

34
By Bob Vosseller
JACKSON – Cole Iannello, 18, has been busy as of late as he awaits his Eagle Scout award in May that he earned from a recently completed project at a township firehouse. Cole is a senior at Jackson Liberty High School. He’s been
By Stephanie Faughnan
FREEHOLD - A Monmouth County Grand Jury has indicted a former Freehold Intermediate School teacher on multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of a teenage student, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced.
Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 44, of Jackson, faces seven charges, including first-degree aggravated sexual assault, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child through the manufacture of child sexual abuse materials, two counts of second-degree
a Boy Scout with Troop 34 and got involved with scouting when he was “a little kid. I was in Cub Scouts and worked over the years and said I wanted to go into Boy Scouts and got involved and shot up through the ranks.”
He said he took a short pause but then returned with a vengeance “and realized I wanted to be an Eagle Scout.” To do that he needed a community project. Finding a project though wasn’t too difficult for him. “My dad (Jim Iannello) is a volunteer firefighter at Fire Station 57 so I figured I’d give back to him and all the other firefighters there by going out and serving the community by giving them a nice place to relax.”
The teenager said he wanted to create a setting “to enjoy themselves and to cook or anything they wanted to do. I asked them if I could do a deck for them and got approval and we started from there.” That meant designing what
(Deck - See Page 4)
By Bob Vosseller
JACKSON – The Township Council recently moved to lower fines for lawn maintenance violations shifting the blame from landlords to renters.
The ordinance was strongly defended by Council President Jennifer Kuhn when residents questioned it during its public comment period.
It was noted that an increase in rental properties in the township had contributed to the need for the new ordinance. Residents were told that there had been an upsurge in the number of rentals of single-family homes accompanied by an increase in properties that have been poorly maintained by tenants, a situation made worse by absentee landlords and neglectful property managers.
Kuhn explained that due to the extreme number of citations filling up the municipal court docket it was necessary to reduce fines and reduce the requirement for mandatory court appearances for property maintenance violations.
It was noted that one day every three months has been put aside to exclusively focus on property maintenance offenders. One resident argued that reducing penalties would most likely reduce, not increase, compliance.
During that recent council meeting,
(Penalties - See Page 4)
endangering, second-degree official misconduct, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree endangering.
Investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau and the Freehold Borough Police Department determined that Havemann-Niedrach’s alleged abuse of a 15-year-old eighth-grade student began in early 2024. Authorities arrested her in June 2024 without incident.
Concerns Raised Months Earlier
This newspaper has spoken to a parent
(Teacher - See Page 5)
By Bob Vosseller
JACKSON - Speeding, particularly around residential areas near school bus stops, has been the subject of concern by residents for years now and while more focus has been put to the issue, residents are still frustrated about the problem.
Police Chief Matthew Kunz and Public Safety Director Joseph Candido have both been hearing from residents about areas of the township that are particularly plagued by speeders.
Resident Maria Murdaco shared some of
her e-mail correspondence between herself and Candido on social media encouraging other Jackson residents to send emails to try and get the speed limit in problem areas of the township to be enforced or lowered. Brewers Bridge Road is one street that she said has a problem. “This is a residential area and we have cars, school buses, and trucks speeding on this road all hours of the day and night. As the building continues, the traffic will get heavier and the road will become more and more dangerous,”
(Speeding - See Page 12)
BRING
NO OBLIGATION! ABSOLUTE TOP DOLLAR PAID! ALL COMMEMORATIVE COINS, ROLLS, SETS, CERTIFIED & PROOFS. ALL PCGS, NGC, ANACS, & ICG PROOFS & SETS
ABSOLUTE TOP DOLLAR PAID! ALL KINDS, ALL TIME PERIODS, ALL CONDITIONS! ROLEX, CARTIER, BULOVA, MOVADO & MORE ALL POCKET WATCHES WORKING OR NOT
COSTUME JEWELRY - HAT PINS - COMPACTS
CUFF LINKS - EARRINGS - NECKLACES - BRACELETS
AMBER ITEMS - RHINESTONE ITEMS
ABSOLUTE TOP DOLLAR PAID!
ESTATE VINTAGE VICTORIAN: EARRINGS - NECKLACES - PENDANTS
CHARM BRACELETS
ESTATE JEWELRY & SCRAP GOLD
BROKEN JEWELRY WANTED!
ABSOLUTE TOP DOLLAR PAID ON ANYTHING MADE OF GOLD
EXTRA PAID FOR DIAMOND ENCRUSTED GOLD ITEMS
ABSOLUTE TOP DOLLAR PAID ON ANYTHING MADE OF SILVER ALL KINDS, ERA & CONDITIONS
FLATWARE: KNIVES, FORKS, SPOONS, TEA SETS, TRAYS (MUST BE MARKED STERLING AND OR .925)
SCRAP SILVER JEWELRY: CHARM BRACELETS, BELT BUCKLES, MORGAN DOLLARS, EISENHOWER 40% SILVER COINS, ALL 90% SILVER (ESPECIALLY PRE-1964)
1 CARAT & LARGER ABSOLUTE TOP DOLLAR PAID!
1 Carat...up to...$30,000
2 Carat...up to...$50,000
3 Carat...up to...$75,000
4 Carat...up to...$150,000
5 Carat...up to...$500,000
Continued From Page 1
would be done and mobilizing some manpower. Eagle Scout projects always involve leadership of this character.
“We went from company to company (in the Jackson area) to see what we could get. We got big donations from Woodhaven, from Clayton and from Paver World who were our three biggest contributors along with the Jackson Kiwanis Club. The Oliveria Funeral Home also helped us out. They sent us a $300 check no questions asked,” Cole added.
The scout said, Fire Station 57 also helped out. “We fundraised a lot of money for it and all the firefighters came out and helped us build it. We had other kids from the troop there, parents from those in the troop and friends. We had a little army working on
:
Continued From Page 1
Kuhn discussed Ordinance 01-2025 “Property Maintenance” which received some negative feedback. Fine ranges went from $1,000 to $100. This meeting also saw the Council’s shortening of the public comment from five to three minutes for this session only. The reason given was that eight ordinances, most of which were held up during prior meetings due to improper notification, were on the agenda. The meeting however ended prior to the 9 p.m. cutoff where some residents still remained to discuss the aftermath of that
this thing.”
“We started surveying in September, construction in late October, and the boots on construction was in December of last year. It concluded on December 8. The main structure is fully complete but we have some shrubs we want to embellish the project with,” he added.
The scout’s court of honor ceremony where he will receive his Eagle Scout Badge will be held on May 4. That will be his last action as a scout but not necessarily his last role with the Boy Scouts.
When asked about his memories and activities and what he learned from his time in the scouting program, he told The Jackson Times, “The Eagle Scout project itself stands out. That taught me a lot about keeping track of things and time management, inventory and leadership. That was the whole point of the project to teach you those things.”
meeting which started at 6:30 p.m.
Resident David Visconi of Whitesville Road once again expressed his strong opposition to the ordinance. He is also a member of the township’s code enforcement office which has been under fire by Kuhn during recent council meetings with claims that this township department wasn’t enforcing ordinances on the books.
Visconi specified his comments were not as a code enforcement officer but as a private citizen. He criticized the shortening of the public comment period for that evening’s meeting. “All it does is stifle public comment for your convenience.”
“Other than that the biggest stand out I would say was our National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) which is a two weekend program where you just go out in the woods with a bunch of other scouts from other troops and meet random people you don’t know and you are forced to work with these people and problem solve,” he added.
The future Eagle Scout described that exercise further saying, “there is minimal leadership there but you are forced to come up with ideas and work with other people to come up with solutions on your own. I would say NYLT taught me a lot of independence and critical thinking that I will definitely be using throughout my life.”
“I would also say the Order of the Arrow program helped me a lot. I’m not allowed to speak about its orientation but I can tell you that the Order of the Arrow definitely taught
Regarding the ordinance he said “it deters compliance - it does not encourage it.”
Resident Elenor Hannum said “in my view and opinion this is being done for developers.”
She also accused Council Vice President Mordechai Burnstein of being involved with a political pack that has ties to land use “and rental properties so to reduce it from $1,000 to whatever it is you are reducing it to, Freehold and Howell has it up to $2,000.” She noted a state statute suggesting the fine be set at $1,250.”
“You are doing it for your developer friends,” Hannum accused.
“By reducing the fines from $1,000 to
me a lot of independence and diligence in my work. That and holding leadership positions in my troop taught me how to make plans for other people and not just for myself,” he added. He said that taught him to arrive to an event in a timely manner and to plan ahead of time and to “have a straight uniform. I would say scouting has made me a tidier and more capable person.” His future plans include “sticking around to help the other scouts in my troop as an adult leader possibly carry that out to college and register as a merit badge counselor. I’m not sure yet but this is the end of my career as a scout. I applied to the University of Northwestern Ohio and I got accepted so I will be going there for automation engineering and hopefully, I am looking to get a job at Honda, Ford or any other big automaker and help design automation assembly lines for engines.”
