LAKEWOOD–Looking for something to do this weekend for dad on Father’s Day? The Ocean Signal has some exciting ideas including breakfast, dinner and a cruise along the historic Toms River waterfront.

Roselli announced his retirement earlier this year, citing medical issues after suffering from a heart attack.

President of the Board of Education Ben Giovine states, “The Board is confident that the appointment of Mr. Gialanella and Dr. Gaffney to the respective positions of interim superintendent and interim assistant superintendent will provide our school district with a positive and productive transition pending the selection of our new superintendent and assistant superintendent later in the calendar year.”

Tom Gialanella has been the superintendent of the Jackson School District for 11 years.

According to a release from the Toms River School District, during his tenure in Jackson he oversaw the opening of the district’s second high school, Jackson Liberty High School and a new elementary school, the redistricting of attendance boundaries for the opening of those schools, the implementation of multiple technology projects geared toward advancing student achievement and multiple facility renovations to the district’s aging infrastructure.

Gialanella was earning $209,183 as Jackson’s superintendent.  He announced his retirement in July of 2012.  If Gialanella had renewed his contract with the Jackson School District, he would have been forced to take a pay cut of nearly $35,000 per year due to a New Jersey state law that caps school superintendent salaries at $175,000 per year for a school district the size of Jackson, which educates approximately 9,000 students.

“Even though this opportunity to serve as interim superintendent for the Toms River Regional district came up sooner than I expected, I felt it was too perfect to pass up,” Gialanella said.

The Toms River School District did not release any financial information regarding Gialanella’s new position, stating only that it is “to be determined”.

Prior to his career in Jackson, Gialanella served for 29 years in the Brick Township School District. He began as a social studies teacher for eight years before becoming a guidance counselor there in 1981. In 1990 he was promoted to assistant principal at Brick Township High School and became the district director of guidance in 1992. In 1994 he was named assistant superintendent and served in that position for eight years, overseeing several areas including the district’s aggressive building plan. During his entire 29-year career in Brick, he was also the director of guidance, assistant principal at Brick Township High School, guidance counselor and social studies teacher.

Frank Roselli states, “I am very pleased that the Board of Education has chosen experienced and talented educators to lead the district as we search for a new superintendent.  These appointments will give the search committee the time it needs to recommend quality candidates.  I can retire knowing the district is in good hands.”

Gialanella will be replaced in Jackson by current Assistant Superintendent Lu Anne Meinders.   Meinders will earn $169,000 as superintendent, for a cost savings of $40,000 to the district.

Gialanella will serve as the second superintendent for the Toms River School District since the arrest of longtime superintendent Michael Ritacco was arrested on various corruption charges in 2010.

TOMS RIVER – One hundred twenty-four students from the Ocean County College Nursing Class received their nursing pins at the Annual Nurses Pinning Ceremony on Tuesday, May 21st at in the Arts & Community Center Theatre at the OCC Main Campus in Toms River.

During the ceremony, special awards in Nursing were presented. The following Nursing graduates received awards:

• St. Barnabas Behavioral Health Award – Recipient: Kateri Norton (Howell)
• Community Medical Center Awards – Recipients: Kimberly Coleman (Forked River) and Alexa Rae Yabut (Manahawkin)
• New Jersey League for Nursing Award – Recipient: Lizbeth Santibanez (Brick)

The graduates completed the two-year course of study leading to an associate degree in applied science in nursing. Sixty-one students completed the degree requirements this May and 63 students completed the degree requirements last December. The Ocean County College nursing graduates from Ocean County include:

