Pride Month in Middletown: Actions Are Louder Than Words

 

Every June, towns across the United States celebrate Pride Month, recognizing the struggles and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. In Middletown, the Township Committee issued a proclamation designating June as Pride Month. The proclamation praises equal rights and celebrates the legacy of LGBTQ+ individuals. However, there is a noticeable disconnect between the proclamation’s words and the actions of Middletown’s leaders. 

The proclamation mentions the Stonewall Riots of June 28, 1969, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history. These riots marked a significant push against discriminatory laws and helped spark the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Pride Month serves as a reminder of these struggles and the ongoing fight for equality.

The proclamation emphasizes Middletown’s commitment to equal rights and the importance of dignity and respect for all citizens. It highlights the township’s aim to build an inclusive, stigma-free society where everyone feels supported. This sentiment aligns with the broader goals of Pride Month, which celebrates diversity and promotes acceptance. 

Despite the supportive language of the proclamation, Mayor Tony Perry and the Township Committee have not shown active support for the LGBTQ+ community. They have refused to fly the Pride flag at Town Hall and avoid commenting on LGBTQ+ issues publicly. This lack of visible support sends a conflicting message to the community.

For many in Middletown, the absence of public support from local leaders feels disheartening. The Pride flag is more than just a symbol; it represents acceptance and visibility. When leaders choose not to display it, it can feel like a dismissal of the community's identity and struggles.

For Middletown to truly honor its proclamation and the principles it stands for, actions speak louder than words. Public support from local leaders, including the simple act of flying the Pride flag, would go a long way in making LGBTQ+ residents feel valued and respected.

While the proclamation for Pride Month in Middletown is a step in the right direction, it is essential for the township’s leaders to back their words with actions. True support for the LGBTQ+ community requires more than just statements; it demands visible, ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive and accepting environment for all.

March 19, 2018 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

There was another meeting of the Middletown Township Committee this week. If you weren't there, take a few minutes and watch the video below. The videos are always entertaining and you just might learn a thing or two about your local government.

Here are a few highlights:

• The CEO introduced the 2018 budget.
• The Township Committee presented Gerry Scharfenberger with accolades and awards for his years of service.
• Proclamations were read into the record declaring April National Alcohol Awareness and Autism Awareness month.
• The annual shared service agreement to share health services was presented.
• A contract was awarded to hire a company to staff recreation programs.
• Protective fire clothing was authorized to be purchased.
• An online auction was approved to sell 10,000 cu, yds of leaf compost
• Approval was granted to allocate funds to pay for bills and a performance bond was released to Atlantic Pier Company.

As always you can download a copy of the Meeting Agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting. A box around an item is a link, bringing you further into the document to that resolution or ordinance. At the end of the resolution there will be a link bringing you back to the agenda. Attached to this agenda is also the monthly bill list, so that everyone can see how the Township is spending our tax dollars.

December 18, 2017 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

The last scheduled Township Committee meeting of the year was held this past Monday, December 18th, if you couldn't be there here is the video. Below are a few of the highlight from the meeting:

Corporal Mark Ward was promoted to Sergeant

Certificate of Recognition's were presented to:

• Grace Barker - Retiring as a Crossing Guard
• Tom Garretson - Outstanding Community Service
• HS South Girls Cross Country Team
• HS South Girls Soccer Team

A Proclamation was presented to Patrolman Ekne Montalvo for his service in Puerto Rico.

An ordinance was passed to set fees for additional garbage and recycling carts.

Resolutions that were adopted included:

• Designating the Village 35 area as an area in need of redevelopment.
• A change order for various drainage improvements. 
• Increasing the amount paid towards plumbing and maintenance contracts and the electrical repair and maintenance contracts.

Other items of discussion included:

• A townhouse on Ironwood Court, that the Township has owned for some time, was sold.
• A few members of the public questioned the Village 35 project and the process that will begin now that the Committee has declared the area in need of redevelopment.

As always you can download a copy of the Meeting Agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting. A box around an item is a link, bringing you further into the document to that resolution or ordinance. At the end of the resolution there will be a link bringing you back to the agenda. Attached to this agenda is also the monthly bill list, so that everyone can see how the Township is spending our tax dollars.

November 21, 2016 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

Last week's Middletown Township Committee meeting was brief and sparsely attended, which was to be expected. It was the first meeting since Election Day and Thanksgiving was just days away.

Here are a few brief highlights:

• A presentation was made to recognize the library for receiving a Readers Choice Award from the Asbury Park Press.
• Two proclamations were presented, but no recipients came forward to accept them.
• An ordinance was introduced to add names of veterans to the street naming list.
• A resolution was authorized to amend resolution 16-210 to submit an open space grant application for $167K to be matched with Township funds to erect a lighting system at the Nut Swamp School artificial turf field.
• Another resolution was adopted to award a contract for Ideal Beach Improvements.

Public Comments begin at 20:01 of the video and included comments about deficiencies at the Lincroft Village Green Park, expanding parking lot at the Middletown Library and the reopening of satellite branches of the Middletown Library, the progress of the new municipal complex being designed and what's being done to address the flood insurance requirement maps for North Middletown and the Ideal Beach area as it pertains to the new levy system being built in Port Monmouth.



