Jackson Democratic Club; True Motivation

As an officer in the Jackson Democrat Club, one would think that Alan Stern would have better reading comprehension. His latest ‘Letter to the Editor’ distorts the facts that were clearly laid out in an article printed by this very paper. Stern incorrectly points out that Mayor Reina is ‘creat(ing) all these new boards,’ which are ‘adding a layer to an already bloated government.’ Sorry to say for Mr. Stern, but it was clearly stated in the article that ‘all of these boards’ are 1) volunteer, adding zero costs to the government, 2) advisory boards to the Mayor without a budget or the powers to solely effect the budget and 3) already on the books. That’s right, they already exist and are simply vacant because of the negligence of the Council/Committee for a half dozen or more years. Mr. Stern doesn’t point out that the only committees that have been created out of thin air were, in fact, created by Stern’s Democrat counter part, Mike Kafton.

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Jackson Democratic Club; True Motivation

Tilis Calls for Ethics, But Not From Runing Mate

In the last few years there has been a lot of talk about ethics in this town. Ever since our first elected Mayor went south, like the gypsy moths that were not in Angelo Stallone’s backyard, there have been calls for some kind of ethic’s board in Jackson. The latest to this call for ethics is Howard Tilis. Tilis now claims he is working on such an ethics board. Convenient how these ideas only materialize around election time. Mr. Tilis talks about “ethics”? Until he demands the same of his own running mate, it’s just more empty political rhetoric. When Tilis can show the residents he is more than just Kafton’s political pawn, I might start to listen.

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Tilis Calls for Ethics, But Not From Runing Mate

Chaos to Stability in Jusy 10 Months

From July 1, 2006, until Jackson Mayor Michael Reina took office, this town suffered from instability and recrimination. In his few months in office, Mayor Reina has restored open government, volunteerism and effective leadership. More importantly, during these poor economic times he has balanced our budget with just a small increase. He did this while keeping our payment to the state pension fund up to date instead of delaying it and incurring an 8.5 percent surcharge. These are just a few reasons that Mayor Reina deserves to be elected to the short six-month term on Election Day, Nov. 3. His three challengers have nothing of significance to offer. Angelo Stallone seems to have a memory lapse in his campaign statements when he neglects to mention he voted for former Mayor Mark Seda’s 32 percent tax increase in 2006 and voted against gypsy moth spraying the same year. John Gaskill has a plan for the municipal government to take over garbage collection. The end result will be a 10 percent-plus increase in our taxes. Do we really need more government control affecting our daily lives? Why is Michael Kafton running? First, it appears he has a compulsion to run. His ill-advised run in 2006 resulted in a split vote that gave us the Seda administration. Second, a win will allow him to appoint the town professionals for 2010. With “pay to play” he can then expect campaign donations for the May 2010 election for mayor

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Chaos to Stability in Jusy 10 Months

Kafton Wrong in Claiming Credit for Tree Ordinance

Generally I agree with President Ronald Reagan who said, “You never know what might be accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit.” However, sometimes the facts need to be made clear or you get revisionist history, a subject needing its own time. Regarding the Jackson Township tree ordinance, I need to set the record straight regarding recent comments in a local daily newspaper from Jackson Township Council President Mike Kafton, so I will put forth its history. I believe giving credit where credit is due, and both the original tree ordinance and the establishment of the Jackson Shade Tree Commission were done at the request of Marvin Krakower. It was 2000 and Marvin was running for Township Committee. I had served on the Board of Education with Marvin since 1997. Marvin, knowing of my connections with the New Jersey tree community, asked me how we could slow down the clear-cutting that was taking place throughout Jackson at that time. I provided a recommendation to establish the Shade Tree Commission following state statutes and to put in place a tree protection/removal ordinance. Marvin agreed and asked me to form a committee. I contacted people who were familiar with tree ordinances to serve on this committee. Following are the committee members: Gary Lovallo, the current Jackson forester, who helped establish and revise the Manalapan, Old Bridge and first Marlboro tree ordinances, Michael D’Errico and David Johnson from the State Forest Service, NJDEP, Bill Fox, Jackson Township clerk and forester at that time and myself. After a few meetings Jeff Nagle from CME Associates also joined the committee for draft review and to put the finishing touches on it. It was then reviewed by Kevin Starkey, Jackson’s township attorney. Mr. Kafton was not a member, nor did he participate. The ordinance, 07-01, amending Chapter 109, Section 159 was passed on Feb. 26, 2001.

