RED BANK: COP AIDED EVENTUAL VICTIM

Jun 8, 2020

Patrolman Stan Balmer, at right, with a State Trooper on the Parkway early on the morning of May 23. (Screenshot from release by New Jersey Attorney General. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A Red Bank cop came to the aid of stranded motorist last month in the first of a series of related encounters between police and the driver, who was later shot dead by a State Trooper, authorities said Monday.

Patrolman Stan Balmer, who leads one of the borough’s two K9 teams, was off-duty and enroute home following his shift when he came upon a car broken down in the center lane of the Garden State Parkway in Brick Township on May 23, according to Chief Darren McConnell.

June 8, 2020 - 7:36 pm |

RED BANK: K9 TEAM COMPETES IN PRIMETIME

Feb 24, 2020

Patrolman Stan Balmer and Hunter running drills in Marine Park in January. (Photo by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge.)

One of Red Bank’s two police K9 teams will get a national spotlight this week when it competes in an obstacle-filled challenge on the A&E program ‘America’s Top Dogs.’

February 24, 2020 - 9:35 am |

RED BANK: K9 VEST, MAYOR’S BALL, PINS

Sep 18, 2018

Eko, one of two canine members of the Red Bank police force, has a new ballistic vest, courtesy of the Elks. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

The Red Bank mayor and council were in an appreciative mood last Wednesday, spotlighting good works by three charitable organizations.

And the town now has an official lapel pin. Read on for details.

September 18, 2018 - 8:25 am |

RED BANK: MENNA TUGS REINS ON HORSES

Feb 15, 2018

Prince, from Dream Horse Carriage Rides, pulls a carriage through downtown Red Bank in 2014. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Mayor Pasquale Menna thinks having horses pull tourist carriages through downtown Red Bank during the Christmas holiday season is “inhumane.”

He said so at Wednesday night’s semimonthly council meeting, when he formally appointed an Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and asked that it look into ending the annual rides.

What does the owner of the horses think?

“Oh, not this idiocy again,” said Tania Lawson, owner of Dream Horse Carriage Rides in Jackson Township.

February 15, 2018 - 12:00 pm |

RED BANK: CATCH TO TAKE GOTHAM SPACE

Aug 11, 2017

Catch will relocate from its present spot at 9 Broad Street to the home of Gotham, five doors away, and will be replaced by a Mexican restaurant. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

This edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn has a plateful of news from the Red Bank food scene, with two food-related businesses closing, one moving and another opening.

Also: pet acupuncture.

August 11, 2017 - 10:36 am |

RED BANK: RETHINKING ALL OF MARINE PARK

Jun 30, 2016

Longtime Red Bank clay courts tennis pro Rich Nicoletti on the site of the dormant riverfront facility earlier this month. The Monmouth Boat Club is in the background. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

This time of year, scuffing footwork and the thwok of tennis balls would normally be heard most summer mornings down by the Navesink River in Red Bank’s Marine Park, widely considered nirvana among aficionados for its unusual red clay courts.

It was certainly that for Rich Nicoletti, who grew up in an apartment above what’s now the Downtown nightclub just up the hill, and spent decades as the tennis pro at the borough-owned facility.

“These tennis courts were a gem,” said the retired sports journalist, who at 73 estimates he’s spent fully one-quarter of his life at the site. “It was beautiful.”

But 86 years after they opened, the courts may have seen their last match.

June 30, 2016 - 8:29 am |

RED BANK: TENNIS FANS MUSTER FOR COURTS

Nov 10, 2015

The tennis courts, overgrown with weeds since being swamped by Hurricane Sandy three years ago, got a sprucing-up from the borough last week. (Photo by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

As expected, the Red Bank council derailed an ambitious plan for $3.5 million worth of private development on the site of the borough-owned red clay tennis courts in Marine Park Monday night.

Still, a roomful of frustrated tennis enthusiasts packed the council chambers, many of them holding paper signs urging the council to now restore the hurricane-damaged riverfront courts to playability.

