Pine Barrens Tribune Jan. 21 issue

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

Vol. 1 - No. 21

Southeastern Burlington County’s News Leader

Bass River To Make Repairs and Restore Roberts Pond

January 21-27, 2017

Pemberton JROTC Drill Team Wins State Title For Sixth Consecutive Year

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

BASS RIVER–Officials in Bass River have announced their plan to make repairs to a berm associated with Roberts Pond in Little Egg Harbor.

A portion of the berm was removed by the Burlington County municipality in November in a misguided attempt to alleviate leach field problems that have plagued the Offshore Manor development.

The township intended to only lower the water level of the pond. However, the removal of dirt inadvertently drained the pond.

It was also later discovered that the township did not own the pond. The pond is owned by the State of NJ and is in Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County.

Little Egg Harbor residents who live along the pond have said that scores of fish and wildlife were killed because of the loss of water.

There have also been complaints of a foul odor emanating from the ground at temperatures above 50 degrees.

Before officials revealed the details of the restoration project, the Bass River Board of Commissioners had to make a professional appointment at their first meeting of the new year on Jan. 7.

The board appointed Dan Guzzi of Dante Guzzi Engineering Associates as the township engineer for 2017.

Following his appointment, the board conducted a special question-and-answer session on the pond.

Guzzi, in his opening remarks, said that he met with officials from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP).

“Several weeks ago, we met with the DEP out where the berm was partially removed,” Guzzi said. “We discussed a couple of different options. We subsequently went out there and did a little bit of survey work to establish elevations and prepare a plan that was submitted to DEP for review. I did get an e-mail today from the DEP basically approving that (plan) with a couple of minor revisions.”

The plan calls for the rebuilding of a damaged section of the berm. Stone will be placed on top of the berm. The organics in the vicinity of the

REPAIRS>>PAGE 13

PHOTO SUBMITTED Members of the Pemberton Township High School JROTC. The students are identified as follows: From left to right sitting: Kelly Garrison, Jennifer Landis, Larz Reburn, Jordan Grover, Britany Rodgers. From left to right standing: Garreth Henry, Christopher Baker, Tyler McCall, Christopher Beutler, Gavon Rook, Joseph Davey. Not pictured is Christopher Miller.

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON–The JROTC Drill Team at Pemberton Township High School has done it again.

The captain of the Drill Team, 1st Sgt. Chris Beutler, led his team to victory. They won the title of South Jersey Champions against 12 other schools at Delsea High School on Dec. 10.

This is the sixth consecutive year the Drill Team has won the title. In addition, cadets racked up first-place awards in the Armed Inspection, Color Guard and Freshman Unarmed Squad categories, a second-place award in the category of Unarmed Platoon and the team brought home a third-place award in the Armed Platoon category.

These honors will be proudly displayed in the school along with another 17 trophies that the team has won in 2016 alone, added to loads of other awards the Pemberton JROTC has won over the years.

The competition consisted of multiple categories: Inspection in Uniform, with and without weapons; Marching (as a platoon through a series of commands on the floor), with and without weapons; and Color Guard and Exhibition, unarmed.

With this championship comes an automatic bid to the Northeast JROTC Drill Championship

on March 5 in Long Island, N.Y. If the team pulls off yet another win, it will advance to the U.S. Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Last year, they won in Long Island and finished in fifth place in Louisville.

In other recent JROTC events, the Raider Team, led by its captain, 1st Lt. Chris Miller, won the South Jersey Championship this year. The competition focused on various military skills, including a three-kilometer race through the woods with 30-pound sacks on the cadets’ backs. This is the sixth victory of its kind for the Raiders.

The JROTC pulled off wins in a variety of areas that demonstrated the collective efforts of their highly practiced and goal-driven male and female cadets under the leadership of its two army instructors, Maj. John Robert Cook, U.S. Army (Ret.), and 1st Sgt. Cedric D. Gaskin, U.S. Army (Ret.). Each teaches a handful of classes and together they work closely with and oversee all of the JROTC students—about 10 or 11 percent of the school’s population.

Both Cook and Gaskin are accomplished in their own right. In 2016, Cook received the National Teacher of the Year, the State Educator of the Year (American Legion), the State Teacher of the Year (Veterans of Foreign Wars), the Distinguished Educator Award (1st Region, Assoc. of the U.S. Army) and Teacher of the Year (Pember-

ton Township HS). Gaskin in 2016 received the Distinguished Educator Award (1st Region, Assoc. of the U.S. Army) and Support Staff Person of the Year (Pemberton Township HS).

“The JROTC is a chance to find out one’s strengths and weaknesses and to become a model citizen,” Cook said.

Offered as an elective, the JROTC—Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps—focuses on values, leadership and citizenship. Students opt for one or more years in high school, with no commitment to choose a military career after graduation. Completing four years has the added perks of college scholarships and entering the military with rank, essentially enlisting on the fast track.

Cook said that opportunities to learn and lead are abundant, with community service emphasized throughout the program. Students are encouraged to focus on identifying problems and hone in on their role in finding solutions. The question, “How can I help the community at a time like this?’ is in play at all times, from assessing how to lend a hand to one family in need to assisting with the mass destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy or similar events as circumstances evolve over a period of time.

Within the curriculum, Cook said that cadets are asked to participate in established grade level

JROTC>>PAGE 13

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

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LOCAL NEWS

Bass River Takes Action On Temporary Signage and Partners With Veterans Group

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

BASS RIVER– Officials in Bass River have decided to amend the township’s existing sign ordinance.

The Bass River Board of Commissioners introduced and conducted a first reading of an ordinance on Jan. 7 which would limit the time temporary signs can be posted outside.

At a previous meeting, the board discussed how they have grown weary of finding temporary signs posted throughout the township well after an event or sale is over.

“The problem is everyone goes out and puts out all the signs and then when it comes time to clean-up, that is where it kind of falls off,” said Township Attorney Joanne O’Connor in November. “They get blown all over the place.

They are all over town. Everyone is very gungho to put them out, but then when it comes time to round them up, we don’t get as many volunteers. So, we’ll have something in place to take care of that.”

Under the proposed ordinance, advertising signs and business signs must be removed 15 days after termination or completion of a project. This includes subcontractor, contractor, rental unit, for sale, and financing signs.

Election signs will need to be removed five days after an election is held.

Temporary signs related to church, honor society and scout group functions will also need to be removed five days after the gathering is held.

Temporary signs for buildings under construction would only be permitted to be posted from the time a building permit is issued to the time a certificate of occupancy is issued.

“It is really not a change to the ordinance,” said O’Connor at the board’s latest meeting.

“We are just adding a time frame in which the signs are permitted so they are not scattered all over the place for months.”

A final reading and public hearing on the amendments to the existing sign ordinance will be held possibly as early as Feb. 6. The amendments are poised for passage.

The board introduced and conducted a first reading on two other ordinances.

The first ordinance will allow the municipality to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank.

This is a routine action for a municipality to take at the beginning of a new year.

The second ordinance will authorize the township to lease a portion of the Bass River Township maintenance garage property located at 5576 Route 9 to the Veterans United Military Memorial Museum, Inc. (VUMMM).

