TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 19 - No. 16
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Group Brings Meals, Haircuts And Clothes To Needy
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-12
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 16
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Free haircuts help those in need feel better and look presentable for work. By Stephanie Faughnan LAKEWOOD – A g roup of dedicated volunteers have paved a path for the needy, where assistance lies just steps away in the heart of the community. Transportation accessibility - or the lack thereof - is one of the r e a s on s t he “ Fo o d
Angels” chose Town Square as a convenient place to make some basic necessities readily available. The aroma of freshly cooked meals isn’t all that draws some of the most vulnerable locals to the area every couple of weeks. Food Angels also uses its time in Town Square to bring
other types of support to those who face other types of challenges that require money. Contrary to what its na me m ig ht i mply, Food Angels doesn’t limit itself to nourishing bodies. They are also intent on nurturing a sense of dignity that starts with an outer appearance. Two skilled
hairdressers volunteer t hei r t i me, rea d i ly putting their clippers to good use. A blanket filled with folded clean clothes allows the needy to sort through donated items and take selections home at no cost. Language barriers could make for a roadblock for those receiving a helping hand from the Food Angels. However, communication transcends words when it comes to offering assistance. An emphasis on inclusivity is underscored by the absence of questions about residency status or income. Every individual who seeks support is met with open arms. The scene paints a portrait of empathy, and a vivid snapshot of many people in need. Pasquale learned carpentry when he moved to the United States from Mexico more than two decades ago. He (Meals - See Page 4)
Will $5 Homelessness Surcharge Affect You?
By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY – To create a Homelessness Trust Fund, officials approved a $5 surcharge on most recorded documents at the Ocean County Clerk’s Office, but what does that mean for the average person? The applicable documents are listed below, but many are not ones that most residents will see more than a few times
in their lives. Mortgages, deeds, liens, power of attorney are a few of the more common ones, but most people probably don’t need aircraft liens or notices of lis pending. Starting on September 1, 2023, Ocean will join several other counties that have such a surcharge. The idea of it is that some money will help tackle VETERAN &
FIRST RESPONDER
DISCOUNTS OFFERED
the problem. That money won’t come from taxpayers. People without homes will be helped by people making real estate transactions. Up until this year, the County Commissioners didn’t want to install this charge, calling it an added tax. However, upon looking at the list of documents, it’s clear that it
would be nothing like a tax because the average resident might go decades without needing to fill out any of these forms. It would only be “like a tax” to the real estate community and developers. County government still does not want to run a shelter. Rather, this money will help fund programs already in place.
Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea has said that the fund could bring in about $275,000 to $390,000 a year. This money will stay in Ocean County. Homelessness advocates have urged the county to create this for some time as a tool in the belt, but not the solution to all the homeless problems in the area. The only beneficiary officials have named is
How Much Damage Did Ciba Cause?
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – On the heels of a settlement being signed in which the owner of the Ciba-Geigy property will still be able to profit from it, environ mentalists are forming a strategy to again fight the chemical giant and the state agency that has “environmental protection” in its name. Ciba-Geigy created dyes and other chemicals from 1952 until 1990. It also dumped unknown amounts of toxic waste into the soil and waterways. Many people believe that the area’s cancer cluster was caused by them. The current property ow ners, BASF, and the State Department of Env i ron ment al Protection reached a settlement that would k e e p a b o u t 1, 0 0 0 acres of it preserved for open space, pollinator gardens, trails, and an environmental recreation center.
Locals are angry that 255 acres of the site would be allowed to be developed on Route 37 in an area currently zoned as light industrial. BASF will also be able to profit from a huge solar array. Ciba became an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Site in 1983. The set tlement with the St ate DEP will not impact the situation with the federal EPA. Save Barnegat Bay, a local environmental group, held a meeting to show t he publ ic how they will f ight the settlement. They intend to show that the damages created by Ciba are far more than what the current property owners are being required to pay – preser v i ng 1,0 0 0 a c re s a nd bu i ld i ng passive recreation. “Frankly, I’m really angry that a grassroots organization like this is f ig ht i ng when it should be done by the (Ciba- See Page 4)
Photos by Chris Lundy Environmental lawyer Albert Telsey gave an (Homeless- See Page 5) overview of his tactics in fighting this settlement.
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