Pine Barrens Tribune January 28, 2017

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

Vol. 1 - No. 22

Southeastern Burlington County’s News Leader

January 28 - February 3, 2017

Input Provided On Good Farm Project and Sinkholes

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER

75 acres of the nearly 220-acre Good Farm on Red Lion Road and Church Road are slated for recreational facilities.

“It is just a fact of life. We are playing on dumps. Filled ground.

Dumps. I was there. I helped build it years ago. I know. You better hope right now that nothing ever happens to any kid who slips and falls in a hole out there or gets gas from stuff coming out of the ground.”

– Harry Thompson, Rancocas Valley Baseball League Manager

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

SOUTHAMPTON– Officials in Southampton have announced their plans for the first phase of a major construction project that will transform a large portion of the Good Farm into

recreational facilities.

The announcement was made last month at a special township committee meeting. The meeting drew about 100 attendees.

“I called this special meeting together so that we can discuss the Good Farm,” said Mayor James F. Young, Sr. Rakesh Darji, a special-project engineer for the township, said the first phase of the project will involve a portion of the farm which sits closer to Red Lion Road. The farm adjoins both Red Lion Road and Church Road.

“The idea for phase one is to construct two fields,” he said. “A ball field and a multi-purpose field for soccer, football and lacrosse.”

Darji added that he expects the first phase to also include the construction of one parking lot, an access driveway and associated drainage.

“We would like to have phase one under con-

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struction by the summer of 2017 and completed by the fall of 2017,” he said.

Officials now say the first phase of the project will cost about $1,000,000. The township has about $560,000 in funding obtained through Burlington County municipal park development grants.

The committee has applied for additional grant funding and hopes to receive another $250,000 to dedicate towards the project.

“The primary funding for this construction is grant money, not township taxpayer money,” said Committeeman Michael Mikulski. “It is grant money from the county that we applied for, we being the committee, over the previous three years and we have applied (for it) again.”

Officials provided meeting attendees with an updated design for the planned facilities.

A few amenities were added to the design,

while the number of parking spaces were reduced. The number of acres slated for active and passive recreation has also increased from 65 to 75.

“It is a 75-acre piece,” Darji said. “It is a fairly large piece of land.”

The overall project now involves the construction of three multi-purpose fields, four baseball fields, an amphitheater, a bocce court, a sledding hill, a skating pond, two playgrounds, a concession building and pavilion, a lawn picnic area, one storage building and a dog park.

A multi-purpose community center is also proposed which would contain senior areas and an indoor basketball court.

“The idea is to have a property or facility that is usable not just by one group in the community,” Darji said. “But to have something to offer to

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LOCAL NEWS

First Steps Taken To Resolve Several Problems Facing Southampton Township

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

SOUTHAMPTON–The Southampton Township Committee on Jan. 17 acted on several items which were tabled at previous meetings and announced progress with a few ongoing matters of interest.

A resolution authorizing a memorandum of agreement between Southampton Township and the Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad (EMS) was passed unanimously.

The resolution was previously tabled by the committee on Dec. 20. A contract between Southampton Township and the Hampton Lakes EMS expired on Dec. 31.

“We have reached an agreement with the emergency squad,” said Committeeman Michael Mikulski. “They will continue to provide services under the existing contract and under the existing terms until we have completed dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s.”

The Hampton Lakes EMS continued to provide ambulance services to the township as contract negotiations continued, despite no legal requirement to do so.

Mikulski said he anticipated that a new contract will take effect on Feb. 1.

“The last drafts I saw, I think we have probably the 99 percent solution,” Mikulski said. “I expect it will be completely resolved before the end of the month.”

The memorandum of agreement establishes legal responsibility in the interim for Hampton Lakes EMS to provide ambulance services to the township while negotiations continue.

“This just exists until we get a new contract in place,” said Township Solicitor George M. Morris.

It is unclear whether the committee will pass an ordinance or resolution authorizing the township to enter into a new contract with the Hampton Lakes EMS at a special budget meeting scheduled for Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Such action is required before a municipality can enter into a contract for emergency services.

“We have had very good negotiations,” said Kit Applegate, an attorney who represents the Hampton Lakes Emergency Squad. “Both sides have negotiated in good faith. We have had frank conversations and we are almost there.

We just got to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. I tip my hat to the township.”

The committee also unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the township engineer to prepare and file paperwork to obtain permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP).

The township is seeking permits from the NJ DEP so that they can begin to repair a bulkhead

and embankment next to the Vincentown and Tabernacle Telephone Company building.

“This is the necessary first step to get approval to do the work that we want to do,” Mikulski said.

The permits are expected to cost between $10,000 and $14,000.

The building has served as the home to the Southampton Historical Society since 1976. It has been closed for over five months after a code enforcement officer condemned it for usage.

Township officials took the unusual precaution of closing the building due to the possibility that further erosion of the embankment next to the building will cause the bulkhead protecting it to fail with little or no advance notice. While the structure itself has recently been determined to be sound by a structural engineer, the erosion of the embankment is creating a precarious situation.

Officials theorize that the building could collapse into the creek should the bulkhead, which holds back the creek’s water, fail.

The committee has debated several options for a permanent fix, taking into consideration that the building is within a flood plain and was damaged by floods in 2004 and 2007.

The committee appears to have narrowed their options by passing this resolution. The first option they have discussed is to raise the building and repair the bulkhead. The second option they have discussed is to only repair the bulkhead.

The committee was entertaining the possibility of moving the building to avoid bulkhead repairs and applying for permits.

However, Mayor James F. Young, Sr. said that the bulkhead would still have to be repaired to safely conduct the move. He argued that moving the building would cost the township just as much money as making the repairs, if not more money.

Township Administrator and Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman said that negotiations with the neighboring property owner’s insurance company are continuing.

The overall project is estimated to cost a little over $100,000.

The committee also granted permission to Verizon Wireless to upgrade and enhance its wireless network in the township. A resolution providing Verizon with the authorization to conduct the upgrades and enhancements was previously tabled by the committee in December.

The mobile carrier plans to install mini-cellular antennas, known as mini-nodes, on existing utility poles. The technology is designed to fill

INDEX Automotive......................................23 Business Directory...........................12 Classifieds........................................17 Community......................................14 Fun and Games................................16 Health . ............................................13

STEPS>>PAGE 21

Home, Garden & Farming ............. 22 Local News....................................... 2 Opinion ............................................ 8 Scanner ............................................ 9 Spotlight . ....................................... 10 Super Bowl Supplement..................S1

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LRHSD Board of Education Plans To Regulate Unmanned Aircraft Systems

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

SHAMONG–The Lenape Regional High School District could become the latest school district in the state to pass a policy which regulates the use of unmanned aircraft systems, known as drones or model aircraft, on school property.

The board of education unanimously approved the first reading of the policy on Jan. 18. A second reading is required before it can take effect.

It is unclear when the second reading will take place.

Paula D. Lee (Mount Laurel), vice president of the board, only read the title of the policy before a roll call vote was conducted. None of the board members or administration in attendance elaborated on what the policy is designed to accomplish or why they have proposed it.

The board has not publicly discussed drones at prior meetings.

Dr. Carol “Lynn” Birnbohm, superintendent of schools for the LRHSD, did not return messages seeking comment on the policy.

She also declined to comment on whether there had been safety incidents at the district’s five schools involving unmanned aircraft systems.

School districts in Fort Lee, East Rutherford, and Moorestown banned drones from flying, launching and landing on school grounds last year.

Two board members, Dr. William Bisignano, Jr. (Medford) and Ted Shinske (Shamong), were absent from the meeting.

Dr. Robert Bende, Jr. (Tabernacle) was present for the meeting. Bende, who was reelected to the board in November’s general election, was absent from the reorganization and regular meetings that were held on Jan. 3.

Bende was not sworn into office that night since he missed the swearing in ceremony.

James Hager, board secretary and business administrator for the LRHSD, who traditionally administers the oath of office for LRHSD board members, appeared perplexed by Bende’s absence during the swearing in ceremony.

Officials declined to comment on his whereabouts that night. Ellen Sullivan, an assistant for Bende’s veterinarian practice in Tabernacle, told the Pine Barrens Tribune that he missed the meeting because he was ill with the flu.

Bende was expected to be sworn in at the Jan. 18 meeting since it was the first one to follow the Jan. 3 meetings.

However, there was no such ceremony. Bende sat with the rest of the board members and voted on a series of measures.

It is highly unusual move for any government official to not take the oath of office in front of the public and on the record. In extenuating circumstances, officials will usually release photographs of a swearing in ceremony conducted without the presence of the public. No such photographs have surfaced as of press time.

After the latest meeting concluded, Hager was asked by the Pine Barrens Tribune if Bende was sworn into office for his new full term on the board.

“He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t,” he said.

Hager provided an ambiguous answer when pressed for the date and time that the ceremony took place.

“Before the meeting,” he said.

Interestingly, Bende arrived in the meeting room shortly before 7:20 p.m. on Jan. 18. He was greeted by Hager who wished him a Happy New Year and welcomed him back to the board.

Hager momentarily left the meeting room.

As he left, a Lenape District Television em-

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER Lenape Regional High School District Board of Education member Dr. Robert Bende Jr. (far left) who represents Tabernacle. ployee asked Bende to come with him to a wall in the meeting room. It was the same wall that the rest of the board members gathered at to take a group photograph on Jan. 3, after the meetings adjourned.

The employee pulled a phone out of his pocket and showed Bende the group photograph. He explained to Bende how he was going to photoshop him into the group photograph.

The employee then provided Bende with step by step instructions on how to position himself in order for him to be able to edit the group photograph.

Bende complied with the employee’s request and the technician snapped several photographs of him.

In other news, Birnbohm mentioned in passing the December death of Nicole Spirit who was a beloved biology teacher at Shawnee High

School. She died following injuries sustained during a motor-vehicle crash on Dec. 17.

“We would like to thank the volunteers from the Burlington County School Crisis Response Team who assisted our Shawnee administration last month after the passing of our biology teacher, Mrs. Spirit,” Birnbohm said. “Our district is part of the Burlington County School Crisis Response Team. Through the years, we have provided many volunteers to assist other school districts who may have suffered a sudden loss of a staff member or student. Knowing that the Burlington County School Crisis Response Team exists helps students and staff feel supported through their mourning. Their guidance and support was very appreciated during our loss.”

Birnbohm and the school board were criticized on social media after the Pine Barrens Tribune

LRHSD>>PAGE 20

Medford Art Walk Showcases Local Talent

By Jayne Cabrilla

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD–The Medford Arts Center (MAC) hosted three exhibition openings on Jan. 20. Art Walk on Main showcased the creative expressions of some very talented local artists. The receptions, held at three different venues, were well attended, in spite of the drizzle.

The reception for the Annual Juried Photography Exhibition at the MAC included wine and a delicious array of light fare. Contest winners were announced and the presentation of awards

by MAC President Jeff Lucas, was given to several artist-photographers.

First Place honors were awarded to Mike Pillows for his work, “Reflective Etching”.

Pillows, who lives in Chatsworth, teaches 1st grade at Howard L. Emmons Elementary School in Pemberton. Pillows began his interest in photography before the digital revolution changed everything. His work in the dark room gave him a thorough understanding of the art form and all the technicalities associated with photography.

Pillows award was $150.

Second Place was awarded to Karen Crisfulla for her entry, “Floating Raindrops.” Crisfulla, of Medford, is a clinical nurse specialist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

“People don’t always recognize that photography is an art,” Crisfulla said. Her artistic com-

position in black and white won her an award of $125.

Third Place was awarded for “Viaduct of My Dreams” by Bob Damato. Honorable Mentions were given to Larry Lyons, Barbara Doreeste, Sara Ascalon, Mike Pillows, and Crisfulla.

Henry Rowan, a national award-winning photographer from Bucks County, the juror for the MAC competition, was unable to attend the opening.

Over 70 photographs are on display at the MAC – the exhibit will run through Feb. 19. The MAC is located at 18 N. Main Street, Medford, NJ. Another reception was held for the photography of Richard Lewis, which is on display at the Hanson-Warner Building, 6 S. Main Street, Medford. Lewis’ exquisite photographs of Pine Barrens landscapes are at once haunting and sensual.

“New Jersey’s Pine Barrens are an acquired taste,” Lewis said. But once you start looking, it’s an amazing place.”

His exhibit will run through March 16.

A Meet the Artist reception was held at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 S. Main Street. The gallery opening was titled Winter, a themed exhibition of mixed-media art pieces. Several artists were on hand to discuss their work and the important role the MAC plays in helping local artists gain recognition.

PHOTO BY JAYNE CABRILLA Photography 1st place, Mike Pillows; 2nd place, Karen Crisfulla

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PHOTO BY JAYNE CABRILLA Photography 1st place, Mike Pillows; 2nd place, Karen Crisfulla.

