At my urging, The Berkeley Council has Approve a Resolution in support of bills S-837 and A-3363 which would permit a municipality to enact an ordinance regulating where sex offenders may reside; restricts locations of certain child care centers and school bus stops. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to everything we can to keep innocent children out of harms way. I'm pleased to report at my request the Central Regional and Berkeley Township Boards of Education unanimously approved resolutions as well. I wish to thank Berkeley School Board members John Bacchione and Tom Grosse and Central Regional Board Vice President Bob Ray for their leadership in making sure this legislation received their board's full support. Recently, the Senate approved Bill S-837 by at 33-0 vote. I wish to thank State Senator Christopher J. Connors, for his leadership as the second prime sponsor of this important legislation. I have been at the forefront of this type of legislation dating back to when I served on both School Boards. In 2006, I was the author of an amendment to our local ordinance to include bus stops. Sadly, the liberal Courts declared our local Ordinance and the Ordinances of other municipalities unconstitutional. With the passage of this legislation, municipalities will now be able to, under the law, create pedophile free zones. Making our children safe has always been a top priority of mine. I will continue to fight to make sure this legislation gets approved by the Assembly and signed into law by the Governor.
Last month, The Berkeley Council recently approved a resolution renaming Field "A" at Whispering Pines Park in honor of former Berkeley Township Police Captain Dave Hardie. In late March, Captain Hardie passed away suddenly. Captain Hardie began his career in 1978 serving as a Traffic Safety Officer, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Bureau Commander, Patrol Lieutenant, Patrol Division Commander and Acting Chief, retiring in 2003 after 25 years of service. Captain Hardie was a member of the Ocean County Lawmen Softball Team for the past 33 years playing in the Jersey Shore Police League. At the request of Steve Grabowski, a Coach on the Softball Team, the Council unanimously approved the renaming of field "A" as the "Dave Hardie Memorial Field". This is a fitting tribute to a very dedicated township resident. Captain Hardie will be missed.
The Berkeley Council wishes to recognize the month of May 2011, as Older Americans Month in Berkeley Township. As you know, Berkeley Township is home to many citizens aged 60 and older. These older adults are among of our most "treasured resources," united by historical experiences, strengthened by diversity, and interpreting events through varied perspectives and backgrounds to bring wisdom and insight to our community. The older adults in Berkeley Township deserve recognition for the contributions they have made and will continue to make to the culture, economy, and character of our community. By resolution of the Township Council, we do hereby proclaim the month of May 2011 to be Older Americans Month and urge all of our residents to take time to honor our older adults.
The nationally celebrated observance of Arbor Day was April 29th. Throughout Berkeley Township, Ocean County, and the nation, community events were held to celebrate the enrichment of the environment by planting a tree. In honor of Arbor Day, I joined Berkeley Township school children at the Clara B. Worth and H & M Potter Schools to participate and observe Arbor Day activities and tree planting ceremonies. With the season of spring upon us, we can all try making small changes that will benefit the environment and beautify our surroundings.
In Berkeley Township, we have a great need to maintain protection of our environment by replenishing and maintaining beachfront areas, especially following our severe winter storms. On Saturday April 30th, I joined members of the Berkeley Shore Homeowners' Civic Association and dozens of volunteers, who planted hundreds of salt marsh seedlings and bio-logs on the Allen Road Beach. This grass roots ‘Living Shoreline' project will help the Amherst Beach Inlet to make a positive difference in our Berkeley Shores community. For more information on the success of the event, please visit: www.berkeleyshores.org .
For the second year in a row, Berkeley Township will play host to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. The event will take place this weekend at Veterans Park. The American Cancer Society web site states: "Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease." I'm proud to once again have a team, along with Council President Karen Davis, who is a cancer survivor, in this year's event. My family will be walking in honor of our Dad, Carmen "KNUTE" Amato, Sr., who lost his courageous battle with cancer almost 8 years ago. It is a worthwhile event to help raise awareness and much needed support. Join us as we celebrate, remember, and fight back! For more information please visit: www.cancer.org .