The JACKSON Times Vol. 20 - No. 27
In This Week’s Edition
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Grins And Bears Are A Big Part Of Toyland
BREAKING NEWS @
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Photo by Bob Vosseller
Government
Conductor Craig Brownfield shows off this year’s miniature train display in one of the many rooms of Toyland.
Pages 5
Community News Pages 7-9
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 10
Classifieds Page 15
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Fouryear-old Jordan Caloia was very excited as he awaited entry into Toyland but what youngster wouldn’t be? This marked the second holiday season that he came out to receive a teddy bear from Santa Claus. Jordon was wearing a green shirt that sported a stegosaurus draped
in holiday lights as he stood in the lobby with his mom, aunt and grandmother to take part in what is a special holiday tradition for many township residents. For more than two decades, children and adults have enjoyed holiday magic through a trip to Toyland at the township’s Melvin
Cottrell Center for Senior Citizens and the Disabled. The facility located at 45 Don C o n n e r B o u le v a r d gets transformed each season into multiple holiday themed rooms feat u r ing cost umed characters. Approximately 2,000 visitors tour Toyland during the t wo-day weekend event which
is a joint effort by the Salvation Army, senior center staff and around 100 volunteers including students from both high schools. Senior Center Director Kate Slisky has enjoyed this event since she first came to head the facility in 2017. Over the years she has seen a few changes that have enhanced the experience. “It has become more elaborate this year,” Slisky said. Her husband John continues to make sure Santa Claus arrives for the event. A pair of grannies greet attendees just beyond Santa Claus’s chair. They wear special period attire. The grannies have their own cupboard area and are played by volunteers Noemi Ortz and Sally Treanry. Slisky said, “they’ve been part of our Toyland, I would say, forever. Long before I came (Toyland - See Page 4)
Longtime County Leader Vicari Bids Farewell To Public Office
Photo By Bob Vosseller Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari reflects on his long career in public office.
By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY – He’s been a fixture in county politics for more than fou r decades and his name wa s con spicuou sly absent from the ballot this year in the slot of Ocean County Commissioner.
Joseph H. Vicari, the longest serving freeholder/commissioner in the state, is saying farewell. He first became freeholder in 1982. His sunset from public office however comes with many fond memories, some challenging
times and a host of accomplishments. In his private life he served as a teacher of English a nd social st ud ies, school supervisor, and principal at Veterans Memorial Elementary School in Brick from (Vicari See Page 13)
December 23, 2023
Houses Of Worship Ordinances Changed By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – As p a r t of a s e t t l e ment, the Township Cou ncil approved two ordinances that will change the way houses of worship and other religious zoning will be handled. T he ord i n a nc e s allow for the establishment of houses of worship, er uvs, and mikvahs in all neighborhoods, lifting previous prohibitions. The ordinances will permit shuls in some residential neighborhoods and allow religious institutions, dormitor ies, mik vahs and multi-family housing for faculty and their families along many of the township’s main roads. Both ordinances were part of a multiple lawsuit settlement that involved the tow nship having been accused of rest r ict ive zon i ng decisions that the Department of Justice (DOJ) found to be discr imi nator y t ow a r d Ja c k s o n’s growing Or thodox Jewish population. At t o r n e y Br e nt Pohlman, who was hired by Jackson to add ress the tow ns h i p’s R e l i g i o u s Land Use and Insti-
tutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) lawsuits explained why the ordinances were necessary. RLUIPA is a federal law that protects religious assemblies and institutions from discrimination in zoning and landmarking laws. The attorney explained, “these ordinances represent the effectuation of the f inal ter ms of the settlement agreements reached in the litigation with the Department of Justice, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and a private action by Ag udah (Israel of America) plaintiffs.” Polhman added, the ordinances involved in settling the various lawsuits “have been finalized and are no longer up for debate. Those agreements are final. The public hearing will consist of comments on the specific ordinances.” The attorney made it clear that while there were professionals present to explain technical information about the standards of the ordinances, the hearing was not meant for any debate on
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(Ordinance See Page 4)