Pine Barrens Tribune Mar 4 2017

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

Vol. 1 - No. 27

Southeastern Burlington County’s News Leader

March 4–10, 2017

Anglers Plead for Access to Lower Bank and Green Bank Bridges Municipality Starts Enforcing Ban Imposed in 2000

A sign was posted in 2000 letting pedestrians know that fishing, along with many other activities, is prohibited from the Lower Bank Bridge.

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—The Lower Bank Bridge which connects Washington Township in Burlington County to Egg Harbor City in Atlantic County has served as one of the most prized fishing locations for anglers in Southern New Jersey for over 20 years.

Anglers attribute the terrific fishing conditions at this point of the Mullica River to a combination of factors, including the depth of the water and proximity to a transition from freshwater to salt water.

“For the last 20 years, they’ve been fishing on the Lower Bank Bridge,” said Howard Sefton, owner of Captain Howards Bait and Tackle. “Nothing is as good as fishing on the Lower Bank Bridge.”

But now anglers find themselves fighting for bridge access and like many recent disputes in the heart of the Pinelands, this one is complex and revolves partially around laws and

agreements made in some cases more than two decades ago.

The Pinelands Commission adopted a Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) on Nov. 21, 1980. The regulations and standards contained in the plan are designed to promote orderly development in the Pinelands and safeguard the region's unique natural, ecological, agricultural, archaeological, historical, scenic, cultural and recreational resources.

One of the safeguards in the plan protects public fishing when there is public development.

The construction of a new bridge is considered a public development.

“If the proposed development includes any public roads, the applicant demonstrates that… public fishing, crabbing or canoe-access facilities in association with bridge crossings will be provided as appropriate,” the plan reads in part.

Ten years later, in 1990, Burlington County filed an application with the Pinelands

Commission to replace the Lower Bank Bridge with a wider structure.

Burlington County requested to increase the bridge’s width from 21 feet to 34 feet.

However, Burlington County’s submission did not provide for fishing and crabbing access from the Lower Bank Bridge as required by the CMP according to a “Findings of Fact” issued by the commission on Sept. 17, 1990.

William F. Harrison, Esq., assistant director of the commission at the time, recommended in a Certificate of Appropriateness that the voting members of the commission approve the public development if the applicant agrees to satisfy 10 conditions.

“The plan for the bridge shall be revised to include a public accessway on one side of the bridge with a public fishing platform to be located at approximately station 15+50,” Harrison said. “Fishing shall be permitted along the entire length of the accessway, except at the location of the bascule span.”

PHOTO BY TOM WALKER

The commission approved the county’s application to replace the Lower Bank Bridge on June 7, 1991.

“The proposed replacement bridge was initially designed with (2) three-foot shoulders and (2) 12-foot travel lanes,” said Charles M. Horner, P.P., director of regulatory programs for the commission. “To meet the public access for fishing requirement, the design of the bridge was revised to provide a three-foot shoulder on one side, (2) 11-foot travel lanes and a fivefoot shoulder on the other side. The five-foot shoulder was intended to provide public access for fishing.”

Burlington County replaced the bridge after obtaining all the necessary approvals. It’s unclear whether the design submitted to the commission was followed or flawed.

However, Washington Township and Burlington County officials determined a decade later that the existing space for

ANGLERS>>PAGE 19

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LOCAL NEWS

Controversial Pipeline Wins Approval at Raucous Meeting

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

CHERRY HILL—The hotly disputed proposed pipeline through the Pines was approved by the Pinelands Commission on Friday, Feb. 24 during a nearly five-hour long meeting at the Crowne Plaza hotel here. The vote was 9-5 for passage, with one abstention.

The vote to approve the pipeline, while not unexpected, followed an unsuccessful attempt by one commissioner, Mark Lohbauer, to delay the vote so he and others could study the proposal further.

It also stirred the already edgy crowd of about 1,000 into a surge of boos, jeers and threats of immediate lawsuits.

The Pinelands Commission, which had been accused of trying to hold attendance down during recent meetings by using inadequate buildings, couldn’t be faulted this time, at least as far as space was concerned. The meeting was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza hotel, with a capacity of 1,500 people.

But, as usual, the meeting arrangements were odd.

The vote came early in the meeting and was followed only then by a public session in which about 200 speakers took part. None of the speakers supported the 24-inch diameter natural-gas pipeline. Even if pipeline supporters were there, the crowd was so angry that supporters might have been leery of speaking out.

To review, the proposed and now approved pipeline will run 22 miles from Maurice River Township near Millville to the aging and now coal-powered B.L. England power plant in Beesley’s Point, Cape May County.

Approximately 15 miles of the line will be in the Pines. South Jersey Gas Company, which

is planning to construct the pipeline, points out that most of it will run along state highways.

The utility has also announced plans for a second pipeline.

But foes, primarily the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, say it will be unsafe wherever it runs.

Critics have expressed concerns about possible explosions, fuel spills and fatalities.

They’ve cited examples from similar projects all over the country.

At a recent hearing, a woman opponent started reading a chronological list of pipeline blasts. In her allotted three minutes of speaking time, she only completed the most recent five months of accidents, blasts and leaks.

At Friday’s meeting, the only emotion of the crowd was anger.

Speaker after speaker denounced the commissioners, some on a personal basis.

One man launched a harsh attack on Commission Executive Nancy Wittenberg, who attended. Despite warnings he was out of order, the verbal assault continued.

The meeting was interrupted countless times by songs, primarily by Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”

There were also several chants, including “Shame on You,” “Shut It Down,” “No, No, No,” and “Do the Right Thing.”

There was a drum beat and a never-ending stream of shouted objections.

The pipeline proposal has been defeated before, most recently in 2014. However, Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) removed several pipeline foes on the commission and replaced them with backers.

The state’s four previous governors have all opposed the pipeline.

PIPELINE>>PAGE 21

INDEX Automotive......................................23 Business Directory...........................15 Classifieds........................................18 Community......................................10 Fun and Games................................17 Health ..............................................16

Home, Garden & Farming ............. 22 Local News....................................... 2 Opinion ............................................ 7 Spotlight ...........................................8 Scanner ............................................. 9

The Pine Barrens Tribune is published weekly by Pine Barrens Media, LLC. The newspaper is distributed free at select locations in Bass River, Medford, Medford Lakes, Pemberton, Pemberton Borough, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle, Washington, Woodland and surrounding areas. This newspaper is protected under the Federal Copyright Act. Reproduction of any part is not permitted by mechanical or electronic means without the expressed written permission of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to revise or reject any advertisement. No liability shall be attached to the Publisher for interruption of publication or limitation of size and/or number of pages due to shortage of material, failure of transportation, flood, fire, severe weather, winter weather, riots, strikes, acts of God, or other causes beyond his or her control. It is our policy to promptly correct errors. If you believe that you see a mistake, please call (609) 801-2392.

