Pine Barrens Tribune December 21, 2024 - January 10, 2025

Expires 1/11/2025

Expires 1/11/2025

FR EE Vol. 9 – No. 1

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The News Leader of the Pines

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December 21 - January 10, 2025

AT LONG LAST!

Last e Minut ide

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By Douglas D. M elegari

Gu Gi f t S 1

Staff Writer

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Drones Detected This Year Over JBMDL Airspace, But in ‘All’ Cases They Involved Smuggling of Contraband to FCI Fort Dix, Base Says

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JOI N T BA SE MCGU I R E -DI XL A K E H U R S T— A s a fl u r r y o f purported mysterious drone sightings reported to have begun around Nov. 18 over New Jersey continues to unnerve the Garden St ate and some of its leadership, the Pine Barrens Tribune has confirmed that there have been “multiple drone detections” over Joint See DRONES/ Page 12

Photo Provided By Pemberton Twp. on Behalf of Challoner & Associates, LLC.

A site rendering for Pemberton Commons, approved to replace the Browns Mills Shopping Center.

One of the Most Dangerous Intersections in Pemberton and the Pinelands Is Getting a Realignment by the NJDOT

By Douglas D. M elegari

By Douglas D. M elegari

Site Plan Approval Is Given for ‘Pemberton Commons,’ or What Will Replace the Largely Vacant and Disheveled Browns Mills Shopping Center, Following More Than Two Decades of Redevelopment Proposals and Litigation for Tract Proposed Redevelopment of Existing Center Includes Grocery Outlet, Wawa and Taco Bell

Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—After more than two decades of redevelopment plans and amendments, proposals, use of eminent domain by Pemberton Township and l itigation, the largely vacant and disheveled Browns Mills Shopping Center at 100 Pemberton-Browns Mills Road, at the center of the township’s CONTACT US:

downtown of Browns Mills, is on the cusp of being redeveloped.

T hat is b e c au s e the Pe mb er ton Township Planning Board, during its Dec. 3 meeting, in a unanimous decision, approved a site plan and corresponding application from an entity known as 100 Pemberton Browns Mills Road, LLC, a subsidiary of New Horizon P rop e r t i e s , t h e l at t e r pr ev iou sly

designated by Pemberton Township Council as the site’s redeveloper, to replace the Browns Mills Shopping Center with “Pemberton Commons.”

There will be four separate buildings that comprise the proposed new shopping center abutting both Pemberton-Browns Mills and Juliustown roads, including a 16,000 square-foot grocery store, 11,700 See SITE/ Page 8

P.O. Box 2402, Vincentown, NJ 08088 | 609-801-2392

SEND NEWS, EVENTS AND LETTERS TO: NEWS@PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—Improvement work by the New Jersey Depar tment of Transportation (NJDOT) has reportedly commenced for one of the Pinelands’ most dangerous intersections, Route 70 and Lakehurst Road, which is in Pemberton Township, near the Burlington and Ocean See INTERSECTIONS/ Page 11

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Business Directory................................... 14 Last Minute Gift Guide..............................S1 Christmas Coloring Contest.....................S3 Local News................................................. 2 Christmas Countdown................................ 3 Marketplace & Job Board ........................ 13 Christmas Worship Guide .......................W1 New Year's Celebration.............................. 4 Event Calendar.......................................S12 Worship Guide.......................................... 16

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Vincent Fire Chief Relays ‘Actual Drone Occurrence’ Near Rt. 206 in Southampton, But Attempts to Allay Fears Over Drone Sightings • BurlCo Public Safety Director Reportedly Joins in Briefing as Officials Weigh Gravity of Purported Drone Traffic That Feds Claim Isn’t Unusual, But Appears to Have Left Area Congressmen with Heightened Concern • Burlington and Ocean County Sheriff Departments Deploy Drone Units • FAA Issues Temporary Drone Flight Restrictions to Include 3 BurlCo Towns

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

SOUTHAMPTON—The Vincent Fire Company Chief revealed Dec. 17 to the Southampton Township Committee that there was a purported “actual drone occurrence” recently in Southampton Township.

The report, the first official one of its kind from Burlington County since Evesham Police Chief Walt Miller had held a press gaggle Dec. 6 to describe large drones seen flying over his township on Dec. 5, came amid heightened concern about “mysterious drone sightings” throughout New Jersey since Nov. 18, which have captivated the nation, but have also led to deep concern, as this newspaper reported last week, amongst some officials, residents and law enforcement about their intentions and the risk to public safety.

The drone in Southampton was spotted, according to Vincent Fire Chief Scott Mitchell, in the vicinity of Route 206 and Ridge Road around 9:15 p.m. on Dec. 13.

“The drone did clear around the Red Lion Airfield,” Mitchell told the Southampton Township Committee. “It did not cross it, and then it proceeded its way into Lumberton.”

Mitchell, when later asked by this newspaper whether he believed the drone was consistent with a hobbyist type, or was one larger in size, described it to this reporter to be the “size of a dune buggy or quadcopter.”

The chief declined to go on the record with

any additional details about the sighting.

An online tool utilized by this newspaper showed that within about a half-mile radius of the area of the purported sighting is an electrical substation, a building utilized by Verizon, as well as a cellular communications tower and the airfield.

What Mitchell also told the Southampton Township Committee, in reference to the drone sightings, is “that they are real,” but added, “I think that everybody is going to be OK for now.”

“And we are prepared to deal with that if we need to,” he assured the governing body.

Mitchell, in raising the “super-hot topic,” confirmed online reports that the state Department of Community Affairs, which is in charge of the Division of Fire Safety, did put out last week a “Safety Bulletin” to fire departments regarding drones.

That bulletin has been cited in national headlines, and only further heightened concern across the state, given some of the directives to firefighters, should they encounter drones, included that “downed or landed drones should not be approached” and to “request the nearest bomb squad,” as well as the “local hazmat team.”

Mitchell, however, seemingly downplayed any cause for alarm and echoed what federal officials have been maintaining since late last week in response to the purported drone

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Evesham Police Chief Walt Miller Retiring from Department to Embark on New Mission as Law Enforcement Consultant In Reflecting on Nearly Three Decades of Service, Career Veteran Recalls Chilling Details of Local ‘True Crime’ Cases He Helped Crack

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

EV ESH A M —W h i l e Eve sh a m Township Police Chief Walt Miller may be about to retire on Jan. 2 from his position in the department that he has served faithfully for nearly three decades, he will by no means be retiring from the business of policing.

In a phone interview this past week with the Pine Barrens Tribune, Miller not only reminisced about some experiences during his time on the force where he has spent all but six months of his 28-year career in law enforcement, but revealed how he plans to use the skills, versatility and expertise he has developed during that time to benefit other police departments and help make the profession more responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

In fact, his having been offered an opportunity to serve as a consultant for a local company that works with police forces, and is now, expanding its capabilities to “enhance the ways its client departments operate” was one of the factors that figured prominently in his decision (actually made last summer, but only disclosed this month) to end his threeyear tenure as chief in Evesham, where he has been a notably stabilizing influence

Photo Provided

Evesham Township Police Chief Walt Miller.

amid a period of political dissension.

In his new role, he said he will be helping other law-enforcement agencies to develop policies and training programs, as well as to seek accreditation—to “help them get to where they want to be.”

And while the decision to leave the depar tment at the relatively young age of 51 has been somewhat “taxing emotionally” for him – “like I’m breaking up with 50,000 people, one at a time,” was how he put it — he also said he had a See RETIRING/ Page 11

See SIGHTINGS/ Page 10

T h anks and Best Wishes to Our Readers, Advertisers and Community

Dear Valued Readers and Advertisers, We would like to express our sincerest gratitude for your unwavering support over the past year. Our community newspaper wouldn't be possible without you. Thank you!

Moving forward, we'll continue to publish stories that have a direct impact on our community. You can continue to trust us to provide verified and timely coverage of the issues that matter most to you.

As we head into the holiday season, we want you to know that your support is our most treasured gift.

We feel fortunate to have you on our side, and we hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

As is tradition, we will not be printing an issue on Dec. 28 and Jan. 4 to allow our staff to enjoy this special time with their families. Our last issue published for 2024 will be on Dec. 21, with our first issue for 2025 on Jan. 11.

Merry Christmas, and Best Wishes for 2025!

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CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN ♦ Page 3

Christmas is less than ...

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Very best wishes to everyone we know for a beautiful holiday season and a wonderful new year.

Time to start counting sleeps!

Get into the festive spirit by smiling brightly and humming a holiday tune as you complete your final chores in stride.

Buy your remaining perishables like fruits, vegetables, and flowers for decorating, to ensure they’re as fresh as possible.

Unearth any of your (possibly) accidentally overlooked gifts.

Unforeseen events, memory laspes and oversights are part of life!

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Celebration

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Saturday, December 21, 2024

Celebration Countdown People spend so much time planning New Year’s Eve revelry that they may not consider that they have another day on the holiday calendar to enjoy after the clock strikes 12. New Year’s Day activities may differ significantly from the countdowns and parties of the night before, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be equally enjoyable.

Chances are children are home from school for holiday breaks, meaning New Year’s Day activities should probably be family-friendly. Check out these familyfriendly ways to spend New Year’s Day. • CATCH (OR PLAY) A FOOTBALL GAME. New Year’s Day and football go hand in hand, and families can likely find a game on television to enjoy together. Of course, it’s also fun to burn off a few New Year’s Eve calories by playing a game of football in the backyard on January 1.

• HOST A NEW YEAR’S DAY MEAL. Give people plenty of time to recover from last nights’s antics by inviting neighbors or friends and their children over for a brunch, late lunch or early dinner.

Potlucks are great for these occasions because no one will likely want to cook for a crowd.

• ENJOY A MOVIE MARATHON. Spend the day in comfortable clothes and make a new family tradition. Select one movie for each family member to watch and then cue up the streaming service or dust off that DVD player. Use holiday mugs for hot cocoa and dig into any leftovers from holiday dinners. If a marathon at home isn’t up your alley, check out the showings at a nearby theater and enjoy an afternoon at the cinema.

• TAKE A HIKE. Enjoy the cold weather up close and personal with a hike in the brisk air. State parks or nearby nature preserves may not be busy on January 1, making them an even more relaxing respite.

• TACKLE AN ORGANIZATIONAL PROJECT. Get the whole family together and take on a project that has been pushed aside, such as organizing the garage or cleaning out the refrigerator.

• VOLUNTEER WITH A LOCAL CHARITY. Give back to the community and starts off the new year on a positive note by volunteering as a family.

New Year’s Day presents an ideal opportunity to spend time together as a family.

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Celebration

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Six-Year County Commissioner O’Connell Given Standing Ovation as He Signs Off from Commissioners’ Board with Gracious Speech

Memorial Trees Create ‘Wonderland in The Pines’ at Medford Church

By Jenn Lucas Staff Writer

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

MOUNT HOLLY—A standing ovation is what Daniel O’Connell received Dec. 11 as the six-year member and current deputy director of the Burlington County Board of Commissioners wrapped the second part of a two-part gracious goodbye address as he prepares to retire from the board Dec. 31.

It has been hard not to spot O’Connell, a Democrat from Delran, at a county function during his tenure, whether it be a Restaurant Week gathering, Burlington County Animal Shelter adoption event or ceremony to pay tribute to state forest firefighters.

“First of all, I’d like to say thank you to the residents of Burlington County for the honor of electing me to serve them,” declared O’Connell in delivering the initial part of his address back on Nov. 13. “It is something I will never, ever forget.”

