Flanders Fire & Rescue Pediatrics Class

FLANDERS, NEW JERSEY – Most emergency medical services personnel will readily admit that calls involving children are among the most nerve-racking. A nationally recognized daylong course designed to make those calls a little easier will be offered for area emergency providers from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm March 29th at Flanders Fire and Rescue Company Headquarters.

Presented by the Atlantic Training Center in cooperation with the Flanders Fire & Rescue Company EMS Division, the Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP) Course is developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is a product of 15 years of collaboration, brainstorming, review, revision and re-revision by physicians, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and EMS educators across the country.

“Most of the literature puts the number of pediatric prehospital emergency calls at about 10 percent,” said Heather Detoro, captain of the Flanders EMS Division. “That means even the busiest prehospital caregivers don’t see as many kids as adults. Children present a much different set of challenges for us.”

The daylong PEPP class focuses on basic life support techniques using case-based lectures, live-action video, skill stations and small-group scenarios. The course covers child development, assessment, respiratory issues, trauma, medical emergencies, sudden infant death syndrome, delivery of babies and other topics.

The class begins at 8:30 am at the Flanders Firehouse, 27 Main Street, Flanders, New Jersey. It is open to all EMS, fire service and police personnel. More information is available by calling Flanders Fire/Rescue at (973) 584-7805 or by calling the Atlantic Training Center at (908) 522-5395. Registration is through Atlantic Health and the State of New Jersey LMS system.

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New Jersey Highlands Council Grant Program

CHESTER, NEW JERSEY - The New Jersey Highlands Council today allocated $1.5 million in grants to provide municipalities and counties in the Highlands Region with financial and technical assistance as they take steps to address conformance with the Highlands Regional Master Plan.

The Plan Conformance Grant Program will be available to all municipalities and counties with lands in the Highlands Region to examine the implications of conformance with the Regional Master Plan (RMP). These funds will allow municipalities and counties to initiate the Plan Conformance process and assess the benefits of Plan Conformance. These grants will be available after the adoption of the RMP.

“As the Highlands Council moves to adopt the Regional Master Plan, local officials are seeking more information about how the Plan will affect their communities, as well as what costs will be associated with conforming to the Plan,” said John Weingart, Chairman of the Highlands Council. “The Legislature, in creating the Highlands Act, set aside substantial grant funds for municipalities and counties to help pay for the advanced planning required by the Act.”

Of the 88 municipalities in the Highlands Region, 52 have land within the Preservation Area and all seven Highlands counties have land in the Preservation Area. Grants will also be made available to the 36 municipalities located entirely in the Planning Area. While Plan Conformance is optional for these municipalities, these grants will assist them in evaluating the benefits and costs associated with the process and allow them to make an informed decision.

The New Jersey Highlands Council has set aside a total of $1,500,000 for the Plan Conformance Grant Program to be distributed in grants up to $15,000. These funds will allow for the initial review of local master plans and ordinances and environmental resource inventories, with an eye towards bringing plans and ordinances into conformance with the RMP, as well as establishing the next steps in the Plan Conformance process. These grants also will fund the preparation of reports to determine the benefits of Plan Conformance and any recommended RMP updates and map adjustments to the Highlands Council to ensure municipal information is accurate and up-to-date.

“Municipalities in the Planning Area have a decision to make, and these grants are designed for them to work with their professionals to arrive at that decision,” said Eileen Swan, Executive Director of the Highlands Council. “We hope that municipalities in the Planning Area will look to the incentives we offer, including the grants, technical assistance, and legal protection, and strongly consider Plan Conformance with the Highlands RMP.”

To date, the New Jersey Highlands Council has approved more than $3.6 million in grant funds for Municipal Partnership Pilot Projects, COAH Planning, County Zoning and Parcel Analysis, County Digital Elevation Analysis, County Wastewater Capacity Analysis, County Approved Project Analysis, Sustainable Agriculture and Transfer of Development Rights Feasibility.

In addition to grant funds, the Highlands Act offers a number of incentives to encourage municipalities in the Planning Area to join the Council’s mission to protect the natural resources and foster a strong economy for this Region. Conformance to the RMP includes a strong legal shield – one of the strongest levels of legal protection in the state. The Highlands Act provides a, “strong presumption of validity,” to master plans, land use ordinances and local decisions by municipalities and counties that conform to the RMP. Legal representation is also included in certain instances.

Plan Conformance also includes automatic qualifications for State aid, planning and technical assistance for smart growth policies offered by the state Office of Smart Growth. It provides priority funding opportunities under Green Acres and State Farmland Preservation for municipalities that have adopted Transfer of Development Rights ordinances.

