Tuesday Dec 2 News Updates Lakewood

Weather: 46° Rain. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.

- Today 12 kislev marks the 6th yartzeit of the Jersey city kedoshim

-Jersey City elected James Solomon, a two-term city councilman and a progressive outsider, as the city’s next mayor in its Tuesday runoff, rejecting former Gov. Jim McGreevey’s bid at a political comeback, the New Jersey Globe projects.

-Matt Van Epps (R) defeats Aftyn Behn (D) in the Tennessee 07 special election.

- Trump. Any and all Documents, Proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandums, or Contracts, signed by Order of the now infamous and unauthorized “AUTOPEN,” within the Administration of Joseph R. Biden Jr., are hereby null, void, and of no further force or effect. Anyone receiving “Pardons,” “Commutations,” or any other Legal Document so signed, please be advised that said Document has been fully and completely terminated, and is of no Legal effect. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

- Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva Rav Malkiel Kotler shlita is visiting Baltimore for several fundraising events on behalf of the Adirei HaTorah campaign, supporting the Yungeleit of BMG.

-As the Get Covered deadline approaches, residents are facing very high health-insurance premiums, with no subsidies or updates yet from the Trump administration. Many are looking into health-share plans, but these often don’t cover preexisting conditions such as pregnancy or chronic illnesses

 - RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers plan to vote on ending vaccination of all newborns for hepatitis B and reexamine whether vaccines in the childhood immunization schedule are behind rising allergies and autoimmune disorders — WaPo

- Giyus: Prime Minister Netanyahu canceled a press conference on the conscription (Giyus) law, that he was to urge Likud rebels to support it. He called the law “complex but not an enemy law” and noted that many have praised it.

- Expo for designers Architects and developers taking place today at Bellworks

- New nationwide SNAP rules now require most adults ages 18–64 to work, train, or volunteer 80 hours a month to keep benefits, unless exempt. The administration cites fraud reduction and tighter enforcement as goals. All recipients must reapply under the new rules. SNAP serves over 40 million people, and the CBO estimates the changes will cut enrollment by 2.4 million over the next decade, alongside separate moves to restrict benefits for undocumented immigrants.

-Michael and Susan Dell announced Tuesday that they have committed $6.25 billion to fund investment accounts for some 25 million American children. The couple’s donation will be the largest ever devoted to American children A new federal program will let parents open tax-advantaged “Trump accounts” for children under 18, seeded with a $1,000 federal grant for all U.S. citizens born between 2025 and 2028. Parents can begin opening these accounts on July 4, 2026, once IRS guidelines are released. Separately, the Dells have pledged $250 for Trump accounts for children age 10 and under who were born before Jan. 1, 2025. Their commitment is expected to benefit 25 million children living in ZIP codes with median incomes of $150,000 or less.

-President Trump is set to make an announcement to the nation Tuesday at 2pm ET from the White House

-At last night’s Lakewood Zoning Board meeting, the board denied several applications, including a proposed shopping center and duplexes on Prospect Street, an office building on New Hampshire Avenue, and additional duplexes on Chestnut. In each case, strong opposition from local residents played a key role. Neighbors argued that the zoning changes would place inappropriate development in residential areas and worsen traffic and safety issues. A debate broke out over a traffic study on Prospect Street, which had been conducted Friday morning. Residents criticized the board for considering claims that there's not much traffic on Prospect street. It was also noted that homebuyers are increasingly avoiding Lakewood, choosing instead to move to Jackson, Howell, and other surrounding towns.

-Utility Rate increase: Lakewood Township MUA: The board voted today on a 2% sewer rate increase for both residential and commercial customers at the public meeting this morning. Lakewood MUA approved water rate hike for customers by 38% in 2024 over next 7 years on top of a 15% rate hike the last two years. The commissioners that include Mayor Coles and committeeman Lichtenstein and Wife of Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller received a salary increase from $5k to $15k annually; they are not employees but receive compensation for being a commissioner. See below article on mUA commissioner salaries.

- Leading Litvishe rabbonim in Eretz Yisroel issued a sharp letter opposing musical concerts altogether including those with separate seating — and especially events arranged for women. They called for the immediate cancellation of all concerts already scheduled for Chanukah.

-Vaad L’Mishmeres Shatnez warns that a Tiglio suit bought on Avenue J in Brooklyn—was found to contain shatnez due to a wool-and-linen stripe. They stress that even suits from Jewish-owned stores or “Bnei Torah” sales must be checked.

- Giyus: Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that the IDF can take in 5,760 additional Charedi soldiers this year, and with advance notice could handle even more in the future. The coalition’s draft bill sets higher recruitment targets: 8,160 in year one, 6,840 in year two, 7,920 in year three, 8,500 in year four, and by year five at least 50% of the annual Charedi graduating cohort.

-NJDOT will close shoulders on Route 195 for maintenance Dec. 2–5, 7 a.m.–3 p.m., affecting mileposts 11–20 (Upper Freehold, Millstone, Jackson) and 30–34.17 (Wall, Howell). Drivers may face delays.

- Board of Education member Moshe Raitzik has resigned from his position following his recent election to the Lakewood Board of Fire Commissioners, citing a New Jersey law that bars individuals from holding two elected public offices simultaneously. The Board has not yet announced a timeline for selecting his replacement.

-Records show Lakewood MUA commissioners each receive tens of thousands in benefits and stipends despite serving part-time and attending monthly meetings.

A newly filed state report shows Lakewood MUA commissioners receive tens of thousands of dollars in stipends and full medical benefits despite serving only part-time and attending monthly meetings. Chairman Sen. Robert Singer receives $86,976 with benefits, while Mayor Ray Coles receives the same base stipend but declines benefits. Several other commissioners and alternates also receive sizeable benefit packages.The findings come amid broader scrutiny of MUAs across the Jersey Shore after Toms River’s move to dissolve its own authority over similar issues. Critics say the Lakewood MUA’s compensation is excessive for appointed officials with limited duties, noting that benefits not stipends drive the high totals. The MUA’s executive staff also earn six-figure salaries. Growing taxpayer concerns suggest calls for reform are likely he budget lists “estimated amount of other compensation from the authority” including health benefits and pension costs as the driving factor behind the six-figure totals. While the commissioners’ stipends remain modest, their full-time benefits packages account for the bulk of their pay. Alternate commissioners Meir Lichtenstein, Samuel Flancbaum, and Yocheved Miller also receive payments and benefits, even though alternates typically attend only as needed. More .

-  A 19-year-old woman was hospitalized with a serious head injury after being struck by a school bus on West County Line Road near Hope Chapel Road, Lakewood on Nov. 30 around 8 a.m. The crash remains under investigation. APP

- Tonight Atzeres tefilah for Mordechai ben Sara Rena at BMG Ateres Esrher hall in Bais Yitxchok 10:30 pm ahead of sentencing. To help please take the pledge here