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April 21 – April 26 | East Brunswick Weekly Sports Wrap-Up

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A packed week of action for East Brunswick High School teams brought a mix of big wins, tough losses, and standout performances across several sports.

Monday, April 21

  • Girls Golf (4-2): Fell to West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 192-186. Tasneem Basrai and Isabella Loufek led the way, each shooting a 44.
  • Boys Golf (8-1): Picked up a major win over St. Joseph (Met.), 157-160, at Tamarack. Hsieh Fong-Yang was dominant with a 35.

Tuesday, April 22

  • Girls Golf (5-2): Lost a tight match to undefeated J.P. Stevens, 173-169. Tasneem Basrai stayed hot with a 39.
  • Boys Golf: East Brunswick competed at the Bombers Tee Off Classic, where Vazquez hit a playoff-winning shot.
  • Boys Lacrosse (3-4): Beat Monroe, 7-5. No individual stats available for EB, but a key GMC-Red win.
  • Girls Lacrosse (5-4): Tough road loss at Monroe, 10-4. Monroe’s Rhya Saloom had a monster game with 4 goals and 3 assists.
  • Boys Tennis (6-2): Beat Edison Magnet, 3-2. Wins in both doubles and 2nd singles were key.
  • Baseball (5-4): Knocked off St. Joseph (Met.), 10-6. Connor Glynn delivered two RBIs and pitched 5.1 innings for the win.
  • Softball (9-0): Pulled out a 4-3 win at Sayreville. Christina Lee scored twice.
  • Boys Volleyball (6-10): Lost to South Brunswick, 2-0, but Colin Hou had 4 kills.

Wednesday, April 23

  • Girls Golf (6-2): Bounced back with a strong win over Old Bridge, 168-197. Tasneem Basrai again led with a 37.

Thursday, April 24

  • Boys Tennis (6-4): Fell to Monroe, 3-2. Doubles teams carried East Brunswick with wins.
  • Baseball (8-4): Survived a wild 11-10 game against Edison. Jared MacWithey picked up the win in relief.
  • Girls Lacrosse (6-5): Took down North Brunswick, 6-3. Erika Riggio had a hat trick.
  • Softball (10-0): Dominated Old Bridge, 10-0. Christina Lee had three hits and two runs scored.
  • Boys Volleyball (6-12): Lost to powerhouse Old Bridge, 2-0.

Friday, April 25

  • Softball (11-0): Stayed perfect with a 10-0 mercy rule win over Old Bridge. D’Liah Kercado went 3-for-3.
  • Baseball (9-4): Beat Edison again, 10-4. Joe Spinello went 4-for-5 and scored twice.
  • Boys Volleyball (6-13): Fell to Edison, 2-0, despite Kevin Lu’s 13 assists.

Saturday, April 26

  • Softball (12-0): Kept rolling with a 7-2 win over North Brunswick. Christina Lee had three hits and three runs.
  • Girls Lacrosse (6-6): Ran into a buzzsaw, losing to Notre Dame, 16-3.
  • Boys Volleyball (7-13): Snapped a losing streak with a 2-0 win over McNair. Colin Hou led with 8 kills.

EB sports saw some huge weeks from stars like Christina Lee (Softball), Hsieh Fong-Yang (Golf), and Joe Spinello (Baseball). Several teams continue to surge as the playoff pushes heat up!

April 21–22, 2025 – East Brunswick High School Sports Recap

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? East Brunswick High School Sports Recap

? April 21–22, 2025

?️‍♀️ Girls Golf

April 21 – vs. West Windsor-Plainsboro South

Result: Loss, 186–192
Despite the loss, EB’s top trio held their own with Tasneem Basrai, Isabella Loufek, and Yeshika Bhansali all carding 44s to tie for low round of the match. The Bears’ total score of 192 was just six strokes shy in this tightly contested battle.

April 22 – vs. J.P. Stevens

Result: Loss, 169–173
Another close match with Basrai leading the team again, firing a 39. Dasha Patel added a strong 41, but Stevens’ depth edged out the win.

?️‍♂️ Boys Golf

April 21 – vs. St. Joseph (Met.)

Result: Win, 157–160
Led by a sharp 35 from Hsieh Fong-Yang, East Brunswick won a clutch three-stroke match. Shreyas Batra (39), Matt Mikulka (40), and Fong-Hou Hsieh (43) rounded out the scorecard for the Bears’ 8th win of the season.

