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Candidates to shun campaign signs
Like many other politicians these days, the two challengers seeking seats on the Township Committee are running on an environ-mentally friendly platform.
Modern-day patriots in Freehold recall 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'
America's founding fathers would have been proud. A group of roughly 300-modern day patriots showed early this 4th of July morning to observe - and in some cases participate in - the reading of the Declaration ...
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Freehold mayor, council to get 3% salary raises
FREEHOLD — The Borough Council has provided a nearly 3 percent salary increase for itself in the 2008 municipal budget, a point criticized during the public hearing on the spending plan Wednesday night.
"I'm not apologetic about that. I earned that," Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer said after two residents, Robert Taylor of Kiawah Avenue and Ted Miller of Henry Street, raised the issue.
The budget adopted by the council Wednesday totals nearly $14 million, up about $800,000. The measure allows for a $1,452 increase in the allocation for the mayor and council's salaries.
The appropriation for the mayor and council's salaries totaled $50,048 in 2007; for 2008, that number is $51,500, according to budget documents.
"I question the need (for an increase) this year," Miller, a council candidate, said after the meeting. "You're not doing this (serving on the council) because you want to get paid. You're doing this for civic pride, civic duty."
Shutzer also spoke after the meeting: "I personally feel that this is a job. And I work hard at this job."
Shutzer receives about $7,000 annually as a council member, she said. The mayor and council members will receive the same raise that other borough workers will receive, she said.
"I don't think that it (the raise) is too much," Shutzer said.
Taylor and Miller were the only two members of the public who spoke on the budget. When they finished, the council voted 5-0 to adopt the budget. Councilman Michael DiBenedetto was absent.
The budget will be supported by a tax levy of $7.75 million, up about $600,000. The municipal purposes tax rate will increase by 5.9 cents per $100 of assessed property value. That means the owner of a home assessed at the town average, $259,000, will pay about $153 more in municipal taxes annually.
Increases in the budget can be blamed on several factors, Borough Administrator Joseph B. Bellina has said, including increases in employee pension contributions, employee health insurance costs and police salaries.
The appropriation for police pensions is up approximately $243,000, and gasoline expenses have also risen, according to budget documents.
Also, borough officials anticipate about $181,000 less in state aid, Bellina has said.
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Baptist group to repair borough properties
FREEHOLD — Some much-needed help is coming to the borough.
After months of preparation, more than 300 members of the Georgia-based Baptist group World Changers are expected to arrive in Monmouth County this weekend. On July 7, they will fan out to rehabilitate homes and properties in Freehold, Freehold Township, Neptune and Asbury Park.
Here, their work will include rehabilitation at the Freehold Housing Authority's family apartment development on Throckmorton Street, said the housing authority's office manager, Sharon Whetzler.
Volunteers will repair and paint fences for 34 units, work that is badly needed, Whetzler said.
"Everybody has a slat missing," she said.
If volunteers have time, they also will paint hallways in the senior development, also on Throckmorton Street.
"I am thrilled that they're coming," Whetzler said.
Volunteers also will be dispatched to Rug Mill Towers to paint, and if all permits are granted, two or three homes in the borough and one in the township also will be tended to, said George Russ, senior pastor at Colts Neck Community Church and local coordinator for the World Changers' visit.
In Neptune, volunteers will work on several painting projects and on construction projects such as repairing roofs and porches, Russ said.
At least eight teams will work in Freehold. About 23 or 24 teams will work in Neptune, Russ said.
While they are working, Russ said children from his church — all too young to join World Changers — will be engaged in their own projects, including weeding at the church and raking leaves at residents' homes.
"We can't wait to get this to start," Russ said.
The teams are a mix of students and adult supervisors, with 10 people per team, Russ said, and the volunteers will be lodged at Neptune High School.
Each night, a prayer service will be held around 7 or 7:30 p.m., Russ said. The public is invited, especially on July 11, when the homeowners being helped will be asked to attend.
"(I feel) a little overwhelmed," Russ said. But, he is excited for the volunteers' arrival.
"It's pretty awesome," he said.
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'Freehold Idol' now open to 16-year-olds
FREEHOLD: Young singers take heart: The age limit for "Freehold Idol" has been dropped to 16 years old.
Eligible contestants for the weekly vocal competition will now include any state resident between the ages of 16 and 27. The contest is to be held from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Aug. 13. The finale will be on Aug. 15.
