Caregiver Canines Bring Joy To Retired Residents

By Judy Smestad-Nunn - March 6, 2010
Carl and Betty Richman were excitedly expecting their weekly visitor last Thursday, and Betty was waiting at the top of their Leisure Village West driveway to greet their guest, who was due momentarily.

All their guest had to do when she arrived was what came naturally: check out every nook and cranny of the Richman’s house; play a little tug-of-war with Carl; allow herself to get scratched behind the ears; and just be her adorable, playful self.

The guest, Malke, was a 14-month-old mix of Labrador retriever and Poodle (Labradoodle), a pet therapy dog and part of Caregiver Canines, a program that matches senior citizens with dogs and their handlers.

“This idea was an outgrowth of our Friendly Visits program,” said Lynette Whiteman, executive director of Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (CVCJ).

The non-profit interfaith organization provides free services to the frail and homebound elderly of Ocean County.

Friendly Visits are for seniors who do not drive, have outlived their family or who have neighbors that have gone into assisted living or moved away, she explained. Funded in part by 60 Ocean County churches and synagogues, the 1,000 volunteers help about 2,000 senior citizens remain independent and at home.

“Our volunteers drive the senior citizens to doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, the dentist or chemotherapy--anything medical,” Whiteman said. “That’s the biggest request.”

The second biggest request is for shopping for a senior. “The volunteer picks up their list and money...for insurance purposes, we don’t bring the seniors to the store,” she said.

“During some of the Friendly Visits, we noticed that a lot of seniors had dog photos around. We are an office of dog lovers, and up until then, pet therapy was mostly based in institutionalized settings,” she said. “So about six months ago, we decided to incorporate (pet therapy) into our program.”

The Caregiver Canines program has expanded, and recently therapy dogs have been brought into homes where there is an Alzheimer’s patient.

“There is such an amazing connection,” Whiteman said. “It taps into memories from when they were younger. It’s a win-win.”

“I have always loved dogs,” Carl Richman, 84, said while playing with Malke, “but I would get stuck with all the work,” he said. “You have to walk them all the time.”

When told he looks younger while playing with Malke, Carl quipped, “Well, I guess I’ll get a dog, then!” The Richman’s are in good health, but Carl uses a walker for balance problems.

“I miss everything about having a dog. You can talk to a dog. It makes me feel good. I pretty much forget my problems when I’m with a dog,” he said.

“I read an article about the pet therapy, and in two or three weeks, they found somebody,” Betty said. “The visits are a good diversion.”

The couple previously volunteered for CVCJ, and for a few years, they did the shopping for several local seniors.

“It’s come full circle for them,” Whiteman said. “It’s neighbors helping neighbors. About 75 percent of our volunteers come from religious organizations, and the other 25 percent from the general population.”
Most of the volunteers are either retired or are younger people bringing their children to set an example for community service, especially to the Friendly Visits, she said.

“We are swamped with phone calls for help - we try to accommodate everyone. We welcome anyone who can volunteer even just one day a month. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community. They’ll get more than they give, there’s no doubt about it,” Whiteman said.

If you would like to volunteer for the Caregiver Canines program, your dog must have the right temperament, should be outgoing and not show any aggressive tendencies towards people or other dogs. There is a six-week course available that teaches basic obedience to dogs, or the dog can just take the test if you think your dog already meets the criteria.

“It’s a nice thing to do with your dog, to share the love you have for your dog with others. It brings a lot of joy,” Whiteman said.

For more information about Caregiver Canines, or to become a CVCJ volunteer, call 732-505-2273.

Vo-Tech Students Showcase Talents In Cooking, Cosmetology And Other Skills

By Judy Smestad-Nunn - February 27, 2010
The Brick Center of Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) was bustling with activity last Saturday morning as the center played host to the SkillsUSA Competition.

Students from vocational and technical schools from across the state competed against each other in the annual competition using the skills of their trades for regional, state and national honors.

“In addition to the (SkillsUSA Competition), today is a district open house for OCVTS where the public can come in and observe the different programs,” said communications director Jean Sullivan.
This is the fourth year the competition has been held at the Brick school. Previously, the Lakehurst center hosted the event.

