By: Dennis Symons, Jr.

ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH) — The annual Allentown Tree Lighting was held on November 30, 2019. The lighting is hosted by the Allentown Economic Development Commission and the Allentown Business Community Association. The Stone Bridge Middle School Redbird Singers were singing Christmas Carols. There was free cider at The Moth Coffeehouse. There was free cocoa and cookies at Bruno’s Bicycles and One Sweet Ride. The Hope Fire Company will escort Santa to the Allentown Public Library.

Photos by: Dennis Symons, Jr. Dennis Symons Photography http://www.dennissymons.com

November 23, 2019

By: Dennis Symons, Jr.

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ–Firefighters were dispatched to a house fire in the 100 Block of Gary Drive this afternoon. It was reported over the radio that the alarm was going off all day and now smoke was coming from the house. Firefighters arrived to find a fire in one of the bedrooms and stretched a 1 3/4″ line to extinguish the fire. The fire was quickly extinguished. Hamilton Township Fire Department Stations 17, 13, 18, 16 as well as Robbinsville Twp Fire Department Station 40 responded to the scene.

Fire Investigators from Hamilton were on scene at the time of this report. The Hamilton Township Building Department was also responding.

November 22, 2019 (List will be updated at events are scheduled)

By: Dennis Symons, Jr.

Friday November 29, 2019:

HIGHTSTOWN, NJ–Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Santa Parade sponsored by Hightstown Engine Company # 1 Ladies Auxiliary. The event starts at 6:30 pm. The Santa parade will begin at Leshin Lane down South Main Street through the center of town to the firehouse. The “Man in Red” will end up at the firehouse to pull the switch to turn on the holiday lights in the downtown area. Everyone is then invited into the firehouse where the children may visit with Santa and have their picture taken ($3.00 each) and enjoy refreshments.

Saturday November 30, 2019:

10 am to 6 pm:

ALLENTOWN, NJ–ABCA, Allentown Business Community Association–Small Business Saturday. Shop in and around Allentown, NJ for Small Business Saturday on Saturday November 30, 2019 between 10 am and 6 pm As you shop tag your Instagram, Twitter, and other social media with #ShopSmall to help spread the word about Small Business Saturday

6 pm:

ALLENTOWN, NJ– Allentown Annual Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 30th at 6PM at Pete Sensi Park hosted by ACBA, Allentown Business Community Association and Allentown Economic Development Commission. The event will have Stone Bridge Middle School Red Bird Singers, free cider at the Moth Coffee House, free cocoa and cookies at Bruno’s Bicycles-One Sweet Ride, Hope Fire Company will escort Santa to the Allentown Public Library Association and more. Follow this link for more information.  

Tuesday December 3, 2019

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Celebration at the Robbinsville Senior Center 1117 Route 130, Robbinsville, NJ (municipal complex) Events start at 5 pm. Arts and Crafts sponsored by C.A.R.E., Gingerbread House Displays by Girl Scouts, Photos with Santa, Free Hot Chocolate by David Bradley, Robbinsville High School Choir, and Tree and Menorah Lighting.

December 6 & 7, 2019

HAMILTON, NJ–Hamilton Winter Wonderland Event held at Kuser Farm Park, on Friday and Saturday December 6 & 7, 2019 from 5 pm to 8 pm on both nights. This is a free to attend event. This beloved annual event, which is a favorite among families with young children, includes a number of exciting activities for children, such as:      

• Christmas Tree Lighting Friday, December 6 at 6pm
• Food Drive: Non-perishable foods to be collected
• Toy Drive: Collection of unwrapped new children’s toys
• Visit Santa’s Village (free photo with Santa)
• Ride our “Holiday Express Train”
• Petting Zoo
• Tour historic Kuser Mansion (decorated for the holidays)
• Jersey Valley Model Railroad Club display (in Mansion basement) 
• Take in the decorations and lights throughout Kuser Farm Park
• Visit Santa’s Secret Workshop of crafters
• Make your own “reindeer food” to help direct Rudolph 
• Musical Entertainment
• Food Vendors and more

December 7, 2019

PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ–An Olde Fashioned Tree Lighting Ceremony, Saturday December 7, 2019 at the Plumsted Township Municipal Building 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533. Event starts at 6 p.m. and will be held rain, snow or shine. Santa will make a special appearance by arriving on New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company’s fire engine. Take photographs with Santa. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Pop Warner will be singing carols, The Plumsted Township Council for the Arts will have the Gingerbread Contest from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Please bring a non-perishable food item(s) for the annual School Food Drive at the tree ceremony.

