‘Love your heart,’ ‘Go Red for Women’ Feb. 3

Love your heart. By loving your heart, you can save it. That’ the message the American Heart Association is delivering to women across the country during February, American Heart Month, and especially Feb. 3, National Wear Red Day for Women.

Heart disease — the No. 1 killer of women in this country — can be prevented. When women learn to love their hearts, they can appreciate their health, their life and their loved ones. One out of three women die from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, which is nearly 500,000 women each year, says the American Heart Association.

Pfizer, along with Macy’s, is proud to be a national sponsor of the American Heart Association Go Red for Women movement, a national movement to make women aware heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death of women and the leading health threat facing women today. Go Red for Women captures the energy, passion, and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease. In only two years, Go Red for Women has grown from a grassroots campaign to a vibrant national movement providing women with information, resources and hope to live longer, stronger lives.

Love your heart by making a fashion statement Friday, Feb. 3. Wear something red. Join millions of women, people from all walks of life, and companies, towns, schools, public places, landmarks, legislators, and people in the media “go red” and “wear red” to focus attention on the No. 1 killer of women — heart disease.

Then take action. Make a promise to be heart healthy. Join the Go Red for Women movement by calling 1-888-694-3278 and sign up for free lifestyle programs on exercise, nutrition, cholesterol, stroke and others. Love your heart and get involved in the Go Red for Women movement. Learn more about Go Red for Women or request a Wear Red Day “dress down kit” by calling the American Heart Association New Jersey State office at (732) 821-2610 or call toll free at 1-888-694-3278.

Lorraine Maita, M.D.

American Heart Association volunteer and Go Red for Women spokeswoman

‘A divided house cannot stand’ in WLB

After learning our new mayor and present Council voted five to one in favor of using our tax dollars to join suit with Joe and Pam Hughes and their coalition — which by far doesn’t represent the voice of the people of West Long Branch — I felt a strong desire to direct this letter.

When people are appointed to the boards in West Long Branch, they are expected to perform their duty as members to look at applications and decide on their merits without fear of being replaced because of their decisions.

In my opinion, the Republican borough attorney — appointed by the Republican mayor and council — will be the only person benefiting by this suit. The Zoning Board attorney is paid by the taxpayers to defend the suit, which means we the taxpayers are paying two lawyers to sue one another. The new mayor and council suing its own autonomous Zoning Board is like two brothers suing each other and their parents paying the bill.

I personally am upset using our tax dollars for our borough suing itself. All this seems to be doing is dividing the residents of West Long Branch. Remember in the New Testament: “a divided house cannot stand.” Our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, in a speech during the Civil War, also stated “a divided house cannot stand.”

The present mayor and council have to learn to run the town with good business sense and make decisions like this based on all the taxpayers and not just a select group. Mr. Hughes and his coalition have the right to appeal the Zoning Board’s decision, but not with my tax dollars and other residents of the borough. This decision, in my opinion, sets a precedent for any group or person to ask the mayor and council for money to help his or her appeal.

The bottom line is why should this community’s tax dollars be utilized to advocate the position of a select few?

John Paolantonio Jr.

West Long Branch

Troop 32 alumni invited to 50th anniversary

This year marks the 50th anniversary of BSA Troop 32, River Plaza.The celebration began last spring at the semiannual Court of Honor and will culminate with a special celebration on the evening of Saturday, April 8, at St. Anthony’s Parish Center in Red Bank.

The troop, chartered by the River Plaza School PTA, has been an active part of the Middletown community since early 1956.

If you are one of the hundreds of boys who enjoyed this troop’s devotion to citizenship, community service and outdoor adventure, please contact us.

An anniversary celebration cannot be complete without the participation of Scouts and leaders, past and present, that contributed to Troop 32’s fine history. Time passes so quickly. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to catch up with fellow scouts and leaders who shared some of the most memorable years of your life.

Today Troop 32 is 50 years old and still going strong. The roster includes 54 exemplary scouts and 23 dedicated adult leaders committed to serving their community, learning life skills and self-improvement, through a combination of hard work and fun filled adventure.

The troop meets once a week and camps once a month. The boys enjoy a variety of activities including: hiking, canoeing, fishing, whitewater rafting, swimming, cycling and skiing. They also spend a week each summer at Forestburg Scout Reservation in New York.

The 50th-anniversary celebration continues throughout 2006 with a special trip, historical publication, and an anniversary patch.

We encourage all Troop 32 Scout and adult leader alumni to contact either Fred Pachman, assistant scoutmaster at (732) 530-7695, or Art Rimmele, troop committee member, at (732) 741-4646 or amrimmele@aol.com.

Spread the word and join us as we celebrate BSA Troop 32’s 50 years of excellence!

Dorothy Bloy

Middletown

Monmouth U an asset to the community

I’m disappointed and somewhat confused when I read that the West Long Branch Borough Council decided to appeal the decision of its own Zoning Board on the Monmouth University application.

I own and manage a parcel of commercial real estate in West Long Branch. In 2001, this property was patiently and with great personal sacrifice restored to its original turn-of-the-20th-century condition.

This restoration was for the purpose of relocating our business to more suitable accommodations. The support that the local public officials and the business community extended was a major factor in the decision to select West Long Branch as our corporate headquarters.

Additionally, available community resources were evaluated in comparison to alternative locations. Without hesitation, I will say that the presence and prestige of Monmouth University was a motivating, and possibly the deciding factor in our selection process. Intellectual property is as an important asset to our company as is the real estate investment we occupy.

The community role that the university plays and their sense of place within our hometown is a major contributor in our ability to recruit and convince industry executives to relocate to our part of the world. The available campus resources and access to those are quite a drawing card in the recruitment process.

More importantly, the space owned and managed by the university is some of the most beautifully managed and manicured acres on the Jersey Shore.

Our recruitment process usually includes a community tour that ends with a walk within the Monmouth University campus gardens surrounded by its students. That is why I chose to move our business to West Long Branch and invest in the preservation of its history.

Monmouth University is probably the most consistent conservator of green space in this community. Without a doubt, this has had a positive impact on property values.

The success of the university goes hand and hand with the success of the local businesses in West Long Branch. Not only do they employ more people than anyone else but they contribute to consumer spending and help support local businesses.

I encourage the Borough Council to seek ways to work with Monmouth University.

Raymond G. Klose

president/CEO

Klose Associates Inc.

West Long Branch