PNC Bank Arts Center: A sign of the times?

The PNC Bank Arts Center has a drinking restriction in place: It was to be expected, people died recently at Ozzfest. Meanwhile, a lot of people were arrested by police for any number of reasons. So, the PNC Bank Arts Center issue has been settled. I did hear today that there is an additional measure being considered, which is placing DWI checkpoints at the exits to the arena following shows. I don't know how far along that one has gone.

While I think these measures are expected, I also think it is a sad development. It will not be as popular or as attractive a venue to promoters once the word gets around. Similarly, I do not think many fans, spending a lot of money in some cases for tickets, are going to want the extra hassle.

I recently attended a Bob Dylan concert at the Borgota Hotel and Casino, in Atlantic City. Dylan was Dylan: He was great. Security was obnoxious and everywhere. It was too much for a group of vintage hippies and younger people who were far from rowdy. I won't be going back to the Borgota for any show, at any time, for any reason...even if someone gave me a ticket. If I wanted to be treated like cattle, I'd go to the DMV. I'm not going to put out $150 a ticket for a show where the centerpiece of the event is a bunch of security guys. Bet I'm not the only one. I understand the need for safety on a certain level, I can agree with it. But I'm not spending my money to go to an event like that.

The recent developments at PNC Bank Arts Center led me to think about business in Northern Monmouth County. Well, the building trades do well. I see small business isn't what it could or should be. The only large companies the area attracts are retailers that only employ nominal amounts of people at low wages. Taxes are out of control. There is no plan for enouraging business, other than area proponents chanting some mantra about how great things are here without any foundation or initiative within the optimism. So, where is this going overall?

The arts center can't work as it had anymore. Fine, it never really brought that much to any of the Bayshore towns anyway. But it is a sign of the times. Business here is not getting larger; it's getting smaller.

The area needs to start becoming something chartable and identifiable economically. I think this area needs to concentrate on building commerce in a way that is not controversial, but economically sound and not via abdication of responsibility by lawmakers or passing the buck (of which there are fewer and fewer).

Bean pens piece about arts center controversy

Greater Media's Greg Bean has written the best common sense editorial about the PNC Bank Arts Center that has been put out yet. It says it like it is. It's worth a read. Click on the headline and check it out.

Scott Goldstein launches blog, synidcated column

A great reporter from NJBiz, a good weekly business paper, has opened a blog. Scott Goldstein is a former staffer from the Asbury Park Press who covers the Statehouse for NJBiz. He is also starting a syndicated column that deals with locally-oriented news for weeklies around the state.

I wish him a lot of luck with both the column and the blog. There are a lot of columnists who do not actually have a lot to say, and Scott is not one of them. His work is significant, and brings something to readers. That is a rarity in this business. Click on the headline and check it out at http://gardenstatenews.blogspot.com.

Preview Rutger Football opener at NJ.com

Keep an eye out at NJ.com for a preview to the Scarlet Knight season opener. Click on the headline and go there.

Hill will be featured in this week's Courier

There will be a feature-length story this week about Monmouth County Democratic Sheriff's candidate Jack Hill in this week's Courier, available on Thursday.

Hill, who currently serves as the Belmar police chief, will be talking about what he has learned during a walking and listening tour throughout northern Monmouth County, the Bayshore.

Prominent Holmdel resident passes away

It has been reported that prominent Holmdel resident Lincoln Niess has passed away. Lincoln was a retired international businessman, involved for many years in the banking industry. He was a World War II United States Army veteran, and the husband of Bayshore Republican Conference President Valerie Niess.

Lincoln was a very admired person, who seemed to draw out the very best in people. Though incredibly smart and analytical, he also possessed a keen ability to laugh and make others do the same: A rare combination.

Having had the privilege of knowing Lincoln for several years, he was a great gentleman, the kind of which is rarely found today. It is being reported that Lincoln died last night, and there is no news yet of any arrangements.

This was a very good person. My deepest condolences to Valerie and his entire family.

Courier will hold off on Boardwalk historical site

The Keansburg Boardwalk historical Web site slated to be worked on by The Courier will have to wait until next summer. As a result of various storylines that have dominated the time of staffers this summer, there has just not been enough hours in the day to treat this worthy historical subject.

Yet it is worth saying again that the summer culture of the Keansburg Boardwalk has provided enjoyment for untold numbers for decades. In many ways there is no story more positive and uniquely Jersey than that of the Boardwalk in the borough.

