April 14, 2018 Pine Barrens Tribune

INSIDE THIS WEEK: Sale of School to NJDEP Leaves Washington Residents Without Disaster Shelter - Pg.4

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE www.pinebarrenstribune.com

Vol. 2 – No. 33

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The News Leader of the Pines

April 14, 2018 – April 20, 2018

True Neighbors

PHOTO BY RYAN MARCHESE Chickie's and Pete's owner Pete Ciarrocchi (center right), along with Evesham Township officials, cut a ribbon to celebrate the restaurantʼs grand opening.

PHOTO BY RYAN MARCHESE Medford True Value Hardware & Rental store owner Scott Baumer (center right) was joined by Medford Township officials and other guests during a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration.

By Douglas D. Melegari

By Douglas D. Melegari

Chickie’s and Pete’s Officially Opens for Business in Evesham

Staff Writer

EVESHAM—Chickie’s and Pete’s is a new player in town.

On April 6, the Philadelphia-headquartered restaurant chain officially opened a new sports bar/restaurant, in the Marlton section of Evesham Township, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

An eager lunch crowd anxiously awaited outside.

Located in the Marlton Crossing Shopping Center, near the intersection of Routes 70 and 73 where Champps restaurant reigned for two

decades, Chickie’s and Pete’s has hired 180 employees and transformed a 10,000 square foot space into a sports enthusiast’s dream come true.

Named the “Number 1 Sports Bar in North America” by ESPN, this reinvented eatery is the next best place to see a game without actually being there.

It features a multitude of high definition televisions, cutting-edge technology, large booths, extensive bar offerings—including an ample variety of local craft beer, a menu rich

PETE'S>>PAGE 15

Village of Taunton Forge Welcomes True Value to Its Family of Stores

Staff Writer

MEDFORD—Saturday marked the start of a new era for a hardware store and shopping center in Medford Township.

Medford True Value Hardware & Rental store, which first opened its doors at 101 Taunton Road on Feb. 28, 1998, officially moved a minute away to a new and much more expansive location at 200 Tuckerton Road.

“We are a performance car now going to high performance,” said Store Manager Steve Flynn as a grand opening celebration kicked off.

The move was a true team effort.

John De Paolo, retail consultant for True Value, said the store’s workers transformed six vacant spaces in the Taunton Forge Shopping Center into a single store, without a construction crew.

“The store team did the demolition, knocking walls down to merge the spaces together,” he said. “I oversee 34 stores in New Jersey and New York that all have a cohesive group, but I never saw anything quite like this. It has been really inspiring.”

The project began 18 months ago after store

VALUE>>PAGE 13

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LOCAL NEWS

Town Employee Removed from Positions Following Barn and Email Controversy

By Douglas D. Melegari

Little Egg Harbor Approves Pinelands Regional’s Plan for Classroom Trailers

By Catherine Galioto

Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—An employee of Washington Township was “removed” from office last week following a governing body’s executive session, despite a township official telling the public that no action was expected to be taken.

Horace A. Somes, Jr., zoning official and member of the Washington Township Joint Planning and Zoning Board, in possession of a Rice Notice, or a notification from a public body that it is going to discuss his employment, was observed entering into an executive session with the Washington Township Committee just before 8 p.m. on April 3.

The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) requires a governing body official to announce whether formal action may be taken following an executive session and to announce a time of anticipated return to public session, since some sessions can last for hours.

Township Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman, just before the meeting room’s doors were closed to the public for the executive session, asked Solicitor Tom Coleman whether he “expected action to be taken.”

“I do not,” said Coleman, failing to provide attendees with a time of anticipated return.

With the business items on the provided committee meeting agenda acted upon, and Coleman’s statement in mind, most of the

public left the Washington Township Municipal Building, where the meeting convened.

Coleman, when the committee entered an executive session last fall to discuss land acquisition of the Green Bank School, said “no action is expected to be taken,” careful to include “expected” in his remarks to provide an opportunity for the committee to still take action upon their return to public session.

It is required by law that officials reconvene publicly, following executive session, to adjourn the governing body meeting as a whole and announce the results of their closed-door session.

Coleman, when asked at the time by this newspaper to be notified when the public session would reconvene, lost his composure.

“What don’t you understand?” Coleman said. “What I said means we’re not acting on anything. No action is expected…means no action will be taken.”

He later apologized, in person, for losing his composure and attributed his reaction to “a bad day at the office.”

But, Coleman’s assurance last fall about “no action” apparently did not apply on April 3.

Action was taken immediately after the committee’s April 3 executive session.

Barbara Somes, Horace’s wife, said her husband was forced to surrender his key to

EMAIL>>PAGE 21

Sale of School to NJDEP Leaves Washington Residents Without Disaster Shelter

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—The sale of the former Green Bank School to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has left municipal emergency management officials without access to an American Red Cross-approved disaster shelter.

The 25,321-square foot building in Washington Township, with a capacity for 250 people, is the only building in town that is known to satisfy all Red Cross shelter requirements.

It is also the only building in the southeastern corner of Burlington County that has received Red Cross approval to be used as a shelter.

However, Jeannette Depiero, Washington’s American Red Cross liaison, said municipal officials had to give up their keys to the shelter when the Washington Township Committee sold it to the NJDEP for $1.25 million in December.

“The NJDEP now owns the building—we all know that,” she said. “But, now we have no access to the building,”

She said the building was locked up tight, with nobody to call to open it, as a wet snowstorm left hundreds of township residents in the dark and a fire consumed a County Route 542 dwelling on March 21—leaving emergency management volunteers helpless.

“We just had a fire and Nor’easter number four and we could have opened a shelter,” Depiero said. “We were ready and able, but (instead) had an elderly lady evacuated to someone’s house via an ambulance. We could have been there, but we do not have a shelter.”

She said the Washington Township Senior Center, a few minutes away from the school, satisfies all but one Red Cross shelter requirement: having an operable and connected generator.

She added that the Washington Township Municipal Building, adjacent to the former school, is not supposed to be used as a shelter, despite having a kitchen and generator, because it serves as a staging area for emergency management personnel.

DISASTER>>PAGE 10

INDEX Business Directory.......................... 10 Community....................................... 9 Fun and Games............................... 17 Health.............................................. 14 Home, Garden & Farming ............. 22

Local News....................................... 4 Marketplace..................................... 19 Opinion............................................. 8 Scanner.............................................. 7 Worship Directory............................. 9

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

LITTLE EGG HARBOR—The Pinelands Regional School District cleared another hurdle last week after its plan to install temporary classroom units (TCUs) or trailers at a district school, due to planned school construction, won approval from the Little Egg Harbor Planning Board.

Pinelands Regional officials went before the planning board at an April 5 meeting to seek their approval to install the temporary classroom units at Pinelands Regional Junior High School, while construction forces the closure of Pinelands Regional High School for the upcoming school year.

The board OK’d the plan after hearing specifics from an architect and engineer representing the Pinelands Regional district.

The units, the professionals said, are strapped

together, but have a common hallway allowing people to walk inside of them from one end to the other.

