A Third Party Starting Up in Jackson

In today's Asbury Park Press it was announced that a group of disenfranchised voters plan to start the "Jackson Tea Party" as a protest to the politics as usual in Jackson Township.

This seems like a good idea. A group of people from both parties that have been left behind or left out because they are not a part of the old-boy network that runs the show in Jackson.

Both political parties in town play the same game. It is who you know and not what you know that gets you positions. And because their group is so closed to outsiders no new ideas ever get heard or see the light of day.

The Mayor, Mr. Seda, claims that the impetus to this party is a group of "disgruntled Republicans who feel they didn't get what they wanted." While they may be "disgruntled Republicans" shouldn't they be OK with this Republican government? Not if Mr. Seda is committed to only seeking advice and counsel from a small group of insiders and not allowing the public to have any input into their government.

You can read the Asbury Park Press article here.

According to the Jackson Tea Party's web site, they are committed to lower taxes and increased commercial development. These do not seem to be bad aims. Also, they claim that elected officials should support this agenda as the best way to bring Jackson forward and that commercial development will help to reduce the tax burden of the residential taxpayer and that "if [politicians] do not [support this agenda], they must be held accountable at the polls."

The party is also concerned with the Jackson Township Board of Education and the significant burden that their budget has added to the taxpayers of the township.

The party plans to run candidates in the 2007 Board of Education races and the 2008 Township Council races.

Here is a link to the Jackson Tea Party

Jackson Library is Five Years Old

This announcement was made in the Tri-Town News:
Library will celebrate anniversary
JACKSON - The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Nov. 4 with ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m.
The Jackson Library is a branch of the Ocean County Library.
"The Jackson branch has been serving the community in this beautiful new building for five years," said librarian Meagan Toohey.
Activities on Nov. 4 have been planned for people of all ages, Toohey said. There will be a piano concert with Andrew Vincent and the songs of yesteryear performed by the Good Old Days. A new children's mural will be dedicated and youngsters will be able to meet Sparks, the Ocean County Library mascot.
The Jackson Friends of the Library, members of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, representatives from Jackson Premium Outlets, Cloonfad Press Authors and other local authors, including John Morano, will be on hand at the event.
Clown and balloon artist Macaroni Anne Cheese will create balloon animals and there will be activities provided by the Garden State Discovery Museum.
Teenagers will be able to pose for portraits by caricature artist Gregory Johnson.
"The library is grateful to its sponsors for donating their time and services," Toohey said.
The library thanked Andrew Vincent, Bella Terra, Cloonfad Press, Gianni's Bakery and Café, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Friends of the Library, Jackson Premier Outlets, ShopRite, Solo Bella Brick Oven Bistro, Tastefully Simple and Walls of Wonder.
"All are welcome to attend this fun-filled day-long activity," said Toohey. "The program is free and open to the public."

Hov-Bilt Community Continues to Move Forward

More testimony was made before the Planning Board on Hov-Bilt's large senior development being planned for the Cassville section of Jackson. Here is the information from this week's Tri-Town News

MSNBC Reporting Existing Home Sales Declined

Of note is in this report is the quote from the NAR rep who states that he thinks that this price correction is probably mostly behind us. I tend to agree with that assessment. I believe that we have seen the market regress back to the median and we should see better times ahead. Here is the full article:


Existing-home sales keep falling
Year-over-year median sales price drops by the largest amount on record

WASHINGTON - Sales of existing homes fell for a sixth straight month in September and the median sales price dropped on an annual basis by the largest amount on record, further documenting a lukewarm housing market.

The National Association of Realtors reported that sales of previously owned homes fell by 1.9 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted sales pace of 6.18 million units, the slowest sales rate since January 2004.

The median price of a single-family home fell to $219,800 last month, a drop of 2.5 percent from the price in September 2005. That was the biggest year-over-year price decline in records going back nearly four decades.

Housing, which had set sales records for both new and existing homes for five consecutive years, has been rapidly loosing altitude this year, as consumers were battered by rising mortgage rates, soaring energy prices and a slowing economy.
However, economists with the Realtors said they believed the housing decline could be hitting bottom.

“The worst is behind us as far as a market correction — this is likely the trough for sales,” said David Lereah, the Realtors’ chief economist. “When consumers recognize that home sales are stabilizing, we’ll see the buyers who’ve been on the sidelines get back into the market.”
However, analysts said that the weakness in housing could last for several more months with a real upturn in sales not occurring until next spring.

Sales were down in all sections of the country except the South, which posted a small 0.4 percent decline. Sales fell the most in the Northeast, a drop of 3.7 percent, followed by the West, where sales were down 3.1 percent, and the Midwest, where sales fell by 2.8 percent.
The inventory of unsold homes, after climbing to all-time highs, fell for a second straight month, decreasing 2.4 percent, to 3.75 million unsold homes at the end of September, which represents a 7.3 months supply at the September sales pace.

