Random Thoughts On A Summer Friday

Random thoughts and notes heading into the final weekend of July:


The drowning death this week of a 9-year old Morris County girl in a hotel pool while on vacation in Seaside Heights is a stark reminder in just a matter of minutes a tragedy like this can occur. What makes it so shocking is that girl’s mother was at the pool and did not even realize the child had sunk to the bottom.

In recent years women have made progress when it comes to careers in law enforcement and further proof of that will come Monday morning when Karin DiMichele is sworn in as the Chief of Police in Berkeley Township. The 40-year old will not only be the first female police chief in township history but the first to hold the spot of “top cop” with any police department in Ocean County. A lifelong Berkeley resident and Central Regional High School graduate, DiMichele will be one of just 5 women to hold the rank of police chief in New Jersey when she succeeds the retired John Weinlein. Her husband Thomas is a police officer in Toms River and the couple has twin 6-year old daughters.

Sunday’s running of the $1 million Resorts Casino-Hotel Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park may not have the type of anticipation of recent years but it still brings together two of the three Triple Crown winners. “Shackleford”, winner of the Preakness Stakes is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the field of 8 while Belmont Stakes winner “Ruler On Ice” is co-third choice at 4-1. Ruler On Ice is based at Monmouth Park as is stable mate “Pants On Fire”, who is also 4-1…both horses are trained by Kelly Breen of Farmingdale. Sunday’s race will be televised live during a one-hour broadcast on ABC from 5-6pm.

Toms River’s Todd Frazier made his third start with the Cincinnati Reds Thursday, going 1-3 with a double and two runs scored in a loss to the Mets. The 25-year old has played both third and first base since being called up from the minor leagues a week ago and is looking more and more comfortable at the plate with each opportunity. The big question is how long he’ll stay with the Reds as he’s up because of an injury to Scott Rolen. Bottom line is this…if Todd hits they’ll find a place for him.