April 22 – Bombers Tee Off Classic

Result: East Brunswick in spotlight
Vazquez stole the show by sinking a dramatic playoff shot to win the tournament, a highlight moment of the spring.

⚾ Baseball – April 22 vs. St. Joseph (Met.)

Result: Win, 10–6
A slugfest win with 10 hits for the Bears.
Connor Glynn drove in 2 runs, pitched 5.1 innings, and got the win on the mound.
Julian Satterthwaite was 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. He was a sparkplug in the lineup all game long, delivering when it counted and setting the tone for East Brunswick’s offensive rhythm.
Joe Spinello also crossed the plate twice and swiped 3 bases.
Every inning mattered — the Bears never let up and got clutch insurance runs late.

? Softball – April 22 @ Sayreville

Result: Win, 4–3 (in 9 innings)
EB stayed undefeated at 9-0 after an extra-inning thriller.
Isabella Warrington was the hero, going 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs.
Christina Lee added 2 hits and 2 runs, while Anabella Stagliano struck out 14 batters across 9 innings of dominance.

? Boys Lacrosse – April 22 vs. Monroe

Result: Win, 7–5
The Bears pulled ahead in the second half after a 2-2 tie at halftime.
While no individual stats were recorded for EB, the defense came through in the clutch. Monroe won 14-of-15 faceoffs, but East Brunswick still controlled the pace when it mattered.

? Girls Lacrosse – April 22 @ Monroe

Result: Loss, 10–4
Monroe’s Rhya Saloom scored 4 goals and added 3 assists.
EB was shut out until the fourth quarter. Despite the loss, goalie Savannah Riker made 10 saves to keep it close early.

? Boys Tennis – April 22 vs. Edison Magnet

Result: Win, 3–2
A gritty team win.

  • Ashwin Deodhar dominated 2nd singles (6–2, 6–1)

  • Saksham Bhardwaj outlasted his opponent at 3rd singles

  • Doubles teams swept both flights in straight sets

? Boys Volleyball – April 22 vs. South Brunswick

Result: Loss, 2–0
A tough home matchup. The team will regroup and look to bounce back next week.

? Overall Record (April 21–22):

  • Wins: Baseball, Softball, Boys Golf, Boys Tennis, Boys Lacrosse

  • Losses: Girls Golf (2), Girls Lacrosse, Boys Volleyball

  • Highlight: Vazquez’s playoff-winning shot + EB Softball’s 9-inning clutch W

East Brunswick Bears Weekly Sports Wrap-Up

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east brunswick HS baseball

Week of April 15 – April 19, 2025

East Brunswick’s athletes hit the fields, courts, and diamonds hard this week. Here’s a full recap of the Bears’ performances:

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Boys Tennis
Result: East Brunswick lost to South Brunswick, 5-0.
Record after match: 5-2
The Bears fought through some tough singles and doubles matches but couldn’t find their rhythm against a strong South Brunswick squad. A few matches went down to the wire, showing the team’s resilience despite the final score.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Baseball
Result: East Brunswick beat Old Bridge, 3-2.
Record after match: 5-3
In a gritty, back-and-forth battle, East Brunswick pulled off a tight win over Old Bridge. Solid pitching in the late innings helped lock down the victory, and a key RBI single in the sixth proved to be the difference-maker.

Softball
Result: East Brunswick lost to Old Bridge, 7-6.
Record after match: 3-5
It was a heartbreaker for the Bears’ softball team, who rallied late but fell just one run short. A huge fifth inning gave East Brunswick a chance, but they couldn’t complete the comeback before the final out.

Boys Volleyball
Result: East Brunswick beat JP Stevens, 2-0.
Record after match: 6-3
The Bears dominated JP Stevens in straight sets, bouncing back strong after some early-season ups and downs. Consistent serving and big plays at the net sealed a clean sweep victory.

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Baseball
Result: East Brunswick beat Woodbridge, 8-0.
Record after match: 6-3
East Brunswick’s baseball team put together a complete performance, shutting out Woodbridge behind dominant pitching and timely hitting. The Bears jumped out early and never looked back.

Softball
Result: East Brunswick lost to Monroe, 7-2.
Record after match: 3-6
The Bears struggled to keep pace against a strong Monroe team. A few early defensive miscues put East Brunswick in a hole, and although they showed flashes at the plate, the deficit was too big to overcome.

✅ No other games were listed for this week.
✅ If you don’t see a date, it means no games were scheduled.