Barnegat: Michele Guido, Erin Little, Laura-Beth McKeown, and Donna Pierce, Jessica Hernandez and Jennifer Severin; Bayville: Lori Stewart; Beachwood: Jeffrey Huntley and April Fischer; Brick: Augusto Cespedes, Elizabeth Gannon, Lindsay Goretski, Valerie Klim, Lisa Romanow, Laura Rudorfer, Anthony Scrofine, Lynn Tedeschi, Wendy Westphal , Danielle Ann Bagley, Samantha Bernard, Maxine Hall, Jennifer Katzmann, Amy Keefe, Karl Rex, Lizbeth Santibanez, and Jaclyn Yanovsky; Forked River: William LaBruna , Danielle Androcy, Jennifer Christ, Kimberly Coleman, and Lisa Hatrak; Island Heights: Rebecca Constantine; Jackson: Druclair Flynn, Jennifer Hruschka, Caryn Keeley, Laura Spata, and Jessyca Thompson, Veronica Busch, Jason Byrne, Stephanie Christen, Aurora Cleary, Susan Fuchs, Kristie Goelz, and Ashley Siegle; Lakewood: Sashalee Coke, Chaya Freedman, Ann Friedman, Pesha Konovitch, and Shulamit Navaro, Batsheva Eisen, Stephan Gymnich, Fraidy Karmel, and John Keene; Lanoka Harbor: Christy Neill (McDonald); Little Egg Harbor: Ashley Acierno , Melissa Evans and Kathleen Friedlander; Manahawkin: Andrea Cline, Robyn Gray, Caitlin Michels, Liana Schmidt, and Dena Smith, Frances Farnung, Renee Petitt, Suzann Thoman, and Alexa Rae Yabut; Manchester: Kim Hart and Amanda Peterson; Point Pleasant: JoAnna Fabiano and Christopher Griffin, Christina Devito and Tara Rostron-Lorenz; Toms River: Mark Amiscosa, Christine Coltenback, Jadwiga Corapi, Jonathan Dacpano, Amanda Erli, Margaret Myhre, Karolina Piwnica, Darlene Rodriquez, Jennifer Rosa, Nicole VanHouten, Mary Albuquerque, Stacy Calicchio, Linda Cioppa, Elizabeth Cogan, Maria Ditommaso, Fernan Dungca, Salwa Elbyadi, Denise Gillman, Sabina Gjonbalaj, Patrick Hurler, Irving Lukas, Brittany McCabe, Donna McCurdy, Jennifer Muraglia, Melissa Naphier, Daniel Ostie, JohnPaul Tinio, Colleen Tompkins, and Erin Wiggins; Tuckerton: Valerie Mills , Katharyn Gunn; Waretown: Jacqueline Keen; West Creek: Patrick Topping and Sybil Schriever; Whiting: Cathy Ippolito.

by Frank Cipriani

I was enjoying a little online chat with my editor when he informed me that he had to go mow his lawn. He left the chat before I could warn him of the consequences of this antiquated and barbaric practice.

Turns out, that lawns were invented in France, the nation that brought us smelly cheese and creeping socialism, and so many other un-American practices, like atheism and dudes in tights. Lawns were invented so that, from a distance, castle keepers could see that enemies were approaching. In the mid-nineteenth century, Americans wanted to imitate the Frenchified landscaping which had, by then, taken hold in Scotland and England. The wet climate and more northerly latitudes made lawns a more organic choice in Europe than they were in the United States.

I’ve been reading the dire news from Europe about how the world economies are going south and how, because we are no longer independent of the global vicissitudes of the marketplace, we may experience a renewed economic crash, just like we did at the end of the Bush presidency. If we do, it will be thanks to our dependence on the Europeans, the same people who brought lawns (and smallpox) to North America.

And this time, there will be no bailout.

In other bad news, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts an above-active hurricane season. Not to say the sky is falling, but if it’s going to fall, it turns out the worst thing you could do is mow your lawn.

What does this mean for us here along the river? Will it mean empty grocery shelves, or more long lines for gas? Will it mean that we won’t be able to send our children to college or enjoy our retirement? Will I have to drive four hours north (again) to watch “Breaking Amish?”

I don’t think it will be quite as bad as all that, especially for those of us who practice “liberty gardening.”

