• Cathi Drake

    Ms. Drake, 46, a lifelong resident of Hazlet, died June 9, 2010, at the home of her fiancé in Middletown. She was predeceased by her mother, Margaret Novack Drake, and a brother, Gary Drake. Ms. Drake is survived by her fiancé, Michael Fiscina; her father, Robert Drake; two brothers, Robert Drake of Lakewood and Russell…

  • Residents need details on do’s and don’ts of recycling

    Iwould like to respond to the article in the Independent by staff writer Andrew Davison (Mid’town to co-mingle paper for recycling, June 3). First of all, kudos to Middletown for wanting to implement a more Earth-friendly recycling policy. My family and I have been voluntarily recycling cardboard and mixed paper at the Kanes Lane facility…

  • Resident commends mayor’s patriotism

    All too often we only hear about elected officials under negative circumstances. This time, I would like to acknowledge the efforts and patriotism of Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger. As the sister of Medal of Honor recipient “Bud” Thorne, who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944, I want to thank…

  • Mayor waits for gov to sign bill to abolish COAH

    The recent passage of Senate bill S-1 is welcome news for every New Jersey taxpayer. This bill effectively ends the taxpayer-subsidized bureaucracy known as the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) that dictated housing quotas from Trenton. As a longtime opponent of this program, I have witnessed the enormous cost to the taxpayers and the damage…

  • Practical advice for grads: once more into the breach

    CODA GREG BEAN As happens every year at this time, we’ve heard a lot of graduation addresses filled with uplifting exhortations that basically come down to “be the best that you can be.” I think First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech to graduating high school students in Washington, D.C.’s Anacostia neighborhood was the most moving of…

  • NOTES

    The Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund will host its second annual Toast to Dennis 6:30-9:30 p.m. June 26 at the riverside home of Randy and Maureen Mac- Donald of Rumson. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II was killed in action in Iraq in 2005. Retired Army Col. James Costigan, Freehold, is…

  • Support needed to keep Kaboom Fireworks lighting up the sky

    RED BANK — Kaboom Fireworks on the Navesink delights more than 150,000 people from throughout the region every July 3. This 50-year-old tradition is carried on through sponsors and private donations large and small. Organizers acknowledge that the annual appeal for donations to support the fireworks display comes amid economic challenges including tight municipal budgets.…

  • Special kids get their best beach day ever

    Sea Bright-based chapter sponsors camp program BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer A youngster is supported by volunteers as he rides the surf during ‘Best Day at the Beach’ held June 5 and 6 at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch. The event, which is sponsored by the New Jersey Chapter of the Best Day…

  • Furloughs, tax increase on the table in Holmdel

    Employees to take 10 furlough days BY JACQUELINE HLAVENKA Staff Writer HOLMDEL — After a final executive session discussion, the Holmdel Township Committee determined on June 17 that no further reductions could be made to its $19,480,824 spending plan. The committee unanimously passed its amended 2010 municipal budget after voting it down by a 3-to-2…

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