The JACKSON Times Vol. 22 - No. 4
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
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Community News Pages 8-10
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 13
Inside The Law Pages 12
Classifieds Page 19
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Veterans Club Of Westlake Hosts Third Summer Spectacular
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – The Veterans Club of Westlake Golf and Country Club held another successful Summer Spectacular recently. The event was a fundraiser for veterans who are down on their luck. Westlake Golf and Country Club is a 55 plus community that recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Club member Alan Tannenhaus was a member of the event committee for this year’s event and noted that it supported another organizaPhotos courtesy Jack Hardy tion and a great cause. The Chicklettes sang top songs by top divas. Susan Kohn was among those who attended the third annual Summer Spectacular. “It was a wonderful evening. The club outdid themselves despite unforeseen water damage to the Westlake Ballroom, over 500 guests were still able to attend this charitable event at an 11th-hour venue change, in Jackson Liberty High School.” “The show must go on and it did,” she added. “It was bigger and better than ever before! We are extremely grateful to the Jackson Township Board of Education for making this happen. All proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to furnish the kitchen at Larry’s Home, a transitional housing facility, located in Little Egg Harbor, whose mission is to help homeless veterans who are struggling with addictions.” The musical trio “America’s Sweethearts” made their America’s Sweethearts performs Westlake debut as the opening act. “Their performance traditional classics at a fundraiser for veterans. (Westlake - See Page 4)
July 26, 2025
Lightning Kills Archery Teacher At Scout Outing By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – A 61-year-old man died after being struck by lightning which also injured several people during a scouting event at the Black Knight Bowbenders Archery Range. Robert Montgomery of Cinnaminson, who was serving as an instructor at the range, was rushed to a hospital where he later died, authorities said. Police said 14 people were injured by the strike, including eight children - with some victims as young as 7 years old. The incident occurred around 7:13 p.m. on July 16, during a visit from a Jackson Cub Scout Pack 204. One victim was reportedly knocked unconscious but later regained consciousness, reports said. Others suffered injuries ranging from burns to general pain and feelings of illness. Victims were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and CentraState Medical Center. One individual was transferred to the Livingston Burn Center for treatment of a severe burn. Mayor Michael Reina told the news media shortly after the incident that lightning struck the ground near the Boy Scouts and that CPR was successfully administered to at least one victim, who survived. Tom Coopey, a father of one of the Cub Scouts, said that the activity at the range was concluding when the lightning struck. It was not raining yet at the time but thunder was heard in the distance. Coopey said in a comment on the Jackson Township Police Department Facebook page that he had “turned to walk away and boom. It came out of nowhere.” (Lightning Strike - See Page 5)
With Camps Shut Down, Comments Wanted On Land Use New Plan Forms To Help Homeless By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Township officials have scheduled a public scoping hearing to obtain comments on a major Green Acres Diversion for the Township’s Jackson Mills Compost Facility and Camp Joy. Both properties are encumbered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Office of Transactions and Public Land Administration (OTPLA) Green Acres Program. The parkland diversion is an after-the-fact requirement that involved the diversion of 8.091 acres of parkland for the Jackson Mills Compost Facility (Block 2201, Lot 2) located at 334 Jackson Mills Road, in order to continue the operation of the Compost Facility. The parkland diversion also involves the previous diversion of 0.510 acres of the former Camp Joy (Block 5806, Lot 4), located at the corner of North New Prospect Road and Larsen Road in Jackson. (Land Use - See Page 5)
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - For more than two decades, Minister Steve Brigham has been a tireless activist for people experiencing homelessness, known as the man behind the encampments that dotted the woods of Monmouth and Ocean counties. But this summer, the longtime advocate has pivoted his approach - exchanging tents and generators for weed whackers and riding mowers. The official launch of Just Beautiful Lawn Care on July 21 marked a bold shift in Brigham’s mission. Instead of setting up makeshift communities in the woods, he’s
now offering those same individuals a shot at self-sufficiency - one freshly trimmed lawn at a time. “The Supreme Court basically made being homeless illegal,” said Brigham, referencing the landmark 2024 decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson. The ruling allows municipalities to ticket, fine, or even arrest people for sleeping outdoors, even when no shelter is available. And with a recent encampment on the Lakewood-Brick border dismantled in June, Brigham has come to the painful conclusion that establishing new camps is no (Help Homeless - See Page 16)
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