O’Connell also thanked the Democratic Party of Burlington County “for selecting me to be their standard bearer for these last two elections.”

In noting he has met many of the county’s employees over the last six years, O’Connell also thanked them “for all you are doing and what you do for our residents.”

The outgoing deputy director, in particular, recognized both on Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 the work of the county’s department heads, declaring, “You helped make Burlington County the great place it is to live.”

In referencing Ranjna Das, library director for the Burlington County Library System, as well as her staff and volunteers, O’Connell asserted, “It was great celebrating the 100th Anniversary of our library with them,” pointing out the county library was the “first county library in New Jersey.”

O’Connell extended praise on the library system “for utilizing our library in interesting and unique ways to benefit our residents.”

Also, O’Connell recognized the county Planning Board and County Engineer Joseph Brickley “for trying to manage growth responsibly, while not ending up in litigation, and keeping Burlington County the place where people want to visit and live.”

Mary Pat Robbie, director of the

Protectors Of Public Health & Property

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Photo By Andrew King

Burlington County Board of Commissioners Deputy Director Daniel O’Connell, who is signing off after a six-year tenure on the body.

Department of Resource Conservation, which oversees the county Parks System, as well as her staff and volunteers, were thanked by O’Connell for “operating our great parks and our Open Space Program,” as well as for putting together “the musical concerts” and arranging the “art, history, and cultural events for our residents, of all ages.” He said their work has made a point of “enriching our lives and celebrating the diversity of Burlington County.”

O’Connell, as previously reported by this newspaper, adopted Bingo, originally a foster, from the Burlington County Animal Shelter and the pair “quickly became the best of friends.” The Burlington County Animal Shelter, of which O’Connell has been a liaison to during his board tenure, is the only shelter operating in New Jersey’s largest county. It accepts surrendered pets and strays from all 40 Burlington County municipalities.

The Burlington County Animal Shelter’s dogs and cats can be viewed online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1446/ Available-for-Adoption .

O’Connell, on Dec. 11, thanked the shelter’s Director Erika Haines “for putting me and Bingo, the First Dog in the county, together.”

“More importantly, thank you to Erika, her staff, and volunteers – and this includes the Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter, for your hard work in caring, fostering, and adopting the animals in their See COMMISSIONER/ Page 11

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MEDFORD—The grounds of a local parish shine a bright red and white every year around this time. The brilliantly glowing scene isn’t just average holiday decorations, it serves as a tribute to residents’ past, whose families wanted to do something special to commemorate their legacy.

More than 200 evergreen trees, all donning uniform-colored lights, were simultaneously lit at 5 p.m., Dec. 8, on the lawn around St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church in Medford Township as family, friends and parishioners watched in awe.

The display grows bigger each year, according to Bill Scheffold with the Knights of Columbus Council 6520, the group behind the tree lighting.

“We started slowly seven years ago with about 120 trees, and we weren’t sure what to expect,” he said. “Now we have 230 trees at St. Mary of the Lakes, and we order even more for other churches around the area.”

In November, when the trees arrive, each one is secured in the ground by Knights volunteers and lights are wrapped around them. The trees are then adopted by someone, either a family member, friend or organization, and dedicated to someone who has died.

A personalized plaque accompanies each one, which displays the person’s name who the tree is in memory of. Along with the name, special words to remember them by, arranged by a family, also gets printed on the plaque.

Be it funny, sad, scripture verses or song lyrics, all the messages are meant to inspire others and reflect the life of someone’s loved one, Scheffold said.

“It gets everyone talking about the trees, and also what the people they are dedicated to meant to them,” he said.

Participating families are also invited to decorate their tree in any way they see fit – some evoke memories of Christmases past, some transport the viewer to a different place, some sparkle with ornaments, and some are just there, as is, shining brightly with red and white lights placed there by the Knights.

“Some people do this year, after year, and it turns into a big event for them,” Scheffold said. “They have their whole family come out and decorate with them. We call it a ‘Wonderland in the Pines’ and it makes everyone feel good.”

One of those people is Sarita Sweeney,

Photo By Jenn Lucas

Alicia Daniels decorates a tree in memory of her late husband with her son, Luke Wagner, at the St. Mary of the Lakes Memorial Tree Lighting Dec. 8. who was decorating a tree in memory of her husband and was getting a lot of help from her daughter and her three grandchildren, Brady, Donavan and Nolan.

“This is a nice idea and a good way for us to come together and remember him,” she said.

When Scheffold approached the Pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes, Rev. Daniel F. Swift, also known to many as “Father Dan,” with the idea years ago, he said Swift told him to run with it, but his only stipulation was for the lights to be red and white to signify the body and blood of Christ.

The event, which has changed over the years, was rounded out with a live nativity scene, snacks, a fire, singing and camaraderie, Scheffold said.

“We used to have different Knights stationed around the grounds and we would do a countdown, and all try to plug them in at the same time, now that is all automated,” he said. “We are also moving with the times by having a drone fly over, which is really quiet a scene for our community and we also do a lot on social media.”

To include the younger demographic, there is a “Christmas in the Pines” poster contest and newly added this year, a poetry competition because, according to Scheffold, it is important to keep kids involved “so they grow up with good Catholic morals.” In addition, the Knights use a lot of the funds to help improve St. Mary of the Lakes School, also in Medford.

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BurlCo Commissioners Award $11.8M Contract to Resurface 32 Miles of County Roads, or 16 Thoroughfares Altogether Tomlinson Mill Road Bridge to Temporarily Close for Separate Repairs

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

MOU N T HOLLY— A n ove r $11 m i l l ion overlay prog ra m has b e en approved by the Burlington County Board of Commissioners, which includes resurfacing work to a number of county roadways in the Pinelands region of Burlington County.

T he com m issioners awarde d Hammonton-based Arawak Paving an $11,859,000 contract on Dec. 11 to carry out the “2022 State-Funded Overlay Project.”

The $11.8 million contract is being f u n d e d l a r g e l y w i t h N e w Je r s e y Department of Transportation (NJDOT) aid the county receives annually.

While no details about the planned p av i n g wo r k w e r e s h a r e d a t t h e commissioners’ meeting, a press release that followed from the Burlington County Office of Public Information maintained that the contract is for “repaving 32 miles of county roads,” which “cross through 17 Burlington County towns.”

A total of 16 roads are to be worked on through the approved program.

Locally, the tentative list of roads to be resurfaced through the program include portions of N. Pemberton Road in Pemberton Township; Pemberton Ro a d i n S out h a mp t on Tow n s h ip; Pemberton Road/Vincentown Road/ Hanover Street in Pemberton Township, Southampton and Pemberton Borough; Ong’s Hat Road in Southampton and Pemberton townships; N. Maple Avenue in Evesham Township; Old Marlton Pike in Evesham; Tuckerton Road in Shamong and Tabernacle townships; Old Indian Mills Road in Tabernacle; and Flyatt Road in Tabernacle.

Specific details about which stretches of the aforementioned roads will be paved, as well as how many miles of each road will be resurfaced, can be found on the county’s website.

“Burlington County is the largest county geographically in New Jersey with more than 500 linear m iles of

County roads, 411 County bridges and 700 culverts,” Democratic Burlington County Com missioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson is quoted as saying in the release. “Maintaining this infrastructure is one of the most important services our county performs, and every dollar of aid we receive is critical for that purpose.

We’re thrilled that the new repaving plan will start soon, and it will help ensure that Burlington County continues to have safe, quality roads.”

The work is weather dependent, it was noted in the release.

Once milling and paving work is completed on one section of highway, the contractor will progress to another road on the county plan until all 16 projects are completed, it was maintained in the release.

“Repaving work is important because of all the wear and tear our roads receive,” Democratic Commissioner Tom Pullion, liaison to the Department of Public Works and Division of Roads and Bridges, is quoted as saying in the release. “Without proper maintenance, p ot hole s a nd ot he r proble m s c a n develop, including drainage problems.

It is more than just a nuisance, if it is not addressed, it will eventually require a more significant and expensive fix.”

A s e p a r at e a c t ion t a ke n by t he commissioners’ board during its Dec. 11 meeting was to approve the temporary closure of Tomlinson Mill Road in Evesham for bridge work.

According to another press release that followed the meeting from the Burlington County Office of Public Information, the bridge work entails the Tomlinson Mill Road Bridge over Barton Run. The work, according to the release, is expected to commence Dec. 23, and the road will be closed between Taunton Lake Road and Kettle Run Road “to all thru traffic” for approximately two weeks, “barring any unforeseen circumstances.”

A detour route will use the Marlton Parkway, Route 73 and Braddock Mill Road.

Medford Lakes Police Warn of Holiday ‘Brushing Scam’ MEDFORD LAKES—Authorities in Medford Lakes Borough are warning area residents of an elaborate holiday gift scam, or what is being called the “Brushing Scam.”

The perpetrators, according to the Medford Lakes Police Department, are sending people in the mail an “unexpected gift or item not ordered,” with some m a i l i ng s app e a r i ng to c ome from reputable companies such as Amazon.

Some “examples” of the gifts include rings, bracelets, necklaces and Bluetooth speakers.

“The gift will have the recipient’s address, but not include the sender’s information or be from a known retailer,” said police of how the scam works. “When the recipient opens the package to see

what it is, and possibly who sent it, there is a QR code to scan to find out who sent the gift. Once the code is scanned, all the information from that phone will be sent to the scammers.”

Police are warning the scammers then “receive all access to the phone,” with “all personal and financial information accessible to the scammers.”

“Often, the victim’s bank accounts are drained,” police reported.

Authorities advised the “gift can be kept or thrown away,” however, “the QR code should not be scanned for any reason.”

“We encourage all of our residents to call police if they feel any package may be suspicious or part of a scam,” Medford Lakes Police told residents.

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 7

Calls Renewed for Action at Murphy’s Pit in Shamong Following Purported Brush Fire That Started from Actions of Trespassers Solicitor Proclaims Solar Developer for Proposed Solar Array Next Door at Landfill Took ‘Pretty Positive Step Forward with Atlantic City Electric’

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

SHAMONG—Flames in a purported fire pit that reportedly became out of control and spread to become a small brush fire recently at an area that has been under much scrutiny for purported illegal trespassing, Murphy’s Pit in Shamong Township, led to renewed calls for action at a Dec. 3 Shamong Township Committee meeting.

Township Solicitor Doug Heinold subsequently revealed that there has been some progress on the front to put a solar array on a landfill next door to the pit, which officials previously have expressed they believe would mitigate the continued purported trespassing of the site.

Revealing that there was a purported Nov. 30 brush fire incident was resident Steven Soppe, of the nearby Stoney Creek development.

He said the fire was discovered around 1 p.m. when his wife went to take pictures at the pit after they had heard a noise coming from it.

A “large” area of smoke was observed “on the tree line,” Soppe maintained, “on the back side of the pit.”

He and his wife dialed 911, Soppe contended.

“When it was all over” and the last State Trooper at the scene departed, Soppe continued, “the riders were back in the pit doing what they have been doing.”

Soppe indicated his belief that a “solar field” might “solve” the issue and asked Heinold if there has been any progress.

“So, we had about a month and a half ago, a pretty positive step forward with Atlantic City Electric,” Heinold proclaimed. “There

is already an approved application for the landfill site next door for a solar project.”

The solar proprietor, Big Horn Solar, according to Heinold, “has indicated that they have now filed an application with Atlantic City Electric for a community solar project that will basically take up a good portion of the already disturbed area.”

“And if that happens, they are going to fence off their entire facility,” Heinold added.