There will be a main entrance on one side of the units, while the other side will have an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramp.

The structures are one-story and will be comprised of 10 classrooms. The units will also contain boys’ and girls’ ADA-compliant bathrooms.

Brooks Garrison, the architect representing the Pinelands Regional School District, said to the board that each unit will be hooked up to the junior high school’s existing electric, water, heat and other utility lines.

He said tying into the junior high school’s utilities will also “allow for communications.”

PLAN>>PAGE 18

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The Pine Barrens Tribune is published weekly by Pine Barrens Media, LLC. The newspaper is distributed free at select locations in Bass River, Evesham, Hammonton, Medford, Medford Lakes, Pemberton, Pemberton Borough, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle, Washington, Whiting, 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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Ask the Expert!

By Dean Mainardi

You are thinking about doing a project in your home, or an issue that just will not go away.

Who do you go to for sincere, honest advice? In recent years, the economic situation that our country is involved in, has brought many people to the “Trades” with little to no experience. We have seen some of the worst workmanship and solutions to problems than ever before. In the end, hard-earned money is spent and bigger problems are created. That’s why we are here. To help you! This section is a direct contact to give you the advice and experience you need to help solve any home improvement concern or issue you may have. The best part is it’s for FREE. No strings attached. Just good old-fashioned neighborly advice on the things you need to know. If I don’t have the answer, I will get it or refer you to the proper expert in our network of quality reliable contractors.

For every issue, I will choose the BEST question that I think will help the most people. If we publish your question, you will receive a $50 VISA gift card as a thank you from us for helping make this new section a success.

So, “We are what you have been waiting for.” Get to your computer and send your questions directly to me at AskTheExpert@onlythebestbuilder.com or call directly at 609-654-1698.

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Dean Mainardi is a 3rdgeneration contractor. He has built everything from new homes to restaurants. He and his company“Only The Best Builder LLC” have been on a mission to hire the “Best” people, use the“Best” products, and give the “Best” service anywhere. You can read more about this company and their mission at www. onlythebestbuilder.com. Make sure you check out the “Page of Shame.”

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

SCANNER Browns Mills Man Charged With Fatally Stabbing Wife

BROWNS MILLS—A Pemberton Township man has been charged with fatally attacking and stabbing his wife on April 7, at their home, in the Browns Mills section of the township.

Kenneth D. Arsenault, 59, of the first block of Cochita Trail, was charged after the incident with murder, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon and two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Pemberton Township Police Chief David Jantas said police were called to the Cochita Trail home at around 10 p.m. after receiving a report of a woman screaming for help.

The two law enforcement officials said that upon arrival, Pemberton Township police officers found Arsenault on top of his wife, on the ground, outside of their residence.

Arsenault was taken into custody.

The victim, Lorraine Arsenault, 61, was transported to Lourdes Emergency Department at Deborah, also in Browns Mills, where she was pronounced dead just before 11 p.m.

The motive for the attack is under investigation.

Kenneth Arsenault was lodged in Burlington County Jail pending a first appearance in Burlington County Superior Court, in Mount Holly.

The investigation is being conducted by the

PEMBERTON—Two vehicles collided in Pemberton Township last Saturday, causing one man to lose his life.

The crash happened in the area of Juliustown Road and Carp Lane on April 7. Officers were dispatched to the scene at around 11:49 p.m.

When police arrived at the scene, they found a 2006 Infiniti G36 in the eastbound shoulder of Juliustown Road, facing south, while a 2011 Jeep Patriot was in the center of Juliustown Road, facing east.

Lt. Brian Smith, commander of the Pemberton Township Police Department’s Investigation Division, said that the Infiniti; driven by John Williams III, 30, of Hamilton Township; crossed into the Jeep’s path of travel.

“Mr. Williams was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision and sustained life-

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Kenneth D. Arsenault.

Pemberton Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

The lead investigators are Pemberton Township Detective Jonathan Glass and Burlington County Prosecutorʼs Office Detective Tom Larosa.

the injuries to Atlas,” Waterman said. “The injuries were severe and consisted of numerous fractures, requiring surgical repair, as well as hemorrhaging.”

Police also determined that in the six weeks Herjo had Atlas, the dog sustained injuries on at least two other occasions.

“Herjo reported that Atlas was injured in December from falling down the stairs and in January from falling down a hill,” Waterman said. “Sadly, on Feb. 3, Atlas, while still in Herjo’s care, died under suspicious circumstances as there was evidence that Atlas sustained additional trauma.”

Police also discovered that Herjo created a GoFundMe account seeking donations for Atlas’ veterinary bills.

“Herjo falsified the narrative of the account by indicating that Atlas sustained the injuries when he and Atlas were involved in a hit and run motor vehicle crash,” Waterman said.

“The account raised $14,065, via 693 separate donations, over a 28 day period.”

On March 28, Herjo was charged with thirddegree animal cruelty and third-degree theft by deception, pending a Burlington County Superior Court hearing.

Is your business ready to Jooin us today on

threatening injuries as a result of the collision,” Smith said. “Mr. Williams injuries were incompatible with life and he was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The driver of the Jeep, John S. Albino, 48, of Manchester Township, sustained non-lifethreatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.

Smith said the collision is still under investigation and no summonses have been issued at this time.

Anyone who has additional information about the collision or who may have witnessed it is asked to please contact the Pemberton Township Police Department at 609-894-3308 or a Police Confidential Tip Line at 609-8943352.

Police Warn Women of Pickpocketers on the Loose

Shamong Man Charged with Animal Cruelty after Allegedly Abusing German Shepherd MEDFORD—A Shamong Township man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly abusing a German Shepherd, which eventually died under suspicious circumstances.

The man is also accused of carrying out a scheme to make money off the dog’s injuries under false pretenses.

Law enforcement’s first encounter with the dog and his owner, Reid M. Herjo, 24, was on Jan. 22 when an officer from the Medford Township Police Department stopped Herjo for speeding on Atsion Road.

“At that time, Reid M. Herjo advised police that he was transporting his 14-weekold German Shepherd, Atlas, to a veterinary hospital,” said Lt. Arthur Waterman, a spokesman for the Medford Township Police Department. “He said that while walking Atlas, he was struck by an ATV.” On Jan. 27, however, Waterman said Medford Police received information suggesting that the information provided by Herjo on Jan. 22, about how Atlas’ sustained his injuries, was not factual.

“A subsequent investigation conducted

by Medford Police, in cooperation with the New Jersey State Police Red Lion Barracks, determined that Herjo intentionally caused

Juliustown Road Collision Leaves One Man Dead

Grow?

www.pinebarrensservices.com i b i

EVESHAM—The Evesham Township Police Department is warning area women to watch their purses and wallets after receiving reports of pickpocketing.

One of the latest incidents occurred on March 23, at Red Stone Grill, in the Marlton section of Evesham.

Police say a Caucasian woman stole a wallet from another woman’s purse hanging off the back of a chair while she was dining.

The suspect then used the victim’s credit cards, on the same date, to purchase two laptops for $5,610.60 at an Apple store in Marlton.