$100 you are further enabling illegal use of structures,” one resident said, noting a Hyson Road situation that was “causing mayhem and chaos. Why are we reducing violations?” “This has nothing to do with that (ordinance). What we are doing is adding it to code enforcement who will now be able to ticket the tenant. This is phase one. The judge is not ordering anybody to pay a $1,000 violation. The landlords aren’t showing up in court. We will add that the tenants be responsible so we can write tickets for people who are not going to show up,” Kuhn responded. Kuhn added, “You want people to cut their
(Penalties - See Page 10)
whose son was friends with the victim. Although he was not in the alleged victim’s class, the eighth-grade boy learned something from a friend he thought was important enough to pass on to his mother.
“My son came to me in February of last year and told me that his friend was dating a teacher’s daughter,” said Heather Kotler. “People were saying that the teacher was texting, that they were texting each other inappropriate pictures.”
Kotler said she waited a day to ask her son more questions. Coincidentally, she needed to talk to the school’s vice principal and decided she’d mention what her son told her. According to Kotler, the school administrator appeared shocked and said they would start an investigation.
“I never heard from her again about it at all,” Kotler said.
Kotler also recalled that the school’s principal pulled the victim out of class to speak with him about the situation. The principal warned him that if rumors didn’t stop, he might have to confiscate his phone and check it. Kotler was shocked to learn that Havemann-Niedrach had remained in her classroom the entire time, even after the alleged misconduct was reported in February. The student involved was allegedly still in her class until the teacher was removed in June.
said. “If they were investigating, why was she still in the classroom?”
When contacted for comment, Asia Michael, the district’s Superintendent of Schools replied by email. “The District takes each and every allegation of this nature very seriously and takes action swiftly when appropriate and as needed,” wrote Michael. “Upon the advice of counsel, and in consideration that this matter is currently working through the criminal justice system, the District will not provide any comment.”
“Notwithstanding, your question - which neglects to identify the parent or the specific report that was made - implies that the District did not take timely action,” continued Michael. “The District vehemently denies any such contention.”
This newspaper has reviewed bodycam footage from June 27, 2024, the date of Havemann-Niedrach’s arrest. The video shows she was taken into custody at her parents’ residence in Jackson, not her own home, shortly before midnight.
During the arrest, Havemann-Niedrach expressed discomfort speaking to the officers without her attorney present. She also stated, “I don’t have a phone. It got destroyed actually. I lost it today and it got run over.”
on a piece of paper affixed to a cabinet. She also notified the officers of her medical conditions and indicated she had prepared her medications. Havemann-Niedrach appeared unsurprised by the arrest.
The complaint warrant at that time details two counts that established probable cause for her arrest. The first alleges “aggravated sexual assault while having supervisory authority over the victim, specifically by engaging in sexual intercourse with a [redacted] student.” The second count alleges “endangering the welfare of a child, while having supervisory authority over the victim, specifically by engaging in sexual intercourse with a [redacted] student.”
At Havemann-Niedrach’s detention hearing on July 5, 2024, Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki stated that another teacher witnessed Havemann-Niedrach rubbing the victim’s neck and back, flirting with him, and touching his leg.
The victim’s mother told police her daughter saw the victim in the teacher’s car and that he was on the phone late at night. The victim initially denied a relationship, saying he was dating the teacher’s daughter.
A search of the victim’s phone revealed over 25,000 text messages, including explicit texts, photos, and videos, between him and Havemann-Niedrach. The victim later admitted to a sexual relationship that began in January 2024, including oral, vaginal, and anal sex at her house.
hospitalized. He requested police keep his phone to prevent further contact.
“This was something that all the eighthgrade students were talking about,” Kotler
Continued From Page 1 Tired of living with painful bunions? The team at Affilliated Foot & Ankle wants you to know about LAPIPLASTY, a revolutionary solution to your problem.
Zanzuccki also said the victim alleged Havemann-Niedrach took him to a hotel, and cell phone location data confirmed his presence there.
Havemann-Niedrach’s attorney argued for her release, citing her lack of criminal record and ties to the community. He said she resigned from her teaching position and remained in the area. Havemann-Niedrach is married with two children, and her husband and parents were present in court.
Superior Court Judge Vincent Falcetano released Havemann-Niedrach to home detention at her parents’ residence without electronic monitoring. She is prohibited from contacting the victim or other minors and from using social media or computers to contact minors. There is no indication that the detention remand has been lifted.
The defendant appeared for a second time on August 8 before Judge Christie Bevacqua. At that time, her case was referred to the grand jury. Attorney Thomas Huth of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall appeared on Havemann-Niedrach’s behalf during that hearing. He was contacted for comment on his client’s indictment and has not yet responded.
It is unknown at this time what contributed to the additional five charges brought against Havemann-Niedrach since her initial arrest. Notwithstanding, she is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Teacher:
Before being transported by Freehold Borough Police, Havemann-Niedrach informed her husband that she had written her attorney’s and pastor’s names in red crayon
The victim experienced a mental health crisis during the investigation and was
Lapiplasty addresses the root cause: the unstable joint that leads to the deformity.
● 3D Correction: Lapiplasty technology is designed to correct the entire bone, restoring it to its normal alignment. This comprehensive approach ensures a long-lasting result.
● Joint Stabilization: By securing the unstable joint, Lapiplasty addresses the underlying cause of bunions, reducing the risk of recurrence.
● High Success Rates: Studies have shown that Lapiplasty maintains 3D correction in 97-99% of patients at 13 and 17 months follow-up.
● Minimal Recurrence: The procedure’s focus on addressing the root cause helps to prevent the return of bunions.
● Faster Recovery: Many patients are able to return to walking in a boot within 2 weeks of the procedure.
If you haven’t heard the tragic story yet, a juvenile, unlicensed driver had been traveling nearly 118 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone. The driver ran a red light at Routes 37 and 166 and collided with another vehicle. Two people in the front seats of that vehicle, Kiley Armstrong and Evan Fiore, were killed. Two people in the back seat were seriously injured.
I’ve been seeing a lot of comments from people – some of them are even elected officials – saying that those two young people wouldn’t have died if the cops had chased the driver in the fatal crash.
They are also going as far as saying that it’s the fault of the governor and the attorney general for going easy on criminals and preventing police from doing their jobs.
They are all wrong, and it’s extremely offensive to politicize the deaths of these victims.
If you do just a little bit of research, or talk to patrol officers, you’ll know that these rules are in place for a reason. To suggest that chasing a car going 118 mph would somehow lead to less tragedy is absurd. Then you’d have two cars going 118 mph instead.
This rule preventing patrol officers from engaging in dangerous chases has saved countless lives – and it was instated decades ago. You can’t blame the big, bad governor for this one.
It became law because a 19-year-old local girl was killed in 1988. Seaside Heights cops tried to pull over a driver with a broken headlight. The driver led them on a high speed chase for 12 miles before running a stop
sign at Main and Water streets in downtown Toms River. His car slammed into hers and she died. Because of a headlight. I don’t want to name the Ocean County resident who dedicated years to change the law about police chases; he’s been through enough. And I’m sure the family doesn’t want to get dragged into this debate. My point is that this is an important, life-saving law. Coming back to the recent tragedy, if police had continued that chase, there’s every probability that things would have turned out the same – and probably worse. Perhaps the police car would have also crashed. We could be looking at police fatalities here, too. Additionally, imagine if the police car also hit the car in the intersection. The two passengers in the car, who were merely injured, might not have survived either. If you read our papers enough, you’ll see we have a lot of pro-police stories, so I’ll admit we’re a little biased in favor of the cops in that regard. However, telling the police that they didn’t do the right thing in this situation is wrong, in bad taste, and counterproductive. To try to change the law to allow high-speed chases is dangerous.
Everyone is angry, and I understand the desire to fix the problem, but remember this: the only person who caused this is the juvenile driver. The fault lies entirely with them.
A fundraiser to help support the families in their loss can be found at gofundme.com/f/ tragic-loss-kylie-and-evans-memorial.
Chris Lundy News Editor
The Jackson Times welcomes all points of view for publication and provides this page as an open forum for residents to express themselves regarding politics, government, current events and local concerns.
