2023-01-14 - The Toms River Times

Coaching Legend Honored At Toms River High School North

High School North was chock full of championships.

There were five WOBM Christmas Classic titles. There

Environmental Group Challenges Ciba Deal

By Chris Lundy

TOMS RIVER – A settlement that would convert 1,000 acres to open space and remediate the land does not do enough to heal the “open wound on the people and natural resources of Ocean County for the better part of seven decades,” environmental group

said.

According to a settlement announced by the State Department of Environmental Protection, about 1,000 acres would be preserved. Of this, approximately 790 acres will be maintained as open space and will include restoration projects. The

remaining 210 acres will be set aside for pollinator habitat and solar energy production.

There would be trails, a boardwalk, and an environmental education center. The project could break ground as soon as spring of 2023 and be open to the public in phases over the

(Ciba - See Page 6)

were nine Shore Conference Class A South titles. There were three New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association titles.

There was one NJSIAA Group IV state title, won in 1999-2000 when the Mariners (29-3) became the lone Ocean County team to reach the championship game of the Tournament of

Champions. And there was a 313-212 career record in 20 seasons.

Cervino’s name will live forever. The school’s gymnasium - the scene of many a Mariners success - was

named the Ray Cervino Gymnasium during a ceremony in front of an estimated 200 fans - including some 40 of his former players - prior to North’s 56-23 conquest (Legend - See Page 5)

Ocean County Commissioners Sworn In For New Terms

By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY

– John P. Kelly was surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, staff, and elected officials from the state and local levels as he was sworn in for his 10 th term on the Board of Ocean County Commissioners.

His oath of office was

administered during the recently held reorganization meeting of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.

Joining Kelly were his children Jimmy and Dawn Marie who stood by his side holding the Bible. He served as the Board’s Director in 2022 and has been

a member of the Board since 1993.

Kelly said he looked forward to working with his fellow Commissioners and the Ocean County staff to provide the best programs and services for County residents.

“It’s a privilege to have been re-elected to this seat on the Board of

Commissioners. I look forward to a New Year providing services for our residents and making sure Ocean County remains affordable,” he added.

Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines was sworn in for her third threeyear term on the (Terms - See Page 4)

By Chris Christopher TOMS RIVER - Ray Cervino’s career as the head girls basketball coach at Toms River

─Photo courtesy Luke Saglembeni/LukeSagsPhotography and Kim Peto The Toms River High School North girls basketball team and others soak up the life-size cutout of their beloved coach, Ray Cervino. (Inset): A jersey honors Ray Cervino.

Save Barnegat Bay

Board by former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and accompanied by her nephew Grant Chedester and his wife Darlene.

“To my colleagues on the Board –Jack, Joe, Bobbi Jo and Gary – I look forward to working with all of you in the New Year. Together we will continue to provide good government for our residents,” Haines said after being administered the oath of office.

Haines added, “every New Year provides us with an opportunity to look back and reflect and to look ahead - to grow and to improve on what we already have. It also gives us the chance to be stronger and better than the year before.”

Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, the longest serving Commissioner in the state with more than 40 years on the Board was named Director of the Board this year and Commissioner Gary Quinn was named Deputy Director.

Vicari stressed the importance of producing results for County residents and that by the Board working together as a team they will provide services and programs for residents while also providing the fiscally conservative policies of the Board.

“Whether it’s our Road Department, our Office of Senior Services, our Vet -

erans Services Bureau, our Department of Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Public Safety, we deliver results. We provide assistance to our residents that we can measure,” Vicari added.

He noted, “we set our goals high. We want to hear from our constituents, we want to know what they like and don’t like.”

Vicari said that while this year’s budget preparation is just under way, he anticipates the county’s property tax rate to decrease for the seventh consecutive year.

“We will continue to meet the needs of our residents in the New Year,” Vicari said. He quoted one of his favorite presidents, Dwight D. Eisenhower, stating, “if a political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a cause that is right and that is moral, then it is not a political party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power.”

Deputy Director Quinn echoed the sentiments of his colleagues on the Board as did Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea.

Quinn said, “I want to extend my appreciation to the Ocean County staff. From our Administrator to the rank and file, the men and women that work for Ocean County are the ones who implement our programs and make certain we can advance the mission of our County government and provide the best possible service.”

Crea also extended her thanks to the

“We

and hard work of our department directors and the staff,” she said. “With our support and their efforts, the County will continue to be a great place to live, work and retire.”

─Photos courtesy Ocean County Ocean County Commissioners Virginia E. Haines and John P. Kelly hold up their certificates while standing next to colleagues and officials noting the results of their reelection.

staff of the county, specifically noting the departments she serves as board liaison.

cannot provide the important services we do without the dedication

Legend:

“Ray is looking down on us now,” North principal Ed Keller told the crowd. “We are very proud to add this name in perpetuity to our gym.”

A life-size cutout of Cervino, who taught history at North, was unveiled. His ex-Mariners and current North players wore blue and gold long-sleeve shooting shirts sporting their last names and jersey numbers. The shirts were donated by the Toms River South Diamond Club, the booster club of the Indians’ baseball team.

“We are very grateful for the turnout,” said his daughter, Nicole Cervino, who starred for her father. “We are very touched. This honor is well deserved. Dad will always be part of the place he loved the most. Dad loved teaching and coaching. It is nice to know he will forever have a place here.”

“This did justice for his legacy,” said Dana Simonelli, who starred at center under Cervino’s tutelage. “He got the best out of us. I am ready to play basketball tonight. Mr. C was successful because he was genuine, intense, demanding and motivating. He was also trustworthy and he took time with you to try to understand you both as a player and a person.

A Cervino protege who attended the ceremony was Melissa Fazio.

“I can’t put it into words - my emotionsas I will start to cry,” she said. “I am very

happy to be a part of this.”

Fazio excelled in women’s basketball at St. Bonaventure University and played 13 professional seasons in Italy.

“He is the reason I got as far as I did,” she said. “This night is perfect, well deserved. He was honest with us. He did not sugar coat anything. That’s what made him so good. He did not baby us. When we cried, he cried. He pushed us to the limit.”

Surrounded by his family, Cervino died Oct. 7 at the age of 78. Two of his former players, Sandy Bisogno and Kim Peto, quickly launched a petition drive to have the gymnasium named in his honor.

Bisogno, an administrative assistant in the Point Pleasant Beach School District Special Education Department, said Cervino’s family played a large role in his success.

“We really wanted to honor the Cervino family,” she said. “People don’t realize the sacrifices a coach’s family makes - missing dinners and holidays. His family sacrificed a lot. It’s nice to pay homage to coach Cervino and honor his family.”

“My dad was loved by so many people,” Nicole Cervino said. “A total of 1,000 people came to dad’s funeral. The number of past students, players, coaches, teachers, neighbors, family and friends who came blew us away and they all said the same thing: My dad made them feel special. He cared about them. He always made time for them. His personality was electric. He loved talking to people and he was so smart and very funny. He loved jokes.”

(Legend - See Page 8)

─Photo courtesy Kim Peto

A sign honors Ray Cervino’s legacy.

Ciba: Continued From Page 1

next five years.

Save Barnegat Bay is hosting two events to educate people. The first is an online seminar on January 17 from 4-5 p.m.

Guest Speaker Diane Salkie is the Remedial Project Manager for the Ciba-Geigy Superfund site. She will be discussing the history of the site, the source remediation that has been completed and groundwater remediation that is still ongoing, the group said. She will also discuss the solar fields currently running and the environmental education programs conducted by the current property owners.

