Times
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS, INC.
T H E JAC K S O N
Vol. 16 - No. 50
– Photo by Jennifer Peacock Student Resource Officer Colin Menafra talks with students at Switlik Elementary School. of the room and command the attention of 100-plus children, and the noise descends to a low roar as he announces it was his birthday, and could they sing to him. But Patrolman Colin Menafra didn’t stop by for birthday wishes, although that’s an added perk. Switlik was his last stop for
“Lunch with the Boys in Blue,” a community outreach coordinated between the school resource officers (SROs) and district Director of Food Services Joseph Immordino. (Communications Coordinator Allison Erwin said the SROs all happen to be men.) (Lunch - See Page 3)
Bon Jovi Helps Open Charity In Ocean County
By Catherine Galioto OCEAN COU NTY – The star power of Jon Bon Jovi and the people-power of volunteer efforts came together again to help hunger and food insecurity issues of local residents. The ribbon-cutting on the BEAT Center, in Silverton, hopes to address those problems with services such as a food bank, charitable
Business Directory........................22 Community News......................9-12 Dear Joel.......................................25 Dr. Izzy’s Sound News .................16 Fun Page ......................................23 Government ...................................8 Inside The Law .............................19 Letters to the Editor .........................7 Wolfgang .....................................27 WWW.MICROMEDIAPUBS.COM
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A SCHOOL LUNCH WITH POLICE
By Jennifer Peacock JACKSON – A turbine engine has nothing on the noise level of Switlik’s lunchroom. Even the teacher calling up tables to the cafeteria door must use a loud voice when speaking into the microphone. But somehow, a lone police officer can stand at the side
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restaurant and social services in one place. Bon Jovi, who opened his first Soul Kitchen restaurant concept in Red Bank, spoke at the grand opening of BEAT, which stands for Bringing Everyone All Together. The rock star explained it’s a place where families and individuals can access food, job training and resources to help end
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the cyclical causes of hunger in Ocean County. The second Soul Kitchen restaurant – where patrons can pay $10 for a meal or give volunteer hours instead – will be located inside the BEAT Center, as will The People’s Pantry. The People’s Pantry opened in the hours following Superstorm (Charity - See Page 4)
May 14, 2016
Meet The Mayor Nights Aim For Open-Door Policy
By Jennifer Peacock JACKSON – Mayor Michael Reina recalled a story. The place: Home Depot on Route 9 in Howell Township. The scene: one of the many towering aisles. The characters: the mayor and someone who was not a fan of his who had taken to social media to bash Reina. As Reina tells it, he looked up to see this Jackson resident, who, making eye contact with the mayor, raised his hand to shield his eyes and shuffled away quickly without saying a word. As he retold the story at a recent Meet the Mayor night, Reina’s audience was about a dozen persons scattered throughout the municipal building’s main meeting room, who laughed as he re-enacted this scene. This was a better-attended “Meet
–Photo by Jennifer Peacock Jackson Mayor Michael Reina at a recent “Meet The Mayor” event in town hall. the Mayor” than last month, which was occupied by a few regulars Reina knows by first name. So where is everyone? Reina said he holds this Meet the Mayor events as part of an opendoor policy he has. He invites residents to come to a meeting or call his office to set up an appointment (Mayor - See Page 14)
Unity Tour Bikes Through Jackson Toward Washington D.C. By Catherine Galioto JACKSON – A bike ride to Washing ton D.C. f rom New Jersey, focusing on police officers who have died in the line of duty, included participants from Jackson. The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of Law Enforcement Officers who have died in the line of duty. The secondary purpose is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum. The ride will conclude in Washington D.C. at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial where the walls are inscribed with the names of fallen officers, where the memorial service will be held later in the week.
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The tour rode through the area May 9. At Jackson’s portion, a ceremony at the police headquarters honored Robert Ventura, placing a special flower arrangement at the memorial honoring him.
–Photo courtesy Jackson Police Local officials and members of the Jackson contingent of the Police Unity Tour honored Jackson Officer Robert Ventura.
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