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Kafton Wrong in Claiming Credit for Tree Ordinance

Mayor Shows Support For Youth Sports

On July 2 at the Jackson 4th of July celebration held at Johnson Park, Mayor Mike Reina held an early ceremony acknowledging the accomplishments of three teams from Jackson Pop Warner. Last year, our Peewee and Jr. Midget cheerleading teams went to Florida and brought home two national championships for their respective divisions while our Jr. Peewee football team went undefeated and won the eastern region championship. It was an amazing accomplishment to have three teams in the same season take home championships for the first time ever in our league. I would like to personally thank Mayor Mike Reina for his continued effort to support the sports organizations and children of Jackson. Each participant received a proclamation from the mayor’s office, while also having signs posted around the town telling everyone of their accomplishments. I am sure that Mayor Reina has a busy schedule around town, but it’s a great feeling to know that he always takes the time to make our children a priority. I can say that he has helped to bring all the sports organizations together so that we can all continue to work together and make it a better place for all the children. Thank you again, Mayor Mike Reina, for once again putting politics aside to acknowledge our children for their truly amazing feats last year and for showing true compassion for the children of Jackson. On behalf of myself, the Pop Warner Board of Directors, coaches, parents and participants, we would like to again thank you, Mayor Reina, for all your outstanding efforts and for continually taking the time to listen to all our needs. Mark Bruscella, JPWFL President

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Mayor Shows Support For Youth Sports

Mike Reina on important township issues

Completed Township Revaluation After more than 20 years of delays, Mayor Reina successfully completed the township’s state-mandated revaluation process.  The process was arduous for township workers and administrators who followed the lead of the mayor.  It was also unsettling for some residents that were dazed upon learning the market value of their homes.  Mayor Reina addressed their concerns by holding several town-hall style meetings where he had representatives of the revaluation company, Tax Assessor and Business Administrator on hand to address concerns.  At the completion of the revaluation process he organized volunteers to hold a seminar on the appeals process and how to file a tax appeal on your property. Transfer station at Johnson Park Mike understands the adverse conditions placed on the Westlake community by the existing leaf and brush transfer station.  The location of the transfer station also poses a risk to children playing in Johnson Park and Mike has a proactive and beneficial plan that will relocate the transfer station to a new and green composting facility that will benefit residents.   The transfer station is scheduled to be shut down in the fall of  2009, freeing the senior community from the sights, smells and sounds created by it. Military Planes Mike understands the concerns of residents posed by increased air traffic from the nearby Joint military base and the impacts this traffic has on local quality of life issues.   As Mayor, Mike has invited residents of the community on a tour of the base to allow them to speak directly to the government officials in charge of the base to hear the residents’ concerns over the increased air traffic caused by the base.   Resident appreciation Mayor Reina as continued the Jackson tradition of recognizing achievements by local residents by awarding proclamations for good deeds, community service and accomplishments by both volunteer groups and youth sports organizations. Jackson Senior Center Mayor Reina has plans to expand the Jackson Senior and improve the services offered by the senior center.

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Mike Reina on important township issues

Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival

Acting Mayor Dawn Zimmer & The City of Hoboken proudly present the 16th annual Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival

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Hoboken Fall Arts & Music Festival

Jackson Township Wounded Warriors Parade – NJ 08-08-2009

Jackson Justice Complex procession for the Wounded Warriors courtesy of www.jacksonnjonline. Thanks to Mayor Mike Reina for thinking about our troops!

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Jackson Township Wounded Warriors Parade – NJ 08-08-2009

Jackson Township Wounded Warriors Parade – NJ 08-08-2009

Jackson Justice Complex procession for the Wounded Warriors courtesy of www.jacksonnjonline. Thanks to Mayor Mike Reina for thinking about our troops!

