NEW EGYPT – PLUMSTED, NJ (OCEAN)- Assemblyman Alex Sauickie announced that his office will host a wall of remembrance for breast cancer survivors or loved ones passed away from the disease.
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month because it is important to raise awareness of the disease and to encourage early detection. The earlier the detection, the greater the chance of surviving,” said Sauickie (R-Ocean).
According to the American Cancer Society statistics center, New Jersey women are more likely to get breast cancer than any other form of the disease. Death from breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the state.
“I invite residents of the 12th Legislative office to come to my office, during the month of October, between 10:00 am and 2 pm, and place a pink ribbon on our wall to remember the heroic effort our loved ones went through in their fight against breast cancer,” Sauickie said. “My office will provide the ribbon and assist the public in their remembrance.”
The office is located at 405 Route 539 (Pinehurst Road) in New Egypt.
The 12th Legislative District is comprised of Allentown, Chesterfield, Englishtown, Jackson, Manalapan, Matawan, Millstone, New Hanover, North Hanover, Old Bridge, Plumsted, Roosevelt, Upper Freehold and Wrightstown.
Photo by Miguel u00c1. Padriu00f1u00e1n on Pexels.comPhoto by Olya Kobruseva on Pexels.com
NEW EGYPT, NJ (OCEAN)–A Walk to End Brain Tumors will be held Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Laurita Winery for the 12th Annual New Egypt, the walk will support of brain tumor research. 100% of registration fees & participant sponsorships go toward the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research and Information, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit public charity whose mission is to find a cure for brain tumors as well as support victims, survivors and their families. 100% of funds raised go toward The Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research and Information, Inc.
Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer (R) Assistant Minority Leader, District 12
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN) NEW EGYPT–It is with great regret and profound sadness that we, the staff of the esteemed Assemblyman Ron Dancer, must inform you of his passing. He left this world peacefully with his beloved wife by his side.
Ron often expressed gratitude by saying, “I am blessed.” May God continue to bless Ron Dancer and bless his grieving family. May he rest in eternal peace.
Please direct questions to his legislative office at asmdancer@njleg.org
You may also leave a private message of condolence or a fond memory of the Assemblyman at his website www.AssemblymanDancer.com
Ronald S. Dancer served his local community and state for over 30 years as a volunteer, adviser, leader, and representative. He was known by his friends and neighbors as the man who got things done. As the people’s representative, Ron fought for the interests of the 12th Legislative District and served with compassion for all.
Ron grew up in New Egypt, the beautiful town at the very center of New Jersey. The son of the late Hall of Fame Harness Horse Racing Driver Stanley Dancer, Ron was a horseman, trainer, and driver. He professionally raced and trained horses from 1968 through 1998.
Ron attended the Peddie School in Hightstown and later, the Edward J. Blaustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. In between, Ron served in the United States Army from 1969-1971.
First elected as mayor in 1989, Ron served Plumsted Township through 2011. He continued as the Township’s Honorary Business Administrator from 2012 to 2017.
A tireless volunteer for Ocean County, Ron was a member of the Ocean County Board of Social Services for over 35 years and served as chairman. He was an active member of other civic affiliations, including the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee and the Ocean County Senior Citizens Advisory Council.
Ron served on the New Jersey Horse Racing Commission from 1999 to 2002 and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Sire Stakes Board from 1982 until 2002.
Ron most notably served as a member of the General Assembly from 2002 to 2022. He most recently was the Assistant Republican Leader. Ron’s successful public policy initiatives were furthered by his positions on a number of assembly committees. He served on the Agriculture and Food Security; Military and Veterans’ Affairs; and Tourism, Gaming and the Arts committees.
Ron is survived by his wife, Brenda, two children, and three grandchildren.
“Tammy and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Assemblyman Ron Dancer. True to his roots in one of New Jersey’s storied equestrian racing families, in public service he was a work horse not a show horse. A proud veteran with a quiet demeanor and humble nature, Ron built friendships across the aisle. His focus on New Jersey’s agricultural, horse-racing, and tourist industries, and our honored military veterans, leaves a lasting legacy. Our state flags will be lowered to half-staff in his honor and memory. His wife, Brenda, their children and grandchildren, and the entire Dancer family are in all of our thoughts this weekend.” — Governor Phil Murphy
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) released the following statement on the death of longtime New Jersey State Assemblyman Ronald Dancer:
“Ron Dancer was a tireless public servant who served his country in the Army before becoming a highly respected and enormously popular mayor of Plumsted and assemblyman for the 12th Legislative District. A great friend to many and true civic leader, Ron was as gracious and considerate as he was hard working and effective. I cannot think of anyone who loved Plumsted and personified the township more than Ron Dancer.
“His trade-mark energetic leadership as a state legislator is marked by many issues he took head-on, especially advocating for the equestrian community, protecting veterans’ concerns on the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and defending the unborn on pro-life matters before the Assembly. He was a one-of-a-kind public servant whom I always greatly admired, and I am proud to have known him and called him my good friend.
“Marie’s and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife Brenda and his loved ones as we celebrate his life of service and mourn his passing.”
Assembly Republicans today are mourning the death of their colleague, Assemblyman Ronald Dancer. He was 73.
A New Egypt native, Dancer was serving as Plumsted Township mayor in 2002 when district Republicans tapped him to fill a vacancy created by Assemblyman Melvin Cottrell’s passing. He most recently served on the Assembly agriculture and food security, military and veterans’ affairs, and tourism, gaming and the arts committees.
