The team, consisting of  Emily Golembiski of Little Egg Harbor, Jillian Hubbard of Toms River, Gillian Schriever of West Creek, Michael Signorelli of Toms River and Megan Tumpey of  Brick, will represent New Jersey in the 2013 North American Envirothon at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana in August.

The Ocean County students competed against 33 other teams on knowledge of natural resources-related topics, including soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife ecology and a current environmental issue. This year’s theme was “Sustainable Rangeland Management: Achieving a Balance Between Traditional Agricultural Uses with Non-Agricultural Uses on Montana Rangelands.”

“For 20 years, New Jersey high school students have had the opportunity to participate in this valuable competition and learn more about the environment, natural resources and science,” said Secretary Fisher. “We hope they take advantage of the skills they learned and consider careers in agriculture and natural resources-related fields.”

Each of the MATES team members received $1,000 scholarships from the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts, $2,000 scholarships from Richard Stockton State College and $1,000 scholarships from Applied and Health Sciences at Kean University.

Two 5-member teams of MATES students competed in last year’s Envirothon with all but one of those students graduating. The two MATES teams placed first and second in 2012. An almost entirely new set of 10 students made up this year’s two teams.

“I am very proud of the hard work and dedication put forth by our members,” said MATES Advisor Adam Sprague.  “It was quite an accomplishment considering it was the first year competing for nine out of the 10 team members. We now turn our attention to Montana which offers an exciting variety of challenges in terms of preparation for our students.”

The second-place team in this year’s Envirothon was West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North and third place was taken by High Tech High School, North Bergen.

The Envirothon is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, State Soil Conservation Committee; New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts; the 15 Soil Conservation Districts; United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

The 15 Soil Conservation Districts in New Jersey follow county boundaries and implement the New Jersey Soil and Sediment Control Act, which governs certain aspects of new development.  These semi-autonomous bodies are locally governed and play a strong role in the protection of New Jersey’s natural resources.

The newly re-instated Ship Bottom Vol. Fire Co. Auxiliary
& Ship Bottom Vol. Fire Co. are hosting a

SUMMER SIZZLE
bringing the bay to 21st. Street!

This event will be a fundraiser for both volunteer organizations
which are non-profit 501(c)3 organizations.

Entertainment so far includes:

2:00-3:15  - The Road Dogs

3:15-3:45 – Hot Dog Eating Contest

3:45-5:00 – Big Whiskey Band

5:00-5:30 – Hands-free Watermelon eating contest

5:30-6:45 – The Roustabouts

7:00-8:15 – The Rock Lobsters

8:30-10:00 – Rock Solid Productions House Band

All activities, including bounce house, slides, baseball and football games,

plus  food, beverages, merchandise . will be available for donations.
For up-to-date details, follow our

facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/491424774250187/?fref=ts

and check our website: www.shipbottomfireco.com

by Phil Stilton

JACKSON-Six months ago, Superstorm Sandy struck the Ocean County, but aside from a prolonged power outage and fallen trees, damage in Jackson Township community was relatively minimal in this community of 54,000 people.   Jackson was spared the distress of long term damage to infrastructure and housing.

While Jackson missed the full brunt of Sandy, the Beach Haven School in Long Beach Island was not as fortunate.  The school, which was preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary this year was flooded and everything on the first floor was lost.

The staff at Holman Elementary decided to use their annual talent show as a vehicle to raise money for the Beach Haven School and to create awareness for the students who attend Holman.   In past years, themes for the talent show have ranged from Motown to country. This year, the theme was “Restore the Shore”.   Students  had to choose a song that was either performed by a New Jersey artist or one that was beach themed.

“Since the storm, our school has had the desire to do things to help and give back,” said Principal Michael Burgos. “There’s been a lot of requests for different fundraisers, but we couldn’t do them due to different policies.”   He explained that the talent show was a great opportunity for a fund raiser.   Proceeds from boardwalk style games, photos and a video of the performance will be donated to the Beach Haven School.

Mr. Burgos said the school has previously held fundraisers to help several of its own staff members, three of whom lost their homes during Sandy.

Check out the next issue of the Ocean Signal next week for the full story!

To donate or purchase the video, visit http://holman.jacksonsd.org/.

See more pictures online: http://photos.oceancountysignal.com/p514793419    Any proceeds from that gallery will be donated to Holman’s H.O.P.E parent teacher organization.