Therefore, I humbly suggest that each and every one of you tear out your lawns.

Think about it – grass is useless. Lawn maintenance costs money and gives nothing in return but a boring monoculture of endless steppe and greenery which demands mowing, fertilizing and watering, reducing us all to meaningless serfdom when we could be inside inventing a new form of math, or some alternate form of energy, or even publishing a newspaper. Heartier plants seed themselves in this chemical-rich environment, and the homeowner is forced to counter with even stronger chemicals. More than 60 percent of all these chemicals never reach the roots of the grass, and instead are washed into Barnegat Bay, where they contribute to the rise of jellyfish populations and algae blooms and force a die-off of fish and shellfish in the bay and ocean.

Grass, it turns out, has two different processes by which to propagate. It can be seeded, or it can reproduce by runner. Most homeowners are restricted by law from propagating their grass by seed, although this is the best method by which to maintain a thick, drought-resistant lawn. This is why most lawns propagate through underground runners. In some areas, where the soil is clay and has poor drainage, allowing grasses to go to seed is a bad idea, but in our area, which is mostly sand, local varieties of turfgrass (not hybrids) can be bred to survive our specific conditions of blistering summers, periods of drought, and wet springs and autumns. The truth is, most of the turfgrass and perennial lawn grasses we grow here in Ocean County could not survive without continued care and mowing, an absurd waste of water, and accompanied by environmentally unfriendly blasts of chemicals.

So even if you insist on growing a lawn, you really shouldn’t mow it until after it has gone to seed. This way, at least, you’re reseeding with turfgrass which is best adapted to survive you very particular little biome. If you do decide to let your grass go to seed, you can do it in patches, allowing the part of your lawn with the worst conditions for growth to complete its life cycle. This assures that any grass that does manage to survive is the heartiest grass for your particular lawn. Then, cut it gradually, collect the seeds and scatter them throughout the rest of your lawn. The best times to do this are in the spring and fall.

Personally, I hate lawns, and have grown useful edible plants instead, much to the chagrin of my neighbors. This includes wild edibles like Evening Primrose, which I harvest in the spring and freeze. Milkweed, another wild edible, attracts butterflies, and can be eaten as a potherb. Its unopened flower buds can be cooked in two changes of water and served like broccoli, and the pods it produces can be pickled. I also allow mullein to grow in my yard. The tea helps relieve my asthma. This summer, I will be writing a series of articles dealing with these wonderful “volunteers” which demand so little and give back so much – these are the plants that can feed your family in economically challenging times.

So by the time the next disaster comes, be it environmental or economic, you’ll be able to stroll out into your yard and gather some useful plants that come to you, free of charge, and pretty much maintenance free as well. While those McMansion high-falutin’ neighbors of yours struggle to fill the pantry, you’ll be sitting pretty. See, grass isn’t good eating, so unless your neighbor happens to be a cow, when the next disaster that hits, you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood.

The next time you’re summoned to mow the lawn, just show this article to your well-meaning loved one or neighbor. Just say “no” to lawn mowing.  You’re not being lazy. You’re an American, baby, a Jersey Shore American, doing your patriotic duty by letting those so-called “weeds” help you declare your independence. you’re saying “no” to Euro-culture, and socialism, and smelly cheese.

And if your sissified neighbors complain? Just tell them it isn’t an overgrown lawn, it’s a strategic alternative food reserve system, and they can come over and graze when disaster hits. Their eyes will tear with gratitude. And if they don’t? Well, the town usually gives you ten days to mow before they levy fines.

TOMS RIVER—Sections of Ortley Beach were opened to the public during Memorial Day weekend between 2nd and 5th avenues. The beaches will be open weekends only through June 22nd and township officials hoped for full openings after the 22nd.

There will be no beach fees until the 22nd at Ortley Beach. Afterwards, normal fees of $7 weekdays and $8 weekends and holidays will apply. Seasonal badges are $35.

