Bergen, DiNardo will perform civil unions Other Bayshore mayors say they’re unsure on issue BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer       The mayors of at least two Bayshore towns plan to perform civil union ceremonies for homosexual couples. Mayors Robert Bergen of Keyport and James DiNardo of Hazlet will both be performing the civil ceremonies, they said, starting as early as Feb. 19, the date the law goes into effe... More ...       Bobby Ward, 3, examines his reflection in the distortion mirror at Thompson Park, Middletown. More ... The Independent’s top 10 stories of 2006       1. O’Greedy One by one, the targets of the FBI’s Monmouth County corruption investigations cashed in their chips for lighter sentences this year, but Raymond O’Grady was the first to gamble on a trial. More ... DiNardo unanimously chosen mayor of Hazlet Predecessor says he’s concerned about new majority’s intentions BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       For the first time since 2003, the Township Committee will be run by Democrats, following the swearing in of political newcomer Joseph Belasco and incumbent Kevin Lavan on New Year’s Day. Lavan, who first won a partial term on the committee in 2005 along with James DiNardo, was chos... More ... Scharfenberger expected to become twp. mayor Reorganization meeting Sunday at Middletown municipal building BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       MIDDLETOWN — After serving on the Township Committee for the past two years, Deputy Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger will most likely move up to the top spot at the reorganization meeting on Sunday at 11 a.m. Scharfenberger, a 48-year-old archaeologist, will be entering the final year of... More ... Two painters’ works on display at library in Jan.       MIDDLETOWN — The township library will celebrate the start of a new year with two fine painting exhibits in The Gallery. Laura French will show watercolor and mixed media paintings, while Rachel Gans will exhibit serenely beautiful oil paintings of the woods around her Bloomington, N.Y., home... More ... Student earns praise for thyroid disease research BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer       HOLMDEL — For more years than he can remember, Alex Stagnaro-Green has attended the annual meeting of the American Thyroid Association. From Los Angeles, to Washington, D.C., to British Columbia, he’s seen some of the top medical professionals give presentations on groundbreaking topics wit... More ... From the Vault       Former state Assemblyman and Sen. Joseph Azzolina had a very high-profile supporter in his 1988 bid for Congress. Above, former President Gerald Ford stumps for his fellow Republican Azzolina during a press conference at the Shore Casino, Atlantic Highlands. Ford died last week at the age of ... More ... ‘Mrs. Roosevelt’ to meet guests in Middletown       MIDDLETOWN — The Monmouth County Historical Association announces its 108th annual meeting and lecture to be held on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. The featured speaker will be Eleanor Roosevelt, as portrayed by Rene Goodwin of the American Historical Theatre. The event will be held at the Taylor-Butler H... More ... ‘Pawfiles’: Every dog’s got personality       Lilly is a street urchin at heart. She raids the garbage outside her apartment, chases rodents and pigeons, but has a taste for the high life and filet mignon. Charlie doesn’t need any prompting to sing along with bagpipes or the harmonica, but hates the sound of thunder and cell phones. More ... Police, nonprofit offer domestic violence help Civilian counselors available in Aberdeen, Keyport and Matawan       The nonprofit 180 Turning Lives Around Inc., in collaboration with the Aberdeen, Keyport and Matawan police departments, have assembled a team of specially trained volunteer advocates available to meet confidentially with domestic violence victims at police headquarters, days and evenings, ... More ...