The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 12 - No. 8
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Iconic Clydesdales Draw Historic Crowd To LBI
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-13
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 19
Classifieds Page 22
Photos by Stephanie Faughnan Eight Clydesdale horses paraded down Ocean Boulevard as onlookers admired their stride and appearance. (Inset) The carriage drivers and a Dalmatian rode atop a 1903 Studebaker wagon. By Stephanie Faughnan LONG BEACH ISLAND - Long Beach Township was abuzz with excitement as over 5,000 people braved the sweltering August heat to witness the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales parade on Ocean
Boulevard. With their regal presence and gleaming coats, the majestic horses were the centerpiece of a day filled with awe, history, and a heartfelt cause. Nine-year-old Amelia Bujniewicz of Plymouth (Clydesdales - See Page 4)
Advocates Fear Homeless Will Be Left Out In The Cold By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - The thought of freezing temperatures might seem far away, but for Toms River homeless advocates, the harsh reality of winter is already hitting hard. Concerns are mounting that those who work tirelessly to provide cold weather shelter for the town’s unhoused population could soon fi nd themselves homeless. Just Believe, Inc. a nonprofit organization, has operated the Code Blue
warming shelter out of the Riverwood Recreation Center at 250 Riverwood Drive for the past several years. However, the group was recently locked out of the facility, raising fears that the homeless could be left out in the cold when temperatures drop. Kevin McKenna, a representative of Just Believe, addressed the Toms River Township Council at a recent meeting, expressing both gratitude for the town’s past support and concern over this re-
cent development. He said that he didn’t understand the lock change but wanted to express his gratitude. “I’m here to first thank Toms River as a whole for allowing us to operate that building for the past seven years, allowing us to accomplish the great things that we’ve been able to accomplish,” McKenna said. “On top of that, I’m hoping to come back here and be able to thank this council, and you, mayor, (Homeless - See Page 15)
August 24, 2024
$92M School Referendum Planned For March By Stephanie Faughnan LACEY - In a move designed to rescue the district’s infrastructure, the local school board approved the submission of referendum project documents to the New Jersey Department of Education. Planned for a special election on March 11, 2025, the referendum will ask voters to decide on three critical questions, totaling over $92 million in proposed expenditures. Assistant Superintendent William Zylinski, who is set to take over as Acting Superintendent following Dr. Vanessa Pereira’s retirement on September 1, has been tasked with explaining the complex details of this referendum to the community. Pereira, who has served as superintendent since August 2018, announced her retirement recently, marking the end of a significant era in the district. Before the board meeting, Zylinski held the second of two informational sessions to provide preliminary details of the referendum questions. This presentation was unavailable for the public’s view on the district’s YouTube channel. The referendum will present three questions to voters. Question 1 proposes a $29,958,000 bond to replace all school roofs. This bond would not result in a tax increase, as it will replace an existing bond set to expire. The state will cover 40 percent of costs. Question 2 seeks $37,975,500 to address HVAC issues across multiple schools, which would cost local taxpayers an estimated $12 per month for an average home assessed at $285,609. The state will cover 40 percent of costs. Question 3 involves additional projects, including paving, locker room and restroom upgrades, and the installation of a multi-use turf field, costing $24,544,500, with an estimated tax impact of $8 per month. The state will cover only 25 percent of the turf portion. The total cost of all three questions amounts to $92,478,000, resulting in an estimated tax impact of $20 per month for local residents if all questions are approved. This number is based on an average assessed home value of $285,609 and takes into account the money received from the state. (Referendum - See Page 5)
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