Bradley Boys and Gals Reunion V-The Big One Saturday Evening, July 7th, 2012 at 7PM Bradley Beach Firehouse, Main St. Bradley Beach

THIS IS A REMINDER INVITATION TO THE NEXT REUNION

Bradley Boys and Gals Reunion V-The Big One
Saturday Evening, July 7th, 2012 at 7PM
Bradley Beach Firehouse, Main St. Bradley Beach

We will ask for a nominal fee of $5.00 per person. This will enable us to cover rent, clean-up, tent, and to have great food for all alumni guests including pizza, subs, snacks, ice and eating utensils. BYOB.

We will ask for a vote if this will be The Last Reunion?

We now ask for volunteers to help the committee in planning and to come up with some new ideas. BBGS class photos, alternative music, old photo gallery, seating classes together or other new or fresh ideas. Please help!! Also, there are many alumni who have never attended any of our first 4 Reunions, so take the 10+ months left to help us find those in hiding and encourage their attendance. Also, those traveling far have 10+months to plan your return to BB. We will ask for your RSVP’s beginning in April, 2012. The Planning Committee will also meet in spring 2012. Contact Gerard at sthmusic@msn.com for any questions or comments now. Hope to see you all there!! Gerard, for the Committee.

The Goodwill Fire Suppression, Rehab and Rescue Company is being organized and chartered to maintain and support Fire Suppression, Rehab and Rescue and for the general improvement of the fire service of the Borough of Bradley Beach, New Jersey.

The Goodwill Fire Suppression, Rehab and Rescue Company is being organized and chartered to maintain and support Fire Suppression, Rehab and Rescue and for the general improvement of the fire service of the Borough of Bradley Beach, New Jersey.

History The Bradley Beach Fire Department was started by a group of local men in 1893 with the first company called Pioneer, not long after a second company was formed due to fighting in Pioneer this was a company called Independent in the 1920's the south end of Bradley Beach was incorporated into Bradley Beach from Neptune City and the third company Bradley Company started. The was a short lived company on the north end of town but it did not last long due to lack of equipment. From the start of the first company in 1893 till 1989 the average manpower was about 75 to 100 firefighters. In 1989 The Mayor merged the companies together due to many thing which includes indictments handed down for the misappropriation of funds the companies just could not account for money or equipment.  The first of many issues started when Bradley Company did not wish to merge. The three companies were like a family in town with each having it own ways, style and history and fights but now they were all together under one roof. It was not long before fights started over equipment,manpower and jobs at fires. Before the merger One Department Chief ,Each company had A Chief, Captain,Lieutenant, and engineer, after the merger the new company would have One Chief One Asst Chief, One Captain,One Lieutenant and One engineer for 3 engines and one for The Trucks.  This leadership was to much for control at fires under the ICS and fights would start even at fires. After the fights membership dropped, a small amount at first but the fighting would get out of hand sometimes and members would stop coming to meetings and fires. 

Today March of 2012 we have only 10 active firefighters, that is a long way from 75 to 100 firefighters only 22 years ago and where the age of the firefighters were 18 to 45 today the age is higher with many be over 40 years old.

We believe that the only way to help is to start new, add fresh blood, new ideas as well wiping the slate clean. The United Engine and Truck company may have been the wrong way to fix a broken system, now looking back bad management of equipment and funds could have been fixed without the merge,maybe the system was not even broken just mismanaged. Can we every get 75 to 100 firefighters again time will tell we have less young people looking to join and less fires due to better fire prevention which makes the job of recruitment harder , but with the right help we can change this and stop the downward spiral. 

The issues of no response, low manpower and out of date equipment can only be fixed over time. We believe that a new company will double the manpower in 12 to 18 months by giving firefighters who do not like the old ways a place to come a give back, and a way to give back to Bradley Beach as a firefighter..

Firefighting was never a issue. The three companies as some would say the could fight and yell till the bell rang but life and property always came first.

The following is our purpose, mission statement, goals and statement of Dedication, Pride and Valor.

Our purpose:  Maintain and support Fire Suppression, Rehab and Rescue and for the general improvement of the fire service of the Borough of Bradley Beach, New Jersey.

Mission Statement:The purpose and primary function of The Goodwill Fire Suppression Rehab and Rescue Company Incorporated is.