113: #9 Chris Crane (Southern) md. #8 Connor Maliff (Brick Mem)  11-0
113: #5 Ben Mrozinski (Lacey) d. #12 Zack Baker (Jackson Mem)  4-0
113: #3 Nick DePierro (Freehold Twp) md. #14 Tommy Flannigan (Long Branch)  12-0
113: #7 Nasiyr Brown (Neptune) d. #10 Costa Poniros (Ocean Twp)  9-2

120: #8 Joseph Santamarco (Manalapan) d. #9 Connor Garrity (Lacey)  8-3
120: #4 Matt Russo (Jackson Liberty) d. Andy Hernandez (Long Branch)  3-1
120: #7 Dylan Seidenberg (Raritan) d. #10 Josh Glantzman (Wall)  2-1 2OT
120: #2 Dan Nobbs (Pt Boro) p. #15 Yospeh Boral (TR East)  2:57

126: #5 Anthony Scarcella (Raritan) md. #12 Khalil Haskins (Matawan)  13-1
126: #4 Marcus Iwama (Rumson) p. #13 Isaiah Haymon (Neptune)  4:21
126: #7 Andrew Tonneson (Southern) p. #10 Pete Powell (Marlboro)  5:50
126: #2 Jared Staub (Brick Mem) d. #15 Thomas Poklikuha (Pinelands)  5-2

132: #9 Dan Saraiva (Marlboro) d. #8 William Rodriguez (Matawan)  7-2
132: #4 Zach Hertling (Ocean Twp) d. #13 Joe Mandara (Barnegat)  6-0
132: #6 Ryan Harter (Pt Boro) d. #11 Nick Menkin (Long Branch)  5-4
132: #2 Kyle Wojtaszek (Brick Twp) d. #15 Ryan Davis (TR North)  9-2

138: #9 Christian Casselli (CBA) d. #8 Tim Leo (Matawan)  7-6
138: #5 Jake Camapana (Southern) p. #12 Carlos Fontanez (Keansburg)  1:29
138: #4 Steve Cimmino (Brick Twp) p. #13 Andrew Garrity (Lacey)  1:25
138: #10 Dan Kinsella (Wall) d. #7 Jack Rada (Howell)

145: #9 Nick Racanelli (Southern) d. #8 Sam Koenig (Shore)  3-0
145: #12 Matt Best (Middletown South) p. #5 Orion Rovegno (Ocean Twp)  5:45
145: #3 Spencer Young (Jackson Mem) p. #14 Steve Knapp (Lacey)  2:22
145: #10 Terrence Davis (St John Vianney) d. #7 Nick Pollara (Brick Twp)  7-5

152: #8 Dylan DaSilva (TR North) d. #9 Garrett Applegate (TR South)  6-4
152: #5 Jake George (Long Branch) tf. #12 Evan Brown (Red Bank)  15-0
152: #7 William Scott (Brick Twp) d. #10 Jake Kaminsky (Manalapan)  5-4
152: #2 Cliff Ruggiero (Brick Mem) p. #15 Jeff Goldrosen (Marlboro)  5:20

160: #8 Joe Beverly (Brick Mem) d. #9 Sean Rembach (Manchester)  8-4
160: #5 Antres Clagon (TR South) tf. #12 Steven Chandler (Manalapan)  16-1
160: #3 Anthony Ferraro (St John Vianney) d. #14 Jason Lawhon (Ocean Twp)  5-2
160: #7 Connor Sheehan (Raritan) d. #10 Jose Caraballo (Neptune)  7-4

170: #1 Tyler Richardson (Brick Mem) p. #16 Chris Cruz (Jackson Liberty)  2:45
170: #9 Ryan Kirk (Barnegat) d. #8 Anthony Benedetti (Manalapan)  7-3
170: #6 Kyle Lynch (Raritan) d. #11 Dan Baillie (Shore)  5-0
170: #7 Tyler Wilton (Middletown North) d. #10 Tyler MacLaine (TR North)

182: #8 Tommy Lyster (Ocean Twp) md. Quentin DeCarlo (TR South)  10-2
182: #6 Drew Donner (Wall) p. #11 Spencer Govel (Manasquan)  3:05
182: #7 Anthony Fabiano (Middletown North) p. #10 Muhab Elgamal (Manalapan)  1:42
182: #2 Glenn Cross (Matawan) tf. #15 Greg Schmalz (Barnegat)  18-3

195: #5 Chad Freshnock (Middletown North) d. #12 Tyler Romanelli (Wall)  2-1
195: #4 Shawn McCord (RBC) md. #13 Nick Dzuna (Pt Boro)  11-3
195: #6 Dan Hwang (Marlboro) p. #11 Josh Foca (Central)  1:49
195: #7 Ben Aquilina (Manalapan) d. #10 Armando Leonor (TR East)  6-3

