Hunterdon County correctional officer sues state citing hostile environment

A corrections officer is suing the state for allowing a hostile work environment and sexual harassment.

Ilda Aguas, a Senior Corrections Officer since 2004 at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in Union Township, Hunterdon County, filed a complaint on March 10 in Superior Court here charging the state of New Jersey with allowing a hostile work environment due to sexual harassment and retaliation by supervisors when she reported the harassment.

The complaint alleges that the sexual harassment began around October 2009 with taunts by Lt. Darryl McClish including blowing his whistle in Aguas' face, putting his face up against hers and asking "Are we going to a telly (motel)?"

Aguas claimed that McClish sat in her lap, blowing his whistle, and giving her a "lap dance" by "grinding his pelvis" into her and shaking his face close to hers. Aguas said she told McClish to stop and tried to push him off, and asked co-workers to help, but the co-workers "turned their chairs away" and "purposedly looked the other way."

Aguas said McClish followed her into the prison parking lot asking "Are we going to a telly?" and then called her cell phone, repeating the question.

Aguas said McClish "'approached her from behind, put her in a hold with her hands behind her back" and "bent her over the table with his genital area touching (her) buttocks." Aguas started to kick McClish as he mocked her, the pair fell on the floor, McClish let her out of the arm lock and put up his fists, "bobbing like a boxer," according to the complaint.

On Jan. 23 when Aguas set off a prison metal detector, supervisor Sgt. Robin Hill asked if she had "piercings in your breasts because I know you don't need an underwire bra," instructing Officer Daisy Pabon to repeatedly pat-frisk Aguas.

Aguas contends that after she confronted McClish to stop the harassment, supervisor Sgt. Eric Sands subjected her to "hyper-scrutiny" in retaliation.

On Jan. 25 Aguas reported the sexual harassment by McClish and Hill, as well as Sands' retaliation, to Acting Chief Robert Ryan, who referred her to Assistant Administrator Helen Adams. Adams told Aguas to file a written report, but Aguas feared further retaliation.

Aguas' has been on medical leave since January 27 to address "stress, depression and humiliation," according to the complaint. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and a jury trial, the complaint said.

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United Way of Hunterdon County honors volunteer of the year

A Clinton Township man is to be honored in May as Volunteer of the Year.

United Way of Hunterdon County is honoring Charles Rebick as "Community Volunteer of the Year" at its 7th annual "Celebrating Community Caring" recognition dinner from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, May 7 at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, 88 Route 173 West, in the Perryville section of Union Township.

Rebick will be honored for his longtime commitment, creativity, leadership, inspiration and sustained service to Hunterdon County residents. The dinner also is to celebrate the commitment of all community volunteers.

"A volunteer is a person who remembers to do the thing to make other people happy, who takes the loneliness out of the alone by talking to them, who is concerned when others are unconcerned, who has the courage to be a prophet and to say the things that have to be said for the good of all," said Bonnie Duncan, executive director of United Way of Hunterdon County. "Volunteerism is critical to our success and the ongoing success of the many programs and agency partners we support."

Rebick, a recently retired ExxonMobil scientist, moved to Clinton Township with his wife Suzanne in 1982 and raised their two children, Sarah and Josh.

In 1987, Rebick was responsible for starting the Community Athletics of North Hunterdon girls' soccer league.

From 1989 to 1991 he served on the Clinton Township Board of Education.

"I learned a lot and facilitated keeping the board together during some tough times," Rebick said.

Rebick served on the board of trustees of United Way of Hunterdon County from 1985 to 1997, as well as volunteering for the Hunterdon County Human Services Advisory Council, supporting the county's most vulnerable and at-risk populations.

Rebick trained as a United Way volunteer tax preparer in 2009, expanding his efforts this year as a volunteer tax preparer for the Division of Senior, Disabilities and Veterans Services.

