The HOWELL Times
Vol. 23 - No. 35
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
NJ Reentry Consolidates In Monmouth
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 5-8
Dear Pharmacist Page 9
Inside The Law Page 9
Classifieds Page 13
Photo courtesy NJ Reentry NJ Reentry Chairman former Governor Jim McGreevey (center) poses with NJ Reentry participants learning trades through hands on work. By Andrew Rice MONMOUTH COUNTY – The NJ Reentry Corporation, a non-profit agency meant to assist those returning from addiction treatment, incarceration, or the theater of combat, has closed down its Toms River branch and will
be consolidating its Ocean County operations into the Monmouth County branch, which is located in Neptune. This move leaves the corporation without a base of operations in all of Ocean County. Questions began to swirl as to the nature of this de-
parture. The Mayor of Toms River, Daniel Rodrick, was an outspoken opponent of the center’s location in downtown Toms River. He cited safety concerns and location as the reasons why he disapproved of the center ever (NJ Reentry - See Page 4)
On This Farm, Hope Is Growing
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Bright Harbor Healthcare is planting more than crops on a farm along Silverton Road. The Ocean County nonprofit is launching Salt Bridge Farm this summer as a transitional housing and training program for young adults who are experiencing homelessness or
housing instability, offering them something few have been given before: time to grow. The project represents a shift from traditional shelter or apartment-based models. Instead of focusing solely on emergency housing, Salt Bridge Farm is structured as a phased, longterm environment where young (Hope - See Page 2)
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan An animal enclosure stands on the grounds of Salt Bridge Farm, where Bright Harbor Healthcare plans to incorporate animal care into its transitional housing and training program for young adults.
February 7, 2026
Appointments, Election Discussed By School Board By Andrew Rice HOWELL – During the Board of Education’s annual reorganization meeting, the winners of last year’s election took their oath of office and the board nominated and elected a new president and vice president. Right before the Board of Education had the newest members and returning members take their oaths, they officially announced who won the three seats that were on the ballot last November. Alexandria Langenburger and Joseph Mauer were able to retain their seats on the board and will serve for three years before their seat goes up for election again. Stephen Levine was the only “newcomer” on the scene, however, he had previously served on Howell’s Board of Education for many years. After they took their oaths, nominations for a board president and a board vice president began. Jennifer Okerson was nominated and appointed to be president of the board in a 7-1 vote. The only nay vote came from board member Ira Thor. After she was appointed, Okerson exchanged seats with Dr. Denise Lowe, who was the board’s president before her. Langenburger was nominated to be the board’s vice president by Levine while Lowe nominated herself to be the vice president of the board.
Langenburger won the appointment in a 6-2 vote where the only hold outs were Lowe, who voted for herself, and Ira Thor, who voted for Lowe. After winning the election, Langenburger took her place next to Okerson as the board’s vice president. When public comments opened later in the meeting, a few different residents walked up to the podium to congratulate everyone on their positions and give them votes of confidence as they prepare to take on their responsibilities. Afterwards, an ethics presentation was given to the board members to set guidelines they must follow during their time in office. This presentation covered prohibited acts, the code of ethics for school board members, avoiding nepotism, and the expectations on social media. At one point, the board discussed adding another meeting to their calendar so that they are properly prepared if they need another special meeting to discuss the budget. However that idea was turned down simply because there are other things that go into that that which they do not know at this time, and that it is not that difficult to call an emergency meeting if needed. The budget meetings that were already planned are (Board - See Page 5)
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