If you go to Henry Hudson’s gym tonight at 5:30, you’ll have the opportunity to see Coach Brian Kelly’s Admirals as a team that has beat all odds, and overcome teams with far more backup players. It is the team that took a 47-43 win in a nail biting finish against Shore Regional Shore/Middlesex tournament last month.
This team with nine on the rooster has a 6-1 season standing and is determined to give the community a team in which to be proud.
The Admirals, coming off four victories in its last five games, will meet College Achieve Central School of North Plainfield, coming off two losses.
In that tournament match with Shore last month, Admiral brothers Jack and Michael Fitzpatrick dominated on the court against the Blue Devils with Junior Jack Fitzpatrick scoring 18 points and sophomore, Michael scoring 10. While the game progressed neck and neck for a while, Hudson had created a 10 point lead in the third with the help of senior Jeremy Way, junior Kevin Pharo, freshman Joseph Newell and senior Damyon Sparks-Edwards all playing like a well-oiled machine. Shore fought back in the fourth period but with Michael Fitzpatrick at the line and making two free throws the Admirals held the lead at 46-43. With a time out with 2 seconds left in the game, it was Michael once again who returned to the line, made his first free throw and rebounded his second to hold the ball for the buzzer, leaving a 47-43 final score.
Hudson boys are determined to make their mark this season. Spectators say it may be too early to call a Cinderella story in the making, but then they add “they are all players to contend with and we are looking forward to seeing how they progress.”
It’s also a team with history and pride in the Admirals and Henry Hudson. It was Coach Kelly’s father, Larry who was a 1,000 point scorer for the Admirals in the 1970s, and it’s been said his son took over as head coach some five years ago to see how he could help a team which then had a 2-24 season.
When Jack Fitzpatrick graduated from Holy Cross School in Rumson, and signed on as a Hudson freshman to the basketball team, he ended that first season named one of the top ten freshman in New Jersey. When his brother Michael became a freshman the following year, the duo and the rest of the team finished the season with the 6-1 record, and that holiday tournament victory, the first since 2014.
Jack is now on track to score 1,000 points this season as a Junior and Michael is on track to do the same in spite of breaking his collarbone his freshman season.
For the first time in over a decade Henry Hudson is making waves on the basketball court. It is the behind the scenes work, enthusiasm and determination that has made a difference.
Living in the Gravelly Point section of Highlands, the Fitzpatrick brothers formed their own AAU team to help Henry Hudson develop in the off season; their teammates from AAU team “Gravelly Point” are also making an impact on the Admiral’s Varsity.
As a freshman Newell is playing varsity and scored 20 points his last game; sophomore Blakely Smith is also adding his own excellence to the team. The Fitzpatrick brothers are making a name for themselves in school and athletic history with their combined effort on a unified team.
Neighbors and spectators say this year’s basketball team’s passion for the sport has played a major role in bringing the community together and rallying behind a team that puts camaraderie, sportsmanship and hard work in the forefront of all their efforts.
The Admirals roster of nine is led by seniors Jeremy Way and Daymon Edward Sparks, juniors Kevin Pharo, Phinn Kozie and Jack Fitzpatrick, sophomores Billy Quinn, Blakely Smith and Michael Fitzpatrick, and freshman Joseph Newell.
The basketball program also has a junior varsity team preparing to keep up the tradition now building of an Admiral’s winning team. Marc Hutchinson is assistant varsity coach and Greg Altmaier is Junior varsity coach, with Jason Cavagnaro the coach for the middle school basketball team.
“The chemistry is undeniable and the support of each other and of Henry Hudson is heartwarming,” said one proud spectator. He said while he has no relatives on the team he attends the games for the sheer joy of seeing young athletes at their best and learning techniques and strategy from coaches who excel.
He is a junior at MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at Sandy Hook, a three-season athlete at Henry Hudson Regional School, a member of the MAST Drill Team and Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer, as well as an EMR on the Highlands Volunteer First Aid Squad.
