12th Annual Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce Classic Car Show to Be Held Saturday, June 15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Atlantic Highlands, N.J. – The 12th annual Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce Classic Car Show will be held on Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place along 1st Avenue, the main business district. The rain date is Sunday, June 22. The car show is an immensely popular event, where attendees and car enthusiasts can appreciate exquisite automobiles from every year, make and model. Over 150 cars will be on display. All classes are welcome including domestic, imports, vintage, antique, collector, classic, muscle, hot rod, custom and trucks/commercial.

The event is free to spectators and is family friendly. DJ entertainment will be provided by Steve Munger of No Limit Entertainment. Local restaurants and food trucks will offer a variety of delicious fare, and local businesses will welcome the public with special sales & promotions. Vendors will display unique merchandise for sale in Veteran’s Park. The event, produced by Lori Anne Oliwa of The Write Angles Public Relations & Event Planning, offers an excellent opportunity to see the diversity of small businesses located in the seaside enclave of Atlantic Highlands.

Entrance fees for show vehicles are $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the event. There will be goodie bags for all participants along with trophies, prizes & awards. Sponsorships are still available, and businesses receive a tremendous amount of visibility and promotion through sponsorship. A limited number of vendor spaces are also available for $50. For information on the event, show car registration, sponsorship, vendor spaces, or donating prizes for the goodie bags or awards ceremony, contact Lori Anne Oliwa by phone at (732) 757-7443 or by email at LoriAnne@TheWriteAngles.com.

Event sponsors to date include the following businesses: Gold Sponsors Fastrak Oil & Lube & Wreck Room Collision; Bronze Sponsors Fratelli’s Restaurant & Pizzeria & O’Brien Realty/English Properties; Refreshment Sponsors Bayshore Pharmacy, Rao Dermatology & TeaScapes; Trophy Sponsors Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe & Valley National Bank; and Banner Sponsor Super Food Town/Food Circus. The Vintage Cake prepared and designed gourmet cookies for all the goodie bags using the newly-created logo for the car show.
Photos:

1) Logo for Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce Classic Car Show
2) Beautiful automobiles will line First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands for the 12th Annual Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce Classic Car Show

Chairman Gopal Announces The Passing Of Three Prominent Monmouth County Democrats

It is with deep sadness and regret that I write to inform you of the passing of three of the strongest supporters of the Monmouth County Democrats. In the past two weeks we have lost Former Bradley Beach Mayor Julie Schreck, Former Atlantic Highlands Committeeman Joseph Hawley, and prominent Democrat Stanley Bauman of Marlboro.

Not only was Julie Schreck the first female mayor in Bradley Beach history, but she was also a loving wife and mother. After a brave battle with cancer, she passed away early Sunday night. Julie had been elected mayor in 2008 at the young age of 45. Current Bradley Beach Mayor Gary Engelstad stated that "Julie Schreck was one of the smartest individuals I have ever had the opportunity to work with. Her comprehensive grasp of every nuance of every issue was beyond impressive. I learned a great deal from her and always appreciated her guidance." Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

Former Atlantic Highlands Democratic Committeeman Joseph Hawley passed away May 1st after a long battle with an illness. Coming from a prominent local family, Mr. Hawley dedicated his life to public service. Not only was he extremely active in the Democratic party, but he was extraordinarily philanthropic, spending his free time raising money for various charities or caring for homeless or injured animals. Known as the “unofficial mayor” of Atlantic Highlands, Mr. Hawley was incredibly loyal and dedicated to the borough. Visitations were held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. May 6 at the John P. Condon Funeral Home in Leonardo. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 7 at St. Agnes Church in Atlantic Highlands. The cremation services will be private. In lieu of flowers the family asked that mourners instead opt to make memorial donations to the Genevieve M. Hawley Memorial Foundation, c/o Saranne Weimer, 34 E. Lincoln Ave., Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716.

Prominent Democrat and strong supporter Stanley Bauman passed away April 22nd at Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood, NJ. Originally from New York, he moved to Marlboro 46 years ago and has been extremely active in the community ever since. Services were held on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Manalapan. Interment followed at Mount Sinai Cemetery in Marlboro.


Best Wishes,
Vin Gopal, Chairman
Monmouth County Democrats

Pallone Announces $235K Grant to Atlantic Highlands Fire Department

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that the Atlantic Highlands Fire Department has been awarded $235,030 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

“Firefighters and first responders deserve the best equipment and training we can provide while they risk their lives to protect us every day,” said Congressman Pallone. “This award is a testament to the high quality service the Atlantic Highlands Fire Department provides to our community, and I commend them for putting together this winning grant application.”

Funding through AFG grants may be used towards: professional training, wellness and fitness programs equipment, personal protective equipment, modifications to facilities, and supplies that support firefighting operations and safety.

The AFG program is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security and is part of a coordinated effort to improve the nation’s ability to respond to emergency situations.