220: #5 Jesse Bauta (Southern) p. #12 Mike McKenzie (Jackson Liberty)  2:30
220: #3 John Seidle (Neptune) p. #14 Tyler Tomanek (Middletown South)  3:42
220: #6 Matt Frigon (Barnegat) d. #11 Luke Becker (Manalapan)  5-3
220: #7 Joey Guidetti (Long Branch) d. #10 Anthony Dzugan (Brick Twp)  8-4 2OT

Hwt: #8 Ezra Figueroa (Brick Mem) d. #9 Thomas D’Amore (Pt Beach)  3-2
Hwt: #5 Hunter Gellman (Freehold Twp) d. #12 Dan Arias (Ocean Twp)  5-1
Hwt: #3 Anthony Fernicola (Holmdel) d. #14 Zach Andrews (Barnegat)  1-0
Hwt: #15 Atanacio Carrillo (Central) d. #2 Pat Toal (Raritan)  5-2

By Phil Stilton

RAHWAY–Children across the tri-state area whose local playgrounds were destroyed by the forces of Hurricane Sandy last October may soon be able to return to those jungle gyms, swingsets and monkey bars if Bill Lavin, president of the New Jersey Firefighters’ Mutual Benevolent Association [NJFMBA], has anything to say about it.

His organization, which is now gearing up to begin fundraising and rebuilding efforts for coastal play areas here, was originally dispatched to reconstruct playgrounds in affected coastal communities along the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in 2006 in a project called “Pennies for Playgrounds.”

One of those playgrounds was at the North Bay Elementary School in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, where the NJFMBA and approximately 20 firefighters traveled from New Jersey for the effort, which was undertaken in partnership with Save the Children and Mercy Corps. The NJFMBA also raised $400,000 for Save the Children’s after school and child care activity programs there.

“We were blown away that people were still living in tents and children were going to school in trailers,” said Mr. Lavin, recalling a visit to the region at the time. “But when we asked the children what they really needed, they all said a playground.”

Following Hurricane Sandy along the Atlantic coastlines, Mr. Lavin said he learned that the Katrina-affected communities of Waveland and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, “were collecting Christmas gifts for New Jersey children affected by the storm in an effort to pay it forward to those who had showed such kindness to them in their hour of need.”

“The gesture from Mississippi was an absolute spiritual shot in the arm for the NJFMBA and the hundreds of members who had been serving the coastal communities in New Jersey for the past six weeks in every capacity imaginable,” said the organization’s president. “Unfortunately, just as our members and their families were starting to get their second wind and make some sense out of the Jersey disaster, the unspeakable massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut was reported to the country.”

As a result, the NJFMBA called the new effort “The Sandy Project: Where Angels Play,” and include raising enough money to build 26 memorial playgrounds dedicated to each of the 20 children and six teachers slain in that school shooting.

“Perhaps each playground can reflect the personality of the teacher or child for whom it would be named,” said Mr. Lavin, noting that the work would be undertaken by police officers, firefighters, teachers and volunteers.

The fundraising goal to accomplish this mission has been set at $2 million and so far, according to Mary Kate Lavin, New Jersey playgrounds to will be rebuilt in Sea Bright, Union Beach, Highlands, Normandy Beach, Belmar and Point Pleasant. Others in New York and Connecticut were also named.

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering may visit the NJFMBA website at www.njfmba.org.

Playground built in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi by the NJFMBA. Photo by NJFMBA.

District 18 Little League baseball game played at Joe Carter Stadium, Manchester in June of 2012. Photo by Phil Stilton / Ocean Signal Media Group.

by Phil Stilton

MANCHESTER - There’s good news for Little League baseball players in Ocean and Monmouth counties today as Manchester Little League has announced the expansion of their popular Mason Invitational Tournament (MIT) in 2013.

Here’s how it works: Ocean County’s Little League teams play baseball within New Jersey’s District 18. Each year, chosen players from each league in the district form all-star teams.  Those teams compete in a summer tournament and the winners of the district then go on to the sectionals, then state and regional tournaments. What starts in towns across the country as local district tournaments culminates in places like Williamsport, Pennsylvania where the 12-year-old division plays the Little League World Series, or Taylor, Michigan where the older Juniors League players vie for a world championship.

For kids who do not make the all-star teams, their Little League season ends in June. Since 2009, the Mason Invitational Tournament has given those kids a chance to experience the thrill of being an all-star when the Manchester Little League began hosting the MIT. Leagues field “B” teams to play in the tournament. Players cannot play on both the District All-Star team and the MIT team for their league.   The MIT has become a popular under card event in recent years for Ocean County, and while it is expected that the best players in the league play for the All-Star teams, sometimes things don’t always work out that way. There are only 14 spots on each league’s all-star team selection, which for the most part is arbitrary and at the discretion of local league officials.

