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Regionalization: Step 2

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Step 2
The Multi Step Process

The Sea Bright Mayor and Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an update to the feasibility study which had been done two years ago in preparation for allowing Sea Bright children to attend the newly formed Henry Hudson Regional k-12 school district.

The Highlands Mayor and Council have already unanimously approved joining Sea Bright in applying for a state grant to cover the cost of the study, offered at $27,000, a figure Sea Bright also indicated it does have available should the grant not be approved.

Atlantic Highlands several months ago passed a resolution to contribute, however stressed that approval is with stipulations.

All three municipalities have long since acknowledged that Step One to enable the voters to decide whether Sea   Bright can bring in both funds and students to the new district has already been approved.

All three also agreed that Step Two is enabling the residents in all three towns to vote on whether Sea Bright can be a part of the regional district.

To date, there is nothing on the agenda for the January 25 Atlantic Highlands Council meeting regarding anything about regionalization. Borough Administrator Robert Ferragina confirmed this week that he is working with the borough attorney in Atlantic Highlands to look further into the matter.

“It’s time we all worked together towards this common goal,” said Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon this week, “This is a regional school district. We agreed on Step One, forming the regional district from PreK-12 for Highlands and Atlantic Highlands. Now it is time to advance Step Two and make the education of our children the priority for all of us. This is the time all of us, School Boards and Councils, should apply for this state grant that will cover the $27,000 cost and enable all three towns to continue to move forward.”

Sea Bright and Highlands have agreed to apply for the School Regionalization Efficiency Program Grant to finance the study to be conducted by Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, the Morristown firm that submitted the $27,000 bid for the study. The firm conducted the original feasibility study which showed accepting Sea Bright into the Highlands and Atlantic Highlands regionalized school system would be a financial benefit to the two towns immediately as well as to Sea Bright in the future.

Karshmer Recognized by Highlands

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Karshmer Recognized by Highlands
Karshmer Recognized by Mayor & Council

Cadet Russell Karshmer, a junior and Chief Petty Officer at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology) in the NJROTC program, received the congratulations and applause of the Highlands Mayor and Council at their regular meeting Wednesday night.

The cadet was honored for creating the design which will be the obverse side of the official commissioning coin for the submarine New Jersey (SSN796), the third Navy vessel to be named after the Garden State.

coin

Russell’s award-winning design was selected from more than 300 original designs submitted to the New Jersey Commissioning Committee by high school students throughout the state.

In making the presentation of a plaque recognizing the expertise and creativity of the cadet,  Mayor Carolyn Broullon highlighted all the innovation and research that went into New Jersey characteristics and history Karshmer managed to fit into the design….the state bird, tree,, flower, Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest still operating  lighthouse in the nation, NWS Earle where the commissioning will take place, as well as Mount Mitchill, the highest point along the coast from Maine to Florida. The mayor also noted the student highlighted how three is important to the state…the third state to join the Union, the submarine being the third Naval vessel bearing the state’s name, and more.

The submarine will be commissioned April 6 at 10 a.m. at the Leonardo pier of NWS Earle and Karshmer has been invited to attend along with his family.

Mayor Broullon wished Karshmer continued success and commended him for being the role model he is.

Commissioner Burry Honored

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Commissioner

Former Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian G. Burry was welcomed and received a standing ovation at the regular meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council Thursday night, when Mayor Lori Hohenleitner presented her with a proclamation honoring all her years of service to Monmouth County residents.

In presenting the proclamation, Mayor Hohenleitner said she was eager to praise the outgoing County Commissioner and made it a priority to recognize Commissioner Burry at her own first meeting as Mayor because of all she has done.

Ms Hohenleitner cited the numerous areas where Commissioner Burry has achieved success for Monmouth County and where she has been recognized by numerous groups and organizations for her hard work in the fields of history, the arts,  education, and the military.

She also referred to several citations from various organizations, including the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, Spinnaker Award, the NJ Federation of Women, the first Clare French Award and  the Soldier On organization which recently named the women’s wing at their facility in Tonton Falls after Mrs. Burry.

Commissioner Burry, who did not seek re-election to the Board of Commissioners, is a cum laude graduate of Wagner College where she majored in political science and history and earned a Fellowship in political science.

She first served on the borough council when she and her husband Don, a retired Coast Guard Captain, lived in Matawan, then was elected both as a committeewoman and later Mayor in Colts Neck when the family moved to that township.

She was also elected to six terms on the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders (now Commissioners) serving several years as Freeholder Director.

