The JACKSON Times Vol. 22 - No. 44
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Meals On Wheels Keeps Care And Connection On Track
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Pages 6
Community News Pages 8-10
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 11
Classifieds Page 14
Photos by Bob Vosseller Mike Haliscak and other Meals On Wheels Ocean County staff prepare their distribution runs in the parking lot of Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Customized Meals on Wheels Ocean County vehicles have refrigerators and Church in Toms River. also spots to keep hot foods hot. By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Nourishing meals are only a part of program is operated differently and this one uses paid what Meals on Wheels Ocean County serves up to staff to deliver daily meals. According to the agency’s seniors around the county. They also provide a social annual report, the agency has around 25-50 volunteers connection to those who don’t get out much. that come and help in the kitchen. They have been Jersey Shore Online.com recently took part in a rebuilding its volunteer program which ceased during ride-along on one of several daily food distribution the pandemic several years ago. routes. We set off from Saint Andrew’s United MethWith the re-instated volunteer program, organization odist Church in Toms River at 8:05 a.m. with Mike leaders are asking people to volunteer for meal prep Haliscak of Toms River, whose route took us through in the kitchen, at the Community Cafe, delivering Plumsted and Jackson townships. The church opens meals and reaching out to socially isolated seniors up its parking lot and facilities to the drivers. through telephone reassurance calls or friendly visits. The agency’s motto is “More Than Meals - ComThe county program relies on paid staff to ensure the munity, Care, Connection.” Every Meals on Wheels (Meals On Wheels - See Page 4)
$1M Donation Will Help Homeless By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - A major investment aimed at tackling homelessness in Ocean County took shape this month as RWJBarnabas Health presented a $1 million donation to the Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund, marking one of the largest private contributions to the initiative since its creation. The check was formally presented by Dr. Teri Kubiel, Vice President of Community Affairs for RWJBarnabas Health, alongside Stan Evanowski, Administrative Director of Barnabas Behavioral Health, at the most recent meeting of the Ocean County Commissioners. “RWJ Barnabas Health recognizes that wellness goes beyond the walls of the hospital and the doctor’s offices,” Kubiel said. “Wellness happens (Help Homeless - See Page 7)
May 2, 2026
Budget Revealed But Questions Remain By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – The township has a tentative 2026 municipal budget but it is a work in progress and while it was unveiled during this week’s council meeting many questions remain as to what it involves. Its presentation came with much anticipation by the public and by members of council who expressed concern over the timetable during prior meetings. The administration noted the spending plan features a 0% tax increase and that it not only maintains services but aims to expand them. According to the township’s website, the 2026 plan will reduce spending and will include additional bulk and recycling pickups, faster effective snow removal, and continued investment in new parks and recreational spaces. It was noted during the meeting that the township’s police department stands at 120 members, the highest number it has ever had and that Chief Mary Nelson made no major requests for the department for this budget. The process however isn’t finished and members of the Township Council will be spending about a month examining the plan in full detail. It was noted during the latest meeting where the news on the budget was announced that usually, the introduction of a budget covers the full details of tax rate, tax levy, increases in spending, and many (Budget Revealed - See Page 5)
Facebook Post Becomes Political Issue
The post in question.
Photo courtesy Facebook
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Emotions once again ran high during a recent Township Council meeting which featured some verbal sparring over First Amendment rights and a social media post between a councilman and a mayoral candidate that involved a township resident. The verbal exchange between resident Elliot ShemTov and Council President Mordechai Burnstein occurred during the public comment period when Shem-Tov referenced a Facebook response Burnstein had made that criticized him for dining with Rania Hesham, a Jackson resident who is a (Facebook Post - See Page 4)
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