If you’ve seen some of the recent aerial clips from Eyes on EB, you might’ve noticed we’re getting closer, quicker, and more dynamic with how we cover what’s happening around town. When operating in areas where people may be present, Eyes on EB uses smaller, lightweight drones that meet FAA safety thresholds. These aircraft are designed to reduce risk, and all flights are conducted in accordance with Part 107 rules, avoiding sustained flight over crowds and prioritizing safety at all times.
That’s not by accident—and it’s not guesswork.
✅ Staying Current Under Part 107
The Eyes on EB SkyCam continues to operate under the FAA’s Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, with all required recurrent training completed to stay current.
What that means in real terms:
We are legally certified to fly for media and reporting
We stay updated on the latest FAA rules and safety requirements
Every flight is done with awareness of people, vehicles, and surroundings
Part 107 isn’t just a license—it’s the framework that keeps drone operations safe, especially in real-world environments like the ones we cover every day.
🧠 Why You’re Seeing More “Close” Coverage
You may see footage where the SkyCam is:
Moving along roadways
Passing over areas where people or vehicles are present
Getting angles that feel more “in the action”
Here’s what’s important to understand:
👉 That footage is captured using smaller drones under 0.55 lbs (250 grams) when appropriate.
Under FAA guidelines, those lighter drones are considered:
Lower risk
More suitable for dynamic environments
Better for safe, flexible coverage
So when you see those types of shots, it’s not reckless—it’s intentional and within the rules.
🚁 Flying Smart, Not Just Flying
There’s a big difference between flying a drone and operating one responsibly under Part 107.
That includes:
Knowing when a shot is safe to take
Choosing the right equipment for the situation
Avoiding unnecessary risk
Respecting the space and people below
Sometimes that means using a larger drone for quality. Other times, it means switching to a lighter drone that better fits the environment.
🎯 The Bottom Line
The Eyes on EB SkyCam is evolving—but the mission stays the same:
👉 Capture what’s happening in East Brunswick in a way that’s clear, responsible, and real
✔️ Certified
✔️ Always current
✔️ Using the right tools for the job
So when you see those smooth passes over a street or a quick overhead moment—you’re not just seeing a cool shot.
👉 You’re seeing smart, compliant flying done the right way.
Spring sports are in full swing, and East Brunswick teams continue to show exactly what this season is all about. It was another packed week across the board, with big wins, tough losses, standout performances, and teams continuing to build momentum.
But this week wasn’t just about what happened on the field.
A Major Shift for EB Basketball
While teams were competing across spring sports, there was also a significant development off the court.
Longtime East Brunswick boys basketball head coach Mark Motusesky announced he will be stepping down after 13 seasons. He finishes with 180 wins and comes off a 21-7 season and a division title.
Motusesky has been a constant in the program for over a decade, and his departure marks the end of an era for East Brunswick basketball. Over the years, he helped shape the program through consistency, leadership, and a commitment to his players, leaving a lasting impact that goes well beyond the win column. East Brunswick owes him a great deal of appreciation for what he built.
Now, let’s get into the action.
Girls’ Golf Stays Perfect Against Old Bridge
East Brunswick girls’ golf continued its dominant season with a 157 to 189 win over Old Bridge.
Claire Liu led the way with a 36, followed by Dasha Patel at 38 and Tasneem Basrai at 40. Isabella Loufek added a 43 as the Bears improved to 11-0 overall and 6-0 in the GMC Red.
Boys Volleyball Picks Up Back-to-Back Wins
East Brunswick boys volleyball had a strong stretch, picking up two wins early in the week.
They opened with a 2-0 win over Woodbridge, led by Dylan Schon’s 9 kills and Connor Wong’s 18 assists. Yazan Daoud added 3 blocks in the win.
The Bears followed that up with another 2-0 sweep over South Brunswick, winning 25-15 and 25-17. Daoud led again with 7 kills, while Wong dished out 19 assists and Carlos Torres added 2 aces.
Baseball Explodes Late Against Old Bridge
East Brunswick baseball delivered one of the most exciting wins of the week, defeating Old Bridge 10-4 behind a huge late-game rally.
The Bears scored 7 runs in the sixth inning and added 3 more in the seventh to pull away. Julian Satterthwaite had 2 hits and 2 RBI, Javier Casacuberta added 2 doubles and 2 RBI, and Joshua Hines drove in 2 runs.
Softball Battles South Plainfield
East Brunswick softball came up just short in a 4-2 loss to South Plainfield.
Eva Munoz led the offense with 3 hits, while Maria Rampolla drove in both runs. Christina Lee pitched a strong game, allowing just 2 earned runs over 6 innings.
Boys Tennis Rolls Past Edison Magnet
East Brunswick boys tennis stayed dominant with a 5-0 sweep.
Neil Lund, Ishaan Makim, and Ketan Deodhar all won in singles, while both doubles teams handled business in straight sets.
Girls Lacrosse Dominates, Then Wins A Thriller
It was a huge week for East Brunswick girls lacrosse.
The Bears opened with a dominant 13-0 win over North Brunswick. Erika Riggio scored 3 goals, Eva Leto had a goal and 2 assists, and multiple players contributed in a complete team performance.
They followed that up with a tight 7-6 win over South Brunswick. Riggio finished with 2 goals and an assist, Sienna Mitchell added a goal and 2 assists, and Gianna Stavola scored twice in a big conference win.
Boys Lacrosse Faces Tough Stretch
East Brunswick boys lacrosse had a challenging week, dropping games to Monroe and St. Joseph.
Against Monroe, the Bears fell 10-2, with Foster Dohn and Mathieu Silveira scoring. Adam Margulies contributed 4 assists.
