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Learning Languages and More at the Library

By
Muriel J. Smith
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language

There was a lot of “Saluti: and “Fantastico” in the Atlantic Highlands Library last week as multi-linguist Siobhan Quinn gave an adult Italian Language class, the first of what is planned to be several classes in various languages open to the public at no charge.

Councilwoman Eileen Cusack was learning about caffe and cena as well as casa and more with half a dozen other relatives when she reluctantly had to leave the class in the library’s meeting room to go across the hall for the scheduled council meeting, but praising both Quinn and the idea of the many different programs the library offers under library director Lauren Garcia.

Interested persons should contact the library to see when the next adult class is and what language will be taught. Quinn also offers language classes for children as well. The next class for all ages will be Thursday, April 18 at 3:13 p.m. at the library. Registration is encouraged, but not necessary.

A Learn to Sew Class began today, Friday, April 12 at 3 p.m. for children ten years of age and older. The group is also giving youngsters the opportunity to give back to the community as they will be learning how to make baby blankets, pillowcases and other accessories which will then be donated to local healthcare centers and assisted living facilities. Persons wishing to donate thread and fabric for the program are also welcome and appreciated. The program, for which registration is recommended, will be every Friday at 3 p.m.

Storytime hours for all ages continue, with story time for 10 months to 2-year-old children every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., and for Toddlers 2 and 3 years old immediately following at 10 a.m. After school Storytime for youngsters in kindergarten and older is every Thursday at 3:15 for 35 minutes and for preschoolers between the ages of three and five, immediately following at 4 p.m. for a half hour. Registration is only necessary for the first session, and preschoolers should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

In addition to reading a story, the programs include a variety of activities, crafts and special gifts, along with occasional music, exercises, and a lot of fun and laughter.

Beginning Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m., the library will deal with Dungeons and Dragons, starting a program Garcia describes as “a quest unlike others you might have read before” dealing in the business of books and adventure.

 

Blind Citizens Association Spring Market

By
Muriel J. Smith
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blind

Artisans, crafters, live music and a food truck will all be at the NJ Blind Citizens Association Saturday, April 20, raising funds for the organization and introducing a variety of unique gift ideas and entertainment.

The Blind Citizens Association, originally the Blind Men’s Association which began in Leonardo early in the 20th century, is located at 18 Burlington Ave., Leonardo.

The Spring Artisan Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information or to get an application to participate as a vendor in the Artisan market, email info@njbca.org/

Swanton Fuel Oil Business of the Month

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Swanton Fuel Oil
Photo courtesy of Councilman Brian Dougherty
Swanton Fuel Oil
Swanton Fuel Oil company owners Jeff and Abigail Swanson were the Atlantic Highlands Borough council’s Business of the Month at Thursday’s meeting of the Mayor and Council and were presented a certificate of appreciation from Mayor Lori Hohenleitner for their outstanding service and volunteerism to the borough.
In making the presentation to the applause of all, Hohenleitner noted the couple have deep roots in the community, with Jeff’s family here for three generations and Abigail’s for four generations.
The mayor cited the couple’s generosity and work with their church, the fire department,, first aid, recreation and children’s programs among other causes and said the borough is “honored to have you as residents.”
In accepting the praise and congratulations, Jeff said volunteering in the community is easy and fun for the couple, since “everyone is like family and deep roots are important to a community.” The owner then added it is because of their dedication to high standards and hard work, the couple can offer honest and reliable work in their business.
Taking the opportunity to give residents money saving advice about caring for expensive systems such as air conditioners and heating, he urged all to be pro-active in their maintenance. He noted the company has programs to help residents learn how to prevent wear and tear and excessive damage to their aid conditioning units as their season for usage begins.
You can contact Swanton Fuel Oil at 732-708-0075, or go to their Web Page HERE

It’s Finally Over … and Still the Mayor

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Mayor
Mayor Hohenleitner

Atlantic Highlands Councilman James T. Murphy has dropped the complaints he filed against the Monmouth County Board of Elections along with  former Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner’s election as Mayor and other officials. This confirms that Mayor Lori Hohenleitner is officially the Mayor of Atlantic Highlands for a four year term.

