Egg Hunts Bring Fun Following Scary Weather Resident Urges Expansion Of Rent Control

By Bob Vosseller

MANCHESTER – Earlier this year, the governing body approved a rent leveling ordinance that impacts several senior communities. Residents of those groups were grateful for that action but some feel it needs to be expanded to other developments as well.

Sal Delgato, a resident of Silverwoods, came before the Council to strongly urge the officials to expand rent control to include other senior communities in the township. Speaking in regards to his development and rental increases experienced there, Delgato said, “these people are senior citizens. They threatened them if they wouldn’t take the 18-month lease with a $400 raise or they would get a $700 raise.”

Mayor Robert Arace said he was scheduled to meet with residents of the Silverwoods development.

By Bob Vosseller LAKEHURST/ MANCHESTER

– The weather showed its sunny side up at two local lakes just in time for egg hunts, dodging some seriously frightening weather the day before.

The Manchester egg hunt had been scheduled for Sunday. Lakehurst moved their egg hunt

(Hunts - See Page 7)

–Photos courtesy Lakehurst Eggs during the annual Lakehurst Easter Egg Hunt held on Palm Sunday. The Easter Bunny provides a hug to one of the many children that were out scouring for prize.

Vietnam Vets Honored On 50 th Anniversary Of Peace Accords

By Stephanie Faughnan

BARNEGAT – The community came together once again on March 29 to honor Vietnam veterans - this time, on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. The date is officially known as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. For the event’s organizer, Barnegat resident Thy Cavagnaro, showing gratitude to Vietnam veterans is a deeply personal matter. Thy said she was just a young girl when her family escaped the fall of Saigon and was welcomed to the United States as refugees.

Clad in a traditional Vietnamese dress, she spoke about the incredible support she and her family received from Americans who opened their homes and helped them integrate into society. Meanwhile, Thy also took the opportunity to address the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans. She recognized the trauma the returning soldiers

(Vets - See Page 5)

“I am asking you people to please do something. Come up with something. You came up with a 2% (cap) for those people, do it again for the rest of the people. I’m fighting for these people because they can’t come here and fight for themselves,” Delgato added.

In other news, Mayor Arace noted that he and council members Roxy Conniff, James Vaccaro and Michele Zolezi attended the school district’s strategic planning public forum held at Manchester High School.

“It was a very interesting way to gather

(Residents - See Page 4)

ROTC May Get Make Up Event For Missed Competition

By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER – U.S.

Navy ROTC students at the township high school who missed their last competition of the year due to a communication error last month may see alternative arrangements being made for them, according to school officials.

The ROTC students had a competition drill meet at Rancocas Valley High School on March 18. A bus was to have taken them to that event. They needed associate drill equipment and uniforms among other drill meet items for the competition from MTHS. When they arrived at the school to pick up their equipment and supplies that Saturday morning, they discovered the school doors were locked. There was no cost for the bus, but for the driver.

(ROTC - See Page 7)

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Residents:

Continued From Page 1 feedback from the community. It was very interactive. A lot of parents and residents sat across from one another and were asked questions. (They) received input on Post-its and read them out loud, about what the district’s weaknesses, strengths and opportunities were. It was actually a really cool activity,” the mayor said.

He also reported on visiting the Whiting Firehouse for their bingo activity.

He and Council President Conniff visited the township’s community garden in Whiting. “It is very interesting and as soon as a plot opens up, I want to get one. It is $15 a year and you get a 20 by 20 and you get to grow your own garden.”

“It is peaceful, it’s beautiful and you get close to nature and get your hands in the dirt. It is a hidden gem in Manchester,” the mayor added.

He said he spoke to residents of Crestwood Village I and attended Coffee with a Cop at Allstar Bagel and visited the township’s emergency services building and watched the fi re company conduct a joint training operation.

During the session Mayor Arace recognized National Library Week that will run from April 23 to April 29. Librarian

Gwen Lareau represented the Manchester branch of the Ocean County Library system. The proclamation that he read noted that libraries are accessible and inclusive places that foster a sense of belonging and community and connect people to technology by providing broadband internet, computers and training that are critical for accessing education and employment opportunities.

Joseph Rucci, Jr. from the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Committee accepted a proclamation for National Vietnam

Veterans Day during the meeting. Mayor Arace read the proclamation that recognizes the Vietnam War, a confl ict that was fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 1975 and acknowledges the completion of the United States Armed Forces’ withdrawal of combat troops on March 29, 1973.

“We acknowledge the divisive nature of the Vietnam War and recognize the brave and faithful service members who returned home to be caught in the middle of a public debate about the United States’ involvement in the war. We mourn the loss of more than 50,000 members of the United States Armed Forces,” the proclamation stated.

Vets:

Continued From Page 1 endured, being forced to fight in a war they didn’t want to be in and being ostracized when they came home.

“You survived the majority of your lives for many, many decades by not talking about the war nor your participation in it,” said Thy. “To hide and bury that part of your history deep down inside you. You’ve been through hell and back, lived a nightmare, and are still living it at times – for people like me.”

A hush swept over the room as many attendees’ eyes seemed to drift back to their times overseas. The moment was not lost on Major General Clark Martin, a Vietnam veteran with 100 combat missions flown over Vietnam.

“There were actually as many veterans in this room that I stood with in line in Bangkok for five hours waiting to get on a DCF to fly back home from Southeast Asia,” recalled Martin. “That airplane held 286 of us.”

Martin shared details of his service, saying he enlisted rather than waiting for his number to come up in the draft. He saw military duty as his patriotic duty, while others volunteered to fight, hoping to have more control over where and when, and how they served. Some saw the military as a means of economic security or a way out of bad situations. Those drafted were pulled away from their lives – something Martin said today’s youth could not begin to imagine.

