Community News

What's Going There? Jersey Paddler, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Pathmark, Foodtown in Brick

BRICK-There is mixed news today regarding the future of several high profile commercial properties in Brick Township that have been vacant, courtesy of Mayor John Ducey during his Tuesday evening Facebook Live discussion with residents.

In 2016, after 50 years in business, the Jersey Paddler closed its doors at their Route 88 location, near the intersection of Route 70 and the old Laurelton Circle.

Mayor John Ducey said there although there has been plenty of talk around town about the future of the Jersey Paddler site, but nothing concrete yet.   He said plans for a hotel and other such projects never materialized.

“The former owners still own the property and they’re looking to sell,” Ducey said. “A new business will be there. It’s zoned commercial so it will be some type of commercial use.”

As far as the former Jo-Ann Fabrics and Craft store at the intersection of Jack Martin Boulevard and Route 88 there will be a new business moving in soon, At Home Recreation.

At Home Recreation is a store similar to the old Branch Brook Pools business which sells above ground pools, hot tubs, patio sets, outdoor kitchens and pool tables.

They have 4 locations in New Jersey including East Brunswick, Ocean, Manahawkin and Hazlet. The Brick location will be their 5th store.

Ducey said the store sells seasonal products all year long.

“It’s a really awesome addition to Brick Township,” Ducey said. “It’s really exciting for the town.”

As for the old Pathmark plaza, Ducey said he is unsure of which stores are moving in, but said he was told by the owners that two food store chains are in negotiations with the owners and that the owners of the property definitely want to put food stores in the space.  He did not have the names of those food stores.

Moving on to the old Foodtown site on Route 88, Ducey said the land is still tied up in the courts and will soon be heard in trial after he rejected a proposal to build a condo complex  that had been approved by the prior administration.  The township is being sued by M&M developers over the future use of the parcel.

Ducey reiterated that although the town does not have anything to do with the negotiations between landlords and tenants, as mayor, he is often privy to what the owners of the properties let him know about their future tenants.

Photo: Jersey Paddler Google Maps/Google Earth.

No Relief in Sight for Brick Flooding Problem

BRICK-A resident concerned over the frequent roadway flooding problems at Jack Martin Boulevard and Burrsville Road in Brick asked Mayor John Ducey if he will be addressing this matter in the near future with the Ocean County engineer.

Ducey said that not only will he be asking for remediation, but he has asked several times in the past for it.

“We have that meeting usually in February,” the mayor said. “That’s always on our list every year and we get the same response every year and it’s not a good response.”

Ducey said the county engineers are waiting for a developer to develop the triangle property that lies at the intersection of Route 88, Jack Martin Boulevard and Burrsville Road.

Ducey said there was a proposal to build a Marriott hotel but fell through.  The county expects the developer of that land to pay for the repairs of the flood prone intersection.

“The county’s plan is to wait until it’s developed,” Ducey said.  “Then it’s off their pocket book and onto the developer’s pocketbook, but I’ll still make the request and see if the answer is the same this year.”

Ducey did not say whether or not past plans to develop the property had failed based on the county’s requirement for the expensive civil engineering project attached to the property.

Images by Google Earth/Google Maps.

Ocean County Beach Replenishment Project Awarded to Weeks Marine

by Debra Hoover, NJDEP

TRENTON-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, working in partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, has awarded a contract to construct long-awaited engineered beaches and dunes for the northern Ocean County peninsula, one of the areas hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy, Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

The Army Corps awarded a base contract of $92 million to Cranford-based Weeks Marine to conduct the first phase of construction. The total contract amount is expected to reach about $128 million as work progresses to additional areas of the peninsula where the state is continuing to work to secure access easements from property owners.

The overall project will cover some 14 miles of coastline along the Barnegat Peninsula and will protect the communities of Bay Head, Berkeley, Brick, Lavallette, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and Toms River.

This is the last major stretch of beaches in New Jersey to be awarded a contract for construction of engineered systems of beaches and dunes. These systems are proven to protect lives, property and infrastructure, a major goal of the Christie Administration in the aftermath of Sandy.

“We are very pleased that this crucial project is moving forward,” Commissioner Martin said. “When completed, all of New Jersey’s coastal communities will be afforded the level of protection that comes with beach and dune systems that meet Army Corps’ engineering standards. The Christie Administration has remained steadfast – even in the face of challenges from some property owners over providing easements – in its commitment to building a full coastal system of engineered beaches that, in addition to providing protection, are vital to the state’s economy and identity.”

Work will begin in the spring and will progress in 1,000-foot sections to minimize impacts to residents and visitors.

“This represents one of the largest beach-fill contracts in the history of the United States Army Corps of Engineers,” said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Col. Michael Bliss. “The engineered dune and berm system will serve the vital purposes of reducing risk and helping to protect people and property.”

The Barnegat Peninsula was hit especially hard when Sandy slammed the state in October 2012. The ocean breached the peninsula in Mantoloking. Record storm surge caused significant damage to Brick, Lavallette. Mantoloking, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and the Ortley Beach section of Toms River. Homes, businesses, piers, boardwalks and infrastructure – including State Route 35 – were destroyed or severely damaged.

These areas did not have properly engineered beached and dunes when Sandy hit. Engineered beaches and dunes block and absorb the impact of storm surge, mitigating property damage.

A key component of the project is the construction of dunes and beaches along a four-mile stretch of sea wall in Mantoloking and Brick that the DEP teamed up with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to build as added protection for Route 35. This is the main artery and coastal evacuation route through a particularly vulnerable stretch of the peninsula that was severely damaged during Sandy.

This highway, since reconstructed to modern design standards with extensive flood controls, was the scene of a major breach at the Mantoloking Bridge during Sandy. The four-mile-long protective wall is comprised of steel sheet pilings driven deep into the sand that will serve as emergency backup protection, with the beach and dune system providing primary protection to the roadway.

Work will begin with beach and dune construction in southern Mantoloking, as well as all of Lavallette, Toms River, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. Work in Bay Head, Berkeley, northern Mantoloking and Point Pleasant Beach will begin after all necessary easements have been obtained.

A total of 545 easements are needed for the project. An easement is a legal right of access to private or municipally owned property the Army Corps and DEP need to perform construction. Nearly 350 easements – or 64 percent – had been provided voluntarily. The state also obtained 54 additional easements through condemnation proceedings under the Eminent Domain Act and is pursuing additional condemnation proceedings.

“The Governor and I are grateful to the majority of property owners who voluntarily provided their easements because they recognize that this is the right thing to do for their neighbors and their communities,” Commissioner Martin said.

Over the course of the project, some 11 million cubic yards of sand will be pumped from offshore to build dunes and beaches. For most of the project area, dunes will be built 22 feet above sea level. Beaches will be constructed from 100 feet to 300 feet wide and 8.5 feet above sea level. The project area will receive periodic replenishment projects over the course of 50 years to replace sand lost through normal erosion.

The federal government will be paying for 65 percent of the project using money approved under the 2013 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, which funds projects that Congress had previously authorized but had not been completed by the time Sandy hit in October 2012. New Jersey will pay for 35 percent of the project from the state’s Shore Protection Fund.

Jackson Township's Meet the Mayor returns in January

Meet the Mayor Sessions are returning on Monday, January 30th at 7pm. These sessions take place in the Main Meeting Room at the Municipal Building located at 95 West Veterans Highway and are open to the Public. These gatherings allow the Mayor to hear what the residents are thinking and strengthens the connection between the residents and the Township officials/ employees. Mark your calendars…. these meetings take place on the last Monday of each month unless other stated.