The first-prize winner will receive $500 and recording time at the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts in the Morganville section of Marlboro.
To enroll, call (732) 462-3584
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Man sought in crash that killed Perth Amboy man surrenders to police
The man detectives said left the scene of a fatal car crash at Route 79 and Tappan Road on Sunday morning surrendered at police headquarters.
Freedom Fest Fair to open Tuesday in Upper Freehold
If you still need your fix of fireworks after Independence Day passes, do not worry - they are scheduled at the Freedom Fest Fair.
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NJ court upholds 'pay to play' law on donations
New Jersey's latest attempt to keep contractors from profiting by making political donations passed its first legal test on Monday.
A unanimous state appellate court upheld the constitutionality of a 2005 law aimed at curbing the practice, known as pay to play.
The three judges said state government has a legitimate and worthy interest in preventing corruption or the appearance of corruption, and noted that all high-level casino executives are also barred from making political donations to state candidates.
The ruling was a setback for a highway builder, Earle Asphalt Co., which argued the law violated its right to free speech and free association, and that the $300 limit inhibited effective advocacy. Its lawyer said the company had not yet determined whether to appeal.
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Perth Amboy man killed in crash at Route 79 intersection
Police said they are looking for a man who fled the scene of a fatal car crash at Route 79 and Tappan Road, early Sunday morning.
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Authorities ID man found in Freehold Township pond
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The Monmouth County Medical Examiner's Office will have to wait for toxicology results to determine what killed an Ocean Township man found dead in a retention pond off Kozloski Road Saturday night, authorities said.
The lifeless body of Ramiro Torrez, 21, was found in the pond near the Poet's Corner Townhouses by a passerby, Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw said.
There were no signs of trauma to the body, Warshaw said.
"The death does not appear to be a natural one," he said. "The investigation into the cause and manner of death is continuing. The medical examiner wants to review toxicology results before making a determination."
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Police: Man fled scene of fatal Freehold Township crash
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Police said they are looking for a man who fled the scene of a fatal car crash at Route 79 and Tappan Road early Sunday morning.
Angel Franyutti, 29, of Perth Amboy was killed in the 4 a.m. collison, when the 1991 Honda Civic he was a passenger in struck a utility pole, Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw said. Franyutti was pronounced dead at the scene, Warshaw said.
The driver of the car is believed to have fled the crash scene on foot, Warshaw said.
"Right now this is an active investigation," Warshaw said. "We're looking for the person who ran from the crash as well as any witnesses to what happened."
Anyone with information is asked to call Freehold Township Detective George A. Burdge III at (732) 462-7908 or Monmouth County Prosecutor's Detective Eric Kerecman at (800) 533-7443.
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Hispanic male found dead in retention pond
Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of an unidentified Hispanic male in his early 20s who was found dead in a retention pond at the Poets Corner development off Kozloski Road, said First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr.
A man who was walking near the retention pond about 6:30 p.m. Saturday saw what he believed to be a person in the water, and he called the authorities, Warshaw said. Police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office responded to the scene and found the individual dead in the water, Warshaw said.
The body has not been identified, and authorities continue to investigate, Warshaw said. An autopsy will likely be performed today, Warshaw said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Ryan Muller of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at (800) 533-7443 or the Freehold Township Police Detective George Burdge (732) 462-7908
Man's body found in Freehold Township pond
Police are investigating the death of man whose body was found this evening in a retention pond of a development in Freehold Township, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.
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Lawsuit says zone upgrades limited
Two local business owners have filed a lawsuit against the borough's downtown economic development organization in an attempt to invalidate actions taken at the organization's annual meeting last month.
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Participants sought for July 4th declaration reading
Town criers with a patriotic bent are being sought for Independence Day.
They are needed for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, to be held for the fifth consecutive year on the front steps of Borough Hall at 51 W. Main St.
Freehold Township to unveil $40M budget; 8 positions cut
The Township Committee plans to introduce a $40 million budget tonight that calls for the elimination of eight positions.
Driver charged in motorcycle death
A 42-year-old Freehold Township man was indicted on charges he killed a motorcyclist while flee ing from police, authorities said yesterday.
Cops: Freehold man plotted to kill co-workers in Sayreville
A Freehold Township man is being held in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center on attempted murder and weapons charges after State Police said he tried to kill two of his co-workers at the Garden State ...
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Next step: Attracting shoppers to Freehold pt1