But Russell Karshmer of Marina Bay Court in Highlands is also the artist whose creative design was designated the most appropriate among all high school students submitted from throughout New Jersey to be on the reverse side of the official commissioning coin for the nation’s newest submarine, SSN-796 the USS New Jersey.
The son of Jill and Gary Karshmer, Russell has lived in Highlands six years, when the family moved from Jersey City in search of a small community on the water with easy access to New York. He had lived in Manhattan until he was five and the family moved to Newport in Jersey City so he could attend Stevens Cooperative School. He opted to attend MAST primarily for the marine biology program, but now admits that “as soon as I took my first Naval Science class, I found my true calling.”
School is so terrific, the teen says, that the most difficult part of it is “having to leave school every day, I love it so much! Obviously,” he said, “the NJROTC program is my favorite part of MAST, but I also loved crewing on our 65-foot research vessel, the Blue Sea.” The boat is docked at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor and is an integral part of the school’s marine science program.
Russell’s coin design includes depictions of numerous facets of New Jersey, the Navy and the locale where the submarine will be commissioned, and is presented artfully most likely because he also has a background of study in design. As a student at Stevens Cooperative School, he designed many projects, ideas he carried through when he attended Highlands Elementary School.
At MAST, he credits Ms. Sam Moorzitz for teaching him computer aided design, and Ms. Wendy Green for drilling balance, color, movement and other design principles in his regular class work.
While he knew many facts about both the submarine and the state before creating his coin design, Russell said he also researched other facts to verify information he also wanted to include. He said in the naval science program as well as being part of the color guard at MAST, he had knowledge through “drilling year-long on all sorts of facts about the state, the country and the military.”
The coin depicts the view from Mount Mitchill, the highest point on the East Coast, a site chosen for the design, he said, because he had been at the Scenic Overlook for its 9.11 Memorial Service in September “I later realized the view was the perfect vantage point overlooking the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest still operating lighthouse in the nation, the NWS Earle pier in Leonardo where the ship will be commissioned, and Sandy Hook Bay.”
He also wanted to incorporate the state bird, flower and tree in his design, as well as how THREE is important to New Jersey as the third state in the Union and the submarine being the third naval vessel named for the Garden State.
Nor is this the first time the student’s artwork has captured awards for its creativity, ingenuity and historic depiction. Russell won the James T. White Award as a sixth grader in Highlands in a contest sponsored by the Highlands Historical Society. For that contest, he designed a replica model of Veterans Memorial Park in Highlands and presented the design to a board of judges. It was later displayed at the Twin Lights Museum.
The win assures Karshmer of being able to attend the commissioning ceremony, which is open to the public on a limited basis, and he is grateful to the USS New Jersey (SSN796) Commissioning Committee for the opportunity. He’s also grateful to all his instructors at MAST, especially the NJROTC command, for their inspiration to learn on a daily basis and to encourage his honing his own skills.
Congressman Frank Pallone swore in Mayor Lori Hohenleitner as mayor, Councilman Jon Crowley to his second term and Alison Forbes to her first term on council at the noon reorganization of the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council New Year’s Day.
The standing room only meeting was filled with cheers, congratulations, applause, tears and hope for safe, peaceful and prosperous 2024 as Hohenleitner, who has served two years on council, tearfully and emotionally read her statement praising borough employees, volunteers, friends,, professionals and others for their work in the past, their presence at the reorganization and their dedication to the “Atlantic Highlands we all love.” She noted outgoing Mayor Loretta Gluckstein, who did not seek another term and was unable to be present for this meeting, will be honored at the Jan 11 regular meeting of the governing body.
Hohenleitner also noted the deaths of two former stalwarts of the borough during the past year, the late Councilman Walter Curry, whose family has been active in the borough for generations in numerous capacities, and the former Mayor Helen Marchetti, a native who served on numerous committees before becoming first a councilwoman then a mayor.