Mayor Reina looks forward to seeing / meeting each of you.

What's happening at vacant storefronts in Brick Plaza

https://www.facebook.com/BrickTwpNJGovernment/videos/10158009369670046/

Shortly after filing for bankruptcy in the spring of 2016, Sports Authority closed its Brick Township location which has remained vacant since.  Months before, in 2015, the plaza also lost A&P supermarket after the chain was sold to Acme.

While no new tenants have signed on as of yet for the Sports Authority site, the A&P store DSW shoes and an Ulta makeup store occupy portions of the old supermarket site.   Brick Mayor John Ducey said the owners of the plaza were not interested in replacing A&P with a new supermarket, instead intend to break up the space into smaller retail outlets.

As for Sports Authority, Ducey said no new tenants have been announced, but the owners intend to split the Sports Authority space into as many as three separate rentable units. Ducey said the decline of large box stores was an influence in that decision.

Mayor Ducey announced these items during his last Facebook live event. He will be hosting another live town meeting on Wednesday at 6pm on the Brick Township Facebook page.

 

 

New program offers drug addicts help and rehabilitation before life choices lead to arrest; death

by Al DellaFave, OCPO

TOMS RIVER-Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Brick Police Chief James Riccio and Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker today announced the first of its kind law enforcement addiction help program in New Jersey. The “Heroin Addiction Response Program” (HARP) will allow substance abusers to turn themselves and their product in at either of the above participating police headquarters, to go to addiction services providers for treatment evaluation without any threat of charges or jail.

This week, Brick and Manchester PDs will begin this innovative initiative by partnering with Preferred Behavioral Health in Lakewood and Integrity House in Toms River to pilot the HARP program. Initially, the two departments and their health providers will make the life changing option available two days a week. Those fighting addiction, regardless of their residency, can go to Manchester Police Department on Wednesday or Brick Police Department on Thursday to seek immediate critical help in fighting drug addiction.

The program is the latest initiative on the heels of Narcan and the Recovery Coach Program to offer substantial diversion help in order to reduce the impact of heroin and opiate abuse in our community, while encouraging those who suffer from addiction to seek help and experience recovery. Prosecutor Coronato stated, “It is my mandate that Ocean County Law Enforcement treat all those suffering from addiction with compassion, care, and concern while providing resources to assist in their recovery. This is another valuable partnership with Health Providers that is a substantial addition to support our three prong approach in combatting the opiate epidemic thru – Education/prevention, Enforcement and Treatment.

The premise of the program is simple – any person who voluntarily enters the two participating agencies and requests help with addiction to heroin or opiates or any substance shall be immediately screened for potential participation in HARP. Although HARP is primarily designed to apply to persons who present themselves at the station, an officer who encounters a person outside the police station believing they would benefit from HARP has the discretion, based upon their training and experience, to the bring an individual to the police station if the person consents to the voluntary screening process. The officer/shift supervisor, upon completion of the HARP screening process shall provide transportation for the participant to the designated provider as soon as reasonably possible.

Prosecutor Coronato concluded by saying, “It’s the generous commitment of Behavioral Health and Integrity House, along with Brick and Manchester PD’s pro-active community outreach that makes this all possible. It is the hope of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office to ellicit other local law enforcement/health provider partnerships in the next several months to expand the program across Ocean County”.

Attacks on Eric Trump Charity Only Hurting Sick Children

WASHINGTON, January 8, 2016 – President Elect Donald Trump and his guilty-by-association family have been under intense scrutiny by the left and the mainstream media. Trump’s charitable foundation was under the magnifying glass when GuideStar, a nonprofit information center, recently released a 2015 tax filing from the foundation showing that the New York-based nonprofit checked “yes”…

Short Wave Radio Poles at Good Luck Point Coming Down After 80 Years

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP — It’s a curious spectacle well known to fishermen, boaters and sightseers along Barnegat Bay for more than 80 years but soon it will be just a memory. A field of hundreds of wooden poles that stood jutting out of more than 200 acres of marshland know as Good Luck Point off Berkeley Township…

An Amazing Shot of the Hindenburg Flying over Downtown Toms River?

We’re not sure of the origin of the photo, but it’s too great not to share.  Published to the Facebook group, “You know you’re from Toms River if…“,  the “purportedly” photo shows the Hindenburg flying over Downtown Toms River.  On May 6, 1937, just minutes before it arrived in Lakehurst it met its demise as we all know.

But, is this even an picture of the Hindenburg?  Chances are…no.  It appears to be a Macon class airship operated by the U.S. Navy which operated from the base.

First, it doesn’t look like the Hindenburg and there the German airship’s trademark swastikas are missing, instead, the tail fins have the United States vertical red white and blue stripes.   Second, there were two airships in service at the time, the Macon and the Akron.  I cannot be 100% verified which one this was.  Both looked nearly identical and both

The Akron (ZRS-4) launched on August 8, 1931 and crashed off the coast of New Jersey on April 4, 1933.    The Macon (ZRS-5) launched on March 11, 1933 and crashed on February 12, 1935.

While the photo is an amazing shot of downtown Toms River, it’s definitely not the Hindenburg, but we wanted to share it anyway.

The photo gives a clear show of Main Street, possibly from the First National Bank building, facing north towards Washington Street.

 

 

Dem. Council Prez to Elderly Female Trump Voter: We don't want to know who you voted for

BRICK-Greenbriar senior community resident Anne Coll came to the December 20th Brick Township council meeting with season’s greetings, but wanted to let the township know she was upset about how the township conducts their public meetings.

Blue Brick – Pictured top right. Brick township is the only “all-blue” town in Ocean County where Democrats have complete control of the township council and school board budgets. A resident raised concerns over how the local Democrats are conducting business in Ocean County’s only blue town. The only other publicly elected Democrat officials in Ocean County serve in a minority capacity in Little Egg Harbor, Lakewood and Mantoloking.

Coll said she was upset over how the council often loads the consent agenda with important and sometimes critical financial and business decisions.    Under the law, consent agendas are usually used for approval of routine and mundane items that can be packaged into a single agenda item vote for convenience.

Typically towns use consent agendas to approve proclamations, approval of minutes, tax refunds, grant approvals and other housekeeping type items.

Towns in Ocean County typically draft resolutions for large ticket items such as expensive half-million dollar liquor license sales.

The all Democrat board in Brick routinely pushes controversial and big budget items into their consent agenda, including $1.7 million in budget transfers in November and December of 2016 in order to pass the items in one vote, without a public comment period for each resolution or item being voted on.

Coll said she has had enough of how the all Democrat council operates.

“You see before you, an elderly, white woman who is extremely angry,” Mrs. Coll told the council. “That’s not why I did vote for Trump…”

Coll was quickly interrupted by Brick Township Council President Paul Mummolo.

“No, no…this is a consent agenda…We don’t want to know who you voted for, just please get to your question,” Mummolo said to Coll.

“I’m not going to settle for the use of the consent agenda for every item that should be discussed without having to be pulled,” Coll said to the council.  “I’m going to start taking the appropriate action and notifying the appropriate people that you don’t follow the laws and orders of the state.”

After asking the council who pays for employee health benefits, Mummolo asked Coll if that was her only question and that he would answer all questions at once. After Coll objected, advising him that her elderly state of mind cannot operate like that,Mummolo said, “Well, it’s going to work that way anyway.”

“Oh, it is?” she asked. “That’s very nice.”

Coll told Mummolo that he has no right to limit her time, referring to the council’s buzzer that goes off during public comment portions of the meeting, notifying residents their speaking time has expired.

