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Certain Unalienable Rights

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Certain Unalienable Rights

Unless residents of our town, our county, our State, or these United States don’t start paying attention, learning more and taking action, it’s a foregone conclusion that they will never know what’s coming in their schools, their towns, their county, their state, or the United States of America. Certain Unalienable Rights Certain Unalienable Rights

It has to start at the local level and every citizen should be concerned.

The people’s Right to Know has been chipped away at for years, but it is now at the point that giant chunks are being removed right before their eyes. And not enough people are doing anything about it.  Certain Unalienable Rights Certain Unalienable Rights

Right now, at the national level, we have a United State Senator, Menendez, undergoing court proceedings on bribery charges. We’re learning that he had a whole stash of private e-mails, letters, photos and other communications with officials in Egypt and Quatar that he didn’t want anyone to know about. A senior Senator heading an all-important Senate Committee charged with bribery and lots of private, not-open-to-the-public correspondence between him and the folks named in the bribery charges are just coming up now.

Another state-wide disaster is the recent action taken by a majority of the New Jersey state Legislature. Their approval of the NO-OPRA bill is designed, they say, to save paid government employees time but is more accurately described as making it closer to impossible for taxpayers to know what’s going on with their communities, their tax dollars, and the people who make the decisions. Certain Unalienable Rights Certain Unalienable Rights

Currently, Governor Murphy is straddling that line right down the middle, fearful of signing or not signing the approved legislation, because of the politicians it impacts, himself included. Curtailing OPRA, the people’s right to know, opens the door for more secrecy.

In addition to that, the Governor is also moving aggressively to promote those offshore wind farms which appear to be dangerous and expensive for taxpayers, rather than allowing enough time for studies and answers before money is spent and the environment and state destroyed.

At the Monmouth County level, the Monmouth County Board of Education, and the National Park Service, are letting one of the historic buildings continue to deteriorate and spending lots of dollars for some unknown reason rather than making improvements.

But officials don’t have anything to say about it.

The Park Service wants to help fund the Stillman Corporation who have the option to rehabilitate 21 buildings on Fort Hancock rather than tell him they’ve had years and haven’t  done anything yet. Let the guys who have already been successful out there with their own money take charge. Very little of those negotiations, either with private industry or public boards, is done openly.

Several municipalities and school boards laugh in the faces of their taxpayers by simply never offering their meetings virtually in the 21st century, something everyone learned to do during the Covid fiasco that closed churches and businesses.

Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon
Henry Hudson Regional High School Superintendent Tara Beams

Henry Hudson Regional High School has already gotten a reputation for working hard to be sure even those who attend meetings can’t hear. They can’t afford more microphones, they said at one meeting. They hold their meetings in a cavernous room where mumbled words bounce around in space; the public is seated far more distant from the board than necessary, some Board members with their sides to the public so even a lip reader can’t catch what’s going on.

Board President
Mr. Cory Wingerter

When Highlands held an important and well attended informational meeting to hear what the folks had to say about the possibility of flood gating the town to avoid flooding, even the clerk couldn’t catch the names of the public who spoke, let alone let everyone in the room hear the experts. That’s because the meeting, in order to accommodate the number of residents the governing body expected to attend, was held at Henry Hudson, the same place where board meetings can never be heard. The Highlands school on Route 36 or the vacant parochial school on Highland Avenue would have been better choices.

And now, the ultimate. The members of the three boards of education in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, the very same three boards that are not going to exist 30 days from now, adopted a resolution whose terms they decided in private and which they have no intention of sharing with the taxpayers until the deed is done, the papers signed, and the public is stuck with whatever the secret is.

Are we that stupid we cannot handle the truth? Are we that incapable that our future is put in the hands of people who don’t want us to know what they’re doing with our time, our money, our resources? Certain Unalienable Rights Certain Unalienable Rights

Indeed we are, if we don’t wake up and do something about it.

Certain Unalienable Rights

Private Quinn – Harpers Ferry

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Quinn
Private Luke Quinn United States Marine Corps

It was October 16, 1859 when Connecticut native John Brown, saying his purpose on earth was to free all slaves in the South, led his own sons, a group of five other men and a small handful of slaves to the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, at the time, a part of Virginia, but since the 1860s, West Virginia.

