CHRIS KELLY Tracey Barrett was the first new officer to be sworn in as a member of the Long Branch police force at a ceremony last Friday as family friends and co-workers looked on.
Ten new police officers were recently sworn in at a ceremony held at City Hall last Friday. The new recruits, all recent graduates of the Monmouth County Police Academy, will join the ranks of the 97-member Long Branch City Police Department. The new officers serving the public are Tracey Barrett, Robert Rush Bataille, Michael Decker, Stanley Eskridge, Kevin Hayes, Erik Wettermark, Sam Yoo, Brendan Cahill, Marshall Brown and Benjamin Cruz.
The 10 bulletproof vests which are given to the officers have been donated by members of the community. Six vests were donated by Richie Dayon, a summertime resident of the city. Both the Elberon Engine Company and the Oceanic Engine Company each donated one vest and Councilman John "Fazz" Zambrano also donated one vest.
Officer Barrett had already been equipped with a vest before graduating the academy.
The City of Long Branch took delivery last week of a brand-new red Chevy Suburban to be used by the volunteer fire chiefs of the city fire department. Current fire chief Sam Tomaine has less than 13 days to use the vehicle before it is lent to incoming fire chief John O. Jones.
A new Ford Explorer will soon be on its way to the city of Long Branch Department of Public Works. A resolution was passed at the last city council meeting authorizing the lease or purchase of a new Ford Explorer.
A public hearing and a presentation from three developers who are vying to be awarded the contract for Beachfront South will be held this Thursday at 7 p.m. in council chambers. Beachfront South extends from Morris Avenue to Bath Avenue.
The city has already sent letters to homeowners who own riparian rights in Elberon, requesting temporary easement of beach property in order to move forward with the beach replenishment project. The city administrator’s office has already had 70 percent of those letters returned from the homeowners who have given permission to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to access their properties.
Blood pressure screenings will be held at the Long Branch Senior Center on Second Avenue on Dec. 19 and 23. The screenings will be held starting at 10:45 a.m.
On the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. the center will offer assistance with the completion of forms such as PAAD and Senior Gold and referrals to area agencies programs for needed services to registered members. For more information and to make an appointment call Anne at 732-571-6541.
Local toy collection sites have been set up at the Fitness Company, Ocean Township; Double Play Batting Cages, Ocean Township; Maple Place School, Oceanport; and Barnes and Noble stores in West Long Branch and Freehold. The toys will be collected by the Allenhurst Police Department which will also be open to receive toys until Dec. 22. For more information contact Dan Kowsaluk at (732) 531-2255.
The Long Branch Youth Indoor Soccer League registration begins on 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 grades four through five are eligible and will need to bring birth certificates if they are first time players. For more information call (732) 571-6545.
As the holidays are fast approaching, the Department of Recreation and Human Services is requesting donations of new toys to be given to the children of Long Branch at our annual Christmas party.
In 2001 donations were scarce and toys were purchased through the generosity of the mayor and council. However, there were not enough toys for all the children. Donations will be accepted for new toys, books, and stuffed animals for children ages newborn to 12 years old. Donations can be brought to the Long Branch Department of Recreation, 85 Second Avenue. For more information call (732) 571-6545.