Explorers promoted at ceremony
BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

MARLBORO - The members of Marlboro Police Explorers Post 105, a group of young people between the ages of 14 and 21 who are learning about law enforcement, were honored by their advisers with promotions and awards at the Township Council meeting on Jan. 25.

The advisers of the post are Marlboro Police Lt. Douglas Van Note, Patrolmen Steve Levy and Andrew Goldberg, and Cpl. Billy Nagle.

The Explorers can be seen assisting residents at township events, including concerts, the annual soccer tournament and Marlboro Day. They also accompany police officers on ride-alongs and assist with various calls.

Since its inception, the post has seen 32 Explorers go on to work in the field of law enforcement, including alumni who have joined the U.S. Secret Service, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the New York Police Department. There have been 11 Explorers who have joined the ranks as Marlboro police officers.

At the council meeting, three individuals were promoted from the position of Explorer to sergeant.

Ray Minarcik is a senior at Marlboro High School, an emergency medical technician and a member of the Marlboro First Aid Squad.

Mark Cosentino, a junior at Colts Neck High School, is a member of the National Honor Society and has appeared in several school plays.

James McCormick is a senior at Allentown High School, where he is a member of three varsity sports teams - football, wrestling and lacrosse.

Adam Levine, a sergeant with the Explorers, was promoted to the position of lieutenant. Levine is a senior at Marlboro High School, a student at the Monmouth County Vocational School District Law Enforcement Program and a member of the Robertsville Volunteer Fire Company, Marlboro.

Melissa Boege was also promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Boege, a senior at St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, is currently ranked in the top 5 percent of her graduating class. Boege is a graduate of three different Explorer academies and will be attending Seton Hall University in the fall.

Callen Figarola was promoted from lieutenant to the rank of captain. Figarola is a freshman at Rider University and is employed by the Marlboro Police Department as a part-time dispatcher.

Jeremy Drewry was promoted to chief and will oversee the other 24 Explorers on the post. Drewry is a member of the Freehold Fire Department, Freehold Borough, is a Class I police officer for the Long Branch Police Department and has served as a court officer in Marlboro.

Township Council President Jeff Cantor and the police advisers of the Explorers presented awards to several of the young adults who are involved in the program.

The first award was the Community Service Award, presented to Explorers who provided more than 75 hours of service to Marlboro. This award was presented to Explorer Matt Spadaro, 77 hours; McCormick, 79 hours; Levine, 83.5 hours; Boege, 88.5 hours; Figarola, 90.5 hours; Explorer Ronnie Osadacz, 96.5 hours; and Drewry, 101.5 hours.

The Cpl. Robert E. Tossie Sr. Explorer of the Year Award is presented to one Explorer who contributes an overall outstanding performance to the post and the community. This year the award was presented to Figarola, who attended 12 monthly meetings, compiled more than 90 community service hours and totaled 293 total hours, more than any other Explorer with the post.