“So, please ask your questions,” he added.

After a brief dialog, Coll’s timer expired.

“Are you done?” Mummolo asked?

“You don’t have the right to time me,” she responded.

“I do have a right to time you,” Mummolo said. “You can sit down and get right back up.”

Coll debated with township attorney Kevin Starkey over the definition of public comments, claiming her statements were not comments, but a request for information she felt should have been provided the town during the council discussion of the consent agenda.

She threatened to make a formal complaint.

“And it won’t be with the township. That’s a ridiculous notion that the township will police itself,” she added.

 

 

 

 

 

Cabin built out of Brick Airport Logs Recognized by Historic Preservation Commission

Location of the Brick (Osbornville) airport circa 1945.

Christine Schiess, chairwoman of the Brick Township Historic Preservation Commission presented the 2016 Historic Preservation award at the December 20th township council meeting.

Each year, the commission honors a structure in the township that has remained true to its original construction.   The award was presented to Glen Campbell owners of a Kingfisher Cove log cabin.

Campbell calls his home ‘Serendipity’.   The home was built in 1942 out of logs that were cleared from the construction of the Ocean County Airport (sometimes called the Osbornville airport) which was once located in Osbornville.  An addition was built on the home in 1947, also using airport logs.  Many log cabins in the area were built from logs of trees cut down for the airfield, but according to Schiess, most have been remodeled or demolished.

Vicari named Freeholder Director; Kelly, Haines sworn in

TOMS RIVER-On Wednesday, Joe Vicari became the 2017 Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders Director while Jack Kelly and Virginia Haines were sworn in again after winning their November election.

“I have said it many times, Ocean County is the premiere County,” said Haines who was sworn into her first three-year term on the Board. “We have the best county park system, library system, educational opportunities at Ocean County College and the list goes on and on.

Vicari noted there is a number of priorities for 2017 that will be addressed include providing the best programs possible for the county’s growing senior population, lobbying for important transportation projects and improvements and promoting more business development and tourism for Ocean County.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to provide quality services and programs to our residents, in keeping the County affordable and to make certain Ocean County continues to be the great place it is to live, work, visit, raise a family and retire,” Vicari said.

Gerry Little was named Deputy Director of the 5 member board.

 

A law enforcement problem families can fix

Last year the Kansas City (Kansas) Police Department lost two officers, both slain by gunmen. Today, Police Chief Robert McClarty says the fatalities have significantly impacted recruitment efforts. “It has limited our number of applicants,” he told The Hays Daily News on Tuesday. “I believe it has also made people question more whether they want to…

Rare Whale Beached at Island Beach State Park

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP — A rare whale washed up dead along a section of the northern Ocean County barrier island, marine mammal rescue officials said Wednesday. Staff from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine were called out last week to retrieve the Blainesville’s beaked whale that washed up on Island Beach State Park, said Bob Schoelkopf,…

Fact Checking Tomi Lahren: Are Cattle Being Jam Packed into Ships and Imported to American Shelves Without Consumers Knowing?

Where does American beef come from? Most of us think we get those steaks on the kitchen table from the pristine American outback ranges in states like Texas, Nebraska and Kansas.  On Tuesday, conservative voice Tomi Lahren told us a tale of American cattle ranchers being pushed out by beef supplies from overseas in her feature entitled, “Make the American Table Great Again”.

In her final thought, she spoke out for the American cattle rancher, who have been slammed by a 2015 bill pushed down the throats of the American public by the World Trade Organization.

“Cowboys and cattlemen have never had it easy, these last two years have been brutal” Lahren said. “The cost to operate has gone up, but the cost of cattle has gone down, alot.”

She noted this was due to Congress repealing the COOL (Country of Origin Labeling) on meat products, allowing other nations to import and sell their products alongside homegrown beef, and without letting the consumer know where it was coming from.

For a few years, manufacturers were required to stamp the country of origin on packages of meat and pork products, but the World Trade Organization complained, saying the U.S. law unfairly targeted international beef suppliers.  In 2015, President Obama signed the $1.5 trillion omnibus bill, which effectively also repealed the COOL laws.

Lahren said beef today comes from South America, Canada, Japan and others, no longer just from the American rancher.

To learn more about cattle ships, visit the ESDAW, the European Society of Dog and Animal Welfare’s page. Click on this image to visit or go to http://www.esdaw.eu/animal-ocean-transportation.html.

“That means your beef is transported in crates for God only knows how long,” she said. “Animal lovers, live cattle are smashed into shipping containers and shipped to this country to be slaughtered for a discount.”

“Would you have a family eat out of a dumpster, not knowing what’s on your table?” she asked. “Then why in the hell would you put foreign sketchy beef on your table?”

“Every American has the right to know where their beef is coming from,” She added.  “If you want to eat that foreign crap, go for it.”

But, is she right? Are cattle jam packed into ships on long voyages enroute to the United States?   It’s something many people don’t think about, but that’s exactly how it happens…and it isn’t a pleasant sight.

In October of 2015, a cattle ship in Brazil sunk in port, sending 5,000 cows into the water to die.  The scene was caught on video and gives you a glimpse into how cattle are shipped from overseas.

A year before, one of the world’s largest cattle carrying ships burned in Australia, also while docked, but was luckily empty of cattle.

In conclusion, Lahren is right.  For over a year, Americans have been in the dark about where their beef and pork comes from as the USDA and even your local grocery store is not allowed by law, to report your meat’s country of origin.

On the Sixth Day of Chanukah, Jackson Celebrated

by Linda Selznik

JACKSON-On the sixth night of Chanukah, hundreds of residents, of all generations, braving a light but warm winter rain, were greeted by Honey and Bob Greenberg in the lobby of town hall, and enjoyed kosher jelly donuts, chocolate gelt, beverages, and spinning dreidles.

The Festival of Chanukah is celebrated for eight days. It commemorates the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem, following the victory of a small band of Jewish Maccabees over their mighty oppressors.  Only one pure vial of oil remained, miraculously burning for eight days, until it could be replenished.  Hanukkah reminds us of the universal message of freedom from tyranny and the timeless belief that miracles are possible.

In the main meeting room, Helene Schlegel, Township Business Administrator, Sean Gertner, Township attorney for the Zoning Board, and members of the Board of Education Tom Colucci, Vicky Grasso, Scott Sargent, were introduced.

Rabbi Jan Rosenberg of Beth Zion Messianic Synagogue, Howell, and President of the Jackson Clergy Association was introduced again, with several of his congregants.

Linda Selznick, co-Chair, read a certificate of thankfulness, “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace… Where there is darkness, light“…written by Bat Shalom Hadassah, and presented to Mayor Michael Reina and the Township Council, in appreciation of their kind permission, and the unending assistance of the Department of Public Works with the Menorah Lighting.

Rabbi Emeritus Michael Klein and Annie Klein, of Congregation Ahavat Olam, Howell, New Jersey, shared “the true message of Chanukah, the right for people to believe as they choose, without coercion or fear.”

The Very Reverend Father John Bambrick, pastor of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, stated the need “…to be people of encounter, accompaniment, and dialogue and to walk with one another and our neighbors.  May we reject the aimless paths of disagreement and closed-mindedness and work to build bridges of understanding, harmony and peace among people of all faiths.”

Chabad Rabbi Philip Lefkowtz, a newly welcomed resident of Westlake, accompanied by his grandson Eli, shared: “…there is a growing awareness in the US of the diversity of beliefs, however many people are not sure how to be inclusive of others. Today, it’s about using a time to be with friends and family to build understanding and awareness about others no matter what each person believes.  Real unity in diversity is the new America.”