All letters are printed as space allows unless deemed offensive by the editorial staff, and provided they are signed and include address & phone number for verification. Letters may not be printed if we cannot verify them. Names will not be withheld from publication. While most letters are printed as submitted, we reserve the right to edit or reject letters. The weekly deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday. Mail typed letters to: PO Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, fax 732-657-7388 or e-mail news@jerseyshoreonline.com. Letters may be limited to one per month per writer at the editor’s discretion. The opinions expressed in the Letters To The Editor section do not necessarily reflect those of the staff, management or sponsors of Micromedia Publications/Jersey Shore Online. Letters to the Editor are the OPINION of the writer and the content is not checked for accuracy.
Please come and join WAT … our newly formed group of over-55 women who meet monthly to take a stand against our current government.
WAT stands for Women Against Trump and our goal is to do what we can to stop the dismantling of our democracy.
If this sounds like something you might want to be a part of, we meet the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at 11 Lowell Court. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2025. Please call Helen Jancosko at 603-498-9275 with any questions.
Helen Jancosko Brick
It has been said that the government can get away with almost anything if it is for the whales, the children or the environment. Now mind you I certainly have nothing against whales, children or the environment but there comes a point where Trenton’s ever grubbing hands are in our pockets too much and for too little.
Nobody likes taxes but we do, rightfully, enjoy being able to pick up the phone and have police, fire, first aid and EMS available for us. Potholes and streetlights need repair and maintenance; trash needs to be picked up and hauled away. We may – and do, grumble and complain about the costs of these services or how they are being administered, but thank God that in this country we do have all these services. Very few could afford to buy a fire truck just to protect their home, but chipping in with our fellow citizens allows for economy of scale and better protection than would otherwise be available.
On the other hand, there is waste in government coupled with a seemingly unsatiable appetite for more and
more of taxpayers’ money – oftentimes more than necessary. We here in South Jersey have far too long seen far too much of our money go too far north. Trenton harkens to North Jersey while turning a deaf ear to the southern half of the state – using us as merely a piggy bank for funding all sorts of frivolities and trivialities.
Evidence Senate Bill No. 3545 which the Senate Environment and Energy Committee seems to adore. This bill, to be known as the “Climate Superfund Act” would raise the cost of fuel in the name of the environment. Just the name of this act itself causes me to grasp my wallet in concern. Climate: a nebulous codeword of the government granting itself a license to do things otherwise unpalatable – all in the name of something that those who are “unsophisticated” or “unenlightened” do not understand or appreciate. Superfund: just the mere sound of it from the government should give us pause. This is a tax and a tax by any other name is, well, a tax!
A summary of the bill states, “Climate Superfund Act; imposes liability on certain fossil fuel companies for certain damages caused by climate change and establishes program in DEP to collect and distribute compensatory payments.”
Now that all sounds well and good using touch/feel words like “liability” and “fossil fuel” (of late a dirty word) and “companies.” Throw in “damages caused by” and “climate change” to create something that sounds as warm and tasty as fresh baked apple pie or grandma’s stuffing on Thanksgiving. Call me a cynic, but I’m not buying it. We in South Jersey use more fuel than New Jerseyans up north because we drive more miles. We drive more miles compared to North Jersey folks because, for us, work is further, schools are further, church is further, shopping is further; we are geographically more spread out than
compressed and compacted North Jersey. We also lack the public transportation that exists up north. Not all of this is a bad thing as most of us, or our ancestors, came here (many from up north) to enjoy the space, serenity and seashore of our beloved Ocean County.
If we have learned nothing over the past few years, we certainly know this: that raising the cost of fuel is an insidious tax. Everything in the store, from hot dogs and Hot Wheels to shoes and salami are delivered to that store by truck. As the suppliers’ cost of getting products to shelves increases – so does the price for the end line user, us. In short, this bill, and so much of what Trenton has done to us for so long, takes money from our family budgets and puts it into their playful hands – this time in a super (fund) way. Trenton already has enough slush funds for their pet (mostly up north) projects and cash for their cronies.
There comes a time when it is apropos to say ENOUGH ALREADY!
John Novak Barnegat
On Friday evening, December 13, 2024, I exited the Ocean County Mall, only to discover I came out a different door than the one I entered and could not locate my car. After walking around the parking lot for nearly a half hour in the freezing cold, I noticed a Toms River patrol car. I approached the car and asked the officer, Todd Garris, if he could possibly drive me around to try to locate my vehicle. He told me he was in the process of writing a summons to someone who was parked illegally in a handicap space with expired tags, but if I wait inside the mall to warm up, he will call mall security for me, and they can assist me. Officer Garris returned in a few minutes to tell me unfortunately there
was an altercation situation inside and they would not be available for a while, but as soon as he’s finished writing the ticket, he would be able to help me.
He moved all his equipment from the front seat of his patrol car to the back, and told me to get in the car and using my car’s fob to hit the alarm button as he drove by each row. I told him I am hearing impaired and have a cochlear implant, so I don’t know if I will be able to hear the alarm! He said, “It’s not a problem, you will see the lights flashing, and I guarantee we will find your car,” which we did.
I was totally embarrassed that I did such a stupid thing and was virtually in tears, thinking I must be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. I told Officer Garris I lost my husband two years ago, and I’m sure he’s having a good laugh up there because I have no sense of direction. He said this happens several times a day and I’m doing great and said, “Do me a favor…don’t be so hard on yourself.”
I will never forget the kindness, compassion, and empathy he showed me. I was beyond grateful, and so impressed with the service he provided that I wrote a letter to Police Chief Peter Sundack, who e-mailed me back on December 20, 2024 saying, and I quote “Thank you for writing to commend the actions of Officer Garris. I am happy to hear that he was helpful in your time of need. Have a wonderful holiday season.”
I will always remember how Officer Garris calmed me down and reassured me I will be alright.
He was an asset in so many ways to the Toms River Police force, and I truly hope and pray that Mayor Rodrick and Town Council will reconsider their decision, and Officer Todd Garris will be reinstated to his position so that he may continue to proudly serve the community which he loves!
Phyllis Schlisserman Manchester
Alex Sauickie
Correspondence & Commentary From Your Local, County, State & Federal Officials
TRENTON - “The devil is in the details.”
That old saying is appropriate for the Governor’s new budget proposal. Three weeks ago, I wrote about that proposal mostly as it was described in the Governor’s speech, with only a little additional information. Now, more information is available, and even more will come out in the legislative hearings that have just begun. Let’s start with the good news, and I’ll bet you know what’s coming after that.
Although overall state revenue collections fell below expectations from August through November, they are trending back up now, mostly because of the income tax. The trend back up is good for two main reasons.
One is that, if revenue meets expectations at the time the current budget is close to expiring, Trenton won’t scramble to increase more taxes. Yes, they could cut spending instead, but this is Murphy’s New Jersey, so let’s keep it real.
The other positive thing is that the income tax is bringing in more money because of growing payrolls, meaning that employers are hiring more in the time since November’s presidential election. More people
have jobs, companies are expanding, and everyone benefits from that.
That information comes from the highly-respected nonpartisan legislative staff, so I trust it. But it’s certainly not the whole story. State records show that New Jersey employers have announced 3,024 layoffs between January and the end of March, reports NJ101.5. That’s significantly more than the 1,753 reported in the same period last year.
Through the end of February, the income tax brought in about $890 million, which is 8.3% more than in the same period in the previous budget year. In addition to the good news about jobs, it’s also good to be reminded that you don’t have to increase tax rates to get more revenue. But now we come to the bad news. The sales tax is also bringing in more money, with an increase over the prior budget year that places revenue just a bit above expectations.
Unlike the income tax, though, the sales tax take is increasing in part because people are being taxed more than before. A law enacted last year eliminated the ability of parents and students to buy back-to-school items without paying sales taxes, so some of that revenue is from the pockets of those parents and students. I was happy to vote against that one.
The same law phases out a sales tax exemp-
tion for purchases of zero-emission vehicles. Those who are – knowingly or not – helping advance Gov. Murphy’s goal of 100% ZEV sales by 2035 are now paying more taxes to support his spending spree.
That brings us back to my column of three weeks ago, in which I quoted Gov. Murphy when he said, “I refuse to raise state taxes on the firefighter in Freehold, or the teacher in Teaneck.” As I’m sure you will recall, I then listed a bunch of tax hikes on the firefighter, the teacher, and everyone else that he proposed in the very same budget he was talking about.
Now we have more information on those tax increases, as NJ Spotlight News helpfully summarizes. The Murphy plan expands the sales tax to complimentary meals, rooms and tickets; interior design and digital services, horse training, vehicle trade-ins, and even second-hand airplane sales and whatever he means by “participatory sports.”
In addition, the tax plan eliminates a partial sales tax exemption and a $20,000 sales tax cap on boat sales. Those were enacted a decade ago to protect our state’s economy, which is said to have the largest concentration of high-end boat builders in the country.
