Year in Review: 2006
2006 was an eventful year for the nation.
Highlights included the Winter Olympics, a possible
break in the Jon Benet Ramsey case, Democrats taking
control of both houses, and a mounting death toll in
Iraq. Locally, things were just as busy. We had our own
rough elections, political scandals, developments,
murders, and more. Here are a few of the highlights for the year. January ┤ John Zambrano, a Long Branch councilman, starts the
year by handing the reins of Fire Chief over to Angelo
Ciaglia. ┤ Two new councilmen, J. Thomas DeBruin and
Christopher Neyhart, are sworn into office in West Long
Branch. In a vote to assign people to committees
throughout the year, Tina Munson, the only Democrat on
council, abstains, saying she wasn't included in the
planning process. In Oceanport, an appointee to the borough's Capital
Ordinance Committee causes some dissension. Two
Republicans vote against appointing Gary LaBruno, who
ran as a Democrat in the last elections. The mayor says
that he was one of two people who applied for the two
vacancies on the committee. New councilmembers are also sworn in in other
communities. ┤ A judge finds FBI agent Thomas Jobes not guilty of
shoplifting 40 cents worth of wire from Home Depot in
May of 2005, accepting the agent's claim he just about
forgot it. ┤ Following an increase in burglaries, Oceanport
police warn residents to lock their cars. ┤ The mayor of Eatontown warns that a recent property
revaluation could result in the average resident paying
hundreds more in property taxes. ┤ Monmouth Beach resident Bill Barham is selected to
lead the Monmouth County Freeholders. ┤ Long Branch High School renames its auditorium for
the late Vincent Borelli. ┤ In Monmouth Beach, Commissioner Kim Guadagno
accuses mayor Susan Howard of stacking the planning
board with her friends. The mayor says the people she
appointed are concerned with the development of the
borough. ┤ Within the course of a week, there are three armed
robberies of stores in Long Branch. ┤ The Long Branch Seniors Club celebrates its 35th
anniversary. ┤ A couple of fires are started in the old West End
movie theater, owned by Solomon Dwek. Officials suspect
they were started for mischief, but say the long unused
theater would need much work before it could be used. ┤ Long Branch Council approves conceptual plans for
Pier Village Phase II. No eminent domain will need to be
used, as the developer had acquired all the property. ┤ Monmouth University announces it will install solar
panels on some buildings, saving $2.7 million in
electric costs over the next 25 years. ┤ West Long Branch Council sues the West Long Branch
Zoning Board, saying they overstepped their power when
they gave Monmouth University the okay to build dorms in
a residential neighborhood. The issue divides the
borough, with some saying council is protecting their
rights, and others saying suing itself is a waste of
taxpayer money. ┤ After years in the Town Hall, a new, much larger,
Ocean Township Public Library opens on Deal Road. ┤ Oceanport promises to have Blackberry Bay Park work
completed in time for baseball to be played there. ┤ Vivian Martin, a columnist for the Link, passes
away at age 71 on Jan.29 after a long battle with
cancer. She had written about local communities for over
20 years. February ┤ Vini "Maddog" Lopez, Bruce Springsteen's original
drummer, announces he will perform at the Wave of Hope
charity concert in Long Branch to raise money for
Hurricane Katrina victims. He is joined by several other
prominent local groups. ┤ A 10-year-old West Long Branch girl reports a
stranger attempted to lure her into his car. Her lessons
in safety prevent her from being fooled. ┤ Arthur Cosentino is promoted from Captain to Police
Chief in West Long Branch. Lawrence Mihlon is promoted
to Captain. ┤ Local officials in towns around Fort Monmouth
debate with the state on the proper way to set up a
committee to determine what to do with Fort Monmouth
when the army turns it over to local groups in a few
years. ┤ Patches are made to the 95 Poplar Ave., West Long
Branch, building as borough officials continue to
discuss what to do with the aging, mold infected
structure, which houses the police department.
