MANCHESTER – A new mayor, two new council members, a returning councilman and a new business administrator were all part of the start of 2023, a year that would also see the unexpected exit of the school superintendent.
It was a who’s who of Ocean County GOP as well as a large turnout of residents who came out to witness the dawn of a new era for the township during its 2023 reorganization meeting.
Robert Arace was sworn in as mayor and his running mates Roxanne Conniff and Joseph Hankins were sworn into council. While Manchester leaders have been politically conservative, the town is officially nonpartisan. This is in response to former Mayor Joseph Portash and associates ripping off the town for millions in the 1980s and early 1990s. Officials had fought for decades to keep out party rule, however, Arace’s win was seen as a feather in the cap of GOP leader George Gilmore.
The new mayor promised to introduce a rent leveling ordinance within the first 60 days of his administration “to protect seniors in Whiting.” He kept his promise and while that ordinance was legally challenged by the owners of an impacted development, the litigation was responded to before the end of the year.
New Egypt Bible Baptist Church Pastor/Plumsted Township Committeeman Dominick Cuozzo, left, swears in new Manchester Township Mayor Robert Arace who is joined by his wife Deanna. (Photo courtesy Manchester Township)
Councilman Sam Fusaro, the senior member of council, resigned at the end of January because he was moving out of town. He was one of the people who took over after Portash’s cronies were voted out. Long-time Township Clerk Sabina Martin retired. Both were honored during a council meeting.
Fusaro’s seat was filled by former Councilman Craig Wallis who had resigned toward the end of 2022.
Conniff became the new council president while Councilman James Vaccaro was sworn in as council vice president.
For the 54th year, students and local leaders honored the memory of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Manchester Township High School. The celebration included a performance by the district’s Gospel Chorus. It also featured keynote speaker Wincey Terry Bryant, a rap and gospel singer from Newark and who worked with Spike Lee, Sting and Tina Turner.
Manchester Mayor Robert Arace explains to residents how the township was responding to a lawsuit by mobile home landlords who took issue with the original 2% cap included in a rent leveling ordinance approved in March during a recent township council meeting. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
The last of those who called Surf and Stream Campgrounds their home said goodbye to their surroundings. For some, it meant leaving behind more than 30 years of memories.
In 2022, the Ocean County Commissioners announced plans to purchase what they believed was a seasonal campground as part of its natural lands acquisition program. Government authorities admitted they were surprised when residents appeared at their meeting and revealed they lived onsite year-round.
The revelation resulted in a delay in the transfer of the property and a holdup of the $7.4 million offer made to Surf and Stream owners. Manchester Township contributed $1.5 million for the purchase of the land. It also spawned lawsuits since the people were kicked out of their homes by the purchase.
The open space area now preserved for recreational enjoyment is home to a variety of colorful ducks, geese, and other creatures of nature.
There were some interesting goings on in Leisure Village West during the spring spearheaded by resident Ricardo Garcia, a lifelong actor, producer and director who created the YouTube series “Where Is My Guacamole?” Garcia got the LVW community involved as cast members and production assistants for an outrageous spoof of a Spanish soap opera. He also founded the Friends of Latin American Group.
Manchester and Lakehurst Borough officials and first responders were on high alert in April during a threatening wildfire that New Jersey Forest Fire Service officials investigated.
Fire towered over homes and trees. (Photo by Denise Maynard)
The cause of the 3,859-acre wildfire which raged through the area on April 11 and 12 and was deemed 100 percent contained on the morning of April 13. Assistant Division Fire Warden NJ Forest Fire Service Trevor Raynor said that approximately 99% of wildfires are through human cause.
It was a terrifying situation for members of the Proving Ground Church in Lakehurst as they found themselves surrounded by the inferno. There were no injuries nor damage to the building.
School Superintendent John Berenato was removed from his position following a controversy that began in October when Whiting Principal Eveyln Swift filed a lawsuit against him, the Board of Education and certain administrators. During a special meeting held on Election Night, members of the Board voted to remove him without explanation and voted to install Diane Pedroza as interim superintendent.
Interim Superintendent Diane Pedroza reached out to the Manchester community regarding her new role within the township school district. (Photo courtesy Manchester Schools)
Public events such as Manchester Day and the summer concert series were very well attended. The township’s Tree Lighting ceremony in early December was rained out but Christmas in The Pines was relocated to Harry Wright Lake and was quite successful as was this year’s Menorah Lighting held a few days later.
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