New Jersey taxes were pushing buyers of larger sportfishing boats in particular to other states with lower taxes. The idea was to establish a tax cap similar to those in other states such as New York and Florida, to bring those sales to our state where the boats would be registered, operated and
serviced, creating more earnings and jobs. I guess Gov. Murphy doesn’t like that. The tax package would also hike the alcoholic beverage tax by 10%, affecting beer, wine, liquor, vermouth, mead and hard apple ciders. It can be passed on to consumers. Firearm and ammunition buyers would have to pay almost $8 million in higher fees and new excise taxes. I haven’t seen the details, but previously he proposed doubling the $50 Firearms Purchaser Identification Card fee and hiking tenfold the $50 Retail Firearms Dealers License application fee.
The $2.70 tax on a pack of cigarettes would rise to $3, the liquid nicotine tax would triple from ten cents per milliliter to 30 cents, and the tax on container e-liquid would also triple from 10% to 30% under the plan.
The tax on online gambling would increase by 67%, from 15% to 25%, and the tax on online sports betting would nearly double from 13% to 25%. Taxes on the sale of property for over $1 million and on marijuana and intoxicating hemp would increase as well. As of now, the full budget proposal still isn’t available, but as the current budget was 373 pages when enacted, it will be quite the read. There’s no telling what other attacks on middle-class and working people we’ll find in there. I’ll keep you posted.
Alex Sauickie is a life-long Jackson resident who represents his home town and 12 other towns in the State Assembly. Follow him on Facebook (/AssemblymanAlex) and on Instagram (@AssemblymanAlex), or visit his website at AssemblymanAlex.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) led colleagues in writing a letter to Center for Disease Control Acting Director Susan Monarez regarding reports that suggest the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) has stopped operations, leaving states, researchers, and health care providers without access to this vital data. The CDC has not clarified why this shutdown occurred.
“We are reaching out to inquire about the current status of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).
As a vital initiative jointly operated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and several state, territorial, and local health departments, PRAMS plays a crucial role in collecting data to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, representing over 80 percent of all U.S. live births. This information is of increasing importance as the U.S. is experiencing a maternal health crisis: it has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income nations, increasing rates of complications from pregnancy or childbirth, and persistent disparities in such outcomes,” the lawmakers wrote. In response to the alleged shutdown, the lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:
• Why is PRAMS, this critical maternal
and infant health data program, no longer collecting and reporting data? When did the program stop collecting and reporting data?
• Is there a timeline when PRAMS will be operational again? If so, when?
• Will PRAMS return to full operability? If yes, on what date is PRAMS expected to return to full operations?
• Was there any communication to states and institutions prior to PRAMS shutting down? If so, what was communicated and when?
• Is there a plan in place to collect PRAMS data so there is not a significant gap in maternal and infant health data collection?
• If PRAMS will be operational again, were there any changes made? If so, what were they?
• Have any CDC personnel working on PRAMS been laid off?
“PRAMS plays a crucial role in reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortali-
ty. Preserving this program will strengthen public health efforts, reduce inequities in care, and ultimately save lives. Thank you for your attention to this important matter,” the lawmakers concluded.
The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jon Ossoff (DGA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and U.S. Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Jesús García (D-IL-04), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Henry Johnson (D-GA-04), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DCAL), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA10), and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04).
P.O. BOX 1991 • TOMS RIVER, N.J. 08754 | moranotours.net PROVIDING AFFORDABLE TOURS SINCE 1982 2025 TOURS
SUN. APRIL 27 WIND CREEK CASINO BETHLEHEM, PA. $45. LOTS OF NEW SLOT MACHINES! GUESTS RECEIVE $30.00 SLOT PLAY. SAT. MAY 3 AMISH COUNTRY LANCASTER, PA. $98
INCLUDES SHADY MAPLE SMORGASBORD LUNCH. VISIT BIRD-IN-HAND BAKE SHOPPE, KITCHEN KETTLE VILLAGE AND MILES OF BEAUTIFUL AMISH FARMLAND SUN. JUNE 29 N.Y. YANKEES VS. A’s MAIN LEVEL SEATS. $149 SUN. JULY 20 N.Y. METS VS. REDS @CITI FIELD. $155 TUES. JULY 15 “NOAH” SIGHT & SOUND THEATER $175 LANCASTER, PA. INCLUDES SHOW AND LUNCH AT SHADY MAPLE SMORGASBORD. JULY 7-9 3 DAY SMOKE HOLE CABIN RESORT $575 COME TO WEST VIRGINIA “THE MOUNTAIN STATE”. ENJOY 2 NTS. IN YOUR OWN LOG CABIN SURROUNDED BY AWESOME MOUNTAIN SCENERY. INCLUDES 3 COOK OUT MEALS , ADMISSION TO SENECA CAVERNS PLUS A FABULOUS DINNER AND LIVE MUSIC SHOW.
SEPT. 7-10 4 DAY CAPE COD & NANTUCKET ISLAND $949 GUIDED TOURS OF HYANNIS, PROVINCETOWN, NANTUCKET ISLAND . PLUS VISIT THE HISTORIC WHALING VILLAGE OF NEW BEDFORD. INCLUDES 3 NTS. HOTEL, 6 MEALS , ATTRACTION ADMISSIONS. OUTSTANDING END OF SUMMER GETAWAY.
SEPT. 28-OCT. 1 4 DAY NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA $799. GUIDED NIAGARA AREA TOURS FEATURING THE FALLS, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, WINERY TOUR AND TASTINGS, AND MUCH MORE. INCLUDES 3 NTS. HOTEL, 5 MEALS.
INCLUDES DELUXE MOTORCOACH TRANSPORTATION. OVERNIGHT TOUR PRICES INCLUDE HOTELS AND ARE PER PERSON DBL. OCC. TOMS RIVER DEPARTURES. FREE PARKING. VISIT MY WEBSITE moranotours.net CALL FOR FREE BROCHURE.
by Jackson Township Schools
JACKSON - Jackson Township student Dominique Lopez recently became the first Jackson Memorial girl’s wrestler to reach 100 career wins. The senior and team captain is a three-time state qualifier, finished seventh at last year’s state tournament and is a reigning region champion. She joined five other Jackson Memorial wrestlers in Atlantic City at the NJSIAA State Tournament for a state title. In addition to her wrestling success, the township athlete is committed to playing Division I softball at Monmouth University.
JACKSON – For any individuals looking to shred old or confidential papers and documents safely and securely, free onsite paper shredding will be available on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oliverie
Funeral Homes, 25 S. Cooks Bridge Road Jackson.
For more information, call 732-719-7250. This article was brought to you by our advertisers.
JACKSON – The Jackson Pathfinders are a friendly group of men, women, teens and scouts who love to be out on a trail in the beautiful natural lands of our town. We charge no dues or fees. All we seek from our participants are interest and enthusiasm. Pathfinders volunteers maintain four woodland trails in Jackson:
• The Purple Heart Trail, within the Bunker Hill Bogs Recreation Area of Jackson Township. The entrance is across from 820 East Veterans Highway (Routes 527/528.)
• The Silver Stream Trail, within the Metedeconk Preserve of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. The entrance is across from 254 Frank Applegate Road. The Pathfinders are honored to be designated by NJCF as official guardians of the Silver Stream Trail.
• The Steve Kitay Living Trail, on Jackson Township land, accessed via the Silver Stream Trail.
• The Jackson Jungle Children’s Trail, within the Jackson Justice Complex. Adjacent to the Jackson Jungle Play Park, it is to the left on your way to the Ocean County Library.
Free and open to the public every day, our Pathfinders trails are for nature appreciation, hiking and mountain biking (no bikes on Children’s Trail). Visit our website for downloadable PDF maps and interactive Google maps of these Pathfinders trails and of several other trails in Jackson, including those at the Forest Resource Education Center.
In recent weeks the Pathfinders have been exploring a newly-discovered existing trail adjacent to our Jackson Justice Complex. Much of this trail winds through thick stands of enormous trees, including the rare Atlantic white cedar, alongside the beautiful Toms River wetlands. But this trail is on dry ground! Our leadership has just finished mapping the main trail - about
1.5 miles long - and is now focusing on mapping several spurs and sub-trails. The trail has not yet been marked. We do not know when or by whom it was created, but nearly all of it is on publicly-owned land and is certain to become widely popular. Stay tuned for our completed map in the near future. Meanwhile, the well-known and wonderful Pathfinders trails described above are also ready to burst into beauty as spring arrives, so enjoy your next jaunt on any one of them!
Trail Tips: Whenever you go out on any trail, wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring drinking water. Bring a trash bag with you in case you find something discarded on the trail. There is always a trip-and-fall risk, so have a friend walk with you. Never go out alone. For the best protection against ticks, mosquitos and chiggers, spray your clothing with Permethrin a day in advance. Then, when leaving home, apply Picaridin or other insect repellent to your skin.
