Police Capt. Scott Reinert is expected to be appointed Police Chief at tomorrow evening’s meeting of the Mayor and Council, being viewed both in person at borough hall and on ZOOM at 7 p.m.
Reinert is expected to assume the top law enforcement post in the borough on March 1, at the retirement of current Chief David Rossbach.
Reinert, who is married and has four children and lives in Oceanport, will begin the new position at $150,000 annually.
A graduate of St. John Vianney High School, the police officer has been in law enforcement since 2007 when he was a Class II Special Officer with the Borough of Sea Girt. He joined the Atlantic Highlands department the following year as a dispatcher and became a patrolman in 2009. In 2005 he was promoted, to sergeant, in 2019 to detective, and last year he was promoted to Captain.
Well, the sun is out today and it’s shining particularly bright over Highlands because the Girls are back!!!!! Cathy and Vera have re-opened the Girls Café and the crowd there this morning to welcome them back and try those award winning pancakes was spectacular. Not sure if people come there more for the food, the camaraderie, the genuine charm and niceness of the Girls, or all of the above, but they sure were missed.
Augie, a Sunday regular with his wife, Kathy, was among those that couldn’t wait another day…he was down there early this morning to welcome the re-opening. The Girls Café is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Yes, they are still doing those terrific takeout breakfasts and lunches, but you have to make other plans for Mondays and Tuesdays, that’s the two days the Girls are shopping, prepping, or taking some well-earned rest and are closed.
More stories from a Child’s History of Atlantic Highlands, written by the Social Studies Challenge class of Atlantic Highlands elementary school in 1985.
The book is the result of class assignments by teacher Elizabeth K. Clarke. Students in that class were Alissa Deakin, Susie Gaskill, Ryan King, Jeremy Krempert, Jennifer Maddalena, David Millard, Jennifer Pollack, Jared Rutberg, Katherine Steadman, and John Wabisky.
The Gunther House
In 1664 John Bowne settled here and built a home. This really small old house is till here and its driveway is just off Bowne Avenue.
John Bownes granddaughter married Mordecai Lincoln was the great great grandfather of Abraham Lincoln.
The Monmouth Tea Party
You’ve all heard of the Boston Tea Party? Weel, Monmouth County had a ‘tea party’ too. It occurred in April of 1775 right here in Sandy Hook Bay
A ship loaded with tea was on its way to New York. The ship needed a pilot to take her into New York Harbor, but all the pilots refused because of the cargo. The Colonists did not want tea brought into New York. Under cover of darkness, a band of local patriots crept out to the ship, boarded her, and dumped the hateful cargo overboard. They then forced the Captain to turn his ship around and sail back to England.
The Battle of the Navesink
The first skirmish of the Revolution in Monmouth County took place in the hills just south of Atlantic Highlands. A troop of British regulars surprised the local volunteers, led by Captain Scudder. Twenty-five patriots were killed and 72 were captured. They were sent to the awful “Sugar House” prison in New York.
British Retreat
After the Battle of Monmouth, the British troops marched East along Kings Highway and down the hill to Many Mind Creek, where they embarked for New York.
Henry Hudson Spring
In 1609 a Dutch explorer sailed into Sandy Hook Bay. The Indians told him of a wonderful natural spring, a source of clean fresh water. This spring is called Henry Hudson Spring after that explorer. It is as the bottom of the hill on Bayside Drive You can still drink the pure clear water that runs out of our hills.
In the age of the great sailing vessels, all the ships that were sailing from here to the old world would anchor here in our harbor to take on fresh water from this spring for the trip back. Sometimes there were hundreds of ships lying at anchor, awaiting the right wind.
In 1830 a house was built on the hill overlooking the spring. The owner fenced off the ‘water spout’ as it was often called, and charged five cents a barrel for the water. His house was called “The Spout House” and is still there.
In the 1930s, the WPA built a native pea stone wall around the spring. In 1977 the Atlantic Highlands Society cleaned, restored and landscaped the spring.