The six schools that comprise OCVTS competed on a regional level in 10 subjects on Saturday: automotive service technology, auto maintenance, basic construction, carpentry, residential wiring, cosmetology, computer programming, food service, culinary arts and architectural drafting.

The winners of the regional runoffs will compete against other regional winners from across NJ in state competitions on May 7-8 in Somerset at the Garden State Exhibit Center.

There were also four statewide competitions being held at the Brick center on Saturday in the areas of motorcycle service technology, photography (Web site design technology), marine service technology and power equipment technology.

Vice-principal of the Brick center and SkillsUSA coordinator John Biscardi said that the four statewide competitions were for the low-enrollment subjects.

“There are smaller amounts of students competing, usually about six or seven, and by having the competitions here today, it minimizes the space they need in May at the state competitions,” he explained.

There are 12 other smaller runoffs in the district to determine who is going to the state competition, he said.

John Fager, who teaches motorcycle service technology at the Jackson center, said that after the students take a written test, they move on to four stations.

“They work on motorcycles, and they’re being tested on engine measurements, electrical systems, wheel balancing and brake service,” he explained.

Brick center photography instructor Howard Ploenberg said that each school can send two students per category (secondary and post-secondary) to the state competitions, and there were 12 students competing there on Saturday.

“Today, they have a field assignment, where they go around and tell the story of the SkillsUSA activities today. Then, they have to create a poster from the shoot,” Ploenberg said.

The students also had to display their knowledge of studio disciplines by taking a studio portrait. The final component of the competition was an image troubleshooting station where competitors had to view images and identify the problems.

Ploenberg said that in his 14 years of teaching in Brick, 10 of his students have gone on to the national competition.

Jim Lowda ran the marine trades competition on Saturday, and he works as a recruiter for the district.
“Here, we have six stations: ignition testing, precision measuring of engine components, rebuilding a water pump and battery testing,” he said. “The students must demonstrate the mechanical repair of outboard and inboard motors, plus some fiberglass work.”

In the power equipment technology classroom, judges Gary Grasso and Casey Beers “bugged” 10 engines, and the students had to troubleshoot the problems.

“The motors are 3 horsepower Briggs and Stratton motors, the kind you would find on a power washer or a lawnmower,” Grasso explained. “We took a couple of parts out, or we loosen some components; they all have their issues. Through process of elimination, they have to find out why it doesn’t work.”
Students were being judged on their knowledge and understanding, he said.

“We would rather they blow up a motor here than for a customer. There’s also a little math involved, we want to know, how much would they charge for the repair?” Grasso said.

Students who participate in or win the national competitions receive tools or scholarships from sponsors such as Snap-On Tools, Kawasaki or Craftsman tools.

“When they finish the classes here, it’s a basic starting point,” Grasso said.

Jackson Turns An Eye Towards Noteworthy Young People

By Andrew Martins - February 20, 2010
As another heavy snowstorm barreled toward Jackson on February 9, the Jackson Township Council and Mayor Michael Reina held an abbreviated public meeting. While all but the most urgent ordinances were moved to February 23, time was taken to address the accomplishments of some of Jackson’s youths.

“There are some notable people here who need to be recognized,” said Reina as he held a stack of certificates. Flanked by Council President Michael Kafton, Reina called each awardee up to receive their award and to have the story of their achievements told to the Jackson community.

One person to receive accolades that night was Jackson Memorial High School sophomore Sara Hudak, who not only saved her Chocolate Labrador Mocha but also saved her house on Walter Drive when she discovered a fire and promptly called 911.

“I went into my house and saw all this smoke going up the steps,” said Hudak, recounting her arrival from school that day. “Mocha was at the door, shocked about what’s going on and I brought her out. I went around the back to check if anyone was downstairs; nobody was downstairs. When I looked into my kitchen window, that’s when I saw the flames.”

Sara’s father, Paul Hudak, said he received the call that his house was on fire from a neighbor, recalling that he thought at first it was a joke. “As soon as my neighbor told me that Sara kept trying to call me, that’s when I knew it was the real deal. I was told that if it had been 10 minutes later, the damage would have been more extensive.”

