Assembly Approves $2,000 Income Tax Deduction For Volunteer First Responders Capitol Comments

Senator Christopher J. Connors 9th Legislative District

TRENTON - The Assembly passed a bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, providing a $2,000 income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members who meet certain qualifications including hours worked and training participation.

The bill (A-757) delivers financial assistance to dedicated community volunteers while supporting efforts to retain and recruit firefighters and other EMS personnel.

“It is critically important to emphasize that the firefighters and rescue and first aid squad members covered under our legislation are volunteers, meaning that their efforts provide tremendous cost savings to local taxpayers. These volunteers have always given their time to help others and, we should never forget, they were there for the community when needed most by overcoming unprecedented public health challenges created by the pandemic,” Gove said.

According to the latest stats from the state’s Department of Community Affairs Division of Fire Safety, roughly 77% or 26,298 of the state’s firefighters are volunteers, while roughly 7,700 are professionals.

“This tax deduction will be instrumental in helping retain and recruit volunteer fire and EMS personnel,” Rumpf said. “It is a sad fact that many who want to volunteer simply cannot because of financial considerations. If fewer people volunteer, municipalities will be forced to find alternative means of providing these services, which impacted residents could likely see in their tax bills.”

Under the proposal, firefighters would be able claim the $2,000 deduction if they volunteered during the entire tax year, performed 60% of fire duty, and attained the rank of Firefighter I Certified by January 1 of the tax year. To satisfy the fire duty requirement, volunteer firefighters without duty hours must have responded to 60% of the regular alarms and drills in which the department or force participated. Volunteer firefighters with duty hours must have at least 400 duty hours during a calendar year with no more than 50% of that time being drills.

First aid or rescue squad members would be able to claim the deduction if they volunteered during the entire tax year, performed 10% of rescue duty, and either passed an approved training program or qualified as an emergency medical technician by January 1 of the tax year. To satisfy the rescue duty requirement, squad members who volunteer with duty hours must complete at least 400 hours of duty during the year with no more than 50% of that time being drills. If they volunteer without duty hours, the squad members must attend and render first aid during no less than 10% of the regular alarms and participate in 60% of the drills.

“Very simply, these volunteer firefighters and rescue and first aid squad members have earned this tax deduction. They deserve this recognition. It is in the interest of public safety and good governance to compensate these individuals for their unwavering commitment to the community,” Gove and Rumpf said. The Senate bill (S-1697), introduced by Sen. Christopher Connors, has been referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Running Towards Better Vision

Exercising regularly is one of the best things we can do for our health. It increases our metabolism, helps our blood flow, and keeps our muscles strong. What can it do for our vision? Several studies over the last decade have shown that consistent physical activity can help prevent eye-related diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Since those conditions are usually a byproduct of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, it makes sense that exercise would keep them in check. This is especially true with glaucoma as it is a result of excessive pressure on the eyes. Some research has shown that exercise can also help prolong eye health by delaying age-related vision loss.

Physical activity can also help people with diabetes keep it under control. That reduces the risk of complications, including diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss among working age adults. To schedule an eye exam, please call SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES at 732-349-5622. We offer evening hours most nights of the week.

P.S. Good cardio exercise increases the blood flow to the retina and optic nerve, keeping eyes healthy and vision strong.

732.355.3315

Crisis Hotline Volunteers Needed!

NEW JERSEY – Crisis Hotline Volunteers needed for CONTACT of Ocean & Monmouth Counties’ training beginning September 19 twice a week every Tuesday & Thursday for six weeks from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Training will be held in person at St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church, 1674 Old Freehold Road, Toms River. CONTACT is a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline that also provides information and referral to community resources. All calls are free, confidential and anonymous. Training is free.

Become a voice to those in distress. Make a difference in your community! Call 732240-6104 or email contact@contactoceanmonmouth.org for additional information and registration.

The Calendar Girls

JERSEY SHORE – Looking for entertainment for your organization? The Calendar Girls – a Senior Performance Show which includes a Master of Ceremonies/Comedian 12 tap/jazz dancers, plus two vocalists.

They provide their own music, along with their beautiful costumes in a one- hour show. They entertain for special events at senior expos, clubhouses, fundraisers and assisted living facilities. They are available for holiday performances. Also, they continually look for tap dancers to join their group.

