The BERKELEY Times Vol. 30 - No. 49
County Fights To Protect Seniors From Federal Cuts
In This Week’s Edition
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Older Americans Act Ending? At the heart of LaFace’s concer n is the Older Americans Act (OAA), a landmark piece of legislation passed in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” initiative. The Act provides federal funding for services that help older adults remain in their homes and communities - programs like Meals on Wheels, home health aides, transportation, caregiver support, and legal aid. “They understood that Photo by Stephanie Faughnan So cial Se cu r it y wa s Maria LaFace, Director of Ocean County Senior Services, speaks at available for retirees and the VFW in Bayville, highlighting the need to protect programs that they assumed at that support the county’s growing senior population. point that would mean they were financially stable,” LaFace explained. “But what they identified By Stephanie Faughnan BERKELEY - Facing potential federal funding was lacking was community support services. cuts, Ocean County officials and senior advocates So, despite the money that you may have as you are sounding the alarm about what’s at stake for age, you’re going to need supportive services.” The Act was designed to provide community one of the state’s largest elderly populations. Maria LaFace, Director of Ocean County Senior services through programs and funding divided Services, led a public hearing at the Bayville among the states. But a recent budget proposal passed by the VFW during Older Americans Month to gather testimony and warn of sweeping changes under House of Representatives would restructure consideration at the federal level. Many of those OAA funding by splitting it between Medicare, in attendance were community providers who Medicaid, and the Administration for Children assist seniors. (Seniors - See Page 4)
Teachers Inspired To Give Environmental Lessons
By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY – With spring in the air, environmentalists inspired local teachers in crafting green lessons at the 28th Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable. This year’s event, which featured the theme of “Caring for Our Precious Natural Resources: Considering Conservation, Climate and Community,” was held at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education in Waretown. It was coordinated by the Ocean County Soil Conservation District (OCSCD). Each year environmental organizations, agencies and groups from around the watershed come together to provide this
popular Teachers Professional Development event which included an open house, dinner catered by Bonefish Grill of Brick, workshops, field experiences, two keynote speakers, and door prizes. OCSCD Director Christine Raabe said the agency has been “effectively coordinating and implementing this professional development event since 1997. The educational programs and opportunities available from all participating agencies, organizations and groups allows a comprehensive approach to watershed education and provides educators with a ‘one(Teachers - See Page 5)
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Officials Feeling Strain Of Increased Utility Costs By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – If you are seeing your utility bills go up, you’re not alone. Your elected officials have also been paying more. At a recent Township Council meeting, Councilman Michael Signorile said he looked at his gas bill and 80% of it was fees. He also got sticker shock from his electric bill. “A lot of people see fuel as a necessity,” he said. Besides heating and cooling homes, some medicines need to be refrigerated. “They’re killing us with fees. My electric bill doubled in a year.” He asked the council to pass a resolution asking for relief from the costs. Mayor John Bacchione said he has spoken to other local mayors and “we’re all in the same boat.” Everyone is seeing increases impacting their residents. (Utility Costs - See Page 5)
Voluntee rs Build Beds For Those In Nee d
Photo by Chris Lundy Harbor House residents and staff worked with volunteers to build beds for Sleep In Heavenly Peace. By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER - Teens who weren’t even living at home volunteered their time and energy to make sure strangers had a place to rest their head. One recent Saturday morning, Ocean’s Harbor House, which provides a safe haven for local teens, was the site of a construction project where roughly 20 people were building beds in the parking lot. (Volunteers - See Page 11)
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