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Washington Discusses Pine Barrens 500 and Last Year’s Motorcycle Accidents

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Medford Council Honors 50–year Boy Scout Leader

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—Jack O’Connor, director of the Pinelands Adventure Camp, has held a three-day, 500-mile GPS guided journey through New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve for the past 10 years.

The Pine Barrens 500 tour traditionally begins in Hammonton and loops around through several state forests in Burlington and Atlantic counties.

He hopes to be able to continue the annual tour this fall using the traditional route.

However, the makeup of the route will depend on the Washington Township Committee granting or denying a parade permit to his organization to hold the event.

The township requires that any organizer of a motorcycle race, rally, tour, or similar function on any street, park or other public place which falls under township jurisdiction obtain a parade permit from the committee.

O’Connor is also seeking a permit for an event Pinelands Adventure Camp is scheduled to hold on April 22 and 23. That event is much smaller than the tour and will only involve 15 cyclists.

On Feb. 7, O’Connor held a lengthy discussion with the Washington Township Committee about three separate accidents which involved motorcycles in the Penn State Forest.

The accidents coincided with last November’s tour through the Pinelands. Two of the cyclists were participating in his event. One cyclist was not.

On Nov. 11 at 12:14 p.m., a 42-year-old man from Gwynn Oak, Md., lost control of his motorcycle in the southbound lane of Sooy Road in Washington when it entered a large mud puddle. The motorcycle fell on its side and slid with the rider about 15 feet before stopping. The rider was airlifted to a hospital as a precaution.

On Nov. 12 at 12:48 p.m., a 43-year-old man from Cambridge, N.Y. was riding a motorcycle in the northbound lane of Sooy Road in Washington when he lost control of it in soft mud. The motorcycle fell on its side and slid for approximately 15 feet. The rider was airlifted to the nearest trauma center.

On Nov. 13 at 11:48 a.m., a motorcycle was traveling east on a dirt trail in the area of Spring Hill Road in Woodland, near the Washington township line. The driver lost control and was ejected. The driver, Aaron Price, 27, of Moorestown, was killed. Price was not participating in the Pine Barrens 500.

Before a permit is granted, the committee must find that the event meets seven different standards. These findings are primarily determined from the information provided on the application, although sometimes the town will review other sources of information.

As part of these standards, events in the township must not require the diversion of so great a number of ambulances or police officers as to prevent normal services to the township.

The standards were created after a deadly motorcycle accident in Woodland several years ago, which involved a response by the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company, a company that is dedicated to providing ambulance services in Washington.

The committee concluded there was a lack of coverage in the more heavily populated portions of the township when crews respond to or are stationed at a special event in the northeastern part of the municipality. The

northeastern part of the municipality is nearly 13 miles away from the town’s main population center.

Town officials determined that the Woodland Volunteer Fire and EMS Company is closer to the northeastern part of the township and would be in a better position to provide medical coverage for special events in the Penn State Forest.

The Pinelands Adventure Camp listed on their permit application last year that the prevailing EMS that was assigned to the Pine Barrens 500 was Woodland EMS. However, representatives from both townships said that Burlington County Central Communications did not follow the arrangements that were made.

“This is the first year we had any serious injuries,” O’Connor said. “It brought to light an issue. We had a request to standby arrangement with Woodland. There was an accident that happened in Washington and somehow they didn’t get the call. Somehow we have got to work it out.”

This has the committee very concerned. The committee wants assurance that procedures are in place to provide medical coverage for the Pine Barrens 500 before granting a permit for the 2017 event.

“We take our safety very seriously,” O’Connor said. “We have EMTs on the route. We have doctors that ride with us. We have a very sophisticated system of GPS waypoints about every half mile. If there is any emergencies, breakdowns or injuries, the riders are instructed to call my cell and then we can dispatch a truck or whatever we need to assist them.”

He said that Pinelands Adventure Camp tried to do the right thing and the system didn’t work the way it was supposed to.

Committeeman Daniel James inquired about what types of roads are used for the event.

“It’s all on dirt roads,” O’Connor said.

“There are no trails. 99 percent of it is on dirt roads. We throw in a fire cut or two here and there.”

He said the riding is all street legal and conducted on roads.

He added that he obtains permission from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP), New Jersey State Park Police, and the Pinelands Commission.

“I think the major concern that we have is that fact that there was so much miscommunication and something needs to be ironed out,” said Mayor Dudley Lewis. “There needs to be some way to iron this out whether it be working with central dispatch or whatever.”

O’Connor said that sometimes the New Jersey State Park Police hear of minor incidents such as a twisted ankle and respond.

“I am like no, we don’t need you,” O’Connor said. “We are prepared to take the machines and the riders out of the woods. One time for a twisted ankle the park police made us wait there for the ambulance and this was out on a dirt road and I said we can drive him out of the road and the police said ‘No, you can’t leave.’ So, the park police wouldn’t let us deny medical assistance. So, there are a couple of things wrong with this system and I would be glad to help out.”

O’Connor offered to donate to the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company if they standby for the events.

“We don’t do standbys for that type of

WASHINGTON>>PAGE 20

PHOTO BY JAYNE CABRILLA Bob Smyth, field representative for Congressman Tom MacArthur and Scoutmaster Lee Bealuk.

By Jayne Cabrilla

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD—The Medford Council held a budget workshop one hour before their regular meeting on Feb. 21.

There was a routine discussion about departmental appropriations as officials worked through budget worksheets.

Theresa Freedman, vice president of the Medford Business Association and manager of the Medford branch of Columbia Bank, spoke during a public comment period held at the end of the workshop meeting.

She thanked council for their financial support of some of the township’s most popular events, such as Oktoberfest, the Apple Fest, and the Dickens Festival.

“Last year council contributed about one fourth of the costs of these events and this year the council is looking to contribute towards half of the costs of these municipal events,” Freedman said.

Council then rolled over into the regular meeting.

That meeting began with a special presentation for Lee Bealuk, who was being honored for his dedication and selflessness in leading the area’s Boy Scouts for 50 years.

Bealuk was provided with a township proclamation. Mayor Charles “Chuck” J. Watson read the proclamation.

Watson said that he and three of his brothers had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and only about five percent of Boy Scouts reach Eagle rank.

Bob Smyth, a field representative for Congressman Tom MacArthur (R-NJ-3), presented Bealuk with a congressional proclamation.

“Lee Bealuk is a veteran, who after honorably serving our nation, has dedicated years of service to his community as a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of Medford, and has guided his scouts to diligently work hard to give back to those in need and to enthusiastically and actively participate in

civic engagement,” the proclamation read in part.