Hohenleitner predicted 2024 would a “year of accomplishments “welcome all new residents to the borough and an invitation to others noting “we have enough resources to share.” She noted attention to climate change will be a priority as well as promotion of the arts during the year. The borough’s newsletter, a popular publication in earlier years, will be renewed this year, both in print and online, she said. In recognizing the Rev. Nicole Hamilton of the United Methodist Church who gave the invocation, and the Rev. Brian Rawls of St. Paul’s Baptist Church, who offered the benediction at the end of the meeting, Hohenleitner also noted the borough is one with a strong faith community.
All the appointments and re-appointments were by unanimous vote, with Councilman James Murphy, the only Republican on the new governing body, objecting to the mayor failing to reappoint Ellen O’Dwyer to her position on the Green Team. O’Dwyer recently was commended throughout the state for her work in helping Atlantic Highlands achieve the Small-Town Champion Award from Sustainable Jersey and has led the borough to sustainable Jersy awards throughout her term on the Environmental Council.
At least one dozen attorneys were appointed to their positions in various capacities, with Marguerite Schaffer continuing as borough attorney, Jason Capizzi named bond counsel, David Minchello, labor attorney, Meghan Bennett, redevelopment counsel, Leslie London, special counsel for affordable housing, Gregory Cannon and Matthew Giacobbe, special counsels, Michael B., Steib special council, James Butler and William McGovern, prosecutors and Kevin Wigginton and Wendy Crowther, public defenders.
Robert Oliwa was named borough auditor, Robert Parisi, risk management consultant, Francis Reiner redevelopment planner and Richad Colangelo code enforcement officer.
Councilman Brian Dougherty was unanimously elected council president, drawing great applause and congratulations and was sworn into the position by the mayor.
Meetings will continue to start at 7 pm. with the exception of the Jan. 11 meeting which will begin at 7:15.
Meetings will be held the second and fourth Thursdays of January through May, as well as in September and October, with only one regular meeting scheduled for the months of June, July, August, November and December.
It was not one courageous action, but two on the same day that earned Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. the Medal of Honor during the Korean War.
Born in New York the son of Hector and Helen Cafferata, Hector was raised in Montville, New Jersey. His father was Peruvian immigrant and his grandfather, Pedro Cafferata-Baltilama was consul of Italy in Juarez from 1890 to 1900.
A graduate of Boonton High School where he played football and after graduation also played semi pro, Cafferata had a job at 14 at Sun Dial Corp. in Caldwell and grew up in the Lake Hiawatha area. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1948 and was called for active duty in September 1950, going to Korea weeks later after more training in California.
After the post-midnight battle in which he hurled numerous grenades away from his fellow Marines while standing in socks and a light jacket in frigid temperatures, later that day the Marine also tossed more grenades with his right hand to save injured Marines in a nearby trench, receiving injuries to his hand and arm. He was evacuated to Japan, and later treated at St. Albans Naval Hospital in New York.
When President Harry S. Truman presented the Marine with the Medal of Honor in the Rose Garden at the White House, Cafferata later said he was so frightened he could not remember what the President said during the ceremony. And when a photographer asked him to smile for photos, the Marine answered, I am sorry, I can’t smile.”
Cafferata later petitioned the government to also award a Medal of Honor to Kenneth Benson, who earned a Silver Star.
Forever silent on his own bravery, Cafferata said, when asked about that day, “I did my duty, I protected by fellow Marines, I’m prouder of that than that the government gave me the Medal of Honor.”
Following his service in the Marine Corps, Cafferata sold hunting and fishing equipment, worked for the NJ Fish and Wildlife Service and ran the Clifford Tavern in Alpha retiring to Florida
The portion of State Highway 287 between milepost 30.17 and 53.89 is the PFC Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. highway, and an elementary school in Cape Coral, Fla, was named in his honor, the first school in Florida to be named for a living Medal of Honor recipient at the time.
Cafferata was married to his wife, Doris for more than 50 years, had four children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren at the time of his death in Venice, Fla. In December 2016.
He is buried at the Quantico National Cemetery at Triangle, Virginia.
His Medal of Honor reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company F, in action against enemy aggressor forces.
