TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 19 - No. 41
In This Week’s Edition
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Project SEARCH: Empowering People With Disabilities
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan
Community News Pages 8-12
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 23
Members of the current Project SEARCH intern class at Monmouth Medical Center. By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - For Jason French, 20, and his mom, Cathy, his job at Barnegat Rehabilitation and Nursing Center isn’t just any job - it’s a symbol of triumph. Jason, who lives in Stafford Township, isn’t your typical kitchen staffer. He’s a young man on the autism spectrum, and his journey to employment
shines a light on the power of determination and support. While Jason had prior experience washing dishes at Waretown’s Breakers restaurant and a summer stint at Compassionate Cafe, Cathy knew he deserved more. She envisioned a role that would utilize his skills and foster a sense of independence and self-satisfaction.
A true champion for her son, Cathy knew she had to find the right fit for Jason. He’d always loved being in the kitchen, and Cathy wanted him to have a job that somewhat challenged him and made him feel like a contributing member of a team. (Project Search See Page 4)
February 17, 2024
Toms River Seeks Date For Seaside Referendum By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The Toms R iver Regional School District is seeking a date to hold a referendum asking voters whether Seaside kids should join the district. Seaside students currently go to the Hugh J. Boyd Jr. School for elementary and then Central Regional Middle School and High School. Seaside Heights officials reached out to Toms River to see if the kids could go there instead. If the Seaside Heights district closes, Boyd will close. Some residents have been upset about this, worried that they are losing a huge part of their community as well as their home rule. They have been critical of the Seaside Heights Board of Education, accusing them of colluding with the town to make the school into the new police station. In order to take in Seaside kids, a majority of voters in the Toms River district’s
towns would have to agree to it. At a recent meeting, the majority of the Toms River Board of Education voted to ask the state if they could hold the election on March 12. Board members Melissa Morrison and Paola Pascarella voted no. Board member Anna Polozzo was absent. There are only certain dates that the state allows special elections. March 12 would give the district more time to make changes as early as the 2024-2025 school year. However, given that this is less than a month away, and the district still hasn’t received confirmation from the state, it’s unlikely that this date will be it. The district needs to send out mail-in ballots, and there isn’t a lot of time to get that done, a school official noted. In a later board meeting, residents asked about the decision. (Referendum See Page 22)
“miss liberty” remembered for her love of life and community
Photo by Bob Vosseller Newspaper clips, photos and other materials fill a display case in the Wellington Room on the second f loor of the Toms River Library on Washington Street as a tribute to Sondra Fortunato/Miss Liberty.
By Bob Vosseller TOMS RIVER – The sunny and warm weather on the morning of February 9 seemed appropriate for a day when “home town celebrity” Sondra Fortunato would be remembered. Her funeral service was held at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church and included her
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husband, family members and friends who will remembered her vivacious spirt and beaming smile. The priest who spoke during the funeral noted Fortunato’s bubbly, friendly manner and the brightness she brought to everyone she encountered during social gatherings, sporting events and fund-
raisers. Fortunato, known to many as “Miss Liberty,” was larger than life. She died on January 11 from complications of cancer. “I’m different, I know it and that’s a good thing. No one can say I’m average,” she once told Jersey Shore Online. She loved people and they
didn’t need to be famous, they just needed to be nice to her and most people couldn’t resist being drawn to her electric personality. Miss Liberty was a special friend to Jersey Shore Online/ Micromedia Publications and would often surprise the office staff with gifts mailed (Miss Liberty - See Page 5)
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