The BRICK Times Vol. 24 - No. 46
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
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Hometown Heroes Honored At Brick’s “Hero Awards”
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Photo by Alyssa Riccardi Rylee Sherwood, pictured with her mom, received a cape for her various initiatives supporting the community. By Alyssa Riccardi they recognize the extraordinary contributions of BRICK – Everyday heroes received their very individuals and organizations that go above and own cape for their dedication to helping others beyond to make Brick Township a better place,” and improving the Brick Township community. Mayor Lisa Crate said. “These awards serve as a The 11th Annual Brick Hero Awards was held reminder of the power of community, the impact of at the Brick Memorial High School auditorium selfless service, and the importance of celebrating and hosted by the Mayor’s Student Advisory. those who work tirelessly for the greater good.” The event gives the opportunity to acknowlThis year, a total of 17 recipients were recedge residents and businesses who have made ognized based on the following categories: a positive impact in the community and awards Business, Community Stewardship, Military/ them for their acts of kindness. Veterans, Non-Profit Organization, Public “The Brick Hero Awards are special because (Hero Awards - See Page 4)
Chefs’ Night Out Puts OCVTS On The Menu For Success
Photo by Bob Vosseller Members of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School culinary program gather during the 28th Annual International Chefs’ Night Out and Gift Auction held at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena in Toms River.
By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY – Chefs’ Night Out featured delicious food and drink samplings from 60 local restaurants and vendors. With a 50/50 raffle valued at $10,000 and a gift auction, it served as the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education. OCVTS culinary students were out in force with several tables of dessert delicacies. Students Damien Romeo Jr. and Kimberly Cespedes even brought some dessert to attendees in the form of their Cannoli Caddy where your cannolis were made to order, with a choice of topping options. Among the restaurants present was The Waterfront based in the Forked River section of Lacey Township that provided a small plate filled with (Chefs’ Night Out - See Page 5)
March 22, 2025
Land To Be Given To Habitat For Humanity By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK – A proposal to convey three township-owned vacant, buildable lots to Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity was passed by the governing body on a first reading at their Council Meeting. The lots would be developed as housing for low or moderate income individuals, said Mayor Lisa Crate. If passed on its final reading, the new homes would help the township to fulfill its state-mandated affordable housing obligations. The lots are located at 658 Windsor Drive, 533 Central Avenue and 226 Hawaii Drive. The parcels will remain as single family affordable housing under a 30-year deed restriction, the mayor added. The deed restriction provides the township with a right of first-refusal on any sale, and the option to purchase the property at the expiration of the 30-year period at the maximum allowed restricted sale price at the time. The council also passed an ordinance on its final reading for the acceptance of donated property (Land - See Page 5)
Congressman Faces Criticism At Rally
By Bob Vosseller J ERSEY SHOR E – Crowds protested recent actions by the Trump administration, and they wanted to know where their congressman stands on the issues. A head count from the first rally held a few weeks back was approximately 70 people, most of whom carried signs in front of Toms River Town Hall where Congressman Chris Smith (R-4th) has a district office. A second rally was held later at the same location. The protestors chanted slogans and spoke in opposition toward President Donald Trump’s policies concerning immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, Depart-
ment of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts of federal employees, removing medical insurance programs to U.S. citizens and cutting foreign aid plus the administration’s recent actions in dropping support to the Ukraine. The rallies were not organized by any one group but by area residents and members of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Manchester Democrats and a local Indivisible group who were present. Indivisible is a grassroots movement with a mission to “elect progressive leaders, rebuild democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.”
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(Rally - See Page 17)