The freeholder has also maintained her Colts Neck Realty office in Colts Neck for more than 40 years and has been a strong force in both the numerous facilities at Fort Monmouth following the closure of the army base, as well as historic Fort Hancock, where she is a member of the Fort Hancock historical 21st century Commission.

She has also been a long time supporter and frequent speaker at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology and was instrumental in the current plans to reconstruct a former barracks into an indoor drill field for the NJROTC cadets at MAST.

Councilman James Murphy also led more applause for Commissioner Burry when he recognized her birthday, which was Monday, January 15.

In accepting the standing ovation from the crowd in Atlantic Highlands, Commissioner Burry thanked Mayor Hohenleitner  for the honor, explaining the borough holds a special place in her heart since her daughter and son-in-law live in town and her granddaughter was raised here.

Atlantic Highlands is the second town in Monmouth County to give special appreciation thanks and honors to Commissioner Burry. Her hometown of Colts Neck also recognized the former mayor at a recent meeting.    She was also honored by more than 100 guests last month  at a gala reception she and her husband hosted at Eagle Oaks Country Club  to recognize her retirement from the political arena.

 

 

 

Twin Lights Engagement

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Twin Lights

If Patti Swick weren’t such a fireball of energy and enthusiasm, her fiancé Dan Feehan could have proposed exactly the way he wanted….in one of the towers of the Twin Lights.

As it is, the Twin Lights State Historic Site and its beautiful grounds are so important to this couple that they drove to Highlands from their Linden home specifically to have their engagement photos taken here.

It all started more than 10 years ago when Patti started working at a deli and catering business near her home in Linden. Dan was already working there, and almost instantly, the pair felt a connection of friendship. Even when Dan bought the deli and catering company, the two became friends and started dating. That was nine years ago.

Driving to various places along the shore, Dan and Patti found themselves always drawn to the Twin Lights. There was something about it that held their attention and charm. So much so that when Dan knew he wanted to marry Patti, he planned to bring her to their favorite place, climb one of the towers, and propose to her at the top, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean .

But Patti, who has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Kean University, Dominican University and Georgian Court University and is a third grade teacher, is obviously a woman on the go. Busy with her career as well as other activities, such as serving as Vice President of the Kean University Alumni Association as well as being active in other organizations and school groups, she saved time for Dan and herself to still drive down the shore. In the meantime, Dan sold his successful deli business and is currently a restaurant consultant and managing his own catering business.

The date was set for January 8 of last year for Dan to propose. He wanted to ask that all important question at the top of the Twin Lights. He and Patti were going to a friend’s baby’s Baptism and thought they could stop at Nicholas Creamery for ice cream and after that,  visit the Twin Lights.

But Patti was too tired and wanted to go directly home instead.

Back at home, Patti’s grandfather was outside by the car. He lives with Patti and Dan, and Dan, concerned he was outside, ushered him into the house. Patti went next door to get her dog from her mom’s house to bring him back home.

Back in the house, with Grandpa settled and the dog lying quietly, it was a very excited and by now frustrated Dan who asked his beloved if she could just stand still for 30 seconds. And as Pati tells it,  “I turned around and he was down on bended knee next to our couch. It was the most perfect proposal because it was just us in our home with no interruptions. “

So the engagement did not take place at the top of the Twin Lights as Dan had hoped. But because the site was so important to them both, they drove back down to take photos both inside and outside the museum, as well as a few overlooking Sandy Hook and the ocean. “It was the perfect engagement shoot. We had the fortune of being able to climb both towers and actually used one of them in our engagement shoot.”

The wedding is set for October 13 of this year at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Linden, where Patti and Dan both attended the grammar school, although it was years apart. The reception will be at the Palace at Somerset Park.

For now, while Patti is sorry her active lifestyle didn’t allow for Dan to carry out his engagement plans at the site they both love, she explains “ Dan is an extremely selfless person, helping whoever needs it and putting others’ needs before himself. He never questioned when my Grandpa became sick and needed to move in with us, doing whatever he could to help out. He has such a big heart and he never fails to make me laugh. While I’m a very type A person, he is more laid back and never fails to ground me when I take on too much or just need support.”

Dan, on the other hand, understands why his own plan for proposal could not happen. He says he is primarily attracted to Patti because she is “ compassionate, caring, and resolute.” He likes how Patti  “has  always been by my side, even when I didn’t ask for help or wasn’t looking for it. I love her sense of humor, even her bad puns, which are a constant.”  And he loves that once she starts a project, she sees it through until the end. Quite simply, he smiles, “she makes sure everyone is taken care of.”

