Democrats Sweep in Atlantic Highlands

Mayor Fred Rast

With all districts reporting in Atlantic Highlands, Democrat Rhonda LeGrice has defeated Republican Councilman Jack Archibald for Mayor, 847 to 559, a 60-40 margin. Archibald only received  233 votes more today than he received in the Republican Primary last June when he defeated fellow Councilman Lou Fligor.

The Democrats also retained the two Council seats they were defending. Incumbent Democrat Roy Dellosso, 916 votes and newcomer Charles Lero, 848 votes, defeated Republicans Jim Krauss, 513 votes and France Karras 489 votes.

Mayor Fred Rast, a Republican endorsed the Democratic slate in a letter than he sent to all voters, at his own expense, late last week.  In his letter, Rast listed a litany of complaints about Archibald and GOP Municipal Chairwoman Jane Frotton. Additionally, he said that during his eight years as mayor, he lead the governing body with a bi-partisan coalition of Fligor, Dellosso, Republican Jacob Hoffman and Democrat Robert Sutton.

Archibald and Republican Peter Doyle have been a functional minority on the Council.  A fact that Archibald confirm during the primary campaign.

Rast had endorsed Fligor in the Republican Primary.

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Police investigate report of barricaded subject inside Atlantic Highlands condo

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS — Authorities investigated a reported barricaded subject inside a residence on King James Lane Tuesday night, police said. Chief Jerry Vasto said police responded to the residence after receiving a report of a possible barricaded subject with a weapon. Police had the entrance to King James Court condominium complex closed off for several hours… Read the rest of this entry »

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Hit And Run Driver Marletta Released On Bail

Toni Marletta
photo via facebook

Toni Ann Marletta, the 49 year old Leonardo woman charged in the July 8th hit and run incident which resulted in the death of Marissa Procopio, a 15 year old girl from Atlantic Highlands, was released from the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on Tuesday August 4 after posting $15,000, or 10% of her $150,000 bail.

Marletta was arrested on July 15 and charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, Failing to Report a Motor Vehicle Accident, No Insurance, Unsafe Tires and Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident. Her bail was set at $150,000.00 with no 10% option set by Judge Honora O’Brien-Kilgallen of the Monmouth County Superior Court.

Marletta’s bail was modified to allow a 10% option by Judge Francis Vernoia on July 23.  She posted $15,000 on August 4th and was released from custody.

Marletta’s trial date will be set after she is indicted by a Grand Jury.

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Hit and Run Driver Arrested

Toni Marletta
photo via facebook

Middletown Police have charged Toni Ann Marletta, 49 of the Leonardo section of the Township, in the hit and run motor vehicle crash that resulted in the death in Marissa Procopia, 15 of Atlantic Highlands.

Marletta was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, Failing to Report a Motor Vehicle Accident, No Insurance, Unsafe Tires and Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident. She is being held on $150,000.00 bail with no 10% option set by Judge Honora O’Brien-Kilgallen of the Monmouth County Superior Court.

Marletta is not listed yet as an inmate on the Monmouth County Sheriff’s website, as of 1 p.m.

Charles Webster, spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, told MMM that Marletta was being held in Middletown where she was unable to post bail.  Webster said she in custody and being transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.

Cynthia Scott, spokesperson for the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, told MMM that Marletta was booked into the Correctional Institution at about 1:30 p.m.

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Hit and Run Victim, 15, Is On Life Support

Marissa Procopio photo via facebook

Marissa Procopio, the 15 year old Atlantic Highlands girl who was struck by a hit and run driver in Middletown on Tuesday, is on life support at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune.  Previous published reports said she had died of her injuries on Wednesday afternoon at 3:46.

An official of the Henry Hudson Regional High School District who asked not to be named for this story told MoreMonmouthMusings that Marissa’s family was informed by her doctor that there was no blood flowing to her brain and that there was no hope of recovery. The family has chosen to keep Marissa on a life sustaining ventilator for two days in order that family members can travel to say good-bye, according to the school official.  The official said that the high school principal visited Marissa at the hospital on Wednesday at 5:45 pm, two hours after the reported death.