Stay tuned for next week’s wrap-up as the Bears continue their spring seasons! ?⚾??

#EyesOnEB #GoBears #EastBrunswickSports

Shots in the Night: A Quiet East Brunswick Community Shattered

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wow

A Peaceful Neighborhood Turned Upside Down

Tucked away off Cranbury Road in East Brunswick, New Jersey, the Cranbury Circle area is known as a tranquil enclave where trouble seldom visits. The centerpiece of this neighborhood – Cranbury Crossing Apartment Homes – prides itself on a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere. Residents enjoy beautifully landscaped, tree-lined grounds and modern, updated apartment homes set in a desirable East Brunswick location. It’s a place where quiet isn’t just an aspiration but a daily reality.

But in April 2025, that sense of security was suddenly and brutally disrupted. Late one night, the residents’ serenity was pierced by an unmistakable sound — gunshots cracking through the spring air. In an instant, the calm was replaced with fear and confusion. Lights flicked on in windows along Cranbury Circle as people peered out into the darkness, hearts pounding, trying to understand what was happening.

It wasn’t just one incident. It happened three times.

Unsettling Incidents in the Night

Throughout April, the East Brunswick Police Department responded to three separate reports of shots fired at Cranbury Circle.
Miraculously, no injuries were reported in any of the incidents.

An immediate and thorough investigation began. Detectives worked tirelessly to identify the person responsible and determine the motive. Initial findings confirmed that these were not random acts — the victims were known to the suspect. This discovery provided critical insight, narrowing the search and allowing authorities to piece together the case.

The Suspect Returns

On Friday, April 18, the breakthrough came. Officers monitoring the area saw the suspect return to Cranbury Circle — and swiftly took him into custody without incident.

The man arrested was identified as Sameh F. Kaldes, a 43-year-old resident of Matawan.
Kaldes was charged with:

  • Two counts of Attempted Murder

  • Stalking

  • Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance

  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

  • Receiving Stolen Property

He is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center in North Brunswick.

A Community Restores Its Peace

East Brunswick Police Chief Frank LoSacco praised the officers involved for their dedication, noting how the department’s commitment to community safety led to a swift and safe arrest.

“Their efforts not only brought resolution to a very serious matter but also helped restore a sense of safety and trust in our community,” Chief LoSacco said.

Residents of Cranbury Crossing, a community known for its peaceful grounds, beautiful amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, can finally begin to breathe easier.

Thanks to quick action and relentless work, peace has returned to Cranbury Circle — a community determined to remain one of East Brunswick’s most peaceful and desirable neighborhoods.

Disclaimer: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Information is based on official reports available at the time of publication.

European Homemade Provisions Traffic Jam Marks 70 Years of Delicious Chaos

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East Brunswick, NJ — Residents of East Brunswick and the surrounding areas were left wondering if a major event had come to town this week, as traffic came to a crawl near the legendary European Homemade Provisions. Spoiler alert, it was not a concert, it was not a parade, it was the annual Easter shopping rush and it was bigger than ever as the beloved deli celebrates 70 years of serving East Brunswick.

Seventy Years of Flavor and Tradition

European Homemade Provisions has been a fixture in East Brunswick since 1955, opening its doors as the town’s first deli dedicated to authentic Old Fashioned European meats. For seventy years, the store has proudly smoked its sausages and kielbasa on-site using the same traditional smokehouse techniques that helped generations of East Brunswick families feel like they were back at their grandmother’s kitchen table, whether they liked it or not.

A Traffic Jam Worth Waiting For

The scene was nothing short of historic. Cars packed the parking lot, spilled into the street, and by 10 a.m., desperate shoppers were parking on side streets and trekking in like it was Black Friday at a ham warehouse. Inside, customers formed lines rivaling any major airport, all for a chance to grab fresh kielbasa, homemade pierogies, babka bread, and other essential items that, according to some, are more critical than electricity during Easter.

Shoppers were not deterred by the wait times or the complete gridlock. One local was spotted clutching a five-pound ham in one hand and a jar of imported horseradish in the other, shouting across the aisles, “If you are not sweating from the horseradish, did you even celebrate Easter?”

A Celebration Fueled by Kielbasa and Pastries

According to unofficial reports, sales of Polish ham, fresh rye bread, and European pastries such as babka and chrusciki skyrocketed by approximately “a million percent” this week. The deli also saw a run on its famous smoked kielbasa, leading to rumors that several customers had resorted to hiding extra links in their jackets, though store employees neither confirmed nor denied this.