While Heinold pointed out the solar entity has previously “struggled to move forward with a solar project” at the site, based on the “meeting that was arranged with Atlantic City Electric and the feedback that was given,” the solar entity is “much more optimistic that they will be able to do some solar.”

Heinold noted a question was put to Steven P. Gouin, an attorney representing the solar developer, “If they could give me an idea of, like, OK, applications in, what does that mean timeline-wise?”

“I don’t have an answer for that tonight,” Heinold said. “As soon as I get it, I will circulate that and report on it here. But my expectation is that if they are approved, they will go ahead and close on the property.”

Heinold contended that should the solar entity take ownership, “that would also be an added benefit to the township, because I think they have the wherewithal and the responsiveness to be more attentive to maintaining their property and protecting their interests out there.”

Soppe responded “we all know that the pit has been a public nuisance that has not been remedied by the landowner.”

“We are all ready to have something change,” he added.

Evesham Officials Assure Residents That Work Is Proceeding at Beagle Club Acreage, Despite Any Impression That It Isn’t

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

EVESHAM—Despite any impression to the contrary, two Evesham Township officials reassured residents at the Dec. 4 township council meeting that progress is being made on the 166-acres of open space still known as the “Beagle Club” that was acquired by the township back in 2022, at 477 Elmwood Road North.

T he is sue was rais e d by Eugene Friedman, of Village Greens in Marlton, who, having been tasked with bringing issues raised at his development’s annual budget meeting to the council meeting, questioned why the land was “just sitting there growing weeds for two years now.”

Friedman contended that as far as he could tell, “not one cent” of the $3.8 million raised as an open space levy in this past year’s budget had been spent on the property.

“It would be nice if we did some work on that —it would be nice,” he ventured.

I n t hei r mont h ly re p or t s to t he council, however, both Acting Township Manager Lavon Phillips and Community d e ve lop m e nt D i r e c t or Ke v i n R ij s maintained that things at the site were moving along just as fast as was possible

under the circumstances.

Phillips, describing the work there as “quite a large project,” said his department is currently working to get approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection to establish “an ADA-accessible trail to go around what is referred to as the ‘great lawn’ in the concept.”

Rijs, going into more specifics, said Phase One of the project is actually a combination of two stewardship plans, and maintained that “it took over a year to get wetlands delineation approval from the DEP.” He also indicated there have been efforts underway to “secure additional funds to offset the cost of those improvements,” plans for which “are about to be submitted to the DEP shortly.” In addition, earlier this year the township had applied for a Sustainable Jersey Grant for around $5,000-$6,000 to enable it to install ADA benches at the facility, which he believed had been ordered.

I n re sp on s e to a qu e st ion from Councilwoman Heather Cooper, Rijs said some of the grant money is being utilized for invasive species removal and “the securing of certain items at the property, not just trail construction.”

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

Saturday, December 21, 2024

BurlCo Commissioners Have Received ‘No Update’ on Whether Elections Officials Will Comply with Their Call for Election Review

Shamong Mayor Says He is ‘Not Happy’ About Wharton Map Released by NJDEP, But Maintains ‘We’ve Done What We Can’

By Douglas D. M elegari

By Douglas D. M elegari

Staff Writer

MOUNT HOLLY—The Burlington County Board of Com missioners is maintaining there is “no update” yet on their call for the Burlington County Board of Elections and Superintendent of Elections to “conduct a comprehensive review of elections procedures, equipment and processes with the goal of making improvements” following a meltdown of the county’s voting system on Nov. 5 that led to lines to vote of over six hours in some cases and reports of voter disenfranchisement.

“Regarding our elections update, we don’t have an update right now,” declared Burlington County Com missioners’ Director Dr. Felicia Hopson during the latest Dec. 11 commissioners’ meeting.

“We have asked our county administrator (Eve Cullinan) to follow up with the Board of Elections just to give us an update.”

The commissioners and Burlington County, in a statement, have promised “a written report with findings and recommendations” that is “expected to be made public by Jan. 30, 2025.”

“Right now, we are still expecting the report by the 30th of January,” said Hopson in responding to a question from 45-year resident America Phillips.

The Pine Barrens Tribune, during a “Questions from the Media” section of the commissioners’ meeting, asked if the commissioners have heard whether the Board or Superintendent of Elections are “planning to comply” with the commissioners’ request for a review and will provide a report by the imposed deadline.

Hopson refer red the question to Burlington County Public Information Officer David Levinsky. Levinsky emailed a response to this newspaper on Dec. 18.

“If the Superintendent of Elections and

Election Board are unable to perform a comprehensive review or deliver a report with recommendations in a timely manner, the county commissioners are prepared to pursue other options to gain the information needed to make informed decisions about election improvements,” Levinsky wrote.

Levinsky then reiterated that the “Burlington County Commissioners have said the long lines and waits at many polling locations on Election Day this year were unacceptable,” recapping that the commissioners’ board has “called for both the Election Board and Superintendent of Elections Office to do a top-to-bottom review to determine the causes of the problems and what actions should be taken to ensure the situation never occurs again during any future election.”

The county spokesman also again pointed out that the county chairs of “both major political parties” having also made the request for a review, and for it to be done “quickly.”

“Voters deserve accountability and appropriate action to ensure that the 2024 election failures are not repeated, and the commissioners are committed to making sure that occurs,” Levinsky said.

Meanwhile, Commissioners’ Deputy Director Dan O’Connell thanked this reporter for asking questions during the “Questions from the Media” portion of the meeting, pointing out he believed it was the first time he could recall a reporter doing so since Levinsky had worked for the Burlington County Times, with Commissioner Balvir Singh later recalling it was around 2019 when the last question from a reporter had been posed during the segment.

“I think it is important to the way government works,” O’Connell said. “So, thank you for doing that.”

Pemberton Township Man Dies in Backyard ATV Collision PEMBERTON—A man from the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township, riding an ATV in the backyard of a residence on Dec. 14, was killed after the vehicle struck two logs and overturned.

The incident unfolded at around 11:31 a.m., at 122 Ridge Road, in Browns Mills.

According to a press release from the Pemberton Township Police Department, Michael L. Cline, 49, was operating a 2020 Polaris Ranger in the backyard of the property “when it struck two separate logs,” and as a result of the impact, Cline

was “ejected from the vehicle.”

The vehicle, according to police, had overturned “onto its side, landing on top of Cline.”

Cline was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The collision is under investigation by the Pemberton Township Traffic Safety Unit and anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or may have additional information, is being urged to contact the Pemberton Township Police Department at 609-894-3310.

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SHAMONG—The Nov. 25 release of the New Jers ey Depar t ment of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)’s “Wharton State Forest Visiting Vehicle Use Map” is something that Shamong Township Mayor Michael Di Croce says the Shamong Township Committee is “not happy” about.

“We actually sent a couple letters out in opposition, one in November of 2022 and the second in March of 2024,” Di Croce pointed out to an audience attending the Dec. 3 Shamong Township Committee meeting.

The map, according to the NJDEP, displays a total of 261.3 miles of roads that traverse Wharton State Forest, which includes a large part of Shamong Township. But opponents of the map contend that there are actually some 600 miles of road in Wharton.

The NJDEP has vowed to enforce the map, meaning that if any road is not displayed on the map as a “designated road,” they are off-limits to vehicles.

Di Croce called the implementation of the map “a great government overreach,” pointing out he personally testified against its implementation back in June 2024.

“We are still working on this to see whether or not there is something that can be done to keep that forest open and free,” the Shamong mayor declared.

I n t h e m e a nt i m e , t h e Sh a mo ng mayor warned those who ride ATVS and motorcycles in the forest to be awa r e t h at t he NJ DEP i s a l r e a dy writing citations to those violating the imposed restrictions (though the NJDEP

SITE

(Continued from Page 1) square-foot retail store, and 6,372 squarefoot convenience store with gas pumps, as well as a drive-through restaurant of about 2,248 square feet.

Stuart Challoner, a licensed engineer and planner working on behalf of the applicant, along with Michael V. Testa, an architect testifying on the applicant’s behalf, revealed that a Grocery Outlet w ill oc cupy the 16,000 square-foot grocery store space, a Wawa will relocate from its existing location in Browns Mills and occupy the convenience store setting, while a Taco Bell is proposed as the drivethrough restaurant.

It was added by Salvatore Alfieri, an attorney who is the founding partner of the Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs law firm and representing the applicant, that the proposed retail store unit will be a “multi-tenant strip center” which currently “does not have any tenants yet.” Testa noted of the retail unit that it has the “potential for subdivision, for seven spaces.”

“The Grocery Outlet store is (proposed to be) pretty much in the area where the old Acme used to be,” said Challoner of what is called for in the plans. “The center area where the retail store is located

previously denied to this newspaper that recent enforcement activities in the forest were related to the introduction of the map, having previously advertised that from Thanksgiving week through Dec. 31 would be a period of “education” before a crackdown would begin.)

Resident Tim McGarvey returned to this topic during the public comment section of the meeting, declaring, “I want to bring up what no one else is talking about, which everyone should be talking about,” before maintaining “I believe it is up to 300 miles they took away.”

“I just think it is really ridiculous, and it is an overreach,” Di Croce replied.

McGarvey said he heard that “some mayors have the authority” to reopen any roads the NJDEP closes in their respective municipalities, and to “dismantle whatever barricades they put up.” He said he wanted to know if Di Croce has such authority.

“Yeah, we have made the argument that those roads have existed since the 1800s through Shamong, and that those roads are public roads,” is how Di Croce responded.

“Now they take care of the roads.”

Di Croce then pointed to the purported “rationale” for the map, maintaining “they have done this for the safety and welfare of the people who use the park,” specifically, so that the roads have names for emergency response purposes.

The mayor added that the NJDEP had “listened” to the township’s concerns, “but didn’t do what we wanted.”

“We have done what we can,” Di Croce maintained. “I think the only other option now is for somebody, some organization to file a lawsuit against them for their overreach.” falls in line with where the existing buildings are today. The Wawa is being pushed forward slightly, much closer to Pemberton Road.”

The proposed Taco Bell, he noted, would go on a “vacant piece” of the existing shopping center property, closer to Juliustown Road.

As for how it will all come together, Challoner described to the planning board that the “Taco Bell, Wawa, and grocery store will be built first,” while “the retail space will be secondary.”

“Retail space will be secondary, once those leases have been obtained,” the planning board was told by Challoner.

As for a project timeline, “It would be helpful, I think, to explain when you plan to start, and when you plan to get it done,” declared Board Planner David Banisch.

“They would start tomorrow if they could,” Alfieri replied. “In terms of getting all the outside agency approvals, you are looking at eight to 12 months.

Hopefully less than that.”

When it was asked of the project professionals if the applicant would start construction by fall 2025, Alfieri answered, “Yeah, they would like to start sooner.”

Banisch, however, pressed the project professionals for further details, “Just so See SITE/ Page 9

Last Minute

Gift Guide

ENT

RY PG. FORM S3

& Seasons

s ree ing G t Gift Ideas for the Family Do-It-Yourselfer S4

December 2024

A Special Section from

Experiential Gifts for Kids S7

Page S2

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Last Minute Gift Guide

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Unique Ways to

Give

Experiential Gifts • Trave l gifts • Sports gifts • Dance lessons • Escap e room • Foodi e gifts

Giving an experience to a loved one this holiday season is a great and unique way to show that person how much they’re loved. The popularity of experiential gifts is undeniable, with one recent report from the market research firm Mintel indicating that roughly 50 percent of individuals surveyed prefer such gifts to tangible items.

an experience? The solution to that may require a little creativity on the part of gift givers. The category a gift fits into can provide some inspiration when looking for ways to present experiential gifts.