 

New Jersey State Senator Sam Thompson and Assemblyman Robert Clifton joined us again, reading a beautifully expressed ceremonial Joint Resolution to the President of Bat Shalom Hadassah, conveying the message of religious freedom in our beloved country.

Director Priscilla Baker and Master of Ceremonies Albert Vrancart led the vibrant chorus of the Four Seasons of Metedeconk Lakes, joining us for the first time, sharing the spirit of Chanukah through their beautifully presented songs, with unique introductions.

Drew Staffenberg, newly appointed Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, stated that:  “in lighting the Chanukah Menorah, I hope that the lights of each candle will shine brightly for the entire year and challenge each of us to work together for peace and freedom for all.”

Ellen Keller, President of Bat Shalom Hadassah, addressed all gathered, proclaiming: “May all of our deeds continue to bring shared hope, light and healing to the many lives which we, in Bat Shalom Hadassah, are blessed to reach.”

We were blessed with a clearing sunset, as we then assembled on the lawn, to witness the Menorah Lighting, officially conducted by Rabbi Yosef Carlebach, Official Chabad lighting founder, and Executive Director of the Chabad of South and Central New Jersey.

Representatives of Bat Shalom Hadassah, the Yiddish Clubs of Westlake, Winding Ways, Metedeconk and South Knolls, and Jewish community leaders were honored by lighting a ceremonial chimney candle, as Rabbi Yosef Carlebach chanted the blessing of the candles and proclaimed: “This ancient miracle has lifted all of us, throughout the ages, out of the world of darkness, to ever increasing light and holiness.”

Rabbi Schmuel and Musi Naparstek, Co-Directors of the newly established Chabad of Jackson, shared, with their two young daughters:  “No matter how many candles are lit from one candle, the original candle does not lose any light.  Brightening up the lives of others with goodness and kindness will never take away from our own inner light; it will only enhance our lives”.

Cantor Emeritus Neil ben Isvy of Marlboro Jewish Center, concluded the lighting of the candles of the Hanukkah Menorah by introducing and leading the singing of Maoz Tzur, (Rock of Ages), a beautiful song of thankfulnes for our redemption.

Linda Selznick, Co-Chairwoman with Honey Greenberg, Bat Shalom Hadassah

11th Official Menorah Lighting of December 29, 2016, Jackson Township, New Jersey

Toms River Seeking Public Input on 2016 CDBG Grant

The Township of Toms River is now accepting applications for CDBG funding for 2017 and will seek public input and host a public meeting January 17, 2017 at 6:00pm in the L. Manuel Hirshborlond Meeting Room located on the 2nd floor of the Toms River Municipal Complex, 33 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ.

Applications for FY 2017 funding will be distributed and questions concerning the application process will be answered. All non-profits and Toms River Township public members are welcome to apply.

Applications are available on the town website tomsrivertownship.com. Individuals requiring special assistance/or translation assistance should contact Kim Bauer at 732-341-1000 ext. 8351.

Today's Daily Dose: January 3, 2017

250 Earthquakes reported on New Year’s Eve near California-Mexico border

More than 250 small earthquakes have struck since New Year’s Eve near the California-Mexico border, causing unease among residents and attention from scientists.

 

Western Dress is Blame for Rapes

Over in India, a politician blamed a New Year’s Eve mass molestation on western style dress. Reacting to the incident, G Parameshwara, Karnataka’s state home minister, blamed the victims for dressing in Western clothing.  “They try to copy westerners not only in mindset, but even the dressing … some girls are harassed, these kind of things do happen.”

Big headed Rosie O’Donnell calls Donald Trump mentally unstable

The new year may be off to a fresh start, but actress Rosie O’Donnell still going at it with her offensive tweets about President-elect Donald Trump.  It looks like she’s back on Twitter after going incognito after being schooled on making fun of autistic children.

Nancy Pelosi: Dismantling Obamacare is cowardice

America’s least favorite talking bobblehead who wields absolutely no power in the country still voices an opinion.  “You break it, you own it,” Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said of Obamacare.   Pst, Nancy, it’s already broken.

8 new laws in NJ may be affecting you already

New tax breaks, a slight bump in the minimum wage and an opportunity for adopted people to obtain their original birth certificates await New Jerseyans as a plethora of high-impact laws take effect in 2017.

Iran received more than $10 billion in cash and gold

Iran has received more than $10 billion in sanctions relief from around the world in the form of cash and gold in the past three years, since it signed a preliminary nuclear deal with world powers, The Wall Street Journal has revealed.

Mariah Carey blames others for not knowing words to her songs on NYE

Mariah Carey’s team insist that she was sabotaged for ratings on Sunday night’s New Year’s Eve performance.

And now for the most pirated movie of 2016….

2016 wasn’t just a great year for movies, it was also a good year for illegal downloads. According to TorrentFreak, the most pirated movie of last year was none other than…

Some bedtime rituals that could help you lose weight

Between the kids, the laundry, the dust, and all the emails (and everything else) we haven’t answered, Americans appear lucky to sneak in a good six hours of sleep each night.

 

New Jersey Could Soon Require Background Checks for In-Home Day Care Providers

by Phil Stilton

TRENTON-Those running family day care centers out of their homes in New Jersey may soon be subjected to federal background checks if a law moving through the state assembly reaches the desk of Governor Christie and he signs it.

The New Jersey Assembly wrote today:

All family day care providers would be required to undergo state and federal background checks under bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Pennacchio and Shirley Turner and approved by the New Jersey Senate.

Under current law, prospective and current providers only have to undergo a child abuse registry check administered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF.) They are not, however, required to undergo standard state and federal criminal history record background checks.

“It is impossible to know how many child abusers are slipping through the cracks in the system without subjecting every day care employee to a criminal background check,” Senator Pennacchio (R-26) said. “Clearly, a child abuse record check is not sufficient enough to prevent predators from accessing our children. An innocent child who is cared for by a handful of people in a private residence is no less deserving of the State’s protection.”

A “family day care” is defined as a private residence in which child care services are provided for a fee to between three and five children at a time, for no less than 15 hours per week.

S-651 would mandate that all current and prospective family day care providers, as well as anyone who works at the day care, also submit to criminal background checks. 11 states currently have this law in place.

Under the bill, the New Jersey State Police would be required to notify DCF in the event that a current or prospective family day care provider is convicted of a crime or offense in this state after the background check has been performed. Additionally, anyone who refuses to submit to a background check would be denied an issuance or renewal certificate of registration as a family day care provider. Senator Pennacchio’s legislation is currently awaiting action in the Assembly.

“We cannot guarantee our children’s safety until we correct this unequitable, dangerous oversight in state law,” Senator Pennacchio added. “I thank Senator Turner for her leadership on this bill and I urge my colleagues in the Assembly to take up our cause as soon as possible.”

Bill to Protect Consumers from Post Disaster Price Gouging Passes Assembly

by Phil Stilton

TRENTON-After Superstorm Sandy, allegations over price gouging on items ranging from food to emergency essentials was prevalent around the county by unscrupulous business owners trying to cash in on the disaster.

If a bill passed by the assembly is signed into law by Governor Chris Christie, it was place a prohibition on post-disaster price gouging.

“The protections we put in place will deter businesses from taking advantage of consumers during a natural disaster by spiking prices for necessities, such as gasoline and groceries,” Senator Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) said. “This bill will ensure business won’t be put at a disadvantage because of the inflexibility of the current protocol, and still protect consumers from price gouging tactics that threaten their welfare and safety.”