In other news, Township Manager Kathy Burger read a list of Fire and EMS volunteers who were approved by the council: Brian C. Muller, new Fire Junior Member, Station 252; Christopher Zimmerman, new Member, Fire Station 251; Sebastian Chero, new Member EMS; Kevin Kinney, new Member, EMS; Algern Charles Perkins III, new Member, Fire Station 251; Blayne Dalton Beebe, new Fire Junior Member, Station 251; Andrew S. Hsiao, new Junior EMS Member and new Junior Fire Member, Station 251.

A request by Nale House Brewing Co. to amend its Limited Brewery License to expand the licensed premises was approved.

The amendment allows Nale House Brewing Co. to have a few tables and chairs outdoors on their property.

Council also discussed a letter from Mike Panarella which asked for permission to build a monument in Freedom Park, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of World War I. Council was all in favor of this proposal. A few council members will meet with Panarella to discuss details of the monument.

Ordinance 2017-2 had a second reading and public hearing.

This ordinance will establish the mechanisms of funding for various utility improvements in the township in the amount of $1,587,350.

There are no new bonds associated with this measure. Nobody from the public choose to speak during the hearing and the ordinance was passed by council.

Three consent agenda resolutions were passed.

The first authorized a 2017 electrical maintenance contract.

The second amended a previous resolution pertaining to a township conflict attorney.

The last measure rescinded an agreement between Medford and Westampton concerning an interlocal service agreement for the position of qualified purchasing agent.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

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Statistics Show Shared Municipal Court Sees a Significant Increase in Cases

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

BASS RIVER—Newly released statistics show that there was a marked increase in the number of court cases litigated in the Bass River Township-Washington TownshipWoodland Township Shared Municipal Court in 2016.

The court meets on two to three Mondays per month. There is a 10 a.m. session and a 1 p.m. session. The court meets at 3 North Maple Avenue in the New Gretna section of Bass River Township.

A municipal court typically hears cases which involve violations of motor vehicle, traffic, fish and game, parks, forestry, weights and measures, boating and municipal laws. The court also contends with disorderly and petty disorderly persons’ offenses.

More serious offenses, known as indictable offenses, are sent to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office. The county prosecutor decides whether to present the case to a grand jury or return it to the municipal court as a less serious offense.

In 2015, there were 4,935 cases heard from Bass River Township, 404 cases heard from Washington Township and 1,401 cases heard from Woodland Township.

In 2016, there were 6,190 cases heard from Bass River Township, 510 cases heard from Washington Township and 1,532 cases heard from Woodland Township.

This reflects a case load increase of 1,492 as

opposed to last year.

“When I started here 20 years ago, the court was the 15th busiest,” said Court Administrator Peggy Beck. “We are now the ninth and I think we are probably going to be the eighth busiest.”

She said there are currently 29 municipal courtrooms in the county.

Beck said there used to be 40 municipal courtrooms. She attributed the slight decrease in the number of municipal courtrooms to mergers and shared-service agreements.

Police services in this judicial territory are largely provided by the New Jersey State Police and New Jersey State Park Police. $140,389.02 in fines were collected in 2016 from cases heard from Bass River Township. $35,628.12 in fines were collected in 2016 from cases heard from Washington Township. $44,631.82 in fines were collected in 2016 from cases heard from Woodland Township.

The collected fines are income to the township.

An additional $2,010 was paid to the court by litigants who choose to utilize the services of the court’s public defender.

The total income received from by court was $222,658.96.

Bass River Township is responsible for budgeting the court since it is in their municipality. The township budgeted $159,100 to the court in 2016. The court spent $146,044.17.

The court was under budget by $13,055.83.

STATISTICS>>PAGE 20

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Termites Destroy Staircase in Washington Municipal Building

By Douglas D. Melegari

Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—Termites choose to recently unleash destruction on a staircase in the Washington Township Municipal Building.

“We’ve been attacked by termites,” said Mayor Dudley Lewis. “They took out the steps to our furnace room, making it difficult to service our oil heater.”

He told the Washington Township Committee on Feb. 7 that the affected staircase had since been repaired.

However, he said the township committee needs to still address the issue of termites attacking the municipal building.

He said the township obtained a quote for the needed treatments from a pest-control service that currently treats the township’s Senior Center.

He allowed the committee to review the quote.

“I would like to get one more quote because that seems pretty high to treat termites,” said Deputy Mayor Daniel James.

The committee did not disclose how much the quote was for or the name of the company that submitted the quote.

The committee choose to hold off on hiring a pest-control service to perform termite treatments to the municipal building until they received and reviewed additional quotes.

This isn’t the first time in recent months

that there have been unwanted pests in the municipal building.

Township Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman told the township committee in October that the building was inundated with mice. Hoffman described unsanitary conditions in the Deputy Township Clerk Karen Bacon’s office.

“Apparently, the building is inundated with mice and currently she has a mouse trap sitting on her desk,” Hoffman said. “Every day she comes in, she has to clean up her desk because there are mice droppings.”

At that time, Bacon obtained a $250 quote for a one-time treatment from Integrative Pest Management.

However, the committee decided to go with a larger package and obtained quarterly pest control treatments. The township agreed to be charged $250 for an initial service charge and $125 for each quarterly treatment thereafter.

It was unclear as of press time whether that package covered termite infestations. Hoffman could not be reached for comment.

Lewis also said that a staircase leading to the basement of the township’s senior center had been replaced because it had rotted.

“We brought an emergency contractor in who rebuilt the one at the Senior Center and put a whole new staircase in here,” Lewis said.

He added that both staircases now consist of pressure-treated lumber so that they will not attract termites in the future.

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Lenape Nearly Perfect in Winning Deborah Heart Challenge Championship

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—Lenape High school’s team of two seniors and three juniors reigned supreme last Sunday in the 19th annual Deborah Heart Challenge. The team, featuring four young women and one young man (a brother of one of the girls,) missed only one question in the two-hour competition testing knowledge of the heart and bested eight other area high schools. Their winning score was 250 points.

Winning team members were Alya Ahmad, Sreya Sanyal, Amanda Smalfus and the brother and sister pair of Saransh and Sakshi Chopra.

Cherry Hill West was runner up with 220, while Maple Shade took third with 200.

The competition, as usual, was intense and initially very close. Bur little by little, various teams stumbled and began falling behind.

One unusual strategy backfired on one of Lenape’s district rivals, Shawnee. This was in the fourth, or rapid fire, round. In rapid fire, questions can be answered at any time, by any school. There were 16 questions in the rapid-fire round. Shawnee answered first on nine of the 16.

Initially, their speed paid off, as Shawnee got four correct answers. But their success changed rapidly as they missed four of the last five, basically winding up the round with the score they had started with, while other challengers passed them.

Nevertheless, all the schools’ teams impressed the enthusiastic audience with their coronary knowledge.

I talked with the winning team following the competition on how they had prepared. Sakshi Chopra said they had begun studying in late October and spent one to three hours a week in preparation. Closer to the competition, all of them spent more time alone boning up on more obscure details.