Sara’s actions raised interest in the Jackson Township Bureau of Fire Prevention in Fire District 2, prompting them to release a statement to Reina, personally recommending that she be “recognized for her acts of courage.”

Ava Tortorici, a fourth grader at Elms Elementary School, was also acknowledged that night. Tortorici was honored for being crowned Miss New Jersey 2009 in the 2009 National Miss American Coed’s Sweetheart Division.

Tortorici’s list of achievements didn’t stop there. In the last year, Tortorici has won 14 awards and was featured in the Supermodels Unlimited Magazine’s December 2009 issue as the Rising Star and Most Beautiful winner for that year.

What wowed those in attendance, however, was the amount of time Tortorici puts in for charity work. At 9 years old, Ava volunteers her time with CancerCare, an organization that helps provide free help for cancer patients, the Special Olympics, Clean Ocean Action and as an ambassador on World Ocean Day at Jenkinson’s Aquarium to help teach kids the importance of keeping local beaches and the ocean clean from litter.

“We are so proud of Ava,” said Ava’s mother, Mary St.Pierre-Tortorici. “She is a very loving daughter and an outstanding student. She is truly an exceptional child and has aspirations of becoming an anchor on the evening news like Katie Couric.”

The Jackson Memorial High School Band also received recognition at the meeting for their involvement in last year’s Thanksgiving dinner held by Jackson’s Recreation and Senior Services Department.
After the awards were handed out, Reina continued to praise the recipients. “My thanks to the young adults in our community. You can see what they are doing and it’s absolutely incredible.”

Jackson Elections May Once Again Be Moved

Once Moved From November To May, Elections Could Return To November

By Andrew Martins - February 13, 2010
Jackson Township has been no stranger to changes in government. The current non-partisan Mayor-Council form of government has only been around four years and a new law from Trenton could provide further changes for Jackson.

Assembly Bill 351, a bill that passed into law last month, gives any of the 86 municipalities in New Jersey currently using a non-partisan form of government the ability to change their election date from the second Tuesday in May to the first Tuesday of November when most general elections take place.
“Jackson Township has been a whirlpool of campaigns and elections,” said Mayor Michael Reina, who added that this upcoming election would be his third since 2008. “It’s not only taxing on the candidates, but [also] as far as keeping the public up to speed with what’s going on.”

In order to avoid empty seats in local government, the bill would extend the terms of the officials in office when the change is adopted until January 1 of the following year, when the winners of the November election would take their seat. The bill says that once the election date changes to November, it can’t be changed back to a May election until 10 years after the move is passed.

Fiscally, however, there’s another side to the bill.

The bill could save Jackson “approximately $42,000,” said Council Clerk Ann Marie Eden.
Ultimately, an ordinance must be voted on and passed for Assembly Bill 351 to make any impact on Jackson Township.

At the January 26 council meeting, Councilman Scott Martin and Council President Michael Kafton both voiced their opinions on the matter, speaking more so about the importance of the citizens of Jackson and their role in all of this.

“I believe that on a local election, it’s important that local politicians talk about the issues of their community. What happens in a November election with local politicians is that they don’t so much talk about the issues, as much as they jump on the backs of those at the higher levels (of government),” said Council President Kafton, citing the recent gubernatorial race between former Governor Jon Corzine (D) and Governor Chris Christie (R). “We’re the only game in town in May. You have one election going on and that’s the township.”

Martin disagreed. “I see this as a win-win situation for the people of Jackson,” said Councilman Martin. “I see this as a way of getting more people involved in the process and more people going to the polls.”

Residents Tell Congressman About Health Care, Social Security Woes

By Chris Lundy - February 6, 2010
It wasn’t changes in health care and other issues that brought questions during a town hall meeting with a congressman, it was the lack of changes.

A group of more than 100 residents of nearby towns, a majority of them seniors, attended the town hall-style meeting at the Berkeley Municipal Building last monthheld by Rep. John Adler (D-3rd).
Jackson Township is represented by Congressman Chris Smith (R-4th).

Those who spoke to Adler described trying to survive when their health bills go up and their Social Security doesn’t.

Celia Frederick, Berkeley, said she fell between the cracks of the health care system after she turned 60. She went through several options, including finding a full-time job just for the benefits. She pays $42 a month now.