The township, in partnership with the VUMMM, would like to provide activities in the community to promote learning and participation in the history of the United States military forces through the collection and display of war memorabilia.

“The VUMMM will be leasing that space in order to display war memorabilia from different wars and all of the armed forces,” O’Connor said. “We are going to start with a one-year lease.”

The township will be leasing the building to the non-profit organization for $1.

Jim Comis, president of the organization, said that he hopes the site will serve as a permanent home for the collection of artifacts and that he hopes to install a handicapped ramp.

Bass River Deputy Mayor Nicholas Capriglione praised Comis’s efforts.

“I think it is outstanding,” he said. “I appreciate the time and effort Mr. Comis and his wife have put in there to recognize veterans. Thank you.”

Comis said he is looking for volunteers to help keep the museum open at least one day a week and on weekends.

“Hopefully, we will have enough of a volunteering base to keep it open all the time,” he said.

Following the introduction and first reading of the three ordinances, the board passed 22 resolutions and tabled one. Here are the highlights.

Holman, Frenia, Allison, P.C. was appointed as the township auditor for 2017.

Christopher J. Norman, Esq., was appointed as the solicitor to the township planning and zoning board for the new year.

O’Connor will continue to serve as the township solicitor for another year.

Kevin Quinlan, Esq., will remain in his role as the municipal prosecutor for 2017. Brian Rumpf, Esq. will serve another one-year term as the township’s public defender.

Amanda Somes and Richard Ireton will serve again this year as the fund commissioner and deputy fund commissioner, respectively. Somes is also the municipality’s Public Agency Compliance Officer and township clerk. Ireton was also reappointed to serve another year as the township’s safety coordinator.

Conner Strong was reappointed as the township’s risk management consultant for 2017.

Dan Guzzi and Jim Sceurman will serve as the zoning official and deputy zoning official for the new year, respectively. Sceurman was also reappointed as the township’s code enforcement official.

Bass River Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope was

SIGNAGE>>PAGE 13

INDEX Automotive......................................15 Business Directory.............................9 Classifieds........................................12 Community........................................7 Fun and Games................................11

Health . ........................................... 10 Home, Garden & Farming ............. 14 Local News....................................... 2 Opinion ............................................ 5 Scanner ............................................ 6

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 and Woodland. 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.

Saturday, January 21, 2017

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

Lenape High School Will Host 7th Annual Women’s Health EXPO

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD– The 7th Annual Women’s Health EXPO is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Lenape High School in Medford.

About 1,000 women are expected to attend the event hosted by the Deborah Heart and Lung Center. Everyone is welcome – families and men included.

Renee Bullock-Palmer, M.D., director of the Women’s Heart Center at Deborah, said the goal of the EXPO is to “raise awareness about the need to fight heart disease in women.”

Deborah physicians and other health professionals will be on site to provide preventive screenings and to discuss risk factors for various conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and much more.

Bullock-Palmer is hopeful that the relaxed atmosphere of the EXPO will be conducive for women to ask general questions about health and volunteer information about symptoms they have experienced.

A recommendation for further evaluation with a Deborah specialist may be made at that time as a result of the preventive screening, risk factors or discussion of symptoms.

“Studies have shown that the number of females in their 40s with heart disease may be underestimated since many women think they are too young for a heart attack and therefore do not address symptoms leaving them untreated and at risk,” Bullock-Palmer said.

She also added that women focus on everyone else in the family and may not prioritize their own health.

“As moms, they are the glue that holds the family together,” she said.

She stressed that women must honor their

bodies and promptly address concerns they may have.

Joining Bullock-Palmer will be Denise Zingrone, D.O., Associate Director of the Women’s Heart Center; Jenine Vecchio, M.D., Director, Diabetes Center at Deborah; Navdeep Brar, M.D., Attending, Pulmonary; and Niya Jones, M.D., Associate, Cardiology.

“Bringing together the expertise of pulmonology, cardiology, endocrinology, and diabetes, we can really offer our visitors a full picture of what it takes for a woman to stay ‘heart healthy,’” Bullock-Palmer said. “We will screen everyone. We won’t turn away anyone. This includes men—if there’s availability—certainly.”

EXPO screenings and information provided relate to blood pressure, body-fat analysis, pulmonary function testing, balance, cholesterol/ lipid panels, sleep apnea, peripheral arterial disease assessment, bariatrics, asthma, wounds and lung cancer.

Additional screenings include MyoVision Scans by Performance Health Chiropractic, hearing screenings by NuEar, colon-cancer information by NJCEED, and HIV screenings and sun-damage assessments by the Burlington County Health Department.

The EXPO will also feature a wide range of local health, wellness and fitness experts and vendors. There will be pampering massages and bodywork from partners Rizzieri Aveda School and Massage Envy Spa; Yoga Therapy

by Evelyn and Yoga in the Pines; Pilates and barre demonstrations by Powerhouse Fitness and Yoga; T’ai Chi by Next Step Strategies; custom-tailored work-out plans from Soulscapes Fitness; women’s self-defense by Clay Jiu Jitsu; Reiki by Angelique.

Healthy shakes from b.good and heart-healthy cooking demos from Shop Rite will be offered

along with blow-outs, extensions, and hair care from True Colors Hair Salon; mini make-overs

by RetroChic Beauty and Jamberry Nails; painting with PaintTyme; and entertainment and music therapy by the NJ School of Music.

MORE FM will provide music, prizes, giveaways and door prizes including Coach and Michael Kors purses.

Deborah proudly announced the premium partners whose support has made the day possible. The partners include the Freed Foundation,

Boston Scientific and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

The EXPO’s lead sponsor, Wawa Corporation, will provide healthy-menu snacks for the first 700 attendees.

Lenape High School is located at 235 Hartford Road, with the entrance on Hartford Road.

Event parking and admission is free. Attendees will receive a sponsor’s gift bag. For more information, call 1-800-555-1990 and choose option #4 or visit www.demanddeborah.org .

Fire Company Houses New Engine

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

TABERNACLE–Rescue Engine 4312 is a monster! That’s right. The newest piece of equipment at the Tabernacle Volunteer Fire Company is such a colossal sight, you have to think that no mere fire would even think of challenging it.

The gold and black Rosenbauer Commander, unequipped, cost Tabernacle Township $561,000. Its equipment adds close to half that value, but can’t be totally computed as a few purchases remain to be completed.

Nevertheless, it’s impressive! Its list of equipment, single-spaced, takes almost two full pages. Included are the latest tools for extrication.

Although fighting fires is still the major goal of Tabernacle and other companies, removing victims from accidents is almost as important.

The new truck even carries its own water, 1,000 gallons, impressive to this novice observer, who thought a nearby hydrant was always necessary in battling blazes.

Other equipment, just a partial list, includes mounted lights, hand lights, ropes, winches, fans, various sizes of lifting air bags, 20-ton jacks, Jaws of Life, dry suits for water rescues,

and every imaginable piece of life saving and fire-fighting equipment.

Sometimes prying apart spaces by just a few inches can be a matter of life or death for highway accident victims. With this newest equipment, the hope is that a victim’s survival chances will increase.

The need for a newer rig became obvious in 2009, according to Tabernacle’s Fire Chief, David Smith. Voters defeated purchase plans for several years, before finally approving it in 2014.

