2021-12-18 - The Southern Ocean Times

Page 1

The

SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 9 - No. 26

In This Week’s Edition

MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS

JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM

Four-legged Staff Member Brings Joy To Students

December 18, 2021

Manahawkin Boy Honored At NJ Devils Game

BREAKING NEWS @

jerseyshoreonline.com

Community News Page 8-12

Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14

Inside The Law Page 17

Classifieds Page 19

–Photos by Stephanie Faughnan (Left) Eight-year-old Holly Rodriguez earned a treat with a visit from the human/dog therapy team of Michele Cucinotta and Winnie. (Right) Kindergartener Ben Potter enjoyed Winnie’s special dance towards him. By Stephanie Faughnan BARNEGAT – A four-legged Barnegat Township School district staff member named Winnie assumes a vital role on Wednesdays when schools are in session. The three-year-old Shih Tzu bichon mix even has a day named after her, according to Winnie’s owner Joanne Fedorczyk. Students and their teachers alike can’t wait to take part in “Wacky Winnie Wednesday.” When it’s her day to head to work as a therapy dog, Winnie dresses in a fashionable outfit and waits for her special school bus. Winnie greets her driver and special handler, Michele Cucinotta,

with a big smile and multiple licks of appreciation. The two often wear coordinating apparel carefully selected by Fedorczyk. Cucinotta, herself, stands out as a staple in the Barnegat Township School district. Although her current title is K-8 Student Assistance Coordinator/Drug Free Community Support Coordinator, the long-time teacher and guidance counselor’s influence appears limitless. Winnie’s owner designed the top Cucinotta wore to a recent visit to the Cecil C. Collins Elementary School. The shirt provided a translation of the pup’s soft bark to “Winnie Makes a Positive (Students - See Page 4)

Colleagues Thank Commissioner Little During His Last Meeting

By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - News that Ocean County Commissioner Gerry Little’s last meeting would be December 1st caught even his colleagues by surprise. “We only learned Gerry wouldn’t be coming back the day of the meeting,” shared Gary Quinn, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commis-

sioners. “We planned to do something special for him at our fi nal meeting of the year.” Little announced his decision to forego seeking reelection earlier this year. His replacement, Bobbi Jo Crea, takes office in January. Both are Republicans from southern Ocean County. As the Ocean County Health Depart-

ment liaison, Little provided regular COVID-19 updates since the disease became both a local and national issue. Immediately after he delivered his early December report, Little made his announcement. “This will be the last meeting I will be attending as your commissioner,” Little (Little - See Page 5)

–Photo courtesy New Jersey Devils Lucas Files, 12, of Manahawkin enjoyed the recently held Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the Prudential Center. By Bob Vosseller STA F FOR D – A 12-ye a r- old M a n a hawkin boy was honored to drop the puck in a game where the New Jersey Devils de-

feated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 at the Prudential Center. Lucas Files was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Boy - See Page 4)

Senior Clubhouses’ Legal Protection Against COVID In Question

By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – There was a great sigh of relief when senior communities opened their public buildings and allowed residents to use their amenities like pools and meeting rooms. However, the protection from lawsuits against these communities is scheduled to run out. State law was changed to indemnify those who run these buildings. They are called “common areas” and include more than just senior communities. However, in this area it is almost entirely seniors who are being impacted. The law granted protection from any lawsuits against the community and members of its boards. Before this protection was granted, a visitor could theoretically sue the Board of Directors and the (COVID - See Page 13)

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