More about the Jackson Pathfinders: Our volunteers trim branches and briars, clear fallen trees, install trail markers and signs, maintain boardwalks and bridges - and much more. We love the beauty of nature and do everything we can to pass that love along to others. The Pathfinders are supported by Jackson’s Town Council, Public Works Department, Recreation Department and Environmental Commission. We serve as the local advocacy group for New Jersey’s Forest Resource Education Center, and we gladly partner with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts on their own special projects.
The beauty of Jackson’s natural lands calls to us. Out on the trail we experience the refreshing scent of the forest, the clean and awesome streams and the freedom from crowds and traffic. The Jackson Pathfinders look forward to sharing with you our love for nature and for the trails which lead us there!
– Congratulations to the Jackson Memorial High School woodwind Choir! They had the opportunity to perform at the 2025 Ocean County Teen Arts Festival and were adjudicated by a local musician. Way to go Jags!
JACKSON – Jackson School District Goetz Middle School presents “The SpongeBob Musical” – Youth Edition performed at Jackson Memorial High School Fine Arts Center. Show Dates:
April 11 at 7 p.m.
April 12 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at goetzms.booktix. com. For more information, contact mmurawski@jacksonsd.org or 732-8334610.
JACKSON – Jackson Township recreation presents their Spring Pickleball Clinic. Open to beginners and intermediate levels. Adults only. Classes will be held on Thursdays,
April 10 through May 29, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Johnson Memorial Park, 192 Kierych Memorial Drive. Cost is $75 for residents and $100 for non-residents.
JACKSON – Jackson Liberty High School will be hosting their Music Jazz Festival on April 5 from 10 a.m.
Continued From Page 4
grass and maintain their property, I get it, go after the tenant. I’m a landlord, I have a rental property. My tenant is responsible to keep up with the property. I can’t just walk on these tenants’ property.”
“They have more rights than you do as a landlord. You can’t just open up the door and ask how many people are living here. You can’t do that. It is not the way it works. We’ve been reaching out to other towns to see how
to 4 p.m.
Showcasing live performances from area schools. Tickets are $15.
they have been getting through the trials and tribulations of these rapidly growing rental situations,” Kuhn said.
Kuhn who works a realtor, and is a landlord was also accused by residents of a potential conflict of interest in voting on this ordinance as she and other landlords and developers might benefit from this ordinance.
The council president said that according to the township code enforcement office the number of properties that are rented in Jackson is 6,000 to 8,000 among the approximately 20,000 housing units in the municipality.
JACKSON – Calling All Cats is a cat rescue group made up of volunteers, some of whom work at a spay and neuter clinic. People would drop off unwanted cats. As a group, they save the babies that are left alone, the countless mothers that have had numerous litters and those that are losing or have lost their home. Alexandra is approximately one year old. She loves pets and has such a soft coat so we love to give her pets. She enjoys cuddling up on the couch while watching TV and also hanging in the window. Whenever there is a toy laying around, she’s always the first to make sure she
starts the playtime with her siblings. If you want to give this beauty her furever home, put an application in now!
To help humanely lower the feline population, they spay and neuter feral cats and then find homes for the friendly adults and the offspring that have been born. The rescue works extremely hard to find the best homes for cats of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages. While these cats wait, they are cared for in safe, loving, and nurturing foster homes
To start the application process, visit Calling All Cats on Facebook and Petfinder.com.
JACKSON – You work hard for your money. Scammers work hard to separate you from it and grab your sensitive personal information. You can outsmart them. Join us for “Scams, Spams and Fraud: Let’s Not Be a Victim” at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch, 2 p.m. on April 15. The enlightening presentation by Laura Reeves, CFP, CRPC, owner of LJR Financial in Jackson will help you to identify common scams while safeguarding your information. You will learn how to recognize a scam, see examples of electronic spam and discover the traps that expose information about your bank account, credit cards and Social Security number. You will also find ways
to prevent anyone from hacking into your sensitive personal data, and you will get tips to plan a response to identity theft.
A native New Jerseyan, Laura began her career in finance as a 17-year-old bank teller, rising quickly to become the bank’s youngest branch manager. Her licenses as a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Retirement Planning Counselor are among 10 certifications and affiliations.
Register at tinyurl.com/OclJaScams for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, or call 732-928-4400. See the full schedule of Library programs in the online Calendar of Events.
JACKSON – Jackson Friends of the Library will be having a Donation Day on April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the meeting room, 2 Jackson Drive.
They are accepting gently used books, CDs and DVDs, board games, video games, and puzzles. Volunteers will meet you at the door.
Continued From Page 1
Murdaco noted in one of several emails sent to Candido.
She added, “it’s getting to the point where just trying to turn into my driveway is an accident waiting to happen. How many more people need to be injured or killed before you, Jackson Police Department and our governing body does anything to make
the roads safe for the citizens of Jackson?”
Candido responded explaining that he would forward this on to the police department’s traffic and patrol division to increase enforcement as call volume permits.
He noted that as far as changing the speed limit, “this has to go through the Department of Transportation once a study is done and numerous other requirements are met. The speed limit was lowered some time ago to reflect the roadway. I will ask the
Traffic Division what is involved to see if a reduction in the speed limit is warranted.”
During a recent township council meeting, resident Cliff Talmidge of Bartley Road brought up his concerns about the problem in his area stating he had visited the mayor’s office and spoke with the police chief several times.
“We have a serious problem going on along Bartley Road with traffic situations and concerning public school busing. Numerous
times these people aren’t stopping for the buses. They are passing them illegally on a double line and one almost nailed a bus this week that my grandson was on,” he added.
He said the chief has had additional police patrols out to the area resulting in “hundreds of tickets being written on my street alone. This problem is continuing and getting worse. They are not obeying traffic laws.”
Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri said that children were exiting off busses from the street side. “It is an ordinance we passed.”
Council President Jennifer Kuhn corrected him interjecting, “no we didn’t.”
“We voted on it once,” the councilman added.
“No, we have not. We were discussing creating an ordinance that children would no longer (have to cross major roads to get to a bus),” she added.
“That is still happening on my street,” the resident said.
“That was something proposed from Traffic Safety. All departments have to be involved with this and LSDA which is the Lakewood School buses, the Jackson school buses. We have to come to a meeting and are looking to enforce it next year,” the council president explained. There are a lot of rules that have to be followed to change this law and the town wants to do it right before bringing it back to vote.
“That would be a good idea especially on my street,” the resident noted.
“Your road would have to be an add on because (that street is not currently on the planned list of roads),” Kuhn added.
Council Vice President Mordechai Burnstein asked the resident “you said the cops came out and there were hundreds of tickets given. I assume all the buses should have video cameras. Has the PD reached out to the Board of Education with those videos?”
The resident replied that he had reached out to those who head the bus companies that service his street “and the Board of Education and I have hit a brick wall. They are not doing it.”
He added, “the bus driver who picks up my grandson went 25 yards on Scarlet Road and goes down a cul-de-sac and in the process of her making that turn a car came flying down the hill and at the rate of speed that he was going if the bus driver didn’t stop her turn and catch him at that time, I’m not an expert but in my personal opinion if he had nailed that bus people would have gotten killed and that bus would have been upside down. That is how serious this is.”
Burnstein suggested that a follow up be done with the police department as to why “we aren’t getting the video footage so we can get this enforced. It is state law.”
The resident said the time factor was early in the morning and that his grandson is generally picked up between 8:30-8:35. “In that time period there is at least five buses within spitting distance of my driveway that are picking up children.”
Kuhn said the information about this would be sent to the proper police officers and the school superintendent and requested the resident provide a photo of the bus.
Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)
Do you feel like you always hear an unwanted, stress-inducing background noise, such as ringing, buzzing, or hissing? It could be tinnitus — and spring cleaning is a great time to put your tinnitus stress out on the curb.
Tinnitus isn’t a disease, but it may signal a health concern, such as earwax buildup or too much exposure to loud noise. Often, it goes hand in hand with hearing loss, so the best starting place is us! The Tinnitus Consultation First, we’ll provide a hearing evaluation to determine whether hearing loss is a factor in your tinnitus. If there’s an obvious physical cause, such as earwax buildup, addressing it should clear up your tinnitus. Often, though, the cause remains a mystery. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize your stress response. To determine how best to help you, we’ll evaluate your tinnitus. You’ll answer questions about your perception of the sound, and we’ll run tests to learn about its pitch and volume.
Once we understand your needs, we can recommend a personalized treatment plan. It could include one of the following:
• Hearing aids: Wearing these has
been shown to provide some relief, and they often include tinnitus-management functionality.
• Masking: You listen to sounds that give your brain something to focus on other than your tinnitus.
