TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 19 - No. 49
In This Week’s Edition
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Two Firefighters Honored For 50 Years Of Dedication
BREAKING NEWS @
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Government Page 8
Community News Pages 10-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 18
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Councilman James Quinlisk (center) congratulates Mark Autenrieth (l) and Stephen Hayes (r) for 50 years of fire service. By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Two local firefighters were recently recognized for their incredible dedication to the Toms River community. Mark Autenrieth and Stephen Hayes boast a century of combined volunteer service with the Toms
River Fire Department, Company No 1. Councilman James Quinlisk led the tribute to the two firefighters held at the Henry Runco Firehouse downtown. A volunteer firefighter himself, Quinlisk presented Autenrieth and Hayes with individual proclamations signed
by the mayor and entire council - acknowledging each of them for 50 years of service to the fire company. Autenrieth’s time with the Toms River Fire Company has been marked by his rise to notable leadership positions, including chief. Additionally, he has
contributed to the fire service as Fire Commissioner in Fire District 1. Married to Diane, Autenrieth is a stepfather to four children and a proud grandfather. While in high school, Hayes became a member of the local fire company as a Fire Explorer. Over the years, he has served in various capacities, including as a captain. Hayes remains actively involved in Toms River Special Operations and Toms River Technical Rescue. Additionally, Hayes has contributed to roles such as the Toms River Dive Team and as a Toms River EMS/fire dispatcher. Formerly employed at the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention, Hayes, who is married to Kathleen with two sons, now enjoys the role of grandfather. Both Autenrieth and Hayes continue to remain (Firefighters See Page 4)
Animal Shelter To Be Leased To County, Staff Remain
Photo by Bob Vosseller Residents protested the potential closing of the animal shelter.
By Bob Vosseller and Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The Toms River Animal Shelter will likely be leased out to the county, but the animal control officers will keep their jobs for now. The issue began a few months ago, when Mayor Daniel Rodrick directed
staff to send any stray animals to the Northern Ocean County Facility in Jackson. A whistleblower signaled that this was step one in shutting the facility down, though Rodrick denied it. At a recent Township Council meeting, they introduced an agreement to lease the shelter to the
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county. Council members James Quinlisk, Robert Nivison and David Ciccozzi voted no but the majority voted yes. The final reading of the ordinance making this law will be at the April 24 meeting. However, the council (Animal Shelter See Page 5)
April 13, 2024
Homelessness Task Force Taking Shape By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners recently appointed the first round of Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund task force members. Government officials and representatives from five local non-profit organizations make up the first round of individuals whose first order of business will be to establish by-laws with the assistance of county counsel for approval by the Commissioner Board. The initial wave of three-year appointments to the task force includes Barbara “Bobbi Jo” Crea, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, liaison to the Homelessness Trust Fund. Also among the appointees are Tracy Maksel, Director of the Ocean County Department of Human Services, and Maria LaFace, Director of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services. Five representatives from local private or non-profit organizations known for their work in assisting the homeless or providing low-income housing have also been appointed to serve three-year terms. These include Mark Hard-
ing from Soldier On, Steve Heisman from Habcore, Glen McDonald from Homes for All, Elizabeth Golla from Family Promise, and Kim Santora from Toms River Housing and Homeless. “All of these individuals bring a great deal of expertise and compassion to the table,” Crea said. “They will look at the issues faced by our seniors, veterans, families, and individuals struggling with homelessness, and together, we will make the best decisions on how to fund programs that will provide the most help.” Joining these government officials and non-profit representatives for one-year terms will be three municipal business administrators: Joanne Bergin from Brick, Patrick Donnelly of Lakewood, and Jonathan Salonis from Toms River. These appointments specifically target the municipalities with the highest homeless populations, according to the results of last year’s Point-in-Time count. This is when social workers and volunteers met with homeless throughout the state to get an accurate count of who they are, where they are, and what their (Homeless See Page 4)
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