His purpose was to take over the arsenal, capture all the weapons and ammunition and proceed to lead slaves in a revolt against the families who owned them. Two of Brown’s own sons were killed as well as a freed slave in his insurrection.

But also killed in defense of the federal arsenal was a US Marine, a 20 year old Irish kid named Luke Quinn.

Quinn was a private in the Corps, having enlisted in the Marines in Brooklyn, going on to the Marine Barracks in Washington, DC, then serving on the frigate USS St. Lawrence and the USS Perry, taking him on expeditions to Brazil and Paraguay. Back in the United States, he was dispatched with a Marine company led by then Lt. Colonel Robert E. Lee, with Lt. J.E.B.Stuart in charge of his unit.

Brown and his army had barricaded themselves in the engine room building in Harpers Ferry on the army site. When he refused to surrender to Lee, the Army General ordered the attack. Quinn was one of the first 100 Marines to enter after barricading the doors with hammers ladders and other tools.

He was shot, wounded, and lying in pain, knowing he was near death. He called out for a priest. He had five weeks until the end of his enlistment.

The Rev. Michael Costello was pastor of St. Peter’s Church at that time, the same Church which later would serve as a hospital for so many wounded from both sides during the Civil War. Still in active use, it is also the only church that survived the Harper’s Ferry insurrection and subsequent Civil War.

St. Peter’s Church

Fr. Costello wrote a letter months after the event to tell the story of Pvt. Quinn when he was called to give him Last Rites. There were two Marines wounded, he wrote, and both were catholic. He attended to them both and said Quinn died that day and was buried with full military honors in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

In testimony during the court hearing before Brown was hung for murder and treason, it was said that Brown himself had shot Pvt. Luke Quinn as he fought to preserve the federal arsenal. The Irishman was 24 years old and had been in America 15 years.

Quinn’s grave at the cemetery remained unmarked for another 68 years until a couple of local residents took efforts to locate the grave and provide a proper marker. They found remains that assured them it was the Marine’s remains and a Holy Name Society erected a monument on the site.

In 2012, a Marine Corps League detachment rededicated the gravesite and erected a flag pole and a new marker.

Yet, with all the history, and with a near life size statue of Pvt. Quinn in the Lower section of Harpers Ferry near the steps leading to the town’s upper section, it was difficult to find someone who knew where the cemetery was, let alone Pvt. Quinn’s grave.

It was raining two weeks ago when I went into the Harpers Ferry Police Headquarters after not being able to find anyone who could tell me where the cemetery was. That’s where I met Varlissa a tireless employee at the police department who manned the front office by herself and was busy in her Washington Street Borough Hall and Police Department office.

Not too busy to take the time to help a visitor, however. Varlissa, who had also been a National Parks employee for ten years before working for the town, gave me reams of history about the town, Jefferson Rock, John Brown and so many other fascinating facts about the town before explaining where the cemetery was. Not satisfied with merely giving me directions, and knowing I was on foot, Larissa printed them out to make it easy to follow turn by turn. It was a little more than a mile distant on the side of the highway and actually in Bolivar.

The walk was up and down the hills that are so much a part of Harpers Ferry and neighboring Bolivar, and the cemetery was just the other side of the Quality Inn on the highway. The greying stones and the broken markers, in spite of the well kept and manicured lawns of the cemetery, were proof the earliest graves at the still active graveyard were near the top of the property. A tall flag post with the American flag flying was the first indication that that was where Pvt. Quinn’s grave was located.

After reading the inscriptions and paying respects at the grave, I returned to town to see both Varlissa and Sgt, Mike of the local police department waiting to assure I found my way and arrived back in town. The police officer also filled me in on more history of the town both employees love, respect, and work for, thanked me for my interest in its history and stayed to answer my many questions on more history of Harper’s Ferry.

They were happy I was a tourists to their town, and I couldn’t be happier that I met a couple of employees who knew so much of its history.

 

Want to read more stories f my solo travels … usually by train?  Click HERE

AHYC Blessing of the Fleet

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Blessing

The annual Blessing of the Fleet sponsored by the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club will be held at the Municipal Yacht Harbor Saturday, June 1, with festivities, the blessing, ship parade and historic significance beginning just before noon.

Rear Commodore John Flatley heads up the committee organizing and planning this event in which every boater is invited to participate.

