Deer - See

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was driving east on Route 37 when a deer ran out in front of her car. As a result of hitting the deer, the car spun out and became disabled in the roadway, unable to be driven. While Patterson stood in a safe location and called police, a truck pulling a tanker trailer filled with 8,700 gallons of gasoline drove right into her car. The trailer then overturned causing the gasoline to spill and explode, police said. Miraculously, there were no injuries reported in this incident. But that’s not the case for all accidents involving hitting a deer or animal. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) states how deer are more likely to suddenly enter roadways at this time of year, which increases the risk for sudden stops or collisions with drivers. Deer activity is more likely to occur during early morning hours and around sunset. During this time of year, a driver’s visibility may be difficult and more motorists are on their work commutes. “Deer are involved in thousands of collisions with motor vehicles in New Jersey every year, most of which occur during the fall mating season,” DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Dave Golden said. “We urge all drivers to be especially alert to the possibility of deer suddenly darting onto roadways and to understand how to reduce the risk of a collision and possible serious injury to themselves or their passengers.” So, what can you do to avoid deer involved collisions? The DEP has stated the following tips for drivers to stay safe: • Slow down if you see a deer and watch for possible sudden movement. If the deer is in the road and doesn’t move, wait for the deer to cross and the road is clear. Do not try to drive around the deer. • Watch for “Deer Crossing” signs. Slow down when traveling through areas known to have a high concentration of deer so there is enough time to stop, if necessary. Use high beams after dark if there is no oncoming traffic or vehicles ahead. High beams will be reflected by the eyes of deer on or near roads. If you see one deer, assume that others may be in the area. • Don’t tailgate. The driver ahead might have to stop suddenly to avoid colliding with a deer. • Always wear a seatbelt, as required by law. • Drive at a safe and sensible speed, following the speed limit, factoring for weather, available lighting, traffic, curves and other road conditions. • Do not swerve to avoid impact if a collision appears inevitable. A deer may counter-maneuver suddenly. Brake appropriately and stay in your lane. Collisions are more likely to become fatal when a driver swerves to avoid a deer and instead collides with oncoming traffic or a fixed structure along the road. • Report any deer-vehicle collision to a local law enforcement agency immediately. • Obey the state’s hands-free device law or refrain from using cellular devices while driving.

What if a collision with a deer is unavoidable? Manchester police tells drivers that they should not swerve. You should brake firmly, hold on to the steering wheel with both hands, come to a controlled stop and move the vehicle out of traffic to a safe location. For more information about white-tailed deer in New Jersey, visit njfishandwildlife. com/deer.htm.

Know The Signs Of Heart Attack

NEW JERSEY – Fast action can save lives. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms below call 9-1-1 immediately. It could be a heart attack. Do not drive to the hospital yourself or have a family member do so. If there is a serious heart issue, emergency medical personnel can start tests and treatments right away in the ambulance and can send time-sensitive information to the hospital in anticipation of your arrival. Symptoms include: chest pain or discomfort, upper body discomfort, shortness of breath, cold sweats or clammy skin, unusual fatigue or weakness, dizziness, nausea or lightheadedness, anxiety and feeling of indigestion that won’t go away.

