Vol. 23 - No. 34
In This Week’s Edition
THE BERKELEY
TIMES
jerseyshoreonline.com
Your FREE Weekly Hometown Newspaper For Bayville, Berkeley, Beachwood, Pine Beach, Ocean Gate and South Toms River
| January 27, 2018
When It Comes To Drugs, Students Told Berkeley To Save Community News!
#NotEvenOnce
Money When Borrowing
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The township’s bond rating improved, which means it stands to save money when borrowing for projects, officials said. All municipalities have bond ratings set by independent companies. Berkeley uses a company called Standard and Poor’s. This compa ny i mproved Berkeley’s rating from an A+ to an AA-, which is one step up the ladder. “Think of it as having a very good credit score, in the 700s, or close to 800,” said Fred Ebenau, the township’s chief fi nancial officer. He said the score puts the town on par with Fortune 500 companies. What this translates into is having a lower interest rate when
Don’t miss what’s happening in your town.
Pages 9-11.
Government Page 7.
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News
Mindfully Tackling Tinnitus
Page 14.
Dear Pharmacist Breast Implants May Be Linked To Lymphoma
Page 15.
Inside The Law
Injured At Work?! Know Your Rights To Critical Benefits
Page 17.
Business Directory Page 18.
Classifieds Page 19.
Fun Page Page 20.
Wolfgang Puck
Sunday Brunch Day! Cap Off Your Winter Weekends With Comforting Sourdough Waffles
Page 23.
Horoscope Page 23.
–Photos by Chris Lundy (Above) Interventionist Lee Platt speaks to Central Regional High School students about how to address their feelings. (Right) Joe Solack, a recovery coach, shares stories of his addiction to Central Regional High School students. By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The message was pretty clear: If you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, you need to talk to somebody. Talking to people and getting to know your feelings are ways to keep addiction from getting a hold
money is borrowed, he explained. Not only can the town borrow at a lower rate, but if an opportunity arises that a lower rate is available on money it already owes, it can pursue the lower rate. “Wall Street bond markets would want to lend money to us because they k now we’ll pay them back,” he said. The bond rating looks at a number of factors, including the tax rate, how much surplus is in the town’s coffers, and the total value of all real estate in town, he said. It had been a few years since Standard & Poor’s (S&P) had rated the township, he said. That last time, the township improved two steps from A- to A+. He expects that S&P (Money - See Page 5)
on you, said Lee Platt, a national interventionist and peer recovery specialist who was brought in to Central Regional High School for the #NotEvenOnce program. He said that most students are very responsive. They ask about how many times
Central Middle School To Offer Local Politicians Against Offshore Drilling “Premium Lunch”
By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY – Local politicians expressed their opposition to a draft plan to open almost all of the U.S. outer continental shelf to oil and gas exploration and drilling. Secretary of the In-
terior Ryan Zinke announced a Draft Proposed Program that initially included 47 potential lease sales to energy companies in 25 of the 26 planning areas – 19 sales off the coast of Alaska, 7 in the Pacific Region, 12 in the
(Students - See Page 4)
Gulf of Mexico, and 9 in the Atlantic Region. The Berkeley Township Council passed a resolution opposing offshore d r illing at their most recent meeting. Mayor Car men Amato noted the severe detriment to marine life
and the tourism industry if there is a spill. Local and federal elected officials representing the shore came out against this measure, sending press releases to media. “I absolutely a m (Drilling - See Page 5)
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The Central Regional Middle School will be offering a “premium lunch,” officials said at a recent Board of Education meeting. The normal lunch is $3, and the premium would be $3.50, Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides said. The difference is that the premium lunch would get name brand deli cuts with their package of a sandwich and chips, he said.
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