The historic traditional Blessing follows a series of annual rituals, with the municipal dock and the Clubhouse flagpole dressed with code flags and appropriate officers’ flags flown.

Guests are expected to arrive shortly after 11:30 a.m. where they will be greeted by Commodore, Joseph Patsco and other Yacht Club bridge officers. All the club’s flag officers and past commodores will also assemble by the Pier 4 bulkhead in summer uniform complete with rank epaulets, or Club Blazers and identifying club patch.

The Reviewing Party for the boat Parade will be at the head of Pier 4 for their own procession to the pier at the Club’s dock. A color guard will lead the Assembly, which includes the clergyman who will give the blessing, along with Naval and Coast Guard Commanders, flag officers, and past commodores.

The Yacht Club’s launches will be blessed by the minister, then one of them, the Water Witch, will bring the group to the east end of the harbor’s breakwater for a memorial blessing honoring deceased members of the Yacht Club. That memorial service also includes laying a wreath in their honor on the water, with a cannon salute fired to sea. The Henry S will also be available for special launch service from an inner floating dock between piers 4 and 5.

The “Water Witch” will be in position to guide the vessels in the parade as they approach for their individual Blessing. This is a solemn event in which all are asking God’s blessing for a safe return from voyages at sea.

The traditional rituals include a cannon barrage after all those in the parade have received their blessing and the conclusion of the formal ceremony. A reception at the Yacht Club follows the historic ceremony and all are invited to attend for light refreshments and the presentation of awards for the Best Dressed Ship and the Best Dressed Crew.

Private yachts should refrain from dipping the Flag or Ensign in salute.  The Yacht Club will not return flag dipping salutes, since it is the custom reserved for US Naval vessels initiating or returning the salute of a Royal Navy Vessel.  Code flags may be flown by participating vessels from water line to water line in accordance with the order given in Chapman’s Piloting.  All AHYC yachts should fly the YC Burgees.  

The public not participating in the Boat Parade is invited to observe the festivities and rituals from any place in the harbor in the vicinity of the annual ceremony.

Blessing

 

The Mariner is a Classic

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Mariner

Captain Dan and First Mate Vicky officially opened the newest boat in the Classic Boat Rides family Sunday when Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner cut the ribbon at the boat’s dock at the Municipal Yacht Harbor.

Noting it is her first ribbon cutting as mayor, and expressing her happiness at being able to cut the ribbon for such good friends, Hohenleitner praised the contributions Capt. Dan and First Mate Vicky and the rest of their crew have already brought to the area with the Navesink Queen, the 100 passenger sternwheeler that offers trips for large groups, private parties and events and business organizations.

Navesink Queen

The newest boat, the Mariner, which is docked adjacent to the head boats and Sissy’s Restaurant, can accommodate groups of up to 60 passengers and can be chartered for private use for birthdays, weddings, dinners, anniversary celebrations, office parties as well as sightseeing and lighthouse tours. The Mariner has already been chartered by families for burials at sea and was a popular attraction in the Shrewsbury River during the recent Jersey Speed Skiff races in Highlands.

Mariner

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Mariner remained open throughout the afternoon for visitors to tour the facilities and sit on the upper deck enjoying the music of Carl Gentry, soloist, guitarist, leader of the Carl Gentry and Band and keyboardist and background singer in Bon Jovi’s acoustic group. He is also a member of Holiday Express but on his own thoroughly mesmerized the visitors, stopping by to congratulate Capt. Dan and tour the boat’s two levels.

The Mariner includes a full bar for adult and children’s beverages and invites those who charter to have their favorite restaurant cater dinners aboard the boat .

The Mariner enables even small groups to book a charter with an option of using either the lower deck or both decks of the craft. Most Thursday evenings, the crew also offers sunset cruises, For further information on dates, times and availability contact Classic Boat Rides at 732-337-9292.

A boater since he was four years old, Capt. Dan is a Bayshore native and a former production director for WRAT as well as a radio DJ.  This marks their 20th anniversary in the boating industry with Classic Boat Rides

For more information on the Mariner, the Navesink Queen, or private charters on either boat, both located in the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor, visit classicboatrides.com

What Does Memorial Day Mean to You?