• Habituation: You listen to a customized sound that leaves some tinnitus audible, which desensitizes you to your tinnitus and alleviates the associated stress.
• Coaching: We teach you skills that minimize your body’s involuntary reaction to your tinnitus.
• Lifestyle changes: For example, the sound gets worse for some people when they drink caffeine or alcohol. Removing these can provide some relief.
Often, the sweet spot is a combination of things from the above list. Everyone’s relationship with their tinnitus is unique, so each treatment plan is, too.
Dr. Izzy and his Staff are always here to listen to your hearing care needs. Take charge of your hearing health — call us and give tinnitus stress the boot! Please feel free to contact our office at 732-451-3962 or visit our website at gardenstatehearing.com.
WE HEAR YOU & WE ARE HERE For YOU!
River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-451-3962 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!
JACKSON – Join on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for ceramics. The instructor is here from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by and check it out! If you would like to
register for ceramics or any of their other wonderful activities, call the Jackson Senior Center at 732-928-2313 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.
By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.
If you’ve ever noticed a distinct scent following a meal containing asparagus, you’re not alone. Asparagus contains a unique sulfur-containing compound known as asparagusic acid. When we consume asparagus, our bodies metabolize asparagusic acid into various volatile sulfur compounds, including methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl sulfone. These compounds are notorious for their strong odors, often compared to rotten eggs or skunks. Remarkably, these substances can appear in our urine as quickly as 15 to 30 minutes after eating asparagus, leading to the characteristic smell that many people have observed.
Interestingly, not everyone experiences this post-asparagus odor in the same way. There’s a genetic twist. Research indicates that while a majority of people produce these sulfur compounds after consuming asparagus, only about 50-60 percent of people can actually smell it, even though the odor is clearly there.
This discrepancy boils down to genetics, specifically variations in olfactory receptor genes located on chromosome one. These genetic differences influence our ability to perceive certain sulfur-based odors, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “asparagus anosmia.” Essentially, some people make the odor but cannot smell it, while others can both produce and detect it.
This genetic variation explains why, after a shared meal of asparagus, some people might notice a strong urine odor, while others remain oblivious.
Are there non-producers of odorous urine? While the majority of research suggests that most people metabolize asparagusic acid into
odorous compounds, there is a small subset (perhaps 5 percent of the population) that don’t produce these metabolites at all. The reasons for this are not entirely clear but may involve differences in digestive absorption or metabolic pathways that minimize the release of volatile sulfur-containing products.
Asparagus isn’t the only food known to affect urine odor. Certain foods and medications can impart distinct scents to urine. For example, consuming beets can lead to beeturia, where urine turns pink or red (but there’s no odor). Similarly, foods like coffee and fish, as well as medications such as certain antibiotics and vitamins, can alter the smell of urine. These changes are typically harmless and temporary.
Beyond its effect on urine odor, asparagus is a nutrient-rich vegetable offering numerous health benefits. It’s a good source of vitamins and fiber. Its diuretic properties can aid in flushing out excess fluids and salts, supporting kidney health. Therefore, the transient change in urine odor should not deter individuals from including this healthy vegetable in their diet.
Some supplements contain sulfur or act as sulfur donors, and you may be wondering about those. Things like NAC (N-Acetylcysteine), Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) or L-Cysteine are widely sold for various issues including joint pain. They will not cause you to make asparagus pee.
Experiencing a change in urine odor after consuming asparagus is generally harmless and does not indicate any underlying health issue. If you’re interested in a deeper dive into this topic, I’ve written a longer, more comprehensive blog on my website at suzycohen.com.
(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2025 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.
GEORGE S. HASSLER, 83, of Jackson Township, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at CentraState Medical Center, in Freehold Township. George was born in Bridgeton, NJ and resided in Lindenwold, NJ before enlisting in the United States Air Force for which he served 6 years, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. George received the Good Conduct Medal twice, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon during the Vietnam War era. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Airman First Class.
After graduating from Ocean County Community College, he received his diploma in Funeral Service from The American Academy McAllister Institute, Inc., New York City in 1975. In the same year, he was licensed by the NJ State Board of Mortuary Science as a Practitioner of Mortuary Science.
George, along with his late wife, Arlene, established the George S. Hassler Funeral Home in 1978. Over the next 47 years, the funeral home flourished and has provided personal service to this day, with his son Brian and his granddaughter Jill, the second and third generations.
the Jackson Veterans Memorial Garden, Jackson Twp. First Aid and Rescue Squad, the Jackson Twp. Volunteer Fire Companies, the Jackson Food Pantry, the Holbrook Little League, the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and H.A.P.PI.N., just to name a few. George was inducted in 2015 into the Jackson Memorial High School Alumni Hall of Fame. In addition, he was a parishioner, former usher, and served as a trustee of St. Aloysius R.C. Church in Jackson Twp. where he also served as President of the Holy Name Society from 1984-1986.
George went to the office every day until 6 months ago. Whether he was answering the telephone or listening to Elvis records, he was always found sitting at his desk. George was a proud and humble man, strong-willed and even stubborn at times, but he had a huge heart. His generosity knew no bounds. Through his sickness, he carried himself with strength and dignity. When he wasn’t working, he could be found relaxing at his home on LBI, watching the water through his binoculars. He especially loved spending time on LBI with his two favorite girls, Kate and Jill. George was not only a man of many accomplishments, he was also a man of many baseball caps, donning the caps of the schools of his granddaughters.
George was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Fliers, and Sixers. He also enjoyed watching the Philadelphia news stations and keeping up on current events, both locally and nationally. He was extremely proud of his family’s accomplishments, especially his granddaughters, who have received Master’s degrees in their respective career fields. But most of all, George was a loyal family-man, an accomplished professional, a proud veteran, and an all-around good guy. He will be missed tremendously but never forgotten.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #6201, Jackson Township Chamber of Commerce, former President of the Jackson Rotary Club where he was also a Paul Harris Fellow, the American Legion Post 504, the National Funeral Directors Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, and the Monmouth-Ocean County Funeral Directors Association. Over the years, George was humbled with gratitude from numerous organizations for his support of their causes; such as the American Legion Post 504, the V.F.W. Post 4703, the Disabled American Veterans, the Knights of Columbus Annual Charity Golf Tournament, the Jackson Twp. PBA Local 168,
JACKSON – Jackson Township and the NJ Clean Communities are having their Spring Clean-Up on May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine).
Rest in Peace, good and faithful servant. George is predeceased by his loving wife, Arlene, who passed in 2017. He is survived by his devoted son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Michelle Hassler; his cherished granddaughters, Kaitlyn Hassler and her fiancé Jesse Russo, and Jillian Hassler; his sisters Patricia Phelan and Dr. Barbara Phelan and her wife Dr. Carol Reed; and his numerous extended family members, colleagues, and friends.
Contributions may be made in memory of George and Arlene to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson Twp. NJ 08527 and to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280 Washington D.C. 22077-7491.
Open to Jackson based nonprofit organizations. Organizations will receive a $500 mini-grant. Space is limited to the first 30 registered organizations.
Any interested groups can pick up application packets at the Department of Public Works, located on 10 Don Connor Boulevard. For more information or a registration package, please email sbolinsky@jacksontwpnj. net or call 732-928-1200 ext. 1245.
By: Michael J. Deem, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates
Question: Can I appoint more than one person to be my Health Care Representative under my Living Will?
Answer: No. New Jersey law only allows the appointment of one Health Care Representative at a time. You cannot appoint co-health care representatives. However, you can name someone as your alternate Health Care Representative if the first person named cannot act. For example, you could name your spouse to be your Health Care Representative and then one of your children to act as an alternate Health Care Representative if your spouse is unable to carry-out his/her duties as your Health Care Representative.
Question: Where should I keep my Living Will?
Answer: You should keep your Living Will someplace in your house where it is readily accessible to your family. I do not recommend keeping a Living Will in a safe deposit box at a bank or in a locked safe in your house. Generally, banks are closed on nights and weekends, and it will not be easily accessible in the event that your family needs to use it at one of those times. If it is locked in a safe in your house, does your family have the combination to the safe? I usually recommend you keep your Living Will someplace in your house that is readily accessible by your family. You should let your family know that you have a Living Will and where it can be found in case of an emergency.
Question: Does preparing and signing a Living Will take away my right to make my own health care decisions?
Answer: No. A Living Will only goes into effect when two doctors, one of which is your primary care physician, state in writing that you are incapable of making competent decisions regarding your health care. During the time that you are competent to make health care decisions, you, and only you, can make those decisions regardless of what is stated in your living will.
Question: If I move to New Jersey from another state, should I have a new Living Will created in New Jersey?