They followed with a 13-2 loss to St. Joseph, with both goals coming in the second half as the Bears battled against a strong opponent.
Boys Golf Remains Undefeated
East Brunswick boys golf continued its perfect season with a 156 to 188 win over J.P. Stevens.
Hsieh Fong-Yang led with a 37, Ivan Liu shot 38, and both Carlo Salardino and Hsieh Fong-Hou finished at 40. The Bears improved to 13-0 and remain one of the top teams in the area.
Softball Breaks Out With Big Win Over Old Bridge
After the earlier loss, East Brunswick softball bounced back in a big way with an 11-4 win over Old Bridge.
Maria Rampolla had a monster game, going 3-for-4 with a home run and 5 RBI. Christina Lee added 3 hits, scored twice, and stole 3 bases while earning the win. The Bears piled up 17 hits in a dominant offensive performance.
Baseball Splits With Woodbridge
East Brunswick baseball had a mixed week against Woodbridge.
They dropped a tight 3-2 game, where Brandon Bastek scored and Joshua Hines drove in a run.
They later fell 10-3, with Julian Satterthwaite collecting 2 doubles and Cole Zebro driving in 2 runs.
Boys Volleyball Drops Match To J.P. Stevens
The Bears wrapped up the week with a tough 2-0 loss to J.P. Stevens.
Despite the loss, East Brunswick stayed competitive, falling 25-23 and 25-20 against a strong opponent.
Final Thoughts
It was another packed and competitive week for East Brunswick athletics. Undefeated golf teams continue to roll, girls lacrosse is building momentum, softball showed explosive offense, and volleyball picked up key wins.
And beyond the scores, this was also a week that marked the end of an era.
After 13 seasons and 180 wins, boys basketball head coach Mark Motusesky is stepping down following a 21-7 season and a division title.
His impact on the program and the players he coached will last far beyond this season, and his departure is a reminder that high school sports are as much about people and legacy as they are about results.
As the spring season continues, East Brunswick teams are competing, growing, and giving the community plenty to be proud of.
On Sunday night, nine Democratic candidates took the stage at Rider University for the New Jersey 12th Congressional primary debate — a race that will likely determine the next member of Congress in a heavily Democratic district.
Hosted by the New Jersey Globe, the debate brought together a wide range of candidates — from mayors and lawmakers to first-time contenders — each trying to stand out in a crowded field.
For East Brunswick residents, the focus naturally turns to Mayor Brad Cohen — and in a night where many candidates shared similar talking points, he often differentiated himself not just in tone, but in how he approached the issues, particularly when it came to execution, governance, and some of the debate’s more sensitive topics.
A Crowded Stage, Two Clear Lanes
With nine candidates and limited time, the debate moved quickly. Many answers leaned into familiar themes — opposition to Trump, calls to “fight,” and broad policy positions.
But underneath that, a clearer divide emerged.
Some candidates leaned heavily into bold, structural change — abolishing agencies, sweeping reforms, and more aggressive national positions.
Others, including Cohen at times, focused more on governance — how policies actually get passed, implemented, and sustained.
That contrast defined much of the night.
Cohen’s Approach: Less Rhetoric, More Execution
Cohen didn’t try to dominate the debate, but when he spoke, his message was consistent: results matter.
He pulled from his experience as:
An OB-GYN physician
A former Board of Education member
Mayor of East Brunswick
Instead of staying in the abstract, he kept bringing things back to what voters actually see.
At one point, he summed it up directly:
“People get to Congress and spend more time trying to make the other side look bad than actually getting anything done.”
That line captured his lane — less about messaging, more about delivery.
Where He Differentiated Himself
Delivering vs. Debating
While several candidates focused on big, sweeping changes, Cohen consistently redirected toward practicality:
Can it pass?
Can it be implemented?
Will it actually produce results?
It wasn’t the loudest approach — but it was one of the more grounded ones.
Foreign Policy — Not a One-Sided Divide
The Israel discussion created some of the sharpest moments of the night — but it wasn’t as one-sided as it might seem.
While a few candidates pushed for cutting off aid entirely, others — including Cohen — took a more traditional Democratic position:
Support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself
Willingness to criticize leadership decisions, including Netanyahu
Importantly, Cohen wasn’t alone in avoiding the most hardline stance.
Several candidates landed somewhere in the middle — supporting:
Conditional aid rather than a full cutoff
A two-state solution
A balance between humanitarian concerns and long-standing alliances
In other words, this wasn’t a lone position — it was one side of a broader divide within the field.
Immigration — Similar Split
The same pattern showed up on immigration.
Some candidates called for abolishing ICE entirely.
Others — including Adrian Mapp — pushed back, arguing for reform instead of elimination.
Cohen aligned more with that group:
Acknowledging the system is broken
Emphasizing legislative reform
Pointing to bipartisan efforts that failed due to politics
Again, he wasn’t an outlier — but part of a smaller, more moderate lane within the debate.
Healthcare — Where Experience Showed
On healthcare, there was broad agreement: the system isn’t working.
What separated Cohen was how he talked about it — through direct experience dealing with insurance companies as a physician and managing budgets at the local level.
It gave his answers a level of real-world grounding that stood out.
Not Just Cohen — Others Had Strong Moments
To be fair, Cohen wasn’t the only candidate taking a more measured or practical tone.
Adrian Mapp stood out by pushing back on calls to abolish ICE, instead arguing for reform, emphasizing that systems should be fixed rather than eliminated and focusing on practical governance over sweeping changes.
Sam Wang brought a more analytical, systems-focused approach, often stepping back to talk about structure, long-term governance, and how institutions like Congress and the courts actually function.
