BY CHRISTOPHER NEELYTHE OCEAN STAR

POINT PLEASANT BEACH — Jim Dowd,the coach of the Manasquan-Point

Pleasant Beach icehockey team, waivedhis court appearanceTuesday morning af-ter being accused of adisorderly personsoffense involving oneof his student-ath-letes.Mr. Dowd, first-

year coach for theManasquan-Point Pleasant Beachvarsity ice hockey team and formercenter for the New Jersey Devils, wasserved a private citizen complaint af-ter he was alleged to have kicked oneof his players in the back.According to Superintendent

Frank Kasyan, Mr. Dowd, of PointPleasant, has been removed from hisduties as head hockey coach until theinvestigation is finished.“We sat down with him in a meet-

ing, and decided it would be to all ofour advantages to remove him fromthe position [while there is an ongo-ing investigation],” the superintend-ent said.Assistant coach Thomas Matthews

is currently standing in as headcoach.

HARVEY’S CLOSET REOPENSUnderwent renovations post-hurricane PAGE 12

BAY HEAD � LAVALLETTE � MANTOLOKING � POINT PLEASANT � POINT PLEASANT BEACH

75 CENTSFRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

Harbor sealpup recovering

Renovations in townhall are a boon to all

Coachaccusedof assault

In-house constructionimproves the work

environmentBY ANGELA CIROALOTHE OCEAN STAR

POINT PLEASANT — The officesin borough hall, here, have seensome changes in the past sever-al months.In an effort to create more ef-

ficiency for taxpayers alongwith a better work environ-ment, Mayor Bob Sabosik andthe borough council created aplan to reconfigure the struc-ture of the offices.All of the work was complet-

ed by employees of the publicworks department, thereforethe only cost associated withthe renovations was the sup-plies.

JAMES DOWD

Squan-Point Beach icehockey coach allegedly

kicked a player

SEE COACH PAGE 16

Trial versus former Wallsuper, Point man begins

COURTESY OF JERRY MEANEY

A male seal pup recently called the Point Pleasant Beachshoreline home for a short period of time before he wastransported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center inBrigantine.

BY LIANNA BASSTHE OCEAN STAR

FREEHOLD— The highly anticipated tri-al of the former Wall Township superin-tendent accused of defrauding theschool district of more than $350,000 —a former resident of Point Pleasant —began on Tuesday morning at the Supe-rior Court of New Jersey MonmouthVicinage, here.Throughout the course of his trial,

James Habel, Ed.D., 58, of Dunedin, Flori-da, formerly of Point Pleasant, will facenumerous counts against him, includingcharges of second-degree official mis-conduct, second-degree theft by decep-tion, two counts of second-degree mort-gage fraud, first-degree financialfacilitation of criminal activity, third-de-gree theft by failure to make requireddisposition of property and several

counts of falsifying or tampering withrecords.Mr. Habel is represented by Robert

Honecker Jr., of the Red Bank-based firmAnsell, Grimm & Aaron.Melanie Falco and John Loughrey are

the lead Monmouth County Prosecutorshandling the case. Mr. Loughrey is the

RYAN MAYER THE OCEAN STAR

JAMES HABEL

Habel allegedly defraudeddistrict of over $350,000

BY PAIGE TAYLORTHE OCEAN STAR

POINT PLEASANT BEACH — A seal pup that washedashore on the beach, here, is in the process of beingtreated and may be released back into the wildsoon. The pup, identified as a male harbor seal pupby the Marine Mammal Stranding Center [MMSC],located in Brigantine, is the first to arrive in PointPleasant Beach this year.However, while a visit to the shoreline may be

Found on shore in Point Beach

SEE SEAL PAGE 15

SEE HABEL PAGE 8

SEE RENOVATION PAGE 11

ANGELA CIROALO THE OCEAN STAR

Councilman Bill Borowsky [top] inspected thecounter in the new foyer of the building depart-ment. Timothy Skinner [above], construction offi-cer, has been using the new planner table in thebuilding department to look at blueprints.

RYAN MAYER THE OCEAN STAR

PHYSICS & FUN AT THE POINT PLEASANT LIBRARYPoint Pleasant’s Brianna Gallagher [left], 13, and Courtney Wright, 13, participated in a hover craft contestat the Point Pleasant Library on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT ON MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING CENTER

About The center is a private, nonprofit organization thatbegan in 1978. It was founded, and is still directed, byRobert Schoelkopf.

Responding to strandings Since its inception over 30years ago, the center has responded to over 4,500 strand-ings of whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles.

