Four Seasons @ Metedeconk Lakes Resident Blog

From Eileen Rosenbaum

2011-10-16T20:17:00.003-04:00

WALGREEN'S

Mark and I were at the drive up window at Walgreen's today, and we both saw something that disturbed us.

The pharmacy technician, who was counting out pills and putting them into pill containers, was scratching her head and playing with her hair, then touching the pills. We were at the window long enough to see her use the phone, then go back to counting pills, then touch her face, then go back to the pills. We saw her put together 3 orders while we watched.

I called Walgreen's corporate offices to file a complaint. I did tell them how unsanitary their practice is. I also recommended that their personnel, who touch the medications, wear hair nets and gloves.

If the people at deli counters need to cover their hair and their hands when they serve us, why shouldn't people who handle our prescriptions.

From now on I will watch our prescriptions being filled.

Gate Entrance from Sherman Cammeyer

2011-05-30T16:01:00.004-04:00

If you own a late model GM, Ford, or Mazda vehicle
and are having trouble using your car garage opener to open the main gate

Get in touch with:
Sherman Cammeyer @833-9159 or Ralph Mattiello @ 534 9618

For Sale By Residents

2010-10-01T19:05:00.003-04:00

Gloria Raya is selling

Entertainment Books

Sponsored by the Knights of Pythias
Monies Collected will be donated to;
Deborah Hospital

The per book cost is $30

If interested please call Gloria at 732 928-4432

Metedeconk LOST & FOUND

2010-09-25T11:04:00.003-04:00

Official Four Seasons @ Metedeconk Lakes

Lost and Found

All submissions reported to the e-mail service regarding

Lost and Found items will now be posted here:

--------------------------------------------------

Cell Phone & Ear Piece Found:

Left at the Desk in the Clubhouse lobby.

From Jack Marin - Pets, Your Responsibility

2010-08-28T11:10:00.004-04:00

Why my grandchildren cannot play around my house:

My granddaughters and I were walking the area around my house, which includes the pond, when one of them bent down and put her hands in a grassy patch. I noticed it was wet on the concrete that surrounded this patch of grass and realized it was the result of one of the dogs urinating. I quickly rushed them into the house trying to keep them from touching parts of their body until I could get their hands thoroughly washed.

When I purchased my house I paid extra for the pond view and still pay higher real estate taxes for that same view. They didn't tell me that what I thought was a scenic pond was really the sewer system for all of the pets (dogs) in the area. I cannot sit down to a meal in my kitchen, which overlooks the pond, without having at least one dog defecate and urinate in front of me. To their credit their owners never fail to bag the results, but, that does not enhance my ambiance. Of course when we have company over they get to enjoy the same ambiance. I should also point out that the constant urinating does damage the grass and landscaping, my view.

The Association has tried sending emails, but, clearly that does not work. I suggested putting up signs, but, that was turned down by the board. I agree with the last association email that requested that owners have their loved pets complete their bathroom needs on their own property and then take the walk. I wonder what they find objectionable about their pets defecating and urinating on or near their own environment?

From Bill Langweil, Updated Vendor Listing - Updated 11/2010

2010-08-28T11:05:00.003-04:00

From Bill Langweil, Updated Vendor Listing Handyman Services- Vendors

Handyman Services- Vendors

The selected vendors have been chosen from resident recommendations. If you wish to utilize their services call them directly, and mention this list and that you are a resident of “Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes.” If you are not satisfied with their performance please notify me. This service is NOT part of HOA activities. Arrangements are strictly between the resident and the vendor. It is your responsibility to check their license, insurance and latest prices. Other suggestions are welcome. Bill Langweil

1. Castle Window Washing (732) 367-0671 $4.75 per window- 5% senior discount- Free estimates

2. Chia’s Landscaping (formerly Perfectseal Seal Coating) (732) 972-9922 $55.00 per driveway

3. A.A. Chimney Service (732) 254-2517 or (732) 972-8383

$60.00- Cleans dryer duct and also removes built up lint from back of dryer.