The entire Tabernacle force was out Saturday for the housing ceremony.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a brief prayer, Smith and Tabernacle Mayor Stephen Lee IV made brief remarks, while Assistant Chief Andy Cunard explained use of some of the more technical equipment.

Truck 4312 was then backed slowly into its firehouse bay by the crew.

After the formal ceremonies, firefighters and guests mingled for refreshments and conversation before disbanding.

Wherever and whenever 4312 sees action, crews and townspeople will know they’re getting their money’s worth.

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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.

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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 Tribue 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

Two Heavily Traveled Roads In Medford In Need of Urgent Repairs

LRHSD Officials Threatened By Homeschooling

Skeet Road and Hartford Road in Medford Township, two of the township’s most heavily traveled thoroughfares, are in deplorable condition.

Potholes are just about everywhere. Portions of the road surface are chipped away.

Motorists are seen swerving around potholes on both of these roadways and this is presenting a dangerous situation.

Just last week, a notoriously large pothole on Hartford Road opened up again. Four cars were seen alongside the road waiting for roadside assistance because they hit the pothole and got a flat tire.

In some sections of these two roadways, the painted lines are faded. There are also dead trees alongside the roadways, especially Skeet

Road, which is presenting another hazard to motorists.

These two roads require the urgent attention of local officials and should be resurfaced as soon as possible. In the meantime, officials should conduct temporary repairs that go beyond basic patchwork.

We’re hopeful that Medford’s new Mayor Chuck Watson will oversee these badly needed road repairs and see to it that these roads are completely resurfaced.

After being sworn in last week, Watson said that he wants to focus on making decisions concerning the library and repair the roads in the township that are in really bad shape.

We hope the mayor will stay true to his word and act as quickly as possible.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

E-mail us: letters@pinebarrenstribune.com

Political Cartoons

I’ve been following the stories on the Lenape Regional High School District’s (LRHSD) controversial policy #2630 which prohibits a home-schooled child from participating in after-school activities.

Despite the obvious unpopularity of this policy, when pressed for a rationale, the District retreated into bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo and opaque gobbledygook of the sort that is all too common when public officials are caught doing something that they can’t defend in simple English. Subsequently, when concerned parties pointed out that accommodating homeschoolers did not seem to be a huge problem for neighboring districts, they moved on to Plan B, namely, stifling further discussion of the policy at their meetings.

Since apparently none of the District officials care to come clean on the real reason for this

policy, let me suggest what seems to be the most obvious explanation: LRHSD officials, as members and beneficiaries of the monopolypublic education establishment, are threatened by the phenomenon of homeschooling and are doing their little part to discourage it by making it a less attractive option to families who might otherwise consider it. (Cue gasps and fainting.)

Could it really be that these professional “educrats”, with their advanced degrees and six-figure salaries, are really afraid of the competition from a handful of enterprising parents who want to school their children at home? It sure looks that way from here.

Joseph O’Hara Evesham Township

Social Media Sound Off (Re: Discovery of Soil Staining and 25,000 Scrap Tires At Auto Salvage Yard Prompts Concern) Very disappointing news about our lack of communications/relationship with our local New Jersey State Police.

Julie Strickland Pope (Re: LRHSD Pays 81K To Settle Cafeteria Equipment Lawsuit Following Dispute) They owed almost $88k, yet only paid $81k?

Susan Milone (Re: LRHSD BOE Approves Chiller Replacement, Silent About Tragedy) This school board surely has some issues! Glad I don’t have students in school anymore.

Shame on them for not having a moment of silence.

Rosanne Bornholdt

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

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE Established 2016

Douglas D. Melegari, Publisher, CEO George L. Blount, Jr., MBA, Director of Operations Pat Carney, Senior Graphic Artist Adam Tait III, Copy Editor, Reporter Robert Urban, Copy Editor Colleen Jordan, Copy Editor, Graphic Artist Jayne Cabrilla, Reporter Scott Kern, Reporter Judy Cohen Minches, Reporter P.O. Box 2402, Vincentown, NJ 08088 Locally owned and published.

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

SCANNER Pemberton Man Charged With Child Pornography

Tabernacle Fire Co. Gets New Ride

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER Tabernacle Fire Chief David Smith addresses spectators at the housing ceremony for their new truck.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Anthony Merletto, 19, was charged with possession of child pornography.

MOUNT HOLLY–Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi and Pemberton Township Police Chief David H. Jantas announced last Friday that a 19-year-old Browns Mills man was charged with possession of child pornography after he convinced an underage girl to send him nude pictures of herself.

Anthony Merletto, of the first block of Rancocas Lane, was charged with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He was taken into custody at his home on Jan. 6. At that time, a search warrant was executed that resulted in the seizure of a cell phone containing numerous images and videos depicting child pornography.

The Hon. Kelly Thomas P. Kelly, J.S.C. subsequently denied bail and ordered the defendant to remain in custody. This was done pursuant to the New Jersey bail law reform that took effect on Jan. 1. Under the new law, defendants can be held without bail if approved by the court until their case is adjudicated. The case will now be sent to a Burlington County Grand Jury to be considered for indictment.

The investigation began last September

after the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit received information from Facebook about an account that had been flagged because of the possibility it had received images that depicted child pornography.

The investigation revealed that Merletto created a fictitious Facebook profile indicating he was a male fitness model. He then engaged several other users in sexually explicit conversations. One of those users was a 13-year-old girl from Texas who was convinced by Merletto to send numerous nude photos of herself.

The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit, the New Jersey State Police and the Pemberton Township Police Department.

The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit is a member of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the New Jersey State Police Cyber Terrorism Task Force.

An array of other Tabernacle Fire Co. equipment.

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER

State Park Police Search For Stolen ATV

SHAMONG– The New Jersey State Park Police have located a stolen ATV. A 2004 Honda 400 EX was stolen from a farm on Sunday, Jan. 16 between 4 a.m. and 7a.m.

Police say that it has very distinctive gold rims, gold handle bars, gold motor mounts, and

many aftermarket parts.

The owner offered a $1,000 reward to anyone that could help find it.

Anyone with information regarding the theft is urged to contact the New Jersey State Park Police at 1-877-WARN-DEP.

Rescue Squad #43 staffers in a formal pose.

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER

Saturday, January 21, 2017

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E-Mail Story Ideas and Community Events: news@pinebarrenstribune.com

Location: Pemberton Event: Introduction to Meditation – Pemberton Community Library Details: Join us on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. for an Introduction to Meditation. This one-hour program will include an overview of a variety of meditation techniques, followed by a Guided Visualization, and a brief time for quiet contemplation, ending with an opportunity to share or ask questions. Suitable for beginners or for those who have had experience with meditation, participants will have the chance to feel the difference that meditating in a group can provide. Registration is requested by calling 609-893-8262.

Location: Southampton Event: Buffet Style Breakfast Details: Buddtown United Methodist Church is holding a Buffet Style Breakfast, Saturday, Jan. 21, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Adults, $10; Children under 10, $5; Children under 3, free. Takeout available, $10. 520 Ridge Road, Southampton. If weather is questionable, call 609-859-1645, or to see what we’re cooking, call 609-859-3437.