All answers were reviewed by a panel of three heart experts from Deborah Heart and Lung Center.

In the art competition, Pemberton swept top honors, taking both the two- and threedimensional divisions. Winners were Bob Prendergast, a junior and his work “Heart Strings” and Gabi Sota, a senior, whose work was titled “Love on the Brain.”

Their teachers are Katie Carney and Scott Cranmer, respectively.

There were hundreds of entries.

While scientific and art ability were the keys to the entire program, it would be both rude and hasty not to mention the delicious food, particularly the pastries. All the edibles were prepared by Pemberton High School students.

Rudolph Zotter is the bakery chef.

The salad ingredients were top notch and the cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon were amazingly fresh for February. Chef John Sharpe gets credit for that part of the program.

Bravo to both!

PHOTO SUBMITTED Nine school districts participated in the Deborah Heart Challenge competition.

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PHOTO SUBMITTED Lenape wins the 12th consecutive Deborah Heart Challenge competition. Pictured from left to right are Alya Ahmad, Sakshi Chopra, Sreya Sanyal, Amanda Smalfus, and Saransh Chopra.

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Washington Extends Salvage and Recycling Yard License For 90 Days

By Douglas D. Melegari

Shared Service Agreement Between Washington and Southampton Falls Through

By Douglas D. Melegari

Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—The Washington Township Committee has unanimously decided to give Lower Bank Salvage and Recycling, LLC a 90-day license extension.

The township and state have been keeping a close eye on the activities of the salvage yard due to some complaints which were received by officials over the past several years.

“This has been a very long, ongoing situation which dates back many years,” said Mayor Dudley Lewis.

He said several years ago, a residential lot which adjoins the salvage and recycling yard burned to the ground while the owners were away on vacation. Lewis said faulty electrical wiring is believed to have been the cause of the fire.

Lewis said that while the fire was unrelated to the activities being conducted at the salvage and recycling yard, officials learned that the business was conducting activities on the lot.

“The encroachment began before the fire,” Lewis said. “The township requested that it be corrected.”

He said state inspectors have found violations of the law during their inspections of the yard.

A report from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) lists four violations of the law which were discovered by inspectors in 2011.

The NJ DEP said the business failed to obtain a solid waste transporter registration prior to engaging in the transportation of solid waste.

The company was accused of using solid waste equipment previously registered to Kevco Disposal and Recycling, Inc. and All Star Disposal and Recycling to transport solid waste without an approved registration statement.

The agency alleged that the business engaged in the collection and disposal of solid waste in the state without first possessing an A901 license.

The inspector also concluded that customers were being invoiced for collection and disposal of their wastes while the business lacked a CPCN. The penalty status for all four violations is listed as “satisfied.”

While no recent violations could be found though a search of NJ DEP public records, Lewis said the salvage and recycling yard has

been storing a large number of used tires on the lot.

“Our interest is in correcting the problems as reasonably and as quickly as possible,” Lewis said. “Local fire chiefs have concerns about a junk-yard fire.”

Tire-pile fires have a reputation for being difficult to extinguish.

The license extension was granted by the Washington Township Committee on Feb. 7 after Tom Darcy, Esq., who represents the salvage and recycling yard, gave the committee an update on its ownership status and the operator’s efforts to correct the problems.

Darcy said Lower Bank Salvage and Recycling, LLC entered into a lease agreement with the Estate of Russel and Patricia Groff in September of 2015.

He said Wayne “Douglas” Norman was the registered agent for the LLC at the time of the lease agreement.

“Due to financial difficulties, Mr. Norman had to relinquish his ownership and interest in the LLC,” Darcy said. “The current registered agent and the current managing owner is Frank McGinty.”

Deputy Mayor Daniel James asked McGinty if the used tires were being removed.

McGinty said that the tire issue belongs to Patricia Groff and that she was in the process of having them removed.

He added that he believed a violation was issued by state inspectors for the storage of the tires and that Patricia Groff had to come up with an incremental five-year plan to remove them.

He also said there are plans to put up a building on the back of the lot once the owner of the property settles the tire issue with the NJ DEP. The items that currently sit in the front of the lot would be placed into the building.

He said they are not storing any flammable liquids, only metals.

“If there are going to be cars that are dismantled, we are going to take care of the oil, antifreeze, transmission fluids and gasoline,” McGinty said.

Deputy Township Clerk Karen Bacon said that the license fees and application were up to date.

Township Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman was not in attendance due to a meeting in Southamp-

SALVAGE>>PAGE 21

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—The Washington Township Committee’s plan to enter into an interlocal services agreement with Southampton for Washington’s and Southampton’s use of a common tax assessor appears to have fallen through.

Township Solicitor Tom Coleman made the announcement at the committee’s latest regular meeting on Feb. 7.

“Southampton is likely to go in a different direction,” he said. “So, we are going to continue on the way we are-independently. So, there won’t be any shared service agreement this year.”

The Washington Township Committee went into an executive session on Jan. 3 for approximately five minutes to discuss a parttime employee.

Once the Washington Township Committee reemerged from the executive session, they unanimously choose to rescind a resolution passed on Dec. 27.

The measure had permitted the town to enter into an interlocal services agreement with Bass River for both towns’ use of a common tax assessor, James Renwick, on a part-time basis.

The Washington Township Committee then passed a resolution to enter into a interlocal services agreement with Southampton for Washington’s and Southampton’s use of a common tax assessor, Renwick, on a part-time basis.

Township Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman did

not accompany the committee into executive session. Coleman said that this was done to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Hoffman is also the township administrator and clerk of Southampton.

She has said in the past that she can hold both positions because Washington’s municipal offices are only open one evening a week.

Hoffman works five days a week in Southampton during the morning and afternoon hours.

Hoffman was not in attendance at the Feb. 7 Washington Township Committee meeting due to a special budget meeting being held in Southampton at the same time.

Deputy Township Clerk Karen Bacon took the meeting minutes and helped conduct the meeting in Hoffman’s absence.

Hoffman submitted a written report to the committee which contained several updates on the township’s operations. A summary of the report was provided to the public.

The Southampton Township Committee has not publicly mentioned Washington Township’s efforts to enter into a shared service agreement.

Interestingly, despite Coleman’s announcement, the Washington Township Committee did not rescind the resolution pertaining to Southampton.

Renwick serves as the tax assessor for Bass River, Southampton, and Washington. However, he is employed by each individual township and bills each township separately.

If any of the agreements had been agreed to by both parties, there would have been one less bill or a shared tab and some cost savings for both parties.

Pemberton Borough Passes 10 Resolutions, But Tables Two in Busy Meeting

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—In an unusually busy meeting, Pemberton Borough Council passed 10 resolutions, but tabled two others and approved three ordinances on first reading under new business at their Feb. 21 meeting.

