The JACKSON Times Vol. 23 - No. 2
In This Week’s Edition
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Bells Were Ringing As Church Celebrates 250th Birthday Of America By Bob Vosseller JACKSON– A township church had a unique way of ringing in the Fourth of July and it involved the sounds of bells to mark the 250th anniversary of America. The Cornerstone Presbyterian Church took part in a national event called the “Sea to Shining Sea” bell ringing festival at Historic Harmony Chapel. The church was one of the very few churches in Photo courtesy Cornerstone Presbyterian Church the Jackson area with its Parishioners took turns ringing bells 13 times for the 13 colonies during the functioning bell and at “Sea to Shining Sea” bell ringing festival at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. 2 p.m., churches around the country rang for two minutes and 50 seconds “Yakety Yak.”) who visits our church periodically, to commemorate this historic milestone. he sang the national anthem in an amazing fashion,” Church member Fred Van Looy is in charge of build- Van Looy told The Jackson Times. ings and grounds at Cornerstone and a member of the The hour long 250th birthday celebration began with Session, which is the governing body of the church. the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Anderson’s He noted that the church’s bell was installed in 1886. solo performance of the National Anthem. After this “The event really was terrific. We had 65 people in rousing performance three members of the Congrethe church. We had a performer (Dennis Anderson) gation read the Preamble and the final paragraph of from the original Coasters (The Coasters were an the Declaration of Independence. American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group Cornerstone Music Director Will Vanderburg then who had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Songs in- led the attendants in the singing of a number of pacluded “Searchin,” “Young Blood,” “Charlie Brown,” triotic songs. Then 13 handbell ringers volunteered to “Poison Ivy” and perhaps their most popular hit, (Church Celebrates - See Page 4)
Preserving Land Becomes Argument By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Township officials plan to make a purchase to preserve permanent open space through the Jackson Open Space Trust Fund. The Township Council previously introduced an ordinance by a 4-0 vote authorizing the purchase of the approximately 3.22-acre property for $795,000 using funds from Jackson’s Open Space Trust Fund for the purchase of 277 Grawtown Road. If approved following a public hearing and final Council vote, this environmentally sensitive property will be perm anently protected from future development. Mayor Jennifer Kuhn said “preserving this land means preventing the possible construction of up to 12 homes or even a school, ensuring these natural resources remain untouched for future generations.” She said the purchase would represent “another important milestone in our ongoing commitment to preserving Jackson’s unique character while managing responsible growth.” Councilman Chris Pollak abstained during the ordinance’s introduction stating, “I’m a little torn on this. You’re taking $800,000 for 3.2 acres. I know it is in the RG2 zone. What are we planning to do with this? There’s a house on it. It’s not like its untouched land. I know it is developable.” (Preserving Land - See Page 4)
Gilmore Remains GOP Chair As Party Pushes Unity
Open Space Fund Open For Debate
By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – Using funds from the Open Space Trust Fund for recreational facility improvements in the township once again brought residents to the microphone during a council meeting which saw the public comment period shut down early. Resident James Silecchia spoke about the resolution, 181-2026, which authorized a contract through the New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance for work by Keystone Sports Network. “It proposes spending more than $390,000 from the open space trust fund to upgrade three basketball
July 11, 2026
courts and tennis courts. Just two weeks ago when this council adopted the 2026 municipal budget, the open space trust fund sheet contained no planned expenditures for the entire year. The 2026 column was completely blank,” he said. “Residents were told in the officially adopted budget that no open space funds were scheduled to be spent yet here we are 14 days later being asked to approve nearly $400,000 in open space funding that was never disclosed, never listed or reflected in the budget that the council voted to adopt,” he said. (Open Space Fund - See Page 4)
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COU NTY – George Gilmore secured another term as chair man of the Ocean County Republican Organization, winning re-election by affirmation during the county party’s annual reorganization convention, where the emphasis was on unity rather than division. Although voting machines had been set up at both Ocean County College in Toms River and at The Mainland in Stafford Township to accommodate
county committee members from across the county, they ultimately went unused after no challenger emerged either before or during the meeting. The proceedings began with the nomination of longtime Vice Chair Ruthanne Scaturro of Brick, who also was returned to her leadership position by affirmation. Gilmore’s nomination followed shortly thereafter. According to Ocean County GOP (Gilmore - See Page 7)
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