The webinar is free. To sign up, visit us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ RKUB7TLjR9uqGxpNZFaRcA

The other event is a “speak-out” on January 25 from 6-9 p.m. at Toms River High School North’s auditorium. It is a chance for the public to express concerns and let their voice be heard.

“No public participation hearings were hosted as part of the site’s settlement discussions, and little-to-no scientific data was released to substantiate the safety of the settlement plans. How could the public submit their informed input on the record without adequate time and information?”

Save Barnegat Bay asked. “We demand a transparent record and full engagement of the community on the next steps of this issue. Now more than ever, we need to come together to demand justice for our

community.”

For more information, visit savebarnegatbay.org/initiatives/ciba-geigy-superfundsite-in-toms-river/

Ciba-Geigy was a dye manufacturer that opened in 1952 and closed in 1990. During that time, it dumped a lot of chemicals into the land and waters. It became an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Site in 1983. The settlement with the State DEP will not impact the situation with the federal EPA.

BASF assumed responsibility for the site in 2010 through corporate acquisitions. When BASF acquired Ciba, the property was undergoing remediation efforts such as excavation and capping of contaminated areas and the pumping and treatment of contaminated groundwater, the DEP said.

Political Response

Local politicians welcomed the idea of preserving most of it for open space, but also said that is not enough.

At the first Township Council meeting of 2023, when leaders set the tone for the year, Mayor Maurice Hill repeated his call for all of the property to be preserved.

“It should be deeded to Toms River as open space as compensation for the environmental damage done by Ciba-Geigy,” he said. The mayor has also said that he wants the proposed environmental center on the property to include an exhibit that comprehensively documents the damage the pollution caused to the environment, the health of the residents, and the economy – and it should

(Ciba - See Page 24)

ommunity n ews

Cats Available For Adoption

By Chris Lundy

TOMS RIVER – An adoption center with a free roaming cat playroom is open in downtown Toms River on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. and also by appointment. This is Lace, an older cat who lives there with her brother Trig. Here, she is sleeping on the coat

─Photo by Chris Lundy of one of the volunteers. They are located at 34 Main Street (Route 9), Suite 1B. The adoption center adheres to COVID-19 restrictions and is run by the group called Lawyers In Defense of Animals. They can be reached at 908-910-2522, or on Facebook at /lidarescue and on Instagram @lida_rescue.

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Legend: Continued From Page 5

Bisogno and coach Cervino respected each other.

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“Coach C trusted me and valued my input,” she said. “He gave me the reigns to lead the team from the court while he led from the sidelines. After I graduated from North, coach C was a source of advice I could reach out to while at Iona College. He was never afraid to give me tough love. He went from a coach to a dear friend throughout my adult life.” Peto and teammates Kelly Burger and Stephanie Huhn scored either 1,000 or more career varsity points on Cervino’s watch.

Coach Cervino had many sayings on the court. Among them was “Geez O Man.” Another one was, “You frost my apricots.” Yet another was, “Flippin’ for the F bomb.” He pointed to his head and bellowed, “Very unintelligent play.”

Off the court, he said, “Yeah...I said, Yeah!” There was, “Squeeze me,” for excuse me or “Oatmeal brain” if he did something silly. Another saying was, “It went the way of the rotary phone.” When frustrated, the legend also used the phrase, “That bloody thing.”

Toms River Regional athletics director Ted Gillen praised Cervino in a speech.

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“He was no doubt a successful coach,” Peto said. “Obviously, he knew the game ... the x’s and o’s, how to teach a successful fast break, which is what we were known for, and how to get us to play team defense whether it was man-to-man or our stifling 1-3-1 zone. But there are many more reasons as to why he was such a successful coach. He had an incredible passion for the game and was a true motivator. His pregame speeches were second to none and he knew exactly what to say to get us ready to face our opponent. That motivation continued throughout the games as he always got the best out of his players for four quarters.

“He was a great communicator. He listened to his players. He welcomed our comments, questions and input. He always encouraged us to present our ideas and thoughts. He knew his players - not just our strengths and weaknesses on the court, but he truly got to know us off the court - our personalities, our likes and dislikes, our emotions. Coach Cervino was a true leader. He built relationships that fostered trust between him and his players. It was because of his leadership that we were so successful both on and off the court!”

Nicole Cervino, now known as Nicole Kirk after her marriage to retired Point Pleasant Boro High School head wrestling coach Dave Kirk, played point guard for her father from 1987-90. She scored 1,175 career points. She graduated second on the Mariners’ career assists list (543). She was second in assists in a single season with 220. She starred at point guard at the collegiate level at Monmouth from 1990-94, earning All-Northeast Conference honors and leading the league in assists.

“I always wanted to make dad proud and I took great pride in having him as my coach as it was always evident that he was the best of the best,” the seventh and eighth grade teacher at the Spring Lake Heights Elementary School said. “To play for someone like that is a dream as a player. He influenced me to be the player I was. He loved being a people person. He felt building and maintaining relationships was very important. He believed in telling people

“l’d like to personally welcome Ray’s family, his wife, Mary, his daughters, Nicole and Vicky, and his son, Adam, back to the court where their dad and husband spent so much time,” he told the crowd. “I would also like to recognize his many former players who played for Ray and wanted to be present tonight. Tonight, we have placed a name on this gymnasium that is synonymous with great coaching, great teaching and great character.

“Conversations with Ray made you think, made you smile and made you laugh. They are some of the greatest attributes that any student-athlete could hope for from a teacher or coach. As his longtime friend, Kevin Williams (a journalist), told me just last week in this building - and his family can attest to this statement - ‘This was Ray’s home away from home.’ I’d like to thank the family of coach Cervino for sharing him with the many student-athletes who benefited so immensely because of him.”

Cervino was a Point Pleasant Beach councilman from 2007-2010. The Republican became embroiled in a controversy involving a pre meeting reading of the Lord’s Prayer on Nov. 30, 2010, the Associated Press reported.

The dispute developed enough traction to draw a New York City-based television crew to the meeting. As the cameras rolled, Cervino stood up and intoned, “God, we beseech you to provide us with the wisdom to make the correct decisions on this night and all the days going forward. In your name, Amen,” before giving himself the Sign of the Cross.

Mossa said Cervino was an intense admirer of President Reagan, resulting in the cutout.

“There was a picture of President Reagan on the back wall of Ray’s classroom,” she said, “and Ray would salute the picture each day.”

Cervino was employed by the Toms River Township Regional School District from 1971-2001 and coached the Mariners from 1980-2001. He was inducted into the district’s Athletics Hall of Fame with Nicole Cervino in 2010. He was inducted into the New Jersey State Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001. He was named Coach of the Year numerous times by the media.

s potlight o n g overnment

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

Bipartisan Legislation Will Establish Information Literacy Education

Phil Murphy

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (S588) establishing the requirement of K-12 instruction on information literacy under the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The signing of this bipartisan legislation reaffirms the Governor’s commitment to leading the nation in public education while preparing students for lifelong learning by equipping them with the skills they need to accurately assess information.

The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Education to develop New Jersey Student Learning Standards in “information literacy,” which is defined as a set of skills that enables an individual to recognize when information is needed and to locate,

evaluate, and effectively use the needed information. Information literacy includes, but is not limited to, digital, visual, media, textual, and technological literacy.