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

State Mobile Office Gives Sandy Info & Takes Consumers Complaints Mon, Feb 25th from 9 am to 5pm

To assist consumers who have suffered property loss as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the Department of Banking and Insurance will have staff members available Boro Hall in Atlantic Highlands on Monday February 25 from 9am-5pm to handle consumers’ questions, take complaints, and assist them in filing insurance claims related to damages caused by the storm. Staff will provide consumers with literature on such topics as property insurance, flood insurance and general information about filing insurance claims, as well as answer general questions and assistance. There will also be a representative from the Governor’s Office. In order to expedite matters, residents should bring their insurance policy and any claim information to the mobile office.

Location: Boro Hall, 100 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, NJ

ADA Award Honors Atlantic Highlands Borough Administrator

Atlantic Highlands, NJ:  At the July 25th Atlantic Highlands Borough Council meeting, on the eve of the 22nd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Equalizers, advocates for people with disabilities, presented an Equalizer award to Borough Administrator Adam Hubeny in recognition of his excellent implementation of accessibility in the Borough Hall renovation.

(Carolyn Schwebel, Adam Hubeny, Jane Reynolds, Fred Rast)

Mayor Frederick J. Rast, III, read aloud the Equalizers letter praising  the Borough's accessibility accomplishments, recognizing Adam Hubeny, and presenting a $3000 check to Library Director Jane Reynolds for the Friends of the Library.

In presenting the award, Equalizers Executive Director Carolyn Schwebel stated: "Atlantic Highlands has been more cooperative than any other area town in achieving accessibility compliance."

Hubeny responded to an ADA lawsuit not defensively, but with determined efforts to provide the fullest ADA-compliance.  Schwebel stated that Adam  exceeded our expectations in his empathic awareness and attention to detail of access requirements. In a recent tour of the renovated borough hall, Adam commented, “I kept saying to myself how would I feel about not having access.”

After Schwebel commented that in the recent tour she was able to access the courtroom dais a perceptive council person recognizing the implications of integration told Carolyn, "Now that you got on the dais, you can run for office!" Schwebel responded, "But I live in Middletown, which doesn't provide that access."

Pallone Announces Grant to All-Volunteer First Responder Squad in Atlantic Highlands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 2, 2012

First Responders to Receive Funds for Improved Equipment and Training Opportunities


WASHINGTON D.C.—Today, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) announced the Atlantic Highlands First Aid and Safety Squad will be awarded a $13,381 grant under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

“Thanks to this grant, the Atlantic Highlands First Aid and Safety Squad will have more resources for training and equipment so they may continue to provide valuable, free medical services in the community,” said Pallone.

The AFG program is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security and is part of a coordinated effort to improve the nation’s ability to respond to emergencies.

The Atlantic Highlands First Aid and Safety Squad is an all-volunteer emergency medical services and rescue operation which provides the Atlantic Highlands with free, around-the-clock emergency medical services. The Squad will be able to use the funds for training and equipment.

In 2011, under the U.S Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, the AFG Program delivered more than $380 million in competitive grants to the nation’s fire departments and first responders. The Atlantic Highlands First Aid and Safety Squad competed with fire departments and first responders throughout the country and were awarded funding based on the strength and success of the organization and their applications.

Atlantic Highlands Library Is Monmouth County's Newest Branch

I found the following press release from Monmouth County somewhat interesting since Middletown's Township Committee threatened to turn over the operation of the Middletown Library to the county earlier this year if it did not receive adequate reserved funds handed over to it, so that the funds could be applied this years Township budget.

While the circumstances behind Atlantic Highlands transferring its' library over to the county was no less controversy, you didn't have the public grandstanding and threats by it's town council Like you did in Middletown that sparked such public outrage amounts library supporters.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ - Monmouth County will officially welcome the Atlantic Highlands Library as the Library System’s on May 1, marking the addition of the 13th branch to the largest circulating library system in the state.

“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Atlantic Highlands as our newest branch in the Monmouth County Library System,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Library Commission. “Atlantic Highlands is home to my daughter and grandchildren, and I know first-hand what a wonderful community it is. A library branch there only makes it more special.”

The Atlantic Highlands Borough Council last year voted to join the county library as a branch, and the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders confirmed the action in a vote in December.

“We are so pleased that the people of Atlantic Highlands have chosen to expand our long association by becoming a branch of the library,” said Renee B. Swartz, Monmouth County Library Commission chairwoman. “We will always be mindful of the faith you have demonstrated in our institution and honored that you entrusted the operation of the Atlantic Highlands Library to the library commission.”

Beginning May 1, the library at 48 Avenue C will offer new expanded hours:

Mondays, Wednesday and Saturdays - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays - 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fridays - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

During the past few months, work has been ongoing to make the borough library’s computer system and catalog compatible with the county system. The library is currently located on Avenue C while its new home is under construction as part of the renovations at the borough hall on First Avenue. The renovation project expected to be completed later this year.