More information mmsc.org

WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015 THE OCEAN STAR PAGE 15POINT PLEASANT BEACH

BY PAIGE TAYLORTHE OCEAN STAR

POINT PLEASANT BEACH —This year’s school-wide geog-raphy bee was held on Friday,Jan. 9, in the F. ThomasCrawley Auditorium of G.Harold Antrim ElementarySchool.Dana Bartocci, seventh-and eighth-grade social stud-ies teacher at the school, or-ganized the event for stu-dents in grades four througheight.

According to Mrs. Bartocci,15 students participated in theschool-wide competition.Contestants included thewinners of the preliminaryround competition complet-ed in each class in gradesfour to eight.The contestants wereasked four rounds of ques-tions.After the sets of questions,two finalists advanced to thefinal, championship round.In the final round, theywere asked three geographyquestions.Sixth-grader Morgan Ko-gan was the champion, an-swering two out of threequestions correctly, while

Aidan Conway, a seventh-grader, was named the run-ner-up.This is the second year in arow that Morgan has won theschool-wide competition.Last year, she qualified forthe state competition andhopes to return this year, ac-cording to Mrs. Bartocci.She also said participatingschools have until Februaryto complete the final compe-tition, and the location forthe state geography bee hasyet to be announced.

Paige Taylor covers Point PleasantBeach for The Ocean Star. She can bereached at ptaylor@theoceanstar.comor 732-899-7606 Ext 14.

COURTESY OF KATY CONTE

G. Harold Antrim Elementary School held its annual Geography Bee on Friday, Jan. 8, for grades fourthrough eight. Morgan Kogan [left], a sixth-grader, won the bee, while Aidan Conway, a seventh-grad-er, was the runner-up.

Sixth-grader Morgan Koganwins Antrim Geography BeeSeventh-grader AidanConway is runner-up inannual competition

normal for this type of ani-mal, days advanced and it didnot return to its natural habi-tat earlier this month —which prompted some con-cern.The MMSC said the sealhad a respiratory infectionand wounds caused by a pos-sible shark bite.According to Jay Pagel,senior field stranding techni-cian at Marine MammalStranding Center, a “passer-by” called the center whenthe pup’s presence was no-ticed.According to Jerry Meaney,Point Pleasant First Aid &Emergency Squad captain,the pup was located “justsouth of Washington Avenueon the beach.”A volunteer from theMMSC was dispatched andproceeded to the site tocheck on the animal and takephotos for the MMSC at asafe distance, as per normalprocedure with strandings.The animal’s presenceashore was not initially per-ceived as uncommon uponits arrival to Point Beach, ac-cording to Mr. Pagel.“A lot of times they [seals]haul out for rest [on shore],”Mr. Pagel said.Additionally, he said thepup held a normal weightand size [at 37.4 pounds, 36.5inches long, according to theMMSC]. However, a few daysprogressed, the seal did notremove itself from the shore-line and mucus around itsnose began to form, whichtriggered a response from theMarine Mammal StrandingCenter, according to Mr.Pagel.Mr. Meaney and MSSC vol-unteer, said he received a callfrom a fellow volunteer andwent to the beach to help.“We went back to visit theseal on several occasions on

over a day’s time,” Mr.Meaney said. “It seemed to usthat it needed more attentionthan what we could do [asvolunteers].”The seal was rescued by atechnician of MMSC onTuesday, Jan. 6, and takeninto the care of professionalsat the center, located in Brig-antine.Since then, the pup is beingtreated for its respiratory in-fection and its wound is be-ginning to heal, according toMr. Pagel.The general procedure forrescues of stranded animalsby MMSC is to treat and re-lease them back to the wild.Mr. Pagel said, “If they canrecover from their injuries,we will do everything we canto release it back into thewild.”As far as the recovery forthe Point Beach seal pup isconcerned, Mr. Pagel said onTuesday, “so far, so good.” Hementioned that a few moreweeks of recovery will tellwhether the pup is re-leaseable to the wild.Mr. Pagel noted that whileseals and other marine ani-mals may seem “cute andcuddly,” people should keepin mind that they are wild an-imals and can be dangerous.“These animals are federal-ly protected,” he said. “Ap-proaching within 50 yards is aviolation of the law.”Mr. Pagel continued bystating the law is not only forprotecting the animal, butalso the people.He mentioned that wildanimals may carry a host ofparasites and bacterias andadvised the public “keep yourdistance” [50 to 100 feetaway] and contact MMSC toreport a stranded animal.Mr. Pagel noted that chil-dren and pets should espe-cially distance themselves.Mr. Meaney said he sawpeople approaching the sealat a much closer distance,

and it is dangerous for peopleand their pets.“The most important thingis to stay away from the sealand keep dogs away,” Mr.Meaney said. “Dogs may notbe aggressive, but may upsetthe seal.”Mr. Meaney suggested peo-ple call the police or theMMSC at 609-266-0538 inthis type of situation.

