1979: Al DeMartin, Superintendent

Al was a high profile Hamiltonian who was accessible; a very rare trait in today's society. Were it not for him, many of the historical entries you are finding on Hamilton High, Kuser, and other Hamilton Township schools would never have seen the light of day. How refreshing it was to pick up the phone, dial it, and have a real live secretary answer, and more refreshing, to ask for Mr. DeMartin and have a real live conversation with the real live Superintendent of Hamilton's schools. None of the "If you know your party's extension, enter it now...." "....I'm sorry, I can't come to the phone right now. If you leave your message, someone will get back to you..." "..he (or she) is in a meeting; I'll have him return your call..." You know the drill; you're still waiting for the return call. Voice mail is the worse thing that ever happened to mankind's efforts to correspond with fellow citizens who are insulated in their respective offices.

1979: My Friend, Former Mayor Al DeMartin

Here's a photo of the 1979 Board of Ed, with my friend, Al DeMartin in the center of the photo. When he was Superintendent of the Hamilton School system, Al let borrow a few of the minutes from the early years of the Hamilton Township school system's collection of minute books. It was a treasure trove of fabulous local history. Many of the items which I transcribed will be included in the 2009 Kuser School Centennial Celebration. I have been told by current Super, Neil Bencivengo that I will also be able to access additional records and bring some of the magnificent heritage of the Hamilton school system to those who are interested in our past system of education.

1988: AL DEMARTIN AND PRIM REEVES

I JUST SAW AL DEMARTIN LAST WEEK AT A ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON AT CEDAR GARDENS. EXCEPT FOR SOME DISTINGUISHED "SALT 'N PEPPER'" HAIR, HE STILL LOOKS JUST LIKE HE DOES IN THE PICTURE ABOVE. AL IS A REAL GENTLEMAN. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ALLOWING ME TO GAIN ACCESS TO HAMILTON SCHOOL'S ARCHIVES TO HELP US CELEBRATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF KUSER SCHOOL.

PRIM REEVES WAS THE PRODUCER FOR MY TKR WEEKLY LOCAL INTEREST TV TALK SHOW, "IN FOCUS," PRIM REEVES AND TKR, SERVED US VERY WELL, AND THEN ALONG CAME THE CABLE GIANT, CABLEVISION. THEY IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUED LOCAL ACCESS PROGRAMMING, CLOSED DOWN THE HAMILTON STUDIO,AND REPLACED TRULY LOCAL PROGRAMMING WITH WHAT THEY CALL "TV THAT'S CLOSE HOME"

"CLOSE TO HOME" COMES FROM 30 TO 50 MILES AWAY. WE GET TO SEE PROGRAMS WITH INTERVIEWS OF MAYORS IN OCEAN COUNTY, MONMOUTH COUNTY, MIDDLESEX, SOMERSET, WHO ARE COMPLETE STRANGERS TO US AND AN OCCASIONAL 3 MINUTE HAMILTON PIECE. CABLEVISION'S "CLOSE TO HOME" PROGRAMS ARE ANYTHING BUT "LOCAL," AS IN HAMILTON AND ALLENTOWN.

THE REASON?
WE ARE ON THE FAR WESTERN END OF THE CENTRAL NEW JERSEY CABLEVISION COVERAGE AREA. WE MIGHT GET A 3 MINUTE SPOT EVERY NOW AND THEN, BUT GETTING TRUE LOCAL COVERAGE IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. TRAVELING FROM WALL TOWNSHIP TO HAMILTON IS COSTLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE TOWNS LIKE MARLBORO, BELMAR, AND OCEAN COUNTY TOWNS NEAR CABLEVISION'S HOME GROUNDS IN WALL TOWNSHIP.
CAN YOU SAY "AUSTERITY?"