Area Bear

Sightings – What You Should Know

School just celebrated a big birthday that featured former staff, students and several special guests.

The Jackson Township based school is a division of the Manchester Township School District and state, county, and township representatives came out to celebrate 40 years as a place for learning and offering a unique program.

According to local administrators, the school provides the least restrictive environment for those pupils from across the state whose disabilities are low-incidence or of a severity that prevents programming in any other setting.

The celebration showcased Regional Day School through the decades. Guests were welcomed by Student Ambassadors who provided attendees with tours of their designat- ed school pods. Each pod showcased the history of the school broken down by decade.

Guests had the opportunity to experience the different programs that students have at

Plants Might Slow Horicon Lake Erosion

By Bob Vosseller

Mayor has been getting a lot of erosion over that way and we’ve been talking about native plants that can be put there and would help with the erosion.”

“Andrew Hodges who is our compost expert here did some investigation and has come up with something that might save the borough some money,” the mayor added. Regarding replenishing the area with sand, the mayor said, “in the area where recent work has been done where it seems to fi lter, we keep doing it again and again.”

Hodges spoke to the governing body after handing out some

Regional Day, such as woodshop, graphic and culinary arts.

(School - See Page 4)

By Bob Vosseller MANCHESTER

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Bears have been spotted in residential as well as business areas recently.

Crestwood Village V resident Anna Marie

Re illy told The Manchester Times of her recent experience. “My property backs up to the wildlife management area and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The mother bear walked on the back of my property that touches the woods. She was walking on the line and she was by herself.”

Reilly continued, “it was at dusk. My neighbor called me up and said there is a bear outside your back door. She said it is a big bear so don’t go outside. I brought my frying pan and wooden spoon and went out to the back yard and started banging on them in hopes the bear would go away.”

“I saw from the corner of my eye that there were two baby bears in the woods moving so there were three altogether that I know of. The mother bear and two babies. Someone said they saw a third baby but I’m not sure,” the resident added. She said the bears have been seen on Medford and Sunset Road between Portsmith and Quincy Road at night but not so much in the morning. “The mother was looking for food and for me it was the bird food. She didn’t go through any garbage cans.”

The resident contacted the EPA hotline “and they said they’d do a report and passed it along to somebody else and I asked if they were going to tag them and they said if they can fi nd them, they’ll do a tag. I told others that regularly walk in the

(Bear - See Page 9)

Seniors Facing A ordable Housing Crisis

By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY

forced some to make difficult choices between paying for basic necessities and keeping a roof over their heads.

housing assistance for older adults.

“Your age friendly stores, offices and parks are of little use if our parents and grandparents can no longer afford to live in New Jersey,” wrote Vicari. “Perhaps some funds

(Housing - See Page 5) (Plants - See Page 7)

In a letter addressed to Governor Phil Murphy, Commissioner Director Joseph Vicari asked the state to make funds available for rental and

Includes: arrangement conference, removal from place of death, alternative container Batesville ccbmdfc, transfer to crematory, crematory fee

“We are dedicated to exceeding expectations and delivering a standard of service that is 100% guaranteed.”

School:

Continued From Page 1

Mayor Robert Arace presented the official proclamation during the event and later, students buried a time capsule on the property before the celebratory cake and coffee was enjoyed.

“On a daily basis, teachers and support staff provide Regional Day School’s students with the academic, social and vocational experiences they will require in order to reach their full potential,” Principal Lisa Michallis said.

She added, “the genuine care that goes into educating our students, and providing a school program and environment that supports the whole family, can be felt the moment you enter our campus.”

Superintendent John Berenato said, “At Regional Day School everyone knows that they belong. The world truly slows down at Regional Day School. Our programs are personalized for students and their success is always at the forefront of everything we do.”

“We believe that every child has the desire to learn and we strive to match their learning to where students are in their lives. Our professional, caring staff wear their hearts on their sleeves and they work tirelessly day in and day out to celebrate our students’ growth and success,” the superintendent added.

In 1973, the voters of the State of New Jersey approved the Facilities for the Handicapped Bond Issue which authorized the enactment of Chapter 149, Law of 1973. This law mandated the construction of regional facilities which would provide appropriate programs and services to low-incidence, handicapped children.

The Regional Day School at Jackson began servicing students in September of 1982.

On July 1, 1984, the Manchester Township Board of Education assumed responsibility for the operation of the school.

Pupils from one or all of the special education designations are included at the Regional Day School. Students range in age from 3 to 21. Class profiles encompass instruction for students who are preschool disabled, multiply disabled, emotionally disturbed, intellectually disabled, communication impaired, and autistic.

The staff at Regional Day School includes administrative, business, and service personnel as well as an adaptive physical education instructor, art education instructor, behavior analyst, classroom teachers, classroom and personal para-professionals, industrial arts instructor, learning disability teacher consultant, nurse, occupational therapist, school psychologist, speech therapists, and transition services/job coach.

Families are at the heart of Regional Day School and when asked, “what Regional Day School meant to them” the answers moved attendees to tears.

