Sandy Hook
Lots of things about Sandy Hook made me happy this week, even though it was terribly disappointing to hear it is going to take a joint effort of federal, public and private funds to come up with another $50 million so the Stillman Company can continue with its plans to renovate the Officers Row homes on Fort Hancock.
What made me happy, besides the fact Mr. Stillman wants to still continue with his plan, is that the 21st Century Fort Hancock Advisory Committee didn’t simply throw up their collective hands and say it’s all over! Instead, they immediately began to pool ideas, set up a committee to seek out sources, and decide they have to help get this accomplished.
County Commissioner Lillian Burry reminded the rest of the Committee she was successful in having that $15 million apartment complex for homeless veterans built in Tinton Falls. Even with a separate Women’s Wing to boot!
Now if folks would just remind Congressman Pallone, another good guy who really wants to do the best for the people, that Sandy Hook is a National Recreation Area, not a National Wildlife Refuge and American history is important enough to be remembered and shared out there, that might help. The congressman is concerned that apartments while retaining a historic appearance will bring too many folks out there year round, but doesn’t think the hundreds of thousands of folks who crowd the beaches during the summer aren’t disturbing wildlife.
What also made me happy was hearing both the Senior Naval Advisor and the Superintendent of the County Vocational Tech Schools Dr. Charles Ford, say that bids will be going out within two months to finish that sad looking former barracks that will one day be an indoor drill hall, classrooms and bathrooms for those MAST cadets!
Dr. Ford conceded raising costs are making a difference, but saying the bids are going out soon is an indication he really wants MAST to continue and grow makes it sound like a certainty the County Commissioners will somehow find the necessary funds should the bids come in higher than they hope for.
None was there, but it‘s a certainty Dr. Ford will tell them about the 700 or so folks who sat in the cold just to watch those cadets in formation at their very important annual inspection by the Navy, because they’re so proud of everything they achieve out there.
Their applause resounded in the winds when the Commander said Dr. Ford had told them about the bids being prepared. Then there was that other announcement that one cadet has already been notified he has already received a full four-year ARMY ROTC scholarship at graduation. But he hasn’t even accepted it yet because he’s waiting to hear how the Navy will respond to his application for one of their scholarships! And if the pattern that’s been set for years continues, there will be many scholarships announced at graduation because of the high standard of education that is presented at MAST and the opportunities offered by all branches of the military for higher education. What County Commissioner would deny funding to make a great program even more accommodating for its young voters?
Dr. Ford even brought in his business administrator from her Florida vacation in case the Fort Hancock Advisory Committee had any questions on the progress of the two buildings the County school system is currently working on. So she, too, via ZOOM, was able to hear all the praise and congratulations for the smaller building now being in use and looking great from the outside. Both must feel pretty great, and rightfully so, that they are advising the County…as if these Commissioners don’t already know it….how important is continuing the work in helping MAST cadets AND restoring a piece of dilapidated and sad looking historic building at one of the nation’s most visited recreation areas.
Also making me happy this week was hearing that young Troop 22 Boy Scout from the Bayshore, Grady, stand up before the crowd at the Atlantic Highlands remembrance of Veterans Day and speak his own pride in being an American and knowing it is veterans he has to thank for freedom. Who knows? In a few years, he might be one of those cadets at MAST learning to drill and know more about how veterans have been the heart of the country since the days of the Revolution.
Councilman Jim Murphy came in late for that annual observance, but with good reason that also made me happy. As a Knight of Columbus, he had been asked to participate in honoring Revolutionary War veterans who fought at the Battle of Monmouth. Applegate and Stillwell are historic names in Monmouth County and it was an honor to have an Atlantic Highlands native and official be part of the ceremony of raising not just a flag, but an American flag AND flagpole on the site of the small and previously untended burial ground in Leonardo The Knights of Columbus took the care of the site under their wing and the men have worked long and hard in restoring it to give some dignity to the deceased remembered there..
