Tag Archives: feature

From the Meeting Room

Swearing In, Promoting & Retiring at Rumson Reorg 2016

By Elaine Van Develde

Rumson rang in 2016 with tradition and a little change at the New Year’s Day reorganization ceremony.

Officials were sworn in to  additional terms on the Borough Council dais. New emergency response line officers took their oaths for the coming year. Police officers were promoted. And officials said goodbye to a longtime borough employee.

Mayor John Ekdahl was sworn in to his fourth term. Councilmen John J. Conklin III and Mark Rubin were sworn in to additional terms on the dais.

Joseph Hemphill was named council president.

After the swearing in of officials, two police officers were promoted.

Detective Senior Patrolman Christopher Isherwood became a sergeant. Wife holding the bible by his side along with Chief Scott Paterson, Mayor Ekdahl administered the oath to Isherwood and presented him with his sergeant’s badge.

Then Senior Patrolman Anthony Ciambrone was also promoted to the rank of sergeant. With the mayor administering the oath, Chief Paterson also present and Ciambrone’s wife holding the bible, he was sworn in and presented with his new sergeant’s badge.

Then onto the business of saying goodbye …

Longtime assistant to the mayor, Loretta Chebookjian was thanked by the mayor, given a gift and flowers. Chebookjian joked that she was with the borough exactly “11 and three quarters years. I will miss passing you on the road every morning on my way to work (while you were on your way to work),” she told the mayor.

Then there was the business of installing new line officers in the Rumson Fire Department and First Aid Squad.

Outgoing EMS Captain Mary Nichols was thanked for her service  and new Captain Darren McConnell was sworn in.

Then Fire Chief Kevin McCarthy was thanked for his service and the oath of office was administered to the new chief, Ronald Immesberger and Assistant Fire Chief Micheal Trivett. Each was given his new badge as well.

In keeping with true Rumson tradition, the mayor then announced that there would be a small intermission before he gave his annual speech, which, he joked, “will probably again be longer than it probably should be.”

The speech began with, “The Borough Council members have met the year’s challenges with diplomacy and with the dignity that would be expected from such an experienced council. I applaud each of you for the contributions you have made on behalf of the residents of Rumson.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to every Borough employee, committee member and professional for their support and assistance throughout the past year …”

For the remainder of the full speech, click here.

Happy New Year!

 

Local Life

Focus: R-FH Area Landscape Scene 2015

When it comes to landscape scenery, there’s a lot to see in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect always tries to seize the moment in a photo when the scene presents itself — and it has countless times in 2015. How could it not? The area, surrounded by the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers and nestled along the Atlantic Ocean, is enveloped with natural beauty.

So, here are the most picturesque scenes captured in the R-FH area in 2015. What a wondrous waterfront world …

Rumson Police and Fire Files

Rumson Detour: Bingham & Ridge

If you’re planning on traveling on or around Bingham Avenue in Rumson on Monday, police advise that you plan an alternate route.

New Jersey Natural Gas will be installing a gas main at the intersection of Bingham Avenue and Ridge Road on Monday from  7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., police said. So, the roads at that spot will be blocked off.

The new gas main is slated for the installation on Monday, police said, in an effort to get the major project work completed while Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School and Forrestdale and Deane-Porter students are on winter break and the traffic flow in the area is slated to be far less congested during school hours than usual.

Bingham will be accessible to local residents of the immediate area only, police said. Otherwise, police advise that all other drivers avoid the area.

 

News, Schools Scene

Fair Haven Schools Superintendent’s Resignation: The Background

The resignation of Fair Haven School District Superintendent Nelson Ribon has been common knowledge for about a week, since the Board of Education accepted his resignation at its meeting last week.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect has since requested an interview with Ribon; and he has not yet responded.

He did, however, send a letter out to parents of students in the district.

The complete letter read:

Dear Parents & Guardians,

After several weeks of deep reflection about my professional experiences in our district since 2011, along with the exciting opportunities available to me in the very near future, it was with bitter-sweet emotions that I submitted my resignation, effective July 1, 2016, to the Board of Education nearly two weeks ago. The BOE regretfully approved my decision at this week’s monthly meeting.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Fair Haven community for nearly five years. I have met great people, developed friendships along the way, and most importantly been a part of the lives of children who have big hearts and great minds.

I will move on with lots of wonderful memories, and proud that the next Superintendent will have a superb leadership team and staff in place, exciting programs and opportunities for all students, a Strategic Plan created with input from a wide representation of stakeholder groups, a vision for the expansion of our schools to work with, as well as tremendous partnerships to foster and grow.

During the next six months, I will continue to move the district forward with the support of our great staff, while assisting the Board with their transition, if and as needed.

I am confident that the Board of Education will communicate their plans for a search in the weeks and months to come.

On behalf of my family, I wish you all a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

Thank you for your time,
Nelson
Nelson Ribon
Superintendent, Fair Haven Public Schools
224 Hance Road | Fair Haven NJ 07704

How Ribon ended up in the superintendent’s office:

Ribon, who has a master’s degree and roughly 15 years of experience in education, first came to the district as principal of Knollwood School in June of 2011.

Prior to that, he spent a seven-year stint as principal of Freehold Borough Intermediate School and as a teacher at St. John Vianney in Holmdel and Keansburg.

