Community News

Jackson Man Busted By State Police with 100 Bags of Heroin

HAMILTON TWP-The New Jersey State Police have arrested Dario Jefferson, 28, of Jackson, N.J. and seized $300 worth of heroin.

On Monday, May 8, at 2:52 p.m., Trooper Keith Ashley stopped Jefferson for a traffic violation on eastbound Interstate 195 at milepost 3.1. in Hamilton Township. During the stop, Tpr. Ashley arrested Jefferson for DWI. After further investigation, Tpr. Ashley discovered that Jefferson was in possession of 100 bags of heroin.

Dario Jefferson was charged with possession of heroin, criminal under the influence and DWI. He was released pending a court appearance.

 

New Skate Park Opens in Berkeley Township

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP-Mayor Carmen Amato welcomed skateboarders in his town to enjoy the new skate park in Veterans Park.

“The skate park allows BMX riders, skateboarders, scooter riders and inline skaters to use it,” Amato said.  “The park is designed in phases, with a beginner’s course on one side, intermediate in the middle, and an advanced course on the other side.”

This will allow beginners to learn how to fully use the park.

As people get better, they can use the other parts of the park, which allows for a great flow for the riders. In addition, they can go from one part to another, all in one run.

The Skate Park is located by the playground at Veterans Park, 489 Forest Hills Parkway in Bayville.

The official Grand Opening will be held on Saturday, June 10th. Details will be announced soon, but the park is open now and is open daily until dusk.

 

Ortley Beach Lord House Station Rededicated

The Toms River Township council and mayor attended the Lord House re-dedication ceremony and plaque unveiling in Ortely Beach last Saturday.

“The Friends of Ortley Beach researched the history of the Ortley Inn and organized the event. Edie Segree and Barbara Biedenbach of the Lord family were in attendance,” the township said.

Originally established as the Ortley Inn in the late 1880’s, the Lord House was destroyed by fire in 1922. The Lord family purchased the rights to the business and built a single-family home. The Township acquired the land in the 1960’s and constructed a parking lot. The lifeguard station was added later.

Photo: Handout Photo/Toms River Township.

How Lakewood became a worldwide destination for Orthodox Jews | Di Ionno

It is Friday in Lakewood. A few thousand young men in black suits and wide-brimmed black hats are rushing toward Beth Medrash Govoha (BMG), the world’s largest yeshiva outside of Israel. Parking in the vicinity of the school is as impossible as finding a spot in Hoboken or Jersey City. Students circle in their Toyotas, Nissans…

Will Weather Clear for Toms River Food Festival?

TOMS RIVER-With heavy rains tonight through early morning, the weather might just cooperate for Saturday’s Toms River Food Festival.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid 60’s with just a 15% chance of rain throughout the day until later in the evening.  Showers are expected to pass through after 5pm.

The event will feature local food trucks, arts and craft vendors, free rides for children and live entertainment from 11am to 8pm.

In case the event is rained out, Sunday is planned as a rain date.  Visit the Food Festival page on Facebook for updates.

 

 

 

Six Flags unveils new twist on record-breaking ride (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

JACKSON – Imagine sitting on top of the world’s tallest and fastest drop ride, knowing that at any second you will plummet down 41 stories at speeds of up to 90 mph. Now add the fact that your eyes are covered and instead of being about to scope out the real world around you prior to…

140 Lakewood Teachers, Faculty Receive Rice notices

LAKEWOOD-The besieged Lakewood school district suffered another blow this week after 140 public teachers and faculty members received a Rice notice regarding their future employment in the district.

The story was reported on the Lakewood Scoop this morning.

Laura A. Winters, the district Superintendent sent the letter on Tuesday, stating the district will be holding a meeting at 6:30pm on Monday, May 8 and, “will discuss and may recommend action(s) which may be of interest to you.”

Teachers may opt for the meeting to be held in a public meeting.  Teachers were asked to sign the form and return it to the superintendent.

The district is facing a $15 million budget shortfall and may end up laying off at least 100 teachers according to previous reports.

RICE notices inform public employees of an impending meeting to discuss an worker’s employment.

 

Establishment Republicans in Toms River Launch Attack Against Primary Challenger Lamb

TOMS RIVER-A press release issued by the Toms River Republican Club, the political powerbrokers of the community, criticized fellow Republican opponent Justin Lamb, just days after Lamb thanked the town council for holding the line on taxes in 2017.

Lamb, an Ortley Beach resident and Lavallette police officer running against incumbent Maria Maruca in the June 6th Republican primary criticized the township council, calling the all-Republican council out for raising taxes in previous years, but backtracking on a 2017 hike after his open criticism.

The township council, in April submitted a new budget that lowered spending by nearly an additional $1,000,000 after Lamb’s criticism.

The township establishment Republicans grilled Lamb for only criticizing the municipal budget while  making no comment on a school board tax hike.

“Lamb pans the zero tax increase by the Republican Kelaher team, fails to criticize the HUGH[sic] tax increase levied by dem controlled BOE,” a statement issued by Toms River Republican Club Chairman Robert DiBiase read.  “Members of the Toms River Regular Republican Club are pushing back against political newcomer, Justin Lamb.”

