Bipartisan Bill Would Promote Medical Research

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced an updated version of the Breakthrough Therapies Act. This legislation will remove regulatory hurdles that inhibit research and compassionate use access to potentially lifesaving treatments that are heavily restricted by Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. In recent years, two substances currently classified as Schedule I drugs - MDMA and psilocybin - have shown exceptional promise in treating an array of mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant suicidal depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders. The initial research has been so promising that the FDA has designated MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapies as “breakthrough therapies,” meaning that they demonstrate substantial improvement over any currently available treatments.

However, due to the Schedule I status of MDMA and psilocybin, unnecessary red tape hinders critical research and access to treatment even for patients with terminal or life-threatening conditions. The Breakthrough Therapies Act would resolve these problems by expediting the transfer of substances that receive breakthrough therapy designation from Schedule I to Schedule II, which – with DEA oversight – will enable patient access and reduce the burden on further clinical investigation.

“According to recent studies, certain Schedule I substances such as MDMA and psilocybin could offer major advancements in the treatment of depression, severe post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction,” said Senator Booker. “This bill will eliminate unreasonably burdensome rules and regulations that delay or prevent researchers from studying these breakthrough mental health treatments, and will provide access to these promising therapies for eligible patients who urgently need care.”

“As a physician, I’m proud to co-lead this legislation with Senator Booker to get the government out of the way and expand compassionate medical use for patients in need of care,” said Dr. Paul.

“We urge Congress to swiftly pass the Breakthrough Therapies Act, which responsibly reduces the barriers to research and limited access of potentially life-saving treatments like MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapy,” said Martin R. Steele, a retired Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps., and President of Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition. “Veterans should not be forced (nor should anyone else) to leave the country - at great expense - to access breakthrough therapies that can be safely provided and further studied in real-world settings here at home.”

State And Local Tax Deduction Needs To Return

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, questioned witnesses during a hearing entitled, “Tax Policy’s Role in Increasing Affordable Housing Supply for Working Families” about the impact the $10,000 state and local tax (SALT) cap has on middle class families.

“The 2017 Republican Tax Law gutted this essential deduction, not for large corporations, but for families - forcing them to be double-taxed and punishing states with progressive tax codes that choose to invest in their communities,” said Sen. Menendez. “New Jersey has some of the best schools in the nation, it has a vast infrastructure system in terms of transportation – these are all elements that make it a desirable state to live in.”

“Historians like Andrew Kahrl at the University of Virginia have found Black and Hispanic households have been subject to higher property tax assessments than their White counterparts,” said Sen. Menendez. “The SALT deduction has been vital in providing relief from unjust tax assessments, which is why the NAACP passed a resolution in support of lifting the cap. I’m going to continue to revisit this issue until we get it right.”

Sen. Menendez also questioned witnesses about what it would mean for the development of new multifamily buildings if Congress increased Low Income Housing Tax Credit’s (LIHTC) value and total amount of credits as outlined in the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, of which he has previously cosponsored.

“So as a nation we have to find ways to build more affordable homes, and part of that solution should come from our new investments, but we also need to make maximally effective use of existing tools, such as the bipartisan Low Income Housing Tax Credit which subsidizes the creation of 100,000 units of affordable housing a year, but I think it has the potential to do even more,” added Sen. Menendez.

The Senator highlighted the proven track record Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) have of delivering financing for the development of affordable housing in underserved communities. This is the reason Sen. Menendez led the effort to establish the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program, which enables the CDFIs to execute large scale development programs.

Sen. Menendez urged his colleagues to join in strongly supporting funding for CDFIs as the deal with the FY2024 appropriations.

Meeting:

Continued From Page 1 development, called Venue at Longview which is about half complete. The development will be located off of Provinceline Road, accessible on Provinceline (main entrance) or on Jacobstown Road.

Lennar has a PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) program for 30 years. The first five years, Lennar will pay a reduced rate based on taxes and then after year five, years six-30 will be at the regular rate.

Griffo read a letter on behalf of Robert and Lorraine Walsh and said he was asking the township’s public officials for help.

“We discovered that we are a party to a contract that was negotiated for over two years between the township and Lennar to develop an over 55 (age) community. I’m sure both sides had great attorneys, financial advisors and both sides walked away knowing the agreement was in their best interests. It appears that Lennar will not have to pay real estate taxes during the construction period,” Griffo added.

“They were able to buy land from the township, a very beneficial transaction. They were able to market a five-year tax abatement which we believe was part of the purchase price,” he said. “The township will be able to declare the area a redevelopment zone.” This would allow for the building “of a much-needed water and sewer system that will support local businesses. Improvements will be financed and the funds needed for the debt service (at least part of) will be accomplished through utilizing the PILOT program which allows the township to collect PILOT funds for 30 years instead of taxes on the buyers of the completed units.”

Griffo said the transaction is a win for Lennar and the township but he brought up a concern for the buyers of the units. “We had an informal meeting last night at the club house to discuss the PILOT program and almost everyone in attendance over 50 people had no idea that they are a party to a financial agreement between the township and Lennar for what is a PILOT program.”

“During the first five years the buyers are getting the benefit - which we believe is for being part of the purchase price for being the party to the financial agreement. What happens after that period? What happens to anyone who buys a unit after that period?” he asked.

“What will be the value of our home? Nowhere were we told that we would not be eligible to apply for the senior freeze (program). We are in an over 55 community, does that make sense? The ANCHOR program deducting payments from our statements means we are not able to file an appeal. This is our community and we need (you) to help the existing owners of the development and just as important, for future owners,” he added.

Griffo concluded reading the letter which called for a meaningful dialogue to address those concerns and to find a resolution. Griffo himself thanked officials for recognizing the need for additional discussion on this program. “I think this information may be relevant to the discussion on the 20th of March.”

