Vol. 16 - No. 27
In This Week’s Edition
THE TOMS RIVER
TIMES
FOR BREAKING NEWS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
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Prosecutor’s Program Teaches Kids To Be “Unbreakable” Community News! Don’t miss what’s happening in your town.
Pages 10-12.
Letters Page 7.
Coloring Contest Page 20.
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Why Is Everyone Mumbling?
Page 16.
Dear Pharmacist In Praise Of Pumpkins And Pumpkin Seeds
Page 17.
Inside The Law Page 25.
Business Directory Page 21.
Classifieds Page 22.
By Kimberly Bosco TOMS RIVER – Masses of Toms River students and parents flocked to the RWJ Barnabas Health Arena on Nov. 15 to see celebrities, all hailing from New Jersey, grace the stage at the first ever “Unbreakable” Anti-Bullying Forum. One of many to come, this event was put on by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in an effort to raise awareness and educate local students on the issues around harassment and bullying through social media. “Harassment and bullying has escalated through social media –Photo by Kimberly Bosco over the years,” stated a press Richie Sambora performed with the Point Pleasant Borough High School Choir. (Unbreakable - See Page 8)
Open Space Lost In 2018 Election
By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY – In the weeks after the 2018 election, people are still taking stock of who are the winners and losers, and how that will shape the coming year. But there is one surprising loser in Ocean County. Two towns – Toms River and Beach Haven - had referendum questions that would increase open space, and both were rejected by voters. Toms River already has an open space tax of 1.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Voters approved this in 2000, with the first tax being collected in 2001. If the referendum had passed,
it would have doubled to 3 cents. Township officials had said that the town collects about $900,000 a year now, and this measure, if passed, would have doubled it. Residents who live in a home valued at around $300,000, which is roughly the township average, would have seen their open space tax increase from $45 to $90. Last year, Toms River had a similar question on the ballot asking people if they wanted more open space. There were 17,949 votes “yes” votes to 3,852 “no” votes. Specifically, it asked if the residents wanted to buy 250 acres
(Open Space - See Page 9)
| December 1, 2018
School Repair Referendum Set For Jan. 22 By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The Toms River School District will have a referendum for a package of about $100 million in capital improvements on Jan. 22. The money will be bonded, and paid off over a number of years, Superintendent David Healy said. It would be a cost of about $4-10 a month for the average home depending on what town they live in.
The referendum had been coming for a while. A firm was commissioned in 2013 to assess the needs of the district. As officials tallied work that needed to be done in the aging schools, that had been put off for too long, it became clear that a referendum was necessary. It had originally been in the neighborhood of $147 million. The projects need to be (School - See Page 6)
Local Stars Make University Champs
–Photo courtesy of Stockton University Kiersten Reszkowski, a former Freehold Township player, earned All-NJAC postseason honors in women’s soccer at Stockton University. By Chris Christopher The Monmouth University women’s soccer team enjoyed a stellar season, receiving contributions from five former local high school players.
The Hawks captured their third straight Metropolitan Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament crown and their sixth consecutive MAAC regular-season championship. The latter is a MAAC record.
(Champs - See Page 2)
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