MANCHESTER, NJ – Former Manchester Township Mayor and current Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace today confirmed what Commissioner Frank Sadeghi said yesterday. Despite swirling rumers, Arace told residents in his hometown that there are no plans to allow their growing homeless camp in Toms River to set up camp in the woods of Manchester at this time.
Arace, one of the key sponsors in building a massive regional homeless shelter in Ocean County and approving a soup kitchen at the Ocean County library, told residents in his hometown of Manchester, not in HIS backyard.
Arace called homelessness a “quality of life issue” and promised to keep the homeless he’s been drawing into Ocean County out of Manchester.
“At no point in my time as Commissioner has there been any discussion at the County level about establishing a homeless shelter or encampment in Manchester Township. Manchester is not considered for any such facility, and any claims to the contrary are a fabrication,” Arace said. “I am proud of our work to preserve open space in Manchester and throughout Ocean County. As a former Mayor and now as Commissioner, I have made it a priority to protect our land and the quality of life for our residents. That commitment has not changed.”
Arace is one of the key supporters of the county’s downtown Toms River homeless encampment, which has taken over a deck of the parking garage adjacent to the Ocean County Library.
Shore News Network will have breaking news about the county’s homeless encampment on Thursday morning. Stay Tuned!
