Good luck Pastor Gifford, i so hope you find another location for the Lodge.

Praying that this will be resolved and the homeless among us would have the same ability to sleep in a warm, safe place as we do by God's grace. So sad...

how sad and selfish for the local residents to be against a shelter for the people who need it most. The one person who said that this was not the right location is what everyone says. Yes as long as it is not in our own backyard. People are people and we need to take care of those most in need. Anyone who would come out against such a project is a very uncaring and insensitive person. If I were the church I would have moved forward anyway with the project. Jesus said we need to take care of the poor. Why is it that those that have it are so unwilling to follow those words.

Typical of the "Not in my backyard syndrome" it is indictive of the direction that the country is headed. Many of the homeless are granted, in need of more than a place to live, but many are just victims of the downturn in the economy and just are in need of some kindness until they can return to the workforce and get on with their lives.

let them stay at rittaco's house,he won't be using it for a while

Amazing that these home owners do not have the right to object to something that will obviously detract from the value of they're property. Maybe these bleeding hearts will invite some of the homeless to come to their homes for awhile. Yea right !

Is this church involved in Interfaith Hospitality? That might be a start for them to get involved in. However, the location seems a bit far for anyone to walk to. Some place near Rte. 37 where the Ocean Ride bus passes might be more favorable. It's like hosting a banquet that no one can get to. And why aren't the Freeholders looking at empty stores in downtown Toms River as a possibility??
CMurray

this would have been a huge mistake that close to the school.

Bob,

Jesus also talked about Judging others in the Bible. I suggest first education on the subject and see what element is predominately homeless and why, Then ask yourself, do you want these individuals walking through your neighborhood. Why not open a battered women shelter, food pantry or Consignment shop all these could help the community in a safe manner.

If this homeless shelter can be done in a safe manner that will protect the neighborhood it intends to help, I suggest the Pastor do his preparation properly and re present it to the local people in a detailed manner explaining the vision and how that vision would be implemented. Most people are very caring and would like to assist anyone in need, just not at the cost of their families safety...

I suggest the Pastor sit down and figure out how his vision can work within the concerns of the neighborhood. Provide examples of how his vision can be accomplished in a safe manner that brings no security concerns to surrounding homes. Put to rest the fears of drug addicts hanging out under street lights smoking while residents lock children in their homes for fear of playing in the neighborhood streets.

In the end the Pastor must provide detailed answers to legitimate concerns and if he can not accomplish that task why should the neighborhood trust he can accomplish running a safe Homeless shelter....

Wait, you mean to tell me that the Pastor actually consulted the community on their thoughts and opinions and factored that into the ultimate decision on the shelter? Our elected politicians on the local, state, and federal levels need to take a page out of the Pastor's book and listen and consult the people rather than ramming projects, legislation, etc. down our throats when we don't want it. Whether you are for or against this shelter, you really have to appreciate the Pastor's willingness to listen to the feedback of the local community. (And no, I'm not a member of this church.)

Why doesn't the church look into some of the many vacant stores in small malls? The Lord knows there many to choose from.

C.A. Murray, i was thinking the same thing. Why can't the freeholders look into this. There are plenty of empty stores and buildings in this town. Just look at the Bellcrest Mall on Fischer Blvd. as one example.

Concerned mentions the fact to put to rest the fears of drug addicts hanging out under the street lights while smoking, not all homeless people in this day and age are drug addicts. The economy is very bad and alot of people are losing their jobs and home. I believe the article mentioned that drug testing would be a criteria.

I'm pretty sure most of you commenting on how heartless the residents around the church are, were not present at the meeting with the church, and live no where close to it. Allow me to inform you that this "project" is NOT a homeless shelter. That's right, and those words are directly from the organization. It was a proposed 90 transitional housing program for single men and woman with treatment for drug addiction and psychological issues. IE, a drug rehab in the middle of a sprawling community! If you can honestly tell me you would want that in the middle of your community with your children playing near the building and a elementary school 500 yards away, then have at it. The church was smart not to oppose the will of the community and the pastor should be commended.

You are correct TRresident. Pastor Paul should be commended on his decision, this was the wrong location. We moved to this area so that our children can play in the streets and we wouldn't have to worry about who may or may not be wandering in the residential neighborhood. There are plenty of other more suitable locations with access to public transportation and more support services for these recovering addicts.

