The BERKELEY Times Vol. 30 - No. 38
In This Week’s Edition
Happy St. Patricks Day BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Community News Pages 6, 8-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
Inside The Law Page 21
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March 15, 2025
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Team Rubicon Helps Hurricane Victims
looked into expanding into Buncombe County, N.C. “We’re still there because there are still people who need h e l p ,” s a i d M i k e Watkins, director of branch operations for Te a m Ru bic o n . “I would say, these people need more help because they’ve been living in this situation since the onset of the storm.” While there, the 80 d is a st e r r el ief volPhoto courtesy James Byrnes unteers – k nown as Volunteers are given temporary shelter as they help the community. G r e y s h i r t s – w e r e helpi ng those who By Chris Lundy have no other safety net. These are typically BERKELEY – Months after Hurri- elderly people who are not being served by incane Helene forged a path of destruc- surance and can’t do the work themselves. The tion through the southeast, many are volunteers have been cutting up and removing still recovering – a story familiar to downed trees, cleaning out homes that were Jersey shore residents who can’t forget f looded, and putting tarps on roofs. Many of the overwhelming disaster caused by these trees, the nonprofit noted, were 100-yearSuperstorm Sandy. old trees, so they are not so easily dealt with. Six months after Helene, boots on As someone who lost a house in Superstorm the ground were still needed. That’s Sandy, Councilman James Byrnes knew what it why Team Rubicon extended their was like to lose it all in a natural disaster. presence, leading to the longest deHe joined Team Rubicon to help with the ployment of the organization’s 15-year recovery effort. He said his group included career. They are in Toombs, Coffee, volunteers from all over the country who spent and Richmond counties in Georgia and (Team Rubicon - See Page 4)
Police Program Eases Encounters With Residents On Spectrum
Photo courtesy Berkeley Police A Blue Envelope advises police and drivers about what to do during a traffic stop. By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – Township Police are promoting their Blue Envelope program, which helps people with special needs and officers interact. “Being signaled by a law enforcement officer to pull over and the process of a traffic stop can make anyone nervous and anxious. For those who are on the autism spectrum, these issues are compounded,” police said. The envelope has reminders for the person with autism. It prepares them for the sensory overload they might be encountering - a loud siren and flashing lights, for example. It reminds them that the officer might shine a flashlight into the car and they might have a radio on them. It instructs them to keep their hands on the wheel and to ask permission before moving, such as reaching for something. (Police Program - See Page 4)
Sherrill Wins County Democrats’ Mini-Convention
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Mikie Sherrill won the Ocean County Democratic Mini-convention with 38.4% of the vote.
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By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY – Mikie Sherrill secured the most votes at the Ocean County Democrats’ mini-convention at Central Regional High School. However, she did not meet the majority threshold required to receive the organization’s endorsement in the June 10 primary for New Jersey governor. Sherrill received 63 votes (38.4%), followed by Stephen Sweeney with 31 votes (18.9%), Ras Baraka with 26
votes (15.8%), Steven Fulop with 23 votes (14.0%), and Sean Spiller with 21 votes (12.8%). Ocean County Democratic Chairman Wyatt Earp said he received a message from Josh Gottheimer that he was unable to make the event. His name was removed from the ballot per convention rules. Fulop’s name was also eliminated from the ballot at his request, although his supporters decided to write him in as their
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choice for governor. Fulop has put together a team throughout the state with state assembly candidates that plan to run together under the slogan “Democrats for Change.” He and the five chosen to represent districts that include Ocean County appeared at the convention. However, Fulop left before the start of speeches and voting. During preliminary remarks, Earp (Sherrill - See Page 5)
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