The legislation, S-2321, amends existing law to provide that it would be unlawful for any person to sell any product at an excessive price for a 30-day period following the declaration of a state of emergency. It also allows for the Governor to extend the period during which the price gouging prohibition remains in force.

Under current law, excessive price increases are prohibited for a period that extends to 30 days after the termination of a state of emergency. An “excessive price” is defined as more than 10 percent above the price of the item or service as offered immediately before the state of emergency.

“Every disaster is different, and a rigid, 30-day period might not work for every one of them,” Senator Oroho said. “We need to tailor these protections to fit each unique situation that arises. I think this will help us strike a balance between protecting consumers during a natural disaster and supporting businesses once the emergency is over.”

Jackson K-9 Valor Charity Helps Fire Department After Thief Stole Christmas Tree Funds

by Phil Stilton

SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS-This weekend, a thief walked off with $1,000 of Christmas Tree sales raised through a tree sale fundraiser by the Independent Fire Company.  Today, there has been an outpouring of support all along the Jersey Shore for the firefighters.

“We have been the victim of a real life grinch,” the fire company said Saturday morning when they found out their cash register had been stolen.

This morning, Sue DesMarais and Jennifer Gallagher visited the Independent Fire Company and donated $500 to them from money the charity raised last month at a Jackson Township fundraiser held at Cornerstone Kitchen and Tap.

DesMarais is a former police officer and has been the victim of two home fires said she read the story and felt compelled to make the donation.

” I read that the someone stole $1000.00 dollars from the Independent Fire Company in Spring Lakes Christmas Tree Fundraiser. So Jennifer Gallagher and I went down there with a $500.00 donation from K-9 Valor Task Force.”

She said she was interviewed by Channel 7 News, New York and spoke about her own ordeal where firefighters rescued her pets from her burning home in Jackson.

“I’m sorry this happened, I like to pay things forward,” she said.

“Any donations can be either mailed to Independent Fire Co #1 at 700 6th Ave, spring lake heights NJ 07762. Or can be directly dropped off at our station,” the department said to those who have offered support on their Facebook page.

Berkeley Island Park Begins Rebuilding After Being Damaged During Sandy

by Phil Stilton

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP-More than four years after being critically damaged by Superstorm Sandy, the Berkeley Island County Park is finally being rebuilt. In November, the county announced a $6.9 million construction contract was approved by the Board of Chosen Freeholders. 

“To say we are excited about the bid award and ground breaking would be an understatement,” said Mayor Carmen Amato. “Berkeley Island County Park is enjoyed by so many Berkeley residents and we can’t wait for construction to begin.”

The park has been closed since Sandy, but the new plans unveiled to the community highlighted new amenities, including the first Ocean County run splash park for children.

“We have also added a unique and new feature sure to make children happy especially in the warm weather,” said Ocean County Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “Berkeley Island County Park will be home to the county’s first splash park.”

Bartlett said he traveled to Philadelphia to see firsthand how the splash pad operates and whether it would be a good fit for an Ocean County park.    Bartlett said if the 2,300 square foot, nautically themed splash park is successful at Berkeley Island, Ocean County may consider installing them at other county parks.

“I want to thank the Ocean County Freeholders for providing the investment to not only repair, but to rebuild the entire park. In our early discussions with Freeholder Bartlett, a splash park was discussed, which we were very supportive of having,” Amato added. “We are extremely pleased that the Freeholders did include the splash park. Prior to Superstorm Sandy, Berkeley Island Park was showing its age. I’m looking forward to it’s opening very soon!”

The Freeholders on Nov. 2 awarded a contract for the park redevelopment project to Eagle Construction, of Burlington, in the amount of $6.9 million.

Ocean County expects about $1.2 million reimbursement for the work from the Federal Emergency Management Administration and about $200,000 from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Additional funding may be provided by FEMA from mitigation funds.

Engineers from T&M Associates and Barlo & Associates designed the park redevelopment and buildings, strengthening them to withstand future storms.

A living shoreline will be installed on the south side of the park, and shoreline protection has been fitted on the north side. All new infrastructures, a new parking area with ADA accommodations and improved lighting for easy access are just some of the features that improve the function, aesthetics and recreational opportunities available at this 25 acre park.

Governor Christie: Public Notice Bill Archaic System that Costs Taxpayers $80 Million Annually

by Phil Stilton

TRENTON-Last week, the New Jersey legislature once again tried to get a common sense tax savings bill through the defenses of the dishonest and greedy New Jersey media and newspaper legal and lobbying firewall.

According to our initial estimate, just tallying municipalities, we lost count after $20 million dollars.    Today, Governor Christie estimated the overall total including state agencies, county agencies, utility authorities and school boards could be well over $80 million per year.

That is the system in place that requires government entities to publish paid public notices in New Jersey’s print newspapers.

The newspapers have been viciously firing back at the Governor and threatening legislators in editorials to not pass the bill to take away the taxpayer money that keeps their industry afloat.

“On Thursday, the Legislature advanced a commonsense piece of legislation that was first proposed in 2004 and will reform the archaic practice of requiring taxpayers and private businesses to pay for costly legal notices in print newspapers,” Christie said.  “The legislation provides the option of posting notices online and citizens will be allowed to take advantage of modern technologies that are already in use by the vast majority of the people in our State.”

It also saves money the Governor added.  Money that could go for other much needed projects, not a lifeline to an industry that has failed to adapt to the modern technological society.

“The current unfunded mandate that is being addressed by this legislation costs New Jersey taxpayers and private citizens more than $80 million per year,” Christie said. “That is $80 million annually from property taxpayers, including those facing the nightmare of foreclosure.”

According to Christie, the taxpayers and citizens of New Jersey can no longer afford this arrangement and thanks to technology, they don’t have to.

Christie said the law right now adds an additional $910 on families facing foreclosures by the requirement to post multiple notices.

“The New Jersey Press Association proposes increasing those charges,” he pointed out.  “As a result, required legal notices earned newspapers approximately $14 million for the 12-month period ending in October 2016. And these costs were borne by the 15,764 financially distressed people who had just suffered a foreclosure of their home in that time period. This is simply unacceptable.”

As part of a “concession” offered by the NJPA and its members, the papers offered to slash prices for government entities but increase rates for those posting foreclosure notices and applying for building permits.  It is nothing but an additional corporate tax and tax on the middle class.

“Today, there are more than 65,000 foreclosures currently pending in New Jersey,” Christie said. “That’s $59 million in potential revenue going to private media outlets that can instead be saved by citizens experiencing a foreclosure. Giving them a choice to post online at no cost helps them prevent losing what little equity they may have left or sinking them further into debt.”

Christie continued:

For government entities, hundreds of millions of dollars of future resources to be spent on required legal notices could now be made available for public schools and other municipal and county services rather than on an outmoded method which has been supplanted for the majority of New Jerseyans by the Internet.

The NJ Press Association has acknowledged the inescapable truth — newspapers have a vested interest in seeing this reform movement fail, and it is why they are making baseless charges to support taxing homeowners and bilking those subject to foreclosure unnecessarily.

For years newspapers have enjoyed a statutorily-protected monopoly on the publication of a vast array of legal notices. Monopolies are always bad for our economy and, in this case, awfully expensive for our citizens.

The facts are clear: nearly 90 percent of New Jersey households have an internet connection and 100 percent of the state’s public libraries provide free internet access to their more than 43 million annual visitors. Only 22 percent of New Jerseyans buy a print newspaper. This reform will bring New Jersey government directly to the people, who primarily spend their time online accessing information — for free. According to a Pew Research Center study from this summer, 81 percent of adults get their news from online sources or through mobile devices.

