RALLY DRAWS TRUMP SUPPORTERS

By Bob Vosseller TOMS RIVER – For-

mer President Donald

Trump urged his supporters to protest his pending arrest related to an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. While his arrest turned out to be nothing more than a rumor, supporters still came out in response to that plea in front of the Let’s

Go Brandon Store on Route 37.

The former president posted online that he would return to New York City to face unspecified charges in the Manhattan District Attorney’s ongoing investigation of him. Trump said he was expecting to be arrested despite no official word from prosecutors as of this (Trump - See Page 5)

Those seeking to unseat Cuozzo have accused him of harassment and extending his personal and religious beliefs into his actions in public office. He told The Jackson Times that he has not abused his power of office in any way and said the accusations made against him were knowingly false.

Cuozzo, who serves as

He was also one of three Republicans who ran in a special GOP election convention last August for the seat of 12th District Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, who died on July 23, 2022. Dancer had served as mayor of Plumsted for two decades.

Cuozzo was supported in that contest by Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore but was defeated by Jackson Councilman Alex Sauickie, who was endorsed by Dancer’s widow and (Residents - See Page 6)

School Tries To Educate Trenton Lawmakers

By Bob Vosseller JACKSON – School officials

are trying to educate decision makers in Trenton about their school budget crisis.

Jackson was one of several local districts that lost significant state aid under S-2, a 2018 bill that redistributed money away from certain schools and toward others.

Two proposed bills, (S-3732 and A-5328) acknowledge the dam- age that the state aid funding formula S-2 created in Jackson and surrounding schools. The bills would give back to the district twothirds of the $6.5 million in aid they lost for the coming year. The Senate bill has been approved. The Assembly bill was being voted upon this week. The results were not known as of press time. But some say the end result is only a step in the (School - See Page 8)

Plunge: Continued From Page 1 older, that attend the prom held during school hours.”

The principal said, “Linda talked to her husband, John, about the idea for a plunge and the two of them got the community involved. John was a Manchester Police Officer and solicited the support from the Manchester Alliance, Police Department and the PAL. Maryann Borthwick worked for the school district and then township. She has since retired.”

She said Officers John Henry, Dennis McCann and his wife Ellen, and community member John McGuire “were instrumental in coordinating the event and the longevity of the event. The ‘Penguins with a Purpose’ was born. The penguin is our school mascot.”

John and Linda were once again in attendance for this year’s event. Refreshments were provided by the McCarthys and McGuire. Plunging this year for the first time were Mayor Robert Arace and Council President Roxanne Conniff along with a number of township police officers.

Michallis said, “all participants received a certificate. Most of our volunteers are Regional Day School employees (principal, secretaries, teachers and support staff).”

“It is similar to a Polar Bear Plunge. Students, staff, our Superintendent of Schools, police officers, and local community members are there to support this endeavor and jump in the Harry Wright Lake,” Michallis said. She noted that “over the years we have been out there in the fog, rain and snow. There were even a few years when the water temperature was warmer than the air temperature. We raise approximately $8,000 through this event.”

This year’s plunge marked the first event since the COVID-19 pandemic. Michallis said, “in past years we would average 100 in attendance and approximately 40 people would plunge. Nothing stops us. A big thank you to the Manchester Township Lions and PBA # 246.”

The plunge also involved the Manchester Township Alliance and featured raffles, hot chocolate, coffee, hot dogs, coffee cake and snacks. The plungers prepared for the cold dip huddling under the lake’s food concession area as the rain came down.

The downpour ceased only a few minutes prior to the 1 p.m. plunge. Then it was time for the penguin plungers to make their way over to the lake to enter the water. That included one plunger costumed as a shark who had to carefully waddle her way to the beach.

Wearing flip flops on his feet was another first timer, School Superintendent John Berenato. “I am ready to go,” he said. This marked his first time ever in doing a plunge.

After the plunge Mayor Arace remarked, “it was great. It was cold.”

Conniff was shivering on the beach prior to entering the water but she said later that it was a good experience. “It actually wasn’t too bad, It was much better than I thought it was going to be. It was a lot of fun. I’m glad I finally did it.”

“We had 142 plungers this year,” Michallis said. “It was fun and I’m glad the rain stopped and held off but we have been out here in rain, sleet and snow over the years. It was a great, great well attended event today. It is always a great day. We’ll be out again next year.”

“This year’s prom is scheduled for May 25th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We have a DJ, catered lunch, dessert bar, photo booth, and crown our prom king and queen. Each spring we transform our school’s multi-purpose room into a beautiful venue for students,” the principal added. writing.

The local rally drew approximately 40 people who waved American flags, Trump flags and held up signs and banners near the highway. The event also provided the opportunity for speakers to promote the America First movement and gave some township GOP primary contenders a chance to campaign.

Several participants repeated that the 2020 election was stolen – a statement that every court, state election offices, and even Fox News hosts have said in court documents is “the big lie.”

Jeff Binder of Berkeley was among those at the rally and said he felt that investigators were pursuing the case against Trump because “they are afraid of him.”

Binder did say he felt his life was better when Trump was in office. “I wasn’t paying so much for everything. He and Jimmy Carter are the only presidents in like 40 years that didn’t start a new war.”

“They’ll do anything they can to stop him,” said another area protestor who held up a sign but wouldn’t disclose her name. She said her life during his term was “fantastic, no worries. I hope he runs again. I hope things turn around back to where they should be.”

That sentiment was echoed by a Toms River resident who also wouldn’t give her name saying she was concerned about her job. “I want to see him win as he did last time.” She felt things were better under the 45th president.