A second incident, on March 28, was caught on surveillance video.

An African American woman is seen

removing a wallet from another woman’s purse, hanging off the back of a chair, while dining at the new Chickie’s and Pete’s restaurant in Marlton.

The suspect then used the victim’s credit cards, on the same date, to purchase items from a Target store in Voorhees Township.

If anyone knows the identity of these suspects, you are asked to contact Evesham Police at 856-983-1116.

In the meantime, police warn women against draping their purses on the back of a chair or on the floor beside them, while dining out. They also are asking women to not leave their purses, unattended, in a shopping cart.

Easter Treats for K-9's

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PHOTO SUBMITTED Ava and Dillon, of Marlton, recently brought Easter treats for Evesham Township Police Department K-9s (not pictured) to the department's headquarters.

PAGE 8

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

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.

Due to the volume of letters received, we cannot guarantee every one will be printed.

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

Editorial

Saturday, April 14, 2018

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.

Cartoon

Lenape Regional High School District Taxpayers Deserve Tax Relief

If you are a taxpayer in Woodland Township, it is time to give Margaret M. “Cookie” Estlow, your Lenape Regional High School District Board of Education representative, a phone call.

If she and the rest of her board colleagues have their way on April 25, regional school taxes will rise in the township for the third consecutive year in a row beginning in September.

The board imposed a regional school tax rate increase of 4.70 cents on Woodland residents for the 2016-17 school year. For the 2017-18 school year, the board hit Woodland residents with a regional school tax rate increase of 2.98 cents.

Now, the group wants to impose a regional school tax rate increase of 5.03 cents on Woodland residents for the 2018-19 school year.

If the proposed rate is approved by the board, regional school taxes on a Woodland home, that is assessed at the township average, will have increased by over $200 over just three budget cycles. This figure does not even factor in the local purpose tax and local school district tax.

To be fair, Woodland’s declining student enrollment and declining tax ratables does factor into this, which is all the more reason why the township committee has to take a serious look at redevelopment.

But, cuts in unnecessary spending by the board must be enacted because a failure to offset increases like this in Woodland, right now, will cause even more businesses and residents to flee, driving taxes up even further.

If there is any silver lining for Woodland residents, it is that their tax bills don’t have “Medford Lakes” printed on them, where the same impact could happen over a much shorter duration.

The board is proposing a whopping tax levy increase of 7.24 cents for Medford Lakes taxpayers during the 2018-19 school year, which would result in a $204.32 increase in regional school taxes on a home assessed at the borough average.

This is on top of a regional school tax rate increase of 2.99 cents, or $87.18, implemented with the 2017-18 budget.

Steve H. Lee, board representative for Medford Lakes, needs to commit to bring the situation under control.

Estlow, also the president of the Lenape Regional High School District Board of Education, has a responsibility to taxpayers in Medford Lakes too.

The truth is to be told: savings can be found in this district without eliminating teaching positions, degrading the quality of

education and shuttering programs.

It is time to close the Lenape Regional High School District’s Administration Building. It serves no purpose for administrators to be located miles away from each of the district’s high schools. Their isolation from reality only keeps them less engaged.

Closing the building, located in Shamong, will result in one less utility tab and place to maintain. Setting up some desks and cubicles, in an unused high school classroom for the dozen or so staff that occupy the administration building, should be sufficient.

In fact, the district’s head of security has his office at Cherokee High School—so this can be done.

At Cherokee High School, one of the district’s four high schools, there are: two principals, two libraries, two main offices and—of course—two office managers. This is despite the fact that the buildings are connected to each other and are not true “north” and “south” schools (or schools on separate parcels).

Cherokee has an equivalent population of others schools that efficiently and successfully operate with one principal, one library and one main office.

We recommend the board take a serious look at Cherokee’s efficiency.

Many of us recall the days when we went to high school and only had a principal—and perhaps a vice principal—handling discipline and coordinating curriculum with ease.

So, here are some staggering statistics.

Cherokee High School, with an enrollment of about 2,200 students, has eight vice principals, in addition to the two principals.

Lenape High School, with an enrollment of about 1,800 students, has seven vice principals, in addition to a principal.

Shawnee High School, with an enrollment of about 1,600 students, has six vice principals, in addition to a principal.

Seneca High School, with an enrollment of about 1,216 students, has five vice principals, in addition to a principal.

We really have to wonder if the number of administrators for each school has become excessive.

Moorestown High School, a top five high school in Burlington County with an enrollment of 1,338 students, has one principal and only two vice principals.

We have just scraped the surface of the proposed Lenape Regional High School District budget of $162,630,008 to contribute to a thought-provoking discussion that our readers—affected taxpayers—are having as evidenced by the Social Media Soundoff section on this page.

Social Media Sound Off (Re: Rigor Demanded of LRHSD Students Leaves Several Parents Troubled) I have always said this about the Lenape Regional High School District and the Southampton Township School District! It is correct, the kids feel labeled by the time they get to high school. ~Kim Karpiak (Re: Rigor Demanded of LRHSD Students Leaves Several Parents Troubled) If your child has the ability to learn calculus, physics and chemistry, they should be allowed to participate in the STEM program. If they cannot pass these courses, they do not have the foundation required for the STEM program. Allowing a child to participate in a program that is beyond their skill set and having them fail is equally detrimental. ~Florinda Pirone Friend (Re: Regional School Taxes May Rise Considerably in Medford Lakes and Woodland) Great. My taxes just keep going up and it all goes to a school that I have no kids in. My township provides me with nothing because all my taxes are going elsewhere. I have a couple of friends who live in Pemberton Borough and they pay almost half the taxes that I pay. They have bigger, nicer houses and city water, sewer and trash pick up. ~Sam Simpson (Re: Regional School Taxes May Rise Considerably in Medford Lakes and Woodland) Another reason to move, this is ridiculous. ~Sheena Walsh (Re: Regional School Taxes May Rise Considerably in Medford Lakes and Woodland) Administrators, and their staff's high salaries, are forcing taxes to get out of control! ~John J. Murphy (Re: Regional School Taxes May Rise Considerably in Medford Lakes and Woodland) So much for the federal tax break. Government seems to manage to get it back somehow. ~Bill Butler (Re: Regional School Taxes May Rise Considerably in Medford Lakes and Woodland) If every school district in New Jersey was funded by the state fairly, this would not be an issue. ~Eleanor Alexander Please comment on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Twitter: @PineBarrensNews with the hashtag #SoundOff or Facebook: www.facebook.com/pinebarrenstribune.

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COMMUNITY

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Events April 17

Event: Learn to Become an Advocate for Abused Children Location: Mount Holly Details: Burlington County is recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Volunteers may speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for family court judges and safeguard the interests of children while they are in the foster care system. An information session, less than one hour, will be held on April 17 at 5 p.m. in the CASA office, 100 High Street, Suite 301, Mt. Holly. For more information, contact Harry Cassidy at 609-265-2222, or visit www.casaMB. org.