Squire Servance emphasized affordability and results, focusing on lowering costs and expanding access to healthcare, positioning himself in a more practical, outcomes-driven lane similar to Cohen at times.
Sue Altman brought a more activist-driven approach, emphasizing systemic change, stronger government intervention, and aggressive stances on issues like immigration and economic reform.
Jay Vaingankar brought a more activist and an aggressive and direct style, frequently challenging other candidates on stage while pushing for sweeping changes on issues like immigration, energy, and foreign policy.
Adam Hamawy leaned heavily on his experience as a combat surgeon and physician, framing healthcare and foreign policy through real-world impact while advocating for broader systemic changes. He also had more of an activist tone.
What This Race Is Really About
If this debate made anything clear, it’s this:
This race isn’t just about policy — it’s about what kind of Democrat voters want right now.
A more aggressive, change-driven approach?
Or a more pragmatic, execution-focused one?
That same spectrum exists beyond this race:
Bonnie Watson Coleman has generally aligned more with the progressive wing
Phil Murphy operates in a pragmatic-progressive middle
Mikie Sherrill is often viewed as more moderate
Cohen’s positioning in this debate placed him closer to that Murphy/Sherrill lane — focused on governing, not just messaging.
What It Means for East Brunswick
For a local audience, the takeaway is straightforward:
Cohen didn’t try to be the loudest voice on stage — but he consistently presented himself as someone already doing the work of governing.
For some voters, that’s exactly what they’re looking for.
For others, the moment may call for something more aggressive.
Either way, in a crowded field with competing visions, Cohen carved out a lane that felt distinctly his own — and made it clear where he fits in the broader direction of the party.
Eyes On EB is committed to delivering the most comprehensive East Brunswick High School sports coverage possible. From the golf course to the tennis courts, the lacrosse field, the baseball diamond, the softball field, and the volleyball court, we want to make sure our student athletes are being recognized for the work they are putting in this spring.
It was another packed week for East Brunswick athletics, with undefeated golf teams staying hot, boys tennis continuing to roll, baseball bouncing back in a big way, and several teams battling through tough matchups.
Boys Golf Stays Perfect
East Brunswick boys golf kept its unbeaten season going with two more strong wins.
On April 20, the Bears defeated South Plainfield 150 to 170 at Plainfield Country Club. Ivan Liu and Carlo Salardino led the way with matching 36s, while Aiden Lee shot a 38 and Hsieh Fong-Hou added a 40.
On April 23, East Brunswick beat Metuchen 162 to 187. Aiden Lee and Hsieh Fong-Hou both shot 40, while Ivan Liu and Shreyas Batra each finished with a 41.
The Bears continue to look like one of the strongest teams in the GMC Red.
Girls Golf Continues Strong Start
East Brunswick girls golf had another impressive week.
Claire Liu had a standout performance at the Lady Bombers Tee-Off Classic on April 20, winning the individual title with a 73. East Brunswick finished second as a team with a 236, just behind J.P. Stevens.
The Bears followed that up with a 155 to 233 win over Sayreville on April 21. Claire Liu shot a 33, Dasha Patel added a 35, Tasneem Basrai shot 42, and Isabella Loufek finished with a 45.
On April 22, East Brunswick defeated J.P. Stevens 152 to 161. Liu again led the Bears with a 34, followed by Patel with a 40, Basrai with a 41, and Loufek with a 42.
Boys Tennis Keeps Rolling
East Brunswick boys tennis continued its strong season with three wins during the week.
On April 21, the Bears swept South Brunswick 5 to 0. Kaito Woodridge and Ishaan Makim won in straight sets at first and second singles, while Vyan Mahesh battled through a tight third singles match. The doubles teams also came through to complete the sweep.
On April 22, East Brunswick beat Westfield 4 to 1. Woodridge, Ketan Deodhar, and both doubles teams picked up victories.
On April 23, the Bears defeated Edison 4 to 1. Neil Lund, Vyan Mahesh, Ashwin Deodhar, and both doubles teams helped East Brunswick continue its strong run.
Baseball Bounces Back Big
East Brunswick baseball had a tough start to the week but responded with two big offensive performances.
On April 21, the Bears fell to Edison 9 to 0. Brandon Bastek had East Brunswick’s lone hit in the loss.
Then the bats woke up.
On April 23, East Brunswick defeated South Plainfield 10 to 9 in a wild game. Julian Satterthwaite scored three runs, Jaidon Coello had three hits, Cole Zebro drove in three, and Jordan Rudolph hit a home run.
On April 24, the Bears came back with another big win over South Plainfield, this time 16 to 6. Satterthwaite went 4 for 5 with four runs and three RBIs. Joe Spinello drove in five runs, Brandon Bastek added two RBIs, and Jordan Rudolph picked up the win on the mound.
Softball Falls in Close Battle
East Brunswick softball dropped a tough one to Metuchen on April 21, losing 9 to 8.
The Bears jumped out early with six runs in the first two innings, but Metuchen battled back. East Brunswick still had plenty of offense, with Makenna Gay, Isabella Warrington, Eva Munoz, and Rachel Gerould each collecting two hits. Warrington drove in two runs, while Maria Rampolla also added two RBIs.
Christina Lee struck out five in the circle and also scored twice.
Boys Lacrosse Gets a Close Win
East Brunswick boys lacrosse picked up a hard-fought 8 to 7 win over Gov. Livingston on April 21.
Foster Dohn led the Bears with two goals, two assists, and four points. Brian Simpson had two goals and one assist, while Mathieu Silveira also scored twice and added an assist. Nicholas Marsicano was strong in goal with 14 saves.
The Bears later fell to Robbinsville 15 to 2 on April 25.
