The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 8
In This Week’s Edition
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Volunteers Track Down Train That Helped Build Pinewald
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Photo courtesy Berkeley Township Historical Society
Photo courtesy Chris Lynch
Government
The Ziegfeld Girls dance on top of #2173 in a publicity photo from 1926 for Pinewald.
Volunteers have been refurbishing the old locomotive in their free time for months.
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY - At some point in the near future, a train will run in Berkeley Township. This isn’t the same as the mass transportation that helped settle the area a century ago. A locomotive - the engine car at the front of a train - with an interesting tie to Berkeley has been found and is being brought back to life. The Berkeley Times spoke to Chris Lynch and David Donley, who are reconstructing the locomotive. The locomotive was built in 1926 (making its centennial birthday next year) by the Plymouth Locomotive Works in Ohio and bought by the BW Sangor Corporation, he said. Benjamin Sangor had an interesting history as well. A Russian immigrant, he published “racy” magazines
and started a comic book company. He lost his ability to practice law after being convicted for embezzling and larceny while chairman of the Toms River Trust Company. He sold about 8,000 lots in Pinewald between 1928 and 1929, and built the Royal Pine Hotel and an 18hole golf course. In front of the hotel - which is now Crystal Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center - was a manmade lake. After excavators dug up the soil, the train was used to cart it elsewhere. Engine #2173 was one of two used for this project, said Josephine More, Historical Society Publicity Chair. A photo exists of Ziegfeld Follies girls dancing on top of the train as a publicity stunt.
Page 7
Community News Pages 8-9
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
(Train - See Page 4)
August 16, 2025
Questions Remain About South Seaside Park Leaving By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – As news spread of South Seaside Park leaving Berkeley, people asked what this will do to taxes and services. The area of town is just north of Island Beach State Park. The residents there petitioned to leave Berkeley. Recently, they won their court battle. Now, Seaside Park, their only real neighbor, has to decide whether to let them join. If Seaside Park declines, then nothing changes. Mayor John Bacchione brought up the issue at the latest Township Council meeting, noting that it went all the way to the Supreme Court. “We’ve gone as far as we can go,” he said. If Seaside Park absorbs South Seaside Park, “there is a question of assets we’ll address at a later date.” For example, there’s a former real estate building that has been a satellite office for people to do township business. He has said in previous interviews with The Berkeley Times that SSP makes up about 10.43% of the tax revenue for the township. That tax revenue would have to be made up somewhere. During the hearings, township financial officials gave testimony that if SSP left, (South Seaside Park - See Page 5)
Senior Communities Concerned About Hunters, Solicitors By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – Deer are often seen in the senior communities, and residents complain about them eating their plants or walking in the road. However, at a recent Township Council meeting, people were more concerned about what follows deer. A Silver Ridge Park Westerly resident said they’ve been finding arrows in common areas from hunting. One person told her they saw a deer with arrows sticking out of it. “They are not keeping to legal numbers,” she said. “It’s a sport. I get it. Just do it right and do it safe.”
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Another Silver Ridge Park Westerly resident said she has heard shots being fired while she was in her back yard, suggesting that the hunters are close enough that a stray bullet could hit her or someone else. Additionally, an injured deer who survives long enough to be near the homes would warrant a call to the police. This takes an officer off their regular patrol. Furthermore, an officer could get shot looking for a hunter. She suggested the town start a wildlife rehabilitation or rescue operation for injured deer. (Hunters & Solicitors - See Page 4)
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