Category: Independent News

  • Merla: Please send your ‘kind words’ to judge

    In letter, describes past two years as ‘one horrible experience after another’ BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer John Merla KEYPORT – In case you were waiting, now is your chance to help John Merla. According to defense attorney Michael Pappa, the former mayor mailed out “dozens” of letters last…

  • Twp. expects to save $400K

    MIDDLETOWN – Taxpayers in the township stand to save a little over $400,000 thanks to proposed refinancing of bonds issued between 1997 and 2002. The township is refinancing with the assistance of the Monmouth County Improvement Authority. The bonds were originally floated for capital projects like road improvements and building renovations. “This proposed measure is…

  • Rehabilitation plan gains board’s support

    If passed, council would have more say on what can be built in Keyport BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer “You’re zoning right now by variance. So what we’re getting is a patchwork quilt – without any planning.” – Robert Bergen Mayor KEYPORT – The Planning Board backed a measure…

  • BCC annual Guitar Show on Feb. 18

    MIDDLETOWN – Continuing a decade-long tradition, Brookdale Public Radio 90.5 The NIGHT’s 10th annual Guitar Show will be held Feb. 18 at the Donald D. Warner Student Life Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A special gift package will be presented to the first 100 people entering the show. General admission is $10, or…

  • Committee may prohibit taking government jobs

    Holmdel expected to discuss new pay-to-play proposals March 1 BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer BY KAREN E. BOWESStaff Writer HOLMDEL – Interested in beefing up their current pay-to-play law, Holmdel officials will discuss adopting new restrictions on March 1. On Thursday, the Township Committee discussed banning developers that do business with the township from…

  • Pallone will make health care reform bipartisan

    House subcommittee chair cites uninsured, Medicare as priorities BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent BY LORI ANNE OLIWACorrespondent Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6) As the new chairman of the House committee that funds Medicare, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-6) sees the problem of uninsured individuals, particularly children, as his biggest challenge. Pallone said last week he…

  • Boro residents Step Up to share their talents

    Keyport seeks volunteers to work with children in after-school program BY TAMMY McKILLIP Correspondent BY TAMMY McKILLIPCorrespondent “We’re more about getting the kids involved in something that interests them and teaching them what we can teach them.” – Joseph Sheridan Councilman KEYPORT – The “Pearl of the Bayshore” is a treasure-trove of talent, according to…

  • GMN takes 12 awards in national SNA contest

    Above: Greater Media Newspapers staff photographer Chris Kelly won third place for Best Sports Photo in the Suburban Newspapers of America national competition. Greater Media Newspapers, Freehold Township, received 12 awards in the 2006 Suburban Newspapers of America contest, including a first place for sports writing, a second place for community service, and eight advertising…

  • State court knocks down affordable housing rules

    Attorney believes regional approach is what judges want BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer BY MARK ROSMANStaff Writer An Appellate Court threw New Jersey’s latest round of affordable housing rules out the window on Jan. 25. The ruling means that many local officials who were planning how their towns would provide affordable housing now through 2014…