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Jackson Township Wounded Warriors Parade – NJ 08-08-2009

New Jersey’s new 364 acre wildlife recreation area and hiking park

Jackson, NJ – Today, Jackson Township, home of Six Flags Great Adventure and the northeastern most border of the Pinelands National Reserve,  the Pine Barrens as New Jersey residents affectionately call it, officially preserved 364 acres of forest and wetlands.    The Bunker Hill Bogs Wildlife Recreation Area was officially christened today by Mayor Michael Reina as local residents and volunteers of the Jackson Pathfinders were on hand to witness the occasion.    

The huge parcel of land that encompasses a large section of eastern Jackson Township was rescued several years ago from becoming the southern entrance to an extension of the Westlake Village retirement community.   Years of legal and political maneuvering by concerned conservationists eventually forced the Westlake developer to cede the property to Jackson Township according Art Rosky, the local site manager for the Jackson Pathfinders.       The Jackson Pathfinders, through grants from the State of New Jersey and with the approval from the township, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and JCP&L, which maintains rights of way on the land eventually turned this once forgotten tract of land into a clean and pristine ecological park with over 5 miles of trails around two large lakes and 9 defunct cranberry bogs.    Through the dedicated effort of Pathfinders’ Treasurer Tom Stevens, Chairperson Karen Borga and the Pathfinders organization, a $25,000 grant from the New Jersey Conservation Fund, the group was able to clean up years of trash left behind which included items such as discarded metal swingsets, construction debris, tires, automotive parts and various other illegally dumped items forgotten by years of neglect.   

Joining Mayor Reina at today’s ribbon cutting ceremony was township Councilman Scott Martin and Councilwoman Bobby Rivere.   Other special guests included Jackson Girl Scout troop 110 who worked hard the previous morning on a community flower garden in preparation for today’s ceremony, led by troop leader Kathleen Malmstrom, of the Dogwood Service Unit of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore.

Jackson Township Councilman Scott Martin said “It’s a beautful site. There’s no doubt the residents of Jackson will enjoy themselves here.” about the new park and it’s stunning natural beauty and hidden wildlife treasures as the children in attendance followed a turtle as it crept along the shore of the lake.

“Today is all about the Jackson Pathfinders and they deserve it” said Mayor Reina “This isn’t about politics, it’s about what ordinary people in the community have accomplished.  It makes me proud to be the mayor of Jackson when I see things like this.” as he pointed around at the kids playing by the water and the results of many years of hard work by the Pathfinders, a 100% volunteer organization and branch of the Jackson Township municipal government.  He continued “This project has had absolutely zero cost to the taxpayer and that’s the beauty of it”. 

It was just a few months ago that Mayor Reina proposed to expand Jackson’s volunteer corps by reinstating an all volunteer community advisory board for the township to tackle projects and iniatives that might have otherwise carried a burden on taxpayers, similar to the Bunker Hill Bogs reclamation project.  Mayor Reina then spent time with the children in attendance including his grandson and the kindergarten daisy scouts from the Lucy N. Holman Elementary School who created the community garden at the site.  Mr. Reina will be joining the children at their school as a special “Mystery Guest” to read an unspecified Dr. Seuss classic to the children later in the week and answer questions they may have about being mayor of their town.

After the ceremony, Tony Santamaria, a local ecological expert took the group of children and the mayor on a short hike through the bog trails and detailed the vast and diverse range of wildlife that could be found in the preserve from deer to snakes to fish to the local beaver population.   Along the way, Mr. Santa Maria showed the children the effects already being felt by the project such as a resurgence in wildlife and growth of  auquatic plants that haven’t been seen in recent memory at the Bogs because of damage caused by off road vehicles which has been all but eliminated.    The Pathfinders have also built dozens of bird and owl shelters on the property which have lured back local exotic bird species including woodpeckers and owls.

Along the hike, the group was joined by Customized Dickens, a horse owned by Karen Borga, being ridden here by Pathfinder member Keith Sawyer.   Dickens is a neiiigh-bor of the bogs who calls the adjacent horse ranch owned by Site Manager Art Rosky  home.

In the above photo, Mayor Reina, no stranger to horses, walks along some of  the 5.1 miles of reclaimed trails first hand, accompanied by Customized Dickens and Keith Sawyer. 