“It’s insult to injury,” she said.

Ed Dickerson, Ocean Gate, questioned how the head of a pharmaceutical company can get a $1 billion buyout “while people are struggling with their co-pays.”

Councilwoman Judy Noonan said that she has heard doctors tell patients to get treatments now because there won’t be Medicare payments around later.

Toms River resident Bob Shehata said he had to drop his health insurance when he couldn’t afford it any longer. Then when a bill comes around to reform health care, it becomes a political issue rather than a people issue.

“The Republicans fight the Democrats, the Democrats fight the Republicans. And we’re the ones who suffer,” he said.

Adler said he voted no on the health reform bill because there was no cost savings.
“We need health care reform, but it has to make sense,” he said, describing the bill as 2,000 pages with nothing in it.

One real change that is needed is a restraint on lawsuits to keep doctors’ liability insurance in check, he said.

Social Security, and the lack of an increase in the cost of living adjustment, was another issue.
Nick Sasso, Toms River, asked why someone can’t stop the government from “raping” the Social Security fund, and why no one has paid any money back into it.

Adler said that the government should be cutting back on spending the way most families have, but it’s not. He also said that there needs to be alternatives to dipping into Social Security.

He said he introduced a bill that would provide $250 to people living on Social Security, Veterans Disability Benefits and other federal retirement programs. It’s not enough, he admitted, but it’s a small step.

Michael Adler of Bayville, who is unrelated to the congressman, said the recent 10 percent unemployment figure is faulty because it doesn’t count “the people who have given up and the people who have used up their unemployment.”

Despite the emotional topics, the crowd was very polite airing their grievances. Many of the questions had an air of helplessness about them.

Carol Milin, for instance, noted how overwhelming the process of trying to get a law passed is. “You go to vote on a bill, and then they add 350 pages on it.”

Adler, who at one point referred to the Senate as “dysfunctional,” said that bills should be smaller so the average person can read them.

After the meeting, Joseph R. Rullo, who is running against Adler this year, said, “John is an old friend. And I respect him.” However, members of Congress should get the same health care that veterans and seniors have, he said.

Jackson Voters Say No

All Four School Questions Rejected In Special Election

By Eric San Juan - January 30, 2010
Jackson voters wanted no part of four referendums put to the polls on Tuesday, rejecting all four spending measures proposed by the Jackson Township School District.

If approved, the four questions would have put in place solar panels that were expected to generate nearly $350,000 in annual revenue once they were paid off in five years; introduced security and technology upgrades at Jackson Memorial High School; installed air conditioning at Jackson Memorial, the only school in the district to not have airconditioning; and installed irrigation systems at Jackson Liberty High School.

All four questions were rejected by significant margins.

“We are obviously disappointed that the referendum was not successful,” said Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella. “At this point, we are looking forward to reaching out to Jackson residents to discover how we can better understand them, how we can better communicate with them and how we can better serve them.”

The first question, a $7 million solar panel project (more than half of that covered by the state and another $1.5 coming from the BPU), was shot down by about 600 votes, and a 55 percent to 44 percent margin total.

It was one of three solar panel referendums in the state on Tuesday. Jackson was one of two districts to reject the measure.

The second question, which would have provided security cameras, a monitoring station, new computers and other technology at Jackson Memorial, along with general improvements and repairs to the building, would have cost about $12 million, with about $4.7 million coming from the state.
Voters said no by some 1,000 votes and a 19-point margin.

Costing $6.7 million, with $2.6 million being offset by state aid, the third question would have provided air conditioning to those in Jackson Memorial High School.

Voters thought otherwise, casting 2,992 votes against next to 2,148 in favor, or 58 to 41 percent.
The final question would have spent $3.8 million, with $1.5 million in state aid expected, to bring irrigation to Jackson Liberty. The measure was intended to address a new interpretation of State Department of Environmental Protection guidelines that will prevent the district from drilling new wells to keep the fields irrigated.

By an overwhelming, 3-to-1 margin, the largest of the election, voters rejected this question.
District officials have not yet announced whether they will revisit and revise the plans, and if so, when.