When all the other members of his fire team became casualties, creating a gap in the lines, during the initial phase of a vicious attack launched by a fanatical enemy of regimental strength against his company’s hill position, Pvt. Cafferata waged a lone battle with grenades and rifle fire as the attack gained momentum and the enemy threatened penetration through the gap and endangered the integrity of the entire defensive perimeter.
Making a target of himself under the devastating fire from automatic weapons, rifles, grenades, and mortars, he maneuvered up and down the line and delivered accurate and effective fire against the onrushing force, killing 15, wounding many more, and forcing the others to withdraw so that reinforcements could move up and consolidate the position.
Again fighting desperately against a renewed onslaught later that same morning when a hostile grenade landed in a shallow entrenchment occupied by wounded marines, Pvt. Cafferata rushed into the gully under heavy fire, seized the deadly missile in his right hand and hurled it free of his comrades before it detonated, severing part of one finger and seriously wounding him in the right hand and arm. Courageously ignoring the intense pain, he staunchly fought on until he was struck by a sniper’s bullet and forced to submit to evacuation for medical treatment.
Stouthearted and indomitable, Pvt. Cafferata, by his fortitude, great personal valor, and dauntless perseverance in the face of almost certain death, saved the lives of several of his fellow marines and contributed essentially to the success achieved by his company in maintaining its defensive position against tremendous odds. His extraordinary heroism throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Additional Stories of Medal of Honor Recipients from New Jersey HERE
In a ceremony reserved for residents of Care One at Middletown going home after therapy or recuperation, Care One at Middletown Administrator Jimmie King walked the red carpet to the applause and cheers of residents and employees at the Route 36 facility Thursday.
King, who has been administrator here for three years, left the position to accept a position with another company.
Residents and employees praised his leadership and warm relationships with all, describing him as an administrator who did not simply stay in his office but rather was familiar on every station and to every resident. King expressed his thanks and appreciation to all employees, past and present, who have been responsible he said for the care center’s five star rating, and the outstanding care of its residents.
He also expressed his thanks to both present and past residents of the facility for their warm, friendship and lessons they have each taught him. A temporary administrator from Care One’s main office will take over administration of the facility until King’s replacement assumes the position in a month. Before his departure, King met with each employee and resident to thank them, and did the traditional Red Carpet Dance before going out the front door.
Retired Jersey City Police Detective Tim Dowd reveled in memories and friends recently when all gathered at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands to celebrate his 80th birthday. The detective joined the force in 1973, rose to detective in 1985 and retired from the force in 1994. He has been a resident of Lakewood for the past 13 years.
Having his 80th birthday celebration at the Shore Casino was a must for the active officer who recalls the many celebrations hosted by Bernie and Kathleen Sweeney at the Casino in the Park which they owned in Jersey City prior to also owning the Shore Casino. Active with the retired Police Officers Association for decades, Dowd said that every social event has been held at the Sweeney’s establishment since 1966, so it was inevitable his own personal celebration would be held there as well. He has been involved with the planning of the annual police celebration event since its inception.
More than 60 family and friends came to help celebrate the birthday occasion, and shower thanks and congratulations on the octogenarian for all the work he has done in numerous areas of assistance to others, but primarily with the PAL and the Police Officers Association where he serves as secretary and works with the police and is also secretary of the fire group.
Although admitting he’s faced numerous both intense as well as humorous situations during his career, the good-natured Dowd said he joined the force for “the pension and benefits,” and admits there are many.
Unable to serve in the military because of a deferment to care for his four sisters and single mother, Dowd also laughingly said he learned “an awful lot from women…” but also noted he has been married twice, has three daughters, along with six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Now fully retired, but still active with his friends, Dowd says he does “as little as possible,” but loves keeping in touch with the men and women with whom he has worked over the decades, because “they’re all quality people, they’re all special, and you can always learn from them…enjoy their company, too!” he concludes.