“Our democracy remains under sustained attack through the proliferation of disinformation that is eroding the role of truth in our political and civic discourse,” said Governor Murphy. “It is our responsibility to ensure our nation’s future leaders are equipped with the tools necessary to identify fact from fiction. I am proud to sign legislation that is critical to the success of New Jersey’s students and essential to the preservation of our democracy.”

Primary sponsors of the bill include Senators Michael Testa and Shirley Turner, and Assemblymembers Daniel Benson, Pamela Lampitt, and Mila Jasey.

The bill requires the Commissioner of the Department of Education to convene a committee, including certified school library media specialists

and teaching staff members, to assist in developing the information literacy standards. The standards will be reviewed by experts as they are developed. This will provide an opportunity for collaboration among teachers and school library media specialists to advance information literacy in the K-12 learning standards. The proposed information literacy standards will also be subject to public input prior to their adoption by the State Board of Education.

“Information literacy is more important now than ever before, especially with the growing prevalence of social media and online news,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “Students for generations will be well-served by this legislation, which sets into statute the requirement for schools to provide instruction on information literacy.” Each school district will incorporate instruction on information literacy in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey

Student Learning Standards. The guidelines will include, at a minimum, the following:

• the research process and how information is created and produced;

• critical thinking and using information resources;

• research methods, including the difference between primary and secondary sources;

• the difference between facts, points of view, and opinions;

• accessing peer-reviewed print and digital library resources;

• the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information; and

• the ethical production of information.

“Teaching children about information literacy will help them to weigh the flood of news, opinion, and social media they are exposed to both online and off,” said Senator Michael Testa (R-1st). “This law isn’t about teaching kids that any specific idea is true or false, rather it’s about helping them learn how to research, evaluate, and understand the information they are presented for themselves.”

$500M Loan To Modernize Water Infrastructure

Capitol Comments

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) celebrated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of a $500 million loan to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to modernize wastewater and drinking water systems serving over 9 million people throughout New Jersey. This is the first loan issued through the State Infrastructure Financing Authority Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (SWIFIA) program, which provides loans exclusively to state infrastructure financing authority borrowers, commonly known as state revolving fund programs. The program was created by Congress in 2018 under the bipartisan America’s Water Infrastructure Act.

“Rebuilding New Jersey’s aging water and wastewater infrastructure and ex-

panding access to clean, safe water while creating good paying jobs is exactly the type of smart investment our communities and environment need,” said Sen. Bob Menendez. “I’m proud to have fought for many of the provisions in the bipartisan America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, which created SWIFIA, and will benefit millions of New Jersey families up and down the state with essential funding for state revolving fund programs. I thank the Biden Administration for recognizing this critical opportunity and choosing New Jersey as the first state in the country to receive a SWIFIA loan, which will ultimately have positive life-changing impacts for communities throughout the Garden State.”

“This historic infusion of federal funds will help New Jersey implement vital water infrastructure projects,” said Sen. Cory Booker. “I have championed programs to ensure every American has access to safe, clean drinking water. I am excited the EPA is issuing its first SWIFIA loan to New Jersey. This funding will create hundreds of jobs and

advance water infrastructure projects to address contaminants in drinking water, install water filtration systems, and replace lead pipes across our state.”

Thanks to EPA’s SWIFIA loan and funding from the New Jersey State Revolving Fund, over 90 communities across the Garden State will be able to implement critical water infrastructure projects - remediating contaminated groundwater, replacing lead service lines, and installing filtration systems to protect drinking water from PFAS contamination. These infrastructure investments will help communities maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, manage flooding, and improve climate resiliency. Projects that will receive SWIFIA funding are located throughout the state, including in 36 smaller communities and 39 disadvantaged communities.

“From critical resilience projects to the replacement of lead service lines, New Jersey remains at the forefront of innovative water infrastructure solutions,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “The EPA’s SWIFIA loan will further solidify New Jersey’s status as a national model for water infrastructure, which serves as the foundation

for healthy communities. In addition to helping our state secure safe, healthy, and efficient wastewater and drinking water systems for all New Jerseyans, the EPA’s support will also help generate good-paying jobs in our expanding water workforce.”

“Improving New Jersey’s water infrastructure is a team effort, and we are grateful to our partners at U.S. EPA and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for their work to close the State’s latest WIFIA loan,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection, Shawn M. LaTourette. “This loan will support the Murphy Administration’s continuing efforts to modernize water infrastructure in communities across the Garden State–ensuring the highest standards of protection for public health and the environment, as we create good-paying engineering, construction, and other jobs for New Jersey families.”

The SWIFIA program is housed within EPA’s WIFIA program. SWIFIA loans allow state infrastructure finance authorities to offer additional low-cost financing to communities and accelerate implementation of important water infrastructure projects.

Senator Robert Menendez

From The Desk Of The Governor

Veolia Helps Customers Receive Nearly $3M In Financial Assistance

TOMS RIVER – As families continue to face extraordinary financial challenges, Veolia is committed to helping with their water and wastewater bills. The company has eliminated or reduced bills for eligible residents through a number of programs, amounting to nearly $3 million in New Jersey and more than $9 million across the country.

“The last few years have been challenging for people everywhere. Following an unprecedented pandemic, inflation is resulting in rising costs for almost everything,” said Karine Rouge, CEO of Municipal Water for Veolia North America. “This is particularly difficult for working families who may be struggling just to keep up with basic needs like water. Water is an essential resource and we must do our part to help those who need it most.”

The company has facilitated bill relief through multiple programs aimed at helping eligible customers and their families in New Jersey:

In 2022, Veolia forgave more than $2.8 million in overdue bills in New Jersey. More than 22,000 customers received a one-time automatic credit on their bills, further relieving the financial pressures

faced by working families. Nationwide, Veolia worked closely with regulators in select states to forgive water bills that were in arrears totaling over $6.8 million.

In addition, Veolia Cares granted nearly $26,000 last year, $115,000 since 2020, to customers in New Jersey needing temporary assistance with water bills. Eligible households may have their water bills reduced once per year. To learn more about this non-profit program, visit: cares.veolia.org.

“We encourage customers who may need help to take advantage of these programs if they have not done so already. While water bills are often the smallest part of a household budget, every little bit helps,” said Rouge.

The company also continues to help reduce payments as part of LIHWAP, a federally funded program administered by individual states to help low-income households with past due water and wastewater bills. Individual customers can apply for up to $2,500 to pay down their debt. New Jersey residents can find information at nj211.org/water-assistance-programs or by calling 800-510-3102.

Agility, Balance, And Coordination

TOMS RIVER – This class is designed to develop a child’s ABCs (agility, balance, and coordination). Children will practice jumping, hopping, balancing, and other basic skills. We will incorporate different props including agility ladders, small hurdles, and balancing

tools which will help build a foundation for simple sports skills. Please wear sneakers and bring a drink.

Class will be on January 26 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Program Room, Parks Administration Office, Toms River. Cost is $5 per child. Open to ages 3 to 5 years.

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lub

Toms River Now Accepting Bids For Liquor Licenses

By Alyssa Riccardi

TOMS RIVER – The Toms River Township Council recently announced that the Township is accepting bids for the sale of one Plenary Retail Distribution License and one Plenary Consumption License. According to the Township, the minimum bid for the Distribution License is $700,000 and the minimum bid for the Consumption License is $825,000. The eligibility form can be found by visiting: tomsrivertownship.com/DocumentCen -

ter/View/9784/Eligibility-Form?bidId. Eligibility paperwork is the same for both available licenses.

