Pine Barrens Tribune June 10 2017

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Primary Election Results. Page 5

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The Search For Answers Mother of Lake Absegami Drowning Victim Speaks Out

June 10-16, 2017 Improvements Totaling $228,000 Approved for Stage Road

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

BASS RIVER—One of Bass River Township’s main thoroughfares will become a lot safer and smoother soon.

The Bass River Board of Commissioners on June 5 approved $228,000 worth of improvements to Stage Road.

A portion of this same road was temporarily closed last month after the Burlington County Highway Department replaced bridge decking.

Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope said just before the closure that one of the bridges on the road was “dipping pretty good.”

The road will be repaired and repaved this summer by a private contractor.

“We are doing all of it,” said Township Clerk Amanda Somes.

Officials are using $220,000 received from a 2016 New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Municipal Aid Program grant and a local share of $8,000 to fund the project.

“The surface course of pavement is starting to deteriorate,” said Township Engineer Dan Guzzi. “The township was able to obtain a NJDOT grant of $220,000 last year to make

IMPROVEMENTS>>PAGE 21

Another Woodland BOE Member Resigns

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

A photo of Cami Grinnell taken on Martin Luther King Day was displayed during a press conference.

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

BASS RIVER—Yvonne Grinnell, mother of Cami Grinnell, who was pulled unresponsive from Lake Absegami in Bass River State Park on Sept. 2, 2016 — and died two days later — addressed the public on May 24 for the first time since the tragedy occurred.

The incident occurred while her daughter was on a trip with Camp Y.E.S. which is operated by the Bethel AME Church in Beverly.

A camp director, two counselors and 13 campers, including Cami Grinnell’s brother, nine-year-old Charles Grinnell, were on the trip.

At a news conference with several attorneys by her side from Grungo, Colarulo, LLC and Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett and Bendesky, P.C. (SMBB), Yvonne Grinnell asked eyewitnesses

present at the lake on Sept. 2 to come forward with information as to what transpired on the fateful afternoon that led to Cami’s drowning.

She also urged parents to be vigilant this summer with regard to the safety of their children; given the many activities which center around beaches, lakes and pools.

Yvonne Grinnell emphasized the importance of parents finding out who the responsible parties would be on a school or camp trip before sending their child off to a destination.

Eight months after the tragedy, many details remain unclear, and Yvonne Grinnell made a desperate plea for answers. She wants to understand how it is possible that both lifeguards and camp staff entrusted with Cami Grinnell’s care allowed her to drown.

It has been alleged that Camp Y.E.S. brought

PHOTO BY JUDY COHEN MINCHES

flotation devices for the children, but lifeguards took them away, stating they were not U.S. Coast Guard-approved. It has also been alleged that there were no replacement devices provided, yet children were permitted to enter the water.

Specific questions haunting Yvonne Grinnell include, but are not limited to, why the children were in the water without safety gear, how many lifeguards were on duty, where were they and what they were doing at the time, and why was it that Cami’s brother brought her from the lake to the sand without the attention or presence of a lifeguard?

It was a visitor to the lake with her family, a nurse named Kim Walk, who allegedly tended to Cami Grinnell and saw she was unresponsive.

She performed CPR along with another nurse

VICTIM>>PAGE 20

WOODLAND—In a May 22 meeting lasting 68 minutes, 43 of which were in a closed executive session, the Woodland Township Board of Education accomplished a great deal.

Most of the items on the agenda concerned appointments for the next school year. Staff were either retained or added to in almost every area.

However, there was also one unexpected note.

Board member Colleen Jaggard was absent. It was later announced that she had resigned from the board.

“Mrs. Jaggard has chosen to step down from her position on the board after five years of service due to the fact that her children are now in high school,” said Superintendent of Schools Misty Weiss. “They are both actively involved in various activities and she does not feel at this time she has the time to commit to the board anymore. At this point, her replacement has not been chosen.”

The board is actively searching for a replacement to fill the vacancy and is encouraging residents to submit a letter of interest to the school district by June 23.

Residents interested in filling the open spot

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LOCAL NEWS

New Tax Collector Appointed in Bass River

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

BASS RIVER—The Township of Bass River has a new tax collector.

Al Stanley was appointed by the Bass River Board of Commissioners to replace longtime Tax Collector Linda Ellison-Ash on June 5.

Ellison-Ash decided to retire earlier this year.

Stanley made two suggestions to the board on how to improve efficiency in the tax office during his debut.

First, he suggested that the board work to resolve an issue flagged during an audit. The audit found that the township lacks a fixed asset system which helps keeps track of inventory.

“It really has to be resolved,” he said.

Stanley said that he had obtained quotes from private contractors to perform the inventory. He recommended that the board have a contractor conduct the inventory since he is only working for the municipality on a part-time basis.

He also asked of the board to purchase a system which would give residents the ability to look up their taxes and pay their taxes online.

He said he had obtained quotes for the system and that it would interface with the township’s accounting system.

He explained how the system would allow residents to pay their taxes using a credit card, debit card, or an electronic check. He added that it would also give residents the option of paying their taxes monthly; an option currently not available to township residents because of limited hours and manpower.

Residents are currently required to remit quarterly tax payments.

“I personally like both ideas,” said Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope. “The fixed asset system issue has to be rectified. If we get someone to come in and do the job, we can proceed from there. But it needs to be done. I also get asked all the time about online tax payments.”

Stanley will receive a salary of $8,500 per year. He was unanimously appointed to a four-year term.

“Al is really the perfect person for this job,” Buzby-Cope said. “He has been helping Linda out for the past few years since he came on board. He knows the system inside and out.”

There was another appointment made during the meeting.

Mark Emmer was appointed as the conflict public defender. He is replacing George Emmer, his brother, who recently passed away.

In other meeting action, the board authorized the turnover of $21 in uncashed funds to the Bass River Municipal Court. $7 will go into the court’s general account and $14 will go into the court’s bail account.

The board also decided to take one signer off the bank accounts through Ocean First Bank for the Bass River Municipal Court. One signer

was also added. Officials said this was an annual action.

A grant of $7,271.52 was accepted from Clean Communities. The money is currently earmarked for road cleanups, tipping fees and tire cleanups.

Clean Communities is a statewide litterabatement program created by the passage of the Clean Communities Act in 1986. The Act provides a funding source for the program by placing a tax on 15 categories of businesses that may produce litter-generating products.

A resolution authorizing the purchase of electricity supply services for public use from EMEX, an online auction website, was eventually tabled.

A contract between EMEX and the municipality is due to expire in July. The municipality has been using EMEX for nearly six years. The company has asked the municipality to agree to a two-year contract that would be good until July 2019.

“I don’t exactly know what kind of savings we are seeing because we no sooner seem to get a new contract and then the rates go up,” said Township Clerk Amanda Somes. “They estimate we will see $640.82 in savings for the contract term.”

Commissioner Louis Bourguignon said he was concerned the savings are “diddly-squat.”

“I want to know what we saved over the years,” he said.

Buzby-Cope and Somes will confer with a sales representative from EMEX to obtain the requested data for the next meeting of the board which is scheduled for July 10.

A three-year contract renewing membership with the Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) was approved.

Approval was also given for the purchase of a new dump truck for the Department of Public Works. The purchase is considered a “special, emergency appropriation.”

“This is something that is an emergency and needs to be done,” Buzby-Cope said. “We will be borrowing from ourselves and paying ourselves back over the next five years.”

The dump truck is priced at $59,788. The township will be purchasing the vehicle from Winner Ford of Cherry Hill. The township will be paying about $11,957 on yearly basis.

Bourguignon said after the meeting that the dump truck will replace one that is being held together by expanding foam, glue and tape.

Somes said the replacement vehicle will come with a complete snowplow package and a tailgate salt spreader. She will generate a purchase order to procure the truck.

It is expected to take 16 weeks for the dump truck to be delivered.

Buzby-Cope announced that the township is

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COLLECTOR>>PAGE 19

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Medford to Continue Review of Areas Zoned as ‘Public Lands, Park and Education’

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Buzby’s To Open For One Last Time

By Catherine Galioto

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD—A review of the areas zoned as “Public Lands, Park and Education” in Medford will continue as the Medford Township Planning Board moves towards a full master-plan review.

A discussion has been ongoing since just before September of last year, when the Medford Council charged the planning board with reviewing whether the PPE zone had enough buffering, appropriate conditional uses and mix of uses.

An update on that review was provided to council during a June 1 meeting.

Planning Board Chairman Jack Hartwig gave a presentation before the council, where Mayor Chuck Watson and Councilman Jeffrey Beenstock serve in addition to serving on the planning board and its PPE subcommittee.

“As a review, last September, you asked the planning board to conduct a general review of the PPE zone, specifically looking at the current buffer requirements, the conditional uses and the mix of uses now there,” Hartwig said. “You also asked ‘Are they appropriate?’”

Hartwig said the zone has a lack of standards as to how it is regulated, for example the zone

currently has churches and residences operating in it.

“There are not a lot of regulations governing use in the PPE,” he said.

Currently, public and private elementary school facilities and quasi-public campground activities, as well as municipal buildings, churches, libraries, open space, parks, parkland and municipal infrastructure are all considered principal permitted uses.

He said activities such as festivals, concerts or private rentals, and if and how they would or would not be allowed, should also be considered as permitted uses in the zone.

The planning board formed a subcommittee shortly after September to discuss the issues.

Hartwig asked the council to expand the scope of their direction, so the board could come back to the council with solutions to the issues.

“Let’s do the extra work to get solutions to your questions,” Hartwig said. “It’s kind of flippant to come in here and give you an answer you already know.”

Council members briefly discussed what to do and asked Hartwig some questions.

REVIEW>>PAGE 20

Speakers Raise Issues at Recent Woodland Twp. Meeting

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

WOODLAND—During a meeting which lasted nearly 30 minutes on May 24, the Woodland Township Committee passed a resolution, tabled another, heard reports presented by various officials and listened to five speakers who commented on various township matters.

Two resolutions were on the agenda. One canceled a tax-sale certificate, while the other, to appoint a deputy to the Office of Emergency Management, was tabled until later this month.

Bills totaling $435,257 were submitted for the month. The tax collector reported April collections of $206,529.

All of this was wrapped up in about 10 minutes. All the votes were unanimous, 3-0.

The public comment of the meeting went on for another 20 minutes or so.

Five people spoke, far more than usual.

Two, Ken Bowker and Linda Morris, spoke at length. Bowker, a long-time resident, expressed concern over various motorized racing events

held within Woodland. He cited potential problems by the racers and possible legal issues in case of injuries or property damage. He wondered who would be responsible if such a case arose.