The county library headquarters is located in Manalapan. Libraries with branch status in the county system include the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury, Allentown, Atlantic Highlands, Colts Neck, Hazlet, Holmdel, Howell, Marlboro, Ocean Township, Oceanport, Wall and West Long Branch.

Coast Guard “KIDS DON’T FLOAT” Program Comes to Monmouth County

Now that spring has sprung and the weather is warming up boat owners are prepping their vessels for the summer boating season that will offically kicks off over Memorial Day weekend.

I recieved the following press release from the United States Coast Guard Auxillary that stresses the importance of wearing life jackets while out on the water, particluarly children.

The release announces details of this years "Kids Don't Float" program that will be instituted in Monmouth County for the first time by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, based at the USCG Station on Sandy Hook: 

KIDS DON’T FLOAT, but if the US Coast Guard Auxiliary has its way they will. For many years the US Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary have been educating the public on the importance of all boaters using lifejackets, most especially children. In the State of New Jersey it is the law that children 12 years of age and younger must wear a lifejacket at all times while underway on the deck of any boat.

However preaching the obvious and getting results are two different things. Ten years ago a group called Safe Kids USA in Homer Alaska worked with the Coast Guard Auxiliary to establish a program of installing lifejacket loaner stations at local marinas. The concept is simple; they erected a rack on the waterfront and hung child size lifejackets on hooks. Boaters with children heading out on the water who did not have lifejackets could simply borrow one from the rack. It was understood that upon returning, the lifejacket would be returned to its hook ready for use by the next child.

The program was so successful that there are now 400 such sites across Alaska and the program has spread across the nation. Division 2 of District 1SR of the Coast Guard Auxiliary based at USCG Station Sandy Hook is instituting the KIDS DON’T FLOAT program here in Monmouth County. The first lifejacket station will be established at the Atlantic Highlands Marina, Atlantic Highlands, NJ.

The station and lifejacket rack will be erected on the waterfront in time to coincide with National Safe Boating Week May 16-23 2009. A ceremony establishing the station will be held on Saturday 16 May to kick off the program. The Division Honor Guard, local dignitaries, members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Active Duty Coast Guard representatives will join the boating public for this event.

Atlantic Highlands will be the first such station in our area and if as expected the program is successful other local marinas will receive stations too. The program will begin with six lifejackets available in children’s sizes. It is anticipated that the supply of jackets will grow through donations of local businesses and individuals. While it might be thought that offering these jackets for free with no deposit might lead to loss of the property, the experience in other areas has been that the supply of jackets actually tends to grow.

Nothing is more important to most of us than the safety of our children especially when they are engaged in as stimulating and satisfying an experience as boating. We invite and encourage all who are interested in boating and our kids to join us on Saturday, May 16th at 11 a.m. on the launch ramp at Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina to launch this program. This will also be a great opportunity for people to visit with their neighbors who are members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and arrange for your complimentary Vessel Safety Check. Lets all start the season right for a fun and safe summer on the water.

For more information contact:

Bill Szilasi

Staff Officer - Public Affairs

Division 2, District 1 (SR)

(732) 275-6201

Atlantic Highlands considers purchasing a car wash

According to a story in the Asbury Park Press today, Atlantic Highlands is considering spending $1.2 million on the purchase and possible improvements to an abandoned car wash on West Ave.

Township Clerk Dwayne Harris suggested the purchase of the facility at the township's July 9th meeting. His reasoning for the purchase is because in 2009, washing vehicles in driveways and on the street will be prohibited by the state Department of Environmental Protection's storm water management regulations and as a result, every vehicle, including municipal ones, will have to go to a car wash to be washed.

Harris thinks that the car wash can be purchased then ran as an utility which would be self sustaining to generate revenue to pay for itself.  Residents would pay $5 per wash while nonresidents could possible be charged $10.

Mayor Fred Rast thought that this was a good idea, so the township will be looking into the idea further.

My personal feelings on this is that government should not get involved in the private sector, it would prohibit local businesses from competing on a level playing field. Also, if this car wash was viable in the first place, why has it sat empty for 3 years?

On the surface this seems like a good idea, but there are many hidden costs to any business and this does not sound like a venture that the town needs to get involved in. Who would manage the car wash? I am sure that an experienced person would have to be in charge of the daily

operations at a decent salary with some kind of benefits package. And who will work there kids? I think not, any car wash that I have been to lately are manned by Latinos who may or may not be illegal immigrants. The township would have to spend addition money to run background checks on the people that are hired.

It seems like a bad idea to me, if the Mayor and Township Clerk are worried about residents not being able wash their cars in their driveways anymore then maybe they should look into providing vouchers to its citizens at another local car wash. Vouchers may keep the overall costs to the township in line with whatever the overall cost of operating a car wash themselves would be, without any of the legal headaches associated with running a business of this type.   

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