Opponents say zoning ordinance bad for boro Beck: Measure would allow developers to dictate zoning policy BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer      With a proposed zoning ordinance in place to be voted on at the next Red Bank Borough Council meeting, some council members still have serious concerns about the measure. More ... Officials caught in FBI sting      WLB mayor, councilman charged with taking bribes from contractor More ...      CHRISKELLY staffJoseph York, who plays Horton the Elephant, and other Shore Regional High School students rehearse a scene from the musical “Seussical,” which opens at the West Long Branch school Friday. More ... Three women chosen as outstanding achievers Greater Media Newspapers launches new awards program BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer      Women of outstanding achievement in three fields were honored at an awards luncheon sponsored by Greater Media Newspapers on Feb. 15. More ... Author achieves dream through the inspiration of others African American author writes about brothers and fatherhood BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer      Phillip Thomas Duck grew up in Red Bank, majored in business at Monmouth University and got a lot of praise for his writing skills. But he never thought he could be a fiction writer until he read two books by African American authors that inspired him to see if he could write a publishable novel. More ... MTOTSA and supporters rally to stop eminent domain Out of town marcher: ‘You never know when it could happen to you’ BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer      LONG BRANCH — It was just 35 degrees on Sunday afternoon, but the chill in the air didn’t stop a crowd of nearly 250 people from marching along Ocean Boulevard to rally against the abuse of eminent domain. More ... The price is right; boro picks auditor Bidding the lowest price, Hulsart wins out over current auditor BY SUE M. MORGAN Staff Writer      SEA BRIGHT — From a field of three candidates, the Borough Council has selected one, based on price, to serve as the new municipal auditor. More ... Panel on HIV/AIDS encourages awareness RBR senior organized forum to promote debate and unity BY LAYLI WHYTE Staff Writer      RED BANK — A panel discussion brought about feelings of community togetherness and empowerment. More ...      GLORIASTRAVELLIArea residents rally in Long Branch Sunday to protest the abuse of the power of eminent domain. More ... Residents don’t want train line in their towns Line would cross Red Bank, Eatontown, Tinton Falls, Shrewsbury Boro BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer      If it’s up to the informed residents who attended the Town Hall meeting on the proposed Lakehurst to Red Bank train line, there will never be another commuter line running through eastern Monmouth County. More ... Four towns discuss interlocal agreement WLB, O’port, Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach mull shared sweeper, garage BY SUE M. MORGAN Staff Writer      WEST LONG BRANCH — A new street sweeper, a regional repair garage and a few other wish list items could be coming to four area communities under a proposed shared services agreement. More ...      FILEPHOTOWest Long Branch Mayor Paul Zambrano was charged Tuesday with one count of extortion by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for allegedly accepting bribes in the amount of $12,500 in an undercover sting operation. More ... Rude awakening for Monmouth County officials BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer      NEWARK— Eleven current and former Monmouth County officials were arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with extorting free contracting work and cash bribes in what is to be considered one of the biggest single-day roundups in a single county ever. More ... Notes      Oceanport Borough Clerk Patty Varca will retire on March 31, after serving the borough for 30 years. A retirement party will be held on April 3 at the Channel Club in Monmouth Beach from 5-9 p.m. More ... Eatontown reappoints Menna as prosecutor Red Bank councilman has served in municipal post since 1992 BY SUE M. MORGAN Staff Writer      EATONTOWN — For the 14th consecutive year, veteran Red Bank Borough Councilman and noted area attorney Pasquale Menna has been appointed borough prosecutor. More ... BlueClaws ’05 schedule filled with promotions      LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood BlueClaws, single A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, will begin and end their fifth anniversary by sending lucky fans home with $4,000 in cash. Fans will be handed a total of $2,000 on Opening Day, April 7, and run after $2,000 dropped from a hovering helicopter Sept. More ... In the Arts      ArtX, a two-day event that will feature performance art, spoken word, film, video art and alternative and experimental music and dance, will take place Feb. 25 and 26 at The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts, 20 Third Ave., Long Branch. More ... Sea Bright council agrees to raise state budget cap Municipal budget scheduled for public intro on March 15 BY SUE M. MORGAN Staff Writer      SEA BRIGHT — The Borough Council is giving the town’s number crunchers a little bit of breathing room as those financial professionals finish crafting the upcoming 2005 municipal budget, which is expected to be unveiled in mid-March. More ...