Officials - See

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serving his country and its people started before he even hit his eighteenth birthday. At just 17 years old, Scaturro joined the United States Army. He later became a founding member of the Brick Township Police Department in 1966. Scaturro ultimately served as the head of the detective bureau. “Stephen Scaturro served 27 years as a legislative aid to Senators Andrew Ciesla and James Holzapfel,” read Clerk of the Board of Commissioners Michelle I. Gunther from a proclamation prepared in Scaturro’s honor. “(He is) a veteran of both the United States Army and the United States Air Force.” Scaturro also devoted time to community service and assumed various leadership roles. He was once the President of the Brick Township Chamber of Commerce. Scaturro not only served as President of the Brick Township Rotary Club but was also named the Rotarian of the Year in 1997. As the head of the Ocean County Director of Community Affairs, Scaturro received credit for transforming the department from a small county agency to the leading consumer affairs office in the state. “He has worked closely with local police departments, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and the State Attorney General on numerous anti-fraud initiatives,” Gunther read. “And worked with the Ocean County Office of Senior Services to protect the county’s 200,000 older adults.” Scaturro’s role in Consumer Affairs included what was referred to as “tireless work” to protect the economy in Ocean County. He divided his focus between mom-and-pop businesses and recognized the importance of tourism in helping seasonal companies prosper. A member of the state motor vehicle commission, Scaturro previously served as the vice president of the New Jersey County and Municipal Affairs agencies. Scaturro continues as the Vice President of the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools Board of Education. “Steve showed great leadership and served as an example not only for residents of Ocean County as consumers,” said Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari. “But also, for helping small businesses.” According to Vicari, New Jersey’s attorney general recognized Scaturro for changing how Consumer Affairs agencies operate and used Ocean County as a model. Each of the Ocean County Commissioners took time to express gratitude to Scaturro for his service and wish him well on his retirement. Scaturro returned the thanks with some short remarks and recalled the department’s role in the worst of times, including Superstorm Sandy and the pandemic. “Last year, we have over 9,000 cases that were processed through Consumer Affairs,” Scaturro said. “Consumer Affairs is a department where we have weights and measures. In the very beginning, we had constriction inspections, where we were

(Officials - See Page 7) ─Photos by Stephanie Faughnan Top: Stephen Scaturro stands with his family and Ocean County Commissioners holding a proclamation honoring him on his retirement as Ocean County’s Director of Consumer Affairs. Bottom: Several county officials joined Carl Block and his family to thank him for his years of public service as he ends his role as Ocean County Business Adminstrator.

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responsible for every township in the county.” Scaturro called out several people by name, ending with the people closest to his heart. In thanking his family for their support, Scaturro revealed that he and his wife Ruthanne have six children, eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren on the way. Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners John “Jack” Kelly shared some of the history that began Carl Block’s service to Ocean County 35 years ago. “Carl was appointed first as the Ocean County Deputy Clerk in 1987,” said Kelly. “Then in 2003, and again in 2008, Carl was elected as the County Clerk.” In 2010, Kelly and then-Freeholder John Bartlett met with Block to ask him to consider leaving his elected position to take on the role of Ocean County Administrator. Block initially expressed his misgivings and ultimately took on what Kelly described as the “most powerful position in county government.” “As our administrator, Carl oversaw numerous projects, including the construction of a new county jail,” Kelly shared. “Many new parks, upgrading the county’s technology department, and most recently working on the new social services building and now the new courthouse annex.” According to Kelly, Block worked closely with Julie Tarrant, Chief Financial Officer, on budgetary concerns that impact county tax rates. “Carl truly excelled during Superstorm Sandy when he led our professional staff in dealing with the aftermath of the county’s worst disaster,” said Kelly. “He helped provide relief to all of our 33 communities, but especially to the shore towns, which were most impacted by the devastating storm.” Kelly also credited Block for his work during the COVID epidemic as county officials collaborated with the Board of Health to set up vaccination sites. Before his roles in county government, Block served as Stafford Township’s mayor for 26 years. After Gunther read the formal proclamation honoring Block, several officials and members of the public spoke about Block’s public service. Ocean County Clerk Scott M. Colabella came with veteran employees from his office who had fond recollections of working with Block. Colabella pointed out that he, Kelly, and Block had all worked in the county clerk’s office at some point. Ocean County Surrogate Jeffrey Moran also took time to reminisce about working with Block, as did the other county commissioners. Kelly, generally a stickler in holding people to five-minute comment limitations, made an exception when it came to giving both public servants a proper sendoff. Block recalled that when he worked at Shop Rite and Foodtown, he did his job well. However, his work as a mayor, clerk, and administrator meant the most to him. Block’s personal goal was to improve things for people. In each of the positions he held, Block said that any accolades he received also reflected the work of the people who worked for him, supported him and helped him. Block went through an extensive list of names of people who assisted him during his various leadership roles in governmental service. His remarks included assurances that his successor Michael J. Fiure would do well. Block also expressed confidence that Tristin J. Collins appeared to have the “acumen and ability” to replace Fiure as Assistant County Administrator. The last two Ocean County Commissioners meetings included discussions regarding Block and Scaturro’s replacements. Many advocated for Block to stay in his role for an extended period, while some questioned Collins’ credentials. The Commissioners appointed Scaturro’s Deputy Director Ed McBride to head up Consumer Affairs. However, in a prior meeting, members of the public asked why the position was opened to outside applicants. The Asbury Park Press reported that state Assemblyman John Catalano expressed an interest in the position.

