~ Notes Around Town ~

CHRIS KELLY Danielle Leiner (l) and Francesca Pietri, both 13, of West Long Branch get their sledding thrills on Cemetery Hill, West Long Branch, on Dec. 26.

Want a summer job as a lifeguard? Or maybe a gardener. Or perhaps a job in the golf shop would appeal. All these jobs and more will be up for grabs when the Monmouth County Park System holds its seasonal employment job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Hominy Hill Golf Course, 92 Mercer Rd., in Colts Neck.

Openings in the park system, whose facilities include Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch, include opportunities for pool and oceanfront lifeguards, counselors and recreation leaders, sports instructors and assistants, preschool assistants, gardeners, park maintenance workers, nature activity leaders, golf shop staff, historic site interpreters and tour guides, arts and crafts instructors and program instructors in such fields as cooking, language arts and creative writing.

Park staff will conduct on-site interviews. Candidates must be Monmouth County residents, at least 17 years of age and possess a driver’s license. For more information about the job fair, call (732) 460-1167.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Monmouth County, based in Eatontown, has issued its annual appeal for support. The agency is in great need of sponsors, funds and in-kind services to expand its mentoring programs to more children in the Monmouth County area. The contributions will help children, ages 6 to 18, most of whom have lost one or both parents. To overcome the loss of such a critical role model, BBBS matches the child with a mentor — someone to give the guidance, stability and friendship all children need. To participate, call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County at (732) 544-2224.

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Monmouth University has announced the appointment of Rhonda Rehm to the position of staff attorney for the Office of General Counsel. She will be responsible for the oversight of the risk management program, which includes the insurance coverage and claims for the university.

Rehm, of Cumberland County, has served as a law clerk for the state Superior Court in Atlantic City. She was employed for 13 years by Prudential Insurance Company in the Information Systems Division and has been an adjunct professor at Cumberland County College. Rehm obtained her undergraduate degree at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law and a master’s of business administration from Rutgers University School of Business.

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The storm which descended on Christmas Day caused some major area flooding; however, Ocean Boulevard passed with flying colors. The storm water outflow pipes, which at one time were clogged with sand from the beach replenishment program, have been extended by the Army Corps of Engineers, mitigating the flooding problems on Ocean Boulevard. Not all city streets or residents were that lucky.

A motorist was trapped in flood waters at Sixth and Joline, and Elberon Trestle and Lincoln Square, all by the train station in Elberon, were completely impassable during high tide.

The residents of Dale Street spent Christmas without electricity and flood waters were rapidly rising in their cul-de-sac. Christmas lawn ornaments were floating, parked cars were taking in water and basements were flooded.

When called on Christmas Day, Director of Public Works Fred Miggliacio arrived with a crew to assess the situation and help residents. Although the drains were cleared, not much could be done with 100-year-old storm drains and pipes and the combination of high tides and heavy rain falls.

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The Long Branch mayor and council may soon announce their choice to fill the public safety director position. All five candidates have been interviewed and they included Capts. William Richards and Richard Bryson, Lt. Bruce Johantgen, retired Lt. Detective Patrick Joyce, and former FBI agent Jim Payne. The interview committee consisted of Mayor Adam Schneider, council President Michael DeStefano, Councilman John "Fazz" Zambrano and City Administrator Howard Woolley.

The mayor was planning to seek the council’s input on Monday, Dec. 30 during the executive meeting, and the man for the job should be announced within a week. The mayor said that all the interviews were positive, however, the candidate that possesses police experience and works well with people will be the likely choice. Referring to the current police department, which employees more than 100 people, he said it is crucial that the person chosen for the position will use the entire department to the best of his or her talents.

"Being in the in-group," said Schneider, "ends today."

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Some of the city’s police vehicles, Ford Crown Victorias, have been recalled due to an investigation of fuel leaks caused by high speed, rear impacts.

A total of 34 cars will be returned to the Sea Breeze Ford dealer where an upgrade kit will be installed at no charge.

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With only three days left to serve as the city’s fire chief, Sam Tomaine, once again has stepped up to rescue an animal. Earlier in the year, Tomaine responded to save a nest of hatchlings from inside of a wall on the third floor of a building on upper Broadway.

This past Saturday, while on duty, he responded to the call of a cat in distress while stuck in an air vent inside of a home on Seaview Avenue. The city’s fire department was called to assist in getting the cat out, but was quickly canceled when Tomaine, with tools on hand, was able to pry the cat free. Apparently the cat entered the 4-by-6 inch vent through a hole inside the house and was heard meowing. Although the cat was scared, it was not injured.

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The city of Long Branch will be holding its annual free rabies clinic on Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at the fire headquarters on Union Avenue. The clinic will be open to dogs and cats three months or older. For more information, call (732) 571-5665.

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The city’s comptroller, Tom Seaman, has given notice that he will leave his position by Dec. 27. The finance department will be recruiting for his position with hopes of finding a qualified candidate to groom in the next year-and-half. The department’s director, Ronald Mehlhorn, said it is important to have such a candidate since he and two others, Carol Mallachi in purchasing and Ed Mazzacco, the tax collector, are all eligible to retire.

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The city’s Board of Education has voted to authorize advertising for bids for the new pool facility on lower Broadway. The process should begin sometime in February or early March of 2003.

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Members of the IAMA Club have donated one dictionary to every third-grader in the Long Branch school district, a total of 400 dictionaries. In addition, members donated $500 for the holiday toy drive.

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Long Branch Youth Indoor Soccer League registration began Dec. 9 and runs through Jan. 10. Registration will be held at the Long Branch Department of Recreation on 85 Second Ave. There is a $30 registration fee. Boys and girls in grades 4-5 are eligible and will need to bring birth certificates if they are first-time players. For more information, call (732) 571-6545.

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On Jan. 25, the Long Branch Historical Association will hold a Snowflake Dinner-Dance at the IAMA building from 7 p.m. to midnight. Music will be provided by the cherubs. Tickets cost $30 each and reservations must be made in advance by calling Jo Ann at (732) 229-9258.

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The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host a free field trip to Barnegat Light and the Manahawkin Wildlife Management Area Jan. 18 at noon.

Birders will search for species such as owls, winter gulls, loons, long-tailed ducks, scoters, and the harlequin duck.

The trip will commence at the parking lot at Barnegat light. Following the Barnegat trip, the group will caravan to the Dunkin’ Donuts, Route 9 north, Manahawkin. Interested birders should arrive at Dunkin’ Donuts before 3:30 p.m.

The trip is open to both Audubon members and nonmembers, and advance registration is recommended. For more information or to register, call Debbie Grob, field trip committee, at (732) 751-9131.

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The Red Bank Public Library, 84 W. Front St., will exhibit black-and-white photos by Erik I. Stevenson, West Belmar, Jan. 6-31. The photos highlight Allaire State Park.

Stevenson is a self-taught photographer and two-year library employee who is pursuing his master’s degree in library and information science. His photos have been published in Avant, the art and literature magazine of Rowan University, Glassboro.

Library hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the library at (732) 842-0690.

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The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Monmouth County, Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, is seeking volunteers for its osteoporosis exercise programs held in Long Branch.

Training will be provided to individuals that will train small classes on balance and strength.

Positions are also now being offered to qualified adults to read to first-graders once a week at various local public schools. No teaching experience is required, and training will be offered.

For more information on the above, call RSVP at (732) 531-5511.