Manchester Mayor Michael Fressola said in a statement this week, “In 2013, Manchester’s MIT tournament will include District 11, lower Monmouth County, and have a Shore championship. In 2014, they are planning to expand the MIT even further, hoping to include areas like upper Monmouth County, Trenton and Clark. Manchester league officials believe that by 2015, they will be able to expand statewide and offer the experience of the MIT tournament to all 307 Little Leagues from Warren County to Cape May.”

Manchester’s Joe Carter Stadium is the focal point of the tournament and while not all games are played at the field, it is the annual host of the MIT finals and the field has been the host of past District 18 championships.

Joe Carter Stadium was built in the 2011-12 off season and opened on March 31, 2012. The stadium is unique in its design with elements of three Major League Baseball Stadiums built into it, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium. The left field wall has a “Green Monster”, inspired by Fenway Park, a synthetic brick brick wall along in right field, inspired by Wrigley Field and a monument park with facade, inspired by Yankee Stadium. The field was built at a cost of $100,000.

The Mason Invitational Tournament is named after Gary Mason, a former Manchester Little League coach  of 23 years who guided his team to the District 18 title in 1992.

For five years, the Ocean Signal, as JTOWN & Toms River Magazine has provided the only daily news coverage of District 18 Little League baseball.  You can our read past District 18 coverage here.

By Phil Stilton

SEASIDE HEIGHTS – Governor Chris Christie announced Thursday during a press conference in the engine bay of the Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Company, here, his plan to begin the cleanup of New Jersey’s waterways affected by Hurricane Sandy. In particular, he addressed the Barnegat Bay, where a sizable portion of an estimated 1,440 sunken vessels lie beneath the surface of the water.

The governor said the state will split the state into three regions – north, central and south – and will award bids to companies in each of those regions.

“The amount of debris that needs to be removed is mind boggling,” he remarked. “In Mantoloking alone, 58 buildings were washed into bay with 88 cars. There’s a lot of stuff down there, not to the mention all of the sediment washed from the beaches into the Barnegat Bay.

Gov. Christie said cleanup will consist of two phases. In the first phase, debris will be removed from the water, followed by the dredging of sediment that was brought in by Sandy’s tidal surge that swept across the barrier island at a depth of nearly twelve feet in some areas, according to prior eyewitness reports conducted by the Ocean Signal.

“We should have an announcement on Saturday and the companies will get right to work,” he continued. “We had about 10 million cubic yards of debris on land and we’ve removed a good portion of that already. That work will continue as well and now we’ll move into the waterways so hopefully we can have somewhat navigable Barnegat Bay in the summer. ”

Gov. Christie said that portions of the bay will have restricted access during the debris removal process. It was decided to use three companies for the project as a means to expedite the cleanup process, adding that contracts should be awarded this weekend and pending attorney and legal review, crews could be cleaning the waterways in the very near future.

Ortley Beach after Hurricane Sandy. Photo by Phil Stilton / Ocean Signal.

By Phil Stilton

OCEAN COUNTY–In an online poll, conducted by The Ocean Signal on our popular “Ocean County Police Blotter” facebook page, private beach front property owners found little support in their quest to rebuild those private beaches.

Under the law, property owners in Jersey Shore beachfront communities must agree to grant an easement to their township or borough in order to receive federal assistance in the way of dune replenishment from the Army Corps of Engineers.

Dunes proved critical in protecting the Ocean County shoreline during Hurricane Sandy.  In towns such as Lavallette and Seaside Park, where dune construction projects had built large barriers over the years, the towns were spared major damage which was seen in communities such as Ortley Beach and Mantoloking, where homeowners and local governments chose ocean views over ocean protection.

The poll, which 315 area residents participated in, showed people overwhelmingly are not sympathetic to the plight of beach front property owners.

93% say they want the Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild the dunes at the Jersey Shore.

51% would like to see the Army Corps of Engineers rebuild the dunes, but feel that if taxpayer funding goes towards private beaches, those beaches should become free to public access.

42% of those who participated feel that if the private beach front owners want dunes built, they should not receive any federal funding and should pay for it themselves, if they wish to keep their beaches closed to the public.

3% felt that the government should pay and the beaches should remain private.

Just 2% felt that the government should pay, but the beach owners should be able to collect fees for public beach access.

2% of those polled said the private beach front communities should not be allowed to rebuild their homes lost along the coast.

Visit our facebook page for a new local poll each week. This week’s poll is what to do with Lakewood’s Tent City, where there has been a spike in police and fire activity in recent weeks.