“Ron’s 20 years in the Assembly are marked not only by his tireless efforts to serve his constituents, even during his illness, but his willingness to work across party lines to accomplish what he believed was best for all New Jerseyans,” Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-Warren) said. “He was a true patriot, statesman, gentleman, and my good friend. He will be sorely missed. My prayers and those of our conference are with his beloved wife Brenda and their family.”
Dancer served in the United States Army from 1969-1971. At home, he professionally raced and trained horses for 30 years, following in the footsteps of his father Stanley Dancer, the Hall of Fame Harness Horse Racing driver.
Dancer has been a tireless advocate for the farming community, the horse racing industry and taxpayers. Notable legislation enacted into law include: allowing for special occasion events on preserved farms; providing funding to increase horse racing purses; and allowing municipalities to establish programs to encourage local shopping through property tax rewards.
“No service member who ever stepped foot in New Jersey had a greater ally than Ron. His most powerful pieces of legislation honored and protected those who selflessly serve their fellow countrymen.” DiMaio added. “Likewise, his passion for agriculture and horse racing is evident in the bills he sponsored to strengthen and safeguard those industries.”
For nearly 40 years, Dancer volunteered for numerous groups, including the Ocean County Board of Social Services, which he chaired; the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee; the Ocean County Senior Citizens Advisory Council; the New Jersey Horse Racing Commission; and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Sire Stakes Board.
“Ron has left us with a legacy that serves as a beacon for public servants now and New Jersey leaders of the future,’ DiMaio concluded. “Ultimately, it’s not about Republican or Democrat; it’s about the people we serve. Ron served the people well.”
Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex) issued the following statement Saturday on the passing of Republican Assemblyman Ronald Dancer from the 12th legislative district: “I am saddened to learn of the loss of a true gentleman in New Jersey politics. In his two decades of public service in the Assembly, Ron Dancer was always someone who strived to work across the aisle. “A veteran himself, he leaves behind a legacy of advocacy on behalf of our military men and women. He was also a champion for New Jersey’s agricultural and horse racing communities, and contributed greatly to innovative expansions of our state’s tourism – most recently being the sponsor of legislation that will widen economic opportunity for our wineries and farms.
NEW EGYPT – PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 9, 2021, Richard Knight, 40, of New Egypt, was charged with Distribution of Child Pornography in violation of N.J.S.A, 2C:24-4b(5)(a)(i), and Possession of Child Pornography in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(b)(iii).
This investigation, which began in December 2020, was the result of numerous referrals from the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Task Force detected a user of the program Google Meets was uploading images of child pornography to the internet. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit identified a residence in New Egypt as the source of the uploaded images of child pornography. On June 9, 2021, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, United States Homeland Security Investigations, and Plumsted Township Police Department executed a court authorized search warrant on Knight’s residence in New Egypt. As a result, Detectives seized two cell phones from the residence. The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Knight was subsequently arrested at his place of employment in Browns Mills. Knight was processed at the Plumsted Township Police Department, and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Plumsted Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and United States Homeland Security Investigations, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Knight’s arrest.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
JACKSON, PLUMSTED (OCEAN)-MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP AND UPPER FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Jackson Township Police Department has issued a statement on the traffic backup on Route 537 in Jackson Township, entering and exiting Six Flags Great Adventure.
Currently Google Maps Traffic has the backup on Rt. 537 from Six Flags entrance to I-195 (1 Mile)
In the opposite direction on Rt. 537 backup starts in Plumsted Township, near Loveman Road to the main entrance of Great Adventure. (2.75 Miles)
In Upper Freehold Township traffic is backed up on Millers Mill Road all the way to Red Valley Road near the curve according to Google Maps. (1 mile on Millers Mill and an additional 1 Mile on Rt. 537 for a total of at least 2 miles in backup)
Jackson Township Police:
We are WELL aware of the heavy traffic in Rt. 537/Monmouth Road leading to Six Flags Great Adventure. It’s that time of that year. Security and the authorities working there have all been advised. Please be patient and refrain from calling us to further advise us of the traffic situations unless you have a police emergency and need our assistance. Dispatch is being overloaded with calls for the traffic situation. Everyone is doing the best they can to accommodate everyone and get everyone in and out safely. Thank you all and stay cool today!!!!
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Plumsted Township Police Chief Earl Meroney announced that on March 22, 2021, Nancy Proctor, 62, of Ortley Beach, was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Unit and Plumsted Township Police Department revealed that Proctor – a former manager at Laurita Winery in New Egypt – stole in excess of $40,000 from the winery during the course of her employment spanning the time period from January 24, 2019 through November 1, 2019. Proctor was responsible for collecting payments from food vendors for events taking place at Laurita Winery, but instead diverted the monies intended for Laurita Winery to her own personal PayPal accounts, for her own personal benefit.
On March 22, 2021, law enforcement located Proctor at her current place of employment in Seaside Heights; she was subsequently transported to the Seaside Heights Police Department, where she was processed and released on a summons pending a future court date.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Meroney commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Unit, Plumsted Township Police Department, and Seaside Heights Police Department for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nancy Proctor, 62, of Ortley Beach
Nancy Proctor, 62, of Ortley Beach, was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–About 7:15 the New Egypt Fire Department (Ocean County Plumsted Station 39) and Hope Fire Company of Allentown were dispatched to County Road 539 by County Road 537 for a dump truck vs a Ford Explorer. Upon arrival it was determined to be on the Ocean County side of the line. As a result of the accident a fuel spill from the truck caused the roadway to be closed for clean up. Fire and HAZ-MAT crews are on scene working to clean up the fuel sill.
