Times
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS, INC.
THE BERKELEY
Vol. 21 - No. 41
Inside This Week’s Edition
Business Directory................... 23 Classifieds................................ 21 Community News................. 8-13 Dear Joel.................................. 18 Dr. Izzy’s Sound News............. 16 Fun Page.................................. 22 Inside The Law......................... 25 Letters to the Editor.................... 6 Wolfgang................................. 27 WWW.MICROMEDIAPUBS.COM
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Thousands Turn Out For Ocean County St. Patrick’s Parade
–Photos by Shawn Smith The annual Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day parade marched down the center green stripe of Seaside Heights, featuring bands, groups and emergency response vehicles from throughout the county parading. Central Regional Golden Eagles Marching Band was among the participants. By Shawn Smith OCEAN COUNTY – Despite forecasters calling for a chance of rain, the 2016 Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights was all sunshine and smiles on March 12. Thousands of residents (and their pets) celebrated in green as the parade made its way down the Boulevard. After about an hour delay, as organizers waited for traffic to slow from visitors gridlocked coming over the Tunney-Mathis bridge, it was time for police, firefighters and emergency
services to blare their horns and sirens to kick off the parade around 1 p.m. The street was lined several people deep in some places, as others watched and waved from homes, hotels, and even the Bamboo Bar. As the trucks and marchers walked down the Boulevard, candy and giveaways were thrown to the crowd, as children of all ages eagerly chased down each lollipop and Tootsie Roll. Visitors to the barrier island dressed in green to celebrate, some even going so far as to dye (Parade - See Page 4)
Ocean County Budget Drops, But Tax Rate Up Slightly
By Daniel Nee OCEAN COUNTY – County government will reduce its budget in 2016, but the tax rate will rise less than a penny if a proposed budget is adopted by the Board of Chosen Freeholders. “This tax rate is still less than the tax rate was 12 years ago,” said Freeholder John C. Bartlett, who has spent decades shepherding the county’s annual spending plans. The 2016 budget, as proposed, is reduced by about $13 million from 2015, for a total
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this year of $399.9 million. The reduction, Bartlett said, is due to Superstorm Sandy aid and reimbursements either ending or having been completed. “It is very difficult to compare one year’s budget, now, from another year’s budget because we are still experiencing the effects of Superstorm Sandy,” Bartlett said. The county’s tax ratable base is still off about 14 percent due to properties that have yet to be repaired or rebuilt following the storm.
With the
Budget Changes In Law Enforcement In 2016, the county government faces costly new responsibilities, including the obligation to hire five new detectives at the prosecutor’s office and three new sheriff’s officers. That is primarily because of a state bail reform law that guarantees arrestees access to a bail determination within 48 hours of their arrest. This necessitates the hiring of additional staff to work full-time (Budget - See Page 24)
ALUMNI GAME TO KEEP FOOTBALL RIVALRY ALIVE
By Catherine Galioto BERKELEY – A high school football rivalry won’t be stopped by conference realignments. Alumni from the Lacey Lions and Central Regional Golden Eagles plan to strap on their pads and jerseys and give the communities what they’ve been missing – a football game between the two teams. Central Regional will host the alumni game at 6:30 p.m. June 4. Berkeley Mayor Carmen Amato said he has volunteered to coach. It’s full contact football with pads, just like those memories spent on the high school football field, the community cheering under Friday night lights. Players include greats from the teams’ (Football - See Page 19)
Police To Get New Body Cameras
By Catherine Galioto BERKELEY – Township police will use a grant and trade-ins to help fund $37,000 in body-worn cameras for all of its sergeants and patrol officers this year. The equipment helps replace the cameras officers have been using since 2012 with newer models, said Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele. Berkeley Township Council approved a grant application with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at its last council meet i ng, hopi ng to budget $37,0 0 0 for the equipment. Half would be paid through the grant, and half would be paid by the township. DiMichele said the township funds would come in part from trading in the older models of cameras officers are currently wearing. “We apply for a grant through the
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March 19, 2016
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