Girls Lacrosse Shows Firepower
East Brunswick girls lacrosse had a big win on April 21, defeating Edison 16 to 3.
Erika Riggio led the way with five goals, two assists, and seven points. Ava McVicar scored three goals and added an assist. Ashlee McGowan and Jolie Salamon each scored twice, while several other Bears contributed in the win.
The Bears then dropped two tough games later in the week, falling to Monroe 10 to 8 on April 23 and West Windsor-Plainsboro North 11 to 4 on April 25. Riggio continued to lead the offense, scoring four goals against Monroe and three more against West Windsor-Plainsboro North.
Boys Volleyball Battles Through Busy Week
East Brunswick boys volleyball had a challenging stretch but ended the week with a win.
On April 21, the Bears pushed St. Joseph to three sets before falling 2 to 1. Logan Allen led East Brunswick with nine kills, Connor Wong had 16 assists, and Yuvraj Singla added four blocks.
On April 23, East Brunswick fell to Old Bridge 2 to 0. Dylan Schon led the Bears with eight kills, while Connor Wong had 11 assists.
The Bears bounced back on April 24 with a 2 to 0 win over Long Branch. Logan Allen had five kills, Yazan Daoud added four blocks, and Connor Wong finished with 14 assists.
Final Thoughts
This was another full week for East Brunswick spring sports, and there was a little bit of everything. Undefeated golf teams, tennis dominance, big baseball bats, lacrosse standouts, volleyball battles, and athletes across the board continuing to compete.
Eyes On EB will continue following the Bears throughout the season and highlighting the student athletes representing East Brunswick.
The district now has a balanced budget plan in place. The final vote comes at the next meeting. But how they got there, and what it means for residents and students, is where the real story is.
The Budget Is Balanced — But Taxes Are Going Up
Let’s start with the part that affects every homeowner.
The district began this process staring at a $5.5 million deficit. Through a series of reductions, adjustments, and revenue changes, they’ve now closed that gap. The final result is a 6.16% tax increase.
That number matters.
For residents, this isn’t a minor increase tied to inflation. This is a real jump in the school portion of your property taxes. The board made it clear this was the path that allowed them to avoid deeper cuts to programs and staffing. In other words, this increase wasn’t optional—it was the lever that kept the structure of the district intact.
The trade-off was clear:
Raise taxes to preserve programs
Or cut deeper into what students actually experience
The board chose to spread the impact rather than concentrate it.
Where the Cuts and Changes Happened
To get there, the district made a series of adjustments:
Club fees increased to $45
Athletic fees increased to $200
A family cap of $800 was introduced for sports and related activities
Elementary school clubs were reduced from seven to five based on participation
Some staffing positions were not replaced or were reduced through attrition
Graduation transportation was eliminated, with limited exceptions
The district emphasized that these were not outright eliminations of programs, but consolidations based on enrollment and usage.
Student Safety Data and What It Shows
The board also reviewed student safety data covering September through December.
41 total incidents district-wide
Highest numbers at Churchill and the high school
Incidents included violence, vandalism, substance use, and HIB cases
One point that was clarified multiple times: just because something does not meet the legal definition of HIB does not mean it is ignored. Those situations are still addressed through discipline and intervention.
A Bigger Conversation: Are Students Being Pushed Too Hard?
The conversation expanded beyond data and into the structure of the system itself, especially around student workload and expectations.
East Brunswick students are taking on significantly more than the state requirement:
State requirement: 120 credits
East Brunswick requires 140 credits to graduate, which is 20 credits above the state minimum of 120. In practice, many students may carry schedules closer to 150–160 credits over four years, which adds even more workload and pressure. Twenty extra credits might not sound like a lot, but it’s roughly four additional classes over a high school career. For some students, that’s manageable. For others, especially those balancing academics, sports, and everything else, it adds real pressure.
That gap came up as part of a broader concern about stress, pressure, and whether the system is pushing students too hard in pursuit of academic outcomes.
There was open acknowledgment that not every student is on a high-achievement, college-bound track, and the system may need to better reflect that reality.
Public Comment: Where Things Shifted
Public comment brought the conversation into focus.
David Chan Raises Concerns About Language Programs
David Chan, a parent and community member, spoke about concerns he had heard regarding possible cuts to language programs, specifically Mandarin. He shared a personal perspective, explaining how much value his child is getting from the program, not just academically, but culturally—building pride, connection, and engagement at home.
He made it clear he did not want to see those opportunities reduced.
The board responded directly to that concern. They clarified that language programs are not being cut, addressing the issue head-on and pushing back on the idea that Mandarin or other language offerings were on the chopping block.
That exchange was important. It showed how quickly concerns can spread in the community, and how the board is having to respond in real time to what people are hearing.
Watch here:
Custodial Outsourcing Draws Pushback
Dana Zimbicki, speaking on behalf of the East Brunswick Education Association, addressed the potential outsourcing of custodial staff. Her message focused on the human side of the issue, arguing that custodians are part of the daily fabric of each school, not just a cost center.
She emphasized that removing them would mean losing consistency, relationships, and people who understand the buildings and the students inside them.
The district confirmed that discussions and negotiations on that issue are ongoing.
Watch here:
A Frustrated Parent Forces a Bigger Conversation
The most intense moment came from a parent from Buckingham Road.
He spoke with clear frustration, starting with a concern about transparency—specifically that students are not getting their assessments back. His argument was straightforward: if students can’t see what they got wrong, they can’t learn from it.
But that was only part of it.
He pushed further, questioning the district’s overall direction. The focus on academic performance, college pathways, and metrics that don’t apply to every student. His point was blunt: not every student is on that path, and the system doesn’t always account for that.