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Memorial Day

As we enjoy the beach, barbecue’s, and family get togethers  this Memorial Day weekend, please take a moment to reflect on the meaning of this poignant reminder of those who gave their lives so that we may live ours. It is a day of honor, remembrance, and stark realization that despite all of our differences, there are young men and woman willing to sacrifice their most cherished gift, the gift of life.

This is the story that I wrote for the Middletown (NJ) Courier in 1968 after the funeral of Tommy Ptak who was killed in Viet Nam on March 22, 1968, the only resident of Highlands killed during that War, and a young man who grew up down the street from me.

Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day Memorial Day
Highlands’ Vietnam War Hometown Hero

They buried Tommy Ptak Monday morning, the local newspaper in Highlands reported April 4, 1968.

It was Specialist Fourth Class Thomas Ptak, 270 Highland Avenue, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ptak, to the very militarily correct Army sergeant who escorted the soldier’s body from the place where he died in Hue, Vietnam, back home to Highlands for the funeral, then on to Mt. Olivet Cemetery where he will rest forever.

It was Spec 4/c Thomas Ptak to the six ramrod straight and Army-perfect soldiers who served as pallbearers at the military funeral at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church where Tommy and his family had worshiped all his life.

To all Americans, to all citizens of a free country, it was Spec. 4/c Thomas Ptak whose body lay in the plain casket under the American flag.

But to the hundreds of people who crowded into Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church for a last goodbye and a funeral mass, to the dozens more who spilled out onto the steps of the Church that gave a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean, it was just plain Tommy.

It was Tommy to young brothers and sisters, some of whom weren’t old enough to comprehend the ugly way in which he died.

It was Tommy to sorrowing parents who couldn’t begin to comprehend what wonderful parents they had been and how much love they received from all ten of their children.

It was Tommy, the son who would have been proud of their strength at his funeral.

It was Tommy to the dozens and dozens of high school students from the regional high school he attended, and the two local Catholic high schools where some of his friends attended. They all could remember happier days when Tommy was skillfully performing on a gym horse or tossing a ball with them in the middle of the street.

It was Tommy to the school principals who remembered Tommy as a “good boy, a typical boy, the kind you’d want in any class.”

It was Tommy to practically every neighbor along Highland Avenue and Valley St. where Tommy grew up, folks who remembered a friendly wave or a smile from a busy youth working on a motorcycle in the yard as they passed the always happy, always busy Ptak home. Neighbors who had broken all the rules of protocol and flew their American flags at half-staff even before Highlands Mayor John A. Bahrs ordered it for the entire town. The neighbors had all gone out to front yards to lower their flags the minute they heard of Tommy’s death.

It was Tommy to the three priests who con-celebrated the funeral mass: the one who grew up in the parish and knew the whole Ptak family, the one who spent five years in the parish and knew and visited often with the family, and the one who just arrived in Highlands the year previous, not lucky enough to get closely acquainted with the young hero.

It was Tommy to the police chief and members of the police department who could remember he was ‘a nice kid, we ought to have more like him.”

It was Tommy to the altar boys who formed their own guard of honor as his body left the church. Boys who were classmates of Tommy’s younger brothers or sisters.

It was Tommy to the grammar schoolgirls who sorrowfully sang a very special funeral mass. It was a mass for the Tommy some of them had looked up to when they were very small, and he was a big eighth grader.

It was Tommy, the big brother of their classmates, the big brother who looked so grown up and handsome in his army uniform.

It was Tommy to a neighbor who had served more than twenty years himself in the service of his country. Now retired as a Sergeant Major, Sal Giovenco attended the funeral in full dress uniform, perhaps to show the family of the young hero that he was proud of this particular soldier, proud to have known him, and proud to show that he too believes in the cause for which Tommy died. Sal knew, and showed, Tommy deserved the honor and respect of the American soldier’s uniform.

The official records refer to Tommy as Thomas John Ptak. Born Feb. 1, 1948, died March 22, 1968. The Army records indicate he was an E4, Specialist Fourth Class, ID # 11755688, a member of C Company, Second Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Infantry Regiment…Geronimo, as it was known. He had been promoted twice. He started his Vietnam tour on March 14, 1967, and he was in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam, March 22, 1968, 98 days later, when he was killed in a hostile ground attack of multiple fragmentation wounds. Died outright, the records say. Body recovered. He did have many honors, though: the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and several Vietnam Campaign Medals presented by the South Vietnamese government in appreciation for our American forces.

