of softball in various leagues around the Shore and served four years as a volunteer coach for the Bayshore Youth Athletic Association, two years for the Middletown Youth Athletic Association, and eight years as Fall League coach for Christian Brothers Academy. His teams won six championships and ten tournaments, and he was most proud of his 1987 BYAA NJ state champion team.
In 2006 he retired to Bradenton, FL, where he developed an avid interest in golf. He played as often as possible and, by his own account, was “an enthusiastic, but mediocre player.”
He was predeceased by his parents Angelo and Mary Grande Lardieri, his sisters Dolores Saxe, Assunta Flannery Ege, and Josephine Lardieri, and three brothers-in-law, John P. Flannery, Robert Saxe, and Karl Ege. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Diane, their two children and their spouses, three adored grandchildren, and eleven nieces and nephews.
There was a life celebration on Dec. 30 at the Raritan Valley Country Club, in Bridgewater. NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Henry Hudson Regional Education Association Scholarship Fund, 1 Grand Tour, Highlands, NJ 07732; or to the charity of your choice.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
Robert Schoeffling, “Mayor Bob,” (seated, center) of Atlantic Highlands, was surprised with an 80th birthday party 10 years ago that was thrown by his children and held at Christine’s in Atlantic Highlands. His sons, Rob (back row, left), of Everett, WA and Andrew, of Tinton Falls, as well as daughters, Karen Harlan (bottom row, left), of Waterford, CA and Laura Fortner, of Dallas, TX, all came together to pull off the surprise.
Mourns Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner announced the death of former Mayor Robert Schoeffling yesterday, sending heartfelt wishes to his family and to all borough residents who remembered, loved and respected the former Mayor.
Robert Schoeffling, “Mayor Bob,” (seated, center) of Atlantic Highlands, was surprised with an 80th birthday party 10 years ago that was thrown by his children and held at Christine’s in Atlantic Highlands. His sons, Rob (back row, left), of Everett, WA and Andrew, of Tinton Falls, as well as daughters, Karen Harlan (bottom row, left), of Waterford, CA and Laura Fortner, of Dallas, TX, all came together to pull off the surprise.
Schoeffling, who was born in 1935, was featured in To Preserve and Protect, a book of profiles of Monmouth County writers who recorded the history and heritage of Monmouth County. The book was published by the Office of the County Clerk and written by County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon and Rick Gefffken. The book was written six years ago.
The Chapter on Mayor Bob follows:
Bob Schoeffling is a man fiercely devoted to his Atlantic Highlands hometown. This unique contributor to Monmouth County history has been a councilman, mayor, borough historian, rare and out-of-print bookstore owner and collector of anything and everything connected to this small but important Bayshore community.
The dining and living rooms of his house feature floor-to-ceiling bookshelves of the many published works he has bought at flea markets, estate sales, other bookshops, and from private collectors. His library consists of over 1,700 hardcover books, the vast majority about New Jersey history.
More than a few of these are one-of-a-kind, long out-of- print works relating to Atlantic Highlands and the vicinity. Remarkably, when you engage in a conversation about a historical topic with Bob, he will jump up and find an exact reference to what you are discussing among his hundreds of books. Some of which he has not opened in years. One of these, is, astoundingly, Poems on Several Occasions, written and autographed in 1795 by Philip Freneau, the American Revolutionary War poet of considerable fame from Matawan. It might be the only one.
Bob grew up in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, went to Leonardo schools and took some courses at Monmouth College before starting his working life at Jersey Central Power & Light Company. He met his late wife, Ruth, when he was the business manager at the utility’s Long Branch office. Bob and Ruth moved to Atlantic Highlands in the 1960s.
Bob was elected the Republican mayor of Atlantic Highlands for consecutive terms, serving from 1988 to 1999. He is justly proud of his accomplishments as a public servant. “I brought ferry service to town- Sea Streak. I worked seven years getting the Portland Pointe Senior Citizen building” because he says, “the building was vital since the town had the third-highest number of seniors in Monmouth County without senior housing back then.”
He was able to secure a $4.5 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) “one of only two towns east of the Mississippi to get money,” he says, adding, “God used me as a tool to make that happen.” His fellow board members recognized him with a “Facility Trustee of the Year” award in 2010. Schoeffling Way in Atlantic Highlands is yet another “thank you” to this indefatigable popular and selfless citizen.
Twenty years since his mayoralty role, Bob still answers to his honorific title of Mayor Bob. Never content to rest when it comes to volunteering, he has held positions as Board president of both the First Avenue Playhouse and Atlantic Highlands library.