He also brought up what he called the very limited use of ballfields in the township’s athletic complex. He said the grass was getting high, citing that as proof of little use, and questioned the maintenance of the complex.

Bowker was followed by another resident, Linda Morris. She said she felt that she has been treated rudely by committee members when she spoke out at previous meetings, along with several others in recent months.

Township Clerk Mary Alice Brown, when asked about these concerns after the meeting, chose not to comment.

Tom Skleros, coordinator of the township’s Office of Emergency Management, proposed reviewing future fires or emergency incidents, not in any attempt to place blame, but rather

SPEAKERS>>PAGE 19

PHOTO BY SKIP HARRIS Buzby’s was busy with customers during a recent opening.

By Catherine Galioto

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

WOODLAND—June 17 is the final day Buzby’s General Store will be open, decades after R. Marilyn Schmidt meticulously restored the landmark.

The landmark is securing its rightful place on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. That means the store’s facade will be preserved forever.

In the months since Schmidt’s health has taken a turn, Buzby’s has only been open a couple days, during the Lines on the Pines event, for example. Previously, those days were thought to be Buzby’s last, but now June 17 is being advertised as Buzby’s last day of business with a “going out of business” sale.

It will be one last day to revel in the rich history preserved in the building and buy a fixture, work of art, Pinelands book or other wares from what has become a bit of a Pinelands museum since Schmidt bought and restored the general store.

Schmidt has operated Buzby’s as a store, café, landmark and place to share a tale.

“It’s been fun,” she said simply, saying that the building remains on the market although there have been interested buyers.

“Money is always a problem,” said Schmidt of the real estate listing.

In the last several weeks, longtime friends

such as Linda Stanton have helped photograph and post items that will be in the sale.

“It’s based on the pricing Marilyn wants,” Stanton said.

Display cases, vintage furniture and store fixtures are all for sale, as well as the merchandise that has made Buzby’s a fun place to shop—books, t-shirts, local foods and more.

“It’s bittersweet,” Schmidt said. “But every day has been so much fun.”

Her commitment to enriching and enlightening the lives of Pinelands residents began in the 1980s. Schmidt, then a Barnegat Light resident, began writing books on local history and founded the Barnegat Light Press and then the Pine Barrens Press.

In 1998, she bought Buzby’s, which had stood vacant and in disrepair for years in the downtown Chatsworth section of Woodland Township.

Over the next year, Schmidt had the place restored, to conditions similar to those 1900s photos which hung on Buzby’s walls.

“People need a place to get coffee, sit and gossip,” Schmidt said.

That is what she hopes the next owner continues to provide.

“It’s desperately needed here in Chatsworth,” she said.

BUZBY’S>>PAGE 21

Saturday, June 10, 2017

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PAGE 5

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS REP – State Senate LD-8

X

Dawn Marie ADDIEGO

(R)

WRITE-IN (R)

5,732 32

99.4% 0.56%

X X

DEM – State Senate LD-8

X

George B. Youngkin

(D)

7,027 4

WRITE-IN (D)

99.9% 0.06%

REP – General Assembly LD-8

X X

M.

RODRIGUEZ-GREGG (R)

Joe HOWARTH

WRITE-IN (R)

(R)

5,490 5,580 44

49.4% 50.2% 0.4%

DEM – General Assembly LD-8

X X

Joanne SCHWARTZ

(D) Mary Ann MERLINO (D) WRITE-IN (D)

7,146 6,865 0

50.9% 48.9% 0.04%

Christopher CONNORS

WRITE-IN (R)

(R)

446 234

100% 100%

DEM – State Senate LD-9

X

Brian Corley WHITE (D) WRITE-IN (D)

234 0

100% 0%

REP – General Assembly LD-9

X X

Brian RUMPF (R)

430 414 0

Dianne GOVE

(R) WRITE-IN (R)

50.9% 49% 0%

DEM – General Assembly LD-9

X X X X

Jill DOBROWANSKY Ryan YOUNG

(D) WRITE-IN (D)

(D)

253 234 0

(R)

Linda HUGHES

(R) WRITE-IN (R)

12,720 12,412 42

(D) Balvir SINGH (D) WRITE-IN (D)

X

Steve SOLOMON (R) WRITE-IN (R)

X X X

12,504 38 20,257 20,566 19,669 41

Joesph ANDL (D)

Andrew DOUGLAS

(D) Sander FRIEDMAN (D) WRITE-IN (D)

99.7% 0.30% 33.4% 33.9% 32.4% 0.07%

REP – State Committee Member (Female)

X

Erin DARREFF (R)

12,486 22

WRITE-IN (R)

99.8% 0.18%

DEM – State Committee Member (Female)

X X X

Dee BAYLES

(D) Beatrice HOLLEY (D)

L. BEBLER

JOHNSON (D)

WRITE-IN (D)

20,578 20,211 19,414 18

33.1% 33.5% 32.2% 0.03%

REP – Medford Twp. – Township Council

X X X

Bradley DENN

(R)

Erik REBSTOCK

(R) Charles WATSON (R) WRITE-IN (R)

51.9% 48% 0%

50.5% 49.3% 0.17%

X X X

Stanley CZYZYK

(D) Kelly CLARK (D) Kenneth BRAHL (D) WRITE-IN (D)

801 767 777 4

34.1% 32.6% 33% 0.17%

888 878 834 0

34.1% 33.7% 32% 0%

REP – Pemberton Boro. – Borough Council

X X

Terry JEROME

(R) Tim QUINLAN (R) WRITE-IN (R)

By Douglas D. Melegari WOODLAND—The only contested municipal primary election in our coverage area was a nail-biter until the bitter end.

Incumbent William DeGroff narrowly defeated his Republican challenger, Thomas Getz, by four votes for a three-year term on Township Committee in Woodland.

At the township’s only polling place, the Woodland Municipal Building, 121 votes were cast for Getz and 130 votes were cast for DeGroff.

Mail-in ballots cast gave Getz six additional votes and DeGroff one additional vote.

There is no word on whether any provisional ballots were cast in the election.

DeGroff was placed in Column Six on the ballot and was not endorsed by the Burlington County GOP. “I am thankful for the residents and their

51.3% 48.6% 0.07%

DEM – Pemberton Boro. – Borough Council

support I received in this election since I was not on the first line,” DeGroff said. “The incumbent is usually on the first line and this was my third term. Hopefully, come November, I will win again.”

DeGroff said he was sworn in for the first time on the committee in 2009. Prior to that, he served for nearly ten years on the Woodland Township Board of Education.

Getz said he has conceded that he lost the election and planned to call DeGroff the day after the loss.

“It was a very close race,” he said. “I have conceded that I did lose by four votes.”

Getz said he “was surprised like everyone else” when he opened his sample ballot and saw that DeGroff had been placed in Column Six. DeGroff’s placement on the ballot created an

PRIMARY>>PAGE 20

67 60 0

52.7% 47.2% 0%

1

WRITE-IN (D)

0%

REP–Shamong Twp. – Township Committee

X

Martin MOZITIS (R) WRITE-IN (R)

236 0

100% 0%

DEM–Shamong Twp. – Township Committee WRITE-IN (D)

DEM – State Committee Member (Male)

Four Votes Decide Contested Woodland Primary Staff Writer

21,537 20,411 28

DEM – Medford Twp. – Township Council

REP – Burlington Co. Freeholders Bruce GARGANIO

Tom PULLION

REP – State Committee Member (Male)

REP – State Senate LD-9

X

DEM – Burlington Co. Freeholders

4

100%

REP–Southampton Twp.–Township Committee

X

James F. YOUNG,

SR. (R)

WRITE-IN (R)

618 4

99.3% 0.64%

DEM–Southampton Twp.–Township Committee WRITE-IN (D)

6

100%

REP – Tabernacle Twp. – Township Committee

X

Kimberly BROWN (R) WRITE-IN (R)

338 0

100% 0%

DEM – Tabernacle Twp. – Township Committee WRITE-IN (D)

1

100%

REP – Washington Twp. – Township Committee

X

Daniel JAMES (R) WRITE-IN (R)

32 0

100% 0%

DEM – Washington Twp. – Township Committee WRITE-IN (D)

0

0%

REP – Woodland Twp. – Township Committee

X

William DeGROFF (R) Thomas GETZ

(R) WRITE-IN (R)

131 127 0

50.7% 49.2% 0%

DEM – Woodland Twp. – Township Committee WRITE-IN (D)

3

100%

Woodland Mayor’s Adversaries Question Reason for Getz’s Candidacy

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

WOODLAND—Voters may have decided a Republican primary election here, but the dust from the final days of the contentious race hasn’t settled yet.

Thomas Getz’s challenge of William DeGroff, first elected to the Township Committee in 2009, has fueled claims of political retaliation.

The uproar grew louder in the final days leading up to the election after an open letter penned by Getz appeared in the Chatsworth Chat, a monthly community newsletter.

The letter, which levied attacks against DeGroff, was published just days before the June 6 primary. The newsletter is printed monthly and therefore the timing didn’t allow DeGroff to have a chance to respond prior to the election.

Additionally, for reasons that are unclear, DeGroff was exiled to Column Six on the ballot, the political version of being sent to Siberia.

Several residents angered by what they had seen contacted the Pine Barrens Tribune. Most of the residents who contacted this newspaper are known adversaries of Mayor Matthew Henrich.

DeGroff raised the ire of Henrich earlier this spring during a dispute caused by the removal of Fire Chief Shawn Viscardi as the township’s emergency management coordinator.

The mayor said he had the approval of the entire three-man committee to remove Viscardi; comprised of himself, DeGroff and Mark Herndon; Less than a week later, DeGroff called

CANDIDACY>>PAGE 19

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NJBPU Approves Atlantic City Electric PowerAhead Storm Resiliency Program For the Pine Barrens Tribune

TRENTON—The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has approved a stipulation of settlement authorizing Atlantic City Electric to invest $79 million in a five-year capital investment plan to improve distribution grid resiliency under the company’s PowerAhead Program.

The projects are intended to improve the storm resiliency of distribution infrastructure and lessen outage restoration times for the benefit of customers.

“With the lessons of past storms on our minds and hurricane season upon us, the board appreciates the need to harden utility infrastructure to withstand threats that come with major storm events,” said Richard S. Mroz, president of the NJBPU. “The board

Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A wind-driven fire that originated in a barn caused extensive property damage and displaced several residents in the New Lisbon section of Pemberton Township.

The fire was first reported at 11:42 a.m. on May 29.

Firefighters arrived at 23A New Lisbon Road to find a barn engulfed in flames. The flames also spread to an adjacent house, which was built in 1880, and two vehicles before it could be extinguished by firefighters.

