The MANCHESTER Times Vol. 27 - No. 11
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Page 10-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 22
Inside The Law Page 25
Classifieds Page 32
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Bicycle Rodeo Returns To Lake Horicon
In This Week’s Edition
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By Sydney Kennedy LAKEHURST – Last summer, the annual L a ke h u r s t Bi c ycl e Rodeo did not come to Lake Horicon due to pandemic-related restrictions. It was a breaking of tradition for Detective Madelyn Waltz and Lt. Iain James. One year ago, Waltz missed out on what she enjoys most about the Bicycle Rodeo: talking to the children and seeing smiles on their faces. Which, according to Waltz, “makes the sweat all worth it.” Despite an overcast weather forecast, the sun shined over the Bicycle Rodeo and blue waters of Lake Horicon. James said they hoped to see a large turnout at this year’s event. “We did what we could,” James said. According to Waltz, local donors supplied four bicycles to be raffled off to attendees, and the Lakehurst Police Department purchased (Rodeo - See Page 4)
Manchester Mayor Might Become Superior Court Judge By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – Mayor Kenneth Palmer has been nominated to serve as a Superior Court judge, but he would have to step down as mayor if he is chosen. Gov. Phil Murphy nominated Palmer on June 10. The mayor’s name is on a list of nominees submitted by Murphy to the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee. The governor is working to fill judicial vacancies across New Jersey and Palmer’s receipt of a “notice of intent to nominate” is part of that process. That process also involves Palmer’s application and an interview which will be reviewed by members of the judiciary committee. Should he be approved, Palmer’s nomination will then be presented to the full state Senate for approval. Murphy is a Democrat and Palmer is a (Judge - See Page 7)
Police Chief Retiring
−Photo courtesy Lisa Heath Carter raced in the 5 and under class of the Lakehurst Bike Rodeo. He came in 1st place and got a medal and a bike.
COVID Report More Positive Than Past
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – As the liaison to the Ocean County Health Department, Commissioner Gerry P. Little has delivered his share of bad news since officials began reporting COVID-19 updates last March. For a long while, the focus was on documenting numbers – both positive cases and coronavirus-related deaths. Then, fast forward and Little’s report included acknowledging the difficulty in securing sufficient COVID-19 vaccine allocations.
June 26, 2021
During the height of the virus, health department officials gave daily reports of positive test results in excess of three digits. It also was not uncommon for individual municipalities to document more than 100 cases in one day. Hospitals in Ocean County went on divert several times. Nursing homes became overrun with COVID-19 outbreaks. And – thousands ultimately lost their lives to the novel coronavirus. In a county with more than a third of
residents over 65, the struggle hit close to home. The next battle was locating enough vaccines for those considering it as an option. When Little delivered his COVID-19 report at the most recent Ocean County Commissioner’s meeting, the first thing he did was remark on the smiling faces he saw from the dais. County directors concerned about crowding meetings returned to the meeting room for the first time in (Positive - See Page 7)
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – With great regret, Mayor Kenneth Palmer reluctantly informed the Township Council that Police Chief Lisa Parker will leave the department after 32 “exceptional and honorable” years on June 30. Palmer, who took office as mayor just a few months prior to Parker being sworn in as chief in March of 2015 said during the council meeting, “it is with mixed emotions that I recently accepted the retirement paperwork
for Chief Parker.” When she was sworn in as chief, she spoke with excitement and pride about the township’s police force calling it one of the most well-respected law enforcement agencies in the state - and that she was proud to become the next leader of the department. During the last six years, she oversaw the township’s new full-time EMS program which began in March 2020 and the beginning of the paid fire department this year. (Chief - See Page 7)
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