August 25, 2018 Pine Barrens Tribune

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Now Direct Mailed to OVER 2,250 HOMES in LeisureTowne and 195 HOMES in Hampton Lakes

Learning to Be Leaner Reservists Get Back in Shape Under New 'Fit for Life' Program

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County Clerk Gives Area Towns Ensigns to Honor Fallen Heroes

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Real Estate Reject Bidders Continue to Spurn Abandoned Lakes Home

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August 25, 2018 – August 31, 2018

Grayson Named New Superintendent of Bass River Schools

By Dominick Staff Writer

Photos By Dominick Cella

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina (left) and New Jersey State Attorney General Gurbir Grewal address crowd at forum.

Crisis Intervention Attorney General, County Prosecutor Appear at Pemberton Addiction Forum to Announce Expansion of Straight to Treatment Program By Dominick Cella Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—The “unprecedented” nature of the deadly opioid crisis, and the expansion of a program designed to rescue those who have become caught up in its resulting spiral of addiction, were stressed by top law enforcement officials for both New Jersey and Burlington County at an Aug. 15 forum held at Friendship AME Church in Browns Mills. “W hat we are dealing with is unprecedented in scope, and it doesn’t discriminate,” said state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal to a standing-room only crowd of more than 200 people. “It affects every one of our communities, and if we deny it, we are lying to ourselves. It affects rich, poor, educated and uneducated alike.”

Grewal added that “an unprecedented response” is needed to put an end to the crisis. Part of that response was outlined by Burlington County Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina. He announced that a Straight to Treatment program, already employed in Evesham Township, would be expanded to Pemberton Township as well. The Straight to Treatment program is designed to be a safe and effective method for addicts to get on the path to recovery. It has been in place in Evesham since March in tandem with Oaks Integrated Care, a drug- and alcohol-counseling service, allowing those struggling with addiction to turn in drugs and paraphernalia at the township’s police department and meet with a professional substance-abuse counselor. Those who volunteer to take part in

the program need not worry that they’ll be charged for possessing illegal drugs. Having already been charged with a drug offense won’t necessarily disqualify a person from participating, but it also won’t result in the charge being dropped, Coffina noted. Since the program’s inception in Evesham, 43 addicts have reportedly been referred for help. Coffina said further information about the Pemberton Township program will be provided in the near future. In the meantime, any local residents who would like to get enrolled in the program now can get help from substance-abuse counselors at the Evesham Township Police Department on Mondays from noon to 7 p.m. See INTERVENTION/ Page 19

Cella

BASS RIVER—A new leader will take the helm of the Bass River Township School District for at least the latter half of the 201819 school year. Siobhan Grayson was approved as the district’s new superintendent of schools at a special Bass River Township Board of Education meeting on Aug. 16. Grayson, whose appointment to the post was approved by a unanimous vote of the board of education, will replace Dr. Detlef Kern. Ke r n ha s be e n se r v i ng a s i nt e r i m superintendent of the district since August 2017, when 17-year superintendent of schools Larry Mathis retired. Grayson’s contract currently extends from Oct. 16 through June 2023. Kern said Grayson’s start date may be moved up depending on whether she can get released from her current contractual duties as principal of Tuckerton Elementary School. “Siobhan is a great addition—she knows the community and is wonderful with kids,” said Kern of the Bass River Elementary School graduate. “She has that certain knack that will help her be successful and continue to keep the district successful. Larry Mathis, the district’s superintendent prior to me, did great and I am sure the tradition will continue.” Grayson has a lengthy history in local education. She has been working at Tuckerton Elementary for over ten years, serving as a teacher prior to becoming principal. “I have been responsible for just under 300 kids, so I am used to the small-community aspect,” Grayson said. She added that she is collaborative by nature and looking forward to bringing innovation and fresh ideas into the district, as well as working with the staff on establishing goals. Kern described Grayson as a strong leader who is not afraid to “roll up her sleeves and get in the trenches.” He noted that Grayson also graduated from the junior and senior high schools of the Pinelands Regional School District, which serve 7th through 12th graders from Bass River. “I am proud that she is a product of Pinelands Regional,” said Kern, who at one point also served as the superintendent of Pinelands Regional. “As I watched her grow up as a student in high school, she always showed ambition. Leaders don’t do things right, leaders do the right thing—and I’m sure she will do the right things for the children and the community.” Dr. Melissa A. McCooley, the current superintendent of the Pinelands Regional District, who is also a product of its junior and senior high schools, called Grayson an “amazing” educator and person. See SCHOOLS/ Page 19

INDEX Automotive................ 23 Business Directory.... 14 Community.................. 9 Dental Column........... 11

Garden Column......... 12 Marketplace............... 20 Health........................ 11 Opinion........................ 7 Hobbyist.................... 13 Worship Directory........ 9 Local News.................. 4

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