In prison, 22 months is no easy walk in the park GREG BEAN Coda       So, our old friend John Merla, the corrupt former mayor of Keyport, was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison last week. And just in time for Halloween, too. If you're a Keyportian, you couldn't ask for a better addition to your Fright Night goodie bag. Much better than a toothbrush, or even a... More ... No off-year election for Middlesex towns       No doubt, fewer voters will go to the polls next week, as there are no federal or gubernatorial races to be decided. But those who do pull the levers on Nov. 6 will have that much more say in who takes the reigns of their local government for the next four years. More ...