TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 20 - No. 10
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Photos courtesy Ocean County Area artist Marie deSaules refurbished many of these horses that had sustained damage over the years to bring the carousel back to life. By Bob Vosseller SEASIDE HEIGHTS – For generations, Ocean County residents and visitors to the shore enjoyed the Floyd Moreland Carousel on the borough boardwalk. It was a Jersey Shore landmark of fun and its recent return to service was celebrated by county and town officials who joined
several hundred people at its new location on the boardwalk. It had been carefully and painstakingly removed in December of 2019 from the Casino Pier Arcade under the watchful eye of its owner, Dr. Floyd L. Moreland, 82, who was among the smiling members of the crowd present for the reactivation of the 114-year-
old at t r a ct ion now based at the north end of the world-famous
ness will be to fund external entities rather than running a shelter itself. “The funds we have allocated support our st r at eg y t o e nt r u st the development of transitional housing for the homeless to nonprofits equipped
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to provide these services,” said Commissioner Director Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea. “ T he se i n it iat ive s , c ombi ne d w it h e s tablishing our Homelessness Task Force and the Homelessness Trust Fund, represent Ocean County’s com-
(Carousel See Page 4)
The Dr. Floyd Moreland Carousel has a long history from when it first opened in the 1930s.
County Allocates $12.5M To Address Homelessness By Stephanie Faughnan T OM S R I V E R O c e a n C ou nt y h a s faced longst a nd i ng criticism for the absence of a homeless shelter. Recent contract awards indicate the county’s approach to tackling homeless-
borough boardwalk. The Ocean County Board of Commissioners joined with Seaside Heights officials and members of partnering organizations in celebration of the long-awaited reopening after its restoration. For the last nine years, Seaside Heights has worked with volu nteers to restore the Wurlitzer organ, carousel and carvings to refurbish the mechanics. Local artist Marie deSaules refurbished many of the horses
mitment to preventing homelessness and implementing effective solutions.” This article is the f irst in a series exami ni ng how the Ocean County Board of Commissioners is (Homeless Fund See Page 4)
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER The School Board has tasked a law firm with pursuing any means necessary to have the school district receive more funding from the state. Busch Law Group, represented at a local meeting by Hope Blackburn, in consultation with David B. Rubin, will be filing suit against Trenton and state officials. “The pleas for our students have been met with accusations, empty promises, and direct threats,” said William Burns, attorney for the school board. “A state takeover of our schools and school district has been threatened. The forced closure of district schools has been threatened. The slashing of jobs that have a direct impact on our classrooms and our kids has been threatened.
And when Superintendent Michael Citta and Business Administrator William Doering pushed back, saying we cannot and will not cut programs or jobs that impact kids, and reminded the state that they were legally required to certify only a budget that provides for a Thorough and Efficient Education, the revocation and forfeiture of Mike and Bill’s certificates were threatened.” The commissioner of the Department of Education has been blaming the community, school board, and administration for the shortfall, Burns said. The state has suggested putting questions on the ballot to see if the public wants to fund things like athletics. The hiring of the lawyers was announced (School Board See Page 5)
Attorney Appointment For Ciba Suit Raises Questions By Bob Vosseller TOMS R I V ER – Some residents have been questioning whether an attorney hired to represent the town in a lawsuit has a confl ict because of other work he has done for the mayor. Councilman James Quinlisk asked a col-
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lective question to his fellow council members during a recent Tow n s h i p C o u n c i l me et i ng. He a ske d if they knew before voting to hire attorney Donald F. Burke during a prior meeting that Burke had also r e p r e se nt e d Mayor Daniel Rodrick in a
personal matter between himself and the Middletow n School District where he is employed as a school teacher. Council Vice President Lynn O’Toole responded “no.” Other members of the council either didn’t reply (Ciba - See Page 20)
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