Susan McLaughlin

Last month, the share of applications for government-insured mortgages reached its highest level since November 1990, with government-insured loans accounting for nearly 36% of all mortgage applications, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Most of those loans are made by the Federal Housing Administration, a New Deal-era agency that doesn't actually make loans but insures lenders against losses. Other government-insured loans are offered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

But any surge in demand for FHA loans shouldn't come as a surprise, especially when considering recent surveys that show home buyers still believe they shouldn't have to sink large down payments into home purchases. A recent survey of buyer attitudes by Zillow.com found that more than one-third of buyers don't plan to make down payments larger than 10%, while nearly one-fifth of buyers don't plan to put any money down. Only 22% of buyers said they planned to make down payments that exceeds 20%.

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Fair Haven's Borough Council voted tonight to move forward with the acquisition of a waterfront home to create a passive park. Located at the end of DeNormandie Avenue, the piece is known locally as the Williams/Robards house.

Charles Williams, a free black American, built his homestead in 1853, long before the Civil War. The house had additions over the years, but retains it's hidden staircase, wavy glass windows and original cooking fireplace. The land itself is well suited for a park, it is level, without wetlands and boasts a magnificent variety of specimen trees.

Mayor Michael Halfacre, Borough Council and Fair Haven Administrator, Mary Howell have identified State, National and Monmouth County sources of funding to assist in the purchase of this park land. It is anticipated that this funding will alleviate much of the expense of the purchase for taxpayers.

It has been my pleasure working with Mr. Williams' decendants, brothers Don and Bob Robards in the sale of the property to my home town. The park will be named in honor of the Williams/Robards family, a fitting tribute to a family that has contributed to Fair Haven for 155 years.

FOURTH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK DOCUMENTARY from Backstreets.com
Greetings from Asbury Park, an award-winning documentary feature film that offers a personal perspective on how eminent domain abuse has affected the Jersey Shore town, can be seen on PBS stations in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

The film follows 91-year-old Angie Hampilos, a Greek immigrant and the great aunt of filmmaker Christina Eliopoulos, as she learns that her seaside bungalow - her home of over 50 years - will be taken by eminent domain to make way for (more) luxury condominiums. In fact, 29 city blocks of homes, businesses, apartments and historic boardwalk attractions are now boarded up and ready for the wrecking ball. They belong to a private developer and will be razed to make way for 3,100 luxury condos.

The movie combines intimate recollections, home movies, rare archival footage, thrilling cinematography and a dynamic soundtrack to recreate the postcard playland and boardwalk dreamland that was the resort city of Asbury Park.

An orchestral score by composers George Vahamonde and Nik Everett employs the evocative strains of acoustic guitar, piano as well as toy instruments and music boxes to recall the mythic ideal of Asbury Park. Two rare, turn of the century piano compositions, "On the Boardwalk in Asbury Park" and "Wear a Boardwalk Smile," long considered lost artifacts, were found and recorded for the film.

"Both George and Nik are children of the boardwalk with longtime ties to Asbury Park," said Eliopoulos. "They created an incredible score with exquisite sensitivity. The music takes us from the boardwalk funland to a wistful kind of memory or dream-like state, and on through to the city's decline and frustration." The film's dynamic soundtrack includes archival works, and numerous compositions from noted area bands and singer-songwriters including Jeff Saxon, The Misteriosos, as well as bandleaders from the fabulous '50s including Irvin Bell and Martin Weinblatt and Jersey favorite Red Mascara, who wrote and performed the jaunty little ditty "I'm from New Jersey."

Bruce Springsteen also approved the use of his music for the film: in one poignant sequence, "Tunnel of Love" plays over images of teenagers on the famous fun house rides of Palace Amusements and is followed by footage of the dismantling of the carousel horses, and finally, the destruction of the Palace.

"The Palace was a cultural touchstone and playland for those of us who grew up Asbury Park, and of course for anyone who knows Mr. Springsteen's music," director Eliopoulos tells Backstreets. "I am very grateful that Bruce granted me permission to employ his achingly beautiful song, 'Tunnel of Love,' for the film. I've been in love with the song, hearing it not just on my iPod but in my head, for most of my life."

Stations airing the documentary include WHYY, NJN2 and WLIW. For more information about the film, the broadcast schedule and to view a short trailer, visit greetingsfromasburyparkmovie.com.

p.s. And don't buy condos built on land taken through Eminent Domain. Don't eat at restaurants, enjoy gelato, get massaged in spas or sleep in hotels built on land taken through Eminent Domain. Susan