TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 20 - No. 32
In This Week’s Edition
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Government Page 8
Community News Pages 10-15
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 18
Inside The Law Page 21
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Toms River Filmmaker Provides Sequel To Holiday Favorite
December 14, 2024
School Aid Policy Proposals Fall Flat
The movie was directed, filmed, edited and produced by Valenti, a Toms River resident who heads Valenti Vision Films. Following the merriest Christmas day of Ebenezer Scrooge’s long and miserable life, the day after finds him much less merry, and instead much more dead. Reunited with his old partner Jacob Marley, a no longer quite so Tiny Tim, and his beloved sister Fan, together they are tasked with earning Photo courtesy Valenti Vision Films their own redemptions, and A scene from “Ebenezer The Traveler” made by local filmmaker Joe Valenti. regaining Scrooge’s second chance, by crossing over time By Bob Vosseller a dozen streaming services. JERSEY SHORE – Have you Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem and the mortal plane to help ever wondered what happened Sports & Entertainment Company guide others who are in dannext for Ebenezer Scrooge after has acquired U.S. and Canadian ger of losing their way. Their first journey leads them his epiphany about the spirit of rights to Joe Valenti’s holiday Christmas and what matters most drama which he described as a to modern day Oklahoma, and in life? charming family holiday film writ- into the life of a young singer A New Jersey filmmaker is ten by Leland R. Prater that stars doing her best to support what explor i ng that premise with Jerry Parisi, Amanda Rae Dodson, family she has left. Angel “Ebenezer The Traveler” a film Leland R. Prater, Michael Berto- Lynn dreams of something that premiered on Apple+TV on lini, Austen Shane, Emily Jeanne better, but sometimes dreams December 6. It will also be avail- Phillips, Christopher Brian Roach can tur n into nightmares. (Sequel - See Page 4) able on Amazon Prime and over and Lou Martini Jr.
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Attempts to gather allies to improve the state funding formula for education failed because they were not endorsed by the New Jersey School Boards Association. Toms River is one of several local districts that has lost millions in state aid over the last several years. The latest way to solve this problem was trying to change three things in the state that impact how aid is given. It was reported at a recent Toms River School Board meeting by member Anna Polozzo that several attempts did not pan out “because a couple of staff members” at the Association weren’t interested. Toms River had sent three resolutions to the School Boards Association Delegate Assembly in October. In November, Business Administrator William Doering and Polozzo met with the Resolution Subcommittee. The Association is a federation of school boards throughout the state. If they endorse certain positions, it lends weight to them and could get policy makers in Trenton to listen. The association’s staff vets resolutions before putting it out to the rest of the boards. Then, the boards would vote on it. The three motions stalled out at the subcommittee. The first resolution would have asked for the SBA to advocate for a change in how equalized value is added together. When the state assesses how “rich” a town is, for lack of a better word, they add up the assessed (School Aid - See Page 5)
5K Held For Mental Health In Memory Of Berkeley Officer By Chris Lundy ISLAND HEIGHTS - It takes strength to be a police officer. It takes strength to put your life on the line as a first responder. It takes strength to ask for help. The 5th Annual Survivor Day 5K Run/Walk was held in Island Heights as a fundraiser to promote mental health awareness. The walk is held on the third Saturday in November, recognized as International Survivors Of Suicide Loss Day. This year’s race was dedicated to Berkeley Police Lt. Anthony “Butchie” Kurnel III. He was born and
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raised in Bayville. He was married with three children and a grandchild. “He was the cornerstone to his family and held such a bright presence in the community,” organizers said. “He was 55 years old when he lost his life to the silent killer of mental health and suicide. His legacy will live on as we remember the countless lives he has touched, all the laughs we’ve had and all of the people he’s lent his hand out to help. We remember Butchie, not only for the challenges he faced, but for the joy (5k Walk - See Page 4)
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