In addition to launching the United States into World War II, it marked the day that the first Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd was killed. He was the highest-ranking casualty at Pearl Harbor, and the first US Navy flag officer killed in action in the War. He was also the first killed in action against any foreign enemy. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
That is only part of the story of a man who made history in so many different ways.
Referred to as the first Admiral Kidd, because his son was Admiral Isaac Campbell, Jr. and his grandson, Captain Isaac Campbell II. The three officers gave 102 years of service to the US Navy.
Admiral Kidd was on the bridge of the USS Arizona when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was Commander of Battleship Division One and Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander of Battleship Battle Force. At first knowledge of the attack, Admiral Kidd rushed to the bridge of his flagship, the USS Arizona, serving as senior officer present afloat when the ship blew up from a magazine explosion.
It was a direct bomb hit on the bridge which killed the Admiral. His body has never been recovered and he is still listed as Missing in Action. Navy salvage divers located his Naval Academy ring fused to a bulkhead on the ship’s bridge. The ring, together with a trunk with his personal memorabilia was found in the wreckage and is now in the USS Arizona Memorial museum.
Admiral Kidd was born in March 1884 in Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1902, graduating four years later and commissioned an ensign in 1908 while participating in the 1907-1909 Great White Fleet Cruise. At that time he was serving aboard the Battleship New Jersey. He served on other ships as well before becoming Flag Secretary to the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet and was also an instructor at the Naval Academy.
During the first World War, the young officer served as executive officer on the battleship Utah, and later became Captain of the Port at Cristobal, in the Panama Canal Zone. As a captain he was chief of staff to the Commander Base Force United States Fleet, served in the Bureau of Navigation in Washington, D.C. and was commander of Destroyer Squadron One, Scouting Force before the nation entered into World War II.
Twelve days after the Admiral’s death aboard the USS Arizona, his oldest son, Isaac Campbell, Jr., graduated from the Naval Academy and was commissioned an ensign.
Three ships have been named for the Medal of Honor recipient, a Fletcher-class destroyer, Kidd (DD-661), commissioned just two years after his death, the Kidd (DDG-993) the lead ship of four Kidd-class destroyers, and an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, Kidd (DDG-100) which was commissioned in 2007.
Among his numerous awards in addition to the Medal of Honor, Rear Admiral Kidd received the World War I Victory Medal as well as posthumously receiving the World War II Victory Medal.
His citation reads
CITATION
For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Rear Admiral Kidd immediately went to the bridge and, as Commander Battleship Division One, courageously discharged his duties as senior officer present afloat until the U.S.S. Arizona, his flagship, blew up from magazine explosions and a direct bomb hit on the bridge which resulted in the loss of his life.
More Stories on recipients of the Medal of Honor HERE
New Jersey Recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions on 7 December 1941 HERE
Navy Chief Peter Tomich – Medal of Honor Recipient
Although VeniVidiScripto ran a story about Navy Chief Peter Tomich last April, he deserves attention once again. As we approach the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, we delve into greater details of this veteran of World Wars I and II and this sailor’s entry into the United States from his native land as well as the search for relatives after he was killed on the USS Iowa.
Besides Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd, the highest-ranking military man to receive the Medal of Honor, there were 15 men who were awarded the Medal for valor in combat on December 7, 1941, where the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
Peter Tomich was one of them. A native of Prolog in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now Bosnia Herzegovina, Tomich was born in 1893 and immigrated illegally to the United States in 1912. He was 19 years old and lived in Los Angeles with his cousin, John. He died for his country, but there was no family to mourn Peter Tomich, also known as Petar Herceg-Tonic
Tomich joined the US Army shortly after the nation entered World War I and became a naturalized citizen by 1918. He was honorably discharged from the Army in January 1919, and ten days later, joined the US Navy as an engineer. By 1930, the enlisted sailor was a Chief Watertender.
Tomich was serving aboard the USS Utah in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, a battleship, like himself, that was a veteran of the first war. Built in 1909, it had been re-designated as a training and target ship, and was the oldest ship in Pearl Harbor that day. It was the first American ship to be hit by Japanese bombs.