The New Jersey Highlands Council will be preparing guidelines for the Plan Conformance Grant Program and once completed will be sending grant applications to all municipalities and counties in the Highlands Region.

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Mount Olive Easter Egg Hunt Celebration

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY - The Mount Olive Kiwanis Club annual Easter Egg Hunt is a tradition dating back as far as I can remember. It is one of the largest public events held in the Mount Olive community with activities planned for children of all ages.

This year's Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Sunday, March 9th, 2008 in Turkey Brook Park on Flanders Road, Budd Lake, New Jersey.

Event Registration begins at 12:00pm, Wristbands are $5.00 each. Egg Hunt will begin promptly at 1:00pm, All participants must have a wristband.

Pre-Registration Information
Families, Friends, Neighbors can pre purchase an Egg Hunt Wristband at the following locations:

Optimal Family Chiropractic
230 Rt. 206 Bldg. 3, Unit 5A, 2nd Floor
Flanders, New Jersey 07836
973-584-4888

George's Liquor Store
114 Us Highway No 46
Budd Lake, New Jersey 07828
973-691-6432



Event Contact Information
For more information about the Easter Egg Hunt, please contact Adele Perkins at (973) 448-0234 or (973) 978-6067.

Interested in donating merchandise and/or prizes?
Contact Lisa Dziejma at (973) 479-6502

Interested in becoming an Egg Hunt Sponsor?
Contact Lisa Kennedy at 973-214-0270


ABOUT MOUNT OLIVE KIWANIS CLUB
Founded in 1995, Mount Olive Township Kiwanis sponsor a variety of community programs each year including, Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt, Shop-N-Rock, All-You-Can-Eat Beef Steak Diner, the Santa House, and the town favorite Kiwanis Club Dunk Tank at the Mount Olive Community Carnival.

The club meets every First and Third Thursday of the month beginning at 7:30pm at Frank's Pizza, 240 US Highway 208, Flanders, New Jersey 07836. Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend.

For more information on the Mount Olive Kiwanis, please visit their website www.mtolivekiwanis.com >>

2008-2009 Mount Olive BOE Budget - Where do your tax dollars go?

MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY - The next scheduled Mount Olive Township Board Of Education(BOE) meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 25th at the Middle School cafeteria beginning at 7:00PM. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the BOE budget draft. Mount Olive residents are encouraged to attend to ask questions and voice concerns.

Be an Informed Voter
The 2008-2009 Budget Draft Presentation and the 2008-2009 Preliminary Budget Worksheets are available on the
Mount Olive Township Board of Education website >>

The last day to register to vote for the 2008 School Board Election is March 25th, 2008.

School Board Election Day is April 15th, 2008.


Where does my property tax go?
The Township collects the amount of tax dollars that the three units of local government (local schools, municipal government, and county government) determine is necessary to operate.

How are Property Taxes Calculated?
A municipalities general tax rate is calculated by dividing the total dollar amount needed to meet local budget expenses by the total assessed value of all its taxable property.

An individual's property taxes are then calculated by multiplying the general tax rate by the assessed value of the individual's particular property.

The State of New Jersey does not participate in drafting of local budgets, nor does it receive any of the property taxes collected.

For more information on local property tax, visit the
State of New Jersey website >>

Most Americans Are Headed For Debt Disaster

MOUNT OLIVE, NEW JERSEY – “How To Become Debt-Free With The Money You Already Make” is a comprehensive, one evening seminar that shows you how to get completely out of debt, operate 100% on cash, and build retirement wealth, all with the money you have been wasting on Debt payments.

The Debt-Free seminar will be held on Thursday, February 28th, from 6:30PM – 9:30PM at the Mount Olive High School in Flanders, New Jersey.

Most Americans are one or two paychecks away from insolvency – and in today’s economy, being laid off and losing two or more paychecks is an all too frequent occurrence. According to government statistics, 96% of Americans DO NOT achieve financial independence, but end up depending on government assistance, charity, family help, or they have to keep working till they die.

This seminar will show, step-by-step, how a person can pay off every penny of their debt – including their home mortgage, in approx. 7-10 years and build their wealth so they can retire in comfort. This workshop is conducted by Carl A. Lang, a national seminar leader, a professional speaker, author, entertainer and certified Financial Independence consultant.

Bring a list of your debts, including your mortgage, and go home with a plan you can implement immediately. Note: No insurance or investments will be offered or sold. This is strictly an educational workshop.

Registration fee $29.00 and a $10.00 workbook fee(payable to instructor). Optional textbook for $49.00 is available from the instructor.