This is from on scene reporting and radio reports. Once Plumsted Township Police release information the story will be updated.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Assemblyman Ron Dancer has introduced legislation to deter people from repeating the vile act of spitting into a police officer’s food or drink.
In July, the Park Ridge Police Department received an anonymous tip that Kevin Trejo, a Starbucks employee, was spitting into the coffee of officers who visited the establishment. He was quickly arrested and later fired by the coffee chain.
Starbucks offered an apology, but Dancer feels more needs to be done.
“An apology is nice, but this should never happen in the first place,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). “Like everyone else, police officers have the right to expect fair and equal treatment and to be served safe food and drinks. Spitting in their drink is a disgusting and disrespectful act that could lead to an officer falling ill.”
Dancer’s bill (A4765) would clarify that spitting on the food or into the drink of a law enforcement officer constitutes third-degree aggravated assault and would carry a sentence of three to five years with a mandatory fine of $15,000.
The bill would also require employers to suspend the employee if he is charged, and fire him if convicted.
“If you commit a despicable act against an officer, like spitting in their drink, you should be arrested and, if convicted, be fired,” stated Dancer. “You are not fighting for social justice when you do something like this. You are just being cruel. There is nothing heroic about spitting into an officer’s drink.”
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–On Thursday, October 1, Plumsted Township (New Egypt) officials dedicated a memorial bench at the township’s municipal building in honor of retired New Jersey State Police Captain James “Jim” Dowd #1503, who passed away on January 17, 2019, at the age of 86.
Captain Dowd served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and joined the New Jersey State Police on August 3, 1956 as a member of the 51st State Police Class. He served 30 years in various assignments and retired in 1986 at the rank of captain.
Captain Dowd was a longtime resident of Plumsted and spent considerable time serving on the township’s zoning board, planning board, and land use board. He was chosen to be honored because of his service to his country, state, and community. Captain Dowd’s life of service truly exemplified our core values of Honor, Duty, and Fidelity.
In attendance for the special ceremony were his daughter Deneen, son-in-law Lee, and his grandsons Jimmy and Tommy.
Several years ago, Captain Dowd had the honor of presenting Tommy with his graduation certificate after he completed the 106th Trooper Youth Week Class. Tommy is currently a police officer for North Hanover Township.
Also in attendance were Assemblyman Ron Dancer, Mayor Herb Marinari, Deputy Mayor and retired NJSP Lieutenant Eric Sorchik, Committeeman Leonard Grilletto, Former Troopers Association representative Kenneth Wondrack, Plumsted Police Department, North Hanover Police Department, family, and friends.
A special thank you to Plumsted Township Public Safety Director retired NJSP Major Wendy Galloway and Municipal Clerk Jennifer Witham.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The lengthy process of restoring public utilities after a major storm has been an issue plaguing rural residents for quite some time. Assemblyman Ron Dancer wants to ensure rural areas are given the same level of priority as the rest of the state and has introduced two bills speed up restoration after thunderstorms, snowstorms, and other major events.
The first bill (A4761) would give public utilities and cable television companies the ability to use drones to survey damaged infrastructure.
“Drones are a powerful tool in assessing damage and assisting with repairs after a major storm,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). “Other states have allowed utility companies to use drones with much success. We cannot afford to continue to have slow restoration times, so it makes sense to allow the utility companies to use drones to speed up the process.”
Dancer’s second bill (A4763) would require the Board of Public Utilities to create new regulations to require that electric companies prioritize communities where at least 40 percent of residents rely on private wells for drinking water and septic systems for sanitary disposal of waste. Additionally, watering stations would also be required.
“Many people do not realize when a home in a rural area loses power, they often lose access to drinking water, as well as, flushing and refilling toilets,” said Dancer. “A priority restoration plan must be put into place to avoid leaving rural areas without access to their basic life essential necessities. When people are without basic necessities for days, it could lead to major public health and safety issues.”
NJ Legislative District 12 covers: Allentown, Chesterfield, Englishtown, Jackson, Manalapan, Matawan, Millstone (Monmouth), New Hanover, North Hanover, Old Bridge, Plumsted, Roosevelt, Upper Freehold, Wrightstown
UPDATE As of 9:30 parts of Robbinsville and Upper Freehold have been restored. Others in East Windsor and Hightstown are still out.
UPDATE At of 11:30 pm Hightstown and East Windsor is still without power and estimated restore time is 1:30 am.
UPDATE 9:00 am 9/29/2020 the outage reporting map is still showing some power failures in East Windsor and Millstone with an estimated 11:30 am restoration time. Most have been restored over night but a few are still without power.
ROBBINSVILLE-UPPER FREEHOLD- EAST WINDSOR- MILLSTONE– Wide area power problems in Robbinsville, East Windsor, Upper Freehold and Millstone in areas served by JCP&L no status or cause reported.
NEW EGYPT – PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–A driver was injured when his race car flipped this evening around 6:15 pm. at the New Egypt Speedway on Route 539. RWJ Barnabas Life Flight medical helicopter was called to the scene and the driver was flown to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton.
It was First Responders – Modified Championship Night at the speedway.
No update was available on the condition of the driver.
