2024-02-03 - The Toms River Times

TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 19 - No. 39

In This Week’s Edition

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Residents Rally For Police Department

War Of Words Continues Between Mayor, Police Chief

BREAKING NEWS @

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Photo by Bob Vosseller

Government Page 8

People rallied in support of the Toms River Police on the corner of Robbins and Washington streets to oppose a move by Mayor Dan Rodrick to cut police positions.

Community News Pages 10-12

Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16

Inside The Law Page 19

By Bob Vosseller TOMS RIVER – Residents came out in support of the police denouncing Mayor Dan Rodrick’s reorganization of the township police department.

This was the first of two rallies and was held on the corner of Washington and Robbins streets on January 30. The second was on January 31

right before the Township Council meeting where the ordinance to change the police staffing was expected to be voted on.

There are two police captains who are retiring.

Rodrick’s plan is not to refill those positions, and use the money to fund the staff for the round-the-clock ambulance with eight new EMS staff specifically

dedicated to the portion of town over the bridge.

Those that came out for the rally brought up additional concerns about the mayor’s decisions since taking office. Laura Dentroux is a seventh-generation resident of Toms River. She and her son were wearing the ‘I Support TRPD’ T-shirts that were being distributed

February 3, 2024

for the occasion. “This is really important to Mason because the police department did something wonderful for him when he was little. He wrote a letter to Santa Claus saying all he wanted to be is a Toms River police officer and they allowed him to join them for a day.”

(Resident Rally See Page 4)

By Bob Vosseller TOMS RIVER – Dueling statements have been sent out by leaders in town over Mayor Daniel Rodrick’s plan to cut two captain positions and use the funding to fuel a year-round ambulance dedicated to the shore.

Most township residents received Rodrick’s letter in the mail on January 26.

It was sent in response to a public backlash against his staffing plan.

Rodrick has stated that Toms River is facing a $3.5 million budget shortfall that he blamed on the prior administration. “Still, we need more emergency medical responders. It’s a matter of life and death. The prior mayor and chief of police had four years to fix this crisis, but they did not.

We are fixing it.”

A list of salaries and benefit costs were included on the second page of Rodrick’s twopage letter, characterizing the cost as “out of control” with nine of the management staff receiving more than $300,000 in salary and benefits annually.

Little’s letter which was also distributed to news agencies, contradicted Rodrick’s claims.

“As Chief of Police, it is my duty to ensure that accurate information is disseminated so everyone in the community can make informed decisions about important matters that impact the safety and well-being of you and your family. Let me (War Of Words See Page 5)

Women’s Rally Becomes Forum For Reproductive Rights

Photo courtesy Barbara Crystal Attendees at the Women’s March Rally/Forum for Women’s Live

By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – When winter weather threatened the planned outdoor Women’s March Rally for Women’s Lives on January 20, organizers quickly pivoted to an indoor location. The unexpected 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 no accident. Women’s advocacy groups across the country chose the date to hold similar events, highlighting the ongoing fight for reproductive rights and the enduring legacy of the landmark decision.

In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling in

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Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, advocates and attendees expressed deep-seated apprehension about the future of women’s reproductive rights in America.

Lynda Fote, president of Ocean County’s NOW chapter, helped plan the rally turned forum but couldn’t attend. Barbara Crystal and Wendy McClure, both Ocean Coun-

ty NOW members from southern Ocean County, underscored the broader significance of reproductive freedom in their joint organizational efforts to coordinate the event.

“Women’s lives are bigger than Roe,” Crystal asserted. “And the fight is bigger than abortion.”

Amidst ongoing debates surrounding reproductive rights, New Jersey stands

as a state with explicit laws granting women the autonomy to make crucial decisions regarding birth control, abortion, and prenatal care. Two years ago, Governor Phil Murphy solidified these protections by signing the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act into law.

Nevertheless, McClure (Women’s Rally See Page 22)

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Resident Rally: Continued From Page 1

Dentroux was a Class I police officer in Lakehurst and her husband is a police officer in Freehold Township. “Jillian Messina who was just let go (as public information officer of the township police department) helped make that possible and she is wonderful. This is very sad.

I don’t think the public really knows how much work she did working to get grants and that to me is irreplaceable.”

“She is making your money that you are spending back tenfold with these grants. The police department obviously hits home for me. I am a real estate broker in town so everything that happened with the CO (certificate of occupancy inspections being eliminated). I felt the CO was important for the safety of residents.”

She added, “I think instead of deleting the whole thing and getting rid of everybody’s jobs what would have been the smarter action to take is to sit down and really look at what was actually needed.

More of a discussion needs to be had before you just say ‘this is what we are doing and you can’t do anything about it.’”

Her neighbor Jerry Nappi also came out for the rally and had some pointed words for the mayor.

“He lied through his teeth. He said he’d resign from his school job which he didn’t. He dropped the medical benefits from the school because he had to pay for those and he took the township’s medical plan. He is getting paid to do two full time jobs. You took my vote and now you lied to me.

The most important thing I have is my vote. He (Rodrick) started a racist campaign and I called him a racist because he was pitting the people against each other.”

“A lot of people don’t know the difference between a police class I officer and a class II,” Dentroux said. “To say you are hiring seven new police officers, well you really are not because none of these seven men or women have true police powers. I think instead of doing what is best for the town he is doing it for the money and that is what he is striving for.”

The Laing family came out to protest Rodrick.

Janet Laing remarked, “his actions have inspired me to research what is being done in our town and a lot of things are being done against Toms River ordinances. Laws are being violated. They are violating the Sunshine Law the way they are holding and operating public meetings and I don’t know how they are going to guarantee how our voices can be heard at that meeting.”

“More than a thousand members of the public are interested in participating in this (Zoom) meeting so they may still be in violation of the open public meeting act by not providing a digital option for everyone who wants to participate,” she added.

“There were facilities offered to the council president by the school district for this meeting.”

Her mother, Lynn Laing was helped make their signs and her father Chuck Laing said, “I want to apologize to all the people of Toms River because I actually voted for this idiot. I’m a retired home inspector and my background is in construction and the ordinance they deleted (that eliminated the need for a CO permit) was important for public safety.”

“I told them before they passed it that it was a mistake. There is a lot of things to be considered and what they could have done is look at the way the basic ordinance was written or enforced and made some adjustments and come to terms with the building department to make some sense of

the whole thing,” he added.

Chuck Laing said “some of the things that are being done are illegal, there hasn’t been proper public notice, they haven’t given the proper time to be enacted and registered with the state and I have a feeling they will find themselves in deep trouble very soon.”

His daughter said that appeared that “they are going to get rid of the code enforcement department. They want to get rid of the division of code enforcement. The ordinance would replace it with something called the Division of Zoning and Property Maintenance.

Councilman David Ciccozzi said he was opposed to the change to the Zoom format meeting.

“The people have to be there in person and they need the right to comment.” He confirmed that Toms River High School North could have been used for the meeting.

“He didn’t even answer or even reply. They didn’t turn it down or say yes or no, they just didn’t reply to the superintendent or to us,” Councilman Ciccozzi added.

Councilman James Quinlisk told The Toms River Times at the rally that there was no excuse to have the Township Council meeting in a Zoom format.

Ciccozzi and Quinlisk have found themselves as minority members of the governing body. All seven council members are Republicans, but from two different clubs.

Later he said, “Jim and I are going to hang in there but our beautiful town hall, there is evilness in there now. It is sad. It is scary and in my wildest dreams I couldn’t believe that this could happen to our town.”

“We have a petition that we are putting together to get prepared to have the ordinance recalled, basically we have 20 days to get 5,000 signatures so if you are a registered voter in Toms River please sign the petition,” former Toms River Chamber of Commerce President Philip Brilliant said. “We are going to be working hard in the next 20 days.”

