SOUTHERN OCEAN Times
The
Vol. 12 - No. 23
In This Week’s Edition
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
EROSION CONCERNS GROW AS PARK’S NATIVE PLANTS ARE MOWED
December 7, 2024
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPENS NEW LOCATION
BREAKING NEWS @
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Members of the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce Board pose for pictures at the ribbon cutting ceremony with state and local officials.
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 8-13
Dr. Izzy Sound News Page 16
Classifieds Page 22
Inside The Law Page 19
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan There’s a stark difference between the mowed and non-mowed portions of the park. By Stephanie Faughnan LACEY - Like many local residents, Laura Shetlich loves walking along the path at Bayfront Park in Forked River Beach. She enjoys the calming sound of the waves and the beauty of the native plants. But recently, her peaceful escape was disrupted. Township workers mowed down much of the vegetation along the path, leaving behind a barren landscape. The decision to do so
has not only been controversial, but some warn it may contribute to an ongoing erosion problem. This is the fi rst article in a two-part series about Bayfront Park, examining concerns over aesthetics, waterfront views, and erosion. The series explores how these issues affect residents living along the local government-owned and maintained walkway. (Erosion - See Page 4)
STUDENTS PREPARE THOUSANDS OF MEALS FOR THOSE IN NEED By Alyssa Riccardi BRICK – The Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s Brick Center was buzzing with activity during the week before Thanksgiving, where students worked tirelessly to provide a holiday meal for those in need. There were 182 culinary students who prepared over 3,500 Thanksgiving dinners for “Feed the Need,” an initiative that began more than 25 years ago.
“Feed the Need started with us just providing 25 meals to a local church,” Culinary 1 instructor Chef Gary Lesniak said. “Every year it seemed to build. The program back then just relied on donations; people dropping of turkeys, etc.” The program now partners up with Fulfill, who provided over 400 turkeys this year, as well as RWJ Barnabas Community Medical Center, who supply the grocery products (Meals - See Page 6)
Photo courtesy OCVTS Chef Gary Lesniak instructs students how to pack the Thanksgiving meals.
By Stephanie Faughnan STAFFORD - The Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce celebrated a major milestone with the grand opening of its new headquarters at 703 Mill Creek Road in Manahawkin. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by roughly 100 guests, including business leaders, government officials, and community members, marked a new chapter for the 110-year-old organization. “This is a great day for Southern Ocean County,” said Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R-9), who presented a New Jersey state citation on behalf of the Ninth Legislative District delegation. “What the Chamber does for this community is incredible, and that’s evidenced by everyone here today.” A Strategic Move For Growth The Chamber’s decision to relocate to the mainland reflects its focus on the growing business community in the region. Chamber President Jerry Thompson emphasized the strategic importance of the move. “The growth of our business community is happening here on the mainland,” Thompson explained. “We’re committed to being a resource for workforce development and helping businesses thrive.” The Chamber represents businesses across Lacey, Barnegat, Stafford, Eagleswood, Tuckerton, Little Egg Harbor, and Long (Chamber - See Page 5)
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