The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 11 - No. 19
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Patriot Rock: A Painted Landmark With A Mysterious Past
BREAKING NEWS @
Members of the environmental group Clean Ocean Action took part in a rally in Seaside Park calling for a halt to offshore wind development in concern of ecological damage to the aquatic environment.
Community News
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan
Pages 8-11
Originally there was just the painted rock, then flags, statues and a monument appeared.
Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
Classifieds Page 19
Orsted Cancels Windmill Projects
Photo courtesy Current Media Company
jerseyshoreonline.com
Dr. Izzy Sound News
November 11, 2023
By Stephanie Faughnan LACEY - Along the winding stretches of Route 539, the dense fo r e s t of t h e P i n e Bar rens reaches for miles on end. But on the southbound side, a highly decorated boulder stands out as a landmark in the direction of Route 72. The tales and origins
of this otherwise ordinary rock are as vibrant as the red, white, and blue paint adorning it. Once known simply as the Painted Rock, it transformed into Patriot’s Rock after 9/11, its design giving it a new identity in the wake of tragedy. Like the infamous Jersey Devil, the Patriot Rock is another
mysterious enigma tied to the Pine Barrens. Its history has been explored in numerous feature articles and at least three published books, including one fiction novel that weaves it into a tale that includes the Jersey Devil. The first point of interest lies in the circumstances surrounding the colossal boulder’s
arrival on the roadside. It reaches a towering height of approximately 4 feet, and its width exceeds the length of most grown men who m ig ht c ont e mplat e stretching out beside it. William Beuckman Sr., 75, now lives in Nor th Carolina but lived in southern Ocean County for many years. (Rock - See Page 4)
By Bob Vosseller to DKK 16 billion” or JERSEY SHORE – approximately $2.266 Orsted’s cancellation billion and said that of t wo ocean wi nd “the US offshore wind projects off the coast projects have experiwas welcome news to enced further negative environmental groups developments from adand certain public offi- verse impacts relating cials but Governor Phil to supply chains, inMurphy was outraged creased interest rates.” by the announcement. The announcement Orsted, a Danish was the latest in a secompany, explained ries of setbacks for the the cancelation of their offshore wind indusOcean Wind 1 and 2 try in the northeast. projects stating, “antic- New York regulators ipated impairments on rejected a request a few its US portfolio of up (Windmills - See Page 5)
Settlement Reached With Town Hall Contractor
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Barnegat’s new municipal complex is still incomplete due to non-performance issues with the contractor.
By Stephanie Faughnan BA R N E GAT Construction on the long-awaited Barnegat Municipal Building is resuming following an agreement that includes stringent oversight arranged by the i nsu rance company that issued the performance bond for the
work. This development comes after months of delays and setbacks, which led the township to terminate its contract with Frankosk i Const r uct ion Co., Inc. (“FCC”), effective September 25, 2023. Simultaneously, forme r Mayor Joh n J.
Nova k , who ser ves as Barnegat’s special counsel for the construction project, initiated a performance bond claim with Travele r s Ca su alt y a nd Suret y Company of America. FCC and Travelers representatives subsequently joined Barnegat officials at the
constr uction site to conduct preliminary inspections and develop a plan to complete t he proje ct. Nova k negotiated a set tlement agreement with the contractor and the insurance company, putting the work back on track. Notably, the settlement agreement does
not involve a takeover by Travelers, nor is Travelers dominating or controlling the contractor in any way. Instead, it is an accommodation by Travelers to help mitigate the cost of completing the project. Barnegat has agreed (Settlement See Page 6)
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