Resident Dana Tormollan, who ran unsuccessfully for council against Rodrick’s slate, also spoke during the rally. “It is freezing out and we appreciate you coming out. The Toms River Police Department appreciates you. We have heard from them and they are grateful to every one of you standing here right now.”

She went on to say, “it is not about the ambulance service. It is about the money. He (Rodrick) is all about money, his and everybody else’s. That is not how the world works - not when it comes to public safety, not when it comes to people’s livelihoods, not when it comes to our town. Our town is not run that way. We are TR and it is who we are.”

Brilliant, who also helped organize the rally, noted that he would have liked to have had a representative of the police department speak as well, “but the unfortunate part is if you speak you get fired the next day.”

Bob Tormollan was the last to speak and noted, “if you went to the last council meeting and one of the issues that they talked about was that they need EMTs because they are the first responders, that’s not true. I’ve been working on the beach now for 61 years and every time I call for First Aid who are the first people who show up, the police department.”

“The police are trained to work until the EMTs get there. I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with the police and I can’t imagine taking police away. It is a disgrace and there is one councilman who sits up there and he is usually one of (Resident Rally- See Page 22)

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War Of Words: Continued From Page 1

assure you that our PBA Police Officer Union, the FOP Supervisor’s Union and the Chief’s Office stand united with the increase in personnel in our EMT program,” his letter stated.

The letter went on to say, “the overall safety of our residents is our number one priority and we are proud of our average response time of 9.6 minutes by our EMTs in a community spanning 44 square miles.” He also noted that the police department had been seeking to hire more EMTs for some time.

“Unfortunately, even with extensive recruiting efforts, the pool of EMT applicants has been almost non-existent for some time, as other agencies are also in need of emergency medical personnel. Additionally, police officers outfitted with first aid equipment and defibrillators are also dispatched to emergency medical calls and often first on the scene to start emergency treatment in anticipation of the EMTs’ arrival,” Little wrote.

According to the chief, both police unions along with his office “stand united in opposition to the elimination of two captain positions to fund the EMT program. I have asked the mayor for an opportunity to discuss his concerns in relation to the potential unintended consequences of his decision to implement these cuts to our command staff. I believe there is a middle ground that is mutually beneficial to all involved, the police department, the governing body, and most of all, the members of the community.”

Little said the department has applied for a

The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 5 grant through the NJ Division of Community Affairs “to enter into a shared services agreement with another municipality to join forces and defray the cost. This is only one possibility. We are open to exploring others, but there is no rush to require hasty decisions that will have far-reaching implications.”

Little said the captains were, “critical to the effective and efficient operation of the police department,” he said. “They are my executive staff and each command entire bureaus totaling 335 employees (not 112) such as, sworn officers, Class 1, 2 and 3 Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEO), as well as all civilian support personnel. In the past, the police department had a Chief, two Deputy Chiefs and four Captains.”

Currently, the department has a Chief and three Bureau Commanders, a reduction of four command positions. Chief Little noted a 2021 efficiency study conducted by the Government Strategy Group, which stated the department “operates extremely ‘lean and efficient’ with no recommendations to reduce personnel.”

Little also pointed out in the letter that the department has 162 officers which is the same number of officers it had two decades ago.

“The context of these numbers is significant, with the increase in calls for service then from 43,885 to 65,000 per year now, and a current population close to 100,000 residents, of which, U.S. Census data does not count motels or the burgeoning summer tourist population,” the Chief stated.

He added that the seven officers Rodrick said he approved hiring weren’t patrol officers, but seasonal, part-time Class 1 SLEO officers,

“who patrol parks, the beach area and our municipal jail. These SLEO officers are not authorized to carry weapons and have no arrest powers.”

The chief explained the seven SLEO officers were hired as replacements for “the 15 SLEO officers lost last year due to them pursuing other full-time law enforcement employment.

In reality, the police department is still short eight Class 1 Officers from last year with the possibility of losing two full-time sworn police officers through attrition this year, dropping the total end strength of full-time sworn officers from 162 to 158.”

Police Chief Little’s statement was posted to the police department’s Facebook page. That post was later removed without explanation.

Rodrick then issued a statement attacking Little’s response, saying he was “not being truthful with the residents of the township when he consistently and intentionally mischaracterizes the reallocation of funds from two retiring high-paid supervisory roles into eight life-saving emergency service officers.”

The mayor said no police officers would be losing their jobs and that he was not defunding the department. The first paragraph of his statement began with listing the $279,651 annual salary of Chief Little who he said “is one of the highest-paid public employees in the state of New Jersey and one of the highest paid law enforcement officials in the tri-state area.”

Rodrick’s statement added that, “Chief Little is costing Toms River taxpayers $391,843 a year. All in, just 31 men who comprise Toms River’s PD’s top brass are costing over $9 million a year. That’s an average of $300,000

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“Salaries of police brass are out of control in Toms River and we need more emergency medical responders,” said Rodrick, who took office on January 1.

He said residents “have been experiencing ambulance wait times of as much as 30 minutes in some cases.” Rodrick wants to change that by adding another ambulance on the road 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “We can do that by hiring another eight emergency medical officers. That would give the police department enough EMTs to get the job done and save lives.”

The mayor plans on not backfilling two $350,000-a-year retiring captain positions to pay for the new Emergency Medical Officers.

“We need more boots on the ground. It’s a matter of life and death.”

He noted that two police Captains will be retiring from the department in the coming months.

“Not backfilling the two positions will save taxpayers $700,000 a year,” he said.

He added, “This is about a few police officers not getting promotions. Police officers in New Jersey are the highest-paid officers in the United States according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Toms River Police officers are well compensated and among the highest paid in New Jersey.”

Rodrick noted in his statement of January 31, “we are restructuring in other areas of the township to ensure the taxpayers are not paying for services and positions we do not absolutely need and that the town is being run more efficiently and cost-effectively.”

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The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 7

OPINIONS & COMMENTARY F EATURED L ETTER History Repeats Itself: Development As A Campaign Topic There’s an old adage that history repeats itself, and that’s what happened in the local elections last year in Toms River.

In the crowded race for mayor in the Republican primary last June, Councilman Dan Rodrick won a resounding victory over the incumbent, Mo Hill.

In that election, Rodrick received 46 percent of the vote and carried 58 of the township’s 63 election districts - incredible numbers for a four-person race. Hill, in office for four years as mayor and 16 years before as councilman, garnered just 22 percent, carried only one district, and came in a distant third.

In November, Rodrick

coasted to victory with an unprecedented almost 70 percent of the vote in the general election, carrying all election districts.

What happened? How and why did this occur? And what can we learn from it?

In a sentence, history here in Toms River had repeated itself as the people had had enough.

It’s Happened All Before I have seen this all before.

Before I could even vote, back in the 1970s I was involved in the Republican party in our town. As a teenager, I campaigned door to door for Richard Nixon and joined the Young Republicans. The then “Dover YRs” changed their rules to let me, 17 years old,

join and vote in the club. I have helped countless fellow Republicans get elected - as a volunteer worker, campaign manager, club officer, and district county committeeman. As time went by, I ran too - and was elected, at the age of 35, to the then Dover Township Committee (our legal name and governing body name until 2006 and 2003, respectively) and was re-elected twice. It was a quarter of a century ago – 1998 - that I ran for township office for the last time. I served as mayor and deputy mayor.

Years after elective office, I was our municipal clerk.

It has been a true honor to serve our town.

Along the way, I’ve seen a lot of people come and go

and made some dear friends (including Democrats!), as I’ve witnessed and have been part of our recent history. As I look back on the events of last year, it can be summed up in two words: “Had enough?”

Development - “overdevelopment” say the critics - was THE issue, with the future of our downtown village, the centerpiece of the debate. It’s happened before.