For more information and registration, contact the Community School at Mount Olive (973) 927-6031.


About Carl A. Lang, Group 4 Financial Freedom
Carl A. Lang is a national seminar leader, a professional speaker, author, and certified Financial Independence Consultant whose clients include Sony Electronics, American Cyanamid, Formica, and AstraZenica.

Fore more information, visit the
Group 4 Financial Freedom website >>


About the Community School at Mount Olive
The Community School at Mount Olive is sponsored by the Mount Olive Board of Education to extend opportunities for learning and offering benefits of study that meet both professional and personal needs of Mount Olive community residents.

For more information, visit the
Community School at Mount Olive website >>

Monthly Meetings For New Moms and Moms To Be

CHESTER, NEW JERSEY - Plaza Family Care, P.C. Offers Monthly Meetings For Moms, Moms To Be.

Expecting your first baby? Expecting another child but forgot a few things about newborns?

Do you have questions about feeding, cord care, circumcision, immunizations, siblings, sleeping, SIDS, safety or almost anything else to do with the care of a young baby? Or do you just want to pick the brains of a pediatrician for just a few minutes?

Plaza Family Care. P.C. offers a monthly series of free meetings for moms and moms to be, as well as for fathers and fathers to be. Plaza Family Care has two locations, at 657 Willow Grove Street (in the West Wing of Hackettstown Regional Medical Center) in Hackettstown, New Jersey and at 245 Main Street, Chester, New Jersey.

Plaza Family Care’s board certified pediatricians have over 100 years of combined experience to share.

For further information about the meeting times, locations and reservations, or Plaza Family Care in general, call 908-850-7800 or visit www.plazafamilycare.com

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Flanders Fire/Rescue Kicks Off Its First Saturday Education Series

FLANDERS, NEW JERSEY – The Flanders Fire Company and Rescue Squad this year is teaming up with some of the area’s leading experts in emergency medical services to present its first Saturday CEU Series.

The series of Saturday morning EMS workshops is presented in conjunction with Atlantic Training Center, a part of Atlantic Health System. Topics range from pediatric care to working with Atlantic’s aeromedical helicopter, Air One.

“We are thrilled that the Atlantic Training Center has agreed to provide the latest in EMS education to emergency caregivers in Flanders and elsewhere in Northwestern New Jersey,” said Heather Detoro, captain of Flanders Fire/Rescue’s EMS Division. “Morristown Memorial Hospital, part of the Atlantic Health System, has long been a source of quality care and top-notch education. We’re pleased to partner with Atlantic to bring that expertise to Flanders.”

The first workshop is on Scene Safety for EMS Providers, presented by members of the Mount Olive Police Department. The class will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Flanders Firehouse, 27 Main Street, Flanders. The class is worth three CEUs for emergency medical technicians. Led by Police Officer Russell Hatzel, instructors will discuss practices that make responding and operating at a scene safer and discuss ways EMS personnel can better interface with police.

Other classes, taught by instructors from the Atlantic Training Center, include:

• March 29: Pediatric Education for Prehospital Providers


• April 26: Asthma Care


• June 28: Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator II


• July 26: A visit with Air One


• August 30: Stroke Awareness


• September 27: Geriatric Education for EMS Providers (GEMS)


• October 25: Diabetes


• November 29: Patient Communications


• December 27: Respiratory Emergencies

Saturday CEU topics may change.

In addition to the Saturday CEU series, the Atlantic Training Center and Flanders Fire/Rescue will conduct an emergency medical technician class starting April 21 and running through June.

All sessions begin at 8:30 am at the Flanders Firehouse. While a few workshops run all day, most end between 11 am and noon. Classes are open to all EMS, fire service and police personnel. More information is available by calling Flanders Fire/Rescue at (973) 584-7805 or by calling the Atlantic Training Center at (908) 522-5395. Registration is through Atlantic Health and the State of New Jersey LMS system.

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Flanders NJ News: Happy Valentine's Day

MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY - Happy Valentine's Day from Flanders NJ News.

Interested in a little history on the Valentine's Day Holiday? Visit Wikipedia >> or the History Channel Online >>

Over the Limit Under Arrest Crackdown in New Jersey

MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY - The Mount Olive Township Police Department recently participated in the anti-drinking and driving national campaign "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" year-end crackdown.

The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General asked the 490 law enforcement agencies throughout the state of New Jersey to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints during December 7, 2007 through January 2, 2008 in support of the national campaign. Out of the 333 agencies that participated, only 11 made more than 20 arrests during the designated time period. Mount Olive Township Police Department not only participated in the national effort, they reported 22 DWI arrests.