“The fire went to two alarms for manpower and water as there is no city water out there,” said Pemberton Township Fire Chief Craig

Seneca High School Air Force JROTC Cadet Earns ‘Cadet of the Year’ Distinction

believes it is critical to support cost-effective opportunities to harden utility infrastructure against future storms as a means to minimize the number and duration of future outages.”

On March 22, 2016, Atlantic City Electric filed a petition seeking approval to establish a $176 million PowerAhead Program. The petition also requested approval of an associated cost recovery mechanism to allow Atlantic City Electric to recover revenue associated with the resiliency program based upon the planned in-service date.

After two public hearings held on June 30 of last year, the parties, including Atlantic City Electric, state Division of Rate Counsel, Environmental Defense Fund and Unimin Corporation, reached a stipulation of

STORM>>PAGE 21

Wind-Driven Barn Fire Spreads to Home and Two Cars

By Douglas D. Melegari

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Augustoni. “Tenders had to be called in.”

The barn was completely destroyed.

The house sustained heavy damage and is currently uninhabitable. Two cars were also totaled.

Despite the fast-moving blaze, no injuries were reported. The cause of the barn fire has not been determined yet.

The Pemberton Township Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by numerous fire departments throughout the area.

There have now been a total of 12 structure fires since the year began in Pemberton Township, 11 of which have been ruled accidental.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Pictured from left to right, Seneca AFJROTC Instructor Major Sean Hoggs, Cadet Thomas Jeansson (Class of 2018), and Assistant Principal Trish LaBouff.

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

TABERNACLE—Cadet Thomas S. Jeansson, has been named the 2016-2017 Outstanding Cadet of the Year for Seneca High School’s Air Force JROTC Unit NJ-20101 by the Air Force JROTC organization.

Jeansson is also the recipient of the Superior Performance Ribbon.

The Outstanding Cadet award is given annually for outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of AFJROTC, via Bobby C. Woods, Air Education and Training Commander Colonel.

This award is presented for a single or

sustained performance of a superior nature.

“I’m honored to have been chosen for this award, but it’s more about the continued growth of the program,” Jeansson said. “I’m just humbled to have been selected from a lot of great cadets.”

Additionally, Seneca High School’s AFJROTC program was recognized with the Outstanding Organization Award given to units that have performed in a superior nature.

Seneca was one of three units in the state to earn this distinction out of the 897 units worldwide.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

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Pemberton BOE Hears Dramatic Pleas to Retain Staffers Let Go

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—There was something for virtually everyone at the May 25 Pemberton Board of Education meeting held at Pemberton Township High School.

The three-hour session included nearly two hours of residents pleading for the retention of a dozen staffers laid off after negative reviews of their effectiveness, a girl’s mother speaking out about a student discipline issue and a reading presentation (or Author’s Walk) by youngsters from Newcomb School.

While several teachers and a nurse had their advocates, the overwhelming number of the 30 plus speakers were defending teacher and head basketball coach Bobby Morgan.

Several speakers stood out. The most noteworthy was Asya Muwwakkil. She delivered not only an impassioned defense of Morgan and others, but also scathingly attacked members of the school board.

Notwithstanding the three-minute limit (she spoke for seven), Muwwakkil castigated board members as “paper shufflers,” unconcerned that their actions were affecting the futures of those being fired. Her remarks seemingly mesmerized the audience into silence. That ended abruptly with her speech and she was rewarded with loud applause and cheers.

Much more reserved were a quartet of eighth-grade girls, who also opposed the layoffs, especially of Morgan. The first girl was so overcome, she cried loudly through her entire speech. Three of her friends were more composed, but all four pleaded for the layoff to be reversed. The final three were Marissa

Riccardi, Amanda Neve and Brianna Braman.

Riccardi called Morgan “a father figure who is very caring and loving.”

Neve cited him for being “always there to help.”

Braman said the when she and others “were down in spirit, he (Morgan) could always help you to come back up.”

There are almost 500 teachers and other staffers in the Pemberton district who are governed by tenure rules.

Schools’ Superintendent Tony Trongone spoke early in the meeting, outlining how evaluations were conducted and the appeals procedure.

There are four cutoff points on a ratingevaluation procedure, where scores can range from zero to 4.0. An evaluation of up to 1.85 is considered ineffective. 1.85 to 2.65 is partially effective. A score of 2.65 to 3.55 earns a rating of effective, while 3.55 to 4.0 is viewed as highly effective. There are many criteria used in the ratings.

He explained the appeals procedure. An employee who has not been renewed has 15 days to appeal.

Trongone, in turn, has 30 days to answer. The employee has 10 days after the answer to request what is known as a “Donaldson Hearing” before the school board. That hearing would be held in executive (closed) session, unless the worker wanted it to be public. The board is not required to take any action. If they do, the board needs a minimum of six votes to overturn a dismissal. This reversal is the only way an employee can receive a renewal

PLEAS>>PAGE 19

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BurlCo Prosecutor Coffina Announces Initiative Targeting Violent Crime For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MOUNT HOLLY—Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced last week a new crime-fighting initiative that will provide local police departments with additional law enforcement personnel for proactive operations aimed at combatting gun-related crime and other violent offenses.

The Burlington County Safe Streets Initiative will use money from the seized proceeds of criminal activity to support operations proposed by municipal police departments to address specific problems in their towns.

“This initiative will provide our local police departments with additional resources for anti-crime operations to improve the safety of their communities,” Coffina said. “Local police departments are best positioned to understand the challenges posed by criminal activity within their towns, and to propose proactive interdiction operations. Our goal is to support these operations and bring in additional resources from across the county to reinforce their efforts to reduce violent crime.”

Citing an increase in homicides throughout Burlington County over the past 18 months, and a recent incident in which two cars were shooting at each other while driving through a residential neighborhood in Willingboro in the early evening, Coffina informally labeled the endeavor “Enough is Enough!”

He said that while the goal is to target violent crime, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO) will also consider operations that might deter or address the potential threat of such activity.

The initiative is supported by the Burlington County Chiefs of Police Association, said Medford Township Police Chief Richard Meder, the organization’s president.

“The law enforcement agencies of Burlington County have a strong history of working cooperatively to fight crime and protect our residents,” Meder said. “This initiative will further that collaborative effort.

The Chiefs of Police Association fully supports this idea. We welcome the resources that are being provided and expect this initiative to be heavily utilized, not just in municipalities experiencing violent crime, but throughout the county.”

The initiative is structured to allow a department seeking to conduct an operation to request additional officers from participating departments across the county to support that operation.

The Prosecutor’s Office will review the operational plan, and use funds forfeited from prior criminal activity to reimburse the costs of those departments sending personnel to participate in another town’s operation.

The departments that are requesting additional officers will fund the salaries of their own personnel during the operations.

Under the guidelines of the initiative, funding must be used to support discrete anti-violence initiatives and not to supplement traditional street patrols.

The initiative will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2018, or until the $50,000 designated to support the program is exhausted.

In addition to the Burlington County Safe

CRIME>>PAGE 20

Seneca Celebrates 14th Annual People’s Choice Awards

By Jennifer Peacock

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

TABERNACLE—Fifty-five Seneca High School students were honored by school staff on June 1 during the 14th annual People’s Choice Awards ceremony, presented by the school’s Renaissance program.

These students have made their marks on Seneca with their smiles, compassion, wit and humor.

They were said to have reminded their teachers, administrators and counselors why they got into education. Award recipients included freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

“The program is one that recognizes the positive things that happen in this school,” said Renaissance Adviser Maureen McMichael after the awards show. “We honor the positive decisions students and staff make and the great things that happen.”

Students who arrive to receive their award do not know who nominated them or why they were nominated.

This year, the selected students sat on folding chairs set up on the high school auditorium’s stage and watched school staff line up to make their way to the podium onstage to speak.

Some staff members offered a prologue to their students’ introductions, while others called on their picks immediately.

As the students made their way to the podium, they received a hearty round of applause from the audience and a medal from a staff member.

Hugs were exchanged, some lingering. A few teachers and students shed tears.

“They were chosen out of a student body that consists of exceptional and admirable youths,”

said Master of Ceremonies Nikki Wiesen, a math teacher at the high school. “Of all of the awards that are bestowed upon school students, I believe the People’s Choice is one of the most notable to receive.

“What I like best about People’s Choice is the fact that these fine young men and women are being recognized for having good souls and being good human beings. Isn’t that what we want for our kids?”

Oft-repeated descriptions included “smile that brightens the hallways,” “loyal,” “caring,” “leader,” “sparkle in the eye,” “determined,” “compassionate,” “remarkable,” and “puts smiles on people’s faces.”

“This evening is not only about recognizing our students, but it’s also about recognizing you and taking the effort to connect you with the students and allowing them to touch all of our hearts,” said Principal Jeffrey Spector as he talked to the audience that had gathered for the ceremony.

He then turned to the students and spoke directly to them.

“You are not here by accident. You have done something remarkable. You have touched the life of another person, the most powerful thing you can do.”

Junior Kayla Johnson was nominated by her lacrosse coach, Casey Burk.

“Kayla’s hard-working attitude and leadership can be seen throughout the hallways, fields and community,” Burk said.

“Kayla brings a positive approach to any situation with her encouraging words and smile.”

After the awards show, Johnson said hearing she was nominated was “great,” but hearing

AWARDS>>PAGE 19

PHOTO BY JENNIFER PEACOCK Seneca teacher Casey Burk (left) poses with People’s Choice Award recipient Kayla Johnson.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Seneca teacher Tracy Betts (left) poses with People’s Choice Award recipient Emily Briscoe.

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Saturday, June 10, 2017

SCANNER Police Seeking Information to Help Identify Fugitive Motorcyclist

K9 Ciko’s Last Shift Before Retirement

PHOTO SUBMITTED Police seek the identity of a motorcyclist who fled from them during a pursuit last month as captured by a police dash cam.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Evesham Township Police Department’s K9 named Ciko enjoyed a steak dinner in celebration of his last shift before retirement on May 26.

MARLTON—On May 18, at approximately 4:45 p.m., an Evesham Township Police Officer observed a motorcycle being driven in a reckless manner on the Marlton Pike.

When the officer attempted to stop the motorcycle, the driver fled at a high rate of speed while weaving in and out of traffic.

The officer terminated the pursuit due to “a public risk that would have been caused.”

The motorcyclist, who was wearing a black helmet and dark colored clothing and has not been identified.

If anyone knows the identity of this suspect, police are asking you to call them at 856-983-1116 or email them at Facebook@ Eveshampd.org. Anonymous tips can also be text to ETPDTIP at 847411.