Contrary to the flailing assertions of the NJ Press Association, there will be no lack of transparency and no harm to the public as a result of this reform. These are merely scare tactics by their paid Trenton lobbyists designed to protect the interests of newspaper companies who argue for a free press, but are really arguing for a taxpayer funded subsidy in disguise. This bill, and their fight over it, unmasks their greed. In fact, their true disinterest in transparency and the public’s access to information through a free press — not to mention their undeniable hypocrisy — are fully displayed by the fact that this op-ed was refused publication. I was therefore left with no choice but to disseminate this opinion myself, which will no doubt be read by a vast majority of the population online.

The truth is this reform legislation maintains the requirement for local governments to provide advance public notice for matters such as meetings, agendas, bid requests and contract awards, while also establishing the requirements for public websites to ensure ease of access for the public. Government entities and individuals would still be able to fulfill notice obligations, but what would no longer be mandatory is the requirement of publishing an exorbitantly expensive notice in a newspaper.

Although the NJ Press Association insists that this reform bill will result in an overwhelming burden for municipal staff, they intentionally ignore the basic facts. Most importantly, they ignore the fact that this legislation is optional. If municipal clerks can’t manage to transfer the text of a legal notice and post it on their website, they are not required to change their process. However, 532 of the 565 municipalities in New Jersey already maintain websites that provide public notices and information — adding the legal notices that are currently published in newspapers will not be a major leap.

The New Jersey Association of Counties, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and the New Jersey School Boards Association all support this bill. The only group raising alarms on behalf of municipalities is the NJ Press Association.

In 2004, when a nearly identical bill was proposed, Assemblyman Wisniewski, then-Assemblyman (now Senator) Gordon, and then-Assemblywoman (now Senator) Weinberg voted for it. Yet now they have the chutzpah to turn their backs on the taxpayers they serve in order to further their misguided political agenda.

We must update and modernize the public notification responsibilities of local government so that residents are fully informed and we eliminate the outrageous cost for the taxpayers of New Jersey. It will permit a greater number of citizens access to government. The NJ Press Association’s attempts to hang on to an antiquated, self-serving, money making statutory scheme is shameful. The Constitution guarantees a free press, not a government-subsidized one.

That is why I support this bill, and all taxpayers who don’t have Trenton lobbyists arguing for government-ordered profit for them, should as well.

Council to Township: Remember Veterans During the Holiday Season

by Phil Stilton

JACKSON-The Jackson Township council took time during their final meeting before the holidays to remind residents to keep America’s warriors in their thoughts.

“This holiday season, they will be out in the cold, away from their families defending our rights and freedoms to keep our community a wonderful place to live,” Council President Rob Nixon said.

Ken Bressi, the only veteran on the council, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Marine Corps reminded the public of the sacrifices made by Americans killed in battle and their gold star families who live on without them.

“It’s the holiday season, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, whatever it is,” Councilman Ken Bressi said.  “We celebrate Memorial Day, but Gold Star families celebrate every holiday as a memorial day.  Think of all the veterans who gave supreme sacrifices, all veterans who have served us in the past and all our armed forces out there today, keeping our freedoms as they are and sustaining them, also to our first responders who enable us to life safely with these freedoms.”

Bressi said that although Americans celebrate the holidays differently, it’s important to remember the inherent freedoms that allow us to celebrate the holidays as we see fit.

“Always remember during these holidays, no matter what it is, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, whatever it may be, we have the freedom to celebrate the one we want in this country due to our veterans, our armed forces.  I want you to take a moment at every holiday to remember that.”

“Think about our gold star families, who every holiday, every day, it’s memorial day,” Bressi added.

The meeting was recorded in its entirety and published to YouTube.  Photo: YouTube. Video capture of Jackson Council Meeting. 

 

Jackson Township Residents Vote in First Annual JTOWN Magazine "People's Choice Awards"

by Phil Stilton

JACKSON-Over 1,200 readers voted in November in the inaugural JTOWN Magazine “People’s Choice Awards”.

Over 40 individuals, businesses and charities were nominated by the public in our online Facebook page, Jackson,NJ (Over 5,400 members). Of those 40, four were chosen by our readers.
After Maureen Olsen lost her son Chase Ryan to cancer, she become devoted to supporting childhood cancer charities and awareness around Jackson. She started the Chase Ryan Olsen Foundation in memory of her son.

She was the driving force behind Jackson’s “Paint the Town Gold” initiative that has raised awareness of childhood cancer in the township exponentially. Sports teams across Jackson wear gold ribbons, shoe laces, socks to raise money for cancer based charities and to keep the memory of those children the township has lost alive.
Mayor Michael Reina has served as Jackson’s mayor for 8 years and has been one of the town’s most liked mayors in recent history. Reina has been open in his support of everything that is Jackson from veterans to childhood illness awareness to youth sports programs. Reina is a fixture at many community events and has been a hands on mayor when it comes to being part of the community since before he took office.

Reina and his wife Laura take the efforts of charities such as the Chase Ryan Olsen Foundation personally as their own granddaughter Angelina has been battling childhood cancer for several years.

Farley’s Ice Cream was chosen as business of the year. Owner John Burnetsky is a long time community supporter, president of the Jackson Liberty Band Association and a member of the Jackson School Board.

The James Volpe Foundation is another foundation that had its start after a tragedy. After Jackson Memorial student James Volpe died in a car crash, his father Anthony, mother Christine and brother Justin, along with family and friends began raising money in James’ name to support James’ most passionate interest, youth sports and baseball. The foundation raises money to help sports teams and has donated a driving simulator to promote safe driving among students learning to drive in the school. The foundation helps fund sports equipment for volunteer and school teams and assists under privileged athletes pay for sports fees when needed.

The poll was conducted by JTOWN Magazine and the Shore News Network. The poll application software was managed by Code Rubik, Inc. a third party application developer based out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Racial and Religious Tensions Escalate to Violence Around New Jersey Jewish Orthodox Enclave

LAKEWOOD-Over the past year, racial and religious tensions between Lakewood’s predominantly Orthodox Jewish population and residents in surrounding towns have escalated, culminating in violence for the first time this week.

As Lakewood Township runs out of open space to build sufficient housing for its exploding Orthodox population, community leaders last year encouraged Orthodox Jewish families in Lakewood and Brooklyn to consider moving beyond the borders of Lakewood.   Rabbi Schmuel Lefkowitz advised at a conference of Agudath Israel of America that land investors and families looking to join the population boom in Lakewood, to invest in properties and buy homes in the surrounding towns of Jackson, Brick, Howell and Toms River.

Over the next few months, gold fever struck realtors and land prospectors, now referred to as “Schtick [little] Pioneers” by Lefkowitz.   Realtors from from agencies that cater to the Orthodox population went fast and furious, relentlessly knocking on doors, buying foreclosures and open land in those neighboring towns.    Many residents in those towns complained about realtors knocking on their doors for days on end, asking them to sell them home.    Jackson Township Councilman Rob Nixon said those real estate buyers were engaging in “panic peddling“.

Eventually the towns of Toms River, Jackson and Brick established no-knock registries as a quality of life control measure to regulate the volume of real estate door knocking.  Toms River went as far as a complete ban on real estate soliciting in some neighborhoods bordering Lakewood.  Most residents supported the measure.  Realtors would now have to list the neighborhoods they wanted to canvass.

Facebook pages popped up just as quickly as for sale signs in neighboring towns.  Jackson Strong, Toms River Strong and others, where angry residents could communicate their frustrations with each other and talk about their now changing communities as homes in their neighborhoods were being purchased at a high rate by Orthodox families, many seeking to escape their urban lifestyles in Lakewood and New York City, others, hiding behind LLC’s, purchasing homes and land as rental investment properties.