"There are so many ways to volunteer that are fun," Rebick said. "I don't see myself as a mover and a shaker, just someone who serves."

Rebick enjoys hiking and Day of Caring projects such as the spring cleanup for the South Branch Watershed or creating trails on National Trail Day for the Hunterdon County Department of Parks and Recreation. He also volunteers for Headstart of Franklin.

"Charlie is truly a person who for over the last 20 years has put forth outstanding effort, given of his time and energy, displayed extraordinary patience, understanding and appreciation of what it means to work toward having a caring community," said Cathy Zahn, mental health planner & youth services coordinator of Hunterdon County's Department of Human Services.

The dinner also is to feature a silent and live auction fundraiser, with entertainment and dancing to Doctor D Entertainment and the Untamed Quartet. The event is open to the public.

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Clinton Township police blotter

WARRANT, 3:40 a.m. March 11. Patrolman Sean Ross saw three individuals in dark clothing walking along Route 22 near Blossom Hill Road. Ross approached the individuals and requested identification. One, Andrew Kollmer, 19, address unknown, was found to be wanted on a $701 motor-vehicle warrant from North Hunterdon Municipal Court. When he was unable to post the necessary bail, Kollmer was arrested and transported to the Hunterdon County Jail.

MARIJUANA, 8:20 p.m. March 11. Sgt. Mathew Wilson was patrolling a Center Street restaurant when he heard a motor vehicle doing a "burnout'' with its tires. Wilson located the vehicle and confiscated a small amount of marijuana and a glass pipe from its driver, Matthew Wombacher, 19, of Decatur, Ill., police said. During this investigation, Wilson learned Wombacher was traveling in tandem with another vehicle, which was operated by Andrew Smith, 20, of Forsyth, Ill. Wilson observed that Smith had fictitious license plates on his vehicle, and a subsequent investigation revealed that Smith also was in possession of a small amount of marijuana and a glass pipe, police said. Both men were charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a motor vehicle while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance. In addition, Wombacher was charged with failure to produce a driver's license and Smith was charged with driving with fictitious plates.

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Team Capital Bank opens second office in Flemington

Team Capital Bank is now serving customers at its newly opened community banking office on Route 31 at Church Street. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Feb. 25.

Team Capital Bank offers a full complement of personal and business banking services: checking, savings and money market accounts, CDs, IRAs and business and personal loans, plus mortgage banking and commercial lending services. The Route 31 location -- the bank's second in Flemington -- offers drive-thru service, a 24-hour ATM and convenient parking. It is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The Team Capital Bank community banking office at 110 Main St. in the borough will remain open. Hours there are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, visit www.teamcapitalbank.com.

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Quick Chek earns national honor

Quick Chek, a township-based chain of more than 120 fresh food store locations throughout New Jersey and Southern New York, recently was honored with the Innovative Marketing award by CSP, the convenience store industry's leading publication, during its 2010 Convenience Retailing University in Phoenix.

From its dynamic utilization of online tools including social networking sites, personal e-mail communications and its company Web site to its signature "skin-vertising'' campaigns and long-standing sponsorship of the Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, the 121-store chain was recognized for inventive and effective marketing methods in which it successfully connects with customers to drive store traffic while building a strong brand name. For more information, visit www.quick-chek.com.

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Hunterdon County Chamber Announces New Consumer Show this Spring in Flemington

The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce would like to announce it's newest consumer show coming this spring, 2010. Mark your calendars the First Annual Health & Wellness Fun Fair will be held on Saturday, April 24 at HealthQuest in Flemington from 11:00am - 3:00pm. Similar to the Chamber's Fall Business EXPO, the Health & Wellness Fun Fair will feature exhibitor booths and interactive things to do and see. Visitors and vendors alike will make face-to-face connections with local, county and regional audiences.

Consider exhibiting if you are in the:

Health/wellness field

Recreational field

Educational field

"The Health & Wellness Fun Fair will be a great opportunity for Hunterdon County businesses to get face-to-face interaction and connect directly to consumers in and around the county," says Chamber President, Chris Phelan.

