The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 9 - No. 44
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
New Veterans Memorial Park Unveiled In Waretown
jerseyshoreonline.com
Pages 9-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 24
Classifieds Page 21
–Photo by Stephanie A. Faughnan Veterans and officials gathered in front of the new wall in Veterans Memorial Park. By Stephanie Faughnan WARETOWN – At least 150 people assembled to celebrate the dedication of the new Veterans Memorial Park behind the Waretown Fire Department. “Since I was elected to the township committee, one of my goals was to build the Veterans Park,” said Township Committeewoman Lydia Dodd. “The township committee and I discussed locations and decided on this one when it became available.” Dodd said the park’s location was ideal as people could see and appreciate it. The site faces Wells
(Schools - See Page 19)
Mills Road, one of the main thoroughfares in the small community. A light will illuminate the flags when darkness falls. (Park - See Page 4)
Group Opens Central Hub To Help Homeless
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – A new group to help the county’s homeless just opened a new home of their own. The Housing Resource Center will be a centerpiece in providing services for our most at-risk residents. The Toms River Housing and Homeless Coalition began operating out of 200 Corporate
Circle, off of Route 37, several months ago, but they had an official ribbon cutting recently. It’s led by Sue Jones, a pastor with Holy Cross Lutheran Church. The goal is to be a nexus connecting different agencies. “Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job,” she said. (Group - See Page 5)
Barnegat Schools To See Small Tax Decrease
By Stephanie Faughnan BARNEGAT – The Barnegat Board of Education’s approval of its 2022-2023 school budget comes with some good news for local taxpayers. Property taxes associated with funding the school district will actually go down once the new $64 million budget is in place. “Someone with a house that’s assessed at $240,000 will see a monthly decrease of $1.75,” said Stephen J. Brennan, Board Secretary/Business Administrator. “We are seeing about a half a cent decrease attributable to school tax.” Brennan said the reduction in part is due to the municipality increasing its rateables. More houses are being built and additional commercial properties are making a home in Barnegat. As a result, the tax levy becomes divided over more entities. Although the Barnegat Township School District received additional state aid this year, 64 percent of the budget is locally funded. The district currently operates at almost 96 percent budget efficiency, with four percent falling into surplus funds for use in succeeding years.
BREAKING NEWS @
Community News
May 7, 2022
–Photo by Chris Lundy Officials mark the opening of the Housing Resource Center at 200 Corporate Circle in Toms River.
Ocean County Fair Returning
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – At long last, the Ocean County Fair appears to be coming back for 2022. This year, the dates are set for July 13 through 17 at its usual location, the Robert J. Miller Airpark. The times are like previous years, 5 - 11 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. T he schedu le of events for the fair has not yet been finalized.
The Ocean County Board of Agriculture and 4H are still in the planning process. There will be a ride vendor and wristbands will be sold. Live entertainment is still being lined up. Vendors for food and booths are still being sought on the OceanCountyFair.com website. The fair was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. At that time, the statement put out was that “Rutgers Cooperat ive (Fair - See Page 5)
TO ADVERTISE, CALL 732-657-7344 EXT. 206