Woman Bitten by Fox on Finch Street PEMBERTON—On May 21, officers from the Pemberton Township Police Department responded to an address on Finch Street for a report of a female bitten by a fox.

The animal was being held down on the ground by the victim’s family as responding officers arrived at the scene.

The township’s Animal Control Officer was contacted and advised that there was a cat cage close to the address that could be used to contain the fox. The fox was transported back to the station and secured.

The victim stated that she was standing

near the roadway when she heard something running behind her residence. At this time, the victim stated that the fox ran towards her and latched onto her ankle.

The victim was treated by emergency medical personnel and transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

The fox was secured in the animal containment unit and was transported and tested for rabies by the Animal Control Officer.

County Spokesman Eric Arpert said the animal did not test positive for rabies.

PHOTO SUBMITTED The large steak was provided courtesy of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse in Marlton.

Road Rage Report Leads to Discovery of Duffle Bag with CDS PEMBERTON—On May 16, Pemberton Township Police Ptl. Bruce Phillips was on Pemberton-Browns Mills Road when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed with sparks coming from underneath the vehicle.

A motor vehicle stop was conducted due to the vehicle being operated in an unsafe manner.

An additional motorist flagged down Phillips and advised him that the driver of the other vehicle displayed a handgun and was engaged in a road rage incident approximately one mile back on Pemberton-Browns Mills Road.

The passenger of the vehicle denied any weapons being inside of the vehicle and claimed their vehicle was being tailgated and that when the other vehicle pulled up alongside of their vehicle the driver waved some type

of object from inside the vehicle towards the other driver.

The driver of the vehicle granted permission to Phillips to search the vehicle due to the allegation made by the other driver. While conducting the search, Phillips came across a small duffle bag which contained two plastic vials containing a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), a metal grinder with suspected CDS residue, a plastic bag with suspected CDS residue, and two packages of cigars.

Due to the findings, both occupants of the vehicle, Anthony Miller Jr. and Carly Gonzalez, both 19-year-olds, were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

PHOTO SUBMITTTED Ciko will continue to live with his handler, Sergeant Burdette, who Ciko has been working with since July of 2011.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

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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.

PAGE 9

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

Elections Are Not Always Decided By a Landslide

Time for a Changing of the Guard in LeisureTowne

Burlington County’s combined Republican and Democrat voter turnout in the June 6 primary election was a so-so 40 percent.

Only 44,008 of the county’s 109,541 Republican and Democrat registered voters came out to vote.

As Boston Tea Party activists aptly noted, “One cannot expect meaningful relief from burdensome taxation absent zealous representation.”

If you think your vote doesn’t count and elections are decided by huge margins: think again.

For the second time this year in the Pine Barrens, an election was decided by a handful of votes.

In March, a $5.4 million Bond Referendum in Shamong was defeated by five votes.

On Tuesday, Incumbent William DeGroff narrowly defeated his Republican challenger, Thomas Getz, by four votes for a three-year term on Township Committee in Woodland.

While the door has been closed on the June 6 primary election, we hope that citizens realize their vote can count.

My suggestion that the LeisureTowne retirement community’s name be updated to a more age-neutral one was shouted down at an April 25 LeisureTowne Board of Trustees meeting.

Cries of “We like our name!” and “If you don’t like our name, move!” reverberated throughout the meeting hall.

The board treated the idea of a name change as if they were being called upon to transform the retirement community into a leper colony. A gallery of cheerleaders in the audience latched onto the board’s obvious disdain of the topic and erupted into a display of breath-taking

intolerance.

I have rarely seen grown people—who regularly ask for “community suggestions” and other members to “get involved”—turn on their own in such a way.

I believe it is truly time for a changing of the guard in LeisureTowne. When people “vote” by shouting and their leaders actively enable it, such “community management” is little more than a charade.

Does age bring wisdom? Apparently, not in LeisureTowne.

Tom Haluszczak Southampton, New Jersey

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? E-mail us: letters@pinebarrenstribune.com

Notable Quotes “Climate change is a critical issue and it is vital that we act as good stewards of the environment. In any future agreement, we must protect American workers from a competitive disadvantage and ensure that nations across the globe also carry their weight.”—Congressman Tom MacArthur, R-NJ-3.

“My prayers are with those affected by the attacks in London. We must stand with our allies against this senseless violence.”—Congressman Tom MacArthur, R-NJ-3.

“As everyone takes times to enjoy the summer season, it is important to remember safety precautions when handling foods whether you’re cooking out in the backyard or on a picnic.

Cook beef, chicken or pork thoroughly, refrigerate leftovers promptly and wash hands frequently, as well as any surfaces used to prepare food.”—New Jersey Health Commissioner Cathleen D. Bennett.

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE Established 2016

Douglas D. Melegari, Publisher, CEO Pat Carney, Senior Graphic Artist Adam Tait III, Copy Editor Colleen Jordan, Copy Editor, Graphic Artist Robert Urban, Copy Editor P.O. Box 2402, Vincentown, NJ 08088 Locally owned and published.

Social Media Sound Off (Re: Yellow Ribbob Club Places 2,000 Flags at the Shawnee High School Entrance) A very poignant display by a wonderful group of young people. Kudos.

Terry Sheerin (Re: Red Lion Diner Owners Recognized for Their Generous Support of Local Fire Company) They are also very supportive of the Girl Scouts. They let the girls set up in the diner; out of the cold. My daughter appreciates them!

Robin Stewart Hovius (Re: Lenape High School Teacher Charged With Making Upskirt Videos of Female Students) Unbelievable! It’s so sad and disturbing that there are some freaks working around children.

Dawn Boden-Johnson (Re: Lenape High School Teacher Charged With Making Upskirt Videos of Female Students) I am tired of this crap. Throw the book at him and put him in jail. He will not last in there.

Liane Cappiello (Re: Longtime Browns Mills Veterinarian Closing His Doors) I had used Dr. Hartsock intermittently for as many years. Although his bedside manner is a challenge, I was always confident he knew what he was doing. He didn’t mince words and has great respect for animals. If he couldn’t help your pet, he would direct you to someone who would. He would go toe to toe with anyone who either wronged you or your pet. He never stood for nonsense out of anyone’s mouth. I respect the man and wish him the best on his retirement.

Leila Jackowski (Re: Numerous Roads Slated to Be Improved in Southampton) Finally, these roads are in really poor condition; they pond and flood when it rains. The potholes and loose gravel make riding a motorcycle more dangerous then it already is. Great news for all drivers!

Rich Cameron (Re: Letter to the Editor-Having a Different Viewpoint on Homeschooling Is Not Un-American) Employers are required to be “equal opportunity.” School districts should do the same for taxpaying homeschooled students.

Marni Cunard

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

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COMMUNITY Events

June 10 Event: Annual Fishing Derby Location: Medford Details: The Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club is sponsoring “Take a Kid Fishing Day” in Medford. The event will be Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Medford Park, located across from Pinelands Branch Library (Main Street & Allen Avenue). All area children are invited to this free event. www.mvrotaryclub.com.

Event: Moonlight Walk at Whitesbog Location: Browns Mills Details: Come out to Whitesbog Village for a Moonlight Walk, June 10, 7 p.m. 120 W. Whites Bogs Road, Browns Mills, 609-893-4646.

Location: Tuckerton Event: Dog Hike in Bass River State Forest Details: Volunteer Naturalist Kathy Gardiner invites you to bring your pooch along on a three-to five-mile hike to view the mountain laurel in bloom in Bass River State Forest, June 10.

Hikers without dogs are also welcome. The hike is free, however there is an entrance fee of $10 per carload for NJ residents, $20 for out-of-state residents. Meet by 9 a.m. at the Forest Office parking lot, 762 Stage Road. Bring lunch and water. Dogs must be on leash. For more information call 609-296-6574, or visit www.njparksandforests.org.

Event: Free Fishing Day Location: Browns Mills Details: Bring your canoe or kayak to Whitesbog to fish in our bogs. No license required for this special state-sponsored day!

120 W. Whites Bogs Road, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646.

Event: Moonlight Walk at Whitesbog Location: Browns Mills Details: Come to Whitesbog for a moonlight walk at 8 p.m.

Listen to the night sounds of the Pines, learn about Whitesbog and experience the seasonal changes of the Pinelands. All walks are three to five miles and are led by experienced leaders. $5 per person donation, reservations requested, 609-893-4646. 120 W. Whites Bogs Road, Browns Mills.

Event: MUMC 23rd Annual BBQ Location: Medford Details: Eat in or take-out. Medford United Methodist Church welcomes everyone to its famous BBQ event! With live

music from Unlikely Blue, enjoy outdoor seating with your choice of BBQ Chicken or Pulled Pork for $12 each. Child’s Hot Dog Dinner is $5 each. Tickets are available on-line @medfordumc.org or via the office @ 609-654-8111. Rain or shine. In case of inclement weather, all meals will be take-out.

June 11 Event: Kids Blueberry Painting Party at Whitesbog Location: Browns Mills Details: The kids painting party will be held in the Whitesbog General Store at 1 p.m. Local children’s librarian, Miss Theresa, will be teaching the kids to paint a still life of blueberries. $8 per participant. For reservations, call 609-893-4646.

Event: Art, Wine & Music Festival/Wine & Shine Car Show Location: Medford Details: Come to Main Street in Medford and enjoy the annual Art, Wine & Music Festival and the Wine & Shine Car Show.

Artists, crafts, local wines, craft beer and good food will be featured, interspersed between the arts and crafts booths and local bands playing throughout the afternoon. In addition, over 100 classic and show cars will be on display. Handicapped parking will be available in the Cranberry Hall parking lot (enter from Branch Street) and other Village parking lots nearby. The festival is free, but wristbands to sample the wines will be $10 per person. www.medfordbusiness.org

June 12 Event: Charity Golf Tournament Location: Medford Details: St. Mary’s of the Lakes Knights of Columbus, Council 6520, is hosting its 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, June 12, at Medford Lakes Country Club, 70 Oaks Drive, Medford Lakes. Proceeds benefit Medford’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Golf registration is $150 and includes greens fee, golf cart, lunch, and dinner. Shotgun start 12 p.m. Dinner only tickets, $45. For more information contact Don Bouchard, bouchdm@aol.com or 609-654-8853, 609-760-8932.

June 13 Event: How to Build a Water Carnival Float Location: Browns Mills Details: Want to build a water carnival float but don’t know where to begin? Show pride in your community by joining in the fun! Two classes are available, June 13 and July 11, at 7 p.m. at the Browns Mills Improvement Association Building, 40 Arbutus Street, Browns Mills. For more information call 609-893-5034.