As always, you can download a copy of the Meeting Agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting. A box around an item is a link, bringing you further into the document to that resolution or ordinance. At the end of the resolution there will be a link bringing you back to the agenda. Attached to this agenda is also the monthly bill list, so that everyone can see how the Township is spending our tax dollars.

October 17, 2016 Middletown Township Committee Meeting

Not much of significance happened at last weeks meeting of the Middletown Township Committee.

The entire meeting lasted just 50 minutes with a vast majority of the time used to issue various proclamations for Middletown Day Supporters, 9-11 Memorial Service Organizers, Farmers Market Organizers and to American Legion Post 338 for their donation to restore the Dough Boy Statue. It was also proclaimed that 11-26-16 is to be Track Friday.

Members of the public spoke about the upcoming Lincroft Candidates Night Q&A on 10/18. Another person presented information regarding the irrigation of the Lincroft Village Park.



As always, you can download a copy of the Meeting Agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting. A box around an item is a link, bringing you further into the document to that resolution or ordinance. At the end of the resolution there will be a link bringing you back to the agenda. Attached to this agenda is also the monthly bill list, so that everyone can see how the Township is spending our tax dollars.

Groundhogs Day 2014: Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter

Here is Punxsutawney Phil's 2014 Proclamation:

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Now this Feburary 2nd, 2014, the One Hundred and Twenty Eighth Annual trek

of the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to Gobbler's Knob,

Punxsutawney Pennsylvannia..

Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers,Prognastictor of Prognasticators, was

awakened from his burrow at 7:28 am by the cheers of thousands of

his faithful followers..

Phil looked to the sky and gazed around his stump. Then...speaking in

Groundhogeses, he directed President Deely to the correct scroll, which read

A Super Bowl winner I will not predict,

but my weather forecast you cannot contradict,

That's not a football lying besides me

it's my shadow you see

So, six more weeks of winter it will be!

NJ RECOGNIZES NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK; Celebrates $33.5 Million in Health Center Funding from ObamaCare

(NEW JERSEY)  In a Presidential Proclamation released yesterday, President Obama declared August 5^th through August 11^th as National Health Center week – to recognize the critical support that health centers provide to patients and communities.

 

Per the proclamation:  Health centers play a key role in bringing vital health care services to 20 million Americans from all walks of life. They lift up rural and urban neighborhoods alike, extending community-based, patient-directed care to those who need it most. Through their work, health centers strengthen our health care system by helping reduce emergency room visits and easing health care burdens for families across America.

 

Due to the Affordable Care Act, hundreds of health centers across the country are now able to undertake renovation and constructions projects and focus on improving patient care. Thanks to ObamaCare, community health centers in New Jersey have received $33.5 million in funding through the health care reform law.

 

“By providing critical patient care, jobs and an economic boost, health centers play an important role throughout our state,” said Joshua Henne, New Jersey spokesman for Know Your Care. “When we support community health centers – by providing funding opportunities and by celebrating National Health Center Week - we are supporting our greater community and all the families who live there.”  

 

Directly as a result of ObamaCare – as of May 2012 – New Jersey health centers have been awarded $8 million in capital development program grants, over $6.6 million in supplemental funding for expanded services, nearly $1.8 million in immediate facility improvements and $16.3 towards building capacity.

 

Additionally, earlier this Summer, two New Jersey community health centers received new access point grants.  Community Health Care, Inc in Bridgeton received $441,667, while Newark City Health and Human Services received $335,000.  

 

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The Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23^rd, 2010 and declared constitutional by the Supreme Court on June 28^th, 2012. Over the past two years, it has been a tremendous help to millions of Americans as this real reform lowers costs and guarantees more choice for consumers.  As additional provisions are implemented, ACA will continue to benefit millions more people. 

 

It's Your Town - Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 24-12/19/11

The latest and last edition of "It's Your Town" newsletter for the year, which covers the Middletown Township Committee meeting for Dec. 19th, 2011, is now available for your reading pleasure.

Besides the usual contents of the newsletter such as the monthly bill list and various ordinances and resolutions, inside this newsletter you will read a very accurate representation of the public hearing concerning the expansion of the Middletown Library's Board of Trustees, Ordinance 2011-3048 , which became a rather testy affair at times between acting mayor Tony Fiore and the members of the public that stepped forward to address their concerns over the expansion of the board.

The expansion of the Library Board is seen by many as a way for the Township to gain greater influence over the Library's budget and business dealings, to ensure that future surpluses are readily available for the Township's purposes and a repeat of the public spectacle that took place earlier this year over the Township Committee's ruthlessly brutal extortion of $500K worth of surplus and reserved funds from the Library.

This was also the last Township Committee meeting of acting deputy-mayor Pamela Brightbill, who decided not to seek reelection to the Township Committee this year. A Proclamation was presented to Brightbill for her years of service.

You can download the newsletter ..... Here