NOW ENROLLING for Preschool

Enroll by September 7th to waive $150 Registration Fee!

255 Route 70 Toms River, NJ 08755

732-363-5530

tomsriver2nj@goddardschools.com

Ocean County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Schedule for September

Walk-ins welcome, but appointments recommended. Clinic schedule dates subject to change.

DATE LOCATION CLINIC HOURS

Friday, Sept. 9th Brick Library 1PM-4PM Monday, Sept. 12th Ocean County Health Department - 175 Sunset 2PM-6PM Friday, Sept. 16th Lacey Farmer’s Market 11AM-3PM Monday, Sept. 19th Ocean County Health Department - 175 Sunset 2PM-6PM

Thursday, Sept. 22nd

Hispanic Health Fair at Ocean County Health Department - 175 Sunset 4PM-8PM Friday, Sept. 23rd Brick Library 1PM-4PM Monday, Sept. 26th Ocean County Health Department - 175 Sunset 2PM-6PM Tuesday, Sept. 27th Lacey Community Hall 10AM-1PM ALL CLINICS OFFER BOOSTER VACCINE TO INDIVIDUALS AGES 5 AND OLDER

Pediatric vaccine for children ages 6 months and older available only at OCHD clinics held on Mondays from 2pm-6pm until further notice. The Pfizer vaccine is for everyone ages 6 months and up. The Moderna pediatric vaccine is available only for children ages 6 months—5 years. Visit www.ochd.org to learn more about COVID vaccines & booster doses. Getting your COVID vaccine or booster is the best protection!

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Club News, ACtivities, eveNts & ANNouNCemeNts

Toms River Shuts Down Site Of Shooting

By Chris Lundy and Jason Allentoff

TOMS RIVER – Township officials have shut down the site of a business where one person was shot and killed and two others were injured. The shooting took place at around 1:20 a.m. on August 27 at 1783 Hooper Avenue. Police said a 25-year-old man was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he died of his injuries. A 29-year-old man was listed in critical but stable condition and another 25-year-old man was treated and released. Both had been brought to a different hospital. The names of the people involved were not released by officials. On the first business day after the homicide, township officials shut down the site. Top Tier Hookha had their Certificate of Occupancy revoked due to multiple zoning, safety and code violations Mayor Maurice B Hill announced. “This business has been under investigation by our Quality of Life Task Force due to multiple complaints,” Hill said. “The Task Force found several violations and instructed the business owners to bring the establishment into compliance. Those instructions were ignored. The investigation into Saturday’s shooting confirmed that the business owners were operating in violation of their approved status as a retail-only establishment and likely made false or misleading statements on their zoning application. As a result their Certificate of Occupancy has been revoked today and they are no longer permitted to operate or do business at 1783 Hooper Ave in the Silverton section of the Township.” The Township’s Quality of Life Task Force includes representatives of the Police, Fire, Building, Zoning and Code Enforcement departments. In previous instances, they have been brought to bear on hotels that housed drug dealers. In addition to being shut down, the business owner and property owner have been issued a fine of $4,500 and a summons which is answerable in Toms River Municipal Court on September 12 The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit are all actively investigating the incident. Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Detective Denis Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027 or Detective Jennifer Grob of the Toms River Township Police Department at 732-349-0150.