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Midshipman Awarded Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism

9th District Delegation Bill Upgrading Crime of Trespassing In Nuclear Facility Advances For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PHOTO SUBMITTED U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Ted Carter, left, pins the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on Midshipman 3rd Class Jonathan Dennler’s uniform.

By U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs For the Pine Barrens Tribune

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND– A U.S. Naval Academy midshipman from Medford received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on Jan. 10 in front of the entire Brigade of Midshipmen assembled in Alumni Hall.

Midshipman 3rd Class Jonathan Dennler received the medal, the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the U.S. Department of the Navy, for heroic actions while leading a Boy Scout troop in July 2016.

While camping in Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, the troop experienced a major storm with up to 80-mph gusts and lightning strikes. Two trees fell on the campsite, killing a scout and an adult volunteer and severely injuring others.

When Dennler couldn’t contact anyone on the radio for help, he canoed more than 1.5 miles at night in 60-mph winds to a ranger station to bring back help and medical supplies.

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal falls in order of precedence just below the Distinguished Flying Cross and above the Bronze Star. It was first bestowed during World War II, to then Lt. j.g. John F. Kennedy. Only about 3,000 have received the award since. To win this award, there must be evidence the act of heroism involved very specific life-threatening risk to the awardee.

The award came as a surprise to both Dennler and his classmates, who listened in silence while academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Ted Carter read the award citation. The class then gave him a rousing standing ovation.

“It was an incredibly humbling and unexpected

experience,” Dennler said. “I’m very thankful to everyone who helped to make that happen and for the support of my family and friends.”

The award wasn’t a surprise to his parents, who also attended the award presentation. Dennler’s mother, Monica Dennler, described her son as “persistent and tenacious.”

“He knows how to persevere, and has a kind heart,” she said. “He was the only one who knew what to do back in high school when a classmate broke his leg at a basketball game, because he was an Eagle Scout.”

“He is a quiet young man who would not want a big fuss, but rightfully deserves it,” said 20th Company Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Electronics Technician Nicholas Howell. “Out of his classmates, he is the one who has the level head to think clearly and act decisively to contain the situation and help bring about the best possible solution.”

Dennler is a political science major and member of 20th Company. He completed two years of college at George Washington University before transferring to the Naval Academy. Dennler is a graduate of Shawnee High School.

“USNA has taught me how to work and think in environments where many things are out of my control, and I think the academy helps to create mindsets that put others first,” Dennler said. “I am incredibly thankful for those lessons.”

An active member of the academy’s Semper Fi Society, he hopes to serve in the Marine Corps after graduating from the academy in 2019.

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TRENTON–The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee last week advanced legislation (A-3186) introduced by 9th District Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove.

The bill would increase from a 4th-degree crime to 3rd-degree crime the penalty for trespassing offenses committed in a nuclear generating plant.

9th District Senator Christopher J. Connors will introduce the Senate companion measure.

Following the committee’s action, the 9th District delegation issued a joint statement following the advancement of its legislative initiative: “Security at our nuclear generating facilities has taken on a greater level of importance since 9/11. Obviously, this is an issue that hits close to home for us and our constituents, as the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station is located in our legislative district. Trespassing is a very serious crime and should be treated as such under the law, especially in this age of terrorism.

In the case of trespassing in a nuclear facility, it’s appropriate to strengthen the statutory penalties in view of the fact that domestic terrorist

incidents have increased in the United States.

The penalties provided under current law certainly don’t properly reflect the seriousness of trespassing, as a criminal act, given the potentially hazardous materials kept on site and the detrimental impacts to any disruption to these facilities’ critical operations. While we certainly recognize that nuclear facilities in the state take the appropriate measures to protect their facilities, our legislation would enhance deterrents for trespassing at these sites and more effectively prosecute those who would threaten public safety.”

Under current law, trespassing in a nuclear generating plant is a crime of the fourth degree, which is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to 18 months, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000, imprisonment for three to five years, or both.

Connors was a sponsor of the successful 9th District delegation-led effort that updated state law in 2003 to authorize nuclear facility security personnel to use hollow nose ammunition and semi-automatic firearms on the premises.

Burlington County Animal Shelter Finds Homes for Record Number of Animals in 2016

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MOUNT HOLLY– Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio announced that 2016 was a record-breaking year for adoptions and rescues at the Burlington County Animal Shelter. In total, 2,751 animals were adopted or rescued.

“2016 was a phenomenal year at the shelter, and the staff and Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter deserve a ton of credit for all of their hard work for these animals and the promotional events they organize and run,” Garganio said. “1,922 cats were adopted or rescued compared to 1,828 last year and 829 dogs found permanent homes compared to 813 in 2015.”

Reclaims also saw an increase in 2016. A total of 97 cats and 602 dogs were reclaimed by their owners. In addition to adoptions, the free rabies clinics vaccinated more than 949 animals.

“Much of the success last year came from adoption promotional events, especially ones around the holidays,” Garganio said. “In November we saw a total of 28 kittens, 26 cats and 21 dogs all find forever homes at the Home for the Pawlidayz adoption event. Social media has been a driving force in the increase in adoptions as well. People in the community recom-

mend events and promotions and share their favorite animals to family and friends. The response has been nothing short of amazing.”

Pictures of animals up for adoption are updated regularly and placed on the shelter’s website, on PetFinder, and also shared on Burlington County’s Facebook and Twitter accounts which can be found at BurlingtonCountyNJ and @BurlCoNJ. The shelter also offers other promotions including seniors adopt for free, free pets for vets, and the savea-senior program.

“I ask the residents of Burlington County to help the shelter continue to break even more records in 2017, and if you are looking to adopt a furry friend, the Burlington County Animal Shelter is the best place to go,” concluded Garganio.

The Burlington County Animal Shelter is located at 35 Academy Drive in Westampton, behind the Burlington County Library. The shelter is open noon to 4 p.m. every day except Thursday when it is open noon to 7 p.m.

For more information, call (609) 265–5073 or visit the county website at http://www. co.burlington.nj.us/168/Animal-Shelter.

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10 Pemberton Boys Vie for Pinewood Derby Title

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—10 local boys battled hard last Saturday for the ninth annual championship of Cub Pack 415’s Pinewood Derby. The races drew a crowd of about 50 parents, grandparents and friends cheering enthusiastically for their favorites.

Actually, the 10 was a fairly large drop from the average number of competitors. Bert Horton, adult leader of Pack 415, said in some years, groups of 25 to 30 vied in the competition. Horton attributed the falloff to transfers from Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst in the past year. Many of Pack 415’s boys are from military families.

Regardless of the numbers, the enthusiasm and competition was intense. Horton quickly gave a lucid description of the rules to the uninitiated. The competition took place in the borough’s recreation hall.

To ensure fairness, all opening-round

competition involved best-of-three races. Also, to make certain that everything was even, cars were shifted back-and-forth in the two lanes.

Horton pointed out that no matter how fairly the track was built, one lane often turned out to be just a little faster than the other. Shifting the cars meant no advantages, or disadvantages to any competitor.

The event took just over an hour. Most of the races were quite close. Many needed a third, tie-breaking race to pick a winner.

The lanes appeared to be quite equal, but it was obvious that the downhill start was decisive. Whichever car hit the flat two-thirds of the track first turned out to be the winner. Not a single car was able to pass at that point. Each race lasted about four seconds.

After the final race, the first three places were announced.

The winner was Travis Gandee. Runner up was Jacob Phillips while third place went to Josh Horton. All the boys are age 10.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Pictured from left to right are the winners of Cub Pack 415’s Pinewood Derby; Josh Horton (3rd place), Travis Gandee (1st place), and Jacob Phillips (2nd place).

Gandee said he had worked on his model for eight days, more time than most of the competitors. Both Gandee and Phillips said that while they were pleased to have done so well, neither said they were surprised by their success.

Some of the other boys said they were disappointed they hadn’t done better. However, most said they’d learn from the experience and hope to do better in 2018. All then adjourned for refreshments and fun.

Rowan College at Burlington County Welcomes Newest Trustee For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MOUNT LAUREL–The Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) Board of Trustees welcomed its newest member Renee C. Liciaga, of Mount Laurel, at its first meeting of 2017.

Liciaga, who is active in the local education community, a free-lance choreographer and a veteran Broadway performer, was appointed by Gov. Chris Christie.

“Rowan College at Burlington County is in the midst of a great transformation and we continue to add talented and creative trustees to the board,” Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said. “Trustee Liciaga is well-respected in her community and brings a wealth of education and performing arts experience that will benefit students in Burlington County and throughout our region.”

Board Chair George Nyikita welcomed Liciaga.

“Our partnership with Rowan University and Mount Laurel Campus improvements have created a tremendous energy among students, faculty and staff, which makes serving as a trustee such a great honor and privilege,” Nyikita said. “As the caliber of the college continues to improve, it is important we continue to maintain an exceptional board. I welcome Trustee Liciaga and look forward to her contributions as we continue to bring new high-quality and affordable educational programs.”

Liciaga was trained at the Pennsylvania Ballet and Adelphi University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in musical theater. Throughout her

career, she has worked in 12 countries with legends such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Mercedes Ellington, Donny Osmond and the late Michael Jackson.

Liciaga is active in the Mount Laurel community, particularly on the Thomas E. Harrington Middle School Parent Teacher Organization and the Lenape Band Parents Association.

She is a substitute teacher in the Mount Laurel School District and also mentors youth pursuing the performing arts.

“I have a passion for the arts and education in our community and I am very excited about this new opportunity to help more people access some truly innovative education programs in our communities,” Liciaga said. “This is such an exciting time to join Rowan College at Burlington County that is creating so many wonderful opportunities.”

The board currently has a vacancy created when Linda Hughes became a freeholder last month. She replaced RCBC alumna Mary Ann O’Brien who left the freeholder board to become Burlington County Surrogate.

“Our board provides wonderful support to our students and reflects the talent and diversity of our communities,” RCBC President Paul Drayton said. “As we continue to achieve different ways to raise the quality of education while lowering the costs for students, I’m thrilled that PHOTO SUBMITTED we continue to gain trustees with exceptional backgrounds and experience needed to Renee C. Liciaga, of Mount Laurel, was appointed to the Rowan College at Burlington County continue moving the college forward.”

Board of Trustees.

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PAGE 7

Pinelands Regional High School District $53 Million Bond Referendum Passes

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

LITTLE EGG HARBOR– Second time’s a charm.

Voters in Bass River, Eagleswood, Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton approved the Pinelands Regional School District (PRSD) Bond Referendum in a special election held on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

The $53.6 million bond will address the critical structural issues at Pinelands Regional High School (PRHS) that have closed nine classrooms.

It also will fund basic repairs and no-frills renovations and upgrades at both PRHS and at Pinelands Regional Junior High School (PRJHS).

Question 1 asked voters to approve critical exterior-system replacements, necessary interior basic repairs, HVAC replacement, electrical upgrades, security upgrades and communications upgrades at the district’s two schools.

Approximately 57 percent of voters said yes and 43 percent of voters said no.

The second question asked voters to approve a secured, all-weather entrance, new rear bus dropoff/pick-up area, IT infrastructure upgrades, and renovations to the main entrance and library.

Approximately 54 percent of voters said yes and 46 percent of voters said no.

The third question asked voters for permission to upgrade and make repairs to the district’s athletic complex, including adding a storm-wa-

ter management system.

Approximately 53 percent of voters said yes and 47 percent of voters said no.

PRSD Interim Superintendent Maryann Banks, Ed.D., expressed her thanks to the voters for their support of the district. She emphasized that the structural issues and other repairs, renovations and upgrades must be addressed to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.

“Pinelands Regional Junior and Senior High Schools are in critical need of the repairs and upgrades outlined in the three questions of the referendum,” Banks said. “District administration and the board of education are pleased that the members of the communities, served by the Pinelands Regional School District, acknowledged the extreme importance of the referendum, and recognized it as an investment in our students and their future and that of our communities.”

The district is eligible to receive up to 40 percent in state funding for Questions 1 and 2; and up to 19 percent for Question 3. The average annual tax impact for Question 1 is expected to be less than $100/year for the average assessed home in all of the four communities served by PRSD. The tax impact for Questions 2 and 3 should add about $22 per year.

“We never want to impose an additional tax burden on the community,” said Stephen Brennan, PRSD Business Administrator/Board Secre-

tary. “By approving the referendum now, when we are retiring other debt and have the opportunity to take advantage of state funding, we are saving taxpayers money in the long run.”

With the passage of the referendum, the district will address the most urgent projects immediately. Specifically, the district will replace interior concrete masonry and exterior brick masonry at PRHS. The district also plans to either repair or replace the structural steel within a perimeter wall which has been damaged by corrosion.

