Vol. 13 - No. 3
In This Week’s Edition
THE TOMS RIVER
TIMES
MICROMEDIAPUBS.COM
Your FREE Weekly Hometown Newspaper For Toms River, Island Heights, Ortley Beach & Lavallette
Toms River Food Fest Draws Crowds Community News! Don’t miss what’s happening in your town. Pages 8-11.
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News page 16.
From Your Government Officials Page 7.
Dear Pharmacist Parabens Are Found In Thousands Of Cosmetics
Page 17.
Inside The Law New Jerseys wrongful death law.
Page 25.
Dear Joel Help! My Mother Is Living In The Past.
Page 24.
Classified Ads Page 22.
Wolfgang Puck The Fried Is Right: Enjoy A Taste Of Authentic Latino Cousine
Page 27.
Horoscope Page 27.
–Photos by Chris Lundy People filled the streets on a sunny day to enjoy the Toms River Food Fest.
Lifeguard Station A Symbol Of Ortley Beach’s Rebirth
By Jennifer Peacock ORTLEY BEACH – It was g rou nd zero during Super Storm S a n d y’s sl a m m i n g into the Jersey Shore on October 29, 2012. Ninety-nine percent of the homes and businesses in Ortley Beach s u s t a i n e d d a m a ge , most of if catastrophic. Storms had battered the island before, but
not quite like this. News outlet s re ported that out of the 2,600 homes in Ortley Beach, merely 60 escaped damage. Two hundred homes vanished with Sandy. It’s location was front and center for the storm: an incorporated section of Toms River less than a square mile, nestled (Beach - See Page 4)
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Hundreds of people hit the roads of dow ntow n Toms River on May 6 to enjoy the annual Food Fest. Food trucks and tables set up by eateries lined Washi ng ton St reet, side-by-side with crafters, nonprofits, political booths and other vendors. Inf latable rides took up one end of the street. Township sources reported having 60 vendors and roughly 15,000 visitors. Mozzarella sandwiched between fried cor nbread was new on the horizon. That was offered by a few vendors. Also, there seemed to be a few who were selling shaved ice and meat on a stick. Other treats included root beer, donuts, (Food - See Page 5)
| May 13, 2017
TR BOE BUDGET TO INCREASE By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The Toms River Regional Schools’ budget will increase, and taxes for most of the constituent towns will increase for the 2017-2018 school year. The total budget will be $240,650,070, an increase of 2.5 percent. The amount to be raised in taxes will be $157,529,467. Last year, it was $150,609,061. There was an increase of $6,920,406. Since Toms River is a regional district, each town has a different tax rate: Toms River: The tax rate would increase by 3.95 cents to $1.1233 per $100 of assessed valuation. This represents an increase of 3.6 percent. On a house
valued at $267,501, the taxes would go up by $105.65, from $2,899.21 to $3004.86. South Toms River: The tax rate would increase by .93 cents to 95.78 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. This represents an increase of 1 percent. On a house valued at $165,106, the taxes would go up by $15.32, from $1,566.14 to $1,581.46. Beachwood: The tax rate would decrease by .67 cents to $1.0266 per $100 of assessed valuation. This represents a decrease of .7 percent. On a house valued at $203,300, the taxes would go down by $13.66, from $2,100.69 to $2,087.03. Pine Beach: The tax rate would increase (Budget - See Page 20)
Former Toms River Mayor Lightbody Remembered
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Roden Lightbody was a busy man. Between civic groups, volunteer work, and serving local government, he seemed to be everywhere. This is why the passing of Lightbody on May 4 left a hole in the community, friends and family said. His grandson, Kevan, recalled one of the last conversations they had,
in which he had told his grandfather of his aspirations to become a police officer. His response had been “Kevan, I couldn’t be more proud of you, just always remember to be safe, be honest and always do what is in the best interest for a safe community.” Lightbody was on the Township Committee from 1982 through (Mayor - See Page 5)
–Photo courtesy the Kubiel family Roden Lightbody pictured with his five grandchildren: Kevan, Kayla, Aaron, Aidan, and Aryonna.
Carmona ~ Bolen Home for Funerals, LLC
Michael J. Defonzo Jr., Manager • NJ Lic #4075
TOMS RIVER • 732-349-1922 Traditional Funerals ▪ Cremations ▪ Memorials ▪ Pre-Planning | www.carmonabolenfh.com WHITING • 732-350-0003