The owners of European Homemade Provisions have not made a formal statement, largely because they have been too busy trying to keep up with the demand. Staff have been seen moving trays of meats and pastries at speeds usually reserved for Olympic events, powered only by adrenaline, passion, and what appears to be heavy exposure to delicious smokehouse fumes.

Advice for First-Timers

For anyone hoping to make a quick stop in the coming days, be warned. Locals are recommending bringing a full tank of gas, a pair of comfortable shoes, and possibly an audiobook or two. As one resident put it, “You are not just buying kielbasa, you are participating in a tradition.”

European Homemade Provisions is located at 301 Old Bridge Turnpike, East Brunswick, New Jersey, and will be open throughout Easter weekend for those brave enough to venture into the tastiest traffic jam East Brunswick has ever seen.

East Brunswick Bears Sports Recap – April 17, 2025

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Baseball
East Brunswick 5, Monroe 3
The Bears rallied with three runs in the sixth inning to beat Monroe at home. Solid pitching held Monroe scoreless in the final two frames to seal the win. Big hits came from the middle of the lineup, with key RBIs driving the comeback. The team showed real grit after trailing most of the afternoon.

Softball
Monroe 7, East Brunswick 2
A tough outing for the Bears, who couldn’t find much offense against Monroe’s ace pitcher. Early defensive errors made it hard to stay in the game. Despite the loss, the Bears showed flashes of strong play, including a few deep hits that just didn’t find open ground. They’ll look to regroup and bounce back in their next matchup.

Boys Volleyball
East Brunswick 2, Old Bridge 1
A back-and-forth battle, but the Bears locked down the win with a dominant third set. After dropping the first set, East Brunswick showed real toughness to grind out the second. The energy from the home crowd seemed to lift the team late. A huge block at the net helped seal the match point.

Boys Tennis
St. Joseph (Metuchen) 4, East Brunswick 1
The Bears picked up one singles win but fell short overall against a strong St. Joe’s squad. Several matches went down to the wire with close tiebreakers. Despite the final score, the Bears’ younger players gained valuable experience against top competition. Expect this team to be even tougher down the stretch.

Boys Lacrosse
Old Bridge 9, East Brunswick 6
East Brunswick played tough but couldn’t recover after falling behind early. A strong third quarter gave the Bears some life, cutting the lead to two. However, Old Bridge’s quick transition game made it tough to complete the comeback. Solid goalie play kept East Brunswick in it longer than expected.

Girls Lacrosse
East Brunswick 8, Old Bridge 7
A thrilling win at home as the Bears scored the game-winner with just 40 seconds left! The defense held strong in the final minute to protect the one-goal lead. Midfielders played a huge role, controlling possession when it mattered most. It was a true team effort and a win they can definitely build on.

Understanding Robert’s Rules

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For many residents, watching an East Brunswick Board of Education meeting can feel like watching a game where you’re not sure of the rules, and that’s not just a metaphor. The rules do exist. They’re detailed. They’re formal. And most of the time, they’re invisible to the average person.

Those rules are called Robert’s Rules of Order and are the foundation for how BOE meetings are supposed to function across New Jersey and here in East Brunswick. But what happens when only a few board members truly understand them?

Let’s break it down.

What Are Robert’s Rules of Order, and Why Do They Matter?

Robert’s Rules of Order is a formal guide for running public meetings. It outlines who can speak, when, how motions are introduced and debated, and how votes are taken. In theory, these rules keep things fair, organized, and respectful. In practice, they structure every single Board of Education meeting, even if most residents and some board members aren’t aware of it.

It’s not just a tradition it’s policy. East Brunswick BOE follows these rules as part of its bylaws and code of conduct, alongside the New Jersey School Boards Association’s governance structure. The goal is to maintain order, ensure transparency, and prevent chaos.

Who Controls the Mic?

Under Robert’s Rules, no board member can just start speaking when they feel like it. They have to be recognized by the Board President. This might sound reasonable, and often, it is, but it also puts a lot of power in the hands of one person.

A board member who wants to raise a concern or challenge a motion must first be called on. And if they aren’t? Well, the topic dies quietly right there.

It’s one of those subtle levers of control: if a President doesn’t want a specific issue aired out in front of the public, all they have to do is skip over that board member or move the meeting forward “in the interest of time.”