They buried Tommy Ptak Monday morning; the newspaper continued. The nation lost a soldier, parents lost a son, and Highlands lost a very special youth.

Tommy Ptak was the town’s only casualty of the Vietnam War. It was as a tribute to him and to the cause for which he fought, that the borough’s first high rise senior citizen complex, located just down the hill from where he worshiped, was dedicated as Ptak Towers. Tommy Ptak would love it that the borough’s first affordable housing built to help the older residents of the town he loved so much stands as a living memorial to himself.
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Memorial Day Flag Etiquette

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Memorial Day

It is unique as far as American flag etiquette is concerned, and is unofficially often regarded as the start of summer. Yet Memorial Day has a greater significance for the nation and those who have served in the U.S. Military.

This is the only day on the calendar that the flag is raised for only half the day.

At sunrise on Monday, Memorial Day, the flag should be raised to full staff, then lowered slowly to half staff until noon. At noon, the flag should once again be raised to full staff then remain at full staff throughout the rest of the day. At all times, the flag should be lowered at sundown, unless kept illuminated throughout the night.

Memorial Day as a day of observance dates back to the Civil War. Three years after the end of the war, Union General John A. Logan called or a national day of Remembrance for all those who fought in the Civil War. Southern widows and daughters chose the day to lay flowers on the graves of loved ones in time for the summer growing season.

The day was originally known as Decoration Day because of all the flowers, wreaths and flags that were placed on soldiers’ and sailors’ graves. But it did not become an official federal holiday until 1971.

For the first 50 years, Decoration Day only commemorated those killed in the civil war. However, after World War I, it was expanded to honor fallen military in all wars.

The federal government has recognized Waterloo, New York as the designated Birthplace of Memorial Day based on Governor Normal Rockefeller citing it in 1966, and reinforced by President Lyndon Johnson signing legislation to that effect later in the same year. Legislation was based on the belief the city had celebrated the holiday in 1866 when businesses were closed and residents marched to cemeteries to decorate military graves.

Today, residents are urged to observe a moment of silence at 3 p.m..in order to have a National Moment of Remembrance for all fallen military of all wars.

Ceremonies, in addition to being held at numerous cemeteries across the nation, are conducted at Arlington National Cemetery where new flags are placed on every grave and a wreath is placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Residents can also hang a black mourning ribbon from the flag on Memorial Day as a public sign of mourning all fallen military.

Spec4 Thomas [Tommy] J. Ptak, Killed in Action, 22 March 1968
Read about a mere handful of heroes that our Country has produced HERE

Memorial Day

Bananas – Banana Nut Muffin

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Bananas

Bananas are the most popular fresh fruit in the United States and generally one of the more economical fruits to purchase year-round. They are rich in fiber and potassium which makes them a must for a healthy heart; being low in sodium makes them an even better choice. Because of their potassium and fiber levels, bananas are also great for eye health and can be eaten daily by almost everyone. Over ripe bananas can be frozen and used in ice cream and other desserts, ripe bananas are a regular ingredient in breads, puddings and muffins. This recipe adds walnuts or pecans for added eye and heart health and muffins can be eaten immediately, will keep for a couple of days or can be frozen.

BANANA NUT MUFFINS

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup quick-cooking oats

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 large egg whites

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup fat-free milk

1/4 cup canola oil

½ Cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, oats and spices. In separate bowl, beat egg whites bananas egg whites and liquids together before stirring them into dry ingredients. In a small bowl, beat the egg whites, bananas, brown sugar, milk and oil. Stir long enough to have mixture moistened. Stir in nuts.

Coat greased or sprayed muffin tins and fill 2/3s with batter. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until a toothpick stuck on a muffin comes out clean.

For variety, substitute ½ Cup cranberries or raisins for nuts, or try half and half fruit and nuts.

