The Franklin Township Community Foundation on Oct. 24 voted to return to donors the remaining contributions to a proposed “Peace and Non-Violence” monument park. The vote effectively kills the project that has sparked controversy in the township over how Township Councilman Rajiv Prasad (D-At Large) handled its approval process and his characterization of the park’s opponents. In voting to return …

A member of the Township Human Relations Commission said at a recent meeting that the people who opposed a proposed “Peace and Non-Violence” monument park were “white racists.” The member, John Tibbs, said at the commission’s Sept. 24 meeting it was the same people who several years ago opposed Catalpa Park because of plans to install cricket pitches there. “They …

Tony Hoeflinger passed away Oct. 22 at his home in Somerset. He was 76 years old. Tony was born and grew up in Butler, NJ. He graduated from Butler High School and Rutgers University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. He was a life long athlete, focusing on football in both high school and at the collegiate …

Mr. Charles Saich died Oct. 21 at St. Peter’s University Medical Center in New Brunswick. He was 74 years old. Mr. Saich was born in Elizabeth . He graduated from Katzenbach School for the Deaf and excelled in high school athletics. Mr. Saich was a devoted New York Giants and New York Yankee fan. In his spare time he loved …

Mark T. Iwanski of Somerset died suddenly at home Oct. 21. He was 63. Born in Perth Amboy, he resided in Somerset for many years. He was a graduate of Perth Amboy High School in 1973. Mark owned and operated One Stop Video for 12 years, then he worked for Max Finklestein as a driver for 16 years, then he …

By U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman. My core belief in equality is one of the reasons I first decided to run for Congress. My belief that we all deserve a fair shot extends to every corner of the things that shape our lives, including the notion that your income, social status, occupation or lack of an occupation should not determine …

A 36-year-old Somerset man has been charged with vehicular homicide in the Sept. 28 death of a Rutgers student in New Brunswick. David Stewart has been charged by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office with with 3rd Degree Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide for being under the influence of marijuana when his car hit and killed a 19-year-old Colts Neck man on …

Louis Auerbach, 90, passed away on Oct. 20 at Avalon Nursing Home in Hillsborough. Mr. Auerbach was born October 24, 1927 in Edison to the late Lawrence and Elizabeth Auerbach. He settled in Franklin Township where he was a lifelong resident. Louis honorably served in the Navy during World War II. He was a carpenter for Union locals 455 and …

Oct. 21 was a double-barreled fundraising day for the Franklin Food Bank. First, there was the 9th annual “Hot Dog Day” fundraiser at the Corner Cafe and Grille at DeMott Lane and Amwell Road. A joint fundraiser with FTPD PBA Local 154, the event featured $1 hot dogs, sodas and chips, and $2 veggie and “PBA” burgers. The PBA was …

By PJ Parker. A backdrop of acres of clear, blue-skied farm country was the setting for the first public traditional “Tea and Tea Leaves Readings” Oct. 20 at the Meadows Foundation’s historic Hageman House and Barn on South Middlebush Road. The event was part of the Hageman House Fireside Chat Series. The Hageman House, a Registered Historic Place of New …