The Expressive “U”

impact age restricted communities and would provide input towards the rent control ordinance.”

Development Concerns

Resident Judy Noonan mentioned during the public comment period rumors of development on property on Cherry and Lacey Road.

“I don’t believe an application has come in but they had, during the prior administration, to put 96 apartments in with three lots made for veterans’ homes but they never came back to make a formal application,” Umba responded.

“I believe the last we met with them was during the summer of 2022,” he added.

Umba also responded to Noonan’s request for an update on what she described as the “infamous (cell phone) tower” in Whiting saying he gave the township’s new attorney some documentation on the contract with American Tower “and some e-mails went out with them that have not been answered back.”

“We are still investigating all of that and seeing what we can do but from my understanding, AT&T is on the tower and Verizon was out and it appears that the reception is a lot better for Verizon but they did not confi rm it being live and they are supposed to,” Umba added.

Political Concerns

Resident Karen Perry said she was appalled “that last time and this time (during council meetings) there were so many things added onto the agenda that not all council people were aware of. I think that is poor business and a poor way of running business.”

This was in reference to a number of professional appointments that were added to the agenda at last minute. These high-paying jobs were awarded to people with political connections.

“I’ve been here for 45 years and I remember, and we are bi-partisan and these are elected officials and they all deserve respect from our administration and each other that things don’t slide through the cracks. Don’t turn this into 1985,” Perry said, referring to the corrupt government from that era.

“Take the personalities out of this, put the principals back into what Manchester is made of. Please do the best for Manchester. Let’s not go backwards. Let’s go forwards,” she added.

So ball League Seeking New Players

MANCHESTER – Manchester Senior Softball League is looking for softball players who would be interested in joining the league for the 2023 season to play Recre- ational Softball. Games are played Monday and Wednesday mornings, May through August. For additional information contact Fred Bohinski @ 848-261-1884.

Challenge:

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R Bowl Chili Challenge. Joining the LHS were local clubs and organizations whose members made soups and chili and competed for the trophies of People’s Choice. Among those groups hitting the gridiron were the Borough First Aid Squad, Police Department, Fleet Reserve, Arista Care Cooking Club, and LHS itself.

Attendees also had the opportunity to win several gift baskets during an auction and a 50/50.

Mayor Harry Robbins and Councilwoman Patricia Hodges found themselves with different titles. The mayor and sometimes council members serve as judges for this event. That is no easy task but he was spared that chore this year as he and Hodges participated in it, representing the governing body.

The mayor’s tangy chilly warmed up the day of those who took a sampling while Councilwoman Hodges prepared some delicious soup.

“No judge this year,” the mayor said with a smile. “It is a tough job. All the ingredients we used are right on this sheet. We prepared it all last night and put it into the crock pot. I ground my own beef.”

“I’d like to say I grew my own butternut squash for my soup but I can’t,” Hodges said with a laugh.

Along with her butternut squash soup Hodges put out, “little mini corn muffi ns here. We know how to do it right.”

The LHS served up a two-bowl soup combo with Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan’s mushroom soup. Dugan is a longtime member of the organization. The group’s second offering was tortellini soup.

“A few years ago, I was here with my son and we served up some lasagna soup,” LHS Trustee Kim Milana said.

Next to Milana was member Deb Levinson who noted both soups were getting very positive responses from those who tried them.

Representing the Borough Police Department was Lt. Iain James who provided some “Hot Pursuit Chili.” “I like to have a little fun with the names. I think it is the spices that really make the chili. It is the same recipe I make every year.”

When asked how many years the police department has been part of the popular event, the officer replied, “quite a few. Six years at least. Probably ever since this event started.”

Council President and Borough First Aid Squad member Steven Oglesby and Squad ambulance driver Marcy Gyer were representing the Squad with their chili offering for the event.

When asked when they last won the event, Gyer remarked, “this year. This is a different recipe and it is better than last year.”

“One of our squad members does all this for us,” Oglesby said.

“Yeah, we watch it and she makes it,” Gyer added.

Oglesby added with a laugh, “well we carried it in.”

Fleet Reserve Association 124 has won the event in the past and they were hoping too again. Member Michael Smith who made the chili this year said, “this is a whole new chili recipe.”

The Arista Cooking Club offered something different this year, Hungarian goulash. “I went on a cruise that went through Europe last year and I visited an area that served up Hungarian goulash. I liked it and I got the recipe,” Bonnie McAuliffe said.

She is a regular at the event having worked as activities director at Arista Care. She retired last year and her daughter Jessica took over that position.

“She retired and I stepped in. We wanted to get the trophy back so I told her we need her,” McAuliffe’s daughter said.

The gift basket prizes fi lled the stage. “They were all donated by our members and several organizations donated these and some of our local businesses too,” LHS Trustee Heather Cramer said.

Proceeds of the event benefited the Lakehurst Borough Historical Society Museum located across the street from the Community Center.

Event Chairperson Kathy Abrahamsen reported this year’s winners. The winners of Judge’s Choice were Lakehurst Volunteer First Aid Squad for chili. People’s Choice for soup went to Arista Care. People’s Choice for chili went to the Fleet Reserve. Two second place People’s Choice winners were Lakehurst Volunteer First Aid “Misty’s Chili” and Lakehurst Police’s “Hot Pursuit Chili.”