Event: Mullica in the Pines Historical Society Location: Nesco Details: The Mullica in the Pines Historical Society will meet on April 17 at 7 p.m., at the Hilda Frame School, Nesco Road, Nesco. The guest speaker will be John Sanford of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. He will explain duties and responsibilities of the Forest Fire Service. For more information, call 609-5614034.

Event: Pemberton Readers Book Discussion, “Spring Fever” Location: Browns Mills Details: The Pemberton Readers will discuss “Spring Fever”

by Mary Kay Andrews, the story of second chances set in a small town and starring wonderful and quirky characters. 2 p.m. at the Pemberton Community Library, 16 Broadway, Browns Mills.

For more information, call 609-893-8262.

Event: Top Notch Resumes Location: Jackson Details: Get resume-writing tips to impress potential employers in a Resume Basics class, funded by a NJ Department

of Labor and Workforce Development grant. April 17 at 2 p.m. at the Jackson Branch Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. To register, call 732-928-4400, or visit www.theoceancountylibrary. org/events.

April 19

Event: Technology Class Location: Jackson Details: Presenting Google Drive, 10 a.m. at the Jackson Branch Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Learn to take files and folders anywhere, upload, organize, share and more. Participants must have a working Gmail account and know their passwords.

To register for this class, call 732-928-4400, or visit www. theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

April 20

Event: Designer Bag Bingo Location: Burlington Details: Doors open at 5 p.m. Bingo begins at 7 p.m. at the Riverfront YMCA, 302 Commerce Square Blvd., Burlington.

Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, if still available.

Purchase tickets through Event Brite, https://www.evenbrite. com/e/designer-bag-bingo-tickets-38976894942. Hosted by Contact of Burlington County, the 24-hour Crisis Helpline, Suicide Prevention and Sexual Assault Services for Burlington County. For more information, call 856-234-5484 x 200.

Event: Library Book Sale Location: Browns Mills Details: The Pemberton Friends of the Library are hosting a book sale, April 20 through April 29 at the Pemberton Community Library, 16 Broadway Ave., Browns Mills, during regular library

hours. Proceeds provide activities for the community. For more information, call 609-893-8262.

April 21

Event: 5K and One Mile Run & Walk Location: Medford Details: St. Mary of the Lakes PTA is sponsoring a timed & certified 5K and 1 Mile Color Run & Walk, at Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford. Check-in is at 8 a.m. The 5K starts at 9 a.m. (timed). The one mile fun run starts at 10 a.m. (untimed). To register, visit https://events.myschoolcolorrun.com/event/2018StMary-of-the-Lakes-School-Medford-NJ.

April 22

Event: Rock, Roll & Ring Concert Location: Medford Details: Medford United Methodist Church, 2 Hartford Rd., Medford, is hosting a benefit concert for Urban Promise in Camden at 4 p.m. Listen to an assortment of non-traditional songs played by hand bell choirs, a praise band, and an organist.

A free-will offering will be taken to support Urban Promise in Camden. For more information, call 609-654-8111, or visit www.medfordumc.org.

Event: Bowling Tournament Location: Toms River Details: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Whiting is hosting their 2nd annual Over-Under Doubles Bowling Tournament at Playdrome Lanes in Toms River at 9:30 a.m. Each doubles team should consist of one bowler under 50 years of age and one bowler over the age of 50. Both bowlers must have an established average. For more information, call 732-814-6683, 732-349-5345, or 732-350-2121.

PEMBERTON TWP. SENIOR CITIZEN COLUMN

PINE KNOTS COLUMN

Springtime Activities are Buzzing Along at the Pemberton Township Senior Citizen Center

Mayor David Patriarca To Speak at BMIA

By Ebba Liguori

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—The cold, wintry weather to start this month hasn’t “fooled” us yet. All of the usual April, springtime activities are buzzing along at the Pemberton Township Senior Citizen.

The Pemberton Township Senior Council met on April 5. A discussion included finding a way to get all township seniors more active and involved in the activities of the senior center.

The center is provided by Pemberton Township. The township staffs the facility and is in charge of maintaining it.

Joe Marrolli is the center’s director and oversees its day-to-day operation. Marrolli will stop in and check on the many details required to keep the center running.

Each morning, Heidi Blankenship arrives and opens the building. She begins the daily routine of coffee making and setting out some snacks for early arrivals.

Henry Fayson arrives shortly after the center opens to assist Blankenship with morning chores. The energetic young man makes himself useful in many ways, especially once

BUZZING>>PAGE 16

By Ebba Liguori

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—The April meeting of the Browns Mills Improvement Association (BMIA) will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, at the BMIA Building.

Mayor David Patriarca will be the meeting’s featured speaker and share community updates for this year. He will speak about the municipal budget for the year and touch on other concerns of the community.

There will be ample time to ask questions following the presentation.

Come

Worship With Us a.m.

The BMIA is entering its 100th year of service to the township. Join in the planning for ways to make this centennial celebration memorable. Groups are forming to plan for upcoming events.

Inclement weather caused several changes in planned Clean Communities days.

On April 14, groups of residents will meet at 8 a.m. at the Country Lakes Fire House to participate in the latest community clean-up day.

On April 21, the groups of residents will

SPEAK>>PAGE 18

PAGE 10

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DISASTER PAGE 4

“I am appealing to the committee to please speak with someone with the state or NJDEP and find out if can we use that again (the former Green Bank School) as a shelter,” Depiero said.

“That is all we need: the key and code to get in there. Otherwise, we have nothing here.”

She said if the former school can’t be used any longer as a Red Cross shelter, the closest ones are in Atlantic City and Little Egg Harbor.

“There is nothing for us here,” Depiero said.

“If we get flooded, we are all surrounded by water and can’t get out. There will be more storms.”

She said Pinelands Regional Schools are the Little Egg Harbor Red Cross-approved facilities—raising eyebrows in the room because availability of those facilities is in doubt due to ongoing school construction.

“That is still not here,” said Depiero of Pinelands schools which are 12.9 miles away and could potentially be inaccessible to residents due to a forest fire, downed trees, or flooding. “Disasters don’t pick a time. They happen whenever they want and we could do nothing about it and I just feel bad for the community.”

Depiero said the former Green Bank School

could not only have served as a shelter on March 21, but it had the capability to also serve as a canteen for first responders battling the fire and taking care of downed trees.

“If we were up and running, and I understand there were a lot of fire companies and it was a long day out in the cold and storm, people could have come to the shelter to warm up and have some food,” she said.

Depiero made an appeal before the Washington Township Committee on April 3.

However, she did not receive a reply.

Washington Mayor Dudley Lewis, when reached the next day by telephone, said he will ask the NJDEP for permission to have the municipality continue to use the former school as its shelter.

However, he said he wasn’t too optimistic given that the NJDEP plans to use the facility as offices for the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and State Park Police.

“I have no problem asking,” Lewis said.

“Obviously, I will ask. But, I seriously doubt they will give us permission.”

Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the NJDEP, said he was doubtful such a request could be honored by the agency given that the former school is slated for renovation soon.

Lewis revealed that the Washington Township Senior Center is not owned by the township.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

PHOTO BY VINCE DEBLASIO

Former Green Bank School.

