1. BY CHRISTOPHER NEELY
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — Jim Dowd,
the coach of the Manasquan-Point
Pleasant Beach ice
hockey team, waived
his court appearance
Tuesday morning af-
ter being accused of a
disorderly persons
offense involving one
of his student-ath-
letes.
Mr. Dowd, first-
year coach for the
Manasquan-Point Pleasant Beach
varsity ice hockey team and former
center for the New Jersey Devils, was
served a private citizen complaint af-
ter he was alleged to have kicked one
of his players in the back.
According to Superintendent
Frank Kasyan, Mr. Dowd, of Point
Pleasant, has been removed from his
duties as head hockey coach until the
investigation is finished.
“We sat down with him in a meet-
ing, and decided it would be to all of
our advantages to remove him from
the position [while there is an ongo-
ing investigation],” the superintend-
ent said.
Assistant coach Thomas Matthews
is currently standing in as head
coach.
HARVEY’S CLOSET REOPENS
Underwent renovations post-hurricane PAGE 12
BAY HEAD S LAVALLETTE S MANTOLOKING S POINT PLEASANT S POINT PLEASANT BEACH
75 CENTSFRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015
Harbor seal
pup recovering
Renovations in town
hall are a boon to all
Coach
accused
of assault
In-house construction
improves the work
environment
BY ANGELA CIROALO
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT — The offices
in borough hall, here, have seen
some changes in the past sever-
al months.
In an effort to create more ef-
ficiency for taxpayers along
with a better work environ-
ment, Mayor Bob Sabosik and
the borough council created a
plan to reconfigure the struc-
ture of the offices.
All of the work was complet-
ed by employees of the public
works department, therefore
the only cost associated with
the renovations was the sup-
plies.
JAMES DOWD
Squan-Point Beach ice
hockey coach allegedly
kicked a player
SEE COACH PAGE 16
Trial versus former Wall
super, Point man begins
COURTESY OF JERRY MEANEY
A male seal pup recently called the Point Pleasant Beach
shoreline home for a short period of time before he was
transported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in
Brigantine.
BY LIANNA BASS
THE OCEAN STAR
FREEHOLD — The highly anticipated tri-
al of the former Wall Township superin-
tendent accused of defrauding the
school district of more than $350,000 —
a former resident of Point Pleasant —
began on Tuesday morning at the Supe-
rior Court of New Jersey Monmouth
Vicinage, here.
Throughout the course of his trial,
James Habel, Ed.D., 58, of Dunedin, Flori-
da, formerly of Point Pleasant, will face
numerous counts against him, including
charges of second-degree official mis-
conduct, second-degree theft by decep-
tion, two counts of second-degree mort-
gage fraud, first-degree financial
facilitation of criminal activity, third-de-
gree theft by failure to make required
disposition of property and several
counts of falsifying or tampering with
records.
Mr. Habel is represented by Robert
Honecker Jr., of the Red Bank-based firm
Ansell, Grimm & Aaron.
Melanie Falco and John Loughrey are
the lead Monmouth County Prosecutors
handling the case. Mr. Loughrey is the
RYAN MAYER THE OCEAN STAR
JAMES HABEL
Habel allegedly defrauded
district of over $350,000
BY PAIGE TAYLOR
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — A seal pup that washed
ashore on the beach, here, is in the process of being
treated and may be released back into the wild
soon. The pup, identified as a male harbor seal pup
by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center [MMSC],
located in Brigantine, is the first to arrive in Point
Pleasant 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 the
counter in the new foyer of the building depart-
ment. Timothy Skinner [above], construction offi-
cer, has been using the new planner table in the
building department to look at blueprints.
RYAN MAYER THE OCEAN STAR
PHYSICS & FUN AT THE POINT PLEASANT LIBRARY
Point Pleasant’s Brianna Gallagher [left], 13, and Courtney Wright, 13, participated in a hover craft contest
at the Point Pleasant Library on Tuesday.
SPOTLIGHT ON MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING CENTER
About The center is a private, nonprofit organization that
began in 1978. It was founded, and is still directed, by
Robert Schoelkopf.
Responding to strandings Since its inception over 30
years ago, the center has responded to over 4,500 strand-
ings of whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles.