For decades, the five communities, co-existed peacefully.  Since the middle of the twentieth century, Lakewood has been home to the Beth Medrash Govoha yeshiva and has since grown into one of the largest Orthodox Jewish population centers outside of Israel.   Most still coexist peacefully.

In the 2000 census, Lakewood, a mixed community with a large Hispanic and African American population, was home to 60,000 people.

Fifteen years later, that population has nearly doubled to 100,000 making it the most populous town in Ocean County. The increase was mostly in the Orthodox Jewish demographic, causing a near overload and failure in the Lakewood public school system, which is now overseen by a state monitor in an attempt prevent a complete collapse.

Tensions between Lakewood’s Orthodox and non-Orthodox neighbors continue to escalate.

In 2016, residents in Toms River and Jackson complained after Lakewood Shomrim (An Orthodox founded community security force), called the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch (LCSW) was accused of patrolling neighborhoods in those towns.    In Jackson, Mayor Michael Reina and the township ordered police Chief Matthew Kunz to advise the LCSW to not patrol their town.  Toms River followed suit, ordering an immediate cease and desist.

The orders resulted in then Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson to testify that LCSW does not patrol outside of Lakewood, despite several of photographs submitted by residents showing LCSW operating in Jackson and Toms River.  Lawson criticized the elected officials for their meddling saying they are politicians just worried about their political careers.   Lawson was not showing his cards though.  A month later, he retired from the Lakewood Police Department and was immediately hired to be the head of security at the BMG Yeshiva.

Chief Kunz in Jackson, according to an Asbury Park Press report defied local leaders and endorsed LCSW on the department’s Facebook page, prompting a disapproval response from Reina.

Coupled with aggressive real estate tactics and aggressive home buying by Orthodox families and what many perceive as an encroachment into their communities, the Jackson Township municipal council requested the State of New Jersey to investigate possible blockbusting in Jackson.  That request was denied by the state.

On social media residents in both communities have verbally battled, humiliated and mocked each other.

Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher called the growth of Orthodox Jewish families in his town, an invasion.  Lakewood Mayor Manashe Miller, a member of the Orthodox community demanded an apology by his Republican peer.  That was back in March.  Kelaher has yet to issue a formal apology.  Instead the 83 year old mayor and former U.S. Marine Corps  Reserve officer denied that his comment was anti-Semitic and said he maintains a good relationship with his Jewish residents.

Neither side is innocent in the back and forth.

Toms River Police earlier this year took issue with false reports claimed in Lakewood newspapers which misrepresented facts found by investigating officers in a possible bias crime incident.
On Purim, many Lakewood children dressed in redneck garb, wearing Jackson Strong shirts.      Many Orthodox on Lakewood websites and social media pages openly criticize residents of Jackson, referring to the community as ‘ignorant’ and ‘rednecks’.

Lakewood residents have openly called for Department of Justice investigations into what is described as “pure anti-Semitism” at Jackson Township council meetings.

An outreach meeting between mayors of Jackson, Howell, Lakewood and Manchester yielded no relief or plan to resolve the differences and problems that face those communities.

This past winter, a Jewish male made headlines when he paid a homeless man to pour a cup of hot coffee on his head.

Parks in Toms River and Howell have been defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti.

Police in all of the towns surrounding Lakewood aggressively investigated those crimes, some leading to charges.

This week, however, things began turning violent.

A woman in Howell has been accused of assaulting a young male in front of the local Wal-Mart.

In Lakewood, a black man from Jackson, Elijah Chandler was driving his vehicle in Lakewood when he was struck by an Orthodox man who he said ran a red light.   The Lakewood Orthodox population, like many others in New Jersey is notorious for bad driving etiquette and disregard for other drivers.    Leaders in the Orthodox community have said on several occasions this pattern of driving is attributed to the large number of former city dwellers who are not yet familiar with Ocean County’s open roads and high speed limits.

A second photo of Chandler was published to social media.
A photo of Chandler laying on the ground after police arrived was posted to social media.

After the crash, Chandler exited his car, and according to witnesses, pulled the man from his car and engaged in a verbal argument with him and several other Orthodox men who had descended upon the crash site.

Chandler yelled bias slurs at the men, “Go back to your own country, you kike.”    One man off camera shouted, “Get out of here, coon!” to Chandler. A video of the incident can be found on Facebook.

He was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offenses including bias crime, assault and harassment.

Lakewood Police did not say whether charges were filed against the offending driver or the man who rebutted Chandler’s hate speech with his own verbal racial assault.

As the tensions rise, few, if any religious or political leaders from Lakewood and surrounding towns have offered solutions on how to curb the rising tensions, which this week have escalated to violent acts and will most likely continue as the situation on the ground heats up here in “Four Towns”.

 

That No-Knock Ordinance is Our Only Hope…No, There was Another

Records obtained from Jackson Township show that Jackson’s new no-knock ordinance removed several components of the original 1995 ordinance that regulated peddling and door-to-door solicitation in the township that are now being requested by township residents.

In particular, the requirement of township issued identification and criminal background checks have been removed from the new ordinance, after being the law for the pasts 30 years.

Back in 1995, to combat the persistent door-to-door peddling the township council then enacted an ordinance to license and regulate peddlers, vendors and solicitors in residential neighborhoods.

That ordinance required solicitors to go through a vigorous registration process that required them to pay a $100 fee to the township and submit a more detailed application.

Applicants had to provide in writing each individual solicitor’s name and address, a physical description of the applicant, the applicant’s places of residents for the past 5 year period, a complete description of the services offered, complete description of the vehicles to be used including the make, model, color and license plate, the same as the amended ordinance passed in 2015.

Additionally the applicant had to certify that they had never been denied a peddler’s license and that if they did, their license had never been revoked.

Unlike the new ordinance,  a criminal background check was also part of the process.

All solicitors were required to provide the township proof of a New Jersey license and an insurance policy that included damages to property and persons, including death.  That policy should cover $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident.

A township issued ID card was to be worn by all solicitors, visible to residents while they scoured the neighborhoods.

Under the old ordinance, the peddler’s license could be revoked by the township in the event of fraud, public nuisance or if the township felt the vendor’s activities were a risk to public health and safety.

Soliciting was permitted only between the hours of 7am and 9pm.    Violations under the old ordinance were capped at a $500 fine and up to 90 days in prison.

Fast forward 30 years to 2015.

A new ordinance enacted by the township council was passed to address the new concerns of aggressive real estate buyers and rumors of religious blockbusting and bullying tactics by those realtors.

In that new ordinance, there were no requirements for criminal background checks and the township no longer required solicitors to wear the township issued ID badge.

Similarly, both ordinances require the names and addresses of the solicitors, their past 5 years of residence, past denials, insurance and business license.

The new ordinance forces the applicant to narrow down their target area by street and further limits the hours to 10-6pm Monday through Saturday and 12-2pm on Sunday.

The 1995 ordinance specifically declared that it superceded any previous similar ordinance, but the 2015 ordinance does not specify, but township administrator Helene Schlegel said the new ordinance supersedes the 1995 ordinance.

While the amended ordinance added language to address blockbusting, a no-knock registry and attempted to curb unethical real-estate practices, it did effectively dropped the requirement for criminal background checks and the requirement of township issued identification cards to be worn by those approved to solicit in the town’s neighborhoods.

At the last township council meeting, Councilman Rob Nixon requested the township attorney to look into adding language for criminal background checks.