He said it is also owned by the NJDEP and the township’s lease on the center will soon be up.

“It does not have a generator and we would have to make substantial electrical modifications to the building,” he said. “We do not own it and it is questionable whether it will be leased to us again.”

Lewis said he believed there are “different routes” the township can pursue to have a shelter that is convenient for residents and receives Red Cross certification.

“The municipal building has (uninterrupted) heat and power due to an automatic generator,” he said. “It does the whole building. We also

just upgraded its restrooms.”

He said during Superstorm Sandy, six township residents required shelter for an extended period of time.

Washington’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Barbara Somes, expressed concern, on Sept. 5th, with the possibility that emergency management may not be able to continue to use the former school as a shelter, once it was sold.

“It is not the best situation,” said Depiero in the committee’s chambers with windows providing a view of the former school. “The best situation is right next door.”

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VALUE PAGE 1

owners Scott and Diane Baumer decided to devote a significant part of their business to customers searching for gifts, home décor and party rentals—all of which required a larger space.

“It is all about the female focus in a hardware store,” Scott Baumer said. “We have expanded to include home décor and rentals for birthday parties, graduations, and weddings.”

To hammer the point home that the store is devoted to the female shopper, a premium card and gift shop with numerous novelties takes up more than a third of the store.

“The Hallmark store, that was here, happened to close,” Diane Baumer said. “With that in mind, Scott and I came up with the idea to have a store within a store and offer what Hallmark offered to the community by becoming a Card$mart retailer, with 50 percent off every card, every day.”

The variety in the card and gift shop is extensive, with items sure to be customer favorites: a toy giraffe, novelty tool pens, a Superbowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles doormat, Noelle clothing, Yankee Candles, a mountain cliff waterfall, and jewelry.

David DePetris, owner of the Taunton Forge Shopping Center, said what the Baumers have done is tremendous.

“They are making this center what people want out of a neighborhood shopping center,” he said.

DePetris is relying on new tenants, such as the Baumers, to bring the shopping center back to its glory days by using modern day concepts.

The center, built by DePetris’ father, Joseph, in two phases, one in 1978 and the other in 1985, has been undergoing a facelift to make it more competitive in a changing climate.

Trees have been removed to improve the visibility of the center and the center’s façade

is being redone to provide for a modern look.

“Retail goes through change,” David DePetris said. “We are trying to keep up with it.”

True Value’s addition to the Taunton Forge Shopping Center was already attracting the store’s local and faithful customers of nearly 20 years to the center, including WKXW-FM (NJ 101.5) radio host Dennis Malloy.

Malloy, who lives only down the street from the center, said he will sometimes patronize True Value three times on a Saturday to purchase nails and screws for a weekend project.

“It is a salvation to have a place like this in a neighborhood shopping center,” he said. “It has the variety a big box store has, but with a personal touch. The people here know you and how to help you.”

Jeanne Hauser brought her daughter, Claire, to True Value to purchase one item—but caught the attention of Donna Symons, chairwoman of the Medford Township Zoning Board, after she noticed Hauser had an overflowing 5-gallon bucket with merchandise to purchase.

“It is a nice, bigger store where you can find things you need,” Hauser said. “I would rather buy local than at Home Depot.”

Symons was part of a group of dignitaries who arrived at the store for a 12 p.m. ribbon cutting, part of the grand opening celebration.

But, she too soon filled a 5-gallon bucket with merchandise to take home for various projects.

“This store is a wonderful addition to our community,” she said. “We are extremely grateful they chose the location that they did and wish them the best of luck.”

Scott Baumer said he is very pleased with how the township has received their new location and offerings.

“The store looks absolutely amazing,” said Medford Mayor Charles “Chuck” Watson. “It is great to have a longtime business expand and grow. We wish them a lot of success.”

A well decorated True Value store.

A customer shops in True Value on their opening day.

PAGE 13

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PHOTO BY RYAN MARCHESE

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PAGE 14

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HEALTH

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Judge Rules Coffee Shops Must Display Cancer Warning

W

hen I think of acrylic, my mind goes to nail salons where they apply hard acrylic to your fingernails…it doesn’t go to coffee or potato chips! But this compound is, in fact, almost always present in coffee and potato chips, as well as many other foods such as cereal, French fries, peanut butter… even prune juice.

Acrylamide levels are higher in things that are fried like French fries. Just like frying, toasting can produce acrylamide that’s why dark toast is worse for you than light toast, as are well-down hash browns, versus lightly browned ones… basically the darker (more cooked) areas of your food tend to have more acrylamide. Coffee is high in acrylamide and that’s why coffee shops are facing scrutiny now. I’d like a Vanilla Latte, double-shot, extra whipped cream, no acrylamide.

Starbucks and other big-name cafes are under fire. You see, acrylamide is a compound known to the FDA as a “possible” carcinogen.

To be fair, the carcinogenic potential of dietaryrelated acrylamide from foods and beverages is actually unknown.

Natural coffee beans don’t have acrylamide; it happens during the refinement process.

When coffee growers roast their coffee beans, the acrylamide content goes up to a certain degree. Then coffee houses prepare beverages for us (the consumer) and we drink it. Does that mean we’re drinking acrylamide?

In recent breaking news, Superior Court

Judge Elihu M. Berle has just ruled that coffee companies like Starbucks, Peet’s and others will have to carry the cancer warning label in the state of California. I am confident this cancer-causing acrylamide problem won’t even impact their sales…not even a dollar! Coffee lovers aren’t going to run because we, as a nation, are fairly desensitized to toxins by now.

Nobody cares if meat contains 28 different ingredients, aside from meat. Nobody cares if blueberry cereal doesn’t have real blueberries in it, but rather purple goo. Nobody cares if French fries are fried in disgusting oil. These are the foods that are the highest in acrylamide, so you’ll want to avoid or minimize these: • French fries and potato chips • Grains like pasta • Breakfast cereal • Darkly toasted bread or bagels • Certain cookies • Lightly roasted coffee beans • Peanut, almond or sunflower butter That’s just the main foods, there are others which I can share in my extended version of this article. I’ve written a much more comprehensive article about this, including more about why the foods above are high in acrylamide and what you can substitute. I’ve also offered a list of foods and supplements that offset the damage done by acrylamide. To get all of this, it’s simple. Just sign up for my free newsletter at suzycohen.com and I’ll email it to you on Tuesday.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Saturday, April 14, 2018

PETE'S PAGE 1

with crabs and assorted seafood, burgers and a lot of finger foods.

Evesham Mayor Randy Brown and Councilman Robert DiEnna attended the ribbon cutting along with Brixmor Property Group’s Chief Executive Officer and President James Taylor, Marlton Business Association members and Chickie’s and Pete’s top guns including Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pete Ciarrocchi; Vice President of Operations Joe Carpinella; Chief Operating Officer Roger Falloon; and Marlton location General Manager Alvin Cintron.

Brown, the first speaker to address the crowd—and the driving force who set into motion the chain’s arrival in Marlton when he learned of Champps’ departure—called Chickie’s and Pete’s “a leader” in restaurants, sports bars and the creation of a community gathering place.