After such an accomplishment, the Pathfinders intend to remain busy and keep informing residents about the untold natural treasures right here in their own backyards.   “Next up is a full moon hike at the New Jersey Forest Resource Education Center in August” Ms. Borga said.  The Forest Resource Education Center is just a few miles west of the Bunker Hill Bogs on East Veterans Highway.

“We have fishing, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and canoeing right now at the bogs” explains Art Rosky, site manager “In the future, we’ll have lots of activities for children and seniors.  Just yesterday morning, two fisherman spent all afternoon in a boat out here and didn’t catch anything.  As they were leaving, a young kid on the banks caught a huge bass!”.   Rosky says there are plenty of bass already in the lakes and the waters will eventually be stocked with fish by the state.

Bunker Hill Bogs is the most unique of Jackson Township’s parks as it has no swing sets, no ball fields and no stadium lights.  In fact, it doesn’t even have electricity, but it’s one of the most diverse and well maintained ecosystems in the town and it’s open from dawn till dusk every day.  You won’t find Bunker Hill Bogs on any Google Map or State Wildlife guides because it just officially opened today, but it’s located on East Veteran’s Highway (Route 527), west of the intersection of Whitesville Road on the westbound side of the highway.  It’s a makes for a perfect eco-day trip for the entire family.

Jackson softball parents claim unfair treatment for girls in recently filed petition

Jackson, NJ – Back in January, Mayor Mike Reina, who recently was appointed mayor of Jackson called a meeting in which every sports league was invited, to hash out plans for a smooth 2009 sports season for all of Jackson’s children.    The meeting was a success and all parties left the meeting in good spirits, anticipating another safe and successful year of youth sports in our town.

However, all was not as it appeared, especially for the Jackson Recreational Youth Softball league where parents became upset over field conditions at designated girl’s softball fields.     Softball coaches and parents Tony Beja and Shaun Staulker raised concerns with then newly appointed Mayor Reina about the conditions of playing fields and their availability to the local girls’ league.

At the request of Beja and Staulker, Mike Reina investigated the matter and found that the township’s former recreation director had not given the girls league all of the support required and expected from the township and that fields had gone unmowed and scheduling conflicts between the girls league and little league had caused use issues that inconvenienced the girls.    It was not the first lapse by the former recreation director, other lapses included not properly maintaining the Jackson Jungle and the Skate Park, which eventually led to Mayor Reina hiring a new Parks and Recreation director this year.

Now left with a mess that included poorly handled rec leagues, poorly maintained playgrounds and a skate park which had been nearly destroyed by vandalism, Mayor Reina started to pick up the pieces.   After recieving complaints from the coaches, he ordered the public works department to properly maintain the softball fields, he even made sure that the township set aside a single lawn mower just for sports field use only.    In the past the same mowers that mowed the sides of our roads, chipping their blades on rocks, tree stumps and who knows what else gave the fields a rough and unsuitable cut.  The new mower for the fields gives our parks a nice clean cut that our kids deserve.     Beja and Staulker both agreee that of late the fields have been maintained better than in the past.

The Mayor also discussed along with councilman Scott Martin a closing ceremony for the girls and trophies, which had never been given by previous administrations and the future possibility of a dedicated field, possibly with concessions for the girls, but admitted that these things may take time and won’t happen in the 2009 season and that the sides should continue working together to make sure the girls softball league is treated the same as any other league in the town.

However, Beja and Staulker claim that the girls still do not have a fair shake at public field use and are often kicked off fields by the little league and have been refused use of the new turf fields and only one girls game has been played on the fields all year.    They view the newly signed lease with the township as an unfair practice that gives the Jackson Little League a sense of entitlement to the million dollar turf fields which have been paid for and owned by taxpayers, leaving  the girls out in the cold and have directed their frustration at the township for signing a 25 year lease with the Jackson Little League.

Mike Reina said “The lease was open for public debate for nearly 6 weeks while we postponed the final vote, waiting for the softball league to voice their concerns, but they never came”  so the measure eventually went to a vote in which the township council voted unanimously to sign the lease.  After hearing no public complaints on the matter, Mayor Reina signed the lease which shifts the cost of maintaining the field, a cost of $60,000 per year from taxpayers directly to the Jackson Little League who is now responsible for field maintenance costs.

