Pine Barrens Tribune April 22

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Bass River Medford Medford Lakes Pemberton Pemberton Borough Shamong Southampton Tabernacle Washington Woodland

Vol. 1 - No. 34

Southeastern Burlington County’s News Leader

Longtime Medford Lakes Borough Manager to Step Down

By Mark Hatoff

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD LAKES—A discussion about a proposed new wastewater system as part of a Public Works Department Subcommittee report, the swearing in of a new police chaplain and a retirement announcement from longtime Borough Manager Julie Horner-Keizer highlighted a Medford Lakes Council meeting held on April 13.

During the presentation of reports, Deputy Mayor Robert D. Hanold Sr. spoke of the Public Works Subcommittee recommendation to invest in a new sludge removal machine that would be more efficient and environmentally friendly. It would also potentially save the borough more money.

The discussion about the borough’s wastewater energy efficiency began in 2012.

“Doing some research, we found that most (water treatment) plants in this area, including ours, do a process called dewatering,” he said.

“This is an old-fashioned way of doing things – a lot of maintenance, a lot of space and a lot of time. The byproduct of wastewater is sludge, which we have to pay for to get trucked out.

Hanold said town officials visited a few other plants and looked at two smaller machines which take up a smaller footprint and use one-fifth of the electricity that the borough currently uses to dewater.

“The machines also cut down on the number of trips needed to get rid of the sludge,” he said. “If we’re doing, say, 200 trips now, a new machine would probably cut it down to 10 trips to get rid of the same amount of sludge in solid form.”

Hanold described the new machine as coming already assembled, taking up little floor space and requiring little operator assistance, other than turning it on or off. Putting in the new apparatus would require the construction of a new 1,200-square foot building for which approvals took a number of years.

Hanold said that there would be no net increase in taxes to the taxpayers.

“The (water treatment) building that we use is now close to 60 years old,” he said. “In the next five years or so, we would probably need to replace it and that would be a direct expense of about $400,000-$500,000. We could do nothing and have to replace it eventually anyway or put in a new system that would be more efficient, probably help us avoid costly repairs and help us save money down the road.”

Hanold said another benefit of the new machine is that the waste will be made into a cake that is easier to dispose of.

“Plus, you can pick the stuff up in your hand and there’s no smell to it,” he said. “Today, at

MANAGER>>PAGE 20

April 22-28, 2017

Significant School Budget Cuts Proposed in Shamong

Shamong Board of Education Reviewing Proposal to Outsource Teacher Aide and Assistant Positions

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER Thirteen positions for teacher aides and assistants in the Shamong Township School District may be outsourced to a private company.

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

SHAMONG—Thirteen teacher aides and assistants in the Shamong Township School District are bracing for the possibility that they will be soon out of job due to proposed budget cuts.

The aides and assistants received notice on April 7 that their positions may soon be outsourced. The rest of the district’s faculty members found out about the proposal shortly thereafter.

“We were blindsided that 13 of our aide and assistant positions were going to be outsourced to a private company,” said Jen Babbitt, president of the Shamong Township Education Association (STEA). “They are vested in our community whereas a private company won’t have that same vested interest in our children.”

Superintendent of Schools Christine Vespe, Ed.D. is proposing the outsourcing of the

positions after township voters narrowly defeated a $5.4 million bond referendum on March 28. She said the savings from outsourcing aides and assistants is about $250,000.

The referendum was held after the Shamong Township Board of Education spent four years completing a comprehensive review of all district facilities.

Officials said the review uncovered a number of physical and logistical problems requiring improvements at Indian Mills Elementary School and Indian Mills Memorial Middle School, the cost of which cannot be addressed through the district’s operating budget without significantly cutting academic staff and programs due to a state-mandated cap.

Many of the identified problems have been deemed serious and critical by district administrators.

“The priority items in the bond referendum must be addressed and it does affect the budget,” Vespe said. “The referendum was never

advertised as ‘If it doesn’t pass, then this will happen.’ The referendum was advertised as a ‘no frills’ referendum that was addressing necessary needs of the district.”

A difference of five votes decided the special election which only saw a 19 percent turnout.

“It’s very disheartening that it failed by five votes in this township,” Babbitt said. “The STEA asked the superintendent for help over multiple months and she never pursued our help.”

314 voters said “no” and 309 voters said “yes” to allowing the district to borrow money to finance improvements designed to address the problems. Only 623 of the township’s 4,862 registered voters choose to participate in the special election.

“Members of the staff provided assistance during the referendum process,” Vespe said.

“STEA members who live in the community asked for lawn signs and they assisted with advertising it in this manner. Also, all staff

BUDGET>>PAGE 19

Now Direct Mailed to Over 2,250 Homes in LeisureTowne and 195 Homes in Hampton Lakes

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Saturday, April 22, 2017

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LOCAL NEWS

Renowned Philadelphia Talk Show Host Criticizes LRHSD BOE Decision

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

SHAMONG—A noted Philadelphia media figure has weighed in on the Lenape Regional High School District (LRHSD) Board of Education’s recent decision to uphold a policy which prohibits homeschoolers from participating in the district’s curricular, extra-curricular or athletic activities.

Dom Giordano, a 1210-AM WPHT talk show host who has a master’s degree in Education from Antioch University, criticized the board’s decision during his radio program on April 11.

“Huh?” he said. “Why would you do that?”

He said he choose to weigh in on the controversy after a listener picked up a newspaper in a café and cut out articles along with opinion pieces pertaining to the decision and sent it to him.

He described the listener as “fired up.”

Giordano became the country’s first teacher-turned-talk show host in a major broadcast market in 1987. Prior to hosting a talk radio program, he was an elementary school and high school teacher in school districts throughout Philadelphia and South Jersey.

He interviewed Michael DiCroce during his discussion of the matter, a local lawyer and owner of Di Croce Law Office, PC, for nearly 10 minutes about the subject.

“Let’s get to the mindset or the philosophy here of what I always thought was a pretty good school district,” Giordano said. “What is their legal thinking here?”

DiCroce also serves as the deputy mayor of Shamong Township and is the first local politician to publicly speak out against the board’s decision.

As the Pine Barrens Tribune reported last month, DiCroce offered to file a lawsuit probono against the district to seek relief for Adam Cunard, a 14-year-old homeschooled athlete who has been prohibited from playing football at Seneca High School due to the policy.

However, his offer was turned down by the Cunard family for fear of retaliation by LRHSD officials. Cunard’s father is employed by the LRHSD. Cunard and his family have appealed multiple times to the board and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Birnbohm to change the policy, but to no avail. Pleas for open dialogue on the subject have also been ignored by district decision makers.

DiCroce told Giordano and his audience that Cunard is being discriminated against because of his religion.

“Let’s talk about that a little bit,” he said. “If we were to say Adam is Muslim and he can’t

play, I think we would have a clearer understanding of the decision, perhaps. But in this case he is Christian. His parents choose to homeschool him because of his religious beliefs. He does not want to check them at the door.”

DiCroce said that there is no real thinking going into the board’s decision.

“Basically the board is saying ‘Hey, we have a policy!’ just like during the episode of Seinfeld where George can’t cancel his doctor’s appointment within the last 24 hours,” he said.

“It seems to me there is not a lot of thought going into the decision that Adam can’t play.

Basically the only thing they have said is that they want to make sure the field is level and I am not even sure what they mean by that.”

Giordano said that when one reads between the lines, such cases often reveal a retaliatory philosophy by school decision makers because people are choosing to homeschool.

“They take that as a direct knock, I guess, at the public school system,” he said.

Giordano said families ought to have the right to homeschool their children and participate in school activities as long as they are paying taxes.

“That ought to be the calling card here,” he said.

DiCroce said he couldn’t agree more.

“There are a lot of reasons why he should be allowed to play,” he said. “Homeschool children are members of the community. Our high-schoolers are members of the community.

We can give references on Adam’s character.

He successfully completed his course of studies. He has got an equivalent education of all the other students. In fact, I looked over a list of what he read. He is learning Latin. He reads the Bible. He has built a computer. He studies Algebra. He has church ministry… it is amazing, amazing stuff. The parents pay taxes and, by the way, we pay lots of taxes in this district.”

Giordano said homeschooled kids are usually among the final five contestants in the National Spelling Bee. “By and large, this notion that homeschoolers are back there in the woods and the parents aren’t doing anything is completely stereotypical,” he said. “You would think they (the LRHSD BOE) would at least have to make an argument other than saying ‘That is the policy!’”

DiCroce said he thinks the board’s decision presents some constitutional issues because there is no equal access and they are denying Cunard his due process.

“The effect of the policy is discriminatory

o

95

LRHSD>>PAGE 19

INDEX Automotive......................................23 Business Directory...........................14 Classifieds........................................18 Community......................................11 Fun and Games................................17 Health ..............................................16

Only. C

Home, Garden & Farming ............. 22 Local News....................................... 2 Opinion ............................................ 6 Scanner ............................................. 7 Spotlight...........................................10

The Pine Barrens Tribune is published weekly by Pine Barrens Media, LLC. The newspaper is distributed free at select locations in Bass River, Medford, Medford Lakes, Pemberton, Pemberton Borough, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle, Washington, Woodland and surrounding areas. This newspaper is protected under the Federal Copyright Act. Reproduction of any part is not permitted by mechanical or electronic means without the expressed written permission of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to revise or reject any advertisement. No liability shall be attached to the Publisher for interruption of publication or limitation of size and/or number of pages due to shortage of material, failure of transportation, flood, fire, severe weather, winter weather, riots, strikes, acts of God, or other causes beyond his or her control. It is our policy to promptly correct errors. If you believe that you see a mistake, please call (609) 801-2392.

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Southampton School District Accepts $40K Grant, Strategic Finance and Facilities Plans Revealed

By Thomas Lohan

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

SOUTHAMPTON—The Southampton Township Board of Education accepted the largest Southampton Township Academic Resource (STAR) Foundation grant awarded to date during a regular meeting held on March 27.

The meeting began with the unanimous decision to accept the $41,375 grant.

The proposal submitted by Ronald Nober, a technology teacher; Denise Sunbury, a technology teacher; Gary Winkleman, a grade 7 science teacher; and Brittany Kenney, an art teacher; brought the Southampton Township School District’s overall STAR grant total to $332,008.

The grant will be used to fund an Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (ISTEAM) Ahead program.

“We’ve already made great strides with our ISTEAM program, but this is really going to take it to another level,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Harris. “With this grant, we will be procuring a number of tools and equipment for the ISTEAM program; including a laser cutter, a vinyl cutter, a heat press, a couple more cost-effective 3D printers and all the materials to support them. This is a major, major grant. We’re really excited about it.”

Two groups of students from Nober’s Design and Modeling class, a class based around designing and engineering for people who have cerebral palsy, presented their ISTEAM projects.

Presenters included eighth graders James Konopka, Madilyn Kaiser, Erika Moore and Trevor Penwell along with seventh

graders Marissa Greeley, Brenttyn Penwell, Jack Phoebus and Hunter Worrell.

Nober said each group had to design, build, test, document and present a prototype of a removable tray-carrying device for a student with cerebral palsy.

He also said the device had to allow trays to be carried with one hand and be usable for students in grades 3 through 8.

He added that each device had to operate for a left-handed and right-handed person.