As he shared his long-time appreciation for Chickie’s and Pete’s, he recalled his first experience at a location more than 30 years ago and expressed the thrill in having one of the chain’s restaurants in his very own hometown.

“He is passionate about what he does and he connects with the community,” said Taylor about Ciarrocchi, who referred to the chain’s signature—and trademarked—crab fries as having sealed the deal for Brixmor to have Chickie’s and Pete’s move into Marlton Crossing.

The crab fries are key to Ciarrocchi’s

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM success story, which dates back to his days at Northeast High School in Philadelphia, where he took a cooking class and experimented with sauces and seasonings.

In the meantime, Ciarrocchi’s father, Peter, and his mother, Henrietta, who was nicknamed “Chickie,” owned a deli. In 1977, they purchased a neighborhood taproom, on Robbins Avenue in the Mayfair section of Northeast Philadelphia, called “Wally’s.”

Peter Ciarrocchi added stools to the standing-only bar, invited women in, and named the bar after his wife and him: Chickie and Pete’s. When signage came, however, it read “Chickie’s and Pete’s.” Pete Ciarrocchi and his brother, Tom—his right-hand man on the sports bar/restaurant adventure—decided to keep the name that appeared on the signage.

When Peter Ciarrocchi died shortly thereafter, Chickie Ciarrocchi encouraged Pete Ciarrocchi to expand upon his own ideas and with that came the introduction of crab fries, with a crinkle design to hold the seasonings in—along with other items that are staples on the restaurant chain’s menu.

“It has been an honor to build here in Marlton,” said Ciarrocchi, whose business empire has grown to 17 full-service, free standing sports bars, with five in New Jersey, and 78 concession stands in stadiums, arenas, boardwalks and amusement parks throughout the country.

“We have been so well-received here,” Ciarrocchi said. “It is the greatest opening we have ever had.”

Chickieʼs and Peteʼs mascot was on hand for the grand opening.

PAGE 15

PHOTO BY RYAN MARCHESE

PHOTO BY RYAN MARCHESE A lunch crowd waits outside for Chickieʼs and Peteʼs grand opening.

PAGE 16

BUZZING PAGE 9

the seniors arrive and make requests.

Later in the day, Melissa Cuevas, the center’s clerk, arrives. She keeps busy by completing the paperwork involved in keeping the center open. The Burlington County Nutrition program requires a lot of paperwork and record keeping for those who sign up to enjoy daily lunches.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, group exercise class begins just after 9 a.m. On the second and fourth Tuesdays, Zumba Gold begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues for one hour.

Exercise equipment at the center is in full use, in another room, beginning as early as 7:30 a.m.

Additionally. Ralph West often makes an early morning appearance at the center with a variety of surplus pastries and breads from local stores.

The bottom line is that everyone is busy doing something at the senior center. Some tables, at the center, are filled to capacity with seniors socializing.

Guest speakers are booked by Cuevas and, if scheduled, are waiting on the sidelines to present their topics.

It can get busy at the center.

On the first Monday of each month, Kimberly Tauche of the “Couponing Ladies” arrives to share specials at local stores.

One that pays close attention to Tauche can save a considerable amount of money while shopping for groceries. She brings coupons and shows ways to maximize their benefits.

This month, the first Monday was a holiday, so Tauche came to the center on the second Monday. Many thanks for her faithfulness is assisting the seniors.

One Tuesday a month, Margaret Graiff

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM arrives at the center with her Bingo equipment.

She leads a series of games and provides a variety of door prizes and monetary gift cards for the winners.

She visited the center on April 10 and seniors had a really great time with her. Graiff also hosts Breakfast Bingo at Aspen Hills. April 19 is the magic day for the full buffet breakfast and several games of Bingo. Again, gift cards will be provided to the winners. Several door prize gift bags will also be given out.

As the morning progresses, another staff member arrives at the center. Stephanie JonesFrazer comes into the center just before the nourishing lunch is served. She will help serve and assist those seniors who need some help. She is a pleasant young lady with a lot of energy. After a meal, her main job is to clean up after nearly 100 seniors consume lunch.

There are a number of seniors in the township who do not drive or have access to a vehicle. Willis Mahoney is the staff member who sees to this population’s needs. Mahoney drives a senior bus and has a daily route which takes him around the township, picking up those non-drivers. He begins his day around 9 a.m., and after signing in, gets his bus and heads out on the route. Soon, he returns to the center with a full busload of seniors, ready to participate and join in the daily activities.

On some days, Mahoney needs to make a second pass to pick up one or two more seniors because so many need this service. The township provides the bus for those seniors unable to make their way to the center on their own.

There is no charge for this service: door to door pick up and return. Seniors are grateful to the township for offering this service.

Once the seniors are safely inside the senior center, Mahoney drives to Colonial Village

Caterer in nearby Pemberton Borough to pick up the daily lunches. This makes a full morning for him.

After lunch, Mahoney must safely transport the non-drivers beck to their homes.

On certain days, Mahoney takes the nondrivers to shop at the Browns Mills Acme store or to the local banks.

When bringing each senior back to their home, Mahoney assists them with their purchases, carrying bundles to their door.

This service allows many seniors to remain independent.

On April 18, many seniors will go to the annual “Senior Prom.” The Pemberton Township Education Association (PTEA) sponsors the party, using grant funds available from the New Jersey Education Association.

Pemberton Township High School (PTHS) students staff the party. It is a wonderful intergenerational night, where students and seniors enjoy a night of dining, dancing, and fun.

The high school’s Horticultural class provides corsages for participating seniors, while the high school’s Culinary Arts class provides dessert for all.

The Future Business Leaders (FBLA) and “We Help You” (WHY) clubs provide wait staff to make this a truly enjoyable evening.

All township seniors are eligible to attend the “Prom” and the charge is only $10. Check in at the senior center to see if any tickets are still available. If one cannot attend this year, mark your calendars and plan ahead to next year. The event begins at 3 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m., so one can be home before it becomes dark.

On April 20, Pemberton School District Superintendent Tony Trongone will be at the center to speak on the “State of the Pemberton

Saturday, April 14, 2018 Schools.” There is a lot going on in the district’s schools and as taxpayers, all seniors should keep current on these topics.

Trongone always has an excellent presentation and seniors will enjoy learning about the schools and the progress of our students.

The senior center is cooperating with the PTHS Band Booster Club by collecting donations for a “Silent Auction” on May 18.

Seniors are requested to bring donations of new, in the box, appliances, or other items, for the auction.

Seniors are asked to group together and make up some themed baskets suitable for the auction. A few years ago, seniors were most successful in collecting several baskets for a similar PTHS donation. For the rest of this month, the center will be collecting any item which can be used for this purpose. Let us all get behind this fundraiser for the award winning PTHS Marching Band.

On April 24, Keller Williams Realty will present a program for seniors, “Preparing for a Move.” Many seniors face “downsizing” problems, if not today, certainly in the near future.

“Where do I start?” “What am I going to do with all my possessions?” and many other questions soon follow.

