Monroe New Jersey

New US Marshal for NJ is first Latino to serve in that role

The former second-in-command of the State Police was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday to be United States marshal for New Jersey.

Juan Mattos. Jr. of Monroe Township, is the first Latino to serve in the post.

Mattos had a 35-year career with the State Police, including stints as commandant of the State Police Academy and deputy superintendent of operations. Mattos, 56, retired last year as a lieutenant colonel and was working as an agent in the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office when President Obama nominated him in March.

The U.S. Marshals Service provides security in courthouses, searches for fugitives, protects witnesses and judges, manages and sells seized assets, and serves writs and court orders. There are 27 deputies based in Newark, Trenton and Camden, plus affiliated local police assigned to task forces.

Mattos will earn $155,500 in the post, and also will continue to collect his state pension of nearly $94,000 a year.

The nomination ended an impasse that had U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez, both D-N.J., supporting other candidates for the position. The office has been run by an acting marshal since August 2010, when James T. Plousis, a holdover from the George W. Bush administration, became chairman of the State Parole Board in Governor Christie’s administration.

The Senate confirmed Mattos by unanimous consent.

“It is disappointing that it took so long to fill this important position, but Mr. Mattos has had a distinguished career in law enforcement in New Jersey and will be a strong leader of our U.S. Marshal’s office,” Lautenberg said.

Menendez also praised Mattos’ experience.

“The people of New Jersey need someone like him who is whip-smart, aggressive and aimed toward justice,” Menendez said.

E-mail: jackson@northjersey.com Blog: northjersey.

Common Cents Blog » Monroe, NJ Township students award $12000 to ...

WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ – This June, students from three local schools will present nearly $12,000 in grant awards to 20 not-for-profit organizations. Students from Williamstown Middle School, and Oak Knoll and Holly Glen Elementary Schools collectively raised $7,946 through the 2010-2011 Penny Harvest Campaign, collecting pennies and loose change to fund a student directed philanthropy program and service learning projects. The Mildred Stiles Michael Fund at the Community Foundation of South Jersey matched 50% of the funds student raised, providing an additional $3,974 for the students to allocate to Gloucester County not-for-profits.

Student leadership selected the charities following a year long project, which included canvassing the entire student body for issues that are important to them, researching appropriate charities that address these issues, and coming to consensus upon the selected issues and charities. Issues identified by the student body spanned a wide range of topics, from disaster relief including helping victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, basic needs such as food/clothing and shelter, assistance to animals, and health and human service needs.

During the school year, students also participate in service learning projects benefitting the local community. The Middle School children plan to prepare meals for families staying at the local Ronald McDonald House. Holly Glen students collected health care and hygiene items for donation to support people affected by this spring’s tornadoes and floods. Students at Oak Knoll will purchase basic supplies and assemble baskets for school families that are in need.

According to Hannah, a third grade student at Holly Glen Elementary School, “Penny Harvest helps people who have a lot going on and who cannot help themselves. I felt the money collected will help a lot of people. The Penny Harvest was fun because we had a lot of things to do like coming up with a play to introduce to the student body, collecting the pennies and voting on charities.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to introduce this program into our school”, stated Dana Mericle, Principal of the Williamstown Middle School. “The program’s emphasis on helping children explore the issues and programs within their community is a strong complement to our Caring Community character education program. Our students enthusiastically participated in this worthwhile program.

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