In the opening minutes of the attack 7:55 a.m., the sailors raised the American flag as usual, believing it was a routine day. Five minutes later, when the first bombs fell, the flag on the Utah never made it to the top; it remained at half-mast throughout most of the day.
Tomich was in the fire room where steam is generated for the ship’s engine, when the ship was hit by two torpedoes. Knowing from his 22 years in military service that this would cause an explosion if the hot boilers were in contact with the sea, he ordered the sailors on watch to abandon their engineering space as the ship was capsizing. He ensured that all fireroom personnel had evacuated their stations and remained alone to close the valves to stabilize the boilers. He was trapped inside the room when the ship sank and remained entombed at the bottom of Pearl Harbor.
Because of his actions, Tomich was designated for the Medal of Honor. But there were no living relatives to accept it. The cousin he had identified as next of kin was not at the address given and there was no information about his life in the USA.
With no one to whom it could present the Medal, the Department of Navy decided to name a destroyer escort the USS Peter TOMICH (DE-242) and presented the Medal to the ship itself. The presentation was made on Jan. 4, 1943, by Rear Admiral Monroe Kelly.
When the ship was decommissioned three years later, it was necessary to find another trustee for the Medal of Honor. Since Tomich was entombed in Utah, Utah state Governor Herbert Maw declared him an honorary citizen of the state and the Medal was transferred to the Governor’s Office.
Rear Admiral Mahlon Tisdale, commanding officer of the Navy Base in San Francisco made the presentation to the State of Utah in a ceremony with full military honors in the Rotunda of the Utah state Capitol.
In 1989, the Peter Tomich Hall was built and named at the Senior Enlisted Academy on the Navy installation in Newport, R.I. and the Medal of Honor was transferred there.
The search for family members continued, however. It was learned Tomich was declared legally dead by the Yugoslavian court system, and records of his life in that country were further hampered by the fact he had changed his name to Tonic when he entered the United States illegally. That was his clan name, and he was born Petar Herceg Tonic. Someplace along the way, Tonic evolved into Tomich in the United States.
In 1987, a relative contacted authorities in both countries, and a genealogy search took place. From then through 2005 the search continued until his family roots were finally verified. In 2006, a copy of the Chief’s Medal of Honor was presented to his cousin’s grandson, a retired Croatian Army officer. The presentation was made to LTC Stracke Herceg Tonic aboard the USS Enterprise in Split, Croatia.
Chief Peter Tomich’s Medal of Honor remains in Newport, R.I. A duplicate of the Medal is with the Utah Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, and at the Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
Since Chief Tomich enlisted in the Navy in New Jersey, the Garden State is credited with his Medal of Honor.
CITATION
For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, and extraordinary courage and disregard of his own safety, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor by the Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Although realizing that the ship was capsizing as a result of enemy bombing and torpedoing, Tomich remained at his post in the engineering plant of the U.S.S. Utah until he saw that all boilers were secured and all fireroom personnel had left their stations, and by so doing lost his own life.
More stories on those awarded the Medal of Honor from the Great State of New Jersey HERE
The Atlantic Highlands Chamber has a great, innovative lady in their midst, Jennifer Perkel of Hear Here LLC, is an event coordinator and is super busy this time of year, but not too busy to be cheery, helpful, quick thinking and helping out lots of local businesses.
Today, Saturday, December 2, for in instance, she’s down at One Willow, another great restaurant in Highlands where they are having cocktail specials until 4:30 or so; tonight she’ll be at the tree lighting in Atlantic Highlands and will have some Bingo cards available.
Shoppers in Atlantic Highlands, You Must Play Bingo!. It doesn’t a cent, and you have 12 chances at winning…twelve, because of the 12 days of Christmas. Simply tuck your Bingo card in your wallet or purse and start shopping in stores in Atlantic Highlands…There are more than 50 of them! In each place you visit, whether you buy anything or not, look for the happy little colorful elf with a big number pinned to him. Check him off on your Bingo card and go on to another shop. Lucky you if you get a row finished before the Dec. 20 deadline. Sounds easy enough and must be easy as it sounds. There are some finished cards in already for the drawing for the 12 prizes.