Discussions will continue throughout the year. ┤ The Long Branch Chamber of Commerce announces that
Jacob Jones, Director of Community and Economic
Development, and New Jersey Repertory Company owners
SuzAnne and Gabe Barabas are the recipients of this
year's Louis G. Libutti Community Service Award. ┤ The treasurer of the Monmouth Beach EMS company
resigns following allegations he took money from the
squad's coffers. Later in the month, his computer is
seized. ┤ The owners of the Frank's Nursery property on
Monmouth Road, West Long Branch, ask for a zoning change
to allow high density residential development. ┤ After 16 months of construction, the Atlantic
Avenue bridge, over Troutmans Creek, reopens. ┤ The Long Branch Housing Authority receives a $20
million Hope VI revitalization grant. It is the only
housing authority in the state to receive this. ┤ Monmouth Beach Commissioners debate whether to hire
a borough administrator, or continue with just a clerk.
Eventually, a part-time administrator is hired. ┤ Alfie Lenkiewicz announces he will challenge Long
Branch Mayor Adam Schneider in the May mayoral
elections. ┤ Oceanport announces it will rename Port Au Peck
park for the late mayor Maria Gatta. ┤ Fire departments and the first aid squad in
Oceanport say they are unhappy with how a committee
evaluated their financial needs. The mayor promises to
look into the issue. ┤ The Long Branch Concordance issues a resource map
detailing where people can go in the area to get help
with food, housing, medical and other issues. ┤ Ocean police arrest five individuals charged with
breaking into homes and stealing electronics and other
items. March ┤ Long Branch Council votes to permit the use of
eminent domain in the Broadway Arts District, though
they say it will only be used if the negotiations
"completely break down." ┤ Eatontown passes a resolution saying it does not
approve of the state's proposals for the Fort Monmouth
Reuse Committee, and seeks a compromise. ┤ Ocean police take 35 underage drinkers into custody
following a noise complaint. ┤ Sea Bright works to reduce its budget for the
coming year. The first effort calls for an 8 cents per
$100 of assessed property increase. ┤ Five people join Lenkiewicz to run for council as
part of the "New Wave" team: Ralph DeFillipo, Carlos
Nieves, Leonard Goldschein, John Ferraro and Stephen
Molnar. ┤ Voters in Eatontown pass a $30 million referendum
to make major renovations to the aging school system.
The state will pay 40 percent of the cost. ┤ Former Shore Regional High School teacher Dennis
O'Leary, accused of an inappropriate relation with a
student, reaches an agreement with the County
Prosecutor's Office to plead to Endangering the Welfare
of a child. Although records indicate he and the victim
phoned each other 17,000 times in a 10 month period, he
does not say a physical relation took place. ┤ The West Long Branch Environmental Committee
investigates GeesePeace, which is called a humane way to
handle the goose population in the borough. The program
includes addling eggs and discouraging geese from
staying in the area. ┤ Monmouth Beach announces a series of events which
will be planned for its Centennial this year. ┤ Adam Schneider and the five incumbent
councilmembers, David Brown, Dr. Mary Jane Celli,
Michael DeStefano, Anthony Giordano and Zambrano,
officially announce they will seek reelection in May. Several people who are not part of any ticket also
announce they will seek seats. ┤ Governor Jon Corzine visits Monmouth University and
delivers a talk about the budget, saying there needs to
be more accountability today, for the sake of future
generations. ┤ A Long Branch resident wins $1 million after buying
a lucky lottery ticket at a Prospect Avenue store. ┤ The NJ Department of Environmental Protection
announces it has secured funds to dredge Franklin Lake
in West Long Branch. Mayor Janet Tucci says she has been
working on this for years. ┤ Oceanport announces a budget with a 4.1 cent tax
increase. Most of these increases were beyond their
control, council members say. ┤ Sea Bright introduces an ordinance prohibiting dogs
on the beach all year round. In the past, they were only
prohibited during the summer season. Dog owners' hackles
are raised, but the borough says it's required by the
state to protect endangered species. ┤ A rally protesting the use of eminent domain for