“For me, this has been a monumental occasion,” he said, once again praising the Casino staff and Kathleen Sweeney. “The food is great, the people wonderful, all my friends love it…what more is there to say?”
Marion Dunlevy, from a “Fine Irish family from Donegal”
Marion Dunlevy died Monday, December 11 as she lived….with family she loved, spunk that could not be extinguished, a smile on her face, and a bit of Irish stubbornness and laughter in her heart. In the end, she lost the battle of several months illness but would probably say she made the decision to forget it and move on.
The Common Scold didn’t lose battles. She fought for everything she felt was right. As a result, some half century ago she faced the possibility of repeating history of the 19th century by being found guilty of being a common scold.
Eventually, although three municipal courts would not hear it, Marion Dunlevy was found guilty of the outdated charge still on the books in Middletown. Yet somehow the powers that meant managed to change the ancient misdemeanor charge to require a penalty of up to three years in prison and a $1,000 fine. She beat that one, too. A common scold was a woman who constantly caused dissension….and no one could prove Marion Dunlevy was guilty of that. The Common Scold charge has since been removed from the Middletown law books.
The Common Scold made headlines from the time she first had disputes with her neighbors on Monroe Street in Middletown, then was in the process of divorcing her husband. It started in 1970 and by December of 1971 Marion was indicted on the Common Scold charge. At the time, she said she was thrilled…they would then have to follow through, this reader of history told the court. First, they had to decide if she were attractive or ugly. Her appearance made a difference in the punishment, she pointed out. An ugly woman, said one with warts on her face, would be subjected to a public dunking to cleanse her; an attractive woman, with her appearance in front of a public building or park, with a gag around her mouth and in a pillory.
There was no doubt Dunlevy was attractive; she was lithe, well dressed, had brunette hair and a perpetual smile on perfect teeth with dark eyes flashing. She suggested being displayed on Kings Highway, in front of town hall, for her public appearance. But she added if they found her ugly and needing to be dunked, she preferred her own swimming pool to the dirty Shrewsbury or Navesink rivers.
It was great fun, made great headlines and sold lots of newspapers for several years. The fearless woman who bragged about her family’s ancient roots and being from a “Fine Irish family from Donegal” spoke about many of the police officers who over the years were involved in her feuds, seldom praising any. Though both officers Bill Fowlie and Frank Cannon gained praise from her in 1972…that was when some unknown person torched her new Buick Skylark in front of her house and the two officers were first on the scene, extinguishing the blaze with apparatus in their vehicle. Unfortunately, too much damage had been caused to the interior, and though the arsonist was never identified, Dunlevy had to get a new vehicle.
There were numerous other incidents over the years damaging her property. There were also signs some police were also playing the get-even game….she got tickets for playing her car radio too loud or failing to signal a turn while driving. If found guilty, and sometimes she was, the fine was usually suspended. She always said that when she died, she wanted her ashes spread over the police department at Town Hall.
Alice Maxwell, editor of a small advertising paper that circulated in the Bayshore, wrote a book about a real common scold of the 19th century, this Courier newspaper reporter won a state wide award for her coverage of the Common Scold story, and Dunlevy made headlines every time she popped up at a township committee meeting, complained about a neighbor or was in Freehold with her attorney arguing her case.
In later years, while she still maintained her home on Monroe St. she grew friendly with her neighbors, enjoyed a private life, bragged about her son and special confidant Joseph Palandrano and kept up friendships with people she met during her Common Scold days. She never lost that sparkling smile or lively eyes.
A sculptor came to Marion’s house in 2022 and she agreed to allow the artist to sculpt her jaw, something he requested for his research the Common Scold, described as the gender-based misdemeanor charge used to punish outspoken women. He received numerous awards and grants for his work including fellowships and grants. Today, J.J. McCracken’s “The Mouth of the Scold: is in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, where it was part of its IDENTIFY: Performance Art as Portraiture series curated by Dorothy Moss. McCracker is co-Director of Red Dirt Studio in Maryland. And is represented by Connersmith in Washington, DC.