You can now walk over a little bridge to enjoy a cool drink and a beautiful view.
The Shrewsbury Historical Society’s newsletter was recently e-mailed out to all Society members, and in addition to being packed with a lot of news, there was a wonderful tribute to the incredibly talented Judi Buncher, the longtime volunteer for historic sites who headed that team of hard working volunteers who made that Wedding Dress Exhibit so historical in its own right. Judi is the stylist and garment restorer who shared her talents to make it all happen. The Society maintains, rightfully so, this delightful exhibit which is so full of history could never have been possible without Judi’s talent and generosity.
Read the story here about this talented lady, or better yet, go to the Historical Society website at www.shrewsburyhistoricalsocietynj.org and either renew your membership or sign up to be a member of the Society. You don’t have to be a Shrewsbury resident to learn more about and appreciate its history.
The Wedding Dress Exhibit –While the current Wedding Dress Exhibit engaged the
expertise of a number of volunteers, without the amazing creativity of Judi Buncher, stylist and garment restorer, the current exhibit would not have reached its acclaimed reception and positive reviews. Judi earned an Associate Degree in Art (Commercial Art) at Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Georgian Court University. She has been a long time volunteer (24 years) at Allaire Village, Wall Township, and started the Fibre Arts Guild making period clothing for men, women and children from as early as 1836. She is also a state certified Social Worker and is nationally certified in Therapeutic Activities. She helped found the Monmouth and Ocean Counties Activities Directors, serving as Vice President. She also was Vice President of the National Remotivation Therapy Organization, Inc. where she brought out the best in all her patients from the severely handicapped to Alzheimer’s. Her creative talents range from drawing, sculpting, painting, designing, fiber arts of all types, especially Tatting, lace making and the lost art of Ecclesiastic Vestment and Embroidery. She absolutely delights in restoring garments of historic significance. Along with her husband, Stuart, a noted historian, reenactor and restorer, they share their creative energies and talents for the enjoyment of others. Residents of Tinton Falls, Stuart and Judi are long time supporters of Shrewsbury–the Shrewsbury Historical Society, the Allen House, and Christ Church Shrewsbury. The Shrewsbury Historical Society and its members and guests are indeed blessed to share in their talents, enthusiasm, and generosity.
Atlantic Highlands Police Chief Scott Reinert had his official pin adjusted by his wife as the couple’s four children looked on after Reinert was officially sworn in as the new chief of police upon the retirement of 42-year veteran police officer Chief Dave Rossbach. Action took place at last night’s meeting of the Mayor and Council, and Reinert officially begins duty March 1. Council members praised all six candidates for the position, saying the decision was difficult because of the excellence of all and their devotion, professionalism and experience to Atlantic Highlands.
“Get to a point,” said Parking Committee member Mark Fisher, as he led a 90 minute explanation, discussion and informational session on options the borough faces concerning a solution to parking problems in the business district.
Fisher and others on the committee headed by Councilman Jon Crowley pointed out parking issues and solutions have been suggested and studied three major times in the past 20 years, and still no solution has been implemented.
Nor was one implemented at last night’s council meeting as the governing body agreed to possibly look into the possibility of financing a feasibility study on the need for, esthetics, cost, and possibility of a three or four story parking garage on the borough owned parking lot adjacent to the post office at the rear of businesses on First Avenue.
Council also deferred action on its current parking ordinance revisions following the public hearing in which former Harbor Commissioner and former Councilwoman Jane Frotton questioned how the borough could impose fees for parking on land acquired through Green Acres funding. Frotton also asked if the Harbor Commission had been included in discussions of the parking fee possibility for the parking area and council agreed to delay final approval until after further consultation with the harbor commissioners. Action, if any, is expected to take place at the next council meeting.