And unless someone on the board understands the rules enough to challenge that move correctly, it stands.

Some Examples of How This Can Play Out

Here’s how Robert’s Rules can be used — or misused — at the local level:

  • Cutting off debate early: The Board President can limit how long a member speaks or call for an end to the debate before everyone has had a chance to weigh in.
  • Confusing procedural language: A vote might be framed in a way that causes members, especially newer members, to misunderstand what a “yes” or “no” vote actually means.
  • Calling “points of order” to silence someone: The President can interrupt a speaker by calling a point of order — whether warranted or not — to derail or shut down a comment.

None of these are technically illegal. They’re often allowed within the rules themselves. But they depend on one thing: no one in the room knows how to call it out.

It’s like a referee using the whistle only when it helps their team and hoping the other side doesn’t know the rulebook.

Voting and Accountability

Votes on the board are often done by roll call — meaning each member’s vote is recorded out loud. That’s important for transparency. But again, if someone doesn’t fully understand what they’re voting on, or if the conversation around a motion was rushed or limited, then the vote might not reflect what it should.

Abstentions are allowed, but they don’t count toward a final vote tally. That can also skew outcomes if members feel uncomfortable taking a hard stance under pressure or confusion.

The Ethics Layer

In addition to parliamentary procedure, board members are held to the New Jersey Code of Ethics for School Board Members. This includes:

  • Always acting in the best interest of students
  • Avoiding conflicts of interest
  • Maintaining confidentiality
  • Refraining from using their role for personal or political gain

Those principles sound great on paper. But they rely heavily on public scrutiny and peer accountability — both of which can break down when meetings become difficult to follow, overly procedural, or dominated by a small group that understands the rules better than the rest.

Why This Should Matter to You

If you’ve ever left a Board of Education meeting feeling like something important got glossed over or like the public comment section was treated as a formality — you’re not alone. But that’s not just tone or culture. Often, it’s strategy wrapped in procedure.

When well-versed in Robert’s Rules and surrounded by members who are not, the president of the board can effectively control the conversation, deciding which voices get heard, which debates get airtime, and which motions sail through quietly.

This isn’t about scandal or conspiracy. It’s about structure and how structure can be bent to favor those who understand it.

The takeaway? The rules aren’t the problem—the imbalance of knowledge is. Every board member, and honestly, every interested resident, should take time to understand how these meetings work. The more people who understand the rules, the less power any one person has to use them unfairly.

And that’s what real transparency looks like.

The $8 Million Mystery Loan — A Masterclass in Bad Optics

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Town Council Pulls The Request (Again), But The BOE’s Priorities Remain Wildly Out of Touch

Last night, East Brunswick’s Town Council pulled the Board of Education’s $8 million loan request, which probably left Superintendent Victor Valeski (aka Spin Doctor Valeski) shaking his head in disbelief.

But let’s back up.

This was not the district’s first attempt to take on a massive loan while simultaneously cutting student programming; it was their second shot at it.

Strike One: The $11.5 Million Ask

At a previous Town Council meeting, the Board of Ed came in hot with an $11.5 million loan request. That vote didn’t even make it to the finish line. It was tabled thanks to a motion made by Councilman Wendell and seconded by Councilwoman Winston.

 

Smart. Logical. Responsible.

Strike Two: The $8 Million “Repackaged” Ask

Not to be deterred, the BOE came back — this time combining Capital Improvements and Shared Services into one big $8 million lump sum, approved at their last BOE meeting.

(When this was initially brought to Council a couple of meetings back, these were two separate categories but combining them gives it that shiny, all-in-one, “nothing to see here” appeal.)

But there was something to see here.

What’s Actually In This $8 Million Loan?

Here’s where it gets borderline absurd.

→ When you’re a district in a financial crisis — cutting arts, programming, and language classes for kids — you’d think any loan would be focused on emergencies only.

Spoiler: Not the case.

The most arguably necessary item from the original list — a new roof for Irwin School — was removed from this version of the loan request.

What stayed?

  • $28,000 to remove a backstop
  • A new turf field
  • A new scoreboard
  • A new PA system

If you’re wondering how any of these are urgent needs during a budget crisis… join the club.

The Debt Game Valeski Doesn’t Talk About

At the last BOE meeting, Valeski justified the loan by suggesting it was no big deal because a similar amount of debt was coming off the books this year. But that’s only half the story.

The full truth?