Lamb responded quickly to the attack by the Republican power base.

“This unfounded criticism does not surprise me in the slightest,” Lamb said.  “Regardless of what a local club spokesman may opine, I have not slammed a zero percent municipal increase, rather I’ve questioned the township council’s leadership prior to my announcement and the tendency to react hastily to the challenging issues facing Toms River.”

“His candidacy is fundamentally questionable,” DiBiase said.  “I see no measure of credibility here, his actions so far seem intentioned only to help Democrats in November.”

Lamb responded to say the township Republicans, including the club chairman, who he noted is also employed by the township,  are trying to squash his right to legally challenge them in a Republican primary election this June.

“I find the attack on my eligibility to run for office, a right bestowed upon me through the United States Constitution, completely baseless,” he added.   “I’ll continue to focus on the real issues our community faces and not on personal attacks. I will keep driving the agenda going forward and hopefully, the so-called Republican establishment will continue following my lead on addressing these issues.”

Lamb, a Republican is running against incumbent Maria Maruca in the June 6th Republican primary for Toms River Township’s Ward 1 council seat.

 

 

 

Taxes Going Up…Jackson Council Votes to Exceed NJ 2% Budget Cap for 2017

JACKSON-Taxes in Jackson are on the rise again.

On April 11th, the township council approved an ordinance to raise taxes beyond the state’s annual 2% tax increase cap set forth by Governor Chris Christie.

The council voted 4-1 in favor of the tax increase in which the budget exceeds the 2% cap by $1,040,243, a total appropriations increase of 3%.

“The Township Council hereby determines that a 3.00% increase in the budget for said year, amounting to $1,040,283 in excess of the increase in final appropriations otherwise permitted by the Local Government Cap Law, is advisable and necessary,” the approved ordinance states.

Council members Scott Martin, Barry Calogero, Robert Nixon and Anne Updegrave voted in favor of exceeding the 2% tax cap.

Council President Ken Bressi rejected the Mayor’s request to exceed the cap and dissented with his fellow councilmembers, saying only, “no” when asked for his vote by township clerk Ann Marie Eden.

This year, the township will collect $155 million in taxes between the township, school board and fire companies, including $2.2 million for open space purchases, $31.8 million in municipal spending, representing an overall increase of nearly $1,000,000 for the municipal government.

According to the proposed budget, the 6 member mayor/council body will cost the township $175,603 for part time services including base pay, medical benefits and employment taxes.

Total personnel costs for the township will be $28,000,000 in 2017.

Township executives feeling under the weather in 2016?

In total, the township will pay out $2.9 million, or 10% of the total payroll for 2016, in compensated absence (sick pay) pay, including $34,500 to the Director of Public Works, $32,000 to the Chief Financial Officer and $27,000 to the chief of police.

According to the U.S. Census, The median income for a household in the township was $65,218, and the median income for a family was $71,045. Males had a median income of $51,276 versus$33,882 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,981.

Professional Expenses

Jackson’s legal campaign donors stand to make out big again in 2017, with $857,000 in payouts expected, an increase from $831,000 in 2016, an overall increase in legal costs for the year.  Professionals on the land use board and engineers also will see increases in 2017.

Code enforcement wages will increase from $287,000 to $305,000.

You can view the complete budget on the Jackson Township website, here.

 

 

 

 

Empanada Guy Headlines This Weekend's Food Truck Festival at Six Flags

JACKSON-Not officially, but fan favorite “Empanada Guy” is among the food trucks on the “not to miss” list at this weekend’s Food Truck Festival at Six Flags Great Adventure.

“This delicious festival provides a chance to fuel up between coasters. Guests can enjoy a variety of cuisines ranging from Cajun to Korean and Greek to Italian, plus sweets including waffles and shakes.” the company said in a statement today.

Fifteen trucks will be available from 12 to 7 p.m., and three award-winning New Jersey wineries will also be on hand from 1 to 5 p.m. for sampling and wine purchases.

Participating Food Trucks:                    

  • Cajun Jax BBQ – A taste of the old south with a Cajun twist
  • Chimney Cake Factory – Transylvanian oven-baked pastries
  • Empanada Guy – Gourmet Latin pastries and tapas
  • Gyros To Go – Custom made Greek-American food
  • Johnny’s Pork Roll – Pork roll sandwiches
  • My Four Suns – Authentic Korean fusion cuisine
  • Oink and Moo BBQ – American BBQ and Tex-Mex
  • Star of the Sea Seafood – Homemade, hand-prepped seafood
  • Suzie’s Rolling Wrappers – Gourmet, deep fried wrappers
  • Sweet Lavender – Simple, yet sophisticated desserts
  • The Flying Pie Guy – Hand held, savory Aussie pies
  • The Guac Spot – Artfully crafted, avocado-inspired tacos, sliders and desserts
  • The Little Sicilian – Specializing in many varieties of Sicilian riceballs
  • Waffle de Lys – Authentic Belgian waffles with a French twist
  • Five Sisters – Pub-style burgers and fat sandwiches

Wineries:

  • DiMatteo Vineyards
  • Villari Vineyards
  • Wagonhouse Winery