Those interested must complete their submission no later than February 7. Applicants must ensure their eligibility form is notarized before returning the application.

The Township states that all applications are subject to complete and thorough background investigation, in accordance with all federal, county, local and State of New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws.

National Day Of Racial Healing: Sharing Our Stories

TOMS RIVER – Children and their families are invited to join us in our cozy living room. Visit the Youth Services Department of the Toms River Branch throughout the day to watch videos and hear stories in honor of the National Day of Racial Healing. All videos are child-oriented and will stream from the library’s various digital platforms.

The National Day of Racial Healing takes place annually on the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Organizations across the country work to create connections and share a sense of belonging, and are encouraged to observe the seventh annual National Day of Racial Healing on January 17. No registration is required.

American Association Of University Women Meeting

TOMS RIVER – American Association of University Women (AAUW-Northern Ocean County Branch) is having a meeting on January 17 via Zoom at 6 p.m. Our speaker is Virginia Haines, who will join us for 1/2 hour. Ms. Haines serves on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. She is Chair of the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Ocean County Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee, and is liaison to Ocean County College. The Monthly Branch Meeting will be held following the speaker.

For the Zoom link, contact Program Director Beth Maher at bethmahe@ gmail.com

n ews

Adult ESL Program Celebrates New Year Through Cuisine

TOMS RIVER – Prior to winter break, district parents gathered to celebrate the New Year at the ESL (English as a Second Language) Adult program at High School North. Culinary dishes representing more than 10 countries were shared at the celebration.

The fun event was a culmination of the previous six weeks, during which parents in the community have come together to support one another on their English learning journeys. The ESL Adult English program will resume for another six-week session in February.

The event was organized to honor the legendary district track coach, who passed away in June 2022, and to recognize all of his work dedicated to students and student-athletes of Toms River over the years.

The classic was a tri-meet among High School East, High School North, and High School South. North took home both the boys and girls championships, but that was almost an afterthought as the event’s namesake was the star, as intended.

“It was a great night to celebrate Bob at the track,” said Kyle Austin, who utilized drone footage to develop a video of the event.

─Photo courtesy Toms River Schools

TOMS RIVER – The Bob Petruski Toms River Classic was hosted at the Rothman Orthopaedic Sports Complex December 21.

─Photo courtesy Toms River Schools

H ere

s t o Y our H e A lt H

• Dr. Izzy’s

Sound News

4 Ways Hearing & Vision Work Together

Hearing actually enhances sight, According to a UCLA study, both senses work as a team to help you perceive and participate in the world around you. Study participants ran through a series of trials to correctly identify the direction in which a display of dots moved. Hearing the direction in which the dots were collectively traveling enhanced participants’ ability to see the direction of the movement.

Visually challenged seniors are more likely to experience hearing loss, A study published in the medical journal JAMA Ophthalmology uncovered links between age-related vision and hearing problems. Researchers found that even after considering age, the two conditions are somehow linked and “have a cumulative effect on function and well-being, significantly affecting both physical and mental domains.”

Vision and hearing loss accompany cognitive decline; Research shows that either condition is connected to reduced brain functioning over time. One study found that participants with the most profound vision impairment had the lowest average scores on cognition tests. And hearing-challenged seniors on average

may experience significantly reduced cognitive function at least three years before their normal-hearing counterparts. Healthy eyes and ears help you keep your balance. It’s pretty obvious that seeing your best helps you stay upright, but many people may not realize that the inner ear also plays an important role in maintaining balance. Conversely, untreated hearing loss could nearly triple your risk of a fall, per a study from Johns Hopkins. We all know that eyes and ears play a huge role in experiencing life’s adventures. Seeing and hearing the people, places, and moments that matter create wonderful, lasting memories. What fewer people know is that sight and hearing are intertwined. Here are four reasons to make regular checkups for hearing and vision an important part of your wellness plan:

Hearing and vision work together to help you live your best life, so remember to keep them both healthy. Start with a hearing checkup by contacting us today! 732-818-3610 (Toms River & Whiting) or 609-978-8946 (Manahawkin).

Dr. Izzy & his Staff are always available to answer any hearing care questions you may have. Visit us at www.gardenstate hearing.com.

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-276-1011 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D., F.A.A.A.

Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

Dear Pharmacist

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

How To Properly Take Gabapentin And Restore Lost Nutrients

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

The focus of the blog today is on the number one selling anti-convulsant drug in America, and it’s known chemically as gabapentin. One popular brand name for gabapentin is Neurontin.

Some people take this prescription medicine even though they do not suffer from epilepsy because it seems to help other conditions like pain management, neuropathy or insomnia.

Some off-label uses for gabapentin include anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and possibly even hot flashes.

Gabapentin is a favorite among prescribers because it offers many advantages over traditional anticonvulsants, and sedative-hypnotics. The dosage can be easily changed and titrated upward since it has a wide variety of strengths. Gabapentin may be taken without regard to meals. Do NOT stop gabapentin without a proper taper and physician supervision.

If you have trouble swallowing the capsules, you can empty the contents of the capsule and mix it into applesauce, yogurt, pudding, or grape jelly, really whatever you like! Do not do this if your formula is long-acting or sustained-release.

Knowing what nutrients your drug is stealing (ie the drug mugger effect) can help you solve side effects and that’s my primary goal today. I wrote a whole book to help people on this topic entitled, Drug Muggers which is available by book sellers and Amazon.

Gabapentin is known to reduce or deplete the following nutrients:

• Calcium which leads to bone brittleness

• Vitamin A which leads to visual deficit

• Copper and zinc which leads to hypothyroidism

• B complex which leads to neuropathy

• Vitamin D which leads to immune challenges

Please note the following caution nowhere am I suggesting that you stop your gabapentin. The list of nutrients below and their related deficiency symptoms may lead you to think that the medication is somehow bad for you and that is NOT what I am saying. I am just informing you of the nutrient depletions so that you can supplement properly, and feel better while you take your medication. It’s really for educational purposes, and not intended as advice.

You should have a conversation with your practitioner about what vitamin and mineral doses are right for you, as well as if you should even supplement or not. As for supplementation, if you choose to do that, you should start only one formula at a time. Never begin numerous items at once because there are too many variables and if you are intolerant to something, or reactive you won’t be able to tell which supplement caused the problem. I have a much longer version of this article, along with more cautions. That is posted at my website, suzycohen.com

Hospital Awarded For Women’s Care

TOMS RIVER – Community Medical Center (CMC), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is pleased to share it has received numerous prestigious accolades throughout 2022 that are reflective of the hospital’s excellence in women’s services, maternity care, surgical care, and transitional care. The facility was nationally recognized in various specialty care areas by Healthgrades and U.S. News and World Report.

“This year, Community Medical Center’s commitment to the health of the communities we serve, and to providing them with high-quality, evidence-based care in a welcoming and safe environment, was demonstrated through multiple national awards,” said Patrick Ahearn, Chief Executive Officer of Community Medical Center. “Recognition for maternity care, women’s services, surgical care, and transitional care are a testament to our board-certified and specialty-trained surgeons, highly skilled clinical and support staff members, and our use of the latest technology. We remain focused on ensuring our patients and their loved ones receive high-quality care with optimal outcomes, and these distinctions are reflective of that mission. I am proud of our team and these phenomenal accomplishments.”