At the invitation of Crowley and Fisher, Jim Zullo, a professional planner with THA Consulting, an engineering and planning firm, who has overseen construction of more than 1,000 parking projects in the past 28 years, presented a comprehensive exhibit of a variety of parking garages, showing how their design fit in with their surroundings, were constructed with a minimal waste space, and are a distant cry and major improvement over garages of the past because of increased and safe lighting, windows, and other amenities. Zullo cited a variety of different garages he has planned that meet the needs of major cities including Philadelphia and small towns including Millburn, Princeton,, and one currently looking for construction in in Hudson, NY.
In response to numerous questions, Zullo said the life expectancy of a parking garage is 50 to 60 years with regular maintenance, the borough property is adequate and capable of a facility for 88 spaces per level, and a garage would support future development, encourage new retail businesses, and could include facilities for bikes, scooters, and shuttle buses as well as private vehicles.Caroly8n Northrup spoke on how both the interior and exterior of the building could be enhanced with art work, with many grants available for art projects that would offset boro9ugh costs for the add beautification. Paul Wright spoke on the environmental benefits of a parking garage, including the impact of clean energy increases. Local business owner Bob Sherman spoke on a garage as aiding local businesses, citing a resident who opened his business in Red Bank rather than locally because of the parking situation.
Cost of a parking garage are high, and Zullo estimated the suggested feasibility study would take no more than five months and could be accomplished most likely for under $45,000.
A Gala and unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day at the Shore Casino will be celebrated Friday, March 18, Casino managers Kathleen Sweeney and Jay Strebb announced this week.
“This is something Bernie would want us to do, and we’re going to do it, and we’re going to have everybody smiling!” said Kathleen.
Bernie is Bernard J. Sweeney, Kathleeen’s husband, who managed the Shore Casino in the Municipal Yacht Harbor since he started it almost 60 years ago. Sweeny died Feb. 11 at age 90 and is buried at Bayview Cemetery.
“The Casino, as well as the Casino in the Park in Jersey City when we had that, were Bernie’s life for so many decades,” his widow said, “It just wouldn’t be right to not open the doors for fun, laughter and friendship on St. Patrick’s Day.”
Doors for the event will open at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour until 7 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner with a cash bar.
Live music will be presented by Irish Kevin and Round The House Band, the most popular band for Irish and American music in Monmouth County, led by Kevin Guerin, guitarist and All Ireland Champion Tin Whistle Player and also featuring guitarist and singer Jim Calvert and accordionist Luke O’Malley, accordionist.
Former Shrewsbury Mayor Don Burden and his wife Mary Leigh are music lovers. Classical music lovers. Both are fond of, and knowledgeable of so many cultures, so much art from so many different cultures and renowned artists, and so much music that has been written over the centuries.
They are also world travelers, and come home with fascinating stories about the places they’ve seen, the people they met, the things that have happened. But this week, it was right here in New York, between Times Square and Penn Station, that they were caught up in the shock, pain and grief of so many of us in the wake of the Putin….and it isn’t really a Russian….invasion of the Ukraine.
Don likened this vivid experience to how he felt and what he will always remember about great memorable moments in history….when we landed on the moon, when Kennedy was Assassinated. when the World Trade Center was attacked. But this evening of culture, which started out with the thrill of anticipation, the joy of hearing a concert., the magnificence of watching and listening to the Vienna Philharmonic, was something so striking Don said he will remember it precisely as he has remembered those great moments in history.
For him, it was a blend of pain and anguish for what the people of the Ukraine are suffering to the awe and surprise of an audience who had started an evening with joy in their hearts and ended it., like the crowds in these street, in sorrow and an evening that will forever be embedded in their hearts.
Here’s how Don told it.