Renaissance, that wonderful group of lots of little shops in one building on First Avenue, actually has three elves to find…one is very easy, particularly if you’re paying for something you’re buying or asking Ronnie or the other help there a question. Ronnie is as exuberant as Gen about this new raffle idea, and her enthusiasm is catching! Renaissance also has chances on a huge basket of goodies, so it’s worth it to stop in there just to try your luck and see the amazing array of things to buy. Calvary Chapel has a booth in the shop, so purchasing from them helps their cause as well.
Jen will be at the tree lighting on First Avenue this evening, and will have some Bingo cards to give out so you can start looking right away. Otherwise, the Bingo cards are always available at the Chamber of Commerce office under the Blue awning on First Avenue, and there are some at Amici’s Pizza as well, and perhaps in a few other stores.
Moms and Dads, take your youngsters out for a walk, stop in the stores, let the kids seek out the elves and see how great it is to shop local anytime of year, but particularly at Christmas. There’s so much to offer and so many things that are only available here.
Master Sergeant Charles E. Hosking Jr. saw more than his share of war in both World War II and Vietnam before he was killed during an arms to arms combat while arresting a Viet Cong sniper in Vietnam.
The native of Bergen County, NJ first enlisted in the army in 1942 and served with the 82nd Airborne and the 509th parachute battalion during that War. At the end of the war, he was one of only 30 survivors of the 1500 in his battalion.
During that war, the soldier earned five combat stars, the Bronze Medal, three Presidential Unit citations, the Purple Heart and an award from the country of Belgium.
Born in Ramsey borough, Master Sergeant Hosking received another Bronze Star on one of his three tours in Vietnam, along with the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, and another Presidential Unit citation as well as being recommended for the Silver Star.
But during his third Vietnam tour Master Sergeant Hosking was with Det.A-302, Company A, of the 5th Special Forces Group. The troops were in Don Luan District, Phuoc Long Province in Vietnam.
He was moving a captured Viet Cong sniper to the base camp when the sniper suddenly grabbed the sergeant’s hand grenade and attempted to set it off, killing all the men in the area. Master Sergeant Hosking immediately fell on top of the sniper who still held the grenade, forcing him to the ground. Using his own body to protect the rest of the men, he was killed instantly when the grenade exploded. It happened on March 21, 1967.
The soldier was brought back to the United States and was accorded full military honors. At the time of his funeral he was honored by a detachment of soldiers from Fort Bragg in attendance, together with his commanding officer, Capt. Frank Iobelli, who flew home from Saigon for the service. The town’s Mayor ordered the town in a state of mourning and at the time of his funeral, a moment of silence in his honor.
Promoted to Master Sergeant at the time of his death, the military hero was survived by his grandmother in Mahwah and his mother in Ramsey, together with his wife Gloria, three daughters and a son, ranging in age from 6 to 17, all living in Illinois. His wife Gloria was present in Washington D.C. to accept her husband’s Medal of Honor at the White House from President Richard Nixon on May 23, 1969.
Master Sgt. Charles Hosking is buried in Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood, NJ.
CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Master Sergeant Hosking (then Sfc.), Detachment A-302, Company A, greatly distinguished himself while serving as company adviser in the III Corps Civilian Irregular Defense Group Reaction Battalion during combat operations in Don Luan District. A Viet Cong suspect was apprehended and subsequently identified as a Viet Cong sniper. While Master Sergeant Hosking was preparing the enemy for movement back to the base camp, the prisoner suddenly grabbed a hand grenade from Master Sergeant Hosking’s belt, armed the grenade, and started running towards the company command group which consisted of two Americans and two Vietnamese who were standing a few feet away. Instantly realizing that the enemy intended to kill the other men, Master Sergeant Hosking immediately leaped upon the Viet Cong’s back. With utter disregard for his personal safety, he grasped the Viet Cong in a “Bear Hug” forcing the grenade against the enemy soldier’s chest. He then wrestled the Viet Cong to the ground and covered the enemy’s body with his body until the grenade detonated. The blast instantly killed both Master Sergeant Hosking and the Viet Cong. By absorbing the full force of the exploding grenade with his body and that of the enemy, he saved the other members of his command group from death or severe injury. Master Sergeant Hosking’s risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Read more stories of Heroes from New Jersey that have been awarded the Medal of Honor HERE
There are always so many things to be grateful for, this I’ve always known. But when it comes to my birthday, I realize I have even more than ever to be thankful for! Family and Friends
This year, as it does once every eight years, my birthday fell on Thanksgiving, which means I have an entire day set aside to show my thanks. Even that isn’t enough.