Beja and Staulker stated that the lease with the little league further shortchanges the girls and feel that the girls league is not getting the same treatment as the other leagues in town who each have a facility to call their own.   The parents of the softball players have been circulating a petition around town calling for a measure to overturn the lease and give the girls their own fields.

I was personally handed this petition and requested to sign, but even though I have a girl who now plays little league and next season wants to play little league and softball, while I agree with the fair treatment request, the petition went beyond and called to overturn the lease and just seemed to attack our town instead of resolving issues for those who were most important, the children.   It was presented to me as “The township is not letting the girls play”, but I just couldn’t believe that, which prompted me to contact all involved parties to try to find out what’s going on.  I felt the petition was a little misleading at the time and after investigating the matter, I still find it misleading, but I also think the gripes of the softball parents do have merit, short of the lease dispute.

The girls should not be treated as if their league is unimportant, and I think after inheriting a complete disaster Mike Reina is doing what he can to resolve the issue and has made good faith gestures towards the league and came through so far this year regarding field maintenance, an end of the year ceremony for the girls and he is looking into trophies for the girls.    “I have no reason to against any of the leagues.” Mike Reina said “We’re at the end of the season and we should work towards next year” adding that right now the township budget has taken up most of his time of late.

Concerning the lease, Reina said “The lease was promised to the little league two years ago by Mark Seda and it was open for six weeks.  At no point did anyone attend a township council meeting to protest the lease, which is why we delayed it, to give the softball league an opportunity to voice their concerns.  The council voted unanimously on the lease and I signed it.  Why would I veto a lease that was approved by the council and was not objected to at any council meeting?”

Mike Reina assured me that while he is committed to improving conditions for the girls, it may take some time to provide them with their own field and concessions.

Perhaps it’s time for a second meeting between the Little League, Mayor’s Office, recreation department and the girls softball league to remedy this problem as it seems that months of miscommunications at all levels have made a bad situation worse.   The girls playing softball deserve at least that and they also do deserve fair treatment, but I’m not so sure that asking the township to sue itself over the terms of the lease are in the best interests of the town or the children. A lawsuit will not help our children and it is not good for our town.

It would be nice to see this dispute, which has culminated from years of neglect by former administrations, be resolved by all involved parties and that the little league, for which my daughter is a member give the girls recreation league a little more respect and support, if Beja and Staulker’s claims of being kicked off fields is indeed true.

I see where Mr. Beja and Mr. Staulker are coming from.  My daughter wanted to play softball intially this year, but when I learned that they get tossed on 3rd rate fields, no uniforms and no end of year awards and that enrollment was low in the 6 year old division, I convinced her to try out little league and she’s having a great time.   I’m happy with our decision.  I think perhaps one valid form of protest would be to flood the little league with girls in the 2010 season.  Another form of protest would be to circulate a petition requesting fair and equal conditions for girls, but I cannot support a petition that seemingly attacks Mayor Reina and our township council when instead a more positive approach should be taken to take care of the township’s children.

Hopefully next year, this issue can be resolved peacefully, the girls can have their own suitable field of dreams and that the leagues can coexist in mutually benefiting manner.

What are your thoughts?

Celebrate National Trails Day with the Jackson Pathfinders

The Jackson Pathfinders is a volunteer organization that maintains miles of hiking trails in our town and is pleased to announce the ribbon cutting ceremony at their latest project site, the Bunker Hill Bogs, located on East Veterans Highway near the Whitesville Road intersection.     The Bunker Hill Bogs is a large tract of land that was rescued from development by the Pathfinders and restored to its natural beauty after decades of neglect.

In conjunction with the township and with the help of a $25,000 grant from the state, the Pathfinders transformed the bogs into one of Jackson’s most diverse environmental preservation sites.    The site includes 5 miles of flat hiking trails in an area that encompasses over 500 acres of natural pine forest and wetlands that stretches the entire distance between Route 527 and Butterfly Road.   The new park includes 9 cranberry bogs that provide home and shelter an amazing array of wildlife.  

