Local Life

Retro Ode to Good Neighbor Chum Chandler

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Chum Chandler back in the day Photo/courtesy of the Chandler family
Chum Chandler back in the day
Photo/courtesy of the Chandler family

Well, once we published our first in a series of good (old) neighbors and asked for nominations, it didn’t take long to get an onslaught of nominations to feature  Fair Haven’s Chum Chandler as a shining example of neighborliness.

So, Chum is our Retro Pic of the Day good neighbor.

Chandler, who passed away not long ago, was a native Fair Havenite, RFH grad, local businessman, Fair Haven Fire Company lifetime member and just all-around quirky, personable character. Anyone who knew him would tell you that he embodied all that’s good in this slice of suburbia.

He was known as a tall order of tough pull-yourself-up-by-the- bootstraps love always ready to lend a hand, share a good joke, poke a little fun and spread his zest for life and, yes, the town that he loved.

The man who was known as a good neighbor to the entire borough also believed in paying it forward; and he did just that.

Thank you to neighbor Chum Chandler. People are paying your message forward.

 

 

Schools Scene

RFH Wins 3rd Place in ‘Robot Challenge’

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Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) students recently took the NJ Coast IEEE Robot Challenge and won third place.

Seven teams, 28 students, from RFH competed in the May 2 challenge at Brookdale Community College with Team Starlords taking the third place out of 40 teams from 15 New Jersey high schools.

Continue reading RFH Wins 3rd Place in ‘Robot Challenge’ →

Crime, Police and Fire

Man Arrested on Warrant for Aggravated Assault; $75K Bail

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The following recent arrests made on contempt of court charges were reported by Middletown police.

• Jonathan Rocha, 28, of Arvin Road in Old Bridge, was arrested on April 30 by Patrolman Adam Vendetti on a warrant out of Old Bridge for aggravated assault charges.

He was held on $75,000 bail.

• Harold Johnson, 33, of Sherman Avenue in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on April 24 by Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia on contempt of court warrants issued by Hazlet, Middletown, Red Bank and Holmdel municipal courts.

He was released after posting $5,269 bail.

Continue reading Man Arrested on Warrant for Aggravated Assault; $75K Bail →

Local Life, Opinion

Rewind to Good Neighbor Ken Lockwood

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Ken Lockwood at his 90th birthday party in 2012 Photo/Elaine Van Develde
Ken Lockwood at his 90th birthday party in 2012
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

It’s spring. Block party time has come.

And, with the advent of that sort of celebration of a neighborhood, we at Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect are taking a look back at good neighbors.

So, we’re kicking off what will be a daily ode with our Retro Pic of the Day honoring Ken Lockwood.

Lockwood lived in Fair Haven for 88 years, nearly as long as the borough’s existence. He moved to Fair Haven at the age of 2 and is now 93.

Continue reading Rewind to Good Neighbor Ken Lockwood →

Obituaries

Friday, Saturday Services Set for Fair Haven’s Ray Miller

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Longtime Fair Havenite and 60-year Exxon station owner/operator Raymond J. Miller passed away at his Middletown home on May 10. He was 92.

Born and raised in Bound Brook, Ray graduated from Bound Brook High school in 1940. After high school, he worked at Calco Chemical as a mill right then as a pipefitter.

Continue reading Friday, Saturday Services Set for Fair Haven’s Ray Miller →

Police and Fire

Police: Area Man Arrested on Burglary, Assault, Endangerment, Drug Charges; $250K Bail

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

• Gwen Daly, 34, of Fourth Street in Highlands, was arrested on April 27 by Patrolman Thomas Hughes of the Anti-Crime Unit and charged with providing false information to a police officer.

She was released pending a court date.

• Xavier Williams, 45, of Hopping Road in the Belford section of Middletown, was arrested on April 29 by Patrolman Scott Davis and charged with simple assault.

He was released pending a court date.

Continue reading Police: Area Man Arrested on Burglary, Assault, Endangerment, Drug Charges; $250K Bail →

Local Life, Obituaries, Opinion

Retro Fair Haven Exxon Icon Ray Miller

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Ray Miller at his Exxon station at the corner of River Road and Smith Street Photo/courtesy of Peggy Miller
Ray Miller at his Exxon station at the corner of River Road and Smith Street
Photo/courtesy of Peggy Miller

By Elaine Van Develde

Another Fair Haven icon has passed.

Ray Miller, a pioneer of Fair Haven small business and longtime community friend, died at 92 on Sunday.

So, we honor him today in our Retro Pic of the Day, courtesy of his daughter Peggy.

This day-in-a-life shot gives a focused picture of the Ray Miller so many knew back in the day. Gravelly voice curmudgeon-like manner always at a “high test” premium, there were countless memorable  visits made by many a youngster and their parents to Ray Miller’s Exxon at the corner of River Road and Smith Street — even if you knew you might get a scolding.

Continue reading Retro Fair Haven Exxon Icon Ray Miller →

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files

Fair Haven Police Chief & Officers Hit Destination in Police Unity Tour

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NJ Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge and Mayor Ben Lucarelli at the start of the Police Unity Tour in Red Bank on May 9. Photo/courtesy of Ben Lucarelli
NJ Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge and Mayor Ben Lucarelli at the start of the Police Unity Tour in Red Bank on May 9.
Photo/courtesy of Ben Lucarelli

By Elaine Van Develde

They rolled out of Red Bank on May 9 and rolled into Washington D.C. today.