CMC ranked as one of only 17 hospitals nationwide to receive all three Women’s Care Excellence Awards from Healthgrades, including the Gynecology Excellence Award™, Labor and Delivery Excellence Award™ and Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award™. CMC was also a 5-Star Recipient for Vaginal Delivery for the seventh year in a row. These recognitions underscore the hospital’s superior care for women during labor and delivery and gynecologic procedures. Among the hospitals evaluated by Healthgrades, Community Medical Center placed among the top 5% of hospitals

across 16 states where data was available for labor and delivery and gynecologic surgery, and among the top 10% for obstetrics and gynecology.

Further building upon its achievements in women’s care, Community Medical Center was also recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care in 2022-2023, which identifies hospitals that provide high-quality maternity care for uncomplicated pregnancies. U.S. News evaluated nearly 650 hospitals for its 2022-2023 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care and fewer than half of all hospitals that participated in the survey received a High Performing designation.

CMC was also the only New Jersey hospital named to Healthgrades’ America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Care for 2023. For the second year in a row, this achievement reflects Community Medical Center’s outstanding clinical outcomes for surgical care and puts Community Medical Center in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for surgical care. Community Medical Center is the only hospital in New Jersey to earn a Surgical Care Excellence Award in 2023 and is among just 50 out of 4,500 hospitals evaluated by Healthgrades to be named to Healthgrades’ top hospitals for surgical care.

Additionally, Community Medical Center was also recognized as a Best Nursing Home for Short-Term Rehabilitation for 2022-2023 by U.S. News and World Report for the fourth consecutive year. The distinction, award to CMC’s Transitional Care Unit, is limited to the top 16% of the more than 15,000 nursing homes rated by U.S. News, which were evaluated in areas including care, safety, infection rates, staffing, and health inspections.

Annually, Community Medical Center delivers over 2,000 babies, and maternity services include board-certified

(Hospital - See Page 19)

R.C. Shea & Assoc. Inside The Law

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

& Reasonable Accommodations For Breastfeeding Mothers

Christopher R. Shea Esq.

By: Christopher R. Shea, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) amended the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) to include pregnancy, including medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery, as well as breastfeeding, as protected classifications under the law. The PWFA:

• Prohibits employers from treating pregnant or breastfeeding employees less favorably than other employees;

• Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation upon the request of employees and based on the advice of a doctor, unless the accommodation poses an undue hardship; and

• Examples of pregnancy-related accommodations may include permitting increased breaks for increased water intake, bathroom use, or rest; providing assistance with manual labor; restructuring jobs; modifying work schedules; and temporarily transferring employees to less strenuous work.

• Prohibits employers from penalizing employees who request such an accommodation. Unlike other NJLAD accommodation claims, the PWFA contains its own “analytic structure” to determine a claim for failure to accommodate. Under the PWFA, an employee must show (1) that she was pregnant or breastfeeding; (2) that she made a request for a reasonable accommodation; and (3) that the employer failed to provide a reasonable accommodation.

Critically, employers are required to make such accommodations when an employee requests them, however, once the request is made based on the advice of a physician, the employer in most cases must provide the requested accommodations. With a physician’s note, the only way an employer can avoid having to provide the accommodations is if the

employer can show that the accommodations would impose an “undue hardship” on its business operations. This is typically a very high burden under the law, and is not easy for employers to meet. Some of the factors in this “undue burden” analysis are the overall size of the business; the size of the budget; the nature and costs of the accommodation; and whether the employee can still perform the essential functions of her job.

Notably however the Supreme Court recently stated that unlike the undue hardship defense in other NJLAD accommodation actions; an employee’s inability to perform an essential function of her job is merely a factor to be considered when assessing undue hardship in PWFA cases. As such, the Supreme Court has determined that PWFA cases are the only category of cases where a jury should determine the question of undue hardship.

In summary the PWFA law goes beyond the normal protections extended to disabled employees. In the context of disability laws, such as the NJLAD and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, employers should be cautious in their treatment of pregnant or breastfeeding employees’ special needs and should consider broad any and all forms of accommodations presented. This is particularly true, in the post, covid era where telework has been recognized as a reasonable accommodation by the judicial system and the equal opportunity employment commission.

If you believe you are a victim of employment discrimination based on pregnancy or breastfeeding, contact the Employment Lawyers at R.C. Shea & Associates at 732505-1212, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.

obstetricians, neonatologists and anesthesiologists, certified midwives, a Level 2 Special Care Nursery, skilled nursing staff, and 24/7 anesthesiology and neonatologists. Labor-delivery-recovery rooms include home-like features such as all-private rooms with Jacuzzis. To learn more about Community Medical Center’s maternity services, visit: rwjbh.org/community-medical-center/ treatment-care/maternity.

The hospital also provides high quality surgical services, including robotic-assisted surgery, which can be used for

gynecological procedures. Community Medical Center features two state-ofthe-art da Vinci robotic surgical systems and is accredited as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation. To learn more about Community Medical Center’s surgical services, visit: rwjbh.org/community-medical-center/treatment-care/ surgery

Community Medical Center is dedicated to providing continuous, accessible transitional care for its patients so they can complete their recovery and maintain their well-being at home. To learn more about Community Medical Center’s Transitional Care Unit, visitrwjbh.org/ treatment-care/transitional-care.

Shell Finds Its Home

NOTICE

COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY Chancery Division, Ocean County, Docket No. F-7457-2020. DEMOCRACY CAPITAL CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and SUNSET HILL OAKRIDGE PLAZA, LLC. et al. are Defendants. Writ of Execution for the sale of mortgaged premises dated and Final Judgment in Foreclosure and Sale, both dated October 3, 2022, and any other subsequent Writ of Execution that may be entered. By virtue of the above stated Writ, to the Receiver, Metro Commercial, CPA, directed and delivered, the Receiver will conduct a sale at a public venue through Matthew D. Mannion, Auctioneer for Mannion Auctions, LLC at 2:30 PM. EST on January 23, 2023, to be held in the parking lot outside of the Property to be sold. PROPERTY TO BE SOLD IS LOCATED IN Township of Toms River, NJ, County of Ocean, in the state of New Jersey, PREMISES COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 237 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755, Block 531, Lots 22 & 5, APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS of lot 22 is 0.628 acres and APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS of lot 5 is 2.684 acres; NEAREST CROSS STREET: Beginning at a point on the southerly line of New Jersey State Route 37 West (public), said point being South 32 degrees 25 minutes 30 seconds East, 99.42 feet southerly from the intersection of the center line of New Jersey State Route 37 West and the center line of Cedarwood Drive. ****Subject to sewer liens in the approximate amount of $42,889.37 and $18,102.03, both as of November 29, 2022, certificate of tax sale in the amount of $2,090.90 as of October 20, 2021, a certificate of tax sale in the amount of $504.16 as of October 21, 2020 and a certificate of tax sale in the amount of $6,138.69.

A more complete metes and bounds description of the Property and the full legal description can be obtained by contacting Mannion Auctions, LLC at (908) 752-1852 or the below counsel.

The Property is being sold in its present condition “as is” without any representations either express or implied. Sold subject to conditions of sale. All interested parties are to conduct and rely upon their own independent investigation to ascertain whether or not any outstanding interest remain of record and/or have priority over the lien being foreclosed and, if so, the current amount due thereon. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Receiver, or the auctioneer. Successful bidder at auction must sign an acknowledgment of sale, pay 20% of bid in official bank check at the close of the foreclosure sale and the balance within 30 days. If the successful bidder fails to comply with the conditions of sale, the Property will be sold a second time and the deposit of the initial successful bidder shall be retained by the Receiver pending further order of the Court. All certified funds must be made payable to, “METRO COMMERCIAL CPA, AS RECEIVER.” Any auction deposit which does not strictly comply with the above requirements will not be accepted.

