Contract Awarded For New Sta ord Library

By Bob Vosseller

OCEAN COUNTY – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners awarded a contract to Newport Construction Management Corp, Pennsauken to build the new 19,700 square foot library at 179 South Main Street in Manahawkin.

“I am pleased to announce that we are close to getting construction underway on this new state of the art library facility,” Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari said. For years he has served as liaison to the Ocean County Library.

“This new county library branch in Stafford

(Library - See Page 16)

School:

Continued From Page 1 to promote social and emotional learning, build empathy and compassion, and create a sense of community among school students. Sessions are led by a team of professionals who urged participants to embrace the mantra of “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

School district staff members and community volunteers took part in a series of interactive and engaging activities, discussions, and exercises. Some seemed silly initially, for example participants racing to find seats like musical chairs.

Students were encouraged to connect on a deeper level, challenge their assumptions and biases, and essentially learn how to communicate more effectively.

“It’s so uplifting to see how many of our students fully committed and participated in this program,” said Barnegat High School Assistant Principal Tracee DuBeck. “Our hope is that they are empowered to stand up for themselves and others and recognize that no matter what someone may be going through, that there is always a network here to support and guide them through it.”

Challenge Day leaders limit observation of their activities so students can feel comfortable sharing their feelings and experiences. Often, the event includes the revelation of personal stories, engagement in trust-building exercises, participation in group discussions, and collaboration on team-building activities.

The program aims to create a safe and supportive environment where students can learn valuable social and emotional skills to serve them well throughout their lives. As the event ended, the participants appeared eager to put their new lessons to work.

“If you know you owe somebody an apology in this room and you would give it,” said Bobby, one of the team leaders. “And you didn’t have to do it on a microphone; would you please raise your hand?”

Bobby then asked students to raise their hands if they thought someone should know how much they liked or admired something someone else had done. Finally, students were invited to walk around and pass on their messages without differentiating which questions had elicited affi rmative responses.

“You don’t have to repeat the hurts,” Bobby said to the students ready to apologize. “Just turn around and say I’m sorry and how things are going to be different. Then, walk around and show your appreciation.”

The apology and appreciation activities came at the end of the day-long event. There were plenty of group hugs, and big smiles exchanged. Ultimately, all returned to smaller groups that had become their families for the day.

Pam, another team leader, reminded the students that they’d all been able to return to their family group throughout the day. They could count on the small family group to validate them even when things got hard and emotional.

The answer was evident when the students were asked if they felt different from when the day started. For one, they’d learned about trust and reaching out to cross over lines together.

“The best part was connecting with people,” said Allie Larsen, a high school junior. “It was getting to see how different yet how alike everyone else is.”

“Some of the other people’s experiences were insane and heart-wrenching,” Allie continued. “Some people who stepped over the line because of their circumstances shattered my heart. There were things you wouldn’t know just by looking at people.”

Allie said the Challenge Day team leaders suggested using their experience to care for themselves and those around them. The message resonated with the high school junior and helped her gain a better understanding of others.

The Challenge Day program has been around since 1987 and has been a popular event in Manchester High School for several years. An Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor knew of the program and brought it to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer’s attention. Barnegat High School was the fi rst of the high schools sponsored by the prosecutor’s office for the program.

“We wanted to help our communities develop a sense of urgency for a positive school culture change,” said Billhimer. “We’re hoping that whatever the students learned here today, they’ll take back to the rest of the student body.”

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s office also provided funding for Challenge Days at Lacey High School and Toms River North after Barnegat’s event. Billhimer said he hopes to make the program available for all high schools within Ocean County.

Overall, Challenge Day turned out to be a powerful program in Barnegat with a huge impact on students, helping them to build resilience and develop a sense of empathy and compassion for others. And, if that wasn’t enough, the day concluded with visits from therapy dogs.

“We are so grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for making today’s event happen – we know how important and impactful programs like this are for our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Latwis. “Our slogan is One Barnegat, and today’s event really drove that home. We are so much stronger when we lean on each other and I know that after today’s event, the students understand that even more. I’m proud of them for participating and giving it their all to better themselves and their school.”

Housing

: Continued From Page 1 in need. She also understood that court rulings known as the Mount Laurel decisions included mandates related to affordable housing within municipalities.

“Carol was actually working for the Township of Brick when the subject of affordable housing came to light,” said Casey Duffy, Assistant Executive Director of Homes Now Inc. “It became too much for her to do as a township employee, so Carol branched out and decided to create a non-profit to develop affordable housing options.”

While addressing Brick’s needs was important, Wolfe also focused her energy on another critical issue. Dottie’s House continues to fall under the Homes Now umbrella, as a short term shelter for women and children displaced as a result of domestic violence.

Wolfe’s commitment to provide affordable housing apparently caught fire in Brick. The township subsidizes rents for the occupants of Tudor Village, a complex containing twelve one- and two-bedroom units.

Only veterans and individuals with special needs are eligible to live in Tudor Village. All units are currently occupied and are considered affordable housing units.

“We follow guidelines by HUD that are reviewed and issued by the affordable housing professionals of New Jersey to determine eligibility based on income,” said Duffy. “Right now, we’re still using the 2022 numbers because HUD hasn’t released the 2023 numbers.”

A single person earning under $42,915 is considered low income under the current guidelines. Moderate income for a sole individual is up to $68,665. For a family of four to qualify for low income housing, their income cannot exceed $61,308. Moderate income for a family of four cannot exceed $98,092.

Homes Now’s inventory includes 32 scattered single family affordable homes in Brick. An additional 7 single low and moderate affordable homes have been built in Stafford. All of the single family homes are currently owner occupied.