PEMBERTON TWP. SENIOR CITIZEN COLUMN

Seniors Welcome June With Plenty of Entertainment and Delicious Food

By Ebba Liguori

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—On May 29, Pemberton seniors arrived at the Pemberton War Memorial before 10 a.m. and filled reserved seats set up by the township maintenance employees. This was a busy day for them, preparing for the annual Memorial Day parade and the remembrance ceremony at the memorial. For several years the seniors have been part of the “Senior Community Choir” singing “God Bless America” during the ceremony. At least 20 seniors participated in spite of the damp weather. Luckily, none were affected by the cool day. Seniors always enjoy being part of the ceremony as most have a connection to the military and appreciate all the sacrifices made to keep us living in the “Land of the Free.”

On May 30, Margaret Graiff arrived at the senior center bright and early with her Bingo equipment. Once a month she visits the center

Saturday, June 10, 2017

and leads several Bingo games. Winners receive nice gift cards for use at local businesses. The gift cards are much appreciated by the seniors. Graiff also gives out several door prizes. Local seniors are fortunate to have Aspen Hills sponsor these events.

The June edition of the Senior Gazette includes the month’s lunch menu and lists upcoming events. June has been off to a busy start and the remaining part of the month will be busy as well.

On June 5, the “couponing ladies” visited the center and presented lists of all the available bargains in the local stores. They research the newspapers and flyers to find all the best buys.

They share this information with the seniors and even bring coupons so seniors can take advantage of the many offers. It is amazing how many special offers these ladies are able to find. This is a great help to seniors who are counting pennies as they shop.

SENIORS>>PAGE 14

June 16 Event: Designer Bag Bingo Location: Manahawkin Details: Designer Bag Bingo, Friday, June 16, at St. Mary’s of the Pines Parish Center, Bishop Way, Manahawkin. Doors open 5:30 p.m., Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Includes 12 games of Bingo, 3 cards for each game.

Coffee, tea and desserts. Pick up tickets at 56 Nautilus Drive, Manahawkin on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds benefit Interfaith Health & Support Services of Southern Ocean County.

June 17 Event: Buzby’s General Store Going Out of Business Sale Location: Chatsworth Details: The historic Buzby’s General Store is having its Going Out of Business Sale, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3949 County Road 563, Chatsworth. Gift items, Buzby souvenirs, candles, books, walking sticks and small antiques. Cash only. All sales are final.

Hot dogs and beverages will be available.

June 18 Event: Organ Recital Location: Pemberton Details: Organ recital on the historic pipes by organist Michael Ryan at Grace Episcopal Church, June 18, at 3 p.m., 43 Elizabeth Street, Pemberton. The event is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will benefit the organ restoration fund. Ryan is a rising senior at Westminster Choir College in Princeton.

Event: Peace Pole Dedication Location: Pemberton Details: Grace Episcopal Church, 43 Elizabeth Street, Pemberton, will dedicate the newly installed Peace Pole in its gardens on Sunday, June 18, at 4:00 p.m. The pole is part of a global project to focus on peace, “Let peace prevail on Earth.”

The pole is in memory of Dorothy M. Green. The service will be led by the Right Rev. William H. Stokes, Bishop of New Jersey. A reception will follow. The event is open to the public.

June 19 Event: Thyroid Support Group Location: Whiting Details: The next meeting of the Thyroid Support Group will be Monday, June 19, at 10 a.m., at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 180 Route 539, Whiting. The purpose of the meeting is to educate, support and answer questions about thyroid. For more information, contact Stephanie, 732-350-2904.

Cherokee High School Senior-Athletes College Recognition Day

PHOTO SUBMITTED Cherokee High School recognized their senior-athletes who will be continuing their athletic careers during an Annual Senior-Athlete College Recognition Day.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

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PAGE 11

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Saturday, June 10, 2017

Saturday, June 10, 2017

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SENIORS PAGE 10

Coming up on June 21, the seniors head to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse for the “From Nashville to Memphis” musical. Jim Barone will star as “Elvis” and “Uncle Floyd” will appear as a special guest star. The Tim Gillis Band (TGB) features fiddle, bass, drums and keyboards. The band consistently provides the best in Country Music. They are an awardwinning band and are sure to provide great entertainment. A sit down, three-course meal is served with several choices of entrée. A dessert buffet is also featured. A bar is available and there is always a special mixed drink to fit the theme of the day. An on-premises bakery has many special homemade breads and cakes available for purchase and there is a small boutique featuring many accessories and unique clothing.

Tickets are sold out, but a wait-list is being maintained. The group will revisit Hunterdon Hills for a patriotic musical titled “The Land We Love” on August 8. If you

missed getting tickets for the June 21 show, there is time to sign-up for the August 8 show. The format will be similar: sit down meal and dessert buffet. There will be an on-stage orchestra and the music will celebrate our wonderful country. The show promises to be lively and will feature many talented musicians, singers and dancers. This will be an original musical production. Seniors will head home, filled with renewed national pride.

Tickets for this original production are available at the senior center daily between 9 a.m. and noon. They are priced at only $50 for township resident senior citizens. This includes the bus, the meal and the entertainment. Non-residents are charged $70; but this is still below the actual cost if one were to make personal reservations and attend as an individual. It is not too late to purchase tickets and join the group.

On June 28, there will be a trip to Tomasello Winery where seniors will enjoy a served luncheon and wine tasting. Any wine purchases made that day will include a generous discount.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Following the luncheon, seniors will head to Atlantic City and Resorts Casino. A coin rebate will be given and there will be plenty of time to walk the boardwalk and enjoy the shore breezes. A wait-list will be maintained for this very popular trip.

Get ready for July too! Seniors will travel to Allentown, Pa and visit the Pines Dinner Theatre on July 13. This is a small theatre with an excellent and talented cast of actors, singers and dancers. “Bikinis” is the musical

and is sure to delight all Jersey Shore fans.

Again, a delicious luncheon will be served and a bar is available. This trip is certain to fill up fast, so do not delay. Seldom does a senior bus leave town with many empty seats. All the trips feature an action-packed day with lots of fun and entertainment. Stop in at the senior center, across from the Browns Mills Post Office and pick up the June Senior Gazette and sign up for some activities.

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Saturday, June 10, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HEALTH

Dear Pharmacist

By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.

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

Dulse - Superfood of the Sea Quick, what food is red, salty, chewy and delicious? If you said bacon, you’re close… sort of!

I’m actually talking about dulse (rhymes with pulse), which is a kind of seaweed, or technically a form of algae, that grows attached to rocks near the shore of the Northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Its leaves are roughly the same shape as bacon, which is ironic because when you pan fry dulse, it actually tastes kind of like bacon… especially if you’re drunk!

Nah, I’m just kidding about being drunk… it really does taste a little bit like bacon.

Don’t roll your eyes at me, I’m totally serious.

Unlike bacon, dulse is a superfood. The high content of minerals make it particularly useful for the production of ‘thyroxine’ thyroid hormone.

Dulse comes in many forms, even powder.

Think of that like you would salt, and just sprinkle it on soups, chicken, salads, popcorn and stir fries. It might also replace some of the salt in your food. But my favorite way to eat it is pan-fried, which is when it comes close to tasting like bacon. I have a simple recipe posted there for a DLT (Dulse, Lettuce and Tomato) sandwich, and a comprehensive version of this article with precautions. Sign up for my newsletter at suzycohen.com and I’ll email it. If you’re already a subscriber, you will automatically receive your copy. Dulse has powerful antioxidant properties and can inhibit runaway cell proliferation, plus it provides the following nutrients along with several others not listed here: Carotenoids.

These are potent antioxidants, like alphacarotene, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin,

all of which are known to be good for healthy eyesight, reducing free radical damage, and decreasing the risk or duration of chronic illness.

Iodine.

Iodine is essential for your thyroid to be able to produce enough thyroid hormone and iodine deficiency is very common. But it’s not just for your thyroid, it’s needed in all your cells especially your reproductive organs and immune function.

Iron.

This mineral is necessary to make a protein called hemoglobin, which acts like a tow truck and lugs oxygen all over your body. It supports the health of your blood, helping to prevent anemia. Iron is also vital to carry out dozens of life-sustaining chemical reactions throughout your body.

Potassium.

Potassium is a vasodilator and functions as an electrolyte to help balance sodium; this regulates fluid balance in your cells so it supports healthy blood pressure. Potassium provides for an alkaline environment which counters common acidosis caused by a fast-food Western diet.

Vitamin A. This skin and vision-loving nutrient can also boost immunity by keeping your mucous membranes ‘wet’ and strong, meaning that they are empowered to filter particles and pathogens before they enter your body.

Free Glutamate.

Dulse has a lot of glutamic acid, as does most shellfish and seaweed. It is not the same as the food additive MSG, but it can sometimes behave that way in a small percentage of people.

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.

Summer Reinforces Importance of Drowning Prevention and Water Safety

By Sue Hubbard, M.D. While the pool is a great place to stay cool, it is also unfortunately associated with drowning.

Drowning is the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old and is the second leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 14.

Drowning is a SILENT event. While most people think of drowning being noisy with lots of splashing and screaming (as depicted on TV and movies), children rarely scream, call for help or thrash around. They quietly go under water and don’t come back up.

Statistics show that in 35 percent of drownings there is no adult supervision, and 57 percent of drownings occur in residential pools. About 40 percent of children drown after accidentally falling into the water. I have witnessed this myself when filming a segment on pool safety at my own pool! The toddler, who was standing right next to me, slipped and fell right into the pool. I was standing less than an arm’s length away, witnessed the entire event and pulled him right back out of the pool.

It only takes a second for this to happen.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends that children begin formal swim lessons at younger ages, as the risk of drowning is reduced by 88 percent with formal swim lessons. The AAP does not endorse “survival swimming” lessons for young children.

Drowning is preventable! Make sure that your children have adult supervision whenever they swim, and don’t let children swim alone.

Even teens can drown and should not swim alone.

When attending pool events, whether at home or away, designate an adult to be the “water watcher” so that no one assumes someone else is responsible. The “water watcher” is dedicated to one task, supervising the children; so no texting, socializing, drinking, etc. while on duty.

Protecting children around the pool also means having the correct equipment. Pools should all be enclosed by a non-climbable fence with a self-locking gate, which ensures that no one can wander into the pool before there is an adult on duty. Children who do not know how to swim should wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device, not water wings or floaties. The pool deck should also have appropriate water rescue equipment ready, which includes pool noodles, safety rings and a first-aid kit. Keep a phone nearby as well for ready access to call 911, if an emergency should occur.