From the so many hundreds who sent birthday greetings on line in so many different places, to the fact I got to celebrate for an entire week, with surprises just about every day, I realize I’m luckier than most.
Another terrific friend, either knowing how much I need it or recognizing how much I appreciate it, had a special mass said for me and my intentions..and gifts don’t get any more perfect than that. The list goes on and I am so grateful. Another friend gave me several of the most spectacular pieces of clothing, I even made a visit to a psychic! And so much more from my family. There were also all those birthday cards mailed from friends and relatives across the country…what a nice feeling to be remembered so warmly.
Another very dear friend who well knows my love for a great Pinot Grigio, gave me a couple of bottles, together with some fantastic accompaniments to make it taste even better!
When my wonderful and thoughtful niece and her husband stopped by to take me to lunch to celebrate a few days later, that was also very special, great to spend time with them, learn about what loving and wonderful grandparents they are and how much they love their new roles with another generation.
But that wasn’t even enough. When I got home from that spectacular lunch, another great friend from Sea Bright had stopped at my house, and not finding me home, left a most delicious and beautiful birthday cake with a great note that makes me sound so much better than I am. A wonderful surprise, a great and thoughtful friend.
That’s all on top of spending the day with my daughter’s family which is always a pleasure and surprise. But this year…OK, it wasn’t for my birthday, but the coincidence makes me certain it was!….my youngest grandson, now a Navy Ensign, was home for the weekend and I could congratulate him in person for his latest accomplishment…..he just completed his first solo flight with the Boomers in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ensign Yeoman. Don’t you love the name?….flew the T-6B Texan II solo, which is enough to make any grandmother’s heart stop! But of course he did it with elan, perfection, and confidence in his own ability! Here’s to our military keeping all their equipment in top rate condition! And prayers he never has to fly it into a war zone. Ever.
In addition to all the birthday celebrations, had lunch with a great friend at Sissy’s in the Atlantic Highlands Harbor and while that is always fun, it was also fascinating to watch the wait staff. It’s obvious they love their job, since everyone of them was smiling, happy, eager to help, and kept busy, be it sweeping the floor or polishing the counter when not waiting on customers. Sissy, a pretty wonderful gal on her own, must be doing the right thing for her staff that they always seem so happy and eager to work.
The Highlands Business Partnership has issued a more than 30 page booklet highlighting all the wonders of Highlands, with the slogan “Where the Jersey Shore Begins.” The book is a bonus for all the businesses in the borough as they’re all named, with phone numbers, e-mails, and addresses, there’s a great message from the Mayor on the opening page, reassuring the readers that she and her administration “are committed to serve you as the highest level possible,” and explaining that Highlands offers a walkable/bikeable community with many choices of paths… She also highlights some of the administration’s accomplishments, which are considerable, and it’s amazing to see the borough had received more than $2.6 million in grants this year…and the year hasn’t ended yet. And she promises the opening of the Borough’s first new park in half a century, the Overlook on Navesink Ave. The booklet highlights all the great restaurants and eateries in town, the Farmacie and Café La De Da, two pretty unusual places, and even includes the Waterwitch, that new gourmet grocery food store that is opening soon on Waterwitch Ave. Interesting to see how many overnight accommodations they are in Highlands, from seaside vacation cottages and a private waterfront retreat to the historic B&B near Henry Hudson.
But there’s only one page, and no photo, of the national historic landmark that is the primary drawing card for visitors to the borough, the Twin Lights. As light houses go, it’s far and away the most unusual, as a site where history has been made. It has been present for multiple reasons, and as a draw and is popular year round and offers spectacular views, it’s unequaled. Great to see the Christmas tree in the South Tower lit for the holiday season, too!