4. Mr. Fix It (732) 792-1299 (Licensed plumber)

Handyman work includes plumbing, moldings, and miscellaneous other services. Prices determined by type of work done. Discounts will be given to FSML residents.

5. Budget Outdoor Maintenance Services (732) 408-9407

Construct and repair outdoor patios and paver walkways. Landscape design and planting. Spring and Fall cleanups and mulching. Free estimates.

6. Greg Electric (732) 553-0011, Licensed electrician

7. J & A Renovators (former KHOV warranty manager)- Quality Home Improvements

(732) 967-1222 or Cell 732 439-0857

All carpentry and handyman services (closets, built-ins, moldings, and trim work). Ceiling fans and storm doors installed, and kitchen and baths remodeled. Free estimates given. Discounts to FSML.

8. Mike Weber (former KHOV employee) (732) 503-0959. Handyman Services

9. Touch Of Gold- (732) 363-0306 Install and repair gutters. Gutter cleaning- $65.

10. Slats and Pleats- Paul Rein (732 475-9300) Sales, repair, and installation of blinds. Phone estimates.

11. Frank’s Handyman Service – (732) 928-7916 Handyman services. Filters and batteries replaced.

12. A Car For Hire- John Bruso – (732) 995-2420 (Limo Services) Door To Door – (732) 901-7848

13. Kenny - Complete power washing and foundation painting - 732- 921-4597

14. Premier Remodeling - (800 811-7701 or 609 689-0606) (www.premier-remoldeling.com)

Kitchens, baths, molding &trim work, decks, garage doors, gutters, roofs, windows, doors, and more.

15. T D'Amore & Son General Contractors & Masonry - ( 732 904-8764) Home improvements (indoor &out), pavers, concrete, retaining walls, decks, bobcat, handyman services.

16. Adam Deutch - (732) 237-6444 PC Servicing and Repair. Free consultations. Free software upgrades. Discounts on parts and labor. Education and training. Reasonable rates.

17. Charles Short - (732 888-1137) Handyman Services. Custom deck builder. Carpentry - doors, windows, moldings, renovations, etc.

18. Diane Thompson - (732 364-4577) Just Cats & Kittens - Pet sitting for cats and small dogs.

19. Precision Garage Door Services - (732 845-2128) or (866 556-0100)

What Chutzpa, Joel Moskow as a concerned resident.

2010-04-29T12:55:00.002-04:00

95 Gables Way
Jackson, New Jersey 08527
(732) 928-8846
April 8, 2010

Mr. Marvin Aronowitz
Editor-in-Chief
Metedeconk Moments

Re: WHAT CHUTZPA

To the Editor:
Just the other day, I ventured into the new JPMorgan Chase bank on County Line Road. The bank had only opened a few weeks ago so I thought I would give it a try with some of my business. A friend had just repaid a loan to me with a check drawn on JPMorgan Chase and I planned to cash the check at the bank and discuss some of its services.
When I reached the teller, I presented the check and asked her to please cash it for me. I was not a customer of JPMorgan Chase at the time. “There is a six dollar charge to cash this check,” she said with a tone in her voice that told me she had said these words many times before. I explained that it was the bank’s own check. “It’s six dollars to cash the check,” she repeated, this time in a more precise way. I thanked her, smiled to myself, and left the bank with the check in hand.
This bank, JPMorgan Chase, is one of the banks that took billions of dollars of mine and other citizens, in order to stay alive. The teller herself would be unemployed if it were not for our money. The staff of that branch would be unemployed if it were not for our money, and the branch itself would not exist today if it were not for our money. In fact, there is a good chance that JPMorgan Chase Bank would not be in business today if it were not for our money. Six dollars to cash a check, drawn on their own bank, What COLOSSAL GALL, and in plain English, WHAT CHUTZPA!
Every one of us knows about, and was outraged when we learned about the millions in bonuses that banks, living on our handouts, gave to their employees. I hope that now a few hundred local people will know of this little “six dollar fee,” and what this fee says to the people that helped bail this bank out of a self made disaster so it could stay in business. This is what JPMorgan Chase Bank thinks of the people who funded their very survival. Millions in bonuses to their employees and a six dollar fee, to cash the bank’s own check, to the public.
If you have as much as one thin dime deposited with JPMorgan Bank, you need to have your head examined. Take a good look at all of the fees this bank charges its customers and non customer alike, then, take your account and place it with a local bank, a bank that cares about the people it serves. In the future, when you hear the word CHUTZPA, you should realize that JPMorgan Chase Bank defines the word!

