The JACKSON Times Vol. 21 - No. 38
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Pages 6
Community News Pages 8-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
Classifieds Page 19
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Police Officer’s Legacy Continues On
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – He may have died more than 20 years ago, but Robert “Robbie” Ventura’s legacy continues to live on. Family, friends, his brothers and sisters in blue and many others came out to remember him during a street naming ceremony. The highway sign bearing his name was unveiled and several presentations were given to his widow, his daughter and son during the morning event held near the Jackson Township Justice Complex on West Veterans Highway. Photo by Bob Vosseller Kevin Chesney, a Officer Andrew Cheney (L) joined Dillon, Ashley and Jennifer Ven30-year veteran of tura at the street renaming ceremony celebrating the late Robert the township police “Robbie” Ventura. department served as Ventura’s training ofple pleaser, he was wanted to make people happy and do ficer. He told The Jackson Times, things right. He was one of those people who you had to “I was his field training officer but ask if he was mad. If I’m mad you know it but Robbie was I knew him beforehand with the kind of laid back and subdued and his kids were young at fire department and we hung out. the time but we have always made his family, our family. I was happy when he decided to Robbie’s legacy is still going to live on here and that is the become a cop and he fit right in.” important thing now because there is not many us left who Chesney described Ventura worked with Robbie and were around when Robbie passed.” saying, “he was definitely a peo(Officer’s Legacy - See Page 5)
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 (Chefs’ Night Out - See Page 17)
March 22, 2025
Future Of Historic Building Discussed
Photo by Bob Vosseller 31 Main Street, which has a lot of history, was the subject of a special workshop meeting concerning its future use. By Bob Vosseller PLUMSTED – The Township Committee held a special meeting to hear input from the public to consider the sale of and potential uses for a historic Main Street property. Over the years, there have been many uses for 31 Main Street (Block 19, Lot 13), including a bank, a small library, the town hall and a welcome center. Official action was not taken during this session of the Township Committee but many views were voiced as residents were invited and encouraged to partake in the featured question-and-answer segment. Ocean County Administrator Mike Fiore made a (Historic Building - See Page 4)
Congressman Faces Criticism At Rally
By Bob Vosseller JERSEY SHORE – 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 two recent rallies noted more than 70 people, most of whom carried signs in front of Toms River Town Hall on Washington Street where Congressman Chris Smith (R-4th) has a district office. The second rally was held this week.
The protestors chanted slogans and spoke in opposition toward President Donald Trump’s policies concerning immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, Department 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 (Criticism - See Page 14)
Local News, Events & Advertising Solutions