Students Raise Over $77K For Cancer Society

Monmouth Commerce Center Out –What’s In?

By Stephanie Faughnan

HOWELL – In a surprising turn of events, the application for Monmouth Commerce Center’s warehouse complex on Randolph Road has been officially withdrawn.

By Alyssa Riccardi HOWELL – Students at Howell

High School over $77,000 at the annual Relay for Life event, achieving the eighth highest amount in the nation. On June 9, students, staff and members of the Howell community came together to “Relay in your

PJs” to celebrate survivors and caregivers and to remember those that have passed from cancer.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is “the world’s largest and most impactful fundraising event to end cancer. It unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to fi nish the fight once and for all,” according to organizers.

This year’s event included musical chairs, a spike ball bracket, karaoke, Zumba, a lip sync battle as well as some on-site fundraisers.

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Monmouth County Fair Returning With New Acts

By Alyssa Riccardi

FREEHOLD – From opening night fireworks to a pie-eating contest, enjoy five days of exciting entertainment at the 48th Annual Monmouth County Fair, running from July 26 through 30.

The Monmouth County Fair is held at East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road in Freehold.

Fair hours are:

• 4 to 11 p.m. on July 26 through 28

• 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 29

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 30

Admission is $8 per person; children 12 and under are free.

Veterans and active military with ID also enter for free. On Sunday, seniors 65 and older and students with ID are free.

This year’s event will feature new acts including the Flying Fools High Diving Show, which features acrobatic divers jumping from great heights into a 10’ deep pool. Another newcomer is Aaron Bonk’s Fire, Whips & Danger Tricks, which showcases death-defying stunts, comedy, fi re, whip-cracking danger and juggling.

The Fair also welcomes Jer- sey-based brass band Ocean Avenue Stompers, performing Wednesday, and Team Penning Qualifying Event hosted by RSTPA (Ranch Sorting Team Penning Association) on Thursday.

Returning entertainment includes Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Bwana Jim Wildlife Show, The Raptor Project,

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A letter from the developer’s attorney addressed to the Planning Board provided a straightforward explanation regarding the decision to abandon the proposed project.

“The applicant, Monmouth Commerce Center, LLC, no longer has a proprietary interest in the subject property after recently selling the property,” wrote Attorney Mer yl A. G. Gonchar.

In her correspondence, Gonchar refrained from disclosing the identity of the new property owner. Despite requests for comment, Gonchar remained unresponsive to discuss the changes. The undisclosed details have sparked a sense of intrigue surrounding the future of the site, situated at the intersection of Randolph Road and Glenn Oak Road.

According to a thorough examination of public property records, Todd Katz and Gary Katz, c/o Executors of Lawrence Katz and Felix Pflaster’s estates, transferred ownership of the property on May 19, 2023. The official deed, executed on that particular date, identifies 25/29 Stults, LLC as the recipient of the property, with a purchase price of $12 million.

A little more than a month later, on June 29, 2023, an open public records search lists

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One touching moment during every Relay is the luminary ceremony, where lanterns are lit to remember loved ones.

Nearly 30 teams from Howell High School participated, raising a grand total of $77,440 - and they are still actively collecting donations.

“I relay because I cannot remember a time in my life where someone close to me didn’t have cancer,” junior Hannah Timpanaro said. “I want to bring hope to those currently fighting this terrible disease. No one should have to watch the people they love have cancer. I relay so that one day nobody has to worry about their loved one’s diagnosis, with the hope that one day we will live in a world where nobody’s life is controlled by cancer.”

“I relay for a world without cancer. For those who have fought and won their battle to cancer and those who have fought and unfortunately lost their battle,” Junior Lucrezia Tranchina said. “I relay for a world that there is no battle. I relay for my grandmother who has won her battle to breast cancer twice, my grandfather who lost his battle to esophageal cancer, and in honor of everyone else fighting cancer.”

Team “The Miracle Makers” with team captains Elizabeth Bruce, Sienna Loughlin, and Sabrina Weiss, had 15 members and was the #1 team raising $9,328.

Alongside team “The Miracle Makers” the top ten teams were:

• Second: Cancer Kickers raising $9,070

• Third: Battling Butterflies raising $8,025

• Fourth: Keep The Faith raising $7,200

• Fifth: The Notorious C.U.R.E. raising $5,193

• Sixth: Answer For Cancer raising $4,874

• Seventh: The Tumorators raising $3,975

• Eighth: Pirates of the Cureibbian raising $3,318

• Ninth: Boots and Battles raising $3,244

• Tenth: Caseys For A Cure raising $2,910

“The Relay for Life annual event at Howell High School defines what #WeAre all about. Student leaders work tirelessly throughout the year to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. Our students at Howell High School - care and bring hope each year with a goal to fight against cancer,” Principal Jeremy Braverman said. “As the Principal of Howell High School I am so proud of our students volunteerism as well as their motivation to make our world a better place.”