A New Jersey State Police helicopter was also dropping off a patient at Capital Health Regional Medical Center late this afternoon for an unknown condition. Shortly after the NJSP helicopter left Capital Health the RWJ Life Life Flight helicopter arrived.
Photos by: Brian McCarthy/OnScene News at Capital Health, New Egypt Photos courtesy of Mike Fox
A New Jersey State Police helicopter was also dropping off a patient at Capital Health Regional Medical Center late this afternoon for an unknown condition. Shortly after the NJSP helicopter left Capital Health the RWJ Life Life Flight helicopter arrived.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), an internationally recognized American human rights lawmaker, said the “proximate cause” of today’s sanction against him appears to be his authorship of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act. “In my remarks on the floor of the House during debate, I underscored the fact that President Xi Jinping is directly responsible for the genocide against the Muslims.
“The U.S. sanctions Chinese officials for egregiously abusing human rights and Beijing responds by sanctioning Members of Congress for defending human rights.
“We must continue to stand with the Chinese people against an increasingly authoritarian Chinese government that represses legitimate desires for liberty and justice.”
On May 27th, Smith said “Communist party general secretary Xi Jinping’s ongoing genocide against the approximately 10 million Uyghurs living in Xinjiang in northwestern China demands action.
According to the Associated Press, “China said Monday it will impose sanctions on three U.S. lawmakers and one ambassador in response to similar actions taken by the U.S. last week against Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses against Muslims in the Xinjiang region.
“U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, Rep. Chris Smith and Ambassador for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback were targeted…Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the U.S. move had “seriously damaged China-U.S. relations” and that China was determined to uphold its national sovereignty against what it sees as interference in its internal affairs.”
The Chinese government also objected to Smith bill, the Compensation for the Victims of State Misrepresentations to the World Health Organization Act of 2020 which will waive the Foreign Immunities Act to legally empower U.S. citizens to sue the government of China for monetary damages, “for personal injury or death, or damage to or loss of property, occurring in the United States as a result of a willful or grossly negligent misrepresentation of information to the World Health Organization.”
The Global Times article continued, “Smith has also been a frequent instigator on China-related topics, particularly on so-called human rights issues. In March 2019, Smith introduced legislation to tackle China’s political influence in the US by saying ‘Beijing’s influence operations are sophisticated and threatening. China won’t just strike back symbolically but will impose countermeasures that will make them feel the pain, analysts said.”
Smith said, “Two weeks ago, I was briefed by the FBI that the threat was real and the CCP’s action could take many forms, from bribes to social media disinformation and worse and for starters–visa denial–today’s sanction. When COVID-19 abates, I was/am planning a trip to Hong Kong, Beijing and to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang.”
In 2006, my work computers were hacked by the Chinese government. According to the House tech experts, they took what was on my computer as well as my human rights committee computers. In 2006, I chaired a landmark hearing focused on the complicity of Google, Yahoo, Cisco and Microsoft in Beijing’s censorship, surveillance, arrest and jailing of human rights and democracy activists.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance took a major hit this week when Governor Phil Murphy decided to close many of the wildlife management areas due to budgetary constraints. The organization released a statement on Murphy’s actions, saying that it makes no sense to furlough land management staff since they are paid by profits made from the users of the parks and license fees.
Assemblyman Ron Dancer agrees with the NJOA and called on Governor Murphy to reconsider these latest rounds of closures.
“Our park systems continue to get the short end of the stick,” stated Dancer (R-Ocean). “After fighting for weeks to get the parks to reopen, now Gov. Murphy restricts public access to the outdoor wildlife management areas. We cannot continue to allow the misuse of fees paid for fishing and hunting licenses that are dedicated to keep open, manage and maintain our wildlife management areas as pointed out by the NJOA.”
This isn’t the first time the group has challenged Murphy on his executive orders. For weeks, NJOA repeatedly called on Murphy to reopen parks which eventually led to the reopening of state parks.
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–New Egypt Warriors Against Racism, Black Lives Matter protested today in town. The event started at 11:30 am on Front Street and moved to Main Street at 1 pm.
Protesters could be seen and heard on Main street from the traffic light at Jackobstown Road to Church Street as they moved though town.
It’s with a very heavy heart that I write this message to you. I’ve received word from county officials that Plumsted Township has lost its first resident to COVID-19. By policy, the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) does not release individual information about those who test positive. So, I have no further information other than we’ve lost one of our own. As a tight-knit community, I’m sure you share my sadness at this news. I’m sure you join me in sending your prayers and deepest condolences to the grieving loved ones of this individual.
The seriousness of this virus takes on new significance when it strikes so close to home. I’m grateful to those of you who have been honoring the “Stay at Home” order. Thank you for responsibly practicing social distancing. I understand how difficult it is to be separated from the friends and family we love. I also understand that some of you have no choice but to be out because you’re part of the front line that provides essential services to others. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the sacrifices you’re making to keep others healthy and safe.
Those sacrifices are making a difference. To date, we’ve had only four confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Plumsted Township. Yes, in the coming days, we may see that number rise, as drive-thru testing is now available for residents at the new Ocean County Community College Testing Center. But I, my fellow Township Committeemen, and our township staff are committed to doing all we can to keep that number as low as possible. Our police, fire, and emergency services personnel are equally committed to your care.
Yesterday, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department issued a Nixle alert informing all Ocean County residents to stay off the roads unless you need to make a necessary food trip, you need medical attention, or you are an essential worker. It’s imperative that we work together to honor the temporary restrictions that have been put in place for our safety.
