The MANCHESTER Times Vol. 29 - No. 48
In This Week’s Edition
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Broadway Star Teaches Mayor Moves Workshops For Drama Students Closer To
County Leadership
BREAKING NEWS @
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Community News Pages 10-16
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 18
Inside The Law Page 21
Classifieds Page 25
March 2, 2024
Photo courtesy Manchester Schools Broadway star Constantine Maroulis, left joins some new friends from the Manchester school district during his recent visit to the township. By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – It isn’t often that a Broadway star comes to visit the township, much less host a workshop for high school and middle school drama students, but Constantine Maroulis did just that when he came to both schools recently. The actor spoke with members of each school’s Drama Clubs for an exclusive work-
shop. He starred in the Broadway version of “Rock of Ages,” earning a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. Therefore, it was fitting for him to share his knowledge and experience when local students perform “Rock of Ages-Teen Edition” later this spring. Maroulis gained fame as the sixth-place (Drama - See Page 5)
Polar Bear Plunge Raises $2.5M For Special Olympics
By Bob Vosseller SEASIDE HEIGHTS – Around 8,000 people made up of about 570 teams plunged into the icy surf on a cold Seaside morning, raising more than a combined $2.5 million to benefit Special
Olympics New Jersey. Including spectators, approximately 65,000 people came out to boardwalk for the 31st anniversary of the Polar Bear Plunge. For over 55 years, Special Olympics New Jersey has provided year-round sports training
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the 1 p.m. plunge time that featured an air temperature in the mid-30s and water temperatures in the low 40s. “This is my seventh year,” Cheryl Klouda of Columbia New Jersey (Plunge - See Page 4)
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By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – Mayor Robert Arace recently told The Manchester Times that his decision to accept the nomination of becoming a county commissioner, was “one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make.” This was in response to a political upset that occurred when the Ocean County Republican screening committee endorsed him and Berkeley Township Board of Education President Jennifer Bacchione rather than incumbent Commissioners Gary Quinn and Bobbi Jo Crea. Originally it appeared they would be facing a challenge during this week’s Ocean County GOP convention.
Quinn and Crea however decided to drop their bids for reelection this year, and are therefore expected to be replaced on the GOP ticket by Arace and Bacchione who are both closely allied with County GOP Chairman George Gilmore. Gilmore reclaimed his party boss position in 2023. He had been pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his conviction for tax evasion. Arace is 30 years old and has just completed serving his second month of his second year as mayor. He is the youngest candidate for such a county position. He ran in three elections to win (Mayor - See Page 9)
Senior Issues Discussed By Council
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – The topic of assisting the township’s many seniors was the focus of officials and residents during a recent council meeting. Council Vice President James Vaccaro once again brought up the need for the governing body to investigate the creation of a senior center for residents of the township. “I would like our council members to discuss the
need of a future senior community center to be established in Manchester Township and the exploration of available grants. This will require administration and council discussions,” he added. Judy Noonan, who serves as senior liaison and conf idential aide to the mayor spoke up during the public comment period of that council meeting, about a senior (Senior - See Page 9)
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