For more healthy recipes and stories on health, view HERE

Bananas

Fishing With Fins For Freedom

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Fishing

FishingThey spent time over bagels and coffee in the Senior Citizens building to learn each other’s names, meet the captains of their boats, and compare stories of fish they never caught. But by the end of the day, the more than 80 men and women veterans of every war since Korea had traded e-mail and phone addresses and boasted and showed photos about the striped bass they caught and had to toss back in the ocean, the blue fish that would be dinner that night…and thrill of a day whose memory will stay with them forever. Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing

It was Fins for Freedom who planned, organized, raised the funds and sought out boat captains who eagerly gave their boats, fuel, time, and expertise to be part of a program that brings aqua therapy to men and women who have served in our armed forces.

Fins for Freedom also accepted the aid of cadets from MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, many of whose students will be going on to attend colleges under ROTC scholarships and military academies including both the Coast Guard and Space Force, and spending time in the military themselves, spent the morning under personnel from Fins for Freedom greeting the fishermen, signing them in, helping with breakfast, then escorting or leading them to their crafts, scattered over the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor’s five piers. That’s where the veterans, in groups of three to six, met each of their individual boat captains and crafts, learned the rules of that particular captain, then settled in for a day of relaxation, friendship, and fishing. Fishing Fishing

At the end of a phenomenally successful day, even for those who had never fished before, captains, crew, other volunteers and fishermen met at On the Deck Restaurant to talk about their day and the benefits they got from it. On the Deck closed the restaurant Saturday night in order to honor the private party of anglers who will never forget their experience. Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing

Mike Marinac, president of the non-profit Fins for Freedom, brought his entire family to help make the day the success it was. He and his wife were both at the Senior Citizens with the MAST cadets at 6 Saturday morning, preparing everything for the veterans and instructing the cadets in how to register the anglers and then take them to their boats at the piers. The couple’s two daughters, Charlotte and Lexie, 6 and 5 years old, were undaunted by the early hour and eagerly rushed back and forth carrying supplies from one place to another, emptying garbage and in general doing whatever they could to keep the transition running smooth.

Six-year-old Charlotte, a first-grade student at Middletown Village, said she wanted to be there because she was helping people and thought it was the right thing to do. She said she knew each of the fishermen had served the country in some way so she felt she should help them when she could. Her sister Lexie, a five-year-old who goes to Prime Time in Belford, agreed with Charlotte and nodded her head happily when asked if she would do it again.

Marinac Family

Eight MAST students were among those working throughout the morning. They volunteered for the program after Junior Tyler Terhune of Tinton Falls, who is the commander of A Company at MAST, organized the group of five seniors and three juniors, many of whom have already been awarded college ROTC scholarships. Terhune, of Tinton Falls, Carter Braun of Middletown and Thomas Clark of Little Silver were the juniors at the program, seniors were Brandon Weiss of Oceanport, who earned an Army scholarship to the University of Miami, Ronan Alo, Keansburg, Cornel University scholarship, Calvin Tern of Middletown, a Navy ROTC scholarship to Cornell, Ananya Vuppala of Marlboro an Air Force Scholarship to Yale with the Space Force, and Gerard Flynn of Eatontown, a scholarship the US Merchant Marine Academy. Commander Tracie Smith Yeoman, chief of Naval Science at MAST also said as a volunteer, said volunteering for Fins for Freedom gave the students headed for military life an opportunity to meet with veterans and learn more about their experiences.

Battalion Commander for the 2024-2025 school year, Cadet Lieutenant Commander Thomas Clark, places a flag on the grave of a vet who served at the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. Clark is a junior at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology. Eleven cadets from MAST and four students from Rumson Fair Haven High School, all members of the school’s Veterans Appreciation Club, replaced more than 700 American flags on veterans graves at Bayview Cemetery, Leonardo. The program is sponsored by the American Legion, Post 141 of Atlantic Highlands.

Twenty-six owners of private boats volunteered their boats and trips for the day.

Dan Brady, who is treasurer of Fins for Freedom, and Marvin both showed appreciation for how the program has grown in the past three years, thanks to the generosity of so many businesses and individuals including the boat owners. When it first started it was an informal idea Marinac had with his friends when they took a few veterans for the day; last year there were between 40 and 50 veterans who took the trip and this year there were more than 80. The friend who started the idea with Marinac are Kevin Noal, Jackson, Paul Hewitt, John Nolan, Bill Carle and Paul Novello.

Persons wishing to donate to Fins of Freedom to continue the program can visit their website at FinsforFreedom.org.

