“The Romantic Era” By Photographer Sandy Foley

JACKSON – Expressive photography by Sandy Foley, entitled “The Romantic Era,” will be on display throughout the month of August at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch. Meet Sandra during a special artist’s reception, 2 to 4 p.m. August 5.

The interior designer from Jackson took inspiration from her interest in fashion in 2010, creating Flair Designs LLC, specializing in costume masks, headpieces, corsets, & wings.

During New York Fashion Week 2010, Flair Designs successfully debuted for Shekhar Bahate and other celebrities.

Sandy expanded her vision to include interviews with models, stars, and musicians, and became the “Cameo Girl” for her commitment to “bring you the world of fashion, music, & art.”

She launched Fashion Haunts Magazine & Media in 2017, which features her interviews and passions including music, fashion history, photography, and paranormal pursuits.

Featured quests have included America’s Next Top Model Allison Harvard, Melissa and Joe Gorga, Tracy DiMarco, Moriah Formica of The Voice, and Samantha Ortiz.

Sandy’s fascination with pop and tattoo cultures developed into a love of storytelling through art. In 2019, she published a children’s book, “The Haunting Adventures of Boo,” and also started Fashion Haunts Photography. She began collaborating with children and adults with disabilities, and set as her next goal the creation of a special-needs art gallery.

Sandy has attracted thousands of followers to her Facebook page, Instagram, and weebly.com

“The Romantic Era” is free and open to the public during normal Branch operating hours.

For more information, stop by the OCL Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, call 732928-4400, or visit theoceancountylibrary. org/events.

Officials To Grads: Congrats, Be Safe

By Bob Vosseller

JACKSON – Mayor Michael Reina and the members of the Township Council extended their best wishes to the recent graduates of the township’s two high schools.

During a recent Council meeting Mayor Reina offered “congratulations to our graduates. You are starting new chapters in your lives. I know you are going to make your families as well as Jackson very proud. You’ve been doing it year after year.” He also thanked those who reached out to him and his family during the recent loss of his father. “I appreciate all the kind words and messages and flowers as well.”

Council President Steve Chisholm congratulated and cautioned those who just picked up their diplomas. “I had the chance to sit on the field after quite a few decades now at the Jackson Memorial service. It was a great service and I just want to remind the graduates while you are enjoying the summer and going off to college just be smart, be safe.”

“It is a good time, one of the best times in your life but please know what you are doing - don’t do anything reckless. We’d hate to see something bad come from that so be responsible and enjoy the summer and welcome to adulthood,” he added.

“Congratulations on reaching this important milestone in your lives! As you move forward into the next chapter, I encourage you to remember the valuable lessons you’ve learned and the experiences you’ve gained during your time in high school,” Councilwoman Jennifer Kuhn said.

“You have the potential to make a difference in your communities and beyond. I urge you to use your voice and take action on issues that matter to you. Whether it’s volunteering, joining a local organization, or pursuing higher education, never forget that you have the power to create positive change,” she added. She urged the grads to consider volunteering locally.

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Toscano

Wilkens

the town that I know.”

Religious Invocation

On the subject of speaking out, Michael Silvestri of Monroe Township came to the meeting in hopes of hearing an update on his request to provide an invocation at the opening of a future Township Committee meeting.

Plumsted is one of only a few towns in the state that invites a member of the local clergy to give an invocation before the start of their meeting.

Plumsted Presbyterian Church Pastor Phyllis Zoon presented the invocation during that nights committee meeting and Silvestri, who heads the Satanic Temple of New Jersey, which has members who reside in the township, would like the opportunity to do the same.

Township Attorney Jean Cipriani has been reviewing policy concerning the process of invocation selection for each month’s meeting. She promised Silvestri a definitive answer at the next committee meeting.

Silvestri noted that no religious faith should have preference over another and that religious institutions operating within the community should be allowed the opportunity to present an invocation. Silvestri’s group does meet and holds services at the municipal building and Christian groups have done the same provided they have membership that live in the township.

He had asked the township about this months ago.

Parks And Maintenance

Deputy Mayor Marinari recognized the hard work of Township Maintenance Department worker Anthony Creen during the meeting.

“That department is operating on less than a skeleton crew so he is taking care of garbage, picking up feces, the parks and doing an overall great job in trying to hold this community together. Hopefully we’ll give him some help soon.”

Committeeman Leonard Grilletto spoke about a recent effort involving volunteers

Officials:

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Condemning Hate Councilman Nino Borrelli condemned the “despicable anti-Semitic graffiti done at a construction site in Jackson late last month. We support zero tolerance for that in our town or anywhere else for that matter. What makes this more sickening was this was at a site which is for families fighting diseases and childhood cancer.”

First Responders

Borelli also noted a resolution that provides “two fully trained school resource officers for the 2023-2024 school year. Protecting the public health and safety of our school children at Paradise Park. He noted the installation of plants and mulch provided for the effort which ran two Saturdays in a row. He also addressed the problem of vandalism within the township stating he and the mayor had met with the municipal judge and prosecutor. “Signs don’t work too well but I still feel we should have some signs up that would state people would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Grilletto added.

He also noted a recommendation to hire a part-time unarmed security guard “who if he sees things would report them to the police and that would help reduce some of the vandalism.”

Committeeman Michael Hammerstone noted the rehabilitation of the recreation building with new siding, a new roof and some painting and work on the dugout. “That is just about complete and I want to give a big thank you for the new scoreboard that was purchased and installed. There was a huge turnout for the ceremony of getting it up and I’d like to thank those who provided their skills and funds to help our township recreation community.”

Traffic And Fires

During that session, Committeeman Dominick Cuozzo reported that he heard some traffic concerns about Millstream Road, especially when the new warehouse is finished “and of course we already have the new Dollar General. I have contacted our engineer. I’ve been talking to him since October about getting some infrastructure improvements.”

“I know some folks on Jacobstown Road would like the speed limit to be lowered and putting curbing there would not only help with the stormwater but would also help to lower that speed limit,” Cuozzo added.

Mayor Robert Bowen spoke about a resolution which supported the NJ Forest Fire Service. “We have not had one (forest fire) in our town but we have had them close enough.” and staff in Jackson is of the upmost importance to us.”

“The smoke and the smell are very strong and so you appreciate when you live near the woods that these situations can very quickly get out of control and it is only those who quickly respond to it that they are kept in any kind of balance so we did want to recognize them by supporting this resolution,” he added.

He commended firefighters in Jackson for their response last month to what was dubbed the Glory wildfire near East Commodore Boulevard and Cedar Swamp Road.

“We are so grateful in Jackson for our firefighters and our forest fire service for containing wildfires and thankful to the JTPD who had to block off roads in both directions on 195 and thankful to our quick acting and brave first responders who averted another crisis in our town after the tornado on April 1,” Borrelli added.

Chisholm also thanked the Forest Fire Service and all “our first responders. We all saw what a great job they did and it is still very dry out there so please, everybody, be careful with your open fires.”