The JACKSON Times Vol. 21 - No. 13
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Council Honors LitTle League AlL Stars
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 16
Classifieds Pages 19
Photo courtesy Jackson Little League Members of the Jackson Little League All Star Team bask in their victory following a tournament game held during the summer. By Bob Vosseller JACKSON –The World Series may be coming up but members of the Jackson Little League All Star Team have already enjoyed their spotlight following their successful season. The All Stars recently received a proclamation from Mayor Michael Reina during a recent Town-
ship Council meeting that was read by Council President Jennifer Kuhn. As the team awaited their big night in the hallways of Town Hall - having arrived early during the Council’s executive session - their manager, Mat Wilder told The Jackson Times (All Stars - See Page 4)
September 28, 2024
Whistleblower Lawsuit Settled By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit initiated by Jackson’s former Director of Public Works Fred Rasiewicz, who will be paid $850,000. The lawsuit was filed pursuant to New Jersey’s whistle blower statute, (The Conscientious Employee Protection Act) and alleged that Rasiewicz, who since 2007 had been employed by the township, was fired in 2021 for opposing unlawful and retaliatory employment actions by the township and specifically Mayor Michael Riena and Business Administrator Terence Wall. Rasiewicz’s lawyer, Steven Cahn of Cahn & Parra in Edison, said his client’s termination was the ultimate result of a dispute several supervisors had with the township over pay and benefits which led to the formation of a supervisors’ union in 2015. The formation of the union was fi nalized and Rasiewicz was elected president, a position that he retained until his employment was terminated. His duties as union president involved various union activities, representing employees in labor management issues, including filing (Lawsuit - See Page 17)
Congregations Celebrate Loving Anniversary
Satanic Invocation Begins Town Meeting By Bob Vosseller PLUMSTED – Not many communities feature an invocation at the start of their municipal government meetings. Plumsted is one notable exception and recently their invocation was presented for the first time by the New Jersey Satanists. Previously, invocations were presented on a rotation basis by a member of the clergy in the township. Jim Gutacker, who is listed as the director of Child Evangelism Fellowship located in the
township according to their website, was chosen as Plumsted’s chaplain earlier this year. He has conducted most of the invocations since then. Michael Silvestro Jr. known as Reverend Leviathan and John Belasco are members of the New Jersey Satanists, previously affiliated with the Satanic Temple of New Jersey. They have continuously asked the governing body during past Committee meetings about having a chaplain representative or to
serve as the chaplain. They also repeatedly requested to have the opportunity to conduct an invocation before a Township Committee meeting just as several Christian denominations have had. The Committee had been warned that there were precedents in other communities involving legal action when a policy of this type was not enforced equally. A list of approved clergy representatives (Meeting - See Page 5)
Photo courtesy Judie Singer The last candle was lit by the children, representing the future. They were joined by Judie Singer. By Chris Lundy HOWELL – The most important religious ceremonies have one thing
in common – they bring people together. (Anniversary See Page 12)
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