The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 32
In This Week’s Edition
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Towns Report Fewer Plow Companies Available
January 31, 2026
First Ocean County EMT Class Graduates
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Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Members of Ocean County’s first EMT graduating class stand with instructors and local dignitaries after completing the county’s inaugural Basic EMT program at Ocean County College.
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Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-9
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
Photo by Chris Lundy Inches of snow fell and local towns have to pay for the removal. The plow in the photo is not a township vehicle. By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY – When snow blankets the area, residents hope and trust that their towns will be able to plow the roads quickly and safely, but plow companies are getting harder to find these days. Most towns have public works or similar employees who are trained in plowing roads. When a big snowstorm is approaching, they are on call, ready to go out, paid extra for the work. The town’s vehicles are equipped with plows. Salt and sand are ready to go. The larger the town, the more help they need.
They have miles and miles of roads. They have developments that were built decades ago that weren’t designed with snow in mind. For example, there are tons of culs-de-sac in senior communities that take more time to plow. That’s why a municipality has contracts in place with private plowing companies to do the extra work. Just like the municipal employees, the staff and equipment are on standby for the call from the town. However, town officials are finding that there are fewer plowing companies are signing up (Fewer Plows - See Page 4)
Local Drummer To Perform With 1,000 Musicians
Photo courtesy the Wainwrights Brick resident Brian Wainwright, a member of the local band Runaway Train, will be performing at Rockin’ 1000 at the New Orleans Superdome.
By Bob Vosseller BRICK – A township man will be performing with Rockin’1000 on January 31 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Rockin’1000 is dubbed “the biggest band in the world.” Originally created in Cesena, Italy, more than 1,000 musicians play and sing simultaneously with a setlist of rock music from various decades. The group originally assembled in July 2015 under the direction of Marco Sabiuas as a way to ask the Foo Fighters to visit Cesena. It was organized as a crowdfunding
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effort by Fabio Zaffagnini. The upcoming New Year’s Eve show marks the first time performing in the United States. The two-hour concert has a special guest director, singer Harry Connick Jr. Brian Wainwright, 57, and his wife Tracie are very excited about this musical opportunity and spoke to The Brick Times about their adventure. “I’ve been interested in music since I was eight years old and all through (Local Drummer - See Page 16)
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By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - Graduates of Ocean County’s first class of emergency medical technicians were recognized at Ocean County College. The ceremony marked the launch of a county-run EMT training program created to address a growing shortage of volunteer and career responders. The inaugural Basic EMT Class 001 was held at the Ocean County Fire and EMS Training Center. Developed in partnership with EMS Consulting Services, the program represents the first time Ocean County has sponsored and operated its own EMT training academy rather than relying on hospitals or outside providers. The class began in September with 20 recruits. Fifteen students completed the program and crossed the stage during the graduation ceremony, cheered on by family members, fellow EMTs, instructors and county leaders. Most of the graduates are affiliated with volunteer first aid squads that serve communities throughout Ocean County. Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services was the lone career agency represented in the class, underscoring the continued reliance on volunteer EMS providers in much of the county. Among those in attendance were Commissioners Samuel Ellenbogen and Robert S. Arace, who serves as liaison to the Fire and EMS Training Center, along with County Administrator Michael Fiure and Assistant County Administrator Tristin J. Collins. The ceremony opened with a flag salute performed by the Ocean County Vocational Technical School Academy (EMT Grads - See Page 5)
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