November 10, 2015 - 8:12 am |

RED BANK: MARINE PARK PROJECTS NIXED

Nov 3, 2015

The clay tennis courts at Marine Park as seen in August. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

All three private-sector proposals for the future of Red Bank’s hurricane-damaged Marine Park clay tennis courts should be rejected, a triumverate of borough council members is expected to say in a report next week.

The recommendation to the full council is being made in spite of the fact that one pitch, by startup Jetsun Enterprises, was far and away the winner on paper. But in the court of public opinion, it was over the line, Councilwoman Linda Schwabenbauer told redbankgreen on Monday.

November 3, 2015 - 10:18 am |

RED BANK: BURNHAM BLASTS PARK DELAY

Sep 24, 2015

The clay tennis courts at Marine Park as seen last month. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Five months after three proposals were submitted, the Red Bank council has yet to receive a recommendation on the future of the hurricane-damaged Marine Park clay tennis courts, and may not get one before election day.

That has Republican Councilwoman Cindy Burnham — who redbankgreen has learned was chastised behind closed doors by her colleagues for saying too much about the issue — ramping up her complaints that there’s something “fishy” going on.

September 24, 2015 - 3:01 pm |

RED BANK: COUNCIL GIRDS FOR POSSIBLE SUIT

Sep 10, 2015

The clay tennis courts at Marine Park as seen last month, above. Below, an architect’s depiction of the proposed Red Bank Harbor plan. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s mayor and council held a closed-door meeting Wednesday night to discuss potential litigation over the process that could lead to a makeover of the hurricane-damaged clay tennis courts in Marine Park.

Mayor Pasquale Menna told redbankgreen shortly beforehand that the topics to be discussed by the governing body in executive session included “possible litigation” concerning the tennis court site, though he declined to be more specific.

September 10, 2015 - 11:49 am |

RED BANK: JETSUN DEFENDS PROPOSAL

Aug 12, 2015

A rendering by architect Mike Simpson of the Red Bank Harbor proposal, as seen from the horseshoe marina at Marine Park. Below, Jetsun principals Doug Booton, Michael Hernandez and Anthony Jude Setaro at the Red Bank Mayor’s Charity Ball in May. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Jetsun Enterprises is not proposing a “Coney Island” in Marine Park, the startup developer said Tuesday night, in response to criticism by Red Bank Councilman Mike DuPont and comments posted on redbankgreen.

“Comparing our proposal to any large theme park such as Coney Island or Seaside is both illogical and irresponsible,” Jetsun said in a press release. “We are offering small recreational activities for families, not building rollercoasters and ferris wheels. We are extending the existing promenade, not constructing a boardwalk.” More →

August 12, 2015 - 8:00 am |

RED BANK: DUPONT ZAPS JETSUN PROPOSAL

Aug 11, 2015

The red clay courts, idled since Hurricane Sandy, as seen from the Monmouth Boat Club next door. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank Councilman Mike DuPont has signaled he will oppose a proposal for a privately owned recreational center on the site of the borough’s riverfront tennis courts in Marine Park.

Calling the proposal, by Jetsun Enterprises, “10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound bag,” DuPont wrote in a letter that it “puts every imaginable use down at Marine Park with the exception of not having a ferris wheel” and could turn Red Bank into “Coney Island South.”

August 11, 2015 - 7:00 am |

RED BANK: ACTION EXPECTED ON COURT PLANS

Jul 24, 2015

Wondering about the fate of Red Bank’s clay tennis courts in Marine Park, and whether they’ll be saved or replaced by either of two competing proposals to develop the waterfront site?

After nearly two months of silence, the borough parks and rec committee is expected to discuss the issue Monday night, when it could issue its non-binding recommendation to a trio of council members – Linda Schwabenbauer, Kathy Horgan and Ed Zipprich.

The councilmembers, in turn, are expected to meet Tuesday night in a closed session to “score” three proposals, one of which calls for keeping the courts, according to criteria set out in bids. They’ll also weigh comments made at a public forum held in May and afterward, said Schwabenbauer, who expects the committee to make a recommendation to the full governing body by the end of August, she said Wednesday. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

July 24, 2015 - 2:00 pm |

RED BANK: TENNIS COURT IDEAS VOLLEYED

May 29, 2015

An exhibit showed the layout of the Jetsun proposal superimposed an aerial view of the park. Below, MPAC principals Phil Flego, Gayle Horvath and Sandy Talarico make their pitch. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

What should be done with the hurricane-damaged red clay tennis courts at Red Bank’s riverfront Marine Park?

