The MANCHESTER Times Vol. 29 - No. 32
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Manchester Fires Superintendent
Veterans Shown Appreciation During Two Special Events
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 10-15
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 18
Classifieds Page 25
Inside The Law Page 21
Photos courtesy Manchester Schools
Two Manchester veterans sit side by side observing the 19th Annual Veterans Recognition program held at the Manchester Township High School auditorium last week.
Veterans and students take to the stage for the 19th Annual Veterans Recognition program.
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – Veterans in the township didn’t have to wait for Veterans’ Day to be honored for their service. There were two special events that provided an opportunity to express the public’s gratitude. The first event involved veterans, pare nt s , s t u d e nt s a nd
school’s ROTC prog r a m we re pre se nt and the program also involved a presentation of colors, keynote speeches, an Armed Force s mu sical a rrangement, and refreshments as veterans were recognized for their service past and present. The program provided the opportunity for
school staff who once again assembled to honor those who served the nation in the armed forces during the 19 th Annual Veterans Recognition Day program. The community event was held at the township high school auditorium. Veterans from the community were invited. Me m b e r s of t h e
students and veterans from the community to interact and learn more about the veterans’ time in service, the wars they fought in and their experiences as well as a chance for the public to pay tribute to those who served the United States in the armed forces. (Veterans- See Page 4)
$3M School Project Approved By Bob Vosseller LAKEHURST – Voters approved a special ballot question to raise $3 million for the construction of a kitchen and the replacement of the roof at their elementary school. The vote was 240 to 103 in the unofficial vote total. With the question’s approval, the state will fund
72.9% of the project. If the public had voted no, the project would not get done and Lakehurst would not get funding. This debt service aid would only be available if the district bonds for their portion of the project. The district will be borrowing money for the project with a 15-year repayment schedule.
VETERAN &
FIRST RESPONDER
DISCOUNTS OFFERED
Were the school district Meanwhile, two into have approached this cumbent members of project using their oper- the Lakehurst School ating budget, they would Board ran uncontestnot have been eligible to ed for three-year terms. obtain the up to 72.9% of Joel Merkin received State aid to offset local 214 votes while Amy property taxes. Lowe received 253 in the The school district has unofficial vote tally. been historically underResults are unofficial funded each year by the until the County Board State according to school (Lakehurst - See Page 5) officials.
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – T he Boa rd of Education unanimously approved the termination of Superintendent Joh n Be re n at o a nd the hiring of an interim superintendent at an emergency meeting held on Election Night. In recent weeks Berenato has become a controversial f igure in the community follow i ng news of a n assault charge he was accused of under a dif-
ferent name. Furthermore, a lawsuit was filed in State Superior Court, Ocean County last month that named him, the Board of Education and several school administrators. The suit was filed by Whiting Elementary School Principal Evelyn Swift who was among the large crowd that came out to the special meeting held at the middle school. Board At tor ney (Fired - See Page 4)
Photos by Bob Vosseller Residents, parents and educators including Whiting Elementary School Principal Evelyn Swift, await the return of the Manchester Board of Education who convened in a nearly two-hour executive session to discuss the employment of Superintendent John Berenato.
Incumbents Win Council, School Board Seats By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – In stark contrast to last year’s mayoral r a ce t hat st ret ched into a runoff, an unopposed incu mbent councilman was ret ur ned to off ice on election night.
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Republican Councilman Craig Wallis, who resig ned f rom office toward the end of 2022, returned to of f ic e i n Feb r u a r y after being selected to fill the seat vacated i n late Ja nu a r y, by long-time Coun-
cilman Sam Fusaro who was moving out of the township. I n t he u nof f icia l cou nt y vote tot als, Wallis won Fusaro’s unexpired seat with 6,756 votes and 114 (Manchester See Page 5)
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