Some of the major companies supporting the program include SSA Atlantic, Ports America, Stevedoring, Jersey Shore Marine Group at Oceanport Landing, West Gulf Maritime Association, Thomas Contracting, Ghanem Forwarding, Sallaum Lines, Red Hook Terminals, SDA (Sport Drinking Apparel), Candid Logistics, LLC, Kuratli Photography, Plan B Promotions,, Auto Export Shipping, Inc., McAllister, and NORAD, world class processing.

AmericanWarriorOutdoors.org,is also a staunch supporter of the program, and assists veterans and their families through organizing and providing outdoor programs for continued health and comradeship.

Other stories on the awesome Event

Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing Fishing

Friends

Earned

Volunteers

We’ve Heard the Good, Is there a Bad & Ugly?

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Bad & Ugly

Once again, the borough of Atlantic Highlands is taking on a subject that is of vital importance to the residents. But only thirty-ish residents turned out for the meeting and it was not held virtually.Bad & Ugly

The mayor said it could not be held virtually because it was not a regular council meeting and there were not personnel who could handle the online aspects. Similar to Highlands last week when their most important matter, whether there should be a wall around the borough was held at Henry Hudson Regional school which already earned its own reputation for never offering anything virtually and which happens to be the most distant public building for the majority of residents to attend.

That’s only one of the problems with this workshop. If it wasn’t a regular or special meeting of the governing body, why was it advertised?

Why was the borough attorney there?

How could a majority of council, including the mayor, be there and not have it be a meeting?

How come minutes were not taken?

The highly educational meeting on cannabis is also the only one the borough plans on holding, the mayor said later. Even if the borough is planning to allow a cannabis business in town. Of course residents will have the opportunity to speak at the public hearing portion if an ordinance is proposed. But why not before?

The experts and judging from their background they were all indeed experts in their fields, were outstanding at the cannabis meeting. They were enthusiastic about the benefits of regulate cannabis, gleeful at its health benefits, and even noted the money it would bring into the borough is pretty nice as well. They told how by regulating pot they would save and improve lives and cut down on illegal purchases and serious accidents or deaths that result from some of those purchases.

It all sounds great and is true.

But people need to hear the negative side of everything as well. If Cannabis is still on the table..it’s been talked about for years now….then present both sides of such a major decision.

Why not have another informational workshop like this one, and maybe have police officers from towns that have businesses in place talk about how, if at all, it’s impacted their towns.

Have realtors come in and talk about how, if at all, cannabis businesses have affected real estate purchases? Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly Bad & Ugly

Have store owners in the vicinity of other successful cannabis shops talk about how, if at all, the new business has impacted their own business.

Have public officials from another town talk about how they got the money, what they spent it on, and whether it’s lowered taxes or called for more costs for some reason or another?

Ask some of the folks who have already dealt with a new business how it works and what recommendations they have to make it even better. Heck, a former borough councilman is in the business in California, why not have him speak as well?

Currently, of the 53 municipalities in Monmouth County, ten have approved cannabis dispensaries, not all of which are active yet or have completed the arduous process they must go through to be properly licensed. That represents approximately 20 percent of Monmouth County municipalities, compared to 28 per cent of towns across the state who have approved dispensaries. A few have approved marijuana cultivation or manufacture. Locally, Aberdeen, Eatontown, Highlands, Keyport, Long Branch, Red Bank, Shrewsbury Township and Tinton Falls have approved cannabis business in their communities.

Atlantic Highlands seems to be taking a giant step towards informing the public of the positive impact of a properly conducted business.

It has a Cannabis Task Force which apparently has had at least some input in this workshop meeting; it seems Councilwoman Cusick has worked hard, and it appears all members have played important roles, they’re all hard workers and generous with their volunteer time. The members, in addition to Councilwoman Cusick are James Krauss, Joanne Dellosso and Michael Pado.

Do those board members believe they were named to promote and endorse a cannabis business in town or  think the Task Force should simply bring out all the good things a new business, and new kind of business, would be advantageous but not even mention any possible bad sides of something new.

Don’t they want to look at both sides of every issue before making decisions or presentations of half a story?

The workshop was good, very good. It would be ever so much better if the borough presented all sides of the issue at another workshop so the public gets to hear the whole story, good, bad or indifferent.