“They had to document the iterations that they had of the design along the way and create fully dimensioned sketches of the design,” Nober said. “They had to create a 3D model in a CAD program. They also had to create a prototype and presentation in Google slides. Even I was blown away by some of the designs.”

The meeting continued with public comment from David Kutsmeda, a Seneca United U-10 Girl’s Soccer coach. Kutsmeda requested use of district gymnasiums during after-school hours.

Seneca United is a non-profit soccer team comprised of members from Southampton, Tabernacle, Shamong and Woodland.

“What we’d like is to be able to use these facilities when they are empty,” Kutsmeda said. “Meaning, if other organizations aren’t using them or another organization hasn’t paid, it would be possible for us to get in there.”

He said his team is at a disadvantage because they play in the winter and spring.

He also said he had concerns about a $150 fee that the school requested for use of the facilities.

GRANT>>PAGE 21

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Pinelands Regional School District Helps Strengthen Familial Bonds

PHOTO SUBMITTED Pictured from left to right, Angelina Carter and Laura Held share their enthusiasm about the Pinelands School Based Youth Services Strengthening Families program at a celebration on April 5.

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

LITTLE EGG HARBOR—The Pinelands Regional School District (PRSD) has graduated seven families from its School Based Youth Services (SBYS) Strengthening Families program during a special celebration on April 5. This free, seven-week program brings caregivers together with their children for dinner followed by evidenced-based programming designed to increase familial bonds.

“Everyone could benefit from this program,” said Jessica Gomez, who attended with her 11-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.

“Every week you come out with something.

You are using the tools you learned for things like holding family meetings and making a checklist for chores.”

Gomez said that she feels more confident in her decision-making as a mom as a result of attending the program and that she now has tools to make life better for her entire family.

Strengthening Families typically accepts about 10 to 12 families per session, and each family includes youth ages 11 to 14. Families must have students enrolled in the Pinelands Regional Junior High School (PRJHS) or a sending district. Participating families arrive

PINELANDS>>PAGE 20

Saturday, April 22, 2017

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Out-of-Control Tractor Trailer Crushes Parked Car at Atsion Ranger Station

Medford Council Adopts Budget Which Includes Funding for Roads, Promotions and New Jobs

By Jayne Cabrilla

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PHOTO SUBMITTED An out-of-control tractor trailer dragged and ran over the top of an Acura.

MEDFORD—After weeks of debate and fine-tuning, Medford Council adopted its 2017 budget.

The resolution to adopt the budget was passed on its second reading and public hearing at a April 4 meeting.

The budget bottom line is $20,464,503.

It includes funds for hiring two additional police officers and a new fireman. Money has also been allocated for the promotions of two police officers. In addition, money has been earmarked for three new positions in the tax assessor’s office.

Another highlight in the budget is the allotment of money for a 5 percent down payment towards a $3.7 million capital improvement bond. The bond will cover $2.5 million in road improvements. The township is planning to improve several roadways that have deteriorated.

Phase one will include Hartford Road from Himmelein Road to Old Marlton Pike,

SHAMONG—The fire officers of the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company, who have more than 100 years of combined experience, were awestruck when they pulled up to an accident scene in Shamong Township on April 14.

“It is the worst accident we ever saw without anybody getting hurt,” said Fire Chief John Smith. “It was quite an operation.”

Smith said that a driver of a tractor trailer loaded with rebar was traveling northbound on Route 206 when the accident happened just before 6 a.m.

New Jersey State Police (NJSP) said the crash involved three vehicles.

“The driver of the tractor trailer became distracted, ran off the roadway and struck and broke through a guardrail,” said Major Mach Jackson, director of the NJSP Office of Community Outreach and Public Affairs.

“The tractor trailer then struck a utility pole, a parked silver Acura ILX and a black Subaru Crosstrek.”

Both vehicles were unoccupied.

“The tractor trailer continued to drag the

Acura, ran over fences and came to rest near the parking lot of Wharton State Park (also commonly known as the Atsion Ranger Station),” Jackson said.

Smith said the tractor trailer T-boned the Acura dead center and pushed it like a snow plow for nearly 40 yards.

“The tractor trailer then ran overtop it,” he said. “The car was buried in the ground. We had to get a backhoe to lift the car out of the ground because the truck driver didn’t know if anybody was in it.”

Smith said the owners of the Acura were camping 12 miles away when the accident happened.

Police identified the driver of the tractor trailer as Richard Good Jr. of Sweetwater.

The impact of the crash resulted in the tractor trailer’s saddle tanks leaking fuel. The “major” fuel leak required the assistance of Burlington County Hazmat.

Smith said the Subaru suffered only front-end damage.

There is no word on whether any charges will be filed as a result of the crash.

Dickens Festival Will Be Continued After Period of Doubt For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD—The Dickens Festival, Medford’s longstanding tradition that heralds in the holiday season each year, will be continued for at least the next two years, said the event’s organizer, the Medford Sunrise Rotary Club.

“This is such a wonderful occasion for Medford,” said Medford Sunrise Rotary President Jim Robinson. “It brings together thousands of people—young and old—and creates a real sense of community in the town.

From Santa and Mrs. Claus to stilt walkers to carolers and ice carvers, it is an event where the whole family comes together with their friends and neighbors each year.”

After the previous organizer ceased operations, Medford Sunrise Rotary stepped in six years ago and agreed to take the event over.

But the enormous task of planning every detail and raising the thousands of dollars needed to stage it had put a strain on the 18-member Rotary Club.

Negative comments on a local social media site recently led some to suggest that Rotary’s efforts could be better used in other areas of service.

“We have enjoyed tremendous encouragement from Medford Township,” said 2017 Dickens Festival Chair David C. Forward.

“As we move forward, we will be making some changes as a result of the suggestions made by both the community and township leaders. We will be locating food vendors away from the core shopping area, and will seek more craft vendors this year. Our goal is to return the Dickens Festival to the way it once was, with singers throughout the village, and a contest for those who stroll the streets in Dickensian costumes.”

Robinson and Forward encouraged members of the community to contact them if they would like to serve on one of the Dickens Festival committees.

“This is a three-legged stool,” Robinson said.

FESTIVAL>>PAGE 21

Waterbury Court, and Nantucket Court.

Phase two will include Jackson Road from Stokes Road to Tavistock Drive, Old Marlton Pike from Muirfield Court to Jones Road, Turtle Creek Drive, Medford Mews Drive, Corlen Court, Woodthrush Trail East and West, Townsend Court, Mill Street, Indian Spring Lane, Pin Oak Court, Iron Rock Lane cul de sac, Sunny Jim Drive from Schoolhouse Drive to Indian Spring Lane, Greenbriar Lane, Pine Valley Drive, Tavistock Drive, Normandy Drive and Court, Saxony Court, and Sherwood Court.

Phase one roadwork will start later this spring.

Phase two is tentatively scheduled to start in the fall.

The budget represents the fifth year in a row with no local-purpose tax increase for Medford residents.

In other news, Mayor Chuck Watson read a proclamation honoring John Polites for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop #20.

With public safety in mind, Polites’

IMPROVEMENTS>>PAGE 20

Brush Fire Damages Two Homes and Vehicle in Country Lakes

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PAGE 5

By Douglas D. Melegari

Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A brush fire that started in the unit block of Tensaw Drive spread to two homes and a vehicle in Browns Mills on April 16.

Fire crews were dispatched to the brush fire around 1:43 p.m.

“Upon arrival, units found a single-story dwelling with fire showing on the exterior walls and extending into the attic area and also the

yard was on fire,” said Pemberton Township Fire Chief Craig Augustoni. “Also damaged was a home and vehicle on Winnebago Trail.”

The fire was quickly brought under control with no injuries.

The involved dwellings sustained “moderate” fire damage.

The Pemberton Township Fire Department remained on location for several hours checking on hotspots.

BRUSH>>PAGE 20

Second Lawsuit Is Filed in Bid to Block Pipeline Through Pinelands

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

TRENTON—A lawsuit, the second in two weeks, was filed April 10 in an attempt to block construction of a proposed 22-mile gas pipeline, much of it passing through the protected Pinelands.

The suit was filed jointly by the New Jersey Sierra Club and Environment New Jersey in the Appellate branch of state court. It joins one filed three weeks ago by the Pinelands Preservation Alliance.

When the pipeline was approved by the Pinelands Commission in late February in a 9-5-1 vote, opponents immediately warned of

legal action.

It’s possible, but by no means certain that the two suits will be combined at some point.

About 10 miles of the pipeline would run through the Pinelands, most of it alongside or under existing roads. If built, it would carry natural gas to the aging B.L. England power plant in Beesley’s Point in Cape May County, which now burns coal. It is under legal order from the State Department of Environmental Protection to switch from coal and would have to close if an alternative fuel isn’t used.

Pipeline opponents insist the Pinelands

LAWSUIT>>PAGE 20

Two Pupils Inducted into Chatsworth School’s Junior Honor Society

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

CHATSWORTH—The highlight of April 10’s Woodland Township Board of Education meeting was the induction of two seventh-grade pupils into the Junior Honor Society.

The two, Lily Martinez and Kadence Mull, were welcomed by seven current members.

They include three-year members Karlee Anderson, president; Chase Kaufmann, vice president; Autumn Newman and Katelyn Schreiber, and second-year members, Matthew Daniels, reporter; Christopher Schoemer, treasurer, and Olivia Termi, secretary.

Short, welcoming speeches were made

by Donna Johnson, chapter adviser; members Anderson, Kaufmann and Schreiber and Superintendent of Schools Misty Weiss.

A short reception followed the official induction.

The rest of the meeting was strictly routine, although a fair amount of business was conducted.

January bills totaling almost $259,500 were paid as were wages of just over $150,400.

February bills of $249,000 and wages of $160,695 were also approved.

A maternity leave was approved as well as

HONOR>>PAGE 20

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OPINION

Letters submitted to the Pine Barrens Tribune must include the name, address and phone number of the writer. Letters may be edited for length, clarity and taste. Because of space limitations, letters should be 150 words of less.

How to Send Items to the Editor: letters@pinebarrenstribune.com, put “Letter” in the subject line.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Guest Commentary submitted to the Pine Barrens Tribune can be submitted by an appointed or elected official, political candidate, organization leader, or community leader. Guest commentary submitted to the Pine Barrens Tribune must include the name, photo, address, affiliation, title, and phone number of the writer. Commentary may be edited for length, clarity and taste. Because of space limitations, commentary should be about 450 words or less.

Editorial

Letter to the Editor

Dialogue Must Prevail in Shamong School Decision

LeisureTowne Active Adult Living Community Should Be Renamed

We’ve learned this week that the Shamong Township Board of Education is strongly considering amending the Shamong Township School District’s operating budget for the 2017-2018 school year right before final adoption on Tuesday night.

Superintendent of Schools Christine Vespe, Ed.D., is proposing the outsourcing of 13 teacher aide and assistant positions after township voters narrowly defeated a $5.4 million bond referendum on March 28.

This move may be inevitable and it could very well be the best course of action to take to ensure the safety and security of students, but we’re a little wary of district officials moving hurriedly to outsource these positions without providing ample opportunity for public input.