January 22 Location: Browns Mills Event: Crafting at the Whitesbog Art Gallery Details: Come to Whitesbog Village for an afternoon of crafting in the Art Gallery (Jan. 22 & Feb. 26). Crafts begin at 1 p.m.

120 W. Whites Bogs Road, Browns Mills. For more information, call 609-893-4646, or visit WhitesbogPreservationTrust@gmail. com.

Location: Browns Mills Event: Blueberry Music Jam Details: Come out to Whitesbog Village General Store for an open music jam on the porch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Jan. 22 and Feb. 12 & 26). All musicians and music lovers welcome! 120 W. Whites Bogs Road, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646, or visit WhitesbogPreservationTrust@gmail.com.

January 25 Location: Pemberton Event: Coloring for Adults – Pemberton Community Library

By Ebba Liguori

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

COMMUNITY Events

January 21

PAGE 7

Details: Get stress free during our new coloring night.

Starting Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 5:30 p.m., drop by for a relaxing coloring session. We’ll have a grown-up table with grown-up supplies and a kids’ table for their own coloring. Bring your own supplies or use some of ours! Open to all ages.

Registration is requested by calling 609-893-8262.

January 27 Location: Browns Mills Event: Whitesbog Family Game Night Details: Come to Whitesbog Village for some family time in the General Store at 6 p.m. old-time games and light refreshments will be provided. This event is free. Registration is requested by calling 609-893-4646, or email WhitesbogPreservationTrust@gmail.com. 120 Whitesbog Road, Browns Mills.

January 28 Location: Little Egg Harbor Event: Sunshine Foundation Fishing Flea Market Details: The Southern Ocean County Chapter of the Sunshine Foundation will hold its 2d Annual Fishing Flea Market on Jan. 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Little Egg Harbor Community Center, 319 W. Calabreeze Drive, Little Egg Harbor.

The Sunshine Foundation helps fulfill the dreams and wishes of terminally ill, chronically ill and abused children. For additional information, call Tom Siciliano 732-267-6451, or Frank Muinos 908-380-8491.

Location: Southampton Event: Indoor Yard Sale Details: Buddtown United Methodist Church is holding an Indoor Yard Sale, Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be baked items & homemade soups for sale. Lunch will be available. For more information call 609-859-2956. 520 Ridge Road, Southampton.

February 2

Location: Vincentown Event: Fun & Games Details: Fun & Games for adults are held the first Thursday of each month from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. followed by a light lunch, $3 per person. Old Town Hall, 25 Plum St., Vincentown.

Pre-registration is required so we know how many to expect for

lunch, call 609-859-0607, or email dfascenda@comcast.net.

February 4 Location: Medford Event: Medford VFW Vendor Fair Details: The Medford VFW is hosting a Vendor Fair, Feb. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be wonderful local vendors so you can pick up great gifts or something for yourself. Admission is free, but a donation of socks, hats, gloves, or toiletry items to support Vet Haven South would be appreciated. 317 Church Road, Medford. 609-654-9823.

Location: Browns Mills Event: Winter Bird Exploration Details: Meet at the Whitesbog General Store at 8:30 a.m. for a walk around the Village, trails, and into the bogs to look and listen for the many types of birds that make Whitesbog their home. No reservations required. Free event. 609-893-4646.

February 5

Location: Browns Mills Event: Tundra Swan Workshop Details: Meet at the Whitesbog General Store Classroom at 1 p.m. for a workshop on Tundra Swans, led by educator, Len Little. Follow him into the bogs to get close to these beautiful birds that call Whitesbog home during the winter months. $8 per person. Advance reservations requested 609-893-4646. 120 W. Whites Bogs Road, Browns Mills.

February 11

Location: Vincentown Event: Create a Portrait in Oil Details: Adult oil portrait painting classes will be held on Saturdays, Feb. 11, 18 & 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The cost is $30 (Must attend all three classes). Start by creating a 5”x7” black and white study of a portrait; the following week you will focus on value and composition; the last class you will complete your portrait with colors and depth. Class size is limited. Pre-registration is required, please call 609-859-0607, or email dfascenda@ comcast.net. Old Town Hall, 25 Plum St., Vincentown.

Pemberton Seniors Have a Weekly Calendar of Activities

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON–A lot of activities are planned for the Pemberton Township Senior Center during the coming year. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday the exercise group gets together and completes a series of walking exercises to a video tape. The group is faithful and shows up each morning to complete this task.

As soon as the exercise is completed, the group begins line dancing. Most of the seniors have taken some line dancing lessons, so they know what they are doing. It is almost like a regiment of “soldiers” doing their routines. This is serious business, getting in at least 30 minutes of line dancing. This is how many of them stay slim and trim!

Another activity includes a group of ladies from the “Couponing Club” visiting with all the latest tips on ways to save money. They bring excess coupons with them and show the seniors how to maximize the use of these coupons. Seniors are happy to have these monthly visits because they get free coupons and information on the best way to use them. Some grocery and non-food items are really quite expensive and

the need for these items can break one’s budget quickly. Coupons and discounts really help.

These ladies usually stop in the center on the first Monday morning each month. They also hold couponing meetings on specific evenings at the Country Lakes Recreation Center. These meetings are posted on the Recreation calendar on line.

Every Thursday morning, another group of seniors meets at the BMIA (Browns Mills Improvement Assn. Building) at 10 a.m. to do “Yoga for Seniors.” This class meets weekly and participants work on their flexibility and strength. They are always looking for more participants, so contact the Recreation Department for more information on signing up for this program. Director Paula Kosko administers both the Recreation and the Senior Services Departments and her capable staff fills in to help at the center, if needed. Exercise and fitness are essential to good health for older residents, so take advantage of these opportunities to keep fit.

On Wednesday mornings, another group gathers in the center library for Bible study. This group has been meeting for many years. Each week they gather faithfully and spend time go-

ing over the scriptures. This is a vital group with many committed members who spend more than an hour together. If you have missed Bible study in your life, now is the time to add it. Meetings are held conveniently at the senior center beginning at 10 a.m. Seniors often cannot drive after dark, so this is the perfect time.

All are welcome, this is a non-denominational study.

Once a month, on the third Thursday afternoon at 12:30 p.m., Melissa Cuevas, staff member, sets up the large screen, wall mounted TV for the featured movie. Each month a movie is shown and many seniors stop in to view it. The selection is announced in the monthly Senior Gazette. Again, this is a social activity which takes place during daylight hours to maximize participation. The senior bus runs late that day so non-drivers are able to attend. There is no charge for this event. The schedule is posted on the township website under senior services.

Another fun activity is held on Monday and Thursday mornings in the center library. Fran Love hosts her craft class these mornings and they have an opportunity to share craft ideas and techniques as well as create some awesome

things. Latest on the list are the table decorations to be used at the annual Senior Prom. The theme this year is “Stars and Stripes” and is a patriotic theme with the colors red, white, and blue. Each year Love creates a new idea to express the chosen theme and she always creates a sensation. Last year the theme encompassed the “Circus”. Her group made miniature “Big Top Tents” with performing circus animals and clowns included. These were a big hit and everyone was anxious to win one as a door prize. Another year the theme was “Academy Awards” and the centerpieces included Barbie and Ken dolls dressed as movie stars and walking down the red carpet. What will the craft group complete this year? It will be a big surprise, as usual.

