The MANCHESTER Times Vol. 30 - No. 9
In This Week’s Edition
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Whiting Bible Church Celebrates 60 Years By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – T he W h it i ng Bible Church recently celebrated its 60th anniversary but amid all the balloons, cake, singing and speeches, the event also served as a reunion of those who helped build the legacy of that house of worship. A special service was held at the church led by Reverend David Rittinger - who became the fulltime pastor in 1992 -and Chaplain Craig and Angel MacReynolds who sang. A slide show prepared by Reverend Rittinger’s wife Wilma provided a glimpse of the church’s past activities and members between the years of 1964 and 2024. “I’m in my 33rd (year). When my wife and I came here, we were very young,” Pastor Rittinger said with a laugh. “We have four kids and there is some great history here.” “The church goes back to 1874,” Wilma (Church - See Page 9)
(Budget - See Page 9)
Photo by Bob Vosseller Original Whiting Bible Church members Cherri Raws, at left, (daughter of the church’s first part-time pastor Bill Raws, grandson of the founder of America’s Keswick; Steven Whitfield (son of Ruth and Don Whitfield, two of the church’s founding members); Barbara Carter; Sue Hilliard (founding member); and Bonnie (in wheelchair) and Connie Jeffers (daughters of founding members).
to a slightly sunny sky without any dampness for the many parade participants and spectators who came out to Main Street in Toms River where the parade kicked off an hour later. Coordinated by Toms River American Legion Post 129, the parade featured members of the (Memorial - See Page 4)
Photo by Bob Vosseller Toms River Boy Scouts Troop 20 carry a large American flag during the Memorial Day Parade.
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Budget Sees Tax Increase
By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – Mayor Robert Arace provided further details concerning this year’s budget that carries with it a 3.9 cent municipal tax increase. For the owner of a property valued at $202,000 – the township average – this translates to an increase of $82 a year. Last year’s average home value was $201,400. This figure is based on your property’s assessment, not what you paid for it. The average municipal tax in 2023 was $1,218.47. This year’s average municipal tax is $1,300.88. The net value used to compute the tax rate is $4,261,814,800. One penny on the tax rate is equal to $426,181. Mayor Arace stressed before the public hearing that while the municipality collects school tax and other types of taxes, this represents only the township portion. This marked the second budget presentation he has made before council
Memorial Day Events Remember Those Who Paid Dearest Price
By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY – Despite the threat of rain, the milestone 90th Annual Ocean County Memorial Day Parade went on as scheduled. While most of the weekend proved warm and sunny, Memorial Day itself featured dark gray skies and periodic rain throughout the day. The 8:30 a.m. rain gave way
June 1, 2024
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People Entering Workforce After Jail Share Success Stories
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – A packed room of officials and communit y leaders gathered to witness the grand opening of NJ Reentry Corporation’s 24 Main Street location. While two former governors and the Ocean County Prosecutor addressed the crowd, the most impactful statements came from those not necessarily accustomed to the spotlight. Among them was Rob Carter, the program’s (Success - See Page 5)
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Rob Carter, the program’s Director of Operations, shares his story of entering the workforce after his legal issues.