 

As for the Twin Lights?. It will always be a special place for both of them, and a reminder every time they climb a tower or enjoy a picnic lunch on the front lawn or pick up a gift or souvenir in the gift shop, “it has always been a very special place in both their hearts.”

 

The Twin Lights grounds are open every day from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM for visits, whether or not an engagement or wedding is planned.

Check our website for building and tower climb hours www.twinlightslighthouse.org call (732) 872-1814 or follow the Twin Lights Historical Society on Facebook.

 

The Twin Lights State Historic Site is owned and operated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks, Forestry & Historic Sites (“NJ Parks”). Nick Wood, RIS-History, the full time NJ Parks Curator at the site, offers private tours by appointment for a small fee (so worth it!). Nicholas.Wood@dep.nj.gov.

 

The Twin Lights Historical Society is the officially recognized friends group for NJ Parks at the Twin Lights.  The role and purpose of the society at the site is to support and assist NJ Parks in its operations and exhibit development through financial support as well as volunteer services at the site. The Society invests all donations, memberships and proceeds from the Twin Lights Museum Store to improve visitor experience and online public relations, including new exhibits, paid internships for local high school and college students, as well as special projects.

 

 

 

 

The Mayor and Her Mom-A Story of Love

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Mayor

Former Atlantic Highlands Mayor Loretta Gluckstein thanked the dozens of borough workers, volunteers, friends, and everyone who make the borough the wonderful hometown it is for everyone.

But she touched more hearts when she brought broad attention to Alzheimer’s Disease, a brain disorder that only gets worse other time.

Mrs. Gluckstein pulled no punches in telling the audience at Thursday’s regular meeting of the Mayor and Council that the disease, which is characterized by changes in the brain, causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die and is the most common cause of dementia; it is  a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behavior and social skills.

The former mayor did not talk about the 6.5 million people in the United States over 65 years of age who live with Alzheimer’s disease. Nor did she talk about the 75 million people worldwide with dementia, of whom up to 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease.

Nor did the mayor talk about how the disease eventually progresses to serious memory problems and loss of any ability to perform everyday tasks, the lack of treatment or cures for it, or that complications can result in death.

Instead, Mayor Loretta Gluckstein reminded the crowd who were thanking her for her service to the borough as mayor and in numerous other areas, about the personal impact a person with Alzheimer’s has on everyone else.

For Loretta Gluckstein, it was a love story.

She explained on the few times she has missed official meetings it was because she was home with her mother, a nonagenarian who lives with the Glucksteins in their home on Ocean Blvd. She reminded residents they have often seen her mother with her at official or social functions as well. She said her mom has Alzheimer’s. Then she explained that in spite of anything she has done for the town or any of the organizations she has been in or continues to help,  she has a greater duty, and that is to take care of her mother.

As much as she has taken on that duty willingly and happily, Mrs. Gluckstein went on to say she has a great desire to help her mother because she herself had a wonderful childhood and her mother was then, and remains,  very special to her.

But then she switched her main point for a minute to accent her husband Steve and told the audience just how much she loves him.

Whether it was to reiterate reasons for her own long happy marriage or to let the audience in on something secret, the former mayor continued, “I love him dearly. Because if you see me and my mother is not with me, then he is.” He is the caregiver who spends so much time with her mother, she explained, her voice choking with emotion.

Both Steve Gluckstein and Loretta’s mother were in the front row of the audience at borough hall, he with his arm holding his mother-in-law close to his side. The husband who never attended any of his wife’s meetings as mayor epitomized what she was telling her friends and neighbors at the public meeting.

Loretta Gluckstein will continue to spend more time caring for her mom now that she is no longer in political office. But she also reminded the crowd before they erupted in a standing ovation for her, “I must give back to my mom and for her, I must do all I can do for anyone who has Alzheimer’s disease.”

 

   A number of conditions can result in memory loss or other dementia symptoms. Some of those conditions can be treated. If you are concerned about your memory or other thinking skills, talk to your health care professional.

If you are concerned about thinking skills you observe in a family member or friend, talk about your concerns and ask about going together to talk to a health care professional.