December 7 & 8, 2019

ALLENTOWN, NJ–ACBA, Allentown Business Community Association, Holiday Open House Weekend in Allentown. 10 am to 5 pm

December 8, 2019 (rain date December 15)

WEST WINDSOR, NJ–Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony Sunday December 8, 2019 at Ron Rogers Arboretum, Clarksville Road and County Road 571 event starts at 7 pm. Program will include a chior performance from the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, performance by WWP-South High School First Edition, and a fireworks display. There will also be free refreshments during the event.

December 9, 2019

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ–Friendly’s is sponsoring Holiday’s at the Foxmoor Shopping Center. There will be a Christmas Tree Lighting, Menorah Lighting, Visit by Santa Claus, Allentown High School Choir, Karaoke, and gifts for the kids. The event is held at Foxmoor Shopping Center and will start at 6 pm.

December 13, 2019

HAMILTON, NJ–Hamilton Little Lads Holiday Shopping Event, 400 Edward Ave, Hamilton, NJ 08610 Event will be from 5 pm to 9 pm

Helps Service Members Transition to Civilian Life

December 11, 2019

Today Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) voted for—and the House passed—the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA; S. 1790) which authorizes $738 billion for defense programs to continue to rebuild readiness, advance modernization, develop emerging technologies, enhance missile defense and confront our adversaries. The defense package also assures a 3.1 percent pay raise for our troops—the highest pay hike for members of the Armed Services in a decade.

Smith Veterans Amendment Adopted

  Included in the bipartisan conference package, which passed in 377-to 48 vote, is an amendment authored by Smith to modernize the Department of Defense (DoD) Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and help more than 20,000 of service members each year who transition to veteran status and return to civilian life.

  “I have seen how vital TAP is in preparing all eligible members of the armed forces for transition to civilian life,” Smith, said.  “Yet, this program designed to help more than 20,000 transitioning to veteran/civilian life has proven a bit out dated and limited because of the multiple websites used to shared needed information.

  “My amendment aims to provide servicemembers with a single-source, comprehensive, online application accessible through smart technology and a mobile app to assist vets with their transition and needs after separation.”

  The former chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee said under the current mandatory TAP program, servicemembers undergo four hours of pre-separation counseling, five days of classroom-based instruction, and an optional two-day Transition Goals, Plans, Success program.

  “It’s all good and helpful—but abundant—information provided in multiple sessions that can become an organizational challenge especially for servicemembers who are relocating and starting new lives,” Smith said.

  “Additionally, there is currently no avenue for TAP officials to follow servicemembers’ progress in completing their TAP requirements and ensure that all support systems are being used. My amendment enables the sharing of information and tracking progress with immediate and accurate reports,” he said. 

  Smith offered his amendment to the defense authorization bill when it was originally considered by the full House in July. Because the Senate companion bill had no similar provision, keeping the Smith amendment in the final package marks a great success.

  Now section 570G of S. 1790, Smith’s slightly modified amendment, authorizes the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Labor to work collaboratively on a three-year pilot program develop an online app that would address the current shortfalls in the TAP program and streamline online resources given to them upon separation.  

  “Our goal is to create a one-stop source for online applications to assist servicemembers and veterans participating in the TAP and enable and ensure the valuable information provided by TAP is always at veterans’ fingertips.”

  Other critical provisions include in the overall bipartisan package:

• Smith’s proposal to require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an investigation by the Comptroller General of the United States to study the contracting practices of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in order to address independent contractor misclassification on federal projects. 
• A $75 million authorization for the Office of Economic Adjustment’s Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), which could provide grants, conclude cooperative agreements, and supplemental funds available under other federal programs to assist states and local governments in addressing deficiencies in community infrastructure projects or facilities that are located outside of military installations but that support military installations like JB-MDL. Smith cosponsored an amendment and cosigned letters supporting DCIP.
• A three-year phased repeal of the Widow’s Tax
• Up to 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave for the Defense Department, Intelligence Community, and across the federal government
• Increasing the reimbursement amount for professional state licensure expenses incurred by military spouses as they move their families around the country, and also authorizes a cooperative agreement with the Council of State Governors to assist with funding the development of interstate compacts to improve spouse professional license portability, which has been an issue at JB-MDL.