MARINE MAMMALSTRANDING CENTER

According towww.mssc.org., the MarineMammal Stranding Center, aprivate nonprofit organiza-tion, is dedicated to the res-cue and rehabilitation ofstranded or otherwisestressed marine mammalsand sea turtles. Additionally,the MMSC has responded toover 4,500 strandings ofwhales, dolphins, seals andsea turtles that have washedashore over the yearsthroughout New Jersey.

Paige Taylor covers Point PleasantBeach for The Ocean Star. She can bereached at ptaylor@theoceanstar.comor 732-899-7606 Ext 14.

Beached seal pup recoveringSEALFROM PAGE 1

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IT ALL STARTS WITH A MISSIONPoint Pleasant Beach

Policemen’s BenevolentAssociation [PBA] Local No.106’s mission statementoutlines its intentions withspecificity. It reads, “ThePoint Pleasant Beach PolicePBA Local No. 106 isdedicated towards the needsof its members and to thecommunities in which weserve. Our leadership andmembers are committed tohelping the communitythrough various fundraisers,events, charity work, andcommunity service. Themembers of PBA Local No.106 are dedicated to servingand protecting thecommunity where we liveand work. We are committedto the prevention of crime,protection of life andproperty, safety, enforcementof laws and ordinances, andthe safeguarding ofconstitutional rights andguarantees.”The Point Pleasant Beach

PBA has been serving thecommunity for years andexceeding the members’ callof duty as police officers.However, their efforts can be

described as “silent,”according to ChristopherMosca, Point Pleasant Beachpolice officer and presidentof PBA Local No. 106.The word is used to

describe their efforts notbecause they are shy ornonexistent, but ratherbecause they are not widelyrecognized and often onlyrealized by those on thereceiving end.Officer Mosca, who has

served as president of thePBA Local No.106 for the lasttwo years, believes he andthe members simply providefor the community inwhatever way they can.“In a crisis or in a pinch,

all 22 members will comethrough with whatever’sneeded — whatever money,muscle and time,” he said.“From the top down, thePBA truly cares about thecommunity.“When we can, we do,” he

said.The PBA consists of 22

willing police officers inPoint Pleasant Beach whorespond to crisis on a dailybasis. What’s more, they’re aunion of individuals who

tend to the needs of those inPoint Beach and thesurrounding communities.They meet once a month

for their regular meeting,and oftentimes discuss howthey can be of assistance tolocals.Figuratively speaking,

while the police departmentcan be thought of as “thejob” of an officer, the PBAcan be understood as itssupportive arm that assiststhe community withadditional efforts.PBA Local No. 106 utilizes

contributions from thecommunity as a means ofsupporting the organization.“Monies we get from

donations all come in so wecan put it back out [into thecommunity],” Officer Moscaexplained.PBA Local No. 106 and the

New Jersey State PBA neversolicit monetary donationsby way of telephone,according to Officer Mosca.He advised that peoplecontact the PoliceDepartment at 732-892-0500and speak with an officer toverify the legitimacy of asolicitation. Contributions that are

willingly submitted providefor much-needed funding,which enables the PBA tocontinue to participate inprograms that directlysupport the community thatthe police are proud toprotect and serve.The PBA sends out an

annual mailer asking forcontributions. However,Officer Mosca explained thatpeople sometimes believethe money goes to newpolice vehicles, uniforms,etc. While this may seemdisheartening given theirreason for existence, Officer

Mosca readily dispelled theidea and explained that thePBA is here to give to thecommunity, and donationsare for its betterment.Officer Mosca also said

dues are taken from officers’paychecks, whichcontributes to the donationfund, as well.

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONSThe PBA members do

more than go to work toprotect our community.They gather as a union andactively listen and respondto one another if there is acrisis or need coming fromthe community, according toOfficer Mosca.Officer Mosca said, as far

as becoming knowledgeableof needs, that it is split 50/50

between the communityseeking the PBA and theofficers knowing someonewho could use theirassistance.One of the more

recognizable elements oftheir involvement in PointPleasant Beach is the annualholiday food drive with St.Gregory’s Pantry, which theydonate to each year.They also assist with the

Drug Abuse ResistanceEducation [DARE] program,youth sports sponsorshipsand the bicycle safetyprogram in town.Two years ago, the PFC

Andrew R. GunningMemorial Scholarship forPoint Pleasant Beach HighSchool was created for aPoint Beach officer who diedon the job.Officer Mosca said Mr.