redevelopment is held in front of the Monmouth County
Courthouse. MTOTSA (the Marine Terrace, Ocean Terrace
and Seaview Ave. Alliance) files a suit objecting to the
city's attempts to use eminent domain on their
properties. ┤ Local officials say that the state's decisions on
Fort Monmouth have slowed them from the most prepared
for closings to least prepared. ┤ The Long Branch Human Services department holds its
14th annual "Get on the Bus" College Tour, to take
students around to visit colleges and check out the
possibility of attending. ┤ An Ocean Township policeman pulls over a man who is
driving erratically. When the officer approaches the
car, he discovers the driver - later charged with DWI
and heroin possession - has fallen asleep. April ┤ An 87-year-old city woman is killed when her car
collides with a truck on Norwood Avenue. ┤ An anti-war protest is held in front of Congressman
Frank Pallone's Long Branch office. ┤ The election races heat up in the city. The
Schneider team runs on its record, pointing to the
progress it has made over the last 12 years. The New
Wave Team says people are unhappy with the use of
eminent domain, taxes and the focus on the oceanfront. Two debates are held. The second one, at the Ocean
Place Conference Center, is standing room only. ┤ Two spas in Ocean Township are raided, and seven
people arrested on prostitution charges. ┤ The Police K-9 Foundation provides bullet proof
vests for Long Branch's three four-legged officers. ┤ Long Branch council announces a one-cent tax
decrease. They say this is possible due to increased
ratables from Pier Village. ┤ West Long Branch Council President Richard Cooper,
in office for 24 years, announces he will not seek
reelection in November. ┤ West Long Branch announces a small tax increase,
which they say is due to state cuts and the recent
reassessment. ┤ The Oceanic Fire Company honors Edward "Pop"
Miller, 90, who has been a member of their company for
67 years. ┤ The Long Branch Elks recognize John Landa as
Fireman of the Year, and Det. Sgt. Michael McGlennon as
Policeman of the Year. ┤ Sea Bright manages to reduce the tax increase to
three cents in their final budget draft. ┤ The Schneider team is unable to attend one debate,
having arranged an event before its date was announced.
This causes anger among some. ┤ It is revealed that Lenkiewicz's business had filed
for bankruptcy in the Ô90s. Critics charge this means he
can not run the government. Lenkiewicz says that this
was years ago, and the result of a business partner. ┤ Congressman Pallone tells members of the local
National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE)
chapter that Medicare Part D has significant flaws. He
is particularly upset with a sign-up deadline of May to
get full benefits from this program. ┤ Monmouth Beach Patrolman Jeffrey Godwin wins a
contest from Dunkin' Donuts to earn free coffee for
life. ┤ The Long Branch High School Symphonic Band is
invited to perform in Dover Township to welcome 123
soldiers home. ┤ The IAMA, Italian American Memorial Association,
dedicates its ballroom to Richard G. Traversa for the
work he has done for the organization. ┤ The U.S. Attorney General brings another corruption
charge against former West Long Branch Councilman Joe
DeLisa. They say DeLisa, who had been charged in
Operation Bid Rig in 2005, also took cash to help get a
drug store built in the borough. ┤ Former Eatontown school teacher and councilman John
Collins pleads guilty to having sexual relationships
with two teenagers, and is sentenced to a 10-year jail
term. ┤ The New Jersey Marathon and Long Branch Half
Marathon draw 20,000 runners and spectators to the city
and Monmouth Beach. May ┤ As part of "a day without immigrants," 48 stores in
Long Branch - many catering to Brazilian and Latino
immigrants - close. ┤ The state increases the amount of funding it gives
to the borough of Eatontown compared to 2005 - by one
dollar. That isn't enough to help the tax rate, which
rises more than 7 percent. ┤ West Long Branch announces it will form a Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT). ┤ The Great Lawn and Amphitheater, a new park, opens
on the Long Branch oceanfront. ┤ Long Branch election results come in: Adam
Schneider and his team win. Schneider received 53
percent of the votes to Lenkiewicz's 42. Lenkiewicz considers challenging the election, since