It was direct, emotional, and it cut through everything else being discussed.
Watch here:
The Budget Is Set — The Questions Are Not
The district now has a balanced budget plan in place. The numbers are essentially finalized, with the official vote scheduled for the next meeting.
But the meeting made something else clear:
Taxes are going up in a meaningful way
Operational decisions are under scrutiny
Parents are questioning priorities
And the expectations placed on students are being reevaluated
The numbers are finalized, but the direction of the district is still being debated.
And after this meeting, that debate is only getting louder.
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Eyes On EB is built and run by Five Star SEO, a local marketing agency focused on real visibility.
If you want to understand what’s going on in town, start with the public portion. That’s where people say what they actually think, not what’s written on an agenda.
We’ll get into the full meeting, but this is where it makes the most sense to begin.
Embedded clip of Troy Bailey
One resident came in prepared and focused on transparency and communication. The point was straightforward. Topics like affordable housing, redevelopment, and long-term planning are not being clearly discussed in a way the public can follow. He referenced learning about updates from outside sources instead of hearing them directly through council.
He suggested advisory committees, better reporting, and more structured ways to involve residents before decisions are made.
That connects directly to something earlier in the meeting. Council moved forward with removing an inactive committee from the township code. At the same time, a resident is asking for more active involvement and clearer communication. That disconnect is there.
Another resident raised a specific issue. School crossing coverage.
The concern is that one crossing guard cannot safely manage multiple corners during school start and dismissal times. It’s a simple point, but it matters to families.
Council’s response pointed toward the Board of Education also being involved. That likely becomes a shared conversation moving forward.
Explanation
Then the focus shifted to costs. Cable bills, taxes, and services.
One comment stood out. Over $400 a month for cable.
That ties directly into one of the more important actions earlier in the meeting. Council approved steps that allow Optimum to begin expanding fiber service into East Brunswick. The goal is to bring competition into the market.
If that rollout happens as described, it could impact pricing and service. That’s something worth watching.
Watch here.
There were also questions about e-bike regulations, leaf pickup, and potential changes involving custodial services. Some answers were given. Some were not fully addressed.
The public portion isn’t polished, but it’s useful. It shows what people are paying attention to right now. Transparency, safety, and cost all came up immediately.
The Rest of the Meeting
The meeting itself included more than just public comment.
There were proclamations recognizing Sikh Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. A long-time township employee was recognized for retirement after decades of service. Council also moved forward with removing an outdated ordinance and advancing multiple resolutions, including the early steps for Optimum’s fiber expansion into town.
There was also discussion around a community history event and updates from township officials on elections, upcoming events, and recent activity in town.
We’ll break those pieces down separately, but they all tie back to the same thing. What’s being discussed at the council level and what residents are raising during public comment are not always aligned, but they are connected.
Along with everything else, the council recognized the retirement of Colleen Leroy after 35 years with the township.
She worked in multiple roles over the years and was described as someone who knew how to get things done and kept things moving. It was one of the more genuine moments of the meeting.
Good luck, Colleen! Watch her segment.
That’s the full picture.
Eyes On EB is built and run by Five Star SEO, a local marketing agency focused on real visibility.
If you own a small business in East Brunswick or the surrounding area, the biggest challenge right now isn’t your service, your pricing, or even your competition. It’s whether people are actually seeing you consistently enough to remember you.
There’s more content than ever. More businesses are posting. More ads are running. And most of it gets ignored.
That’s the reality.
Why Most Local Marketing Falls Flat
A lot of businesses are doing what they think they’re supposed to do. Posting on social media, boosting a few things here and there, maybe experimenting with ads.
But it usually feels scattered.
There’s no real consistency. No real traction. And more importantly, no connection.
The problem isn’t effort. It’s placement.
If you’re not showing up where people are already paying attention, you’re starting from zero every time.
What’s Already Happening Here
Over the past few years, Eyes On EB has built something most local platforms don’t.
Attention that people actually care about.
Not forced content. Not generic posts. Real local topics, conversations, and coverage that people follow, comment on, and share.
That matters, because attention like that doesn’t happen overnight. It builds over time, and once it’s there, it creates an opportunity.
Where Local Businesses Fit In
This isn’t about turning the platform into ads.
It’s about giving local businesses a way to be seen within something people already trust and pay attention to.
Instead of trying to fight for visibility on your own, you’re showing up inside a space where:
The audience is local
The attention is consistent
and the content already has engagement
That’s a very different starting point.
What This Actually Looks Like
There are two simple ways businesses are getting involved, depending on how visible they want to be.
The first is for businesses that just want to stay present and be seen consistently. That includes homepage placement, mentions within content, social tags, and a listing in the business directory. It keeps your name in front of people without overcomplicating anything.
The second goes deeper. Instead of just being visible, it focuses on telling your story. That includes custom video reels and a dedicated blog feature, so people don’t just see your name, they understand what you do and why it matters.
The difference is simple. One keeps you visible. The other makes you part of the conversation.
Why This Works
Most advertising gets ignored because it feels like advertising.
This works because it doesn’t interrupt what people are doing. It fits into it.
When people already follow a platform and trust what they’re seeing, the businesses that show up within that environment don’t feel random. They feel relevant.
That’s where attention becomes useful.
Final Thought
If you’re a local business, you can keep trying to build attention from scratch every time you post, or you can put yourself in a position where attention already exists.
That’s the difference.
And that’s exactly what this is built around.
Eyes On EB is built and run by Five Star SEO, a local marketing agency focused on real visibility.
East Brunswick spring teams delivered a week packed with statement wins, breakout performances, and a few tough lessons along the way. From dominant golf scores to clutch softball swings, strong tennis play, and a shutout baseball win, Bears teams gave fans plenty to talk about across April 13 through April 18.