While we realize the state has set a May deadline for districts such as Shamong to hold a public hearing and adopt an operating budget for the upcoming school year, all of the time before the deadline should be used to hold meaningful dialogue about the next steps forward.

If the board chooses to make a decision the same night that a formal presentation on the outsourcing proposal is made, it will not be in the best interest of residents.

The majority of Shamong voters are concerned about their taxes. The majority has spoken and they don’t want and can’t afford

the tax hike that comes with a $5.4 million bond issue.

Therefore, something has to be cut as money doesn’t grow on trees.

However, what would voters like to see sacrificed in place of a tax increase? How far-reaching do they want school officials to go to keep taxes from going up? It’s hard to gauge that from the election. That’s why dialogue is key.

The fact that the special election was decided by only five votes tells us that there is a divide in the community.

Perhaps some sort of compromise can be reached with voters who were opposed to the $5.4 million bond issue so that the district can get a bond issue through in the fall and teaching aides and assistants can keep their jobs.

Here is also some more food for thought.

It’s entirely possible that voters wanted to send a message about taxes, but weren’t fully aware of the consequences.

We believe some time for absorption of the outsourcing proposal would be appreciated by many.

Outsourcing academic positions carries with it pros and cons. What may work in one district, may not work in another.

Dialogue will probably be the only way to gauge whether it is the right choice for Shamong children.

W HAT A R E YOU R T H OU G HTS?

E-mail us: letters@pinebarrenstribune.com

Political Cartoon

When people refer to LeisureTowne as SeizureTowne, perhaps we all should sit up and take notice.

The older generation that first bought in LeisureTowne—and thought the name was just fine, thank you—are rapidly giving way to a younger group that, quite frankly, think it’s dated and (dare I say it) embarrassing.

Many of these later buyers are still working and involved with outside activities that have nothing to do with the “retired” lifestyle the old Leisure Technologies sales brochures promised.

The name “LeisureTowne” these days conjures up images of walker appliances,

advanced age and Benny Goodman’s clarinet.

Isn’t it time the name was changed to something more au courant?

Perhaps “The Lakes at Southampton” or a moniker less decrepit.

I’ve invested a lot of money in my home and I think the “LeisureTowne” label has run its course.

“Shady-Rest Acres” is not a vision that will enhance your real estate investment. Anyone for signing a petition and starting the process?

Tom Haluszczak Southampton, New Jersey

Social Media Sound Off (Re: Southampton School Community Pays Tribute to Student Killed in ATV Accident) Nykolia will always be remembered and he always has a special place in our hearts. I pray for the two other boys who were injured in the crash, Joe and Garret, along with their families.

Riley Packard (Re: Woodland Mayor Gives Details on Emergency Management Coordinator Decision) So Mayor Matthew Henrich, who has no psychological certification, has decided the OEM manager is spread too thin? And the proof, not inference, of that? In an effort to salvage credibility, another smoke and mirror move. Come on. The residents deserve better.

Terry Sheerin (Re: State Police Investigate Vandalism and Theft at Roberts Pond) Isn’t the camera connected to the internet?

Roseann Monroe

Please comment on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Twitter: @PineBarrensNews with the hashtag #SoundOff or Facebook: www.facebook.com/pinebarrenstribune.

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Saturday, April 22, 2017

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PAGE 7

SCANNER Police Called to Home Containing Multiple Suspects Wanted on Active Warrants

PEMBERTON—On March 18, Pemberton Township Police received a tip that several subjects with active warrants were at a residence on the 100 block of Vance Street.

The concerned citizen stated that there was not supposed to be anyone at the residence due to the homeowner not being there.

Upon arrival at the residence, it was determined that there were in fact several occupants inside. One of the subjects tried to run out of a back door. However, the suspect was detained by Ptl. J. Rossetti and Ptl. S. Bostick.

At this time, Sgt. J. Watters heard several subjects run from a front room and go up a staircase. The subjects initially resisted arrest and hid, but were eventually taken into custody.

Terrison Frederick, 34, was arrested and

Air Preservation Training

charged with possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of prescription legend drugs, and resisting arrest.

Valerie Fuller, 38, was arrested and charged with possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of prescription legend drugs. Fuller was also processed on an active warrant.

Jennifer Newhart, 22, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Newhart was also processed on an active warrant.

Michael Parker, 29; Sarah Blevins, 22; and Todd Wills, 41; were all processed for their active warrants.

Unconscious Male Treated With Narcan PEMBERTON—On March 20, Pemberton Township Police Ptl. J. Danka responded to an address on North Whites Bogs Road for a report of an unconscious man with shallow breathing.

The man was observed to have a light blue

color to his skin. The man’s breathing was also shallow and slow.

The man was given one dose of Narcan by Danka and was transported to a local hospital for further medical treatment.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Firefighters from the New Gretna Volunteer Fire Company worked on air-preservation training recently while playing dodgeball.

Person Assaulted With Pocket Knife After Agitated Individual Reacts to Pills

PEMBERTON—On March 23, Pemberton Township Police were dispatched to the 300 block of Lakehurst Road to investigate a report of an assault.

When police arrived at the residence in question, the victim opened the door with a visible neck injury and said the attack took place after an individual took unknown pills and became agitated.

Police determined that the agitated individual attacked the victim with a pocket knife and caused a non-life threatening abrasion.

The victim refused medical treatment and did not cooperate with the officers. Police would not release the identity of the victim or suspect.

Suspect Accused of Providing False Name During Traffic Stop PEMBERTON—On March 24, Pemberton Township Police Ptl. T. Reynolds-Vezos was on patrol in the area of Pemberton-Browns Mills Road when he conducted a motor vehicle stop.

Police allege that the passenger of the vehicle stopped provided Reynolds-Vezos with a false name upon the initial interaction.

Upon further investigation, the passenger was identified as Angela Burmiester, 30.

Burmiester also had active warrants.

Police say Reynold-Vezos observed a container containing various types of objects indicative of crack-cocaine use when Burmiester exited the vehicle to be handcuffed.

Burmiester was processed on her warrants and charged with hindering and possession of drug paraphernalia.

PHOTO SUBMITTED The Bass River Elementary School provided training aids to the fire company.

Dollar General Shoplifting Suspect Caught PEMBERTON BOROUGH—On March 24, Pemberton Township Police responded to a shoplifting complaint at a Dollar General store located on Fort Dix Road.

The caller said that the shoplifting suspect had left the store location and provided a description of the vehicle.

Shortly after leaving, the suspect’s vehicle was stopped by Pemberton Borough Police.

Both occupants of the vehicle advised officers

that they had just been at the Dollar General.

The passenger of the vehicle matched the description given of the suspect to officers.

After reviewing video surveillance footage, it was determined that the passenger was in fact the same individual who was observed shoplifting. The suspect was identified as Summer Holzer, 37.

Holzer was subsequently arrested and charged with shoplifting.

Woman Found Unresponsive After Spilled Beverage Argument PEMBERTON—On March 26, Pemberton Township Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Trenton Road for a report of a female

lying on the ground unresponsive.

Police say that two individuals were arguing

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PHOTO SUBMITTTED Even the simplest of tasks can cause firefighters to breathe harder while wearing their gear, causing them to use up their air quickly.

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ARGUMENT PAGE 7

in the area and were told by a woman to move along, to which they complied.

After moving along, the two individuals entered a Dunkin Donuts.

Police say that after the two individuals exited the Dunkin Donuts, they began arguing again due to one of the individuals spilling their beverage.

It was at this time that the woman again advised the two individuals to move along.

After advising them to move along, she was allegedly struck in the face and sustained visible swelling above her right eye.

Officers identified one of the suspects as Brandy Lawton, 26, who was determined to have active warrants. Lawton was processed on her active warrants.

The assault victim signed a citizen’s complaint for the assault.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Vehicle Overturns, Causing Entrapment

Police Catch Pine Grove Shopping Center Purse Thief Suspect PEMBERTON—On March 29, Pemberton Township Police Ptl. J. Glass responded to the Pine Grove Shopping Center at 18 Broadway for a report of a stolen purse.

Eyewitnesses advised Glass that they observed a younger male who appeared to be watching customers. They also stated that they observed the man remove a purse from a woman’s shopping cart before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

Police believed that the suspect who was observed watching customers had followed the victim out into the parking lot and snatched her purse. Upon officers reviewing surveillance video footage, it was determined that this is in fact what happened.

Glass was able to identify the suspect as Patrick Gamble, 25. Gamble was arrested and charged with theft by unlawful taking.

Drug Paraphernalia Found During Juliustown Road Pedestrian Stop PEMBERTON—On March 30, Pemberton Township Police Ptl. A. Wills conducted a pedestrian stop on Juliustown Road.

Wills was aware that the pedestrian had an active warrant for his arrest. He made contact with the pedestrian who was identified as Matthew Grant, 35, and advised him that he was under arrest for an active warrant.

Police say the suspect was discovered to be in possession of a clear glass pipe commonly used for smoking narcotics during an ensuing search.

Grant was processed on the active warrant and also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police Seize Fraudulent Driver’s License MEDFORD—On April 1 at 2:42 p.m., Medford Township Police stopped a 2013 Kia for speeding on Hopewell Road.

While speaking with the driver, Michael J. Gallagher Jr., 20, of Medford, an odor of raw marijuana was detected emanating from the vehicle.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed

a small plastic bag containing suspected marijuana, along with a fraudulent NJ driver’s license.

The driver was placed into custody and transported to the Medford Township Public Safety Building for processing. He was charged with the above offenses and released, pending a court appearance.

Clear Baggie Containing Marijuana Turned Over to Police MEDFORD—On April 2 at 9:31 p.m., Medford Township Police conducted a motor- vehicle stop on a 2007 Nissan Maxima on Tomlinson Mill Road after observing the vehicle with an equipment violation.

During the course of the motor vehicle stop, the odor of raw marijuana was detected coming from within the vehicle.

While speaking with the driver, identified as Thomas J. Bonanni, about the odor of marijuana, he voluntarily turned over to patrols a clear baggie containing marijuana. A

subsequent search of the vehicle yielded additional marijuana and paraphernalia.

Bonanni and an unidentified passenger were arrested and transported to police headquarters where they were ultimately charged with possession of marijuana and possession of CDS paraphernalia. Bonanni was also issued a motor vehicle summons for using unapproved equipment and operating a motor vehicle while in possession of CDS. Bonanni and his passenger were released pending a future appearance in Medford Township Municipal Court.

Police Catch Woman Purchasing Alcohol for Teenager MEDFORD—On April 8 at 3:50 p.m., Medford Township Police observed two women acting suspiciously in the Sharps Run Plaza shopping center located at 175 Route 70.

One of the females was observed going into Medford Wine and Spirits and coming out a short time later with (2) six packs of alcohol.

The suspect was observed entering the other female’s vehicle.

Officers approached and observed the

18-year-old female counting out money to give to the woman who purchased the alcohol.

It was determined that the purchaser was 21-years-old and had entered the store to purchase the alcoholic beverages for the female who was under the legal age for purchasing alcohol.

Both were placed under arrest, processed and released on a summons to appear in Medford Township Municipal Court.

PHOTO BY MEDFORD FIRE AND EMS A 2014 Toyota Yaris overturns after being struck by a vehicle crossing over Skeet Road.