The next township council meeting is scheduled for tonight, discussion of the no-knock ordinance, nor amendments to the ordinance have been proposed.

 

 

Poll: 86.9% of Residents Approve of Toms River's Cease and Desist Order Against Realtors

In an online poll by the Shore News Network with 770 readers, 86.9%  of our readers said they approve of the performance of Toms River Mayor Tom Kelaher and the township council’s cease and desist order against residential soliciting by real estate agents in the North Dover section of town.

11.3% of those polled said the council’s decision did not change their views of the mayor and council in any way, but just 1.9% disagreed with the action and expressed disapproval in the poll.

Toms River residents have been pressuring the township council since late 2015 to take action against what they feel are overly aggressive real estate tactics, mostly in the North Dover section.

Last Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to ban real estate soliciting in portions of North Dover, bordering Lakewood Township.

A few days later, Toms River police reported they had charged a man for trespassing in an abandoned and foreclosed home.  The man entered the house illegally, but claimed he was a potential buyer and was acting upon the guidance of a realtor in Lakewood.

Toms River police, unable to corroborate the man’s story, issued  Israel Feldbrand, of Lakewood a summons for trespassing.

Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher stated, “The arrest of Mr. Feldbrand is further proof of the type of conduct taking place in Toms River by unscrupulous individuals and realtors. This type of behavior will not be tolerated and is added justification for the cease and desist ordinance unanimously approved by the Township Council.”

“This is the kind of behavior our residents have repeatedly complained about which is the reason the cease and desist ordinance was enacted,” council president Brian Kubiel said. “Residents should remain vigilant about the safety and security of their residences and report any suspicious activity to the Police.”

Photo by Lakewood Scoop.

Toms River Chabad Hearing Set for April 14th Zoning Board Meeting

The Toms River Township zoning board announced a new date for the next hearing on the controversial Chabad Jewish Center variance.

The application for Chabad Jewish Center of Toms River, 2001 Church Road, Block 394, Lot 17, for a Use Variance and Minor Site Plan has been carried to a Special Meeting on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at the Auditorium at Toms River High School North at 7:30 p.m. per the attorney’s request. New notice is required and the applicant will waive time limitations on the Use Variance until one day beyond the hearing date.

Flu on the uptick in parts of N.J.

If you’ve managed to avoid flu this year, don’t pat yourself on the back just yet: New Jersey’s flu season started later than usual, and is just now beginning to crank up. Luckily, this year’s version of the flu vaccine turns out to be a pretty good match for the strains that have appeared, federal health…

Interactive Map: More Than 20 Percent of NJ Residents Were Born Outside U.S.

The steady stream of immigrants settling in New Jersey has led to a rise in the percentage of residents who are foreign-born and is almost negating any loss of New Jerseyans moving to other states, U.S. Census data shows. New Jersey had 1.9 million residents who had immigrated to the United States, according to the 2014…

Mayor Gotto: Howell Township Municipal Alliance Making A Difference in the Lives of Our Citizens

 

HOWELL-Formed in 1989 for the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco use among Howell Township youth, the Howell Township Municipal Alliance (HTMA) addressed the township council at Monday nights’ town meeting to tell the council and township of their efforts.

HTMA co-chairs Christa Riddle and Howell Township Police Officer Michael  Pavlick were in attendance at the meeting.

The HTMA partners with the township, police department and school district and coordinates a united township effort when it comes to youth prevention related issues in Howell.

“The biggest goal for this year to get out into the community a lot more.    Many people don’t know what the alliance is.  I wasn’t quite sure until I got involved,” Pavlick said.  “We’re going to try to get to as many youth events as we can and try to talk to the kids about the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse and other topics we have.”

Pavlick said that you can expect to find HTMA volunteers this year at youth sporting events and invited members of the community to join the alliance and volunteer to help or provide ideas on how they can better serve and connect with the community.

“We’re always looking for volunteers,” he said.

“We’re for the prevention of substance abuse, suicide, bullying and anything prevention to protect the youth of our town,” Riddle said.   “We do a lot of prevention programs through schools, the town, police and mayor and hope to see you at our events.”

“Over the last couple of years, I have had the pleasure of working with Christa and Mike,” Gotto said. “I wanted to thank them for everything you do.”  Gotto said the partnership between the township, the police department and the HTMA has allowed the township to connect to the community and deliver prevention focused public service announcements.  He also said the HTMA partnership with the police department and township has allowed the town to find new ways to secure funding and grants for prevention initiatives.

“You’re really making a difference in the lives of our citizens,” Gotto addded. “Thank you.”

The HTMA publishes the Prevention Press newsletter six times annually.  Prevention Press updates the community about the activities of the HTMA and offers prevention advice and news.   It is distributed through the schools and current and past editions are available online.

“The leadership in this town has always taken an active role in prevention, and recent events have made us more aware that additional work is still needed,” Gotto wrote in the January edition of the Prevention Press.  “We work closely with Chief Kudrick and the task force created within the police department so we hear first-hand what is really going on in our community regarding substance abuse.  This allows us to collaborate with the Howell Alliance to implement effective prevention strategies specifically aimed at the problems we face as a community. There is no cookie-cutter solution that works in every town. Every municipality has its own dynamic due to location and demographics.”

You can learn more about the HTMA or read the latest edition of Prevention Press online.

Mayor Gotto Recognizes Howell Girls Basketball Champions

HOWELL-Howell Township mayor William Gotto and the township council recognized the Howell Hawks U11 travel basketball team for their 2015-16  Mid-Monmouth County Championship.

“It’s always a pleasure for us to reward and recognize people who have amazing accomplishments in the township especially when we get young boys and girls to go out and compete and represent Howell in a fantastic and positive way,” Gotto said.  “We recognize them for their hard work and team spirit and their positive influence they’ve had on the township.”

Coach Mike Greene thanked Gotto and the council.

“We’ve been here three years in a row, two years losing  by a basket, this year by winning a point,” Greene said.  “These kids are so inspirational to me for what they do every day. I’m very proud of them.”

The girls finished their season with a 15-1 record.

“These kids are simply the best,” Greene added. “They really are.”

Manchester Police Searching for Missing 24 Year Old Woman

The Manchester Township Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing township woman, Amanda Picard, who was last seen on February 5, 2016, at her grandmother’s residence in Holiday City, Berkeley.

She was dropped off by her parents at her grandmother’s home for the weekend on February 5th and has not been seen since. She does not have an active license or own a vehicle and there is no possible destination information available. Furthermore, she left the residence without her cell phone. Ms. Picard is described as a 24-year-old white female, 5’7” tall, 130 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair.

If anyone has any information concerning the whereabouts of Amanda Picard, or has had any form of communication with her, please contact the Manchester Township Police Dispatch immediately at 732-657-6111 or Detective Rich Jupinka at 732-657-2009, ext. 4206. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.Manchesterpolicenj.com. Tips may also be submitted through private Facebook message. Any help the public can provide in locating this individual is greatly appreciated.

Toms River to Set New Date for Chabad Hearing

On Thursday, the Toms River zoning board will announce a new date for the hearing of the application for the Chabad Jewish Center of Toms River.  The controversial application involving a Jewish community center’s variance has caused the township to move meetings to the auditorium at Toms River High School North.    After canceling the February 18th meeting, the board is scheduled to meet tonight, but will not hear testimony on the Chabad application.

Tonight’s regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 7:30 pm in the L. Manuel Hirshblond Room, Town Hall, 33 Washington Street, Toms River, New Jersey. It will be listed on the agenda for rescheduling purposes only.