Promoting peace      JEFF GRANIT staff Members of the Monmouth University community participated in the "Demonstration to Promote Peace" organized by Peace@Monmouth and held Tuesday on the West Long Branch campus to promote peace through speeches, readings and song. See story on page 3. More ... Unger: Fees keep families off beaches       Public hearing on fee ordinance set for April 24 at 8 p.m. BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer Long Branch Councilman and longtime environmental activist Brian Unger thinks beach fees keep families and teens off city beaches and he wants to do something about it. More ...      PHOTOCOURTESYOFEQUI-PHOTO Thoroughbred Judges Case, one of the first arrivals at the opening of the Monmouth Park Stable Area in Oceanport, checks out his surroundings from his stall Monday. More ... Thinking globally, acting locally Scout organized Global Warming Awareness Fair BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - - A local Girl Scout's efforts to heighten awareness of global warming in her West Long Branch community have been recognized with a statewide environmental award. Sierra Knotts, a 16-year-old junior at Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch, was among th... More ... Boro Council approves $20M budget Lewis: Commercial tax appeals impacted 2008 budget BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - The Borough Council approved a $20.1 million 2007 municipal budget at its regular meeting last week. The budget means a tax rate increase for borough property owners of 5.8 cents per $100 of assessed property value, raising the tax rate from 41.4 cents to 47.2 cents. More ... Spring Clean Sweep set for this Sunday       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Residents who participate in the township's Spring Clean Sweep will have their hard work rewarded with the latest in environmentally correct fashion - a free T-shirt made of recycled plastics and cotton. The township's 2007 Spring Clean Sweep Event will take place Sun... More ... Planners OK first phase of Broadway Arts Center Architect: Project aims to create a residential urban community BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - - Plans to redevelop the downtown Broadway sector as an arts and entertainment district were approved by the city Planning Board last week. More ... Marine life focus of Ocean Film & Arts Fest       Marine wildlife and surfing are the themes of the first Ocean Film & Arts Festival, which will take place Wednesday, April 25, at Monmouth University's Pollak Theatre in West Long Branch. The event, which is free and open to the public, is co-hosted by the Two River Film Festival and th... More ... Retirement sets stage for police promotions BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - Pro-motions and the appointment of a new officer have been announced by the borough police department following the retirement of Lt. Richard E. Stahl after 33 years of service. Stahl's retirement became effective at a ceremony on April 1 at borough hall on Broadwa... More ... Demonstration a call to contribute to peace Organizers aim to foster a 'commitment to peace' BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - - Against a backdrop of the war in Iraq and random acts of violence in communities throughout the nation, members of the Monmouth University community made a statement for peace this week. More ... Notes       The seven railroad lines that once served Long Branch will be the topic of the Long Branch Historical Association meeting April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at city hall on Broadway. Guest speaker Gary Crawford will present a talk about the four steam lines and three trolley lines that once traveled to th... More ... Housing alliance hosts fundraiser       The Affordable Housing Alliance, Eatontown, formerly the Monmouth Housing Alliance, a leading advocate, provider and builder of affordable housing, will host a Casino Night to raise funds for its latest project in Neptune's Redevelopment district, the Carver Hotel Apartments. More ... Searching for peace through dialogue       The Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought is the sponsor of the eighth Shanti (Peace) Lecture that will be held Sunday, April 29, from 4-6 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 1475 W. Front St., Lincroft. More ... Lincroft man hopes to replace Oxley as sheriff Republican Peters plans to face Guadagno in June 5 primary BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN - After feeling slighted by his party's leaders, a Lincroft man has decided to run in a primary for Monmouth County sheriff. Dan Peters, 42, a Lincroft resident for the past three years and a former police detective in South Amboy for 10 years, said he wanted to get invo... More ...