If the Sandy Hook Foundation is one of the great organizations you want to include in your gift giving contributions for the holiday Season, take advantage of their innovative program that gives you the chance to have a porch rocking chair dedicated and named in your honor.
#Giving Tuesday is their support address until December 5. By making a donation to the Foundation’s annual appeal, they in turn will put your name in a contest. Every donation during this annual appeal, made between now and 9 a.m. December 5, will be put in a drawing.
The winner will have the next rocking chair on Sandy Hook donated in their name. You get to decide how you would like your name imprinted on their bronze plaque. The plaque is then affixed to the chair.
Once it’s ready, your rocking chair will be placed on a porch inside Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook. So all visitors can enjoy your rocking chair for years to come.
The Foundation will announce the winner the afternoon of December 1 and the rocking chair, with your approval, will be ready for comfort the beginning of the Spring season.
This Friday, Dec. 1, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Sandy Hook Foundation staff will be at the “Photographer’s Request event at the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Or check out SH merch for great gifts, ask about plans for 2024, and show the Foundation your best shots of the lighthouse.
Sandy Hook is a lot more than just summertime on the beach. Contributions enable the park to provide lots of great programs, as well as tackle challenges and design innovative solutions. Think of all the folks who will get a new look on life sitting in your rocking chair at Spermaceti Life Staving Station or History House
Read some more stories HERE on the Natural Wonder right in our back yard … Sandy Hook
The Christmas Giving Tree at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church is ready for donations of credit cards to help local families or senior citizens enjoy Christmas. But the Giving Tree, unadorned and near the side altar within the sanctuary of the Church, has its owns story to tell.
Rather than wrapped toys or gifts, the volunteers in the St. Vincent de Paul Society are requesting credit cards be placed in the container near the undecorated Giving Tree between today and Dec. 17 after the 9:30 Mass. The Society is asking for store gift cards in the amounts of $10, $25 or $50, or any combination of those amounts good at Kohls, Targets, Old Navy, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar or any other local store which is convenient to both the donor and recipient.
Cards can be left in the decorated boxes by the tree on the altar rail by December 17. Last-minute donations can also be brought to the Food Pantry on Monday, December 18 between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Why an undecorated tree and why gift cards rather than wrapped gifts which has been traditional at the Route 36 Catholic Church? And why a tree in the first place?
In the past, a festively decorated tree was placed in the front entry foyer to the church. However, a St. Vincent de Paul Society member happened to spot a woman taking some of the gifts. When the volunteer approached her and asked why she was taking gifts, the woman explained she belonged to another group that was also collecting gifts and she had nothing to give them. The woman felt it would not be harmful to take gifts from the charity exhibited at OLPH to give to her other charity.
The volunteer, touched by the embarrassed and sorrowful woman, explained the better idea would be to contact the St. Vincent de Paul Society who would certainly help her out. Penitent but happy for the response of the Society’s volunteer, she thanked her, returned the gifts and made her own requests for assistance to the volunteer. The Society members then felt that rather than offer temptation to someone in need, they would keep the tree within the church. And what place than in the sanctuary.
However, since the tree is within the sanctuary of the church, and the church views Advent as a time of preparation rather than an accent on decorative festivity, glitter and color before Christmas, the tree remains undecorated.
Still the tree itself has special meaning, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish explained. Look at the history of why a tree is symbolic of Christmas in the first place, he suggested.
Tradition dictates it originated in Germany some 1500 years ago when St. Boniface, a missionary, encountered pagans preparing to sacrifice an oak tree to a false god. But when they took an ax to the tree and it did not fall down to honor the false god, St. Boniface pointed out that a nearby evergreen should be considered a “holy tree.”’
Fr. Quin pointed out that the evergreen, unlike the oak, could be considered the “holy tree” because it remains green, healthy, thriving and beautiful in all seasons regardless of harsh weather or torrid sun. That is the reminder of God’s blessings are always with those who seek the true God, have faith, and know that God will protect them forever. God sending His Son to be born of Mary as the Savior of the world is the true meaning of Christmas.
Whether it is tradition, a desire not to offer temptation, or the fact evergreens never lose their beauty, the Giving Tree at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church welcomes gift cards so the St. Vincent de Paul Society can continue its efforts to help all in need.