a letter purporting to be from him circulated that week,
alleging he was dropping out. (It is never determined
who sent it, though it did not appear to go to as many
households as once thought.) ┤ Solomon Dwek deposits a check at a drive-thru
window of a bank for $25 million. The check bounces. A
judge orders that all his assets - 316 properties in the
county - be frozen while the matter is sorted out. Dwek is described by those who know him as a kind and
fair businessman. Some worry there will be an effect on the local real
estate market. ┤ Monmouth Park Race Track opens for the season with
the highest purses it has ever had. ┤ The Exchange Club honors its Men of the Year,
Police Officer Sebastian "Sam" Tomaine, ex-Fire Chief
Zambrano, and First Aider Donald Henry. ┤ Karen Ginty, a teacher in Monmouth Beach, is
selected County Teacher of the Year. ┤ West Long Branch Council calls for tougher
construction standards, following reports of buildings
not being built properly. ┤ Shore Regional Softball Coach Nancy Williams
celebrates the 500th win of her career. ┤ On May 21, two local organizations celebrate
significant milestones. Holy Trinity Church, Long
Branch, turns 100 this year. In Sea Bright, the fire
department recognizes its 125th year of keeping
residents safe. ┤ For the second year in a row, Oceanport gets into a
debate over whether to change health insurance
providers. Some say it could save the borough thousands
a year, but others aren't convinced the proposed
alternative can deliver the quality they expect. ┤ Aileen Quinn, star of the movie "Annie," returns to
Monmouth University, where scenes of Daddy Warbucks'
mansion (Wilson Hall) were filmed, as part of the
university's annual scholarship ball. ┤ The Oceanport Lions Club holds its annual
Strawberry Fair, to much better weather than it had in
2005. Proceeds benefit charities and local
organizations. June ┤ Oceanport residents claim that despite three years
of renovations, Blackberry Bay Park's fields still have
problems, such as flooding and rocks. ┤ The Karen Gizzi Memorial Event, named for a teacher
who lost a battle with, is held at Long Branch Schools,
to raise funds for the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. ┤ The West Long Branch Zoning Board hears a proposal
from Monmouth University to build a Multipurpose
Athletic Center. Hearings will go on for months, with
traffic generated by the proposal being a major concern. ┤ Monmouth Beach Police crack down on teens loitering
in parks after thousands of dollars of vandalism. ┤ Judge Patricia Del Bueno Cleary refuses to accept
the deal offered O'Leary earlier in the year, saying she
does not believe the victim would be satisfied. ┤ Monika Mazurczyk becomes the first female president
of the Long Branch Rotary Club. ┤ Dr. Elizabeth Keshish replaces Dr. Joan Kelly as
Superintendent of West Long Branch's Schools. ┤ Jay W. Ross, a philanthropist from Monmouth Beach,
passes away at the age of 90. Over the years, Ross had
helped build and preserve places such as the Sea Bright
Library and Monmouth Beach Cultural Arts Center. ┤ West Long Branch unveils a Wall of Honor,
commemorating those from the borough who served in the
military, or their loved ones who served. ┤ A proposal on how to renovate the deteriorating
Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion is made. The issue
divides the community between those who think the
proposal is too extravagant and those who think it is
urgently needed. ┤ The 12th Annual Cruise to the Jersey Shore Car Show
in Long Branch sets records for attendance and cars
being displayed at the event. ┤ A message is found in a Shore Regional High School
rest room that there is a bomb in the school. The police
evacuate the building, and determine it was a false
alarm. ┤ Despite some concerns about pedestrian safety, Sea
Bright officials vote to accept a proposal from the
state Department of Transportation for a new bridge
connecting them to Atlantic Highlands. ┤ In an effort to reach more people in need, the Long
Branch Concordance begins a Latino community outreach
program. ┤ Several eminent domain issues affect Long Branch: The state's Public Advocate, Ronald Chen, issues a
report on eminent domain use in New Jersey, and calls
for a tougher definition of blight than is currently in
use. MTOTSA organizaes another rally denouncing the city's
actions. Judge Lawson issues his verdict on the MTOTSA suit.