Very truly yours,
Joel H. Moskow

From Jack Marin - Shelter Boxes for Haiti

2010-01-22T17:13:00.009-05:00

I am the President of the Freehold Rotary club. Rotary has a program called "Shelter Box". It is a tent capable of housing 10 people and initially includes sufficient supplies to feed ten people as well as first aid and some clothing.

As President of the club I have already secured the approval of my Board of Directors and we have already made arrangements to send a shelter box to Haiti. The cost of a shelter box is $1,000. Several members of Rotary International will be traveling to Haiti and administering to the program so there is no question as to how the shelter boxes will be utilized.

It occurred to me that members of our community might want to help in the tragedy that has befallen upon Haiti. This effort is being handled on a regional level and individual contributions will be aggregated to purchase as many shelter boxes as possible. If you have any interest in donating to this worthwhile program you can contact me at: cpaace@optonline.net. All such donations would be payable to the Freehold Rotary Foundation and are fully tax deductible. You have my assurances that all such donations will be made known to the appropriate individuals at the regional level who are handling the administration of the shelter boxes. If you choose to participate please email me with your name, address and the amount of the contribution. Again, any contribution would help.

This Posting Has the Following Update:

HAITI SHELTERBOX UPDATE
Jan 17, 2010
Dick Isackson PDG SB Coordinator

Emergency shelter provision for more than 30,000 has been pledged to the people of Haiti with more to follow. Delivery nightmare continues however. A direct shipment from a pre-positioned stock in Curacoa was to have arrived in Port-Au-Prince on Thursday. No confirmation as of yet. Additional shipments via Virgin Airways direct to Miami where air and sea transport is being coordinated by a ShelterBox Response Team (SRT). A local Rotarian, Jim Sherlock, from Belmar Wall RC is working with the SRT team in Miami and the Haitian Counsel General in New York to cut through the red tape and expedite. 3,300 Boxes are in transit or on the ground. SRT Ian Neal (UK) is heading to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to organize overland delivery logistics.

The Shelter Response Team on the ground in Port-Au-Prince is working with aid agencies and local Rotarians to ensure the fastest and most effective distribution methods. Training sessions for delivery and distribution have commenced with local personnel.

Tom Henderson, ShelterBox Founder and CEO comments that: This is as bad as we’ve seen it. There has never been a bigger need. Support and donations are coming in from all over the globe.

I have received commitments for 17 Boxes from 10 clubs and individuals as of 2PM today with indications of more in the pipeline. Fund raising efforts are going outside the normal Rotary family to local communities.

Point Pleasant Rotary is leading a community drive effort with newspaper and personal promotion with organizations and drop boxes at Rotarian businesses. Keep in mind, checks made payable to ShelterBox USA, a 501c3 tax exempt charity are tax deductible.

Our help is needed and ShelterBox is the only program providing shelter as its primary goal. The UN has indicated that more than 200,000 families need shelter. ShelterBox is the vehicle.

Give now and talk it up with your friends, neighbors, business associates, business and social organizations, schools, churches. You can do it! Their help is needed!!!

Let me know what you are doing and send me your commitments at. risackson@comcast.net.