Although Council Member Murphy did not respond to a request for a statement shortly after the news was released, it appears that Murphy is accepting the 39 page decision from Superior Court Judge Mari Zazzalli  which called for the attorneys for both candidates to meet in a joint discussion to determine what should be the next step in a legal battle which has been ongoing since November.

Mayor  Hohenleitner responded to a request for a comment, saying “This is obviously a huge relief for me and I’m looking forward to focusing my full attention on my community, moving forward on the important business of Atlantic Highlands. This was not just stressful for me personally, but also for members of our community. I’m looking forward to turning the page, but this will be hard to forget. I hope our town will choose to move forward on a healing path. I am very grateful for my family and friends who have been unwavering in their support”. 

When Hohenleitner won the election by a handful of votes, Murphy called for a recount. In that recount, she picked up one more vote and was leading by six votes. Murphy then challenged the rights of more than 30 local residents to cast ballots in the November election, and several were subpoenaed into court to prove they were legal residents, had the right to vote and did indeed vote in the borough.  Mayor Hohenleitner then filed complaints charging several other persons who may have voted did not have the right to vote.

After two days of testimonies in Superior Court in Freehold, Judge Zazzalli released a 39 page ‘opinion’ that negated three votes each from both Hohenleitner’s and Murphy’s challenges.  She then called for the two attorneys to meet to determine whether voters should be called in to report how they voted.

It is at this stage that Murphy chose not to ask residents to publicly swear to how they cast ballots and withdrew his complaints.

The Chorus of the Atlantic

By
Muriel J. Smith
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the Chorus of the Atlantic
The Chorus of the Atlantic

The Chorus of the Atlantic, a leading chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, is hosting a Guest Night Open House Tuesday, April 16   in the Red Bank Middle School Auditorium, 101 Harding Road.

Men of all ages and musical backgrounds are invited to join the singers for an evening filled with harmony, fraternity, and friendship.

The Chorus of the Atlantic event will commence at 7:30 PM in the auditorium. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the joy of a cappella singing in four-part harmony, under the direction of Craig J. Page, an accomplished director, performer, and music educator.

Terry Schmalzried, the chapter president, said, “Almost every one of our members came for the music, but each of us stayed for the camaraderie and satisfaction that comes with contributing to an organization like the Chorus of the Atlantic. We welcome men who like to sing – even if it’s just in the privacy of their cars – to come learn a little about a musical organization that brings novice singers together with experienced performers and has multiple generations standing shoulder-to-shoulder as they share their love for barbershop harmony.”

Director Craig J. Page emphasized, “You don’t need to read music. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to sing richly and resonantly and produce ear-pleasing harmony. You’ll soon be enjoying the ringing of beautiful a cappella chords, the company of a great bunch of fellow singers, and the thrill of performing for enthusiastic audiences.”

Guests attending the event will also have the opportunity to learn how the different voice parts blend to create the unique barbershop sound, enjoy vocal demonstrations by the chorus, and even participate in singing with the chorus.

The Chorus of the Atlantic, an award-winning chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, sings in the barbershop harmony style, which traces its musical roots back to the turn of the 20th century. Today, barbershop harmony singers not only celebrate the classics but also put their own spin on contemporary songs as well.  By joining for an evening of harmony at the Chorus of the Atlantic on this Guest Night event, men will  discover the joy of singing in harmony with others and become part of a vibrant musical community.

For more information about the Chorus of the Atlantic and to RSVP for the Guest Night event, please visit www.redbankchorus.org or contact 732-784-7343.

The Chorus of the Atlantic is a 501c(3) chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, an international organization of a cappella singers specializing in the barbershop harmony style. Led by Director Craig J. Page, the chorus brings together men of all ages and musical backgrounds to share their love for barbershop harmony through performances, rehearsals, and community events. For more information, visit www.redbankchorus.org

Previous Story HERE

Monmouth County Zips Lips

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Monmouth County
Mums the Word at Monmouth County

While taxpayers continue to pay the approximate $200 a day for the blue boom to be up against Building 23 at Fort Hancock, the National Park Service confirmed that the Monmouth County Vocational School Board of Education has not contacted them or asked for any assistance in stopping ospreys from nesting for more than four years.

