The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 46
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Rally Gathers To “Save Our Schools”
Locals Ask For Gun Fees Refunded
Mother’s Day BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 6
Community News Pages 8-10
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
Inside The Law Page 11
Photo by Chris Lundy Taxpayers came out to a rally, concerned about school budget cuts and their effect on students. By Chris Lundy JERSEY SHORE – As schools in Ocean County close due to state funding cuts, residents gathered at Veterans Park in Bayville to speak out in defense of their communities. “I’ve seen our seniors be stressed over the tax increases that cut into their fixed incomes. I watch the infighting within our community ramp up every year,” said teacher Rhiannon Mindas, who led the rally. She noted that some politicians in Trenton have no
idea that local districts are suffering so much. She attended a Senate Education Committee meeting based on the suggestion of Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R-12th), who was unable to attend the rally. The Senate committee chair said something to the effect they hadn’t heard from too many people about this so the problem couldn’t be that bad. She said the schools where the committee chair lives are likely getting their funding. That underscored the frustration that a lot of local (Rally - See Page 4)
5K Fundraiser Has A Lot Of Heart
Photo by Chris Lundy It’s easy to smile at the start of a 5K race! Here, the runners take off from the starting line for the course in Island Heights.
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By Chris Lundy OCEAN COUNTY - It takes a lot of muscle, endurance and determination to complete a 5K. It takes a lot of heart just to show up. About 400 runners did show up to the 5K River to the Bay held by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Toms River. It was a cool, hazy morning. Before the shotgun start, runners could be seen jumping in place or stretching out - perhaps they were getting ready, perhaps they were keeping warm. The residents came from all over the state, like Dennis McNerney who has a house in Toms River but lives in Ho-ho-kus. He didn’t mind the weather. He participated for a (5k Fundraiser - See Page 7)
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By Chris Lundy BERKELEY - Berkeley is one of the latest local towns where people have asked for the fees attached to gun permits to be refunded Several towns have had residents request the fees be refunded over the course of the last year. One argument has been that since the right to bear arms is the second amendment to the Constitution, people shouldn’t be charged for these rights. The current fees are $25 per permit, $50 for the initial firearm identification card, and $150 for a carry permit. These are state fees, not Berkeley’s. The state also has a Civilian Carry Assessment and Range Evaluation to pass. “I’m getting priced out of my permit,” said Keith Durgin of Bayville during a recent Township Council meeting. He was one of a few gun owners who came to request the refunds. When a gun owner registers, the background check is done by the State Police, he explained. Therefore, there’s not much work done on the municipal level. Michael Glenn of Lacey said he was with the New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate and that the fees went up by 400%. Tony Rockhill of Beachwood said he feels that the high fees set by the state are intentional in order to make fewer people buy guns. Councilman James Byrnes noted he had recently paid the same fees, and suggested looking into at least reducing it to administrative costs. Councilman Doug Bowens also said it was worth looking into. He also advocated for a change in the way the state provides free cancer screenings to firefighters. Firefighters are at an increased risk for cancer due to exposure to burning housing materials. The state allows a town to submit reimbursement for cancer screenings for paid firefighters, but not volunteers. Bowens said he supports a motion to add volunteers to this. Byrnes added he’d want to see veterans get reimbursed as well. (Gun Fees - See Page 4)
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