Caption: The Wildwood Boardwalk is another great destination on the Jersey Shore, though it's not necessarily close enough for Monmouth residents to enjoy everyday.

NJ hospitals: Dead last and making it look easy?

Just in case you needed to be upset about the ranking of Jersey hospitals a little more.... Click on the headline and go to an article on NJ.com. It'll make you want to stay healthy.

Click into the headline.

Manasquan football coack Vic Kubu dies

Monmouth County football icon Vic Kubu, head coach for the Manasquan Warrior Football Program, has died. The APP has a story about it. Click on the headline and go there.

Total eclipse to take place on Tuesday

There will be a total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, visible for about a half-hour on the East Coast.

Click on the headline and go to the Yahoo News! story.

Bloomberg's congestion plan: A detached reality

New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg's Congestion Pricing Plan needs to die on the table. For those of us who drive into Manhattan, it is positively absurd. While public transportation is being touted left and right, my experience is that NYC public transportation is good, on the fair said of that grade, but not anything that employers or academic institutions could count on as being reliable enough for commuters to universally depend on.

Infrastructure is a big deal, granted. The Federal and state governments are responsible for large-scale infrastructure repair and improvement. Right now, there are many other priorities from this national government and from these various state governments. My suggestion: Change the priorities and the politicians can stop passing the buck (it's our buck they're passing and spending anyway).

Mayor Mike Bloomberg is generally a good mayor, a smart person, and a great businessman. With that said, his plan in this case is moronic and represents only the single instance of detachment from reality he has exhibited thus far in his tenure.

Nulle will cover Middletown, Hazlet and Keansburg

The Courier is welcoming a new staff writer to its Editorial Department. Rutgers University graduate Alexis Nulle has been assigned to cover: Middletown, Hazlet and Keansburg. SHe can be reached at the newspaper's main number, (732) 957-0070, extension 6126.

Staff Writer Scott Shanley will be taking on assignments from the Advertising and Sales Department.

Vick suspended indefinitely from the NFL

Mike Vick is suspended indefinitely from the NFL: Good. Click on the headline and go to Yahoo News!

Monk tries to make peace about sign

This is a Middletown story by Karen Bowes of The Independent. I got a lot of enjoyment out of it. The Middletown Monk storyline is an ongoing one and Ms. Bowes has done a very nice job with it.

Middletown PD press release

PRESS RELEASE

MIDDLETOWN TWP. POLICE DEPARTMENT

Prepared by Det. Lt. Joseph C. Capriotti

At approximately 12:40AM on August 23, 2007 Middletown Township Police officers were summoned to a disturbance on Powell Avenue in the Navesink section of the township. Officer Stephen Keller and Officer Charles Higgins were the first officers to arrive at the scene and discovered that two brothers had been involved in a fist fight that escalated to both men arming themselves with knives. Both men sustained injuries as a result of stab wounds.

Kevin Allen, age 23, of Powell Avenue in the Navesink section of Middletown Township sustained a severely lacerated thumb, a laceration to his neck and a puncture wound in the back of his head. He was treated and admitted to Riverview Medical Center.

Jayson Gross, age 37, who resides with Allen on Powell Avenue, was taken to Riverview Medical Center and treat for a laceration to his arm, fractured ribs and puncture wounds to his abdomen. He was released to police custody after being treated.

Police are still investigating details of the incident, but the two men, who are brothers, became involved in a fist fight. After the initial fist fight, a second fight followed between the two brothers involving at least two knives. The two men sustained their injuries as they continued to fight.

Both men are charged with Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Gross additionally is charged with making a Terroristic Threat against Allen. Bail for Jayson Gross was set at $108,000 with no ten percent option and Kevin Allen’s bail was set at $107,500, also with no ten percent option. Gross was transferred to the Monmouth County Correctional Institute and Allen was admitted to Riverview Medical Center for his injuries in the custody of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department.

Middletown officers who assisted at the scene were Sergeant Charles Terefenko, Corporal Ronald Chesek, Corporal Ralph Flannigan, Officer Kevin Gardiner, Officer Donald Coates and Officer Brian Dilworth. The Atlantic Highlands Police also assisted. Detective Barry Grimm, Detective Gerald Weimer and Detective William Strohkirch are conducting the follow up investigation.

Rutgers gridiron success seen as key to increased campus interest

According to NJ.com, there has been a 64 percent increase to campus visits. Could a winning football tradition be tied to some new academic popularity?

