Retro Fair Haven Kindergarten: The Kids and the Classroom

Image July 1, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Fair Haven afternoon Kindergarten Class of 1965 ... There! I said it! — Fair Haven afternoon Kindergarten Class of 1965 … There! I said it!

With all this talk about the little tykes transitioning from third to fourth grade, school being out for summer and, well, of course, graduation, there’s one milestone that’s been left out — kindergarten.

Back in the day — OK, waaaaay back in the day — there was a third school in Fair Haven for kindergarten. It was the Youth Center. People now know it better as the Fair Haven Police Station and by its newly adopted name that hasn’t quite caught on yet, and may never for us “older” folks still in town — Fair Haven Community Center. Phooey to that. Some things just need to keep a name for nostalgic purposes alone.

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Crime, Police and Fire

Police: Area Man Arrested on Burglary, Theft, Conspiracy Charges; $22.5K Bail

July 1, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following recent arrests were made and reported by Middletown police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• Kristie Lepard, 24, of Kentucky Avenue in Middletown, was arrested on June 18 by Patrolman Adam Colfer and charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was released pending a court date.

• Philip Mathew, 37, of Shannon Way in Trevose, PA, was arrested on June 18 by Patrolman Thomas Hughes of the Anti-Crime Unit and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana.

He was released pending a court date.

• Boby George, 36, of Laramie Road in Philadelphia, PA, was arrested on June 18 by Patrolman Thomas Hughes of the Anti-Crime Unit and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana.

He was released pending a court date.

• Alexander Green, 20, of Wesley Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, was arrested on June 18 by Detective William Strohkirch and charged with burglary, theft and conspiracy.

He was held on $22,500 bail, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

Continue reading Police: Area Man Arrested on Burglary, Theft, Conspiracy Charges; $22.5K Bail →

Schools Scene

Fair Haven Schools’ Transition Tradition: Third to Fourth Grade

July 1, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

It’s a tradition. The Fair Haven School District celebrates the transition of students from third to fourth grade — from Viola L. Sickles to Knollwood School.

This year was no exception. It happened on June 11 and here’s how it went:

Teachers and students from Viola L. Sickles School cheered from the sidelines on Willow Street as the third graders began their journey on bicycles and the big red trolley.

Escorted by members of the Fair Haven School District staff and administration, as well as eighth-grade peer leaders, the students headed toward Knollwood School on Hance Road. They were greeted along the way by many well-wishers holding signs and shouting encouragement.

“I love seeing all of the students begin their transition to a new school, just as I did when I was a third grader,” Knollwood School Peer Leader Grace Geiger said.

At Knollwood School the third graders attended a brief assembly hosted by Principal Kevin Davis, learned about the school’s music program, and were given a tour by the eighth grade Peer Leaders.

“This is such a wonderful tradition,” said Davis. “It’s always so much fun to greet the incoming students at Sickles School and bring them over to Knollwood.”

— Fair Haven School District press release

Police and Fire

Rumson Police Make Several DWI Arrests

July 1, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The following May and June arrests were made and reported by the Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

Arrests

• Special Officer Class II Morse arrested Timothy J. Hill, 40, of Little Silver, on May 3 in the area of Rumson and Seven Bridges Road in Little Silver and charged him with DWI (driving while intoxicated). Hill was released pending court.

• Special Officer Class II Morse arrested Lea C. Brantly, 30, of Rumson, on May 10 in the area of the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge and charged her with DWI (driving while intoxicated). She was released pending court.

• Patrolman Lovgren arrested Christopher P. Merker, 23, of Atlantic Highlands, on May 13 on the Oceanic Bridge and charged him with contempt of court (COC). He was released after posting $310 bail.

• Patrolman Torres arrested Julia Concannon, 20, of Shrewsbury, on May 31 in the area of Navesink Avenue and Ridge Road and charged her with DWI (driving while intoxicated). Concannon was released pending court.

• Special Officer Class II Morse arrested Kristy Leight, 33, of Rumson, on June 14 in the area of Rumson Road and Sailor’s Way and charged her with DWI (driving while intoxicated). Leight was released pending court.

• Special Officer Class II Morse arrested Drew Flynn, 40, of Rumson, on June 18 and charged him with DWI (driving while intoxicated) and possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana. He was released pending court.

• Patrolman Lovgren arrested Robert Piwko, 38, of Jackson, on June 19 and charged him with COC (contempt of court). Piwko was released to the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department in lieu of $29,426 bail.

• Patrolman Torres arrested Thomas Cozzens, 26, of Annandale, on June 29 and charged him with DWI (driving while intoxicated). Cozzens was released pending court.

Local Life, News

Former Fair Haven Mayor, ABC Director Joins Genova Burns Legal Firm

July 1, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Former Fair Haven Mayor Michael Halfacre has a new job; and, there’s nothing controversial about the fact that he resigned from an appointed, high profile state position before signing on to the private sector post, he told Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect a couple of weeks ago at Fair Haven Day.

Halfacre announced he would be bowing out as director of the NJ Division of Acoholic Beverage Control (ABC) in the state Attorney General’s Office not too long before making the announcement that he had joined Genova Burns LLC law firm as a member of its Commercial Real Estate & Redevelopment and Business Law & Commercial Transactions Practice Groups effective today, July 1, a release from Genova Burns said. He will also be available for consultation to the firm’s Craft Beer, Spirits & Alcohol Law Practice Group, a new branch of the firm, it added.

The Gov. Chris Christie administration-appointed public sector job with the ABC, the lifelong Fair Havenite added, was an opportunity to serve the public that he was honored to have had. He just made a decision to move on, he said, nothing more. “It’s all good,” Halfacre said casually on the subject, before revealing his next career move.

Of his new job, he said in a released statement that he was “honored to join this prestigious law firm. I was basically a small-town attorney before joining the Attorney General’s Office (under which the ABC is run) as head of the ABC, and I am thrilled to join a firm with the prestige and regional presence of Genova Burns.”

Michael Halfacre at Fair Haven Day 2015 Photo/Elaine Van Develde — Michael Halfacre at Fair Haven Day 2015
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Halfacre stepped as mayor of Fair Haven in his second term to accept the ABC appointment. He had been mayor since 2006. Prior to the ABC position, he worked ion the private sector as a commercial real estate attorney specializing in transactions, including sales and refinance of commercial real estate and transfers of ABC licenses, the release said.

“Michael’s experience running the ABC these past three years makes him an excellent choice to offer counsel to the firm’s newly formed Craft Beer, Spirits & Alcohol Law practice group,” said Managing Partner Brian W. Kronick. “Genova Burns occupies a niche at the nexus of business, law and government. Michael’s background, experience and knowledge of top business people around the state is a perfect fit.”