Governor faces boisterous crowd on debt reduction Said Rt. 440 toll, cty. portion of new rail line are off the table BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       As Gov. Jon Corzine walked onto the stage at East Brunswick High School, a loud wave of boos and hisses issued forth from the packed auditorium. While signs, banners and props were specifically prohibited, many in the audience didn't need them to make their displeasure known. Still, he said that t... More ... Sayreville faces obstacles in revitalizing Main Street Many desire to see a larger commercial district downtown BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       Residents who remember a more bustling Main Street in Sayreville are unlikely to see a return to those days anytime soon. The borough's downtown area around Main Street, like business districts throughout the country, has struggled due to the rise of large shopping malls elsewhere. More ... Towns will be sprayed for gypsy moth problem Insects could destroy up to 45,000 acres of trees in N.J. in '08 BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       While environmental destruction can often be attributed to human beings, smaller culprits are doing their part to wreak havoc, and they are multiplying quickly. "The devastation caused by gypsy moth caterpillars in 2007 was apparent last summer, with vast stands of trees left bare and weakened," ... More ... Proposals sought for borough attorney post Council makes annual appointments to boards, commissions BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Democrats and Republicans on the governing body were able to agree on most appointments to borough boards, commissions and services this year, but disagreed on others. The Democrats, who have a 4-2 majority on the Borough Council, recently made their own appointments to those positi... More ... Police charge 6 youths in series of graffiti acts Vandalism prompts council to consider security cameras BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - Property owners along Main Street may be able to breathe a sigh of relief now that police have arrested six juveniles suspected of spraying graffiti at several locations. More ... Pianist's goal is jazzing it up, and entertaining East Bruns. native to perform Saturday at Old Bridge library BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Though Dave Schlossberg has been honing his skills as a pianist since the age of 5, he does not necessarily see skill as a top priority. The 24-year-oldEastBrunswick native is good enough atwhat he does tomake a livelihood of it, but he derivesmost joy frombringing happiness to audie... More ... Fatalities prompt action at two O.B. intersections Traffic signal OK'd for one; town looks at options for other BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer       OLD BRIDGE - Township officials are taking steps toward averting future tragedies at two intersections. Thanks to efforts by Councilman Reggie Butler and others, a traffic signal will be installed at Spring Hill Road and Route 34, where a 17-year-old township girl died after an accident in Septe... More ... Middlesex Cty. formally introduces 2008 budget       NEWBRUNSWICK- The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders formally introduced a $397 million budget proposal last week that reduces the county's equalized property tax rate for the 15th straight year. The proposed budget includes a net tax levy of $281,223,000, which is the amount to be rais... More ... Pulomena to pursue administrator position BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer       NEW BRUNSWICK - Middlesex County Freeholder John Pulomena has resigned from the county board to pursue the position of county administrator. Pulomena has been on the board for 10 years. More ... Council, board meetings headed to living rooms Boro will follow board's lead in buying digital equipment BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE- Residents will soon be able to watch Board of Education and Borough Council meetings from the comfort of their homes, thanks to new technology. School Business Administrator Emidio D'Andrea said the board has been taping its meetings for several years now, but nowwill do so in digital... More ... Court forces resident to better secure dog Dog broke loose, attacked woman in Sayreville last year BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer       SAYREVILLE - A dog owner will have to go to extra lengths to keep his dog secured after pleading guilty to summonses related to a dog attack that occurred last year. The Holly Drive resident, who appeared in Sayreville Municipal Court Jan. More ... Walking in their shoes      JEFF GRANIT staff Trish Chambers talks about the shoes women would wear in the days of slavery during a recent presentation at the Old Bridge Public Library, regarding the Underground Railroad. Pamela Faison Brown, of Old Bridge, looks on. More ... Honored by Knights      The Knights of Columbus Sayreville Post #2061 issued its awards for 2007 on Feb. 3. From left, are Police Officer of the Year, Detective Jeffrey Sprague; Knights of Columbus Chancellor Robert Latham, Senior Citizen of the Year James Batissa; Firefighter of the Year Danny DiPoalo; Mayor Kennedy O'Bri... More ... Adopt a Pet       Old Bridge Animal Shelter 1 Old Bridge Plaza off Route 516, near municipal complex (732) 721-5600, ext. 6300 www.oldbridgeanimalshelter.petfinder.org Hours:Mon.& Fri. 10 a.m. to noon & 1 - 3 p.m.; Tues.,Wed. 10 a.m. to noon, 1 - 3 p.m.& 5 - 7 p.m. More ... Family gets support as two recover from cancer Old Bridge hockey event will help family with medical costs BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent       EAST BRUNSWICK - A little over a year ago, Fred and Kristen Fegel were living busy lives similar to other couples raising young families in the township. Kristen was working and while Fred was looking for a new job, he took care of 2-yearold Kelly and found time to improvise a hockey ring in the... More ...