I am a supporter of the Lodge at this location, but have no problem with people who are concerned. HOWEVER, the plight of the homeless in Toms River has now been brought to you. If you dont want the shelter in your neighborhood, than help us put it somewhere else. I, Like many of you, have turned our backs on the needy for too long. We are all worried about the next car, the next vacation, the next pool, what the new neighbor has, enough is enough, I along with you must change and take care of the people that live around us. Do you ever wonder why the Jewish community has no homeless, the moslim community has no homeless, even the Hispanic imigrant population is rarely homeless. Middle class white america has become very selfish and this includes me. We must change.

Kidding me.... Wake up people The homeless are in your backyard now, and lets stop steriotyping the homeless, casue not all homeless are on drugs. Nation wide 58% of homeless are those who have lost their jobs and cant pay for rent, this Pastor wants to help the community, we should applaud him and help him!!!!!

Taking care of the homeless is important regardless. These people need a hand up, not a hand out. They need to be able to get back on their feet, find their footing and be able to stay there. Some that will be a very short time, others may take longer.

Many homeless are not on drugs. But that is not what TRresident said they were saying during the actual meeting.

So which is it? If this is for any homeless, sure there will be some that are drugs, of course. But is it only for those trying to kick their drug habit like TRresident implied from the meeting?

I think the mistake was in trying to open a "Homeless SHELTER." This has an institutional ring to it and immediately residents would oppose it, regardless of what the shelter would look like or who it would house.

If the church purchased a house or houses ( or built home-like structures ) with the intent to operate a "Group HOME or homes" for people who are without a place to live, I think the plans probably would have passed more easily. Residents may not like having a group home in their area, but they can't really discriminate against it.

Question: There are group homes & shelters in local areas and neighborhoods for disabled people and abused / homeless women. What criteria did they need to follow? Perhaps it could be something the church could look into for future plans.

I do applaud this pastor for trying to help those who are homeless. Other churches in the area would do well to reach out to him or possibly join him in this endeavor. My sister is a teacher and she said it's mind-boggling at the amount of children whose address is a car.

These people aren't druggies or derelicts. They are families who do not number in our so-called economic "recovery" because they have fallen off the grid.

Never look down your nose at someone who has fallen on hard times and is homeless. Most are NOT that way by choice. Remember: "There, but for the grace of God, go you."

For now, anyway. Life can turn on a dime.

Honestly tom, you really need to gather some facts and educate yourself before you comment on this particular issue. The fact is we agree that the cause is good and just. Several of us have offered our proffesional services to assist with relocating it to somewhere non residential, like the industrial park for example. Again, this was not a shelter to house families who "suddenly lost their jobs" it was intended only for SINGLE persons and to rehabilitate them. As your aware I'm sure, there are already many state services already in place to assist them. Also, do you know the stats of single persons who choose to live in the woods and refuse any assistance besides a hot meal now and then? I think you'd be surprised. As far as the enormous guilt you obviously feel for being "white middle class" I hope you eventually find a way to feel good about yourself. I'm sure most people reading this feel proud that their own hard work, positive attitudes, and self reliance and good decision making enabled them to achieve a good life for themselves..not guilt over it.

over jr.

To Mike L: I meant to say 90 day program.. That's the maximum time someone could be in the program before they had to leave.

I can certainly see why taxpayers would resent this type of institution threatening security in thier family's neighborhood.

How about this?

There is a lot of vacant land around the Toms River Police Station. Get Toms River to donate this land to "The Cause" and start a campaign to get all the Toms River Houses of Worship to work together to provide construction costs for a state of the art rescue mission.
There are not a lot of residential areas behind the police station.

One last thougt I would like to congratsulate Pastor Gifford for being a truely good and caring neighbor to the folks who live near Cedar Grove & Bay. He is a smart man.

dont understand where all this is coming from. article did not state it is for drug addicts, it said homeless. I have a loved one who was living on the streets 7 months ago and for the Grace of God got into a group home in Bayville and is doing wonderful. I have other people i know who are one paycheck short of being homeless. the homeless need help. i also would like to mention that many years ago when Harbor House, a home for delinquint teens came to my former neighborhood, the community was outraged. It has been there for many years and helps alot of troubled teens. We are not talking about drug addicts here. We are talking about people who need some help.

