TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 20 - No. 15
In This Week’s Edition
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
A Statue’s Story: The Girl With The Book
BREAKING NEWS @
Photos by Chris Lundy The little girl reading a book greets visitors to the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library.
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 8
Community News Pages 9-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
Inside The Law Page 20
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – For decades, visitors to the main branch of the Ocean County library have been greeted by a young girl reading a book, but who is she? A plaque in front of the statue was dedicated in 1987 in memory of Virginia Tross Harvey. She was a woman who frequented the library, said local history librarian Allison Nazzaro. “She loved to read, she loved cats, and she loved art. She passed in 1985 and her family wanted to do something nice to remember her,” Nazzaro said. The family raised $5,000 and the library commission matched it, she said. The result was a statue that “represented her, her love of reading, her love of cats and of course the sculpture represented her love of art.”
Harvey’s husband, John, and children, John Jr., Ann Housner and Christina Russell, attended the dedication ceremony, according to an Asbury Park Press article covering the event. It was noted that the husband was a community relations manager at Ciba-Geigy. “The Ocean County Library was one of her favorite places,” he said. “We believe that she would be pleased that we chose the library as the site for the sculpture in her memory.” Clifton Sheely, from the Johnson Technical Institute of Sculpture in Hamilton, spent eight months making the work of art. He used his six-year-old niece as the model. He died in 1998 at the age of 41. “A girl reading seems just right for the spot and the cat gives the piece a wonderful quality of harmony,” Sheely was quoted by the Press. The artist and the niece were unable to attend the dedication.
August 17, 2024
Downtown Developer Sues Town Over “Interference” By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The redeveloper of the former downtown hotel site filed a lawsuit against Toms River and Mayor Daniel Rodrick for what they say amounts to breach of contract and other issues. The lawsuit, by Capodagli Property Company, LLC, through its subsidiary, Meridia Toms River 40 Urban Renewal LLC, seeks an order forcing the town to honor contractual obligations. It also seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages,
attorneys’ fees, and interest. Under the previous administration, the crime-ridden Red Carpet Inn was demolished and the land purchased by the town. Capodagli originally planned two, 10-story apartment towers over ground-level retail and a boardwalk around the river. This boardwalk would be for passive recreation, not for rides and games like in Seaside. This plan was changed to six stories. Other amenities, such (Sues - See Page 4)
Olympic Track Chairman Recalls Local Roots
Concerts, Fireworks, And Finances Debated By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Fireworks and concerts at Shelter Cove have been popular with residents in that area, but have become part of ongoing discourse at Township Council meetings. At the most recent meeting, the Council had to pass a resolution to request a permit for fireworks scheduled for July 24, August 7 (the night of the meeting), August 14, and August 21 at Shelter Cove. Mayor Daniel Rodrick said all this does is authorize the town to get permits. There was enough money set aside
for the free events. Councilman James Quinlisk, who frequently criticizes the current administration, said that a council meeting on July 24 was cancelled because not enough council members were available. Through this conversation, it was learned that Councilmen Joseph Lamb and George Lobman were at the fireworks that night instead. A Bayville resident in attendance noted that Berkeley holds a Mayor’s Golf Outing that pays a lot of the cost of the concerts and fireworks. (Concerts - See Page 4)
Quinn Hopping Funeral Home BURIALS | ENTOMBMENTS | CREMATIONS PRE-PLANNING without OBLIGATION Clifford B. Tantum, Manager • N.J. Lic. No. 4078
26 Mule Road, Toms River | 732-240-3800 | Quinn-HoppingFH.com
Photo courtesy Andrew Valmon Andrew Valmon (147) speeds to a victory. By Chris Christopher MANCHESTER - Andrew Valmon is Mr. Olympics. The former Manchester Township High School standout blazed to gold medals in Seoul, South Korea, in 1988 and Barcelona, Spain, in 1992
as a member of Team USA’s men’s 4x400-meter relay quartet. And in 2012, he coached Team USA to 29 medals nine gold, 13 silver and seven bronze - at the London (Olympics- See Page 5)
DIRECT CREMATION $2,295 Includes: arrangement conference, removal from place of death, alternative container Batesville ccbmdfc, transfer to crematory, crematory fee
“We are dedicated to exceeding expectations and delivering a standard of service that is 100% guaranteed.”