Check in at the senior center for more information on all these and many other activities.

The Senior Gazette is published the first of each month and it is posted on the township website.

Or, a quick phone call to 609-893-4400 will reach one of the staff members for more information. Messages can be left 24 hours a day.

Hope we see you at the center soon.

PAGE 8

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

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PAGE 10

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Saturday, January 21, 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.

You Pay the Price if Your Doctor Misdiagnoses You I bet you’ve been told some pretty awful stuff by your doctors over the years. It’s not all in your head, you’re not going crazy, you may really not have depression or bipolar. You don’t have to suffer with chronic fatigue and brain fog.

I felt inspired to this today because one of my daughters shared a story with me. She works at a clinic in Connecticut. She encountered a patient, let’s call her Beth, who came in seeking the advice of the doctor there. Beth had hallmark symptoms of hypothyroidism such as weight gain, her hair was falling out easily, she had dry skin, fatigue, neuropathy and anxiety.

Beth’s biggest concern was the anxiety which manifested as mild social phobia, a sense of despair (mainly about her declining health), and constant worry. The physician diagnosed her with hypothyroidism and gave her Levothyroxine immediately. He should have ordered a complete thyroid panel, that included levels of thyroid antibodies. He didn’t, he just handed her a prescription without getting a baseline.

Beth’s symptoms sound like autoimmune thyroid disease, particularly Hashimoto’s, which has anxiety as a primary symptom.

Again, no tests ordered.

The scariest part is he prescribed a benzodiazepine drug, alprazolam 0.25 mg to be taken up to three-times daily if needed. He gave her a two-month supply!

This drug will make her feel really good, she will no doubt want more and become physically dependent in three weeks. A trial run of thyroid medication alone could have worked, because when you normalize thyroid hormone, anxiousness stops.

Personally, he should have precribed an NDT drug that combines T3 and T4, rather than just a pure T4 drug (Levo), or even better a short trial of a pure T3 medication like Compounded T3 or Cytomel. The reason is because Levo preferentially forms reverse T3, which is not biologically active.

So now, Beth is on a track to Hell. She is not being tested for Hashimoto’s, therefore nothing will be done to reduce the attack on her thyroid gland which will die little by litte. She was not offered the opportunity to improve feelings of anxiety using just thyroid medicine, and because she’s on a benzo now, she will be referred to a psychiatrist for a psyche eval., who will undoubtedly prescribe more psychoactive drugs for that “depression” they sense when she begins crying over her awful state of affairs.

Do you relate? Do you worry something has been overlooked in your treatment? I’ve covered this topic of thyroid and anxiety very extensively in my paperback book, Thyroid Healthy, available at Amazon and my website.

But since some of you can’t buy it, I’m going to give you a free gift, an excerpt from this very book. This way you can learn and see if you have been misdiagnosed. Sign up for my newsletter at suzycohen.com and I’ll send it to you.

I’m fired up about this because it almost happened to me. If you don’t learn what I’m offering to teach you right now for free, you’ll be labeled with bipolar, Lyme, depression and more. Your physicians just want to fix you, and will quickly prescribe the appropriate drugs to address these problems. What if you’ve been misdiagnosed? If they’re wrong, the only person who pays the price is you.

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.

Change Bad Habits, Benefit The Entire Family

By Sue Hubbard, M.D. A few days into 2017, there’s no better time to talk about changing some habits. Why is it that habits are certainly easy to acquire, but difficult to change? I saw a book on The New York Times bestseller list about “Habits,” and I am committed to reading it this year.

I know that we started many “bad” habits when my husband and I were new parents, and I talk to my patients every day about not doing the same things I did. But, even with that knowledge, there are several recurrent habits that I wish parents would try to change; or better yet, don’t start.

1. Do not have your baby/child sleep with you (unless sick).

This is a recurring theme in my practice, and the conversation typically starts when a parent says, “I am not getting enough sleep.

My child wakes me up all night long.”

Whether that means getting in the habit of breastfeeding your child all night or having your 2-year-old “refuse” to go to sleep without you, children need to be independent sleepers.

Some children are born to be good sleepers while others require “learning” to sleep; either way, your child needs to know how to sleep alone. I promise you, their college roommate will one day thank you.

2. Change poor eating habits.

Family meals are a must, and healthy eating starts with parents. I still have parents, (with two, three or four children) who are “short order cooks,” which means they make a different meal for everyone. Who even has the time? Sounds exhausting! Even cooking two meals (breakfast, dinner) a day for a family is hard to do for 20 years, but enabling your children to have poor eating habits by only serving “their four favorite foods” is setting them up for a lifetime of picky, and typically unhealthy, eating.

Start serving one nutritious family dinner and let everyone have one night a week to help select the meal. Beyond that, everyone eats the same thing. Easy! If they are hungry they will eat.

3. No electronics in your child’s room.

If you start this habit from the beginning it will be easy. If you have a TV in your child’s room when they are 6 to 8 years old, good luck taking it out when they are 13 to 15. First TV in their room should be in a college dorm. For older children, make sure that you are docking their electronics outside of their rooms for the night. Everyone will sleep better!

Saturday, January 21, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

PAGE 11

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?”

No Fire Sauce? Weak Sauce, Dude!

We did not raise our four sons to be selfish, but we did raise them to be independent.

These days they can do their own laundry, pay their own bills and, if need be, bring home their chicken and fry it up in a pan.

Yet, there is a fine line between selfish and independent. I learned this recently, when all of our sons were home on Christmas break.

It all started when our Vernon, the most independent/selfish of them all, decided to make himself a breakfast burrito. Vernon’s breakfast burritos are to die for, famous and those who are in the know, relish them.

Vernon pan-fries his bacon, hand tosses his eggs and can delight the crowd with the crispness of his hash browns. Then he tucks in the edges of the tortilla, rolls it all together, and grills it to perfection.

Vernon has been known to create this delightful meal for the family from time to time. But, as he stated that fateful day, he wasn’t sure his talents were fully appreciated.

Yet that wasn’t Vernon’s only bone of contention on this fine winter’s morn. Although we had been thoughtful enough to purchase all of the necessary breakfast burrito ingredients, we had forgotten one all-too-important item—fire sauce.

“So this is who we are, huh?” Vernon grumbled in his apron. “We’re the people who forget the fire sauce? Basically, this is how we roll now? We are a people without fire sauce?”

This sort of ungrateful grumbling might anger some mothers. But if Vernon has one redeeming quality it is this, the crankier he is, the funnier he becomes.

“Yessir,” he said as he moved his bacon around in the pan, “I could be making the best breakfast burrito known to man if I had the fire sauce. But do I have the fire sauce? Well, folks, that’s going to be a ‘No.’” “Are you making me a breakfast burrito?” our Lawrence asked as he walked into the kitchen.

“Here’s the thing you don’t know about breakfast burritos, Bud,” Vernon said in response. “They’re a lot of work and I don’t think you truly appreciated all of the work that I put into them the last time.”

Was Vernon being selfish or trying to promote independence and gratitude? I have

my theory, but you must decide for yourself.