Here are the highlights: A tax sale certificate was redeemed; the Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund was lauded on its 25th anniversary, improvement applications were submitted for Early and Pemberton streets, and a Safe and Secure grant was applied for. The grant would pay half the salary of a borough policeman.

Also, a school tax was deferred for a year, in the amount of $2,500; Pemberton Borough Police rules and regulations were revised, a personnel policy and employee manual was adopted, a contract for Davis street improvements was awarded and an inter-municipal NJPPA agreement was reached.

The two tabled agenda items involved naming the new field house and adopting rules and applications for renting borough facilities.

Here are the three ordinances. The first grants a 2 percent raise across-the-board to all employees. The second announces a moratorium on

RESOLUTIONS>>PAGE 21

Cub Scouts From 5 Troops Battle for Pinewood Derby Championship

By Adam Tait III

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD—Over 40 boys from five Cub Scout Packs in the area battled in championship races in the Pinewood Derby competition last Saturday afternoon at the Medford Memorial Middle School.

After nearly two hours of competition, the winner, Christian Ciliberti, emerged.

Ciliberti’s combined times in the three-race final were 5.1956 seconds, with an average speed of 190.28 mph. He edged rival Patrick Kearney, whose times added up to 5.1969 seconds. That’s a margin of only 13/10,000s of a second, about the time it takes to blink your eyes. Kearney’s car speed was 190.24 mph.

Ciliberti is from Shamong’s Pack 47.

Kearney represented Pack 108 in Medford.

Third place went to Matthew Hill whose figures were 5.2244 seconds and 189.23 mph.

He is from Pack 300, also in Medford.

The other Packs competing were 26, Medford and 48, Medford Lakes.

The competition drew an audience of about 200 people to the school. The audience consisted of mostly parents and grandparents.

The winner was interviewed after he was presented with a handsome trophy for his win.

Ciliberti said he had worked on his car “for about two weeks.”

Whether this success might someday lead to fame or fortune is far too early to say. But in 20 years or so, you might just hear the name of Christian Ciliberti in connection with the Indy 500 or other world-class races.

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PHOTO BY TOM WALKER Cub Scouts check over some entries in the Pinewood Derby Championship.

Saturday, March 4, 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.

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

Letters to the Editor

Traditions Are At Stake

Dissatisfied with Local Congressman

The Lower Bank Bridge fishing prohibition is a tangled web of confusion.

There are so many questions and few sound answers. It appears there is a lot to fix.

Greg O’Connell, who sits on the Recreational Fishing Alliance’s (RFA) Board of Directors, told our newspaper recently that too often when safety concerns come up, the knee jerk reaction and the quickest way to alleviate them is to just restrict access.

He’s right.

We’ll also add that when embarrassing messes like this one come to the forefront, often public figures feel the best way to deal with them is to remain silent, thinking that the issue will go away.

That is what it appears Burlington County is doing. It’s flawed thinking too. Problems never go away.

This particular situation won’t be going away because the majority of people living in the Pine Barrens are sick and tired of their long-held traditions being taken away from them.

First, it was motorized access to Wharton State Forest.

Then, it was Apple Pie Hill.

Following that, Green Bank School was shuttered.

Now, it’s this.

The Pine Barrens 500 may also be in jeopardy.

Most people living in the Pine Barrens feel threatened by these developments.

How many more traditions are the people of the Pine Barrens willing to lose?

The ban isn’t a long-term solution and the county and state have a responsibility to come up with an acceptable solution amendable to all so that another tradition doesn’t swim away, especially when one’s livelihood is at stake.

Yes, finding a solution to this complicated mess requires hard work. So does renewing the jurisdictional agreements that have terminated.

But that is part of what being an elected official is all about.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

E-mail us: letters@pinebarrenstribune.com

Political Cartoon

PAGE 7

Be on the lookout for 3rd Congressional Dis- Steve Lonegan warned us about him. You trict Representative Tom MacArthur! should have listened.

He has slipped away from the Republican By the way, I asked him to legislate Sharia camp and is throwing bouquets and bestowing Law back to Mecca. I got no reply. golden medals on traditional family and baby- Mark Gould killing feminist icons.

Southampton, New Jersey

Social Media Sound Off (Re: Woodland School Board Authorizes Superintendent to Update School’s Network) This is a little too late considering the school has had FiOS for over a year and the computers have not been working well for at least that long.

Ann Kennedy (Re: Group Home Planned in Tabernacle) As a local mom of a young adult on the Autism spectrum, this is a necessity, especially as our children become adults. There aren’t many options out there and to have an option in our area is a great comfort to families. I would hope the neighbors would welcome the opportunity to positively impact the lives of residents and give safe social interaction for them.

Lisa Siatkowski (Re: Proposed Ordinance Regulating Tethering of Dogs Tabled) Animal freaks are out of control.

Michael H. Walker

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

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE Established 2016

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

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Saturday, March 4, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

SPOTLIGHT Deborah Heart and Lung Educates PTHS students

The Perfect Hug

PHOTO BY JUDY COHEN MINCHES Brenda Jones designed an attractive, cozy kimono-style robe to replace a hospital gown.

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

SOUTHAMPTON—Brenda Jones could never have imagined how this past decade would have played out.

In 2008, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, causing a “roller coaster of emotions” that have followed with every step of her journey. After what felt like an endless myriad of scans, biopsies and two surgical procedures, she was disappointed to learn that she would also need radiation.

When she arrived on the very first day of a seven-week treatment plan in early 2009, she was instructed by the staff to “Go in there (the dressing room) and put on a hospital gown.”

After glancing at the gowns in piles and on patients, all exactly the same – “ugly, itchy and wrinkled”—Jones felt this depressing task was just another smack in the face which said ‘You are a cancer patient and you are sick.’”

She recalls putting on not one, but two of the gowns to fully cover her body along with her winter coat on top to sit in the waiting room.

By that time, her anger had reached the boiling point.

“I couldn’t control the cancer, but I could control what I wore,” Jones said.

This was a pivotal time for Jones, who made a remarkable plan for herself while coping with her unfortunate life-altering reality: she was going to make treatment a more humane and dignified experience for women.

This could be accomplished in part, she envisioned, by changing how a woman feels based upon what she wears. By designing an attractive, cozy kimono-style robe—colorful, warm and soft—with an opening in the front instead of in the back—a woman may feel more like herself than a victim.

There was one obstacle, but she refused to let it enter into the equation: Jones did not know how to sew.

As serendipity would have it, her friend, who just happens to be a seamstress, called when Jones got home from treatment to see how she

was doing.

Suffice it to say that the pair channeled their creative energy and made the very first “Hug Wrap,” appropriately named to reflect the feeling of a “nice, warm hug.”

Jones wore her new kimono to treatment which was made from a brightly-colored bed sheet.