He finds strongly in favor of the city, saying that the
redevelopment zone is legal, and the city has been
acting properly and legally. ┤ Eatontown Borough Hall is filled to standing room
only by residents protesting their higher tax rates due
to revaluation. ┤ The 130-year-old Chelsea House, Long Branch, is
demolished. A time capsule buried during a 1920s
addition to the home is discovered. ┤ A man on a motorcycle attempts to run down a West
Long Branch police officer after being told to pull
over. July ┤ The 16th annual Oceanfest is celebrated on the Long
Branch boardwalk. Attendance records are set. ┤ The Long Branch Council, which has run and been
elected as a team for the last 12 years, is sworn in for
a fourth term together. ┤ Need to know a winning race horse? Forget about it.
Actually, Fagedaboudit Sal, a horse owned by Sal
Tringola of Monmouth Beach, is on a roll this summer. He
wins his second race by seven lengths. ┤ Some people attending a concert in Pier Village go
for a walk on the beach during intermission. They notice
two kids drowning, and save their lives. ┤ Eatontown Council votes to tear down a building on
Main Street, citing it as structurally unsound and rat
infested. ┤ In the first Long Branch-Neptune bocce tournament,
Long Branch councilmembers claim the victory. ┤ Following an argument over a boy, two Long Branch
teenagers are shot and wounded. ┤ Councilman John Zambrano pleads guilty to taking a
$1,000 bribe in 2003, and resigns his seat on council.
The community is shocked, and his running mates say they
never suspected anything was a problem. Council announces it will pick a temporary
replacement until elections can be held in November. ┤ The Oceanport council quarrels over several issues,
including more discussions on changing insurers, the
thoroughness of the audit, and whether it would be a
good (or fiscally prudent) idea to change to the county
dispatch service. One resident accuses council members
of "backstabbing" each other. ┤ The West Long Branch Shade Tree Commission plants a
"butterfly cafŽ," a set of flowers designed specifically
to attract the colorful little insects. ┤ A court sides with Oceanport against a builder's
remedy lawsuit brought by a company which had been
denied the right to build what it wanted. Oceanport's
attorney in the case says the verdict will have
far-reaching consequences when dealing with affordable
housing issues. ┤ Eatontown isn't the only community complaining
about reassessments. Some Oceanport residents say they
are now paying thousands of dollars more a year on
relatively small properties. ┤ The driver of a Jaguar is killed when hit by a
train at the Cedar Avenue railroad crossing. Over the
years, there have been several accidents and fatalities
caused by trains at that spot. ┤ Oceanport Board of Education member William O.
George resigns, saying his job is preventing him from
spending enough time on board issues. ┤ The West Long Branch First Aid Squad is accused of
doing work without getting the necessary permits first. ┤ West Long Branch police paint a normal police
vehicle in subdued colors. This "stealth car" is used to
help catch speeders. August ┤ Long Branch and other communities around the nation
start the month with a Night Out Against Crime,
featuring fun activities and information. ┤ The Long Branch DARE program puts on "Happy Beach
Safety Patrol," a series on safety for children on the
local cable channel. ┤ Sea Bright is told Shore Regional intends to hold a
referendum asking for $50 million to renovate their
facilities and grounds. Officials worry about the effect
on taxes, and say they are shocked to learn about this
through a letter. Several Sea Bright officials urge residents to vote
no on the proposal. In the coming weeks, Shore Regional says that
"critical mistakes" are circulating about their proposed
referendum, and urge people to get the facts at open
houses to be held just before the vote. ┤ VFW Post 2226 names Chris Brady, Oakhurst Fire
Department "Fireman of the Year," Leah Zimmerman "EMT of
the Year," and Sonia Henriques, Ocean Township "Police
Officer of the Year." ┤ A fight breaks out in West End, and a juvenile is
