Atlantic Highlands Mayor Fred Rast Encourages Republicans and Independent Voters To Vote For Lou Fligor on June 2

Dear Citizens of Atlantic Highlands,

Over the past seven years that I have been your Mayor, I have made sure that politics played a very small role in operating our town. The successes we have had during these years are 100% due to the fact that I, as Mayor, and most of our Council, have worked together to protect and enhance our town.

I have also never allowed political interference in my appointments and actions. As a matter of fact, approximately half of my appointments have been people who are not registered Republicans.

The County, as is their prerogative, have chosen to support the request of the Atlantic Highlands Chair of the Republican Party to place Jack Archibald as the “Party Line Candidate”. The vote of the local Republican Committee between Lou and Jack was a split vote of 4 to 4. We believe the people should have a choice so the Atlantic Highlands Republican party will have a primary on June 2, 2015.

Lou Fligor is his own man. He is the most dedicated public servant of the people of our town, a champion of our town’s people. He has led the battle to force the Gas Company’s clean-up operations. He spearheaded the committee to dissolve the Atlantic Highlands/Highlands Regional Sewer Authority, which has saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last year alone. Lou is the person we all see working for our town 365 days a year, not just during election time. He is a self-made man, who keeps his actions above political considerations. He is a true, loyal friend to all of our town’s people. Lou wants the job, not just the title as Mayor.

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“Party crashers” could determine Atlantic Highlands GOP mayoral nominee

Atlantic Highlands Councilmen Jack Archibald, left, and Lou Fligor, right, face off for the Republican nomination for mayor in the June 2 primary

Partisan primaries in New Jersey are usually very low turnout elections. Mostly they are uncontested, so only die hard partisans, poll workers and their friends who bring them doughnuts bother to vote. In Atlantic Highlands last year, of the roughly 700 registered Republicans, only 101 voted in the primary. Only 68 or the roughly 800 Democrats voted in the 2014 primary.

In contested primaries on a local level, the candidate with the “Party line” on the ballot usually has a huge advantage over a challenger.

The “Party line” advantage is being challenged in Atlantic Highlands in this year’s Republican primary on June 2.  Two long term Republican Councilmen are competing to be the Party’s nominee for mayor.   Incumbent Mayor Fred Rast, first elected in 2007, is keeping his promise to term limit himself out of office.  Councilman Jack Archibald and Councilman Lou Fligor both want to be mayor.

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The Shore Fine Art Scene Springs to Life

By April W. Klimley, Art Critic

April W. Klimley

April is certainly the cruelest month, as T.S Eliot wrote. Spring keeps peeking out followed by rainy and cold days here at the Shore. So, why not cheer yourself up by jumping into the Shore Art Circuit as it emerges from its winter torpor.

New exhibitions are emerging like the daffodils in your garden. Last weekend at least two galleries held openings. One was the A.J. Dillon Gallery of Art in Atlantic Highlands with an exhibit entitled “Art in Nature,” a theme appropriate to the season, despite the chill. The other was held in Red Bank. The Art Alliance held a juried member show with two themes–“Contrasts” and “Personalities.” The curator of the show was Michael Burrus Johnson who had several paintings displayed in the showcase front windows of the gallery.

As I strolled around the small gallery gleaming with a wide variety of styles, Bathers by Miguel A. Fugeras drew me in. At first glance, the piece looked like a wood block print—a powerful rendering of statuesque tall women in black and white bathing in a river. But up close, it’s clearly a drawing, probably pen and ink. It’s an arresting piece that reinterprets the time honored,  traditional theme of artists painting (dressed) women or female nudes at the seashore, ocean, or other body of water. Virtually all major artists from Botticelli to Degas have painted these scenes. But in tone and feeling, Fugeras’ drawing feels closer to Picasso’s Demoiselles of Avignon because of its angles and abstract nature .

Bathers by Miguel A. Fugeras. Drawing. The Art Alliance.

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Saturday, January 3 in Monmouth County

Wake Up, Everyone It’s the First Saturday of the New Year.
BizEturtle is here to tell you about some wonderful events happening today

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Republicans Split In Atlantic Highlands

Atlantic Highlands Mayor Fred Rast. file photo

A simmering feud within the Atlantic Highlands GOP boiled over into the public eye yesterday afternoon during the Borough’s reorganization meeting as three of the five Republican elected officials split with two of their newly reelected colleagues to elect a Democrat up for reelection this year as Council President.

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno who was on hand to swear in veteran Councilmen Jack Archibald and Peter Doyle to their new terms was not pleased by the drama. “You’re killing me,” Guadagno said to Mayor Fred Rast, a Republican who supported the unorthodox move, according to a prominent county Republican who was present.