MEDFORD—On April 1 at 8:46 a.m., Medford Township Police responded to the intersection of Skeet Road and Hawkin Road for a report of an overturned vehicle.

Police found a 2014 Toyota Yaris resting on the driver’s side with the driver trapped within the vehicle.

The Medford Township Fire Department responded and extricated the driver identified as Melissa Toner, 30, of Southampton.

Toner was transported to Virtua Marlton Hospital with minor injuries. Police say she had abrasions to her hands and complained of neck

and back pain.

The police investigation revealed that the driver of a 2000 Subaru Legacy identified as Lois Newman, 79, of Medford, failed to yield to Toner who was traveling north on Skeet Road.

Police say Newman was attempting to cross over Skeet Road from the eastbound side of Hawkins Road when she crashed into Toner, causing Toner’s vehicle to overturn.

Newman was not injured.

She was given a summons for failing to yield.

Speeding Violation Leads to Suspected Marijuana Wax Discovery MEDFORD—On April 9 at 4:25 p.m., Medford Township Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on a blue Toyota on Route 70 in the area of Eugenia Drive for a speeding violation.

During the course of the motor vehicle stop, a K9 officer and his K9 partner conducted an open-air sniff on the exterior of the vehicle with a positive indication of a narcotic.

An on-scene search was conducted of the

vehicle and officers uncovered suspected marijuana wax.

Two juveniles were taken into custody. They were charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams and released to their parents.

The juvenile driving the vehicle was also issued a summons for speeding and a provisional driver violation of having too many passengers in the vehicle.

Traffic Complaint About a Subaru Leads to Drug Paraphernalia Discovery MEDFORD—On April 9 at 12:04 p.m., Medford Township Police investigated a traffic complaint involving a green Subaru operated

by Sean M. Holston in the area of Stokes Road and Nelson Drive.

While patrols were delivering a verbal warning to Holston, the odor of raw marijuana was detected inside his vehicle.

Officers subsequently located a metal grinder containing marijuana and rolling papers

inside the vehicle.

Holston was taken into custody and charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of CDS paraphernalia, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle, and a cracked windshield.

He was processed and released on a summons complaint pending a court appearance in Medford Township Municipal Court.

Summons Issued After Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia Found in Vehicle MEDFORD—On April 10 at 11:52 p.m., Medford Township Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 70 near Skeet Road.

Officers say they detected an odor of raw marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle. A search was conducted and revealed marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

A passenger in the stopped vehicle, Allegra Garcia-Corrales, was arrested and released on a summons for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Also arrested was Bryce Taylor. He was released on a summons for possession of marijuana pending a municipal court appearance.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

PAGE 9

Police Arrest Two Men After Skimming Device Found at Beneficial Bank

Front Porch and Siding of Home Damaged in Fire

PHOTO SUBMITTED Gianluca Galota, 36, of Italy and Alin Uricaru, 35, of Romania have been charged with identity theft, computer crimes, trafficking personal information, committing credit card crimes using a scanning device, theft by deception and conspiracy to commit a crime with another person.

PHOTO SUBMITTED A dwelling experienced damage to its siding after a blaze broke out on April 16.

MEDFORD—On April 9, Medford Township Police received information from Beneficial Bank Fraud Division personnel that an unauthorized electronic “skimming device” was installed onto an ATM machine at their Medford Branch on Stokes Road.

Beneficial Bank officials believed that this was the second device installed on their machine, the first being installed on April 1 and removed on April 3.

On April 10 at approximately 5:20 a.m., during a subsequent police surveillance operation, officers observed a subject approach the ATM machine and remove portions of the unauthorized device from the machine.

The subject, identified as Gianluca Galota, 36, of Italy, was subsequently arrested without incident.

During the investigation, police located an

awaiting vehicle occupied by a second subject, identified as Alin Uricaru, 35, of Romania.

Both subjects are presently in the United States on a Visa Waiver Program and were charged with numerous crimes and lodged in Burlington County Jail pending a hearing in Burlington County Superior Court.

Detectives are currently working with the bank’s fraud investigators, United States Secret Service agents, and other law enforcement agencies as this investigation continues to develop.

Anyone who has used the ATM machine located at the Stokes Road branch of Beneficial Bank is asked to review their account, consult with their financial institution if they have discovered any suspicious activity and report any financial loss or potential identity theft exposure to Medford Township Police.

SHAMONG—Authorities are investigating a dwelling fire that broke out at 306 Indian Mills Road on April 16 at around 9:40 p.m.

“The fire started in the shrubs and mulch surrounding the home,” said Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company Chief John Smith.

He said the cause of the fire is undetermined and remains under investigation by the Burlington County Fire Marshalls office.

However, he added that he did not believe the fire was suspicious.

No damage was reported inside the residence.

However, the fire did burn the dwelling’s front porch and siding before fire crews were able to extinguish it.

The occupants of the home remained on-site despite the fact that power to the residence was disconnected.

“They roughed it out,” Smith said. “They are waiting for an electrician to fix the panel box.”

The fire reached one alarm. The homeowners were reportedly in bed at the time that the flames started. A passerby discovered the flames and phoned 911.

Emergency Crews Respond to Car Fire on Willow Grove Road

Police Charge Driver With DWI After Approaching Vehicles With High Beams Turned On MEDFORD—On April 12 at 12:54 a.m., Medford Township Police stopped the driver of a grey Honda Accord for failing to turn off the car’s high beams while approaching other vehicles on Jackson Road near North Lakeside Drive East.

The driver was identified as Thomas Davis Jr. A police investigation revealed Davis was driving while intoxicated. During the arrest,

Davis was also found to be in possession of a black plastic bottle containing marijuana.

He was later released pending a court appearance.

Davis was charged with DWI, failing to dim high beams, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and possession of marijuana under 50 grams.

Woman Faces Several Charges After Crash in Pinelands Plaza Parking Lot MEDFORD—On April 12, at 3:30 p.m., Medford Township Police responded to the Pinelands Plaza on Stokes Road for a motor vehicle accident.

While patrols were speaking with an involved driver, Tracy Tirotti-Skahan, she was slurring her speech and an odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected emanating from her breath.

As a result of the on-scene investigation,

field sobriety tests were conducted. At the conclusion of the testing and investigation, Tirotti-Skahan was subsequently placed under arrest for DWI and later transported to Medford Township Police Headquarters.

She was charged with DWI, reckless driving, and driving under the influence with a minor as the passenger.

She was released pending a court appearance.

The remnants of a burned Mercury Mountaineer.

SHAMONG—At 11:09 a.m. on April 17, the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company and the New Jersey State Police responded to a report of a car fire near the intersection of Willow Grove Road and Wesickaman Drive in the Shamong.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Upon arrival, emergency responders found a Mercury Mountaineer on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

24/7 UPDATES : PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

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Saturday, April 22, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

SPOTLIGHT Patriotic Pemberton Senior Prom Helps Link Senior Citizens With School Community

Medford School of Music Musicians Describe the Thrill of Performing

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

King and Queen - Jim Guy and Mary Saffo.

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—It was the 10th Annual Senior Prom at St. Ann’s Parish with all the pomp and circumstance of a traditional high school prom; but without the raging hormones, formal wear, pricey party tickets and other stressors of what many experienced in yesteryear’s coming-of-age event.

More than 130 seniors joined the party along with Pemberton Township Mayor David Patriarca, Superintendent of Schools Tony Trongone and Kathy Vogel, the president of the Pemberton Township Education Association.

Pemberton Township High School students also came out en masse; the Future Business Leaders of America, We Help You, and the Horticulture and Bakery Departments of the school played a major role in making the affair a success.

Vogel kicked off the event by announcing the theme of “Stars and Stripes” and inviting all former military members to stand, to which they received an appreciative round of applause.

Many folks were decked out in red, white and blue as well as stars and stripes—on neckties, shirts/blouses and sweaters, jewelry, hats and more—as a display of their patriotism. Some men also sported suits, while women’s attire covered a gamut of styles: a fancy sweater, pants suits, dresses and gowns.

Attendees were local residents and/or members of the Pemberton Township Senior Center, which is located across from the Browns Mills Post Office. Some were couples, others were widows, widowers or divorcees.

John R. Jerro was pleased with the focus on patriotism and opportunity to come together for a good meal, music and the chance to reminisce with others.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he had been in the Marine Corps from 1956-1959 and re-enlisted from 1959-1965. His brother was killed in the

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Vietnam War. Jerro smiled at his nostalgic trip down memory lane, mentioning the fix-up shop he had in Bordentown, in the 1960s.

He shared his relief in seeing sunshine the morning of the prom instead of the slushy snow that he recalls having to shovel years back in the month of April.

Snow or no snow, nothing would have kept Willie (William) Holmes from an opportunity to party the night away.

At 90 years young—his birthday just weeks ago—he moved his cane to the side and did not disappoint: he bent down real low, swiveled at the hips, and danced like nobody’s business.

This year Leigh Kush joined him for the twist, the two of them tearing up the dance floor. He sang a bit too—at his seat—but not everyone knows how beautiful a voice he has.

Holmes spoke about his family and the sadness of having lost loved ones, but he also feels so grateful to have an “adopted” family who takes care of him, whose picture he keeps tucked away in his wallet: Tony Harris (brother) and Adrian Davis (sister).

“They help me get through life,” he said, along with the many friends he has made over the years, including those who stopped by his table just to say hello and to tell him how happy they were to see him that day.

Love was in the air for Sonia and Tomas Lopez, who will be celebrating their 50th anniversary come August, along with their friends Edda and Don Palmer who recently reached that impressive milestone.

“For us, this (the prom) is like a reminder of the old days and dancing which we don’t do much of anymore,” Tomas Lopez said somewhat wistfully, although the couple is reveling in this post-retirement era of their lives.

They are grateful for the recently discovered relaxed pace of life and the emphasis on

PROM>>PAGE 14

MEDFORD LAKES—In the words of guitarist Danny Riccio, a sophomore at Shawnee High School, music is a way of life.

He picked up the guitar about seven years ago, after watching his cousin Kevin play, and his dad, too. With multiple guitars around the house, it was just a matter of time before Riccio would want to try it out.

Playing guitar jumpstarted his unforeseen affinity for singing, which he also does on Monday nights during band practice at the Medford School of Music, and for monthly local performances at a variety of local venues.

Riccio has other hobbies too, such as hunting, hiking, fishing, riding a dirt bike, and lifting weights; but music is with him—in his car, on his headphones—wherever he is.

An appreciation for music is the common denominator for everyone who enters the school at 3 Trading Post Way in Medford Lakes.

For Jim and Melissa Riddle, the school’s owners for the past 10 years, “learning is important, but not the only thing.”

Passing along the love for music that Jim Riddle’s dad instilled in him many years ago has been special for him, and he is hopeful that his students experience a lot of fun in the process.

Fourth grader Josh Gatesman agreed that music equates to fun and much more. He is happy that Jim Riddle encouraged him to try different instruments and told him not to worry about finding a perfect fit. He started with the guitar, but his fingertips hurt too much from pressing into the strings, so he moved on to the saxophone and has never looked back.

His time commitment to the saxophone is considerable with weekly lessons and his participation in the woodwind ensemble— which Jim Riddle leads—as well as playing in the Allen School (Medford) band. He and his sister also play together.

