TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 21 - No. 27
In This Week’s Edition
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Government Page 7
Community News Pages 9-12,18, 24-25
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 20
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Toms River Halloween Parade Full Of Surprises
A local resident used a leaf blower in his Mr. Freeze costume.
Roxy was dressed as a unicorn and was ready to give kisses to anyone By Chris Lundy who would let her. TOMS RIVER - What can you expect when you go to the Halloween Photos by Chris Lundy first time. parade in Toms River? No matter Josh and Junior Davis were For example, Maryanne what you think you might see there, ready to protect the crowd Donaue of Berkeley and nothing will prepare you for the sur- from any real ghosts who hap- Lucille Donaue of Asbury pened to haunt downtown. Park. They were brought prises in store. here for their first time by The streets are flanked with people ready to see the 2nd largest Halloween parade in their sister, Patty Devin of Jackson. Patty’s first the country, put on by Toms River Fire Company time at the parade was last year. “The atmosphere is so great,” said Patty, who No. 1. They’ve been waiting for an hour or more. The weather was chilly but not as windy as was dressed as a teabag. “I was blown away. The was expected, considering the nor’easter that whole parade is awesome.” blew through earlier in the week. People kept “She talked it up so much” that they had to come warm with pizza, soft pretzels, and perhaps an check it out,” said Marianne, who put the letter “J” on her walker and went as a “jaywalker.”. alcoholic beverage. The windows of the shops are covered in Even before it started the sisters liked the vibe. paintings of the macabre by High School South “I think it’s wonderful that the whole town gets students. Scarecrows are attached to every pole, together,” Lucille the witch said. Chris and Toniann Gully - and their son, also as part of a competition held by the Downtown named Chris, came from Brick, dressed as Lord Business Improvement District. The parade is famous around these parts, but of the Rings characters. They didn’t know what (Halloween Parade - See Page 4) you’ll always find people who are here for the
Park Construction Halted For Asbestos Investigation
Photo courtesy Batchelor Drive resident Apparent asbestos insulating a pipe is exposed during the demolition of a house to make way for a park.
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The township’s attempt to build a new park was halted when it was reported that asbestos on a house that used to be there may not have been properly disposed of, but the mayor said the health impact is very low. A 4.3-acre parcel of residential property at the corner of Batchelor Street and Clifton Avenue, behind the Stop & Shop on Route 37, was purchased by the town in 2023, to prevent more housing. An inclusive playground consistent with the Americans With Disabilities Act was planned. Mayor Daniel Rodrick had previously said that a grant would pay for most of the construction. (Asbestos - See Page 5)
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November 8, 2025
Council Majority To Change After Election By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – It’s not much of a surprise that Republicans won in a very Republican county, but the real question is: which Republicans won? The current make-up of the Township Council is all Republican, but there are two different groups of Republicans. Mayor Daniel Rodrick leads the current administration and his four allies have a majority on the seven-member council right now. However, the primary election in June took out two council members that side with him on most if not all issues. This means that no matter what happened on election night, there would be a new majority when members are sworn in (in January). Rodrick’s team was under the Official Republican Team banner, while the other Republicans were under America First Republicans for Toms River. This other group will now have a council majority. The Democrats, meanwhile, only had candidates in three of the four wards, so there was no way they could have achieved a majority on the council. Ward Winners There are four wards in Toms River, divided up geographically. Each ward has a Township Council member who serves four-year terms. In Ward 1, Robert Bianchini (America First Republicans for Toms River) beat Democrat Anthony Colucci 6,315 votes to 3,449. There were 20 (Election - See Page 4)
More Than A House: Larry’s Home For Veterans In Need By Stephanie Faughnan LITTLE EGG HARBOR - A little more than a year after a groundbreaking on an empty lot, dozens of people returned to the same spot on October 28 to witness the transformation that love, perseverance, and purpose made possible. Where bare earth once sat, a ranch-style home now stands tall beneath the American flag. Dubbed Larry’s Home, the four-bedroom residence serves as a lasting tribute to the vision of Just Believe, Inc., founder and CEO Paul (Larry’s Home - See Page 6)
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