Fair Haven Police Chief Darryl Breckenridge, Cpl. John Waltz and Patrolman Dwayne Reevey, part of the Chapter 10 group of Monmouth County cops in the “ride for those who died” — the Police Unity Tour — reached their destination at about 3 p.m., the Fair Haven PBA Local 184 announced.

The bike ride, which spanned roughly 230 miles for Chapter 10, began in 1997 with 18 riders, was designed to inspire “public awareness of of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and (to) honor their sacrifices” and raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum at the D.C. destination.

The Unity Tour, as of last year, had raised about $16 million. Nearly 20,000 officers who died in the line of duty are memorialized at the Washington site.

“Congratulations are in order for Chief Darryl Breckenridge, Cpl. John Waltz and Ptl. Dwayne Reevey on completing the journey! Well done!” the post on the Fair Haven PBA Facebook page said.

Yes, congrats to all!

Crime, News

Alleged Drug Traffickers Admit to Heroin Dealing Conspiracy

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A press release from the Office of U.S. Attorney, Paul J. Fishman:

Two members of a large-scale drug trafficking organization Monday admitted conspiring to distribute heroin in Monmouth and Ocean counties, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Robert Ketcham, 28, of Bayville, and Kenneth Greenhow, 41, of Asbury Park, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to separate information charging them each with one count of conspiring to distribute heroin.

In March 2014, 21 alleged members of the Britt-Young DTO, a drug trafficking organization named after its leaders, Robert Britt and Rufus Young, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute heroin. Of those 21 individuals, 14 have pleaded guilty.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Between February 2013 and December 2013, Ketcham conspired with Young and others to distribute heroin in Ocean and Monmouth counties as part of the Britt-Young DTO.

From October 2013 through March 2014, Greenhow also conspired with Young and others to distribute heroin on behalf of the Britt-Young DTO. Ketcham and Greenhow were collectively responsible for distributing between 60 and 100 grams of heroin.

The narcotics conspiracy charge to which Ketcham and Greenhow pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and $1 million fine. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, Red Bank Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, with the investigation leading to Monday’s guilty pleas.

Fair Haven Police and Fire Files, Police and Fire

Fair Haven Police Beat: Theft, Tax Fraud, DUI & More

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Fair Haven police reported the following April arrests and incidents. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

• An Oxford Avenue resident reported on April 3 that someone had attempted to defraud them through a PayPal account.

Patrolman John Koetzner took the report.

• Janienn Dastagirzada, 32, of Red Bank, was arrested on April 9 after an active traffic warrant for her arrest was located during a call for service.

She was released after posting full cash bail. Detective Stephen Schneider made the arrest.

• Mark Maroney, 38, of the Locust section of Middletown, was arrested on April 11 and charged with driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, speeding and refusal to submit to chemical testing of his breath following a traffic stop for speeding.

Patrolman William Lagrotteria made the arrest. Maroney was released pending a court appearance at Fair Haven Municipal Court.

• A Parker Avenue resident reported the theft of a cell phone on April 13.

Patrolman Christian Hostrup took the report.

• A Spruce Drive resident on April 13 reported that an unknown person had filed a fraudulent tax return using the victim’s social security number.

Patrolman John Koetzner took the report.

• A Cambridge Avenue resident reported on April 16 that an unknown person had filed a fraudulent tax return using the victim’s social security number.

Cpl. John Waltz took the report.

• William Crawford, 22, of Long Branch, was arrested on April 17 and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) following a motor vehicle stop. Crawford also received citations for failure to maintain lane, and reckless driving.

Special Officer Brooks Robinson made the arrest. Crawford  was released pending a Fair Haven Municipal Court appearance.

• A Church Street resident reported on April 23 the theft of copper piping from his  residence’s A/C unit.

Patrolman Eric Patton took the report.

• Alan Sharpiro, 46, of Rumson, was arrested on April 26 after an active warrant was located during a traffic stop. Sharpiro was transported to headquarters where he was processed and later released after posting full cash bail.

Special Officer Brooks Robinson made the arrest.

• A Navesink Avenue resident on April 28 reported the theft of a plastic pipe from his property.

Patrolman Eric Patton took the report and is investigating.

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Fair Haven Schools Students Make Their Mark with Art

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The following is an edited press release from the Fair Haven School District:

Make Your Mark was the theme of the Fair Haven School District Art Show, featuring more than 1,000 pieces of original art.

“The art show is a great way to celebrate student talents and diverse ideas,” Knollwood School Art Teacher Kelly Fogas said. “The displayed works and items created throughout the year show the growth of artistic ability, conceptualization, and eagerness in our students.”

Students in Kindergarten through third grade at Viola L. Sickles School and in fourth through eighth grade at Knollwood School each contributed at least one project for display at the show on April 14.

This year’s show represented the district’s implementation of new standards in the Visual Arts program.

Those standards focus on essential questions to help develop both critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Fair Haven Visual Arts students are encouraged to create, present, respond, and connect their artwork to ideas that have personal meaning. This was reflected in the context of each of the displayed pieces.

Featured at the Art Show this year was a ceramics wheel and the Knollwood students’ creations from its use. The wheel was acquired as the result of a grant requested by and awarded to the Knollwood School Art Teachers by the Fair Haven Parent Teacher Association.

Also on display at the show was a variety of drawings and paintings as well as paper, wood and ceramic sculptures.

Fair Haven School District Art Teachers are: RoseAnn LaBrocca K-3, Viola L. Sickles School; Kelly Fogas grades 4 to 8, Knollwood School; and Chris Dudick, 5th and 8th grades, Knollwood School.

Art Show coordinators were Stephanie Bates and Marisa Coar.

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