If this loan had been approved, total annual debt payments would have jumped from $3.7 million to over $8 million.

That’s not “debt management.” It’s a complete shift in financial strategy—one that residents were never really told about.

The Public Deserved Answers — They Didn’t Get Them

One of the more frustrating parts of this entire situation? Councilman Wendell specifically requested that either Bernie or Victor Valeski attend a public Town Council meeting to answer questions about the loan in front of the residents who would be footing the bill. Instead, Valeski told the BOE he had a private conversation with Council President McAvoy and Brad Cohen. That’s not what was asked. The whole point was transparency, not backdoor chats nobody heard. This move only added to the growing frustration that public trust is being treated like an afterthought.

The Bottom Line

→ First attempt at $11.5 million? Tabled.

→ Second attempt at $8 million? Pulled.

→ BOE’s spending priorities? Still ridiculous.

The township made the right call by pulling the latest request. But this saga exposed something even more significant:

This isn’t about managing debt; it’s about mismanaging trust.

Until this district learns to get its financial house in order and prioritize student needs over shiny objects, residents are right to keep asking hard questions.

Because turf fields, scoreboards, and PA systems won’t fix a roof… or a broken budget.

The Seville Diner Murder

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Today years since one of the most notorious and still-unsolved murders in East Brunswick history.

On April 12, 2007, Frank Lagano, a 67-year-old reputed associate of the Lucchese crime family and co-owner of the Seville Diner on Route 18, was found dead in the parking lot of his own business. Two bullets to the head. Execution style. Broad daylight.

It didn’t take long for whispers of a mafia hit to start circulating. But as the years went on, this story only got stranger — and more disturbing.

Who Was Frank Lagano?

Lagano wasn’t just a diner owner. According to multiple reports, including North Jersey Media Group and News 12 New Jersey, Lagano had ties to organized crime and had previously been caught up in “Operation Jersey Boyz,” a massive gambling investigation back in 2004.

That investigation ultimately fell apart. The charges were dropped. Nobody went to jail.

But the real bombshell? Lagano was working as a confidential informant for law enforcement at the time of his death.

Betrayed From the Inside?

Lagano’s family believes this wasn’t just a mob hit.

They claim that Frank’s status as a government informant was deliberately leaked — by law enforcement itself. Specifically, former Bergen County Chief of Detectives Michael Mordaga.

Court records revealed that Lagano and Mordaga weren’t exactly strangers. They allegedly had financial dealings together and even referred cases to one another. Mordaga has denied any wrongdoing or connection to Lagano’s murder.

But the allegations were enough to send shockwaves through the legal community.

No Arrests. No Answers.

To this day — 18 years later — no one has been arrested for Frank Lagano’s murder.

No suspects. No closure. Just a dead man in a diner parking lot and a trail of rumors, corruption allegations, and mob connections that lead nowhere.

It’s a Jersey story if there ever was one. But it’s also a reminder of something more troubling — what happens when people on both sides of the law are playing their own game.

The Details from 2007 News Coverage

Contemporary reporting from The Record (May 11, 2007) and Newsday (October 28, 2007) gives us a deeper look into what was known — and suspected — at the time.

According to The Record, law enforcement immediately treated the murder as a mob hit. Frank Lagano, 67, was getting out of his BMW in the parking lot of the Seville Diner on Route 18 when a lone gunman walked up and shot him once in the head.

Lagano wasn’t just a businessman — he was well known around Tenafly and East Brunswick as a former loan shark with ties to the Lucchese crime family. In fact, the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation had named him in a 1983 report on organized crime.

He was also arrested in 2004 as part of a massive offshore sports betting operation that prosecutors said raked in millions of dollars.

Connections to Other Crime Figures

Newsday reported that federal prosecutors believed David Brooks, a former CEO of DHB Industries, had close ties to Lagano. While there was no suggestion Brooks was involved in Lagano’s murder, prosecutors claimed that Brooks once told witnesses he “had guys” who could handle his enemies — using Lagano as an example of the type of person he knew.

At the time of his death, Lagano was also under indictment on racketeering and gambling charges.

This part of the story really shows you how messy and layered this thing was. Lagano wasn’t just a random diner owner — he was connected, he was dangerous, and apparently, he was worried enough about his own safety that he kept a low profile.

The Seville Diner Has a New Name — But Its History Remains

In 2024, the Seville Diner officially got a new name — it’s now called High Point Diner. The change has sparked plenty of local conversation on Facebook, with East Brunswick residents sharing memories of the old spot and curiosity about what’s to come.

