Author: Jacqueline Durett, Correspondent
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Chef turns childhood passion into dream come true
By JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent SAYREVILLE — Louis Santiago has a passion for food — and for changing lives. He’s also well on his way to changing his own. Santiago, who is a second-year culinary arts student at the premier Culinary Institute of America in New York, said he’s looking forward to a successful career as…
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Edison candidate bows out amid controversy
By JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent EDISON — Nilesh Dasondi has withdrawn from the Edison Board of Education race. Dasondi, who spent six months in a federal prison after a conviction for money laundering in connection with an illegal fraud scheme, released a statement that indicated the controversy around his conviction had prompted his decision. Those who had…
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Consulting firm bills for funds on top of contract
By JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent SAYREVILLE — Councilwoman Mary Novak said she was upset that the borough agreed to give vendor V-COMM an additional payment on top of an existing contract. Mayor Kennedy O’Brien had to break a tie at the Aug. 22 meeting to pay the consulting firm, V-COMM, an additional $8,000, which, according to…
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BBQ Showdown will add flavor to new South Amboy arts district
By JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent SOUTH AMBOY — Later this month, residents and visitors will get one of their first tastes of the city’s new arts district, South Amboy ARTS, while also getting to sample plenty of barbecue dishes. BBQ Showdown 2016 will be held on Sept. 25 at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park. The third annual event…
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Edison seeks to rein in vacant properties
By JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent EDISON — With a new ordinance, the township is taking steps to address its vacant and abandoned properties. However, a couple of residents at the Aug. 24 council meeting were skeptical that the structure the ordinance, which was introduced that evening, outlined was the right solution. The ordinance requires the registration of…
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Business invites residents to create their own ‘Masterpiece’
By JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent SOUTH AMBOY — A new business in town is making quite a splash — with a splash of color, that is. Art studio Masterpiece Mixers opened in July at 104 N. Broadway, and it is already seeing quite a bit of success, according to co-owner Dennis Connors of Woodbridge. Connors grew up…
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Residents air concerns over Clara Barton redo approval
By JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent EDISON — The Township Council approved the Clara Barton Redevelopment Plan at the Aug. 24 meeting, although residents continued to express a number of concerns about how the town plans to proceed regarding issues such as parking. The process has taken the better part of a year, now culminating with a…
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Event center shows ‘Pure’ performance at Planning Board meeting
By JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent SAYREVILLE — Pure Event Center cleared a significant hurdle Aug. 3 in meeting its obligations to renew its liquor license. Salvatore Alfieri, attorney for Pure, a Route 35 event space, said the Planning Board has given Pure two previous conditional approvals, and the venue was looking for a longer-term approval. He…
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Edison reviews affordable housing obligation
By JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent EDISON — The township has moved closer to finalizing the landscape of its affordable housing for the next 10 years, and has managed to retain its requirement for 1,310 units. The board had reviewed a preliminary version of consultants Shirley Bishop and Leslie London’s plan in April. The plan is based…
