BRAC head invited to check out fort’s mission Congressmen: Pentagon number-crunchers don’t understand fort’s mission BY SUE M. MORGAN Staff Writer      Two area congressmen are inviting the head of a federal commission created to determine the fate of military bases throughout the nation to look closer at Fort Monmouth’s service to soldiers in the field, before choosing to shut it down. More ... Council proposes zoning change for Ceruzzi tract Rezoning calls for Village Square, quashes Stop & Shop BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer      The Ocean Township council has introduced an ordinance that would change the zoning on property slated for development as the Ocean Gate Commons shopping center. More ... Officials pledge to fight for fort Legislators react to proposed closing of fort BY SUE M. MORGAN Staff Writer      TINTON FALLS — Joan Hardy, a civilian electrical engineer at Fort Monmouth, insists that the technological expertise that she has drawn upon during her 20-year tenure at the local military base can never be duplicated elsewhere. More ... Will Long Branch lose Abbott designation? Commissioner to revise criteria for funding; list due in June BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer      LONG BRANCH –– The city school district has been receiving Abbott funding for over a decade, but a new report could recommend that the district be disqualified. More ... Redevelopment attorney sits on Hovnanian board City: No conflict in Greenbaum being director, shareholder BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer      LONG BRANCH — The senior partner in a law firm hired by the city to handle eminent domain issues related to the redevelopment is also a director and shareholder in developer Hovnanian Enterprises. More ... Free beach concert series at Sandy Hook      This summer, every Wednesday at 6 p.m. (weather permitting) the 2005 Summer Concert Series will be presented at Beach Area E on Sandy Hook. More ... Ft. Monmouth targeted for closure by Pentagon Operations, personnel would be transferred to other bases BY SUE M. MORGAN Staff Writer      TINTON FALLS — More than 5,300 military and civilian employees at Fort Monmouth are facing uncertainty regarding their jobs following Friday morning’s announcement that the Pentagon has targeted the U.S. Army base for possible closure. More ... L.B. residents rally to save their homes BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer      LONG BRANCH — Long Branch homeowners facing the prospect of losing their homes to redevelopment made a statement last weekend at a rally against the use of eminent domain. More ... Eminent disdain      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staffAbove, Donna Peterson waves a flag during a protest rally along Ocean Boulevard on Sunday, against the Beachfront South development. At left, Aline Multare displays her opinion on the matter while waiting for the rally to begin. More ... Taxes to rise 3.5 cents under $18.2M budget Pensions, LOSAP add up to average increase of $52.50 BY SUE M. MORGAN Staff Writer      EATONTOWN — Homeowners will pay an average of $52.50 more in property taxes this year under the $18.2 million municipal budget for 2005 adopted by the Borough Council. More ... Car overturns; two arrested      LONG BRANCH — The city police department is investigating a drunk driving accident last week that resulted in an overturned car. More ... Reservations now taken for local polo match      Reservations are now being taken for a polo match sponsored by the Lincroft Village Green Association June 5 at Colts Neck Polo Grounds at Bucks Mill Park, Route 537, Colts Neck. Gates open at 2 p.m., and the match begins at 3 p.m. More ... Car overturns; two arrested      LONG BRANCH — The city police department is investigating a drunk driving accident last week that resulted in an overturned car. More ... United in Memory: 9/11 Victims Memorial Quilt Exhibit will be at Brookdale CC May 20-22 BY GLORIA STRAVELLI Staff Writer      Created as much for healing as for remembering, a hallowed patchwork memorializing victims of the 9/11 attacks will travel to Monmouth County next week as it crisscrosses the country, seeking to serve as a lasting tribute. More ... Re-enacters      PHOTOSBY SEAN DWYER staffAbove, members of the Long Branch Portuguese community participate in a re-enactment of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s appearance in Fatima, Portugal, inMay 1917. Below, Diogo Guia, 13, of Long Branch, lights a candle held by Melanie Mecha, 12, during the May 13 re-enactment. More ... Surplus keeps tax rate flat in 2005 L.B. budget Amendments include drop in delinquencies, increase in surplus BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer      LONG BRANCH — The 2005 municipal budget was adopted with amendments last week, but the city’s chief financial officer said the changes will not affect the tax rate. More ... Pay-to-play adopted; amendments to come Council president wants more restrictive provisions added BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer      LONG BRANCH –– A much anticipated pay-to-play ordinance was finally adopted by the City Council last week, but amendments to the new law are still to come, officials say. More ... Overhang hampers efforts to fight blaze      LONG BRANCH — An overhanging carport on a Long Branch building interfered with attempts to extinguish a fire at a home on Bath Avenue. More ... Police arrest man for trespass      LONG BRANCH — An Asbury Park man was arrested in Long Branch last week for trespassing on Federal Housing Authority property, according to police reports. More ...