This situation will pass faster if we cooperate with our officials. Now is not the time to take an “every man for himself” approach. Now is the time to love our neighbors as ourselves. Even if you believe you are healthy, please stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary. We don’t want to risk losing another Plumsted Township resident. Each family is just too important.
In an urgent phone conversation Saturday, March 21st with U.S. Ambassador to Peru, Krishna Urs, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urged the Ambassador to reach out to U.S. citizens and reassure those spread-out across Peru that they have not been forgotten nor abandoned.
“There are reportedly 5,000 Americans trapped in Peru needing the immediate assistance of the U.S. government in order to get home,” said Smith, who has been contacted by more than a dozen travelers with New Jersey roots.
“The Administration has been working on some limited options, but we are asking the State Department to raise the bar and expand their efforts to include chartering planes or using military aircraft.”
“Seven hundred Americans, including some from my district, are stuck in parts of Peru, such as Cusco, which is 11,000 feet above sea level where air quality is thin and a strict curfew is enforced. It’s time to let these Americans and their worried families in the U.S. know that their country will employ more resources to bring them home safely,” Smith said.
In addition to speaking with the Ambassador, Smith has been working with State Department officials for several days. A human rights leader in the Congress, Smith has written three letters to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo outlining the location and needs of the New Jersey residents and others desperate for assistance to come home.
“I ask your assistance in prioritizing the evacuation from Peru of these and other Americans by any appropriate, practicable and timely manner, including the chartering of private or commercial aircraft or the utilization of military planes,” Smith said in his March 20th letter in which he named specific Americans needing assistance.
Smith also led a letter cosigned by two additional members of the Foreign Affairs Committee which said in part “Amid the press of so many concerns prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, we appreciate the efforts undertaken thus far on behalf of our citizens abroad, but nonetheless ask that you reassure trapped Americans and their families that their needs are being prioritized.”
“Americans in Peru and elsewhere around the globe should know that we are doing everything we can to reunite them with their loved ones,” he said.
all borders, effective March 16, subsequently issuing a 15-day quarantine. It later announced that March 22 would be the final day the country would allow official flights to repatriate foreign visitors before the country closed all borders, effectively trapping many Americans and other international visitors in the South American nation. Further repatriation efforts require diplomatic intervention, something Rep. Smith is urging our Ambassador and State Department to prioritize.
The three States will limit crowd capacity for recreational and social gatherings to 50 people – effective by 8 PM tonight
Restaurants and bars will close for on premise service and move to take-out and delivery only effective 8 PM tonight
Movie theaters, gyms and casinos will temporarily close effective 8 PM tonight
Uniform approach to social distancing will slow spread of COVID-19 throughout the tri-state area
To slow the spread of #COVID19, I'm ordering: •Closure of ALL pre-K, K-12 schools, higher ed insts. beginning 3/18 •Closure of ALL casinos, racetracks, theaters, gyms •Closure of ALL non-essential retail, recreational, & entertainment bizs after 8pm •Banning gatherings of 50+ pic.twitter.com/mmZe0bZWgb
PRESS RELEASE FROM GOV. MURPHY’S OFFICE: TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)—Amid a lack of federal direction and nationwide standards, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced a regional approach to combatting the novel coronavirus – or COVID-19 – throughout the tri-state area.
These uniform standards will limit crowd capacity for social and recreational gatherings to 50 people, effective 8 PM tonight. This follows updated guidance that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued yesterday recommending the cancellation or postponement of in-person events consisting of 50 people or more.
The three governors also announced restaurants and bars will close for on premise service and move to take-out and delivery services only. These establishments will be provided a waiver for carry-out alcohol. These measures will take effect at 8 PM tonight.
Finally, the three governors said they will temporarily close movie theaters, gyms and casinos, effective at 8 PM tonight.
This uniform approach to social distancing is meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Governor Murphy said, “With all we are seeing in our state – and across our nation and around the world – the time for us to take our strongest, and most direct, actions to date to slow the spread of coronavirus is now. I’ve said many times over the past several days that, in our state, we are going to get through this as one New Jersey family. But if we’re all in this together, we must work with our neighboring states to act together. The work against coronavirus isn’t just up to some of us, it’s up to all of us.”
“Our primary goal right now is to slow the spread of this virus so that the wave of new infections doesn’t crash our healthcare system, and everyone agrees social distancing is the best way to do that,” Governor Cuomo said. “This is not a war that can be won alone, which is why New York is partnering with our neighboring states to implement a uniform standard that not only keeps our people safe but also prevents ‘state shopping’ where residents of one state travel to another and vice versa. I have called on the federal government to implement nationwide protocols but in their absence we are taking this on ourselves.”
Governor Lamont said, “The only way to effectively fight the spread of COVID-19 is by working together as states. We have shared interests, and a patchwork of closures and restrictions is not the best way forward. I know that because of this collaboration, we will save lives.”
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)—The 2020 Census count is underway and I received my invitation by mail today. As per the instructions I logged onto My2020census.gov and entered my code Census ID Code. There were some very basic questions of who was living in the home and birthdays. It was one of the easiest census forms I have ever completed and took less than two minutes to complete from start to finish, even though it says it could take an average of 10 minutes to complete.
The Census is counted every 10 years and many things from voting districts, financial aid, Federal, State and Local government services and more use this government data. A response is required by law and should be very easy to complete if you have received the invitation from United States Census Bureau.
