The BRICK Times Vol. 24 - No. 9
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Brick Teen Makes Flag Football National Team
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Community News Page 8-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Photo courtesy USA Football Jason Lajara of Brick was selected for the USA Football’s 17U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team. By Alyssa Riccardi BRICK – Jason Lajara, a native of Brick Township, was named to the 12-athlete roster for USA Football’s 17U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team.
Lajara earned his spot on the Junior National Team after completing the USA Football’s training camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, in June. “I started playing at
about 7 years old. It really started to become a passion for me when was I was 9 because that was my fi rst tournament, and I just loved the competitiveness and exciting energy that it brought,” Lajara told The Brick Times. Lajara, who will be a junior at Brick Memorial High School, plays quarterback. Before joining the National Team, he played for Shore Savages, N Y Playmakers and THT Flag Football. “This is my second year trying out for the U.S. national team. I made the team last year it was an amazing experience and we won the gold medal!” Lajara said. “I think that the most challenging part of the USA Football training camp was staying confident in myself. Trying not to be over whel med with everything and
to not doubt myself. There is a lot of great talent from all over the country but your mindset should be that you are there for the right reason and have earned your spot.” USA Football’s 17U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team is set to complete in Los Angeles July 9 through 12 in the Junior International Cup. They’ll be up against flag football teams from Canada, Japa n, Mex ico a nd Panama. “I feel truly blessed and honored for the opportunity to represent USA and also the state of New Jersey,” Lajara said. “I’m really excited and anxious to be heading to California for the Junior International Cup. My teammates and I are ready to compete and bring home the gold for the second year in a row.” (Flag Football See Page 4)
July 6, 2024
Flooding Concerns Residents By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - Several residents from the B a y wo o d l a g o o n community attended a recent Township Council meeting to ask for help with frequent flooding on their street that sometimes leaves them stranded. Mar y Ann Mcevoy, who has lived on Cartagena Drive since 1996, said in the past they would have minor flooding when the water would come up through the storm drains but they had ample time to move cars if they had an appointment or had to go to work. The frequency and severity of flooding increased about five years ago, she said. “The water f low is
volu m i nou s - it’s quick-flowing, there’s no time to prepare and to move your vehicles.” Mcevoy said the water in the streets reach two to three feet and become impassable. Cars have become submerged, and some people have lost their vehicles trying to get out, she said. Dave Przybylko said when he moved to the street four years ago t here was no flood issue. He said that he and his wife have missed numerous days of work because they can’t drive through the deep water. Robert Lee, a resident since the mid1960s, said that Cartagena Drive always (Flooding See Page 4)
youth services revamped to serve diverse needs By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS R I V E R – Ocean County Youth Ser vices has undergone a major transformation, moving away from programs focused on juvenile supervision to one offering a wide range of services for
at-risk and disadvantaged youth. The shift will result in helping approximately 5,500 young people in just this year. Previously known a s t h e Ju ve n i le i n Need of Supervision (JINS) program, the Center primarily
served a small number of court-mandated youth. Commissioner Jack Kelly said he envisioned a more expansive program that would proactively reach out to at-risk youth and offer them the support they needed to succeed. The impetus for the
change dates to 2020 and a meeting with Jonathan Carman, Superintendent of Ocean County’s Department of Juvenile Services. “We still work with the courts, but we’re not under their jurisdiction,” said Kelly, who serves as liaison to Juvenile
Services. Kelly explained that the original purpose of the JINS program was to deter youth from ending up in the Juvenile Detention Center by showing them firsthand what life inside the (Youth Services See Page 5)
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Jonathan Carman, Superintendent of Ocean County’s Department of Juvenile Services, looks on at Shelby Voorhees, Youth Services Commission Administrator, who was honored for her work by Ocean County Human Services
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