Highland Park Planet (http://highlandparkplanet.org/)
Letter to the Editor
October 5, 2018
As a member of the Highland Park Borough Council, and as the father of two adolescents, I am concerned about the likely legalization of recreational marijuana in New Jersey and the possibility of marijuana being sold in Highland Park. I support the bill that State Senator Ron Rice has sponsored that would remove criminal penalties for small amounts of marijuana but would not create a system that would legalize marijuana in New Jersey. I understand that the New Jersey State Legislature is considering legalizing marijuana throughout the State with an opt-out provision for municipalities that want to ban marijuana sales. I am currently advocating passage of an ordinance that would prevent businesses in Highland Park from selling marijuana (medicinal and recreational) and marijuana paraphernalia due to the harm posed by marijuana and its active addictive ingredient, Tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), and the risks legalization of marijuana poses to adolescents.
“Highland Park Matters” for October features a bike safety event Oct. 4, a fall festival and local restaurant food showcase Oct. 7, and town garage sale Oct. 6-7, estate planning forum Oct. 22, medication disposal initiative Oct. 27-28. READ MORE
Welcome to “Highland Park Matters” – a local interest column announcing events, meetings, and issues in brief that matter to the residents of the community. It will be updated on a weekly basis.
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Main Street Highland Park is seeking Central Jersey artists, crafters, businesses, vendors, and food vendors for Highland Park’s 14th annual arts street festival, Arts in the Park, on Sunday September 16, 2018. This renowned festival showcases fine arts and crafts from all over the region and shines a spotlight on Highland Park’s vibrant, diverse, multi-faceted arts scene. What sets this arts fair apart from a general street fair is the fact that it is a juried art show with expert judges from throughout New Jersey. This annual celebration of the arts draws thousands (last year an estimated 10,000) of art enthusiasts to stroll through downtown Highland Park and enjoy artistic offerings, live music, food, and much more. Participants in the juried art show display and sell their work under tents along Raritan Avenue (Route 27) in Highland Park. READ MORE
Middlesex County dancer, trained at American Repertory Ballet, now is a dance instructor with ARB’s ballet school Princeton Ballet School. The 22-year-.old dancer is focusing on a dance program for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. READ MORE
Free concerts featuring early rock and jazz offer a great way to explore the sounds that helped create today’s popular music,East Jersey Old Town Village in Johnson Park on Sundays Aug. 26 and Sept. 9. READ MORE
Highland Park senior citizens lived up to Highland Park’s reputation as a vibrant arts community in New Jersey by winning several prizes in Middlesex County’s Annual Senior Art Contest. Continue the HP arts celebration at Arts in the Park on Sunday, Sept. 16 READ MORE
Toy Soldiers Comedy Show debuts in Highland Park on Aug 10th and hopes to be a monthly event, featuring raw, personal, political, and cultural humor. READ MORE
Main Street Highland Park is adding pizzaz to the summer with its Tomato Festival on July 27 and its ongoing Thursday night After Dark parties. Come for the camaraderie, feasting, and all-pervasive joy. READ MORE
Dr. Matthew Hale on July 18, 2018 was sworn in as a borough council member by Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler to fill the unexpired term of Councilman Matthew Hersh. Replacing one Matthew H with another Matthew H was necessitated by Matt Hersh’s resignation from council in order to join Governor Phil Murphy’s administration as director of Communications for the NJ Board of Public Utilities. “Matt Hale is a tenured political science professor at Seton Hall University and is widely respected for his political commentary. Matt has chaired our Digital Data Task-force, and it is an asset to have him join Highland Park Borough Council,” said Mayor Brill Mittler, who added that Matt Hersh’s new appointment demonstrates that Highland Park talent is treasured in Trenton. “As for the council, many residents may not realize how much of a formidable commitment it is to join borough council. READ MORE
Emma C. DeVilla, 73, of Dayton died Friday, June 22, 2018 at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center of Plainsboro. Born in Pateros, Rizal, Philippines, she has been a resident of South Brunswick since 1976. Emma retired in 2015 with over 30 years of service as a Nursing Instructor with Capital Health Systems at Fuld. Emma was a member of St. Cecilia’s Church, Monmouth Junction and volunteered for various Roman Catholic Organizations. READ MORE