The 1960s And ‘70s In the 1960s and into the ‘70s, our township was undergoing an enormous population increase. With the opening of the Garden State Parkway in 1954, the population skyrocketed from 7,700 in 1950, to

17,400 in 1960, to 43,000 in 1970.

In our community back then, many saw the township as growing way too fast. The schools, for one, had trouble keeping pace.

I attended split sessions in high school here, for example.

The Republicans had been in power, up to then, throughout the 20th century. The Democrats ran local elections on platforms of getting development under control. Something called “PUDs” - planned unit developments - became the burning issue of the day.

The Dover Republicans were “behind the 8 ball” on the issue and lost back to back township committee elections in 1970 and 1971

- giving the Democrats control of the local government for the first time.

It was unprecedented and shook deeply red Ocean County like an earthquake. I remember it all as a kid.

Years later, when I was in office, my friend Franklin Fischer, who by then was the county surrogate and who had been on the township committee in the ‘60s, told me stories of how he warned his fellow Republicans that they needed to get the development issue under control. He was ignored and the Republicans lost the county seat.

Clearly, back then, the people had had enough.

1. Terminate the Constitution of the U.S. of America.

This has been the law of the land and protected democracy for over 200 years, 2. Discontinue Social Security and Medicare for the elderly and disabled, which the American people paid into their entire working lives.

3. Get rid of Obamacare, health care for 40 million Americans.

4. Overrule the Insurrection Act and control the military at his discretion.

5. Pack the White House with men and women loyal to Trump. Loyalty is Trump’s mantra.

6. Control the media. Trump wants people to see and hear only what he decides is the truth.

7. Dispose of all his political rivals. Remember Trump said, “I can shoot someone on Fifth Ave. and get away with it.” Emulating Hitler, his hero.

Trump means what he says & says what he means - there is no in between!

Sounds like fiction - Sad to say

IT’S TRUE!!!

Maya Angelou said “When someone shows you who they are, believe them!”

VOTE FOR DEMOCRACY! Pray for Peace.

(History - See Page 20)

Letters To The Editor Control Costs Of Cops On April 15, 2018, the Asbury Park Press ran an editorial entitled, “Police Pay Is Mind Numbing.”

The article began, “Why are property taxes in New Jersey so wildly out of control?” The article focused on the Toms River Police Department where the median salary was $130k at that time. Adjusting to the present, that number is now closer to $200k, plus thou-

sands more in benefits. Look at it this way, on average, the Toms River police pull in close to $1 million each, every five years or so - much faster for the brass. Compare this to the average household income in Toms River of $70k as of the 2020 census.

The Press also writes on October 13, 2015 of a TR police captain whose salary of $200k per year was almost as much as the police commissioner of New York City, whose salary was $214,400.

Toms River has consistent-

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Thursday. Mail typed letters to: PO Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, fax 732-657-7388 or e-mail news@jerseyshoreonline.com. Letters may be limited to one per month per writer at the editor’s discretion.

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ly been ranked as one of the safest towns in the country for its size - not because of the police department, but despite it. There are no gangs, no ghettos, no gun violence, no looting, no arson, no vandalism of any significance, no BLM, no street demonstrations, no statues coming down, etc. There is a house in my neighborhood that was unoccupied for almost ten years. During that time, there was not a single act of vandalism nor was the property violated in any way, and it wasn’t because it received constant police protection. In fact, in my development, which is one of the largest, I see a patrol car maybe once every 3 to 4 months. If half the TRPD were replaced by volunteers, no one would notice unless the media picked up on it.

It is clear that the Toms River PD is substantially overpaid - especially when compared with Philadelphia and New York. Nor is TR to be compared to North Philly or the South Bronx.

Prior mayors who either served on the force or be-

lieved that paying more for police services gets you more, are one reason the cost got out of control. Likewise, their union charges us for risks that “could” be, not for what is. We should support the mayor and council for trying to get a hold of this matter for the benefit, for once, of the taxpayers.

C. Crowley Toms River

Democracy Or Trump?

Democracy or Trump.

That’s on the ballot in 2024.

Listen and hear what Trump is saying.

On Fox News at a town hall meeting, Sean Hannity asked Trump if he would be a dictator. Trump said on his first day as President he would be a dictator and get rid of all the immigrants.

If you think Trump is not dangerous, listen and hear what Trump will do as a dictator like his Russian buddy Putin.

Not in any particular order, Trump said:

Sarah Maketansky Toms River

Transfer Facility Is Bad News Read the article in the Howell Times. I didn’t see what Howell Residents will receive in exchange for traffic and added costs from the transfer facility.

Specifically, host communities normally receive a FEE, from the operators.

In addition the traffic summonses from overweight and non-emission compliance vehicles require police 24/7 monitoring so a sizable portion are owed the host community. All of these are in addition to the property & business taxes that are a part of doing business.

Peter Klymasz Howell

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Page 8, The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024

SPOTLIGHT ON GOVERNMENT Correspondence & Commentary From Your Local, County, State & Federal Officials

Report Shows Tax Relief Bill Will Eliminate Penalties For Large And Growing Families From The Desk Of

Congressman

Chris Smith WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new report issued by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) shows that proposed changes to the child tax credit in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (HR 7024) would boost support for large and growing American fam-

ilies by eliminating current provisions in the US tax code that penalize households with more than one child.

The report, which comes in response to a congressional inquiry by Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th), confirms that the child tax credit proposals contained in the Committee-passed legislation will bring greater economic relief to large families across the country while also promoting pro-growth policies that encourage Americans to work.

“Under no circumstances should large families

be penalized by our tax code,” said Smith, an avid defender of pro-family and pro-life policies in Congress.

“At a time when many are struggling to make ends meet, this legislation will help deliver critical economic relief to large American families - and those that are still growing - by ensuring the child tax credit work incentives apply equally to families across the board,” Smith said.

“China penalizes families based on the number of children they have,” said Smith, who serves as Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. “The U.S. should not.”

According to the House Ways and Means Committee, the Tax Relief for American

Families and Workers Act - authored by Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) - would further enhance the child tax credit by adjusting the tax credit for inflation, provide greater flexibility for taxpayers to use either current- or prior-year income to calculate the child tax credit for the next two years, and incrementally increase the refundable portion of the tax credit through 2025.

“I thank my colleague and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Jason Smith for his strong commitment to not only boost US competitiveness but also help hardworking families across the country by expanding tax relief to even more families,” Rep. Chris Smith added.

$75M To Fund Emergent And Capital Needs Projects In School Districts From The Desk Of The

Governor Phil Murphy TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) announced $75 million to provide funding for emergent construction and capital needs in school districts throughout the state.

Districts can use these funds for emergent or capital maintenance projects or to offset eligible project or maintenance costs incurred this fiscal year. Funding may be directed toward projects such as addressing site upgrades, HVAC repairs or replacement, renovations to the building envelope (masonry, roofing, etc.), safety and security needs, as well as building maintenance

activities.

“Today’s announcement builds on our work to improve education outcomes for all New Jersey students.

Providing our st udents with a top-notch education means ensuring their classroom environments are safe and conducive to learning,” said Governor Phil Murphy.

“This funding will go toward critical school infrastructure projects throughout the state, bolstering our school communities and ensuring districts are able to meet the needs of their students.”

Of the total amount, $50 million will be provided for projects in the SDA Districts, which are the 31 districts where the SDA oversees school construction. The remaining $25 million will be available for all other districts, i.e., regular operating districts.

“Continuing Governor Murphy’s staunch support of public education, and partnership

Program Helps Seniors Re-entering The Workforce TOMS RIVER –The Senior Employment Assistance Program (SEA) runs Monday thru Friday starting at 9 a.m. at the Saint Francis Community Center at 1258 Route 166, Stella Towne Center.

