The April Township Committee meeting was filled good news and good causes. The meeting included the administration of oaths of office to two new sergeants, accolades for a winning basketball team and issuance of several proclamations designed to raise community awareness.
Middletown Promotes Two Police Officers
The Middletown Township Police Department has promoted two officers to the rank of sergeant. Sergeants Donald Coates and Stephen Keller accepted their oaths of office at the Township Committee meeting Monday.
Sergeant Donald Coates
Sergeant Donald Coates joined the Middletown Police Department in 2004. During his career he has served as a Youth Week Instructor and a Field Training Officer. He has also spent time with the department’s Quality of Life Unit targeting Narcotics Enforcement. Sgt. Coates was recognized twice by the New Jersey and Monmouth County agencies for leading in DUI arrests in multiple years.
Sgt. Coates is a Middletown native who was raised in Florida. He served in the United States Air Force as a Military Police Officer from 1997-2001. His service includes deployment to Kuwait from December 1998 to May 1999. He is a graduate of Brookdale Community College with an Associates in Criminal Justice. His wife, Amy, will assist with the issuance of his oath of office.
Sergeant Stephen Keller
Sergeant Stephen Keller a Monmouth County native, joined the Middletown police Department in 1999 as a Patrolman. During his 16-year career he has held various assignments in the Patrol Division. He worked with the departments Emergency Services Unit, he also participated in the Field Training Officer Program, Bicycle Patrol Unit, Police Youth Week, and is a firearms instructor.
Sgt. Keller is a graduate of Keyport High School. He has an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Brookdale Community College. He was formerly employed by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office in the Law Enforcement Division. He has received numerous letters of appreciation throughout his career and is a 200 Club Merit Award recipient. Sgt. Keller resides in Union Beach with his wife, Debbie and their daughter Carly.
High School South Girls Basketball Teams Wins Championship
The Middletown South Girls Basketball Team was recognized by the Mayor and Township Committee for winning the 2015 NJSIAA Public Group III Girls Basketball Champions.
The team was led by Head Coach Thomas Brennan, Assistant Coaches Jessie Chalmers, Thomas Rooney and Volunteer Coaches Randy Thomas and Joseph Benbrook. The roster of players included: Alexandra Balsamo, Gabrielle Cook, Curtis Madison, Haley Dalonzo, Angela DeBartolome, Jill Falvey, Hannah Fite, Stephanie Karcz, Roberta Montes, Brianne Naughton, and Julia Valkos.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, founded in 1918, is a voluntary, non-profit organization made up of 433 accredited public, private and non-public high schools in the state. The NJSIAA conducts tournaments, and crowns champions in thirty one sports.
Fire Department Recognition
The Middletown Fire Department joined the Middletown Township Committee in thanking the Red Bank Fire Department for mutual aid assistance.
Police Week May 10-16, 2015
The Township Committee proclaimed May 10-16, 2015 as Police Week in Middletown Township in recognition of the vital public service the Police Department provides. The Police Department will offer tours of headquarters during this week. They will also hold a Memorial Service on May 15th at 11 am at the Middletown Police Memorial located at 1 Kings Highway Call 732-615-2039 for more information.
Municipal Clerks Week May 3-9, 2015
Municipal Clerks Week has been proclaimed by the Mayor and Township Committee as May 3-9, 2015 in appreciation for the vital services municipal clerks and deputy clerks perform and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent.
Heidi R. Brunt has served as Middletown’s Municipal Clerk, since September 2003 and has been a member of International Institute of Municipal Clerks since October of 2003. Mrs. Brunt is available throughout the year to speak at schools, organizations, and different scouting troops about local government, Township Committee meetings, and election. During the week of May 5, 2013 tours in the Clerk’s office will be available please call the week before to schedule 732-615-2015 or townclerk@middletownnj.org .
Older Americans Month
In keeping with a national tradition that dates back to 1963, May 2015 has been proclaimed as Older Americans Month in Middletown by the Township Committee. This year’s theme is Get Into the Act.
The Middletown Senior Center, located at 900 Leonardville Road is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday year round with free registration to all Middletown residents age 60 and older. The center provides opportunities for older adults to socialize, develop new friendships and enrich their lives through a variety of programs and services. Call 732-615-2265 for information.
National Day of Prayer
The Mayor and Township Committee also issued a proclamation declaring May 7, 2015 as a Day of Prayer in Middletown Township. The National Day of Prayer is an opportunity for Americans of all faiths to join in prayer to give thanks for blessings received, to request healing for wounds endured and to ask God to guide our leaders and brings harmony to the United States and her citizens. In 1988, legislation setting aside the first Thursday in May annually as National Day of Prayer was passed unanimously by both Houses of Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan.
Buddy Poppy Month
The Middletown Township Committee is encouraging residents to honor the sacrifices of America’s veterans this May with by supporting Buddy Poppy Month. May 2015 has been proclaimed as Buddy Poppy Month in Middletown Township in support of the annual sale of Buddy Poppies by Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179. The poppies are assembled by disabled veterans and the proceeds of this fundraising campaign are used exclusively for the benefit of disabled and needy veterans, and the widows and orphans of diseased veterans. The program supports veterans such as those living in the Menlo Park Veterans Facility.
Pinktown 2015
The Mayor and Township Committee have proclaimed that Middletown be known as Pinktown during the month of May in support of the Paint the Town Pink initiative. Meridian Health’s Paint the Town Pink initiative returns to our area during the month of May to raise awareness of the importance of breast cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The goal is to encourage all women aged 40 and older, to have their annual mammogram and to raise money to provide mammography to uninsured and underserved women in our community.
All residents are encouraged to help raise awareness about breast cancer by supporting activities and programs such as Paint the Town Pink. Visit www.paintthetownpink.com for ways to join the cause including Pinking Your Ride!
Paint the Town Purple 2015
The Mayor and Township Committee issued a proclamation encouraging residents and business to Paint the Town Purple this May in anticipation of Middletown’s Relay for Life at Middletown High School North June 6-7, 2015.
The American Cancer Society is recruiting teams from businesses, schools, families, places of worship, and more to participate in the Relay For Life of Middletown event,. Relay For Life is a community-based event where teams and individuals take turns walking or running around a track or path. Cancer survivors and caregivers take a celebratory first lap to start each event. Last year, over 700 people participated in Middletown and raised over $109,000 all to support the Society’s mission to finish the fight against cancer once and for all. Teams and individuals can sign up for the Relay For Life event by visiting www.RelayForLife.org/MiddletownNJ.org or by calling 1-800-227-2345.