The Coaster

By DON STINE
Taxpayers in Deal will see a 2-cent increase in the municipal tax rate under the boroughs proposed 2008 budget.
The total $8,208,107 budget, up from $7,024,301 last year, carries a tax levy, or the amount to be raised through taxation, of $4,429,589, up from $4,184,134 last year.
The result is a 2-cent increase in the tax rate, for a total municipal-purpose tax rate of 40 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation.
The borough lost about $40,000 in state aid with only $479,456 coming in from the state in the form of energy tax receipts.

By TOM CARDINALE

Coaster Photo by Tom Cardinale Daniel Drum (red hat) is joined by his 2007 Ocean South All Star teammates as he prepares to throw out the seasons first pitch.

A crowd of hundreds braved the cold to officially open the 57th season Ocean Township Little League with their annual opening ceremonies on Tues., March 25.
Among those in attendance were Mayor William Larkin and Senator Sean Kean who both reminisced about their days playing in the Ocean Township Little League.

Question?

Fred Stoffer w/Hannah, Ocean
Im concerned about the short term because of the financial situation that the country is currently facing.
I think the long term will change for the better after the November elections.

By RICHARD VIRGILIO
Partners. Everyone had partners. Some I met. Some I heard about. The thing was, I could not figure out whether we were talking partners or partners. And that was a great thing.
I was invited to a meeting of the Gay Pride Business Network at Moonstruck recently and learned that the groups definition of partner really means partner in others success.
For almost three years The Gay Pride Business Network, founded by Carol Heller and Bernie Strout, has been educating and motivating members to help build professional relationships and grow gay-friendly and GLBT-owned businesses, stated Bernie.

Scholarship Winners The Ocean Chapter of Drifters Inc., a non-profit organization, recently distributed scholarships to local students. The group recently held its luncheon and fashion show. Pictured are (left to right) President Mary B. Inge, Freehold; Millicent Reid, Long Branch High School received the Phyllis Ross Lee Scholarship; Scholarship Chairperson Helen W. Scott, Toms River; Lisa S. Henderson, Ocean Township High School received the Wilbert Steven Russell / Brian C. Thomas scholarship.

Neptune City Hosting Mayors Ball May 10
Neptune City Mayor Thomas Arnone is hosting the annual Mayors Ball Sat., May 10 at The Barclay in Belmar.
Proceeds from this years event will benefit the Office of Emergency Management and the Neptune City Board of Recreation.
Cocktails and hors doeuvres will be served at 7 p.m., with dinner [...]

By DON STINE
Asbury Park beachfront developer Madison Marquette is seeking donations or loans of historic artifacts or memorabilia to be displayed somewhere in the citys boardwalk area.
We want to build a world-class collection of Asbury Park memorabilia. We have the space and manpower to display it and take care of it, said Michael Walker, the vice president of creative services for Madison Marquette.
Walker said he believes a lot of memorabilia may just be sitting in peoples attics and basements right now.
These types of artifacts are such an emotional reservoir for many people visiting the boardwalk. People really like seeing this type of memorabilia and I think it will be a draw to bring people here, he said.

Coaster Photo: Alexandra Haege, 2, of Ocean Township had her picture taken with the Easter Bunny at the annual pancake breakfast at the Oakhurst Firehouse in Ocean Township recently.