Regional Day School parents

Heather Cramer and Margaret Randolph both shared testimonials about their experiences as part of the Regional Day School family. Afterwards, 7-yearold student Marques Reeves proudly stood in front of the crowd to proclaim that “to me, Regional Day School means happiness, love, and friendship.”

“Knowing Manchester’s Regional Day School is impossible unless you have visited and felt the dedicated and joyful spirit found

Manchester Gives Back Blood Drive

at every turn thanks to our dedicated staff, students, and family members,” Michallis said.

MANCHESTER – The Manchester Gives Back Blood Drive returns on July 12 from 1 to 6 p.m. Consider donating if you’re able by signing up at the following: redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=0226466&fbclid.

Housing: Continued From

Page 1 can be diverted from the Age-Friendly program to a senior housing initiative.”

Ocean County is home to approximately 200,000 seniors, as determined by the Older American’s Act, which sets the age of 60 as the benchmark. Of that total, a significant number served the United States in at least one of its military branches.

“We have 20,075 seniors who are over the age of 85,” shared Maria LaFace, Director of Ocean County Office of Senior Services. “Many are starting to outlive their savings.”

At the most recent Ocean County Commissioners’ meeting, Vicari noted there are 96 adult retirement communities within the county. He added that fi nding affordable housing for local seniors should not be just an Ocean County issue. After all, many who come to the shore area to spend their golden years migrate from other counties throughout the state.

Vicari suggested that the surge of senior citizens moving to Ocean County was initially encouraged by the Ocean County Freeholders in the 1960s. The intention was to create retirement developments akin to those in Florida. However, unlike their Florida counterparts, the Ocean County senior communities are not self-contained and lack convenient access to essential amenities such as businesses and retail stores. This issue compounds the existing housing concerns faced by seniors in the area.

Judy Noonan, the Confidential Aide to Manchester Mayor Robert Arace and Li- aison for Senior Communities expressed her support and appreciation for Vicari’s decision to approach the governor. A prior Berkeley councilwoman, Noonan said she has been working on behalf of seniors for more than two decades.

“We have serious issues with seniors being threatened and intimidated with high rents,” Noonan said. “They’re being pushed out.”

During the Commissioners’ meeting, Noonan highlighted what she saw as an alarming trend of landlords advertising in New York to attract tenants, with promises of lower rents. However, Noonan said landlords subsequently exploit the lack of rent control and raise prices at their discretion. Residents have expressed their dismay at the lack of safeguards, fearing they would be priced out of their homes and left with nowhere to go.

Noonan shared the story of a senior resident currently paying $980 for a modest one-bedroom, one-bathroom home. Shockingly, the landlord expressed their intent to increase the rent to $1,400 and delivered an ultimatum to the tenant: either pay the inflated amount or vacate the premises. The increase amounts to a nearly 43 percent raise for someone on a fi xed income.

“These seniors have paid their bills, paid their taxes, and raised their children,” continued Noonan. “Now it’s time for them to die so people can raise their rents to these outrageous rents? If they become homeless, where are they going to go?”

While rent costs go up, seniors who rely on social security benefits can’t expect their annual increases to make up for the accelerated expense. The cost of living adjustment (COLA) was a mere 8.7 percent in 2023.

Meanwhile, the affordability crisis for Ocean County seniors extends beyond rentals. Those relocating from counties such as Bergen, Essex, and Morris are often taken aback by the steep prices of homes in retirement developments, which closely mirror the costs of their residences “up north.”

For instance, smaller developments like the Venue at Lighthouse Station and Seacrest Pines in Barnegat boast price tags ranging from the mid-$400s to as high as the mid-$700s. Similarly, Four Seasons at South Knolls in Jackson offers homes priced from the high $300s to the low $500s. Even some older Holiday City developments in Toms River come with asking prices in the $300s.

The notion that Ocean County was an affordable haven for seniors could soon be a myth.

Vicari and the other Ocean County Commissioners don’t want to see a decline in the number of older adults who call the county home. The hope is the governor will divert funds so that seniors can afford to live in New Jersey and not leave the state.

According to Noonan, private associations and management companies are also making decisions that adversely affect seniors. Local government does not have the right to interfere.

Governor Murphy recently announced a plan to cut property tax for seniors over the age of 65. This program, called StayNJ, will take some time to implement. While it does, the ANCHOR property tax rebate will increase for seniors.

Amidst discussions surrounding the challenges of senior housing costs, a sense of empathy arose for a remarkable young man of 102-years-old. Thomas O’Malley, a resident of the Four Seasons in Lakewood, expressed strong opposition to a proposed cell tower that was slated to be erected at the entrance of his retirement community.

O’Malley’s heartfelt plea resonated deeply as he emphasized the health implications for residents, mentioning the prevalence of cancer cases within the community. O’Malley had also reached out to Senator Robert Singer, both in writing and through personal conversations, seeking assistance in resolving this matter.

“I’m a survivor myself,” said O’Malley. “My wife passed away last month, and we have a great percentage of people who have cancer.”

