The HOWELL Times
Vol. 21 - No. 35
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Green Acres Funding Sought For Inclusive Playground
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 7-9
Dear Pharmacist Page 10
Inside The Law Page 12
Classifieds Page 15
Photo courtesy Matt Howard Current playground at Echo Lake Park is in need of an upgrade By Stephanie Faughnan HOWELL – More than two decades ago, a local family channeled their grief into a legacy of love and community with the creation of the Echo Lake Park “tot lot.” Driven by the loss of their 20-month-old daughter, Heather Michelle Alda, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Robin and Alan Alda sought to honor their child’s memory with a playground area for families to have fun together. The Heather Michelle Alda Sunshine Fund provided $5,000 for the Echo Lake Park playground development, which officially opened in
September 2002. Designed for children ages 3 to 12, the area met standards in place at the time to make it handicapped-accessible. With the passage of time and changing needs, local officials are now spearheading efforts to revitalize the playground area, aligning with its original purpose of providing a space for families to enjoy. Seeking funding through the State of NJ Green Acres Program, the township aims to introduce a range of new facilities at Echo Lake Park centered around the concept of a Completely Inclusive Playground. (Playground - See Page 3)
Women’s Rally Becomes Forum For Reproductive Rights By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS R I V ER – When winter weather threatened the planned o u t d o o r Wo m e n’s March Rally for Women’s Lives on January 20, organizers quickly pivoted to an indoor location. The unex-
pected venue change to the Ocean County Library made room for a forum on advocacy and discussion. The event’s timing held just two days before the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 22, 1973, was (Rally - See Page 4)
Photo courtesy Barbara Crystal Attendees at the Women’s March Rally/Forum for Women’s Lives.
February 3, 2024
County Courthouse Hall To Be Named For Late Judge
By Alyssa Riccardi FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Board of Commissioners announced that the west entrance of the Monmouth County Courthouse will be dedicated and named the “Honorable Lisa P. Thornton Memorial Hall,” to honor the late judge. “Judge Thornton was a remarkable public servant,” Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said. “Not only did she reshape the Monmouth Vicinage but her willingness to partner with the county to create programs to assist those in need showed her incredible level of compassion.” After 15 years on the bench, Thornton unexpectedly passed away on May 26, 2023, at age 59. She spent the last nine of those years as assignment judge for Monmouth County. She was the first Black woman in New Jersey named to that role, Governor Phil Murphy said in a statement. Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux shared his remarks about his friend and colleague. “We are grateful to the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners and all of our county partners for honoring our beloved Assignment Judge Lisa Thornton by dedicating the entrance of our Monmouth County Courthouse to her memory and her remarkable heart and soul,” Lemieux said. “Every day I am reminded of my friend Judge Thornton and how she greeted her colleagues, attorneys and members of the community with her signature joy and warmth and made all feel welcome. Now and forevermore, as court users enter our courthouse seeking justice, they too will be reminded of how much she cared about them and the community that we serve.” New Jersey Judiciary Acting Administrative Director of the Courts, Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D. spoke about the life and legacy of the Honorable Lisa P. Thornton. “The Judiciary would like to acknowledge the outstanding support and cooperation of the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners for their decision to bestow this honor on Assignment Judge Lisa Thornton,” Grant said. “The Judge was an extraordinary jurist and more importantly a wonderful person. The county government must be commended for recognizing this native daughter of Monmouth County in this special way.” In partnership with the Monmouth Vicinage and the Monmouth Bar Association, the entrance hall dedication is scheduled for early spring.
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