When former superintendent, Kathleen Cronin, announced her retirement from the district , effective July 1, 2013, a search firm was hired to root out the right choice for her replacement.

After months of meetings and search strategies, the firm’s leader, Rich Morasco, of Little Silver-based Leadership Advantage, announced that Ribon was the choice for the stop administrative spot.

Morasco had said that the new superintendent did not have to live in Fair Haven, but had to act like it, as, in addition to having the pertinent experience and educational background,  having strong community ties had been identified by residents as a critical qualification for anyone vying for the superintendent job.

Ribon, according to state records, earned a salary of $132,500 as Knollwood’s principal. His salary, according to the records went up to $145,000 for the superintendent position.

When first hired, Ribon had said that he was “on cloud nine.”

— Elaine Van Develde

 

Business Buzz

Visions of Two River Computer Elves Fixing Tech Ills

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s that all-too familiar tech nightmare. You’re in the middle of a major project for work. You’re on a deadline. You’re engrossed. Your fingers are typing into a nubby frenzy. Oops.

The computer politely tells you that you need to update the operating system to install a program that you need to get those finishing touches done just right. OK. You click “Continue” and POOF! Everything goes black. Wait. There’s a gray tinge on the screen. A little message pops up and tells you to restart the computer. You do as you are told. Aaaaand POOF!

Continue reading Visions of Two River Computer Elves Fixing Tech Ills →

News, Schools Scene

Knollwood School Grad Anthony Sciametta’s Wall of Honor Induction

Anthony Sciametta, a 2011 graduate of Knollwood School in Fair Haven, has joined the special ranks of those commemorated with a photo on the Wall of Honor.

Commissioned and designed in 2011 to honor graduates serving their country in the armed forces, the Wall of Honor is featured in a main hallway at Knollwood School. Anthony’s photo was unveiled at a ceremony held on the afternoon of Dec. 16.

Continue reading Knollwood School Grad Anthony Sciametta’s Wall of Honor Induction →

Local Life, Opinion

Tradition: Santa’s Visit to the Fair Haven Firehouse

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Santa and Cole Van Develde at the Fair Haven Firehouse 1990. Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Santa and Cole Van Develde at the Fair Haven Firehouse 1990.
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

By Elaine Van Develde

It’s that time of the year for a longstanding Fair Haven tradition — photos at the firehouse with Santa.

This year, Santa’s coming to the firehouse between 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

It’s another Fair Haven tradition you can always count on. So, the Retro Pic of the Day takes us back to Santa at the firehouse when it all started.

I remember …

Continue reading Tradition: Santa’s Visit to the Fair Haven Firehouse →

Local Life, Opinion

A Retro RFH Basketball Cheer!

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Hey, purple! Hey, white! You look so good to me! Hey, hey, hey, purple! Hey white!

It went something like that — the cheerleader mantra out there on the basketball court. And, of course, what would a retro ode to RFH basketball be without a little rah-rah about the cheerleaders cheering the team on.

So, the Retro Pic of the Day pays slam dunk homage to cheerleaders on the basketball court. Well, they’re a special breed of cheerleader.

Take a close look. This little cross-dressing prank was played regularly in the RFH sports cheering of the 1970s.

In this special look back at an RFH Student-Faculty Basketball Game, the guys are donning the girls’ outfits, which  were as completely different then as the basketball uniforms. The ol’ preppie plaid kilt skirt and crew neck sweater with knee socks and saddle shoes was it. Though these “gals” had to go with workbooks and sneakers, because the shoes just didn’t fit.

The cheering of yesteryear involved a lot of clapping, shouting and stomping. Oh, and pom-poms! And megaphones! There were no boas, but I think this crew may have worn them quite well. Cheers, guys!

Looks like a Fair Haven Kirman is leading the pack there! Recognize anyone else? And, hey, anyone remember a cheer or two? Slam dunk!

— Elaine Van Develde

Schools Scene

Rumson Parents Take a ’15-Minute Child Break’ to Talk About Substance Abuse

The Rumson School District Parent Academy offered parents some insight on how to talk to their kids about substance abuse with 15-Minute Child Break, a program offered through the state’s Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

The organization is run as a collaborative effort between the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the NJ Department of Human Services.

On Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., Rumson parents got together at the Forrestdale School Media Center to talk about how they are the key influencers in the prevention of substance abuse and learn how to effectively talk to their children about drugs and alcohol and their potential for destroying lives.

More than 40 parents attended the session hosted by Superintendent John Bormann, Forrestdale School Counselor Jenn Crow, and Deane Porter School Counselor Jessica Piernik.

The program is supported by research on substance abuse from Middle School Foundation of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. This research shows that kids who communicate regularly with their parents about their daily activities — for as little as 15 minutes — are 67 percent less likely to be involved in substance abuse than those who have little or no communication.

The 15-Minute Child Break theory supports and empowers today’s parents with the assurance that they are still the strongest influences in their children’s lives.

The presentation covered the following topics:

• Talking to Your Kids About Drugs and Alcohol;
• Influence of Media and Pop Culture;
• Effects of Specific Drugs;
• Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free;
• Strengthening Parenting Skills;
• Utilizing Teachable Moments.

Additional information about the program can be found under “Child Break” at www.drugfreenj.org.

Information on upcoming Parent Academy presentations can be found on the Rumson School District website at www.rumsonschool.org.

— Edited press release from the Rumson School District