Ocean Considering Purchase of School Site
By DON STINE Ocean Township officials are considering spending $2.5 million to purchase a controversial school site on Logan Road that has been approved for a college-age yeshiva. But first, officials want to get some feedback from as many of the township’s 30,000 residents as possible since the purchase would likely result in a tax increase of little more than $260 in total, or about $26 a year for the average $448,000 property, to repay the 10-year bond. “Nothing is set in stone. There are a lot of options here and we are just in preliminary discussions,” Mayor Christopher…
$1,000 Grant to Ocean School for New Uniforms for Track and Field Teams
Athletes at the Township of Ocean Intermediate School will benefit from the 2018 California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant program. The cross country and track and field teams received $1,000 to help purchase uniforms for the growing program. Applicant Lori Fornicola said having new, matching uniforms will increase school spirit and promote pride for participants. She is hoping to maintain a quality program for everyone who wishes to take part, despite budget cuts. The school is one of five New Jersey Schools receiving a Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant this year. The others are Bellville High School, Cliffside…
Lost Amusement Parks is Topic at Ocean Museum
The Township of Ocean Historical Museum will present “Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore,” by Rick Geffken on Wed., June 13 at 7:15 p.m. in the Ocean Township Board of Education Headquarters (Old Oakhurst School) 163 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst. Rick Geffken and George Severini have co-written a photographic look at the long-gone amusement parks of the New Jersey shore. They sought out images from the Library of Congress, local historical societies, and private collections to assemble a nostalgic look that recalls a fun era of our past. Geffken has written numerous articles on Monmouth County history. He is the…
100-Year-Old Catholic Daughters Chapter Closes
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI Madeline Walsh, of Wanamassa spent over 50 years giving her time and energy to the Catholic Daughters, Court Holy Spirit, but she along with the other members have decided “it’s time” to close their doors. Court Holy Spirit has been in existence for 100 years. “It’s a shame it’s disbanding. I think age has caught up on all of us,” Walsh said. Current Regent Esther Day, 88, said she is sad to see the club close but is happy they made it to see 100 years. She has been a member since 1986 and…
$20,000 Grant to Ocean Environmental Group
By DON STINE A $20,000 grant from the 2018 Sustainable Jersey Grant funded by the PSEG Foundation has been awarded to the Environmental Commission of Ocean Township. “We are very proud of it and very excited,” Commission Chairman Ray Pogwist said. He said the grant reflects the collective efforts of the commission over the past few years. Pogwist specifically cited commission member Mike Davenport for writing the grant. “He was truly instrumental in making it possible and we are very happy he took this on,” he said. The grant money will go towards producing an Environmental Resources Inventory An…
Deer Survey in Ocean Township
By DON STINE Ocean Township residents can participate in a new survey that is looking into the township’s long-standing problem with an increasingly-large deer population. A form was printed in the recent issue of the township’s newsletter. Responders, however, must file electronically by going to www.oceantwp.org. Responses, one per household, must be submitted by May 15. “We have had a lot of response already,” Mayor Christopher Siciliano said earlier this week. He said the township is taking the survey in an effort to develop a deer management plan, get a feel for what residents are experiencing, and get input from the…
Multi-Million Dollar Tennis Center Readied for Opening in Ocean
By DON STINE An eight-court tennis center under construction on West Park Avenue in Ocean Township, a product of both private and public funding, is scheduled to open this spring. “We are almost there and I think we will be open in the late spring Hopefully, we will also have the outdoor courts ready for the summer. This is a great project and wonderful for the community,” Mayor Christopher Siciliano said. A deal was signed to build close to a $3 million Park Avenue Tennis Center in front of the existing township pool complex on W est Park Avenue.…
Ocean Chamber Says Farewell to Director
By DON STINE Kim Horn Blanda, executive director of the Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce, is leaving her position after serving for eight years leading the organization she helped create in 1983. A founding member of the chamber, Blanda has created and chaired several events over the years and designed and edited the chamber’s long-time newsletter “Business in Ocean.” In addition to running the day-to-day activities of the chamber, and working with all committees on the development and implementation of events and programs, Blanda has been designing and updating the chamber’s website “I was always a very, very…
Hope Fund Seeks Applications
The Community Hope Fund, a non-profit, registered 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to promoting positive youth development and supporting charitable needs in Ocean Township and neighboring communities, is once again announcing the Request For Proposal for its Youth Development Grant Program. Through this program, CHF supports local initiatives that employ innovative and research-based models to promote youth development. Specifically, CHF is looking for local programs that build “Developmental Assets” in youth. These assets are the 40 positive experiences and personal qualities that help determine whether youth make good or bad decisions. This year, the Community Hope Fund will award…
Spring Comes in Like a Lion
By DON STINE Talk about March Madness! It seems like Old Man Winter just doesn’t want to give up this year as the fourth nor’easter in three weeks hit the Jersey Shore on Wednesday. It was the first full day of spring. “I believe the last time we had this many storms, in such a short period, was 1985,” said Neptune Township Clerk Richard Cuttrell, who tracks storms on his website TriStateStormWatch.com. Cuttrell said the storm was going to hit later in the day on Wednesday than anticipated and that means the snow will continue until as late as 3 a.m. on Thursday. At press time…