For information or to book a show, call the booking agent Jean at 732-730-3539.

Annual Summer Reading Bag Of Books Sale

BERKELEY – The Friends of the Berkeley Library are having their annual Summer Reading Bag of Books Sale now through Labor Day.

Bring your own regular size reusable grocery bag, fill it with your favorite books, pay only $5! All proceeds from the book sale go to sponsoring future programs and events at the

Berkeley Library

Examples of sponsored programs by The Friends of the Berkeley Library are: summer reading prizes, painting with Debby Pease, Eyes of the Wild animal programs, teen game night, movie programs, faux fossils, and more! Berkeley Library is located at 30 Station Road, Bayville.

2023 Sounds of Summer Concert Series

BERKELEY – Mayor Carmen Amato and Berkeley Recreation are happy to announce the return of the “2023 Sounds of Summer Concert Series” at Veteran Park. The next show will be August 23. The entertainment for the evening will feature Atlantic City Headliner Gerard Esposito at 6 p.m. and Garden State Radio at 7:30 p.m.

The night will also feature a meet and greet with local first responders.

Come on out for a great evening of entertainment. Don’t forget to bring a chair! Refreshments are always provided by our area non-profit groups and organizations that use these concerts as fundraisers for their group.

7th Annual Beachwood Community Day

BEACHWOOD – Join Mayor Roma for the 7th annual Beachwood Community Day at Birch & Surf Park on August 26 from 12 to 4 p.m.

Enjoy vendors, giveaways, games, inflatables, pony rides, petting zoo, live music, food and much more!

Ocean County History Day

OCEAN COUNTY – The Ocean County Historical Society is excited to announce the Third Annual Ocean County History Day to be held on September 16 from 10 to 3 p.m. with September 17 the makeup date. As always, the fun filled day will be located at the Ocean County Historical Society, 26 Hadley Avenue Toms River. There is no fee involved for visitors.

Ocean County History Day is sponsored by the Ocean County Historical Society, Ocean County Cultural and heritage and the Joshua Huddy DAR chapter. Visitors are welcome to tour the Victorian style Elizabeth Sculthrop Force House and museum. Numerous local historical societies and museums will be set up with displays, there will be a snack stand, a $1 used book sale, historical reenactors, and the Ocean County Historical Society’s large 50/50.

Tim Hart, Director of Ocean County Cultural and Heritage states, “I am so proud to be involved in Ocean County History Day, it seems to get bigger and better each year.”

Pat Moore, vice president of the Ocean County Historical Society, wants you to know that this year a major theme of the day will be the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. They will be having live period music being performed all day and you will have the opportunity to meet local patriot Reuben Randolph, George Washington and even hear a talk on “America’s Second War for independence,” the War of 1812. For more details, make sure to visit the OCHS website or feel free to call Jeff Schenker at 609-339-9134.

Back-To-School Gently-Used Clothing Giveaway

BERKELEY – Back to school “clothing swap” where families can either exchange clothing or simply take whatever they need for free.

It will be open to the entire family and all families who could benefit from this community event. There are no requirements to attend. There will be a backpack and gift card drawing for everyone who attends. Back-To-School Giveaway will be on August 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Keller Williams Preferred Properties, 782 Route 9, Bayville. To RSVP call Louise Kasper at 732-9952681.

Mayor: School Supply Drive Underway In Berkeley Township

BERKELEY – With the 2023/2024 school year around the corner, Mayor Carmen Amato is already gearing up for his annual School Supply Drive.

“Although we are still in the middle of summer and beach season, it is never too early to start collecting school supplies for children in need,” said Mayor Amato. “I want to ensure that every student in our town has the tools and resources they require to have a successful school year.”

Items needed for collection include backpacks, pens, colored pencils, markers, crayons, rulers, safety scissors and folders. The highly successful annual drive has collected over $30,000 in school supplies for Berkeley Township elementary school children since its inception in 2012.

“All supplies collected go directly to Berkeley Township students in need. The need is greater and greater each year, and I can’t thank the community enough for continuing to support this initiative,” Mayor Amato added.