Gatesman believes that his involvement with the music school has advanced his performance in public school. He has noticed an increased ability to memorize information and also to process unfamiliar topics.

Learning to read music has also helped to make him more confident with academics overall. Taking it a step further, he added that he can apply this lesson to other aspects of his life too.

Advantages of a different nature were noted

by Kevin Woytowich. A senior at Seneca High School; he participates in the ensemble, sings backup, and at one time played the drums. He has also performed in the high school’s marching band.

Drawing from his experience, he knows that music will provide an important balance when he goes off to college to study physics; it will be a welcome outlet to not only reduce stress but as a means of self-expression.

He will also seek to connect with others who play and revel in music as he does. He is aware that playing an instrument is a skill that not many people have, thereby making it common ground among those who do.

The school’s two rock bands are led under the direction of Larry Ott, onetime owner of the music school. He credits his musical background—which started some 55 years ago—to his dad, who “made me learn, pulling out of me what was in there.”

Ott fondly recalls the pinball machine he had in the store and the baseball cards he sold which came in handy when siblings sat in the waiting room until lessons were over. Times were different back then, but his love for music has always been his passion.

“I have dedicated my whole life to it,” and there’s nothing better, he said, than working together with “a great group of kids” who love music like he does, and who make coming to work each day gratifying.

Shawnee sophomore Greg Thompson, who plays both the guitar and bass guitar—and, like Riccio, was drawn to the instrument by watching his cousin play—enjoys the camaraderie found with Ott’s rock bands.

He likes how “everyone helps one another,” and his personal feeling of relaxation and happiness while playing in the band is unmatched anywhere.

The experience also transcends Shawnee sophomore and Medford Music School’s band member Eric Kennedy, who plays a variety of drums including marimba and steel, from everyday life with all its responsibilities to an “indescribable” place where he feels happy and relaxed, while everything else “fades away.”

All the musicians, regardless of the instruments they practice, echoed the thrill of performing and Riddle’s efforts to provide a schedule that enables them to play at a variety of venues and for different audiences who appreciate their talent.

Saxophonist Ethan Eno, who plays in the ensemble, enjoyed performing at a nursing home and seeing residents move to the groove and stand from their wheelchairs to dance, as well as the school’s holiday performances. Guitarist Hannah Hampton, pianist Kyle Lezotte and saxophonist Kahlan McClure also stated the positive impact that performing has made on their lives.

Riddle said the music school band and ensemble will play at P.J. Whelihan’s Pub and Restaurant on Stokes Road on April 23 and May 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the Evergreen Dairy Bar on Route 70 in Southampton from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month from May through August. On May 19, they will also play an outdoor show in front of the Medford Music School at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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COMMUNITY Events

April 22

Location: Medford Event: Mad Hatter Tea to Support Butterflies Details: On Saturday, April 22, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., join the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts for a special tea at the Friend’s Meeting House, 10 Union Street, Medford. The young at heart are invited to join the fun while supporting the Butterfly Garden & Preserve (Cranberry Park) created by the Pinelands Garden Club in 2015. Tickets may be purchased for $25 per guest by contacting pinelandsgardenclub@gmail.com.

Location: Bass River Event: Reflection Garden Walkway First Anniversary Celebration Details: The BJARCA Foundation invites the community to take part in the Reflection Garden Walkway First Anniversary, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the New Gretna Playground on North Maple Avenue, Bass River. The RGW is made up of (purchased) bricks that are engraved with a loved one’s name and placed along the walkway. The BJARCA Foundation, established in 2010 by a cancer survivor, raises funds to help provide support, encouragement and gifts to local patients undergoing cancer treatments. For more information, please visit: www.facebook.com/DaretoCareFoundation or call Colette Tozer at 609-618-2578.

Location: Browns Mills Event: Earth Day Clean Up Details: Come to Whitesbog Village at 10 a.m. and help clean up the trails in celebration of Earth Day! Grab trash bags and gloves from the General Store and walk through the village, trails, and bogs to collect trash left behind. 120 W. Whites Bogs Road, Brown Mills. 609-893-4646.

April 23 Location: Browns Mills Event: Sojourner Truth Performance Details: Dr. Daisy Century, from the American Historical Theater, gives a commanding performance of Ms. Truth,

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bringing to life the story of a woman undeterred by incredible obstacles. Some adult themes, parental discretion suggested (PG15+). Free. Whitesbog Village, 120 Whites Bog Road, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646.

April 29 Location: Browns Mills Event: Bugs & Plants Tour at Whitesbog Details: Educator Rick Prickett leads visitors on a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Cranberry Research Station, historically used by scientists to collect plants and insects of the farm industry. Then head out to the blueberry Triangle Field to look at the forming flowers. Free for members, $10 nonmembers. RSVP Requested 609-893-4646. Cameras and sketch books welcome!

Location: Medford Event: Migrant Worker Outreach Clothing Drive Details: Help welcome migrant workers and their families to South Jersey during the blueberry harvest in June and July.

Donate clothing and more to the Migrant Worker Outreach clothing Drive. Visit www.MigrantWorkerOutreach.org to see a list of requested items. Call Dory Dickson at 609-969-2480 to set up an appointment to meet the MWO vehicle on Saturday, April 29, at the Medford Town-Wide Yard Sale at Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford. Donations accepted by appointment only.

May 6 Location: Southampton Event: 15th Annual Boy Scout Troop #31 Car Show Details: Registration for the car show opens Saturday, May 6, at 8 a.m. and closes at 11 a.m. Dash Plaques for the first 150 exhibitors! The car show starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m., at the Southampton Municipal Building Complex, Route 206 and Retreat Road, Southampton. There will be activities for children, great food and refreshments. Proceeds benefit Boy Scout Troop #31.

Location: Pemberton Event: Basket Auction Details: American Legion Post 294 is hosting a Basket Auction, Saturday, May 6, at 39 Fort Dix Road, Pemberton.

Doors open at 1 p.m. and the drawing starts at 3 p.m. No admittance fee. Wear your finest bonnet for the Kentucky Derby Hat Contest! Lunch special: half a hoagie and bag of chips, only $5.

May 7

Location: Whiting Event: 22nd Annual Blessing of the Bikes Details: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and Father Paul Van Sant, Rector, will have the 22nd annual Blessing of the Bikes, Sunday, May 7, from noon to 4 p.m., 180 Route 539, Whiting.

All bikes will be blessed at 2 p.m. by Father Van Sant.

Tickets are $15 per rider, no charge for children under 10 years of age. Tickets include barbeque, beverages, music, activities, kids’ games & more. George Stempinski will have his one-of-a-kind 9.5-foot, 300-pound wooden motorcycle at the event! For more information call the parish office 732-350-2121, Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or email ssechurch@gmail.com.

Location: Jacksonville Event: Breakfast Details: The Jacksonville Community Center is serving breakfast on Sunday, May 7, from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., including all you can eat pancakes, sausage, bacon, home fries, juice, toast, eggs, coffee and more. $10 per person.

Everyone welcome. Takeout is available. 1791 Jacksonville Road, Jacksonville (next to the firehouse). For more information, 609-861-9543.

Location: Browns Mills Event: Spring Brunch Details: Soroptomist International of Rancocas Valley is hosting a Spring Brunch, Sunday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the BMIA Building, 40 Arbutus Street, Browns Mills.

Tickets are $20. For more information, call Ellen Catalano 609-893-6550.

Denbo Students Visit Senior Center

By Ebba Liguori

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—On Thursday, April 13, the sun was shining brightly and the seniors were gathered in their usual groups just passing the time of day. Melissa Cuervas, PTSC staff, announced that a school bus had arrived.

Soon more than 20 fifth graders from Denbo School entered the center. Teachers Karla Pstrak and Darron Wright accompanied them and all were carrying bags of craft materials. It was not long before smiling children were at every table introducing the seniors to some sort of craft. These students were all part of a Safety Patrol at Denbo and all were the friendliest and most polite youngsters the seniors had met in a long time.

Among the materials the students had brought were bags of “pony beads” and letter beads. Soon seniors were spelling out their own names, or names of grandchildren as the students assisted them in stringing the beads into personalized bracelets. Fran Love, senior craft instructor, brought out a glue gun to assist the tying off of the bracelets.

Another group had pens and canvases for the seniors to trace their hands and make “hand prints” on the canvas. Then the decorating began. Each print was personalized, signed and dated as a remembrance. The students brought these back to the school to

memorialize the time spent with the seniors.

Another group took the canvases and glued bit of tissue paper to them, adding marker-drawn details. Soon lovely outdoor scenes were created with three-dimensional flowers and trees. Another group had foam sheets and stick-on objects for seniors to create greeting cards or small plaques. A variety of creations were made and each one was different. The seniors and students had so much fun with all the interaction and conversations.

The class also brought a speaker and some music and soon the whole group was line dancing, both students and seniors. The seniors love to line dance so soon the center was “rockin’ and rollin’” to some familiar tunes. Willie Holmes volunteered to sing “God Bless America” and before long everyone joined in.

All too soon the bus returned and it was time for the students to head back to Denbo.

They promised to return and share more activities with the seniors.

Every time a senior checks out their creation, the students from Denbo will come to mind.

Their next plan is to begin sending notes to the center and forming “Pen Pal” relationships.

We all know the high-school students are so special and this group will soon take over their places and we will have another

generation of great high-school students.

T’ai Chi Chih classes began this past Tuesday morning at the BMIA Building, located near the Mirror Lake Recreation complex. Future classes will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. each Tuesday. There were 12 students the first week, so there is still room if one is considering joining the class.

The instructor, Siobhan Hutchinson, promised that the classes will review the lessons each week and then progress a little further. She advised members not to miss a session to obtain the best results. This program is for persons of any age or physical ability. The movements may be done while seated for those unable to stand for long periods.

Regular practice of the movements should lead to better balance.

The benefits of T’ai Chi Chih include improved balance, physical fitness, flexibility and stamina. It is not a martial art and it is easy to learn. There are 19 stand-alone movements and one pose. Studies show an increase in sleep quality as well as a decrease in symptoms of depression. One should experience increased range of motion and balance, as well as an overall sense of wellbeing. Classes are only $5 per lesson, payable to the instructor. Sign up at the senior center, phone 609-893-4400.

The next trip is to Hunterdon Hills Dinner

Theatre to see the comedy “Born Yesterday,” on April 26. Tickets are sold out for this trip, but last-minute vacancies often occur.

May 9, the seniors will head for Lancaster to the American Music Theatre to see “Las Vegas Legends,” a musical. Lunch will be at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, with time for shopping at the Farmer’s Market. Again, tickets are sold out, but a wait list is maintained. Tickets are remaining for the May 23 trip to Atlantic City and a cruise. The bus will leave the Acme parking lot at 9 a.m. and head to Gardner’s Basin to board the “Cruisin’ 2” for a one-hour trip. Weather permitting, seniors will view Atlantic City Boardwalk from the ocean. Perhaps a pod of dolphins will join in and swim near the vessel. If the weather is inclement, the inland waterway will be used and views will include local marshland and a few fabulous Brigantine mansions. This trip is $45 for senior residents and includes a coin return at Resorts and a $20 voucher for a meal at one of Resorts’ restaurants.