“Besides,” Vernon continued with his lecture series titled, “I suffer so,” “this breakfast is going to be ‘no good’ because Mom forgot the fire sauce. This is what she’s all about. This is our new thing. Basically, we are a people without fire sauce.”

Vernon completed the creation of his breakfast burrito and just as he was about to begin another rant he had a wonderful thought. His brothers had driven through the taco stand just the day before and surely, fire sauce packets were still in the bag!

If only I hadn’t thrown it away.

Not to worry. The sauce was worth the effort! Vernon placed his completed, breakfast burrito for one, on the counter and ran out the door to retrieve the much coveted fire sauce.

Just then our Huey, who is 6’4” and looks like a big bear, woke up from his long winter’s nap and walked into the kitchen. I saw the series of expressions on his face and read them like a fast paced novel.

Hummmm. Breakfast burrito. Must be Vernon’s. He’ll be angry if I eat it. Oh well.

As his older brother was dumpster diving for the fire sauce, I watched Huey pick up the burrito and take three bites devouring half of the burrito.

I’d like to tell you that I did something to intervene, but I did not. Instead I simply enjoyed this Christmas moment and waited for my Vernon to return and see what was left of his half hour creation.

As if we were all planning to enjoy this meal with him, Vernon returned and exclaimed, “All is not lost, folks! You see, while people appreciate the effort that goes into the breakfast burrito, they don’t understand the importance of all of the ingredients. Basically we now have the fire sauce and all is well.”

It was at the completion of this sentence that Vernon looked down at the labor of his love and saw that half of it was missing.

“This is what we are?” he asked as he looked at his younger brother. “Basically, this is what we’ve become?”

“Oh, well,” I said with a smile. “At least we are no longer ‘A people without the fire sauce.’”

© 2017 LORI CLINCH

FOLLOW US ON: www.pinebarrenstribune.com

C R O S S W O R D

P U Z Z L E

ACROSS

1 Request an ID from 5 Classic milk flavoring 10 Degs. for choreographers 14 Yours, to Yves 15 One making a leaf pile 16 Wild speech 17 Key collection of records 19 Command to Fido 20 Trophy 21 Slyly suggest 23 Religious offense 24 Common “terrible twos” responses 26 Quiet time 27 Canadian crooner with four Grammys 32 Came out with 35 Protein-rich beans 36 Sushi fish 37 Scratching post users 38 Peeper 39 “Divergent” heroine __ Prior 40 Uplifting wear 41 Oil magnate Halliburton 43 Feared African fly 45 Telltale white line 48 Home to Sean O’Casey 49 Take to court

50 Buzzy body 53 Aspiring rock star’s submissions 57 Mineral used in water softening 59 Dr. Seuss’ “If __ the Circus” 60 Not even close to an agreement ... or, literally, what 17-, 27- and 45-across have in common 62 Like some beers 63 Visually teasing genre 64 Continuously 65 Creepy look 66 Smallville family 67 Zilch

DOWN 1 Tent sites 2 Centipede video-game creator 3 Pitcher’s gripping aid 4 Ding-a-ling 5 “Close the window!”

6 Like a boor 7 Crispy fried chicken part 8 Cartoon collectibles 9 “No Spin Zone” newsman 10 Enterprise helmsman, to Kirk 11 “Hey hey hey!” toon 12 Gross subj.?

13 38-Across sore 18 Counting word in a rhyme 22 Well-worn pencils

25 Med. condition with repetitive behavior 27 Conservatory subj.

28 So far 29 Fair-hiring initials 30 Flowery rings 31 Ultimatum ender 32 Long-range nuke 33 Rani’s wrap 34 Deadlock 38 Aboveground trains 39 Golf gadget 41 Exude 42 Go wild 43 Ft. Worth campus 44 Queen of __: noted visitor of King Solomon 46 Copenhagen coins 47 State as fact 50 Cry to a prima donna 51 Dog-__: folded at the corner 52 Spare 53 Pickle herb 54 Albany-to-Buffalo canal 55 Water carrier 56 Spirited style 58 Major tennis event 61 MD and ME, e.g.

S U D O K U

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 14

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

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Help Wanted

Food Service workers needed for Lenape, Seneca, Shawnee, & Cherokee School District. Part time M-F. Summers off! Must be able to lift 30lbs and pass a fingerprint - background check. If interested please call Sue at 856-983-5141 x 2371 or email resume to LEN@nsfm. com.

Pine Barrens Tribune, LLC– Searching for a sales representative. The right candidate will be highly organized, collaborative, and creative closer who thrives in a deadline-driven sales environment and demonstrates a passion for both

print and digital advertising sales. The job includes prospecting leads, making calls, daily territory travel, setting up appointments, and the use of technology. Previous newspaper and/or sales experience is a plus, but not necessary. Strong face-toface written, and verbal communication skills with an eye for detail are a must. Candidates must possess a valid drivers license and a reliable vehicle.

Please include your resume, cover letter, and professional references and send to letters@pinebarrenstribune.com.

Competitive salary plus commission with opportunity for advancement.

Pine Barrens Media, LLC– Searching for a freelance journalist/reporter with strong reporting skills and great storytelling abilities to join the Pine Barrens Tribune news team! The ideal candidate will have excellent news judgment and be able to develop sources to allow them to break major stories both in-print and online. We are seeking a motivated, energetic, creative and aggressive reporter who can think and perform outside the box. The candidate should be able to develop story ideas and gather information for the newspaper and website, have sound writing skills, a great work ethic, strong interpersonal skills, and a can-do attitude. The best person for this

job will have excellent writing skills and thrive on breaking stories. Video editing, photographic editing, and graphic artwork experience is a huge plus, but not required. A college degree in Journalism / Mass Communications or related field of study is required. The average work schedule will include evenings and weekends. Please include your resume, cover letter, three writing samples, and professional references and send to letters@pinebarrenstribune.com Pine Barrens Media, LLC–Accepting applications for a newspaper delivery driver to work in the Burlington County area. This is a great part-time income opportunity for a motivated individual. A personal vehicle is necessary and a large van, cargo van, SUV, or extended cab pickup truck is preferred.

Working hours may vary depending upon delivery arrival time. The ideal candidate should be available Thursday through Saturday. Responsibilities include lifting up to 25 pounds and delivering newspapers to racks and local businesses. Excellent reading, comprehension, organizational, and written and verbal skills are required.

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

REPAIRS FROM PAGE 1

damaged berm, including sticks and debris, will be removed.

“Any silt will be removed so when we build that back up it will be tied into the banks,” Guzzi said. “That should restore the level of the pond to where it was prior to the work that was done.”

Natural erosion was noted on the remaining section of the berm that didn’t experience manmade damage. Riprap will be installed to create an overflow area in case of heavy rain. This is expected to reduce or eliminate further erosion.

“This will give a place for the water to spillover so there is no additional erosion,” Guzzi said.

Patricia Chambers, a resident of Little Egg Harbor whose property adjoins the pond, asked if the NJ DEP has a plan to replenish the natural water that was in the pond.

“I think we are relying on the weather and snowmelt,” Guzzi said. “There is no plan to relocate water or pump it in or out.”

He said that he anticipated receiving approval from the state to move forward with the repairs by the end of the week.

