The Coast Star from Manasquan, New Jersey • 7

PAGE 7 THE COAST STAR, THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2008 -lf Manasquan Squan council opposes Corzine budget plan 732.Bi5. 2Q27 732.63.0222 7U.9?4.&m SI 6. 54 P. 6400 Music STUDIOS Extraordinary aid, granted to municipalities "which, because of extreme circumstances, would not be able to provide essential services to the community without a substantial increase in their property tax rate," according to the state's Department of Community Affairs, has been cut by $1.7 million. Two state departments, Agriculture and Personnel, would also be eliminated if the budget is passed.

The resolution calls on state officials to "work with their colleagues in the legislature and with the governor to take affirmative action to restore program funding sufficient to honor state statutes and their stated commitment to the cause of property tax relief in all New Jersey municipalities." For Mayor Dempsey, the resolution will serve as a message to state legislators that cutting aid to small communities, while either maintaining or increasing aid to large cities, is "unfair." "We're upset about how we're being treated," the mayor said. Next Monday's special budget meeting of the mayor and council will be held in the council chamber at 7 p.m. impact passed on to taxpayers in light of state-imposed 4 percent caps on budget and tax rate increases. After Monday evening's council meeting, the governing body adjourned to closed session to discuss potential personnel cuts. Personnel issues that could impact individual employees cannot legally be discussed in public.

On Tuesday, Mayor George Dempsey said the council has had "tough discussions" about cutting the budgets of borough departments, and council members have disagreed on where to direct the cuts. "The council is split," the mayor said. An additional special budget meeting has been scheduled for next Monday evening, and Mayor Dempsey said he hopes the governing body will be able to hammer out a budget by the end of the session. "Hopefully, we'll wrap it up then," the mayor said. If not, additional meetings can be scheduled.

Mayor Dempsey said he hopes the budget can be formally introduced by either the first or second council meeting in April. Borough Auditor Alan Schechter will attend the introduction meeting, and the public will be able to offer their comments. By passing a resolution Monday opposing the state aid cuts to New Jersey's small communities, the governing body hoped to send a message both to Gov. Corzine, as well as the legislators who will have the ability to vote down the proposed spending plan. In addition to the governor's office, copies of the resolution will be sent to majority and minority leaders in both houses of the state legislature, acting state treasurer R.

David Rousseau, members of the legislature's budget and appropriations committees and Manasquan's state representatives, Sen. Andrew Ciesla and Assemblymen David Wolfe and James Holzapfel all R-10. The resolution includes a sobering glance of the grim consequences of a state government whose budget has swelled from $16 billion to $33 billion in just 10 years. In addition to the cuts in traditional state aid, municipalities will face cuts to Municipal Homeland Security funding, which has been slashed by $32 million, and homestead rebates which have been all but eliminated, with the state reducing $257 million in homeowner rebates and $124 million in renter rebates. By Daniel Nee The Manasquan Borough Council on Monday unanimously passed a resolution opposing Gov.

Jon Corzine's plan to slash state aid to small communities. Gov. Corzine's plan, which was announced before a joint session of the state legislature on Feb. 26, eliminates aid to communities with less than 5,000 residents and significantly reduces state aid to communities with less than 10,000 residents, totaling a $189.6 million reduction in the state's overall budget. Manasquan has just over 6,300 residents.

The council has grappled with budget woes since the state's spending plan was announced. The borough's budget was nearly complete by the time the cuts were announced, and council members, Borough Administrator John Trengrove and department heads have been searching for ways to make up for what borough officials estimate will be a $127,000 reduction in aid this year. The borough is also obligated to contribute approximately $155,000 to a state joint retirement benefits fund this year. The council met last Saturday to continue mulling strategies to reduce the budget MUSIC LESSONS FOR ALL INSTRUMENTS: FULLY EQUIPPED REHEARSAL SPACE PIANO TUNING REPAIRS SALES Our schooled instructors have performed and or worked with professional musicians such as: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN JOHN MELLENCAMP PATTI SMITH BAND CYNDI LAUPER JOURNEY Call about joining the Beach Music Rock Band, play live gigs make real CD's! SPRING SPECIAL: 2 months of guitar lessons a new electric guitar amplifier. FOR ONLY $359 Sign up Now! Plenty of Parking Visit us at www.beachmusicstudios.com 808 Belmar Plaza, Belmar 732-280-1181 OPENING Thursday, April 3rd Celebrating Works Of Art Gerlach heading overseas Army Reserve Spec.