He shared a packet of information with the members of the Township Committee. He noted a photograph as part of the package taken a few days prior of a sign at the entrance of the Lennar development advertising the five year tax abatement. “This is clearly a misrepresentation of what the program is.”

Griffo added, “it compounds the fact that members of the community are now ineligible for various benefits that they otherwise might be.”

He said a second document that he shared with the governing body, “is an information sheet that I got off the Plumsted Township website in the MUA (Municipal Utilities Authority) section of the website. This shares information on what a PILOT program is. I don’t know why it would be buried in the MUA section of the webpage and not placed or positioned in a more relevant area?”

The website explanation states in the first paragraph that following “the closing of your home you entered into the PILOT programpayment in lieu of taxes - and will no longer be paying property taxes. Therefore, you will not be eligible for any totally disabled veterans, veterans, Senior Freeze, Homestead Rebate, ANCHOR or other incentive programs.”

“That is alarming for several reasons,” Griffo said.

Local Man Charged With Kidnapping

By Chris Lundy

JACKSON – A man was accused of kidnapping his girlfriend and his child after she called police for help twice – being cut off both times.

Gerson Aguilar-Lara, 24, of Lakewood, was charged with two counts of Kidnapping, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Robbery, police said.

On March 7 at around 10:30 p.m., police received a 911 call from a woman but it was quickly disconnected. Police said that upon callback, the woman was able to give her name and basic information before the call was cut off again.

Police were able to determine that she lived on North Chapel Road in Jackson. They learned that she and her infant had been taken from the home against their will by her boyfriend. The suspect had put them into a Chevrolet Equinox and fled the area.

Other police departments were alerted to the situation and Toms River officers spotted the car going into a parking lot on Route 37 at around 3:15 a.m. When Aguilar-Lara fled on foot, he was taken into custody soon after. The mother and child were unhurt.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew Kunz thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Offenders Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Aguilar-Lara’s apprehension. Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.

Food: Continued From Page 1

“I want to thank everyone responsible for making this an unforgettable event for our district,” said Annie Sayers, OCVTS Transition Specialist. “Our Chef’s Night Out team outdid themselves.”

According to Sayers, dreams will become a reality for many students needing scholarships to attend OCVTS. She called the collective group of guests, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors “Dream-makers,” saying their support humbled her.

Meanwhile, it’s not just the food that made for another delectable Chef’s Night. Also on the menu was community engagement, local business support, and student collaboration.

A gift auction featured over $37,000 in cash and prizes contributed by restaurants, businesses, staff members, and community supporters. Among the donated offerings was a bat signed by local sports icon Todd Frazier, golf passes, beach badges, lottery boards, Devils tickets, and more. In addition, the mega 50/50 raffle resulted in $5,500 being turned over to the winning ticket holder.

Those enrolled in the culinary arts program weren’t the only ones to showcase a bit of their talents at the sold-out event. Students in OCVTS’ woodworking and construction trades classes crafted some of the most popular items contributed to the gift auction. Winners of the custom-made Adirondack chair, wine cases, and a cornhole set, all walked out with big smiles.

The $60 entry fee consisted of unlimited taste tests for not just student-created fare but also for the 24 restaurants and bakeries that offered samplings of various flavors. No doubt the event had something appealing for every foodie’s palate.

OCVTS cosmetology program participants were among the 35 students who helped out in person to make the Chef’s Night run smoothly. Their manners and professionalism were on point as they lent a hand in serving food and bussing tables.

Many of the 325 guests who purchased advance tickets likely showed up as food connoisseurs and relished the thought of treating their taste buds to assorted cuisine. Some of the restauranters present at the event may have even gained some new patronage as a result.

Others, such as Diane Ambrosio, a Waretown resident, came with additional intentions.

“Both my sons attended the vo-tech,” shared Ambrosio. “I’m also here to show my support for the school.”

Food and desserts were served on separate floors, with guests just as eager to taste the fare from those already “in the business” and culinary arts students applying newly acquired skills.

An oyster station manned by post-secondary students included a fantastic presentation. The young men and women shucked through the shells with incredible ease.

Meanwhile, Nina Caprio of Bayville and Payton Kline of Whiting partnered to create a flavorful topping for the raw oysters. Both young ladies are 18 and graduated high school last year.

“We’re making an Asian fusion mignonette,” explained Caprio. “We’ve also included some radish microgreens, and we’re cold smoking them.”

As he made the rounds among the students, OCVTS instructor Chef Gary Lesniak stopped by the tables staffed by some of the graduating high school seniors. The menu there was collectively referred to as Asian street food.

Alyssa Pietropaolo, 18, of Jackson, stirred through a chicken dish with an enticing aroma permeating the air. She said she loves her classes and is excited that she’ll next move on to her dream college as part of Atlantic Cape Community College’s Academy of Culinary Arts program.

Anyone with a sweet tooth surely felt they’d made it to dessert heaven when they descended to the first floor of the event’s location. Displays of individualized portions made it entirely too easy to sample multiple bakery delights.

The selections all had a visual and tasty appeal, from colorful macarons to chocolate and mango mousse, to other assorted goodies. The students who prepared the sweet treats were high school juniors who attend OCVTS a couple of hours a day.

Kelsey McAllister, 17, explained why the culinary arts program works well for her. She looks forward to what she learns at the vo-tech.

“I’ve realized I can’t really focus on things when it comes to paper,” Kelsey said. “When I learn hands-on, I work a lot better, and I also like getting to meet new people and bake and cook things.”

Sayers added her observations concerning why the school’s programs come with rave reviews and reports of success.

“I wholeheartedly believe in what we do to train students,” shared Sayers. “We train them to get a job, to learn a trade, to learn a skill.”