The JACKSON Times Vol. 22 - No. 34
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Interim Police Chief Sworn In
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Pages 6
Community News Pages 8-9
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
Classifieds Page 15
Photo by Bob Vosseller Mayor Jennifer Kuhn administers the oath of office to Captain Mary Nelson to serve as interim police chief of the township’s police department. By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – It was a big night for the township’s men and women in blue as interim Police Chief Mary Nelson was sworn in during a recent Township Council meeting. This session was relocated from Town Hall to the Jackson Township Middle School Fine Arts Auditorium to accommodate the crowd as the historic swearing-in ceremony conducted by Mayor Jennifer Kuhn, recognized the appointment of the community’s first female police chief. The ceremony also included the swearing-in of
Police Captain Richard Bosely, Interim Police Captain John Rodriguez, police lieutenants Edward Travisano, Michael Goelz, Stephen Cilento and Andrea Falzarano. Also sworn in were police sergeants Cassiopeia Elbaum, Kale Mabey, James Reynolds III and Edward Howe. Police Officer Ryan T. Higgins also took his oath of office during the meeting. Mayor Kuhn noted, “it is truly a historic moment for Jackson Township Police Department and our entire community. It is my privilege to preside over the swearing in of Mary Nelson, (Interim Chief - See Page 4)
County’s Fire Service Grows With 25 Graduates
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Members of the Fall 2025 Firefighter recruit class stand at attention during their graduation ceremony at Lacey Township High School.
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - Twenty-five new firefighters earned their badges during a graduation ceremony at Lacey Township High School, marking the completion of six months of intensive training through the Ocean County Fire Academy. The Fall 2025 Firefighter recruit class completed more than 300 hours of classroom instruction and rigorous drill ground training as part of the Ocean County Fire Academy program. With the presentation of
GOLD Exceeds $4,500 an Ounce! OVER 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS
HIGHEST RATED CASH FOR GOLD STORE IN OCEAN COUNTY
their badges, the graduates formally began a lifelong commitment to public service. The ceremony opened with an honor guard from the Ocean County Vocational Technical School public safety program, followed by a formal salute to the flag. The national anthem was performed by Samantha Grace and Kelly Scott of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School Performing Arts Program. Chaplain Greg Kennedy then delivered the (Fire Grads - See Page 16)
SILVER Nears $70 an Ounce!
90% SILVER • MEDALLIONS FLATWARE • SCRAP • JEWELRY TEA SETS • TRAYS • PITCHERS CANDELABRAS
February 21, 2026
Residents Concerned About Lawsuits By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Lawsuit settlements, complaints by township employees and ongoing investigations were subjects discussed during recent Township Council meetings. Elliot “Eli” Shem Tov criticized officials during the public comment period of a meeting, pointing to the recent settlement agreement involving former Police Chief Matthew Kunz who retired at the end of January and received $2 million in that settlement. Shem said that situation “raised serious concerns about internal township administration conflict. This was not a clerical issue. It involved senior officials and had a real financial and public trust consequences.” He noted that Mayor Jennifer Kuhn and Council President Mordechai Burnstein “had characterized these events as something they inherited. Jennifer Kuhn was council president during the prior administration. She was in a leadership role at the time these issues were unfolding. She was council president when she decided to insert Joseph Candido as director of public safety. This is an added position that pays $200,000 annually and for what? Retribution?” The resident pointed out that the former chief had not received pay increases over years “which were in upwards of $300,000. Lawsuits involving current and former township employees are now moving through the legal system.” Shem referenced a harassment lawsuit filed by former longtime township employee Marianne Horta which alleges that Kuhn harbored a toxic work environment that caused her emotional distress and led her to leave her position. Last fall, an outside law firm was retained to investigate and review a number of employee complaints filed against Kuhn including several by employees of the Code (Lawsuits - See Page 5)
RATED 5 STARS - OVER 1000 POSITIVE REVIEWS!
156 RT 37 EAST • TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753
609-781-6559