If you have a consumer-driven business, the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Fun Fair is the place to showcase your company. There will be 50 exhibitor booths available as a platform for your business and they are selling quickly! Call the Chamber at 908-782-7115 for your registration form. Prices on the main floor for a 8' x 10' booth is $375 for Chamber Members and $525 for Non-Members.

To view sponsorship packages, register to be an exhibitor, or for more information, call 908-782- 7115 or visit www.hunterdonchamber.org. Sponsorships starting at $750 and includes an exhibitor booth! The Health & Wellness Fun Fair is sponsored by: Hunterdon Prevention Resources, Supporting Sponsor; HealthQuest, Supporting Sponsor; Hunterdon County YMCA, Program Sponsor; and Home Instead Senior Care, Program Sponsor. Visit www.hunterdon-chamber.org for up-to-date details.

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National Weather Service monitoring possible flood activity in Clinton Township

As of 12:15 p.m. Sunday the only water guage monitored by the National Weather Service showing any flood activity in the Hunterdon County area was Stanton, in Clinton Township at 9.05 feet, just one foot above the flood stage of 8 feet.

The South Branch of the Raritan River there reached its maximum for this storm of 10.57 feet at about 2 a.m. Sunday morning, about two-and-a-half feet above flood stage and well below the record of 15.2 feet. The National Weather Service predicts that the river in Stanton should fall below flood stage by 2 p.m. Sunday and stay below it for the duration of this rainfall.

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Hunterdon Youth Choir partners with NBCS Concert Chorus to benefit Voices For Charity!

On Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 4 PM, the Hunterdon Youth Choir is once again performing to benefit Voices For Charity. This year the Hunterdon Youth Choir will be joined by the Concert Chorus of the Newark Boys Chorus School (NBCS) in a performance to be held at JP Case Middle School in Flemington. We hope you will join us for this special performance. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors. Proceeds will benefit Voices For Charity as well as the Newark Boys Chorus School, both of which are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. A reception will immediately follow the concert.

A workshop preceding the concert will provide the opportunity for the two choirs to practice together and get to know each other. This is an important musical and cultural event, because it brings together two long-standing New Jersey youth choirs that have been of great importance to their respective communities.

About the Ensembles:

Hunterdon Youth Choir has performed statewide in youth festivals, community concerts, and benefits for local charities for more than 10 years. It is part of Hunterdon Academy of the Arts in Flemington. Hunterdon Youth Choir has grown over the years, and now comprises three distinct sections to accommodate choristers of different age groups and skill levels: Training Choir (grades 1-3), Advanced Choir (grades 4-6) and Bel Canto Singers (Grades 7-12).

Training and Advanced Choirs are directed by Kimberly Hill, and their focus is on learning proper vocal techniques (diction, proper breathing technique, etc.), voice development, as well as gaining experience in part-singing, sight-singing, and musical interpretation.

Founded in 2008 and directed by Rosemary Nagy, Bel Canto Singers is the Concert Choir of Hunterdon Youth Choir. Bel Canto Singers represents a women-only group comprised of up to 30 highly motivated, ambitious young singers, grades 7 and up. Striving for excellence in choral performance, this ensemble requires an audition for new members. Many of Bel Canto Singers also take voice lessons and are very strong singers.

NBCS Concert Chorus

The NBCS Concert Chorus is a renowned performing group, recognized widely for its artistry. Comprised of students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades, the Concert Chorus is conducted by NBCS Music Director, Donald C. Morris. Students in 4th and 5th grades make up the Apprentice Chorus, directed by Michael SanFlippo. Both choruses have stylistically diverse repertoires that include African folk songs, classical music (Renaissance to 20th century), spirituals, contemporary show tunes, pop music, and jazz.