Thanks for your support

Kathy Hiltner,
District Governor 2009/10
District 7500, 609-502-3314

A Reader's Reply, From Arline Schubert

2009-12-18T09:09:00.001-05:00

To Peter Martorana:
Hanukkah or Chanukah dates back more than 2000 years, when the Jewish
people were ruled by Greek Kings. On the 25th day of the Jewish month
of Kislev,164BCE, the Maccabees rededicated the Temple by lighting the
Menorah with oil that was meant to last 1 day, but miraculously it
burned for 8 days; hence,
today the Jewish people celebrate an eight day Festival of Light.
Chanukah reminds Jewish people of their faith in G-d and their
dedication to religious freedom. You, Mr. Martorana do not share my
belief in religious freedom, because I enjoy listening to Christmas
music and viewing all the holiday decorations at this season, and I
respect everyone's right to observe whatever holiday they wish.
Fortunately we live in a country that allows all of us Freedom of
Religion and in the spirit of the season, I would wish you a Merry
Christmas, but I think Bah Humbug is more suitable!
Arline Schubert
5 Balmorl Drive
Jackson,NJ 08527
732-928-3073

From Irwin Young FSML Bridge Club

2009-12-02T13:00:00.002-05:00

To My Fellow FSML Neighbors:

Lately you have received several pieces of e-mail relating to our BOT, our clubhouse and club dues. I, honestly don't know which of the statements are actually correct or are misinformation. However, I can report with complete knowledge that there is at least one error in those e-mails and letters. It lists the Bridge Club as agreeing with their stand. I know for a fact, since my wife is in charge of the Bridge Club, that we didn't agree to be included. As a matter of fact we were never asked. If we were to have been asked we would have voted no, as we believe that what the BOT was attempting to do is a correct and legal action.

The members of the BOT were elected by us to represent our best interests. They too are members of this community and I’m sure that they are concerned for all.

Sincerely,
Irwin Young, Bridge Club

From Eileen Rosenbaum - Silverts Furniture, Freehold

2009-06-04T12:12:00.004-04:00

I would like to share a very unpleasant experience that Mark and I had while shopping at Silverts in Freehold.

Our salesperson, Larry, who I believe is related to the Silvert family, gave us a price on an office suite. He actually wrote down the prices for the individual pieces on the back of one of his business cards. When we returned 1 week later to order the furniture, he told us that either he made a mistake on the pricing, or we wrote the prices on his card ourselves. He then turned his back on us and walked away without saying a word.

We did order our furniture from another store and found that not all sales people are as rude or dishonest as Larry and the folks at Silvert's Furniture in Freehold.

Eileen Rosenbaum

Community Property and DOGS - From The Sigman's

2008-10-13T11:46:00.003-04:00

We have written various e-mails to community management regarding "community property and dogs" - thus far to no avail.
We understand that the appearance of the community is important to everyone including us (Cheryl and Steven Sigman - 3 Devonshire Way). We have been living here for over 5 years and have made many wonderful friends. Unfortunately, we've made a few enemies as well due to the lack of a designated area for our dog, Seymour, and the other four-legged residents that enjoy the over 55 lifestyle here at Four Seasons Metedeconk.
When we moved here we were welcomed to the community with two children over age 19 and one dog. This was one of the few communities in the area which did not limit us to only one adult child nor did they put a restriction on pet ownership. We have done all that we could to restrict Seymour to areas where there are no houses, although, there is NO AREA presently which is not designated as community property. We keep him on our property but sometimes dogs want to walk around and enjoy the neighborhood too. We clean up after him all the time and dispose of his wastes properly. It is not fair to expect us to drive him outside of Metedeconk to relieve himself - especially since, as we all know, the urge may strike more than once a day. Nor is it physically possible to restrain a dog from urinating even curbside and targeting only the sidewalls rather than the adjacent grass (community property, sorry!)
As pet owners and residents desiring to live within an attractive and friendly community, we firmly and vehemently suggest that an area be designated for dog walking and relief! We are just as tired of the negative comments and dirty looks from our neighbors as they are of us walking our pets on "Community Property".