Girls golf stays unbeaten
East Brunswick’s girls golf team kept rolling with a perfect week, stacking four wins and continuing to show just how deep this lineup is. The Bears opened with a 181 to 257 win over Mother Seton on April 13 behind Tasneem Basrai’s 42 and Dasha Patel’s 44. They followed that with a dominant 152 to 211 win over New Brunswick on April 14, led by Dasha Patel’s 34 and Tasneem Basrai’s 36. On April 15, East Brunswick beat Edison 170 to 235 as Basrai again paced the Bears with a 40. Then on April 16, the Bears knocked off Wardlaw Hartridge 161 to 200, with Claire Liu earning medalist honors with an impressive 36. Across the week, East Brunswick consistently filled the top spots on the leaderboard and showed why this team remains one of the most reliable programs in town.
Boys golf continues its outstanding run
The boys golf team also put together a huge week. East Brunswick opened by taking third at the Bomber Golf Classic on April 13 with a team score of 227 against a loaded field, led by Hsieh Fong-Yang’s 72, which placed fourth overall, while Carlo Salardino added a 76 and Shreyas Batra shot 79. The Bears then returned to dual-match play and never looked back. On April 15, they beat Monroe 149 to 179 behind a 35 from Hsieh Fong-Yang and a 36 from Carlo Salardino. On April 16, East Brunswick edged Edison 127 to 136, with Hsieh Fong-Yang firing a 30 and Ivan Liu right behind him with a 31. It was another big week for a team that continues to prove it can win in both tournament and match settings.
Boys tennis puts together a strong stretch
East Brunswick boys tennis turned in another impressive week, earning three team wins in three days. The Bears beat Peddie 4 to 1 on April 14, with wins from Neil Lund at first singles, Kaito Woodridge at second singles, Ishaan Makim at third singles, and Ashwin Deodhar and Saksham Bhardwaj at second doubles. On April 15, East Brunswick topped St. Joseph 4 to 1, taking four of the five flights, including doubles wins by Timur Savin and Vyan Mahesh and by Ashwin Deodhar and Saksham Bhardwaj. Then on April 16, the Bears blanked J.P. Stevens 5 to 0 in a complete team performance. East Brunswick showed both balance and flexibility all week, with different players stepping up across the lineup.
Softball powers through a productive week
The softball team had one of the strongest weeks of any East Brunswick program, winning three of four and getting major production at the plate.
The week started April 13 with a 14 to 3 win over Monroe. Haylie Brenes drove in five runs, Eva Munoz scored three times, and Christina Lee earned the win in the circle with five strikeouts. On April 16, East Brunswick beat Colonia 6 to 4 after Maria Rampolla delivered the game’s biggest swing, blasting a grand slam to erase an early deficit. Christina Lee struck out eight in that win. Then on April 18 at the Autism Awareness Challenge, the Bears pulled away from Spotswood for a 10 to 4 win. Emma Turzani went 3 for 4, Maria Rampolla had two RBI, and Christina Lee struck out nine.
The offense was active, the team showed resilience after falling behind, and the Bears found ways to finish games strong.
Baseball shows fight and picks up a shutout win
Baseball had a mixed week, but there were still some strong moments worth highlighting. On April 14, East Brunswick battled Old Bridge in a wild extra-inning game before falling 11 to 10. The Bears matched Old Bridge hit for hit, with Julian Satterthwaite scoring twice and collecting two hits, while Joe Coello drove in three runs. Even in the loss, East Brunswick showed offensive life.
After a difficult 13 to 3 loss to Scotch Plains Fanwood on April 16 at the Autism Awareness Challenge, the Bears bounced back in a big way on April 18 with a 4 to 0 shutout win over Red Bank Regional. Jordan Rudolph was outstanding, allowing just one hit and striking out six over six innings, while Brandon Bastek collected three hits and Julian Satterthwaite scored twice. That kind of response says a lot about a team’s toughness.
Girls lacrosse splits the week
Girls lacrosse opened the week with a big one goal win over South Brunswick, 9 to 8, on April 14. Erika Riggio finished with two goals and two assists, while Ava McVicar and Sienna Mitchell each scored twice. Maria Bumbaca came up huge in goal with 15 saves, helping the Bears hold off a strong South Brunswick attack.
Two days later, East Brunswick ran into a tough Old Bridge team and fell 14 to 3. Erika Riggio scored two goals, but Old Bridge’s attack proved difficult to contain. Even with the loss, the earlier win over South Brunswick showed this group can battle and close out tight games.
Boys volleyball battles through busy week
Boys volleyball went 1 and 3 during a demanding stretch of matches. The Bears nearly stole a set from unbeaten Monroe on April 14 before falling in straight sets, then pushed Colonia hard in a three-set loss on April 16. On April 17, East Brunswick fell to Edison in straight sets, but the team bounced back the next morning with a 2 to 0 win over Hopewell Valley. In that victory, Rafael Sharlot had 16 assists, Dylan Schon had six kills, Yuvraj Singla added four aces, and the Bears controlled both sets from start to finish. That Saturday result gave East Brunswick a strong note to build on heading into the next stretch.
Boys lacrosse still searching for a breakthrough
Boys lacrosse dropped a 14 to 4 decision to Old Bridge on April 14. Foster Dohn had a goal and an assist, while Brian Simpson, A.J. Pepe, and Mathieu Silveira also scored. Adam Margulies was effective on faceoffs, winning 12 of 21. The final score was lopsided, but there were still a few individual bright spots for the Bears to build from moving forward.