One problem holiday gift givers may need to confront when giving experiential gifts concerns their presentation. A tangible item can be boxed and wrapped, but how can gift givers put a bow and ribbon on

• SPORTS GIFTS: Let the sport dictate how a gift is presented when giving tickets to a game. For example, if a loved one is getting tickets to a baseball game, place the tickets inside a new baseball mitt. The gift of golf lessons can be presented alongside a new putter.

!

Perfect for the adventurer in your life!

!

• TRAVEL GIFTS: When gifting the experience of travel this holiday season, gift givers can wrap airline tickets or itineraries in a map of the locale where recipients will be going.

When contributing to a general travel fund or gifting airline miles, consider placing a note inside an atlas or attaching it to a desktop globe.

• DANCE LESSONS: The gift of dance lessons encourages people to have fun and get a little exercise along the way. This gift can be presented to recipients in any number of ways, including inside ballet shoes or even accompanied by food. After all, who wouldn’t get a kick out of finding out they’ve been given salsa lessons after finding a jar of salsa in their stocking?

• ESCAPE ROOM: Admission tickets to an escape room is a very popular experiential gift. Gift givers can get recipients in the spirit of the gift by creating a scavenger hunt where the prize to find is a printout explaining the gift and all its pertinent details, such as the date and time of the event.

• FOODIE GIFTS: For foodies who can’t wait to visit the newest dining hotspot in town, place a gift certificate inside an oven mitt or

wrap it around a bottle of wine.

When giving cooking lessons, wrap an explanation of the gift inside a new apron or place it inside a new saucepot the recipient can use when it comes time to put their newfound culinary skills to work.

Saturday, December 21, 2024

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Last Minute Gift Guide ♦ Page S3

Spo n Sho sored b pRit e of y Zallie’s Med ford

ENTER NOW: Name:_____________________________________________________ Age:_______________________________________________________ Parent’s Name:_________________________________________________________ Home Address:_________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________ State:________________ Zip:________________________________________ Contact Phone:_________________________________________________________ Email:_________________________________________________________________ All fields required. Include entry form with each entry.

Contest open to those ages 3 and up. Anyone under the age of 18 must obtain parent or guardian consent to enter. Previous winners of such contests are not eligible to win. Identification for winner may be required. Employees of the newspaper and sponsor employees are not eligible to win. Entry automatically enters individual’s name into contest. Contest entries will not be returned. Contest entries may be displayed or published in print and online by this newspaper; and become property of the newspaper. Winner will be awarded a movie basket from Zallie’s ShopRite of Medford. One entry per contest permitted. Entry form along with completed coloring panel should be mailed to Pine Barrens Tribune, Christmas Coloring Contest, P.O. Box 2402, Vincentown, NJ 08088 and postmarked by January 21, 2025 at 5 p.m. All entries must be received no later than 12 noon on January 24, 2025 and will not be returned. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. The decision of the judges is final. Winners will be notified by phone and/or email no later than January 31, 2025, and must appear in-person for award and agree to be photographed by the Pine Barrens Tribune and contest sponsor for publication.

Important Information: • Postmarked by January 21, 2025 at 5 p.m.

• Must Be Received by 12 noon on January 24, 2025 • Christmas Coloring Contest form must be provided with each contest entry Mail coloring page with completed entry form to: Pine Barrens Tribune | P.O. Box 2402 | Vincentown, NJ 08088

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Page S4

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Last Minute Gift Guide

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Gift

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Ideas for the Family Do-It-Yourselfer

• LAWN CARE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Home improvements extend to the exterior. In addition to mowers, trimmers and garden shears, DIYers may benefit from subscription products that improve on property care. These formulations are customized to the specific needs of homeowners’ lawn or landscaping greenery and are shipped right to their door.

• ROTARY TOOL KIT: This is one of the most versatile tools homeowners can have on hand. A rotary tool can engrave, grind, sharpen, polish, cut, carve, and more depending on the accessory attachment.

Home improvement projects enable homeowners to transform their homes into their ideal living spaces. According to iProperty Management, most homeowners in the United States spent between $5,000 and $10,000 improving their homes in 2022. And it doesn’t stop there, as home improvement sales are projected to reach $465 billion in 2025.

Various renovation projects are best left to the professionals. However, many homeowners are eager to get their own hands dirty with various projects, large and small. Having the right tools and gear on hand can make projects go all the more smoothly. Holiday shoppers can consider these ideas as they seek to ensure DIYers have all they need to get the job done.

• PAINTING TIME-SAVERS: Painting requires some basic essentials, from

to generate one’s own compost is great for avid gardeners. Compost, often called “black gold,” is made from kitchen scraps, leaves and other items that break down into a rich fertilizer.

• TOOL BOX/TOOL ORGANIZER: Tool storage is a market all its own. It runs the gamut from rolling metal storage containers to plastic or metal boxes to canvas bags to plastic molded curated kits. Tool organizer kits also come at various price points, so it’s easy for shoppers to choose one that fits their budgets.

• MULTI-USE LADDER: A ladder is a necessity for various projects inside and outside the home. One that can transform into an A-frame, scaffold system, staircase ladder and other configurations helps ensure maximum safe reach for the job at hand.

• ORGANIZING UNITS: Organizing units are available in prefabricated kits that are easily assembled when needed, as well as custommade products that are installed by a professional. They may be an option for a handy person looking to organize tools and other items for home repairs.

• COMPOSTER: Whether you use an indoor kitchen composter or one designed for outdoor use, being able

Do-it-yourselfers can be even more handy with tools geared toward their interests and repair needs.

paint trays to rollers to brushes.

Projects can be made more efficient with innovative products that help save time and reduce mess. One such item is a paint brush cover, which snaps over wet paintbrushes between coats so they won’t dry out or require rinsing. Brushes that cut in easily and others with flexible handles for getting in tight places also make painting projects that much easier.

• CORDLESS DRILL: A mechanical drill makes easy work of assembly projects and general renovations that require screws as fasteners. A cordless rechargeable drill will be easy to maneuver when handling projects away from outlets. Going cord-free also reduces the risk of trips and falls on errant cords.

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Saturday, December 21, 2024

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Last Minute Gift Guide ♦ Page S5

4 gifts for the

Busy Professional on your holiday list

who work from home, as many are designed to cancel out ambient noise, making it easier to participate in Zoom calls or other meetings even if the kids are being rowdy right outside a home office door.

The life of a successful professional can be hectic. Demands at work force many professionals to work long hours, and those days could be even longer for remote workers. In fact, a 2020 study of 2,800 workers by the staffing firm Robert Half found that 70 percent of workers who transitioned to remote work due to the pandemic now work on the weekends.

The survey also found that 45 percent of workers indicate they now routinely work more hours during the week than they did prior to the pandemic.

With so much on their plates, busy professionals may not have time to shop for products that can make their lives a little easier. That makes the holiday season a perfect time for people to consider what to get the hardworking professional on their shopping list. These four gifts can each make it easier for busy professionals to handle long days at the office..

1. PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER

Modern professionals rely on their smartphones to check and send work emails, keep track of their busy schedules and answer calls from colleagues, among other things. But those phones are only useful when their batteries are charged. Portable phone chargers are lightweight and easy to use, making them ideal for on-the-go professionals who need to keep their phones charged all day long. Professionals who spend lots of time in their vehicles may love a solar-powered portable charger, which ensures their phone batteries stay charged even when they forget USB cables at home.

3. CLEANING SERVICE Few chores are less appealing after a long day at the office than cleaning a house. Many cleaning services offer weekly or monthly packages, and professionals would undoubtedly appreciate someone taking this time-consuming task off their todo list. Ask a relative or two to pitch in and help pay for the service if it’s beyond your budget.

especially valuable to professionals who work long hours and don’t have the time to prepare a meal from scratch at the end of a workday.

4. SLOW COOKER Slow cookers allow users to put everything in a pot in the morning and then arrive at night to a ready-toeat, homecooked meal. These can be

Whether it’s portable tech, some help keeping their homes clean or a device designed to simplify homecooking, various gift ideas can help make busy professionals’ lives a little less hectic.

2. WIRELESS HEADPHONES Though some models can cost hundreds of dollars, a reliable set of wireless headphones can be found for as little as $50. These headphones can be especially useful for professionals

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Last Minute Gift Guide

Winter

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Saturday, December 21, 2024

Wonderland Word Search WORDS

Find theFind words hidden ver cally, horizontally, diagonally, the words hidden ver cally, horizontally, diagonally,and and backwards. backwards.

BLADES BUMPS WORDS BUNDLE BLADES CHILL BUMPS CLIMB BUNDLE COASTING CHILL DOWNHILL CLIMB FAST COASTING FRIENDS DOWNHILL HILL FAST FRIENDS LAUGHTER HILL MOMENTUM LAUGHTER MOUNTAIN MOMENTUM ROPES MOUNTAIN SLED ROPES SNOWY SLED SPEED SNOWY SPEED STEER STEER THRILLS THRILLS TOBOGGAN TOBOGGAN TRACKS TRACKS TRAIL TRAIL TRAVEL TRAVEL ZOOM ZOOM

Answers:

Page S6

Christmas Worship December 2024

A Special Section from

A Guide to Celebrating the Reason for the Season

Page W2 ♦

Christmas Worship Guide

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

A Christmas Prayer

Saturday, December 21, 2024

The Christmas Story

1 John 4:7-16

Matthew 1:18-25

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

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Christmas Worship Guide ♦ Page W3

Page W4 ♦

Christmas Worship Guide

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Saturday, December 21, 2024

Saturday, December 21, 2024

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Experiential Gifts for

Last Minute Gift Guide ♦ Page S7

Kids

The popularity of experiential gifts is undeniable. In its 2021 Winter Holiday Shopping Report, the market research firm Mintel revealed that nearly half of individuals surveyed for the report felt that experiential gifts are superior to tangible items. Such preferences are something holiday shoppers can keep in mind as they pursue the perfect gift for their loved ones.

Experiential gifts are often associated with adults and their bucket lists, but kids have much to gain from being gifted experiences as well. In addition to the lasting memories inspired by experiential gifts, such offerings also get kids up and out of the house.

Parents recognize that’s not always so easy in the digital age.

Though children likely don’t have a bucket list that can make it easy for holiday shoppers to find the perfect experiential gift, the following are a number of experiences that kids of all ages can enjoy.

• A DAY AT THE ZOO • A TRIP TO A TRAMPOLINE PARK

OR BOUNCY HOUSE FACILITY • TICKETS TO A SPORTING EVENT, CONCERT OR LIVE SHOW • MUSIC LESSONS • A PAINT AND SIP (JUICE) EVENT WITH ONE OR BOTH PARENTS • COOKING LESSONS • A DAY AT A NEARBY NATIONAL PARK • A CAMPING TRIP • HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS • A DAY AT A NEARBY AMUSEMENT • A DAY AT A LOCAL ARCADE

PARK

• A DAY AT A LOCAL MUSEUM WIT • A HELICOPTER RIDE

H INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS

• ART LESSONS • A DAY ON THE SKI SLOPES • A DAY ON THE BEACH • GYMNASTICS LESSONS/CLASSES • A DAY AT THE LOCAL BOWLING ALLEY WITH FRIENDS • ICE SKATING LESSONS • A ROUND OF MINI GOLF • JEWELRY-MAKING LESSONS/CLA SSES • A FISHING TRIP ON A NEARBY BOD Y OF WATER There’s no shortage of experienc es that can benefit children’s lives. That’s something holiday shoppers can keep in mind as they shop for the perfect gifts for youngsters on their shopping list this December.

