Category: Independent Opinion

  • Ann Sokoloski

    Mrs. Sokoloski, 96, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, died April 15, 2009, at Care One in Holmdel. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Vincent; a son, Raymond; and two grandchildren, Brendan Kelly and Meghan Kelly-Dolden. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Beatrice and Thomas Kelly of Colts Neck; two…

  • Anna N. Potosky

    Mrs. Potosky, 89, of Holmdel, died April 28, 2009. She was a retired employee at Lily Tulip, Holmdel. Prior to that, she was a registered nurse at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. She was predeceased by a brother, John Novicky; and her husband of 61 years, John S. Potosky, in 2005. She is survived by…

  • Grants defray cost of pre-K expansion

    Hazlet preps for Early Childhood Learning Center BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer HAZLET — As the school year winds down, the school district is closer to initiating the new Early Childhood Learning Center and the process of converting Sycamore School to become preschool-ready. To help pay for the changes, the Hazlet Township School District has…

  • Rude Awakening

    PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Top: Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft hosted a Rude Awakening program April 28. The program demonstrates what happens in a car crash and how a DWI conviction can haunt offenders for a lifetime. From top: Doug DeNoia, of EMS, assists as junior Dave Kent tries to walk a straight line…

  • Arts council to host Arts Education Awards & Showcase

    MIDDLETOWN — The Monmouth County Arts Council (MCAC) announces the Arts Education Awards & Showcase will be held at Middletown Art Center, 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 28. An annual event, the awards and showcase is an evening for students, parents, teachers and community arts supporters to come together to acknowledge the power of art…

  • Taxes well spent are a good investment

    Middletown Deputy Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger and Michael Vitkansas tried launching a 1-2 punch at New Jersey Democrats in the April 30 edition of the Independent, but they were weak jabs, and here’s why. They’re right that New Jerseyans pay a lot in taxes, but they forgot to mention that the public gets a lot in…

  • Edna S. Parnell Moore Torrence

    Mrs. Torrence, 88, of Holmdel, died April 19, 2009, in Holmdel. She was a switchboard operator at N.J. Bell, Middletown, for several years. She is survived by her husband, Richard; and four daughters, Joann Dziadzio of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, Sue Doran of Hazlet, June Hampton of Adger, Ala., and Mary O’Donnell of…

  • Agency laments loss of pet advocate Bea Arthur

    Bea Arthur had a truly golden heart and will be sorely missed by everyone at PETA. She joined our organization in 1987, when the Golden Girls did an anti-fur episode, and because of her unending compassion and tireless efforts to make the world a kinder place, she won multiple HumanitarianAwards. Bea never missed a chance…

  • John “Jack” P. Katzgrau

    Jack Katzgrau, 17, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, died April 11, 2009, at home. He was a senior at Middletown South High School. Following graduation, he was going to join the U.S. Marine Corps. He volunteered at his church’s food pantry making sandwiches for Lunch Break, Red Bank. He enjoyed skateboarding. He is survived…