AIM Jefferson du lieu suivant : Butler, New Jersey • A3

AIM JEFFERSON FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2014 3 IN THE NEWS Merz honored for work on mental health awareness school sweetheart, another township native, Henry "Hank" Merz, and raised four daughters here. Along the way, she became active with Girl Scouts and the PTA. After starting the Middle School's PTA, she ran for the board of education and served three terms before running for her first term on the township council more than 16 years ago. "I was just one member of a group of moms," she recalled. Those moms got involved in what their children were doing and, in Merz's case, branched out.

She won the Governor's Award for Volunteering three years ago for her work with the arts committee. And along the way, she developed a reputation for availability. Her role in mental health did n't come from someone calling her. Between being on council and being married to an employee of the police department, Merz heard about virtually everything that happens in the township. In 2009, that included hearing about eight suicides over a six-month period.

Early that year, Merz suffered a personal loss when her nephew, Joshua Ford Tresslar, died at the age of 28 after battling a long illness. "They were of varied ages," she said of the suicides. "Some I knew and some I didn't." While there were places to get help, there was no quick way to connect with the proper mental health professionals, she recalled. So Connect was born. SEE MERZ, PAGE 27 BY JANE PRIMERANO Correspondent The 2014 recipient of the Golden Bell Leadership Award is no stranger to seeing a problem and finding a solution.

"If anything happens in Jefferson, you can call me," Jefferson Township Councilwoman Deborah Tresslar Merz said. The Golden Bell is presented each year to an individual or company that influences public perception of mental illness or makes a significant change in the mental health of children or adults. The leadership nominees have made strides in media, advocacy, children and corporate work. The lifelong resident of Jefferson Township married her high PHOTOJANE PRIMERANO Debi Merz shows her grandchildren, Hayden, Cavan and Abigael Doyle, the proclamation honoring her from the Jefferson Township Council. Jefferson Arts Committee Jefferson Township Public Library present the 12014 FREE SUMMER GAZEBO CONCERTS -FRIDAYS AT 7 PM at the GAZEBO- Boys golf wins their conference again Jefferson Township Municipal Complex, 1033 Weldon Road Lake Hopatcong, NJ Info: 973-697-2032973-697-3828 www, jeffersonarts.

org and on Facebook June 27 Jefferson Township Community Band Jazz Band July 4 no concert due to the holiday weekend July 11 no concert due to Jefferson Township Day on Sat. 71214 July 18 Thunder contemporary country music July 25 rock 'n roll music from the 50 's early 60 's August 1 Nicole country music soloist compared to Patsy Cline August 8 Tri-State rock 'n roll, country, and blues August 15 Rave of Buddy Holly other rock 'n roll greats August 22 The 3M Band. rock 'n roll back to the glory days August 29 TBA In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved indoors to the Jefferson Township High School Auditorium, 1010 Weldon Road right up the street! Free Will Donations gratefully accepted and appreciated great leaders, and respectful to their younger teammates and opponents. In the past 4 years the boys golf team have come together to obtain an impressive record of 92-5. Although the team will only have two varsity starters returning next year, the team is still hopeful.

The team has been named Team of the Year every year since 2010, and hopes to keep up their well deserved and respected reputation next year. Both Moretti and Cannarozzi were named all conference for the past 3 years. Moretti plans to go to Farleigh Dickerson University to continue playing golf. Cannarozzi will attend Costal Carolina University in the fall and play golf. Both boys will leave behind their tradition and legacy for the younger golf players to pick up and continue.

BY KEIKO TALLEY Correspondent The Jefferson Township High School Boys Golf Team has continued their conference win for the fifth year in a row. Each year the team sets the same goal, to win their conference, and for the past 5 years the falcons and Head Coach John Cinotti have accomplished that goal. Joe Moretti and Vinny Canna-rozzi have continued to set the bar high for their fellow teammates to step up and carry on their tradition. "Joe and Vinny are very team oriented," said Cinotti. "They took the younger boys under their wing." Cinotti gives Moretti and Can-narozzi a great deal of credit for the success of the team for the past 4 years.

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