More information mmsc.org

2. WWW.STARNEWSGROUP.COM FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015 THE OCEAN STAR PAGE 15POINT PLEASANT BEACH
BY PAIGE TAYLOR
THE OCEAN STAR
POINT PLEASANT BEACH —
This year’s school-wide geog-
raphy bee was held on Friday,
Jan. 9, in the F. Thomas
Crawley Auditorium of G.
Harold Antrim Elementary
School.
Dana Bartocci, seventh-
and eighth-grade social stud-
ies teacher at the school, or-
ganized the event for stu-
dents in grades four through
eight.
According to Mrs. Bartocci,
15 students participated in the
school-wide competition.
Contestants included the
winners of the preliminary
round competition complet-
ed in each class in grades
four to eight.
The contestants were
asked four rounds of ques-
tions.
After the sets of questions,
two finalists advanced to the
final, championship round.
In the final round, they
were asked three geography
questions.
Sixth-grader Morgan Ko-
gan was the champion, an-
swering two out of three
questions correctly, while
Aidan Conway, a seventh-
grader, was named the run-
ner-up.
This is the second year in a
row that Morgan has won the
school-wide competition.
Last year, she qualified for
the state competition and
hopes to return this year, ac-
cording to Mrs. Bartocci.
She also said participating
schools have until February
to complete the final compe-
tition, and the location for
the state geography bee has
yet to be announced.
Paige Taylor covers Point Pleasant
Beach for The Ocean Star. She can be
reached at ptaylor@theoceanstar.com
or 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 four
through eight. Morgan Kogan [left], a sixth-grader, won the bee, while Aidan Conway, a seventh-grad-
er, was the runner-up.
Sixth-grader Morgan Kogan
wins Antrim Geography Bee
Seventh-grader Aidan
Conway is runner-up in
annual competition
normal for this type of ani-
mal, days advanced and it did
not return to its natural habi-
tat earlier this month —
which prompted some con-
cern.
The MMSC said the seal
had a respiratory infection
and wounds caused by a pos-
sible shark bite.
According to Jay Pagel,
senior field stranding techni-
cian at Marine Mammal
Stranding Center, a “passer-
by” called the center when
the pup’s presence was no-
ticed.
According to Jerry Meaney,
Point Pleasant First Aid &
Emergency Squad captain,
the pup was located “just
south of Washington Avenue
on the beach.”
A volunteer from the
MMSC was dispatched and
proceeded to the site to
check on the animal and take
photos for the MMSC at a
safe distance, as per normal
procedure with strandings.
The animal’s presence
ashore was not initially per-
ceived as uncommon upon
its 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 the
pup held a normal weight
and size [at 37.4 pounds, 36.5
inches long, according to the
MMSC]. However, a few days
progressed, the seal did not
remove itself from the shore-
line and mucus around its
nose began to form, which
triggered a response from the
Marine Mammal Stranding
Center, according to Mr.
Pagel.
Mr. Meaney and MSSC vol-
unteer, said he received a call
from a fellow volunteer and
went to the beach to help.
“We went back to visit the
seal on several occasions on
over a day’s time,” Mr.
Meaney said. “It seemed to us
that it needed more attention
than what we could do [as
volunteers].”
The seal was rescued by a
technician of MMSC on
Tuesday, Jan. 6, and taken
into the care of professionals
at the center, located in Brig-
antine.
Since then, the pup is being
treated for its respiratory in-
fection and its wound is be-
ginning to heal, according to
Mr. Pagel.
The general procedure for
rescues of stranded animals
by MMSC is to treat and re-
lease them back to the wild.
Mr. Pagel said, “If they can
recover from their injuries,
we will do everything we can
to release it back into the
wild.”
As far as the recovery for
the Point Beach seal pup is
concerned, Mr. Pagel said on
Tuesday, “so far, so good.” He
mentioned that a few more
weeks of recovery will tell
whether the pup is re-
leaseable to the wild.
Mr. Pagel noted that while
seals and other marine ani-
mals may seem “cute and
cuddly,” people should keep
in 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 a
violation of the law.”
Mr. Pagel continued by
stating the law is not only for
protecting the animal, but
also the people.
He mentioned that wild
animals may carry a host of
parasites and bacterias and
advised the public “keep your
distance” [50 to 100 feet
away] and contact MMSC to
report a stranded animal.