The Concert Chorus performs at venues throughout the state and region and tours internationally every third year. Its travels have included Japan, Australia, South Africa, Russia, China, New Zealand, Finland, Latvia, the Czech Republic, and England and Wales.

About Voices For Charity:

Voices For Charity has been living the dream to make a difference in the world through music since it was founded in 1996. The all-volunteer non-profit organization has donated nearly $100,000 to various Hunterdon County and central New Jersey charities from the proceeds of special events, concerts, recordings and community contributions. Our benefiting charities for 2010 are: Briteside Adult Day Centers, Good News Home for Women, Hunterdon County Teen Arts, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Meals on Wheels, and Safe in Hunterdon.

For more information about the concert, Voices For Charity and other fundraiser, please call 908-806-3719 or visit our website at www.voicesforcharity.org. Inquiries and donations may be sent to: Voices For Charity, P.O. Box 188, Stanton, NJ 08885.

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Open House this weekend at Acorn Montessori School in Clinton Township

The greatest investment you can make in your children's future is their education. At Acorn Montessori School we believe that education is much more than basic academics. Established in 1984, Acorn Montessori School is a community of compassionate teachers and staff providing students with a blend of love, respect and academic excellence to foster a life-long love of learning.

This "whole-child" approach -- coupled with our commitment to provide a strong academic foundation in an age-appropriate setting -- has helped our children go on to become motivated learners, effective leaders, and active citizens.

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Clinton Township police blotter

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY, 10 a.m. Feb. 28. Two windows were pried open at an Augusta Drive residence while the homeowner was on vacation between 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 and 10 a.m. Feb. 28. No entry was gained and nothing was reported taken. Detective Paul Bate is investigating.
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Central Liqours in Flemington Pours Support for Agency

A wine tasting will be held at Copper Hill Country Club on March 21, 2010 from 2 to 4:30 pm, The wine tasting will feature the top 64 wines personally chosen by the staff of Central Liqours in Flemington New Jersey. The staff will be on hand to pour and discuss the wine with attendees. Copper Hill Country wil be offering light food to complement the wine. Shoprite of Flemington has donated a selection of cookies and Brownies and also Attorney Joe Mulherin has donated a wide variety of chocolates to enhance the wine tasting experience as well as finish the afternoon with a sweet treat.

Tickets can be purchased by emailing Carl Weber at carlweber@rcn.com.

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Huge Charity Barn sale in Flemington to benefit the Shannon Daley Memorial Fund

On Saturday and Sunday, March 13 & 14th, the Edgewood Farm Barn at 125 Cole Road, Flemington will be open from 8-4 to treasure hunt. This will be RAIN or SHINE. The friends of the league have a great assortment of household items, antiques, gently used books and baby toys, along with a card table, dorm refrigerator, new Tivo, old windows, baseball cards, Nordic Track, and picnic table. There is an industrial sewing machine , a changing table, crib and jogger stroller.

Things are priced to sell and all proceeds go to the Shannon Daley Memorial Fund. There will be coffee and cookies by Ellie Kowal.

The charity was established by the Readington Mens basketball League and it is strictly all volunteer. The mission is to assist local seriously ill children and their families who are experiencing financial hardship. Their basketball game held last week raised almost $100,000. This year the recipients of the fund are Damien Giammarco from Bridgewater, Joseph Delli Santi of Readington and Taliah Gresham of Somerset. For information of events and to see updates on past recipients, go to www.shannonfund.org

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UPDATE: Flemington bank robbery suspect arrested

Russell B. Kromjong, 44, of Bernards, has been charged with robbing the PNC Bank on Route 202 this morning.

Kromjong is being held in the Hunterdon County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail. Kromjong was arrested without incident in the parking lot of the Hunterdon Medical Center. Hunterdon County Communications was alerted by PNC Bank personnel that an individual had entered the bank and demanded money. The suspect then fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money and was last seen on Route 202 in Raritan Township, authorities said. Within a short period of time personnel from the Hunterdon County Medical Center, Security Department notified Hunterdon County Communications that the suspect was seen in the medical center parking lot. Officers from Flemington, Raritan Township and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office responded to the medical center and took Kromjong into custody without incident.

