Vol. 16 - No. 49
In This Week’s Edition
THE TOMS RIVER
TIMES
FOR BREAKING NEWS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Your FREE Weekly Hometown Newspaper For Toms River, Island Heights, Ortley Beach & Lavallette
| May 4, 2019
Festival Brings Nature Closer To Home Government Page 8.
Community News! Don’t miss what’s happening in your town.
Pages 10-15.
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News
Over-The-Counter Devices What You Should Know
Page 16.
Dear Pharmacist Don’t Get Pinned With Diseases You Don’t Have
Page 17.
Inside The Law Page 19.
Business Directory Page 22-23.
Classifieds Page 21.
Wolfgang Puck Page 27.
–Photos by Chris Lundy Left, Kamryn, Kassidy, and Kenzie Lovelady of Toms River identify skins of local animals at the Cattus Island Nature Festival. Right, Jessica Mannikus, 10, of Manchester, was teaching children about care of hamsters through 4-H with the help of Pancake and Cookie. Below, Kids were taught archery at a station down one of the trails. By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – You might be surprised at the diversity of plants and animals in Ocean County. They might not be in your back yard, depending on where you live, but deer, fox, and a lot more are in the wooded areas, and there were ways to learn about them at the Cattus Island Nature Festival. Centered around the
recently revived Coop e r Env i ron me nt al Center, the festival was a way for families to learn more about the world around them. Live animal demonstrat io n s c o m pl e mented the tanks of animals on display. Exhibits and games were set up to teach people
GOP Leader Steps Down
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The county chairman of the Republicans has tendered his resignation following convictions on charges related to tax evasion. George Gilmore, 70, of Toms River, was recently convicted of three charges related to tax evasion with his firm, Gilmore & Monahan. (GOP - See Page 7)
how to identify furs, shells, and other arti-
facts. Around the center were tables set up
for art projects. Local groups like the Potter Creek Crusaders or Master Gardeners had information booths. Wo o d w o r k e r s and other crafters sold their wares. Outdoor activities such as archery and seining were organized. So was kayaking, but it was
a little too windy that day so that event was cancelled. The 4-H organization had a few young people showing the animals they cared for, hoping to teach people how to take care of hamsters and rabbits because they make really good pets. For 39 years, the festival has provided people with an appreciation (Festival - See Page 4)
TR Schools Challenge To Funding Cuts Gaining Strength
By Chris Lundy TR ENTON – For months, Toms River residents have been asking what the rationale is for declining state aid to the school district. Now, the Senate members making the decisions are asking, too.
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Toms River school officials and students descended upon Trenton during a Senate Budget Com m it t e e Hearing to protest the cuts in aid. As it stands now, the district will lose approximately $83 million in state aid over
the next six years, including $2.8 million in the 2019-2020 budget. Senate President Steve Sweeney has said that districts like Toms River were overfunded, and with declining enrollment, they don’t need as much aid.
Immediate reinstatement of the aid is only the first step. The entire funding formula is flawed, district officials assert, and has been for some time. The district is urging lawmakers for a joint legislative (Schools - See Page 4)
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