Mr. Pagel noted that chil-
dren and pets should espe-
cially distance themselves.
Mr. Meaney said he saw
people approaching the seal
at a much closer distance,
and it is dangerous for people
and their pets.
“The most important thing
is to stay away from the seal
and keep dogs away,” Mr.
Meaney said. “Dogs may not
be aggressive, but may upset
the seal.”
Mr. Meaney suggested peo-
ple call the police or the
MMSC at 609-266-0538 in
this type of situation.
MARINE MAMMAL
STRANDING CENTER
According to
www.mssc.org., the Marine
Mammal Stranding Center, a
private nonprofit organiza-
tion, is dedicated to the res-
cue and rehabilitation of
stranded or otherwise
stressed marine mammals
and sea turtles. Additionally,
the MMSC has responded to
over 4,500 strandings of
whales, dolphins, seals and
sea turtles that have washed
ashore over the years
throughout New Jersey.
Paige Taylor covers Point Pleasant
Beach for The Ocean Star. She can be
reached at ptaylor@theoceanstar.com
or 732-899-7606 Ext 14.
Beached seal pup recovering
SEAL
FROM PAGE 1
find what you are
looking for...
Dig into the
Ocean Star
Classifieds!

3. IT ALL STARTS WITH A MISSION
Point Pleasant Beach
Policemen’s Benevolent
Association [PBA] Local No.
106’s mission statement
outlines its intentions with
specificity. It reads, “The
Point Pleasant Beach Police
PBA Local No. 106 is
dedicated towards the needs
of its members and to the
communities in which we
serve. Our leadership and
members are committed to
helping the community
through various fundraisers,
events, charity work, and
community service. The
members of PBA Local No.
106 are dedicated to serving
and protecting the
community where we live
and work. We are committed
to the prevention of crime,
protection of life and
property, safety, enforcement
of laws and ordinances, and
the safeguarding of
constitutional rights and
guarantees.”
The Point Pleasant Beach
PBA has been serving the
community for years and
exceeding the members’ call
of duty as police officers.
However, their efforts can be
described as “silent,”
according to Christopher
Mosca, Point Pleasant Beach
police officer and president
of PBA Local No. 106.
The word is used to
describe their efforts not
because they are shy or
nonexistent, but rather
because they are not widely
recognized and often only
realized by those on the
receiving end.
Officer Mosca, who has
served as president of the
PBA Local No.106 for the last
two years, believes he and
the members simply provide
for the community in
whatever way they can.
“In a crisis or in a pinch,
all 22 members will come
through with whatever’s
needed — whatever money,
muscle and time,” he said.
“From the top down, the
PBA truly cares about the
community.
“When we can, we do,” he
said.
The PBA consists of 22
willing police officers in
Point Pleasant Beach who
respond to crisis on a daily
basis. What’s more, they’re a
union of individuals who
tend to the needs of those in
Point Beach and the
surrounding communities.
They meet once a month
for their regular meeting,
and oftentimes discuss how
they can be of assistance to
locals.
Figuratively speaking,
while the police department
can be thought of as “the
job” of an officer, the PBA
can be understood as its
supportive arm that assists
the community with
additional efforts.
PBA Local No. 106 utilizes
contributions from the
community as a means of
supporting the organization.
“Monies we get from
donations all come in so we
can put it back out [into the
community],” Officer Mosca
explained.
PBA Local No. 106 and the
New Jersey State PBA never
solicit monetary donations
by way of telephone,
according to Officer Mosca.
He advised that people
contact the Police
Department at 732-892-0500
and speak with an officer to
verify the legitimacy of a
solicitation.
Contributions that are
willingly submitted provide
for much-needed funding,
which enables the PBA to
continue to participate in
programs that directly
support the community that
the police are proud to
protect and serve.
The PBA sends out an
annual mailer asking for
contributions. However,
Officer Mosca explained that
people sometimes believe
the money goes to new
police vehicles, uniforms,
etc. While this may seem
disheartening given their
reason for existence, Officer
Mosca readily dispelled the
idea and explained that the
PBA is here to give to the
community, and donations
are for its betterment.
Officer Mosca also said
dues are taken from officers’
paychecks, which
contributes to the donation
fund, as well.