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Last Minute Gift Guide

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Gifts to The

Pesky Assistant

BY SARAH BEAUREGARD AND JOHANNIE DUFOUR

TRANSLATED BY JASMINE HEESAKER

Artie’s parents own a popular catering service in Snowy Dell. They’ve been extra busy lately with tons of holiday orders. They even had to wait until Christmas Eve before finally putting up their outdoor decorations. Artie offered to give them a hand by decorating the tree by himself. As they’re putting up the lights on the house, the boy takes a good look at the tree.

“What do you think, Whiskers?” he asks his cat. “We could hang the big red garland this way and the little green one the other way around. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Meow,” replies the cat.

Artie goes around the tree to put up the red garland. Whiskers follows him playfully, jumping up to try and hit the end as it flutters in the wind. The boy gently nudges him away to avoid tripping. He finishes his task and turns to pick up the green garland.

“Oh, Whiskers!” he exclaims, seeing the cat all tangled up in it.

After untangling the garland, Artie adds it to the tree. Then, he opens the box containing the unbreakable baubles.

Whiskers immediately knocks it over by pressing on the edge with his paws. The baubles scatter in the snow.

“No, Whiskers! They’re not playthings, they’re for decorating! Look,” says Artie.

He picks up a few decorations and arranges them on the tree under the watchful eye of his little companion.

Whiskers pushes a bauble toward Artie with his nose.

“Yes, good job, Whiskers!” praises the boy.

Reaching into his pocket, Artie retrieves a cat treat and hands it to his feline assistant. It works. Motivated by his greed, Whiskers brings all the baubles to Artie’s feet. All Artie has to do is hang them up.

With a shining star on top for the finishing touch, the result is magnificent!

“Wow, good team effort!” says Artie.

“Whiskers, you deserve a big hug!”

The two partners then go inside to warm up. Artie settles on the couch with a large blanket. His cat rolls into a ball on his lap. He immediately falls asleep, purring.

Feeling tired but proud to have helped his parents, the boy soon follows suit.

- The End -

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Rev Auto Lovers’ Engines

Since they first became widely available in the early 20th century, cars have inspired no small number of passionate devotees.

Some people simply can’t resist the thrills of the open road, while others love driving because of the sense of independence it provides. Regardless of what inspires their passions, come the holiday season, auto enthusiasts undoubtedly would be excited to unwrap these auto-related gifts.

• CAR WASH KIT: It’s one thing to drive, and another thing entirely to drive a car that looks like it’s fresh off the dealership lot. Car wash kits come in various sizes, so they’re ideal for holiday shoppers working with various budgets. Kits may include wet wax, wheel gel, glass cleaner, a short handle brush, and microfiber towels, among other supplies. Each accessory within the kit can make cars or trucks shine and look as good as new.

• MECHANICS’ TOOL KIT: Many car lovers enjoy working on their vehicles almost as much as they love driving them. That makes a mechanic’s tool kit a must-have for auto enthusiasts.

Like car wash kits, mechanics’ kits are ideal gifts because they can suit shoppers working with various budgets. Extensive kits include all the

tools car lovers need, from ratchets to extension bars to sockets and more, to spend a fun day working in the garage.

• TIRE INFLATOR: All those miles on the open road is bound to catch up with tires over time, and a portable tire inflator can ensure tires are always properly inflated. Cordless varieties are popular, but so are options that can be plugged into vehicle lighters.

Either way, this is a must-have item for anyone who puts a lot of miles on their vehicle.

• AUTOCROSS LESSON: Of course, gifts for auto lovers needn’t be restricted to helping them take care of their own cars. Autocross lessons can teach drivers the finer points of timed competitions while enabling them to get behind the wheel of an exotic car they’ve dreamed of driving. Autocross schools typically have classes for drivers with experience as well as novices, making this a fun gift for anyone who wants to take the thrill of driving to the next level.

There’s no shortage of gift ideas to please the auto enthusiast on your holiday shopping list this year. From the fun to the functional, there’s something for everyone who loves being behind the wheel.

Saturday, December 21, 2024

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What to Give

Last Minute Gift Guide ♦ Page S9

New HomeownersThis Holiday Season outfit those homes. Shoppers with new homeowners on their holiday shopping lists may want to help those loved ones outfit their homes this season. The following are some home-related gift ideas to get shoppers started.

The real estate market has been a wild ride in recent years. Sellers have cashed in on record-breaking profits, and buyers have had to compete against many others — sometimes in bidding wars — for a limited number of properties. Once listed, homes are selling fast. As interest rates rise and inventory increases, things are likely to change, though for some it did not come soon enough.

Individuals who were lucky enough to find a new home this year may discover they now have little money to

• VIDEO/SMART DOORBELL: Although the smart doorbell market began with only a handful of options, there’s now a bevy of manufacturers who make video and smart home doorbells. These doorbells serve the dual purpose of alerting homeowners to someone at the door, while providing surveillance of the comings and goings outside of the home. Depending on the product, a subscription may be needed to access video history. Doorbells range from $50 to $200 and more depending on features and resolution.

• FURNITURE GIFT CARD: There’s a good chance new homeowners will need to furnish new rooms in a home, particularly if they’re coming from an apartment or a smaller place. Many people also like to update furnishings when they move into new places. A gift card

to a popular furniture store in the area will provide the head-start new homeowners need to secure sofas, dining sets, lamps, rugs, and more.

• HOUSEHOLD TOOL KIT: What better way to prepare new homeowners for the do-it-yourself projects and household repairs than with a tool kit? Home improvement retailers often package common tools needed in carrying cases or sets, but shoppers can grab separate items they think will be used and group them together into one gift.

Pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, a level, and measuring tape are good starter tools.

• CUSTOMIZED DOORMAT: Give that new home additional curb appeal with a doormat customized with a special message or the new homeowners’ names, such as Welcome to the Smith Home. Other customizeable products include cutting boards and wall plaques.

• PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT: A programmable or learning thermostat will help new

• Video doorbell • Furniture gift card • Tool kit • Customized doormat • Programmable thermostat • Linens homeowners save on their energy bills. Many thermostats now pair with smart home systems and phones and automatically adjust the temperature as needed to reduce energy consumption.

• LINENS: A high thread count sheet set or plush Turkish cotton towels may not be something new homeowners think to get for themselves. But these luxurious gifts can make life at home more comfortable.

Moving into a new home is an exciting yet expensive endeavor. Carefully curated gifts can tap into what new homeowners need the most.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM A WILD BIRD OASIS We have your last minute gift ideas!

Bird Feeders & Bird Seed Starter Kits Hummingbird Feeder Starter Kits Birdhouses and Nesting Material Starter Kits Mugs, Tea, Honey, Candles, and MORE!

Page S10

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Last Minute Gift Guide

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Last Minute Gift Guide

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JANUARY JAN. WEEKENDS Train Rides Through the Woods of New Gretna

Location: Bass River Twp.

Details: The Woods of New Gretna Park and the New Jersey Shore Live Steam Organization provide train rides for all each Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The small steam locomotives, and other trains, wind their way through the beautiful park. The rides are provided by a group of dedicated volunteers who have revitalized the park and laid out the railroad track, based on the historical Tuckerton Railroad. The volunteers maintain the railroad and walking trails, and are constantly expanding them. Riding the trains is free, but donations are very much appreciated. The train rides are outdoors.

EVENT CALENDAR Saturday, December 21, 2024

To promote your event on this page Events and special contact Jayne Cabrilla at 609-801-2392 promotions happening or email news@pinebarrenstribune.com locally next month!

JAN. 5

Free Koins for Kids

Location: Lindenwold

Details: South Jersey Coin and Collectable Show will be held Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Moose Lodge, 2425 White Horse Pike (Rt. 30), Lindenwold. Admission and parking is free. There will be free door prizes, food and refreshments, over 30 friendly dealer tables. The show will be held on the first Sunday of each month during 2025. Dealers wanted! Security provided. For more information, call Tom at 609-742-2279, or visit southjerseycoinshow.com .

Saturday, December 21, 2024

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(Continued from Page 8) people know what to expect.”

“T h e on ly t h i ng we don’t h ave control over is getting all the outside agency approvals and getting resolution compliance,” Alfieri said. “We all know that takes time, but they are going to diligently pursue it because they have three tenants who are ready to pay rent.”

Pl a n n i ng B o a r d S e c r e t a r y a n d M e m b e r R i c k B r o w n , h o w e v e r, poi nted out that he heard that no state Department of Environmental Protection approvals are needed, the applicant has water and sewer capacity and that the project has already received conditional approval from the county.

In addition, he pointed out, “you have Pinelands (Commission) approval.”

“What other approvals are needed?” asked Brown, and when it appeared there were no other approvals left to obtain and it was pointed out that a follow-up hearing from the Pinelands Commission will be just to review the local Planning Board approved application to ensure c o n fo r m a n c e w i t h t h e a g e n c y ’s Comprehensive Management Plan, Brown surmised, “This could go pretty quickly,” to which Alfieri responded, “Hopefully, yes.”

Brown then inquired, “So, essentially, these things would be commenced more or less simultaneously?” to which Alfieri asserted, “Absolutely.”

Banisch, when he maintained, “As I u nderstood it, when I he ard the testimony earlier, the phasing is going to be the Taco Bell and the Wawa are the first two buildings to go up,” Challoner clar ified, “As far as going ver tical, meaning putting up the buildings, we are delivering the property as land leases to two out of the three tenants.”

“So, upon those tenants’ schedules, they will go vertical,” he added. “So that is Wawa, as well as Taco Bell, and the grocery store we will be building (upon the) start of Wawa.”

Challoner, after pointing out “Wawa is a relocation from an existing store in town,” proclaimed, “They are looking to move as quickly as possible into the new center.”

When Brown sought to confirm “the Wawa would be completed, the Taco Bell would be completed, and we would have essentially two pad sites, right,” Challoner answered, “Grocery will go simultaneously with Wawa.”

Testa, in pointing to the floor plan for the grocery store, described it as “your typical grocery store.” “ Yo u ’ l l h a v e s h e l v i n g , s o m e refrigerated cases, produce, meat, so forth, a rear receiving area, and at the back of the building was the loading dock area that was discussed earlier,” Testa explained. “There is a recessed truck well and an overhead door in the back to roll in and out, say, produce or other small items off to the rear.”

When resident Michelle Forman asked about what is a Grocery Outlet, she was told it is a national grocery chain that is similar to Aldi.

“It is a discount grocery store,” Forman was assured.

The architect maintained the proposed

grocery store “is a prototypical building” provided by Grocery Outlet.

“The building consists of an intricately colored concrete masonry unit along the base, brick veneer, as well as a stucco coloring on the top,” Testa pointed out.

Challoner noted of the proposed Wawa that it is a “little bit unique.” That is because, as later explained to the board

by Michael Redel, a real estate engineer for Wawa, the store will have a “flythrough” or pickup window.

“We only have it at two stores, but we are proposing it at every new location,” Redel revealed. “We have been able to study those stores. The average time at the window is 50 seconds, and we are trying to get that down to 30 seconds.”

A d d i n g a fl y - t h r o u g h , R e d e l maintained, provides “a convenience o f f e r i n g f o r c u s t o m e r s .” T h o s e customers, he added, would order items through an app.

“You press ‘mobile order pickup’ and ‘pickup window,’ and then when you arrive, you go directly to the window, and an associate will be there,” said Redel of how the program works. “They will open up the window, confirm that it is your order, and they’ll pass through the order. You pay in the app as well, so there is no money exchanged.”