The district plans to initiate construction on the other projects in the spring and summer. An ultimate completion date of all projects is anticipated for fall or winter 2018.

“The district is grateful to the citizens of Bass

X

X

River, Eagleswood, Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton for approving the referendum,” said Susan M. Ernest, PRSD Board of Education President. “Their generosity will enable not only our current students, but future Wildcats, to take advantage of the educational experiences that will help them develop into well-rounded, productive citizens.

So, on their behalf, thank you!”

All three questions were approved by the majority of voters in Bass River Township.

“This referendum would not have been successful without the hard work and dedication of our parents, teachers, students, board and community members,” Banks said. “We cannot thank you enough for all of your efforts to get out the vote.”

Pinelands Regional School District Special Election Results: January 24, 2017 Bond Referendum Question 1: YES 2,131 1,575 NO

57% 43%

Bond Referendum Question 2: YES NO

2,015 1,659

54% 46%

1,959 1,717

53% 47%

Bond Referendum Question 3: X

YES NO

Pemberton Seeks $800,000 Grant State Police Investigating Suspicious Funding and Swears in New Police Incident At Ongs Hat Road Dwelling Chaplain

By Douglas D. Melegari

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—Council’s most recent meeting last Wednesday, Jan. 18 got off to a lively start. Opening attendance was about 25, far higher than usual.

It turns out that most attendees were there to witness the formal swearing of a new police chaplain. He is Rev. Samuel Hayes, pastor of Friendship A.M.E. in the township. The oath was administered by Police Chief David Jantas, while the pastor’s wife held the Bible during the oath taking.

Most of the audience left immediately afterwards, leaving the usual audience of five or six.

During the first half of the meeting, seven consent agenda resolutions were approved, all by 5-0 votes.

By far the most important were these two. One seeks a Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation Grant of $200,000 from the state Department of Community Affairs for repairs of code violations in homes of low- and moderate-income residents.

Another Small Cities grant of $600,000 is sought to make improvements at several street intersections to bring them up to the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The grant funds are to be used to upgrade intersections for handicapped people.

While seeking state aid is never guaranteed, the township has been fairly successful in seeking grants in recent years.

Three other consent agenda resolutions were minor, but the final three may be of some interest. One confirms a public auction of no-longer needed township-owned lands. It’s hoped they will be of interest to contiguous property owners.

Most are tiny, slivers of acres.

Another accepts a gift of six surplus air con-

Staff Writer

ditioners from Deborah Heart and Lung Center.

They’ll be put to good use in the township building and recreation sites.

The last cancels property taxes of $4,878 for George Blackwell under the Veterans Property Tax Exemption.

Passed on second reading was an ordinance cracking down on vacant commercial properties.

Vacancies of homes and businesses have long been a problem in the township, leading to serious deterioration in some neighborhoods. The new ordinance sets up a sliding series of fines for commercial vacancies just as there are for homes. The fines start gradually, but increase to up to $5,000 if left vacant for several years.

In an attempt at fairness for commercial properties that are partly occupied, a two-thirds rule will be in effect. According to Township Administrator Dennis Gonzalez, if a property has 10 units, and seven are occupied, no fines will be levied. But if four of 10 are empty, the fines will be assessed.

In other business, two members were reappointed to the Municipal Utilities Authority Board. They are Adrienne Leonard and Kara Schnure.

Financially, there were three purchases of over $2,000.

The largest was $11,500 for inspection and cleaning services of four township water tanks

by Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group of Henderson, Ky., charged to Public Works.

The Police Department was charged $3,509 for a finger-printing system from Morpho Trak, of Albany, N.Y. The final purchase was $4,119 for shirts for youth basketball and soccer from YNA Shirts of Orem, Utah.

Council will meet next on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the usual 6:30 p.m.

SOUTHAMPTON–The New Jersey State Police have confirmed that they are investigating a suspicious incident that occurred last week in Southampton.

Troopers were dispatched to a home in the 400 block of Ongs Hat Road around 3:45 p.m. on Jan. 19.

“The victim saw someone in the house,” said Trooper Alejandro Goez, a spokesperson for the New Jersey State Police. “The victim then saw people leave.”

The homeowner, Mary Kay String-Delio, told the Pine Barrens Tribune that her son stopped at her house while she was at work.

She said that he discovered that someone was upstairs inside the home when he entered it. The man apparently became startled and jumped out of a window in the home. She said her son ran outside and observed the man running away.

He watched the man get inside a car that was

waiting for him with someone else in the driver’s seat.

“They started to drive past him,” StringDelio said. “They turned around and got away.”

The apparent getaway car was not seen by the victim prior to him entering his mother’s home.

The New Jersey State Police said that they aren’t labeling the matter a burglary at this time because no items were taken from the home.

“The investigation remains open,” Goez said.

“If nothing was taken, it is classified as a suspicious incident. There is a fine line there. It would (also) be trespassing.”

String-Delio said that her son described the suspects as two black men.

Police were reluctant to provide additional details about their investigation as detectives are still working the case.

“Basically, what the victim says,” Goez said.

There is no word on whether the police have any leads or made arrests in connection with the incident.

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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.

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

Saturday, January 28, 2017

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

Editorial

Letter to the Editor

Our Take On School Issues

Authenticity in High School Competition

Pinelands Regional School District On The Right Track: Kudos to voters in Bass River, Eagleswood, Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton who approved the Pinelands Regional School District Bond Referendum in a special election held on Tuesday, January 24.

The $53.6-million bond will address the critical structural issues at Pinelands Regional High School (PRHS) that have closed numerous classrooms. It also will fund basic repairs, no-frills renovations, and upgrades at the district’s two schools.

We will be checking in periodically with district officials to update our readers on the progress and potential challenges that may arise from the construction. It is important that the money is spent wisely, checks and balances remain intact, and the repairs are conducted correctly and expeditiously.

Lenape Regional High School District On The Wrong Track: In today’s paper, there is an article which covers the latest Lenape Regional High School District Board of Education meeting. We urge you to read it. It surely is an eye opener.

The last few months have been tumultuous for this school board. There hasn’t been a meeting without a notable gaffe.

There has been an admission of

wrongdoing, shouting at a constituent, attempts to censor the press, failure to honor a teacher who passed away suddenly, resolutions placed onto agendas without prior discussion and a board member absent for his swearing in.

Most of the towns and school districts that we cover post a copy of the meeting agenda on their website 12 to 48 hours in advance of a meeting. In a few cases where the agendas are not posted online, officials comply with our request and provide an agenda prior to a meeting.

At the beginning of the year, we sent a request asking for the district to provide our staff with a copy of the meeting agendas in advance of their board meetings.

The district’s custodian of records said that she would not comply with our request.

That is not acceptable. It is imperative that public bodies provide their meeting agendas to the public and media prior to a meeting.

We encourage citizens to attend upcoming board meetings, call the district offices at 609-268-4600, ext. 5546, and consider filing a petition to become a candidate for the school board. The deadline is April 3 to run for office.

Fixing these issues and finding ways to improve transparency and accountability should be a priority for the board, not drones.

When something is labeled “authentic,” it means it is true to its roots; it’s accurate and actual. It’s the opposite of being fake, contrived or unreal. So, I would like to ask a question: Is high school athletic competition authentic when it willfully excludes homeschoolers from its rosters? Now, before you think this is crazy, hear me out.

To follow this line of reasoning, you have to answer another question: Do public high schools represent themselves, or do they represent their communities? They represent their communities, since the residents of the communities pay for the schools, attend the schools, work at the schools, and teach at the schools.

If schools represent their communities, then they should be willing to open up their athletic and other after-school opportunities to homeschooled children.

Home-educated children are members of the community and bona fide students, just like the students who are enrolled in the schools. They still pay the same amount of school taxes as everyone else. Many schools already include these kids in New Jersey and across the nation, but

some don’t.

In Burlington County, the Lenape Regional High School District does not. When a district excludes taxpaying, home-schooled students in their communities from competing or participating in activities, is it being authentic and accurately representing its community? To me, it seems as if it’s only representing itself. They have created an exclusive environment where they feel that only enrolled students should be included in competition and activities.

This is a discriminatory point of view that is not true to its roots, which is public education. In 2017, in this age of inclusivity, that’s a self-centered and narrow view. These kids compete together in the youth programs for years, and then are separated during high school.

I say kudos to districts like Barnegat, Bordentown Regional, Delran, Rancocas Valley and Pemberton, to mention a few, that include home-educated students on their athletic teams.

Support real authentic competition in our communities and high schools: Let them play!

Marni V. Cunard Tabernacle, NJ

Political Cartoons

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

E-mail us: letters@pinebarrenstribune.com

Social Media Sound Off (Re: Bass River To Make Repairs and Restore Roberts Pond) Glad to hear that it will be repaired!

Ruth Ford Hilbert (Re: LRHSD Board of Education Approves Chiller Replacement, Silent About Tragedy) Glad you are letting people know how inappropriate and disrespectful that was. How do you not even mention the passing of a teacher?

Lynn Hill Bradley (Re: Medford Council Reorganizes and Elects New Mayor) Mayor, start with road repair on Branin Road. Mainly at Route 70 and at the other end at Branin and Route 541.

Paul J. Bolognone

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

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SCANNER Driver Injured After Vehicle Crashes Into Ditch

MEDFORD—On Jan. 8 at 10:47 p.m., Medford Township Police, Fire and EMS were dispatched near 14 Branin Road for a report of a disabled motor vehicle.

Upon arrival, police officers found that the vehicle had crashed into a ditch and the driver was

still inside.The driver complained of head pain from the crash and was transported to Virtua Hospital in Marlton by Medford EMS. The accident remains under investigation. Police did not release the identity of the victim or a description of the vehicle.

Notable New Jersey State Police Happenings

Former Medford Lakes Resident Accused Of Threatening Obama’s Life On Facebook

PHILADELPHIA — An indictment was filed on Jan. 10 charging William Peterman Jr., formerly of Medford Lakes and more recently of Beaufort, SC, with threatening to kill former President Barack Obama.

According to the indictment, Peterman posted on his Facebook page that he “will kill” Obama.

With the increased use of various forms of social media comes increased online threats that vary in nature.

Law-enforcement agencies take such online based threats seriously and they can easily evolve into federal criminal charges for those individuals making them.

Threats against the President of the United States and others that the United States Secret Service is statutorily authorized to protect is the Secret Service’s number one investigative priority.

“This case and the resulting indictment demonstrates the Secret Service’s proactive

stance investigating threats against those we are sworn to protect,” said James Henry, special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service Philadelphia Field Office. “When brought to our attention - whether in person, electronically or written, the Secret Service takes every threat very seriously.”

If convicted, Peterman faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a possible $250,000 fine, a period of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

According to Peterman’s Facebook page, he is a graduate of The College of New Jersey. He also attended Shawnee High School.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anita Eve.

PHOTO SUBMITTED The New Jersey State Police hockey team played officers on the State PBA team in Red Bank to benefit Officer Brett Hansen of the Toms River Police Department who was seriously injured in an off-duty car crash.

Wallet With $130 in Cash Stolen During Vehicle Burglary MEDFORD—On Jan. 19 at 9:26 a.m., Medford Township Police responded to N. Ohio Trail for a report of a past-tense vehicle burglary.

During the police investigation, it was revealed the vehicle’s doors were left unlocked on Jan. 18 between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. During that timeframe, an unknown suspect(s) entered the vehicle and removed the

owner’s wallet which contained cash, credit cards and a driver’s license.

The total value of the cash removed from the vehicle is estimated at $130. Loose change was also removed from the vehicle, but the estimated total is unknown.

The burglary is currently under investigation by the Medford Township Police Department.

PHOTO SUBMITTED New Jersey State Troopers were deployed to Washington D.C. to assist with security operations for the 2017 Presidential Inauguration of Donald J. Trump.

Stolen ATV Recovered, Man Arrested SHAMONG—The New Jersey State Police have recovered an ATV that was stolen from a farm in Shamong on Sunday, Jan. 16.

Trooper Alejandro Goez, a spokesperson for the New Jersey State Police, said that troopers arrested Connor Murray, 18, of Turnersville on

Jan. 18.

Murray was charged with receiving stolen property. He was released pending a future court date.

“The suspect was arrested, charged, and released,” Goez said.

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PHOTO SUBMITTED Tpr. Tyler Dornewass, Detective Matthew Hanlin, Detective Andrew Abdill, and Tpr. Bryan Blair helped successfully deliver a baby girl in the parking lot of the Port Norris Station in Cumberland County.

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Saturday, January 28, 2017

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SPOTLIGHT Local Man Uses Photography to Promote and Protect the Pinelands

Make a Note: New Jersey School of Music Rocks

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PHOTO BY SCOTT KERN Albert Horner holds his recently produced book entitled “Pinelands: New Jersey’s Suburban Wilderness.” are ever the same.

