TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 21 - No. 36
In This Week’s Edition
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
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VA Clinic Officially Named For Local Hero
BREAKING NEWS @
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Government Page 8
Community News Pages 8-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Inside The Law Page 20
Photo by Andrew Rice Bud Lomell’s family and Army Ranger veteran John Wardell gathered in front of the picture of the VA Clinic with Lomell’s name on it. By Andrew Rice TOMS RIVER - The Veterans Administration clinic just hosted its official naming ceremony, as it will now be known as the Leonard G ‘Bud’ Lomell VA Clinic. Leonard ‘Bud’ Lomell was a local World War II hero. After his service, he assisted other veterans when they arrived home via his work with the local veterans affairs offices. His impact rippled throughout the local veterans communities in Toms River. Lomell’s service included the raid on Pointe Du Hoc with the Army Rangers as
a part of the D-Day invasion. The Rangers scaled the 100-foot cliffs of their landing zones but could not find the artillery they were sent to destroy at first. Despite being wounded on the field of battle, Lomell was able to successfully scale the cliffs with his comrades. After a tenacious battle, Lomell and his patrol found the artillery that they were looking for. The guns were pointed right at Utah beach and could have jeopardized the entire invasion had Lomell not destroyed them with thermite grenades. He
January 10, 2026
Controversial Rules Set By New Council Leadership By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Controversial rules put in place by the new majority leadership on the Township Council that would penalize elected officials if they left a public meeting has caused the first big public fight of the year. The first meeting of 2026 is a re-organization meeting, where council members who won the election are sworn into their new terms, and the council leadership positions are chosen. There is a rift between two Republican factions. Mayor Daniel Rodrick, his administration, and three council members (Craig Coleman, Lynne O’Toole, and new member Harry Aber), are on one side and four council members (David Ciccozzi, Thomas Nivison, and new members Robert Bianchini and Clinton Bradley) are on the other. The first significant votes of the meeting had no dispute. There were unanimous votes for David Ciccozzi to be the council president, who runs the meeting and sets the agenda. There were also unanimous votes for Thomas Nivison to be the vice president. Later in the meeting was a resolution to approve a list of new rules and regulations for how to conduct meetings. Aber, Coleman, and O’Toole voted against it. Coleman said it violates State law and even the Constitution. But the new majority voted for it. Rodrick said that the limits that the council is putting on free speech are illegal and they should expect to defend them in court. In a section on “decorum,” the resolution describing the new rules notes that elected officials shouldn’t interrupt (Controversial Rules- See Page 4)
(VA Clinic - See Page 4)
County Extends Motel By Stephanie Faughnan Stay For Unhoused Group TOMS RIVER - In a year marked by rising
Heroes Against Hate Honored
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Deacon Ted Foley speaks to the crowd following Christ Episcopal Church’s recognition as a Hero Against Hate.
antisemitism and deepening divisions, the Jewish Federation of Ocean County once again recognized those who chose a different path. During a Community of Caring celebration, the Federation honored Heroes Against Hate at the Clarion Hotel. The annual event brought together a cross section of Ocean County’s civic life. Elected officials, law enforcement leaders, faith representatives, and longtime community volunteers filled the room. The purpose was
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(Honored - See Page 5)
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY – Fear overtook at least a dozen unhoused people staying in Ocean County-funded motels. Conversations were in quiet tones. Some stopped sleeping. January 5 loomed as the date many believed they would once again lose the comfort of a warm bed. Word had spread quickly that funding for the motel placements had run out. First, people were told the contract ended on December 31, with only a brief reprieve through the holiday weekend. As the days grew colder, the rumors
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hardened into dread. Many worried they would be forced back to the woods, like the Winding River encampment in Toms River where some had lived before the motel rooms offered a fragile pause from survival mode. What ultimately stopped that from happening was not a last-minute decision or emergency intervention. It was language already written into the county’s agreement for homelessness and housing insecurity services. The contract authorizes the use of county funds for (Unhoused Group - See Page 21)
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