stabbed in the chest and hospitalized. ┤ Nicole Moore, 17, of Ocean Township, dies when her
car jumps the curb on a busy road late at night. Moore,
a Police Explorer, was the daughter of Sea Bright Police
Chief William Moore. ┤ West Long Branch Councilman Joseph Woolley storms
out of a council meeting, announcing he is resigning. He
later says he was not resigning, but is incensed at
"selfish attacks" on borough employees. ┤ The contractors at the West Long Branch First Aid
Squad are fined $2,000 for starting work without
permits. The squad will work with the borough to remedy
the issue. ┤ FBI Agent Thomas Jobes sues Home Depot, saying that
their frivolous charges cost him significant status in
his career, forcing him to retire. ┤ The FBI claims that International Trucks of Central
Jersey bribed several officials in various towns,
including someone in Long Branch. The city reviews the
bids awarded to the company, and the four council
members all say they didn't take any bribes. ┤ The former treasurer of Monmouth Beach's EMS is
indicted for a $144,000 embezzlement. Prosecutors say
his computer, when seized, also contained child
pornography. ┤ Congressman Pallone announces Long Branch will be
getting $3 million for beach replenishment. ┤ Jackeline Biddle is chosen to fill the seat on city
council. Biddle is Long Branch's first Latino council
member. ┤ An estimated 80,000 attend the Ocean Italian
Festival. ┤ Herbert "Hoover" Lambert Bell, 30, is shot to death
outside a bar on Division Street. ┤ A monument is unveiled in memory of Captain James
M. Gurbisz in Eatontown. Gurbisz was killed in Iraq in
2005. ┤ An Ocean Township man who used to live in Elberon
is charged with 429 counts, including sexually
assaulting underage children and videotaping them. ┤ Clean Ocean Action says that dangerously high
levels of bacteria are being detected in Branchport
Creek. Monmouth Park says it will investigate if they
are the source of this, and eventually discovers where
runoff is entering the stream. ┤ A 13-year-old autistic child is reported missing in
Oceanport. He is found in Sea Bright several hours
later. ┤ The owners of Frank's Nursery propose putting 238
apartments on the site. ┤ Rashaan Lewis, of Virginia, is charged with Bell's
murder. Prosecutors say Lewis shot Bell, then fled the
state. September ┤ Oceanport schools announce they are seeking a $2
million referendum next month to replace a leaking Wolf
Hill School roof, and the heating and cooling system at
Maple Place, among other repairs. ┤ Several people announce they will be running for
council election in November. These include Biddle,
Brian Unger, Michael Sirianni, Vincent Maccioli, and
Ralph DeFillipo, the runner up in May. ┤ Seven people are arrested following an
investigation into the crash which killed Moore. Many
are charged with underage drinking, though police say
Moore was not drinking, and alcohol was not a factor in
the crash. ┤ A noise complaint on Monmouth Road, West Long
Branch, turns combatitive. Six police departments are
called in to control the party going on. ┤ The fallout from tropical storm Ernesto causes
extensive damage to some places in the area, notably
around Elberon. ┤ The first Long Branch Day - a series of family
events - is held in the city. ┤ West Long Branch police officers say their
headquarters at 95 Poplar Avenue is a health hazard, and
some of them have contracted breathing problems down
there. ┤ Monmouth Beach celebrates Centennial Day with a
parade to commemorate its 100th birthday. ┤ Petco reopens in Eatontown at a new location after
an explosion destroyed their old facilities in March
2005. ┤ The renovated Guggenheim Library at Monmouth
University opens its doors. ┤ The state announces it will sue Sea Bright for not
properly accounting for beach fees, and failing to put
in enough parking. Sea Bright says this is unexpected
and unjustified. ┤ Richard Traversa, 71, passes away. IAMA had honored
him earlier in the year. ┤ Various members of the equine industries meet at
Monmouth Park to discuss the future of horses and racing
in the state. ┤ Referendum results: Oceanport passes easily, but
voters reject Shore Regional's proposal by a 3-1 margin.
