MANCHESTER – Township officials and residents gave a big thank you to John McGuire for his generosity and support of community efforts over the span of many years.
Township Municipal Drug Alliance Coordinator Barbara Sprechman provided an overview of McGuire’s good works prior to receiving the 2025 Community Champion Award. “Our charter is really to keep our community healthy, safe and drug free, so we do a number of programs and a number of initiatives throughout the year. We have regular Alliance meetings and during a recent meeting I asked the members whether they would like to recognize someone special in the community.”
She added that the person to be recognized would have to exemplify the work and the commitment and love this community. Sprechman asked the members, “who did you have in mind?”
Police Chief Antonio Ellis quickly spoke up with one particular person in mind to nominate. He remarked that McGuire was that person for his generosity of various township sport programs, the Alliance and other community efforts over many years. He noted that McGuire was a very humble man and would never seek out any acknowledgement for what he does in Manchester.
McGuire’s family was in the audience and he thanked those in the audience who made the honor possible.
“I want to congratulate John McGuire. I had the opportunity to work with him when I was a police officer. He is a wonderful man,” Councilwoman Sandy Drake said.
Council President Roxy Conniff recalled McGuire “helping the PTA, PAL and other groups within the community since I was in school.”
Ordinances Tabled, Passed And Introduced
Conniff called for the tabling of Ordinance #25-20 that involved amending the township’s zoning map. This ordinance was tabled. It had been discussed before and involved further input from the Planning Board. It will not reappear in a new version until next year should it return at all.
Ordinances approved on second reading included one which authorized the vacation of a portion of roadways in the township at Harry Wright Boulevard and amending salary ranges and positions of non-bargaining unit employees of which two minor adjustments were made.
Other ordinances that were more recently passed include the vacation of a part of a roadway abutting Price Avenue, appropriating $450,000 and authorizing the issuance of $135,225 in bonds or notes to finance a township project and another that would amend a redevelopment plan.
Manchester Day A Big Hit
Council members commended the police, EMS, fire department, Department of Public Works and most especially the Recreation Department for the smooth operation and large audience that came out to this year’s Manchester Day.
Councilman Craig Wallis was among those on council who attended Manchester Day along with Mayor Joseph Hankins, Council Vice President James Vaccaro and Drake. “I want to thank Recreation Department Tracey Lynch and her staff for all their work.”
“Tracey does an amazing job,” Conniff said.
Little Leaguer Hits Big League
Councilwoman Drake noted the many activities taking place at the township’s Little League fields this summer and the news that Frank Cairone, a former member of the township Little League was recently drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Cairone, a left-handed pitcher from Delsea Regional High School in Franklin Township, was drafted 68th overall in the supplementary second round. He finished his senior year with Delsea with 94 strikeouts in 44 innings and a 0.48 earned run average, graduating with 238 career strikeouts. This marks the third New Jersey high school pitcher selected by the Brewers in the past two years.
Council Reports
Vaccaro noted once again the need for a medical campus to come to an area of the township to service the needs of the township’s seniors and to serve as an economic engine for the municipality and a job generator. He also expressed additional research into county and state grants that might support the creation of a senior/youth recreation center in the township.
“Manchester is the gemstone of the Jersey Shore,” the council vice president reminded attendees at that council meeting and all others as well.
Drake also said she had attended the retirement gathering of Patrolman Arthur Cronk who she wished well. Cronk began his law enforcement career with Manchester Police Department in 2001. Since its inception, he was involved with the Manchester Police Youth Academy and is also a founding member of Chapter 10 with the Police Unity Tour.
Mayor Hankins noted that “a lot is going on this summer.” He has been busy at several ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses in the township and promoting a new program of the municipality’s Senior Services Department.
