Fear Overcomes Wisdom

Superintendent Healy made it very clear at last night's Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District board meeting that he feels that his job hangs in the balance when test scores fluctuate in district schools and he will therefore move heaven and earth to see that those statistics are favorable to his ongoing and prosperous employment. Board President Kenny then repeatedly told the public that his board would only consider 1) Mr Healy's presentation that night and 2) confidential discussions the board conducted in executive session when they voted on the personnel array later that evening.

After standing in the hallway for 2 1/2 hours listening first to Mr Healy and then to a long line of teachers, staff, parents, and other members of the public, I saw the writing on the wall and went home in disgust. Mr Kenny had outlined his guidance to the board on how they should weigh their vote, and it didn't include listening to the public. (Feel free to post a note if the outcome of the vote was unexpected.)

I've come to realize that emotion, not reason, moves today's agendas, and no amount of intellectual argument will change anything. Lies and misrepresentation can be exposed eloquently but to no avail. And poor decision making will never be amended or reversed as a result of well-timed guidance. The fearful, more prevalent than normal in these uncertain times, lust for power. They do not seek wisdom but comfort, and none can be found where they are looking.

History: Hurricane Donna Batters Bayshore, Sep 1960

The 15 Sep 1960 edition of The Matawan Journal includes a front page story about Hurricane Donna, which passed through the area that week. Below is a transcript of part of the article, including reporting on Matawan Township and the Borough.

I've included an unedited section of the article to show just how bad the optical character recognition (OCR) can be, even in a rather recent article like this. The poor quality is due in large part to scanning the microfilm instead of the original newspapers.

HURRICANE DONNA BATTERS BAYSHORE AREA

Bayshore area residents today are continuing to dig out from under the wreckage and debris caused in the span of six hours Monday when the full fury of Hurricane Donna, termed the nation's most destructive storm, howled and lashed the Raritan Bay area from Keansburg to Laurence Harbor.

Most severely hit by the hurricane, whose 80-mlle-an-hour winds struck the bayshore area at the time of peak high tides, were the communities that front on Raritan Bay, Keansburg, Union Beach, Keyport, Matawan Township and Madison Township.

Bay waters, lashed into tides ranging 10 feet above normal and heavy seas by the hurricane force winds, raged inland, causing thousands of persons to evacuate their homes. The bayshore area was left a scene of destruction and ruin. Damage to the area was estimated at several millions of dollars.

May Declare Emergency

Yesterday, mayors of bayshore communities met with Eugene N. Aloi, a member of the financial assistance division of the Federal Small Business Administration, to explain the need to declare the bayshore an emergency area.

Both Mayor James J. Gravany of Keansburg and Mayor Norman J. Currie, Keyport, presented a list of damages sustained in their respective municipalities. Congressman James C. Auchincloss met officials in Keansburg on a tour of the distressed areas.

If the bayshore qualifies for emergency assistance by the SBA, businessmen and homeowners, along with charitable institutions, may obtain loans at three per cent interest, payable over a 10-year period to repair damages wrought by the storm.

Matawan Township

Bayfront areas of Matawan Township took a battering from Hurricane Donna, especially in sections bordering Matawan Creek and in portions of Cliffwood Beach. During the worst of the hurricane, water was nine to 10 feet deep in the streets of Cliffwood Beach, police reported.

Damage in the beach area was estimated at more than $150,000. Ten families were evacuated from the waterfront area to the Cliffwood Fire House. Flooding in Cliffwood Beach reached all the way back to Greenwood Ave.

The storm lashed bay waters completely covered the roofs of the 180 unit colony of seacots facing the bay at Ciiffwood Beach and crashed through the rear of the Cat 'n Fiddle Restaurant, splitting the building in two. Police were stationed at the restaurant after looting was reported.

Boats Scattered In Road

Roy Matthew's Fishing station on Amboy Rd., at Matawan Creek filtered severe damage by winds and rain during the storm. Water boiled over the banks of the creek, inundating Matawan Rd. and scattering boats housed in the dockage area along the road and in the meadows.

Police set up a roadblock at the Matawan Creek bridge Monday night until boats could.be cleared. Police said the barn on the Joseph Grimaldi farm, off Lloyd Rd., was half torn down by Donna's winds.

Matawan

Falling trees, wind damage to homes and failing electrical and telephone lines comprised the greatest damage suffered by Matawan during Hurricane Donna. Many trees were felled and electric power was out during much of the day. The storm felled a wall at the sewage disposal plant and washed out 40 feet of sewer pipe.

There was flooding for about two hours on Aberdeen Road and Ravine Drive. A large tree crashed onto the grounds of the Matawan Grammar School on the Church Street side, tearing down a part of the cyclone fence.  Police said no one was injured.

----------------

Here is an example of the OCRing for this article.