While Wawa stores, Redel explained, currently offer curbside pickup, “with the fly-through, we eliminate the curbside pickup so that you pick up directly from the window.”

Testa pointed out that the new Wawa building proposed would also feature a “fueling dispensing area with a covered canopy.”

When some questions arose about the exterior elements of the Wawa, Alfieri replied, “Wawa has complete control over what they want to build.”

“We are just going to be a landlord,” the attorney for the applicant added.

Deborah Skipper, a resident and owner of the Pine View Terrace community in Browns Mills, declared she is “so thrilled to see something happening with this property, finally.”

“Not only for myself, but also for my over 300 residents who will be frequenting this place,” Skipper declared.

Resident Marie Reynolds asserted that she is “so excited to be here tonight because I can’t wait for this thing to be built!”

“I can’t wait for a Wawa and a new gas station,” she added. “I have been here 50 years, and I was here when Rocco Berardi owned the shopping center and was mandated to fix the holes in the parking lot, so he took spray cans of black paint and filled them in. Really … truly … it really happened!

A n d r e s i d e nt A m e r i c a Ph i l l ip s called what is proposed “beautiful,” r e c ou nt i ng t h at w h e n Ac m e w a s formerly at the Browns Mills Shopping Center (before having relocated down the street to the Pine Grove Plaza, where the supermarket is today), she shopped there once with her three children and one of them had told her “we found a toy” that was “running in the store,” only for it to be a mouse.

“They were chasing the mice in there,” Phillips contended. “Well, that was the first and the last time that we went food shopping in there.”

A d d i t i o n a l l y, P l a n n i n g B o a r d Member Dan Dewey, also a councilman, maintained of the project, “I can’t wait for it to be done!”

However, some of those in support of the project did express some concern with the proposed exterior for the units.

“My concern is that it doesn’t fit our town,” Skipper said. “We are a lake community.”

Both she and resident Pat Guthrie maintained that Browns Mills has more of a “craftsman” architectural style to its buildings.

“That is kind of like what we are looking for, for our design,” Guthrie said.

“We are trying to save our historical sites in Browns Mills.”

Skipper, in maintaining Pemberton Commons “is going to be a benchmark of our town,” pointed out, “This is the first thing that we are going to have that is going to be cleaned up, and hopefully, will set a standard for the rest of the new businesses that will be coming in.”

Therefore, she asserted, “I just hope that they can work with us, and we can change the architecture, not into Mount Laurel, but into a lake community of Pemberton Township that we are.”

In itial ly, after some more publ ic comments in agreement with Skipper and Guthrie, including from Councilmanelect Harry Harper, who maintained, “I think everybody in town is in favor of that area being revitalized, but we just would like to make some aesthetic changes to the outside,” Alfieri confirmed

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 9 to Board Chairman Steven Borders that the planners would be moving forward with the design, as presented.

But after Brown expressed that “I do agree with many of our citizens” that “this looks like it is in Orlando” and “doesn’t look like it is in Browns Mills,” and Dewey declared “I would appreciate it if he worked with us a little bit,” Alfieri responded that the project planners would have “no issue” working with the township on the buildings “that they can control” (besides the Wawa), and when Dewey surmised, “Maybe we can get together with some people and go over ideas with you,” Alfieri answered, “That’s fine.”

“Well, based on Mr. Dewey’s comments just now, it sounded like there was an additional condition to be added to the list, which is that the applicant agrees to sit down with either the mayor or subcommittee of the planning board to review the architecture of the seven in-line stores to make reasonable modifications,” Banisch declared.

Resident Joseph Anderson maintained that “I like the plan and everything,” but is “worried about this traffic” that the proposed project will generate.

Scott Kennel, a traffic engineer with McDonough & Rea Associates, had testified, in part, “As it relates to the traffic counts, traffic counts were conducted at Pemberton Road and Juliustown Road in November and December of 2023,” with See SITE/ Page 12

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

SIGHTINGS

(Continued from Page 2) sightings. That includes the feds having pointed out that flying a drone is legal in most locations, both during the day and at night, as long as it remains below 400 feet and it is within sight of the operator at all times, avoiding other aircraft and not causing a hazard to any people or property, and avoiding restricted airspace.

Federal officials have also pointed to there being more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S., with “thousands of commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day.”

“Probably the most difficult thing that the government has had to deal with is that the drones are not really breaking any of the laws,” Mitchell maintained. “If they are doing something stupid, it is really easy to deal with, but most of them are not.”

The White House has been insistent since late last week that the FBI has received now tips of some 5,000 reported drone sightings in the last few weeks, and there have been about 100 of which they felt needed to be followed up on.

W h it e Hou s e Nationa l S e cu r it y Communications Advisor John Kirby said during a Dec. 16 press gaggle that “we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones.”

Federal officials have also pointed out that the national airspace is “designed to be as minimally restrictive as possible,” before maintaining “all indications are these UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) operators are operating within the parameters established for their use in that airspace.”

“There has been an uptick of people thinking that they want to add to the fun, and they are flying their own drones at nighttime over their neighbors’ houses and stuff to add to the already large amount of nonsense,” Mitchell told the Southampton committee on Dec. 17. “So, we would appreciate people not doing, and adding to, that.

“We do live in a very high airplane traffic area. There are many airports, including a military base here. So, a large number of the things that you are seeing in the sky are not these mystery drones that we are seeing.”

Still, other officials, as reported last week

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

by this newspaper, including a number of New Jersey congressmen, are deeply troubled by the sightings and are calling into question the federal assurances.

Particularly troublesome to them is that some of the purported drone activity has occurred near sensitive sites, including the Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle, two military institutions.

Additionally, a number of the purported drones sighted have been described as both evasive and sophisticated by some officials, including being able to withstand high winds and that some “go dark” and move away at high speeds when spotted, as well as can’t be detected by normal radio frequencies and through use of heat detection technology.

Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew, who represents South Jersey’s Second Congressional District, put out a press release on Dec. 13 regarding “recent reports from officials” which he maintained “indicate that the drones have been hovering near critical infrastructure,” including the PSE&G Nuclear Power Plant in Salem County.

That is where, ac cording to the congressman, “two drones – approximately the size of small SUVs – were observed flying in close proximity.”

“We are not stopping until we get to the bottom of this,” Van Drew said. “We are currently working with the FBI to gather more information, and we have requested a classified briefing to ensure that we get the answers the people deserve. I will continue to keep the public informed and provide updates as we receive new information.

The safety of our communities and infrastructure is non-negotiable, and we will act decisively to protect both.”

Van Drew, as of press time, also doubled down with respect to a claim he made the previous week that “high-level, credible sources” had shared with him that the drone activity is the result of a foreign adversary, potentially tied to Iran.

“When I was made aware of this, I could stay silent out of fear, or share what I know, so we can address this together,” declared Van Drew in a Dec. 12 follow-up video. “If I stayed quiet and something happened, I would never be able to forgive myself.”

Van Drew then claimed “what we know” is that drones are “coming in, out of international waters,” before going on to maintain these “drones are deliberately avoiding our radar, operating in uncontrolled airspace, indicating they are expertly being piloted.”

“We know there is an Iranian drone ship

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that went missing from its port and the timing of its disappearance is circumstantially consistent with the appearance of these drones,” Van Drew contended.

But the White House, in a press call held the day after Van Drew’s video, maintained “our partners determined that there is no evidence to date of any foreign-based involvement in sending drones ashore from marine vessels in the area.”

At around the same time of that White House call, GOP Congressman Chris Smith, representing portions of Ocean and Monmouth counties, held a press conference and declared the federal suggestion that the drone sightings “isn’t unusual” amounted to simply an “insult to our intelligence.”

“This is ‘usual?’” Smith asked. “I don’t think so!”

Smith also took the federal officials to task, including Kirby, for repeatedly claiming “there is no threat” posed by the recent spotted drones over the Garden State, asking, “How do we know that?”

“For weeks, we have asked for the truth and action to mitigate all threats,” Smith said. “Now, we are demanding it!”

Smith also repeated the claim from last week that a 47-foot rescue boat belonging to the U.S. Coast Guard “was followed at very close proximity” by “numerous drones.”

“Why can’t we follow them?” Smith asked.

“Why can’t we see where they are going?”

Pemberton Township Resident America Philips, who pointed out “I don’t live that far” from local Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst, told the Burlington County Board of Commissioners during its Dec. 11 session, “those drones are around, sometimes 1, 2 o’clock in the morning.”

“I can hear every single thing that is going on!” Philips maintained. “Is anybody doing anything about this? We got a major base there! Please!”

D e m o c r at i c B u r l i ng t o n C ou nt y Commissioners’ Director Dr. Felicia Hopson responded that “our Public Safety Director met with the FBI, as did so many other counties,” and that “the update is there is no update.”

“They are the ones in charge of it; in charge of the investigation, in charge of the update,” Hopson declared.

Burlington County Spokesman David Levinsky later clarified to this newspaper on Dec. 18 that Burlington County Department of Public Safety Director Gary Gubbei participated in a briefing with law enforcement from across the state and “during the briefing, they were told the FBI was taking the lead on investigating the suspected drone activity.”

“This is what Director Hopson was referencing in her meeting comments,” Levinsky said. “The briefing was run by the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. Director Gubbei has received no additional updates on drone investigations.”

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department has dispatched its Drone Unit to try and track down the source of the drones and monitor any safety risks. Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy, in joining alongside Smith, described the unit as a “very robust drone program” which has been “around for 8 years or more.”

Mastronardy maintained that the officers in charge of the Ocean County Drone Unit “spotted one of the items of concern” on Dec. 7, “videotaped it” and “described it as going around their drone and traveling

Saturday, December 21, 2024 off at a high rate of speed – reporting to us they felt it was 60 mph or more.”

“To put it in perspective, our drones only go 40 mph,” Mastronardy said.

The Ocean County Drone Unit “operated again” the next night, Mastronardy said, after a female officer located near Island State Park had “documented” 50 drones “coming from the ocean, to the mainland, traversing the airways over Island State Park, going down toward Barnegat Light and coming to the Seaside area.”

T he Pine Ba rrens Tribu ne a ske d t h e Bu rl i ng t on C ou nt y B o a rd of Commissioners on Dec. 11 during its media inquiry section of the meeting, in the presence of Burlington County Sheriff James Kostoplis, whether the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department also has a drone unit.

Hopson referred this newspaper to Levinsky, who told this newspaper in a Dec. 18 email, “The Burlington County Sheriff’s Office has created a Drone Unit consisting of three drones and nine officers qualified to pilot these small, unmanned aircraft.”

“The nine officers recently completed s chool to obt ai n Fe deral Av iation Administration licenses to pilot the drones,” Levinsky said. “The drones were acquired last year and are equipped with high-resolution and thermal imaging cameras and will be used to assist police and emergency responders with search and rescue operations, fires or other emergencies. They will also be deployed for law enforcement operations where the airborne images may be useful.”

Levinsky pointed out “all three do have cameras, but only one of the three has thermal imaging.”

When Levinsky was asked by this newspaper whether the Burlington County Drone Unit has been deployed in response to the recent sightings, he responded, “The Sheriff’s Drone Unit has deployed to try to monitor and identify some of the drone activity in Burlington County.”

“This is ongoing,” he added. “Any information obtained by the unit will be shared with investigators.”

Democratic Senator Andy Kim, on the evening of Dec. 12, had joined local law enforcement in Hunterdon County to observed the skies following complaints, and his staff put out a press release the following day, initially maintaining that Kim “observed sightings of multiple unexplained and unidentified drones” and that “over the course of nearly two hours, Kim and local law enforcement witnessed dozens of drones flying.”