The partially torn down building has been under lease from the Park Service for more than four years, planned to be renovated and historically preserved and used for classrooms, health facilities and indoor drill area for the NJROTC program at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science a& Technology. One of the highest rated schools in the state, along with each of the other four vocational technical schools under the Monmouth County Board of Education, it is the only school in the state where every student is required to be a member of the NJROTC in order to graduate. The NJROTC program results in numerous cadets receiving scholarships to military academies as well as other colleges and universities of their choice throughout the United States.

Planned to be built and in use more than two years ago, the original bids for construction came in too high and the job was re-bid last year. Those bids came in higher than the $15 million set aside for construction and have not been offered again.

In the history of the planned construction, all plans were halted in 2020 when ospreys returned to their nest on top of the building, a former barracks facing Pershing Field. National Park Service officials had been working with MAST officials and their contractor regarding osprey management in the winter and spring of 2020. In February 2020, compliance was completed for installation of bird deterrents to prevent nesting on both buildings, including Building 56. This is the smaller building which has been substantially completed and is in active use to house the more than $1 million in US Navy uniforms and equipment for the program.

The Park Service then granted approval for Monmouth County to remove nesting material from the building to prevent the osprey pair from establishing a nest on April 7, 2020.

The goal was to get ahead of osprey so that nesting did not delay stabilization. No issues or delays related to osprey have been brought to the park’s attention since then, a spokesman for the NPS said.

Schools Business Administrator Kelly Brazelton has not yet responded to queries sent last month asking for confirmation of the National Park Service statement that the County has not sought any assistance in removing ospreys and apparently has installed the boom as its effort to halt any nesting.

Nor has Monmouth County Administrator Teri O’Connor responded to any requests for information on the cost to taxpayers for the boom or the lack of communication with the Park Service for any assistance to ensure safety for the ospreys while moving forward with bids add ultimate construction of the MAST facility.

The nest which has been atop the building was absent last month for the first time, but it is not known who removed it or how. The following day, the boom was put in place and has remained there since then.

In the meantime, there have been several reports of ospreys at the site of the nest. Last week, there were unconfirmed reports of the birds possibly starting a new nest on the top of the boom itself, with the sighting of several large pieces of reeds and grass ospreys use in building. This week, there are still some sticks there, and birds week on the boom Monday afternoon.

 

Attorney Opinions … Everyone Has One

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Attorney
Dueling Opinions – Which Attorney is Right?

“They shouldn’t vote, they’re not supposed to,” Borough Attorney Peg Schaffer said at this week’s Atlantic Highlands borough council meeting

Her response was to the question whether it’s necessary for a commissioner to attend a meeting in order to vote to approve minutes of that meeting at the next meeting.

Certainly makes sense, and it’s no surprise that Ms Schaffer’s answer means just that. After all, how can someone put their name down saying the minutes are true and accurate if he or she wasn’t there to attend the meeting?

Perhaps it’s possible if the absentee actually listens to a recording of that meeting or watches a video of it on line some where. But even then, recordings don’t always capture everything and videos might not be complete. Besides, if minutes are a formal and accepted proof of something that happened at a meeting, shouldn’t the absentee voter also have to swear he really listened to the whole meeting before voting on it?

There’s no doubt things are done correctly at the Borough Council meetings; Ms Schaffer is a stickler for not only knowing but doing the right thing.

But the Harbor Commission attorney gave a different opinion to the harbor commissioners at their meeting last week. In response to a question from resident Mark Fisher, who nobody doubts knows what ‘s going on at every municipal meeting, Commission attorney Gregory Cannon said it’s okay for an absentee member to approve minutes he was not present to hear. They’re just approving it as an official record, he said. HUH?

So the question was asked at the council meeting simply to learn whether minutes are going to be kept in different ways by different municipal boards.