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was necessary to evacuate about
lot) families. A relief Mutton was
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Fire House, anil (hu Red Cross u'[
up a relief stutlnn fur this evacticrii.
Storm driven waters of Hnrltan
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In' More.un IlrlJ|;c Inuntlalliilt tlio
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nnd highway taverns. flnrrlty'it
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unrfi'rmlfK'd hy the MirKJiif;
i and Iho htilldlnit, which IIIIU
withstood ni'vuri! sliiiini In pant
years, collnpsed.
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uf tho InwiiNlilp IncliKliil lulK'n
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willi ijuH'-'ini ul flivwllni: In imiuy
ties where-drains crailil not keep
up with lliu tntri'iitlul rnlii'. which
accompanied tin: storm.

Patricia O'Keefe Retires; New Principal Sought for Lloyd Road Elementary

The online podcast of the 27 June 2011 MARSD Board of Education meeting includes the following interesting pieces of information:

O'Keefe

• Ms Patricia O'Keefe has announced her retirement as Principal at the Lloyd Road Elementary School. (The job is already posted online.)
• The district has hired two new Vice Principals -- Mr Michael Wells at MRHS and Mr Mark Van Horn at MAMS. Mr Wells begins his duties 1 July 2011; Mr Van Horn on 1 August 2011.
• The Board has participated in two mediated sessions of negotiations with the Matawan Regional Teachers Association (MRTA), on 27 April and 6 June 2011, and plans to attend a third session on 8 August.
• The Superintendent of Schools and the Mayor of Matawan (on behalf of both Aberdeen and Matawan) each recognized Kathleen Eovino for her years of dedicated service to the community through her work in the school system and on the board of the Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library. The student representative likewise praised her service and thanked her on behalf of his fellow students. Ms Eovino, in turn, recognized the service of teachers in our district. She also recognized the library board for their efforts. She received a well deserved standing ovation from those in attendance.

MAMS Wins 1st in Academic Bowl

MAMS wins 1st place trophy at 2011 Goetz Academic Bowl

The Matawan Aberdeen Middle School 7th graders took first place honors at the 19th Annual Goetz Academic Bowl on Wednesday 6 April 2011 at the Carl W Goetz Middle School in Jackson. Lloyd Road Elementary won first place for 5th graders.

Oh My County

Monmouth County is challenging Fourth Graders to create "My County" posters that reveal what they think of their county. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards will be chosen from submissions. Good luck to Lloyd Road students!

If I was making a poster, I would draw a quick picture of members of the Board of School Estimate reviewing the budget of Brookdale Community College. I understand that takes them about fifteen minutes, so maybe a still life isn't an option.

Matawan-Aberdeen School Board Approves 2011-2012 District Calendar

The 2011-2012 MARSD calendar has been approved and is now available online.

Here's a few of the major items:

• Students start school next year on the Tuesday after Labor Day (6 September). 
• Winter break begins with a half day on 23 December 2011 and runs through New Year's Day. 
• Spring break begins with a halfday on 5 April and runs through 15 April 2012. 
• The last day of school is a half day scheduled for 20 June 2012.

If you want to receive notices from MARSD, simply click REGISTER in the top right corner of the District's website and follow their instructions. (Be sure the box is checked to receive mail from the district.)

2010 Jolly Mouse Craft Show Well Attended

I visited the Jolly Mouse Craft Show at Lloyd Road Elementary School on Saturday. I found a nice gift for my daughter at the Norene's Needles booth. And I got some ideas for unique Christmas gifts for my great nieces at the Amazing Graces homemade dolls booth. (Special orders for these one of a kind dolls can be phoned in to 732-441-0329.)

Amazing Graces

My wife caught up with Jane Johnson and Bernadette Hammond near the auction in the cafe. They are officers in the Hazlet/Aberdeen/Matawan Therapeutic Recreation Program, the organization receiving the proceeds from the craft show. So far the funds raised at the past 26 annual shows have helped the group purchase two 15-passenger vans and one 26-passenger bus. The funds also provide scholarships for students to the summer camp program.

Norene's Needles

The recreation program runs from Mid-March until Mid December. The summer camp program starts in the last week in June and runs through the first week in August. Those with special needs age 7 to adult participate.

The organization is a nonprofit and largely funded and run by the parents, but the three municipalities also provide significant support. For instance, the group uses the Swim Club in Hazlet at no cost. The group has bowling nights at Airport Plaza in Hazlet, cooking classes at the United Methodist Church of Matawan in Aberdeen, and exercise classes at the Aberdeen Community Center. The group sponsors trips to Dorney Park, Cape May, Sandy Hook, and the adults even visit Atlantic City.

26th Annual Jolly Mouse Craft Show Set for 6 November 2010

The 26th Annual Jolly Mouse Craft Show, scheduled for 6 November 2010 from 10 am to 4 pm, will be held at the Lloyd Road Elementary School, 401 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen. More than a hundred handicrafters are expected. Food and beverages will be on sale. And a raffle will be conducted.

See my earlier post for details about this wonderful regional fundraiser. APP received a press release related to the event.