By Scott Kern Horner’s personal passion and dedication to For the Pine Barrens Tribune the Pinelands took a serendipitous turn.

MEDFORD LAKES BORO.–Albert Horner, “A little over 11 years ago, I took a photoa New Jersey native his entire life, has called graph of a place called Friendship Bogs,” HornMedford Lakes his home for the last 22 years. er said. “My friend and I were out duck hunting.

For the former army serviceman - turned sales There was a crescent moon coming up. It was representative for a large fishing tackle compa- so beautiful. I was so impressed with this image ny based in North Carolina, the call of the out- that I produced a poster out of it. I decided that doors has always been in his blood. it is better to photograph something you know.

Horner fondly recalls his first foray into Most photographers who do a really good job, photography. they photograph where they live or one specific “As a gift, I was given a Konica 25 Autoreflex subject.”

A camera,” he said. “It was over 30 years ago.

He would entitle this image Half Moon Bog. The first thing I started photographing was the It was his turning point.

Pine Barrens. I spent a lot of my life out here “This is what I want to do,” Horner said. even though I didn’t live here at the time.”

He has maintained a strict discipline of Horner’s latest image, entitled Mullica Riv- capturing only 12 images a year. er Basin took him nearly four days to plan and “If it’s not art, it serves no purpose for me,” photograph. It is this dedication to his craft he said. “I don’t need a bunch of files. I don’t along maintaining a persistent ‘vision’ that shoot it if it’s not art. I just need art. Eventuhelps Horner define his sensibilities within the ally you get a style and sense of what you are fine-art landscape photography community. doing. People start to recognize your work. It’s Horner currently lectures on photography as easy for me because I’m only dealing with the well as displaying his one-of-a-kind exclusively Pinelands. All of my photographs are within 40 Pinelands images at local galleries within New miles of my house. I call then intimate landJersey. His next two exhibitions are scheduled scapes.” for February at the D&R Greenway Land Trust Horner produced a book in March 2015 entilocated in Princeton, New Jersey, and River- tled “Pinelands: New Jersey’s Suburban Wilderfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in Mill- ness.” His collection includes 80 breathtaking ville in August. and thought-provoking landscapes. The genesis His primary objectives in this arena are two- of the book and people that he met along the fold; to promote the stark beauty of this natu- way during the creative process opened up even ral oasis, as well as garner public awareness more doors for Horner. regarding what he says are the current efforts Approximately eight years ago, running out by local organizations and businesses to poten- of places to photograph, he discovered a local tially undermine the aesthetic magnificence of organization called the Pinelands Preservation the Pinelands for personal, political and com- Alliance (PPA). It was then he was introduced mercial gain. to Carleton Montgomery, Executive Director of “I try to educate the public about the Pine the Pineland Preservation Alliance. MontgomBarrens,” Horner said. “The way to do that is ery took an instant liking to his work and sudthrough my work. I have a one-hour Power- denly the two individuals realized a shared viPoint presentation that is based on my photog- son in promoting and protecting the Pinelands. raphy. In between I present the audience with “As an act of self-promoting the Pinelands, certain facts about the Pinelands.”

I soon discovered that our objectives were the Horner is quick to point out that he does not same,” Horner said. “My work serves to prouse a script during these presentations, but in- mote the Pinelands and that all falls within stead lets his passion for the subject matter dic- the structure of the PPA. They are the only tate his presentation. In this manner, like interpreting his unique photographs, no two lectures

PHOTOGRAPHY>>PAGE 20

MEDFORD–It’s a family affair.

The New Jersey School of Music, nestled in the heart of the Village at 10 Union Street, is owned and operated by the Sutin family. It is housed in a structure that is comprised of two buildings that started off in separate locations: one on Union and one on Main.

It is said by local folks in-the-know that a candy and tobacco shop opened in 1920 in one of the two units and was later converted to a bakery, where kids would stop by after school for ice cream and candy.

Almost four decades later, businessman and musician Frank Salicandro bought the bakery and transformed it into the Medford School of Music. He offered violin and piano lessons and, to preserve the site’s history, kept the coal chute for the bakery (which is still visible in the cellar). A short time later, the two units merged and, in 1974, Salicandro changed the name to New Jersey School of Music to reflect the school’s growth.

In 2001, current owners Renee and Mark Sutin bought the school and seven years later opened a second spot in Cherry Hill.

In both of their locations, people with various music-oriented goals—from classical to jazz to rock—gather, many wanting to hone their skills in any one (or more) of about 20 instruments and fields of interest, including voice. Others participate in the school’s adaptive lessons for specific instruments along with music therapy, both of which support objectives that reach beyond the studio and into mainstream life itself.

Coached ensembles, group classes, supplemental courses and summer programs which include scholarships for hundreds of kids are all part of the school’s comprehensive menu.

While each student’s objectives are individualized, there is one common thread: the Sutins have created an environment for hard-working music lovers who want to have fun while maximizing their potential.

Every member of their nuclear family is or has been involved with the music school. Renee Sutin, the matriarch, jumped on the opportunity to combine her love for music with her desire to establish a family business that would thrive with everyone’s collective efforts and passion for music. She was also driven by “giving to others what I did not get” as a youngster. She recalled how excited she was at the prospect of learning to play the flute, but, how disappointed she was in junior high school when she was told she was not a good candidate given the fact that she wore braces.

Since it was mandatory for students in her hometown in New York to have music in their curriculum back then, Sutin said she was encouraged to join the choir instead. That audition proved futile when it became clear that she did not possess the gift of a singer’s voice. At that point, she was sent to orchestra and, being the last to join, she did not have a choice of instruments.

“I was given a cello,” she said. “I was not happy at first but, over time, I really came to love it.”

Her husband, Mark, had been integral to the running of the school in its early years and had managed their sons’ band as well. Matt, their eldest at 32 years-old and a guitarist, is co-owner of the school. He performs, composes, teaches guitar and handles the administrative responsibilities of business ownership. His wife, Emily, is a music therapist at the school.

One of Matt’s younger brothers, Andrew, is a drummer and had played in a band. However, he made the switch to the culinary arts. He is a chef at the Pearl Oyster Bar in the Village in New York City and is married to dancer/performer/ instructor Nicole Sabella. Ben, the youngest of the trio, is a jazz violinist also in New York City.

He teaches violin, viola and piano; is on the faculty of a few music schools (including the New Jersey School of Music); teaches kids with special needs, including autism, and continues to live out his dreams as a performing musician.

Emily, who is board-certified through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), provides personalized music therapy sessions for all ages and with various challenges including autism, ADHD, speech delay, Down Syndrome, dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, psychiatric diagnoses and other developmental disabilities.

Music therapy interventions may help an individual learn how to take turns, communicate effectively, increase one’s attention span and/or focus on improving a variety of scenarios.

The music is used to facilitate those goals through things such as singing, instrument playing, songwriting, songs requiring directions to be followed or music games. Adaptive lessons can also be incorporated and are another great way to improve attention, self-esteem and handeye coordination.

Emily said that progress made during the sessions has the potential to be far-reaching and to extend beyond the school and into daily life.

“Parents have reported that their son or daughter has carried over things such as specific communication phrases originally used during music therapy, improvement of mood after music therapy, and desire to continue signing/playing songs at home that were originally used in session,” she said.

Both Renee and Matt recognize the many benefits of music education, which include—but are not limited to—brain stimulation, creativity, linguistics improvement, strengthening of coordination and nourishment of the soul.

They also appreciate the time commitment involved with lessons and practice when there are so many competing activities or obligations.

Still, the Sutins encourage an interested person to give any instrument a try and to stick with it, if possible, since music can positively impact one’s life in infinite ways.

“No one says, ‘I wish my parents let me quit’ [playing an instrument]—that’s something you never hear,” Matt Sutin said. “But you do hear, ‘I’m glad my parents didn’t let me quit.”

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SUPER BOWL SUPPLEMENT

By Frank Miele

Super Bowl LI: Will Defense and Experience be Factors?

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

The Divisional Champions have been determined and the stage is set for Super Bowl LI. On Sunday, February 5, the AFC Champion New England Patriots and the NFC Champions, the Atlanta Falcons will enter into battle at Houston’s NRG Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Eastern Time. A few short hours later, one of these teams will be crowned World Champions.

The NFC Championship was decided by the Falcon’s 44-21 victory over the Green Bay Packers. The Falcons went to work early, racking up 24 points in the first half. Matt Ryan attempted 38 passes and completed 27 of them, compiling a total of 392 yards. His favored target was wide receiver Julio Jones, who had nine receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu had five receptions for 52 yards and one touchdown.

The New England Patriots surfaced as the AFC Champions by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, 36-17. Tom Brady attempted 42 passes and

completed 32 for 384 yards. Wide receiver Chris Hogan had nine receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Julian Edelman had eight receptions for 118 yards.

Super Bowl LI is shaping up to be a good old-fashioned shoot out. The Falcons and Patriots finished first and third, respectively, in points scored this season. Anyone who has played or been an avid fan of the sport is familiar with the adage, “Offense wins games but defense wins championships.” The offensive statistics have the Falcons and Patriots running pretty close, so there’s no apparent edge for either team. Historically speaking, the Falcons have only one other Super Bowl appearance, Super Bowl XXXIII, which they lost to the Denver Broncos, 34-19. On the other hand, this will be the ninth appearance for the Patriots. Their record is 4-4 on the big stage.

Bill Belicheck has led the Patriots to their last six Super Bowls, including back-to-back wins in Super Bowl XXXVIII versus the Carolina Panthers 32-29, and Super Bowl XXXIX versus the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21. He be-

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gan his NFL coaching career 1975 and in 1985 was named Defensive Coordinator with the New York Giants where he served under Head Coach Bill Parcells. While Parcells and Belicheck were together they led the Giants to victory in Super Bowls XXI and XXV. He is currently ranked fourth in regular season wins, first in playoff wins and is tied with the late Chuck Knoll, legendary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty, for the most Super Bowl wins with four.

He is a renowned coach known for his defensive expertise. Tom Brady has been with Belicheck for seven Super Bowl appearances. Some say Brady is the best quarterback the game has ever seen.

The Falcons have a dynamic quarterback in Matt Ryan who threw for a career high 4,944 yards. Julio Jones is one of the most explosive wide receivers in the league and has averaged more than 1,600 yards in the last three seasons. Opposing defensive backs are confronted with containing Jones, which paves the way for Mohammed Sanu, another sure-handed receiver.

The Falcon’s defensive unit has improved pro-

gressively this season, sparked by second year defensive end Vic Beasley, who leads the league with 15.5 sacks. Offensively, the Ryan/Jones tandem obviously will be a challenge for the Patriots defensive secondary.

The Falcons boast an improving defense led

by Vic Beasley, which will attempt to turn the ball over to the Falcon’s offensive unit, thereby keeping Tom Brady and the Patriots exceptionally talented receivers like Chris Hogan and Julian Edelman off the field. Let’s not forget the Patriots have a stalwart running attack in LeGarrette Blount who led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns and ran for more than 1,000 yards this season.

The Patriots defense appears to have the edge scoring from the defensive side with 15.6 points per game. The Patriots have an explosive offense capable of putting large numbers on the scoreboard using their passing as well as their rushing weapons. There is no question that in terms of experience, the Patriots have a leg up. If their defense is successful in limiting the Falcons offensive opportunities, the Patriots will triumph.

Twelve Super Bowl Participants Who Have Ties To New Jersey: Atlanta Falcons – Head coach Dan Quinn grew up in Morristown and played at Morristown High School – Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu played at South Brunswick High School and Rutgers – Assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Raheem Morris (former head coach Tampa Bay) is an Irvington native – Backup quarterback Matt Simms grew up in Franklin Lakes and played at Don Bosco – Wide receiver Nick Williams grew up in East Windsor and played for Hun School New England Patriots – Safety Devin McCourty played at St. Joseph Regional High School, Montvale and Rutgers – Cornerback Logan Ryan grew up in Berlin and played at Eastern High School and Rutgers – Safety Duron Harmon played at Rutgers – Safety coach Steve Belichick, son of Bill Belicheck, was a long snapper at Rutgers – Wide receiver Chris Hogan is a Wycoff native and played at Monmouth University – Outside linebacker Jonathan Freeny (currently injured) played for Rutgers – Running back Dion Lewis played at Blair Academy.

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Saturday, January 28, 2017

Wishing You A Happy And Healthy 2017!

WINE & SPIRITS

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Ken Worrell

Tim Smoot

General Sales Manager

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Saturday, January 28, 2017

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Saturday, January 28, 2017

Saturday, January 28, 2017

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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.

Health Benefits of Taking Vitamin E

I heard two women talking at the store about vitamin E. One lady said, “I squeeze a cap out and rub it on this scar [pointing to her elbow].

The other lady said, “It’s better if you take it internally but if rubbing it on is working then go right ahead.”

