The JACKSON Times Vol. 18 - No. 28
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
2021 Saw Jackson Returning To Normal
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-9
Inside The Law Page 12
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Classifieds Page 19
─Photo By Bob Vosseller (Top) Members of the Jackson PBA admit attendees to this year’s PBA Pig Roast presenting them with T-shirts and plastic mugs. (Right) Amvets Post #2 Lenny Bindos and Mike Canaley during the Pig Roast at the Amvets headquarters. By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic carried over to 2021 but many familiar public events returned to live activities. During the year, public officials spoke their mind on state mandates
and parents made their voices heard loud and clear about the same issues during Board of Education meetings. The year began with a contentious Board of Education reorganization. When the dust cleared Tara Rivera
became president and Michael Walsh became boa rd v ice cou ncil president. Long time Board member Thomas Colucci resigned in Januar y. Amid a number of applicants, his seat was ultimately filled by John Spalthoff
in March. The pandemic may have caused a “hard knock life” for the cast and crew in 2020 but they were able to present two performances of “Annie Jr.” on stage. The summer program (Jackson - See Page 4)
COUNCIL PRAISES VOLUNTEERS
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Township officials highlighted several volunteer groups in town at a recent meeting. Council Vice President Martin Flemming pointed out Ordinance 20-21 that concerned emergency medical services “to protect our emergency vehicles and keeping them helping our residents for emer-
gencies as opposed to corporations. It is a good ordinance for our town and I appreciate everyone’s backing on this.” The ordinance would fine any assisted living facilities or nursing homes that are found to be improperly calling for transportation by volunteer ambulance crews instead of using their own. This would be for patients or
residents in non-emergency situations, like going to a doctor for an appointment. “I’m always pestering ever yone about volunteering. We had a fundraiser the other night. We have a young lady in town with some medical issues and a bunch of her friends got together and volunteered and got several of our civic
organizations together and together those organizations raised about $50,000 for this lady,” Flemming added. “This tells you what volunteerism can do and you’ll know why I will never stop pestering you about it. He also shared a story about a fire that destroyed a house but a fund went up online to help the family.
Councilman Steve Chisholm commended the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company and their compatriots at the Millstone Fire Company for their role in a response at the Jackson Outlet Mall, and another time when they rescued a horse. “You may have seen videos of the horse running around. They did a great job of rescuing
January 1, 2022
Parent Group Renews Call For Maskless Schools
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – A small group of residents brought their concerns about COVID-19 pandemic related issues to the Board of Education’s last meeting of the year. Parents opposing masking in schools and fearing Governor Phil Murphy will eventually institute a vaccination mandate for students, recently positioned 50 pairs of shoes featuring notes on them to the Board, and various signs on the property of the school district’s administrative building. It was called Operation: Shoe Drop. A few days later they came out to the BOE meeting to voice their concerns. They questioned the school district’s 14-day quarantine policy. They also questioned what they said were inconsistencies in pandemic restrictions, such as mask breaks, and mask wearing during indoor physical education classes. (Masks - See Page 20)
Veterans Remembered In Wreath Laying Ceremonies
By Bob Vosseller TOMS RIVER – Two local ceremonies recently commemorated the loss of those who served to protect America. They were among the 2,100 locations across the country to observe Wreaths Across America. The organization’s mission is to “honor those who serve and their families, and teach future generations about the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms.” WAA Mobile Education Exhibit Ambassador Stefan Brann told The Toms River Times that the “mission statement of Wreaths Across America is three simple words, ‘remember, honor, teach.’ When we talk about Wreaths Across America we talk about those words
(Council - See Page 5)
(Wreath - See Page 7)
CELEBRATING 42 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY • 2ND GENERATION FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1978
George S. Hassler Funeral Home
George S. Hassler, Owner & Director, NJ Lic. No. 3193 Brian T. Hassler, Manager, NJ Lic. No. 4054
Serving All Faiths with Personal Service • Traditional Burial & Cremation Options
Prearrangement and Prepayment Plans Available 980 Bennetts Mills Road • PO Box 1326 • Jackson, NJ 08527 Tel: 732.364.6808 | Fax: 732-364-8592 www.hasslerfuneralhome.com • contact@hasslerfuneralhome.com