Center may bear name
of late assemblyman
Jackson Township Committeeman Michael Kafton has proposed renaming the Jackson Senior Center, where the Township Committee met on Nov. 25, in honor of the late state Assemblyman Melvin Cottrell.
"We just recently lost our assemblyman, Mel Cottrell," Kafton said. "He did a lot for seniors and the disabled when he was alive and I would like to rename the senior center for him."
Cottrell, who died on Oct. 9 at the age of 73, grew up in Jackson and was a lifelong resident of the community. He served as mayor of Jackson from 1988 to 1989.
A humanitarian as well as a legislator, Cottrell was serving his sixth term in the Assembly at the time of his death, representing New Jersey’s 30th District, which includes parts of Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington and Mercer counties, along with fellow Republicans Sen. Robert Singer of Lakewood and Assemblyman Joseph Malone of Bordentown.
The committee members said they would consider Kafton’s suggestion.
Environmental panel
names award winners
Carl Meier, a student at Howell High School, and the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center have both been named as recipients of the Ann G. Ritchey Award. The Howell Environmental Commission will be presenting the award at the annual Ann G. Ritchey Award Dinner, Dec. 6. The dinner is to be held at the Our House Tavern, Howell.
The environmental commission presents the award to a person or group who has made an impact in protection and preservation of the environment. According to a press release, Meier works closely with the environmental commission by assisting in chemical stream testing and review of site plans. The environmental center will provide both education and recreation to the community.
This event is made possible by a trust from James Ritchey in memory of his late wife Ann, who was active in and worked very hard for the protection of Howell’s environment.
"We are proud to be able to recognize these exceptional individuals whose philanthropy contributes to our community," said Angela Dineen of the environmental commission.
Club at Goetz school
to sponsor blood drive
The Builders Club of the Goetz Middle School, Jackson, is inviting all residents who are able to give blood to a blood drive to be held on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. The blood drive is sponsored by the school’s Builders Club, a service learning organization that is a junior group of the Kiwanis Club civic group. Students who are members of the Builders Club organized the blood drive and will be welcoming donors, serving refreshments and making signs and thank you notes for donors. The Goetz Middle School is at 835 Patterson Road. For directions or for more information call (732) 833-4610.
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