Robert Cavanaugh, spokesperson for Jersey Shore Medical Center, declined to confirm Marissa’s condition, citing HIPAA regulations that the hospital’s policy against commenting on the condition of minors.   An telephone operator a Jersey Shore said that Marissa is patient in the Intensive Care Unit.

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Atlantic Highlands Girl, 15, Succumbs To Hit And Run Injuries

UPDATED: As of Thursday morning, Marissa is still on life support at Jersey Shore Medical Center

A 15 year old Atlantic Highlands girl who was struck by a hit and run driver Tuesday evening on Route 36 in the Leonardo section of Middletown died as a result of her injuries this afternoon, according to a report in The Two River Times.

Marissa Procopio was crossing the highway at the intersection of Ave D at approximately 8:25 pm when she was stuck by a light grey compact car traveling west.  The car fled the scene before police arrived.  Marissa was transported via Medivac helicopter to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune.  She succumbed to her injuries at 3:46 this afternoon.

A review of videotape of provided by local business owner Michael D’Alessio resulted in the Middletown Police to announce that the vehicle which struck Marissa was driven by Toni Marletta, 49, of Leonardo.

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“Shock and Awe” Permeates the July Shore Fine Arts Scene

By April W. Klimley, Art Critic

The July 4^th weekend is a great time for gallery hopping. Many new exhibitions opened their doors last weekend, and I’m going to give you a run down on some of the most interesting—and provocative. The wide variety of artwork may surprise you, and some of it may even shock you.

A good place to start is at AJ Dillon gallery in Atlantic Highlands. The gallery has an exhibition that has been running all month called  “Stars and Stripes Forever.” It ends on July 4^th, but is well worth squeezing into your schedule.

Gallery owner Frank Leahy asked local artists to come up with their own interpretation of the American flag, or what they think of when they ponder the American flag. One interpretation that grabbed my attention was a large America flag hung sideways with Jimi Hendrix face painted on it. It’s called Don’t Tread on Red by Jana Moriarty. You’ll find it hanging in a place of distinction—a pillar-like wall to the right as you walk in the gallery.

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June Is a Great Month for Art Openings to the Shore—Not Just Weddings!

April W. Klimley

By April W. Klimley, Art Critic

June isn’t just for weddings, beach time or boating. The month has also brings with it a rebirth of creative energy and a potpourri of fine art openings, exhibitions, street art and murals. In fact, there’s so much to see—and so many exhibition openings— that it may be hard to decide what to see each weekend or even during the week. Let me help you decide by giving you a preview of what’s going on during the first half of the month.

This coming weekend there are two key openings taking place on the central part of the Shore. One takes place in Red Bank (June 6), the other in Shrewsbury (June 7).

Saturday June 6 head for the Art Alliance in Red Bank which is holding its final exhibit of the season—The Ebba Osborne Memorial Award Exhibition. A reception runs from 6 pmto 8 pm opening night with music and refreshments in the back room. The exhibit focuses on two themes—“Dreamy” and “Interior”—and a $100 prize will be awarded to the Best in Show. Asbury Park photographic artists Tom and Lois White are judging the exhibit. Their work will be on display in the Alliance windows.

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Archibald Wins GOP Nomination for Mayor in Atlantic Highlands

Jack Archibald

Councilman Jack Archibald defeated Councilman Lou Fligor for the Republican nomination for Mayor of Atlantic Highlands by an unofficial count of 301 to 169.

The 470 votes cast represents a very high 66% turnout, based upon 710 registered Republicans on April 15. The turnout percentage will be adjusted by the number of unaffiliated voters who declared a Republican affiliation today at the polls.

Archibald will face Democratic nominee for mayor Rhonda LeGrice in November.

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Archibald Makes His Case To Atlantic Highlands Voters

By Jack Archibald, Atlantic Highlands Councilman and Candidate for the Republican nomination Mayor

Jack Archibald

Voters will go to the polls next Tuesday to select the Republican candidate for Mayor in November. This primary election is critical; it could decide both the next Mayor and the future of Atlantic Highlands.

I believe it’s important that voters know as much about the candidates as they can before casting their ballots.

I am running for Mayor because I believe my professional experience and public service are greatly aligned to the skills required for the office. As a Senior Director in Public Finance at Fitch Ratings, my 25 plus years of knowledge and experience in public finance is exactly what is needed for important challenges facing Atlantic Highlands today.

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