A big-picture week for the Bears
This was another busy and revealing week for East Brunswick athletics. The golf programs continue to set the standard with unbeaten runs and low scores. Boys tennis keeps piling up wins. Softball showed pop and poise. Baseball answered adversity with a shutout. And several teams facing tougher stretches still gave flashes of fight and resilience. As the spring moves deeper into the season, East Brunswick has plenty of teams showing they are capable of making noise.
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I don’t usually write with clickbait in mind, but this one earned it.
This morning, I’m sitting in Panera, and I run into someone I see there all the time. She looks at me and says, “Did you watch the BOE meeting yet?”
I said no, sometime today I will.
She just starts laughing, like she’s trying to get the sentence out.
Then she says, “They were talking about how kids who don’t go to preschool are more likely to end up getting arrested.”
Now I’m laughing, because I assume she’s stretching something.
She wasn’t.
Which, I guess, is great news for anyone who either can’t afford daycare or just doesn’t want to send their kid… you can now relax knowing you’re apparently rolling the dice on incarceration. Good to know.
What Was Actually Said
This came up during a discussion about the preschool program and whether increasing costs could limit access, especially for families in free and reduced lunch programs.
Board member Wilbur Pan said:
“There’s data out there to show that if you go to preschool compared to kids that don’t go to preschool, you’ll be less likely to get arrested as an adult… you’ll have a higher starting salary…”
To be fair, that idea comes from a real study, the HighScope Perry Preschool Study from the 1960s, which followed a small group of kids over decades and found correlations between preschool attendance and long-term outcomes like income and arrest rates.
You had custodians and their supporters in the room, people concerned about privatization and losing their jobs. There was real tension, real stakes, real people sitting there trying to understand what decisions are being made.
And in the middle of that, the conversation shifts to long-term studies about preschool and arrest rates.
That’s where it starts to feel off.
The Pushback
Antoinette Evola stepped in pretty quickly and addressed how that kind of statement lands.
“I want to be very careful when you put a message out there that the students that don’t attend pre-K are at risk for being incarcerated…”
And then:
“Should families be concerned that their kids are going to become criminals because they didn’t get to do a half day program? That’s ridiculous.”
That’s the moment where the conversation shifts from research to reality.
Grounding It Back in Reality
Evola also made the point that gets lost when you start pulling in broad studies:
“You cannot compare the studies of a district that have high crime… to a town like ours.”
And then just put it plainly:
“I didn’t go to preschool… and I was never incarcerated.”
Other Voices
There were other perspectives in the room.
Laurie Herrick took a different angle and asked:
“If we take that away… does that cause us to spend more money down the road?”
In other words, are we saving money now… only to pay for it later?
And Marianne Tanious pointed out the issue with the study itself:
“The Perry Preschool project… is from the 1960s and it’s highly flawed.”
Then brought it right back to where the conversation actually is:
“We have no money.”
What This Was Really About
Nobody was arguing that preschool doesn’t matter.
That wasn’t the point.
The point is where you are right now as a district.
You’re dealing with a budget deficit. You have people in the room worried about their jobs. You’re making decisions that affect families immediately.
And in the middle of that, the conversation drifts into long-term projections about arrest rates tied to preschool attendance.
That’s where the disconnect shows up.
The Head Tilt Moment
It’s not anger. It’s not outrage.
It’s just that moment where you sit there and think:
How did we get here?
From a budget discussion… to whether skipping preschool leads to getting arrested.
Back to Panera
So yeah, back to this morning.
We weren’t debating policy. We were just laughing at how the conversation even got there.
And honestly, that’s probably the most honest reaction to it.
Because sometimes the takeaway isn’t to argue every side.
It’s just to recognize when something takes a turn that makes you stop for a second.
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Spring sports are officially rolling in East Brunswick, and this past week gave fans a little bit of everything. There were dominant wins, tough losses, statement performances, and plenty of athletes who stepped up in big moments. From golf teams continuing to pile up victories, to boys tennis putting together another strong stretch, to softball and girls lacrosse delivering some exciting results, East Brunswick athletes stayed busy all week long. There is already plenty of fight, talent, and momentum showing across the board, and this week made one thing clear: the Bears are going to give people a lot to talk about this spring.
⛳ Girls Golf stays red hot
East Brunswick girls golf kept its strong start going with a pair of impressive dual-meet wins. The Bears opened the week by beating Old Bridge, 168 to 184, behind a first-place 39 from Dasha Patel, while Tasneem Basrai shot a 41 and Erin Choi added a 42. East Brunswick followed that up with another convincing win over Metuchen, 178 to 261, as Basrai took first with a 38 and Isabella Loufek finished second with a 46. On Thursday, the Bears rolled again, defeating South Brunswick, 163 to 224. Basrai once again led the way with a 39, while Loufek and Choi each carded 41s and Dasha Patel came in at 42. East Brunswick also competed in the Red Devil Invitational on Friday and finished eighth as a team with a 358, with Basrai leading the Bears by shooting an 83 to tie for 20th overall.
⛳ Boys Golf keeps piling up wins
It was another huge week for East Brunswick boys golf, which continued its unbeaten run with three more victories. The Bears took down Metuchen, 155 to 188, as Carlo Salardino, Hsieh Fong-Yang, and Shreyas Batra all tied for first with 38s, while Matt Mikulka added a 41. East Brunswick then beat South Brunswick, 135 to 153, in one of its strongest performances of the week. Hsieh Fong-Yang fired a match-best 32, Batra followed with a 33, and both Salardino and Hsieh Fong-Hou shot 35. The Bears closed out the week with another win, topping Edison, 153 to 181, as Fong-Yang again led the way with a 34, followed by Fong-Hou at 39 and both Salardino and Aiden Lee at 40.