Ocean County seniors 55 and over looking to re-enter the workforce or start a new career after retirement are encouraged to call or visit the center to reignite

your career through the program’s free supportive services.

The SEA Program off icers one on one career guidance and support where seniors can boost their confidence with interview preparation, resume building, career and technology training and much more.

For information, call 732-281-8653.

Send your community events to news@jerseyshoreonline.com

with the School Development Authority, the funding announced today will provide necessary renovations and facility upgrades to school buildings across the state,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Education.

“Every New Jersey student and school staff member deserves a space for learning that is safe, secure, and supportive of the highest educational outcomes.”

“The steadfast support of Governor Murphy to provide New Jersey students with quality learning environments al-

lows the SDA to disburse this State funding to maintain and improve the state’s educational infrastructure,” said Manuel Da Silva, SDA Chief Executive Officer.

“The SDA is ready to expeditiously distribute these funds to help Districts offset costs associated with addressing important and necessary repairs in their schools.”

The NJDOE website provides a chart that identifies the funding available to local school districts for eligible project costs through this current round of funding.

BLOODY TEARS Crying bloody tears may seem like something out of the latest vampire novel, but there is a real, although rare, condition that causes this to happen to some people.

“Haemolacria” is an often benign condition that causes a person’s tears to be tinged with, or partially made from, blood. It is almost always a symptom of an underlying condition, such as a blocked tear duct, conjunctival damage, hemophilia, high blood pressure, or tumors (but not necessarily cancer). Haemolacria can also be triggered by the hormonal changes that occur during menstruation. While the condition may resolve on its own, medical attention is still needed to diagnose the cause, and treatment will be dependent on that diagnosis.

Did you know ophthalmologists are uniquely qualified to study and treat uncommon eye diseases as well? Haemolacria is just one of the many rare diseases that ophthalmologists treat. A comprehensive eye examination involves a series of tests designed to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. Each test is necessary and allows your doctor to evaluate different aspects of your vision. To schedule an exam, call SIGHTMD NEW JERSEY SUSSKIND & ALMALLAH EYE ASSOCIATES at 732-349-5622. We offer evening hours most nights of the week.

P.S. Depending on the underlying cause, patients experiencing haemolacria may require antibiotic eye drops, eye flushing, or even surgical reconstruction.

MARLBORO (732) 972-1015

BRICK TOMS RIVER (732) 349-5622 (732) 477-6981 www.oceancountyeye.com

BARNEGAT (609) 698-2020

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The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 9

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3 Offices to Serve You! Now in Leisure Village & Lavalette!

COMMUNITY NEWS C LUB N EWS , A CTIVITIES , E VENTS & A NNOUNCEMENTS

OHI 21st Annual Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

329 Commons Way • Building C • Toms River, NJ 08755 DelVirginiaRealtors.com • 848.221.1180 GAETANA DEL VIRGINIA CDPE, SFR. Broker of Record/Owner

Photo courtesy OHI

189 Route 37 • Toms River, NJ (1/4 Mile W. of GSP) 74 Brick Blvd. • Brick, NJ (The Pavillion) 623 Lacey Rd. • Forked River, NJ

732-349-4949

• Wills / Living Wills / POA • Estate Probate • Estate Administration • Real Estate Closings • Trusts • Power of Attorney • Municipal Court Website: www.silvilaw.com • Email: lawfirm@silvilaw.com

P.O. Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733 • Phone: 732-657-7344 • Fax: 732-657-7388 email: news@jerseyshoreonline.com • jerseyshoreonline.com

MANCHESTER TIMES • BERKELEY TIMES • BRICK TIMES JACKSON TIMES • HOWELL TIMES • TOMS RIVER TIMES SOUTHERN OCEAN TIMES President & Publisher Stew Swann

Vice President/COO

Distribution Manager

Jason Allentoff

Laura Hoban

News Editor

Assistant News Editor

Sales Manager

Chris Lundy

Bob Vosseller

Lorrie Toscano

Production Manager

Graphic Artist

Layout Designer

Allison Gradzki

Adriana Miranda

Julia Wilkens

Send your news tips, copy & letters to news@jerseyshoreonline.com

Published Weekly Copyright by Micromedia Publications, Inc. All material printed in The Times’ is copyrighted by Micromedia Publications, Inc. unless otherwise noted. The reproduction of the contents, in full or in part, is prohibited, unless permission is granted by Micromedia Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FARMINGDALE – It’s that time of year! On February 9, OHI is hosting its 21st annual Valentine’s Day Fundraiser. And this time, the theme is Masquerade Ball.

Held at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, the event is set to be a swanky and glamorous affair, bedazzled in rhinestones and covered in glitter.

All guests are expected to wear a unique mask to add to the ambiance and make the night truly special and unforgettable. Aside from the theme, patrons can expect all the usual tricks and treats: a sumptuous meal, hours of dancing, testing their luck at the casino, a silent auction and 50/50, and raffle prizes available to all.

At face value, events like this seem like just a big party we throw for our friends and family.

But they actually serve a really important purpose. Ocean Health Initiatives works constantly in pursuit of its mission to provide the highest quality care to all of its patients, even if they can’t afford to pay a dime for their services.

Many of our patients are comprised of the poorest and most vulnerable people in our community: low-income households, struggling families, vet-

erans, migrants. Proceeds from fundraisers like our Valentine’s Day Event are critical to making this mission possible by giving our organization a bit more wiggle room to purchase new equipment and supplies, pay our employee’s salaries, and cover some overhead costs. Healthcare in the United States is very expensive - and when patients aren’t charged for the care they receive, someone has to make up for the balance on the ledger.

While we do receive funding from government agencies and grants, these alone are not enough to maintain our patients’ needs or expand into new communities and new services. Donations from our community not only bolster our financial situation but also show us the encouragement we need to keep going. In many ways, it is largely thanks to your unwavering support that OHI is able to thrive and keep our patients healthy.

If you’ve been enticed to purchase a ticket to this year’s event, they are still available! And even if you’re too busy that night, you can still donate to the cause by visiting our website, ohinj.square. site. We’d love to see you there!

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The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

FINANCING AVAILABLE

C LUB N EWS , A CTIVITIES , E VENTS & A NNOUNCEMENTS

East Grad Frankie Edgar Named To UFC Hall Of Fame

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MAR 16 – THE IRISH CABARET – STARING ANDY COONEY

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JULY 7 – NEW YORK YANKEES VS BOSTON REDSOX

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Lunch not included – Free time at Reading Thermal Market.

Photo courtesy UFC TOMS RIVER – Toms River would like to congratulate hometown UFC Champion Frankie Edgar for his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Frankie remains active in training tomorrow’s future champions and is very active in the community. Congratulations champ!

Includes lunch at The Iconic Moshulu Ship.

Includes lunch at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. at Hunderton Hills Playhouse - Includes lunch.

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All inclusive suite. Includes ballpark, concessions menu, non-alcoholic beverages, domestic beer & bud light seltzers. AC in suite also, outdoor seating. Located left field.

BROADWAY SHOWS – INCLUDE LUNCH BEFORE SHOW & ORCHESTRA SEAT MAR 27 – THE NOTEBOOK: MUSICAL

MULTI-DAY TRIPS

Photo courtesy Toms River Township TOMS RIVER – Toms River Township hosted a free rabies clinic at the Toms River Animal Shelter. The event was a heartwarming success as not only did the event facilitate licensing, microchipping, and vaccination of dozens of dogs and cats, the staff was reunited with some former residents.

Sky, a pitbull who spent over a year at the shelter came in, along with a white bulldog Pebbles who spent 4 months in the shelter. BellaTrix

who was also adopted from the shelter made a return to visit with her former caretakers.

Facts and Figures: 13 dogs and one cat were licensed at the clinic 15 pets were microchipped 32 dogs and 16 cats were vaccinated A pit bull rescue, Pitties and Pals is coming to the shelter to look at some of the dogs who have been in the shelter for a long period of time for possible adoption.