I wanted to pipe-in and comment but I resisted. Plus, these ladies did not know who I was, or what I do for a living. I just happened to be standing nearby examining products. I’ll settle their debate right now.

Lady #2 is correct, it is better to take it internally by mouth. External applications might feel soothing, but you’re really just applying oil to your skin. The oil is helping mostly, not the E. When you apply vitamin E to your skin, it stops right there. What a shame because vitamin E has incredible benefits inside your body. In 2016, a ground-breaking study showed that vitamin E supplementation (along with omega-3 fatty acids) improved glucose metabolism, serum triglycericdes, VLDL and HDL cholesterol ratios!

Putting it on your skin won’t boost SOD [superoxide dismutase] or glutathione, but it might if you take it orally. Maybe that’s how it helped with atopic dermatitis in mice. There was a 2016 study where researchers concluded, “The activities of SOD and glutathione peroxidase in the skin and serum were also positively correlated with symptomatic changes… vitamin E may improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.”

In November 2016, a study published in Nutritional Neuroscience points to the antioxidant capacity of vitamin E in combo with Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and how that could improve glutathione (a detoxifying enzyme), benefiting people with serious neurological disorders like schizophrenia.

When you apply E externally, you don’t get widespread intracellular benefits to your antioxidant system. In other words, I feel like you might be wasting your softgels, because a skin application of E doesn’t work inside the fatty skin cells, where antioxidants are required.

Intracellular oxidative stress or “rusting” of your skin can occur from the sun. We all know someone with wrinkles, sun spots, precancerous cells and premature aging due to sun exposure.

Sun blocks play a role in blocking the weakest rays from penetrating your skin, but no matter what, I am convinced that beautiful and healthy skin starts with skin-loving antioxidants.

If you really feel the need to rub E on the outside, and you have spare softgels to do that with, then it is totally fine. It could help, but an external application of E all by itself really short-changes you. I have an incredible follow up to this article at my website, type this title in my search box at suzycohen.com: “The Truth About Natural Vitamin E.” You will learn how to find “natural” not synthetic brands of E, and how to avoid fake forms. You may not realize this, but almost all vitamin E brands out there contain just one isomer out of eight natural ones.

True story!

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

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

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Let Children Communicate During An Exam

By Sue Hubbard, M.D. I continue to be amazed at how smart my patients are and how much they teach me, as well as how they make me laugh.

I saw a young lady the other day who was complaining of a cough. She was about 11 years old. She was not one of my regular patients; she was a patient of a partner of mine who was out of town, so she came to see me about her cough.

I started asking her and her mother about her cough and quickly realized that she was more than capable of answering my questions (the best kind of patient to have). Her mother was great and deferred to her, as her daughter was doing such a good job with her history.

I asked her if the cough was a problem during the day or night or both? She replied, “During the day.” I asked her if the cough was worse when she was playing or exercising during the day. The answer was “no.” I then started ask-

ing her about the quality of the cough (I also had the benefit of hearing her cough while I was getting her history).

I then asked her if the cough was dry or if it was wet and “gunky.” I was not sure if she would understand if I asked her if it was “productive.” Surprisingly, she looked at me and said, “Do you mean do I produce phlegm?”

Realizing that she was quite bright and knew words that I swear I learned in med school (OK, maybe undergrad biology?), I asked her if she could spell phlegm. Of course, she immediately spelled the word correctly.

She was a delightful patient and is another example of “kids say the darnedest things.” We had a great conversation, and it was so helpful to be able to get a good history from her. The history is just as critical as the physical exam in diagnosing a patient, so a good communicator makes a doctor’s job a lot easier.

Dr. Sue Hubbard is an award-winning pediatrician, medical editor and media host. “The Kid’s Doctor” TV feature can be seen on more than 90 stations across the U.S. Submit questions at http://www.kidsdr.com. The Kid’s Doctor e-book, “Tattoos to Texting: Parenting Today’s Teen,” is now available from Amazon and other e-book vendors.

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Saturday, January 28, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

COMMUNITY

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

Events

January 28

February 2

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: 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.

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” blackand-white study of a portrait; the following week you will focus on value and composition; in 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.

February 4

February 12

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 1

Location: Burlington County Event: AARP Free Tax Aide Details: AARP FREE Tax Aide sites will be open Feb. 1 to April 18. This AARP tax program offers free tax help for taxpayers with low to moderate income, with special attention to those over 60. Taxpayers should bring all appropriate tax documents with them (i.e., photo ID, W2 forms, Medicare Card, evidence of Social Security and last year’s tax return). All sites have efile availability. For other Burlington County sites or more information, call Linda Bennett, 609-877-2412. Medford Lakes: Vaughn Community House, Powhatan Trail. Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No appointment necessary. Pemberton: Library, 16 Broadway. Mondays & Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Call 609-893-8262, ext 10 for appointment. Southampton: Leisuretowne residents only, Settler’s Hall. Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No appointment necessary.

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

Location: Medford Event: Medford VFW Steak Night Details: Come join the Medford VFW for Steak Night! Sunday. Doors open at 3 p.m. and we serve until 6 p.m. Dinner includes a delicious steak, potato, green salad, roll & butter, and coffee or tea. All prepared by our own Chef Denny. Only $12 per person. 317 Church Road, Medford. 609-654-9823.

February 15

Location: Vincentown Event: Last Will and Testament Details: Come in and learn about wills and what they can do for you. The presentation, by Kit Applegate, a local lawyer, will be on Wednesday, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost is $5 per person. Please call 609-859-0607 or email dfascenda@comcast. net for more information. Old Town Hall, 25 Plum Street, Vincentown.

February 20

Location: Whiting Event: Thyroid Support Group Meeting Details: The next meeting of the Thyroid Support Group will be Monday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m. These meetings are held monthly at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 180 Route 539, Whiting.

The purpose of the meeting is to educate, support, and answer questions about thyroids. Contact facilitator Stephanie at 732350-2904.

HOSA Students of Pemberton Township High School Congratulated

By Ebba Liguori

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON– HOSA, Health Occupations Students of America, is an organization for future health professionals and has an active chapter located at Pemberton Township High School. Elisabeth White McCartney volunteers as their advisor and works with them to prepare them to participate in competitions such as the one held recently at the HOSA Southern Regional Leadership Conference on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Burlington County Institute of Technology in Westampton.

The students performed well, thanks to their own hard work and study, but also thanks to McCartney, who spent many hours coaching them.

Congratulations are extended to HOSA students: Johnathan Pendergast, Imah Wrobel, Jasmine Wall, and Chloe Ackerly for participating in this conference and achieving recognition.

Jasmin Wall placed 8th overall in Medical Spelling, while Chloe Ackerly placed 5th in

the Behavioral Health Knowledge Test.

Ackerly’s fifth place has qualified her to continue on to the State of New Jersey HOSA State Leadership Conference to be held March 18 and 19 at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools. The community wishes her success in her future competitions.

Congratulations are forthcoming to all students who participated in this conference and put forth the extra-effort required to compete.

These students are well on the road to becoming active health-care professionals in their future vocations. Most students in these programs will continue on to college following graduation and study to become doctors, nurses or medical technicians. At least 100 students participate in the Medical Arts Academy program at the Pemberton Township High School.

This program opens doors to a growing field of PHOTO SUBMITTED employment and offers many opportunities for HOSA students from left to right : Johnathan Pendergast, Imah Wrobel, Jasmine Wall and Chloe students in their future endeavors.

Ackerly.

ADVERTISE TODAY IN OUR BUSINESS DIRECTORY Reaching over 50,000 in readership Contact George for rates at sales@pinebarrenstribune.com or 609-801-2392

Saturday, January 28, 2017

By Ebba Liguori

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

PAGE 15

Pemberton Seniors Visit Sands Casino in Bethlehem

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON– Wednesday, Jan. 18 began as a misty rainy morning. But, by 9 a.m. the rain had stopped and the skies got a little brighter.

That is when Safety Bus driver Marty Gravenstein pulled his bus into the Acme parking lot.

When the seniors saw Gravenstein, there was a big “cheer” from them. He is their favorite driver. He has a great sense of humor and always has a funny joke to tell. He knows many of the seniors by name as he has been driving the group for many years. It was great to kick off 2017 with him at the wheel. Hopefully he will be able to drive for many of the upcoming trips.

This trip was to the Sands Casino in Bethlehem.

This is one trip that Pemberton seniors enjoy as going to the Sands is relatively small and very clean. It is easy to walk from one end to the other and rest rooms are conveniently located and easily accessible. The rest rooms are also very clean and tidy. This is the place where the commode seats are covered in sheet plastic and after each use, they roll away and provide a fresh surface for the next user. I do not recall seeing this feature at any local casino, but it is a positive plus.

Upon entering the casino welcome center, the bus pulled into a well-covered parking area with a welcoming hostess waiting to greet the seniors. She provided a $20 coin chip on each casino card and a $5 food voucher to use at any food establishment within the casino. She also gave out coupons to use while shopping in the

attached outlet mall. With all these incentives, who could not be happy with the way the day started? The group only needed to stay four hours, which quickly passed with gaming, shopping and feasting. The welcome center includes a heated waiting room in case one finishes early.

A short walk and seniors were at the entrance to the casino and ready to begin.

The first order of business for many was selecting the restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch.

Most chose the “Steelworks” which has a buffet with many selections, most of which are not usually featured on an average buffet. Most started with “peel and eat” shrimp, assorted fresh fruits and vegetables or one of the delicious hot soups. There were numerous choices of hot entrees and side dishes including barbe-que spare ribs, chicken Marsala, Oriental chicken, meatballs, vegetables, fried rice, and mashed potatoes. Of course, there was a pizza “bar” with multiple choices. A carving station included fresh baked ham and a tasty meatloaf.

There was a sushi station with freshly prepared sushi to order. There even was a fresh sautéing station where a chef prepared to order individual servings of fresh linguini with an assortment of additions. He prepared a delicious sauté of shrimp and mushrooms over linguini for Fred Liguori, who thoroughly enjoyed the specially cooked-to-order item.

Salads were abundant at one station, excellent combinations of both traditional and unusual.

All were tasty and enjoyable. If one sampled ev-

PINE KNOTS COLUMN

Pemberton Mayor To Speak At Upcoming BMIA Meeting On Jan. 29

By Ebba Liguori

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON– Residents are reminded that the BMIA general meeting will be held Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at the BMIA Building.

The guest speaker this month will be Pemberton Township Mayor David Patriarca. He will speak about community updates.

Many local residents have noticed the small “Triangle” at the three-way intersection of Clubhouse Road and West Lakeshore Road, while travelling eastbound on Clubhouse towards Mirror Lake Beach. At one time, this triangular piece of land was well kept and noted as a local landmark. In recent years it has lost much of its “character” and really needs a facelift. The BMIA has proposed to take this piece of land on as a beautification project. The Board of Directors has this topic on their Agenda and is currently addressing it. Great things are planned and so the community will see some changes soon.

The first step was earning some funds to dedicate to the project. Clean Communities proved the perfect opportunity to begin this task. The BMIA and the local Rotary joined forces and participated in the last two Clean Communities projects. The two organizations were able to provide enough workers to qualify to earn funds by joining forces. Each group met their goal by helping each other. Attend the upcoming BMIA

meeting and have the chance to help decide the future of this project. This is just one small way the BMIA is working to improve the local environment.

Members of the BMIA have worked tirelessly to improve the area for almost one hundred years. They have functioned as “watch dogs” by keeping track of the water quality and cleanliness in the local lakes. They have brought numerous problematic situations to the township officials and followed up to assure solutions are found and implemented. For years, BMIA officers have sat through countless municipal meetings to keep members abreast of decisions made by the governing body. Through the years, many of the changes can be attributed to the BMIA keeping close watch on local government and monitoring the environment. As we approach the hundred year mark the group is planning a great celebration. Join and become part of this celebration.

The Browns Mills Improvement Association, known as the BMIA, is the oldest local civic organization in Pemberton Township. Meetings are held on the fourth Sunday monthly, Sept. through June, at 2 p.m. at the BMIA Building on Arbutus Street, near the Mirror Lake Beach.

The building is handicapped accessible and there is ample parking. Annual dues are only $15 per family. Checks may be sent to: BMIA, PO Box 395, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.

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erything, it would take more than a reasonable amount of meal time. More important things were yet to come. There were numerous dessert choices including at least seven different cakes and four different pies. There were tortes and individual fancy desserts, plus a Fondue station with chunks of fresh fruit, pretzels, and marshmallows, and finally the soft-serve ice cream with many choices of toppings and syrups.

Of course, there were various choices of hot rolls, various condiments, and both hot and cold beverages. Wine service was available at a nominal additional fee. With the $5 food voucher, the total meal cost less than $13. What a treat!