Ms Schaffer could set the record straight right away and even give exceptions to it. She explained that the planning board members, for example, have a rule that enables a member who has not heard the full application for a variance application, to vote on the application when it is ready for a vote. But, she added, in order to do that, the member must also sign that he has heard a recording of the entire application.

When it was explained that another attorney had said voting when absent was ok in a specific incident, Attorney Schaffer simply said, “in my opinion, she should not have voted at the meeting.”

Nevertheless, Schaffer said to be certain she might “call and find out”: whether she is in error, and will “report at the next meeting.”Opinions …

Stephen Nagiewicz – Archeologist, Explorer & Shipwrecks

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Stephen Nagiewicz

Stephen Nagiewicz, archeologist, explorer and an acknowledged authority on shipwrecks and highly respected for his scuba diving experiences, will be the first speak of the 2024 Speaker Season of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The Series is a free event and is held at the Atlantic Highlands Museum, on E. Mount Ave. Guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or baby product for the local food pantry.

Nagiewicz, a retired high school science teacher and current adjunct professor of Marine Science at Stockton College, will speak on the Privateers of New Jersey and the Battle of Chestnut Neck at Mullica River (now known as Port Republic). 

Since many of the Revolutionary War battles were fought on the water there have been numerous shipwrecks from both Patriots and British force found through the years. The archeologist and diver will discuss locating and mapping these vessels in the Mullica River, reportedly some of the oldest known shipwrecks in New Jersey.

Nagiewicz is a licensed ship Master with more than 40 years’ experience scuba diving. He is the former Executive Director and Fellow of the Explorers Club, a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, and a member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, Society for Historical Archaeology, Nautical Archaeology Society, and the Register of Professional Archaeologists.   The explorer has also managed the State of New Jersey’s Marine Sciences Laboratory at Sandy Hook.

Nagiewicz holds a master’s degree from Stockton University is in their School of Natural Sciences teaching courses in Marine Archaeology, Marine Underwater Technology, and Maritime History.  

He has been featured on episodes of National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Science Channel, PBS, Drive by History, Divers Down TV, and Dive Wreck Valley television shows.  He is considered an expert commentator on many marine topics for breaking television news stories, has written five books on maritime history and underwater archaeology including Hidden History of Maritime New Jersey and is co-author of the University of Florida Press.

He also wrote ROBERT J. WALKER. The History and Archaeology of Steamship of a U.S. Coast Survey Steamship, Citizen Science in Maritime Archaeology, and contributed to the edited volume; International Horseshoe Crab Conservation and Research Efforts, 2007-2020 and the Foreword: Hell Job, Series by L. Ron Hubbard (International Reprint 2014). Nagiewicz has also authored and co-authored several academic publications about maritime history.

3 and 3 and Back to Court

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Court
The Court Renders a Decision … Sort of

Superior Court Judge Mara Zazzali Jones released an opinion yesterday which appears to determine that Mayor Lori Hohenleitner was duly elected Mayor of Atlantic Highlands in spite of the challenge by her opponent Councilman James Murphy.

The opinion, however, left the decision up to a further conference among the Judge and the attorneys for both officials.

While the Court found three instances where she felt Murphy, as the Petitioner did not always meet his burden of proof in the case of those votes he contested, she found several other instances when he indeed did and those votes should be rejected.

Hohenleitner had also filed with the court three challenges she felt were against voters she did not feel were eligible to vote in the borough in November. The judge upheld her proofs in those cases and rejected the votes, meaning she rejected three voters Murphy challenged, and another three Hohenleitner challenged.

That number, six in total, is not enough to overturn the election, and Judge Zazzali indicated that going forward, “the court may require additional testimony for the reasons set forth in an earlier court case in Parsippany . That is because the six illegal votes exceed Hohenleitner’ s margin of a five vote victory.

The Judge cited the earlier decision that said “the statute specifically grants the judge the power to require voters to disclose relevant information, including the authority to ‘compel [a voter] to disclose for whom he voted.”

It is for this reason Judge Zazzali concluded she “shall conference this matter to address the effect of these findings of fact and conclusions of law on this election challenge.”