MAY 20-25 – 6 DAY GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS JUNE 2-4 – 3 DAY 1000 ISLAND & BOLDT CASTLE ADVENTURE SEPT 2-5 – 4 DAY NEWPORT & BLOCK ISLAND SEPT 9-15 – 7 DAY MYRTLE BEACH

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PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ON TRIPS Always Included: Bottled Water & Snacks, Company Escort, All Gratuities Bus Departures Toms River (Exit 81 West Water Street NJT Station) • Brick Target (Route 70) Please Visit Our Website for All Upcoming Trips & Itineraries

jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 12, The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

Chair Yoga Class Fundraiser Please join Theresa Skopkowski for a 45 minute Chair Yoga class.

Benefits of yoga include balance, flexibility, and improved mental wellbeing. Enjoy all the advantages of yoga while seated in a chair.

WHEN: Tuesdays; February 6 & 20, March 5 & 19 TIME: 10:00am (Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign waiver) WHERE: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Hall 1937 Church Road, Toms River COST: $10.00 suggested donation to support the OLPH Building Fund

COMMUNITY NEWS C LUB N EWS , A CTIVITIES , E VENTS & A NNOUNCEMENTS

Firefighters Train Ice Rescue Skills

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing for yoga class. Bring a Friend!

Please check www.olphtr.org for any cancellations prior toattending class.

Photo courtesy Toms River Fire Company 2

A WIDE SELECTION OF FABRICS TO CHOOSE FROM! Large Selection Of Fabric • Boat Upholstery Kitchen Chairs • Window Treatments • Cornices-Draperies Foam Rubber Cut to Size • FREE ESTIMATES

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1177 Fischer Blvd. • Toms River • 1/2 Mile Off Hooper Ave.

609-494-7880 Beach Haven Area

609-597-2676 Manahawkin Area

ShopAt-Home Service

TOMS RIVER – Toms River Fire Department Firefighters from Toms River Fire Department, Company #1, Toms River Fire Company 2 and East Dover Fire Company took advantage of the last few days of cold

weather and put together a quick drill and practiced ice rescue skills at Winding River Park.

Firefighters performed this training in the event someone haphazardly walks on the ice and falls through.

The Stations Of The Cross TOMS RIVER – The Stations of the Cross, or Way of the Cross, is also called the Via Dolorosa, the Way. The Devotions of the Stations of the Cross. Each Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Church February 20 to March 26.

Participate in all, one or just some of the sessions available. Ch rist Episcopal Church is located at 415 Washington Street, Toms River. For more information call 732-349-5506.

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The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 13

Spotlight On Business

Welcome To The ICAM Experience

Dr. Bartiss and the entire staff at ICAM are highly skilled and trained in multiple subspecialties of Integrative Medicine. For over three decades we have been offering services “outside the box” to thousands of patients with multiple medical conditions and diagnoses.

ICAM’s Health Initiative Program was created to provide comprehensive evaluations and treatment protocols specifically suited and tailor made to an individual’s needs. Our approach will help uncover both a misdiagnosis and a missed diagnosis.

When provided with a wrong diagnosis, patients are left to trudge on in life–unsatisfied, unaware, untreated, and invalidated because the true underlying medical pathology is never found or treated effectively. When a patient suffers chronically with signs and symptoms that do not resolve despite what is considered “appropriate” medical treatment, doctors begin to

question the patient’s reliability and motives rather than question their own diagnosis and treatment practices.

Then, when doctors have ruled out all possible illnesses fulfilling set criteria, they begin to label – not diagnose patients as having DEPRESSION. And, although your depression is likely accurate, it is SECONDARY to and a direct result of, a missed or a mis-diagnosed PRIMARY condition(s) that has ailed you for years.

ICAM’s various therapies are tailored made. Learn more about what patients really need, desire, and deserve from their healthcare providers. Be an informed consumer and know that there are options to your current healthcare, you just don’t know them yet. Come see for yourself as you live the ICAM Experience.

For more information, call 609-9789002 or visit icamnj.com.

Yours in Health, Mark James Bartiss, MD

OCVTS Annual Chef’s Night Out Returns Celebrating All Things Food

By Alyssa Riccardi LACEY – Enjoy a fun-filled night of great food and treats. You are invited to join The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education for their 27th Annual International Chef’s Night Out. The event this year will take place on March 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lacey Elks Lodge at 900 Beach Boulevard in Forked River.

Discover dozens of local restaurants, caterers, bakeries, specialty stores and more.

Attendees can sample a variety of sweet and savory delicacies. Returning will also be a

50/50 raffle valued at up to $10,000.

This year, the event will be offering a cash bar.

Proceeds from the event go to scholarships for adult learners that attend Ocean County Vocational School and state of the art equipment for Ocean County Vocational School students.

Advanced tickets are $60, and tickets purchased at the door are $70. Those interested can purchase tickets by visiting OCVTSFoundation.org.

For more information, contact Annie Sayers at 732-286-5670 ext. 3242.

SERVING ALL OF NEW JERSEY Our fleet features: 56 Pax MCI J4500 Buses Wi-Fi – DVD, Music Player Cup holders – Restrooms Clean and comfortable RATES starting from $1,350 per day PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE

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The Toms River Times welcomes your special announcements! Engagements, Weddings, Births, Birthday Wishes, etc. Please call 732-657-7344 for more details!

Monday-Friday 10am-5pm

jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 14, The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024

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The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 15

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Page 16, The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024

HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

Dr. Isidore Kirsh Ph.D., F.A.A.A.

Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Plans

Dr. Bartiss has often been referred to as “a doctor’s doctor”, and is frequently called upon for his diagnostic skills. He is founder and Medical Director of ICAM and a member of the American College for the Advancement of Medicine, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Academy of Ozone Therapists, and a diplomate of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Bartiss is a medical writer, lecturer and author who is recognized as one of the top ten specialists in the field of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).

THERAPIES/SERVICES • Hormone Replacement • IV Therapies • Thermascan • Cryoskin • HOCATT • Colonics • PEMF • Salt Room/Halotherapy • Theta Chamber • Ozone • Botox • Thyroid/Adrenal Fatigue Management • Peptides 63 Lacey Rd. Unit C • Whiting, NJ 08759 609-978-9002 • www.ICAMNJ.com

Medicare Advantage Plans simplify coverage, combining Medicare Part A – which includes inpatient care, such as hospital admissions – and Part B – which includes outpatient services, such as doctors’ visits.

These plans can also integrate medical and prescription drug coverage so beneficiaries have access to unified and coordinated coverage. In addition, these plans can offer dental, vision, and hearing aid coverage. Over 65% of those over the age of 65 years have some type of Medicare Advantage Plan.

Why?? In general, people are saving over 30% or more versus having Medicare and a supplemental plan to cover the 20% that Medicare does not cover (Medigap Plan). In many cases, you’re sacrificing “quality of care” if you sign up for the Advantage Plan!

In general, most Medicare Advantage Plans do not offer the same level of choice as a Medicare Plus (Medigap) combination.

Most plans require you to go to their network of doctors and healthcare providers.

If you have significant health problems, you should shy away from Medicare Advantage Plans by way of how they structure copays and deductibles. Many enrollees have been hit with unexpected costs and denial of benefits for various types of care deemed not medically necessary. Depicted below is a simple comparison when considering your options: MEDICARE You & Your Doctor Choose Your Care No Referrals Needed No Restrictions No Lab Fees

No Preauthorization No Hidden Costs Full Coverage

ADVANTAGE Your Plan Chooses Your Care – Not You Highly Restricted Referrals Limited Specialist Mri & Outpatient High Fees Upfront Copay On Er Visits Higher Deductibles Somewhat Limited Coverage Many of you are signing up for Advantage plans mainly to take advantage of hearing aid benefits since there is NO hearing aid coverage through Medicare. Advantage Plans such as United Healthcare, Humana, and Braven offer these benefits. Keep in mind if you choose this path, your INSURANCE COMPANY is telling you where you have to go. You have to follow their rules and regulations and quite often, the best hearing aid for your listening needs and lifestyle are sometimes not a choice. In addition, you will have to start paying your hearing healthcare professional office fees basically after 1 yr. of service. This fee is typically $125 per visit and is NOT covered by the Advantage plan.