For weeks, I had anticipated the concert of the Vienna Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall in a performance conducted by Valery Gergiev. Just hours before the concert, his scheduled appearance was cancelled due to his relationship with Putin. The management of Carnegie Hall elected to cancel fearing there would be an uproar of protests should he appear on stage. Fortunately, Yannick Nezet-Sequin, the conductor of the Metropolitan Opera, stepped in for a rousing performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony # 6, the Pathetique. Prior to Orchestra beginning to play, Yannick addressed the audience to ask that at the end of the performance, he would ask that everyone remain silent for a moment of support for those in Ukraine. Now if you know Tchaikovsky’s #6, the third movement ends in a dramatic fashion and many assume it is the end of the work and rush to applause. This time, it didn’t happen. Yannick transitioned to the fourth movement without any interruption. At the end of the Fourth movement, the end of the work, Carnegie Hall fell absolutely astonishing deafening in a moment of silence for those in Ukraine. With a sold out audience, respectfully everyone complied. There was not even a clearing of a throat, a cough, or the unraveling of a Ricola cough drop wrapper. It was absolute SILENCE. Then an outburst of applause for the Orchester the likes of which I’ve never heard, even at The Met. A cycle of six rounds of applause to acknowledge the performance but also a tribute of support for Ukraine. It was a moving few moments that brought goose bumps and I must admit a couple of tears. When I finally got out of Carnegie Hall, I walked down through Times Square to Penn Station to find myself in the midst of sympathetic supporters crowding Times Square in support of the Ukraine cause. Young and old, some in strollers and some in wheelchairs–all united in a protest of Putin and support of Ukraine. Even some NYC police in full uniform waving small Ukrainian flags. A moment, a few moments that I will always remember.
Congressman Chris Smith joined some 100 Ukrainian-Americans at a rally outside his office in the Raintree Shopping Center Saturda. The rally was in support of the Ukrainian Americans gathered there whose family members and friends are in grave danger in their own country because of the Putin invasion and the subsequent senseless death of men, women and children.
Smith met with the organizers of the rally in his office, and also criticized President Biden’s exit from Afghanistan, action he said likely enabled Putin to pursue his aggression on Ukraine. He called for immediate and strong international support for the people of Ukraine in their fight against the Russian dictator.
“Now more than ever, the United States and our allies must provide much-needed military equipment and humanitarian aid to the courageous people of Ukraine as they courageously and tenaciously fight to defend their freedom from a brutal dictatorship,” Smith said to the crowd.
“Comprehensive sanctions must degrade Putin’s capacity to wage war,” he continued. “Putin—and other Russian leaders responsible for these crimes against humanity—must be prosecuted as war criminals.”
Smith has authored four laws promoting democracy in Eastern Europe, and has earned a reputation for personally intervening to help those endangered by Russian aggression in the region.
It was in 2008, when Russia invaded Georgia, that the Congressman helped secure the safe return of two young girls from the 4th Congressional district which he represents, as well as several others behind enemy lines during that invasion.
A memorial service and celebration of his life honoring the late Peter Donoghue will be held at the Shore Casino on Saturday, March 26, at 1 p.m..
Mr. Donoghue died Feb. 2.
Born in Montclair, Donoghue has lived in Atlantic Highlands all his life and is a 1958 graduate of Atlantic Highlands High School. He has served the borough and Monmouth County in numerous fields throughout this life, as well as serving his country with the US Army.
Donoghue served six years on the Henry Hudson Board of Education, including a term as president, on the borough council for six years, and as Mayor for four years. He also served as the Council’s representative on the Harbor Commission as well as police department and was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church as well as being active in the United Methodist Church. The municipal leader has also been an active leader of Boy Scout troops, and served as vice commander of the American Legion, Post 141.
A journalist throughout his adult life, Donoghue wrote for almost all of the local newspapers including the Asbury Park Press before becoming the Press’s night managing editor.
Donoghue and his wife, Louise, formed the Eric D. Donoghue Scholarship Fund to honor the death of their oldest son in 2002 and since that time the Fund has contributed more than 30 scholarships to high school students devoted to furthering their education in the musical field. Eric who died at age 32, was an accomplished pianist and musical composer.