Learn some good tips for when your time to downsize comes and learn about who can help with the planning process.

This week’s column has featured many of the day-to-day details of “life at the senior center.”

You might consider stopping by and joining the center; there is no charge to register. Nutritious lunches are served daily for $2, by reservation only. All local seniors are invited to come out and check out the center.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

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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?”

How To Give Her the Compliments She Wants to Hear

I

f you don’t mind my saying so, I firmly believe there should be an easy to understand 12-step program that tells a man the proper responses to a woman’s inquiries.

Men shouldn’t be allowed to run around being flagrantly honest at all times. After all, just because a woman asks if her hair looks okay, she doesn’t really want to know if her hair looks okay. She wants to hear that her hair looks fine, great, and that if passersby are staring her way — she wants to be convinced that they’re just jealous.

My husband, Pat, has been a work in progress since the beginning of our relationship. “How do you think this blouse looks?” I asked in a recent practice session in an attempt to fine-tune his response skills.

“Uh,” he said as he tried to remember the right answer, “Oh! I remember, it’s great!”

“That’s good. Now tell me, what did you think of dinner?”

“You’re quite a cook!”

“Good job. Did you miss me today?”

“Yes,” he responded in a programmed voice as he searched his memory banks. “Oh, I know — it was horrible without you.”

He knew he was making it up, I knew he was making it up, yet I walked away happy, and he went on to more important things like tractors and woodworking tools.

Despite the programming and in-depth instructions, my Pat still slips up now and then.

Take the other day for instance. I had spent a great deal of time in my closet. I had been frantically trying to find something to wear.

All of my pressed clothes looked shabby, my dress slacks looked casual and I’ll be dogged if my happy garments hadn’t switched over to the dark side.

I tried on this, and I tried on that. Outfits that had previously looked great now looked like gunny sacks and nothing but nothing complimented my good features. (Not that I had good features, but if I did have good features, I’ll tell you this, they would not have

been complimented.)

Normally, I would have gone for good enough, but we were going to a fundraiser, and everybody I knew would be there — and doggone it, I wanted to be presentable.

I finally gave up on the clothing and went to my hair and makeup. My brown tones made me look gothic and my pink colors made me look like a clown. To make matters worse, my hair looked like I had plugged my pointer finger into a light socket and then doused my locks with hair spray.

I left the house in total disarray. My clothes weren’t in sync, my jewelry did not coordinate and I’ll be doggonned if my hairdo didn’t look like a bad case of bedhead.

“Look at me,” I said to Pat as we moved down the road at warped speed towards our destination, “I’m hideous.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked, not taking his eyes off of the road.

“My clothes look goofy, my shoes are wrong and my hair looks like I want to be a boxing promoter for Mike Tyson.”

Although he didn’t realize it, he was about to be tested. I put it out there, and the success of the evening depended fully upon his responses.

It was the ultimate challenge.

How do you suppose he did? Do you suppose that he told me that I looked great? Do you think that he reassured me with words of wisdom? Did he quote the Bible or compliment my earrings? Oh! Shoot no! Rather than tell me that I looked suitable or that my hair could start a new trend, rather than lie to me, Pat, my husband of many years, kept his eyes on the road and his hands on ten and two and said to me without so much as a glance, “I’m sure that you’ll survive it.”

I don’t think that he realized the error of his ways until he felt my stare boring a hole into the side of his skull. He swallowed hard, turned to look at me and said, “Uh, I mean, you look real pretty?!”

You know, there’s just no teaching some people.

© 2018 LORI CLINCH

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own views and do not reflect the view of the Pine Barrens Tribune.

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meet again, this time at the Browns Mills Fire House at 8 a.m., to join in a community clean up.

All residents not currently signed up to participate are invited to join the clean ups which end at noon.

Show your pride in the community as you improve the environment. Light refreshments will be served at noon for all participating volunteers.

The BMIA Building is conveniently located near Mirror Lake Beach and recreation area, on Arbutus Street, off Eldridge. The building is handicapped accessible and there is ample parking available. New members are always welcome. Refreshments will be served following the meeting. All residents are invited to join the BMIA. Annual dues are only $15 per family. Checks may be sent to: BMIA, PO Box 395, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.

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Garrison, when asked by the board to elaborate what he meant, said communications include any emergency alarms, overhead announcements and the bell schedule.

School officials, when asked if it was known which classes would be using the trailers for instruction, said that it was “not yet determined.”

District officials were asked by the board if the local fire department, in this case West Tuckerton, had seen the plans yet.

Garrison said they had not yet seen the plans, but promised to share them. He also said the buildings met the state’s requirements for fire safety and alarms.

The configuration of the trailers would place them in the front of the junior high school, near where students are currently dropped off for bussing.

District officials stressed the trailers would be temporary, in use for at least the 2018-19 school year, but not more than two years.

Garrison said the units will likely be installed in time for use for summer programs.

He promised that once the trailers—which will be leased—are taken down after the high school reopens, there will not be any permanent elements left to remove.

“This is not a permanent installation,” Garrison said. “Once the TCUs are no longer needed, there would be no sign that they were there.”

Little Egg Harbor Township asked for Pinelands Regional to formally present the plan for the Planning Board’s review, and its member

unanimously agreed they had no problem with the plans.

Garrison asked if the board attorney could communicate the board’s decision in a letter to the district.

Pinelands Regional is also required to have its plan approved by the state Department of Education, County Superintendent of Schools, and the district's teachers’ union In order to close Pinelands Regional High School, the district hopes to shift students to the trailers, junior high space, and space at Frog Pond Elementary School to avoid a split session schedule.

The Pinelands Regional Board of Education already approved a shared service agreement with the Little Egg Harbor School District earlier this spring that allows the district to use space at Frog Pond.

Construction that will close the high school for the upcoming school year includes exterior brick work and interior infrastructure repairs.

Falling debris, asbestos and foul odors resulted in an emergency closure of Pinelands Regional High School during roof construction late last year and earlier this year, forcing the district to move all of its students to the junior high and operate on a split schedule.

The split schedule caused concern about reduced student learning and led to scheduling conflicts for parents and the district’s transportation service provider.

The previous and planned construction is all part of a $53 million voter-approved referendum that authorized “no-frills renovations.”

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EMAIL PAGE 4

the municipal building just before 9:30 p.m., following a 3-0 vote by the committee to “remove him with pay.”

“They took all his stuff,” Barbara Somes said. “(Deputy Mayor) Dan (James) stayed and helped him put his stuff in his car,” she said.

She said that she waited in the municipal building for an announcement that the public portion of meeting had reconvened, but never heard it, and thus, missed the moment when action was taken, hearing about the unanimous vote only later through her husband.

“Horace said Coleman walked out of the (meeting) room, looked down the hallway, and said ‘No members of the public are left,’ reconvened the (public) meeting, and took action twice in one night ,” said Barbara Somes, insisting Coleman fibbed. “We were all there (in the township’s emergency management command room known to be occupied with public waiting for the meeting to be reconvened).”