"I'd like the public to know that not only do we address the impaired drivers during these larger campaigns but rather they are a constant target of enforcement here in Mount Olive Township." said Mark Spitzer, Chief of Police for Mount Olive Township. "In 2007, we arrested 157 impaired drivers throughout the year."

The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety offered grants of $5,000 each to 82 participating municipalities. The Mount Olive Township Police Department was not one of the agencies selected to receive a grant.

"Alcohol is a factor in more than a third of fatal motor vehicle crashes in New Jersey," said Pam Fischer, Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety and a Long Valley resident. "So having police departments such as Mount Olive really step up and support the Division's 2007 holiday Over the Limit, Under Arrest drunk driving mobilization is vital to its success. Thanks to the Mount Olive Police Department's commitment to traffic safety, not just during the holidays, but throughout the year, the roadways in and around the community are safer for everyone."

Additional information on the "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" crackdown and a list of police agencies that received grants from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety for this program is available on the Division's Web site, www.NJSafeRoads.com.

New Jersey Highlands Council Capacity Crowd

CHESTER, NEW JERSEY - A capacity crowd filled the room for the first public hearing for the final draft of the New Jersey Highlands Regional Master Plan, held Wednesday night at the Morris County Haggerty Education Center in Morristown, New Jersey.

Approximately 150 members of the public, including land owners, farmers, developers, environmental activists, and other concerned individuals attended the event. More than 40 people testified during the three-and-a-half hour hearing.

“An important part of the process of creating and adopting a Regional Master Plan for the Highlands is obtaining public input,” said John Weingart, Chairman of the New Jersey Highlands Council. Public comment has already helped the Council improve the draft Master Plan from an earlier version and we look forward to refining it further based on the additional input we are receiving this month.”

There are two remaining public hearings that will take place at the following times and dates:

Today - February 11, 2008 from 6 p.m. to end of public comment at the Passaic County Community College, One College Blvd., Paterson, New Jersey.

February 13, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to end of public comment at the Voorhees High School, 256 County Rt. 513, Glen Gardner, New Jersey.

Read the full press release(PDF) from the
New Jersey Highlands Council >>

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Battle of the Sexes Comedy Night

BUDD LAKE, NEW JERSEY - Need good laugh? Check out the hilariously funny comedy show 'Battle of the Sexes' at the Pax Amicus Castle Theatre next Saturday Night.

Battle of the Sexes: two men, two women, all comics who share their witty and imaginative views on Sex, Love, Marriage, Children, Divorce, Society, and each other.

This one night only performance is scheduled for Saturday, February 16th at 8:00pm. Tickets on sale now - Call the Pax Amicus Box Office (973) 691-2100. Admission $25.00.

Don't come to laugh, Come to laugh even harder.

New Jersey Highlands News - Regional Master Plan

CHESTER, NEW JERSEY - The New Jersey Highlands Council's first public hearing for the Final Draft Highlands Regional Master Plan begins tomorrow.

Two additional public hearings will follow on Feb. 11 and Feb. 13

The Highlands Council will hold the first of three public hearings for the Final Draft Regional Master Plan tomorrow at the Morris County Haggerty Education Center, 53 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey from 4pm to the end of public comment.

There is no pre-registration for this session, and members of the public who intend to speak are asked to sign in for the record and are encouraged to submit a written copy of their comments.

The two remaining public hearings will take place at the following times and dates:

February 11, 2008 from 6pm to end of public comment at the Passaic County Community College, One College Blvd., Paterson, New Jersey.

February 13, 2008 from 6:30pm to end of public comment at the Voorhees High School, 256 County Rt. 513, Glen Gardner, New Jersey.

The public comment period will officially close on February 28, 2008. The New Jersey Highlands Council is also accepting comments via e-mail and regular mail.

Send Comments to:

New Jersey Highlands Council
Attn: Final Draft RMP Comments
100 North Road - Route 513
Chester, New Jersey 07930

Punxsutawney Phil - Groundhog Day Report

GOBBLER'S KNOB - Punxsutawney Phil says "Six more weeks of Winter!"

Groundhog Day is a favorite tradition of mine. It all started for me on a trip to Zanesville, PA for doughnuts.

Somehow we ended up in Punxsutawney on the Morning of February 2nd and experienced the local Groundhog Day Celebration for the first time. I've been a faithful follower ever since.

If you ever find yourself on the way to Zanesville with some friends in need a party, stop by Punxsutawney on Groundhog's day. Cute town, nice people, great food, tons of fun.

Read Punxsutawney Phil's official prediction >>