The approximate amount of the Judgment to be satisfied by said sale is the sum of $4,445,865.88 as of May 25, 2022, together with lawful interest as may be allowed by law, counsel fees, auctioneer fees, and additional taxed costs in the amount of $7,500.00. Plaintiff reserves the right to credit bid up to said amount.

Surplus Money: If after the sale and satisfaction of the mortgage debt, including costs and expenses, there remains any surplus money, the money will be deposited with the Court, and any person claiming the surplus, or any part thereof, may file a motion pursuant to Court Rules 4:64-3 and 4:57-2 stating the nature and extent of the claim and asking for an order directing payment of the surplus money. The Receiver or person conducting the sale will have information regarding the surplus, if any.

THE RECEIVER HEREBY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADJOURN THIS SALE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE THROUGH PUBLICATION. The Receiver reserves the right to adjourn said sale from time-to-time subject only to such limitations or restrictions upon the exercise of such power as may be specially provided by law or rules of the Court.

Any inquiry regarding the terms of sale may be directed to the Court Appointed Receiver, Metro Commercial, CPA, or through counsel, Offit Kurman, P.A., 590 Madison Avenue, 6th Fl., New York, NY 10022. Telephone No.: 212-380-4108.

This giant painted shell is well known in Lavallette. Borough residents and elected officials were a bit divided though as to where its permanent home would be. It was a topic of debate for months last

─Photo By Bob Vosseller

year. Ultimately, it was decided that it would be placed in front of borough hall, next to the directory sign. A solar spotlight will showcase the shell during evening hours.

Ocean County Woman Helped Steal $4.5M From Brain Injury Fund

By Alyssa Riccardi

NEW JERSEY – Two people, a former manager of the New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Fund (TBI Fund) and one of his conspirators, admitted to defrauding a publicly funded health care benefit program of more than $4.5 million, officials said.

Maritza Flores, 45, of Toms River, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and tax evasion.

Harry Pizutelli, 64, of Edison, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.

Previously, Pizutelli, Flores, and co-defendant C.R. Kraus were charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the TBI Fund of millions of dollars of public funds for their own personal benefit.

The TBI Fund is a publicly funded program run by the New Jersey Division of Disability Services, a component of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. It provides New Jersey residents who have suffered a traumatic brain injury with services and support in order to maximize their quality of life when funding from insurance, personal resources, or other programs is unavailable to meet their needs.

In order to receive services, a patient must be approved and afterward will receive an internal payment voucher.

According to officials, Pizutelli was the manager of the TBI Fund and was responsible for supervising the process by which third-party vendors were paid for services rendered to patients.

Officials said that from 2009 through June 2019, Pizutelli, Kraus, Flores, and others conspired to defraud the TBI Fund by misappropriating more than $4.5 million in fraudulent vendor payments for purported services that were never actually provided. Fake invoices were created and processed, making it appear that these services were provided to patients. Pizutelli then approved and transmitted the internal payment vouchers, officials said.

“Pizutelli orchestrated these fraudulent payments to maintain and further romantic and/or sexual relationships with Flores and other conspirators,” officials said. “Pizutelli orchestrated the fraudulent payment of more than $4.5 million from the TBI Fund to members of the conspiracy, including more than $940,000 in fraudulent distributions to Flores and more than $3.245 million in fraudulent distributions to Kraus, which they used for their own personal benefit and enrichment.”

In addition, Flores and Kraus evaded the payment of substantial amount of income taxes by making misstatements on their federal income tax returns and underreporting their income.

Pizutelli and Flores each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the healthcare fraud conspiracy charge. Flores also faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the tax evasion charge. Sentencing for Pizutelli is scheduled for May 8, and for Flores, May 9.

Charges against Flores are accusations until proven guilty.

Around the Jersey shore

Hear Inspiring Tales Of Holocaust Children At Library

LAVALLETTE – In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day 2023, the Ocean County Library invites you to explore the many roles taken on by children in the harrowing ordeal. Zoey Guarino, M.A., will present “Childhood Under Nazism: Art, Memory and Resistance” at the Upper Shores Branch, 2 p.m. January 25.

Survivor testimonies, and evidence left behind, offer clear examples of persistence and hope among young victims of the tragic era. The presentation is a commemoration of these children, and of the adults who strove to protect them.

An Ocean County resident, Zoey Guarino earned a Master’s Degree with a focus on Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Before becoming Assistant Director of Kean University’s Restorative Justice Education Grant, she taught at Stockton University.

Holocaust Remembrance Day will

─Photo

take place January 27. Register at theoceancountylibrary. org/events to attend this free program. The Branch is at 112 Jersey City Avenue, Lavallette. For more information, call 732-793-3996.

EDUCATORS! Have a special event planned for your class? Let everyone know by placing a news release in this paper! Call 732-657-7344 to find out how!

courtesy Ocean County Library

Around the Jersey shore

Our National Symbol – The Bald Eagle

By Renee A. Thomaier Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

Considered a ‘sea eagle’ they reside and hunt along large lakes and rivers. The conspicuous white feathers of its head are where the name ‘bald’ came from. The female bald eagle is larger than the male in size. Adult females will reach a length of approximately 43 inches with a wingspan of eight feet. Adult males reach a length of about 36 inches with a six-and-a-halffoot wingspan. They will hunt fish out of the water using their talons (nails), but will also prey on other birds, snakes, turtles, crabs, and small mammals. They will also consume carrion

As far back as 1782, the bald eagle has been the United States’ national symbol, where at that time their numbers in the hundreds of thousands. It was due to human activities that their numbers declined over the next two centuries. Since they were a disturbance to livestock, our state and federal governments offered bounties to hunt them. Due to the devastating loss our government enacted the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 making it illegal to kill bald eagles. In the period of 1917-1952, Alaskan bounty

hunters had killed more than 100,000 eagles. This protection act does not regulate Alaska.

Despite this Act, the birds’ numbers continued to decline, mostly because DDT, a pesticide used in agriculture after World War II, came into use. Accumulating in the tissues of the birds, the shells of the eggs were thin and weak and easily broken. Fewer young could survive. The United States banned DDT in 1972. By 1978 our federal government declared the bald eagle endangered. All but a few northern states considered the bird endangered. The late 1980s saw the replenishment in numbers in the wild and reclassified their status to threatened in 1995. The U.S. removed the bald eagle in 2007 from list of endangered and threatened species.

Research for this article was gathered from multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732-244-2768.

It is illegal to possess or relocate wildlife for any reason without the proper state and/or federal permits. Violating New Jersey laws protecting wildlife, which includes harm inflicted upon any animal, are punishable under the law.

Discover Your Ocean County Parks – John C. Bartlett, Jr. County Park At Berkeley Island

BERKELEY – Situated on a scenic peninsula jutting out into the calm waters of Barnegat Bay, John C. Bartlett, Jr. County Park’s location provides possibly the best view of the Bay in Ocean County. It also features a family-oriented spray park, playground, walking paths, small picnic areas, bait stations and more. The crabbing/fishing pier at the park is one of the County’s most popular. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day sunning, fishing, or crabbing from the 100’ pier.