 

Boyscout Receives Recognition of Pope

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Boyscout

It probably came as a great honor but no surprise to Boyscout and now Eagle Scout Anthony Martignetti when he received congratulations from the office of His Holiness, Pope Francis on his accomplishment in the Boy Scouts. The son of Tara and the late Anthony Martignetti, Jr. Anthony is a frequent acolyte at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and a 2022 graduate of Henry Hudson Regional School.  He is also the stepson of Tim Sheridan and the family lives on Highland Avenue in Highlands.

Anthony was one of the three Troop 22 boy scouts who was honored at the Eagle Court of Honor at OLPH school auditorium last week and received numerous letters of congratulations, not only from the Apostolic Nuncio for Pope Francis, but also from the Attorney General, Governor Murphy, House Speaker Kevin Speaker, US Attorney Philip Sellinger, the National Park Service  and officers and officials  of the US Air Force  and the US Space Force, the National Boy Scouts of America  and the National Eagle Scout Association, to name some of the letters contained in the report each Eagle included at the ceremony.

Anthony chose to improve an open-air courtyard at Care One at Middletown Care Center on Route 36 in Middletown as his project where he created new planters and filled them with perennial flowers to enhance the area residents enjoy daily during good weather.

He credits his team of eight scouts who worked with him on the project, including Kevin Connelly, Jr., another scout who was honored at the Eagle Court of Honor for his own work, for completing the project. One of the requirements in achieving the Eagle Scout award is to not only plan, research and carry out a project, but also to lead a team of scouts in completing all the work it involves, an example of the Eagle’s leadership skills.

The Eagle Scout said the most difficult part of the overall project was researching the types of woods to be used for optimum endurance and the proper perennial plants so residents would be able to enjoy them. He chose the nursing home simply because “I thought it would be a good place to put it,” knowing it would be an attraction that would keep residents relaxed and happy.

Anthony noted that staff at Care One were highly cooperative throughout the time he was planning and working on the project and expressed thanks to them for their appreciation of the work he did.

Anthony’s uncle, Alan Resch, presented the Eagle Award to his nephew during the ceremony. Anthony credited his uncle  and his mother as his mentors in achieving his goal.

Aside from the congratulations and honors last month at the Court of Honor when Anthony received the highest award in Boy Scouting, the scout earlier in the year also put to life saving use other training he received in scouting.

While at a private pool party with family and friends, Anthony noticed a man fall in the water. As others rushed to get him out, the man was in obvious distress, turning blue and unable to breathe. Anthony immediately started CPR, working on the man until an EMT unit arrived on the scene. Others at the event noted it was obvious it was Anthony’s quick actions that saved the fallen man’s life.

Wind Projects Cancelled

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Sand

“Now that taxpayers are getting an honest look, the offshore wind projects off the Monmouth County coastline simply don’t measure up to hype,” said Congressman Chris Smith this week, regarding the news that two firms have cancelled their contracts for the project.

Smith said both BP and Equinor have cancelled their contract for the Empire Wind 2 project two months after Orsted rejected the subsidized proposal approved by Governor Murphy.

“The promise of benefits and jobs was always over-hyped and predicated on the backs of taxpayers,” said Smith, in expressing pleasure over the contract cancellations.

Despite the clear indication that these projects are economically unsustainable and pose serious dangers to our marine environment and national security, President Biden and Governor Murphy have rejected calls for objective studies, doubled down and insisted that these projects must continue—no matter the huge taxpayer subsidies they require and the credible predictions of big increases to ratepayers, Smith said in a press release issued yesterday.

“It’s long past time for Biden and Murphy to stop recklessly pushing these unsound and improperly vetted projects and trying to prop them up by irresponsibly throwing billions of US taxpayer dollars at these foreign corporations,” the Congressman added..

Smsith said the cancellation of the contracts marks a victory for concerned residents, environmentalists and commercial and recreational fishermen and added:” we must continue  to fight and put an end to ocean wind development off our beautiful shore. Enough is enough.”

 

3 Generations of Eagle Scouts

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  3 Eagles

There were three generations of pride filling the Our Lady of Perpetual Help School auditorium when Michael Marchetti received his Eagle Scout Award at the Court of Honor recently.  Both his father, Dr. Michael Marchetti, and his grandfather, Dr. Carl Marchetti knew what it took for Michael to receive the highest award in scouting.  Both the scout’s father and grandfather had also earned their Eagle Scout awards when they were teenagers.

Michael, the son of Dr. Michael and Suzanne Marchetti, graduated from Henry Hudson last year and is currently attending Brookdale College studying business. The family lives on Beach Blvd. in Highlands, and Michael sought inspiration from Highlands Mayor Carol Broullon in selecting the project he would do to earn the Eagle citation.