For almost three hours Thursday night, area residents offered opinions and teased out details of three formal proposals: one that calls for restoring the courts with a $500,000 donation by a Locust resident, and two that envision real estate development of river-oriented activity centers.

Each had its advocates and opponents, and none appeared to have won the hearts of all 120 people in attendance.

May 29, 2015 - 8:00 am |

RED BANK PUTTING COURT PLANS INTO PLAY

May 19, 2015

The courts haven’t been playable since they were swamped by the Navesink River during Hurricane Sandy in October, 2012. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Three proposals for the future of Red Bank’s red clay tennis courts in Marine Park are scheduled for public airing later this month.

The borough council will hold a special meeting on Thursday, May 28, at the Red Bank Middle School for presentations of the three plans. Two of them include ambitious real estate development and river-oriented activities, while the third aims to keep the site as a tennis facility.

May 19, 2015 - 9:30 am |

RED BANK: CLASSIC BOATHOUSE PROPOSED

Apr 16, 2015

A rendering of the proposed Marine Park Activity Center shows the existing Monmouth Boat Club at right. (Rendering by Katie Osepchuk. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

One of three proposed plans for the reuse Red Bank’s dormant clay tennis courts calls for the construction of a classic boathouse topped by a catering hall on the Navesink River in Marine Park.

The project, dubbed the Marine Park Activity Center, reflects the traditional river-oriented focus of two groups – Navesink River Rowing club and the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association – anchored by a structure similar to boathouses in West Windsor and Camden, its proponents said.

redbankgreen detailed another of the three plans, called Red Bank Harbor, on Wednesday. The third proposal consists solely of an individual’s offer to donate $500,000 to the borough for the restoration of the site as a red-clay tennis facility, redbankgreen has learned.

April 16, 2015 - 12:00 pm |

RED BANK: RIVERFRONT REC CENTER PROPOSED

Apr 15, 2015

Renderings of the proposed Red Bank Harbor plan filed with the borough government on Wednesday. The horseshoe-shaped borough marina is in the foreground above. (Drawings by S.O.M.E. Architects. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Vastly eclipsing the concept of a mere dog run, a startup development firm has proposed the creation of a privately funded, $3.5 million recreation facility on the site of Red Bank’s borough-owned red clay tennis courts in Marine Park, redbankgreen has learned.

Dubbed Red Bank Harbor, the plan drafted by Jetsun Enterprises and filed at borough hall on Wednesday calls for the creation of an enclosed visitors’ center along with an 18-hole miniature golf course, a synthetic ice rink, a boathouse for rental of paddleboats and kayaks, and a concession stand in the park, which fronts on the Navesink River.

April 15, 2015 - 1:12 pm |

RED BANK: TENNIS COURTS? YOUR SERVE.

Mar 20, 2015

Do you have an idea and viable plan for the use of Red Bank’s 74-year-old red-clay tennis courts?

The riverfront facility in Marine Park, out of action since it was wrecked by Hurricane Sandy, are the subject of a request for proposals released Thursday. So far, talk has included restoration of the courts, turning at least two of the courts into a dog run, and a wholesale repurposing of the site as a multiuse, water-oriented recreation facility.

The deadline for submissions is 10 a.m. on April 15. Here’s the 165-page submission packet: RB RFP 032015. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

March 20, 2015 - 12:13 pm |

RED BANK: PROPOSED LAW EYES DOG NEGLECT

Feb 26, 2015

The ordinance, championed by Mayor Pasquale Menna, below, addresses tethering of dogs and other issues. (Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna wants to put more teeth into the borough’s protection of dogs.

The mayor, whose canine companion of 14 years died last month, introduced a proposed ordinance Wednesday night that he said would make it easier to prosecute those who neglect dogs by leaving them tied up for hours, or with heavy tethers, or when the weather is “extraordinarily cold or extraordinarily warm.”