After sustaining severe damage in Hurricane Sandy, the park was redesigned and reconstructed. The shoreline was reinforced and made to be more storm tolerant. The fishing/crabbing pier was replaced. A children’s splash park was added along with a new, safer playground. New picnic areas, bocce, corn hole and horseshoe courts were added. There are new bathrooms and a new pavilion. The natural shoreline on the south-side was cleaned and repaired...and much more.

Immediately after the storm we partnered with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Barnegat Bay Partnership and Stevens Institute of Technology to incorporate new design and construction strategies including the use of living shorelines. Living shorelines mimic natural conditions by using nature’s own time-tested examples along with a small component of engineered structures like breakwaters and shoals. The result is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly shoreline. The most obvious benefit is a beautiful shoreline with native plants; but the ecological benefits include the creation of habitat for shellfish, fish, birds, and mammals. Living shorelines also improve the water quality by capturing runoff and providing for beneficial bacteria and other organisms. The long-term benefits include a stable, resilient shoreline that is able to withstand and recover from future storms.

Ciba: Continued From Page 6

be funded by BASF. He also wants a fund to compensate the victims of the cancer cluster set up by BASF and administered by a trustee appointed by the Township.

Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano (R-10th) represent Toms River and are upset at the settlement, saying it feels more like a slap on the wrist.

The company has insisted the land has essentially no value, and won $17 million from Toms River taxpayers in a property

tax appeal, they said.

“By their own assessment, this acreage is worthless,” Holzapfel continued. “Since the land has no value, what is BASF really giving up? What is New Jersey getting out of this settlement? It is a lopsided deal, and I’m not comfortable with it.”

The superfund site is on 1,255 acres of land between Route 37 and Oak Ridge Parkway, west of the Garden State Parkway. The lawmakers said they worry that the remaining 255 acres under the proposed agreement could end up being developed.

Township officials said that the land BASF would keep under the settlement is near

Route 37 and is zoned as light industrial.

“This leaves the door open for future projects that would give BASF an opportunity to make money on this settlement,” said Assemblyman McGuckin, who lives in Toms River and was once a councilman. “The township is seeking to be granted control of the 255-acre parcel, and we agree that would be the best way to ensure responsible stewardship of a site that has created so many problems for Toms River neighborhoods.”

How To Comment

Comments about the settlement may be submitted electronically at onrr@dep.

nj.gov. Comments will be accepted until February 3.

There is a way to comment on the settlement on the DEP’s site as well. The proposed settlement agreement between BASF and the DEP can be found here: nj.gov/dep/nrr/settlements/index.html

For more information on the EPA’s remediation process, visit cumulis.epa.gov/ supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.cleanup&id=0200078#Status

For information from the EPA on site background and cleanup progress, visit cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/ index.cfm?fuseaction=second.cleanup&id=0200

CLASSIFIEDS

Help Wanted

Cockapoo Pups - Females - great personalities, health cert, shots, parents on site. 321-377-4000. (4)

Pets For Sale For Rent

Room For Rent - In Toms River, NJ. Couples allow. $1100. Call 201-844-5526. (7)

Items For Sale

Micromedia Publications is looking for a high-energy account rep to sell print and online advertising in Ocean County. Competitive base, bonuses & company benefits. Successful applicant should possess good communication skills & a desire to grow with the company. E-Mail resumes to jallentoff@jersey shoreonline.com. EOE. (t/n)

Items Wanted

COSTUME/ESTATE

JEWELRY Looking to buy costume/estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n)

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$

Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, brica-brac, select china and crystal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732-364-7580. (t/n)

Storage Space - Non-commercial use approx. 800sf Manchester Jackson or surrounding area. Electric A Plus. 732-278-5098. (4)

Cash Paid LP Records - 33/45's, reel to reel's. Fast response, we answer the phone 732-829-5908, 24/7, Eddie. (41)

Vinyl Records Wanted - Paying cash for LP albums. Rock, Blues, Reggae, Soul. Very good condition only. Call Rick 908-616-7104. (52)

Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/ dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, wardrobes, secretaries, pre-1950 wooden furniture, older glassware, oriental rugs, paintings, bronzes, silver, bric-a-brac. Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n)

Buying Selmer Saxophones And Other Vintage Models - Also buying World War II Military items. Cash Paid! 609-581-8290. Email: mymilitarytoys@optonline.net. (31)

CASH PAID!! LP records - stereos, turntables, musical instru-ments, guitar, saxophone, CD’s, reel tapes, music related items. Come to you. 732-804-8115. (30)

CASH, CASH, CASH! - Instant cash paid for junk cars, trucks, vans. Free removal of any metal items. Discount towing. Call Dano 732-239-3949. (t/n)

Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713. (t/n)

Used Guns Wanted - All types: collectibles, military, etc. Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)

Laundromat Attendant - For FT/ PT Good communication skills, math and min computer knowledge. Transportation needed. Long term commitment only. 732-286-1863. (t/n)

Dental Assistant - We’re currently looking to hire a qualified DENTAL ASSISTANT. Will train the right person. Call 732-938-2800 for details. (2)

Now Training School Bus Drivers - $3000 Sign on Bonus. Free CDL training. $22-$25 per hour, overtime available. Please call or email for more info: 732-905-5100. klarrtransport@gmail.com. (4)

Dietary Aid - MAGNOLIA GARDENS ASSISTED LIVING. Family owned and operated Assisted living community looking to fill full time, and part time positions. All positions start at $15.00 an hour. For more information call 732-557-6500 or come to our home and fill out an application at 1935 Lakewood Road, Toms River 08755. (7)

RECEPTIONIST - MAGNOLIA GARDENS ASSISTED LIVING. Family owned and operated assisted living community looking to fill full time, and part time positions. All positions start at $15.00 an hour. For more information call 732-557-6500 or come to our home and fill out an application at 1935 Lakewood Road, Toms River 08755. (7)

Services

APlus Home Improvements - Over 30 years experience. Everything from small handyman tasks to large renovations, decks, finished basements and much more. Lic #13VH11453600. No job too small give us a call. 908-278-1322. (52)

Get DIRECTV for $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-877-557-1213. (t/n)

CHEAP PAINTING Done RITEFree est. Senior discounts interior exterior. Call 732-506-7787, cell 646-643-7678. (28)

Become a Published Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-877-791-2033 or visit dorranceinfo.com/micro. (t/n)

ALL American Home Health AidesExperienced experts in the field of trauma and recovery. Holistic approach to healing-nutrition, physical therapy, and quality of life improvements. Hourly or live in. Honest, hardworking, etc. Includes housekeeping, rides to doctors/pleasure. Skip the rest, come to the best. 732-664-3605 (t/n)

Services

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options Request a FREE Quote. Call now before the next power outage: 1-833-901-0309. (t/n)

Absolute best home improvements!"Building the shore since 1984" Additions, carpentry, windows & doors, roofing & siding, painting & staining, flooring, kitchens & baths, finished basements, masonry, fencing, custom decks, fully insured, license #13VH11804800. $ave. Call Brien 732-850-5060. (28)

House Cleaning, Painting, Shopping, - Window cleaning, laundry, carpet cleaning, office cleaning. Very good prices. Call 732-7735078 or 848-287-3944. (43)

Roofing Repairs Etc. - Roofing, siding, windows. Repairs on small jobs. Utility shed roofs replaced. Prompt service. Insured. Gutters cleaned. Call Joe Wingate 551-804-7391. (19)

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Around the Jersey shore

Ocean County Parks Accepting Christmas Trees For Recycling

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County residents are being encouraged to make recycling their Christmas trees part of their holiday cleanup.