However, she said she witnessed the moment her husband was asked to surrender his key to the municipal building, and his stuff was removed, as that was all done in the command room.

Barbara Somes, Washington’s emergency management coordinator, has an assigned desk only a few feet away from the desk assigned to her husband—providing her with a bird’s eye view of the moment.

Mayor Dudley Lewis, in an April 4 telephone interview, said action was taken by the committee following the April 3 executive session.

“We didn’t think we needed to take action,” he said. “But, the executive session developed (in a way) that there was (a need). We were probably just as surprised that action was taken as you were.”

Lewis, who said it was “not intentional” to take action after Coleman said it was not expected, said he was not at liberty to discuss the matter necessitating action.

“I really cannot comment at this time, on the advice of the solicitor,” Lewis said.

Barbara Somes, who said her husband was taking his removal very hard, said troubles began for her family shortly after Horace Somes issued a “zoning certificate” for a barn on River Road in the Lower Bank section of the township.

The barn, Barbara Somes said, was slated to be built on a lot that belonged to a neighbor of Code Enforcement Officer Bill Ward. She said Ward opposed the barn.

“Bill Ward would bring his buddies there and ride their motorcycles and he complained because Horace wrote the zoning certificate,” she said. “Ward said the guy could not build the barn and actually went on the property and

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM ordered him to stop it.”

She said Ward, after issuing the order, turned his attention to Horace Somes and filed complaints against him with the Pinelands Commission and Hoffman.

Barbara Somes said the complaints caused the committee to summon her husband to a committee executive session, part of a January reorganization meeting.

She said the committee questioned why her husband was talking to the Pinelands Commission and her husband responded that communicating with the body was “part of his job.”

Barbara Somes said the committee seemed to be satisfied with his response, although not thrilled that he was talking to the commission due to their, at times, controversial authority exercised in the township.

The Pine Barrens Tribune requested an audio recording of the reorganization meeting.

The audio was provided by Hoffman, but the part of the meeting where the committee takes action to enter into and exit executive session was missing. Two requests for the missing audio were never fulfilled, despite promises to do so.

Lewis is heard saying “we are taking a 5-minute break,” before the audio ends. It was after the break that the committee entered into executive session.

Barbara Somes said at the latest executive session, her husband was accused of deleting an email involving the Pinelands Commission and was told that the township had to retrieve it “in the clouds,” an acronym for data storage offsite.

She said her husband responded that he didn’t know it was wrong to delete an email addressed to him, especially since there is a delete button provided in the email system’s portal (or mailbox).

“People delete emails all the time from their inbox,” she said.

Horace Somes was also a member of the township’s planning board, the township’s forest fire liaison, the township’s emergency management grant writer, and sat on the municipal Local Emergency Planning Council (LEPC).

Barbara Somes said her husband was in contact with his attorney, who had been in touch with Coleman before the April 3 meeting. She said Coleman assured her husband’s attorney that only a “discussion was going to take place” and that is why the attorney was not present during the session.

“I do not wish to comment since this is a personnel matter,” said Lewis after being asked about the allegations.

Ward could not be reached for comment, despite multiple attempts.

“The extension you have dialed is not available at this time,” said a message after dialing Ward’s listed extension.

PAGE 21

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Saturday, April 14, 2018

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HOME, GARDEN, AND FARMING Farm& Food File

By Alan Guebert

Alan Guebert is an award-winning agriculture columnist who was raised on a 720-acre, 100-cow southern Illinois dairy farm.

The Long, Sustainable View

© 2018 AG COMM.

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own views and do not reflect the view of the Pine Barrens Tribune.

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is largely a reflection of the megatonnes of fertilizer, fuels, and chemicals we push into the system. Nitrogen fertilizer illustrates this process. To produce, transport, and apply one tonne of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer requires an amount of energy equal to almost two tonnes of gasoline.”

This has made “modern agriculture… increasingly… a system for turning fossil fuel Calories into food Calories.”

And not efficiently, either. Before petroleum, every “unit” of energy put into food production yielded five to 10 units of energy in terms of food, Qualman relates, quoting other research. Today, however, “(O)ur modern food system returns one unit of energy for every 13.3 invested.” That “energy” return on investment works out to be an astonishingly tiny 0.081.

Given that diminished ratio, little in today’s agriculture is either environmentally or economically sustainable. But, he adds quickly, relax, “We’re not going back to horses.” Instead, “It’s time to question the input-maximizing production systems agribusiness corporations have created, and to explore new methods of low-input, low-energy, low-emission production.”

A low-input, low-energy system, Qualman explains in an April 3 telephone interview, does not mean a stampede to organic farming.

“But it does mean, for example, that big, nonorganic farms will likely need to learn the low-input fertilizer methods that organic farms have already figured out and use.”

This “cross pollination” between highinput/low-input farming, he offers, will be necessary if everyone in today’s agriculture “grasps the nettle” to harness the change that is coming, ready-or-not, before it harnesses us.

Equally important is that “We can do this,” he adds wryly, “because we’ve done it before.”

We have. In fact, we’ve changed from horses to tractors, from open-pollinated seeds to GMOs, from grandpa’s pencil to GPS. More recent changes have featured the cross pollination that Qualman suggests; yesterday’s windmills are today’s wind turbines and every sunbaked acre can now “grow” electricity from solar cells.

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by Qualman, a data bloodhound who thinks graphically but writes plainly.

The long-time researcher for Canada’s National Farmers Union appeared on my radar in Feb. 2017 with a blog post titled “Agribusiness takes all: 90 years of Canadian net farm income.”

In it, Qualman draws a bright blue/green/ red chart that tracks the key elements of Canada’s farm economy from 1926 to 2016; blue is farmers’ expenses, green is net farm income, and red is negative farm income.

The unmistakable feature of the graph is how its blue area—the color depicting “the amounts [farmers] pay to input manufacturers”—has grown from a small area that once steadily corresponded to net income into a yawning mouth that now devours nearly every cent of Canadian farm income.

In fact, “… in the 32-year period from 1985 to 2016, inclusive, agribusiness corporations captured 98 percent of farmers’ revenues—$1.32 trillion out of $1.35 trillion… [to make] themselves the primary beneficiaries of the vast food wealth produced by Canadian farms. They have left taxpayers to backfill farm incomes; approximately $100 billion has been transferred [through government payments] to farmers since 1985.”

While that could be used as evidence to launch an indictment of Big Agbiz, Qualman uses it as a crowbar to pry farmers to consider alternatives to today’s high-input, highoutput, no-profit farm and ranch models. In subsequent blog posts, this “avid observer of the big picture” notes that the last century of agriculture—the century that brought high costs and low-to-no profits—is an outlier to the 100 centuries of agriculture that preceded it.

“For 99 percent of the time that agriculture has existed there were few farm inputs, no farm-input industries, and little talk of ‘high input costs,’” notes Qualman in a January 2018 post.

The change, “admittedly,” has made today’s agriculture “high-output. But this last fact must be understood in context: the incredible food-output tonnage of modern agriculture

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PAGE 23

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

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Saturday, April 14, 2018