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Police investigating Flemington bank robbery

Police are investigating a robbery at the PNC Bank on Route 202 a little before 10 a.m. this morning, according to published reports.

No weapon was shown in the robbery, preliminary reports indicate. No injuries were reported.

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Readington police blotter

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED, 8:58 p.m. March 4. After a motorist reported a suspected intoxicated driver on Route 22, police stopped Rodney L. Williams, 36, of Newark. Police smelled alcohol on Williams and asked him to perform several field sobriety tests, police said. Williams was charged with driving while intoxicated after he failed the tests, police said. He also was charged with careless driving, driving while suspended, failure to maintain lane, failure to exhibit insurance, failure to exhibit registration, failure to inspect, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Readington Community Theatre in Whitehouse Station presents a Musical

Readington Theatre presents their next musical, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten," on April 23 and 24 at 7 p.m., and April 25 at 2 p.m. The show will be presented at Whitehouse School, 50 Whitehouse Ave. in Whitehouse Station. Tickets are $10 at the door, and may be purchased in advance by calling 908-938-6965.

This is the stage adaptation of the best-selling book by Robert Fulghum. It is a story-telling piece about ordinary people offering an insightful perspective on everyday life.

The cast consists of Paul deWolfe, Jennifer Leta, David Holzwarth, John Kunka, Marie Comerford, and Dennis Johnson as the narrator. Producing the musical include: director Joe Systo, music director Emily Bengels, and producer Rob Nonni.

For information, call 908-938-6965 or visit www.rctnj.org.

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“FREEDOM SHRINE” UNVEILED AT CLINTON TOWNSHIP MIDDLE SCHOOL

An exciting collection of important documents from American history is now displayed at the Clinton Township Middle School (CTMS), thanks to a grant from the Clinton Township Foundation for Educational Excellence. The "Freedom Shrine," a permanent display at the CTMS, showcases photographic reproductions of original documents from American history. The Bill of Rights, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Gettysburg Address are among the 28 documents in the display.
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Driver speeding at 100 mph in Readington charged with drunken driving, police say

A Bridgewater man who was driving 100 mph on Route 202 was charged with driving while intoxicated early Saturday morning.

Michael T. Pinho, 22 , of Bridgewater, was arrested at 12:01 a.m. Saturday after Patrolman Greg Wester, on routine patrol, observed him driving 100 mph in the northbound lane, police say. Wester stopped Pinho and while speaking with him, smelled an alcoholic beverage, according to police. Pinho was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and speeding.

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Clinton Township police blotter

BURGLARY, 5:35 p.m. Feb. 25. Officers responded to a Belvidere Avenue residence for a report of three suspicious males who had left the area approximately 15 minutes earlier.
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Hunterdon clerk encourages residents to apply for, renew passports before proposed fee increase

The Hunterdon County Clerk's Office is encouraging residents to either apply for or renew their passports before a proposed fee increase takes effect.

An adult passport fee would increase from $75 to $110 and a minor passport (younger than age 16) would increase from $60 to $80 if the proposed hike takes effect. There is no increase to the acceptance fee of $25. The U.S. Department of State about a month ago published a notice of a request in the Federal Register for an increase of fees, according to Clerk Mary Melfi. The request has a 30-day public comment period. If the request is approved, price increases would likely occur in late spring, Melfi said. As a result of the proposed fee increase, Melfi's office will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays throughout March and April, and on May 1. Passport photos can be taken on-site and no appointment is required. Adult passports are valid for 10 years and minor passports are valid for five years. Routine applications are processed in four to six weeks. For more information, call the Hunterdon County Clerk's office at 908-788-1221.

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