I recommend that you prepare a new Living Will whenever you move from one state to another. The laws of each State may differ because there is no nationwide living will statute. The cost of preparing a living will is generally between $300-400. The cost of having a Living Will that is not accepted by the state in which you are now residing could result in the need for a medical guardianship proceeding which could run into the thousands of dollars. To me, it is always better to prepare a new set of estate planning documents when relocating from another state rather than to run the risk that your existing documents may not be accepted in the state in which you now reside.
PLUMSTED – Ever marvel at the workmanship in a smooth, finely shaped decorative or functional wooden item? Watch an artisan in action and see finished works of skilled lathe crafters during the Atlantic Shore Woodturners’ demonstration at the Ocean County Library Plumsted Branch, 6:30 p.m. on April 14.
Join us for discourse about this specialized mixture of art and craft by a member of the Howell Township-based group, followed by a live lathe demonstration. You will also have a chance to see an assortment of attractive items that they have created. Atlantic Shore Woodturners are experienced artisans of all ages, genders and skill levels who use lathes to turn fallen trees into distinctive items. The club has grown from a handful of local woodcrafters in the 1980s to about 90 members today, locally
and from various parts of the U.S. Club members appeared in Stephanie Faughnan’s 2024 profile published in The Howell Times. The group’s turning center features six lathes on which members provide demonstrations for visitors, teach techniques, and learn from each other.
ASWT sponsors “turn and learn” sessions for children and adults and a Women in Turning group, contributes to the Beads of Courage organization that supports childhood cancer patients, and donates dozens of wig stands each year to the Princeton Breast Cancer Resource Center. Register at tinyurl.com/OclNJASW to attend this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Plumsted Branch, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, or call 609758-7888. See the full schedule of Library programs in the online Calendar of Events.
By Renee A. Thomaier Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
This insect is an enchanting symbol of the arrival of summer in North America, and is also found in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. Wherever there is standing water, you can expect to find the firefly, commonly referred to as lightning bug. Although their name suggests they belong to the same family as flies, they are considered soft-bodied winged beetles.
The firefly’s ability to create light comes from an enzyme inside their abdomen and tail area. When combined with calcium,
oxygen and adenosine triphosphate (the universal energy source for all living organisms), light is created. They possess a ‘glow organ’ controlled by the firefly through its muscles – they don’t have lungs.
There are more than 2000 species with 170 of them documented in the U.S. and Canada alone. In the U.S., most can be found in the wet environments of the East Coast. The West Coast is also home to fireflies; however, they do not light up. Their lights are used to communicate between males and females for mating, as well as alerting each other of the presence of predators, such as birds, bats, spiders, and frogs. Since their blood contains
a bitter tasting steroid, most predators learn to avoid them.
They feed on live snails, worms, and slugs. As they age, they enjoy pollen and nectar or eat nothing at all having consumed adequate nutrients as larvae, lasting them throughout their adult lives. Fireflies can live up to one year, during which time they can fly and lay eggs for two months.
You may have noticed that fireflies are disappearing. Pesticide use, habitat destruction, and light pollution (being the greatest threat) where outdoor lights lead to less reproduction. Researchers suggest their numbers are declining. How can we help? Turn off
outdoor lights, avoid pesticides, plant native trees like pine, creating a dimmer canopy where fireflies begin their light shows earlier, and store areas of leaves where larvae can be deposited. Create sections of tall grass upon which fireflies can rest.
I gathered the information for this article from multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732244-2768.
It’s illegal to possess, relocate, or cause harm to wildlife for any reason. Managing wildlife without the proper state/federal permits is illegal. Violating laws protecting wildlife is punishable by law.
Big Storage Containers For Rent - Clean, Dry, Secure. Toms River, Lacey, Bayville, Manahawkin, Tuckerton, New Gretna locations. 609-693-1631. (18)
Wanted: Women who got tattooed after 55. Sorry? Still like it? I'm writing about older women's tattoos and want to hear from you. Call or text Jane, 732-503-8854. (17)
$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$
Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, bric-a-brac, select china and crystal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732849-6068 (new number). (t/n)
COSTUME/ESTATE JEWELRY
Looking to buy costume/estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n)
I Buy Records - Cash paid, we answer the phone. Call Eddie at 732-829-5908. Records 33/45. Walt buys comics, toys & collectibles. Call 908-278-3782. (11)
CASH, CASH, CASH! - Instant cash paid for junk cars, trucks, vans. Free removal of any metal items. Discount towing. Call Dano 732-239-3949. (t/n)
Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, wardrobes, secretaries, pre-1950 wooden furniture, older glassware, oriental rugs, paintings, bronzes, silver, bric-a-brac. Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n)
Used Guns Wanted - All types: collectibles, military, etc. Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)
Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713. (t/n)
Magnolia Gardens Assisted Living is hiring a full and part time Dietary Aides If interested, please email resume to HR@magnoliaal.com or call us at 732-557-6500. You can also visit us in person at 1935 Route 9 Toms River 08755. (17)
Magnolia Gardens Assisted Living is hiring a fullcook. If interested, please email resume to HR@magnoliaal.com or call us at 732-557-6500. You can also visit us in person at 1935 Route 9 Toms River 08755. (17)
Certified Home Health Aides - Needed for Ocean County area. Hourly and live-in positions avail. P/T and F/T. Call CCC at 732-206-1047. (t/n)
Laundromat Attendant - For FT/ PT Good communication skills, math and min computer knowledge. Transportation needed. Long term commitment only. 732-286-1863. (t/n)
Gardeners Wanted – Work independently - garden maintenance, plant care, seasonal planting. Small gardens. Experi-enced or will train. Great business opportunity! Learn and grow. Call Joseph 732-232-8144. (12)
Handyman Solutions - Affordable prices that are budget friendly. All phases of Home Improvement and Repairs. Carpentry • Laminate Flooring • Painting • Drywall • Doors • Windows • Siding • Hand and Vinyl Railings • Decks • Minor Plumbing/Electrical and more. Licensed Insured. 609-384-9030 (50)
Experienced, Reliable - Private duty (no agency fees) Caregiver/Home Health aide available for live-in, or hourly position South Jersey, Jersey Shore area. Call Nina at 732-8676686. (15)
PAINTING By Neat And Meticulous European Craftsman - who will beat any written estimate. Senior discounts. Interior, exterior. Call 732506-7787, cell 646-643-7678. (t/n)
Affordable Landscaping - Spring Cleanups, Complete lawn maintenance, Sod & seed lawns, Shrubs & tree pruning, Topsoil & mulch and much more. 640-999-0072. (19)
INCOME TAX ACCOUNTANTSPersonal and small business tax returns.Over 30 years experience. Reasonable fees. Mention this ad and get $20 off. Call for appointment. 732-270-6505. (16)
Car Service - 24/7. Doctors, shopping, airports, hospitals, cruise, shops, Atlantic City, family functions, NYC accomodations for large groups. Call for reasonable rates. Kerry 732-606-2725. (42)
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-833-901-0309 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. (t/n)
Garden State Property Maintenance - All yard work. Tree-trimming and removal, stump grinding, pavers, decks, flower beds, weeding. 609-661-5470. (t/n)
CAR SERVICE - Specializing in Newark and Atlantic City Airports, Point Pleasant and Bay Head Train Station. Call Kevin 727-396-7820. (8)
International Folk Dance Teacher Available - Beginners classes for adults/youngsters. Also chair-dance for seniors or developmentally disabled. Text 929-465-9773 for info. (7)
THE RIDE GUY - Takes you anywhere! No limits. Comfy mini-van. References. Call Charlie 732-216-3176 or Email: cr@exit109.com. Let's Go! (t/n)
Mercuro & Sons - Handyman Service General Contracting. License #13VH03469200. 732-674-3346. (18)
Monmouth & Ocean MOBILE NOTARY - I come to you. Text or email for rates and availabilty 732-887-6408, Rhansen0114@gmail.com. (13)
PQ Painting & Home Improvement Services - Over 5 decades of service in NJ. Visit us online at pqpaintingservice.com. Winner of Angie’s List Super Service Award. Free estimates, reasonable rates, fully licensed and insured NJ Lic #13VH06752800. Call 732500-3063 or 609-356-2444. (t/n)
Since 1979, Kitchen Magic, a family-owned business offering cabinet refacing, new cabinetry, and luxury countertop throughout the Northeast. We transform kitchens in less time, with less stress, at an amazing value. Call today for a free estimate 1-844-367-2477. (t/n)
DIRECTV - All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/ mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-877-557-1213 (t/n)
APlus Home Improvements - Over 30 years experience. Everything from small handyman tasks to large renovations. Fully insured and licensed. Seniors 10% off any job $500 or more. Lic #13VH11453600. No job too small give us a call. 908-278-1322. (7)
Learn To Play The - Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or drums, from a NJ State Certified Teacher of Instrumental Music, in your home! Call 732-3504427 for more information. (21)
Nor’easter Painting and Staining, LLC - Interior and exterior. Decks, powerwashing. Affordable. Senior discounts. References. No job too small. Fully insured. 732-691-0123. Lic #13VH09460600. (t/n)
Cleaning Service - Too tired or can't be bothered. Call Donna 732-3305916. Rentals, overturns, construction and residential. Insured and bonded. (9)
Caroline's Cleaning - Specializing in change-overs, offices, construction cleanup, shopping, doctor appointments and more. Call now for estimate 848-210-6213. (16)
A1 HANDYMAN SERVICESOver 30 years experience in all phases of home improvements. Free estimates and referrals. Call John 267475-7962 or 732-477-0379. (43)
DO YOU WANT YOUR CAR TO LOOK GOOD AND SHINE ? Call Lenny - Lenny's Mobile Auto Detailing 908-868-4609. (19)
"Stick With the Man That Covers Your Can! - Residential and Commercia Pump-outs FREE 1 year supply of enzyme treatment with each septic pump-out. Septic Inspections. Septic System Installations and All Repairs. Grease Traps installation and pump outs. Tank Abandonment and Demolition. 24 Hours Emergency Service! 732-244-0189. (5)
Classifieds are placed in all 7 of our weekly newspapers covering all of Ocean County, and also Howell in Monmouth County.