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December 5, 2019

By: Dennis Symons, Jr.

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Township Police Department presented a check to Thea’s Star of Hope to help benefit children with brain tumors. The money was raised during “No Shave November” where officers participate by writing a $100 personal check to participate. The annual fund raiser raised $3,000. during this years No Shave November campaign.

Tonight the Robbinsville Township Police Department presented a $3,000. check to Thea and her family at tonight’s Robbinsville Township council meeting. 

November 22, 2019

Opinion

When I started this website I was not going to write opinion pieces or editorials since this directly will harm me here is the first opinion piece:

TRENTON, NJ—I started in the “news business” around 1987 photographing for the now defunct Messenger Press in Allentown, NJ. I was in college at the time and brought some photographs into the Messenger Press to see if they would want to run them and they did, I was now “published” The editor told me to send them a bill for $15. Per photo for a total of $30.

For a college kid at the time that was pretty good money for photographs, I could get a tank of gas and a few rolls of film to keep me going. The editor liked my photographs enough to start sending me on assignments as a “freelance photographer” also known as “stringer” As I would find out this is how many entered into news organizations eventually working their way  up to full time employment or a regular part time employee of the news organization.

On assignments I would meet others from different media organizations and was offered additional jobs as a stringer at the time and ended up working for around 13 newspapers and magazines. As a stringer I owned the rights to my work so when a magazine such as Sports Illustrated called looking for a photograph of a football player, I would then sell my photo directly to SI.

Over the years I would generate enough income to have 1099 forms sent to me at the end of the year for non-employee compensation also known as a “independent contractor” I had to do  lot of things they did not teach you in high school or college such as, register as a business, learn accounting, learn to file taxes, open checking accounts, sales negotiations, contracts, inventory, equipment purchases, collect and pay sales taxes and many other things that it takes to run a small business.

A good majority of people working in the news business are also stringers or freelancers. Photographers, writers, editors, delivery persons, and the list goes on and on of all who are employed to bring you the news.

Over the past few years the news business has taken a massive hit from online publishing and the recession of 2007, and has never really recovered. Many newspapers are no longer published, some larger organizations merged, laying off and consolidating staff, many news organizations no longer send reporters or photographers out for a story, they rarely even use stringers as much anymore. Everyone has a phone with a camera so why not get the photographs for free though social media, and of course used with permission for a “photo credit” that pays nothing.

The news still needs to be reported but, larger traditional news organizations can afford to have several full time and part time regular employees. News gathering, editing and publishing takes a lot of time and most have staff large enough to cover the daily operation. When multiple events happen and there are not enough employees to cover everything, so editors reach out to the stringers. Not to mention stringers usually cover regular employees while they are on FMLA, out sick, on vacation, regular time off or a host of other issues when a regular employee would not be able to make an assignment. Other times stringers are useful are during “spot news” events a stringer can sometimes get there faster and able to cover a breaking news story while a staff photographer is tied up on an assignment.

One of the dangers to our democracy is that as we lose newspapers, magazines and other media, we also lose the watch dog that keeps government and others in check. Losing more freelance journalists will just accelerate the process.

Fresh out of college, a fresh start switching careers, or maybe as a second job just trying to make ends meet, being an independent contractor is a great way to try and make it.

New Jersey State Senate President, Stephen M. Sweeney has proposed Senate Bill S-4204 that restricts the ability of employers to use legitimate services of independent contractors and it appears this bill has been “fast tracked” to rush it though the legislature. It is understandable the Senator is trying to stop misclassification of independent contractors that should be bona fide employees and that is understandable. The wording with the current bill pretty much eliminates most independent contractors and will put them out of business causing harm to this already sensitive economy.

It is time to call and write your legislators to have them modify NJ Senate Bill S-4204 to keep private contractor’s jobs alive.

This issue bleeds over to other industries but I am writing on my experiences as a private contractor since 1987.