To educate and provide information to our community on fire prevention, safety and disaster emergencies.
To extend goodwill in our community and promote a spirit of helping others without expecting anything in return.
To promote harmony and goodwill in our own ranks in order for our members to serve their community willingly.
To provide each resident, business and visitor in the Borough of Bradley Beach , New Jersey with the highest level of professional services that we possibly can and provide them to our maximum ability.
To protect the lives and property of our family, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens, bravely and respectfully.

Goals:

1. To save lives and property.
2. To double the firefighting force in 18 months.
3. To bring equipment up to state and federal standings working with other departments to secure equipment.
4. Return Dedication to our town by the fire volunteers.
5. To restore the Pride our four fathers had in our department.
6. To teach Valor to the next group of young firefighters by mentoring them.

Statement of Dedication, Pride and Valor.

Dedication: Complete and wholehearted fidelity.
Pride: Satisfaction taken in an achievement.
Valor: Courage and boldness, as in battle; bravery.

Dear Governor Christie; Words cannot express enough my family’s deep heart felt thank you to you, my Governor and the N. J State Police. What a first classed honorable professional organization. You have brought closure to my family and I can’t thank you enough.

John Henry Melville

Dear Governor Christie;
I sent you a message on this “contact the governor” web page; Saturday, March 10th. I asked you to mobilize the State Police Dive Team to recover my cousin’s body from the Raritan River. After I hit the send key, my oldest brother Jim called me. James D. Melville is the Inspector for European Affairs at our U.S. State Department. Big brother Jim said, yeah right John; you contacted the Governor’s Office, okay I’ll hold my breath.
Governor, you stepped right up to the plate and did the most honorable move you could choose. When a Major from the NJ State Police called me this afternoon and told me that their dive team was mobilized today, because of my message to your office and that they had in fact recovered my Cousin Joseph Farrell’s body, I was overcome with emotion.
Words cannot express enough my family’s deep heart felt thank you to you, my Governor and the N. J State Police. What a first classed honorable professional organization. You have brought closure to my family and I can’t thank you enough.
I’m ready to start a new organization: Democrats for Christie!
God bless you, and thank you.
Sincerely,

John Henry Melville

The Passing of Barbara A. Vandenberge

Barbara A. Vandenberge

Barbara A. Vandenberge

AGE: 61 • Avon

Barbara A. Vandenberge, 61, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2012 at Manor By The Sea, Ocean Grove. Barbara was the owner of Southside Florist, Bangs Ave., Asbury Park and was employed by the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey. She spent most of her life, however, in Ocean County. She was employed by the Visiting HomeCare Service of Ocean County, where she served in various positions, from Community Information Officer to Assistant Director. She was a Cum Laude graduate of both Ocean County and Georgian Court Colleges. She was a founding member of the Lakewood/Jackson Junior Woman's Club; past recipient of the Lakewood Jaycee's Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, served on the Ocean County Task Force on Senior Victimization and Elder Abuse and was a member of the Advisory Board of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Ocean County. Prior to entering the health care field, Barbara worked for many years in the local news media. Throughout the 1970's, she was a familiar voice to listeners of radio stations WOBM, where she was the first female newscaster, and WJRZ during its first years on the air, as well as other local radio and cable television stations. During that time and later, as a reporter and news editor for the Lakewood Town News in the early 1980's, she had the opportunity to interview President George Bush; First Lady Barbara Bush; Congresswoman Millicent Fenwick; and Congressman Bill Bradley. Her talent for communications continued to be an asset in her work with the Visiting HomeCare Service, on behalf of which she spoke to hundreds of senior citizen groups throughout Ocean County. Barbara was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Avon.

She is predeceased by her father, Robert Vandenberge, who died in 1985; and her mother, Stella Vandenberge, who died in 2003. She is survived by her partner of 18 years, Lorna Becker; her son, Michael Vandenberge and granddaughters, Emily and Aubrey; her brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Elaine Vandenberge; three nephews, Brian, Neil, and Craig Vandenberge; her assimilated daughters, Dawn and Joy Carter, and granddaughters, Kylie and Emily; as well as many cherished extended family members.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Avon. Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, 2482 Church Rd., Toms River, is in charge of the arrangements. www.silvertonmemorial.com

Passing of Raymond J. Mador RIP

It is with deep regret that the Tatler announces the passing of Raymond J. Mador at this time a viewing is planned for on March 14^th at the Ely Funeral Home 3316 State Route 33 in Neptune from 6pm. to 7pm.