Township officials also warned beachgoers of potential hazards under the waves. According to an official release from the municipality offices: “Divers from both The Toms River Police Dept. Scuba team and Township lifeguards recently combed the bathing area for debris. No large items were found and all smaller debris was cleared. However, water shoes are recommended at this time.”

The closure will create a 4.5 mile detour that will take motorists north on Whitesville Road to Route 70, where they can reconnect to Route 571, adding approximately two miles to the route.

The project began May 29^th as crews worked to complete bridge repairs that will reinforce the bridge over the Toms River. In 2011, flooding from Hurricane Irene damaged several bridges in Jackson Township crossing the river.  The floodwaters also undermined the road surface at the bridge on Route 571.

Eastbound traffic will be allowed to traverse the bridge during the length of the project.

The following was compiled from releases provided by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Sandy Volunteers Honored at Luncheon

More than 140 senior citizens who devote much of their time volunteering to help others were honored at a special luncheon in Toms River on May 22nd.

For the past 31 years, the Ocean County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has teamed older adults with members of the community in need of assistance.

Freeholder Gerry P. Little and Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari presented a proclamation to Alisa MacCrate, RSVP program director, thanking her, her staff and the more than 500 volunteers who participate in the program.

“Ocean County has the highest concentration of senior citizens in the nation and many of them are 85, 90 or even older,” Mr. Vicari said. “They need your help more than ever before.”

Freeholder Vicari is chairman of the Ocean County Department of Senior Services, while Freeholder Little is liaison to the Ocean County Board of Social Services.

In 2012, volunteers provided nearly 37,000 hours of service which, if paid for by the county, would cost nearly $950,000, noted Freeholder Little.
Dates Announced for 2013 Hazardous Waste Collection Program

Ocean County announced the additional dates, times and locations for the county’s household hazardous waste collection program, which runs until October.

“This year we started a new approach to scheduling the collection of this material,” said Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management. “Instead of grouping all the dates in one month in the fall and one month in the spring, we are holding the collection one day on a weekend each month through October.”

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to award a contract to Radiac Research Corp. of Brooklyn, N.Y. at almost 40 cents a pound to conduct the program.

Dates, times, and locations for the upcoming monthly collections are: Lakewood Township Public Works Yard, 1 America Ave., on Sunday June 23; Berkeley Township Public Works Garage, Pinewald-Keswick Road, on Saturday July 27; Jackson Township Public Works Garage, 10 Don Connor Blvd., Saturday Aug. 24; Long Beach Township Public Works Garage, 7910 Long Beach Blvd., Saturday Sept. 28 and Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Parking Lot, Arnold and Ocean avenues, Saturday Oct. 5. Collection times are from 9 am to 3 pm on all collection dates.

Last year, 306,951 pounds of household hazardous waste was collected and safely disposed of.

Freeholder Lacey also noted that municipal recycling centers and the county’s recycling centers allow for drop off of a host of materials including used paint, motor oil and car batteries.

“Our residents should check with us or their local recycling center to determine what is accepted so items do not have to take up space in their garage or basements,” he said.

While Ocean County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection program is free, citizens must register with the County. Residents can drop off a maximum of 200 pounds of dry material and 20 gallons of liquid. No containers over five gallons will be accepted.

The county is using funds from the State Recycling Enhancement Act Tax Fund to operate the program.

Materials accepted at the household hazardous waste collection sites are: paints, thinners, boat paints, solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, aerosol cans, auto products, toilet and drain cleaners, silver polishes, oven cleaners, photographic chemicals, rug and upholstery cleaners, polishes and bleaches, waste oil and used gasoline.

Additional information can be found on the county website at www.co.ocean.nj.us or by calling 1-800-55-RECYCLE.

Ocean County 911 Operations Getting New Home

Ocean County’s emergency dispatching 911 operations is getting a new home with room to meet future needs of the county and state-of-the-art equipment.