The mayor suggested Michael re-create the World War II monument on Route 36 across the street from OLPH and the new Borough Hall, and he took on the suggestion with enthusiasm and energy.

As part of the project, Michael had to refurbish, shine and mount the plaque that honors the 13 residents of Highlands who lost their lives during World War II. As part of the requirements listed for earning the Eagle award, Michael also had to oversee a team of ten young men to assist with the project, once he had planned and coordinated it. The scout also had to research history on each of the men named on the plaque and turned to borough historian Walter Guenther as a resource. That resource gave him more inspiration and more appreciation of heroes from an earlier era, he said.

During last week’s Court of Honor, Dr. Carl Marchetti, Michael’s 89-year-old grandfather, who lives in Farmingdale, recalled he was 14 when he was a Boy Scout in Troop 33 in Jersey City. The doctor, who retired in 1982 after 22 years as senior vice president of Jersey Shore Medical Center, and private practice in Neptune as an OB-GYN doctor, estimated he has delivered at least 4,000 babies during his medical career, but nothing is making him prouder than his grandson’s achievement.

“I’m glad to be his grandfather,” he said with admiration, “and I’m glad he made the decision himself to work hard to achieve this. It shows his dedication both in time and effort.”

Dr. Michael Marchetti, who is also troop leader of Troop 22, agreed, adding he is “proud of everything Michael is doing, and he did it this project well.” The physician practiced in the emergency room at Bayshore Hospital for 25 years and now practices in urgent care at Robert Wood Johnson in Hillsborough, in addition to serving first as assistant troop leader for nearly ten years and troop master for the past five. He admits that it was his father that got him involved in scouting and he is happy he has been able to do the same for his son.

In her letter of congratulations to the scout, Mayor Broullon thanked him for his work and noted “it makes me proud every time I walk or drive by and see the monument,” recognizing that he has transformed “an old monument to new glory.” She also noted the thanks and appreciation of both the local American Legion Post 143 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6902 and reminded Michael “you have made the borough proud.”

Police Chief Rob Burton, in congratulating the Eagle Scout, commended him for the 24 badges he earned during his scouting years and told him his outstanding work on this project will continue to inspire him in the years ahead.  Atlantic Highlands Police Chief Scott Reinert also sent his congratulations and belief that “you can do anything you set your mind to…”

MAST Building Delay … Again

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MAST Buildings
Yet Another Delay

Although January 17 was announced as the date to open sealed bids for a construction manager for the proposed renovation and restoration of the historic barracks on Fort Hancock for use by the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST), the date has now been moved one week later until January 24.

The new date is not advertised on the Monmouth County Vocational School Board of Education website, nor was it announced to everyone who attended the pre-bid meeting on December 20.

However, a legal is posted on the webpage of the architect seeking the bids, Kellenyi, Johnson Wagner, architects of Red Bank, explains that “The original Bid Opening Date & Time of 1:00 PM on January 17, 2024 has been revised and extended.

Sealed bids will now be received at the Business Office of the Monmouth County Vocational School District, Board of Education Office, 4000 Kozloski Road (in the Agriculture Building), Freehold, NJ 07728 up to 1:00 PM (prevailing time), on Wednesday January 24, 2024, then opened and read aloud.

Such proposals to receive consideration by the Monmouth County Vocational School District, are to be submitted in strict compliance with the Public-School Contract Law, NJSA 18A:18A-1, et.seq.”

No reason was given why the date announced at the pre bid meeting has been changed, nor does the legal notice on the architect’s webpage indicate where the legal notice of the change was posted.

It would appear that with the bid opening date delayed a full week, the dates for reviewing the bid documents, awarding the contract, distributing contracts for review and signature as well as the notice to proceed would also be delayed by a week.

The overall project duration was listed as taking 420 days from the notice to proceed, including 54 days to update and finalize contract documents and submit plans for permit and initiate submittals.

Although the original announcement of the Prebid meeting was listed as mandatory, that error was corrected in the legal advertisement for the meeting, which indicated it was recommended, not mandated, to attend that meeting. At least two bidders attended that meeting last month.

The one-week delay and any subsequent delays could impact the actual construction of Building 23, now primarily in a dilapidated condition, since it could impact whether work would start on the reconstruction in the advertised time frame.