Stop in at the center daily between 9 a.m. and noon to purchase tickets for any of these or other trips. The Pemberton Township website has a list of all trips, with the cost of each. The senior center is located across from the Browns Mills Post Office.

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PROM

PAGE 10 enjoying themselves, a welcomed contrast to their earlier years.

“Younger folks are stressed out depressed, working all the time, and we are happy!” Sonia Lopez said. “We are here having fun, and they are…not!”

They spend a lot of time at the senior center with their friends, many of whom arrive early each morning so they do not miss any of the goings-on that the robust schedule offers all day long.

Sonia Lopez commented on the efforts of Ebba Liguori, a member of the Pemberton Township Senior Citizen Council and also the activities coordinator at the senior center.

Her responsibilities include planning and arranging activities each month, many of which are trips that seniors would otherwise not take on their own.

She also credits the township for covering the cost of transportation for trips and other expenses as necessary and for the township’s commitment overall to make life better for senior citizens.

Sonia Lopez pointed out the “melting pot” quality of the local senior community, stating the wealth of historical and cultural richness to enjoy both for its diversity as well as for the sharing of common backgrounds.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

At her table alone were representatives from Puerto Rico (including the Lopez couple), Germany and Jamaica as well as Florida, New York and Tennessee.

Liguori noted that Japan and Korea were represented too, along with a blend of “locals” including African-Americans, Caucasians and those from mixed unions, some with special needs, and some born and bred right in the Pines.

The prom was made possible from a grant that Vogel applied for from the New Jersey Education Association’s PRIDE in Public Education initiative. The goal of this program is to integrate public education with the community.

“This is a wonderful event which brings our senior citizens and school community together,” Vogel said. “The seniors were thrilled and commented how they enjoyed the interaction with the high-school students.”

“The feeling is mutual, with students having to fight over who would be taking part in the prom,” Liguori said. “Because everyone wants to do it.”

As the night came to an end, the students crowned Jim Guy and Mary Saffo this year’s “King and Queen” of the prom. They were also notified that their presence would be expected the next day at the beloved Pemberton Township Senior Center.

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Saturday, April 22, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HEALTH

Dear Pharmacist

By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.

Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com.

How Popular Medications Wipe Out Folate and Lead to Depression I am about to tell you something that has been known for years concerning a popular medication and an anti-cancer nutrient taken to avoid depression.

Carbamazepine is a popular anti-epilepsy drug that works by suppressing nerve impulses that trigger seizures. It’s quite effective for certain types of seizure disorders and sometimes used for diabetic neuropathy, bipolar disorder and trigeminal neuralgia, a facial-pain syndrome.

According to a 2016 study published in the journal Clinical Laboratory, the drug seems to significantly reduce levels of both vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) and natural folate, also called Vitamin B9.

1. Folate plays a huge role in cell and tissue growth. You have trillions of cells and the crystalline DNA strands in each cell are highly susceptible to harm. Folate encourages DNA synthesis and repair of “injured” strands.

Folate is needed for red-blood cells, and to make iron in the body.

So if you take a drug mugger of folate like carbamazepine (and there are over 150 other medications) then you need to be aware of this depletion. But I’m not saying to take folate supplements either, I’ll explain why at the end of this article. Right now I want to make the case for what happens to you when you take a drug mugger of natural folate (B9).

2. Where folate levels fall, especially in

combination with B12 deficiency, homocysteine rises and this is a known risk factor for heart attacks. Homocysteine can also act as a neurotoxin, causing brain fog.

3. Your body also requires folate to convert compounds in your brain into happy neurotransmitters and sleep hormones. In particular, folate is required to make more of your happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine. Folate deficiencies definitely play a role in depression and tearfulness, pre-menstrual moodiness and suicidal ideation. There’s even a drug version of folate called Deplin on the market, but it’s a stronger version of the same natural folate you can eat or supplement with.

By the way, natural folate is superior to “folic acid” a synthetic form, at least in my opinion. I explain this, and give you other medications that deplete folate if you go to my website and read the longer version of this article.

Be very careful supplementing with folate vitamins because it can block the effect of your seizure medicine. The mechanism of action of anti-seizure drugs requires suppression of folate (in some cases) so don’t just go and supplement!

Ask your doctor first and if permitted, use very low doses and separate from the medication. In some cases, you will not want to supplement at all with a dietary supplement, however, it might be okay to eat leafy greens which are very high in natural folate. Again, talk to your physician.

This information is not intended to treat, cure, or diagnose your condition.

For more information, please visit www.SuzyCohen.com. © 2017 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.

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Car Seat Safety Should Be a Priority When Traveling With Young Ones

By Sue Hubbard, M.D.

As a pediatrician, when discussing car safety I remind parents that their child needs to be in a car seat from the time they leave the hospital until the child is at least 4 years old.

I have written articles with updated guidelines for car seat safety, including the recommendations that a child remain in a rear facing car seat until at least 2 years of age. I have also done TV segments on how to install a car seat, but I had not installed a car seat in my own car.

So I recently found myself with my husband perusing the aisles of our local baby store for a car seat for our now toddler granddaughter.

We arrived with lists of questions and Consumer Report rankings, trying to figure out the “best and safest” car seat.

It was certainly a lesson in knowing that there is not a “one size fits all” when choosing a car seat. We left the store over an hour later, with a large box and several hundred dollars “poorer,” but confident that we had made a good choice.

Then it was time to put the car seat in the back seat of my car so that we could pick up our granddaughter for an event. We got out the instructions and I assured my husband that I had observed car seat installations numerous times. Key word: “observed.” We started

reading page after page of instructions to try and begin the “easy” installation.

We did manage to get the car seat in the middle of the back seat of the car, and we even figured out the latching system (that took us about 30 minutes and two different trials). But that was just the first of the installment issues.

We had to thread the seat belt through the car seat over and over again with each of us on opposite sides insisting that the other was not threading the belt correctly or pulling it tight enough as we worked to make sure the seat was tight and stable. Once that was completed, we realized that we should have figured out the car seat straps before we had latched the car seat.

Did we really have to take it out again?

It seemed like you needed a degree in physics and engineering (not medicine and business) to safely install a car seat. We finally figured it out, but it was not always a “friendly” exchange between a long-married couple who are now grandparents. How could our many years of parenting seem easy in comparison?

My advice, go to a car-seat installer in your area, which is what we did with the rear-facing car seat we had for our infant granddaughter.

Somehow, they made it look like it was not that difficult. It was certainly installed correctly and safely.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

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PAGE 17

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

FUN AND GAMES Are We There Yet?

By Lori Clinch

Lori Clinch was born and raised in North Platte, Nebraska, a hotbed of material for writers whose passion it is to make people laugh. Lori Clinch is the mother of four sons and the author of the book “Are We There Yet?”

This Cat Just Isn’t That Into Dogs When we first got our puppy two years ago, our cat let her know from the get-go, “WE…are not going to be friends!”

After Sadie came in, wagging her tail along with her chubby little behind, Jo gave her a swat on the nose, a hiss in the air and even growled to let Sadie know that there would be no kinship between them.

This broke Sadie’s heart for a moment, but then she was on to more important things as she realized that there was a shoe in the corner that could use some chewing, a sock that needed shredding and that baseball cap wasn’t going to simply eat itself.

Sadie has mellowed over the last year and a half. She no longer steals throw pillows, obliterates remotes and (thankfully enough) she now leaves undergarments in the hampers.

That certainly saves us some embarrassment.

I thought that we had truly rounded a corner with Sadie’s destructive ways until recently, when I walked into the kitchen and saw a chewed up container that had been emptied of its sugar-free gum.

I called our vet for fear that the possible consumption might cause digestive issues and soon learned that was the least of our problems.

Turns out that sugar-free gum is fatal to dogs.

Sadie loves lots of things, but the veterinarian is certainly not one of them. The car ride is one thing, but she’s nothing if not a smart canine and as soon as we made the left turn onto Willow Street, she knew where we’re going. Not only was she upset, she was howling.

These days, Sadie is a good dog. She sits on command, lies down when asked and will stay as long as you need her to, if you promise her a treat.

But when you’re taking Sadie to the vet, the situation is a whole different animal. You can’t coax her out of the car, can’t persuade her to heel and as you approach the veterinarians door, you would think that she was walking The Green Mile to her imminent death.

As the scene unfolded, a part of me smiled

at my little canine drama queen, but my heart ached as I realize how stressed my “baby” really was.

“We’ll have to keep her overnight,” they sadly told me. “She’ll need IVs and we want to make sure there won’t be any liver damage.”

All of this over sugar-free gum?

They told me that I could pick her up the next day between 2 and 4 p.m. I was there at 1:35. I couldn’t wait to gather my darling little gum-chewing pooch.

Little Jo was asleep on the couch when Sadie and I returned from the traumatic experience. Sadie quietly walked up to Jo and as she approached, Jo opened her eyes.

Did Jo hiss in her normal manner? Swat at Sadie’s nose with her claws? Did she growl in a way reminiscent of a mountain lion?

Well, that’s going to be a “no.” For reasons we may speculate upon, yet never understand, Jo just looked at Sadie and then laid her head back down. Then Jo closed her eyes and continued with her catnap.

Sadie then gingerly climbed up on the couch and laid down next to Jo and for an hour and a half, the two of them enjoyed some much-deserved shuteye.

There are skeptics who will tell you otherwise, but my theory is this: Jo had to know what Sadie had been through for her gum-chewing ways. Perhaps she sensed the stress or smelled the veterinarian’s office, along with Sadie’s minty fresh breath. But either way, Jo showed Sadie sympathy that is not common for our darling cat.

I’d like to tell you that Jo and Sadie are now good friends. I’d like to boast that they hang together, dine in unison and by and large, are besties.

Alas, it’s not true. The very next day Sadie approached our cat and Jo hissed, growled and to the tune of, “That was NOT our new normal,” she swatted at Sadie’s nose.

To put it simply, they’re back to getting along like cats and dogs.

© 2017 LORI CLINCH

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Saturday, April 22, 2017

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Saturday, April 22, 2017

BUDGET PAGE 1

provided informational fliers during conferences and assisted with handing out information. Any assistance that the STEA offered was accepted.”

She also said the relationship between the district’s administration and the STEA is a positive one with regular open communication.

Vespe is scheduled to formally present her proposal to the board during a regular meeting scheduled for April 25 at 7 p.m.

“I am investigating outsourcing aides and assistants, part-time and full-time, to all full-time assistant positions for the 2017-2018 school year,” Vespe said. “This outsourcing is being proposed to the Shamong Township Board of Education to address budget issues with the need for necessary building projects.”

The proposal is expected to be made right before a scheduled public hearing and anticipated board vote on the district’s operating budget for the 2017-2018 school year.

“Aide and assistant responsibilities are to assist the instructional staff with meeting individual student needs that are mandated through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) for classified students,” Vespe said. “The number of aides and assistants may vary depending on the needs of the students.”

She said the district no longer hires full-time aides and assistants when it becomes necessary to hire.

“The policy was put in place prior to my working in Shamong and is a cost-saving measure that was enacted to meet budgetary constraints,” Vespe said. “The plan to outsource will provide the district with the opportunity to convert the part-time positions to full-time.”

Rebecca Urso, whose mom has been a teaching assistant in the district for 16 years, does not believe the proposal is beneficial to the school community.

