TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River Township Democrat Terrance Turnbach made a passionate claim Tuesday night to build a homeless shelter in town. Turnbach said he urges the Ocean County Board of Freeholders to move forward on building a shelter for people with substance abuse issues and facing homelessness. Turnbach expressed his passion and commitment to the homeless of Ocean County, a compelling argument for his vision to become reality.
His commitment to helping those in need has not gone without criticism from those who don’t share his passion.
Turnbach has faced sharp criticism from residents of Toms River over his desire to build a large homeless facility saying their opposition only motivates him, saying, “I will get it done…no matter what they say about me.”
Turnbach said he has one ally on the Board of Freeholders, Gary Quinn, a Lacey Township resident. Both Quinn and Turnbach are up for re-election in 2021.
“This idea that this is only a necessity from November through March because it’s cold misses the point, completely misses the point. These people don’t want the problems they have. The homeless are not faceless, they’re human beings,” Turnbach said.
“I hear the people who are opposed to it, I read the social media. I see the comments. Turnbach can go build that in his backyard. You don’t know Turnbach, because Turnbach would build it in his backyard,” he said.
Turnbach, an attorney, lives in the Cranoor Manor section of town, one of the township’s wealthiest communities along the Toms River waterfront. Turnbach said he wants to see the shelter in “his backyard” in the Cranmoor Manor region.
Councilwoman Maria Maruca agreed with Turnbach’s plea for a homeless shelter…perhaps on the beachfront in Ortley Beach in the newly acquired parking lot across from the Surf Club?