Both past history and a current statement from the architect indicate that if the ospreys, a large sea bird that has a nest atop one standing wall of Building 23, return and prepare their nest for new eggs prior to construction, work is halted until the eggs hatch and fly the nest.

That was the reason for the delay of construction three years ago and plans have remained dormant until now.  Kellenyi said at the pre bid meeting last month he is hopeful that activity at the site would drive the returning ospreys to find another location.

Nor has either the architect, the Monmouth County Vocational School Board of Education nor the National Park Service responded to any question as to why the nest cannot simply be removed any time before the ospreys are expected back from migration, generally mid to late March. Nor have any of the principals involved responded to queries why it is so necessary to protect the nest now, with plans approved and contracts signed to renovate the building which includes removing the nest so work can proceed.

The building is planned to be renovated to provide the first indoor drill and practice facility for the NJROTC cadets, which includes every student at MAST. The building is also scheduled to include classrooms, office space, bathrooms , lockers and showers for the cadets. Currently, the cadets conduct their drills on Pershing Field, the open field immediately in front of Building 23 ad have no showers or locker facilities for end of drill exercises.

The new legal notice on the Kellenyi Johnson Wagner webpage, which includes the requirements necessary for bidders and the regulations each must meet was authorized by Monmouth County Vocational School District/Business Administrator/Board Secretary Kelly A. Brazelton.

Murphy & O’Dwyer Name Names in Court Docs

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Murphy
Murphy and O’Dwyer Going for Broke

While Facebook and Twitter are alive with dozens of comments from known Democrats and others in Atlantic Highlands critical of their action, the petition  filed by  Councilman James T. Murphy and Ellen O’Dwyer to verify the November election for Mayor and Council member contains no fewer than 20 names of persons they fear could be illegally cast ballots.

“This matter is a pending litigation,” said both Murphy and O’Dwyer when contacted for comment. “As such, we do not have many comments to give.”

Both former candidates have also said they themselves, as well as “ other residents in the Borough are concerned that some of the votes may be inaccurate.  We owe it to all the residents of Atlantic Highlands to explore this matter and seek the truth. Our efforts are simply to confirm the democratic process is being followed.”

Following the election and a December 12 recount requested by Murphy and O’Dwyer, who lost the mayoral and council seats respectively to Lori Hohenleitner and Alyson Forbes, the recount ordered by Superior Court Judge Kathleen A. Sheedy showed that Hohenleitner had five more votes than Murphy and Forbes had 12 more votes than O’Dwyer. Both victors were sworn in at reorganization Jan. 1 and have taken office as elected officials.

Murphy and O’Dwyer then contested the vote certification, charging that “illegal votes were received” and also “legal votes were improperly rejected.”

It is that allegation the two Republicans presented to the court for a court judgement in their favor, the next step after the recount and recheck ordered by the court.

In calling for judgment, both Murphy and O’Dwyer asked the court to either enter judgements revoking and invalidating the certificates of election for Hohenleitner and Forbes and enter judgements certifying Murphy and O’Dwyer for the positions.

In the alternative, the duo asked that a special election be ordered for the offices of mayor and one council seat and and other relief the court finds equitable and just.

No date has been set for that court decision.

Represented by Matthew C. Moench of the law firm of Kin Moench and Collins, LLP, the civil action specifically names at least 22 persons whom Murphy and O’Dwyer feel did not meet residency requirements and therefore should not have their votes counted in Atlantic Highlands. The names run from A to Z in the alphabet, and include several names with addresses both in Atlantic Highlands and in the same apartment complex in Brooklyn.  In some cases, telephone numbers for the Atlantic Highlands address have been disconnected; in other cases, calls go to an answering device and have not been returned.

Among the 19 persons named in the legal action the Republicans feel do not meet residency requirements, addresses include persons whose addresses are given on Third Avenue, E. Mount Ave., Harbor View Drive, Bayside Drive and Cross avenue, among others.

In addition, there are three names cited in the legal action of persons the former candidates believe are not the signatures of the persons named based on their signatures on record. In these cases, the litigants are asking that the ballots be rejected because of the lack of comparison and the possibility the named voter did note fill out his or her own ballot.

Murphy and O’Dwyer are also questioning if at least one voter who cast a ballot for them did not have the ballot counted since the vote was a write-in rather than adjacent to the names printed on the ballot.

It is for their belief that some ballots have been accepted by non-residents, signature mismatches, and questions on the write-in votes that Murphy and O’Dwyer believe “the results of the election do not reflect the will of the voters” and therefore the results should be vacated.

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