Click on the headline and go there.

APP reports on soldier killed in line of duty

I think it is right that people should pause to remember those who give all for us collectively. The loss of these young people is terrible, though -- on families, communities and our nation's future. But this young man certainly did what he believed was right, and has paid the ultimate price in service to his nation.

Click on the headline and go to the story in the APP.

Chinese factory re-selling chop sticks? Odd, true, disturbing

Click on the headline and check out a few products that have been stamped "Made In China." If nothing else, it's worth a laugh.

Short draws support from Bayshore neighbors

Among those at last night's Middletown Committee meeting were Matawan Borough Councilman Joseph "Bud" Mullaney and Keansburg Borough Deputy Mayor Andrew "Drew" Murray.

I noticed these two guys in the room and asked why they were there: Both said they were there to support Middletown Committeeman Patrick Short.

Mr. Mullaney said he finds Mr. Short's work very worthy, despite the challenges Mr. Short faces on the committee.

Mr. Murray said Mr. Short deserves a lot of credit for what he is doing on committee in the face of resistance to his ideas. Of some note is that both Mr. Mullaney and Mr. Murray are Democrats.

Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo said he appreciated both men showing up to support Short. But what is interesting is the fact that both of these guys are from out of town. This is not run of the mill in Democrats. What does it mean? There are tea leaves for such things, but the Bayshore Democratic Club has, by all reports I've heard, been better attended than in recent years. I know that most of the group is comprised of people from Middletown, but there has been some support from Bayshore towns, prominently Aberdeen, Highlands and Hazlet.

"Mutual support" was a theme from the old Bayshore Republican Conference. In its heyday, the BRC left a big mark where it came to cross support. My question: Does this mean the Bayshore Democratic Club is picking up momentum? Maybe too early to tell but an interesting thought for inside people.

Statement read into the record at Aug. 20 session

The following statement was submitted by me to the Middletown Township Committee, furnished to every member of the governing body, as well as all members of their primary support staff today (august 20th) and read into the record at tonight's committee session:

During the August 2nd Middletown Committee Workshop Meeting, Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger and Committeeman Thomas Hall made public comments about The Courier's coverage in town.

It is my intention tonight to answer the allegations directly made by Mayor Scharfenberger and inferred by Committeeman Hall.

I want to make it clear that responses and due diligence with regard to township government, Mayor Scharfenberger, Committeeman Hall or the rest of the committee for that matter, answering questions posed by my reporters, is all but non-existent. This mayor and this committee have a difficult time fielding questions about how they spend tax money, and so their choice where it involves my newspaper is not to deal with it at all.

This governing body has created a policy, at least to this newspaper, wherein all questions are posed to the public information officer, Cindy Herrschaft. No individual member of this committee is, I suppose, allowing themselves to speak with any reporter from Courier. Consequently, the many questions our reporters pose are placed through her and basically never answered. This tactic will not prevent news from being reported or stories from being written.

So, for any member of this committee to say they were not contacted before a story or about a story is patently untrue. What is true is that it was their respective choices not to respond to the stories produced by my newspaper's Editorial Section.

In response to Mayor Scharfenberger's allegations that my newspaper prints lies, I want to make it clear that The Courier has printed nothing that is dubious or, to the facts provided us by all parties contacted, in doubt by way of fact in any manner. Both myself and the newspaper at-large stand behind every word printed by our reporters. But not all facts are politically amenable to ambitious politicians or government that possesses a Nixonian style of management. This cannot be the newspaper's preoccupation, though, as out mission is clear: We print news of the day in Northern Monmouth County, something that has been our collective business at Courier since 1955.

Mr. Hall insinuated that Mr. Short, in working with Reporter Scott Shanley, betrayed some public trust for the sake of an alleged "Photo Op." In fact, Mr. Short was communicating with our readers, many of whom reside in Middletown. The Courier is as open to Mr. Scharfenberger and Mr. Hall, not to mention any other member of the governing body, as it is Mr. Short. This can be said of all elected and appointed people in all of the towns we cover. If there is any propaganda or manipulation of facts ongoing in this conversation, it is Mr. Hall's and, apparently, Mr. Scharfenberger.

With that said, I absolutely take exception to the comments made by Mr. Scharfenberger and Mr. Hall, the protocol under their respective mayoral administrations with regard to access to information, and the reckless diatribes these people have engaged in from the pulpit of governmental authority in this town.