“The current assistants in these positions have hundreds of hours of training and years of experience,” she said. “These are hardworking and caring professionals who have put their hearts into guiding our children.

We are losing the people that we trust. There are special-education children involved in this decision. How much care do you think these employees can really give to our children at the low rate that they will be offered; in place of the loving, caring professionals that we are losing?

Shamong professionals are our family.”

Vespe said the Request for Proposal (RFP) developed for the potential outsourcing contains stipulations to facilitate the transition and assist the affected staff members who would like to apply with the new company, once selected.

She provided some of the stipulations included in the RFP. “All current aides and assistants will have the opportunity to apply with the company and are guaranteed an interview,” she said. “If hired by the outsourced company, current aides and assistants will be paid their current salary.

The outsourced company must have benefits available to the employees. The district is offering five days of paid time off to any of the current full-time employees who are hired and work for the new company. The district is also offering a $2,000 stipend to any current full-time employees who are hired and work for the new company. This stipend can be used toward health care costs or paid time off.”

Babbitt said she believed district administrators were not looking at all of their options and are trying to shove this proposal through without fair warning.

“Over the last 10 years, we are down about

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175 students, yet we have gained administrative positions in this small, rural community,” she said. “As President of the STEA, I wish they would look at all of the positions, not just aide and assistant positions.”

Vespe said enrollment in the school district has declined over the years.

“All areas of the budget were looked at in order to be able to move forward with two of the building construction projects that include replacing the well pit and installing a generator at the middle school,” she said. “The generator is needed to provide backup power for the computer and security systems.”

Babbitt said she wants to know how replacing the well pit and installing a generator suddenly became an emergency requiring the sudden outsourcing of positions.

“It’s the association’s concern that the well pit is an emergency now after it was supposedly maintained,” she said. “How did it become an emergency now? The superintendent said it has been maintained. How did they not know about this and foresee it?”

Vespe said the well pit is over 25 years old.

“Regular maintenance and inspections has allowed the district to keep the pit in a satisfactory working order,” she said. “The well pit was designated as one of the priority items included in the bond referendum. The well pit must be replaced and repaired in order to avoid an emergency situation. The well pit provides all of the water to the school including for the toilets, sinks and fire sprinkler systems.

So this must be in working order and I cannot risk a shut down.”

Urso said she is concerned about the timing of the proposal. The board meeting will be held the day after the students and staff return from spring break.

“How are we supposed to make parents, families and community members aware of what is being decided if everyone is away on vacation during spring break?” she said. “This is unfair. I think it is insane to take such drastic action over five votes. It is awful.”

Vespe said meeting the needs of the students in the district is the priority.

“In speaking with neighboring districts that have made the transition to outsourcing this service, they are very pleased with this move and the services being provided for the students,” she said. “Many of their employees made the move to the outsourced company.

This move will allow our district to maintain all programs, activities and staffing for our students.”

Vespe said she will also be proposing that the board include $286,399 in capital reserve, $28,399 in banked cap and a portion of emergency reserve funds in the budget. She will ask that these monies also go towards addressing priority projects.

Additionally, district administrators will be asking for board approval to secure a September bond referendum vote to address the remaining necessary needs of the district.

But none of this appears to have calmed those who face an uncertain future.

“A lot of the aides and assistants live in our town,” Babbitt said. “They fix hair. They cook food. They are motherly figures to our children outside of their home life.”

Urso agreed with Babbitt.

“We really need the community’s help,” she said. “We are asking anyone who had or has sons and daughters who went through the district to come to the board meeting and show support to the teachers and students.”

If the March bond referendum had passed, the state would have given the district an estimated $1.7 million toward the costs of the projects.

PAGE 19

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER Indian Mills Memorial School.

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER The Shamong Township School District would like to install climate controls and make a number of improvements to the existing infrastructure.

LRHSD PAGE 2

because it treats Adam differently, especially in the worst way,” he said. “It doesn’t treat him with justice, fairness or equality. It’s his free right to exercise his religious beliefs and it (the board’s decision) is basically a violation of the First Amendment.”

Giordano said that he read a Letter to the Editor that Cunard wrote (Homeschooler Appeals to Superintendent to Let Him Play Seneca Football-Pine Barrens Tribune: April 1).

He said it was “very well written” and “very respectful.”

Giordano fielded calls on the subject from several listeners, the majority of which agreed with his viewpoint. He also asked DiCroce to

keep him posted on any new developments in the matter.

“The family has told me they prayed about this and their decision was they were going to hold off on a lawsuit, DiCroce said. “In this day and age, I really respect that because most people run right to their lawyers. When I was a young defense attorney, I would ask somebody when they were involved in an accident ‘What is the first thing you did after the accident?’ and some of them would say ‘I called my lawyer.’ to which I would say ‘Oh, you were so hurt, you called your lawyer.’

“These people are the exact opposite. They are God-fearing people. They pray on their decisions and in this case it looks like they got God as their advocate. So I say they got a pretty good lawyer.”

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MANAGER

PINELANDS

PAGE 1

PAGE 4

PHOTO SUBMITTED Longtime Medford Lakes Borough Manager Julie Horner-Keizer will be vacating her position at the end of April. our own wastewater plant, you get one to two days of smell out of it.”

Other council members commented that the conservative estimate is that a new wastewater machine would be paid off in 10 years, but it’s possible that it could take five years.

Mayor Thomas J. Cranston ended this portion of the meeting by saying that there would be further follow up discussion about the topic.

Earlier in the meeting, C. Edwin Smith III was sworn in as police chaplain by Borough Clerk Mark McIntosh.

“I feel privileged and blessed in being called to the service of our community,” Smith said.

“I’ve been serving as a crossing guard and I’ve been an educator my entire life. I started in the classroom and ended as a school superintendent. But now the opportunity to serve the community as a whole is something that I’ve been looking forward to.”

Near the end of the public portion of the council meeting, Horner-Keizer made her announcement that she was stepping down from her position as borough manager after 6 ½ years, ending a career of more than 25 years as a public servant.

Horner-Keizer is completing her second stint as manager after previously serving from 20012003.

“They needed me to fill in as an interim so I came back and didn’t leave,” said HornerKeizer, who plans to relocate to be with family in Maine. “I’ve served in five towns and, by far, Medford Lakes is my favorite. This community is different from any other in New Jersey. It’s mostly non-partisan and its residents are some of the most interesting and wonderful people that you’ll ever meet. I thank the council for

HONOR PAGE 5

the hiring of two maternity replacements and a substitute aide.

The district also approved the launching of a new website by Omni Data Technology Solutions.

A discipline report showed the suspension of one pupil while four drills were conducted, two of them evacuation.

giving me this opportunity.”

Horner-Keizer’s last meeting will be on April 27, when the public hearing for final approval of the budget will take place.

Also discussed during the meeting were eight resolutions, all of which were passed.

The first resolution authorized a maintenance deposit refund of $1,477.50 to an applicant for certain plumbing and street opening permits.

Second and third resolutions authorized the issuance of a raffle license to conduct a 50/50 raffle and an on-premise merchandise raffle, respectively, to the PTO of Folwell School on May 20 at the Medford Lakes Country Club.

Fourth and fifth resolutions authorized the issuance of a raffle license to conduct a 50/50 raffle and an on-premise merchandise raffle, respectively, to the Southampton Township PTA on May 18 at the Medford Lakes Country Club.

The sixth resolution authorized the issuance of a license to conduct an on-premise merchandise raffle to the Medford Youth Athletic Association on June 2 at Medford Lakes Country Club.

A seventh resolution, appointed a special counsel, Elizabeth M. Garcia, Esq., of Parker McCay, P.A., at a rate of $170 per hour, to defend the borough in the matter of Medford Lakes Country Club vs. the Borough of Medford Lakes before the Burlington County Tax Board. The measure passed by a 3-0 vote with Cranston and Councilman William R. Fields abstaining.

The eighth resolution authorized the execution of a shared-service agreement with Medford Township for Certified Recycling Coordinator, which would result in cost savings for both towns.

The first page of a lengthy eight-page agenda continued to list a controversial complaint procedure to be followed in the event of disputes between parents and faculty. The first step to be followed in this procedure is for the two parties to meet and attempt to settle the disagreement.

Attendance after the Honor scholars and their parents left was about 10. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m., lasting just 36 minutes.

at the district at 6 p.m., where they are served dinner. Then, the parents/caregivers and children are separated. Each group—the parents/caregivers and the children—learn about topics such as how best to communicate with each other, drugs and alcohol, goal setting, etc. The groups then come back together for a final hour of learning as a family unit.

“This program generates time for families to get together to focus on each other,” said Janel Gonzales, SBYS site coordinator at PRJHS. “This time is important, especially for teens and pre-teens who are becoming more independent, yet still need guidance and support to make healthy decisions.”

The SBYS Strengthening Families program was originally funded through the state but after funding and support disappeared, SBYS continued to offer the program due to positive participant feedback.

The Municipal Alliance Committee of Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton and Eagleswood has helped fund the program for a few years now.

The April 5 final meeting celebrated the participants’ commitment not only to the program, but to each other.

“These families have put in the time and effort to improve their relationships and develop skills that will help them remain tight

LAWSUIT PAGE 5

Commission violated its own rules with its approval. They claim that under state rules, any construction through the Pines should primarily benefit residents there.

“We’re going to court to do the job the Pinelands Commission didn’t do,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

The Pinelands contains an estimated 17 trillion gallons of water which is regarded as

IMPROVEMENTS PAGE 5

promotion project was to design and build a 130-foot split-rail fence around a retention pond in Freedom Park. Polites also enhanced the areas surrounding the park’s war memorial.

Township Manager Kathy Burger asked for and received the approval of the following volunteer positions: Joseph DeVizio, Junior Volunteer EMS; Rachel Plunkett, Junior Volunteer EMS; Parker Weisberg, Junior Volunteer Firefighter, Station #252; and Jacob Wolf, Volunteer Firefighter, Station #251.

The council continued its discussion of allocating funds for public events.

The 2017 budget funds 50%, based on 2016 costs, of the public safety and clean-up costs for certain township events; such as the Dickens Festival, Halloween Parade, Art & Wine Festival, and Apple Festival.

“If an event (such as Oktoberfest) makes a profit, then taxpayers should not supplement that event,” said Councilman Chris Buoni. “We

BRUSH PAGE 5

“Also assisting the Pemberton Township Fire Department was the Goodwill Fire Department, JBMDL Fire Department, Woodland Township Fire Department, Eastampton Fire Department Air Cascade unit and Tabernacle Rescue Rehab

Saturday, April 22, 2017

even in tumultuous times,” Gonzales said.

Angelina Carter, 13, said that the program has helped her make adjustments to her own behavior, such as trying to avoid saying “whatever” and maintaining a more positive tone of voice, which are things that irk others in her family.

“I learned how important it is to show respect to others and to always have kindness,” Angelina said. “I don’t know how to put this into words, but I care more now.”

Families who are interested in signing up for the next session should contact Janel Gonzales at SBYS via e-mail at jgonzales@prsdnj.org.

Pinelands School Based Youth Services is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and the Pinelands Regional School District.