On Sunday, June 7th the Pathfinders will host the official Bunker Hill Bogs Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony which will include a trail dedication ceremony, a two mile hike through the reserve and volunteers will work to continue the ongoing trail maintenance and construction work being done on the site.    Mayor Mike Reina will be on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Jackson looks forward to all the wonderful projects they have planned down the road.”  the Mayor said of the park “ This is a perfect example of how lucky Jackson Township is to have such dedicated volunteers giving themselves to their community the way they do! It just makes me even prouder to be the Mayor of this great town.” 

In a typical walk along the trails you might encounter white tailed deer, woodpeckers, golden finches, beavers and hundreds of other species that can be found in the park.

For more information on this event contact Karen Borga 908-330-2579 or visit www.jacksonpathfinders.org to learn more about the Jackson Pathfinders.

http://www.americanhiking.org/ntd.aspx

Aside from the usual N.J. Pinelands wildlife, the bogs are home to many bird species and has a complex aquatic ecosystem.

Tree ordinance shows two Mikes better than one

Mike Reina called the victory a rare triumph of David over Goliath.  However,  it was a publicly witnessed feat of two Mike’s working together for the common good of Jackson that was instrumental in this victory for our town.   While the obvious victory in this decision is the effect it will have on Jackson, in my opinion, the greater victory is how two very influential men in our town worked toward the same goal and accomplished that goal together.    So far, there has been no political grandstanding and it’s a nice change of pace for our town.  I can only hope that the two parties in our town can take this victory and realize that sometimes two actually is better than one.

In 2003, the roles were reversed.   Mike Reina was a councilman and Mike Kafton was the mayor of Jackson when the current tree ordinance was passed.    Unfortunately, through corporate greed and disregard for our community by the New Jersey Shore Builder’s Association, the ordinance seemed doomed as big money sought to bully our town into an epic legal battle that made its way to the State Supreme Court.

While there were many more instrumental players behind the scenes and away from the public eye who deserve just as much credit, we do have to credit these two opponents for a job well done.

Mike Kafton explained  “I, along with my fellow committee members, made every effort to pass legislation which would have a positive impact on our environment and subsequently on the quality of our lives. ” when he describes his time as Mayor of Jackson.

In their time together on the municipal council in different roles, two open space ordinances that kept residential development in check were passed, increases in acreage designated to parks were made and of course this tree ordinance passed.  This ordinance still needs one more legislative pass to comply with the court’s decision  in which Mike Kafton stated will be taken care of at the next town council meeting.

While serving as mayor and as a committee member one eye was always on the environment, Kafton continued “We petitioned the State to designate the Metedeconk headwaters a C-1 waterway which allowed up to a 300’ buffer along this waterway and we also petitioned the NJ Pinelands Commission to protect the Toms River corridor by providing a 600’ buffer along this waterway. Both of these bodies of water provide valuable drinking water.”

While the two Mike’s are rarely seen agreeing on many things publicly, one thing they both agree on is that an environmentally friendly Jackson is important to the future growth of our town.

Mike Reina addresses township about age restricted housing bill

Jackson Township’s official website has a new update from Mayor Mike Reina.

Source: http://www.jacksontwpnj.net/Townhall/Administration/mayordesk.html

Overcrowding and runaway development is a serious concern for me, the Council and every resident of Jackson Township. Unfortunately, various mandates from Trenton and the Courts have placed significant strains on our resources and unsustainable development remains a potential problem for our community.

With that in mind, I want to share with you that Governor Corzine has Conditionally Vetoed legislation that would have permitted any age-restricted development not already under construction to switch the houses to non-age restricted housing. The legislation as drafted could have led to changes in housing approved by the Planning Board that would have severely strained Jackson’s taxpayers and our infrastructure. The Veto calls on the Legislature to change the bill to give local government additional approval authority in these cases.

The bill remains a concern however and we will be reviewing the veto language further to ascertain its impact on our community. I believe that we should continue to oppose additional State Mandates on development in our community and I would like to thank our 30th District Legislative Team of Senator Singer, Assemblyman Malone and Assemblyman Dancer for representing Jackson’s interests in opposition to this legislation.

Mike Reina – Jackson NJ – Approval Ratings

Mike Reina is the current mayor of Jackson Township, New Jersey.  Do you think Mike Reina is doing a good job in his position as Mayor?

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