Gunning had been an officerfor well over 15 years beforehe died. He was involvedwith the high school asschool resource officer andDARE officer for many ofthem, which prompted thescholarship’s name.“It’s a memorial to him,”

Officer Mosca said. “He wasrooted in the school with thekids and created the originalconnection with the policedepartment and teens.”Officer Mosca said the

officers of this particularPBA really care about thecommunity and have manyties to it, from either havinggrown up here, having familyhere or living here.“Everyone in the PBA is an

officer with someconnection to thecommunity,” he said, whichexplains why they work sohard to make it a great placeto live.Initiatives such as the

programs that the PBAdonates to, as well as thescholarship, are more visiblethan situations that the PBAresponds to on a case-by-case basis, such as a familyafflicted by cancer andstifled by medical bills; afamily in need of holidaygifts because they lost aparent; or a family whosehouse burned down and losteverything.

These efforts exist assilent undertakings withoutthe intent of beingrecognized.Officer Mosca called it

“private charitable giving” onbehalf of the PBA. If acircumstance arises, the PBAdiscusses and votes onwhether they are able tohelp. In years past, the PBAhas hosted variousfundraising events at thePoint Beach Elks Lodge andMartell’s Tiki Bar.However, after Hurricane

Sandy, the police shiftedtheir efforts to those affectedby the storm and refrainedfrom seeking donations.Officer Mosca said the

purpose of generating moneyvia events is to have it as a“nest egg so if peopleapproach us or we find outabout something, we cangive.”Officer Mosca said the

PBA is “actively” engaged inthe possibility of afundraising event.Officer Mosca said the

PBA always puts the need ofthe Point Pleasant Beachcommunity first but theyhave also assisted with thesurrounding areas, followingagreement amongst theunion.While their efforts

sometimes fly “below theradar,” PBA Local No. 106’sofficers have receivedawards in the recent past fortheir efforts of “going aboveand beyond the call of duty,”Officer Mosca said.PBA treasurer PFC Kyle

Boturla received a medal ofhonor/lifesaving award forsaving an unconscious manfrom a burning house in 2013.Officer Mosca received aLife Saving medal for thesame incident.The state PBA also

recognized PBA Local No.106 and specific members fortheir bravery and awardedthem with a Valor Award.Currently, PBA Local No.

106 is governed by presidentMosca, vice president ScottNase, treasurer Kyle Boturla,secretary Paschal Drew,sergeant at arms DerekO’Neill, and state delegatePeter Andreyev.

COURTESY OF PBA LOCAL NO. 106

Officer Peter Andreyev [above, center], Policemen’s Benevolent Association [PBA] Local No. 106 statedelegate, welcomed new PBA members and officers Gary Siculietano [above, left] and Joseph Gippetti[above, right] last month. He also wished former Point Pleasant Beach detective Patrick Petruzziello[left] well in his future endeavors with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at the end of 2014.

POLICEMEN’S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION LOCAL NO. 106

hen emergencies arise, there are thosewho respond in the blink of an eye:police officers. Here, in Point PleasantBeach, those responders are members

of Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local No.106, but they are also people who devote theirlives to the community they know and love. ThePBA helps them extend their efforts beyond thetask force, often entering the lives of communitymembers in need.

BY PAIGE TAYLORTHE OCEAN STAR

W

Protecting &serving out of lovefor the community

“In a crisis or in a pinch, all 22 members [of Point Pleasant BeachPBA Local No. 106] will come through with whatever’s needed —

whatever money, muscle and time.”CHRISTOPHER MOSCAPoint Pleasant Beach PBA Local No. 106 President

FILE PHOTO THE OCEAN STAR

The Point Pleasant Beach Policemen’s Benevolent Association PBA] Local No. 106 boasts a membership that is dedicated to serving its com-munity, and has been for years. Several members of the PBA took some time out to enjoy themselves back in 2008 at a dinner the PBA heldAt Martell’s Tiki Bar, including Gerry Quaglin, Marc Distelcamp, Harry DiCorcia, Scott Nase, Mike DeFluri, Andy Meany and Peter Andreyev.

The Ocean Star

PAGE 21PEOPLEFRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

OBITUARIES 24HOUSES OF WORSHIP 24CROSSWORD 24STREET BEAT 27