Schoeffling says “I always had an interest in history probably generated by one of the teachers I had. She was known as Ma Pennington in Leonardo High School” Continually inquisitive about local heritage, the adult Bob Schoeffling began to collect books and other memorabilia relative to the area. He is enthusiastic when he says, “Atlantic Highlands is a hidden treasure.”
Among Bob’s personal treasures are handwritten slave certificate of sale, commemorative plates from steamship lines, town directories that preceded modern phone books, old advertising pamphlets and posters, newspapers and gazettes, ancient deeds and framed classic photographic science, and Bayshore-related bric-a-brac once sold as cheap souvenirs but now important relics of our history Although no longer an active buyer, Bob has a loyal following of other collectors who still call him when they come across something significant.
Bob Schoeffling was the first President of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society, whose headquarters is at the 1893 Strauss House on Prospect Circle. Bob says, “I remember hanging sheet rock in there before we got any funding.”
In 2002, Schoeffling wrote the Atlantic Highlands chapter for County Clerk M Clare French’s “Town by Town” book.
Bob Schoeffling’s view of our county’s history is comprehensive when he addresses our richness. .”Some people call it (New Jersey) the Cockpit of the Revolution.” Lots of significant things occurred right here, like after the Battle of Monmouth when the British came right by here on their way to Sandy Hook.” Bob himself is surely one of Monmouth County’s treasures.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
It is always exciting to see new Council Members Sworn in!
With his wife holding the Bible and his daughter at his side, Atlantic Highlands Councilman Brian Gorsenger was sworn into his first term as borough councilman at the reorganization meeting at Borough Hall at noon on New Year’s Day. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago administered the oath of office.
Kathleen Scatassa , with her husband and daughter at her side, took her oath of office as an Atlantic Highlands council member administered by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago at the New Year’s Day reorganization of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council. Councilman Brian Dougherty was also sworn in to another term as council president with his oath of office administered by Mayor Lori Hohenleitner. with his wife and thre children at his side.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
The Middletown Township Committee will hold its annual reorganization meeting at 10:00 AM on Sunday, January 4, in the Courtroom at Town Hall, located at 1 Kings Highway.
On the agenda will be the swearing-in of Committeeman Ryan Clarke and Committeeman Kevin Settembrino who will accept their Oaths of Office to serve their three-year terms. There will also be the election of the 2026 mayor and deputy mayor. Under the Township’s form of government, the Township Committee designates two members to serve as mayor and deputy mayor for one-year terms.
The Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services officers also will be sworn in at this meeting. Additionally, volunteers appointed to various Township boards, committees, and commissions will be announced. Each group focuses on different aspects of the community and works to enhance Middletown’s quality of life. Residents are appointed to these positions by the Township Committee.
The meeting will be held in person, but community members can also watch it virtually by clicking this event link. Once you visit the link, please scroll to the information for the meeting. Once the meeting begins, the event will say “LIVE” and a camera icon will appear. You can click on the camera icon to stream the meeting. After the meeting ends, a recording of it will be available. Prior to the meeting, the event link will be published on the Township’s Facebook page. The recording of the meeting will be aired on the Township’s TV channel (Verizon FiOS Channel 26/Comcast Cable Channel 20) and YouTube channel.
For more information regarding the meeting, please call the Township Clerk’s Office at (732) 615-2014. Members of the media are encouraged to RSVP to Tara Berson and Raven Rentas in the Communications Department at communications@middletownnj.org.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
Highlands Police Chief Robert Burton’s recommended acceptance into and successful graduation from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, is no small achievement for the native born borough police chief.
When Mayor Carolyn Broullon and council congratulated the chief at the reorganization meeting, they highlighted several aspects of the program which is open only to law enforcement officers, managers and executives nominated for the 11 week program, many with more than 20 years’ experience.
But there is more to the program and Burton’s prestige in having accomplished it than the mayor could highlight at the meeting.
The program offers advanced leadership, communication, and fitness training for experienced law enforcement professionals worldwide, fostering higher law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation through academic courses, physical challenges, and networking. It is a key part of the larger FBI training facility at Quantico that also trains new agents, with graduates often achieving executive roles in their agencies.
Some of the primary aspects of the FBI National Academy are those nominated for it must have proven records of excellence in law enforcement, Thei studies then focus on academics , including earning university credits through the University of Virginia, physical fitness, leadership, behavioral science, and counterterrorism. The goal of the program is to improve the administration of justice and raise law enforcement standards globally through education and networking.