The question is what homeless. Drugs, alchohol, economy. That has to be considered in a residential community. Not in my backyard, yeah not endagering my life and kids and nieghbors.

First i cant believe the negativity and finger pointing at the residents of the neighborhood. I have lived there for 14 years and love it, what people dont know outside the nieghborhood is that we already have two group homes/rehabs within one block of the proposed site in homes that were sold to these groups with no notice whatsoever. The church did not bring this to the nieghbors attention until they had already submitted their plans to the board and only after some negative reaction from one neighbor who was required to be notified by law. The law states anyone within 200 feet be notified, that means one home, the other home is owned by the church, so yes in my eyes they were trying to sneek it through. I think any of you who think we in Twin Oaks are bad people you need to look in the mirror, if you had two group homes in your neighborhood already you would not want another even larger facility. We have strangers walking around constantly and busses for these people that fly down the street daily we just dont want more so offer them your nieghborhood, the house next door to you then. We as a group are not oppossed to the idea just the location and we have suggested the location on Bey Lea across from the police station, close to bus transportation, and job possibilities etc.

County needs to build a shelter. Good luck to the pastor and thanks for trying.

As I have read thIs feed throughout the day I think it would be appropriate at this time to respond. This article is misleading and simply not stated correctly. I would have been more than happy to provide a detailed article about the recent developments for the TR residents. Sorry Diana that you felt the need to rush and push this story through without having the facts. The picture of the church is not even right! The community residents are to be applauded, the Lodge is to be applauded, the church is to be applauded and the homeless will get the help they need. I hope to see a follow-up article soon! Humbly, Pastor Paul!

Pastor Paul, I have just read your comment and have been following this story all day long. It is sad that the reporter, Diana did not get her facts straight. I would love to hear your detailed story. I know, the church picture is not correct. I have passed that church many times in many years. I no longer live in that area, but still have a house there close by. Was it really meant for drug addicts or homeless poeple? I strongly think that addicts do need a place to go besides jail. They are all not criminals and I would not want them in my backyard either. They do need help and i feel the courts should force mandatory rehab. for them. There are many homeless people who are not addicts who also need help. No, i was not at the meeting. I am just upset that this reporter did not get her facts straight. Yes, the community, Lodge and Church is to be applauded. I also hope the homeless get the help they need. Looking forward to the follow up article, but perhaps you should publish it? Maybe then we will get the true story and facts. Keep up the good work, Pastor!!

@ Barbara; email me at - believin4revival@verizon.net and I'll follow through with a response.

SO it looks like the whole thing was handled perfectly. The people most impacted were asked and the action the people wanted was done.
Why is this so hard for anyone to handle?
If your so upset about it, go find another social project to bring your signs and slogans to.. This one is in the books.
Hat off to the Pastor, guess he lives in the neighborhood too.

All but for the GRACE of God, some of you Naysayers could be Homeless in this wacky economy. I hope that none of you are ever put in that position. As I said in my previous statement, some of the homeless have other problems. We have to start somewhere. Another comment made about it NOT being close to Rt 37 or the Ocean Ride Bus. If you look on the Map, the Church is in walking distance of the Ocean County Mall, and I am positive that the County Government would alter the Ocean Ride bus routes to help the people. Also I was not at the meeting, but I read the article and did not see any mention of a Drug Program. BUT, with illegal drug abuse which is rampant in this country and the root of many cases of criminal activity. In case you don't realize it, we have drug program buildings all over the county and most people don't even know that they are there. One other thing, GOD BLESS the Pastor and the Congregation for attempting to do the right thing.

Every one of you that in support of this homeless shelter or whatever their calling it, if this was proposed in your back yard, your tune would change drastically!!

I'm glad to hear that at least someone is trying to picking up the ball regarding this very important problem. I do however think there are better locations in town that would have transportation and other services available. My questions is...where does the town of Toms River stand on this issue? What are they doing about this, hmmmm???