A day later, however, as the Democraticcontrolled White House continued with its denials that there is any unusual activity, K i m walked back those pur por ted “sightings,” Tweeting, “After going out with police to observe reports of possible drones, I was, with the help of civilian pilots and others, able to do (a) deeper analysis and concluded that most of the possible drone sightings that were pointed out to me were almost certainly planes.”

This past weekend, however, federal officials notably went from describing that the “majority” of reports of drone sightings were instead manned aircraft to “without a doubt (there) have been UAS’s flying over the State of New Jersey.”

But they maintain, “with nearly a million See SIGHTINGS/ Page 15

Saturday, December 21, 2024

INTERSECTIONS

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(Continued from Page 1)

County line.

The one-way stop intersection has been the site of numerous fatal accidents over the years, and just this past week, there was reportedly another serious crash in the area.

Motorists approaching the intersection from Lakehurst Road, also known as County Route 530, have long had to do so from a sharp angle, believed responsible for the sheer number of crashes here over the years. It has made pulling out onto Route 70 a challenge.

RETIRING

(Continued from Page 2) sense of satisfaction about what has been accomplished on his watch.

“I just feel like what I set out to do was accomplished, in that we met the challenges and found successful solutions to them,” he maintained.

Miller, in fact, in announcing his pending retirement at the Dec. 4 Evesham Township Council meeting, described the Evesham Police Department as having reached “the pinnacle of policing, not just in New Jersey, but in the nation” – something he ascribed to its having developed a team that represents “the best and the brightest in law enforcement,” who he contended will be “positioned well when I leave.”

“You are going to be in good hands in the future here,” he reassured those in attendance.

His immediate replacement, he said, will be Deputy Chief Tom Reinholt, who will serve in an acting capacity during the “promotional process,” which in Evesham, under a local ordinance, will consist of an evaluation of leadership style and ability carried out under “civilian oversight,” which at the present time, will be that of Acting Township Manager Lavon Phillips.

Miller and Reinholt were both captains when he was promoted to chief under thenTownship Manager Robert Corrales, to replace retiring Chief Chritopher Chew.

Miller’s response when asked if there were any particular experiences during his time on the local force that were particularly memorable, however, evoked some of the darker moments of life in this most populous of Burlington County municipalities – episodes that could easily have been featured on some of the more lurid “true crime” shows currently popular on TV.

COMMISSIONER (Continued from Page 6)

care, in a time where shelters nationwide are challenged,” O’Connell declared.

On that note, O’Connell pointed out he has been “very intrigued” by the recent efforts of the Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter to “reduce the cat population in our animal shelter.”

“But it is also a follow-up to our passing a resolution to make our shelter a No-kill Shelter,” O’Connell noted. “We are currently a no-kill shelter for dogs, meaning 90 percent of the dogs that come into our shelter go back out. We are a long

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 11

Howe ve r, a c c ord i ng t o NJ D OT Spokesman Steve Schapiro, the state agency is “in the process of realigning the intersection” to “improve safety.”

“At the existing intersection, Lakehurst Road westbound splits off from Route 70 westbound and has limited sight distance for veh icles on Lakehurst Road eastbound, turning onto Route 70 eastbound,” Schapiro described. “Under the new alignment, Lakehurst Road will meet Route 70 at a 90-degree angle. This will improve the sight distance for drivers turning onto Route 70, help ensure drivers on Lakehurst Road come to a full stop before turning onto Route 70, and slow drivers down who are traveling on Route

70 westbound, and turning onto Lakehurst Road westbound.”

According to Schapiro, in addition to realigning the intersection, the project includes new curbs and a concrete island separating eastbound and westbound traffic on Lakehurst Road at Route 70.

“Work on the project began on Nov. 20 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year or early in the new year,” Schapiro told this newspaper.

The redesign of the intersection was approved by the Pinelands Commission back in July. According to Schapiro, the work is being done at the request of Burlington County.

This newspaper previously reported

about Pemberton Township officials pressing both the county and state for a fix, with resident America Phillips making the case for improvements at the spot.

Phillips, during a Dec. 11 Burlington C ou nt y B o a rd of C o m m i s s ion e r s meeting, again inquired about the status of improvements so people “can go home safe.” She questioned whether a traffic signal might be ultimately part of the solution, but did not receive an answer.

But S ch api ro c on fi r m e d to t h i s newspaper that “the plan does not include installing a traffic signal.”

Rather, he maintained, “There will be stop signs at the end of Lakehurst Road.”

In fact, as it turns out, one quite recently was— and he was interviewed for it.

The show was an episode of the ID series, “Before They Kill Again,” with the chilling title “Creeping on You,” which aired on Nov. 3. The description in the online promo reads, “In 2003, detectives in Evesham Township, New Jersey must hunt down a serial rapist and murderer before he attacks again.”

As lead investigator in that case, the mild-mannered Miller played a key role in apprehending the suspect, Christopher Kornberger, who was convicted in the murder of Krista DiFrancesco, as well as attacks on two other women in the township and another two in Camden County. Kornberger, who was sentenced to life plus 51 years, was described by the then-Burlington County prosecutor as “a soulless, sinister monster waiting in the shadows of society to strike at his prey.”

And that wasn’t the only such individual that he helped to take off the street in his capacity as a supervising detective.

A mong t h e ot h e r c a s e s h e wa s instrumental in cracking as a commandlevel officer for two decades was the 2004 murder of 11-year-0ld Gregory Katsnelson, for which Ronald Pituch of Medford was ultimately convicted (along with the murder of the perpetrator’s mother), the fatal stabbing the following year of 29-yearold Lauren Nobel by her boyfriend, Joseph Morice of Philadelphia, who then set fire to her home, and the strangling of another Evesham woman, Marianne DeMartin by Alex Crow, who reportedly then dumped her body in Pennsylvania.

All of which sounds like it could be material for a book. And Miller has in fact written one, which he also illustrated and published himself, back in 2021 during the pandemic — but not anything intended for what might be characterized as a mature audience. Called “Bobbie Doesn’t Know

What He Wants to Be,” it is described as follows at Amazon.com: “A young boy, Bobbie, through the guidance of his mother, embarks on a journey that he is unaware he is about to take. Bobbie wants to be a police officer, however his journey leads him to discover the true meaning. Once Bobbie learns the true meaning of being a police officer, his commitment grows stronger.

This book celebrates the police profession, through the eyes of a child.”

But then, it was Miller’s own childhood experience – seeing his father, a Philadelphia fireman, saving a little girl who fell off an amusement park ride during a family visit to the Jersey Shore (resulting in an injury that caused him to spend the night in the hospital) – that served as his own inspiration to go into police work, as he related to this newspaper on assuming the chief’s job three years ago. Or, as he put it, to make it his mission “to always be the one that runs through the crowd and helps.”

Now, while he might appear to be leaving the profession that best enabled him to do that, he is actually about to embark on a new phase of that mission – one that involves strengthening his own sense of commitment to it by sharing the knowledge and experience he has gained with others in the profession.

Miller also wanted to emphasize that the fact he’ll no longer have a role in policing the community doesn’t mean he won’t continue to be a presence on the local scene.

“I a m r et i r i ng f rom t h e p ol i c e department, but not the community,” he asserted. “I’m not going anywhere.”

In fact, he said he plans on living the rest of his life in Evesham, where he has resided since 1998, and will “probably become more involved” in various causes and activities in addition to the Recreation Council, of which he is currently a trustee.

(His wife Kelly is also a member of the Marlton Recreation Council Sports Unity

Program for special needs youngsters).

“I am sure I’ll find some other spots,” he said. “There are never too many people involved in volunteerism.”

Prior to announcing his retirement at the Dec. 4 meeting, Miller made a point of not only crediting the council for its support of the department’s mission, but the local Police Foundation, “a group of citizens who volunteer their time and resources to this cause” by making sure the police department has access to funding that we can use to further enhance our equipment and our engagement resources outside of traditional means budgeted and financed through the town.”

During his three years as chief, the foundation, he noted, had raised over $350,000 to enable the department to purchase such equipment as the two motorcycles it acquired last year and its automatic license plate-reading systems, as well as sponsoring the “Turkey Trot” race on Thanksgiving morning in which some 800 residents ended up taking part despite adverse weather, and which helped to raise “significant amount of money” for the department’s “Shop with a Cop” event.

“They have a great impact,” said Miller of the foundation, although “a lot of times what they do goes unseen.”

The appreciation for Miller’s tenure as chief was, in turn, reflected in some of the praise he received in the form of comments at the Dec. 4 meeting, such as that from outgoing council members Eddie Fre eman III, who descr ibed himself as “very grateful” for having been able “to watch your dedication to the town and to your officers, and your openness to the community,” and Deputy Mayor Ginamarie Espinoza, who told Miller he had made “a significant positive impact on our town and the police force, and we are truly indebted to your service and leadership.”

way from that with cats. Part of it has to do with the gestation period for cats. It is a little bit of a complicated issue.”

Shirla Simpson, director of the county Human Services Department, along with Malikah Morris, deputy director, as well as those who work under them, were also extended praise by O’Connell for arranging “food drives during COVID.” O’Connell pointed out the programs of Human Services aid “some of the most vulnerable among us in Burlington County,” and that the staff has been able to carry them out “while utilizing grant monies, most of the time, to lessen the impact on our county’s taxpayers.”

Among some of the final department

heads to be thanked by O’Connell were Health Department Director Dr. Herb Conaway and Deputy Director Dr. Holly Cucuzzella, with O’Connell pointing to an old adage, “‘If you don't have your health, you have nothing.’”

O’Con nel l re c ou nte d the Health Department’s creation of a COVID Vaccination Mega Site during the height of the pandemic, as well as its efforts to “obtain PPE, so those essential workers could have some protection from this deadly epidemic.”

“Thanks to their staff, employees, and volunteers, these dedicated employees impact every resident in the county in ways seen and unseen, and we’re all the beneficiaries

and better for it. I would especially like to thank them for developing, facilitating, and executing the county’s response to COVID. As liaison, I had a ringside seat as they worked to figure out how we go forward, while keeping people safe.”

O’Connell also thanked the county’s Public Information Team, including Charlene Webster, director of Marketing and Communications, as well as Public Infor mation Assistant Hal Bozarth and, of course, spokesman and Public Information Officer David Levinsky, the latter in particular “for putting more good words in my mouth than anyone deserves.”

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

(Continued from Page 9) another update made in October of this year, finding that the “morning peak hour was determined to be 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. with approximately 1,600 vehicles processed through the signalized intersection,” while the “afternoon peak hour was from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. with approximately 1,900 vehicles.”

“How close are you to the edge of being a real nightmare?” asked Anderson, contending that already the intersection of Pemberton-Browns Mills and Juliustown roads, where the two county thoroughfares intersect, “is a nightmare.”

“You have got to do something with that intersection,” Anderson declared.

Kennel responded by pointing out “we are restricted by what the county allows, and we are looking to retime” the sig nal “to opti m i ze the sig nal operation,” before pointing out that the project, as determined by the study, would generate at the peak hour, “close to 180 additional vehicles.”

Added traffic beyond what is found t h r ou g h t h e s t u d y i s c o n s i d e r e d “additional growth,” Kennel explained, and “that is considered in our growth rate that we applied to the base volumes.”

“So, we had our base volumes, and then we used the New Jersey Department of Transportation growth rates to project into the future, to accommodate for that additional traffic growth, and then we superimpose the traffic from this development. That is the protocol.”