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Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy, and Mutts Gone Nuts. The Fair will also feature Tommie Turvey’s Stunt Horses & Dogs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Rides are provided by Campy’s Blue Star Amusements, bringing thrills like “the Beast” which uses a claw to rotate riders through the air as their feet dangle below.

Fairgoers can purchase daily ride wristbands that allow them to enjoy unlimited rides during their visit. The cost per day for a wristband is $25 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; and $30 on Friday and Saturday. Note that rides are weather permitting.

The Monmouth County Fair also brings 4-H shows and exhibits, live music, strolling entertainment, the Home & Garden Competition, the New Jersey Fire Museum display, Touch-a-Truck, games, food and so much more!

The fair is presented by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners in cooperation with the Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth County 4-H Association.

For the most current information about the fair, visit MonmouthCountyFair.com or call 732-842-4000.

Howell Day & Green Fair

HOWELL – Save the date! Howell Day & Green Fair will be on September 23 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Soldier Memorial Park. Applications can be found at: twp.howell. nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/9083/Howell-Day-Vendor-Application-2023.

For more information, contact Steven Fecher Department of Community Relations at 732-938-4500 ext. 2106, sfecher@ twp.howell.nj.us.

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Continued From Page 1 a contract of sale from 25/29 Stults LLC to Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development LLC. No images of the documentation are available for review to determine the purchase price.

As recently as the planning board’s meeting on May 11, the Monmouth Commerce Center was listed on the agenda. The meeting was cancelled with residents expecting the application to be relisted in June.

According to Shawn Trahan, Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development Communications Director, Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development, LLC (MAOD’s) is a 50:50 joint venture with Shell New Energies US, LLC and EDF Renewables North America. Trahan acknowledged purchase of the land, but said the company does not supply comment on specific capital expenditures.

“I can tell you MAOD intends to use the parcel to construct electrical transmission infrastructure,” confi rmed Trahan. “With the guidance of PJM, MAOD was awarded scope by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in October 2022 to build the Larrabee Collector Station.

MAOD’s website boasts an objective of supporting New Jersey’s ambitious target of delivering 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035.

A November 2022 press release issued by Mid-Atlantic states that “power from offshore wind farms in central New Jersey will be delivered onshore to a collection point in Monmouth County.”

This initiative aligns with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU’s) award to Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), assigning them the responsibility of constructing the connection between clean energy generated by the state’s offshore wind farms and the power grid.

Documentation reviewed from the State Board of Public Utilities indicates authorization given to MAOD to construct a new substation near the current Larrabee Substation in the municipality. The BPU recognized that eventually, up to four OSW generators may be required to construct their converter stations in the area.

The State Board of Public Utilities has authorized Mid-Atlantic to construct a new substation near the current Larrabee Substation in the municipality. The BPU recognized that eventually, up to four OSW generators may be required to construct their converter stations in the area.

Meanwhile, government officials and local residents have applauded Monmouth Commerce Center’s decision to abandon the mega-warehouse proposal in Howell. The project, which faced substantial resistance, included a court battle.

“I have been fighting this project with many people since it was first proposed,” said Mayor Theresa Berger, a Democrat. “It was too big for that location and should never have been proposed for that spot.”

Berger said she voiced persisting concerns regarding the potential ripple effect the mega-warehouse proposal could have triggered throughout the town.

Members of Howell’s all Republican town council and former Deputy Mayor Pam Richmond sent separate press releases regarding Monmouth Commerce’s application withdrawal.

Both press releases contain similar language attributed to Planning Board Chairman Paul Boisvert, who commended the hard work of past and present members of the committee. They “tirelessly sat through hours of testimony and raised serious concerns regarding the proposed development” according to one press release.

“Despite criticism from a small group of activists, the Planning Board remains steadfast in its commitment to adhering to the law and conducting thorough research,” reads the press release shared by Richmond.

The planning board application for the Monmouth Commerce Center was initially submitted by property owners Lawrence Katz and Felix Pflaster in 2018. After their attempt to secure approval for 1.2 million square feet of warehouse space was turned down, the developers sued. Both the trial court and the appeals court upheld the planning board’s denial, marking a significant setback for the project.

Monmouth Commerce Center returned to the planning board last year, presenting a revised and scaled-down plan for property development. The modified proposal entailed a notable reduction of approximately 32 percent in the warehouse space, resulting in a total area of 940,400 square feet.

Although Howell recently passed new zoning laws that would have prohibited the scope of the project, Monmouth Commerce Center’s application came before the change.

Dawn Van Brunt lives immediately down the road from the site of the proposed project. She took on the fight herself against the application when plans for the mega-warehouse were announced.

“I’m very happy this project was withdrawn,” said Van Brunt. “I fought against it in 2019 and believe had I not hired a lawyer and traffic expert; it may have been approved.

“I’m thankful to the residents and officials who joined in the fight,” Van Brunt continued. “I wish the town had changed the zoning sooner to avoid this second go around.”

Van Brunt said that she has personally contacted Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development to learn more about their plans. She’s hopeful a portion of this wooded property near the watershed can be preserved.