The MANCHESTER Times Vol. 31 - No. 32
In This Week’s Edition
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Community News Pages 9-15
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 18
Inside The Law Page 21
Classifieds Page 24
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Tuskegee Park Renovated By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – A new township playground was unveiled recently and during that warm afternoon you could find a lot of adults, three of which were public officials who had to try out the swings, just to make sure they were safe for children to use. Mayor Joseph Hankins and council members James Vaccaro and Sandy Drake came out to Tuskegee Park for a ribbon cutting ceremony after the completion of a massive renovation project. They joined members of the township’s Department of Public Works who performed the significant renovation which was funded through grants from the State Department of Community Affairs and the federal Community Development Block Grant program The park was first dedicated in 2004 to honor the historic Tuskegee Air men, a group of African-American avi-
Photos by Bob Vosseller (Above) Mayor Joseph Hankins joins fellow officials, members of the township Department of Public Works and area residents for the rededication and ribbon cutting of the recently renovated Tuskegee Park playground located at the end of Richard Drive (Tuskegee Airmen Drive). ators who served with distinction in World War II. It is the first township park named after a specific group of veterans. A stone monument noting the history and military service of the Tuskegee Airmen is now present in the park which is located at the end of Richard Drive (Tuskegee Airmen Drive). The renovated park (Park - See Page 4)
Ann Edwards of Richard Drive, at left was present during the July 5, 2004 dedication ceremony and returned for the more recent rededication at the same location for Tuskegee Park playground.
Uncontested Candidates Ready For 2026 By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – Election Day on the municipal level of the township was pretty tame this year but that doesn’t mean that the two elected officials aren’t ready for active new terms. The ballot offered up one-year unexpired terms for mayor and the Township Council that were both uncontested. Mayor Joseph Hankins sought election to the remainder of
the term of Robert Arace who resigned last year to become a member of the Board of Ocean County Commissioners. Hankins was appointed early this year and he received 13,548 votes in the general election. He told The Manchester Times, “I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the residents of Manchester Township have once again placed in me to serve as your mayor. I want to sincerely thank
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everyone who supported me and took the time to vote in this election. Your confidence in my leadership means a great deal, and I remain fully committed to working each day on behalf of all who call Manchester home.” The mayor added, “as we look ahead to 2026, my focus will remain on strengthening the qualities that make Manchester Township such a special place to (Candidates - See Page 7)
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Fired Superintendent Reinstated
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – It was two years ago during a special evening meeting of the Board of Education on Election Day that Superintendent John Berenato was removed from his position. Last week, the Board reinstated him during their regular meeting. Board members immediately voted to place him on paid administrative leave through June 30, 2026. Berenato, was originally promoted to superintendent in Febr uary 2022 was contracted to work for the district through June 30, 2026. During that crowded November 7, 2023 meeting, a large audience made up of staff and parents cheered when the announcement came of his dism issal follow i ng a lengthy closed session meeting of the Board. A citizen’s petition calling for Berenato’s
dismissal came weeks before the vote. Diane Pedroza was named as interim superintendent during the 2023 special board meeting. She served as interim superintendent for the rest of that school year and became full superintendent last year. The recent Board action does not address Pedroza or make any ruling on her status though it is likely that with Berenato placed on administrative leave through the end of his contract, Pedroza will remain the leader of the district. The petition and subsequent firing came after a lawsuit was filed against him by Whiting Elementary School Principal Evelyn Swift alleging age discrimination. Her lawsuit was later resolved through mediation and dismissed in November 2024. Berenato’s termination was made effective (Superintendent See Page 5)
Incumbents Lose School Board Seats
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – Election night wasn’t good for the incumbents in the local Board of Education race. Four candidates sought two, threeyear terms. Incumbents Gayle Mount (the board president) and Fay Weinstein ran on the slogan of “Excellence and Equity” while challengers Brian Guzman and Justine Beltran ran on the slogan “Manchester Kids First.”
Guzman was the top vote earner with 8,737 votes while Beltran received 7,942 votes defeating Mount who received 4,683 votes and Weinstein who brought in 3,157. Having served as a law enforcement officer for the past 17 years, Guzman told The Manchester Times that “I have a commitment to public service, and to create a safer community for the children in our town.” (School Board - See Page 7)
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