“Heads turned and jaws hit the floor…I was no longer just an appointment time (‘the 9:30 patient’),” she said. “I wasn’t that chart they couldn’t find. They treated me differently. I was a person first…I am someone’s sister, mother, aunt and daughter. I matter.”

Her friend Millie was so excited about Jones’ kimono that Jones asked Millie if she would like her own.

“Yes, I would,” said Millie enthusiastically.

She was all smiles when she tried it on.

Her reaction gave Jones the push she needed to start producing en masse, with a used sewing machine she had purchased.

“Making something for Millie took the frustration away from myself,” Jones said. “It was the best therapy for me. It kept my hands and mind busy.”

Since that time, she has made over 1,600 kimonos and mailed them all over the world, including to Australia, Canada, England, France and Poland.

Jones said Hug Wraps are the perfect present for loved ones near and far because the gift says, “I can’t be there, but this will do the job for me” as it is essentially, a loving hug.

Each kimono is made by Jones from flannel material, in an array of colors and patterns such as florals, abstracts, butterflies, musical instruments and animals.

Over time, she has become so adept with the sewing machine that she can veer from the initial pattern she created to accommodate a patient’s complex needs. Perhaps a longer gown for a woman with ovarian cancer or a gown with inside pockets for mastectomy patients would be specified on the order form,

HUG>>PAGE 21

PHOTO SUBMITTED PTHS anatomy and physiology students and members of the Medical Arts Academy view a Deborah presentation on Feb. 16.

By Judy Cohen Minches For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—Education has changed dramatically over the years.

On Feb. 16, Pemberton Township High School (PTHS) joined a dozen other high schools in the area to participate in an interactive simulcast presentation titled “Vascular Disease: from Peripheral Blockage to Amputation” with Dr. Matthew Samra, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon from Deborah Heart and Lung Center.

Five years ago, Deborah created the “Adolescent Medicine Student Video Forum” as an innovative means of giving teens an inside and in-depth look at various careers in the medical field.

About 50 PTHS students gathered in their auditorium to watch the pre-recorded video of several procedures, while having the opportunity to interact with the surgeon in real time.

Samra discussed the progression of untreated vascular disease, from impaired circulation to gangrenous tissue. He then narrated portions of three surgeries, from clearing a blockage in the leg to an amputation of the foot and another above the knee.

He also responded to multiple questions from the entire student body, about 1,000 students in all, while educating about the perils of smoking and the potential complications of various conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension.

Students’ reactions varied during the amputation portions of the video, from

complete silence at first to comments such as “Oh, my God!” or “No toes!” or “That looks really weird.”

Some students also wanted to know about what is done with amputated body parts, how a person is told he or she needs an amputation, how high blood sugar affects the blood vessels, whether patients change their habits after the surgery, why gangrene turns black, whether patients get prosthetic toes, and so on. Samara addressed each question.

Senior Destiny White, who has attended a few of Deborah’s video forums, appreciates that she can begin to hone in on the skills necessary for a career in medicine.

“This provides a preview for me,” said the future nurse practitioner.

PTHS students, who attended the presentation, are part of the Medical Arts Academy, which serves grades 9-12. The curriculum is delivered by teachers Elisabeth McCartney, Kelli Copeland and Al Atmore, all of whom have extensive and distinct backgrounds in health care.

The Medical Arts Academy at PTHS was formed in 2013 to expand the minds of its students by helping them to explore and prepare for careers in health care. Clinical experiences, mentoring, job shadowing, potential to earn college credits while in high school, internships and volunteer experiences at Deborah are all made available to deserving students.

Samra gave the students a pearl of wisdom, too.

“Work hard in school and, if you do well, the world is your oyster,” he said.

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PAGE 9

SCANNER Driver Accused of Fleeing Scene of Crash PEMBERTON—On Jan 31, Pemberton Township Police Ptl. P. Doyle responded to the area of Pemberton-Browns Mills Road and Newcomb Drive for a report of a hit-and-run motor-vehicle accident. A female caller stated that a red Toyota struck the rear of her vehicle and then fled the scene of the crash.

The victim stated that when the crash

occurred, she was stopped due to traffic backing up from a separate motor-vehicle accident.

The suspect fled the scene of the crash when the victim exited her vehicle to confront the driver.

Upon further investigation, Doyle was able to identify a suspect. The suspect was issued several motor-vehicle summonses.

Police Investigate Hit and Run at McDonald’s PEMBERTON—On Feb. 1, Pemberton Township Police Ptl. J. Glass responded to a McDonald’s parking lot for a report of a hit-and -run motor-vehicle accident.

A male caller stated that he briefly went

inside the establishment. He said that when he exited the resturant, he found damage to his vehicle on the rear driver’s side.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police Investigate Report of Shoplifting PEMBERTON—On Feb. 3, Pemberton Township Police Ptl. S. Smith responded to the 500 block of Lakehurst Road for a report of a female shoplifting items.

The caller gave a description of the female.

The investigation is pending in this matter.

Driver Charged with Possession and Drug Paraphernalia After Crash MOUNT LAUREL—On Feb. 15, at 4:29 p.m., Mount Laurel Police responded to a motor-vehicle crash on Route 38 near Ark Road.

During the investigation, officers arrested Lucas F. Bennett, 20, of Medford. Bennett was

PHOTO BY STEPHEN MASON New Jersey Forest Fire Service professionals have been conducting prescribed burns throughout Burlington County during the past few weeks in preparation for wildfire or forest fire season.

charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released pending a court hearing.

Police Find Suspected Marijuana Between the Seats of a Vehicle

PEMBERTON—On Feb. 4, Pemberton Township Ptl. T. Reynolds-Vezos was on patrol in the area of North Lakeshore Drive when he observed a non-moving violation.

Reynolds-Vezos conducted a motor-vehicle stop after observing this violation.

Police say the smell of marijuana began emanating from inside the motor vehicle when the driver opened the window.

Additional patrols arrived and a search of the vehicle was conducted. Police say they located

suspected marijuana between the seats.

The driver was issued a traffic summons and released.

One of the passengers, identified as Rashaan Richardson, 20, claimed ownership of the suspected marijuana and was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.

Richardson was also processed for unrelated warrants.

Motorist Accused of Driving Under the Influence PEMBERTON—On Feb. 4, at approximately 10 a.m., Pemberton Township Ptl. J. Danka and Ptl. A. Luster responded to the 100 block of Juliustown Road for a report of a motor-vehicle accident.

Upon arrival, Luster observed a green sedan that appeared to have been driven over the curb and onto the grass.

Bystanders feared the driver had some type of medical emergency.

The driver was unable to provide information

PHOTO BY STEPHEN MASON Since 1928, the state’s Forest Fire Service has used fire as a tool to protect the lives and property of residents living near the forestlands of New Jersey.

to Luster about what happened.

