OpEd: Asbury Park’s New Charter School and Religious Funding

By Tommy DeSeno

“College Achieve” charter school is trying to open in Asbury Park. It’s operated by Mike Piscal, who is known in the education field for making charter schools in California go broke, for having lax policy on sexual harassment and choosing spokespeople the likes of Bill Cosby. After California he spent two years in Las Vegas, then recently had a failed attempt to open a charter school in Brooklyn.

Having come back home to New Jersey, he incorporated “College Achieve” charter school with no assets other than the $75.00 filing fee, with an address at his father’s house in Toms River.

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, August 11-13, 2017

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, August 11

• Lady Antebellum Tour at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• Bill Burr at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Monmouth Film Festival at TRT (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• IAATO Italian Festival (Ocean Twp.) – MORE INFO
• “The Boys Next Door” at Center Playhouse (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Sidewalk Sale at Dearborn Market (Holmdel) – MORE INFO
• The Fantasticks at Algonquin Arts Theatre (Manasquan) – MORE INFO

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Dr. Harry Swartz retires after 58 years of service in Middletown

Freeholder Director Lillian Burry presents Dr. Harry Swartz with a certificate of recognition from the Board of Freeholders on the occasion of his retirement

MIDDLETOWN –  More than 300 patients and former patients, representing five decades of families, turned out for a reception held Friday to honor Dr. Harry Swartz, who retired as a general practitioner after 58 years serving the people of Middletown and beyond.

The reception was held at the Middletown Arts Center, Church St., and was hosted by Dr. Swartz’ wife, Renee, his two physician sons, Dr. Steven, with whom he practiced, Dr. Sid, who is an anesthesiologist in Florida, and his daughter, Addy Rose of Massachusetts.

Mrs. Swartz is the Chairwoman of the Monmouth County Library Commission.

Freeholder Director Lillian Burry presented a Certificate of Recognition honoring the doctor’s services to the community and naming Aug. 4 Dr. Harry Swartz Day in Monmouth County.

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Guadagno blasts ‘Corzine II’ and the ‘fake news’

TOMS RIVER — Republican gubernatorial nominee Kim Guadagno’s Democratic rival in this year’s race to succeed Gov. Chris Christie was the primary target of a Monday night speech in GOP-rich Ocean County as she rallied her troops. But the close second in her attacks was against New Jersey’s news media. Democrat Phil Murphy wants to “pickpocket”… Read the rest of this entry »

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5 face Hurricane Sandy relief fraud charges as tally of cases nears 100

TRENTON — Five New Jersey residents have been charged with filing fraudulent applications for federal Hurricane Sandy relief funding, bringing the number of people accused by authorities with scamming disaster relief programs since March 2014 to 96. The latest group filed claims for homes they said were primary residences when they were not, the state Attorney… Read the rest of this entry »

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, July 28-30, 2017

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, July 28

• Indie Street Film Festival (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Visionary Tattoo Arts Festival (Asbury Park) – MORE INFO
• Monmouth County Fair (Freehold) – MORE INFO
• Red Bank Sidewalk Sale – MORE INFO
• Stars of Sandy Hook – MORE INFO
• Charity Vodka Tasting at Knob Hill GC (Matawan) – MORE INFO
• Bugsy Malone by Spotlight Players (Matawan) – MORE INFO

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Hundreds say goodbye to Marine from Colts Neck killed in plane crash

COLTS NECK — Daniel Baldassare wanted to be a U.S. Marine for most of life. The 20-year-old corporal from Colts Neck, who was among 16 service members killed when a military plane crashed earlier this month in rural Mississippi, had dreamed of serving his country since at least middle school, family and friends said Tuesday morning.… Read the rest of this entry »

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3 Jersey Shore beaches closed; 31 with advisories for high bacteria levels

The Jersey Shore had a high number of beach closures and advisories Tuesday because of high bacteria levels following major storms over the past few days. The state Department of Environmental Protection’s website lists three beach closures on the Toms River as well as water quality advisories at 31 ocean, bay or river beaches from Monmouth… Read the rest of this entry »

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Middletown Library Board Announces Logo Contest

The Middletown Township Public Library is approaching its 100th Anniversary.  As part of that celebration the Board of Trustees and Director Kim Rinaldi have are asking Township student artists to participate in a logo contest.

The contest is open to all Middletown students in grades 6 -12. Students are asked to design a new logo that symbolizes the mission of the Middletown Public Library and articulates the true identity of the library as a community center offering opportunities for both education and entertainment. Deadline for submissions will be November 30, 2017. Submissions will be judged by the Library Board of Trustees and one winner will be announced at the December 13, 2017 meeting of the Library Board of Trustees. The winner will receive a $250 prize and community-wide recognition. The new logo will be used on the library’s website, letterhead, flyers, and other library documents.

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Brookdale Community College celebrates 50 years

Brookdale interim president David Stout celebrates the college’s 50th anniversary with Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and Freeholders John Curley and Serena DiMaso

LINCROFT – Brookdale Community College celebrated its 50^th anniversary on Tuesday with a birthday cake at the College of Visual Arts among well-wishers, County officials, and members of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), whose members were among the strongest advocates for a community college in Monmouth County half a century ago.

Dr. David Stout, interim president of Brookdale, led the brief program that included Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and freeholders John Curley and Serena DiMasa as well as Middletown Mayor Gerald Scharfenberger presenting resolutions proclaiming July 18, 2017 as Brookdale Community College Day throughout Monmouth County and in Middletown.  Stout presented framed copies of the original Monmouth County resolution establishing the community collegeto the freeholders and representatives of AAUW.

“The college today is an outgrowth of what came before us,” said Stout, who served as emcee for the birthday party program. “The history of Brookdale reveals that the college has its roots in the community. It is a true community college, in every sense of the word.”

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