What is the 2020 Census?The goal of the census is to count every person living in the United States, once, only once and in the right place. Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mandates that this population and housing count occur every 10 years. Census data guide how more than $675 billion of federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year.
Am I required to respond to the 2020 Census?Yes, you are required by law to respond to the 2020 Census (Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 141 and 193). We are conducting the 2020 Census under the authority of Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 141, 193 and 221. This collection of information has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eight-digit OMB approval number is 0607-1006. If this number were not displayed, we could not conduct the census.
Are my answers confidential and private?Yes. The Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you or your household. Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data. All web data submissions are encrypted in order to protect your privacy.Title 13 of the U.S. Code protects the confidentiality of all your information. Violating the confidentiality of a respondent is a federal crime with serious penalties, including a federal prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Only authorized individuals have access to the stored data, and the information you provide to the Census Bureau may only be used by a restricted number of authorized individuals who are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of your individual responses. Your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court.For more information about how we protect your information, please visit our website at census.gov and click on “Data Protection and Privacy Policy” at the bottom of the home page. This page also includes information about the collection, storage, and use of these records. Click on “System of Records Notices (SORN)” and look for Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/CENSUS-5, Decennial Census Program.
Who should complete the 2020 Census questionnaire?This 2020 Census questionnaire should be completed by the person who owns or rents the living quarters or any other person who is at least 15 years of age with knowledge of the household.
How do I change my answers?For questions where you must choose a single response from a list, clicking another response will change your answer to that response.If it is a “select all that apply” question, you may click on a selected check box to unselect the box and remove it as one of your answers.
How long will the 2020 Census questionnaire take?The Census Bureau estimates that completing the questionnaire will take 10 minutes on average.
How will the Census Bureau use the information I provide?By law, the Census Bureau can only use your responses to produce statistics.
Is it safe to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire online?Yes. For each online questionnaire, we are required to provide an explanation to respondents about the confidentiality of the data and the laws that protect those data (e.g., Title 13, U.S. Code Section 9 (a)).Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data. All web data submissions are encrypted in order to protect your privacy, even in the remote chance that your responses are intercepted.More information on this topic can be found on the Data Protection and Privacy Policy webpage (http://www.census.gov/privacy/).
Will the results be published?Yes. By law, the Census Bureau can only use your responses to produce statistics. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you or your household. The Census Bureau plans to make results of this study available to the general public. Results will be presented in aggregate form and no personally identifiable information will be published.Information quality is an integral part of the pre-dissemination review of the information disseminated by the Census Bureau (fully described in the Census Bureau’s Information Quality Guidelines at https://www.census.gov/about/policies/quality/guidelines.html). Information quality is also integral to the information collection conducted by the Census Bureau and is incorporated into the clearance process by the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Do I have to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire for my household members?Yes, you will be asked to provide information for each household member.
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NEW EGYPT, NJ (OCEAN)–The Robbinsville High School boys basketball team won their away game against New Egypt High school tonight with a score of 53-28.
TRENTON, N.J. – Thirteen municipalities in the 12th legislative district will receive more than $3.25 million in grants from the Department of Transportation, Assemblymen Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton announced today.
“This funding will help get vital roadway projects moving and will make much-needed improvements for the benefit of motorists,” said Dancer (R-Ocean).
The towns in Dancer and Clifton’s district will use the money for roadway preservation, one of the seven project categories under the municipal aid program. The others include roadway safety, quality of life, mobility, bikeway, pedestrian safety and bridge preservation.
“Local commuters and families deserve safer roads, resurfaced roads and peace of mind when travelling in our district. These funds will provide a better and safer experience,” said Clifton (R-Monmouth).
NJDOT provides 75 percent of the grant amount when a town awards a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project.
The following towns and projects in district 12 have been awarded funding:
Municipality Grant Amount Name of Project Chesterfield Township $244,000.00 Sykesville Rd Improvements Phase II New Hanover Township $244,000.00 Cookstown Hockamick Road North Hanover Township $240,000.00 Schoolhouse Road Phase II Old Bridge Township $312,338.00 Phillips Drive Improvements Allentown Borough $180,000.00 Improvements to Waldron Road, Quinn Road, and Hamilton Street Englishtown Borough $154,000.00 Heritage Drive and Raymond Court Improvements Manalapan Township $270,000.00 Improvements to Gordons Corner Road Matawan Borough $200,000.00 Overbrook Lane Improvements Millstone Township $180,000.00 Nurko Road Roosevelt Borough $255,000.00 Improvements to School Lane Upper Freehold Township $330,000.00 Burlington Path Road Jackson Township $425,000.00 Improvements to Wright DeBow Road, Phase II Plumsted Township $218,000.00 Tower Road Resurfacing
November 22, 2019 (List will be updated at events are scheduled)
By: Dennis Symons, Jr.
Friday November 29, 2019:
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ–Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Santa Parade sponsored by Hightstown Engine Company # 1 Ladies Auxiliary. The event starts at 6:30 pm. The Santa parade will begin at Leshin Lane down South Main Street through the center of town to the firehouse. The “Man in Red” will end up at the firehouse to pull the switch to turn on the holiday lights in the downtown area. Everyone is then invited into the firehouse where the children may visit with Santa and have their picture taken ($3.00 each) and enjoy refreshments.