Richard T. Gerlach has been mobilized and activated for a future deployment to an undisclosed overseas location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq. Mr. Gerlach, a military police with three years of military service, is regularly assigned to the 812th Military Police Company, Orangeburg, N.Y.

He is the son of Dorothy B. and Richard P. Gerlach of Minerva Manasquan. The specialist is a 1998 graduate of Manasquan High School. Locally Crafted Jewelry and Curiosities Check us out at 26 BROAD STREET, MANASQUAN 732.612.3126 (Across from Squan Tavern) Open Photo Courtesy of Manasquan Elementary School Students from Manasquan Elementary School participated in the Monmouth County Youth Art Month Exhibition last Thursday at the Middletown Arts Center.

Art teacher Teri Trumpbour and her granddaughter middle gathered between students Jake Walsh from left, D.J. DeSomma, Gianna Palombi, Spencer Bauer and Katie Bardsley, who were standing in front of their paintings. Local couple matching donations to Algonquin JnH said. "I applaud Janice and Jules for this very smart way of supporting our mission." Algonquin Arts was originally founded as a movie theatre that opened in Manasquan in 1938. By the 1990s it had become an abandoned building that seemed destined for the wrecking ball.

But in 1991, Jack and Fran Drew and Sal and Joyce Maraziti purchased the property, and after many months of restoration and reconstruction, reopened the facility, adding live stage performances to its movie program. Since that time, the theatre has featured world-acclaimed artists from the fields of jazz, dance, classical and popular music, and musical theatre. Ms. Plangere firmly believes that, "The best days of Algonquin Arts are yet to come. I am truly impressed with Patrick's vision for the future and his plans for helping us get there.

This challenge grant is, hopefully, a significant step toward translating that vision into reality." For more information on Algonquin Arts and how to donate, visit the organization's web site at www.algonquinarts.com. Algonquin Arts Theatre director Patrick O'Hagan announced on Monday the establishment of a $100,000 challenge grant by a local couple who have been longtime supporters of the organization. The challenge will match dol-lar-for-dollar any new or increased contributions made to Algonquin Arts between now and June 30. The announcement comes at a time when the organization is working to enhance and expand the programming it brings to the stage. The donors, Janice Plangere and Jules Plangere III, of Wall Township, are avid supporters of a number of local and national arts organizations and feel especially committed to ensuring the highest level of arts programming available at the Algonquin.

Mrs. Plangere, a musician and former art teacher who also serves on the Board of Trustees at Algonquin Arts, believes that lifelong access to the arts is essential, though often undervalued in the schools. Algonquin Arts offers classical, jazz and popular music programs in its art deco era theatre as well as world-class dance programs, comedy, and classic Broadway musicals. In addition to these perform ances on its main stage in downtown Manasquan, Algonquin Arts brings its programming to the community through outreach programs presented in numerous local schools and other facilities, from Head Start classrooms in Asbury Park and Neptune to long-term residential care facilities for patients with restricted mobility. "Algonquin Arts brings quality programs to the community in many ways," said Ms.

Plangere. "But most people don't fully appreciate the great need for financial support to keep these programs strong and healthy. "Our Challenge Grant is an effort to encourage others to recognize the great value of having this cultural treasure in our midst, and to attract new donors by offering to match their contribution, doubling the value of their support," she added. Mr. O'Hagan said he believes the challenge will be an effective way of attracting new donors and getting current donors to increase their level of giving.

"I believe it is a great incentive to know that if I decide to give $50, $100, $1,000 or even $10,000 to Algonquin Arts, that it will automatically trigger a gift in the same amount from another donor," Mr. O'Hagan Buy ane syrinae Hestykme or Peilane get the 2nd syringe 50 off i Parricin C. MiiCoimack. M.D.. f.n A.D.

Csivclin a cr Snidery Atl It tid: tr i Drni alolG ci i mol S-jrg cry.