The JACKSON Times Vol. 21 - No. 48
In This Week’s Edition
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Memorial Day Parades Draw Crowds
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By Bob Vosseller PLUMSTED – An incumbent, a former incumbent and two political newcomers are running in the GOP primary seeking two seats with three-year terms on the Township Committee in the June 10 election. The incumbent is Rob-
Photos By Bob Vosseller Members of the Jackson American Legion march in this year’s Memorial Day Parade. By Bob Vosseller JACKSON-PLUMSTED – Memorial Day parades are a tradition in the townships of Jackson and Plumsted and both enjoyed good weather and good turnouts for their May 26 observance of the solemn occasion. Jackson’s parade began in the morning with various civic groups, emergency responders, churches, veterans groups and some members of the Township Council lining up at the Holman Elementary School prior to proceeding down Manhattan Street and ending in Johnson Park. Along the parade route on South Cooks Road and Kierych Memorial Drive were members of the Garcia and Brower family who never miss a parade. Twin sisters Jennifer Garcia and Erica Brower joined family members. Garcia came
with daughter Isabelle and their dog while Brower came with her husband and their dog. “We always like to set up over here. My mom usually comes but she couldn’t today.” Garcia said, “we do this because our dad passed away last January. Michael Wess was a Vietnam veteran. He came home from the war and felt guilty. He had that survivor’s guilt from losing so many friends over in Vietnam. He taught us that Memorial Day is a very important thing to remember as they sacrificed their lives for our freedom.” Following the parade, as per tradition, a memorial ceremony was held in Johnson Park and parade spectators could also enjoy the music of the Kickin’Wings band and some of the food vendors and other attractions that were present. (Parades - See Page 6)
Four GOP Candidates Seek Two Committee Seats ert Bowen of Kenyon Drive who is serving as mayor of the committee this year, a position he has also held previously. He is running with newcomer Theodore “Ted” Gar rigana of Lakewood Road. They are facing Michael Hammerstone of Alton Street, who
is seeking to reclaim his committee seat that he lost when he was defeated in the 2024 primary race. Hammerstone is running with newcomer Sebastian D’Amico of Keeneland Road. Plumsted has two Republican clubs. Bowen and Garrigana were
endorsed by the Republicans for Plumsted while Hammerstone and D’Amico were endorsed by the Ocean County Regular Republican organization. Each candidate was contacted by The Jackson Times in relation to their reasons for running, their background
and their thoughts on how they feel the downtown business district a nd t he Plu m st e d Township Municipal Utility Authority could be improved. The two newcomers are profiled in this article with Bowen and Hammerstone’s responses to be (GOP - See Page 4)
May 31, 2025
Jackson Councilman Scott Sargent Dies By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Township officials and residents are mourning the loss of Councilman Scott Sargent, 61, who died unexpectedly on May 23 following surgery. Sargent, a Navy veteran, was elected to the township council in 2022 on a slate with Mayor Michael Reina and with fellow GOP council running mate Jennifer Kuhn. Prior to being elected to council he had served on the township Board of Education for 10 years and served for several years as the Board’s president. Twelfth District Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R-Jackson) remarked that Sargent was “known throughout Jackson for his dedication to serving the residents of the Township, including previously serving on the Board of Education. He will be fondly remembered throughout the Community for his many accomplishments.” (Councilman - See Page 5)
Communication Breakdown Continues Between Mayor, Council
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – T he communication divide between the administration and council was clear during a recent Township Council meeting where the mayor’s absence was noted. Council President Jennifer Kuhn discussed an email she sent to Mayor Michael Reina in April that involved township policy and procedures. That email asked a question. “Mayor this is not allowed according to the (township) employee handbook. Cor rect?
Why are these issues not being addressed by the administration?” “As you can see, we have no mayor nor a business administrator nor an assistant business administrator at this meeting. I don’t think we’ve had a mayor here in a year,” she told the audience. She referenced her email to the mayor saying that she had been told previously, “there’s a new sheriff in town” meaning he’d be in the mayor’s office at town
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(Communication See Page 4)