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
The PBA members do
more than go to work to
protect our community.
They gather as a union and
actively listen and respond
to one another if there is a
crisis or need coming from
the community, according to
Officer Mosca.
Officer Mosca said, as far
as becoming knowledgeable
of needs, that it is split 50/50
between the community
seeking the PBA and the
officers knowing someone
who could use their
assistance.
One of the more
recognizable elements of
their involvement in Point
Pleasant Beach is the annual
holiday food drive with St.
Gregory’s Pantry, which they
donate to each year.
They also assist with the
Drug Abuse Resistance
Education [DARE] program,
youth sports sponsorships
and the bicycle safety
program in town.
Two years ago, the PFC
Andrew R. Gunning
Memorial Scholarship for
Point Pleasant Beach High
School was created for a
Point Beach officer who died
on the job.
Officer Mosca said Mr.
Gunning had been an officer
for well over 15 years before
he died. He was involved
with the high school as
school resource officer and
DARE officer for many of
them, which prompted the
scholarship’s name.
“It’s a memorial to him,”
Officer Mosca said. “He was
rooted in the school with the
kids and created the original
connection with the police
department and teens.”
Officer Mosca said the
officers of this particular
PBA really care about the
community and have many
ties to it, from either having
grown up here, having family
here or living here.
“Everyone in the PBA is an
officer with some
connection to the
community,” he said, which
explains why they work so
hard to make it a great place
to live.
Initiatives such as the
programs that the PBA
donates to, as well as the
scholarship, are more visible
than situations that the PBA
responds to on a case-by-
case basis, such as a family
afflicted by cancer and
stifled by medical bills; a
family in need of holiday
gifts because they lost a
parent; or a family whose
house burned down and lost
everything.
These efforts exist as
silent undertakings without
the intent of being
recognized.
Officer Mosca called it
“private charitable giving” on
behalf of the PBA. If a
circumstance arises, the PBA
discusses and votes on
whether they are able to
help. In years past, the PBA
has hosted various
fundraising events at the
Point Beach Elks Lodge and
Martell’s Tiki Bar.
However, after Hurricane
Sandy, the police shifted
their efforts to those affected
by the storm and refrained
from seeking donations.
Officer Mosca said the
purpose of generating money
via events is to have it as a
“nest egg so if people
approach us or we find out
about something, we can
give.”
Officer Mosca said the
PBA is “actively” engaged in
the possibility of a
fundraising event.
Officer Mosca said the
PBA always puts the need of
the Point Pleasant Beach
community first but they
have also assisted with the
surrounding areas, following
agreement amongst the
union.
While their efforts
sometimes fly “below the
radar,” PBA Local No. 106’s
officers have received
awards in the recent past for
their efforts of “going above
and beyond the call of duty,”
Officer Mosca said.
PBA treasurer PFC Kyle
Boturla received a medal of
honor/lifesaving award for
saving an unconscious man
from a burning house in 2013.
Officer Mosca received a
Life Saving medal for the
same incident.
The state PBA also
recognized PBA Local No.
106 and specific members for
their bravery and awarded
them with a Valor Award.
Currently, PBA Local No.
106 is governed by president
Mosca, vice president Scott
Nase, treasurer Kyle Boturla,
secretary Paschal Drew,
sergeant at arms Derek
O’Neill, and state delegate
Peter Andreyev.
COURTESY OF PBA LOCAL NO. 106
Officer Peter Andreyev [above, center], Policemen’s Benevolent Association [PBA] Local No. 106 state
delegate, 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 those
who respond in the blink of an eye:
police officers. Here, in Point Pleasant
Beach, those responders are members
of Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local No.
106, but they are also people who devote their
lives to the community they know and love. The
PBA helps them extend their efforts beyond the
task force, often entering the lives of community
members in need.
BY PAIGE TAYLOR
THE OCEAN STAR
W
Protecting &
serving out of love
for the community
“In a crisis or in a pinch, all 22 members [of Point Pleasant Beach
PBA Local No. 106] will come through with whatever’s needed —
whatever money, muscle and time.”
CHRISTOPHERMOSCAPointPleasantBeachPBALocalNo.106President
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 held
At 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 24
HOUSES OF WORSHIP 24
CROSSWORD 24
STREET BEAT 27