Through further investigation, it was determined that the driver was Tammy Brassard, 46. Brassard was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. Blood was drawn at the hospital due to a suspicion that the driver was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

The driver was later issued several traffic summonses and was cited for driving while under the influence.

Person Unresponsive from a Possible Heroin Overdose PEMBERTON—On Feb. 8, Pemberton Township Police responded to the 100 block of Kinsley Road for a report of a male subject who was unresponsive from a possible heroin overdose.

Ptl. S. Sawyer administered one dose of Narcan to the male subject but the subject was

still unresponsive. A second dose of Narcan was administered to the male approximately three minutes later, which returned him to a conscious state.

Emergency medical personnel transported the subject to a local hospital to receive further medical attention.

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PHOTO BY STEPHEN MASON The state’s Forest Fire Service sets the fires under exacting conditions to reduce the underbrush (the “fuel” for a fire) in areas that are prone to a wildfire or that may be located in a position where they feel they can defend against an oncoming wildfire or forest fire.

PAGE 10

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PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

COMMUNITY Events

March 2, 3, 4

March 12

Location: Medford Event: Sister Act Details: Shawnee High School presents “Sister Act,” March 2, 3 & 4 at 7 p.m. at Shawnee High School, 600 Tabernacle Road, Medford. For more information, please visit www.lrhsd.org/ shawnee.

Location: Mt. Laurel Event: Lyme Disease Presentation Details: On March 13 at 7 p.m., Pat Smith, President of the Lyme Disease Association, will be speaking about how you can protect yourself and your family from Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases. Ms. Smith’s presentation will be held at Larchmont Elementary School, 301 Larchmont Blvd, Mount Laurel.

Smith has appeared on a number of television programs and has been quoted in many publications, including Newsweek, Washington Post and People Magazine. Take the opportunity to educate yourself and your community. New Jersey has the second highest number of cases of Lyme Disease in the U.S.

March 9

Location: Medford Event: Woman’s Club of Medford Meeting Details: The Woman’s Club of Medford’s general meeting will be held Thursday, March 9, at 7 p.m. Members will be finalizing plans for the 4th annual dinner dance to raise funds for the scholarship fund and club projects.

The club meets on the second Thursday of each month September through May at the Medford Memorial Community Center, 21 S. Main St. Membership is open to women over 18 from the Medford area.

March 12 Location: Medford Event: VFW Steak Night Details: Come join the Medford VFW for Steak Night! Sunday, March 12, doors open at 3 p.m. and we serve until 6 p.m.

The dinner includes a delicious steak, potato, green beans, salad, roll & butter, and tea or coffee. All prepared by our Chef Denny. Only $12 per person - Takeout is also available. 317 Church Road, Medford (just east of Kirby’s Mill). 609-654-9823.

Location: Pemberton Event: Virtua’s Mobile Mammography – Pemberton Library Details: Women, ages 40-64, call to see if you qualify for a free mammogram through Virtua’s NJCEED program. The NJCEED (New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection) program at Virtua offers free cancer screenings for Burlington County and Camden County residents who meet certain age and income requirements. Free mammograms and the mobile mammography service are funded by grants from the NJ State Department of Health and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Please call Virtua to register, 856-247-7388.

March 19 Location: Browns Mills

Pemberton Seniors Look Forward to Events in March

By Ebba Liguori

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

PEMBERTON—The township has been lucky with the recent weather and the seniors have really enjoyed the mild winter so far. This past week the center was busy.

Monday was a holiday, so seniors had to plan a lunch on their own.

Tuesday morning was the monthly Bingo sponsored by Aspen Hills and presented by Margaret Graiff at the center. The dining room was nearly full as more than 50 seniors played several games and won some really good prizes. Graiff always brings gift cards and bags of door prizes. Lucky winners yelled “Bingo” and received their gift cards. It was a busy and fun morning.

On Tuesday afternoon, the center was crowded as it was Browns Mills Senior Citizen Club meeting day and “Side Car Charlie” had been asked to entertain. He arrived soon after noon and by the time the meeting began, he was ready to play. The Club has already engaged his services for the March 21 meeting. This is a perfect way to celebrate a spring day with your friends, so if you want to join the Club, this is a great time to do so. There will be plenty of oldies and even some line dancing. Side Car Charlie can be contacted at 609-893-0144. If you like oldies and a great variety, you will not be disappointed. He will make your next party fantastic.

On Wednesday, Ralph West brought in a large assortment of surplus pastry and held one of his usual raffles. When your number is called, you stand up, and hurry to the table to pick out a selection. The first numbers called get the first choices, but everyone had something before the door-prize raffle was finished.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

This is a fine way to distribute the surplus and everyone has a fair chance to get something.

West is a great friend to all the seniors by providing an important service. Each Wednesday afternoon he also visits the “Farmers Against Hunger” food truck and returns with an abundance of fresh produce to distribute on Thursday and Friday mornings. West makes sure there is little waste and that seniors have a great selection of foods.

The monthly breakfast at Aspen Hills was well attended on Thursday. Following the buffet breakfast, Graiff presented another series of Bingo games. Again, she provided prizes of gift certificates to local businesses. These gift cards are a great help to local seniors as one can choose to purchase just what is needed. It seemed that every game had multiple winners on this day, but Graiff was prepared with extra gift bags and cards. There were also several gift bags as door prizes. This outreach by Aspen Hills is appreciated by local seniors. If one does need to use the rehab services of Aspen Hills, it is nice to know many of the staff members through these social encounters. One feels “at home!” For local seniors this is so much better than finding yourself in a strange rehab center.

Friday provided a special treat for the seniors. “Peaches” Dennis brought an abundance of surplus food and canned goods for distribution to the seniors. Another raffle was set up and everyone was able to get something to take home. There were so many choices and at least one item per person was available. Everyone went home with something in their bag. It is so generous of

SENIORS>>PAGE 11

Event: Women’s History: Taking a Stand Details: In celebration of Women’s History Month, we will explore the contributions made by Elizabeth C. White over three decades to the founding and day-to-day operations of Four Mile Colony, now known as New Lisbon Developmental Center.

Learn about the Colony’s beginning, its expansion, and the people involved in its early history. $5 per person donation requested. 120 Whites Bog Rd, Browns Mills, NJ, 2 p.m. Hosted by the Whitesbog Preservation Trust. Call for more information, 609893-4646, or email WhitesbogPreservationTrust@gmail.com to reserve your seat.

Location: Medford Event: Paint & Sip Details: The Medford VFW is sponsoring a Paint and Sip event to support Veterans’ Charities. The fun afternoon will be Sunday, March 19, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. It includes light finger-foods and beverages. Drinks are also available for purchase at the canteen.

