Asbury Park Press :: Monmouth Edition APP.COM $1.00

THURSDAY 07.10.14

VOLUME 135

NUMBER 164

SINCE 1879

ADVICE D5

CLASSIFIED E1

COMICS D4

LOCAL A3

MOVIES D3

OBITUARIES A14

OPINION A17

SPORTS C1

WEATHER C8

YOUR MONEY A12

HOLMDEL — Approval of Toll Bros.’ age-restrictedtownhouse project officially closed the book on rede-velopment of the 473-acre former Bell Labs/Lucentcampus. The developer said it would like to start con-struction as soon as possible on its two residential pro-jects.

After the work is completed, drivers on CrawfordsCorner Road would see the same view they see today ofthe wooded campus, the iconic transistor-shaped watertower and the massive former office building at the bot-tom of the hill, said James Kennedy, Toll Bros. engineer.

In five years, a drive on Bell Labs Road into the com-plex and down the rolling knoll will have a differentview with a new boulevard, which will connect two sec-tions of the 185-unit, age-restricted luxury townhousedevelopment approved by the township PlanningBoard Tuesday night.

The former office building at the end of the road willbe redeveloped by Somerset Holmdel DevelopmentLLC as a mixed-use complex featuring retail, bio-med-ical offices, some residences, a hotel, a conference cen-

Bell Labs site

builder eager

to start homes Holmdel planners grant approval

for 185 age-restricted residencesBy Larry Higgs @APPLarry

See HOLMDEL, Page A4

NEWARK — One day after an Amtrak wire problemstopped commuter trains during the morning rushhour, NJ Transit officials said their most recent surveyresults showed a slight uptick in satisfaction gradesfrom commuters.

Commuters such as Matt Walters, co-founder of theDelayed on NJ Transit group, were not impressed.

“A grade of 65 percent is considered a D-minus andbarely passing by most public high schools and (is) acause for alarm that swift measures should be taken forimprovement,” Walters said.

But in addition to the improved survey results, Exec-utive Director Veronique Hakim also cited examples ofimprovements and changes the agency has made basedon rider feedback from the quarterly ScoreCard con-

NJ Transit survey:Satisfaction rises

But some commuters skeptical,

citing reported overall low scoreBy Larry Higgs @APPLarry

See TRANSIT, Page A11

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE IN GOOGLE EXEC’S DEATH PAGE 1B

Atthe time Frances “Babe” Christopher was born, many

people didn’t live past 50 years. In fact, two of her siblings

did not survive childhood. h When her 2-year-old sister

Rosina contracted diphtheria in 1919, her home was quarantined with a

red flag. hBut that’s not Christopher’s story. Born Jan. 24, 1913, at home in

Long Branch to Italian immigrant Luciano Acerra and Elizabeth Lista,

she was the sixth of 16 children. h At 101 years old, she has outlived them

all. h “I can’t see. I can’t hear. I’ve got false teeth, but I’m still here,” she

laughed, showing off a healthy sense of humor in the living room of her

More people are living past 100 thanever before. Here are secrets why:

Frances “Babe” Christopher, 101, at home in West Long Branch, recalls memories of her life. MARY FRANK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

By Dan Radel @DanielRadelAPP

“She’s forward-thinking. She’s not stuck in the past.”

RICHARD ELMORE Christopher’s son-in-law, on reasons for her longevity

Frances “Babe” Christopher, a native of Long Branch, and her husband, Dominic, who diedin 1976, are pictured on their wedding day, Jan. 25, 1942.

See 100, Page A13

10 0candles and counting

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

SWEET DEAL

Rayge Candy Co. of Brick has flourished as

a family business for 63 years. Page A12

THE YACHT LIFEViking unveils

colossal

creations

Luxury Living, D1

FIGHTING SUMMER SLUMPParents, educators push back on academic slide. Page A3