After Guzzi receives approval from the state, he will sit down with the board to figure out who is going to be doing the work and how quickly it can be done given the weather conditions.

“I think sooner rather than later is the plan,” he said.

Bass River Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope said that it was up in the air whether the township would have to go out to bid for the repairs. The township does not yet know how much the repairs will cost.

“I guess we’ll have to see what it entails,” Buzby-Cope said. “We are going to need eyes out there, obviously, that know what is going on.”

Guzzi said that the township might be able to complete the repairs without going out to bid.

JROTC FROM PAGE 1

community service projects which educate the students, teach them to be good citizens and foster opportunities for leadership. The senior class focuses on voter registration efforts for their high school peers as well as their families.

They have registered some 3,000 voters over the years. Juniors engage in New Jersey’s Mission of Honor, which aims to bring dignity and honor to military cremains that have gone unclaimed.

Sophomores, under 1st Lt. Chris Baker’s leadership, participate in the Dr. Seuss-themed “Green Eggs & ‘Plan’” preschool reading program, complete with serving green eggs and ham to the children in the neighboring preschool. Freshmen channel their efforts toward a food drive for Thanksgiving and assist in other school drives for Christmas to help local families who are going through tough times.

While the enrollment of the JROTC cadets is largely from military families, the students’ interests, reflections and goals are as diverse as one could imagine.

Capt. Jennifer Landis, also the Bravo Company Commander responsible for teaching new cadets how to march, read maps and communicate together, said she was drawn to the JROTC after seeing its drill team in action.

“I thought their sharp movements and marching band looked pretty, and I wanted to be a part of that,” Landis said.

She admitted she was quite shy when she en-

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

PAGE 13

“We might be able to do it by quote,” he said.

“We might have to get three quotes, but not necessarily go out to bid which is a lengthy process.”

However, if the township must go out to bid, he said it would be a 45-to 60-day process.

“The sooner we can get it done, we would like to get it done,” Buzby-Cope said. “But, like he said, if we do have to go out (to bid) that would prolong things.”

Guzzi said that he has been e-mailing back and forth with the township engineer for Little Egg Harbor. He added that their engineer has been copied on the NJ DEP’s correspondence.

“I know that at their December meeting some of my neighbors were there and they weren’t aware of anything that had gone on,” Chambers said. “So, that was pretty much news to them.”

Ryan Bolovoic, a resident of Bass River who lives in Offshore Manor, asked about what the town and state planned to do to restore the fish and wildlife that were lost. He also wanted to know if an environmental impact study was performed in the wake of the incident.

“We’ve done no assessment like that,” Guzzi said. “We have basically been concentrating on getting this resolved so that we can make the repairs as soon as possible.”

Buzby-Cope said that prior to all of this occurring, the township was informed that there were dead fish discovered in the pond that is in front of Roberts Pond. She said that she brought it to the state’s attention and it is affecting how the state is looking at the overall big picture of what is going to happen in the future and how they are going to handle everything.

Ben Wurst, who served as a member of Bass River’s environmental commission before it went defunct, inquired about what kind of equipment would be used to make repairs to the berm. He also wanted to know if the equipment would result in additional damage.

The area is not easily accessible and he was

concerned that the township would have to clear trees to make room for large equipment to reach the site.

“I envision we are probably going to have a mini-excavator and maybe some sort of a small loader like a skid-steer to get the material back there,” Guzzi said. “So, I don’t envision creating any new roads. Basically, we’ll be using the existing trails. It is a little narrow to get in that little, last stretch to the berm. So, there may be some saplings or some brush that ends up getting damaged. But that will bounce back relatively quickly. I don’t anticipate clearing any trees.”

He expects to use up to 10 yards of fill to fix the damaged portion of the berm.

“The idea is to move forward with this permanent repair,” Guzzi said.

Township resident Carol Bitzberger said that she was glad that action was going to be taken almost immediately. She also said that she was concerned about the wildlife that was there and the damage that may have been done to it.

She said that she was surprised that the NJ DEP hasn’t addressed the wildlife concerns.

“There was really no discussion about any sort of studies or replacement of any wildlife there,” Guzzi said.

Wurst, also a biologist, said that residents better hope for a very rainy spring and that it was going to take a long time for the pond to fill up.

“The turtles naturally move so they will move back into the pond,” Guzzi said. “The fish will eventually come back if they were there before.”

Bolovoic said that the township might be able to restock the fish and bring in beavers.

“The beavers are what started this whole thing,” Buzby-Cope said.

Wurst said that he was concerned about the turtles that were part of the pond’s ecosystem since they hibernate under the mud in the wintertime to protect themselves from the cold temperatures.

“Turtles hibernate underneath mud,” he said.

“The turtles that were in the pond, hibernating right now, are probably dying because it has been so cold out. You are never going to be able to replace them or the services that they provide.”

Wurst said that it might take decades for the turtles to come back.

The township also plans to address illegal dumping in the area.

Buzby-Cope said that the township will replace gates near the pond to restrict access.

She said that the Department of Public Works is planning to help clean up the litter. However, she is also looking for some volunteers who need community service hours. She said that there is about a days’ worth of clean-up work.

Bass River Deputy Mayor Nicholas Capriglione said that there is an aluminum boat with the top missing that is partially buried in the dirt near the site.

ATVs are also creating damage to pipes that come out of the leach field, contributing to the field’s problems.

Buzby-Cope said that the township is working with the state to fix the leach field. However, she cautioned that the immediate focus is on correcting the berm.

“These are issues that have been brought to our attention for several years,” she said. “We are just taking one step at a time and trying to take care of everything we have to take care of.”

Capriglione expressed sadness at the conclusion of the question and answer session.

“I feel like everybody else,” Capriglione said.

“I want to expedite this as quickly as possible.

It actually bothers me that something like this can’t be done fast enough. It is sad to say it happened. But, by the time we are done, it definitely will be better than what it was.”

He said the town is willing to do whatever it takes to rectify the situation.

tered Pemberton HS, but all that has changed.

“I’m thriving now,” said Landis with a big smile. “I became part of a family with the JROTC. We encourage one another and prepare each other for life.”

Landis participates in the JROTC’s drill, air rifle and color-guard teams. She also plays golf and is a member of the National Honor Society, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and the A-STEM Academy (Aeronautics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) at Pemberton HS. She is also involved with American Legion Post 294.

“The JROTC taught me how to act in interviews and receive scholarships for my hard work too,” she said.

Echoing the theme of family with the JROTC was 1st Sgt. Britany Rodgers. Although modest about her accomplishments, Cook chimed in to say she “has a heart of gold and is a leader who makes things happen.”

Maj. Tyler McCall, described by Cook as “the businessman” or “Chief of Staff” of the JROTC, said “the camaraderie” of the group “has made me very goal oriented and has made me grab life rather than watch it go by.” A man with multiple interests, he sings, dances, plays guitar, does yoga, and skateboards. He has already been sworn in to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Davey said his years in the JROTC opened his eyes “to all that I can do” instead of his preconceived notions before the elective began. Now, after learning so much

about himself, he is in the process of “reassessing my options.”

Lt. Col. Gavin Rook, Battalion commander, also sees his future as an open slate and is exploring a career in baking—another elective he chose at Pemberton—which would utilize much of his JROTC training: cooperating with one

another, respecting the chain of command, and leadership skills.