The current 911 dispatching center has been moved to an existing warehouse on Chestnut Street in Toms River, which the county had used in the past to store its voting machines. Those machines were moved to a warehouse in Lakewood. Work began on the expansion project in late 2012.

“This will provide over 16,000 square feet for a new enlarged 911 center,” Freeholder James Kelly said.

The expanded call center has the capacity to include 18 state-of-the-art police and fire dispatch stations and eight call taker stations for a total of 26 stations, an increase from the 12 dispatch consoles and six call taker stations currently there.

Ocean County has answered more than 82,000 911 calls so far this year, not including officer dispatched and department calls.

During the time span from October 28th to November 3rd, 2012, dispatchers handled more than 17,000 calls before, during and after Hurricane Sandy.

The county will also upgrade its radio communications to 700 MHz from 500, meeting Homeland Security requirements.

The expanded facility also includes training rooms for staff and dispatchers. In addition, the roof and other parts of the structure have been upgraded to withstand hurricane force winds.

There will also be back-up generators on the site in order to assure residents emergency calls will continue to be answered during hurricanes or natural disasters of any kind.

County Projects Repair Sandy Damaged Roads

The Ocean County Road Department recently completed the rebuilding of some Ocean County roads damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

“Prior to Memorial Day weekend work crews from the county road department finished rebuilding a portion of Ocean Terrace in Seaside Heights and Long Beach Boulevard leading into Holgate in Long Beach Township,” said Freeholder Lacey, also liaison to the Ocean County Road Department. “It was imperative for public safety and to accommodate our citizens and the increase in visitors to the county over the Memorial Day weekend that these projects got done.”
The Ocean County Road Department completed work on 3/4ths of a mile of Ocean Terrace from the border of Seaside Park to Hiering Avenue in Seaside Heights on May 20th. As part of the work, the Ocean County road crew rebuilt four intersections that had been washed out by the October storm, in addition to milling and paving the roadway.

The freeholder noted that work on repairing the bridge that leads from Bay Boulevard in Lavallette to the West Point Island section of the borough was near completion.

As part of the repairs, the county installed new sheathing and capped the area under the span with concrete in order to reinforce the structure from future washouts.

The repairs also included replacing the rip rap on both sides of the bridge.

“The work at the bridge is expected to be completed soon,” Freeholder Lacey added. “The span has been open to traffic while most of the repair work has taken place below it.”

Doggy Yappy Hour at Ocean County Park

A Doggy Yappy Hour will be held on Friday, June 14th at the Ocean County Park in Lakewood. The Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department is conducting an evening out to enjoy the company of county residents’ pet canines. Frisbee, obedience, agility demonstrations, and doggy games will be held.

All dogs must be vaccinated and on a leash.

The demonstrations will be conducted by area businesses. Music will be provided by WOBM radio. The event will run rain or shine and will be held from 6 to 8. There is no charge for this event.

More than 30 vendors will be available for information, displays, shopping, and food. For additional information call toll free 1-877-OCPARKS.

County officials warn residents to prepare in advance

 From press releases NOAA. Ocean County

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Atlantic basin is expected to see an above-normal hurricane season this year, according to the seasonal outlook issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service.

Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is predicting the following ranges this year:

• 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which:
• 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including:
• 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)

Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

Ocean County public safety officials are urging residents to be prepared as a new hurricane and summer storm season gets underway.
The hurricane season begins June 1 and lasts until the end of November. The height of the season typically occurs in late August and during the month of September although tropical systems can develop off the Atlantic Coast late into the season like Sandy which came ashore on Oct. 29.

“Waiting for a weather event to happen is not the time to think about what to do,” said Acting Sheriff William Sommeling, who oversees the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management.

Annual preparations for the hurricane season include creating or updating a disaster supply kit. The kit should include a gallon of drinking water a day for each person and a battery-powered radio, which could become the sole source of information during an emergency.