Sales of single-family homes dropped by 1.6 percent to an annual rate of 5.42 million units while sales of condominiums fell by 3.2 percent to an annual rate of 763,000 units.
The 2.5 percent drop in the price of single-family homes pushed them down to $219,800 while condominium prices fell by 3.2 percent to a median price which was also $219,800.

New State Parks Guide available

The New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission partnered with the state Department of Environmental Protection to announce the creation of the Passport to Adventure - a free guide to New Jersey's state parks, forests and historic sites.

"The Passport is a fun way to get kids interested in the outdoors and our environment," said state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson . "We hope this program inspires children and adults alike to get out and enjoy our beautiful state parks and historic sites."

Featuring 36 parks, forests and historic sites across the state, the 80-page, passport-style guide is filled with beautiful images, fast facts and unique activities and events. As visitors travel to the featured sites they can pick up a Passport and also collect a full-color sticker to place in their guide.

"Outdoor recreation is an integral part of our $36 billion tourism industry," said Commerce Secretary Virginia Bauer. "Whether it is state parks, forests or historic sites, the new Passport to Adven-ture promotes visitation to these wonderful areas while encouraging education and discovery."

"The guide provides kids of all ages with an opportunity to discover everything from climbing the 291 steps of the High Point Monument at High Point State Park to marching through Prince-ton Battlefield, the site of one of the fiercest battles of the Revolutionary War, to viewing panoramic vistas from atop the Barnegat Lighthouse," Byrne said.

In addition to the keepsake Passport and collectible stickers, participants who visit 10 or more sites receive a free prize package, as well as a certificate commemorating their accomplishment.
While the Passport program is targeted for the elementary through middle school audience, it is also an opportunity for adults to take a break from their regular routines.

The program was made possible in part through funding from the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission, Office of Travel and Tourism.
The Passport to Adventure is available at New Jersey's state parks, forests and historic sites.
For a copy by mail, call (800) 843-6420. Text telephone users can call NJ Relay Service at (800) 852-7899. For more information visit www.njparksandforests.org.

Jackson Township Enacts Ordinance to Protect Children

The Township Council created an ordinance recently requiring all township employees and any person who uses township property and who work with children to undergo criminal background checks and sex offender checks.

This step is a good protection for the children of the township who attend Rec or play organized township sports. Parents can now have peace of mind that the people working with their children have passed these background checks. More information is in the Tri-Town News.

Fire Prevention Week Tip of the Day

This week is Fire Prevention Week, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Fire Corps have teamed up to provide a different set of fire safety tips each day this week. Please share these tips with your family and friends. Together we can all make a difference.

Smoke alarms are an important part of fire safety, but they are only effective when working properly. Every home should be equipped with smoke alarms that are installed correctly and tested regularly. Make sure that your smoke alarms are properly installed, connected, and working.

Smoke Alarm Tips:
The right way to install smoke alarms:
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, making sure that there is an alarm outside every separate sleeping area.

New homes are required to have a smoke alarm in every sleeping room and all smoke alarms must be interconnected.

Hard-wired smoke alarms operate on your household electrical current. They can be interconnected so that every alarm sounds regardless of the fire's location. This is an advantage in early warning, because it gives occupants extra time to escape if they are in one part of the home and a fire breaks out in another part.

Alarms that are hard-wired should have battery backups in case of a power outage, and should be installed by a qualified electrician.

If you sleep with bedroom doors closed, have a qualified electrician install interconnected smoke alarms in each room so that when one alarm sounds, they all sound.

If you or someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing an alarm that combines flashing lights, vibration, and/or sound.

Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Ceiling-mounted alarms should be installed at least four inches away from the nearest wall; wall-mounted alarms should be installed four to 12 inches away from the ceiling.

If you have ceilings that are pitched, install the alarm near the ceiling's highest point.

Don't install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.

Never paint smoke alarms. Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working.

A life-saving test: check your smoke alarms regularly

Test your smoke alarms once a month, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year, or as soon as the alarm "chirps" warning that the battery is low. Hint: schedule battery replacements for the same day you change your clocks from daylight savings time to standard time in the fall.

Never "borrow" a battery from a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can't warn you of fire if their batteries are missing or have been disconnected.

Don't disable smoke alarms even temporarily. If your smoke alarm is sounding "nuisance alarms," try relocating it farther from kitchens or bathrooms, where cooking fumes and steam can cause the alarm to sound.

Regularly vacuuming or dusting your smoke alarms, following the manufacturer's instructions, can keep them working properly.