Anderson, in response, reiterated, “I like the plan” and “I am not against what is going on here,” but that, “I am just saying this: you got to do something

DRONES

(Continued from Page 1) Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (MDL) airspace, but that the detections took place well before the recent drone sightings that have led to an ensuing public frenzy.

The confirmation of drone detections at JBMDL came after the Pine Barrens Tribune put a question to JBMDL’s Office of Public Affairs if any drones were recently spotted at the local base given a reported rash of sightings at two

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with that intersection!”

Dewey, in contending that “we have got wagon train roads in this town” and pointing out that he has property further up on Pemberton-Browns Mills Road where he often observes that “traffic has been backed up to the point that I can’t even get out of my driveway,” found the numbers presented “impossible to me.”

“If they do a really good job, they are going to be bringing people in from Vi nc entow n, Mou nt Hol ly, and al l over,” said Dewey of the project and its potential traffic generation. “It is going to be crazy in this town!”

Others also raised concerns about the intersection, including the existing turning lanes.

Another condition that ultimately came with the approval, as a result of the concer ns, is that “there will be coordination among or between t h e b o a r d ’s t r a f fi c e n g i n e e r a n d the appl icant’s traffic eng i ne er” i n approaching the “Burlington County Engineer’s Office to more fully examine the intersection modifications, changes in timing of the intersection, and any other traffic engineering techniques that may be appropriate to improving the efficiency of the intersection itself, of Routes 669 and 530, as well as the operational movements in and out of the site, of the five driveways.”

Also, as a result of the exchange with Anderson, there are “going to be additional signs provided to identify the spaces for truck and trailer parking that the applicant identified during the course of testimony,” as well as “the installation of signage to improve onsite truck traffic circulation.”

There was some back-and-forth during the course of the four-hour long hearing

about the height of proposed signage for Pemb er ton Com mons, i n itial ly proposed to be 20 feet tall. Another added condition that came with the approval is that the “applicant will engage in a sign study, particularly with respect to the height of the Wawa sign (for Pemberton-Browns Mills Road), to determine whether or not, on analysis, a height of 15 feet is acceptable for site identification for the Wawa.”

It was pointed out during the hearing that an existing New Jersey Transit bus stop in front of 100 Pemberton-Browns Mills Road is deteriorating. Arising from a subsequent verbal agreement from the developer “to also improve the bus stop,” was a condition to do so, so long as “they are allowed” by New Jersey Transit.

Lighting is going to be “dark sky lighting,” it was revealed, and both the retail building and Wawa would be retrofitted with security cameras on the outside, while “it is up to the grocery store and Taco Bell if they want them” on their respective buildings.

Pemberton Township, as of the Dec. 3 Planning Board meeting, it was revealed, still owns the Browns Mills Shopping Center. W hen For man asked, “Is it under contract?”, Banish replied that the redeveloper is “under contract to buy it, subject to all the approvals, then they’ll purchase it and build it.”

Mu c h h a s b e e n m a d e at r e c e nt township council meetings about the future of a handful of remaining tenants at the Browns Mills Shopping Center, including Elly’s Premium Laundry and Dairy Queen. The proprietor of Elly’s Premium Laundry has taken issue with the township allegedly abandoning a previous commitment to the existing tenants that one unit would be built

initially to allow the existing tenants to relocate, before the tenants’ current units are torn down.

When Phillips asked, “What happened with the people out there?” in pointing to the existing tenants, Alfieri responded, “If they want to rent the store, they can.”

“We are not even t a l k i ng about renting,” the attorney for the applicant added. “Because until we get closer to building, it doesn’t pay to try and line up the smaller tenants.”

The project was approved by the board through a motion that also granted a lone variance to allow the applicant to exceed the maximum parking allowed at the site, as outlined in the current zoning for the area.

Brow n mai nt ai ne d after wards of the approval, “bas e d on the other applications we have had, you have been processed at light speed.”

Reynolds said of the “wonderful project” that it is “great” and “tremendous,” and that she simply “can’t wait for it.”

“It is an improvement where we need our township to be,” Phillips added.

“But we have to realize that we don’t live in another higher town. I hope when these stores come in here, they are not going to sock it to the people! Because the majority of the people who live here, live on a fixed income! I just hope that someday, another supermarket comes in here! Because (the current) Acme is a monopoly for the people who live here! Every single time they get their paycheck at the end of the month, they leave it there. I just hope that you guys make some kind of improvement with the building!”

other federal institutions in the state since November, the Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle.

Ro c h el l e Nau s , d e put y c h i e f of JBMDL Public Affairs, in responding to that query on Dec. 18, first pointed out, “Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has countermeasures in place to protect personnel and facilities from unauthorized drone use over our facilities, which are designated no-drone zones.”

“This year, there have been multiple drone detections, all involving attempts to smuggle contraband into the federal

correctional institution hosted on our base, with the most recent interception occurring on Sept. 15, 2024,” Naus then revealed to this newspaper.

As is com mon k nowledge i n the Pinelands, but is also easily searchable online, FCI Fort Dix is the “low security federal correctional institution” on JBMDL “with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp.”

It is located in the vicinity of Pointville Road, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ website says its houses 4,014 total inmates.

“We take each case seriously and

aggressively coordinate with local law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of our installation,” Naus told this newspaper.

There was no immediate word on whether any charges had been filed in the incidents.

Additional drone coverage pertaining to our coverage area can be found in a separate story, including a purported Dec. 13 drone sighting in Southampton Township and the Sheriffs of Burlington and Ocean counties making use of their agency’s respective Drone Units.

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Burlington County Chief Financial Officer Carolyn Havlick was also thanked

by O’Connell for “keeping us fiscally responsible,” as well as the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department leader, Sheriff James Kostoplis, and his officers.

“Good on you, and keep on doing what you do,” O’Connell advised county officials. “Know that I know, and I have seen what you do, and I appreciate it. And as I head out the door, I’ll be out there in the Chief Seats, rooting you all on.”

O’C on n el l r et i r e d i n 2016 a f t e r a 42 - a n d - a- h a l f-ye a r c a r e e r a s a locomotive engineer and the political director for a labor union representing railroad and bus workers.

Whether O’Connell will immediately retire from public office remains to be seen, as the New Jersey Globe reported several weeks ago that the Burlington County Democratic Party wants to tap O’Connell as a caretaker for the state 7th District Assembly seat soon to be vacated by Conaway, who in January, will be sworn in as the congressman from the Third Congressional District,

after Conaway had prevailed last month over Republican Dr. Rajesh Mohan in the General Election, setting the stage for him to succeed Democrat Andy Kim, who was elected to the U.S. Senate (with Kim having been sworn in as a Senator from New Jersey earlier this month, already, due to a vacancy left behind by Robert Menendez, the latter who was found guilty in a corruption trial).

Democratic Com missioner Balvir Singh, however, is seeking to be Conaway’s successor, and reportedly wants to earn the nomination at what would be a January special convention.

There was no sign Dec. 11, however, of any contention between O’Connell and Singh, sitting next to each other at the commissioners’ dais. In fact, it was quite the opposite, with Singh yielding his time to O’Connell to deliver the lengthy goodbye.

Democrat Tyler Burrell, also from Delran and the township’s current council president, has been elected to succeed O’Connell in January.

“T han k you ver y much, Deput y Director,” said Commissioners’ Director Dr. Felicia Hopson following O’Connell’s goodbye. “And you will be missed. You will definitely be missed.”

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SIGHTINGS

(Continued from Page 10) registered UAS in the United States, there is no doubt many of them are owned and operated here within the state.”

Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, after writing to President Joe Biden over this past weekend for more federal assistance to try and get a handle on the situation, announced he received an FBI briefing and that promised “sophisticated” radar detection equipment “at long last” has now been deployed in the state “surveying the

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area for unmanned aircraft systems,” which can show “with great certainty what an object is.” He said three such systems are now in use.

“There may be suspicious activity out there, as we stand here today,” Murphy told reporters Dec. 16. “But there is little to no evidence of that right now.”

How e v e r, Mu r p hy recognized that “while there is little to no suspicious Keith Abrams activity, you never say never, Lic# 1283 and we are going to stay all over this,” acknowledging there was a chance there could have been suspicious activity a month ago when sightings were reported because “we didn’t have the assets we now have to prove or disprove.”

The governor also referred to allegations of some sort of government cover-up, as well the Iranian claim, as being among “a lot of conspiracy theories.”

But Van Drew, after more purported sightings the evening of Dec. 17, “slammed” at least the federal government’s dismissal of the activity being not “unusual” on the morning of Dec. 18.

“For John Kirby to stand before the

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American people, red-faced and sputtering excuses, and claim there is nothing out of the ordinary going on here after weeks of mounting concern is either sheer incompetence, willful ignorance, or a cover-up,” said Van Drew in a statement sent to this newspaper. “People are reporting drones, some the size of SUVs, and instead of addressing those legitimate concerns, the administration is brushing them off and treating Americans like they are delusional. It is unacceptable.

“I have local law enforcement coming to me with serious concerns, yet the administration claims these sightings cannot be corroborated. At the same time, the PSE&G nuclear power plant is requesting restricted airspace because of drone activity, something they have never done before, and still we are told everything is fine. If these drones are a part of a government operation, we do not need to know every classified detail, but we do deserve some level of transparency. We have seen this happen before. They downplayed the Chinese spy balloon, assuring us it was not a threat, and then let it drift over our country for weeks collecting intelligence. To now dismiss these drones as routine is the height of arrogance and it is disrespectful to the people of America.

“Of course, they will hold hearings, task forces, and commissions but nothing will

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come of it. We will get the bureaucratic runaround while they hope that the public moves on and forgets. I will not let that happen. I will keep pushing and attempt to get real answers for the American public.”

In a development as this newspaper was going to press early on Dec. 19, the FAA “published 22 Temporar y Flight Restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over critical New Jersey infrastructure,” according to a statement from the FAA provided to this newspaper.

A section of Evesham Township, near what was referred to as “MC GUIRE VORTAC (GXU),” was included in the “temporary flight restrictions for Special Security Reasons.” Additionally, Burlington and Westampton were also listed. As of press time, the restrictions were to be maintained until Jan. 17, 2025.

Dana Gallagher, assistant press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, told the Pine Barrens Tribune, “We continue to assess there is no public safety threat relating to the reported drone sightings. In coordination with the FAA and our critical infrastructure partners who requested temporary flight restrictions over their facilities, out of an abundance of caution, the FAA has issued temporary flight restrictions over some critical infrastructure facilities in New Jersey.”

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Grace Episcopal Church 43 Elizabeth St, Pemberton, NJ 08068 9 a.m. Sunday Service (609) 894-8001

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Sunday Worship Se ervice at 11:30 a.m.

Pastors Florence and Russell Webberr 50 Burrs Mill Roadd, Southampton, NJ 08088 609 - 847- 4848

All are welcome here to grow closer to God through scripture, prayer, music, fellowship, and service to others. graceepiscopalchurchnj.com graceepiscopalnj@comcast.com https://www.facebook.com/graceepiscopalpemberton/

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St. Andrew’s Church 121 High St., Mt. Holly MASS: 5 PM Sat. 10 AM Sun. Morning Prayer (M-F) 9 AM on Facebook Office: (M-Th, 8 AM-Noon) 609-267-0225 E-Mail: STANDREWSCHURCHMH@gmail.com Website: WWW.STANDREWSCHURCH-MH.ORG

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Trinity Episcopal Church 18 Mill St. Vincentown, NJ 08088 Worship: Sundays 10 a.m.

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