Shore announces it will study the reason voters said no. October ┤ Karen Ginty of Monmouth Beach School is named State
Teacher of the Year. ┤ Saying that negotiations with landlords have broken
down, Eatontown council passes a new rent control
measure. ┤ In an effort to save money, West Long Branch
officials say they will consider using shared services
for their courts, allowing a smaller new building to
replace 95 Poplar Ave. Meanwhile, some improvements are made at that
building to clean the air quality. ┤ In a series of debates and profiles, candidates for
Long Branch discuss what issues they think are important
for the city. Eminent domain, addressing the needs of
minorities, and several other issues are brought up. ┤ For the third time in two years, a car fails to
negotiate the bend on Rt. 71, Eatontown, damaging a
60-year-old tree. ┤ As part of the sixth annual Big Event, Monmouth
University students help 28 community projects around
the area. ┤ Judith Peterson White, wife of the Monmouth Beach
Police Chief, passes away. ┤ The courts rule in favor of the Zoning Board in the
suit against them by the borough and residents; Monmouth
University gets the okay to build new dorms. ┤ The Eatontown Fire Department celebrates its 125th
anniversary. ┤ Oceanport announces that due to improper dumping,
it may need to curtail the hours of its recycling
center, currently available 24 hours a day.. ┤ Monmouth Park traces the source of the
contamination leaking into Branchport and announces it
will be repaired within a few weeks. ┤ Before Halloween is over, holiday shopping begins.
People line up overnight at Toys R Us to get tickets for
holiday items. Many say they will be selling them
online, not giving them as gifts. ┤ Immigrations and Customs Enforcement arrests 27
illegal immigrants in Long Branch. November ┤ Lawrence Hamm, organizer of the People's
Organization for Progress, speaks at the Greater Long
Branch NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet. ┤ Horses are quarantined in Monmouth Park after tests
discover a contagious equine herpes virus among them. ┤ A group of local businesses stage a protest, saying
they should have more of a say in redevelopment. ┤ Election results: In West Long Branch, Mayor Janet Tucci and
Councilwoman Barbara Ruane are reelected. Steve Cioffi
is elected as a Republican councilman. Eatontown re-elects incumbent Democrats Chuck DaVis
and Joe Questore as Councilmen, and Gerald Tarantolo as
Mayor. Oceanport re-elects Democrat Lucille Chaump as mayor.
Republican Will Johns gets a seat on council. Incumbent
Democrat John Ibex has a single vote lead over his
oppenent. When a recount is held, Ibex's lead grows to
two votes, and he keeps his seat. Brian Unger wins a seat on Long Branch's council. William Keeler and Dina Long are reelected to council
seats in Sea Bright. ┤ A new evergreen tree is donated to West Long Branch
for the holiday season. ┤ Following an investigation of a fire on a vacant
property in Long Branch, four college students are
charged with burglary, attempted arson, criminal
mischief, possession of fireworks, criminal trespass,
providing alcoholic beverages to underage persons,
consumption of alcoholic beverages on private property. ┤ Prosecutors charge O'Leary with another offense,
saying he committed acts of criminal sexual conduct on a
student while chaperoning at a prom when he was a
teacher. ┤ Prevention First inducts Team Jump Off, a Long
Branch group of teenagers dedicated to finding
productive activities, into its Youth Hall of Fame. ┤ Two men are shot - one, Michael Montgomery, fatally
wounded - on Hendrickson Ave. and John St., Long Branch. ┤ A teacher from Brick Township is pulled over in
Ocean. Police discover cocaine in the vehicle. December ┤ Sea Bright urges the state not to replace the
Highlands Bridge, arguing it has historical
significance. ┤ Oceanport and other communities announce they will
have extra patrols this holiday season to look for
impaired drivers. ┤ Monmouth Beach concludes its centennial with a tour
of some historical homes in the borough. ┤ Gov. Corzine comes to a symposium in Long Branch,
urging safer roadways around the state. ┤ Terri Blair, founder of the Long Branch
Concordance, is ousted by the Board of Directors with no
public explanation. Many are outraged, and threaten to
leave the organization. ┤ The DOT announces it will look at the trouble spot
on Rt. 71 to see what can be done. ┤ A petition is submitted in Monmouth Beach calling
for voters to decide on the Bathing Pavilion referendum. ┤ Keith Mason, 28, is murdered in his Second Ave.
home. ┤ Less than a week later, another murder takes place
in Long Branch, of Patricia da Silva. ┤ The Zoning Board denies Monmouth University's MAC
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