The BERKELEY Times Vol. 26 - No. 42
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
County Fair, Concerts, And More Set To Return
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Page 10-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 18
Dear Joel Page 18
Inside The Law Page 21
April 3, 2021
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
−Photo courtesy Berkeley Recreation A photo from backstage at the Wanted DOA concert on August 21, 2019 gives an idea of what the Sounds of Summer look like. By Chris Lundy township’s facilities. cancelled last year as state regBERKELEY – After a year of The word “tentative” was used ulations prevented the large cancelled events, a glimmer of a lot. These events were all ap- annual event. hope is shining. proved with the understanding It is cu r rently scheduled Plans are being made for a that the coronavirus pandemic for July 14 -18, at its usual variety of recreational events could spike and cause the state location: the Robert J. Miller t h i s s p r i n g a n d s u m m e r. to shut down large, outdoor Airpark in Berkeley. Du r ing a recent Tow nship gatherings again. The fair will have a ride venCou ncil meeting, off icials State safety precautions will be dor, concert schedule, food, agreed to certain events. The followed at all these events. entertainment, and more. Details township doesn’t run all of about the line-up will be pubthe following events, but they Ocean County Fair lished as the event draws closer. (Fair - See Page 4) have to approve the use of the The Ocean County Fair was
More Allowed To Get Vaccine, If They Can Find It
By Chris Lundy NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy has expanded the list of people who are allowed to get a COVID-19 vaccine, while all local clinics are already booked solid. The demand for vaccines has always outpaced the number of vaccines available. Initially, only those in the health care field and those living in long term care facilities were eligible. The governor announced that on Monday, April 5, the following groups will be able to be vaccinated: • Individuals ages 55-64; • Individuals ages 16 and up with intellectual and developmental disabilities; • Educators, including support staff, in higher education settings; • Communications infrastructure support, including engineers, and technicians, and members of the press; • Real estate, building, and home service workers, including construction workers, code officials, plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, property management, and maintenance workers; • Retail financial institution workers, including bank tellers, lending services, public accounting, and check-cashing workers; • Sanitation workers providing disinfection and janitorial services, city sanitation workers; residential, commercial, and industrial solid and hazardous waste removal workers; • Laundry service workers, including those working in laundromats, laundry services, (Vaccine - See Page 4)
School Supporters “Blitz” Lawmakers
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – In the latest effort to generate support for school districts losing state aid, a “blitz” of emails, phone calls, and other communications were issued – all on one day to show solidarity. Previously, district officials have gathered supporters for press conferences and marches on Trenton. In the days of COVID-19, things have to be done differently.
Residents were asked to call or email the Governor’s Office, the Senate President’s Office, the Assembly Speaker’s Office, and other legislators on March 24. More than 100 other districts also lost state aid. They were asking their supporters to blitz lawmakers on that day also. There were 3,107 auto-populated letters sent to state officials as of March 30, according to a district count. They noted that other districts might have used this link, so
not all 3,107 were definitely local residents. What couldn’t be counted is how many emails and phone calls were made by private individuals. The office of Senator Mike Testa (R-1) responded with a bill he sponsored (S-814) that would create a 26-member School Funding Commission to study how state aid is distributed. This would go back to the formula created in 2008, not just the latest funding issues.
The office of Sen. Paul A. Sarlo (D-36) responded “Rest assured, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will conduct a thorough review of the Education budget.” For several years, Toms River Regional School District – which includes Pine Beach, Beachwood and South Toms River – has been laboring under a bill called S-2. When it was signed into law, (School - See Page 4)
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