Correspondence & Commentary From Your Local, County, State & Federal Officials

Smith: “Yes” On Infrastructure, “No” On Social Spending

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bipartisan infrastructure bill supported by Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th) to repair and rebuild dangerous roads, bridges, rail lines, tunnels, lead-contaminated water pipes and more became law. “Above all, this legislation is necessary to better ensure the safety of the people in my district, New Jersey, and the nation,” Smith said. Officially known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the bill will fund hard infrastructure projects and boost commerce, jobs and economic growth. Smith said that he voted “yes” on this critically important infrastructure funding legislation but will vote ‘no’ when President Biden’s so-called Build Back Better bill, which according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce could cost more than $4 trillion, comes up for a vote. “Originally, the two major bills were scheduled to be voted on in the House on the same day - Friday, November 5th - but then only the infrastructure bill actually came to the House floor. This created a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding.” “Many people appear to have been genuinely misled into believing that provisions of the so-called Build Back Better legislation - pushed by President Biden and progressive Democrats - were included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure legislation. That was simply not the case,” said Smith. “Infrastructure funding has long been recognized as critical to the U.S. economy, creating and sustaining jobs and for the safety of Americans,” explains Smith. In March of 2020, then-President Trump called for a new $2 trillion infrastructure bill that he said should be “very big and bold.” Smith supported that initiative but it never made it into law. According to Smith, the recently passed bipartisan $1.2 trillion bill isn’t as big or as bold but will help rebuild New Jersey’s crumbling infrastructure by providing at least: $6.9 billion for New Jersey highways and roads $4.2 billion to improve New Jersey public transportation $1.1 billion for bridge replacement and maintenance. Smith pointed out that of the 1,156 bridges in the counties of his congressional district - 117, or 10.1 percent, are classified as structurally deficient and that repairs are needed on 369 bridges in those counties alone. A report by the American Society of Civil Engineers states “37% of roads in N.J. are in poor condition” and “driving on roads in need of repair in New Jersey costs each driver $713 per year.”

Get The Lead Out

The Bipartisan Infrastructure bill also authorizes $55 billion in emergency funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure - including $15 billion for lead service line replacement - over five years through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). “Safe drinking water is an essential necessity of everyday life - not a luxury,” said Smith, who authored the Get the Lead Out Act (HR 3300) to specifically combat lead-tainted pipelines in towns in his district and other places in New Jersey. First introduced in 2020, Smith’s bipartisan legislation would authorize $66.2 billion over ten years and direct every utility in America to develop a plan to identify and remove lead pipes that threaten the health of residents - especially children. New Jersey has an estimated 350,000 lead service lines according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and can expect to receive over $1 billion over the next five years to improve water infrastructure and help towns “Get the Lead Out” of pipes that service homes, schools and other facilities.

Make The Commute Safer

“Every weekday, about 200,000 New Jersey residents - including many from my congressional district - travel to New York by train. The Gateway Program - funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill - will replace the increasingly dangerous infrastructure including tunnels under the Hudson River,” Smith said. According to the Gateway Program website the initiative “focuses on a 10-mile segment of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and includes a program of projects that would replace and update rail infrastructure assets that, in many cases, are over 100 years old, as well as increase track, tunnel, bridge and station capacity. This segment of the NEC carries over 200,000 daily Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT passenger trips on approximately 450 trains.” Part of this major overhaul includes the construction of a new two-track Hudson River rail tunnel from New Jersey to Manhattan that will directly serve Penn Station. It will also fund the rehabilitation of the 111-year-old North River Tunnel, which incurred serious damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Smith noted that the legislation will also provide approximately $272 million to improve New Jersey’s airport infrastructure development and $5 billion to clean polluted Superfund sites across the United States - including 151 sites in New Jersey, which has the most toxic sites in the country.