Some are excited for a fresh start. Others still can’t forget what happened in that parking lot 18 years ago.

As one local Facebook user put it:

“April 12, 2007. Tomorrow, 18 years ago, they found John Lagano dead in the parking lot with 2 bullets to the head. Mafia hit.”

No matter how much remodeling happens inside, it’s safe to say the story of Frank Lagano will always be part of the lore of that corner on Route 18.

Sources:

East Brunswick’s BOE Leadership Problem Isn’t Just About Victor Valeski, It’s About Accountability

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Over the last year watching the East Brunswick Board of Education meetings, I’ve never expected Superintendent Victor Valeski or Assistant Superintendent Bernardo Giuliana to resign. Not because I believe they’ve done a good job; I don’t. And certainly not because I think staying is right for the district, but it isn’t.

It’s simply human nature.

When people are nearing the end of their careers, with pensions and benefits on the line, most aren’t walking away voluntarily. I’m not saying that to justify it. I’m not saying that because I think it’s right. I’m saying it because it’s reality. And it’s precisely why East Brunswick needs a strong, independent, and courageous board president; without that, there is no accountability. And without accountability, nothing changes.

The Problem Isn’t Leaving — The Problem is Leadership That Won’t Lead

Every board member who voted to make Heather G. the current Board President should be embarrassed. Not because she’s a bad person. However, her presidency represents the continuation of the same old problem: protecting Victor Valeski instead of holding him accountable.

Victor isn’t going to leave on his own. Bernardo isn’t going to leave on his own. And frankly, I don’t blame them.

But that’s precisely why we need leadership willing to do the hard things. That’s why Board Presidents matter. That’s why who sits in that seat matters. Right now, and for far too long in East Brunswick, the person in that chair hasn’t done the job.

Effort Isn’t Enough — Results Matter

Let me be clear about something else: I don’t believe for a second that Victor Valeski or Bernardo Giuliana aren’t working hard. I believe they are. I think they are probably working harder now than they ever have. But sometimes, hard work isn’t enough in life, business, and leadership.

I know this personally.

There are times in my business when I’ve poured everything into helping a client, hours of strategy, creativity, and problem-solving, and yet, for whatever reason, I can’t crack the code. And when that happens, I do the responsible thing: I fire myself before they fire me.

It’s rare. It hurts financially. But it’s the right thing to do.

Unfortunately, that kind of self-awareness doesn’t often exist in public education leadership. And in East Brunswick, with Valeski and Giuliana both nearing the twilight of their careers, I don’t expect it to show up now.

Which Brings Us Back to Accountability

This is why leadership on the Board matters more than ever.

When you have a superintendent who isn’t leaving, an assistant superintendent who isn’t going, a central office that isn’t producing results, and schools that are losing programs, trust, and talent, you have a district in crisis.

The Board of Education, specifically the Board President, becomes the last line of accountability between a struggling administration and a community desperate for better.

And right now? That line is weak.

Until that changes, until East Brunswick elects Board members and installs a Board President willing to lead, challenge, and demand more, it won’t matter how many good ideas come from public comment, how many concerned parents show up to meetings, or how many headlines or blog posts get written.

This district will continue to spiral, and it won’t be because of a lack of effort but because of a lack of leadership.

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School worries move to the Council chamber as candidates, a Democratic leader and the mayor clash over the numbers

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For the second meeting in a row, East Brunswick residents brought school funding, taxes and development to the Township Council. On Sept. 28 the debate turned political.

Brunswick Square Plan Faces Final Vote Tonight, and It Reads Differently Than the Sept. 14 Version

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The East Brunswick Township Council will hold a public hearing on Ordinance 26-25 tonight. The same agenda has two emergency repair contracts, a $1.1 million road-paving bond and a new police superior officers contract.

In Girl Scout Troop 82590, Every Girl Takes Part in Her Own Way

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The inclusive troop, formed in 2021 by a parent and inclusion advocate, has packed snacks for food pantries, turned out for the opening of East Brunswick's inclusive Lenape Park and laid wreaths for veterans. It is enrolling girls in kindergarten through 12th grade.

High School and Churchill Exceed State Space Standard, East Brunswick Business Administrator Says

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Joseph Crotchfelt told the Board of Education the figures reflect a state space-planning calculation and that both buildings meet fire code. The board says no plan for the high school has been chosen.
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