A Neighbor's Family Loss - From Hal Wohl

2008-08-29T17:02:00.004-04:00

‘Minyan Prayer Group’
Formed

It was the desire of a number of members of our community to form a ‘Minyan Prayer Group’ that would come to the aid of a Jewish family observing the Shivah (explained below). The group has the necessary materials for the conduction of the ‘Minyanim Service’, and would also supply the number of participants needed.

The driving forces behind the effort to organize such a group were Irwin Schubert, Joel Moskow, Hal Wohl, and Ike Shalom. The group currently has 31 resident members, and their wives, making a total of 62 people. Any member of our community in need of the services of the group, or knowing of a neighbor who is in such need, please call:

Hal & Marsha Wohl – 732 928-5621

An Explanation of Jewish Customs during
The Mourning of the death of a family member

As explained from the writings of Stephen Butterfass, for Religious Living on the Web

The period of mourning, for a Jew, begins as soon as the burial is over. On the first day of mourning, as an act of consideration for the needs of the mourners, Jewish tradition mandated that the bereaved were not to eat their own food as their first meal after the funeral. It is a mitzvah (a blessing) for friends and neighbors or for members of the community, to prepare a meal of condolence to be provided the mourners on returning from the cemetery. This practice is common to all branches of Judaism and should be considered an important act of sensitivity to another's need.

Visiting a house of mourning to comfort the family by your presence and to join together in prayer is also considered a blessing. The Jewish community is expected to join a minyan to honor the dead and comfort the bereaved. You need not have known the deceased or the family. What is required is the performance of the mitzvah. Those who visit a house of mourning should neither ring the bell nor knock before entering. The tradition also frowns on frivolous conversation. Visitors were traditionally not supposed to speak with the mourner until spoken to.

Following the funeral, there are seven days of intense mourning, called Shivah, or "seven". During these seven days, the tradition stated that it was forbidden to wear leather shoes, to work, to cover mirrors and pictures, not shave, and the sit on boxes or low stools, among other customs. The practice of observing shivah for a full seven days is not obligatory in Reform Judaism and should be a personal decision. Reform practice seems to consider three days as the minimum period of mourning and for the holding of minyanim, prayer services, at the home.

GE Gold Dishwasher - Jo Ann Devory

2008-08-02T16:42:00.004-04:00

Has anyone had a problem with their GE Gold Dishwasher?

Ours is only 1 ½ years old and the entire electronic panel burned out! During one night, last week, I smelled wires burning and found that the dishwasher panel was lit up and blinking like a Christmas Tree! I pulled the circuit breaker. Since then Sears/A&E repair service came and determined the entire circuit panel is not working and will be replaced at a cost of over $200! If others in our community have had the same problem, we may start an effort to have GE recall/pay for repair. Please leave a message on the Blog or contact me: 732-276-6591 or devory02@optonline.net

Costco - "Way to Go" - From Jerry Idell

2008-04-09T15:58:00.000-04:00

This is worth reading. Be sure to read to the end. You will be amazed.

Let's hear it for Costco!! (This is just mind-boggling!) Make sure you read all the way past the list of the drugs The woman that signed below is a Budget Analyst out of federal Washington , DC offices.

Did you ever wonder how much it costs a drug company for the active ingredient in prescription medications? Some people think it must cost a lot, since many drugs sell for more than $2.00 per tablet. We did a search of offshore chemical synthesizers that supply the active ingredients found in drugs approved by the FDA. As we have revealed in past issues of Life Extension, a significant percentage of drugs sold in the United States contain active ingredients made in other countries. In our independent investigation of how much profit drug companies really make, we obtained the actual price of active ingredients used in some of the most popular drugs sold in America, the data below speaks for itself.