Adults of families registered with the Society will be contacted as to when they can pick up their family’s gift cards. For those in the Highlands or Sea Bright area who also in need, but not registered, they can contact the St. Vincent dePaul Society at 732-291-0272, ext. 120.
The Monmouth County Commissioner traditional reading of Clement Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas .” holiday music, unique and tasty gourmet Christmas refreshments and the transformation of the Montrose one room Schoolhouse into a Christmas Wonderland will all take place Sunday, December 3, from 1 to 4 p.m.
This year at the same time, the Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee, who annually sponsor the Country Christmas at the Montrose School, will also honor the storyteller, Commissioner Lillian Burry for her many decades of service to Colts Neck, Monmouth County and the Historical Preservation Committee.
Commissioner Burry did not seek election to the County Board of Commissioners this year and will step down when her term ends on January 1, 2024. Commissioner Burry is also a founder and current chair of the Historic Preservation Committee.
The Mike Wells Trio, a popular and sought after trio, will once again be on stage with a variety of country Christmas music and Santa Claus will take time out from his busy schedule to pose for free photos.
The Christmas tree inside the school will be festooned with decorations appropriate to the late 19th and early 20th century period.
CNHPC is selling its popular map depicting Colts Neck historic sites, which is suitable for framing and costs $10. each, and the “A Tour of Historic Colts Neck” booklet written by Mrs. Burry for $5 each. Both are unusual Christmas gift ideas both for new residents of the area and historians interested in Monmouth County’s unique and varied history.
“With each passing year, we continue to have a strong turnout and receive great praise for this wonderful town tradition, and we hope to continue this tradition for years to come,” said Chairperson Burry, who is also former Colts Neck Mayor. “Everyone on the CNHPC enjoys preparing and opening the Montrose Schoolhouse for special events that highlight our township’s unique role in 19th Century America. We invite everyone to share in the warmth and historic significance of the Montrose Schoolhouse during this community celebration.”
The Montrose School is located at the corner of Montrose Road and Cedar Drive.
The borough of Atlantic Highlands not only retained certification but received it at a higher level and topped it off with also receiving the Small Town Champion Award from Sustainable Jersey, a major accomplishment that seems to have gotten little recognition and certainly no fanfare.
The borough doesn’t know yet whether Councilman James Murphy or Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner will be the next Mayor. Nor does it know whether Ellen O’Dwyer and Coach Whitehead or Allison Forbes and Jon Crowley will be the council members for the next three years, though Councilman Crowley seems almost certain to be selected for another term. Hopefully by sometime next week, the results will be finalized and announced.
But aside from the politics of the situation, let’s take a look at Ellen O’Dwyer and what her quiet, unannounced, little-talked-about efforts have done for the borough’s image.
Literally.
Sustainable Jersey is a state-wide organization that certifies municipalities who are the nation’s leaders in implementing solutions for challenges to reduce waste and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Municipalities also must certify they have taken measures to improve public health among other things, which also stimulates the local economy and offers grants to accomplish even more for a borough. Just about every municipality in New Jersey is registered with Sustainable Jersey, but not many have achieved the successes that Atlantic Highlands has.
Awards this year were presented by Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
Enter Ellen O’Dwyer, one of the candidates waiting to see if she has been elected to council. Currently, Ellen chairs the borough’s GREEN TEAM, a quiet but hardworking group of dedicated residents following Ellen’s penchant for getting things done. That’s why the borough has been certified for several cycles and last year got the Bronze award, no small accomplishment. She is also a former Environmental Commissioner and former Shade Tree Commissioner, both of which she feels were important experiences in order to have achieved what she did with the Green Team.
This year this ambitious group aimed for the silver award it received, an award that mandated achieving more than twice as many points as the Bronze award. But they also were awarded the champion Award for being the very best Small town; a community under 5,000 residents in New Jersey …. for sustainability.
Sustainable Jersey, under the Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, doesn’t make it easy to achieve their awards. They set a high bar and have an entire team of professionals who verify what each town says it has done.
