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The federal Securities and Exchange Commission alleges a Little Silver man stole $9 million from a health and education charity set up with funds from a late client of his financial advisory services, according to a news release issued by the agency last week.
In a parallel action, the Manhattan District Attorney filed criminal charges against John Rogicki, the SEC said.
The heirs of manufacturer Sigmund Eisner donated his West Front Street mansion to the library, which opened there on April 15, 1937. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Continuing its comeback from a period of drastic retrenchment, the Red Bank Public Library plans a celebration of the borough’s past Saturday with the reopening of the Local History Room, which was put off-limits due to staff cuts three years ago.
The second-floor room’s return to part-time action is one piece of a daylong schedule of events to mark the institution’s 80th year in its home overlooking our beautiful Navesink River.
The Red Bank Public Library, now marking 80 years in the former home of industrialist Sigmund Eisner, put together this video look-back at 2016.
Meantime, the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library is in the midst of a drive aiming to raise $20,000 for the pursuit of five specific goals. Donations may be made in person at the library, by mail, or online here. (Click to enlarge)
Trustees of the library say local taxpayers would still have to foot the cost of the borough facility on West Front Street, above, with access to fewer resources from Monmouth County. (Photo above by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
The question pops up periodically, and did so several times last year in a user survey: would Red Bankers be better off if their library was part of the Monmouth County library system?
According to the Red Bank Public Library’s trustees, the answer is “no,” and it’s not a close call.
Through his foundation, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner below, has pledged $50,000 to the library that bears his family’s name. (Photo above by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
(Press release from the Red Bank Public Library)
The Eisner Memorial Red Bank Public Library started 2016 with a nice surprise: a letter notifying Director Elizabeth McDermott of a five-year, $50,000 donation to the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library from the Eisner Foundation.
This is the largest donation yet received by the library foundation, with $10,000 being donated annually for five years.
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Seven months after a mass resignation of board members in a budget dispute, the Red Bank Public Library hosted a wine-tasting fundraiser to signal it is back on track to eventual full restoration of hours of operation and services Tuesday night.
The event, hosted by the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library, featured culinary offerings from a number of borough eateries and treateries, including Faustini Wines, the Melting Pot, Readie’s Café and Sugarush cupcakes. (Photos by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)
The event, to benefit educational programs, takes place at Fair Haven’s Raven and the Peach restaurant.
Press release from Rumson-Fair Haven High School Foundation
Rumson-Fair Haven High School Foundation, a non-profit organization of parents and faculty which supports educational programs at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, has announced that tickets are on sale for its annual Fall Gathering fundraiser on Thursday, October 25.
Scheduled from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Fair Haven’s Raven and the Peach Restaurant on River Road, the event will include hors d’oeuvres, musical entertainment and chance prizes, with all proceeds dedicated to funding projects and grants that will enrich the high school education program — with field trips, transportation costs, auxiliary classroom equipment, speakers and presentations just a few of the various items granted through the Foundation.
Old-style bluesman Juke Joint Jonny brings his 12-string, steel and dreadnought guitars to the Woman’s Club of Red Bank for the next in the monthly series of Reckless Steamy Nights Friday at 8:30 p.m.
The requested $10 donation benefits the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation scholarship funds. Refreshments are available and BYOB is AOK.
Library programs have been canceled in the wake of layoffs. (File photo. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Following a layoff that eliminated half the staff at the Red Bank Public Library earlier this week, the facility has cancelled all children’s story times and other kids’ programming and won’t open this Saturday, when a much-anticipated book reading was scheduled.
Laid-off children’s librarian Sira Williams embraces colleague Jane Eigenrauch after Wednesday night’s council meeting. (Photos by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Hours after more than half the staff of the Red Bank Public Library was laid off, supporters packed a borough council meeting Wednesday night demanding a financial fix that would maintain the 77-year-old institution’s hours, programming and jobs.
Taking turns at a microphone to recall their own childhood days at the library or of watching their children learn to read there, a string of speakers pressed the council on how the library could find itself facing an estimated $131,000 operating deficit this year, and what the governing body planned to do about it.
“I can’t believe a town as wonderful as ours is facing this crisis,” said Sally Gordon or Windward Way, noting that Red Bank’s cultural assets led to its selection by Smithsonian Magazine as the third-best town in America in 2012. “I urge you, because you have the knowledge and the power, to figure out how we can get past this crisis.”
A meeting of the Red Bank library board in the former living room of the Eisner family last month. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
The Red Bank Public Library has put its entire staff on notice of possible layoffs in the face of a looming budget shortfall.
Library director Virginia Papandrea confirmed to redbankgreen Tuesday morning that all 10 staffers, including three part-timers, were advised by letter dated Friday that they could be laid off unless the facility can fill an operating budget shortfall estimated at $131,000.
The move comes as the library faces a whopping payout of more than $70,000 in unused sick time to a retiring employee and a drop in the sum that the borough is obligated under state statute to pay into the facility from property tax collections.
Dozens of supporters of the Red Bank Public Library – including children’s authors John Grandits and Elise Primavera, above – turned out Tuesday night for a wine-and-cheeser to launch the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library, an initiative to secure big-dollar support for the facility, which was once the home of uniform manufacturer Sigmund Eisner.
“The Eisners must have entertained a lot here,” said library board member Audrey Oldoerp, at right, “because this place was made for partying.” (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
Kristy Niro and Stephen Catania finalize the wine and cheese pairings for tonight’s event at the Red Bank Public Library, below. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)
By JIM WILLIS
Hunting for a few good wines to serve over the holidays can be a challenge, but expert help is available tonight at the Red Bank Public Library.
The Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library is holding a holiday wine tasting benefit from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the West Front Street facility.
“There are so many things going on on the Thanksgiving table,” says Kristy Niro of Rumson, aka the Cork Maven. “People can have a difficult time finding a wine that’s going to go with the turkey but not going to clash with their wild mushroom barley stuffing or their cranberry dish.”
Guests will be able to sample four holiday wine suggestions and some expertly paired cheeses as well.
A nonprofit organization will serve as the fundraising arm for the historic site, which dates back almost 350 years. (Click to enlarge)
By ALEXIS ORLACCHIO
A charitable corporation has been formed to help carry out plans to run Little Silver’s historic Parker Homestead as an educational facility, according to borough officials.
The plan is for a foundation to raise funds to carry out the Parker Homestead mission, said Councilman Dan O’Hern.
Shoppers at this weekend’s Red Bank Sidewalk Sale have reported getting hit up for donations by a woman misrepresenting herself. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Officials are warning Red Bank shoppers and merchants not to fall for a pitch from a woman who claims to be soliciting funds for a local music foundation.
Gene Horowitz soliciting donations for the Red Bank Middle School Foundation from downtown businesses last month. (Click to enlarge)
By DANIELLE TEPPER
Two years ago, amid some serious belt-tightening, the decision to eliminate all sports funding from the Red Bank Middle School budget came as a shock to Gene Horowitz, whose older son was looking forward to playing baseball that spring.
In order to correct what he saw as an injustice to the kids, Horowitz, of Branch Avenue, reached out to members of the community to brainstorm about what could be done. The result was the creation of the non-profit RBMS Athletics Foundation.
One night last month, Horowitz, an 18-year Red Bank resident who has fourth- and seventh-graders in the school, appeared before the mayor and borough council to recap the success of the foundation and to thank those who helped make it happen.
“This year, we actually had all our teams funded,” Horowitz said. “But we know that’s not a given.”