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MANVILLE: Thanks — and welcome

By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
First Aid and Rescue Squad dinner notes year’s achievements and installs new officers
   About 120 Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad and auxiliary members gathered at St. Mary’s Parish hall for the annual installation dinner on Saturday.
   After welcoming remarks and the installation of officers — including Mayor Lillian Zuza’s swearing in of Auxiliary President Betty Cowen, Vice President Joyce Gluch, Treasurer Dottie Lachac and Secretary Theresa Kaschak, the auxiliary presented squad President Janet Alcaide with the results of the group’s fundraising efforts — a check for $8,000.
   Ms. Cowen thanked and presented outgoing President Kathy Erickson with a token of their appreciation for her five years of service. The auxiliary held several events to raise the money, including the annual Foodfest and flea markets at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
   The dinner continued with a special recognition to squad member Vic Emodi, who just returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq with the National Guard. Mr. Emodi, who regularly rides with the squad on Wednesday nights, was presented a proclamation by the mayor and Borough Council noting his community — and national — service.
   The dinner began with welcoming remarks by Squad Chief Rick Straszewski and President Janet Alcaide. Chief Straszewski noted the squad is “here for you.”
   ”Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad is here for every resident, guest and everybody who passes through the town,” he said. “We are here for you; we are here to help you.”
   He reminded the audience the volunteer squad responds to all calls between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., Monday through Friday and all hours through the weekend.
   ”We take the hours that nobody else wants to take,” he said. “As a result, we .. . answered 774 calls in 2008.”
   Chief Straszewski then asked for all the members of the squad to stand and be recognized with a round of applause.
   The chief also acknowledged the auxiliary members, who help the squad acquire new equipment with the fundraising projects.
   ”Without them, we would not be here,” he said. “These are the people who go out and raise money for us. They do these functions and dinners and as a result this year we have acquired a new incident command vehicle and we could not have done it without them.”
   Also thanked at the dinner were the mayor and Borough Council, Department of Public Works, Manville Fire companies no. 1, 2 and 3, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290, and rescue squads in Hillsborough and Somerville for their continued support and assistance during the year.
   After the dinner, Mayor Lillian Zuza installed the new 2009 officers for the First Aid and Rescue Squad. Executive officers included President Janet Alcaide, Vice President Steve Priatka, Treasurer Sheila Lessing, Secretary John Snow, Chaplain Bill Stefany, and trustees Ted Petrock III, Joe Burris and Steve Zazenskowski Jr.
   The field officers are Chief Rick Straszewski, Capt. Cindy Snow, 1st Lt. John Snow, senior 2nd Lt. Rich Mumber and Junior second Lt. Molly Mikita.
   The Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad currently has 40 members and 15 life members, and the auxiliary has 19 members with five life members. Both welcome new members — for more information on becoming a volunteer, call 908-725-0903.