“If any of these homeowners wanted to sell, they would come to us,” Duffy shared.

“We would then fi nd another income restricted individual or family to purchase the home from them.”

Chambers Bridge Residence in Brick offers affordable housing for individuals over the age of 55 in an apartment setting. Although Homes Now developed and owned the property, Chambers Bridge is now part of a group known as the National Church Residences.

According to Duffy, the organization is almost fi nished with Phase I of the Coastal Woods project in Barnegat. Plans for the construction of the over 55 condominium development were delayed during COVID because of material shortfalls.

“We do have some affordable units already sold and committed to,” said Duffy. “We’re probably looking at mid-June or early July for the fi rst people to actually move in.”

According to Duffy, the affordable and market rate units are integrated and not in separate buildings. Those who qualify for affordable units can expect to pay $140K for a one bedroom home or $170K for two bedrooms. Market rate units range from $289K to $369K.

Homeowner association fees for Coastal Woods are $334 monthly, with Homes Now subsidizing the affordable units with $100 monthly for the fi rst two years of occupancy. Among the included amenities on the premises is a clubhouse with a gym. Coastal Woods does not have a swimming pool.

Homes Now Inc. has also developed supportive housing units in both Brick and Staf- ford. These types of housing opportunities were previously referred to as group homes.

“In Brick, we worked closely with the ARC and Enable Inc. for these homes,” Duffy explained. “In Stafford, we worked with Community Options. We build and construct the home and handle the funding. When everything is done and completed, we hand it over to the service providers.”

While most of Homes Now’s properties are located in Ocean County, the organization also has affordable rental units in Atlantic City and Pennsauken.

Founders Day 2023

STAFFORD – Surf’s Up Stafford! In just a couple of months they will be catching a wave into Founders Day 2023 on June 10.

They want all of you there to help us continue the decades-long tradition of celebrating the founding of Stafford Township in 1749.

Whether it is entering your children in Little Miss Stafford or Little Town Crier, becoming a sponsor, joining us in a parade through the heart of town, being a vendor at the Doc Cramer fields or joining the Miss Stafford Pageants, they want to see you there!

Enjoy food trucks, vendors, firework display and more! For more information, visit staffordnj.gov/428/Founders-Day.

Vintage Postcard Display

LACEY – All are welcome to join the Lacey Historical Society for a special postcard exhibition at their monthly meeting May 1 at 7 p.m. A brief history of postcards will be discussed. There is no fee for this program, and you are welcome to display your own collection. Doors will be open at 6:30 p.m.

Historically, postcards were a reasonable, quick and easy way to keep in touch. Many are so lovely they can be considered art. The Society meets at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 126 South Main Street, (Route 9) in Forked River. They are located behind Mrs. Walker’s Ice Cream Shop. Email questions to Laceyhistorical@gmail.com.

Beach: Continued From Page 1 a fall one. It is always in April and always in October and they usually shoot for a Saturday. In the last 10 years we’ve had so many windy days and rain before and other things that might deter volunteers but we always have people come out,” DeCaro added.

Laurie and Keith Huryk of Toms Riv- er were there despite the rain. DeCaro said, “they are extreme supporters and they always come in and get a selfie with Hamlet. They come prepared with cleanup items and everything.”

“I started coming when I was on council,” former Councilwoman Laurie Huryk said. “I didn’t know it happened before that. We enjoy it so much. It has been six years now. You help clean up the beach and help the environment.”

She and her husband later found a pair of eyeglasses that were left behind near the dunes.

Hamlet didn’t mind the rain. “He is our unofficial mascot of Clean Ocean Action. He is six years old. He’s been coming since he was a baby. I’ve been doing it for 10 years. He has been a hit ever since so I felt I couldn’t help but bring him out. He’s my pet indoor pig and he loves the beach so that was also a motivation behind it because he pushes around the sand with his snout,” DeCaro said.

“I try to teach people to make sure you know what you leave behind and notice the trash. It isn’t only all about us it is also about the animals and our ecosystem,” she added.

Ortley Beach was just one of several sweep locations that were to be held that day. Other Beach Sweeps in Ocean County were to include Bay Head, Berkeley, Brick, Island Beach State Park, Lavallette, Long Beach Island, Mantoloking, Ocean Gate, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Normandy Beach and Tuckerton.

Three volunteers at the Berkeley location – Dudley Park – stayed at the picnic tables to let people know it was cancelled. They still picked up a few things while they were there.

Clean Ocean Action started the Beach Sweeps in 1985. It is one of the longest running cleanups of its kind in the world. The program grew from 75 people at one site in 1985, to over 10,000 volunteers in 2018.

Volunteers gather as groups (community, school, business, and organization), families, or individuals and collect and record valuable data about debris, which is presented in annual reports.

“If you want to change the world, people power is the answer,” COA Executive Director Cindy Zipf said. “The Beach Sweeps is proof positive of that fact. We are grateful and inspired by the dedication and true-blue spirit of volunteers.”

Fish, whales, birds, and other animals often mistake litter for food. As a result, animals get entangled in or ingest items, such as plastic bags, cigarette filters, and fishing line, with deadly results. Cigarette filters are made of plastic fibers and trap carcinogenic chemicals that are introduced into animals’ bloodstreams.

Watershed Program Manager Alison Jones said, “last year, over 10,000 volunteers welcomed the opportunity to gather safely, get outside, and give back by participating in the Beach Sweeps. As always, their hard work and diligent data collection provided COA with interesting insights about litter at the Jersey Shore.”