“I’m proud to be associated with these kids,” said Cook who has devoted nearly 20 years to the Pemberton JROTC. “They make successes of themselves.”

SIGNAGE FROM PAGE 2

designated as director of the Department of Revenue and Finance for the new year.

Capriglione was designated as the director of the Department of Public Works and Property for another year. Capriglione was also chosen by his colleagues on the board to continue to serve as a designee trustee of the Great Bay Regional Emergency Medical Squad.

Bass River Commissioner Louis Bourguignon was designated as the director of the Department of Public Affairs and Safety for 2017.

The board also authorized a shared service agreement with Woodland Township for municipal court.

A resolution to provide a couple of bonuses to township employees was tabled. The board did not elaborate on why they postponed action on the agenda item.

At the beginning of the meeting, during a question and answer session on a pond repair project (see separate story), the board followed in neighboring Washington Township’s foot-

steps and parted ways with Kris Kluk. Kluk served both townships for a long time as an engineer.

The board appointed Dante Guzzi Engineering Associates as the township engineer for 2017.

Buzby-Cope, like her counterpart in Washington, was hesitant to provide a reason for the change.

“It was time for a change,” she said. “We thank Kris Kluk for his service through the years.”

During the public comment period, several residents expressed concern that the Pinelands Regional School District was not notifying township residents of a special election on Jan. 24.

Residents will be asked once again to approve a $53.6-million bond referendum on school upgrades and repairs.

In Bass River, the primary referendum question failed by 25 votes, with 300 residents voting yes and 325 residents voting no.

107 children from Bass River attend classes in the Pinelands Regional School District.

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Saturday, January 21, 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, 100cow southern Illinois dairy farm.

An Allegory and A True Story

The allegory: Not long ago, a man named Jim was in business with his brother Bob. Jim was the hardworking, money-making side of the firm; Bob was the always smiling, money-spending side.

And, sure, Jim knew the arrangement was lopsided but he loved and trusted Bob and Bob was Jim’s greatest admirer and biggest promoter.

The business did well for years until one day, by pure chance, Jim discovered Bob had been stealing money from the company. It wasn’t much, about $21,500 out of the $21 million in revenue the company had earned over the past three years.

It was enough, however, to make Jim wonder how long Bob had been skimming company cream. Worse, the brothers had two out-of-state sisters as partners and Jim knew both would have to be told the truth about Bob. So Jim confronted Bob and Bob made a tearful confession of his “mistake.” He repaid the $21,500 and the brothers moved on.

But the sisters didn’t. They asked Jim for a multi-year audit of the company’s books to ensure that Bob had not stolen more than $21,500 and to make certain other “mistakes” had not occurred under Jim’s aging eyes.

Both brothers balked. An audit would be expensive, disrupt business for months, and— who knew?—might turn up some expenses the sisters would object to. Reluctantly, however, Jim agreed to the audit.

A year went by and the sisters heard nothing from Jim other than his constant complaint that the audit “would kill the business.” The sisters hired an attorney who, in court, pressed for the audit’s results. It was, he argued, the sisters’ legal right to know how their money had been spent.

Moreover, the attorney added, not disclosing the results because it might “kill the business” was the very reason the results must be disclosed. “What were the brothers hiding?” he asked.

How did the fight end?

The way fights like this usually end. The brothers continued their stonewalling of the facts and the sisters continued their legal pur-

suit of those same facts until, indeed, both the business and the family imploded.

The true story:

By Feb. 17, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) will file with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reasons it might have to keep private 9,300 or so pages of financial documents related to how it used public money, beef checkoff dollars.

The filing is the next step in the ongoing legal battle between the Organization for Competitive Markets and USDA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) over documents surrounding OIG’s 2011 investigation into a government audit conducted by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board—known as the beef checkoff—and the Board’s principle contractor, NCBA. NCBA has questioned public disclosure of the documents because, it claims, going public with how it spent millions in beef checkoff dollars will give away proprietary information and, worse, might threaten the very existence of the beef checkoff.

Yes, the money is public; the U.S. Supreme Court ruled long ago that federally-chartered, non-refundable commodity checkoffs are “government speech.” That should mean that “government” dollars collected and spent by federal checkoffs on public research, public promotion, public communications, and public market-building programs is, in fact, open to public oversight.

But, no, NCBA will likely argue, we can’t tell you, the public, how we spend your money as the checkoff’s decades-long, hired hand because telling you might hurt us, it, or both.

That, of course, is the best argument for full disclosure and the worst argument for a continued cover-up that anyone could make. What is so secret in NCBA’s dark checkoff closet that it can’t show you, the people who’ve bought and paid for that closet, because it will destroy the checkoff?

If it’s nothing, you should know. If it’s something, that’s an even greater reason for you to know. NCBA knows. You don’t. Why? It is, after all, your USDA, your checkoff, and your money. You should know.

© 2017 AG COMM.

FOLLOW US ON: www.pinebarrenstribune.com facebook.com/pinebarrenstribune @PineBarrensNews

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

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PAGE 15

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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 Chevrolet Tahoe The 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe is designed to make an impression with its sculpted exterior wrapped in a confident, athletic stance to command attention. The Tahoe is offered in LS, LT and Premier trims in 2WD and 4WD configurations.

A standard 5.3L V-8 engine with direct injection and Active Fuel Management provides 355 horsepower and the segment’s best fuel economy at 23 mpg highway. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, featuring TapShift control, Tow/ Haul mode and Auto Grade Braking.

Combined with the available Max Trailering Package, Tahoe has a maximum towing capability of up to 8,600 pounds to tow boats, and ATVs. The Chevy Tahoe delivers a quiet, controlled ride and improved steering and braking feel.

Tahoe’s strong, fully boxed, perimeter frame supports payload and trailering capability that body-frame-integral crossovers and SUVs can’t match.

Inside, an available soft touch leather-

appointed interior surrounds the driver with premium amenities. Cabin refinements include an acoustic-laminated windshield and inlaid doors with triple seals to reduce outside noise.

Tahoe offers up to seven USB ports, a 110volt three-prong outlet, an available wireless charging station, and an available OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection. Fold-flat second- and third-row seats enhance cargo convenience– including an available power-folding feature.

Standard front and side-impact airbags for driver and front passenger with front-center airbag and head curtain side-impact airbags are equipped in all rows.

Forward Collision Alert, Safety Alert Driver Seat, IntelliBeam headlamps with automatic high-beam control, Lane Keep Assist and Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking are standard on LT and Premier. They are included on LS with the available Enhanced Driver Alert Package.

Base model estimated mpg: 16/23 Estimated starting price: $47,215

Compiled by Motor Matters

2017 Chevrolet Tahoe.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

SEEKING TALENTED MEN AND WOMEN WITH OUTSTANDING :

Communication skills People skills Organization Dependability Sales Advertising candidates should be energetic and possess a positive, goal-driven mindset. Prior sales experience is a plus, however we will train the right individual.

Opportunity for advancement. Competitive salary. Interested applicants should submit their resume to: gblountjr@pinebarrenstribune.com Equal Employment Opportunity

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Saturday, January 21, 2017