Vicari said he learned from Senator Singer of O’Malley’s issue and discussed it with county counsel. The unfortunate news was that Ocean County Commissioners had no right to intervene. The Commissioner Director suggested O’Malley attend the public hearing in Lakewood to voice his concerns, as the jurisdiction of the issue fell under the control of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rather than the Board of Public Utilities.

While unrelated to affordable housing, O’Malley’s frustration serves as further proof that the challenges of growing old come in unexpected ways.

Plants:

Continued From Page 1 literature about the plants. He recommended filling in some of the areas where it is sparse with plants to tighten up the zone in order to “bring it back to life.”

“I recommend we fill in those areas that are specifically for water line areas and will be self-sustaining and will be shore stabilizers,” Hodges said. He noted that there were inexpensive plants available.

In speaking about one particular vendor, Hodges told the officials, “They offer some more obscure things you wouldn’t fi nd at a nursery. They have a lot on their website that is for different areas, ecosystems and wetlands. From what I see they have a very reasonable price.”

He quoted a price of $35 for quarter pound of seeds.

“It is a timely process and it may take a few seasons for you to see the results but I think it would be a worthwhile project for the town,” he said.

“There are guidelines by the state for shoring up the shoreline and there are extensive lists of plant life and guides that give a very technical step by step on how to address an eroding shoreline,” Hodges added.

He advocated some community involvement to help with the process.

“It isn’t enough to rebuild you have to put the bulkhead in to hold it,” Council President Steven Oglesby said. “We also need to put in far better soil than what we have been doing and it has to be maintained at least until it starts to take root and support itself.”

Hodges said that the State Department of Environmental Protection guidelines provide a list of grasses that would serve as a quick fi x and would allow for stabilization to assist more long-term methods of stabilization.

Kickball Fundraiser

Residents Amy Lowe and Debby Pease spoke about a fundraising event this fall in the borough. “We are talking Saturday September 23. It is a kickball tournament and it would be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We would be gathering teams to play in a bracket kind of way because we’d have an ultimate winner. We are looking to solicit different business and corporate sponsorships and put on T-shirts and we are looking to have a beer garden.” She also said they would work with the police department and VFW in town.

She added, “we are looking to work with the fi re department and fi rst aid to hold a 50/50 and incorporate a food truck event and a vendor market. It would be a full day. People would come out with the ultimate goal of redoing the basketball court down at facilities to help youth and recreation.”

Lowe said, “we know we can put on a good event and we aren’t asking anything of the town other than approval. We will handle the bulk of it. We would try to incorporate

Crestwood Village II Travel Club

WHITING – The Crestwood Village II Travel Club has announced the following upcoming trips:

Resorts Casino and Atlantic City Airshow

“Preview” – August 15. Travel to Atlantic City to see a preview of the Atlantic City Airshow. Watch the performers practice their routines over the boardwalk for the next day show. Enjoy Resorts Casino and a day by the sea. Tickets are $35 and includes bus transportation, driver gratuity and $10 slot play at Resorts

Casino. Bus boards Harmony Hall at 9 a.m. and leaves 9:15 a.m. Return bus boards at 4:15 p.m. and leaves 4:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now in the Harmony Hall Activities room on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. until July 19. Doo Wop Christmas at Tropicana – November 30. Travel to the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City to see the show “A Doo Wop Christmas” performed by the Doo Wop Project and their band. Hear vintage holiday songs by The Crests, Belmonts, Flamingos and more in doo wop style. The Doo Wop Project has appeared around the country and has performed in Jersey Boys. people from the town fi rst to be part of the event and participate.”

Tickets are $94 and includes bus transportation, driver gratuity, show and $25 slot play. Bus boards Harmony Hall at 12:30 p.m. and leaves 12:45 p.m. Return bus boards 7:45 p.m. and leaves 8 p.m. Tickets will be on sale in the Harmony Hall Activities room on Wednesdays beginning August 23 until October 26. Menopause 2 at Tropicana – April 16, 2024.

Councilman Brian DiMeo who heads youth and recreation in the borough noted that “people have come to us about the basketball court which is in very, very rough shape. It is pretty much falling apart so we reached out to seeing what we could do concerning the cost of restoring it and they came back considerably higher than expected.”

“We’ve been itching to do something fun,” Pease, said.

Fourth Of July Fun

Borough Clerk Maryanne Capasso noted that fi reworks will be held on July 3 at Lake Horicon at dusk, (usually 9 p.m.) The community’s Independence Day Parade will be held at 11 a.m. on July 4 along Union Avenue and a car show will be held the same day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Lakehurst Elementary School on Union Avenue.

Travel to the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City to see the show “Menopause 2 Cruising Through The Change.” Five years after their chance encounter in a department store, we set sail with our beloved ladies for more high jinks on the high seas. We can only imagine what’s going to happen. Tickets will be on sale later in the year.

No refunds unless trips are cancelled. For more information, call Linda at 732-716-1928 or Fran at 732-581-2290.