Celebrex: 100 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $130.27
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.60
Percent markup: 21,712%

Claritin: 10 mg <>Consumer Price (100 tablets): $215.17
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.71
Percent markup: 30,306%

Keflex: 250 mg
Consumer Price (100 tablets): $157.39
Cost of general active ingredients: $1.88
Percent markup: 8,372%

Lipitor: 20 mg
Consumer Price (100 tablets): $272.37
Cost of general active ingredients: $5.80
Percent markup: 4,696%

Norvasc: 10 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $188.29
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.14
Percent markup: 134,493%

Paxil: 20 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $220.27
Cost of general active ingredients: $7.60
Percent markup: 2,898%

Prevacid: 30 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $44.77
Cost of general active ingredients: $1.01
Percent markup: 34,136%

Prilosec : 2 0 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $360.97
Cost of general active ingredients $0.52
Percent markup: 69,417%

Prozac: 20 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets) : $247.47
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.11
Percent markup: 224,973%

Tenormin:< face="Verdana" color="#333300" size="4"> 50 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $104.47
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.13
Percent markup: 80,362%

Vasotec: 10 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $102.37
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.20
Percent markup: 51,185%

Xanax: 1 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets) : $136.79
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.024
Percent markup: 569,958%

Zestril: 20 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets) $89.89
Cost of general active ingredients $3.20
Percent markup: 2,809

Zithromax: 600 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $1,482.19
Cost of general active ingredients: $18.78
Percent markup: 7,892%

Zocor: 40 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $350.27
Cost of general active ingredients: $8.63
Percent markup: 4,059%

Zoloft: 50 mg
Consumer price: $206.87
Cost of general active ingredients: $1.75
Percent markup: 11,821%

Since the cost of prescription drugs is so outrageous, I thought everyone should know about this. Please read the following and pass it on. It pays to shop around. This helps to solve the mystery as to why they can afford to put a Walgreen's on every corner. On Monday night, Steve Wilson, an investigative reporter for Channel 7 News in Detroit, did a story on generic drug price gouging by pharmacies. He found in his investigation, that some of these generic drugs were marked up as much as 3,000% or more. Yes, that's not a typo.....three thousand percent! So often, we blame the drug companies for the high cost of drugs, and usually rightfully so. But in this case, the fault clearly lies with the pharmacies themselves. For example, if you had to buy a prescription drug, and bought the name brand, you might pay $100 for 100 pills.

The pharmacist might tell you that if you get the generic equivalent, they would only cost $80, making you think you are "saving" $20. What the pharmacist is not telling you is that those 100 generic pills may have only cost him $10! At the end of the report, one of the anchors asked Mr. Wilson whether, or not there were any pharmacies that did not adhere to this practice, and he said that Costco consistently charged little over their cost for the generic drugs.

I went to the Costco site, where you can look up any drug, and get its online price. It says that the in-store prices are consistent with the online prices. I was appalled. Just to give you one example from my own experience, I had to use the drug, Compazine, which helps prevent nausea in chemo patients. I used the generic equivalent, which cost $54.99 for 60 pills at CVS. I checked the price at Costco, and I could have bought 100 pills for $19.89. For 145 of my pain pills, I paid $72.57. I could have got 150 at Costco for $28.08.

I would like to mention, that although Costco is a "membership" type store, you do NOT have to be a member to buy prescriptions there, as it is a federally regulated substance. You just tell them at the door that you wish to use the pharmacy, and they will let you in. (this is true) I went there this past Thursday and asked them.

Sharon L. Davis
Budget Analyst
U.S. Department of Commerce
Room 6839
Office Ph: 202-482-4458
Office Fax: 202-482-5480
E-mail Address: sdavis@doc.g ov

Computer Services - Senior Discounts - From Estelle Weiss

2008-03-24T16:49:00.000-04:00

An excellent computer repair person, who is very reasonable and reliable.
He charges less for senior citizens and has fixed my desktop and laptop on separate occasions.

He really knows his stuff with regard to hardware and software. He does computer repair and maintenance, network design and installation, hardware and software upgrades.