Swimming is fun and a great way to exercise. Don’t forget the sunscreen and make sure to reapply it throughout the day. Have a good, safe summer!

Saturday, June 10, 2017

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PAGE 17

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

FUN AND GAMES Are We There Yet?

By Lori Clinch

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

This Dream is Becoming a Nightmare Here’s the thing about technology; when it works it is grand enough to beat the band.

You can text your besties, tweet your buddies and Facebook your mom like it’s your job.

Smoothly sailing through your abode and home office, you can ask Alexa the news and she’ll deliver; request the forecast and she’ll happily report back to you. In fact, if need be, she’ll order proper attire to keep you comfy.

Technology has certainly changed the way we experience our entertainment. Back in the day we would listen to the radio with great anticipation of hearing a song that we liked.

These days you ask Siri to play any number of selections and you can jam while you search the web for the best movies to watch on Netflix.

We no longer have to reach for a phone book to look up a number and instead of jotting down a note, we can simply ask Siri to keep track of such information for us.

Man, we’re living the dream.

This is all well and good until the gods of technology decide to take a siesta, suddenly ducking out of site and apparently taking a much needed vacation.

Three of our four sons were home for the weekend when our Internet went down and we all stopped in our tracks and looked at each other like the lights had just gone out.

Faster than you can shout out, “Oh, no!” we were all on our phones and texting the neighbors to see if they too had been affected.

Even though the neighbors have different providers, each and every one of us were apparently victims of the aforementioned cyber gods.

“Whatever do you think it could be?” our neighbor, Mrs. Kravitz, asked via a group chat and in doing so, prompted the following conversation: “Do you suppose it’s the weather?”

“Could it be the moon?”

“Did gophers dig through a line or perhaps a bird flew into a generator?”

“Perhaps the RCA dog that sits atop of the tower, turning the crank, has finally become exhausted?”

“Isn’t it obvious?!” one of our college boys answered. “That crazy kid that’s running North Korea is finally going after the little people and is totally bamboozling us. He’s apparently singled us out and is swooping down on our neighborhood—wreaking havoc.”

“Argh!” Mrs. Kravitz replied. “Will he stop at nothing?”

I thought my son to be dramatic and assumed Mrs. Kravitz was hitting the sauce until my cell phone stopped working. It wouldn’t swipe, respond, or react to commands.

I powered it down, brought it back up and then plunked it on the kitchen counter like a useless brick.

Things really came full circle the next day when I worked with our local phone carrier to create an office assistant.

“This will simplify your life!” our carrier proclaimed with glee. “When you can’t answer your phone, your office assistant will do it for you. It will be professional, efficient and expand your business horizons.”

That all might be have been true, had we gotten the perky assistant up and running. But it just wasn’t so. For two hours we tweaked the system and attempted to work out the bugs.

We even called in the big guns to get something done, but for now it seems that our proverbial phone answering assistant saw the Lord of the Internet leaving town and jumped on the gravy train with him.

So here we are, surrounded by technological promises, with little or nothing functioning. I’m hoping against all hope that in time, things will come full circle and start working again.

Until then, we will go back to the old ways of pen and pencil, phone books and ordering our own attire to deal with inclement weather.

Still, we don’t have to be happy about it. And quite frankly, I’m blaming that crazy kid who is running North Korea.

© 2017 LORI CLINCH

C R O S S W O R D

Across 1 Light source 4 Sea bordering Uzbekistan 8 Online money source 13 Prepare for a snap 15 “Sons and Lovers” author 17 Heat 19 Tuscan hill city 20 “__ does it!”

21 Zipped 22 Gulf Coast resort city 24 Like sriracha sauce 26 Smidgen 27 Colorful cover-ups 31 Heat 35 Alley wanderer 36 Popular truck brand 37 Important time 38 Heat 45 Unites, in a way 46 PETA concern 47 Turn right 48 “No, really?”

53 Egg on 56 L, vis-à-vis C 58 Junkyard material

P U Z Z L E

59 Heat 62 It’s thinly disguised 63 Fries, e.g.

64 Medicare card specification 65 Fabulous runner-up 66 Talk trash to Down 1 Euphoria 2 Region that rebelled against Persia in about 500 B.C. 3 Work at weddings 4 Hulu distractions 5 Butler in a classic film 6 Greek leader 7 Logan of “60 Minutes” 8 EMS destinations 9 Advertised advantage of some lights 10 “Get __”: 1967 Esquires hit 11 Amount to plow 12 Cry out for 14 “You’re welcome,” in Havana 16 Anger simile 18 Like Willie Nelson’s voice 23 Kabuki accessory 25 URL ender 27 Easy mark

28 Host after Allen 29 Med. tests using leads 30 “Now do you believe me?”

31 Wit’s end?

32 1,509-mile border river 33 Big dos 34 2011 NBA retiree 35 Divs. on some rulers 39 “The Grapes of Wrath” character 40 Make sure of 41 Titter 42 Bay Area travel letters 43 Home of the WNBA’s Shock 44 Puts up 48 Botanist’s field 49 Proposal 50 Old Celtic religious leader 51 Column in un calendrier 52 Fencing swords 53 Hunt for bargains 54 Hemingway sobriquet 55 Cab company competitor 57 Image on Missouri’s state quarter 60 “Citizenfour” org.

61 Saison in Provence

S U D O K U

ANSWERS ON PAGE 22

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Saturday, June 10, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

MARKETPLACE Submit a Classified! E-mail sales@pinebarrenstribune.com to receive a form and pricing.

Community Activities Medford area seniors offer a regular schedule of events running Monday through Friday. Included are bridge, pinochle, knitting, investing, writing, painting, genealogy, yoga, healthy bones and more. Go to Medfordtownship.com for more information or visit us at Cranberry Hall behind the municipal building at 17 North Main St.

Garage/Yard Sale Neighborhood Yard Sale. June 10 and June 11. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Avenue B, Tabernacle. Don’t miss out on great bargains. Tools, household goods, jewelry, fishing items. Something for everyone.

Multi-Family Yard Sale. Saturday 6/17 from 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Tools, housewares, clothing. 611 Birmingham Road, Southampton N.J. 609-859-3437.

Help Wanted Area claims writers. No experience PT/ FT flex hours. NJ/PA. Call or text 609-994-2156. Target income $30k/$80k.

Part-time limousine drivers. Must have clean CDL with passenger endorsement license. Knowledge of Tri-State area preferred. Professional appearance is required. If interested call Harold at 609-784-2876.

Delivery Driver Needed. Dependable

person who can work during the daytime on Fridays. Pay is excellent. Call 609-801-2392.

Energetic individuals who are dependable and possess a positive, goal-driven mindset are needed to sell advertising.

Earnings are commission based with potential to make $40,000 plus a year. Call 609-801-2392.

Great storytellers with sound news judgment sought. Strong interpersonal, writing, and AP-style skills a must! Call 609-801-2392. Must be available during the evening hours.

Landscaping Bob’s Lawn Service. Free estimates.

Quality mowing, hedge and bush trimming. 609-351-2236.

Miscellaneous Hand sewing by “Dean” in Hammonton.

Pants Alteration $20. 609-667-3545.

Hay for sale. Timothy and Orchard grass.

1st cutting, excellent quality. Contact 609-864-3326.

Brotherton Indian Tribal Offices Brotherton Indian Reservation, Tribal Lands Office of the Chief Brotherton Indian Reservation Indian Mills, New Jersey 08088 Attention Dr. Sam Beeler, Chief 973-222-1920 973-432-8894

Extra

Saturday, June 10, 2017

COLLECTOR PAGE 2

continuing to foreclose on liens. The township has successfully foreclosed on a “first batch” of liens.

The township is preparing to sell the land now in their name and the state has expressed interest in the purchasing of the properties and is currently conducting appraisals.

However, Buzby-Cope said anyone from around the globe can purchase one of the properties that will soon be up for sale. She said many of them, in the middle of nowhere, are perfect for hunting or fishing.

“The goal is to sell them all to people,” she said.

Town officials are six months away from foreclosing on a “second batch” of liens.

Township Solicitor JoAnne O’Connor said she is preparing a “third batch.”

A new wooden bench has been placed outside the municipal building. It was donated by the Stafford Lions Club which was established on Oct. 28, 1949. Six southern Ocean and southeastern Burlington County municipalities received a bench from the club.

Township resident Carol Bitzberger questioned the salaries of Department of Public

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Works employees.

She said that it is her understanding that the wage of an employee was recently reduced from $15 an hour to $12 an hour.

“I think this is a very poor way to handle a situation to pay somebody less money per hour,” Bitzberger said.

O’Connor tried to stop the conversation and said she needed to give out a Rice notice to the affected employee before the discussion could continue.

“I am going to have to stop the dialogue right there,” she said. “We can’t talk about someone’s employment without having given notice to the employee that we will be discussing them.”

Bitzberger continued to ask questions about the matter.

“In general, no matter who it was, if you are changing a job description or a job position, then that can be done,” Buzby-Cope said.

Bitzberger said it was very poor judgement that there cannot be another solution.

The pay rate for two Public Works laborers, Dave Williams and Ed Raff, was adjusted to $12 an hour during a meeting last month. At the time, Somes declined to comment on whether the adjustments were a raise or a reduction.

MEMBER PAGE 1

can email Business Administrator and Board Secretary George Gahles at ggahles@woodlandboe.org.

Jaggard is the third person to resign from the board in less than eight months. Kirk Harris, along with Amy Davis, resigned in October.

Under staffing, seven teachers were renewed; along with six paraprofessionals, two custodians, two kitchen staff, three bus drivers and an administrative assistant.

Carolyn Fischl was reappointed district supervisor, a 10-month position.

A summer reading program, Chatsworth

CANDIDACY PAGE 5

this reporter and contradicted Henrich on most major points, saying neither he nor Herndon had any say in Viscardi’s removal.

Henrich also serves as the municipal chair of the township’s Republican Committee.

The foes of Henrich said that Getz’s “last minute” candidacy, the timing of the letter and ballot positioning was Henrich’s attempt to dump DeGroff from the committee.

“That is not true,” Getz said. “I decided over a year ago that I was going to run because my taxes have gone up three-fold.”

He said that he submitted his election paperwork to the county at the end of March or during the beginning of April, “before the dispute with Viscardi.”

“I ran because of the fact that the township wastes money,” Getz said. “The township tried to sell the White Horse Inn to the Cranberry Festival Committee below its market value and the building has a $90,000 lien. They also were putting money into a building (Chatsworth Firehouse) that they did not own.”