Marion Dunlevy, the Common Scold, was with her son Joseph and other family members at her bedside when she died. Joseph had been with his mother for several months, helping her relive her spirited earlier days before she became a nonagenarian and began to take life easier. She told him she wanted to change her mind about where her ashes would be placed, and Joseph agreed to follow her wishes.
Marion Dunlevy has been cremated and a service is planned for the future when her ashes, and those of her late divorced husband, Joseph’s father, will be buried together in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
It was a festive last regular meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council December 14 and Council President Lori Hohenleitner presented Santa Gordon with the Volunteer of the Month award as the jolly gent read to youngsters in the Library, then came in to enjoy the crowd at the Council meeting.
Santa is a native of the borough and has been volunteering and delighting his residents with his kindness and generosity for more than two decades. Councilman Brian Dougherty won the Ugliest Shirt contest and treated the rest of the officials out for a celebration of the good-natured contest.
A special Council meeting will be held tonight, December 28 for transfer of funds and payment of bills. The meeting is set for 2 p.m.
When Jimmie King, administrator of Care One at Middletown, walks out the door of the Route 36 nursing facility today, it will be on a red carpet, with staff and residents cheering him on in his new adventures. But there will be tears in their eyes and memories too precious to share about a boss who makes nursing home residents his first priority.
King, a native of Middletown, who has been in care giving in long-term care facilities for 33 years, literally worked his way to the top through his own high standards, love of his patients, and a genuine promise to himself he would always continue to strive to do better every day.
A product of the Middletown school system from Leonardo grade school, Bayshore Junior High and Middletown South High School, King continued his education under his own series of self-designed five-year plans. He pursued his first position in nursing as a certified nursing system, then quickly became a licensed practical nurse, both from the educational and practical programs at Monmouth County Vocational School in Long Branch. He then went on to Brookdale College to earn his RN.
Being a registered nurse was one goal achieved, so Jimmie set about another five-year plan and earned his undergraduate, then his master’s degrees in nursing at Kean College. Another goal, another plan and Jimmie next attended Longtree and Associates LNHA pre course. After completing an untold number of hours of training with Douglas Kreil LNHA, Jimmie became a licensed nursing home administrator.
To him tell it, it all started with the late Helen Marchetti, a former Mayor in Atlantic Highlands, and the administrator at the now closed Atlantic Highlands Nursing Home where Jimmie got his first job and was guided by the woman he still calls one of the most influential people in his life.
Jimmie’s grandmother lived across the street from the Middletown nursing home just off First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands. Jimmie had worked at Riverview Hospital, liked being in a position where he could help people, and decided to apply for a position across the street from his grandma’s home. As part of the interview for the job, he met with the administrator, Mrs. Marchetti. He recalls how he was hired on the spot, but more endearingly recalls how Helen, dressed impeccably with well coifed hair and a caring demeanor, had him sit on a bench between the house where her office was located and the facility where the patients were, and talked to him about his future.
“She exuded confidence and leadership,” he said this week, recalling those days when he was 20 years old. “She asked me about my plans for the future and while I had not really thought about that before, by the time we finished the conversation, my plan was to go and apply for the LPN program and a study-intensive five-year plan.”
In the small world in which we live, Helen decades later became a long-term care resident at Care One after Jimmie became administrator and died there last year. “It was one of my greatest moments in health care to attend Helen Marchetti’s final Birthday party at the facility where I am the administrator. I am also so grateful was able to say final goodbyes to her and allow her to transition peacefully to the next life in my presence.”
Jimmie has many memories of the joy of meeting and caring for residents, seeing them on their way back to health, or administering to them and overseeing their care as they pass on, the joys of knowing them mingled with the sadness of letting them go. “What I hold closest to my heart at Care One King James are my residents and staff. They are the reason I strive for excellence on a daily basis. They deserve the utmost respect. I learn life lessons daily from them all,” this humble but dedicated administrator said.