Ellen and her team could have simply settled for their bronze award. Each award is good for three years, so maintaining bronze is in itself an accomplishment. But she’s a driver and passionate about the environment. She served for a year on the Beautification Committee and Environmental commission before Mayor Loretta Gluckstein had faith in her enthusiasm and named her to the Shade Tree as well as the Green Team Committee, an advisory group to the governing body.
In the past, the borough was interested in maintaining its certification as a member of Sustainable Jersey, but Ellen strove to go higher. She did a lot of research and found that as far as recycling and reusing goes, the borough has done an awful lot over the years, thanks to a great Public Works Department and residents who take pride in their neighborhood. But moving higher and better seemed like a better idea, so Ellen did more research and documented all the accomplishments and memorialized them into programs. That is what earned the Bronze medal last year.
This year, rather than simply being recognized for maintaining the bronze status, taking the silver award also enabled the borough to receive the Small Town Champion award.
“We could have rested on our laurels for three years, but we didn’t.,” the chairman said. “Atlantic Highlands deserves the credit for all the work that it is already doing, and with a community whose heart is in it. We went for Silver and achieved it in one year by completing some innovative projects, like being the first community to adopt a ban on plastic straws and bags and partnering with a local company on biodegradable packaging solutions. We applied for and received two grants, educated on native species, shared wildflowers and milkweed, and encouraged green solutions to anything and everything,” The Captain of the Green Team explained.
At the League of Municipalities annual event in Atlantic City, Sustainable Jersey had a luncheon to honor all the municipalities who received honors. In her acceptance talk, in which she praised both Sustainable Jersey’s efforts and her own team and borough residents Ellen said “We’ve got a real “walking” town where the sidewalk outside your door can lead you to anywhere you would want to go in the borough, and our tree-lined streets are the result of our Tree City USA commitment of 42 years. We also established new and innovative ways to reach and educate the public, having a column in the local Atlantic Highlands Living magazine, hosting our first “Envirossance Faire” and an “Earth Day Walkabout” where visitors walked to various “Green Stops” throughout town.
She explained that with limited resources, “we networked beyond the borough teams and commissions to collaborate with the local arts council, the library, the schools, scouts, Chamber of Commerce, Garden Club, and even the Historical Society. With a new organization called “Wild About Atlantic Highlands”, the entire town is a Certified Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation. This involved 100 residential and business gardens. “
Ellen added, that “with other programs like “No Mow May”, “Grass – Cut it and Leave It”, “Don’t Spray,” and Leave the Leaves”, we’ve got the public to learn, engage, and commit to being stewards of our beautiful town.”
Lest anyone think she is content with simply garnering the Best Small Town and silver swards, Ellen put the League on notice that “We are now aiming for “Gold Star”, which will set a new precedent for small, historic communities with classic infrastructure. I will leverage this status and other tactics to elevate Atlantic Highlands as a unique entity to preserve this unique ecosystem of mountains to bayside beaches to forested lands in the face of potential overdevelopment.”
Looking towards the future, another of Ellen’s aims is to save and protect the water utility through grants and other support. Municipalities can play a significant role in creating a comprehensive approach to the management of water, she believes. Each municipality in the state has its own water profile, shaped by its geography, infrastructure and local concerns. The gold star in water identifies specific actions and level of performance for municipalities to achieve improvements in water quality, quantity and use.
There are only four municipalities in the state with a gold star: Maplewood Twp, Princeton, Readington Twp, and Woodbridge Twp, which has two Gold Stars.
The Sustainability Champions this year, in addition to Atlantic Highlands, are Madison for populations from 5,000 to 40,000 and Woodbridge for municipalities with more than 40,000 population.
Members of the borough’s Green Team with O’Dwyer are Ashely Cruz, Blake Deakin, Morgan Spicer, Ellen Bollinger, Jim Krauss and Sara Colasurdo, with Councilwoman Hohenleitner the council representative.
Knowing Ellen O’Dwyer, knowing how hard she works once she sets her mind on a goal, and knowing the Green Team’s efforts, it’s a prediction that next year, Atlantic Highlands will be honored with the gold award.
Judging from her energy level and the hard-working GREEN TEAM, together with residents proud of their community, it will not come as any surprise when Atlantic Highlands reaches the gold next year.
