Council takes step to return to police chief Public hearing on ordinance set for April 22 meeting BY DENNIS JORDAN Correspondent       The township of Jackson may soon be welcoming back an individual who is a mainstay in many towns throughout New Jersey and in thousands of towns around the United States - a chief of police. More ...       Alicia Washington and Kevin Chalners from Young Audiences New Jersey perform folk tales in a story-theater format during an "Out of Africa" assembly at the Greenville Elementary School, Howell, on April 11. More ... Lakewood student a winner in music competition BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent       Ian Vogler admits he had butterflies the first time he heard his statewide winning musical composition "Sunset" played at Westminster Choir College, Princeton. "I hoped everything would go OK," said Ian, who is a 17-year-old Lakewood High School junior. "After it was over, I was calm and thought ... More ... Airport authority names officers, plans improvements for 2008       LAKEWOOD - The Lakewood Township Airport Authority recently elected its officers for 2008. The re-elected chairman is Richard Orne. Mike Sernotti was elected vice chairman. Sam Flancbaum was re-elected as treasurer and Mark Seigel was reappointed as secretary with Simcha Shain appointed as assis... More ... Board needs more info to hear plan for housing "There is no guarantee this application will even be finished on June 16." - Ken Bressi chairman Jackson Planning Board BY DENNIS JORDAN Correspondent       JACKSON - Residents who believed they would have a chance to speak about a plan to build affordable housing in the community during an April 7 meeting of the Planning Board did not have the opportunity to do so. The board postponed hearing additional testimony on the Windsor Crescent applicatio... More ... Plumsted library will host annual Earth Day exhibit       PLUMSTED - In observance of Earth Day 2008, the Township Committee appointed nine citizen members to the new Green TechnologyAdvisory Committee and will co-sponsor an Earth Day show and exhibit on April 19 at the Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More ... GREEN SCENE April: An ear to the ground       Watch whom you invite to your garden party! Some guests are most unwelcome and soon push others to the sidelines. These are the assertive and belligerent plants, soon running wild, quickly filling every space and that of their neighbor. Quite often, gardeners grateful for a different plant will ru... More ... Police dispatchers honored BY DENNIS JORDAN Correspondent       JACKSON - It was a night of recognizing achievements and honoring service at the April 8 meeting of the Township Council. State Sen. More ... Music man       Daniel Carvalho, 9, plays Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" during "Jackson's Got Talent," a talent show that was sponsored by the Optimist Club of Jackson on March 29 at the Jackson Memorial High School Fine Arts Center. More ... DOT OKs rail line funds       New Jersey Transit will receive more than $1 million for its proposed Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex (MOM) passenger rail line, according to congressmen Chris Smith and Jim Saxton (both R-NJ), who sought to have themoney included in the federal budget. More ... Liberty Oak Chorus to perform in Jackson       JACKSON- The Liberty Oak Chorus, an award-winning Freehold-based chapter of Sweet Adelines International, will be performing its "Red Hot" spring show at Jackson Memorial High School, 101 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson, at 3 p.m.May 18. More ... Sing some Skynyrd       Jessica Cobain, 9, sings Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" during "Jackson's Got Talent," a talent show that was sponsored by the Optimist Club of Jackson onMarch 29 at the Jackson Memorial High School Fine Arts Center. Jessica is accompanied by Aaron Cobain. More ... Reward offered in wake of damage to memorial BY MARK ROSMAN Staff Writer       The National Police Defense Foundation (NPDF) is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who vandalized its Sept. 11 police memorial. According to a press release from the NPDF, the foundation commissioned sculptor Franco Minervini of... More ... Feds allege worker fired for complaint about firm U.S. lawsuit seeks man's lost back pay, punitive damages BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       HOWELL - The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Brocon Petroleum Inc., Route 33, and its president, Richard Kohler, on behalf of a former employee of the company who was allegedly terminated in violation of the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)... More ... Young woman learns to live with Crohn's Freehold Twp. resident will walk to raise funds for research BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer       FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - For most people, the dawning of a new day is fairly predictable, but for Caryn Powers and others like her who have Crohn's disease, a new day may bring an element of comfort or intense pain. More ... Howell seeking ways to rein in health costs BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - The cost of health insurance is rising in Howell, just as it is almost everywhere else. Members of the Township Council discussed the issue recently and said that since February, the municipality has experienced a 12.5 percent increase in the cost of its health benefits. More ... Summer at PNC: Changes in concert lineup, tailgating State police will use video surveillance, plainclothes officers BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer       HOLMDEL - Festival-type concerts and tours are off the summer concert roster for the PNC BankArts Center, according to Kevin Morrow, president of Live Nation New York. Morrow made the announcement to a small audience at a forumheldMarch 18 at HolmdelHigh School. More ... RetireeWeb site aims to be an instrument of change BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent       HOLMDEL - Joseph J. Scalice is far too young to retire, but this energetic and risk-taking CEO wants to create opportunities for what he deems an often overlooked demographic. "I want to change the perception of baby boomers and retirees. They are reliable and have a wealth of life experience, w... More ... Middle school will host hearing on rate increase BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - A public hearing on the New Jersey American Water Co.'s proposed 23.35 percent rate increase will be held at the Howell Memorial Middle School, Route 524 (Adelphia Road), at 7 p.m. April 23. More ... Museum exhibit features Lakewood scouting history BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       LAKEWOOD- Immediately upon entering the Lakewood Heritage Museum, one feels a sense of nostalgia as she examines the historical artifacts that surround her. The museum, which is housed in the Lakewood School District administrative building at 655 Princeton Ave., is presently displaying Boy Scout... More ... Bohlin, Schneider seek mayor, council positions BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Republicans Russell Bohlin and Paul Schneider were the only candidates who filed nominating petitions to run for the mayor's seat and a term on the Township Council by the April 7 deadline. Bohlin is running for a four-year term as Howell's mayor and Schneider is running for a four-year... More ... Gala benefits Dottie'sHouse       Former Ocean County Freeholder Hazel Gluck was the honoree at the recent Have a Heart for Dottie's House Gala. More than $60,000 was raised for the survivors of domestic violence who reside at Dottie's House. "I am delighted that Hazel agreed to be our honoree this evening. More ... Council working to keep municipal tax rate stable Howell officials acknowledge tough financial times BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer       HOWELL - Township officials are working to develop a budget for 2008 that will not raise the municipal tax rate. The budget was discussed by members of the Township Council during an April 9 meeting. At that time,members of the governing body indicated that it is their goal to hold themunicipal... More ... Bill targets clearing of vegetation       State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth and Mercer) announced that she has introduced legislation which would amend regulations that allow electric public utilities to clear-cut vegetation from under power lines, making the regulations fairer to homeowners and farmers whose property is affected by th... More ...