Saturday November 30, 2019:
10 am to 6 pm:
ALLENTOWN, NJ–ABCA, Allentown Business Community Association–Small Business Saturday. Shop in and around Allentown, NJ for Small Business Saturday on Saturday November 30, 2019 between 10 am and 6 pm As you shop tag your Instagram, Twitter, and other social media with #ShopSmall to help spread the word about Small Business Saturday
6 pm:
ALLENTOWN, NJ– Allentown Annual Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 30th at 6PM at Pete Sensi Park hosted by ACBA, Allentown Business Community Association and Allentown Economic Development Commission. The event will have Stone Bridge Middle School Red Bird Singers, free cider at the Moth Coffee House, free cocoa and cookies at Bruno’s Bicycles-One Sweet Ride, Hope Fire Company will escort Santa to the Allentown Public Library Association and more. Follow this link for more information.
Tuesday December 3, 2019
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Celebration at the Robbinsville Senior Center 1117 Route 130, Robbinsville, NJ (municipal complex) Events start at 5 pm. Arts and Crafts sponsored by C.A.R.E., Gingerbread House Displays by Girl Scouts, Photos with Santa, Free Hot Chocolate by David Bradley, Robbinsville High School Choir, and Tree and Menorah Lighting.
December 6 & 7, 2019
HAMILTON, NJ–Hamilton Winter Wonderland Event held at Kuser Farm Park, on Friday and Saturday December 6 & 7, 2019 from 5 pm to 8 pm on both nights. This is a free to attend event. This beloved annual event, which is a favorite among families with young children, includes a number of exciting activities for children, such as:
Christmas Tree Lighting Friday, December 6 at 6pm
Food Drive: Non-perishable foods to be collected
Toy Drive: Collection of unwrapped new children’s toys
Visit Santa’s Village (free photo with Santa)
Ride our “Holiday Express Train”
Petting Zoo
Tour historic Kuser Mansion (decorated for the holidays)
Jersey Valley Model Railroad Club display (in Mansion basement)
Take in the decorations and lights throughout Kuser Farm Park
Visit Santa’s Secret Workshop of crafters
Make your own “reindeer food” to help direct Rudolph
Musical Entertainment
Food Vendors and more
December 7, 2019
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ–An Olde Fashioned Tree Lighting Ceremony, Saturday December 7, 2019 at the Plumsted Township Municipal Building 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533. Event starts at 6 p.m. and will be held rain, snow or shine. Santa will make a special appearance by arriving on New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company’s fire engine. Take photographs with Santa. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Pop Warner will be singing carols, The Plumsted Township Council for the Arts will have the Gingerbread Contest from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Please bring a non-perishable food item(s) for the annual School Food Drive at the tree ceremony.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ–Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony Sunday December 8, 2019 at Ron Rogers Arboretum, Clarksville Road and County Road 571 event starts at 7 pm. Program will include a chior performance from the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, performance by WWP-South High School First Edition, and a fireworks display. There will also be free refreshments during the event.
December 9, 2019
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–Friendly’s is sponsoring Holiday’s at the Foxmoor Shopping Center. There will be a Christmas Tree Lighting, Menorah Lighting, Visit by Santa Claus, Allentown High School Choir, Karaoke, and gifts for the kids. The event is held at Foxmoor Shopping Center and will start at 6 pm.
December 13, 2019
HAMILTON, NJ–Hamilton Little Lads Holiday Shopping Event, 400 Edward Ave, Hamilton, NJ 08610 Event will be from 5 pm to 9 pm
PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP–WHERE: New Egypt Fire House 59 Main Street, New Egypt WHEN: Saturday, November 16, 2019 TIME: 9 am to 11 am You must bring proof of previous rabies vaccination or a current license to the clinic in order for your dog to receive a 3 year immunization. If you do not have proof of a prior vaccine, the shot will be valid for 1 year. Please have your dog(s) on a leash and your cat(s) in a carrier or a pillowcase. You do not need to be a Plumsted resident for your pet to receive a vaccination. Any questions, please contact the Municipal Clerk at 609/758-2241, ext 101.
Updated to include additional photos of the transit and exit.
November 11, 2019, ALLENTOWN-ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – This morning about 7:35 a.m. Eastern Standard Time the planet Mercury started it’s transit across the sun. In a rare event, the transit is where the planet crosses in front of the sun and can be seen from planet Earth. The next time this can be seen from planet Earth will be in 2032. The transit will be complete today around 1:04 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. If you have proper equipment you can see this yourself from just about anywhere in the United States and beyond.
Do not look directly at the sun you won’t be able to see it without some magnification and certified eye protection. Use proper equipment for viewing the sun such as certified eclipse glasses and special filters for cameras and telescopes. I tried looking though eclipse glasses that I had from left over from the eclipse a few years ago and could not see it. Using the camera with a special coated filter with 600mm magnification equivalent I was able to capture images of this event. If you do not use proper equipment you will suffer eye damage and damage to your photographic equipment.
ALLENTOWN-ROBBINSVILLE, NJ—Joint Base McGuire (the default for our area by many weather apps) may be reporting 22F this morning but out here in the Allentown-Robbinsville area we are waking up to temperatures in the 19F range confirmed by 3 different sensors just before 7 a.m. Bundle up if you are going to the “Run As One 5K Run/1 Mile Walk” over in Hamilton or doing any outside activity it will be a cold one. NJ101.5 Traffic Desk is also reporting some ice on certain roadways so use caution driving.
Incumbents Witt, Ciaccio and Schuberth Re-Elected to Township Council
By: Robbinsville Township from press release
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – (November 5, 2019) – Following a contentious race for Robbinsville Township Council, incumbents Ron Witt, Christine Ciaccio and Dan Schuberth were elected to another four years as part of a landslide victory Tuesday over first-time challengers Paul Kranz, Rakhi Upadhyay and Roland Allen.