“The economy, everything, you name it. America was better and safe. Now I can’t afford my gas bill. I want a president who cares about America,” she added.

“I feel like it has become a circus,” said Tammy Greiss of Bayville, carrying an American flag.

She was referencing the current political environment that is occurring on both sides of the political spectrum. “No one is right or wrong and one party isn’t better than the other but if everybody came together no matter what you believe, as Americans, and supported each other, I think it would be so much better. Trump was a breath of fresh air,” Greiss added.

“I have been up since 5 o’clock this morning, this is my purpose. Let Trump do his job,” Margaret Reed of Toms River said. She carried a Trump flag but was also waving at the cars that passed by. She was in Manahawkin a week prior at a protest to save whales.

Reed noted that while some drivers beeped their horns a few put out their middle finger to them. “They don’t know. You got to feel sorry for them because they are ignorant,” she noted of the latter responders. “I had a better paycheck (during Trump’s tenure). Life was good and I could afford to put gas in my car and to eat,” Reed added.

“I want to see Trump finish what he was supposed to do. Can you imagine what would have happened, if that man wasn’t interrupted, where America would be today?” she pondered. “Right now, the world is laughing at us.”

Chaplain Rafi King carried a sign stating Jews for Trump and was among those who spoke at the rally in front of the store. “We are supporting President Trump since day one. President Trump proved himself again and again. He is there for all Americans There is no question that he won the 2020 election. It was rigged.”

Inside the store was a musician playing a guitar. Customers were checking out shirts, banners, flags, sweat shirts and other merchandise that catered to Trump’s supporter base.

The owners of the store that opened last year were pleased with the turnout and noted that since Trump had announced his expected arrest, business had picked up.

Gail Just of Sussex County traveled nearly two hours to be at the protest. She held up a sign stating “Trump was right about everything.”

Just said she was present “to support Donald Trump in his hour of need who they want to arrest on a criminal charge. What we know is the charges were all trumped up. You can’t go from a misdemeanor to a felony.” She said she was the very first female New Jersey State Trooper, 48 years ago.

Two young children were heard chanting “Let’s Go Brandon” an expression mocking current President Joe Biden. Their father Andy Gibson of Barnegat who does holographic advertising work wore a fan on his back that featured LED lights that stated “Trump 2024.”

Jersey Shore Online.com reached out to the organizations Ocean County Democrats and Toms River Democrats for comments for this article but neither replied at press time.

Residents: Continued From Page 1 received a 69% to 29% margin in that vote. The recall petition committee includes Ryan Kertis, the former vice president of the Plumsted Republican Club, Stacy Reed, a Republican and Linda Salcfas, a Democrat. Canvassing within the community has started. One signing event was held at Oakford

Lake Park on March 26. The movement has a Facebook page, Recall Committeeman Dominick Cuozzo.

Calls For Censure

Included on the agenda of the Township Committee’s March meeting was an item that stated “approximately 40 correspondences were received requesting censure of Committeeman Cuozzo for a variety of reasons.”

Mayor Robert Bowen made a statement during that meeting that the emails calling for Cuozzo’s censure had been forwarded to the attorney and the governing body is awaiting a legal opinion.

The mayor added that any complaints that are received at the township are forwarded to outside counsel for recommendations and/or direct response directly by counsel.

Township Attorney Jean Cipriani told The Jackson Times, “The power of a governing body to discipline one of its members is extremely limited. A governing body has no authority or ability to remove one of its members. There is support from Supreme Court cases for the ability of a governing body for a censuring resolution.”

“That is the maximum extent of the ability of a governing body to take action regarding one of its members.” She added any violations of the local government ethics law “is enforced through a complaint to the local finance board.”

“The governing body had asked for a review of those requests for censure and that review is under way. I certainly expect to be able to provide a response to the governing body prior to (the April Township Committee) meeting if no additional information is received between now and then. That recommendation would go directly to the governing body,” Cipriani added.

How To Recall

“The first step in the recall is a notice of intention to file a petition to recall,” said Cipriani, the township attorney.

Deputy Municipal Clerk Nadene Cicero who is the recall election official for the township said, “the petition was returned for a procedural issue.”

“The submitters were advised to what the problem was and it took them a couple of weeks to fix it and send it back in and under that statutory procedure set forward a couple of things happened,” Cipriani said.

“The target (Cuozzo) has the opportunity to respond and that will be included in a notice that will be provided on the petition. That is where it is,” Cipriani explained on March 21.

She further explained that the township’s role in the procedure and her role as township attorney is “to make sure the procedural requirements are complied with. The township does not take any position and does not advocate. The role is only to make sure that the procedures are followed correctly.”

An Election Recall Procedure memo by Cipriani noted that under the Uniform Recall Election Law, an elected official shall be recalled from office by a majority vote.

A recall election can only be filed after the office holder has served one year of their term.

Once initiated, those hoping to unseat him, have approximately 160 days to gather roughly 1,650 signatures of registered voters which represents 25% of the total electorate – to force a recall election.

Cipriani said the starting date for the petition begins with the publication of a legal notice in the township’s designated newspaper - which has been published.

The recall petition must include a statement certified by each member of the recall committee that the member is registered to vote in the jurisdiction of the official sought to be recalled and that the member supports the recall of the named official and accepts the responsibilities associated with serving on the recall committee.

Cipriani clarified that no cost estimate for a special election was required. “That only has to happen if there is a request by the people filing the notice of intention for a special election. In this case, no special election is requested.” Should the recall election occur, it would happen during the general election on November 7.