He has a flexible schedule and comes to the house. On a scale of 1-10, I give him a 10.

Armen Orbelyan
EZ-Tech Computers, L.L.C.

732-914-8247

Email: ARMEN_COMPUTERS@YAHOO.COM

Support Our Troops - A Must See Video

2007-11-14T12:42:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Perhaps we all need to step back just a little; To take a moment out of our busy lives; To reflect on what we have, and how precious that is; To be thankful to those that give of themselves….

If you have a computer, or can gain access to one, it is time to view a powerful piece produced by Lizzie Palmer, a fifteen year old. It has been placed on 'YouTube' with over 3,000,000 hits so far. (Click on the link below)

http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

Marv Aronowitz

PS

Thank you Joan Walsh for all your efforts, and for letting our troops know that FSML appreciates!

What Is The Value Of A Life?

2007-10-02T10:40:00.000-04:00

What is the value of a life? Can it be calculated? How can anyone pose such an absurd question? I have raised this question for a specific reason.

Jackson is the third largest township in New Jersey. It is approximately 100 square miles in area. However, to service this large and growing municipality we still have only two emergency vehicles. In addition, many young families with children and teenagers, as well as senior citizens have moved to Jackson in recent years.

It is one of the fastest growing areas in the state, because of the available land and its proximity to major highways. The town has grown dramatically, but emergency services have not kept up with the construction of many new communities. I know that Mayor Seda and the Town Council have been exploring ways of improving this service.

I concur with a letter written last week by Hal Wohl to your newspaper. We should have one emergency vehicle housed in each of the four firehouses. If we did this, we would have emergency service geographically located throughout Jackson, with experienced EMS personnel as backup.

Recently Jackson has been in the headlines as a result of several tragedies. We have had several major car accidents where teenagers have died. Would a shorter response time have saved the life of one of these teenagers? I do not know the answer to that question. However, I do know that in the past there have been instances when there has been a slow response to a person who needs emergency care. A more rapid response time can only help saving a life: whether it be a young child or parent at home, a teenager in a car accident, or a senior citizen suffering a heart attack. These emergencies are increasing in number. Time does save lives, and improves the quality of life of the person saved.

Now, I go back to my original question: what is the value of a life? If we had EMS vehicles available in the four firehouses (whether MONOC or Jackson Township), it would cost the average taxpayer pennies a day; probably 25 to 50 cents per day above and beyond our present taxes, depending on the kind of program implemented. Response time would be significantly improved, and additional personnel would be available in an emergency. It appears to me that MONOC gives the town more flexibility in future action, while limiting the growth of future employees on the Jackson payroll.

If new PROSPECTIVE developers who are anxious to build in Jackson, were required to contribute a small amount to establish this needed emergency service (for the benefit of Jackson and their respective new community), the average taxpayer would be left with LITTLE or NO additional taxes, and probably help to sell their new homes in a depressed real estate market.

Delay in implementing an EMS program in all four firehouses is playing roulette. It is fine for Atlantic City, but dangerous for Jackson. Our demographic growth and large geographical size demand speedier coverage. Anything less risks lives.

Harold Werner

Jackson

An Open Letter to the FSML Community

2007-08-14T14:29:00.000-04:00

Dear Neighbors,

My wife Jackie Schneider has Semantic Dementia. There are many forms of dementia, the worst being Alzheimer’s disease, which she does not have. I am told Semantic Dementia is relatively rare. One normally associates dementia with people in their 70’s or 80’s. Semantic Dementia, however, typically occurs at a younger age; in the mid 50’s to early 60’s.

Jackie was diagnosed with this illness last fall, about 6 months after we moved here.

I have decided to go public with Jackie’s condition at this time for several reasons. Hopefully with some knowledge of her disability, those who know Jackie can interact more effectively with her. I would like Jackie to be accepted for who she is; a very friendly and social person, with some limitations that are beyond her control. It is my hope that with the support of the Community, Jackie can participate more fully in the Metedeconk Lakes ‘experience’.