The ticket of Witt, Ciaccio and Schuberth won all 9 districts in convincing fashion with 6,435 votes (68.8 percent), including mail-in totals. All three incumbents surpassed 2,000 votes with Schuberth setting the pace at 2,261.
In the race for Robbinsville School Board, incumbents Craig Heilman (2,191) and President Jane Barker (2,154), along with a fine showing from newcomer Chris Emigholz (2,112), were the three candidates elected to four-year terms. Challenger Avery Hutchinson (1,207) rounded out the BOE voting.
The current Township Council of Witt, Ciaccio, Schuberth vice president Mike Cipriano and Vince Calcagno have worked with Mayor Dave Fried and Administration to lower municipal taxes four straight years, bring seven new tenants online in the Foxmoor Plaza and have helped push the amount of land set aside for open space to over 1,000 acres, among other accomplishments.
All vote tallies are unofficial until being certified by the Mercer County Clerk.
Re-elected to Robbinsville Council: Christine Ciaccio, Ron Witt, and Dan Schuberth
Victory celebration held at Lola Resturant for incumbents Ron Witt, Christine Ciaccio and Dan Schuberth
Hamilton Twp FMBA at victory party with Mayor Elect Jeff Martin and the winners of Hamilton’s election
Pictured (from left to right) are: Council Member John Zoller; Mayor Janice S. Mironov; Deputy Mayor Marc Lippman, and Council Member Peter Yeager. Photo provided by East Windsor Township
Photos by: Dennis Symons, Jr. from Robbinsville, Hamilton provided by Hamilton Twp. FMBA, East Windsor Township from East Windsor Township
Links to results from each county provided by each board of election and county clerk’s office:
**All winners announced below are unofficial until announced by the County Clerk in each respective county. **
Upper Freehold Township
Running unopposed incumbents Stanley Moslowski, Jr. and LoriSue Mount were reelected to Township Council.
Upper Freehold Regional School District
William Borkowski (Allentown) won running unopposed
Vanessa DePompo and Christine Ciccarone (Upper Freehold) won running unopposed.
Allentown Borough
Allentown was a really tight race as of right now it appears that Thomas Fritts won race for mayor. Martha Johnson and Daniel “Danny” Payson won council seats. Race is too close to call until certified by County Clerk and Board of Elections
Millstone Township
Albert Ferro ran unopposed for township council.
Millstone Township Board of Education
788 write in votes no name listed
Roosevelt Boro
Peggy Malkin ran unopposed for mayor, Michael B. Hamilton and Luke d. Dermody won 2 year full council seats and Chad Vroman won a 1 year unexpired term for a vacancy.
Hamilton Township Mercer County
Winning a the seat for Mayor was Jeff Martin. Pasquale “Pat” Papero, Jr. and Nancy Phillips won township council seats.
Hightstown Borough
Steven Misiura and Joshua Jackson won 3 year terms on council. Joseph Cicalese won a one year unexpired term on council.
East Windsor
Janice S. Mironov, Marc Lippman, Peter Yeager and John Zoller won four year terms on council.
East Windsor Board of Education
Ram K. Ramachandran, Bertrand Fougnies and Nicole LaRusso won seats
Plumstead Township
Herbert F. Marinari and Robert W. Bowen won 3 year terms on township committee. Leonard A. Grilleto won a 1 year unexpired term on township committee.
November 3, 2019, New Egypt, NJ– Cub Scout Pack 180A of Allentown & Upper Freehold helped out NJ Farmers Against Hunger this weekend and gleaned approx 4,000 lbs of sweet potatoes at Hallocks Farm in New Egypt! We hope to do one more gleaning this month!
Scouts participate in crop gleaning to help NJ Farmers Against Hunger, Cub Scout Pack 180A of Allentown & Upper Freehold helped at Hallocks Farm in New Egypt.
November 3, 2019, ROBBINSVILLE, NJ — New Jersey enacted a law requiring all single fire alarms be changed out an with a unit with a 10 year “sealed battery” (Usually used in an older home) If you have a hard wired smoke alarm system (usually in a newer or renovated home) where detectors are hooked together with a 110 volt system with a communication wire between, those detectors still have a backup battery in them that needs to be changed. If you don’t change the back up battery in those units they may fail during a power outage, cause a false alarm or chirp every 15 seconds indicating a low battery condition. You should still test both single station and hard wired units at least monthly and change the batteries in them as per manufactures recommendations that came with the unit, usually when we change the clocks we change the batteries as a reminder.
The State of New Jersey also enacted a law requiring a carbon monoxide alarm in any home or business that has a fuel burning appliance or attached garage. Many of these carbon monoxide alarms run on batteries and it is a good time to change the batteries and/or backup batteries in the plug in units.
In the gallery below there are several informational flyers that were designed by the Monmouth County Fire Prevention and Protection Association to aid you in alarm selection and placement requirements. Always check the manufactures recommendations and instructions that come with each smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm and fire extinguisher to help determine your specific needs.
Please review the flyers on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguisher requirements for residential properties in New Jersey.
As a guideline smoke alarms should be replaced in your home every 10 years. Carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced every 7 to 10 years unless specified in the unit’s instruction manual.
Documents provided by the Monmouth County Fire Prevention and Protection Association
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