State Changes Protocol To Address Suicide By Veterans

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy, Brigadier General Dr. Lisa Hou, The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA), and Acting Commissioner of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Sarah Adelman announced the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families. The initiative will bring together state and federal agencies to combat suicide among members of the military and their families. This work will build on existing suicide prevention efforts across the state and assist with further implementation of best policies and practices using a comprehensive public health approach. “New Jersey’s veterans and service members are a source of immense pride for our state,” said Governor Murphy. “This initiative recognizes the struggles that many of our bravest men and women face and will engage all aspects of government in meeting the challenge of preventing and reducing suicides.” “Together with 34 other states, New Jersey is engaging at the local, county, and state level to implement best, and evidence-based practices to prevent and reduce suicide among Garden State heroes and their families,” said Adjutant General and DMAVA Commissioner Brigadier General Hou. “Purposefully, our effort will advance the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide by enhancing and aligning local and statewide suicide prevention efforts.” “Suicide is a significant public health concern among veterans and service members. Through these partnerships, and by enacting suicide prevention policies and best practices, we can help save the lives of men and women who have given so much to protect ours,” said Human Services Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “I urge anyone needing help to call our 24/7 suicide prevention help line at 1-855–654-6735. No matter what you’re going through or feeling, you are not alone. We are here to listen.” This initiative establishes a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Department of Human Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration with the goal of preventing suicide among New Jersey’s veterans. These efforts will advance the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide by enhancing and aligning local and statewide suicide prevention efforts. The New Jersey Departments of Health and Children and Families are additional partners in the initiative, providing expertise and guidance for this critical effort. The objectives of the Challenge include: Convening a state interagency military and civilian team of leaders to develop an implementation plan to prevent suicide among veterans. Implementing promising, best, and evidence-based practices to prevent and reduce suicide. Engaging with city, county, and state stakeholders to enhance and align local and state-wide suicide prevention efforts. Increasing knowledge about the challenges and lessons learned in implementing best policies and practices by using state-to-state and community-to-community sharing. Defining and measuring success, including defining assignments, deadlines, and measurable outcomes to be reported.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY OF OCEAN, in accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Law”, P.L. 1975, c. 231, hereby establishes the following schedule of meetings to be held during 2021-2022. All meetings shall commence at 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.

Regular November 22, 2021 Monday, 12:00 Noon Regular December 16, 2021 Thursday Regular January 20, 2022 Thursday Regular February 17, 2022 Thursday Regular March 17, 2022 Thursday Regular April 28, 2022 Thursday Regular May 19, 2022 Thursday Regular June 16, 2022 Thursday Year End June 30, 2022 Thursday, 12:00 Noon Regular July 21, 2022 Thursday, 12:00 Noon Regular August 18, 2022 Thursday, 12:00 Noon Regular September 15, 2022 Thursday Regular October 20, 2022 Thursday Reorganization November 7, 2022 Monday, 12:00 Noon

Meetings for 2021-2022 will be held in the Black Box Theater/ Grunin Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Building 12, Toms River, New Jersey unless otherwise indicated.

PLEASE NOTE FURTHER, that the public shall not be permitted to actively participate in the Executive Sessions and that the Board of Education of the Vocational School in the County of Ocean in its discretion may prohibit or regulate participation at any meeting.

C ommunity n ew S

Club News, ACtivities, eveNts & ANNouNCemeNts

Mayor Seeking Residents To Serve Community

JACKSON – The Mayor, along with the Township Council, strongly urge any resident who wishes to volunteer to serve on an advisory Board or Commission to submit a Citizen Leadership Form which can be found on our website at jacksontwpnj.net, under the Forms, Licenses and Permits section. Please complete both pages and be sure to include any background experience you have or your reason for interest. This pandemic has presented challenges in the past but we are ready to move forward and get these Boards back on track. If you have questions regarding these Boards or

JACKSON – Bat Shalom Hadassah announces the annual Jackson Township Menorah Lighting on December 1 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Jackson Municipal Commissions, please feel free to contact the Mayor’s office by phone, 732-928-1200 ext. 1211 or email at snovak@jacksontwpnj. net. All requests for consideration should be received by December 17. The following advisory boards and committees currently exist: Veterans Commission, Rent Leveling Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board, Economic Development Commission, Citizens Budget Advisory Committee, Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, Pathfinders, Environmental Commission, Historical Commission, and the Shade Tree Commission.

What Electronics You Can Recycle?

