The BERKELEY Times Vol. 30 - No. 8
In This Week’s Edition
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Soulsational Festival Brings Good Vibes
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Government
Photo by Chris Lundy
Page 8
The Goodstock Jam Band play on stage during Soulsational.
Community News Pages 9-12
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – Music, activities, and a lot of positive people filled Veterans Park with a festival atmosphere during Soulsational. The event was a health and wellness fair with a laid back vibe. Artists and crafters showed off their talent. New age practitioners reached out and taught people about astrology or crystals.
Food trucks lined the side of the park closest to the ball fields, but there were other food and drink vendors as well as a large tent to enjoy a meal or snack out of the sun. While the heat has been overwhelming recently, the temperature during Soulsational was hot without being too hot. Local businesses like family law or veterinarians made connections.
of Save Barnegat Bay, called the Ciba land an “environmental crime scene” during the group’s recent meeting which took place at the Lavallette First Aid Squad building. Some people back then knew something was wrong about what Ciba was doing, but many were unaware. Some intentionally looked the other way. But they couldn’t ignore it any longer when, in 1984, a Ciba drain pipe burst near the intersection of (Ciba - See Page 4)
(Soulsational See Page 4)
Local Candidates File For Election
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – While the nation – and perhaps the world – is interested in who is at the top of the ballot on November 5, there are a lot of local elections that might be under the radar. Many of these are for school boards. These candidates are not allowed to note their political affiliations, so they include a short slogan instead. Berkeley There are three, three-year spots on the ballot for the Berkeley Board of Education, which oversees the four elementary schools. John MacMoyle, Anne Marie Trethaway, and Joseph R. Palmerson are running under the slogan “Students Family First.” They are running unopposed. Two, three-year terms representing Berkeley on the Central Regional Board of Education are on the ballot. Megan Bowens and Danielle N. Grochowicz are using the slogan “Education, Integrity, Unity.” Lisa Vargas is using the slogan “Putting Students First.” Carol M. Cousins and Kia Phua are using the slogan “Educating With Integrity.” Merissa Borawski and Heather Koenig are using the slogan “Supporting Parental Choice.” Beachwood There are two Republicans running for three-year terms on the Borough Council: John P. Farro, Jr. and Dan Santos. No Democrats filed to run. Beachwood’s representative on the Toms River Board of Education, Melissa Morrison, has resigned but did so after the deadline for her seat to be on the (Elections - See Page 4)
Treadmill Dad Gets 25 Years In Death Of Son
Ciba’s Sins: Then And Now By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – As a nonprofit group prepares to fight a court battle regarding environmental damages, they looked back on what caused this problem. For decades, a company known locally as Ciba-Geigy dumped unknown tonnage of toxic waste in the river and groundwater, actions that some say has resulted in a local cancer cluster – although no direct link can be proven. Ed Vienckowski, board chair
There were even good causes being supported, like fighting human trafficking or collecting for animal shelters. The scents of lavender and soaps accented the air. The Goodstock Jam Band was playing on the stage. People were dancing along – not necessarily in front of the bandstand. They were grooving in front of booths or at their own
blankets set up on the lawn. Everyone was doing their own thing – which is one of the things organizer Michelle Leonard liked about it. Now in its 14th year, the event has been a passion project for her and a group of helpers who are dedicated to creating a space for people to explore healthy alternatives. “It’s built by the community, for the community,” she said. That’s why you’ll see activities for kids as well as adults and seniors. While a petting zoo might interest some people, others might want to learn what the stars say about their future. Sometimes alternative healing is just that – alternative. People exhaust all aspects of the medical world, which
August 10, 2024
Photo by Chris Lundy Christopher Gregor was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
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By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – “A picture is worth a thousand words, but that video is worth 10,000 words,” Judge Guy Ryan said as he sentenced Christopher Gregor for aggravated manslaughter and endangering the welfare of his own son. The video of Gregor putting his son, Corey Micciolo, 6, on a treadmill and speeding it up so
the boy fell off multiple times – and then biting the boy’s head has become infamous and leant weight to the sentencing, the judge said. However, the charge of endangering only received a sentence of 5 years. The treadmill incident, which took place on March 20, 2021, did not contribute to the death from blunt (Sentencing - See Page 14)
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