Smoke alarms don't last forever. Replace yours once every 10 years. If you can't remember how old the alarm is, then it's probably time for a new one.

Consider installing smoke alarms with "long-life" (10-year) batteries.

Plan regular fire drills to ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Hold a drill at night to make sure that sleeping family members awaken at the sound of the alarm. Some studies have shown that some children may not awaken to the sound of the smoke alarm. Know what your child will do before a fire occurs.

If you are building a new home or remodeling your existing home, consider installing an automatic home fire sprinkler system. Sprinklers and smoke alarms together cut your risk of dying in a home fire 82 percent relative to having neither – a savings of thousands of lives a year.

* Reproduced from NFPA's Fire Prevention Week Web site, www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2006 NFPA

Fire Prevention Week Tip of the Day

This week is Fire Prevention Week, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Fire Corps have teamed up to provide fire safety tips each day this week, helping to keep your families, friends and communities safer. Please share these tips with your family & friends. Together we can all make a difference.

The NFPA reports that candle fires account for an estimated 5% of all home fires. In 2002, candles were the cause of 18,000 reported home fires, resulting in 130 civilian deaths, 1350 civilian injuries, and an estimated $333 million in direct property loss. Candle safety was the theme of last year’s Fire Prevention Week. Learn more about Fire Prevention week at http://www.firepreventionweek.org/.

Candle Safety Tips:

Place candles in sturdy, nonflammable holders (metal, glass, ceramic) that are large enough to collect dripping wax.
Always keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
Always attend burning candles. Extinguish all candles before leaving the room or going to sleep.
Do not carry a lit candle during a power outage; use a flashlight instead.
Keep candle wicks trimmed to ¼ inch and extinguish when the flame gets too high. Once the candle cools down, re-trim the wick to ¼ inch. This keeps the candle burning slower and with less smoke.
Do not use lighted candles on or near a Christmas tree.
Consider using flameless candles. This alternative to traditional candles allows you to enjoy the glow of a real candle without the hazards of smoke, melting wax, or fire. Battery-powered flameless candles can be practically indistinguishable from real candles to the casual observer, with options including real wax, flickering glow, and a variety of pleasing scents.

Fire Prevention Week Tip of the Day

This week is Fire Prevention Week, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Fire Corps have teamed up to provide fire safety tips each day this week, helping to keep your families, friends, and communities safer. Please share these tips with your family, friends, and community and continue to pass on the message of fire safety every day. Together we can all make a difference.

The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat.” Here is a fire safety tip to remember when you are in the kitchen. For more information on Fire Prevention Week, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.

Cooking Safety Tips:

Keep your stovetop and burners clean – remove any grease or food remnants.

Pine Barrens Jamboree

Looking for something to do this coming weekend? How about the Pine Barrens Jamboree in Waretown? Here is some more information from the Asbury Park Press

Fire Prevention Week Tip of the Day

The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat.” Here is a fire safety tip to remember when you are in the kitchen.

For more information on Fire Prevention Week, visit http://www.firepreventionweek.org/.

Cooking Safety Tips:

Keep any item that can burn at least three feet away from the stove top. This includes but is not limited to dishtowels, oven mitts and pot holders, paper or plastic bags, and curtains.

Fire Prevention Week Tip of the Day

The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Prevent Cooking Fires: Watch What You Heat.” Here is a fire safety tip to remember when you are in the kitchen.

For more information on Fire Prevention Week, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.

Cooking Safety Tip: Always monitor what you are cooking. If you are frying, grilling, or broiling food, stay in the kitchen. Turn off the stove if you need to leave the kitchen for any reason. If you are simmering, boiling, or baking food, remember to check it regularly. Never leave your home when the stove or oven is on.

New Commercial Development on Monmouth Road

The township planning board unanimously approved a new shopping center to be built on Monmouth Road (Rte 537) near the intersection of West Commodore Blvd (Rte 571.)

This is good to hear. The more commercial ratables the better in Jackson; that will hopefully help out with property taxes. Here is some additional information from the Tri-Town News

Fall Forestry Fest Today

The annual Fall Forestry Fest is today at the Forest Resources Educational Center on Don Connor Blvd. Here is some more information

Jackson Township Budget Passed...Finally

The Tri-Town News details the new budget passed by the new Council. They really have a lot to learn about the way to run the town AND cut the fat at the same time. They are bragging about cutting the position of full-time aide to the Mayor, but forget to remind you that the Mayor himself is now a full-time employee...a new expenditure!

Unfortunately, this administration, thus far, is laughable.

An Interesting article about what local schools are to increase security

This isn't specifically about the Jackson Township Schools, but I found it informative, and I know from my experience with Jackson Township OEM and the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company, that our schools have taken a number of these steps in our schools.