JACKSON – The following electronic items are recyclable only at the Jackson Township Transfer Station: • Whole computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards and mouse. • Computer parts: hard drives, power supplies, floppy, CD, DVD • Home printers, office printers, fax machines, copiers and scanners. • Televisions (including Flat Screen, CRT TR’s and Rear Projection, Remote Control) • Telephones, cell phones, answering machines. • Radio and stereo components, speakers. • VCR’s DVD players. • Cameras, Video Equipment. • Wire and Cables

Recreation Department Hiring Referees, Score Keepers

JACKSON – The Jackson Township Recreation Department is looking for Score Keepers, Time Keepers and Junior Referees for our 2021/2022 Winter Basketball Program, November to March. Pay is $11.10/hr (Schedule will vary) Monday to Thursday 6 to 9:30 p.m. (scorekeepers/time keepers); Saturdays 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (Jr. Referees)/ Location: Switlik School Gym. Must be at least 15 years of age. Ideal for high school and college students. If interested email janderson@jacksontwpnj.net.

Children’s Christmas Party For Moose Members

JACKSON – The Jackson Moose Lodge 1459 will be hosting a Children’s Christmas Party on December 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Age Limit 10 and under. Sign -up required; $5 per child. Sign up by November 28. Each child receives a gift from Santa and stocking. Light lunch will be served. Open to children and grandchildren of qualified members in good standing. For more information call 732-367-0011.

Menorah Lighting December 1

Building, West Veterans Highway. Masks are required. This event will be totally outdoors. Candles will be lit by Rabbi Shmuel Naparstek.

Tree Lighting At Town Hall

JACKSON – The Township has announced a tree lighting for December 4 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 95 W. Veterans Highway. There will be refreshments and a meet and great with Santa. There will also be a performance by the Jackson Liberty High School Chorus. This is an outdoor event.

Around the JerSey Shore

Cedar Bonnet Island Trail: A Hidden Gem Reopens

─Photo by Stephanie Faughnan A new walkway will allow people of different ability levels to access this natural resource.

By Stephanie Faughnan

STAFFORD – A senior couple walking along the Cedar Bonnet Island Environmental Trail had a hard time containing their excitement. They had long ago crossed the one-mile trail off their to-do list. The husband and wife spoke on the condition that their names not be released. Both 75 years old, the grey haired gentleman used a walker to maneuver his way along the path. He and his wife both enjoy birding and came equipped with binoculars. “We’ve wanted to come back here for a very long time,” said the Beach Haven West resident. “However, there was no way my walker would work on the stone gravel.” Cedar Bonnet Island is actually part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and was recently closed for upgrades to the trail’s surface. The new pathway makes it more accessible and complies with requirements mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Locals and tourists alike may not even know of the trail’s existence. Parking is available a few yards after drivers exit the Causeway Bridge in an easterly direction. Karen Lazarus of Surf City said it was the first time she visited the trail and will be back to take her canine companion, Ranger. She marveled at the sights and sounds. “It’s so peaceful back here,” said Lazurus. “It’s all very stunning.” Birds represent just one of the many inhabits along the trail, many not seen in different local environments. A long-legged white bird stood tall in the water despite November temperatures. It may have been an egret or possibly a heron. Signs along the trail warn visitors to stay on the covered surface as the area is part of a restoration project. As far back as the 1950s, portions of Cedar Bonnet Island were used as a dredging disposal site. When the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) acquired the property in the 1990s, it initially prohibited public access. Ultimately, the USFWS partnered with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and allowed visitors to enjoy the picturesque sights and hear the sounds of wildlife. “As part of the Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan, CBI (Cedar Bonnet Island) was identified as a priority for the wildlife habitat restoration and passive recreational use,” said authorities. Visitors have the opportunity to sit down and take in the sights from two separate pavilions set up along the trail. In addition to wildlife and plants indigenous to wetland habitats, a view of the bridge, LBI, and Atlantic City, are all visible to the bare eye. While many of the leaves have already fallen from the trees, yellow, daisy-like flowers are still in bloom. The rustle of reeds blowing from soft winds adds to the area’s scenery. For those looking for a quick hike, Cedar Bonnet Island Trail offers some fun exploration.

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