This article has one major 'mis-quote' and is putting words in the mouth of the Pastor. I attended the meeting and I have spoken to the Pastor, both by written correspondence as well as a face-to-face sit-down in his office. You have quote around the phrase "but they just didn't want it in their back yard' which tells the reader that these were the Pastor's words. While I am sure what he said certainly would have portrayed those words, I do not believe the Pastor would have made a direct statement like that.

tweetie, i no longer live near the bellcrest mall, but do have a home there and know the area very well. i was just trying to make a point that there are alot of empty stores and buildings in the area.

I hear you Allen. I want all to know that although i am not part of this discussion much, i am following it closely. I received a personal emal from the Pastor and I wish him much success in getting this program off the ground.

Go down "to the mission" on Bacharach Boulevard in Atlantic City and check out the derelicts that call that dump their home. They are drunks, drug addicts, kid touchers and criminals. Most of them exploit the good deeds of "the mission". Most of them need to be institutionalized because their crazy, or jailed because they are criminals.
Is this Pastor for real? In the middle of a HUGE residential community?

Very well said, Bob. Reading back on your previous comment, i want to applaud you for helping the starving people in Ethiopia. I received via my e-mail 3 horrible comments from Reality 1, which Patch did not post and I am glad they did not. It is funny how Reality 1 all of a sudden gets in on this converation, when Allen Tiger puts tweety bird in place. Coincidence? LOL anyway, the Pastor explained to me via email the plans for this project and the eligibility requirements. People really know to need the facts before they judge this Pastor. I so wish his program gets off the ground. it is not a homeless program for sure, it is a program for people who need help. If it ever opens and is located close to me i would definitely consider volunteering. Hats off to the Pastor!

@Barbara...Oh boy do you have a vivid imagination. No moron put me in my place; your giving that crackpot Allen S. Tiger too much credit. Also there is NO WAY anyone sent you an email especially since there is no way to get your email unless YOU published it. Now that I'm aware of this deplorable situation I will make it a point to be at all town council meetings with all my friends, family and neighbors to make sure these types of facilities are NEVER opened in Toms River. This "pastor" can take them all home with him. Matter of fact lets send a few home with YOU.

yes, tweetie i did get an email from the pastor. see above comments where he asked for my address. he laid out all the truthful details to me. You should not put down the pastor and community till you know the facts. enough said......as a matter of fact, i would welcome anyone in my home for a hot meal. geesh. do the community a favor and dont attend the next meeting if there is one, cause obviously your are closed minded. enough. i will not reply to any more of your posts.

"I received via my e-mail 3 horrible comments from Reality 1," did you forgot what you've written? Dementia setting in? Believe me, me and all my friends and neighbors will be at any and ALL town council & freeholder meetings to make sure our quality of life is kept to a high standard. That mean NO HOMELESS SHELTERS IN TOMS RIVER. You may call it "closed minded" I call it preserving the Toms River quality of life. I promise I will not shed a tear if you don't answer my posts.....LOL

I certainly never would wish someone being homeless but after standing by and watching this I'm changing my mind. To blatantly sit there and rip into people who are homeless calling all homeless drug users, kid touchers or other things in disgusting. It amazes me that people will move into Ocean County from up North and move behind a Foodtown and don't think that will lower their home values but having a small shelter at an church will. To sit there and say that you will attend every township committee meeting and say that you will make sure that NO homeless shelter will be anywhere in Toms River at all is disgusting. You say this is to "protect" YOUR neighborhoods but now your "protecting" the whole town. Anyone who thinks the woods camps are just in Lakewood and that they are not all ready in the woods along your neighborhoods is dreaming. Better not to see the problem? Tea Party values at work.

@Mark Wendell

Take them home with you. I'm sorry if I offended anyone but quality of life is important for us Toms River citizens. If they want to live in the woods, so be it.