Residents who drop off school supplies will be entered into a drawing for one of four donated $25 visa gift cards. Those interested in donating supplies can drop them at the following locations: Berkeley Town Hall (627 Pinewald Keswick Road, Bayville) Drop off in Mayor’s Office

Berkeley Township Recreation Building (630 Route 9, Bayville)

Barrier Island complex or the 23rd Avenue Life Guard Station both in South Seaside Park

Recreation booth during summer concerts (Veterans Park, Bayville)

As a reminder, The State of New Jersey has established a Sales Tax Holiday for certain retail sales of computers, school supplies, and sport or recreational equipment when sold to an individual purchaser for non-business use. The Sales Tax Holiday takes place from August 26 through September 4.

Mayor Amoto said, “I wish everyone a safe and happy end of summer and a great start to the school year.”

School District Hiring Custodians

BERKELEY – Berkeley Township School District is currently accepting applications for full-time and part-time custodians. Visit the district website at btboe.org and click on

Board of Education > Board Documents and Resources > Employment Opportunities

> Vacancies > Maintenance/Custodial to apply for a custodian position.

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

PINE BEACH – While returning to the firehouse after a fire call on May 31 one of Pine Beach Volunteer Fire Company No.1’s active members suffered a serious medical emergency at the firehouse and was taken to Community Medical Center. Since that event, the member is recuperating but has been unable to work and has had no income for nine-weeks and the household bills have been piling up.

To help them offset some of his expenses, they are holding a Spaghetti Dinner Benefit on September 10 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Beachwood Firehouse, 745 Beachwood

Boulevard. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12, and kids under 3 eat free. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and we will soon post a link to on online store to purchase t-shirts with the names of all of our sponsors on the back.

Tickets will soon be available from any Pine Beach firefighter and will be sold at the door. All proceeds will go directly to the injured member. Please come out and show your support for someone who puts everything on the line to protect our community. For more information, call Joe at 848-224-3757.

Annual Back To School Extravaganza

SOUTH TOMS RIVER – South Toms

River Recreation annual Back to School Extravaganza & Family Fun Day and backpack and school supplies give away will being on August 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date August 29) at STR Recreation Center,

#1 Drake Lane.

Enjoy craft fair, activities, games, meet STR’s Civic Org’s first responders, K-9 demo, OC Library Display, refreshments and much more. Admission is free. For more information, call 732-505-3243 or 908-783-0291.

Meet George Washington: “First In War, First In Peace, And First In The Hearts Of Our Countrymen”

TOMS RIVER – President George Washington is coming to the township and will be reflecting on his life circa December 1799 at 2 p.m. on September 24 at the Ocean County Historical Society Museum at 26 Hadley Avenue in the township.

Dr. Jeff Schenker will portray the first president. He taught history for many years at Toms River High School South and is currently serving as an adjunct professor of history at Ocean County College.

Schenker, wo also serves as president of the OCHS, will discuss Washington’s early life, service in the French and Indian War, his service as com - manding general in the American Revolution, his role in the Constitutional Convention, his two terms as president along with his views on slavery.

The adjunct professor has addressed numerous organizations in topics as diverse as the D-Day Invasion, New Jersey in World War I, the Civil War, Joshua Huddy, and Abraham Lincoln.

This event takes place at the Ocean County Historical Society Museum The speaker series is free but seating is limited.

To reserve your seat, send your name, zip code, email address, and the date of the program to oceancountyhistory. zoom@gmail.com.

The History Of Cranberries

In Ocean County

BERKELEY – In three weeks, Double Trouble State Park village historian will be discussing the history of cranberries in Ocean County and Double Trouble village for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County. Hear how the county went from being the number one grower of cran- berries 150 years ago to having no significant commercial cranberry industry today. Event takes place on August 8 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River. Register at go.rutgers.edu/Cranberries. For questions, call 732-505-3671.

Movies In The Park

BEACHWOOD – Experience the magic of the cinema outside beneath the stars. Grab some popcorn and find a seat. The show is about to begin! Beachwood Recreation Commission puts on movies in the park at Mayo Park. Admission is free, and the movies we pick are all family-oriented and family-friendly.

The movie schedule this year is:

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” - August 25

“Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” - September 8

“Space Jam” - September 22

“Spiderman No Way Home” - October 5

“Hotel Transylvania” - October 13