Bad & Ugly

Cannabis Special Workshop Meeting

By
Muriel J. Smith
-
0
Cannabis

About three dozen residents turned out for a special workshop meeting at Borough Hall Tuesday night when a series of experts in the fields of medicine, cannabis and pharmaceuticals gave a series of positive results should a cannabis business be approved in Atlantic Highlands.

Borough Attorney Peg Schaefer, herself recognized as an expert in the field, was part of the panel and explained some of the confusion in the state legislation which permits, under specific regulations and laws, municipalities to pass their own laws for cultural, manufacturing or retail licenses.

The attorney explained she takes no position on whatever the borough decides, but pointed out it has great control over all aspects of any cannabis business, including where it could be located, the hours it could be open and what safety regulations would have to be followed by those in the business.

Leading expert in the panel was Hugh O’Beirne, president of the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association, a non-profit agency working for the legalization of cannabis in New Jersey, and an attorney who has dealt in corporate and securities law as well as real estate investment trusts.

Hugh O’Beirne

O’Beirne is co-founder of Hawthorne Avenue Strategies, a consulting firm on the business goals for US operations and has done policy work in several states. The attorney holds his master’s degree from Boston College and his doctorate from Vanderbilt University.

The attorney reviewed the history of adult use cannabis regarding the regulations imposed by states without federal regulations on the industry and noted its benefits in a variety of medical programs.

Like Schaefer, he stressed the fact the municipality holds great control, under the newly enacted laws in New Jersey, in governing any cannabis business within its limits, and as such can ensure safety and community harmony. He cited cases from his own experience where cannabis has been the medicine of choice and success in controlling a number of different diseases.

Schaefer added that as attorney, she would not advocate which actions the borough should take in either approving specific types of cannabis business or denying any or all within her borough but cited the many financial benefits resulting from additional taxes for the borough. The attorney also noted that the laws do not allow for the borough to restrain any deliveries to persons within the borough from cannabis businesses approved in other municipalities.

Luke Lieberman of Brick was another of the panelists who spoke at the meeting. The General Manager of NJ Leaf, a cannabis dispensary on Park Avenue in Freehold, Lieberman cited how cannabis regulations are strict in controlling the quality of products and adult use of cannabis from approved sources ensures it is dispensed safely.

Panel members explained the difference between the variety of hemp or cannabis containing subjects currently available including the variety of forms from pills and liquids to chocolate and gummies, and how approved dispensaries would be more beneficial for health and safety reasons.

Jay Dhaduk or Parsippany is a New York licensed pharmacist and founder of Legacy Pharmacy, a chain of pharmacies that offer cannabis sales. He is also a patient education chair at Bayshore Senior Center and instructs on ways to stem the opioid crisis and addiction through better education of all products.

Panelists responded to questions from the residents concerning how businesses would be run should a retail shop be approved for the borough, highlighting the borough could mandate whatever type of security it felt necessary, from armed guards to concealed weapons carriers ; every adult potential purchaser would have to show proper identification in order to enter the store and would have a choice of either seeking out the product they wanted, or seeking the assistance of the trained and professional employees to guide them. Because of complaints in other areas about long lines waiting for access to a retail business, it is necessary at the start of a new business for customers to have appointments in order to be at the shop.

Stores would also have to meet esthetic requirements for exterior appearance according to borough regulations and would be restricted to the specific business district any borough ordinance would allow.

Panelists in a variety of ways showed how a regulated and licensed retail business whose owner has been thoroughly investigated and approved, and whose employees have also undergone stringent investigations and background checks would cut down on deaths from illegal drugs while at the same time bringing in thousands of dollars to offset borough taxes or be set aside for specific purposes.

Councilwoman Eileen Cusick, the borough representative on the Cannabis Committee former earlier this year, put the meeting together in order to provide more information should borough council choose to introduce a cannabis business ordinance. Mayor Lori Hohenleitner opened the meeting, explained its purpose and introduced all the panelists together with asking them specific questions. Cusick delivered hand-written questions from the audience to Hohenleitner who then read them to the panelists for their response.

This is the only workshop of this type unless an ordinance is introduced, Hohenleitner said after the meeting. Should an ordinance be introduced, the public would have another opportunity to ask questions during the public hearing held for every proposed ordinance before its approval.

Cannabis
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