Upcoming SBYS programming involving caregivers includes the CAT-A-THON, a community fundraising event on May 19 from 3:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at the high school to promote local pride and support area families; the 7th Grade Already summer program to help rising seventh graders transition to PRJHS; and Grab Your Dad Day on Sept. 22, which is a day to celebrate and encourage the involvement of males in the lives of our youth. For more information about any of these events, contact Pinelands SBYS at 609-296-5074. extremely pure.

The state’s four previous governors all opposed the plan. Gov. Chris Christie, however, is an ardent supporter. He has used his authority to remove pipeline foes from the commission, replacing them with supporters.

Almost all environmental groups oppose the plan, along with thousands of residents.

But the pipeline is backed by union workers, numerous business owners and some legislators. have to be accountable for all money spent.”

Councilman Bradley Denn said that these events are for the enjoyment of the township’s residents and the sponsoring clubs would likely use any profit for future events.

Burger indicated that food-truck revenue from last year’s Oktoberfest paid for entertainment, but that it was not enough to pay for security and clean-up.

The council plans to set standards for event funding and will continue their discussion of the matter at future meetings.

Jean Clayton, a member of New Jersey Residents Against Puppy Mills, spoke to the council about the need to pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale of puppy/kitten mill animals in the township.

Clayton said that even though all pet breeders in New Jersey must be USDA inspected and certified, some pet shops in the state import puppy mill animals from other states, such as Pennsylvania, with no USDA requirements.

Watson said that, if warranted, the council will consider the issue for a future agenda.

Unit,” Augustoni said. “Virtua EMS provided medical stand-by. Covering the township for other emergencies was Vincentown Fire and Tabernacle Fire.”

Investigators determined that the brush fire originated from a yard at 83 Tensaw Drive, which is located in the Country Lakes section of Pemberton Township.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

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GRANT PAGE 4

“The gym was open a couple of the nights I had requested and then when they told me there’s $150 fee, I was like ‘Wow, I really can’t turn around and ask my parents to pay for that’,” Kutsmeda said.

The board agreed to review the request. They are also going to have the Policy Committee review it as well.

In other news, the board decided to renew a contract with Nutri-Serve Food Management, the district’s vendor for the school cafeterias, for a fourth year of service. The renewal was approved despite the company’s 1.5% price increase over the prior year.

A flat fee for the company’s service during the 2017-2018 school year will be $19,987.50.

A presentation of the district’s 2017-2020 strategic finance and facilities plan was also given.

Before a Power Point presentation began, Harris briefly compared the district’s current student retention to the 1994 school year, which was when Harris first worked in the district.

He said there were 925 students in the district in 1994 and there are now only 712.

“We had K-4 class sizes that ran around 2024 students,” Harris said. “Today, in 2017, K-4 class size is down to 15-20 students. If you look at grades 5-8 at the same time, classes were about 25-27 students per class. Now we’re looking at 20-22 students per class in 2017.”

He said kindergarten used to be taught in a local church due to lack of facility space.

“In 1994, we had half-day kindergarten programs, so it took up two classrooms, neither of which were on site,” Harris said.

Since 1994, the district opened one Learning Disabilities (LD) classroom, six resource centers, two Technology classrooms, and four Response to Intervention (RtI) classrooms.

“We are tight on space right now, because of the expansion of programs and services that we’re offering to students,” Harris said. “As a school district, we should be very, very proud of that progress and those accomplishments, but it is a challenge going forward as far as facilities.”

He continued by describing the district’s 2017-2018 school year fiscal finance plans.

The plans include using a cap adjustment for enrollment and health benefits; allocating funds for the procurement of 350 Chromebooks and four servers for the completion of the One to One Initiative in grades 5 through 8; and allocating funds to support professional development of Reader’s Workshop, Writer’s Workshop, and K-5 Carolina Science and Special Education inclusion.

The board also plans to increase the capital reserve account to support future facility upgrades.

During the 2018-2019 school year, the district’s financial plans include using $75,000 of a banked cap from the Fiscal Year 2016 budget to support a Fiscal Year 2019 budget.

“That $75,000 must be used to support a FY19 budget or it will be lost,” Harris said.

The district will yet again increase a capital-reserve account to support facility upgrades. Officials will also monitor the cost of health benefits, and potential staff retirements because they result in salary and health benefits changes.

Additional Chromebooks to help facilitate the completion of the district’s kindergarten through fourth grade One to One Initiative will be procured during the 2018-2019 fiscal year as well.

Harris also presented the district’s plans for facilities upgrades during the 2017-2018 school year.

He said the district is planning to tear down a barn that belongs to them and replace it with a more functional and safe storage facility for supplies, materials and equipment.

“We would like the structure to have some electricity and climate controls, so we can store paper in there,” Harris said. “Right now we have to try to get our paper in the buildings as fast as possible because our outside storage facilities don’t have climate control whatsoever.”

He compared this to the Lindenwold School District, which added a new storage facility that cost about $260,000.

He said Mt. Holly also added a storage facility that cost about $500,000.

“It’s doable through capital reserve and maintenance reserve,” he said. “It’s going to take a couple of years, but it is doable.”

The meeting concluded with Harris answering some questions that were asked at a recent special budget meeting that he was absent from.

He said the district is purchasing Chromebooks to use for the Google Classroom, which is a paperless learning platform for schools.

The battery life for the Chromebooks are projected to be better than the refurbished laptops that the district used before.

“The battery life of a Chromebook will last four to six hours, so we really don’t have to recharge those during the day,” Harris said.

“The laptops had a charging station and they would go through a couple of periods and then they had to charge them.”

He said the board is discussing the possibility of letting students take the Chromebooks home.

The next meeting will be held on May 1. in the Southampton Township School #1 All Purpose Room.

FESTIVAL PAGE 5

“We want to improve the event every year and we can only do that with participation and ideas from Rotary, the township and the community at large.”

A Go Fund Me account has been established for community citizens to contribute to the cost

of staging the 2017 Dickens Festival.

Rotary is the world’s premier community service organization with 1.2 million members in 180 countries. Medford Sunrise Rotary welcomes potential members to its meetings each Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. at the Pop Shop in Medford.

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Saturday, April 22, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HOME, GARDEN, AND FARMING Farm and Food File

By Alan Guebert

Alan Guebert is an award-winning ag journalist and expert who was raised on a 720-acre, 100-cow southern Illinois dairy farm.

Courting Courage On April 10, Art Cullen of the Storm Lake Iowa Times was awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing. His work, explained the Pulitzer board, “fueled by tenacious reporting, impressive expertise and engaging writing… successfully challenged the powerful corporate agricultural interests in Iowa.”

Challenged, yes; beat ‘em, no.

Cullen, who co-owns the tiny, twiceweekly Times (circulation: 3,000) with his brother John, won journalism’s highest honor for a series of 10 tough-worded editorials last year that demanded and got answers on why Iowa, a mostly rural state, “has the dirtiest surface water in America.”

The question arose after the Des Moines Water Works sued the drainage districts of three northwestern Iowa counties for the high level of nitrates it said was contaminating the Raccoon River, the source of drinking water for its 500,000 central Iowa customers.

The ensuing court fight was bitter, costly, and secretive. Cullen, through the Times’ editorial page, doggedly asked two questions. First, how were the three counties—Storm Lake is the county seat of Buena Vista County, one of the defendants—paying their legal bills, estimated to be upwards of $1 million.

And, second, why today’s ag production system of “farming into the ditch and over the fenceline” should be defended at all. It had played the key role, he noted citing Iowa State University research, in delivering the dirty water at the center of the lawsuit. Defending that reality was really defending the dirty water status quo.

He had Iowa’s public behind him and Iowa’s biggest ag groups in front of him. Almost every public poll supported the lawsuit and almost every farm group and local government group opposed it. If the public wanted the dirty water cleaned up, reasoned the small town editor in print, why were public officials fighting any cleanup?

After months of shoe leather journalism, the Times—meaning Cullen, his reporter son Tom, and other family members—finally uncovered

the source of the money underwriting the counties’ status quo defense. In typical fashion, he announced the funders in a Sept. 16, 2016 editorial: “Buena Vista County officially is a Farm Bureau county. The Farm Bureau and Iowa Corn Growers have pledged to cover the legal bills (of the three defendant counties so, now) at least we know who our boss is,” he opined.

“The Farm Bureau and the commodity groups.” “… Fair enough,” Cullen went on.

“Everything is above board.”

“Except,” he added in a one-word paragraph, we did not elect Farm Bureau to define our interests. We elected five county supervisors and a county attorney.”

Were Cullen’s sharp words directed at Farm Bureau and its Big Ag allies, or were they meant as an admonishment to the weak-kneed Buena Vista County public officials? Maybe all three.

In the end, however, it didn’t matter. Three weeks before Cullen was awarded the Pulitzer, the federal judge overseeing the contentious Des Moines Water Works lawsuit dismissed it by noting Iowa’s county drainage districts, the targets of the suit, were immune to damage claims.

In short, said the judge, no money no lawsuit.

The farm groups and Iowa’s ag-dependent politicians declared victory and moved on.

Editor Cullen, who remains in Buena Vista County, conceded nothing: “We still have a surface water problem in Iowa,” he said in one post-Pulitzer interview. “We’ve been reporting on it for 25 years.”

Will it take another 25 years for agriculture— for us—to acknowledge and act on the growing threats to our rural environment and the world’s food-growing future? Clearly, we have the money and talent to delay any legal and legislative effort to change today’s soil, air and water regulations.

What we need more, however, is the courage and foresight to invest that money and talent in ensuring the future rather than litigating the past. It’s the right thing for our communities now and our grandchildren later.

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AUTOMOTIVE New Vehicle Buying Guide Compiled by Motor Matters

E-mail Questions To: info@motormatters.com Mail Questions To: PO Box 3305, Wilmington, DE 19804

2017 Jeep Compass The all-new 2017 Compass expands Jeep’s global reach with a combination of attributes that includes legendary and best-in-class 4x4 off-road capability, advanced fuel-efficient powertrains, premium and authentic Jeep design, superior on-road driving dynamics, open-air freedom, and a host of innovative safety and advanced technology offerings.

The 2017 Jeep Compass is available in four different trim configurations: Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk.

The all-new 2017 Jeep Compass delivers best-in-class off-road capability, courtesy of two advanced, intelligent 4x4 systems, each of which can send 100 percent of available torque to any one wheel: Active Drive full-time 4x4 system and Active Drive Low full-time 4x4 system with 20:1 crawl ratio.

The proven, fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine powers the Compass, delivering up to 30 miles per gallon.

The advanced technology engine produces 180

horsepower, 175 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to the choice of three transmissions: nine-speed automatic transmission for 4x4 models; six-speed manual transmission (4x2 and 4x4 models); and Aisin six-speed automatic transmission for 4x2 Compass models.

The all-new 2017 Jeep Compass features a premium, sculptural design aesthetic. The exterior design is expressive and emotional with a wide stance and exceptional glass-towheel proportions. A fast, dramatic roofline and muscular fenders and shoulders create a stunning profile.

A standout feature of the rear of the Compass is its unique LED tail lamps. Slim and rectangular in shape, the tail lamps flow into the liftgate for a commanding yet premium appearance instantly recognizable as a Jeep Compass on the road or trail.

Base model estimated mpg: 23/28 Estimated starting price: $19,940

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Saturday, April 22, 2017