so true mark, show what kind person she is..... i would galdly have a homeless person in my home for an nice bowl of macaroni........lol

barbara, Thank You. Growing up we had a few homeless Korea and Vietnam vets living in or around my town. We also had names that we called them like plastic bag man and mister Jamesway. Some of them showed up at the Little League games and wandered over to the concession stand were they used the money they got from handouts to get coffee or hot dogs. They never bothered anyone or touched kids to my knowledge. They were always treated with respect and were given the handouts without asking for them. I always felt bad for them but I was always told that they were sick and refused help and wanted to stay in the woods or under the bridge on RT 9 that some of them stayed. I remember taking some provisions to them when I was in HS and the guy I went over to was more interested in the plastic bags we had than the food and soap. The township of Lakewood gave them a warm shower now and again. It was sad but without mental health help they were going no where. This has changed for the most part. Families are homeless because of the economy, working people lost their homes, People lost the jobs they had because of no fault of their own. Some in the mix because of drugs? I'm sure there are but they need help to. To say that they are all there in the woods because they are drug users or child molesters is unreal and shows a total lack of knowledge regarding the current homeless problem. If they think there is no drugs in the neighborhood already.................

thanks mark, allen and bob. you are true people and good people, just like me. we have feelings. SHE is so uncompassionat.......will try to not feed into her negativeness. I live in a community where alot of older people need help. I take care of my neighboors. Even if it is just bringing them a container of chicken soup or macaroni, it makes me feel good. No, they are not homeless, but they are alone. i try help all when i can and gives me a great feeling of self worth..

Barbra, winters can be tough on people who are older and alone even with a roof over their head. You never know if their heat is on or if they have been able to get food or needed medicines. You go and feel good and keep working. The little things that you do can mean a world of difference to someone in need even if its some warm soup and friendship on a cold day. I saw drivers yelling at a man who stands near the new Shop Rite in Toms River on RT 166 with a sign that I can never quite read but I think it says something like "Homeless will work for food". Yelling at people who will work for food, isn't that what the hard people always say? Get a job! That's what this guy is trying to do and they still yell.

maybe someone GAVE him some cigarettes, you dolt. I knew the second I typed "smoking his cigarette" some ahole would jump on that and criticize. Here's a fact for you... assume someone gave him the cigarette or a few cigarettes.... did you know smoking cigarettes will temporarily kill hunger pains and pangs? Yes, it does. Ask any pretty, very skinny, well paid model or ballerina.... and by the way, this guy was also pretty darn thin. Want to assume now he was a junkie too? Loser.

The neighborhood is entitled to its opinion. Its not selfish to want to protect what you value and care for, like your family and its safety. My idiot friend, when he was down on his luck, finally invited into his house the homeless guy that had been sleeping in his backyard. Not a night went by that money wasn't disappearing from his wallet, despite the fact that my friend would give this guy money and smokes, fed him, and allowed him a place to sleep. Wasn't good enough.

Then, homeless guy starts bringing his 'street employed' 'girlfriends' around. Next thing I hear, there's any amount of drug use and bizarre behaviors going on. And money continually disappearing. And more acquaintances of acquaintances showing up where they know there's money and food, and a submissive, passive individual who won't prosecute anyone. When he would attempt to confront individuals about his missing money and other things, he was subsequently beaten up and has suffered concussions 3 different times. This is the joys of doing what some consider the Lord's work and bringing a homeless individual under your wing in trying to help. They are desperate and you cannot fix them.

I agree the township needs to get on this. It is way past time. Not all homeless people are druggies and derelicts....some are children, mothers; families that have been left homeless through no fault of their own. It is on the rise and if a shelter of some kind IS in a church, it would not be like the "mission" in Atlantic City. The two aren't even comparable. I agree the location is not idea transportation wise, but that's ALL. "There but for the grace of God, go I." We need to remember that.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'(John 3:16) "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."(Mark 10:45) Psa.50:12 says for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. God says all of it belongs to Him, we own nothing. God says, the earth is His's. He said, "The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My foot-stool: where is the house that ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest"? For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, Saith the Lord. We may not agree on all things. But what we can all agree on is that all humans have their opinion right/wrong and we all do not have to agree but we should be able to respect one another. Because at the end of the day we all feel as though we are good people but in all actualality we all fall short their are no 100% humans on the planet. There's room enough for all of us to grow. at the end of the day all we need is LOVE nothing speaks louder than /stonger than/powerful than/harder than is Love. We can agree to disagree without being disrespectful. Our children do as we do not as we say. Anybody can hate or be nasty, or mean but it takes guts to love the un loveable. name calling, belittling, bite biting, tearing/pulling down one another take so much work. hurt folk, hurts folk we can get our point across without being nasty