“For more than 20 years, the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation has collected Christmas trees at a number of our parks throughout the County,” said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, who serves as Chairwoman to the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “With so many park locations around Ocean County to choose from, it is easy for our residents to access a nearby park where live trees can be dropped off after celebrating the holiday.”

Last year, more than 1,400 trees were collected at the Ocean County Park sites, most of which went to the Ocean County Recycling Centers to be grinded into wood chips.

Wood chips are offered to residents, and are used for County landscaping projects or things like slope stabilization at Ocean County Natural Lands sites and trail work throughout the Ocean County Park system.

In the past, the trees also have been used for beach replenishment projects.

“This program not only helps out our residents, but it also allows the County to use the recycled trees for County projects,” Haines said.

Christmas trees can be dropped off at the following Ocean County park locations from now through January 31:

• Cattus Island County Park, 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard, Toms River Township

• Cloverdale Farm County Park, 34 Cloverdale Road, Barnegat Township

• Wells Mills County Park, 905 Route 532, Ocean Township

• Ocean County Park, 659 Ocean Avenue, Lakewood Township

• Beaver Dam County Park, 3430 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant

• Jakes Branch County Park, 1100 Double Trouble Road, Beachwood

• Mill Creek County Park, 11 Chel-

sea Avenue, Berkeley Township

• Enos Pond County Park, 330 East Lacey Road, Forked River

• Robert J. Miller Airpark, 901 Route 530, Berkeley Township

• Freedom Fields County Park, 1160 Route 539, Little Egg Harbor Township

• Patriots County Park, 485 Bowman Road, Jackson Township

• Stanley H.”Tip” Seaman County Park, 120 Lakeside Drive, Tuckerton

• A. Paul King County Park, 2 W. Bay Avenue, Stafford Township

• Ocean County Golf Course at Atlantis, 261 Country Club Boulevard, Little Egg Harbor Township

• Ocean County Golf Course at Forge Pond, 301 Chambers Bridge Avenue, Brick Township

In addition, Ocean County’s two regional Recycling Centers accept Christmas trees year round during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday), as well as glitter-free wrapping paper and clean and dry cardboard boxes.

“Our recycling centers allow for residents to recycle a lot of the festive wrapping paper and boxes that would otherwise get thrown away,” said Ocean County Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea, liaison to the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management. “Not only can trees be reused in a new form, but wrapping paper and cardboard boxes can also be reused.”

The Ocean County Southern Recycling Center is located at 379 Haywood Road, Manahawkin. The Ocean County Northern Recycling Center is located at 535 Oberlin Ave. South, Lakewood.

“Ocean County makes its recycling programs accessible and convenient so all of our residents have the opportunity to use them,” said the Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners John P. Kelly. “Our residents have embraced recycling since it was first implemented in the mid-1980s. It’s great to incorporate those efforts into the holiday season and throughout the year.”

TOMS RIVER – Fifty years after its conception, Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon is still considered the most recognizable album in rock history. Spending a record-breaking 741 weeks on the US top albums charts, the release cemented Pink Floyd’s reputation as the

premier rock band of a generation. What better way to celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary than to pair it with laser lights! After all, it’s the quintessential soundtrack to laser shows! Show will be on January 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Robert J. Novins Planetarium.

photo of the

Joint Base Training Noise Moderate For January

By Alyssa Riccardi

LAKEHURST – As the new year begins with a bang, those aren’t fireworks you’re hearing anymore. It’s the soldiers training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Every month, JBMDL releases their “Noise Level Calendar” so residents know when to expect mild or severe noise. This is to deter calls to local 911 dispatchers. The calendar is labeled with three different

levels of noise: slight noise, moderate noise and abundant noise.

For the month of January, expect to hear moderate noise. Key days include: January 16 through 22; and January 27 through 30.

For the rest of the month, days are scheduled for low noise. No high noise is expected. Noise levels are subject to change without notice due to training requirements and weather, JBMDL said.

Rita English, a resident of South Plainfield, was in Brick Township last week and captured these Bufflehead Ducks taking off along the Metedeconk River. Amazing and beautiful! If you would like to see

pictures in our Photo of the Week feature, email them to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com - you may win a prize!

For

Omarr’s Astrological Forecast

By

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Using some initiative can make a positive difference in the week to come. You might dream or believe anything you are told. Develop constructive strategies and take practical steps to overcome any family problems.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Loyalty is more than skin deep. Dig deep and you might find that a close friend or cherished partner is a true treasure. You may feel pressured to keep up your end of a bargain as the week begins to unfold.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gratitude is a key ingredient for contentment. Enjoy the things that you already have rather than hoping for things you don’t have. Wait until late in the week to make major purchases or decisions about investments.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Postpone taking on extra obligations or commitments until later in the week. Right now, your efforts could be subject to misunderstandings or cause disruptions. Someone may give you a good reason to mistrust their intentions.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Look for the silver lining in every cloud of controversy. You might not agree on key issues but you can be tolerant of someone else’s point of view. Wait until late in the week to launch fresh initiatives or a new project.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Uphold high standards. Using substandard materials or cutting corners could ruin a project this week. Use a discriminating eye to help you achieve the highest level of quality. Being empathetic is a valuable gift.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Consider who you are dealing with. Consider giving good friends more leeway than business contacts in the upcoming week. Uplift your spirits with a brisk walk outdoors, hitting the gym, or playing sports with friends.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Hit the ground running this week. Your kindness and understanding will likely be needed if a loved one is feeling stressed in the week ahead. If any key vulnerabilities are a concern, mastermind a solution.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If someone is coming on too strong, try to take it in stride. Focus on creative projects in the week ahead but do not ignore job-related obligations. Got paperwork to do? Get it done and enjoy the relief.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A partner may have high expectations so do your best to deliver. Don’t let dreams and wishful thinking curtail your progress this week. Once you’ve made a firm decision, go full-speed ahead or you might be stuck in neutral.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Preparation and planning can prevent a poor performance. Get organized before you begin a new project in the week ahead. Be sure to observe social cues, consider adding more warmth to your approach.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Walk a balance beam in the week ahead. You can be generous with your time and talents without being extravagant or going to extremes. Don’t let misunderstandings fester this week; clear the air as soon as possible.

MISO PERFECTLY PAIRS WITH SWEET ORANGE AND TENDER SALMON

By America’s Test Kitchen

SALMON WITH MISO-ORANGE SAUCE Serves 4

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest plus 1/4 cup orange juice, zested and squeezed from 2 oranges

3 tablespoons white miso

1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar

1/4 teaspoon cornstarch Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 (6- to 8-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets

1. Add orange zest and juice, miso, sugar, vinegar, cornstarch, and cayenne (if using) to a small saucepan. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.

2. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet,

sprinkle salt and pepper in an even layer. Place salmon fillets, skin side down, in the skillet. Wash your hands.

3. Cook salmon over medium heat, without moving salmon, until fat begins to puddle around fillets and skin begins to brown, 6 to 8 minutes.

4. Gently slide spatula under fish to loosen skin from skillet, then use tongs to flip fish. Cook, without moving fillets, until the center of each fillet registers 125 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 6 to 8 minutes.

5. Bring miso mixture in saucepan to a simmer (small bubbles should break often across the surface of the sauce) over medium-high heat. Simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 1 minute. Turn off heat. Spoon glaze evenly over salmon. Serve.

the week of jan 14 - JAN 20

Jeraldine Saunders

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