Many Audiologists, including myself, do not accept the majority of these Advantage plans. Hospitals and physician groups are starting to drop many of these plans because they’re horrible to work with.

Dr. Izzy and his staff will always provide you with honest information about hearing health issues. Please feel free to call us at 732-451-3962 or visit us at www.gardenstatehearing.com.

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-451-3962 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! Search: @JSHOREONLINE LOOK FOR A VARIETY OF PHOTOS SNAPPED ALL AROUND THE JERSEY SHORE! Have a photo you’d like to share with the community? TAG US!

Visit online @ jerseyshoreonline.com

jerseyshoreonline.com

The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 17

HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH Dear Pharmacist Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

4 Commonly Overlooked Signs Of Hypothyroidism

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

When it comes to safeguarding your well-being, understanding and nurturing the intricate dance of your thyroid gland is critical and I talk about this a lot because my own symptoms were overlooked and I had to cure myself.

I wrote a book on the topic “Thyroid Healthy” and created dietary supplements for this problem. Look how easy it is to have a thyroid condition overlooked. there are 4 major signs: 1. Fatigue - The thyroid produces hormones, namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The T3 is the one that is most biologically active influencing how warm you feel, and how fast you burn off weight. It also is the hormone that makes you feel happy, as happy as what an antidepressant does in your body! Some people have a hard time making T4, or converting it to the more active “happy” T3. I have a supplement at my website for that very problem! Anyway, if you go to doc feeling tired and lethargic, you might be pinned with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or you might be told you’re just stressed or depressed.

2. Weight Gain - An underactive thyroid may lead to stubborn weight loss, or slow weight gain. But the point is your thyroid gland is a fat burner, and as such if it is “asleep” and not pumping out enough T4 (or not converting it to T3), or not getting into the cell, then weight gain will be present.

3. Itchy Skin and Broken Nails - Dry

or itchy skin, brittle hair, and broken nails? This is another way to see in your appearance the condition of hypothyroidism. Also, losing the outer edges of your eyebrows is telltale.

4. Mental Health Issues - Thyroid imbalances may cast a shadow of depression, anxiety, and brain fog over your daily activities. Insomnia too! Some doctors are quick to address this with medications. But those are virtually impossible to get off of! But if you’ve never experienced mental health issues, think of thyroid illness before the drugs.

In my book about thyroid (sold on Amazon) I mention lots of herbs and supplements that you can take. Other things you can do include the simplest such as seeing an endocrinologist that really listens to you, and has a good track record of treating thyroid disease.

Not all doctors have this type of experience, they just prescribe one pill for you and keep upping the dose. That’s not good. You can and should start eating better and exercising to your level.

I would consider natural remedies and vitamins that are known to improve the activation of T3.

Finally, I would share your issues and health problems with a trusted loved one or friend. Keep a journal or app on your phone to help you remember daily symptoms. The more support you have, the better. I have a longer version of this article with some free resources available on my website, suzycohen.com.

(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2024 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.

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Before fellowship, Dr. Nugent completed his Orthopedic Surgery residency at Jefferson Health NJ, where he served as Chief Resident. During his third year of training, he received the residency’s research award for best research project. Dr. Nugent completed his pre-medical education at the University of Delaware and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). He then completed medical school at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.

He has several peer-reviewed research publications in the field of orthopedic surgery focusing on both patient and surgeon well-being. He has presented at multiple national orthopedic meetings including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting.

In his spare time, Dr. Nugent enjoys spending time with his wife, playing golf, visiting the beach, and watching live music. He is passionate about patient care. In treating patients like family, his ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life of his patients, through both nonoperative and operative interventions.

Call 732.349.8454 • oceanortho.com

Page 18, The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024

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The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 19

R.C. Shea & Assoc.

Inside The Law Injured At Work?! Know Your Rights To Critical Benefits!

By: Christopher R. Shea, Esq. of R.C. Shea & Associates You have a right to a safe and healthful workplace. If you have suffered an injury on the job, make sure you know what kind of benefits you might receive under workers’ compensation coverage.

In some instances, an aggressive compensation carrier may deny an injured worker’s legitimate workers’ compensation claims. An insurer can claim you have not been injured, or that the injury you’ve suffered is not serious enough to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. If this is the case, you may stand to lose critical benefits.

Most important among these critical benefits is the right to medical treatment.

Medical benefits are mandated by the New Jersey Worker’s Compensation Act, and require the employer to furnish the injured worker with medical, surgical, and other treatment as are necessary “to cure and relieve the worker of the effects of the injury and to restore the functions of the injured member or organ” if possible. Moreover, in those instances where the employer has refused or neglected to provide medical treatment in accordance with the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act, the employer will be held responsible for the cost of treatment; even if the employee receives treatment

Christopher R. Shea Esq.

prior to the carrier’s authorization.

Further, it is important to note another critical benefit of the Workers Compensation Act. This benefit protects employees from collections law suits when the employee obtains medical treatment that has been wrongfully or negligently withheld by an employer. This benefit, was upheld by the New Jersey Appellate Court in Kinley Physical Therapy Services, Inc. v. Kramer, and unequivocally states that a medical service provider is prohibited from filing an action against the employee until a determination has been made by the Division of Workers’ Compensation.

The Court reasoned that a medical provider is normally not permitted to pursue collection actions in court until it resolves all administrative remedies, thus, the employee must be shielded from all actions by the medical provider until the Court determines whether or not the employer is responsible for the cost of medical care.

If you feel your legitimate benefits have been denied and you live in the New Jersey, our Workers Compensation Lawyers would like to talk to you to see if we can assist you with your case.

Our clients’ success is our greatest reward.

732-505-1212 • RCSHEA.COM

Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant 2024 ATLANTIC CITY – Ms. New Jersey Senior America, Inc., is seeking senior women, age 60 and over, to participate in the Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant 2024, to be

held at Harrah’s Resort Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, on May 30 at 1 p.m.

For all inquiries, call: 609-412-4980 or 908-2168534, or visit: newjerseysenioramerica.org.

Toms River Elks St. Patrick’s Day Bash TOMS RIVER – The Toms River Elks Lodge #1875 is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Bash on March 16 from 1 to 6 p.m. featuring music by Ballyhaunis Band

from 2 to 6 p.m.

Open to the public. Menus includes: potato leek soup $4; Irish nachos $6; corned beef sandwiches on rye $10; Reubens $12.

Outdoor Spring Spectacular Market TOMS RIVER – The East Dover Baptist Church is hosting an Outdoor Spring Spectacular Market on April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Come stroll the lawn for some springtime

shopping! Over 30 artisans and vendors!

They will also have a cafe with snacks, lunch and drinks for sale!

The East Dover Baptist Church is located at 974 Bay Avenue, Toms River.

jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 20, The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024

History:

Continued From Page 7 The 1990s And 2000 That history repeated itself when I was in elected office in the 1990s. With a booming economy with the recovery after the 1987 stock market crash, the township population again exploded. In 1990, the population was 76,400; ten years later, it was 89,700.

By then, the township government was Republican again (we had taken back control in 1980 due to the Democrats’ tax and spend policies of the 1970s). By the late ‘90s, development was again front and center. Two incumbent Republicans - my colleagues on the town committee - narrowly avoided defeat by just several hundred votes in 1999 over the issue.