If one did not want the buffet, there were several first class restaurants with many types of food.

A full-service food court was available with the usual mall choices. One would certainly never go hungry at this establishment.

The outlet stores were varied and there were lots of after holiday sales. There was even a small “Carlos” pastry shop made famous on the Cable Food Channel. Everyone was too full to even sample the pastries, but everyone did pass by the windows and do some looking. What a treat for the eyes! Many seniors visited the shops and made some purchases so there were plenty of bags to stow in the overhead bins on the trip home. The bus made terrific time and the seniors were headed home from the parking lot before 6 p.m. The end of a perfect day trip.

On Thursday afternoon, Melissa Cuevas, staff member, played the featured Movie of

the Month “Mr. Church” and a number of seniors enjoyed viewing this on very large wall mounted TV screen. Each month she selects a different movie for the seniors to enjoy. There is no charge or reservation needed to view this.

Friday was a special treat. Elisabeth White McCartney, faculty advisor of the Future Nurses of America at Pemberton Township High School, brought several of her students to the center.

They mingled with the seniors participating in many of the ongoing activities like exercising and line dancing. They spoke to many seniors and took blood pressure readings. If any abnormalities were noted, they reported to McCartney so she could advise a proper response. This is a great service and allows the students to gain practical experience. They will return on Friday, Feb. 10.

The next trip will be on Feb. 28 to the Mount Airy Casino to see the Johnny Cash show, “Ring of Fire”. This day will include a full buffet, a coin return, and the show. Tickets are sold out, but a wait list is always maintained. Feb. 18 is the annual Valentine’s Sweetheart party at the Garden State Diner. Musician “Side Car Charlie” will provide the entertainment. Some seats are still available. If you have an interest in joining any of these trips or parties, the senior center is located on Brook St. across from the Browns Mills Post Office. It is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily. Information is available on the township website or by phone by calling 609-893-4400.

Registration Open for 2017 TAA Baseball and Softball For the Pine Barrens Tribune

TABERNACLE– Online registration is now underway for youth recreational spring baseball and softball through the Tabernacle Athletic Association (TAA) at www.TabSports.org. All players must be Tabernacle residents or within charter boundaries. The TAA Baseball program offers six divisions of play, ranging from T-Ball to Babe Ruth. Registration fees range from $75 to $115.

The TAA Softball program offers four divisions of community softball ranging from T-Ball through eighth grade along with an upcoming indoor winter skills clinic. Registration

fees for spring softball range from $75 to $100.

Beginning on Jan. 21st, TAA Softball will run 10 Saturday morning general skills clinics at the Olson Middle School gym. Cost for the 10week clinic is $60 and spots are still available.

To learn more and register, please visit www.

TabSports.org.

The Tabernacle Athletic Association (TAA) is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children in the Tabernacle, NJ community through sports. TAA meets the last Tuesday of every month (except in December) at 7:00 pm in the Tabernacle Town Hall.

Meetings are open to all Tabernacle residents.

For more information, visit www.TabSports.org.

Pinelands Commission Releases Schedule for One-Day Short Courses at Stockton State

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON–The Pinelands Commission and Stockton University are teaming up again for the 28th annual Pinelands Short Course.

The Short Course is a series of 38 lectures all in one day (Saturday, Mar. 11) at the school.

Anything you want to know about the Pines will be taught that day, without exception. From the massive, Wilderness Survival Skills and Mullica River Tour to the minutiae, Moths of New Jersey and the Fungi Kingdom, a course on every possible Pinelands activity will be offered.

Here are some other of the one-day courses: The Coyote in New Jersey, Raptors and Reptiles, Streaming the Rivers, both North and

South, Hey, What’s That Bird?, Station 119, Ghost Towns, Here’s Double Trouble, and Pine Barrens Byway are among the offerings.

Want more? How about the Jersey Devil, Wild Turkey, Batsto Beyond the Years or a Music and Dulcimer performance? Those and many others will be offered. You can take as many as four courses that day, two in the morning and another pair in the afternoon. Classes start at 9 a.m. and end at 3:45 p.m. Each is 75 minutes long.

Prices are a surprisingly modest $40 each.

Seniors and students pay only $35.

For registration questions, call 609-652-4227.

For questions on content, the number is 609-8947300, x125.

As an added inducement, five professional development credits are available for educators.

Deadline for registration is Mar. 3.

PAGE 16

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Saturday, January 28, 2017

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?”

And, Right At The Worst Possible Time...

Well, it’s January and you know what that means…

It means don the wool stockings and chain your portly, “I ate too much over the holidays,” self to the desk. Or you could simply grab your Sherpa coat and go out and put your head in the snow.

It’s awful. All of the paperwork I’ve been postponing all year has come back to bite me right in the keister. There are deadlines for this, filings for that and if I don’t have my ducks in a row in the next week or so, the insurance auditors are going to be breathing down my neck.

I knew that time draweth nigh, so I put on my big-girl britches, armed myself with a cup of coffee and braced for impact, as I prepared for a long and miserable stint at the home computer.

I don’t approach it blindly. I ascertain what needs to be done, and then I put me on a tight schedule and sternly set deadlines for myself.

This would all be fine if the gods of technology didn’t decide to throw me a curve ball. It’s not uncommon for this time of year, you see. In fact if accounting software and the lords of the Internet didn’t throw a wrench into my January days, it just wouldn’t feel right.

This year’s curve ball, however, was a doozy. For some reason, Safari decided to take over the computer screen. There was no way to shrink it down, size it up or to return to any other application that I may need to access.

I did the only thing that I could do and facetimed one of our techy sons. Thankfully for me, not only was he available, but our Charlie and a techy buddy were all there at the ready in their campus home.

“Huh?” they said in unison as they looked at their face-timing phone. “Where is her bar?

Does she have no icons?” They looked like a bunch of fish in a bowl as they came in for a closer look before throwing in the ever loving, “I’ve never seen that before!” and “What did she do?”

With little or no answers from the experts, I decided to throw in the towel. Since we were

not only out of milk and coffee, I tossed my taxing schedule aside, gave up on my computer-solving ways and left the house.

But this morning, there was no more postponing it. Quarterly estimates were due, deadlines needed to be met and doggone it, those pesky credit cards weren’t going to pay themselves.

Yet, there I was, with that full-screened search engine and with no way out of it. The computer had long been encouraging me to update to the latest upgrade and I figured, “Well, if this upgrade won’t fix it, nothing will.”

My first bone of contention was that the update took over an hour. The second irritation was that I couldn’t balance the checkbook while the computer was doing its thing. And the third, and most detrimental situation, was the moment the new update informed me that it not only disliked our accounting software, but was incompatible with it.

Smack dab in the middle of tax season, mind you.

“You didn’t realize how long it would take to update when you saw how big the file was?” our Vernon asked when I phoned him about the dilemma.

“It’s all just a bunch of letters and numbers to me. MB, GB, who knows what the heck that means?”

Generally, one can’t hear an eye roll, but if one could, it would have come across loud and clear.

Having been down this path with me many a time, Vernon didn’t address my ignorance, but went straight to my crucial issue--the incompatible software.

“Welp,” he informed in his matter-of-fact manner, “all you have to do is…”

“Blah blah blah” he explained in something that sounded like Gaelic, “this is an easy fix.”

Yeah right! Now seems like as good a time as any, to don the Sherpa coat and go out and put my head in the snow.

© 2017 LORI CLINCH

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9 Eye part 10 Significant 11 Vertical shuttle 12 Auxiliary seating units 13 Really tough puzzle, say 25 Has an ace up one’s sleeve 27 Healthcare.gov, for one 28 Computer outlet supplies 30 Workout woe 33 Telegram 34 British sports cars 36 Like some advice 37 2008 love triangle film, with “The” 38 Viking 39 Follower’s suffix 40 The first ones were introduced in blonde and brunette in 1959 46 Eleventh-century Scandinavian leader 47 Contralto Anderson 48 Half-wild Asian canine 50 “And thereby hangs __”: Shak.

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SINKHOLES FROM PAGE 1

several local groups in the community, so everyone has something that they can use on the property.”

Officials also anticipate constructing three parking lots with a total of 367 parking spaces, two basins and one pond. A septic bed and an irrigation well will also have to be installed.

“Keep in mind right now, at this point, it is conceptual,” Darji said. “It is subject to change.”

Future phases would be subject to funding.

The township is waiting for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to verify wetlands lines before proceeding with a “real hard design”.

The presentation of the concept plan drew mixed reaction from the audience.

Resident Evelyn Doherty said that the new facilities would be excellent for people with dogs and dog lovers. She supported the concept plan and valued the information she received.

“As a resident of LeisureTowne and a resident of Southampton, I am very pleased with this,” she said. “I think it is fantastic. I think there are so many sections of this town that really do need a community center. As for me and many of my friends, we would welcome a dog park.”

Resident Nancy Kolankiewicz was concerned with the project. She said that it will require a lot of maintenance and upkeep on already taxed resources.

“If phase one is $1 million and it is for two fields, how is this going to be economically feasible and in whose lifetime are the benefits going to be derived?” she said.

Darji said that phase one is expensive because of drainage and grading work that has to be done at the site.

Rose Clevenger, a 48-year resident of the township, was strongly opposed to the project.

“I think it is a waste of our money,” she said.

“Most people won’t use it.”

Clevenger asked who was going to pay for the maintenance, lighting, and landscaping at the Good Farm. She also asked if it was true that the township would have to allow out-of-town residents to use the facilities since county grant money is being used to fund the project.

“It is possible,” Young said.

Clevenger replied that she was concerned that the township would have to hire someone to keep a schedule for the use of the facilities and that the municipal crime rate would rise.

“With all these other townships coming in, is our crime rate going to rise?” she said. “Are we going to have to have more police?”

She also said the township currently rents out the farm for crops.

“How much is the rent?” Clevenger said.

Township Administrator and Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman provided the figures. “$16,500 a year for the 75 acres,” she said.

“There are 136 acres that they can still farm and that is the larger portion of funding that we get.

The total of the two is like $41,000.”

Clevenger said the municipality is going to lose money when they stop renting the farmland to build the facilities. She insisted that the committee put the project on a ballot before starting it.

“So now we are going to spend money instead of gaining money for renting it out,” she said.

Clevenger also inquired about why the committee didn’t place the purchase of the Good Farm on the ballot before buying it.

“When we bought the ground, we bought it because a developer was going to put in 300 homes there,” Young said. “We did that to protect the township and prevent an influx into the schools.”

Resident Kim Pew said that she lives in a newer township neighborhood. She said that

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

she sees the neighborhood growing with new families.

“I appreciate you guys giving the community a chance to have something developed that I do feel is useful,” Pew said. “Thank you for thinking about our kids.”

Doug Magowan, a 26-year resident of Red Lion Road, said that he first learned of the project by reading the Pine Barrens Tribune.

“With budget cuts the way they are, you can’t count on this money (grant funding) every year,” he said. “Yet, I am sure you are counting on it every year to fund this project.”

He added that the township is having a problem running the concession stands at the current ballfields.

“Is the township going to run it or are you going to sub it out?” he asked. “You can’t even get somebody now to run it.”

Magowan also said that he believed the township was still making payments on the farm of $350,000 a year until 2026.

“That is on top of any money that you put into this,” he said.

Officials didn’t react to his remarks.

Magowan, undeterred by the silence, raised the issue of the township’s 2013 purchase of the former ACE Hardware store at 1905 Route 206 for $1.3 million.

The committee had planned to permanently relocate the municipal offices and Public Works Department to the lot and associated warehouse-size building.

However, the Public Works Department was the only municipal entity that was relocated to the site. The move ended up being temporary.

The committee turned around and sold the lot in 2015 for $990,000, taking a loss.

A last-minute plan to subdivide five acres of the Route 206 property and build a new Public Works garage at that location fell through.

Extensive engineering and architectural work was completed to prepare for the building’s retrofit and the subdivision possibility. Financial figures for the work were not immediately available.

At the time of the sale, Young blamed the Pinelands Commission. He said that the commission originally told the township that they could not make improvements to the municipal buildings on Buddtown Road and Retreat Road.

He said the township later found out that it could make improvements and no longer needed the extra property.

“You found out there were wetland problems and the township trucks would not even fit into the building,” Magowan said. “This is a sign of how much planning you put into a project. We are supposed to trust you after the fiasco with the hardware building, with a project of this size. Southampton is a farming, rural community and it does not need and cannot afford a large multi-million-dollar sports complex.

If you feel strongly that we need this project and you are 100% behind it, put it on a vote to the public. You shouldn’t be afraid about it if you really feel this is needed. I think the public needs to have some input on this.”

Justin Catando, also a Southampton resident, said the concept plan was one of the nicest things he had seen planned for the township in a long time.

