The JACKSON Times Vol. 20 - No. 51
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Volunteers Make Sure Seniors Aren’t Forgotten
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Dear Joel Page 16
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Dear Pharmacist Page 15
America’s Test Kitchen Page 23
─Photo courtesy Adopt-A-Senior Organization Members of Adopt-A-Senior Organization based in Jackson are greeted by a sign of thanks as they continue their mission of making sure seniors aren’t forgotten, even during a pandemic. By Bob Vosseller to remind seniors they A n nye I. C ohe n , directly to the seniors JACKSON – Seniors aren’t alone. president of the Adopt they ser ve, that deare extremely vulnerCoronavirus condi- A Senior Organiza- liveries to those faable to the COVID-19 tions have caused vis- tion based i n Jack- cilit ies cont i nue to p a n d e m i c s o t h e i r itation by relatives to son said recently that brighten the day of isolation from others lessen. It also caused while she and her fel- seniors in Jackson and is emphasized even the work of Adopt-A- low volunteers cannot elsewhere. m o r e. T h e c u r r e nt Senior Organization, go to assisted living The group’s motto pa ndem ic however, a suppor t group, to facilities and nursing is “ Se n ior s Shou ld isn’t stopping a town- modify what it does homes to bring their Never Be Forgotten” ship-based organiza- to make sure seniors birthday cards, gifts and that means even tion from its mission aren’t forgotten. and personal touch (Seniors - See Page 6)
Outgoing Councilman Thanked By Community By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Council President Barry Calogero resigned from office during a special May 5 council meeting. Vice Council President Alex Sauickie assumed the role of council leader a week later. Calogero’s resignation made it clear that while he cited health issues
as the primary reason for his departure, that other issues were also contributing to stress and that there was some disagreement on development issues that have been challenging the governing body for several years. “I was not elected by a judge. I was not elected by a builder. I was not
elected by the one sitting councilman who insists we have no choice but to approve over development in every case,” Calogero said. While he did not name that councilman, it was concluded by many in the virtual audience that he was referring to Councilman Kenneth Bressi who came under fire from his
fellow Republicans when he served on the Planning Board for some development issues. Bressi was replaced on the planning board by another member of that body, Martin Flemming who was appointed to the council in January, replacing the vacant seat of Robert Nixon, who resigned from office in late
November of 2019. Bressi voted for his replacement on that panel. Calogero noted that he had been elected twice by the people of this town and that he accepted the criticism that an official receives when elected to council. He added that he felt, “the courts are wrong in (Council - See Page 7)
May 16, 2020
School Budget Approved By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Members of the Jackson Board of Education recently approved its 2020-21 spending plan following a virtual public hearing. The budget was hit hard by the S-2 state aid funding formula. The April 29 meeting offered residents an opportunity to view and participate remotely. They were able to view the meeting through the district’s JTV Youtube Channel at jtvlive.org or on the township’s public access Channel 77 for Cablevision customers. School Superintendent Stephen Genco, like many superintendents in the state, has been highly critical of state aid funding formula referred to as S-2, and has been involved in efforts to persuade Gov. Phil Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney to review and revise it. Genco said, “this is the hardest budget I have worked on in many, many years. When you lose $3.6 million over two years, and are now losing another $3.5 million this year, it becomes impossible to handle without feeling the pain.’’ Board member Sharon Dye said, “Each year it has been getting more and more difficult. I’ve been on the Board of Education for over 12 years and unfortunately every year I’m starting to see things we worked very hard on to build we are seeing every stitch being pulled and pulled by our elected officials of the state. I want to thank the Mayor and Township Council for really coming through.” Dye was referencing the million dollars that the township transferred to the school district to aid its spending plan. “You came to help us in our time of need and we thank you very much. “I would urge the governor to look beyond his little circle and start supporting all the towns and all the school districts because you are dismantling many. It is very frustrating as a parent and resident to watch this continue to happen,” Dye said. She added, “$1.3 million the first year, $2.3 million last year, $3.5 million this year and possibly $4 million next year. This is becoming impossible to sustain.” Board President Michael Walsh added, “I thank the mayor and council for helping us during our time of distress and I hope they keep that ear open in the future because that distress is not going away.” (Budget - See Page 2)
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