Highlands Hero Gets RREM’d

After Closing On A RREM Grant, DCA Says A New Home For Vietnam Vet Is Not In The Cards

By Art Gallagher

Russell Card Jr removes his “family crest” from his family’s home in Highlands in preparation for demolition . Photo via facebook

A Vietnam Veteran from Highlands and his 65 year-old wife had their expectations of a new home  crushed last week when their RREM approved builder informed them that a stop work order had been placed on their project by the Department of Community Affairs, with no explanation.   The family had prepared their house for demolition, based upon promises from DCA/RREM, and now fear they will be without a home.

Russell Card, a 72 year-old Vietnam Veteran from Highlands closed on his $150,000 RREM grant on July 28.  He put up his $18,000 escrow to cover the difference between the cost of the project and the amount granted.  Card, his wife Maureen and son Russell Jr, 35, prepared their home (which was built in the 1890’s and in the family since 1933) for demolition.   They moved most of their belongings into a POD on their immaculately maintained property and moved themselves into an apartment the size of the living room in the Bay Avenue house they have lived in since 1986.  By mid-September all the utilities were disconnected at the house and it was ready for demolition before their new home would be built.  The funding for the new home was the RREM grant, a gap grant of $30,000 from Gap Funding Initiative and $17,762 that was remaining from a $55,000 grant Mrs. Card had received from her employer, CareOne, after Sandy filled their home with eight feet of water on October 29, 2012.

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Congressman Smith Announces National Blue Ribbon Schools

Biotech High School, Pace Charter School, Performing Arts Academy and St. Gregory the Great recognized

Congressman Chris Smith announced yesterday that four schools in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

“Educating our children is among the most important investment we can make in our families’ and our nation’s future,” said Smith.  “I am thrilled that four of the 11 Blue Ribbon Schools in New Jersey are located right here in the Fourth Congressional District of New Jersey.”

The four schools being recognized for their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, which requires demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels, are:

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Kyrillos and Lesniak Fast Track Sports Betting Legislation

Sen. Joe Kyrillos

Senators Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) and Ray Lesniak have teamed up to sponsor legislation that will counter the professional sports leagues latest attempts to block sports betting in New Jersey.

The bill, which will be introduced during the Senate’s next session, would explicitly abolish language in state law that prohibits sports betting, a move that would reinforce the state attorney general’s effort to lift the injunction preventing the state from moving forward on plans to allow casinos and racetracks to accept wagers on sporting events. The measure would also prohibit the transport of sports-betting equipment across state lines and set an age requirement of 21 years old.

Last month acting Attorney General John Hoffman issued a directive that instructed law enforcement not to prosecute sports betting at racetracks and casinos.  The Christie Administration asked U. S. District Judge Michael Shipp to rule that New Jersey is not violating federal law by decriminalizing sports betting  and allowing private entities to operate and regulate the betting.

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Lakehurst Child Pornographer Pleads Guilty in Court

TOMS RIVER-A Lakehurst man plead guilty in court today and faces six years in prison for distributing child pornography. Michael R. Allen, 27, of Lakehurst entered a guilty plea before Judge Francis R. Hodgson Jr., J.S.C., yesterday to second degree Distribution of Child Pornography. Allen is facing 6 years in New Jersey State Prison and mandatory… Read the rest of this entry »

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Companies settle charges over bogus weight-loss claims for caffeine-infused underwear

WASHINGTON — Two companies that sell women’s underwear infused with caffeine have agreed to refund $1.5 million to consumers to settle charges that they falsely advertised their products would reduce cellulite and zap fat, the Federal Trade Commission announced on Monday. In addition to the refunds, the settlements bar Norm Thompson Outfitters, Inc., a catalog retailer… Read the rest of this entry »

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Monmouth Law Enforcement Agencies Will Raise Distracted Driving Awareness In October

Monmouth County drivers who are texting or talking on their phones without a hands free device are more likely than ever to be pulled over in October—and more likely to be given a break for the infraction that carries a fine of $200-$400 for a first offense.  But the break won’t be just a friendly warning from the officer who pulls the driver over.

For the month of October, law enforcement officers across the county will be armed with distracted driver ticket books. Anyone found driving while distracted may be issued a summons warning providing them 15 days to log on the campaign website at unpluggedandalive.com where each ticketholder will be prompted to securely include their pertinent information and to watch a video detailing the horrific effects of distracted driving.

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New Jersey court reverses parole denial in 1973 trooper killing

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Monmouth County Acts To Increase Kozloski Road Safety

In the wake of two traffic accidents in two months which resulted four deaths, Monmouth County officials took action yesterday to improve the safety of Kozloski Road (County Road 55) in Freehold Township.

Traffic safety crews placed four variable message boards along the road between Route 33 Bypass and Burlington and Burlington Road.

“The sign boards have been put in place to remind motorists to slow down and obey the speed limit,” Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone said. “Drivers need to abide to the posted 50 mph speed limit on Kozloski Road.”

The two car crash on Saturday which resulted in the death of a 7 year old Howell boy is still under investigation.  On August 19 there was a three car accident that resulted in three fatalities.

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Analysis: Merger of Cash-Starved NJDOT with Turnpike Authority ‘Cash Cow’ eyed

State officials looking for solutions to the state’s transportation funding crisis are increasingly considering merging the cash-starved state Department of Transportation and New Jersey Transit with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to enable $400 million in excess Turnpike and Garden State Parkway toll revenues to be used for overall state transportation needs. The merger of NJDOT’s… Read the rest of this entry »

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Gold Star Mothers’ Day

I’m embarrassed that I did not know that the last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mothers’ Day, a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Thanks to our friend Edith T. Nowles who sent in the following remembrance of her parents, Zelma deGuerin Seaton & Lester Mason Thorne, who lost their son Cpl. Horace Marvin “Bud” Thorne in the WWII Battle of the Bulge:

“Gold Star” Mother & Father …. Zelma deGuerin Seaton & Lester Mason Thorne, New Monmouth, N. J..  Year after year, their heartache remains very much alive … compounded by childhood memories of family … the tremendously, painful loss is forever.  Vividly recall my mother’s personal escort, Mrs. Mildred Minor of Belford, N.J, always in appropriate, official VFW 2179 Auxiliary uniform, who transported and proudly escorted my mother, to and fro, for many years.  Seventy years since he was killed, my brother “Bud” still remains 26 years old … remembered – honored … dearly beloved … and deeply missed.  (Cpl. Horace Marvin (Bud) Thorne, U. S. Army, KIA 12/21/44, WWII Battle of the Bulge, Grufflingen, Belgium.  He never knew that he was a Recipient of The Congressional Medal of Honor).  

God Bless all the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters and spouses who have lost a loved one who was defending our freedom.

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