Getz’s letter charged DeGroff with agreeing to sell the White Horse Inn to the Cranberry Festival Committee for $62,500, far below its market value. The letter also alleged that DeGroff wanted taxpayers to foot the bill for $75,000 for roof repairs to the fire house.

The claims in the letter were rebutted by Viscardi, his attorney Nancy Valentino and

Heading to Achieve Readiness Goals in Education (CHARGers) was approved. It’s a three-week program in July, running three days a week for three hours daily. The program will be offered to recommended pupils.

Also approved was an elementary special-class program for pupils with multiple disabilities. It will begin in September.

The last day of school is on June 19 with eighth-grade graduation at 6 p.m. The next scheduled Board of Education meeting is on June 26.

This meeting drew nine residents, about average.

Lynn Giamalis, chairwoman of the Cranberry Festival Committee.

Valentino said the White Horse Inn is now being leased for $1 yearly, through 2025. She added that the costs of repairs to the firehouse roof over the past few years are still in dispute.

Giamalis said Henrich has referred to her as “evil” and “wicked.”

The Cranberry Festival began in 1987, with Giamalis taking leadership 10 years later.

She said needed permits for the festival are granted easily in some years, but can be difficult to get other years, with no explanation why.

Interestingly, Getz said the third reason why he chose to run for office is because the Cranberry Festival Committee is not charged a parade or permit fee each year for holding the Chatsworth Cranberry Festival.

“I believe she (Giamalis) should have been charged,” he said. “Taxpayers do not receive any fair shake or benefits for having the Cranberry Festival here.”

He decried the fact that township residents have to foot the bill for the festival cleanup, including the trash that is left behind by attendees.

Henrich did not return a message seeking comment for this story. The Burlington County GOP also did not return a message seeking comment for this story.

Getz said that as of a month ago, he had the endorsement of the mayor.

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PLEAS PAGE 7

without the superintendent’s approval.

In the midst of protests over the dismissals, a mother came to the lectern to speak out about the behavior of a student currently under investigation by school officials.

Trongone, when asked about the incident, said that due to legal restrictions, there was very little he could say, other than the school is actively investigating the situation and weighing possible action. He assured this newspaper that there is no threat to the safety or well-being of district students.

In addition to these events, a great deal of routine business was conducted at the meeting.

There was some very positive news early on.

A Pemberton district employee was honored as Burlington County’s Teacher of the Year.

She is Sherrie Wilkins, who teaches 4th grade at Denbo School. Wilkins was cited and presented with a plaque by her principal, Brett Thorpe.

The Pemberton Early Childhood Education Center (PECEC) was cited as the only five-star center (top ranking) in the state. Deb Ceplo and Lelia Muckelston were lauded for their efforts there.

At the beginning of the meeting, Newcomb sixth-grade pupils, under the guidance of Danielle Grgas, took an “Author’s Walk” using story boards, to the pleasure of an appreciative audience.

Bus driver Nicole Krieg, recently honored

by Pemberton Township, was also lauded.

Her quick thinking may have averted an auto accident involving pupils.

Toyota Pride-Nixon, also a driver, was recognized for applying the Heimlich maneuver, possibly saving the life of a fellow driver.

John Hilliard was named state Cooperative Industrial Education (CIE) coordinator for the second year. CIE is a program for guiding

AWARDS PAGE 7

who nominated her pleased her more, as Burk has been “a big part of her junior year.”

“Getting something from her; realizing that I was a big part of her year as well, was very special to me,” Johnson said.

Senior Emily Briscoe was nominated by her English teacher, Tracy Betts.

The teacher said Briscoe was the subject of two students’ essays, in which they described how Briscoe reached out to them in friendship.

While Betts knew Briscoe as one of the most self-assured students she had ever met, a very well-read and informed young woman, those essays showed the compassion depth of character Betts didn’t know at first.

“When students find out who nominated them, they get that great surge of recognition and a hope to strive for more out of it,” said Briscoe after the ceremony. “I didn’t even ask anyone who nominated me. I was just like, ‘I hope it’s this teacher,’ and when I found out it

students not going on to college into work-force careers.

Student representative Anthony Joseph, headed to William & Mary this fall, updated the audience on activities for the rest of the school year.

There were no major incidents of violence, vandalism, substance abuse or bullying in the past month.

The 32-page agenda then jumped from page 7 to page 28 in a matter of minutes. Most involved routine procedures, transfers, professional development, purchases, substitutes or summer programs.

Six teachers retired, taking with them 143 years of service and wisdom. Longest tenured of the group was high school teacher Luis Burgos, with 32 years. Teaching assistant Susan Bishop had 26, teacher Richard DiVia 25, aide Irene Thomas, also 25, aide Carroll Smelson, 23 and teacher Janine Devenney, 12.

Other highlights of the evening included: approval for four new major positions, due to restructuring. Fifteen other hirings, many of them teachers, were made. A whopping 64 teachers are being reassigned or transferred, along with 38 workers in other fields.

A new policy on administration of opioid antidotes was announced, as well as revisions in care of injured or ill persons.

A new burglar alarm system at the high school is being installed at a price of $199,728.

The usual monthly statements by the board secretary and board itself that spending limits are being followed, were made.

There was also a closed session, but no details were announced.

According to Pemberton School District Spokesman Mike Pinto, the meeting drew 127 members of the public, about five times more than the average.

was Betts, I was really glad, because I know her very well.”

Briscoe said she was very happy to hear she had affected other people’s lives and her teacher’s life as well.

“I try to make myself a standard or a pillar of the community and I feel like the best way to do that is to connect with my fellow students,” she said.

Betts has Briscoe in her Discussion and Debate class this semester.

“She’s opinionated, but in a positive way and in a way that I admire,” Betts said. “She’s not afraid to speak her mind, and at the high school level, a lot of kids don’t embrace that.”

The Renaissance program has been part of the Lenape Regional High School District for years. Seneca’s club, also advised by Kasey Makowski, sponsors numerous programs throughout the school year, including Senior Pinning Night, Smart Cookie Awards, Principal’s List Breakfasts, Student of the Month Breakfasts, and more.

SPEAKERS PAGE 4

to work together to discuss what went well and what could be done better the next time.

Shawn Viscardi, Woodland’s fire chief, spoke briefly about a 2016 wildfire in the township.

He said no one appeared to be at blame for the

blaze and added that fighting it had been “a good learning experience for those who battled it.”

The meeting drew 22 residents. The township committee is scheduled to meet next on June 28, at the usual 7 p.m.

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VICTIM PAGE 1

who jumped in, and it was Walk who shouted to her mother to call 9-1-1.

Problems with the emergency line were also reported by Walk, who said dispatchers could not immediately identify the location of the lake; it took the repeating of the story to a second dispatcher before first responders were dispatched.

This was all very concerning for Walk who reported to the Pine Barrens Tribune on Sept.

23 of last year that she had not seen lifeguards respond in any capacity to the child who was unnamed at that time.

During the news conference, Yvonne Grinnell thanked Walk for trying to save Cami Grinnell, for providing the family with an additional two days to be with her and “to give her a proper goodbye.”

Larry Bendesky, managing partner for the Philadelphia firm of SMBB, said Grinnell’s attorneys intend “to hold all those responsible accountable.”

The investigation is continuing, he said, but it is apparent that lifeguards “took away the flotation devices that the camp had supplied, thereby taking away the only protection she (Cami Grinnell) had. They promised to be responsible. They failed.”

Five months ago, Grinnell and her attorneys had filed an Initial Notice of Claim for Damages against the State of New Jersey.

The claim named the lifeguards on duty, their respective supervisors, as well as park directors/supervisors; including any other person, company or government entity responsible for the safety at the park. They also filed a claim against the Bethel AME Church of Beverly.

A lawsuit has not yet been filed. However, the attorneys who gathered at the press conference said that one will be shortly.

“She was the joy of my life,” said Yvonne Grinnell, who fostered the children for years before adopting them.

She, Cami Grinnell and Charles Grinnell had just returned home from a vacation in Disneyworld and school was supposed to start one week after the incident happened.

She dropped off the kids in the morning, who were excited about their upcoming trip to the lake.

Then in the afternoon, she got a phone call

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

that “no mother wants to get.”

“The child you left (in the morning) full of joy…and then to see her in the hospital hooked up to every machine known to man…,” said Yvonne Grinnell tearfully, while spending her birthday giving a news conference about the death of her daughter. “Every mother wants to make sure no other mother goes through this.”

She repeated her calls for any eyewitnesses to “please come forward.”

Attorney Richard Grungo said that eyewitnesses have an opportunity to make a difference for Yvonne Grinnell and son Charles.

He asked that people with information contact the law firm at 877-679-7772. The request for anonymity would be respected.

In season, the New Jersey State Park Service, which falls under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) provides lifeguarded swimming at more than a dozen lakes, at state parks and forests, throughout the state. The lifeguards are fully trained by the Park Service and must receive certification from the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

The Pine Barrens Tribune placed a call to the NJDEP after the news conference for an update on their investigation into Cami’s Grinnell’s drowning.

We were directed to contact the state Attorney General’s office, which did not return our call.

Previously, the NJDEP confirmed that their investigation so far has revealed that lifeguards were on duty at the time that the drowning occurred. However, officials could not say how long the child was underwater before being rescued or how many lifeguards were supervising the swimming portion of the lake.

“Lifeguards were on duty when the drowning occurred,” said Lawrence Hajna, a public information officer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection back in September. “The lifeguards on duty responded in pulling her from the water and immediately began administering CPR. The lifeguards were then assisted by two off-duty nurses.”

Readers can read our previous story in which Walk refutes Hajna’s statement by visiting http://pinebarrenstribune.com/young-childpasses-away-after-drowning-in-lake-absegami-p317-165.htm .

REVIEW PAGE 4

The council arrived at the consensus that the planning board should make recommendations which could result in the need to amend ordinances for land use, perhaps providing tighter control of what could be allowed as a permitted use in the PPE zone.

Increasing the amount of buffers needed to build in the zone is one possibility that may be

CRIME PAGE 7

Streets Initiative, Coffina also announced changes to the summer work schedules for investigators assigned to the BCPO’s Major Crimes, Gun Violence, Narcotics, Crime Scene and Sexual Assault/Child Abuse units.

On a rotating basis, detectives will be assigned shifts that stretch into the evening, and be available to respond to more incidents of violent crime where there may be evidence to

PHOTO BY JUDY COHEN MINCHES Yvonne Grinell on the left holds a press conference with her attorneys.

A view of Lake Absegami from the lakefront.

PRIMARY considered.

“The consensus is for the planning board to continue with an expanded scope,” Watson said.