• M ail this form to: PO Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733. OR
• Go to jerseyshoreonline.com, click classifieds, fill out the form and pay by credit card. OR
• Fax this form to 732-657-7388 ATTN: ALI.
1. Below, circle the heading you would like your ad to appear under:
• Estate/Garage/Yard Sales
Auto For Sale
Items For Sale
Items Wanted
Services
For Rent
Other
2. Print clearly your ad as you want it to read. Include Phone # within ad below (counts as 1 word). Use separate sheet if necessary.
You are responsible for checking your ad the first time it runs and notifying us of any errors. If we make an error, we will correct it and rerun the ad. We will not be responsible for multiple insertions if you do not call us after the first ad run. No refunds for classified ads. Newspapers are available at our office. Please feel free to stop in and check your ad.
*In order to qualify for discounts, the same ad must run over the requested weeks.
4. Make check payable in advance to Micromedia Publications, or fill in Mastercard/Visa/American Express SORRY NO DISCOVER info below:
Cardholder Signature:
Print Name:
Billing Address:
For Classified Ads: 12pm Monday (For that Saturday’s publication) 3. 1 week* at $29.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 2 weeks* at $44.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 3 weeks* at $60.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 4 weeks* at $74.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $
If you have any questions, leave a message for Ali 732-657-7344, ext. 203.
resident
this amazing photo
Township. This was the site of the Ocean Gate Radio Transmitting Station. Look at that sky! Have a photo you would like to see in this space? Email photos@ jerseyshoreonline.com and you may win a prize!
JACKSON – Beef and Beer is back and better than ever! This year Jackson Township Vol. Fire Co #1 - Station 55 is teaming up with FMBA 86 for the 11th Annual Beef and Beer on May 3 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Beers will be provided by Icarus Beers
and catering will be from Shore Good Eats. Tickets are $50 for entry as well as all you can eat and drink. There will be a gift raffle, money wheel, and much more.
To purchase tickets, visit eventbrite. com/e/beef-and-beer-2025-tickets-1261774073219.
32 TV show about a high school choir
33 Cutlass automaker
34 Myths, legends, etc.
35 Informed of
*Bank form
Oz’s __ Wood
man
“Smell Ready” deodorant brand
Prepare to exit one’s car
Actress/inventor Lamarr
Like Hammett’s falcon
Jamaican music
In the thick of
“Let me run that errand”
Spoke like Daffy
*Surprise inheritance
At some prior time
Org. in Clancy novels
Support pieces above doors
“Star __ III: The Search for Spock”
China’s __ Kai-shek
__ v. Wade
“Justice League”
Gadot
With “on,” not strong, as an argument
and what might cause the ends of answers to starred clues?
ER fluid hookups
Allow to fluctuate,
Flap for a mic
“My bad”
environ
Paper factory
Troop groups
Get-up-and-go
Name, as sources
“Metamorphoses” poet 13 Part of a Wall St. address
One with confidential info
Thirty after the hour
24 Dated stereo component
26 Josh
28 Credit card motion
29 __ for tat
31 Milk, in Marseille
36 Ella’s improv style
38 Like stored Russian dolls 41 Blistex target 44 Bi- plus one
Extended period of time 49 Vampire vanquisher
Partner of pains 53 Spew lava and ash 54 Introvert 55 Everglades plant 56 “The workweek’s almost over!” 57 Glowing review 58 Above all __: more than anything 60 Slugger Aaron
Swedish furniture chain 64 Sign of a sellout
Musician Yoko
ARIES (March 21-April 19): It’s not about winning or losing but how you play the game. If your current goal seems unattainable, there might be an opportunity to regroup and redefine more realistic objectives. Face the fact that being more organized may be a necessity.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep relevant communication open and honest with others in your orbit. Express your desires clearly, as no one can fulfill them unless they know what they are. Today might be ideal for finalizing contracts or setting sound goals for the future.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It may seem like a day to take it easy, but if you do so you could miss out on an opportunity worth investigating. Do your best to stay engaged in both personal and professional spheres. You might discover something valuable that could improve your life.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Your initiative and willpower could give you a distinct advantage. Although it might be wise to wait before starting something new, you may possess the energy needed to promote efficiency and handle challenging tasks as they arise.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Even if someone makes an error, consider showing leniency and compassion as such kindness may be reciprocated. Tapping into creative energy could promote relaxation and power moves.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The long and winding road to your door may also be your path to success. A close friend or advisor or someone who visits your home might share a key component to realizing your dreams. Listen closely and you may learn something of value.
FOR THE WEEK OF MAR 29 - APR 4 BY
JERALDINE SAUNDERS
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You never know when today’s kindness might come back to you. People who succeed know there’s always an element of serendipity or pure luck in what they’ve achieved. Someone may owe you a huge favor when it matters most.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Compassionate discourse could steer any changes you hope to make in a gentler direction, perhaps making it feel like you’re finally making progress. Focus your energy on achieving long-term visions rather than immediate gains.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be grateful for being uniquely you. Waiting a few days to collaborate with others in a group could result in mutual gain. There might be power struggles that you need to address early in the week. You may exude confidence in your interactions.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You may consider trying something new such as a hairstyle, routine, or meeting fascinating people to break free from mental constraints. While you forge forward, be aware that others might be inspired by you.
Maintain politeness and consideration.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Being nice is a choice that everyone can decide to make. Don’t save up your gratitude for the big-ticket items, consider new ways to show how much you appreciate the little things too. Be sincere and express what they mean to you in the moment.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Personal affairs and getting your environment organized may be at the forefront today. Attend to your loved ones’ needs, and you might find your efforts appreciated. Share your attention, love, wisdom, and guidance where it’s most needed.
By America’s Test Kitchen
Almost everyone isfamiliar with the classic back-ofthe-box recipe for these treats, with their ideal ratio of melted marshmallows and butter to crackly cereal for a bar with the sweet and sticky chew. While they’re certainly delicious in theiroriginal incarnation, the potential for enticing mix-ins abounds, as in this loaded-up, sweet-and-salty example (and its variation). Forthick, substantial squares to really sink your teeth into, pat the mixture into an 8-inch square pan instead of the usual 13-by-9-inch pan. The foil sling lets you remove the uncut treats from the dish with ease, and greasing the knife you use to slice the bars will ensure that you produce neat-looking treats.
While these treats are certainly delicious in their original incarnation, the potential for enticing mix-ins abounds.
CREDIT: (Steve Klise/TCA).
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1. Make a foil sling for an 8-inch square baking pan by folding two long sheets of aluminum foil so each is 8 inches wide. Lay sheets of foil in pan, perpendicular to one another, with extra foil hanging over the edges of the pan. Push foil into corners and up sides of pan, smoothing foil flush to pan. Spray with vegetable oil spray.
Makes 16 treats
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 ounces (283 grams) marshmallows
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon table salt
5 cups (5 ounces/142 grams) crisped rice cereal
1 cup pretzels, broken into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts 1/2 cup toffee bits
2. Melt butter in Dutch oven over low heat. Add marshmallows, vanilla and salt; cook, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth, about 6 minutes. Off heat, stir in cereal, pretzels, peanuts, toffee bits, and chocolate chips until incorporated.
3. Transfer mixture to prepared pan and press into an even layerwith greased spatula. Let treats cool for15 minutes. Using foil overhang, remove treats from pan. Cut into 16 squares and serve.