SOUTHERN OCEAN Times
The
Vol. 11 - No. 35
In This Week’s Edition
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Police Awarded For Outstanding Contributions
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-12
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
Classifieds Page 18
Photos by Stephanie Faughnan (From Clockwise) Public Safety Telecommunicator Hunter Hawk, center, was presented with the Civilian of the Year award. Sgt. Michael Matelski was honored with the Supervisor of the Year award. Patrolman Ryan North received the Chief’s Award. By Stephanie Faughnan WARETOWN – Township of Ocean Police Chief Michal Rogalski presented awards to four individuals at the Township Committee’s recent meeting, recognizing their outstanding performance and service to the community. The local law enforcement agency’s complement is made up of 21 members, many who came to support officers and the one civilian recognized for their work. “We’ve done something a little different this year,” shared Rogalski. “Usually, we try to hand out awards at our township meetings – but we had some lifesaving awards.” “We decided to do them at our department meeting in a private setting,” Rogalski continued. “Some of the awards that we handed out were personal in nature
and we didn’t want to disclose some of the individuals that were affected initially, and saved by us so we want to keep those situations private.” The awards made public included the Civilian of the Year, Patrolman of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, and the prestigious Chief’s Award. Rogalski shed light on the selection process, emphasizing the involvement of the department’s personnel (Contributions - See Page 4)
Polar Bear Plunge Raises $2.5M For Special Olympics
By Bob Vosseller SEASI DE H EIGHTS – 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, ap-
proximately 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 and athletic competition in 24 Olympic-type sports for thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabil-
ities, completely free of charge. The morning began cloudy with some rain dropping but the sky turned blue around the 1 p.m. plunge time that featured an air temperature in the mid30s and water temperatures in the low 40s. “This is my seventh year,” Cheryl Klouda of Columbia
New Jersey told Jersey Shore Online.com. She was dressed in a shark costume and holding the duffle bag she got this year to hold her change of clothes. “I have friends who come down here to plunge with me. Our team is We Plunge Forward dot, dot, dot.” She (Plunge - See Page 16)
March 2, 2024
Rent Leveling Board To Return By Stephanie Faughnan BARNEGAT - Just days after residents of two manufactured home communities rallied against the local governing body’s decision to abolish the township’s Rent Leveling Board, some homeowners are already feeling the impact of the ordinance’s removal. A select number of Pinewood Estates homeowners said they received an unsigned letter from the development’s Community Manager, notifying them of an impending rent hike. The February 22 correspondence captioned “Notice to Quit Amendment to Lease with Rent Increase” begins with a reference to Barnegat’s decision to repeal the Rent Control (sic) Ordinance. Joel Brown, President/COO, RHP Properties issued a statement when asked to comment on the letter that imposes an 88 percent hike in rent for most tenants with a “loyalty discount” bringing down the cost for homeowners who began paying land leases prior to the date of the letter. “In light of the ordinance dissolving Barnegat’s Rent Leveling Board,” said Brown, “RHP Properties wants to assure residents of our commitment to continue to provide an affordable and quality community.” Despite many residents of Pinewood Estates owning their homes, they are considered tenants due to their responsibility to pay RHP a land lease. The current monthly rent for most tenants is $353.10. RHP intends to raise the rent by $309.32 to $662.42. However, existing tenants will receive a loyalty discount of $389.42, resulting in a new rate of $373.00 as of April 1st. “Understanding the financial hardships our residents may face, the recent rent increase at Pinewood Estates includes a loyalty discount program,” Brown stated. “That keeps rent at 44% below the market rate for 95% of residents, (Rent - See Page 4)
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