Week in News: Rumson Eats, College President Talks, Racetrack Leased

Via Rumson-Fair Haven Patch

For the fourth year now Rumson is showcasing its local eateries with Restaurant Month this March. The idea behind restaurant month is to promote local restaurants and to remind diners from the neighborhood of the excellent options right next door with special dining options and deals. In all, eight restaurants are participating in Rumson Restaurant Month. Some eateries are providing prefix menus while others have special daily dining options. For a complete list of participating restaurants and their deals, click on the story link above.


Via Middletown-NJ Patch

recently welcomed new president Maureen Murphy from San Jacinto College South in Houston. Though prosecuting students for stealing ice cubes might not be at the top of her to-do list, in an exclusive interview with Patch Murphy did discuss her goals for Brookdale going forward. One of the benefits of coming in to Brookdale, she said, is coming in to a college that's already established as one of the state's top community schools. At many community schools throughout the country, the focus is on attracting students. Brookdale's already taken care of that. "We need to change the message from one of access to one of success," she said.


Via Little Silver-Oceanport Patch

A five-year lease signed earlier this week ensures that Monmouth Park will continue operating, assuaging the fears of local officials who were unsure whether the longtime horse-racing venue would stay open. For at least one season, Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon said, the uncertainty has been eliminated. The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association signed the lease on Monday with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The lease agreement also includes three, 10-year extensions. The operating lease protects Oceanport's tax payment and the repayment of a $23 million loan for environmental remediation, the mayor's office said in a release. 


Via Red Bank-Shrewsbury Patch

The co-presidents of Hotels Unlimited, a company that operates 10 hotels, nine of which are in Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties, is funding a lawsuit aimed at stopping the building of a Hampton Inn and Suites in Red Bank. Doran and Carey Tajfel are the mystery donors of a lawsuit fronted by Red Bank resident Stephen Mitchell and his attorney Ron Gasiorowski. Gasiorowski had previously declined to name the donors citing attorney-client privilege though relented at a recent meeting. The Tajfels own hotels the Doubletree Hotel in Tinton Falls and another hotel in West Long Branch, among others.