Semantic Dementia affects the part of the brain responsible for language skills. The meaning of some common, everyday words is lost. Thus, Jackie often has difficulty in completely understanding everything she hears, including when someone speaks to her. There is also a loss in word retrieval skills. Jackie sometimes has difficulty finding the right words to get her thoughts across when she is speaking to someone. Another characteristic of this disease is some loss of judgment as to what constitutes appropriate social behavior. In her eagerness to please people she meets, Jackie might say or do something which seems a little silly or is a little embarrassing. This is just her way of trying to be friendly.

Jackie is very much aware of her loss of language abilities and understandably is very frustrated with her condition. She has always been a very social person who made friends easily. Unfortunately, new friendships at FSML have been much harder for her to develop. Some of the ladies she meets are probably turned off by her inability to conduct an intellectually stimulating conversation and therefore are not interested in bringing Jackie into their circle of friends.

For over a year now, Jackie has been unsuccessful in trying to join a ladies Mah Jongg group, even though she still can play well. Jackie asks every lady she meets if they play Mah Jongg and need another person. She has approached ladies playing at numerous tables in the Clubhouse Monday thru Thursday evenings, as well as day games. We have put notes in over 200 mail boxes in the Community expressing Jackie’s interest in joining a group, forming a group or substituting in a group. I have twice posted the same request for her on the Metedeconk E-Mail Bulletin Board which we all get about twice a week. We having nothing but frustration to show for all these efforts. I even approached the Clubhouse office and social contact person but was unable to get any help with this matter.

It is very difficult for the afflicted and their loved ones to deal with the ravages of Dementia. With some 500 families already in this Community there may be some other individuals here suffering from some form of Dementia. Sadly, still others are likely to be stricken in the future.

I have read some very heartwarming stories of people in this Community coming to the support of those with physical disabilities. It is my sincerest hope that those with mental disabilities can similarly receive the support and friendship of people in the Community so that they too are made to feel like this really is “Camp Metedeconk”.

Thank you for your kind indulgence,

Al Schneider

48 Carlisle Dr

Tel 732-928-1562

Scams, Rip-Offs Plague Seniors

2007-06-11T13:43:00.000-04:00

By Lloyd Tamarin

It seems that scams & rip-offs, aimed particularly at seniors are becoming more & more frequent.

The Asbury Park Press just had an article about the overpaid lottery, or ‘E-bay’ sale where a purported teller’s check in excess of the prize or price is sent to the "mark" with a request that the overage be wired back. Of course the initial check turned out to be bogus. The banks are sort of "un-indicted co-coconspirators" as they don't inform people of the difference between "available" & "collected" funds. Note that the bank will let you draw on available funds but the check my still be returned unpaid leaving you stuck.

I called the reporter about the "Free Coin" scam which consists of full page ads in the non-collector papers, such as the Press, offering 4 presidential $1.00 coins for "FREE" upon payment of a "processing fee" of ONLY $28.00, plus shipping & handling. One can go to Sovereign Bank and get the coins for $1.00 each. For the second time, I did not receive the promised response from the Press

I am looking at a letter from that I received from the National Deed Service inc. which has an impressive Pennsylvania Avenue address in DC. For only $79.50, all inclusive, you can get a certified copy of your deed which something called the ‘US Government Federal Citizen Information Center’ recommends that you have.

This is, indeed, a great idea. I called the deed office of the Ocean County Clerk, and for 25 cents per page for a copying fee, and a $2.00 fee in person, or a flat fee of $10.00 for this service by mail, you can get your copy.

I am a RETIRED lawyer and can offer NO legal advice, but I would be willing to offer my web address; stakerabstract2@aol.com for our community members who see something too good or too bad to be true, for a free opinion as to whether or not something is legit

Lloyd B. Tamarin

Concerned Resident