New Year's Resolutions

Here are ten New Year's resolutions I'd like to see Atlantic Highlands make (and keep):

1. Book one band for the summer concert series that rocks out - even just a tiny tiny bit.
2. Entice one more nail salon to move to town because I have 2o digits to take care and only three options for keeping my cuticles trim.
3. Build a monorail!
4. Elect a new town Psychic.
5. Find the punk kids who stole the straps off my kayak trailer at the bay. And make them pay damnit!
6. Turn the siren up to 11! I'm just keeeeeding. Turn it down, way way way down. Please. Get some of those fancy new "beepers" and "GPS" tracking systems and "cell phones" and "Nextel walkie-talkies" or some CB radios and a few carrier pigeons (it is a small town).
7. Exercise more (see number 8).
8. Complete the bike trail. Somehow, someway. Just figure it out already.
9. Do something about the stretch of First Ave. from 36 to East Highland to make it look like the rest of downtown.
10. Stop complaining about all the "traffic" on First Ave.

Yin and Yang

The human loss caused by the tsunami this past weekend is incomprehensible. Yahoo is reporting that the death toll has reached 114,000. CNN has posted a page listing a number of charity organizations helping to assist the victims here.

Does anyone else find it disturbing that the U.S. pledged $35 million in disaster relief money while the Bush inauguration Fund is trying to raise $40 - $50 million for the inauguration ceremonies (see last paragraph)? Yes, now Colin Powell is trying to make nice by saying the $35 millions was "just a beginning" but only because we got called "stingy." [via horkulated]
[Update: almost a week after the disaster the U.S. Government and Hollywood finally stepped up to the plate]

Just as it looks like the world is ending across the globe, a very uplifting story is unfolding in our backyard. The Atlantic Highlands Herald reports today that area resident and AHH columnist Amy Shore will be publishing a book chronicling her family's journey to adopt a baby girl from Guatemala. The book will be available in January. Congrats to Amy and her family on their adoption.

Jack Archibald puts away his crystal ball and asks readers to help predict the future. Where's that damn town Psychic when you need her? Questions range from, "Which month will Atlantic Highlands Democrats finally unveil their First Avenue revitalization plan?" - wasn't it revitalized with all those stupid curbs jutting out into First Avenue and the fancy new garbage cans? - to what celebrity marriage will last longer, Britney Spears-Federline or J. Lo-Anthony? Jack's also a pretty witty fella if you haven't noticed - he asked the same First Avenue question in 2003.

Almost White Christmas

The first snowfall of the season came just a couple of days late for a white Christmas. Some kids made the most out of the light snowfall and got a few runs in on the local sledding hill Monday morning.

Joe Reynolds wrote a nice piece on what the changing season means for local wildlife. According to Joe we should keep an eye out for bald eagles, harbor seals and an occasional humpback whale.

Speaking of the weather. This tsunami business is very scary. The NY Times reports over 19,000 dead. Could this kind of thing happen here?

The Two River Times reports that a bill was introduced that would allow NJ Transit to operate the Belford ferry since it looks like NY Waterway is going belly up. However, according to the article, "Last week, Teri O'Connor, the assistant to Monmouth County Administrator Louis Paparozzi, said that 'NY Waterway assured us' that there would be 'no interruption' of the Belford ferry line." Anyone want to take bets? How did NY Waterway get into such dire straits? They received millions of dollars after September 11th to help with operating costs, the city of New York leased them docks in Manhattan for $1 a year and from what I've heard Arthur Imperatore Sr had more than a few politicians from both teams in his pocket.

The New York Times reports that a deal is close to sell the Hoboken and Jersey City routes to a group headed by a Manhattan lawyer (ninth item, subscription required):

FERRY OPERATOR GETS A REPRIEVE The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey yesterday gave New York Waterway, the financially troubled Hudson River ferry operator, permission to keep running ferries from Hoboken to the World Financial Center through February. The reprieve will give the company time to complete a sale of about half its operation to a group led by William B. Wachtel, a Manhattan lawyer. In a proposed deal announced yesterday, Mr. Wachtel's group would assume about $20 million of debt on 16 ferries and use them to operate routes between Lower Manhattan and docks in Hoboken and Jersey City. Charles A. Gargano, vice chairman of the Port Authority, said the deal would ensure that there is no disruption in commuter service across the Hudson.

I hope something comes together for the Belford run as well. As ferry ridership has increased over the past few years I don't see how Seastreak can support that many commuters, not to mention their cars. I've heard rumors that Seastreak may buy the Belford runs - perhaps with a little help from FEMA they could.

Perhaps Jack Archibald could replace our long lost Psychic? He drops some omnipresent knowledge on what's going on inside of Santa's bag and inside of local politicians' heads.

About The Atlantic Highlands Muse

The Atlantic Highlands Muse is mostly a place for me to express my opinions on various issues affecting the town and surrounding area. Topics may also wander toward movies, food, music and general hilarity. As comments are encouraged this blog can also become a forum for many different people to share their thoughts.

I also want to let people know that another resident in town has the same name as me - Tim Hill. Tim is a very nice guy and very involved in youth sports and recreation. I just want people to be clear on which Tim Hill is authoring the site, lest he get wrongfully threatened with noodle whippings at a youth soccer match for taking an unpopular stance on some current town issue.

I welcome suggestions for topics - please email me at hill_timothy@hotmail.com.

I hope you enjoy The Atlantic Highlands Muse.

-Tim Hill