The State is after UBER, Lyft, delivery services and private trucking companies by having current private contractors forced to become employees of the company. The current version of the bill applies to most all independent contractors, if they pass a certain level that would require them to become a regular employee rather than be an independent contractor. This could include coaches, referees, fitness trainers, sports trainers, artists, photographers, sales, writers, photographers, entertainment, and the list goes on.

Use this link to find and write your legislature to save “Independent Contractor” jobs and appose NJ Senate Bill S-4204 in its current form.

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp

I have worked 32 years on and off as a stringer/private contractor for news organizations and support our freedoms as Americans to decide whom and when we want to work. Private individuals acting as contractors should not be forced to become an “employee” of the organization and should have the freedom to choose who they want to work for. NJ Senate Bill S-4204 is a classic government overreach in its current form and needs to be changed.

Two major health bills authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) were attached to an end-of-year, must-pass spending package today and will become law by the end of the week.

The first bill—the TICK Act—creates a “new whole-of-government national strategy to combat Lyme” and other tick borne diseases.  It authorizes $150 million in federal funding for Centers of Excellence and important Lyme initiatives at the local level.

“It’s taken 21 years—and over a dozen bills I’ve introduced in Congress beginning with the Lyme Disease Initiative Act of 1998 to get here.” Smith said. “This marks a major victory for hundreds of thousands—especially and including children—who suffer from this horrific disease.”

Smith introduced the TICK Act earlier this year joined by Rep. Colin Peterson (D-MN) in the House and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (R-MN) in the Senate. As included in the end-of-year bill, the legislation is now named for former Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) who tragically passed away from a tick-borne disease in October.

“The national strategy provision coupled with $150 million for research, prevention and treatment programs will enable additional federal agencies to step up and coordinated their efforts in the fight against Lyme,” said Smith, the co-chair of the House Lyme Disease Caucus. “The new law will open doors to innovative therapies, treatments, better diagnosis and more accurate information for doctors, and their patients with Lyme.”

“With a whole-of-government approach, all patients, including those suffering with chronic Lyme will get more answers and hopefully relief from this debilitating disease.”

According to the  Department of Health and Human Services 2018 Report to Congress, there are approximately 300,000 new cases of tick borne disease each year—with an estimated 40,000 new cases annually in New Jersey alone.

Smith’s second bill to become law this week, the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act(HR 3460), supports the treatment, control, and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). It ensures that that United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) programs effectively integrate NTD treatment, control and elimination efforts with other development issues, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, water and sanitation and education.

“More than 10 million Americans living in extreme poverty—and 1.4 billion people worldwide—are currently infected with at least one of these awful, but preventable diseases which blind, disable, disfigure and sometime kill victims” Smith said.  “My bill breaks down silos and integrates critical therapies USAID is already doing to help those suffering from NTDs such as West Nile Virus, Zika, dengue or severe dengue fever, leprosy, scabies and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) (roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm).”

Photo from Chris Smith Press Release from C-Span

November 29, 2019

By: Dennis Symons, Jr.

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The 8th Annual Black Friday Fun Run to help the Special Olympics New Jersey was held today at the Robbinsville Town Center gazebo. The run has raised well over $42,500. since 2012 for Special Olympics New Jersey.

The run started at 10 a.m. with runners in the front completing 2 laps around the lake. Walkers started in the back completing 1 lap around the Town Center Lake. This was a “fun run” no official time is kept. Door prizes were held after the event

December 5, 2019

Information from Hope Fire Company:

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Last evening the Hope Fire Company was dispatched to the 100 block of Sharon Station Road for a smoke condition in a residence. Smoke was visible from the rear of the structure when the fire chief arrived and backup was immediately dispatched from surrounding departments. The occupants were safely evacuated from the two family home upon fire department arrival.

The first fire engine on scene from Hope Fire Company located the fire at the top of the stairwell and was spreading to the attic. The fire crew quickly knocked down the fire saving the home from further damage. Fire crews then checked to make sure fire did not extend thought the rest of the building.

Responding the the fire were: Hope Fire Company, Hamilton Township Station 19 Groveville, Highstown Engine Company #1, Millstone Township Fire Company, Robbinsville Township Fire Department, and New Egypt Fire Department. Investigating the fire are the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Upper Freehold Township Fire Prevention Bureau.

There were no injures reported in the fire and the cause remains under investigation.