Helen was not the only former care administrator or owner under Jimmie’s care. The late James Snyder, who built the facility more than half a century ago, as well as his wife, Judy, were both long-term care residents at Care One. Their son, Glenn, was the owner of the facility and Jimmie was a licensed practical nurse at the time. The care each received was no different than what every resident at the care center receives on a daily basis. That’s because to Jimmie, “Ensuring my residents and staff have the best experience on a daily basis is my goal. Not many people can say they make over 100 people smile daily simply by doing my job.”
There are huge disappointments along the way, mingled with the joy of helping people get better or assisting them in their final hours of life. One of the most frustrating throughout all his years in the field has been the Covid 19 virus. “That is one of the most difficult things any healthcare worker deals in these present times,” the administrator said., “It has affected the long-term care industry greatly and has caused great change. When family members couldn’t visit their loved ones, it was heart breaking.” But King and his staff worked ceaselessly to keep the facility as Covid free as possible, ensuring safety of residents when new residents, or residents returning from hospital stays came in, through scrupulous testing and separation until he was certain there were no contaminants.
Though stern and strict in all areas of health care, it’s Jimmie’s ‘soft side’ and obvious love for each patient that the King James family will miss the most. A frequent visitor to every resident’s room, a popular attendee at all their parties and activities, a beaming smile in every hallway, and a caring listener to any complaint or woe, Jimmie King has inspired many and receives the accolades of staff and resident alike.
“ He’s amazing! That’s all I can say,” according to Cheryl Flesch of Highlands. A dietary aide in the spotlessly clean kitchen for seven years, Cheryl said King “is always there for everybody, both employee and resident. He goes above and beyond; you can’t say enough great about him.”
Brian Kroeper of Brick a unit secretary for the past six years, describes King as “easy to approach, fair, always ready to jump in and help wherever needed, a good guy to work for…”
Nicole Mezzina of Hazlet has only been at Care One as its receptionist since last year. But that’s long enough to see “how sweet how compassionate he is,” she said. “He always put everyone first, he is not just the administrator.” And Nicole searches a second for the right word, then smiles and says,” he is the heart of the community.”
Nurses, aides, maintenance workers, volunteers, residents…. they all say the same thing. Residents like Ady, who lived at Care One for more than a decade before moving last month to be closer to her daughter, does not speak. But her affection for Jimmie was always exhibited in her sparkling eyes, her warm handshake, her laughter as she sang a song to him only he could understand. She speaks for all the residents in her affection for an administrator who was as visible in the hallways and dining room as he was in his open door office.
On Thursday, December 28, when Jimmie King walks out of Care One at Middletown for the last time as its administrator who has made a difference, he will truly get the red-carpet experience.
That is one of the many programs and traditions he has established at Care One. But he doesn’t take any credit for that either, instead praising Emily Vasquesz his senior vice president overseeing Care One Newton in Massachusetts. It was there he saw the Red-Carpet Clap Out he believes now elevates customer service and the residents’ and staff’s overall experience at Care One Middletown.
“I first witnessed the Red-Carpet Clap when I visited Emily at her facility, and she asked me if I would be part of a discharge tradition they have at the facility. I watched as the staff gathered in the main lobby and rolled out a red carpet. Within minutes a resident came off one of the units and the staff erupted into a cheer and clapping. The resident’s eyes filled with tears of joy, and she thanked each staff member as she passed them with a princess wave. As I am clapping and enjoying the moment, I look at her son; he comes over and shakes my hand with tears in his eyes and thanked me for taking such great care of his mother and making her feel so special. He said it was one of the greatest things that ever happened to his mother. I will never forget that experience and am forever grateful to Emily for allowing me to share that moment and for purchasing my red carpet at Care One Middletown. It has forever changed the staff and residents’ feelings at Care One Middletown.
So what does the future now hold for Jimmie King, who has left his footprint and heart beat at Care One at Middletown? “I want to continue to make a positive impact on the healthcare industry. If you remain positive and strive for excellence daily the rest will fall into place.:
Then he thinks a second, sits back, laughs and says, ”Jimmie King Vice President or Jimmie King President of a corporation sounds really good.”
