The BRICK Times Vol. 24 - No. 22
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 18
Classifieds Pages 21
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Superintendent Recognized For District’s Improvements
leadership position, if you stay the course and do that right process, you should have success,” Farrell said. When Farrell began in March of 2020, he had no idea he’d be leading the district through the most unprecedented t i mes. The COVID-19 pandemic posed Photo courtesy Brick Schools a major chalSuperintendent Dr. Thomas G. Farrell has been selected as NJASA lenge, coupled with the ongoRegional Superintendent of the Year for 2025. i ng neg at ive effects of the S-2 school By Alyssa Riccardi stepping down only after one funding formula, Farrell BRICK – Nearly five years year of his four-year contract. was faced with obstacles ago, Brick Township Public When Farrell became the newSchools hired Dr. Thomas G. ly appointment superintendent, right from the start. “I’ll never forget it,” Farrell as its newest Superin- it was a glimmer of hope for Farrell said. “What an tendent. the district. Farrell promised audacious start.” Before Farrell’s appointment, to forge relationships between However, with his resilthere were 11 people who had students, teachers, parents, and ience and positivity, he’s held the superintendent’s posi- the community – and a plan proven himself to be a stration in an 11-year span. to stay at Brick Schools for a tegic leader in education. In the past, the district faced long time. “What you see during incredible turmoil with the “I think any time you have high turnover rate – previous continuity and consistency (Superintendent See Page 4) superintendent Gerard Dalton and any kind of organizational
October 5, 2024
Softball Team Wants A Field Of Their Own
Photo by Judy Smestad-Nunn Parents of the township’s girls softball team asked about using a former VFW park on Duchess Lane for home games. By Judy Smestad-Nunn BR IC K - T he Br ick Bombers - the township’s girls softball team - want a permanent and dedicated field of their own where they could practice and hold home games, said some of the players’ parents during a recent Township Council meeting. Micah Bender, who has been an educator for 20 years, has a son who plays football a nd soccer, is a h ig h school footbal l and wrestling coach and ser ves as a Cub Scout
leader, spoke for the group during public comment. “As rewarding as that has been, nothing brings me as much joy as watching my daughter and her teammates play softball,” he said. “I would love to be able to watch them play and practice softball at 154 Duchess Lane, a former VFW park that sits vacant at this time,” Bender said. (Tax records show that the property is owned by (Softball Team See Page 4)
County Invests In Programs To Address Opioid Crisis
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Members of the Ocean County Opioid Advisory Council at their September meeting.
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS R I V ER - T he Ocean County Board of Com missioners recently awarded $200,000 in preliminar y four-month contracts to five non-profit organizations working to combat the opioid epidemic. The funds come from
legal settlements with drug companies and distributors linked to the national opioid crisis with the fi rst round allocated through the end of 2024. If these programs are extended for two additional years, the non-profits could receive a total of $1.2 million. “These awards amount to
$600,000 annually,” said Dr. Jamie Busch, Assistant Director of Ocean County Human Services. The contracts began in September and cover an initial fourmonth period, with the option to renew for two more years.” The Ocean County Opioid Ad v i s or y C ou n ci l
(OCOAC) recom mended certain non-profits for f unding based on their treatment, prevention, and harm reduction strategies. Bright Harbor Healthcare: This organization received the largest share, w it h $133, 30 0 for t he last quarter of 2024, and (Opioid Crisis- See Page 5)
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