The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 1
In This Week’s Edition
Town’s 100th Birthday Celebrated
Photos by Chris Lundy Live music filled the air during “A Century By The River.” Families flocked to the inflatables. The walkway around Vista Park was decorated with celebrations of the town’s 100th anniversary.
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By Chris Lundy PINE BEACH - For generations, people have seen Pine Beach as the place to spend summers on the water and also to call home year-round. The town recently celebrated its lineage with a day-long festival called “A Century By The River.” Inflatables, food and drinks, live music, and vendors filled Vista Park - itself a historic location as it used to be part of the Admiral Farragut Academy. The weather report had an extreme heat warning, but the breeze coming off the river calmed that down a bit. As kids flocked to the inflatables, parents caught up with their neighbors. Fitting the theme of the event, the band played classic rock. If you asked the people in the park why they chose to live in Pine Beach, some of the same answers came up:
“It’s a wonderful community.” “It’s beautiful.” “It’s a nice place to raise a family.” Robert Krempel said he’s been here 27 years. He said it’s a tight community where people know each other. It’s quiet, and there’s not a lot of through traffic. People aren’t cutting through town to get to the beach. It’s just locals. “It’s a safe place for your kids to ride their bikes and have fun,” he said. George Roksvaag, the president of the Pine Beach Preservation Society, shared how he also chose to call this his home. “I’ve never lived in a place where I had more close friends,” he said. In 1908, two real estate developers from Philadelphia bought up all the land. They had (100th Birthday - See Page 4)
June 28, 2025
Veteran, Senior Issues Addressed By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The governing body examined some issues that are affecting seniors and veterans in the area during the most recent Township Council meeting. They passed a resolution that supports S-2559 and A-3705. This is the State Senate and Assembly versions of the same bill. The bill, if passed, would reimburse towns for the tax cuts they give disabled veterans. State law prohibits charging property tax to 100% disabled veterans. In a town with a large population of seniors, such as Berkeley, this means that there are a lot of homes that can’t be taxed. Officials have long supported this state law, but want the state to reimburse them for the amount of tax revenue that has to be made up from other property owners. This bill was sponsored by former mayor, now Senator Carmen Amato, and the other legislators in the 9th District, Assemblymen Brian Rumpf and Gregory Myhre. Councilman James Byrnes said his doctor is leaving the Toms River Veterans Administration clinic and won’t be replaced. The doctor is going to a different clinic that pays better. Apparently, the pay is based on geographic areas. Rich areas pay better. He wants a resolution to support equal pay for all districts, so that clinics aren’t competing with each other for staff and that people who live in areas with lower income aren’t getting less treatment options. He talked about bringing in (Issue Addressed - See Page 4)
Students Bring Purpose And Passion To Vo-Tech Medical Career Fair By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER – The front lawn of Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s (OCVTS) Toms River campus recentPhoto by Stephanie Faughnan ly buzzed with energy as more than 250 Gabriella Ardilesles and Zafer Kose, students mingled with representatives from shared-time students in OCVTS’s Medical over 40 healthcare employers during a highly Assisting program are ready to explore vol- anticipated career fair. unteer opportunities and gain real-world While the event focused on opportunity, for experience before graduating in 2026. some, it was about more than job prospects - it
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was about purpose. The annual healthcare career fair has grown into a signature event for OCVTS, drawing employers from across Ocean and Monmouth counties looking to meet future healthcare professionals. The fair’s intention is to bridge Photo by Stephanie Faughnan the gap between classroom learning and pro- OCVTS students engage with recruiters at fessional opportunity. the school’s annual healthcare career fair Representatives from hospitals, rehabilitation to explore real-world opportunities in the (Career Fair - See Page 5) medical field.
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