Judging from the words of Mayor-elect Lori Hohenleitner at the end of the last regular meeting of the current Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council, it would seem that the first action of the new governing body should be to introduce an ordinance defining what bad behavior is.
As council president, Hohenleitner presided at the council meeting in the absence of Mayor Loretta Gluckstein, who was unable to attend because of personal commitments. Gluckstein did not seek election last November and Hohenleitner was elected to the position over Councilman James Murphy in a hotly contested ballot race. (see related story.)
The December 14 meeting was light, cheery, happy-go-lucky with council members posing for votes on who had the ugliest Christmas shirt and genuine cheerfulness and camaraderie taking over most of the meeting.
Yet before it was all finished, Hohenleitner who started her monthly report for the public citing her daily sweep of the borough, her check with the police department every day and her pride in how beautiful residents have decorated homes for the holidays, changed the tenor of the meeting. She said she hoped all have “renewed commitment to be good neighbors” and that she is excited to welcome everyone to come to meetings and “it is important for you to speak up.”
“We’re gonna work well moving forward” the mayor elect continued before concluding ….and anyone who tries to get in the way of that……..”You’re welcome….. BUTBad Behavior will not be taken kindly.”
Bad Behavior????
It sounds more like a violation of an American’s rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Bad Behavior?
Is it Bad Behavior for a resident to ask a question?
Or is it Bad Behavior for a resident to ask too many questions?
Perhaps it is considered Bad Behavior for a resident to oppose something an elected official advocates?
Or how about when a councilman whispers to another while someone in the audience is speaking, is that Bad Behavior?
Or how about when a council member scolds a resident for turning around? Is that Bad Behavior?
There was a time a few months ago when the meeting was halted for a medical emergency and someone shut off the audio for the ZOOM attendees, but left the video running. Was that Bad Behavior? Seeing something untoward happening but not being kept informed resulted in a private telephone call from a ZOOM attendee, private words exchanged on that private call from hundreds of miles away, and a complaint to the police that called for an investigation of a threat .
Was the caller from hundreds of miles away guilty of Bad Behavior? While someone in the audience or at the council table may have thought so, the investigation that followed found the Police , including the Chief, apparently did not find that phone conversation was Bad Behavior.
It is for reasons like these that if the mayor elect’s mandate is to be enforced, an ordinance has to be in place to define what bad behavior is.
The words of the mayor-elect, all officially recorded and available to be listened to at any time in public records, should be enough to make residents worry about whether they are being threatened, intimated, or being informed their First Amendment rights are in distinct jeopardy.
An ordinance would then have to spell how what is the meaning of bad and what is behavior?
Is making a scowl or bursting out laughing bad behavior? Are scowls or laughter even behavior or are they spontaneous reactions? Is talking too fast bad behavior as some of us believe? Or is it bad behavior to come to the mike at every meeting and ask the same questions that have not been answered, as another resident feels?
Are some of these silly, or laughable possibilities? Are some of these possibilities out in left field?
Perhaps.
But then there were some who tried to limit a resident’s talking at public meetings to a few minutes until the residents pointed out that was wrong….hmmmm bad behavior?….and got it restored.
There were those who take it lightly that a recount was called in the last election. But it showed that at least one voter’s right to cast a ballot had been denied. One vote, did not make a difference, no big deal. But a voter’s right had been taken away until restored with a second look.
There were the tens of thousands of people who were denied their right to freedom of religion because the Governor, or President, or both, ordered churches be shut down during the original Covid crisis. Done for safety sake? Most likely. But it meant wiping out an American’s right under the Constitution. Does it all start with a threat that “Bad Behavior will not be taken kindly?”
Who knows? There were those who scoffed when some Bostonians said the taxes weren’t fair….. until they dumped a few barrels of tea in the water.
Was that Bad Behavior on the part of the Yankees? Or was it their absolute right to oppose what they Felt was Bad Behavior by those in power who were dictating what they said was right and just.