“To phase this out where it doesn’t have to be done overnight, but getting it started would be great and everybody in the township would use this,” he said. “The reason our concession stand doesn’t do anything is because it is not big enough for everything that we have going on here.”

Catando encouraged the audience to take a trip after a snowfall to a sledding hill in Mount Laurel and note the number of kids playing on it.

He was encouraged by the possibility that the soccer fields would be relocated. He pointed to poor lighting at the current Municipal Sports Complex on Buddtown Road “My kids play on the soccer field over there,” Catando said. “I bring my pickup truck on the field and put the lights on because it gets dark and we have to cut practice short.”

Resident David Kotzmeda supported the concept plan, but had concerns with only erecting one multi-purpose field during phase one of the project.

The soccer fields that are part of the existing Municipal Sports Complex are considered to be located improperly by the Pinelands Commission. The township’s request to build a new 6,000- sq. ft. public works building and a 2,000sq. ft. salt shed at the complex was approved by the Pinelands Commission, pending removal of the contested soccer fields by the end of 2017.

“We are getting rid of the Buddtown fields which are 5 or 6 soccer fields,” he said. “On Tuesday and Thursday nights, there are over 15 or 16 teams playing out there. So, I am kind of questioning how we are all going to fit on one multi-purpose field. We could really use more fields. We are definitely going to run out of space very fast if we are down to one field.

There is no doubt about it.”

He also agreed with Catando that the lighting is poor at the existing soccer fields. He fears a child is going to get hurt.

“The lights over there are a problem,” Kotzmeda said. “We cut our practices short.”

Charles Roseboro, who has kids who have grown up in the township, fully supported the project.

“When I think about our town, Memorial Day, and the big parade; I think baseball, apple pie, and Southampton,” he said. “It is a community gathering. But, beyond that, we are scattered.

We are scattered all the time.”

Marty Teller, a resident since 2008, who has three kids under age 5, agreed with Roseboro.

“I think this is easily the most exciting thing I have seen for the town,” he said. “There is a lot to get behind in Southampton. To have a centerpiece like this, a focal point that can be done in phases so that you can budget for it, makes a lot of sense.”

He said that inviting people from other towns would be great.

“I want to see my property values rise and I want people to move to this town that want to live here and want to have families,” Teller said.

Bill Hall, a resident who lives in the LeisureTowne section of the township, said that he was satisfied to see that a dog park is going to be included in the project. He said that there are hundreds of dog owners in LeisureTowne who would take advantage of it.

However, he was concerned that the installation of a dog park will be years away. He also said that the township could probably install a cheaper version of a dog park.

“It doesn’t look like the dog park was conceptually really thought out well,” Hall said.

“I’d like to see it in the near future.”

He encouraged the committee to consult with the East Brunswick Recreation Department to review the park they just put in which he said required only basic fencing and was installed with minimal cost.

Bill Carlin, a resident of the township for 40 years, said that he worked in a prison for 25 years and heard just about every story a person can hear about kids and why they went astray.

He said that the town must invest in recreation to help prevent kids from getting in trouble.

“I think it is a wonderful project for the future of this town and the future of our kids,” he said. “We can’t look just to our wallets. A lot of times, when we get older, we forget about the

Saturday, January 28, 2017

kids and we just look at that buck. It is time to forget about that buck and look at the future for these kids.”

Carlin, also a veteran, said investing in the project is very important for the future.

“It brings families together and that is what makes this country strong,” he said. “I might not even see this. But I’ll do whatever I have to do to see it done.”

Kevin Park, the baseball director for the Southampton Township Recreation Association (STRA), said that he was in favor of the project and would like for it to get started immediately.

“I have had the privilege for the last three or four years serving as the baseball director for the STRA,” he said. “Having done that, I have traveled all over South Jersey to baseball fields and have seen what the surrounding communities have. We are far behind. Our facilities are not anywhere near where they should be and we are basically on borrowed land. We have never really made an investment in any fields. I think it is time that we do it.”

Resident Nancy King said that the plan was out of control and that it is not going to cost the township pennies.

“I think this is outlandish,” she said. “I have never seen such a fantastic plan. The only thing missing is an Olympic-size swimming pool. I think it is a little much just to replace a ballfield.”

She said the construction of an amphitheater rivals anything she has seen in the area.

“We are going to need police,” King said.

“There are going to be problems with it. Who is going to pay for the police? They (New Jersey State Police) can’t control what is going on in half of the township now. It is mind boggling to me.”

Robert Bell, who has addressed the committee about poor lighting near the existing Municipal Sports Complex in the wake of recent tragedies in the vicinity, was in favor of the project.

“I would suggest surveying the local youth groups to see what is actually needed,” he said.

Penny Laufer, another resident who came before the committee, said she wasn’t for or against the project. However, she urged the committee to think of the residents in the area and the traffic the facilities may bring.

“My main concern would be the traffic where the entrances are and the exits,” she said.

She also disagreed with the STRA’s baseball director.

“I do have to say something about the gentleman who stood up here and said our facilities are way behind,” she said. “I’ve got to tell you something. We can be proud of what we have. I had three good ball players play in Vincentown and our facilities up here are fantastic.”

Matt Uszaki, a youth basketball coach in the township, said that it was important for the committee to also focus on prioritizing the indoor basketball facility.

“It is very frustrating trying to coach kids and get kids motivated on a cafeteria gym floor who are slipping and sliding all over the place,” he said.

Bruce Gsell said that he built a new house by the proposed ballfield. He was not thrilled with word that the Good Farm would be transformed into a recreational complex.

“I don’t want it in my backyard,” he said. “I really don’t want it. I built a brand-new house there. It is a beautiful little paradise. I wish I would have known three years ago when I started my house project. I probably would have not pursued it. I probably would have bulldozed down what I had and sold it to you guys.”

He added that he thought the committee’s financial plan for the project was not solid.

“It really should go to a vote when you are

SINKHOLES>>PAGE 19

Saturday, January 28, 2017

SINKHOLES FROM PAGE 18

talking a substantial amount of money like that,” Gsell said.

Ken Zach, a resident of the Ridings development, said that the township needs the facilities.

“I know the community,” he said. “This is fantastic. It is a great idea. We know the problems that we have. We know that it needs to be fixed.”

Jeff Trossbach said the project would be taking place in his front yard. He agreed that it is a great idea, but preferred that it be constructed at a different site.

“I got a beautiful view of the field,” he said. “I bought a house in this town because it is beautiful. It is quiet. It is not your normal New Jersey strip mall town. Unfortunately, it is going to bring in more traffic and those issues.”

Barbara Johnson, who lives across the street from the Good Farm, said that the project was really nice. However, she was concerned about who was going to police the area.

“I am really concerned living right across the street,” she said.

Johnson said that she has experienced problems with those utilizing the existing ballfields near her house and with those who choose to hunt on the Good Farm.

She complained of parties at the ballfield, bullets striking near her fence, and her truck windows being broken.

“You don’t live there,” Johnson said. “Honestly, you don’t realize the horrors over there.”

She asked whether the township considered building a fence around the ponds and basins to prevent children from drowning. She inquired about whether the township had a plan to combat mosquitos with the standing water. She also wanted to know what time the lighting would be turned off at night.

“We haven’t gotten to those details yet,” Mikulski said.

Jessica Laufeyson said her grandparents own the land that backs up to the Good Farm. She said that she rides her horses on the farmland.

She requested that the committee consider adding a trail for community members to ride their horses at the proposed complex. She pointed out that the horse is the official state animal.

“You might want to consider putting a trail in for horses to come in,” she said. “I think you could get a lot of people over here with their horses and they could go around the perimeter.”

Edward Mulcahy, who has lived in the vicinity of the farm for 27 years, said he was never notified that the special meeting was going to be held. He said he found out through the newspaper.

“I certainly hope this goes for a vote,” he said.

“I can’t foresee spending this many millions of dollars no matter how far you are extending it out.”

The most interesting comments came near the conclusion of the meeting.

As the Pine Barrens Tribune reported in November, the Little League field and T-Ball field at the Red Lion Road Baseball and Softball Complex is plagued by sinkholes and officials closed them in October due to dangerous conditions. The affected ballfields have been surrounded by yellow caution tape and traffic cones.

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Hoffman attributed the sinkholes to the trash contained beneath the surface of the ballfields.

The fields were built on top of a landfill.

She commented publicly on the matter in October and November.

“The trash is all coming up to the surface,” Hoffman said. “You could be running across the field and your leg could get sucked into these holes that appear.”

She also said that she fears children and vehicles will get swallowed up. She described the need for great urgency in erecting new fields on the Good Farm, possibly in lieu of some of the current items planned for phase one of the project.

“It has been reported and we have gone out and filled in the holes,” Hoffman said. “But God forbid if a child goes running across that field, and you see it down south all the time where kids or cars get sucked into the ground, I just would hate to see that happen.”

Mikulski later downplayed concerns about the affected ballfields.

In response to these comments and events, resident Rose Mulcahy asked Young if there has ever been an incident of someone going down in a hole or an appliance coming up through the ground.

“Not that I know of,” Young said.

However, longtime Rancocas Valley Baseball League Manager Harry Thompson, who helped build the fields in 1947 and uses a different portion of complex for the league, verified Hoffman’s comments.

He painted a much grimmer picture of what has been taking place at the complex.

“You people don’t understand,” he said. “From the baseball park where the bleachers are, all the way back that line, all the way down to the other line, that is all filled in ground. That was a dump area for years and years. It is about 30 to 40 feet deep. You want your kids playing on it?

It is all well and good. But you go down Route 38 and see those pipes sticking out of those hills over there (a site of a former dump in Mount Holly). That is gas coming out of there. We had that up here on Big Hill (another site of a former dump). That is gas in that ground. We’ve got to have something. I don’t know what it is going to be. We have to have something to get those kids out.

I still maintain that I hope, God forbid, that if any child ever falls in one of the holes and we have had children fall out there, yes there are some that have gone in there, but if one ever falls in there and never gets out, the township won’t belong to Southampton. That is for sure, because you are well aware of it, they are well aware of it, and I am sure if anything happened to a child, they would sue.”

Thompson also said the ball team used to rent the field as a dump to the township for $480 per year. He said that when it was an active dump, the baseball teams would have to stop a game to go out and find the game ball in the trash.

“It is not a scare tactic,” he said. “It is just a fact of life. We are playing on dumps. Filled ground. Dumps. I was there. I helped build it years ago. I know. You better hope right now that nothing ever happens to any kid who slips and falls in a hole out there or gets gas from stuff coming out of the ground.”

The committee did not comment on Thompson’s remarks.

Mikulski said in November that the township plans to reopen the affected fields in the spring.

“They will repaired and up and running in time for the spring,” Mikulski said. “But just in case someone has told you that there will not be fields for use in the spring due to a condemnation that is not what happened.”

Sources at that time described that the situation was very precarious and questioned how any committee member could permit the fields to be reopened under these circumstances.

The sources said township officials have been aware of the sinkhole problem for nearly three years and that the holes are appearing with much greater frequency. Township employees have been directed to place traffic cones into the sink-

PAGE 19

holes as they develop and then bring in a dump truck load of soil to temporarily fill them. Some recreation officials have tripped while performing a safety check of the fields prior to games.

The sinkholes appear suddenly because rusted appliances underneath the surface collapse as individuals pace on the fields.

The special meeting adjourned with Young promising another chance for residents to speak out on the concept plan before the committee makes a final decision on how to proceed with the project.

In an interview after the meeting, Young said he was pleased with the public participation.

“Anytime you have the public talking, you have to be pleased,” he said.

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER The Little League field and T-Ball field at the Red Lion Road Baseball and Softball Complex is plagued by sinkholes. Officials closed them in Oct. due to dangerous conditions.

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER Southampton residents attend a special meeting on Dec. 6 concerning the Good Farm.

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

LRHSD

Saturday, January 28, 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY

FROM PAGE 4

reported that there was no mention of the tragedy or a moment of silence in remembrance of the teacher at the first board meetings since her death.

The board did however pay, at it’s latest meeting, a solemn tribute to Arabelle Pennypacker, a former board member who passed away on Dec. 31 at the age of 99.

Bende read the tribute into the record.

“She served on our board of education from 1985 to 1995,” he said. “She retired from the board at the age of 77. Prior to that, she was Lenape’s librarian and the first woman department head at Lenape. She then became the head librarian and media specialist for the entire LRHSD.” Bende explained that her son was the godfather of his eldest daughter and that he knew the family well.

“Arabelle was quite a force on the school board,” he said. “I remember when she served as historian and Kiki Konstantinos retired. It was quite a big affair. We had 500 people there at his retirement. Arabelle went over the whole history of our (former) superintendent Kiki Konstantino’s career and everything that he did in the 40 years that he was here.”

He recalled that the hour-long talk was “sheer agony”. However, he admired that she got through it and did it right.

