The JACKSON Times Vol. 21 - No. 43
In This Week’s Edition
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Court Appointed Special Advocates Honored
BREAKING NEWS @
Government
Community News Pages 9-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Classifieds Page 19
Jackson Day Planning Already Underway
Photo by Bob Vosseller Jackson Day Planning Committee member Ray Cattonar releases doves as part of the last year’s event.
jerseyshoreonline.com
Pages 7
April 26, 2025
Photo courtesy Kathie Rigante From left, Island Heights Mayor Steven Doyle, Jackson advocate Mia Kenny, and Richard A. Moore II, CASA board president. By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY - Volunteers across the county were thanked for their dedication to children who are in a very difficult time of their life. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Ocean County advocate on the behalf of a child who is in foster care. They spend time with the child to learn what they need and then make recommendations to the family court. “Our incredible volunteers work tirelessly to make sure the foster children we serve are receiving the services and programs they need.
CASA volunteers are a steady, consistent presence in the life of a child. We want children to know they are valued – children in the foster care system and beyond. We are always seeking to change a child’s story for the better,” said Ariane Yazdan, Executive Director of CASA of Ocean County. CASA is an independent nonprofit that has recruited, trained, and supported compassionate citizens to advocate for the best interests of foster children since 2006. These dedicated (CASA- See Page 4)
Cheerleaders, Other Residents Honored By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Township officials recently recognized National Library Week, the Jackson Liberty Cheerleaders and National Education and Sharing Day. The Jackson Liberty Cheerleader Team won a state championship tournament in February and also received a sportsmanship award. Last month they won a national championship in Rhode Island. They also gained grand championship distinction while there for having the highest score in
(Jackson Day - See Page 4)
County Considers Homeless Shelter, Toms River Mayor Objects
that tournament. The team received a proclamation by Mayor Michael Reina. “Congratulations and hopefully we’ll see you again next year,” Council President Jennifer Kuhn told the team members following the presentation of certificates to each of the cheerleaders present at the council meeting. The governing body’s proclamation for National Education and Sharing Day is (Cheerleaders - See Page 5)
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Township resident Ray Cattonar has been a big part of Jackson Day in recent years and he spoke with excitement about next fall’s event when he came before the microphone at a recent Township Council meeting. Jackson Day is coming up on September 14 with a rain date of September 21 in Johnson Park. Cattonar, who is a key member of the Jackson Day Committee reported that food vendor fees had been raised by 25%. “The fee was $200 and we moved it to $250.” Additionally, the vendor fees were increased by about 66%. “Last year we had 24 food vendors and 80-something regular vendors. We hope to go to 125 regular vendors. So, we will not only have a 66% increase, the additional vendors will generate additional revenue,” he added. He noted with some confusion that “101.5 FM radio (Town Square Media) was not selected (for advertising
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - A surprising new proposal from the Ocean County Board of Commissioners could mark a major shift in how the county handles homelessness. Officials are considering turning the Code Blue warming center located at 1959 Route 9 in Toms River into a full-time, supervised shelter offering support services to help unhoused individuals get back on their feet. The idea wasn’t on the agenda at the board’s latest meeting. But when Toms River resident
Maybelline Hicks-Samuel stood up during public comment to talk about an increased number of homeless people at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library, the conversation took an unexpected turn. Her fear, she clarified, wasn’t rooted in hatred or disregard. “But what my problem is,” she told the board, “Is having that type of problem in a public setting with women, children and seniors, somewhere like the library.” Commissioner Robert Arace said that he’d (Homeless Shelter - See Page 13)
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