The opinion itself reflects a major error in the written opinion. On page five of the decision, where the background and history of the lawsuit filed by Councilman Murphy when he lost the election Hohenleitner, who was also a councilwoman at the time, is legally identified and laid out, Judge Zazzali identified Murphy as the Democrat candidate for Mayor and Hohenleitner as the Republican candidate.

Neither member of the borough council responded to requests for a statement hours after the release of the opinion.

Council meets tonight, Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m. for its regular meeting and the matter is not expected to come up for any discussion during the meeting.

Highlands – The First, and Not the Last

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Highlands Borough Hall
One of the many renderings of the new Highlands Borough Hall

Warm welcomes from employees and volunteers for the borough, an opportunity to learn about new businesses opening and renewing acquaintances with others, plenty of gifts and a spectacular hors’d’oeuvres and charcouterie buffet for all were all part of the second annual Meet and Greet sponsored by the Highlands Mayor and Council Monday night, the first in the new Borough Hall on Navesink Avenue.

Mayor Carolyn Broullon, Council president Joan Olszewski and Councilwoman Karen Chelak welcomed the approximate 50 residents and friends who took advantage of the invitation to have guided tours of the borough hall and its police headquarters, and at the same time meet the personnel in an informal setting who respond to all their requests, needs and complaints when it comes to local government and programs.

Visitors at the event also had the opportunity to learn more about and receive applications for the Highlands Hometown Hero Banner program as well as how to become first aid members. The American Legion, Post 143, gave tee shirts to guests, the Emergency Management program had packets for all, and the Garden Club festooned the entire main hall of Borough Hall with colorful flowers.

The buffet was the culinary handiwork of two borough employees, Administrative Assistant Lisa Natala and Jacqui Kane, and included everything from handheld cups for mixed fruits and vegetables with dip, meatballs and sauce, fruits, cheeses, meats, deviled eggs, triangular cups for mixtures of vegetables, fruits and nuts, desserts and beverages. Guest marveled at the extraordinary display and taste of the offerings and joked that the employees should open their own catering business in addition to continuing their outstanding service as borough employees.

Among the many other agencies and organizations who presented information about their organizations as well as invitations to join, in addition to both the fire and first aid, were the American Legion, Post 143, the VFW, Post 6902, The Knights of Columbus Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council, the Garden Club, police and fire cadets,

Donald Krueger, a member of the transitional Henry Hudson Board of Education, and Renee DeMarco, executive director of the Housing Authority that operates Ptak tower, were also present to introduce themselves and offer assistance or information at the request of residents.

Police Chief Rob Burton and three offices from the department came off added duty in the borough as the result of a fire at Sandy Hook shortly before the start of the meeting which knocked out electricity throughout the Bayshore. Burton, after notifying other departments and personnel of the cause of the electrical blackout which lasted more than an hour, also helped direct traffic along Route 36 due to the absence of all traffic signals along the state highway.

Police also conducted tours of the police headquarters on the lower level of Borough Hall, the first headquarters the borough has ever had that meets all standards and recommendations of the Department of Corrections. In addition to offices for senior personnel in the department, the area also includes investigation rooms, evidence rooms and lockers, prison cells, and more updated equipment and rooms since the borough’s last permanent facility at the rear of borough hall when it was located on Bay Avenue.

Representing municipal officers were Mrs. Chelak is a borough’s liaison with the Highlands Business Partnership, Council president Olszewski, the boroughs liaison to the Board of Education, Borough Administrator Michael Muscillo, Borough Clerk Nancy Tran, CRS coordinator Kathy Shaw, William Kane, Office of Emergency Management, Code Enforcement Officer William Brunt, Public Words Director Spencer Carpenter, Steve Winters, building official, Paul Murphy, fire marshal, Fire Chief William Caizza, First Aid Chief Jay Terwilliger and First Aid President Rosemary Ryan, Historical Society President Sheila Weinstock, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Michael Napolitano and Sir Knight Ian McGuiness, and business representatives from both Cuts and Catch, the newest borough restaurant and One Willow Street and Sandy Hook Marina.

The borough’s new mailing address, at Borough Hall is 151 Navesink Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732

 

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