“So, we bid her goodbye,” Bende said. “I am going to miss her. We appreciate all the work she did for the board.”

Linda Eckenhoff, president of the board, was

touched by the comments.

“Thank you, Dr. Bende,” she said. “Those are very kind words.”

Following the tribute, Hager marked the 15th annual observance of School Board Recognition Month in the state. He read a resolution which touted the board’s commitment to the betterment of public education.

Birnbohm also took a moment to discuss the benefits of the district’s Community Lunch and Learn and Common Planning Time programs.

There were a few additional noteworthy highlights from the meeting.

Lenape High School’s Marching Band was recognized by the board for winning the 2016 USBANDS Group 2 Open State Championship.

The band won this title for the third consecutive year and it’s their 7th win in the last 8 years.

The board hired two teachers at an annual salary of $55,869. The board hired a paraprofessional at an annual salary of $28,100. A long-term substitute was also hired at an annual salary of $55,869.

The board approved December’s payroll of $7,666,501.75. Check payments from Dec. 20 to Jan. 17, totaling $2,036,254.54, were also approved.

Donations totaling $2,150 were accepted.

A presentation was also given by Seneca High School students. Details from the presentation will be in a separate story next week.

Numerous other requests were approved by the board regarding student activities and education items. The next board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

FROM PAGE 10

individuals and families to experience the Pinelands ‘first hand’.

To learn more about the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and their efforts to protect the Pinelands, check out their website: www.pinelandsalliance.org. To explore and enjoy the beauty of the Pinelands for yourself, check out their website: www.pinelandsadventures.org.

“I think the best way people can get involved is to go out there and look at it, see it and enjoy it,” Horner said. “People need to realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime deal and you’re not going to have this resource if you don’t protect it. If you don’t learn to love it, you’re not going to care about it. When people get out there and appreciate it, they’ll see what they’ve got.”

non-profit, privately funded organization out there to preserve the Pinelands. My work is to help preserve it, so it all kind of fits. Of course, they can use any image I have in any way they see fit. It is kind of all meshed along the way.”

Horner has served on the PPA’s Board of Directors in the role of photographer for the last three years.

Last year, the PPA celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. Entering into 2017, they have scheduled an active calendar of events that both individuals and businesses can take part in.

Pinelands Adventures is an initiative of the PPA. It offers hands-on ecologically themed tours for

T he

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Contact Deborah at (609) 268-2756 to learn more about our excellent preschool program.

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Saturday, January 28, 2017

STEPS FROM PAGE 2

in coverage gaps and accommodate spikes in cellular traffic.

Each mini-node provides about 1,000 feet of enhanced coverage and/or capacity. In comparison, a cell tower provides miles of capacity. The mini-nodes will be placed in identified areas that would benefit the most customers.

Downtown areas, developments, and sections of a street with a concentration of homes would be especially targeted for the devices.

The company has specifically targeted rural communities in the state for this technology since the existing wireless coverage is spotty.

Since most of the mini-nodes would be installed on existing utility poles, the technology would not be subject to the Pinelands Commission’s Comprehensive Management Plan provisions, unless new pole installation is required.

Washington and Medford granted Verizon permission to install mini-nodes in December.

The township will require the company to submit a $750.00 escrow fee. The company also must provide a list of device locations to the construction office on a monthly basis.

The committee also announced that communication had improved with the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Red Lion Barracks which provides police services to the township.

During recent committee meetings, officials said that the township was not being notified of burglaries, could not get the commanding officer to agree to put a speed trailer on thoroughfares with speeding issues, and was having trouble arranging a meeting with the barracks leadership to discuss concerns. Young said the agency was “shorthanded.”

Deputy Mayor Bill Raftery said that he, Young, and Hoffman met with the commanding officers of the NSJP Red Lion Barracks on Jan. 13.

He said they met for the sole purpose of requesting their help to monitor the speeding and traffic activity on New Road, Ridge Road and some sections in the middle of Main Street.

“We spoke to them about putting a speed trailer up,” Raftery said. “I think it was a very good conversation. They were very supportive of our efforts and requests. Hopefully you folks will be able to see some presence very shortly, if not already.”

In other news, the committee introduced and read an ordinance which will amend sewer service and connection fees.

“This is an ordinance amending the sewer connection fees and service fees for the Village (of Vincentown) sewer system.

Officials did not provide any further details to the public during the meeting.

After the meeting concluded, Hoffman said that the ordinance increases the fees.

Hoffman would not elaborate on why a fee increase was necessary. She also could not provide the proposed figures as of press time. The Pine Barrens Tribune has filed an Open Public Records Act request to review the proposed ordinance.

The committee agreed to allow the township participate in the county’s aerial application of larvicides for mosquito control for 2017.

The green light was also given for the township to apply for New Jersey Department of Transportation municipal aid.

The committee would like to use the

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM municipal aid to make improvements to Hawkins Road.

“It is a heavily traveled road for school buses,” Hoffman said. “So, we think we have a good shot at getting it.”

She said there is no guarantee that the township will be able to secure the aid. She said that the township will find out at the end of the year whether they have been given financial assistance for the road improvements.

Additionally, 11 businesses were granted trailer or truck licenses.

A resolution authorizing the township to enter into a shared service agreement with Waterford Township for use of a truck was tabled.

During public comment, multiple residents complained about a New Road auto salvage yard owned by Allied Recycling Inc. who leases the property to Modern Day Recycling.

Once again there were calls for the committee to act on their concerns about nighttime activity, speeding, flatbed trucks failing to stop at a four-way stop intersection, a pile of 25,000 scrap tires, soil contamination and truck noise.

“The day before Thanksgiving, I was out early doing some shopping,” said Nancy Kolankiewicz, a resident who lives in the vicinity of New Road. “I get home at around 10 or 11 in the morning and I am coming off of Route 206 and I make the right at the traffic light onto Ridge Road. I come to the stop sign and I stopped. I am going to make a right and I see this very large tow truck and it was pulling an even longer and larger RV. This thing was a monstrosity and of course it was over the yellow lines. It was as far over as it could be. It looked like the entire siding had come off the RV because the siding was actually protruding (into the other lane).”

She said that she believed the RV was coming from the auto salvage yard. She added that the RV was hitting trees and knocking things down. She also said the situation is not getting any better.

“The road is not wide enough and I hope it is on the list of things to look at,” Kolankiewicz said.

Resident Pat Topham said she saw the same vehicle on Route 206.

“He was coming from the circle and heading down Route 206,” she said. “Like she said, it was huge. It looked like a can opener had opened up the side. The awning was bent in the middle. It was flapping up and down. I was two cars behind it and there was stuff flying off of it. Some things looked like cardboard and some things looked like insulation. Just before I got up to the motorcycle shop, a very large window flew off the camper.”

Topham provided a picture of the window lying on the highway to the committee.

“He kind of pulled over a little bit and then he just kept on going,” she said. “Somebody could get hurt.”

Township officials said that the auto salvage yard owners will be making court appearances on Jan. 24 and 27.

The first appearance is scheduled to be in municipal court. The second appearance is scheduled in Superior Court Assignment Judge Ronald E. Bookbinder’s courtroom.

“Having some people, especially in Bookbinder’s courtroom, can’t hurt,” Mikulski said.

Young said the committee was going to take one step at a time.

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PAGE 21

PHOTO HARRY WATERMAN Verizon plans to install mini-cellular antennas, known as mini-nodes, on existing utility poles.

Southampton Ambulance Contract

PHOTO SUBMITTED A contract between Southampton Township and the Hampton Lakes EMS expired on Dec. 31.

Under the terms of the contract (above), the township can extend the agreement for two additional one-year terms. However, the committee did not take that action and was without a legally binding document until Jan. 17.

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Saturday, January 28, 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.

More Money, Less Accountability

On Jan. 5, Harvest Public Media reported checkoff scandal rocked the CBB and the Nathat “a federal investigation has been launched tional Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the CBB’s into the alleged embezzlement of $2.6 million largest contractor. That scandal, reported the by an employee” of the Oklahoma Beef Coun- New York Times, found “…tens of thousands cil. of expenditures”—about $215,000 —“that were According to the report, the state’s beef either improperly charged to the marketing checkoff-collecting group had been unaware fund or lacked adequate documentation” under that “its former accounting and compliance USDA rules. manager” allegedly “started forging checks in It was pure coincidence that as Ruhland and the group’s name” beginning in 2009.

Ayers were explaining to CBB directors “how Remarkably, the undetected check writing your staff works to fulfill oversight every day” continued through 2014 when the same person back in 2012, that someone at the Oklahoma “allegedly embezzled $316,231, nearly 9 per- Beef Council was writing unauthorized checks cent of the state beef council’s annual income,” totaling $328,132 that no one, including Ruhand then for two more years, into 2016, when land and Ayers, would miss for another four “the compliance manager allegedly forged 131 years. checks totaling $557,789.”

It’s cannot be coincidence, however, that How does a dime or more out of every weeks after the Oklahoma checkoff acknowlcheckoff dollar collected by a state’s beef coun- edged a missing $2.6 million in checkoff money, cil go missing for more than seven years with- the group’s website still sports a years-old video out anyone at any level even noticing? on diligent “oversight.”

Easy, explained Tom Fanning, chairman of It will get worse. the Oklahoma Beef Council. The council had Presently, at least 14 states now collect a sec“a staff member that did not share [its] vision.” ond, in-state-only beef checkoff—usually an Vision? extra 50-cents or $1 per head—in addition to the If so, then it’s more accurate to say that the mandatory, non-refundable $1-per-head federal “staff member” mentioned by the boss was, in checkoff. fact, the only person at the council who actually More checkoff money without improvements had a clear view of where millions in Oklaho- in oversight means more opportunities for more ma checkoff dollars went for many, now-em- people to help themselves more often. barrassing years.

USDA could patch the many holes in checkCertainly, no one on the state beef council off fence. Don’t count on it anytime soon, howor the national checkoff’s Cattlemen’s Beef ever, because it’s busy with an ongoing court Board (CBB) knew. The same goes for anyone fight over the Organization for Competitive at the Agricultural Marketing Service, the U.S. Markets’ request for public documents used in Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) checkoff the department’s controversial 2013 report that administrators who often offer long assurances downplayed NCBA’s repayment of “improperly on the steadfast integrity of federal commodity charged” checkoff money. checkoffs—albeit usually after Oklahoma-like USDA is also busy with a court challenge over scandals. its even more controversial decision to approve Worse, there’s strong evidence that they still the pork checkoff’s 2006 purchase of the unused don’t know. It’s posted on the Oklahoma Beef “Pork. The Other White Meat” motto from the Council’s website under “Industry Informa- National Pork Producers Council for a staggertion” and a subsequent drop-down tab titled ing $60 million. (On Jan. 9, USDA asked the “Audit.” (All links are posted at www.farmand- court to dismiss the suit.) foodfile.com.)

Little wonder, then, that much-needed checkThe “Audit” tab pulls up a 15-minute video off reform and obvious improvements in acfrom a 2012 meeting that shows two high-rank- countability are delayed: USDA is too busy ing CBB officials, Chief Executive Officer Pol- explaining past checkoff scandals to address ly Ruhland and Chief Financial Officer Kath- reforms farmers and ranchers need to head off erine Ayers, explaining how the beef checkoff future scandals. monitors “expenditures of all the dollars.”

As such, it’s just a matter of time before the The meeting was held shortly after another next one and the one after that and … © 2017 AG COMM.

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CROSSWORD

SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU

Saturday, January 28, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

PAGE 23

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

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 FORD MUSTANG Modeled after the classic fastback, the 2017 Ford Mustang has a sleek, sporty, aerodynamic look, standard HID headlamps, and tri-bar LED taillamps with sequential turn signals.

Enthusiast customers will continue to enjoy the original pony car’s range of powerful engines. The standard 3.7-liter V6 offers up 300 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque, while the available 2.3-liter EcoBoost puts out 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque. Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V8 engine kicks out 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. All 2017 Ford Mustang models come with a dual exhaust system.

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The popular Pony Package includes 19-inch

polished aluminum wheels, unique upper grille with classic tri-bar pony logo and side stripes.

The available Performance Package includes a 3.55 limited-slip differential, increaseddiameter antiroll bars, larger brake rotors, heavy-duty springs and unique chassis tuning.

The 2017 Mustang features available SYNC 3 enhanced voice recognition communications and entertainment system. An available 8-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen in the center stack has swipe and pinch-to-zoom capabilities, AppLink, 911 Assist, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Mustang car buyers can now opt for three new colors including Lightning Blue, Grabber Blue and White Platinum Metallic Tri-coat.

Base model estimated mpg: 22/31 Estimated starting price: $24,915

Compiled by Motor Matters

PHOTO SUBMITTED 2017 Ford Mustang.

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

PAGE 24

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Saturday, January 28, 2017