Some would give the ultimate sacrifice never to return home to loved ones. Those who made it back faced ridicule, heckling, and were even spit upon.

“The US war in Vietnam triggered the most tenacious anti-war movement in US history,” Martin said. “Seems to me when I left in 1967, I was a patriot. When I returned in 1968, I was a criminal. And, I’m sure that’s what happened to a lot more people.”

Thy and her husband Jim began a local campaign of thanking Vietnam vets that included the erection of a memorial monument in the downtown area in 2018. One of the couple’s goals is to involve local students in the annual events so that the legacy of gratitude can continue for years to come.

As part of the event’s opening ceremony, the flag was presented and displayed by the Barnegat High School Navy ROTC Color Guard, while the pledge of allegiance was led by Vincent Lorenzo, a fifth-grade student who had been the event’s keynote speaker the previous year.

Students from the Russell O. Brackman Middle School Chorus sang the National Anthem, while a local group named the Waterview Singers delivered “God Bless America.”

When the Armed Forces Medley was played by the Barnegat High School Marching Band, representatives from each branch of the military stood with pride.

The event was graced by the presence of local and state officials, including Assemblywoman Diane Gove, Barnegat Mayor Pasquale “Pat” Pipi, the entire Township Committee, Stafford Mayor Greg Myhre, and the members of the Stafford town council, some of whom also delivered speeches.

Hannah Cronen, a junior at Barnegat High School, distinguished herself by playing “Taps” on the bugle, honoring both the living and fallen veterans who served their country with time and sacrifice. The slow and mournful notes acted as a deeply meaningful tribute.

American Legion Post 232, VFW Post 10092, the Barnegat Township Committee, Barnegat Schools and the Cavagnaros co-sponsored the event, which included refreshments supplied courtesy of Wawa and Barnegat BD Bakery classes.

Hunt:

Continued From Page 1 from April Fool’s Day to Palm Sunday due to heavy rain and some serious storm warnings.

The Lakehurst Fire Department had the honor of transporting the Easter Bunny to Horicon Lake for the occasion. Snacks and drinks were provided to parents and children after the egg hunt.

The event was well attended by loads of children and their parents, and an energetic Easter Bunny providing hugs to kids which made for a special holiday event. It was coordinated by the Borough’s Youth and Recreation committee.

“We had special prizes that a few children won” Michele DiMeo told The Manchester Times. “Hanger 21 donated two $10 gift certificates and we gave out two baskets, money and two $5 gift certificates to Mrs. Walker’s Ice Cream.”

Around that same time Manchester chil-

ROTC:

Continued From Page 1 dren were having loads of fun hunting for prize filled eggs and visiting with the Easter Bunny over at Pine Lake. This egg hunt was scheduled for Sunday and sponsored by the Township Recreation Department. Recreation Director Tracey Lynch was directing the kids down the bunny trail to find their eggs.

School Superintendent John Berenato held a special meeting with the building administrators at MTHS the Monday after the incident. They expressed to him that this was an unfortunate breakdown in communication between the high school building staff regarding who and how the high school would be opened at 5 a.m. that Saturday so that students could access competition equipment.

The sunny Sunday skies were a drastic improvement from the day before, when ominous clouds darkened the horizon before winds, rain, and in some places even hail blew through the county.

The National Weather Service said tornadoes touched down in Jackson, Howell, Cream Ridge, Crosswicks, Sea Girt and Cinnaminson. A tornado also touched down in Bridgeville, Delaware which destroyed several homes, even causing a fatality.

Local officials declared a disaster emergency on Sunday as residents began evaluating the damage and clearing debris. Schools were closed in Jackson and Howell townships

The driver will be paid a “show-up fee” of two hours, time at a half at an $18.38/ hour rate.

Berenato said this had never occurred before and was truly unconventional. The staff also held a meeting with the parents and students providing them a full explanation.

The superintendent told The Manchester Times that MTHS is looking to revise procedures to ensure this won’t happen again.

“Unfortunately, we cannot create a new drill competition for the ROTC students but the school district is working on a field trip to on April 3 as cleanup efforts continued from the severe storm.

JCP&L reported that around 21,000 customers were without power. Of this, 5,940 outages were reported in Monmouth County and 14,233 were reported in Ocean County.

A large tree crashed down on a Howell residence. Fortunately, no one was injured.

– Photos courtesy Manchester Township Children line up for some fun with some guidance from their parents at Palm Sunday’s Easter Egg hunt in Pine Lake.

A twin-engine jet lost control and ran off the runway while landing at Monmouth Executive Airport during severe weather warnings on April 1, according to police.

Authorities said there were two people inside the Citation jet, the pilot and copilot. Both got out of the plane uninjured. However, the plane

Battleship New Jersey for these students.”

The ROTC is also in the process of being invited to additional Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst events. “We are working together with our JB-MDL partners to help make these exclusive opportunities available for the ROTC students to participate in,” Berenato added.

The Navy ROTC program began in the school district during the 2000-2001 school year. This year there are approximately 100 students in the program. They are involved in various community/school service proj- sustained significant damage.

Wall Fire District 2 with assistance from Monmouth County Hazmat were able to isolate the fuel from the aircraft. The next morning, emergency crews returned to remove the plane as well as debris. Spilled fuel was mitigated, police said.

-Alyssa Riccardi contributed to this story ects. The program advisor is John Holtzer. On May 19 they will be at the Joint Base for the Power in the Pines Air Show and during the week of May 22 will take part in Memorial Day ceremonies. They will also participate on May 27 at the annual flag planting at the NJ Memorial Park Cemetery in Whiting and will return there for a Memorial Day ceremony on May 29. Each year about three to five students move on to careers in the military. Last year there were 11 students that moved on to military careers.