The FBI looks at its National Academy as a world-renowned institution for developing top-tier law enforcement leaders, steps above a standard police academy for new recruits, but rather an advanced professional development school
With less than one per cent of all police officers selected to attend, the FBI Academy is considered a prestigious program. Participants attend by invitation only through a nomination process and must demonstrate a proven track record of professionalism within their agencies. The highly challenging curriculum leaves successful graduates with more specialized knowledge, more professional connections, and more resources to help them be successful at the highest levels of their organizations.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
The Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council, at a brief special noon time meeting December 29, unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a new collective bargaining agreement with the local police department’s PBA, retroactive to June 30.
Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner
Mayor Lori Hohenleitner announced the agreement at the reorganization meeting two days later, expressing happiness the contract has been resolved.
The borough has been involved in extensive negotiations with PBA Local 242, which represents all officers on the department below the rank of captain and chief. The new agreement succeeds the contract which was in effect from 2020 through last June. The new contract is retroactive to July 1, 2025 and will continue through June 30, 2030.
The resolution signed last week also agrees to make the increased salary guide retroactive to last June when that contract expired.
In other business at the meeting, the governing body also cancelled $80,000 in unspent budget appropriations in the water and sewer department, in order to enable the funds to be placed in surplus.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
Highlands’ Kevin Smith will be the head caller at a live auction at Smodcastle Cinemas, First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, tomorrow, Saturday, January 3 beginning at 1 p.m.
This sale will feature All Items Kevin Smith and will also be a live in-person with a Live Broadcast from Smodcastle Cinemas at 2 p.m.
The collection, with items starting at $10, features props, and costumes from various movies and TV shows, scripts, banners, promotional items, Art, Posters, Call Sheets, and unique items that were only obtained by Kevin himself!
Most items are autographed by Smith, and all will come with COAs from Bodnar’s Auction.
Movie items include all the greats from Mallrats, Dogma, the 4:30 Movie, Yoga Hosers, Jersey Girl, Clerks, Jay & Silent Bob, Chasing Amy, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, and more! Proceeds will help keep the lights on at the Smodcastle Cinemas.
Interested persons can bid in person on sale day, or online!
This collection, according to Bodnar’s Auction, is a fresh-to-market collection to be sold with no reserves to the highest bidder! In-house shipping on small items, and local UPS Store shipping options are available, as well as local pick-up in Monmouth Junction.
This is a live broadcast sale with auctioneers and callers describing all lots in the sale giving the feeling of being in person at the auction.
The preview at the theater starts at 1:00 pm. For more information, visit www.bodnarsauction.com
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
Atlantic Highlands Councilmen Brian Gorsegner and Kathleen Scatessa were both appointed to be council representatives on variety of committees at the reorganization of the Mayor and Council January 1, with many other council committee appointments remaining the same as last year.
Gorsegner and Scatessa, both elected to their first terms on council, will serve together as representatives to the Shade Tree Commission. In addition, Gorsegner joins Councilwoman Alyson Forbes as representatives on the Harbor Commission and will also join Councilmen Jon Crowley and Brian Dougherty as representatives to the recreation committee.
Scatessa will also be the lone representative on the environmental commission together with her appointment to the Shade tree Commission.
Council President Brian Dougherty will continue as Chair on the finance, personnel and insurance committees, working with Forbes and Mayor Lori Hohenleitner. He will also serve with Councilman Jon Crowley on the Public Works Committee and will continue as liaison to the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education as well as to the Planning Board.
Councilman Jose Pujols will be council representative to the fire department, and along with Crowley, to the Public Department and Emergency Services. He will also be council representative for emergency management, Veterans Affairs and the senior citizen committee.
Crowley and Dougherty will be council representatives to Public Works.
Hohenleitner named herself to the Open Space Committee. With unanimous council approval.
Borough attorney Marguerite Schaffer is continuing as municipal attorney, Richard Leahey, Jr. as Municipal Judge, James Butler as prosecutor and Kevin Wiggenton and Wendy Crother as public defenders. Meghan Bennett is redevelopment council and Richad Colangelo continues as code enforcement officer. i
Council set its regular meeting nights for the first and third Mondays of the month for February through June, and again in October . In September, meetings will be on Monday, September 9 and Wednesday, September 21; there will only be one meeting each month in January, July, August, November and December.
The first regular council meeting of the year will be Monday January 12, at 7 p.m.. at Borough Hall.
You can also Find ViniVidiScripto on the Following Platforms …