Hartwig said the planning board would try to finish the work by the end of the year.

From there, any changes would require council approval in the form of an ordinance amending an existing ordinance.

connect criminal activity across jurisdictional lines within the county.

“This will give us greater coverage during times when the streets are more active, particularly in the summer months,” Coffina said. “It allows us to gather more intelligence on drug activity and gun violence, and determine the connection these incidents might have to other crimes and those who are committing them.”

Saturday, June 10, 2017

PAGE 5

uproar in the rural municipality during the past week.

“As far as how his name got there, I have no idea,” Getz said. “I had no control over

PHOTO BY PAT CARNEY

the ballot.”

Getz said he may or may not run again.

“I haven’t thought about it that much, but I won’t roll over quietly,” he said. “I will make my case until taxpayers are being taken care of properly.”

Saturday, June 10, 2017

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BUZBY’S

IMPROVEMENTS

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PAGE 1

improvements to the road. This will involve milling two inches of existing asphalt and overlaying with two inches of new asphalt.

We will also be regrading a section to provide for a better driving surface and improved drainage conditions.”

The township received several bids for the repair work, all of which were described as “competitive.” A.E. Stone, Inc. was awarded the job by the board.

The township must submit the name of the company awarded the job and associated bid to the state for final approval.

75 percent of the grant dollars will be disbursed up front by the state, while the

PHOTO BY SKIP HARRIS A local group performs outside Buzby’s.

Folks have come to congregate at Buzby’s over the years. It was a recognized as a Pine Barrens landmark, and one where you could spend time to enjoy the historical photographs, local artwork, and authentic feel—including a big wooden counter and a warm radiator.

“One of my favorite parts of owning Buzby’s is that we had a big map and it showed where people came from to visit,” Schmidt said. “They came from all over.”

She recalled how one day she got a phone call from a previous couple who owned Buzby’s; wanting to know if their family could visit.

“Well I thought that it might be them and a couple children, so needless to say I was amazed when nearly a bus full of people showed up,” Schmidt said.

They brought with them many boxes of records, such as store ledgers—what things cost and how much was stocked, who had a line of credit at the store, and other bits of history.

“It was so much treasure,” Schmidt said.

Recently, those items, more than 200 pieces, began making their way from Buzby’s to a special library collection at Stockton University where the South Jersey Culture and History Center is located.

“I felt good about presenting it in this way and now people can enjoy them as part of the library,” Schmidt said.

Stanton regards the landmark itself as its own treasure, and has the utmost respect for Schmidt, who embarked on the preservation of Buzby’s in her 70s.

STORM PAGE 6

settlement.

The parties agreed to an investment level of $79 million and the associated recovery mechanism. $24 million will be spent on structural and electrical hardening, $11 million will be spent on selective undergrounding, $13 million will be spent on barrier island feeder ties, $15 million will be spent on distribution automation, $2 million will be spent on electronic fusing, and $14 million will be spent on constructing a new substation at Harbor Beach.

“The store is a Pine Barrens treasure,” Stanton said. “Built in 1865, it has stood as a beacon of history for more than 150 years. It is living history, and its current owner, R. Marilyn Schmidt, made sure to tell her share of stories.

“At age 70, she undertook the huge task of restoring the old building while being true to its past and historical significance. Walking into the store was like going back in time and she was more than willing to show many of the original photos, clippings, store receipts and much more to anyone who asked.”

Though frail, Schmidt is still hard at work on new books, including one on the deer hunting clubs of the Pinelands.

“The history is scattered, as so many folks have lived in isolation,” Schmidt said. “But that’s some of its charm, the remote nature of the Pine Barrens.”

The sale of the property, which includes a pole barn and large yard, is now listed at $400,000.

The hope is a buyer will emerge who shares in the passion that Schmidt has.

“How do we ever replace that passion?”

Stanton said. “I can only pray that someone will purchase the building and continue to keep that part of Pine Barrens history alive.”

The sale will take place starting at 10 a.m. at Buzby’s, 3959 Route 563 in Chatsworth.

All sales are final and cash is preferred.

Those interested in buying Buzby’s, should contact Traci Tarantola at http://www. remax.com/realestateagentoffice/manahawkin-nj-08050-tracitarantola-id29568400. html.

The agreed upon cost-recovery mechanism allows rate recovery on a provisional basis of all expenditures related to facilities that have been placed in service. The associated costs will be subject to review by the NJBPU in Atlantic City Electric’s next base rate case, which is to be filed within three years.

The NJBPU believes the cost recovery mechanism strikes a balance between the company’s need to earn a reasonable rate of return over the life of the investments while protecting ratepayers from paying more than reasonably necessary.

Ratepayers will see no rate impact until an improvement project is placed in service.

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remaining 25 percent will be disbursed after the completion of the project.

Officials here originally planned to conduct improvements to the road in two phases.

However, the NJDOT did not provide the municipality with another grant this year, causing them to rethink their plan.

The board has now decided to complete the project all at once, funding the difference via a local share, because the bids received by the municipality were under the township’s initial cost projections and there was a concern that the cost of materials may rise next year.

The board’s decisions with regards to Stage Road were all unanimous.

“Woohoo!” Buzby-Cope said. “That road is going to get done.”

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Saturday, June 10, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HOME, GARDEN, AND FARMING Farm and Food File

By Alan Guebert

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

Meat and Money Always Cook Up Corruption Political scandals in Brazil, like much in offshore bank accounts tied to Brazilian the fast-growing, global food giant, are so politicians. Those implicated deny any role but bold and so far out bounds that calling them the Batistas say they have recordings to prove many of their claims. “outrageous” slanders their perpetrators.

That scheme came on the heels of another red Moreover, the scandals occur so frequently that it seems Brazil requires political chicanery meat-hard cash scandal in March when several Brazilian meat-packers, including JBS, topped and bribery to even function.

The latest evidence involves JBS SA, the the news “for allegedly doling out bribes to Brazilian meatpacker that dominates global inspectors to certify meat that was either rotten poultry and beef exports and is a huge player or tainted with salmonella” as fit for sale. The in the highly integrated U.S. poultry and beef meat was later sold both in Brazil and abroad.

JBS denied any involvement but key beef markets.

Surprisingly though, JBS’s global reach and importing nations like Japan, Mexico, the financial power aren’t the main drivers behind European Union, and China suspended its rapid rise; sharp knives are. By its own Brazilian meat purchases until all gained admission, JBS has skinned nearly as many assurances on quality and safety.

And yet there’s another, ongoing scandal; Brazilian politicians as it has American cattle.

In late April, the company’s key leaders, this one as homegrown as it is stupid. With no Chairman Joesley Batista and his CEO brother country of origin labeling, or COOL, for most of Wesley, struck a deal with government the beef and pork sold in the U.S., no American prosecutors over their decade-long scheme that eater knows if the beef they had for dinner or the paid more than $150 million in bribes to nearly bacon they had for breakfast came from South 2,000 politicians, including — allegedly — Dakota or southern Brazil, Oklahoma or Sonora.

The reason we have no COOL here, claims Brazil’s current president, Michel Temer, and Big Meat, involves complicated World Trade his two predecessors.

What the Batista boys got for all that fatty Organization (WTO) rules meant to facilitate tallow was more than enough dough to buy global trade, not market knowledge or personal their way into the most lucrative meat market in choice.

True enough, but influential U.S. commodity the world, the U.S. The key ingredient was the “cozy ties to groups like the National Cattlemen’s Beef politicians (that) gave the company cheap credit Association use their money and political clout and friendly regulation,” noted the May 27 Wall to keep the rules—and deep financial ties to Street Journal. Both led to the U.S. and trouble. global meatpackers like JBS—in place and The credit came from BNDES, Brazil’s consumers in the dark.

Of course, American eaters could join other, development bank. For a decade BNDES gave JBS “billions… in subsidized loans (that) left less-flush, less influential American farm and JBS with a sprawling business empire.” Most of food groups to challenge President Donald that new empire—JBS grew from $1.8 billion “America First” Trump to change the in revenue in 2007 to $49 billion in 2016—was ignorance-peddling WTO labeling rules to empower buyers, not sellers. located in the U.S. Short of that challenge, though, don’t expect With almost unlimited access to subsidized loans, JBS bought Swift Foods, the third any change in COOL because Capitol Hill, like largest U.S. beef packer, in 2007; then the scandal-ridden Brazilian government, now Smithfield Beef Group, the fifth-largest U.S. runs more on money than integrity. The only beef packer in 2008; and, a year later, Pilgrim’s difference is that in Brazil the bribery is usually Pride, America’s second biggest poultry under the table; here it’s usually on the table. We just call it campaign contributions. processor.

By either name it’s still corruption and According to the brothers’ plea deal, the cheap government money was available livestock growers and the meat-buying public because they agreed to send a share of it to here and there are the losers. © 2017 AG COMM.

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

CROSSWORD

SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU

Saturday, June 10, 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 Toyota Corolla Toyota celebrates Corolla’s 50th anniversary with refreshed styling and a new safety system.

The Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition adds an exclusive exterior color, Black Cherry Pearl. Inside, Toyota made this anniversary model extra special with black mixed media seats with Black Cherry piping and contrast stitching. Black Cherry contrast stitching also trims the black interior’s steering wheel and shift boot. The distinctive Black Cherry theme also distinguishes the dash panel and door trim, and unique “50th Anniversary Edition” floor mats and exterior rear badging make the final touch.

The Corolla gets a sportier look for 2017 thanks to a new front grille and LED headlamps. The L, LE and LE Eco grades gain Bi-LED headlamps, while complex-LED headlamps come standard on SE, XSE and XLE grades. With the base L model adding a back-up camera, that feature is now standard across the Corolla line. Standard Bluetooth and Entune Audio are among the features that help make the 2017 Corolla a standout value.

What Corolla customers are sure to appreciate, even more than great audio, is the advanced Toyota Safety Sense-P technology, featuring: Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Automatic High Beams.

The Corolla is a top choice for those seeking high fuel economy. Corolla LE Eco CVT is the MPG champ of the line, yet it’s also a strong performer with the highest-powered engine in the line, with 140 horsepower vs. 132 in the other models.

The Corolla LE Eco CVT uses a combination of powertrain technology and aerodynamic elements to achieve exemplary fuel economy.

Its exclusive version of the 1.8-liter fourcylinder engine features Valvematic technology, which offers a broader range of continuously variable valve timing (lift and phasing).

Base model estimated mpg: 30/42 Estimated starting price: $18,500 Compiled by Motor Matters.

2017 Toyota Corolla.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

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Saturday, June 10, 2017