County Budget Will See Tax Increase

First Increase In Years; Services Expected To Remain Unchanged

OCEAN COUNTY - February 3, 2010 – The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently unveiled the 2010 county budget – a spending package that is down by almost $10 million and provides the funding to continue core services for more than 560,000 residents.

The proposed budget totals $347,965,249, down $9,715,643. The proposed county property tax rate to support the total funding measure will be adjusted to 27.2 cents per $100 of assessed property value, up 1.83 cents which will result in the average homeowner seeing a change in their county property tax rate of about $25 this year.

“This spending measure takes into consideration our economic times and comes with some very deep cuts and a mandate that we will continue to provide quality services and programs at an affordable cost,” said Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the county’s Department of Finance. “We pledged at the beginning of the year that we would not grow county government and we would maintain our fiscal integrity.

“I believe this proposed budget implements those directives,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett said the budget preparation came with several financial hurdles, including a decline in revenues totaling $16.6 million and an increase in nondiscretionary costs from the state for pension and health care totaling almost $8 million.

He noted that had it not been for the additional $8 million the county must pay to the state, the amount paid by residents would not have changed because of a smaller tax base.

“It was necessary to adjust the property tax rate slightly in order to sustain programs and services for our residents and cover the increased costs to the state,” Bartlett said. “However, this budget also makes certain that your streets are plowed when it snows, potholes will be filled on the more than 620 miles of roadways the county maintains, nutritious hot meals will be delivered to our seniors, our most vulnerable residents will be provided with social services, and students will continue to get quality educations at Ocean County College and at our vocational technical schools.”

Bartlett said Ocean County government has and will continue to reduce its workforce. Sixty-five positions were eliminated, providing a savings of almost $3 million.

“We are providing the same services and programs with less people,” Bartlett said. “It’s a directive that we have heard loud and clear.”

Bartlett said the proposed budget does not require layoffs. The salary and wage budget remains the same as the 2009 appropriation of $115 million.

“We continue to be vigilant with our staffing needs,” Bartlett said. “We will continue our policy of carefully reviewing any departmental requests for replacing employees.”

Bartlett said departments or agencies slated to receive the same amount of funding in 2010 as last year are Ocean County College, the Ocean County Vocational-Technical School system, the Ocean County Board of Social Services and the Ocean County Office of Senior Services.

“Where the state has fallen continuously short in the area of funding, we continue to hold to our pledge to meet the educational needs of our residents here in Ocean County,” Bartlett said. “During these trying economic times, demand for our social service programs and our senior service programs increases as we take care of our older and most needy residents.”

All other department budgets have been reduced anywhere from five to 20 percent. Operating expenses were reduced by $7.4 million.

“We have done a thorough review of all of our programs and departments,” Bartlett said.
In addition, the proposed capital and capital improvement funds in the 2010 budget have been reduced by about $8.9 million, down about 45 percent.

“We will have adequate funding in our capital accounts to continue to make improvements to the county’s infrastructure, particularly improvements for traffic safety, maintenance of our roads and bridges, maintenance of county facilities and other necessary expenditures,” Bartlett said.

“Conservative financial planning is the tool that is helping us through these difficult financial times.”
“We have had to adjust and make some changes in different areas but by no means is this government standing still,” Bartlett said.

The 2010 budget will be formally introduced at the board’s 4 p.m., February 3 meeting in Room 119 of the Ocean County Administration Building, Toms River. A public hearing is scheduled for the board’s 4 p.m., March 3 meeting.

The proposed budget will be available on the county’s Web site at www.co.ocean.nj.us following its formal introduction.

Each Year Manchester Man Donates Bulletproof Vests To Local Police

By Kim Fink - January 27, 2010
When 6-year-old, Tess McGuire led her first grade classmates into the Manchester Township Elementary School’s Music Room last Wednesday morning, she had one thing in mind: use her best singing voice to thank her grandpa.

Tess, with the help of her teacher, Mrs. O’Connor, and 19 classmates, honored Manchester resident John McGuire with a song of thanks and a letter of appreciation for his recent donation to the Manchester Police Department.

McGuire, who donates a bulletproof vest to the department each year, surprised officers this year with a specially insulated, full body wet suit to aid in water rescue missions.

“When Mr. McGuire found out that we were using our own personal equipment to help us with water rescue, he purchased a specific suit designed just for this purpose,” said DARE officer Shawn Cavalcante during a demonstration at MTES. “We are very grateful to him.”

During the demonstration, officers showed students how the wet suit is worn, what type of life saving accessories it has and in what circumstances they would use this specific equipment.

“Once we are in the suit, we can enter any temperature water without fear of being cold or wet since the suit covers our entire body and keeps us warm,” said Cavalcante.

Students giggled when officer Cavalcante struggled to get into the suit and then walked around the classroom.
“He looks silly,” said one student, “but I’m sure it will save lives.”

MTES Principal Dr. Frances Scudese was on hand for the demonstration and to express her thanks to McGuire for his generosity and help to the community.

“Mr. McGuire is a good friend of ours and our community. He sets a great example for the children by being active in the community and always helping out,” the principal said.

Following McGuire’s lead, first graders in Mrs. O’Connors class have chosen to hold a clothing and coat drive from February 1 to 5 to help out in their community.

“Grandpa has taught me that no matter how small we are we all have something to give and can help others,” said Tess McGuire. “That’s why we are having the clothing drive to help people who need warm clothes and coats.”

