Unger proposes law to save American dream Council discusses proposed ordinance to restrict eminent domain BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger is asking the City Council to consider adopting an ordinance that would end the city's use of eminent domain in at least two redevelopment zones. Unger introduced for discussion the "Protecting the American Dream" ordinance at the April 8 council workshop meetin... More ...       A participant warms up before the start of the second annual 5K Race/Walk at Joe Palaia Park in Ocean Township on April 12. The event was sponsored by Pope John XXIII School. More ... Wawa carried to 9th Planning Bd. meeting Attorney claims that application should be before Zoning Board BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       An attorney representing objectors to a proposed Wawa convenience store on Route 35, Eatontown, called into question aspects of the plan this week that could make a year of testimony on the application null and void. More ... Rain garden to be built at Monmouth U. campus Rain garden will help water quality and landscaping BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       In an effort to clean up local waterways, theMonmouth University chapter of New Jersey Community Water Watch is expected to begin construction on a natural water filtration system this month. More ... Boro introduces $21M municipal spending plan Public hearing on 2008 budget set for May 14 BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - The Borough Council is expected to hold a public hearing on its proposed $21million spending plan for 2008 onMay 14 at borough hall on Broad Street. The proposed budget was introduced at theApril 9 councilmeeting and calls for borough taxpayers to raise a $12.6 million tax levy. More ... Boro could designate affordable housing zones Council plans to introduce measure to amend master plan BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       WEST LONG BRANCH - The Borough Council is expected to introduce a measure next month that will help bring the borough into compliance with its state-mandated affordable housing requirement. Council plans to introduce an ordinance at its May 13 meeting to amend the borough's master plan by creat... More ... Newspaper group takes home 30 awards in NJPA contest       Greater Media Newspapers received 30 awards from the New Jersey Press Association for excellence in writing, photography and advertising in the NJPA's Better Newspaper Contest for 2007. More ... City permitted to take properties on Broadway Property owners plan to appeal decision that allows eminent domain BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer       LONG BRANCH - The city has been granted approval by the state Superior Court to proceed with the condemnation of two properties in the Broadway Corridor redevelopment zone. More ... Give back to the shore, join COA Spring Beach Sweeps State's longest-running volunteer cleanup takes place April 26       SANDY HOOK - Clean Ocean Action (COA) invites citizens and organizations to participate in the 23rd annual Spring Beach Sweeps on Saturday, April 26, at more than 60 sites along the New Jersey coast. The sweeps begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m., rain or shine. More ... Boro police department applies for four grants Grants will fund programs to enforce the law and to educate BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer       EATONTOWN - The Eatontown Police Department has applied for $30,316 in state grants to step up the town's motor vehicle enforcement. The borough applied to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety for four grants to fund officer training and salaries for various programs in the police d... More ... 'Surviving the Plan': Holocaust photo exhibit       When Jerry Casciano aims the lens of hisHasselblad camera, he delves deep into the heart of his subject. Casciano'smost recent exhibit, "Surviving the Plan," documents the power of survival of Holocaust survivors from Auschwitz, Treblinka and theWarsaw Ghetto. More ... MU and BCC to host Earth Day event       WEST LONG BRANCH - The Monmouth University and Brookdale Community College chapters of the New Jersey Water Watch (NJCWW) are partnering with the Red Bank Environmental Commission to host the second annual "Earth Day Clean Up and Celebration" on April 19 at Poricy Park in Middletown from 10 a.m. ... More ... Teen driver study panel issues recommendations       Monmouth County Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow, co-chair of the New Jersey Teen Driver Study Commission, participated in a news conference last week that officially released the group's findings and recommendations to help reduce teen motor vehicle crashes and save lives. More ... MS group seeking to raise funds       OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Following a successful show of support for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) awareness last Sunday, the Mid Jersey Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is continuing to accept donations to fund programs associated with MS. More ... 'Willy Wonka'       The students of Seashore Day Camp and School in Long Branch put on a performance of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" on April 11. Matthew Vina of Oceanport plays the role of Mike Teavee and Samantha Harrison of West Long Branch plays the role of Ms. Teavee. More ... Relay for Life walk April 12       Colts Neck's Nick Panico and Jackson's Ryan Feldman won't let bad weather deter them from participating in the Relay for Life walk held at Monmouth University on April 12. More ... Warming up before the race       Participants in the second annual 5K Race/Walk sponsored by Pope John XXIII Regional School stretch their muscles before the start of the race held at Joe Palaia Park in Ocean Township on April 12. The race consisted of a 5K race, a fitness walk and kiddie dashes. More ... GREEN SCENE April: An ear to the ground       Watch whom you invite to your garden party! Some guests are most unwelcome and soon push others to the sidelines. These are the assertive and belligerent plants, soon running wild, quickly filling every space and that of their neighbor.Quite often, gardeners grateful for a different plant will rue... More ...