The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 47
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Tea Party Offers A Historic Fundraiser
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-10
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
Inside The Law Page 17
Photos by Chris Lundy (Above) Many attendees went all out on their classic clothing. (Right) Helen King looked the part as she enjoyed the tea party. By Chris Lundy BERKELEY - A Victorian style tea party let Berkeley Township Historical Society members party like it was 1899. The VFW 9503 on Veterans Boulevard in Bayville became a tea room with delicate decorations. There’s a large TV on one side of the hall. While that’s not a Victorian form of entertainment, it was playing “Downton Abbey” for ambiance. Members of Girl Scout Troop 77 and Central Regional High School’s hockey team waited on the doz-
ens of diners decked out in their finest attire. A selection of teas were offered with the meal that started with salad. The next course were tea sandwiches such as cream cheese on cinnamon raisin bread; gourmet chicken salad on sweet rolls; ham, cheddar, apple and honey mustard on a French baguette, and egg salad on whole wheat. Breakfast scones and cranberry scones (which was appropriate considering the vibrant cranberry industry in the area more
than 100 years ago) were then served with butter, raspberry jam and cream. For dessert, there were lemon blossoms with Meyer’s lemon glaze; lemon blossoms with lemon buttercream; chocolate brownie squares; puff pastry cups with lemon creme; ladyfingers and other assorted cookies. Historical Society member Helen King had long wanted to hold the tea party, going back some 30 years. Previous leadership had told her no because the (Tea Party - See Page 6)
Cadet Program Celebrates 10 Years
By Stephanie Faughnan LITTLE EGG HARBOR Some of the law enforcement officers now patrolling Ocean County streets, responding to emergencies and training the next generation of recruits first learned how to conduct a traffic stop, secure a crime scene or lead a team as teenagers in the Ocean County Sheriff’s Public Safety Cadet Program. Ten years after the program began, the Ocean County Sheriff’s
Law Enforcement Center filled with mentors, law enforcement officers and young cadets celebrating what has become both a pipeline into public safety careers and a second family for many who joined. The anniversary gathering reunited former cadets now serving in policing, dispatching, corrections and other public safety roles with the current generation following in their (Cadet - See Page 5)
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Current cadets, mentors, former cadets and law enforcement officers gathered at the Ocean County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Center to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Public Safety Cadet Program.
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May 16, 2026
$59.4M School Budget Approved
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The Central Regional Board of Education approved next year’s budget but is still considering new math curriculum. The total budget is increasing by $6,126,854, from $53,335,525 to $59,462,379. The local tax levy will increase from $43 million to $46 million. Each town has a different tax rate based on a few different factors. A Berkeley resident living in a home assessed at the town average of $211,367 will see an increase of 5.5 cents per $100 of assessed
valuation, an increase of approximately $9.69 per month. An Island Heights resident living in a home assessed at the town average of $424,800 will see a decrease of 1.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, a decrease of approximately $5.66 per month. An Ocean Gate resident living in a home assessed at the town average of $415,805 will see an increase of 2.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, an increase of approximately $9.36 (Budget - See Page 4)
Traffic Changes Coming Near Veteran Housing
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The Veteran Village being built on Route 9 will have some minor traffic changes. Tunnel To Towers, a nonprofit which works to combat veteran homelessness, is building the village at the intersection of 9 and Sloop Creek Road. There will be 25 single family homes, 99 apartments, and common areas for treatment and assistance. The entire facility will be restricted only to veterans. The Township Council supported upcoming changes at its recent meeting. There will be no left turn out of the village. Anyone driving on Route 9 understands how long you can wait for a break in traffic to make a left. However, the end of Sloop Creek will be widened so that cars making a left and cars making a right both have a lane to do so. The council also supported bus stops on both the northbound and southbound sides of Route (Traffic - See Page 4)
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