Official’s Censure Held While “No Knock” Issue Debated

By Bob Vosseller

Arno Michaelis was the keynote speaker at a leadership conference at Ocean County College, held in collaboration with the prosecutor’s office and the Cultural Heritage Commission. The mission was to empower students and encourage them to positively impact their communities.

Michaelis is the author of “My Life After Hate” and came to provide some insight into his personal history. The speaker’s past included founding an international white (Hate - See Page 12)

PLUMSTED – A call for censure of a township committeeman was put on pause during a recent Township Committee meeting. There was also related discussion of an outdated ordinance pertaining to solicitation in public.

Committeeman Dominick Cuozzo challenged the enforcement of the “Do Not Knock” ordinance. Police Chief Earl Meroney has said it was outdated and should be changed to be in compliance with federal law. He defended his officers’ enforcement of the ordinance as it was on the books but stressed during a recent Township Committee meeting that the ordinance led to conflict.

Police body camera footage shows Committeeman Cuozzo responding to a neighborhood where members of his First Bible Baptist Church, where he is pastor, are

(Debated - See Page 10)

Fundraiser

“The police department won again this year and played some of Jake’s friends from last year but we also had five new kids join us this year.

“We are excited to keep adding families to our foundation. We had a bigger turnout this year despite competing with the rescheduled Jackson Little League opening day. We had about 100 more spectators than last year so it was a great growth. We added the fire truck and police car out front of the stadium for the kids to check out,” she added. The event took place at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws stadium in Lakewood.

Kulesa said, “a big crowd favorite was our dunk tank featuring dunk a cop or dunk a fireman. We had a team member from each side in the tank. Sgt. Mike Grochowski of the Jackson Police Department was in for the them and John Poppe was both the team captain for the fire as well as their dunk tank guy. Jeff Henba put together the police department team again for us this year and we raised over $7,000 by the end of the day.”

: Continued From Page 1 (Fundraiser - See Page 5)

This money will help another child book their intensive part time stay in New York, providing therapies that many parents are unable to afford, she said.

The funding will also go toward ‘Pancakes and Pedicures,’ an opportunity for girls who wear leg/foot braces to meet each

Fundraiser:

Continued From Page 4 other, get pampered, and grow friendships and mentoring.

“Such a great time, so many smiles,” Kulesa added. Her son, Jake, was diagnosed as having infant brain damage when he was only 13 months old. “Here at the Jake’s Got This Foundation we look to provide guidance and recommendations from experience, help navigating the world of health insurance and support to families with children under the age of 18.” She added, “the Foundation looks to connect families with the resources they need, as well as other families who understand the daily struggles we face. We are always open to new ideas and therapies to help our kids get stronger each day.”

Kulesa noted that around 8,000 children are born each year in the United States who receive a cerebral palsy diagnosis.

“Cost is the barrier that keeps them from reaching their full potential even with medical insurance.”

“The JGT Foundation aims to remove that financial barrier so children with cerebral palsy can have access the necessary resources of therapeutic programs that have proven to be very successful,” she added.

“We are having a partnership game with the BlueClaws on June 24. We will be selling discounted tickets to the game shortly to support the foundation. Our next big community event will be our 2nd annual pig roast September 16,” Kulesa said.