Republican Councilman Lou Fligor nominated Democrat Roy Dellosso to be Council President.   Jacob “Jake” Hoffman, also a Republican, joined Fligor, Dellossa, and Democrat Robert Sutton in electing Dellosso to the largely ceremonial post.  Archibald and Doyle voted no.

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Municipal Judge Accused of Judicial Misconduct

Atlantic Highlands Municipal Building

Judge Peter A. Locascio, the Municipal Court Judge in Atlantic Highlands and Highlands, has been accused of Judicial Misconduct by the Disciplinary Counsel of the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC). The complaint can be found here.

Locascio is accused of exhibiting “extreme and personal” hostility towards an attorney appearing before him starting in August of 2008 and extending through early 2013, for failing to rule on recusal motions by that attorney after he was ordered to do so by his Assignment Judge, of using the powers of his office to his personal benefit  and of conflicts of interest in allowing his personal attorney, a close personal friend, to appear before his court.

The attorney involved was not named in the complaint.  “It could be several people,” said one member of the Monmouth County legal community speaking off the record, “Locascio is known to be caustic and vindictive.”

A complaint by the ACJC disciplinary counsel is an indication that an investigation into the initial complaint produced enough evidence to warrant an hearing before the committee. If after the hearing the committee determines that the Judge did violate the Code of Judicial Conduct the matter is referred to the State Supreme Court for public reprimand, censure, suspension, or removal.   If the committee finds after its hearing that there is not clear and convincing evidence of Judicial Misconduct, it makes a recommendation to the Supreme Court to dismiss the complaint with or without private reprimand.

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Business groups join together to kick-off summer on the bayshore

Five Bayshore business groups and the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau joined together yesterday in Keyport to kick-off the Summer of 2014 on the Monmouth County Bayshore..Exit 117…the Gateway to the Jersey Shore.

Lt Governor Kim Guadagno, Congressman Frank Pallone, State Senator Joe Kyrillos, Keyport Mayor Harry Aumack were on hand as the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, the Keyport Bayshore Business Copperative, the Hazlet Business Owners Association, the Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce, the Highlands Business Partnership and the Jersey Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau  joined together in cooperation for ceremonial ribbon cutting for the region’s summer tourist season.

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UPDATE_Fireman’s Fairs in Monmouth County

Nothing says SUMMER like a FIREMAN’S FAIR.
And Monmouth County has them for you.
Get out your datebooks and jot down these dates.
Soon it will be time to support your local Fire Department.
Filled with Games -Rides-Food-Music and Fireworks night.
These Fun Time Events are sure to please.

Please see the correction on the Fair Haven Fireman’s Fair

Wednesday, July 2- Saturday, July 5
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS FIREMAN’S FAIR
6:00 PM –  10:00 PM
Municipal Harbor Gazebo
2 Simon Lake Drive, Atlantic Highlands
Info: 732-291-1444, x 3005
——————————————————
Wednesday, July 28 – Saturday, August 2
KEYPORT FIREMAN’S FAIR
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Fireman’s Park 
West Front Street and American Legion Drive, Keyport
Info: 732-739-5138
———————————–
Tuesday, July 29– Saturday, August 2
MANASQUAN’S FIREMAN’S FAIR
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Volunteer Engine Company #2
111 Parker Avenue, Manasquan
Info: 732-223-3501
www.manasquanfair.com/–
———————————————
Friday, August 22 & Saturday, August 23
FAIR HAVEN FIREMAN’S FAIR
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Fair Haven Fire Department
645 River Road, Fair Haven
Food-Beer-Rides-Games-Entertainement
Also on Monday, August 25-Thursday, August 28, 6p-10p
and Friday, August 29 & Saturday, August 30, 6p-11p
(closed on Sunday, August 24)
www.fhfd.org/firemansfair.html
———————————————-

Don’t forget to check the BizEturtle: Events in Monmouth website
for more information on these fairs and more happenings in
Monmouth County

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Save the Date, Saturday, May 23, 2014

The Atlantic Highlands Police Benevolence Association Local 242 
hosts their 27th annual event, which, for many residents of Atlantic Highlands, is an annual rite of Spring on Saturday, May 23rd, 2014 

Fine dining, hors d’oeuvres and an open bar combined with a 
charity auction with dozens of spectacular prizes are expected, as always, to attract large numbers of residents.Over the years, P.B.A Local #242 has contributed proceeds from the event to local organzations, including : The AH Historical Society, Henry Hudson Regional School and the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School. 

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Earth Day & Arbor Day

It looks like a great week ahead. Earth day is on Tuesday, April 22nd
and Friday, the 25th is Arbor Day.
Monmouth County is celebrating all over.

It all starts on Monday, the 21st  with two EARTH DAY STORY & CRAFT events. Be sure to Register and get there by 4:15 PM to either the
Holmdel Township Library, RSVP: 732-946-4118 or
to the Marlboro Library, RSVP: 732-536-9406

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