H'town serviceman to serve at presidential inauguration

by Staff Report/Warren Reporter

Tuesday October 07, 2008, 2:01 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Niemi, a Hackettstown High School graduate, recently joined the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC), which is preparing to support the 56th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2009.

AFIC is a joint service committee charged with coordinating all military ceremonial support for the inaugural period. As a joint committee, it includes members from all branches of the Armed Forces of the United States, including Reserve and National Guard components.

Niemi, a 1999 graduate of Hackettstown High School, is assigned to the public affairs office as chief of the command information branch. He is responsible for production of the command information newsletter, The Inaugural Times, as well as providing photojournalism support, researching inaugural history and assisting as a media escort.

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Centenary College in Hackettstown adds dance concentration

by Staff Report/Warren Reporter

Tuesday October 07, 2008, 11:57 AM

HACKETTSTOWN -- Starting this fall, Centenary College is offering a new dance concentration for theater majors as a result of interest from prospective students.

Centenary is the only higher education institution in New Jersey to offer a concentration in dance through its theater program.

The program will provide students with professional training in performance and pedagogy, as well as prepare students for graduate work and advanced studies in dance. Individuals interested in pursuing a career in dance therapy, physical therapy or dance performance would benefit from this concentration.

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Concerns raised over Superfund location

by Joseph Ofungwu/Oxford

Tuesday October 07, 2008, 11:55 AM

To The Editor:
I read "Pohatcong Valley Superfund Site -- Next step taken to clean up area" (Aug. 22). The article indicated that according to officials, residents within the area of groundwater contamination should not be concerned since they mostly obtain their potable water from the public supply.

However, at many sites where groundwater and/or soil is contaminated with volatile organics (such as TCE and PCE) mentioned in the article, ingestion of the contaminated media is not the only concern. Vapor intrusion, which refers to the upward transport of volatilized contaminants from contaminated soil and/or groundwater into overlying buildings, could constitute a more insidious public health hazard.

Under certain site conditions, highly toxic vapors can accumulate inside buildings and expose residents to serious health effects without their even being aware of the danger (in cases where the vapors are odorless). I wonder whether the EPA or other lead agency has investigated and ruled out this potential exposure pathway? I practice in environmental engineering and have familiarity with the concepts of contaminant exposure and health risks.
JOSEPH OFUNGWU
Oxford

Long Valley horse farm helps children with special needs

by Staff Report/Warren Reporter

Tuesday October 07, 2008, 11:39 AM

Located in Long Valley is a small horse farm that is committed to helping children with special needs and, with the help of many volunteers, board members, clients and families, they are providing a wonderful opportunity for children of all ages.

Freedom Horse, Inc. is a non profit 501c3 organization that offers equine assisted activities and offers equine services as partners in therapy. It has been a long time belief that the horse and its movements can benefit the rider both physically and mentally and we all know that the relationship between a horse and the rider is a very special one.

Liz Carlson is the advanced level instructor certified with the North American Riding for the Handicapped at the farm. She has over 15 years of experience with horses and teaches the therapeutic riding lessons.

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International enrollment reaches all-time high at Centenary College

by Staff Report/Warren Reporter

Tuesday October 07, 2008, 11:14 AM

HACKETTSTOWN -- Centenary College's International Department recently reported that international student enrollment is at an all time high with more than 65 new individuals attending the institution, bringing the total number of international students enrolled at the college to 125.

Students hail from 11 different countries with the majority from China, Japan and Korea. Other nations represented include Canada, Finland, Ghana, Holland, Lebanon, Northern Ireland, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

"This is the largest international student enrollment that Centenary has ever experienced," says Dr. Robert Frail, professor of English and French and director of international studies.  "This increase can be attributed to Centenary's great reputation overseas -- the result of over ten years of establishing linkages and networks with partner schools. In addition, these various partners and the international students, as well as their parents, appreciate the sensitivity and flexibility of the Centenary academic experience."

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Lifer, Smith pace BHS runners

by Staff Report/Warren Reporter

Tuesday October 07, 2008, 10:43 AM

Brian Lifer took second place in 18 minutes, coming in 22 seconds behind the winner, as he led the Belvidere High boys cross country squad to victories over North Plainfield 22-33 and winless Bound Brook 15-50 on Green Brook Park's 3.1-mile course in Plainfield Sept. 24.

Coming in third through fifth for BHS (4-1) were Kevin Kaufman, Doug Cowley and Mike Kappler.

Shawnee Smith won in 21:39 the same day at the same venue to pace the BHS girls' 15-44 triumph over Bound Brook. The Seaters' Gina Simonetti was runnerup in 22:50 and other top-10 BHS finishers were Shannon Lyons (fourth), Brittany Wieder (sixth) and Kristen Spronz (eighth).

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Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce begins new Leadership Warren class

by Staff Report/Warren Reporter

Monday October 06, 2008, 9:59 PM

WASHINGTON -- The Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce announces that the 2008-2009 Leadership Warren class is underway. The kickoff for the nine-month program began Sept. 18 with a two-day session that included an interactive communication workshop and team-building exercises.

Members of the class are: Mary Adelman, Assistant Director, Centenary College Small Business Development Center; Peggy Ashworth, Laboratory Manager, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center; Tracy Fazzolari, General Manager, Home Instead Senior Care in Washington; Stephanie Rummerfield, Membership Manager, Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce; Eileen Seiler, Communications Director, Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Margaret Tresslar, Coordinator, Instructional Support Center, Warren County Community College.

"This is a great class," commented Chamber President and CEO Robert Goltz. "There is a wide range of talents and personalities that worked well together right from the start. We look forward to an exciting year."

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Washington resident finds great rewards in working at Medical and Educational Center

by Staff Report/Warren Reporter

Monday October 06, 2008, 9:42 PM

Sean Murphy, a resident of Washington (Warren County), believes the Matheny Medical and Educational Center, Peapack-Gladstone, is, "a great place to work because it offers opportunities to staff." Murphy is living proof of those opportunities.

The new vice principal of the Matheny School started working at Matheny in 1994 as a personal care assistant. After receiving his associate degree from County College of Morris in Randolph, Murphy became a teacher's assistant and substitute teacher.

After obtaining his bachelor's degree in special education from New Jersey City University in 2001, he became a teacher of the handicapped and was promoted to vice principal earlier this year. He also has an Master's degree in urban education/administration and supervision from NJCU.

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