Category: Tri-Town Opinion

  • Marina “Mary” Picciarelli

    Mrs. Picciarelli, 92, of Howell, died on June 7, 2009, at Bartley Healthcare after a short illness. She was predeceased by her husband and a daughter. Surviving are three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Veronica’s Catholic Church in Howell, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, N.Y. Arrangements…

  • Kim Hayes

    Miss Hayes, 38, of Jackson, died June 8, 2009, at home. She was born in South Amboy and had resided in Marlboro before moving to Jackson two years ago. Miss Hayes was a graduate of Marlboro High School. Her father, Willis Rodney Hayes, died in 2006. Surviving are a daughter, Shawna Roedema; her mother and…

  • Walter M. Lucas

    Mr. Lucas, 68, of Howell, died June 18, 2009, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Before his retirement, he was a facilities maintenance supervisor for Air Cruisers, Wall, after having worked for Lily Tulip, Holmdel. Mr. Lucas was a volunteer fireman with the Freewood Acres Fire Company from 1973 to 1982. His wife, Carol, died…

  • Lou M. Brandenberg

    Mr. Brandenberg, 61, of Westerville, Ohio, and formerly of Howell, died June 20, 2009, at home. He was a self-employed computer programmer. Mr. Brandenberg was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife, Roselee; a sister, Barbara Hartmann, and her companion, John De Pato, of Howell; a…

  • Joseph S. Caltagirone Sr.

    Mr. Caltagirone, 82, of Howell, died June 20, 2009, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. He worked for the Rapp Egg Farm Hatchery for 16 years, was co-owner of Jocal Farms in Howell, and most recently worked as a driver for Puglisi Egg Distributors for 38 years, retiring in 2006. Mr. Caltagirone was a…

  • Republican legislators criticize Gov. Jon Corzine on tax relief

    As we well remember, Gov. Jon Corzine and his ruling party shut down the state for seven days in 2006 while they fought behind closed doors on how best to provide what they later called “permanent” and “sustainable” property tax relief for the nation’s highest taxed homeowners. When they emerged from their secret meetings, they…

  • 2NDFLOOR is a place where young people can reach out for assistance on many issues

    Apreteen girl feels like her friends do not want her around anymore Two teenagers who want to cut themselves know they cannot stop on their own. When a teenager discovers that her friend is being abused by her mother, she wants to know how she can help. Suicidal thoughts lead one caller to stand across…

  • He bagged the goose — and then we cooked it

    Coda • GREG BEAN In our family, we love to tell the story about Grandpa and the goose, although if he were still alive, he’d probably get a nasty letter from PETA berating him for inhuman cruelty. That organization got so upset last week when President Obama swatted a fly on camera, there’s no telling…

  • Enjoy trips to the library during ‘staycations’

    Guest Column • Norma E. Blake Faced with a very weak economy, high unemployment, furloughs and pay cuts, many New Jersey families are planning to vacation in-state this year, traveling no farther than our famous beaches and boardwalks. Even then, a recent poll by Monmouth University/Gannett shows some residents are eliminating visits to the shore…