John McGuire said he was touched by the surprise performance by the students and by the posters they made of how they were going to help in their community.

“I thought I was just coming to see the police demonstration of how the suit is used. I had no idea the students had this planned. My granddaughter never even told me. It was very touching,” he said.

Residents Tell Congressman About Health care, Social Security Woes

By Chris Lundy - January 27, 2010
It wasn’t changes in health care and other issues that brought questions during a town hall meeting with a congressman last weekend, it was the lack of changes.

A group of more than 100 residents of nearby towns, a majority of them seniors, attended the town hall-style meeting at the Berkeley Municipal Building Saturday held by Rep. John Adler (D-3rd). He is up for re-election this year.

Manchester Township is represented by Congressman Chris Smith (R-4th).
Those who spoke to Adler described trying to survive when their health bills go up and their Social Security doesn’t.

Celia Frederick, Berkeley, said she fell between the cracks of the health care system after she turned 60. She went through several options, including finding a full-time job just for the benefits. She pays $42 a month now.

“It’s insult to injury,” she said.

Ed Dickerson, Ocean Gate, questioned how the head of a pharmaceutical company can get a $1 billion buyout “while people are struggling with their co-pays.”

Councilwoman Judy Noonan said that she has heard doctors tell patients to get treatments now because there won’t be Medicare payments around later.

Toms River resident Bob Shehata said he had to drop his health insurance when he couldn’t afford it any longer. Then when a bill comes around to reform health care, it becomes a political issue rather than a people issue.

“The Republicans fight the Democrats, the Democrats fight the Republicans. And we’re the ones who suffer,” he said.

Adler said he voted no on the health reform bill because there was no cost savings.
“We need health care reform, but it has to make sense,” he said, describing the bill as 2,000 pages with nothing in it.

One real change that is needed is a restraint on lawsuits to keep doctors’ liability insurance in check, he said.

Social Security, and the lack of an increase in the cost of living adjustment, was another issue.
Nick Sasso, Toms River, asked why someone can’t stop the government from “raping” the Social Security fund, and why no one has paid any money back into it.

Adler said that the government should be cutting back on spending the way most families have, but it’s not. He also said that there needs to be alternatives to dipping into Social Security.

He said he introduced a bill earlier in the week that would provide $250 to people living on Social Security, Veterans Disability Benefits and other federal retirement programs. It’s not enough, he admitted, but it’s a small step.

Michael Adler of Bayville, who is unrelated to the congressman, said the recent 10 percent unemployment figure is faulty because it doesn’t count “the people who have given up and the people who have used up their unemployment.”

Despite the emotional topics, the crowd was very polite airing their grievances. Many of the questions had an air of helplessness about them.

Carol Milin, for instance, noted how overwhelming the process of trying to get a law passed is. “You go to vote on a bill, and then they add 350 pages on it.”

Adler, who at one point referred to the Senate as “dysfunctional,” said that bills should be smaller so the average person can read them.

After the meeting, Joseph R. Rullo, who is running against Adler this year, said, “John is an old friend. And I respect him.” However, members of Congress should get the same health care that veterans and seniors have, he said.

“Music Man” Gets Kids Dancing At Manchester Library

--Photos By Kim Fink
“Mr. Scott, the Music Man” combines music and exercise to bring fun and entertainment to young kids.

By Kim Fink - January 20, 2010
Hundreds of little toes were tapping at the Manchester branch of the Ocean County Library last Saturday morning, when “Mr. Scott, the Music Man” came to town and put on a show for dozens of area children. Toddlers and pre-schoolers alike wiggled, jiggled and giggled away the afternoon with the help of the “silliest man in all the land,” who sang and danced them into a zany frenzy.

The free concert, hosted by the Manchester Library Children’s Department, was long awaited for some fans who were anticipating Mr. Scott’s arrival.

“We had him booked a couple of months ago and tons of kids registered for the program but at the last minute, there was a change of plans and we had to reschedule,” said local librarian Christina Estlow. “We are happy he’s here today and this is a great turnout.”

Manchester resident Lisa Cervenak, who brought along her three children, said she was thrilled to attend the silly concert and found it both entertaining and educational.

“It was great and all my kids enjoyed the interactive aspect of it,” she said.
Mr. Scott prides himself on getting kids up and moving. “No Couch Potatoes!” is his motto and one of his most popular songs among the 3-year-old fans.

“It’s very important to me to get the kids up and moving in a fun and crazy way,” said Mr. Scott. “Most children don’t even realize they are learning important lessons about exercise and healthy living through their motions and by interacting with the music. It is very important to me that the children are being educated as well as enjoying themselves.”

Mr. Scott, who started his traveling interactive concert series seven years ago, said business took off shortly after he began doing shows at area Goddard Schools.

“I started traveling around the state doing children’s musical performances for the Goddard Schools and soon I was branching out to different states and venues,” said Mr. Scott, who now performs at school assemblies, hospitals, special needs schools and festivals.

In response to his popularity, the Manchester Library has booked him for two more dates in the spring.
“We are excited about having him return to the library. The kids really love his performance,” said Estlow

And the proof was in the pudding as the children cheered and giggled in response to Mr. Scott’s silly acrobatics and antics. When the show came to a close, dozens of exhausted munchkins waited patiently in line for their desired reward; a Mr. Scott temporary tattoo to remind them of their afternoon of fun.

For more information on Mr. Scott’s upcoming library shows contact the Manchester Library Children’s Department at 732-657-7600, ext.4300 or visit www.mrscottmusicman.com.