JACKSON – Township officials highlighted several volunteer groups in town at a recent meeting.
Council Vice President Martin Flemming pointed out Ordinance 20-21 that concerned emergency medical services “to protect our emergency vehicles and keeping them helping our residents for emergencies as opposed to corporations. It is a good ordinance for our town and I appreciate everyone’s backing on this.” The ordinance would fine any assisted living facilities or nursing homes that are found to be improperly calling for transportation by volunteer ambulance crews instead of using their own. This would be for patients or residents in non-emergency situations, like going to a doctor for an appointment.
“I’m always pestering everyone about volunteering. We had a fundraiser the other night. We have a young lady in town with some medical issues and a bunch of her friends got together and volunteered and got several of our civic organizations together and together those organizations raised about $50,000 for this lady,” Flemming added. “This tells you what volunteerism can do and you’ll know why I will never stop pestering you about it.
He also shared a story about a fire that destroyed a house but a fund went up online to help the family.
Councilman Steve Chisholm commended the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company and their compatriots at the Millstone Fire Company for their role in a response at the Jackson Outlet Mall, and another time when they rescued a horse. “You may have seen videos of the horse running around. They did a great job of rescuing Diesel the horse from a mud pit. Luckily the horse wasn’t really injured and didn’t have to be put down. That is why Council Vice President Flemming and others here encourage others to get involved and to take an active role in volunteering. Those are the great things we can see happen.”
Councilman Sauickie thanked Flemming who serves on the Ocean County Land Trust Review Board “and certainly represents all in Ocean County but always ensures that he is representing Jackson on that board” regarding a resolution that preserves eight and a half acres as open space.
The county’s land trust is funded by an open space tax on all property in Ocean County. Officials said they were happy to see this land preserved without anything having to come out of township’s coffers.
Council President Andrew Kern thanked all the organizations and volunteers who participated in the Jackson cleanup event. “As you drove around you may have seen some groups of people on the side of the road with vests picking up trash, picking up garbage, cleaning out the edges of the roadways, intersections and lots of different places and it really made a difference.”
Kern said the cleanups within the township occur twice a year. “All these entities came out for a $500 donation to their team or charity and it really makes an impact in the beauty of the town and shows how many people absolutely care and love our township.”
“Please shop locally and support our small businesses. People got upset when they closed the Wawa on Manhattan Street. If people get upset when a place closes down if you don’t patronize it then you can’t be upset when it is closed. If you patronize it, it won’t close. When you are looking to purchase your items for Christmas for the holidays or the winter whatever it may be, please consider the small local businesses first,” Kern added.