The close vote in 1999 startled local Republicans (we had been winning by very large margins for years) and I served as mayor, the next year, in 2000 and was determined to address the issue of development head on. After taking the oath of office, my first words to our community were “open space.”

In that millennium year, I hosted two public

TOMS RIVER – Come out and shop vendors and crafters on April 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fun Bags Cornhole, 452 Route 37 Suite 2,

open space summits that were attended by many hundreds of people - government officials, civic group representatives, and ordinary citizens. Oddly, the chamber of commerce resisted those efforts, declined to participate in the public forums, and it’s president, eyeball to eyeball one day on the steps of Town Hall, flatly told me - “Mark, we’re very disappointed in you.”

I pressed on, and made it crystal clear, publicly, that I was a “Teddy Roosevelt Republican” - a Republican in favor of conservation, the environment, and open space, and not a “Rateables Republican” - a Republican beholden to narrow commercial interests and uncontrolled growth.

What came out of those efforts in 2000 was an open space tax question of 1.5 cents for the voters to decide that November. As mayor, I vigorously campaigned in favor of the idea. It was overwhelmingly approved in 2000 - 71 percent yes. Every single election district voted in favor of the special tax. (Today, years later, I can proudly say that many hundreds of acres have been preserved in our town with use of those monies.)

Clearly, back then, the people had had enough.

2023 Fast forward to 2023 and the GOP primary.

After four years in office, Mayor Hill and his Council allies were clearly on the side of development. Again, our town was seeing a mixed bag of development issues: residential development, what to do with the Ciba Geigy property, the future of our historic village. Those now infamous two 10 story apartment towers downtown became the crystallizing issue. To his credit, Mo Hill never shied away from the issue and stood his ground. He openly supported the plans for the redevelopment of downtown. He spoke of the need for the township to grow “vertically” - meaning tall buildings. He lauded the town planner for his work upon his retirement - the official who dreamed up the ideas that would have changed the face of downtown Toms River forever.

On the other side, stood Dan Rodrick and his long, outspoken record on the Council opposing the development ideas. Hill was on one side of the fence and Rodrick was on the other.

It was a clash of the titans, and as I say this in these terms, I do not do so as to people and personalities, or this Repub-

Vendor & Craft Fair

Toms River.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for Katie’s

Visionary of the Year campaign!

Vendor fee is $40 and shoppers are free. Vendors can apply at the google doc form, which can be

Check out Micromedia Publications’ website, jerseyshoreonline.com

lican club or that Republican club - but, instead, in the highest and best sense of politics: policy.

In that clash of policy, Dan Rodrick won in a landslide.

Clearly, the people had had enough.

The Future Of Our Town So, as we look back on last year, it was a watershed year for our community. The elections were clearly a referendum on development, redevelopment, overdevelopment - however you look at it.

I urge not only my fellow Republicans, but all of our townspeople, to look ahead, and to look far, far ahead, and ask: What kind of town do we want for tomorrow?

I think that the history of 1970 and 1971, 1999 and 2000, and 2023, all tell us the same thing: most of us, indeed the great “silent majority” of all of us, to borrow the words of Richard Nixon from back when I was a kid, like Toms River just the way it is. If that’s the case, let us preserve and protect it, not change it.

Yes, history does repeat itself.

J. Mark Mutter Toms River

found at: facebook.com/CrawlinforaCure.

Any questions, email Katie at katie.s@crawlinforacure.com.

jerseyshoreonline.com

The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 21

CLASSIFIEDS For Rent

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Items Wanted COSTUME/ESTATE JEWELRY Looking to buy costume/ estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n) $$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$ Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, bric-a-brac, select china and crystal patterns. Cash paid.

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Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n) Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713. (t/n) U s e d G u n s Wa n t e d - A l l types: collectibles, military, etc.

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Seeking Responsible Individual With Good Phone Skills - Experience In Hvac & Permits A Plus. Filing/Answering Phones/ Scheduling/Permits/Ordering Parts/ Customer Service. Great Work Environment. $15/Hour 7:30 a.m.

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Services THE RIDE GUY - Takes you anywhere! No limits. Comfy mini-van. Call Charlie 732-216-3176 or Email: cr@ exit109.com. References. Let's Go! (t/n) CHEAP PAINTING Done RITE Free est. Senior discounts interior exterior. Call 732-506-7787, cell 646-643-7678. (t/n) Since 1979, Kitchen Magic, a family-owned business offering cabinet refacing, new cabinetry, and luxury countertop throughout the Northeast. We transform kitchens in less time, with less stress, at an amazing value. Call today for a free estimate 1-844-367-2477. (t/n) APlus Home Improvements - Over 30 years experience. Everything from small handyman tasks to large renovations, decks, finished basements and much more. Lic #13VH11453600. No job too small give us a call. 908-278-1322.

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1. Below, circle the heading you would like your ad to appear under: • Estate/Garage/Yard Sales

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clearly your ad as you want it to read. Include Phone # within 2. Print ad below (counts as 1 word). Use separate sheet if necessary.

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You are responsible for checking your ad the first time it runs and notifying us of any errors. If we make an error, we will correct it and rerun the ad. We will not be responsible for multiple insertions if you do not call us after the first ad run. No refunds for classified ads. Newspapers are available at our office.

Please feel free to stop in and check your ad.

Calculate Price As Follows: 3. 1 week* at $29.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 2 weeks* at $44.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 3 weeks* at $60.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 4 weeks* at $74.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ *In order to qualify for discounts, the same ad

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jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 22, The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024

Resident Rally: Continued From Page 4

the first or second who shows up. He knows the truth and he didn’t tell it. Keep the police they are our first responders. We need them.”

This was likely in reference to Councilman Justin Lamb who is a police officer in Lavallette.

One of the causalities of Rodrick’s police

Women’s Rally: Continued From Page 1

had no hesitation in pinpointing why New Jersey women should still harbor fears about the ongoing control over their bodies. Foremost among these concerns is the prospect that a nationwide abortion ban would encompass all individuals across the country. Additionally, there remains the possibility of New Jersey amending existing legislation, thereby affecting women’s rights to

department restructure was the layoff of Jillian Messina who had served as the department’s public information officer for seven years. Her job was eliminated when it was merged with the public information officer (PIO) position. The Township PIO position also saw a change when Art Gallagher was terminated from the job and Phil Stilton, the owner of Shore News Network was hired by the mayor on January 1 at a salary

of $89,000 a year.

Neither Gallagher nor Messina were offered the joint Township/Police Department PIO position despite having worked for the municipality for several years.

Messina posted her farewell on social media on Monday. “Thank you for the most incredible seven years! We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together, we’ve even solved crimes together! We

relied on each other, and we trusted each other.”

“Keeping you connected with our Toms River Police Department family was the best job I’ve ever had. I loved every second with you. Please continue to show lots of love to our officers and everyone who makes the Toms River Police Department the greatest police department ever!

Signing off for now,” Messina added. She was present at the rally.

birth control and abortion.

Speaking candidly to the crowd of approximately 70 people, McClure acknowledged that she had never been pregnant herself. Yet, she still felt very personally connected to the abortion debate.

“I’m in favor of abortion,” she stated emphatically. “And I use that word as often as possible to destigmatize it because it is not a bad word. It is healthcare.”

McClure articulated her support for women’s autonomy over their lives, saying she was fighting

for the 16-year-old who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, hoping to empower her to continue her education, pursue her dreams, and choose when motherhood fits into her life. She spoke of the 10-year-old victim of rape or incest, who would be expected to carry a pregnancy against her will, despite the risks to her health and future.

McClure added more to the list of women denied abortions.

Pointing out changes throughout the country since key components of Roe v. Wade were

lifted, McClure spoke of instances of women being denied life-saving care and the erosion of medical standards. She also addressed the criminalization of miscarriages and the urgent need for corrective action.