🎾 Boys Tennis puts together another strong stretch
East Brunswick boys tennis had a very good week and showed plenty of depth along the way. The Bears blanked Monroe, 5 to 0, with Neil Lund, Vyan Mahesh, and Timur Savin all winning in singles play, while the doubles teams of Ashwin Deodhar and Saksham Bhardwaj, plus Viaan Muckra and Ketan Deodhar, also earned straight-set wins. East Brunswick followed that with a 4 to 1 win over Edison Magnet. Kaito Woodridge dropped a tough match at first singles, but the Bears took the other four flights. Ishaan Makim and Ashwin Deodhar won in singles, and both doubles teams handled business. The Bears finished the week with a competitive 3 to 2 loss to a strong Chatham team, but not before Woodridge and Makim picked up wins in first and second singles. Even in defeat, East Brunswick showed it can battle with quality competition.
🥍 Girls Lacrosse battles through a busy week
East Brunswick girls lacrosse had a packed week with some highs and some tough matchups. The Bears fell to Monroe, 7 to 4, despite all four East Brunswick goals coming from Erika Riggio, who once again showed her scoring touch. They bounced back in a big way on Thursday with a 12 to 3 win over North Brunswick. Riggio led the attack with five goals, while Gianna Stavola scored twice and Sienna Mitchell, Ashlee McGowan, and Veronica Slavinsky all made strong contributions. Maria Bumbaca finished with five saves in the win. On Saturday, East Brunswick faced a tough Peddie squad and dropped a 14 to 9 decision. Riggio had another huge day with four goals, while Veronica Slavinsky and Gianna Stavola each added two. Even with the loss, the Bears showed they can keep producing offense against strong opponents.
🥍 Boys Lacrosse keeps fighting
It was a challenging week for East Brunswick boys lacrosse, but there were still some big individual efforts. The Bears dropped an 18 to 10 game against Johnson on Monday. A.J. Pepe scored three goals, Foster Dohn had three goals and an assist, Mathieu Silveira also scored three times, and Rhys Vega added a goal and an assist. Later in the week, East Brunswick fell to South Brunswick, 15 to 9, but Foster Dohn once again stood out with four goals and three assists in a seven-point performance. Brian Simpson scored three goals in that one, while Rhys Vega and Mathieu Silveira also found the net. Nicholas Marsicano made 16 saves against South Brunswick, giving the Bears a strong effort in goal even in a difficult matchup.
🏐 Boys Volleyball splits the week before a tough Saturday test
East Brunswick boys volleyball had one of the busiest weeks of any Bears team. The Bears opened with a loss to Old Bridge in straight sets, but Logan Allen had seven kills and Connor Wong handed out 10 assists. On Wednesday, East Brunswick bounced back with a straight-set win over Watchung Hills. Allen led the way with eight kills, Dylan Schon added four kills and two aces, Yuvraj Singla had a strong all-around effort, and Wong delivered 18 assists. The Bears stayed rolling on Thursday with another straight-set win, this time over South Brunswick. Schon led the offense with six kills, Allen added five, Daniel Nam chipped in four, and Wong again ran the attack with 16 assists. On Saturday, East Brunswick pushed Hunterdon Central but fell in four sets. Allen and Nam each had eight kills, Schon finished with seven kills and seven blocks, and Carlos Torres had 24 assists. Even in the loss, there were plenty of strong performances to build on.
🥎 Softball shows plenty of fight
East Brunswick softball had a week full of action and proved it can put runs on the board. The Bears opened with a 5 to 1 win over Bayonne behind another excellent outing from Christina Lee, who struck out nine and allowed just three hits while also going 2-for-4 at the plate. Eva Munoz and Maria Rampolla each drove in a run, and East Brunswick totaled 11 hits in the victory.
The Bears then dropped a 10 to 5 game to St. Thomas Aquinas, despite collecting 10 hits. Rampolla had a huge day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three RBI, while Christina Lee, Eva Munoz, and Rachel Gerould also drove in runs.
East Brunswick later fell in a 7 to 5 slugfest against South Plainfield. Christina Lee scored three runs, Isabella Warrington went 3-for-4, and Rampolla drove in three more runs in another productive offensive showing.
The Bears closed the week on a high note with a 5 to 2 win over Old Bridge. Lee earned the win in the circle and also scored twice, while Warrington drove in two runs, Rampolla added another RBI, and East Brunswick pounded out 13 hits in the victory. It was the kind of balanced performance that can give a team real momentum moving forward.
⚾ Baseball delivers a big shutout win
East Brunswick baseball had a mixed week, but the headline performance was a dominant 9 to 0 shutout of St. Thomas Aquinas. Jordan Rudolph was outstanding on the mound, striking out 12 while allowing just two hits over seven innings. At the plate, Julian Satterthwaite had the biggest swing of the day, going 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBI. Joe Spinello also scored twice, and the Bears took advantage of five St. Thomas Aquinas errors in a strong all-around win.
The Bears later dropped a 14 to 4 game to St. Joseph and then came up just short in a 3 to 2 loss in the rematch. In that second game, Javier Casacuberta had two of East Brunswick’s three hits and drove in a run, while Ilan Pony struck out six over five innings. East Brunswick did not get the result it wanted, but it stayed within striking distance the whole way.
The week ahead feeling
This was one of those spring weeks that showed just how much is happening across East Brunswick athletics. The golf programs continue to look tremendous, boys tennis keeps stacking wins, softball keeps showing offensive punch, girls lacrosse picked up an important victory, and boys volleyball answered adversity with a pair of strong wins. There were some tough losses in the mix too, but there was no shortage of effort, standout performances, or reasons for East Brunswick families to keep paying attention.
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