The BRICK Times Vol. 22 - No. 1
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Community News Pages 9-12
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 18
Classifieds Page 22
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Farmers’ Market Returns With New Vendors
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
By Alyssa Riccardi BRICK – Despite the rainy and foggy weather, residents came out to shop local at the Brick Township Farmers’ Market. The market was slated to open on May 7; however, it was pushed back a week due to a terrible storm. Rain traveled to the following Saturday, but many visitors still made their way out to Windward Beach to check out local farmers, producers, artisans and more. “We always expect a big crowd for the market. We average about 1,200 guests every market. Even when it’s raining the number may go down, but when you add it up, we average (Market - See Page 6)
–Photos by Alyssa Riccardi (Top left) Rainy weather didn’t stop customers from visiting the Brick Township Farmers’ Market. (Top right) This year, the market will open up to artisan crafters last Saturday of the month. (Bottom) Check out new vendors selling local produce, crafts, goods and more.
Nonprofit Keeps Teens Safe From Sex Trafficking
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY – A Toms River non-profit is on a mission to educate families concerning how children could wind up in the hands of sex trafficking predators. Ashley Graham-Jean is a licensed counselor who provides individual and family services for Ocean’s Harbor House. She offered some insight concerning
the non-profit’s role in counseling victims and fighting against child sex trafficking. “We’ve been providing education around CSEC or commercial sexual exploitation of children since about 2017,” shared Graham-Jean. “We do this with the kids we already have in-house and with our outside services.” (Teens - See Page 4)
May 21, 2022
School District Adopts $163M Budget
By Alyssa Riccardi BRICK – Members of the Brick Township Board of Education have voted to adopt a $163 million budget for the 2022-23 school year. As per state law, the district had to submit their final adoption no later than May 14. According to dist r ict f ig u res, the $163,322,838 budget will include a tax levy of $118,369,977, a .8% increase from the previous year. Tax levy supports the largest share of the budget, about 72%, as state aid continues to decline. “As I stated previously, our budget is very simple in that we don’t have much control over revenue sources. Our revenue can only go up $2.3 million with the mandated 2% tax levy cap,” Superintendent Thomas Farrell said at the March 15 Board of Education meeting. Included in the 2022-23
budget is $145,203,645 of total general fund expenditures, Business Administrator James Edwards said during the budget presentation. The resolution lists $18.8 million in special revenues for 2022-23, a $7.3 million increase from 2021-22. The bulk of that is $7.1 million for capital projects. T h is money comes from the Federal American Rescue Plan. Where will the money go? Instruction and Benefits make up 61% of all expenditures, up from 58% in 2021-2022. More services are being offered in-district, for special education. This has two impacts. One is that Out of District Tuition has decreased by 16.1%, and the cost of instruction increased by 4.2%. More teachers are being added to the elementary level to decrease class size, (Budget - See Page 6)
Educators Sing Praises Of “Unsung Heroes”
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – An unsung hero is someone who makes the world a better place but doesn’t ask for fame. However, educators and law enforcement decided to shine the light on students from around the county at an awards banquet held at Central Regional High School. These students came from every age and walk of life. Some of them
were praised for their hours of community service, and some for their grades and extra-curriculars. But all of them were praised for their positive attitude in the face of diversity. As one guidance counselor said, they were “truly inspiring.” While this article serves to celebrate these children, their exact stories won’t be shared here. Some
of them are very personal, and they might not want to have them told in a publication. It would be more appropriate to keep some of their story “unsung.” Instead, some examples will be given. Several children lost family recently, and in one case it was their sole caregiver. Some had academic or physical special needs (Educators - See Page 13)
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