When Crystal surveyed those in attendance, she started by asking people to raise their hands if they had marched in favor of reproductive rights in 2017. As she went year by year, more and more individuals admitted they’d been around (Women’s Rally - See Page 25)

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jerseyshoreonline.com

The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 23

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH & TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH 10:00AM - 5:00PM

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jerseyshoreonline.com

Page 24, The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024

Abandoned Sunken Sailboat Removed From Silverton Lagoon

By Alyssa Riccardi TOMS RIVER – Township officials have called in towing services to remove a sunken and abandoned vessel that’s been in a local lagoon for a year.

The sailboat, which sunk last year, posed a threat to boaters and nearby property owners, township officials said. The boat

was previously docked at 333 Aldo Drive, but broke loose from its mooring in early January due to a storm.

Residents were concerned about the potential hazard the sunken boat could bring and possible damage to nearby bulkheads.

The township contacted the New Jersey State Police who declined to take action

on the matter.

As a result of neighbors’ continued concerns, Mayor Daniel T. Rodrick made the decision that the boat needed to be removed and contracted with USA Tow to safely raise and remove the boat on January 26.

The boat was towed to a boat storage yard

in Brick Township and Mayor Rodrick said the township will place a lien on the home.

“If we waited for the state to clear the waterway, we will be waiting for months or years. My administration took immediate action and will be putting a lien against the home that it broke loose from,” Mayor Rodrick said.

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jerseyshoreonline.com

The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 25

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

The recent snowstorm at the Jersey Shore created some headaches for travel – unless you were on foot and taking pics! This one was captured by Toni Pasquale at Crossley Preserve in Berkeley. Have a photo of the Jersey Shore you would like to see in this space? Email it to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com and you may win a prize!

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Women’s Rally: Continued From Page 22

to continue the fight.

The event drew notable figures seeking to represent New Jersey at the federal level. Among them were CD2 candidates Tim Alexander and Carolyn Rush, CD4 candidate Matt Jenkins and Frances Patano, representing Congressman Andy Kim’s office. All are Democrats who spoke on behalf of women’s reproductive rights.

Congressman Chris Smith, a Republican who represents the 4th Congressional District of New Jersey, has been a strong opponent of abortion. A year after the Dobbs decision, Smith issued a statement.

“There is nothing humane or benign about abortion,” said Smith. “Abortion is not healthcare, unless one construes the precious life of an unborn child to analogous to a tumor to be excised or a disease to be vanquished.”

The day before the forum at the library, Smith was a featured speaker at the National March for Life Rally in Washington, DC. He reiterated his defense for what he called the “weakest and most vulnerable.”

As Crystal sees it, the issue continues to be far more than access to abortion. And, she has no problem in stating her perspective.

“Anyone who is infuriated with the Dobbs decision and the reversal of Roe,” Crystal said. “Needs to rememberthat–and‘Roe’intheirvotesinNovember.”

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Page 26, The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024

FUN & GAMES SUDOKU

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Across 1 Mustang automaker 5 Honey liquor 9 “__ Mia!”: ABBA musical 14 Nike rival 15 Convention center event 16 Noble gas in some lasers 17 Prepare for a newborn’s arrival 18 Softball glove 19 Entice 20 *Title of many compilation albums 23 Old 1-Across named for a horse 24 Stores 27 Costello partner 30 Sweetie 31 Vote in favor 33 Actress Polo 34 *Not at all talkative 38 Take along 40 ISP pioneer 41 Covert agents

42 *Taylor Swift song with the lyrics “You can’t get rid of it / ‘Cause you remember it ... “ 45 “To be,” in French 46 Up to, briefly 47 Directional suffix 48 Agitation 50 White __ machine: sleep aid 52 Sight-singing teaching method 54 *”There’s no way to know yet” 59 Infomercial dude 62 Dancer Falana 63 Drink whose logo has frosted letters 64 LEGO brand for tots 65 “Stay” singer Lisa 66 CBS military drama 67 Reproductive health pro 68 Pop artist Warhol 69 Superlative acronym spelled out by the starts of the answers to the

starred clues Down 1 Long, pointed tooth 2 “Evvie Drake Starts __”: novel by Linda Holmes 3 Counterpart of run in calculating the slope of a line 4 Unit of information 5 Foul ball caught at a game, e.g.

6 Have life 7 Likely will, after “is” 8 Biblical verb 9 “Crash Into Me” rock group Dave __ Band 10 Childish retort 11 Old RKO rival 12 Messy hairdo 13 Industrious insect 21 __ for tat 22 “No need to tell me what happened there” 25 Mineral that resembles gold 26 Passover meals

27 Facing the pitcher 28 German capital 29 S.O.S alternative 30 Kristen of “The Good Place” 32 Strong point 35 Young deer 36 Adversary 37 The “O” of iOS 39 Contributes to, as a group gift 43 Utah city near Provo 44 Soothing song 49 Super Bowl org.

51 Setting of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels 52 Faint 53 Lubricated 55 “Boo’d Up” singer __ Mai 56 Danish shoe brand 57 A Skywalker twin 58 For fear that 59 Hullabaloo 60 Name 61 Fuel efficiency stat

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SOLUTIONS

SU DO K U

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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The Toms River Times, February 3, 2024, Page 27

OMARR’S ASTROLOGICAL FOR THE WEEK OF FEB 3- FEB 9

BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS FORECAST ARIES (March 21-April 19): If the spotlight is on you, you could be put on the spot. Even if you have not done anything wrong, your integrity could be questioned or doubted. Romantic misunderstandings may need careful handling.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Focus on achieving your dreams. To promote a dynamic change put your heart into it without being controversial or disrupting the status quo. It isn’t necessary to work alone when cooperative people are nearby.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You might circle back and rethink some of your decisions later this week. You may realize you have been influenced by a partner’s viewpoint or have been following the herd when it comes to life choices.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): It might be difficult to incorporate change into your long-term objectives in the upcoming week.

Other people could seem uncommitted or may distract you from your plans. A loved one’s mood may go to extremes.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Changes and unpredictable people can be exciting or stressful but might open your eyes to something new. This week a boost to your popularity can make it easier to attract opportunities by capitalizing on your personality.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Romantic fantasies may be a source of inspiration but could fade away into oblivion if you face up to reality. You might not enjoy red tape, but you might notice that it can sometimes help hold things together.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Timeliness and punctuality can be revealing of executive capacity, the person’s level of respect, or only of current stress load. Still, if someone is late or forgets to call as promised you might question their sincerity or feel less certain.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A surprising choice might bring up questions of commitment in the week ahead. If a relationship breaks down it might be time to move on, it’s hard to resolve a frequency mismatch unless both of you uplevel in the same way.

S A G IT TA R IU S (N ov. 2 2 - D ec.

21): New friends may spark an interest in gaining recognition for your creative artistry or expertise in a special interest. Make headway by being a knowledgeable person with the answers to someone’s questions.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Even small kindnesses can make big things happen.

Make a conscious effort to be sincere, cooperative, and honest during the week to come. Don’t let any doubts about loyalty disrupt a solid relationship.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): One or more surprises may cross your path.

Changes to your family schedule can force you to be more flexible and accommodating as the week unfolds as you might need to adjust to new viewpoints or timetables.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You have to dig deep to be cheerful, optimistic, and empowering toward others when you aren’t feeling your best. Every doubt and worry is magnified if you are melting down. Recharge via good self-care.

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TORTA CAPRESE OFTEN TRADES ON CLOYING FUDGE-LIKE DENSITY AND ONE-NOTE CHOCOLATE FLAVOR

By America’s Test Kitchen

TORTA CAPRESE

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­

(For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. See more online at www.americastestkitchen. com/TCA.) (c) 2024 AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

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