February 26, 2015 - 11:41 am |

RED BANK AGENDA: CABS, DOGS & PARKING

Feb 25, 2015

Parking in front of these businesses and others on Monmouth Street and Bridge Avenue would no longer be free if an ordinance up for introduction Wednesday wins approval. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

[This article has been updated since it was originally posted to reflect the contents of proposed ordinances.]

By JOHN T. WARD

The agenda for Wednesday night’s bimonthly meeting of the Red Bank Council is a busy one, with a handful of proposed changes to borough laws.

Here’s what’s on the draft agenda.

February 25, 2015 - 11:31 am |

RED BANK: TENNIS COURTS MAY GET BOUNCED

Feb 24, 2015

The courts, which adjoin the privately owned Monmouth Boat Club, center, haven’t been playable since Hurricane Sandy. Below, the principals of Jetsun Enterprises – Anthony Jude Setaro, Michael Hernandez and Doug Booton – want to develop the site for new recreational uses. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s 74-year-old red-clay tennis courts, out of action since they were damaged by Hurricane Sandy 28 months ago, may be turned into a dog run, at least short-term.

Longer-term, a trio of thirty-something locals hopes to transform the courts, which overlook the Navesink River from Marine Park, into a multiuse recreational facility that would, they say, put money into the town’s coffers.

Either way, the courts may have seen their last volley of tennis.

February 24, 2015 - 8:34 am |

RED BANK: DOGS, TENNIS & POLICING

Feb 19, 2015

Having held a Dog Days of Summer monthly event for two summers in a row, borough officials are now contemplating a year-round facility for dogs to play in. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

Should Red Bank establish a place for dogs to play? And if so, where?

And what should become of the borough’s red-clay tennis courts in Marine Park?

Those are among the questions on the table at a meeting scheduled for next week.

Another meeting, scheduled for later this week, concerns crime and community relations.

February 19, 2015 - 7:07 am |

RUMSON: BLESSING THE FURRY LITTLE ONES

Oct 6, 2014

Fifty-five dogs, a cat and a hamster sat obediently through a brief service at St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson before individual blessings by Reverend Ophelia Laughlin Sunday. Afterward, they were rewarded with biscuits, some in the shape of a cross.

“This is one of the most fun days of the year for me,” said Laughlin, the church rector. “Every being is one of God’s creatures.”

More photos below… (Photos by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge) More →

October 6, 2014 - 8:00 am |

CLIPPINGS: HOT, STICKY, LICKY BESTIES

Jul 23, 2014

Gee whiz, you’d think they were besties or something. Scenes from the latest edition of Red Bank’s Dog Days of Summer series, held Tuesday night. The next one is scheduled for August 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monmouth Street. (Video by Gerda Liebmann. Click to pause.)

Check out all the Clippings from the Green here.

July 23, 2014 - 4:00 pm |

RED BANK: A NEW BREED OF NETWORKING

Jun 16, 2014

The Dog Days of Summer are back, as the monthly promotion for four-legged visitors (and their human handlers) returns to Monmouth Street on Tuesday evening.

When the idea was first floated last year, Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna called the promotion known as Dog Days of Summer “a great community-building event…I think it’s going to put us on the map.”

Beginning tomorrow, June 17, and continuing on the third Tuesday of July and August, the Dog Days event finds Monmouth Street closed between Broad Street and Drummond Place from 6 to 9 pm. It’s an interlude in which dog-friendly downtown businesses — identified by the pawprint decal in their window — welcome four-legged visitors and their human personal assistants to enjoy tabletop takeout dining, grooming options, and other pet related products and services (doggie wear, treats, pet accessories and more).

June 16, 2014 - 12:00 pm |

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Upcoming Events

Fri 09

RED BANK: DANCE FITNESS WITH ERYKA AT LIBRARY

June 9, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Fri 09

RED BANK: AME ZION HOSTS ‘FAMILY & FRIENDS’

June 9, 7:00 pm

Sat 10

RED BANK: DOG ADOPTION DAY

June 10, 10:00 am

Sat 10

RED BANK: YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEER

June 10, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Sat 10

RED BANK: RACE AND DIVERSITY

June 10, 11:30 am

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