Tickets are $35 and must be purchased before March 13 from Laura Laudicina, 609-230-6407, or laudidesign@aol.com. The VFW is located at 317 Church Road, Medford (just down the street from Kirby’s Mill).

Events should be submitted at least four weeks in advance.

PINE KNOTS COLUMN Local Financial Adviser Gives Presentation on How Money Works

By Ebba Liguori

their finances and fail to learn the lessons the bankers teach. Bankers use the public’s investment money at very low interest rates, but lend PEMBERTON—The BMI general meeting that same money out at very high rates. The was held on Feb. 26 at the BMIA difference is their profit, and they always seem Building. The guest speaker was Tony Miehle to win. Miehle shared ways the public can also be a winner, rather than a loser. First set aside who discussed “How Money Works.”

Miehle serves on the BMIA Board of at least three months of living expenses for Directors and is well known in Pember- emergency funds, then have three months ton Township. You can speak to him with of funds available in short-term investments. confidence knowing he is one of our neighbors. Once this goal is realized, look to your 401K and IRA funds to maximize them. To have a He is active in many local organizations.

His sharing was informative and filled with secure retirement, one must diligently invest stories and humor. There was absolutely no long term and keep investing no matter how the sales pitch or mention of any commercial market performs. financial product. This made the presentation He showed examples of how well this stratall the more interesting. So often when one egy can work to build up a tidy investment attends a financial presentation, you may be account. All his advice was practical and ready to run and hide. Mielhe has a logical, but one needs the discipline to follow totally different style. Armed with a newsprint through. He will meet with clients on individupad and a couple of markers, he illustrates each al basis and assist those setting goals and planning for the future. Some of the oldpoint with simple drawings. residents wished they had this advice a His first topic covered the kinds of insurance er every family needs. Beginning with health few years ago. Too many said they have not insurance to guard against catastrophic illness, been consistent in following through. Miehle progressing through auto insurance to protect can be reached at 609-744-9938 or his by email life and limb, home insurance to protect your at Amiehle@Primerica.com. He is able to most valuable asset, and finally life insurance explain choices in very simple terms. Perhaps to protect and provide for your family if you are he could help you with your financial not there for them. He also illustrated how life choices. Miehle is also available to speak to insurance needs to be maximized near the early local groups. Following the meeting, refreshstages of family life, but can be minimal later ments were served and residents had a chance in life. With lines and dollar signs and multiple to speak about more personal concerns with circles, he drew out the best choices to make. him.

With investments, he showed how even when During the next month, horticultural values were going down, there was a way of students of Pemberton Township High School will be facing the challenge of beautifying the profiting in the end.

Many people make the wrong choices with ADVISER>>PAGE 11 For the Pine Barrens Tribune

Saturday, March 4, 2017

SENIORS

FROM PAGE 10 people like West and Dennis to take their time to bring food items in to share with all.

Seniors expressed gratitude to all the vendors and suppliers who generously donated these foods to be distributed to the local seniors.

This coming weekend, March 4 and 5, St. Ann’s Church Youth Group will be holding a Craft Sale in the church social hall. All are invited. The building is handicapped accessible and there will be a wide selection of gift items available. The kitchen will be open with food for purchase and there will be a “pre-order+ hoagie sale. This means that if you did not order in advance, you may be disappointed.

The kitchen will be open and some foods will be available. Stop in and see what looks good.

Shop a little and have your noon meal.

The following Saturday, March 11, there will be a St. Patrick’s dinner in the St. Ann’s Social Hall between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Purchasing tickets in advance will save you $2 each, but the tickets must be purchased by March 7.

Order forms are available at the church or at the senior center. Many of the seniors plan to attend the meal, so one will find familiar and friendly faces. This is another opportunity for seniors to avoid cooking, while still eating a fresh home-cooked meal. Both corned beef and ham will be available with the usual cabbage and other veggies. There will even be some homemade leek soup. The ladies of the church will be making cakes and pies so there will be a fine assortment of desserts available.

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

The Interact Club of Pemberton Township High School will present a St. Patrick’s party at the Senior Center on Tuesday, March 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Interact is sponsored by the Pemberton Rotary Club and students participate in community service through membership.

The students will bring entertainment, games, and a buffet meal for seniors to enjoy. This is an annual event and it is always enjoyed by the seniors. Sharing fun time with the students is something one does not want to miss. Tickets are still available, but hurry and pick yours up to avoid disappointment. There are only a limited number of seats available. Tickets are only $10 each. The party is over at 7 p.m., so seniors can get home for an early bedtime.

This is one of several activities that bring the students and seniors together. A few tickets remain, so stop in at the center soon before they are all sold.

The St. Patrick’s Day trip to Doolan’s on March 8 is sold out, but a wait list is always maintained. There will be a trip to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre on March 29 to see “My Fair Lady.” This is a smaller sized dinner theatre with an elegant limited buffet. Desserts are plentiful and include an ice cream bar, multiple cakes and pies, and a variety of sugar-free choices. A hot soup is served by wait staff to begin the meal. The theatre is located in the Lancaster area, so departure time will be at least a half hour earlier than originally scheduled. As long as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Bridge is closed, the trips to the Pennsylvania locations are complicated and will leave earlier

than originally scheduled.

Stop in any weekday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to register for programs at the Pemberton Township Senior Center, located on Brook Street, across from the Browns Mills Post Office. Many activities are free of charge, and most trips and meals are offered at reduced rates. Do not stay home and be lonely, come out and join the active seniors. Put some fun into

ADVISER

FROM PAGE 10 “Triangle” located off Clubhouse Road and West Lakeshore Drive. Faculty Advisor Dawn Viveiros has been preparing her students, and, at the Board of Directors March meeting, the many options will be reviewed and a winner will be selected. The Pemberton Rotary has prepared a financial grant to assist with some of

PAGE 11

your lives. Enjoy the daily well-balanced meals which are served around 11:30 a.m. by the attentive staff. Senior residents pay only $2 for a well-balanced nourishing meal, and the menu varies daily. The menu is published monthly in the Senior Gazette and on the township website, so one can choose which days to attend. Signups are required one week in advance, but wait list and walk-ins can often be accommodated. the materials.

Do not miss the March 26 meeting when the results will be announced.

The Browns Mills Improvement Association, known as the BMIA, is the oldest local civic organization in Pemberton Township.

Meetings are held on the fourth Sunday monthly, September through June, at 2 p.m. at the BMIA Building on Arbutus Street, near the Mirror Lake Beach and are open to the public.

Seneca’s High Schools Spring Blood Drive

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PHOTO SUBMITTED Seneca High School’s Student Council hosted its annual spring blood drive with the American Red Cross. Seneca’s students and staff were able to donate 77 pints of blood from 100 donors that will potentially help 231 people.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Dr. Carol “Lynn” Birnbohm, superintendent of schools for the Lenape Regional High School District, dropped by to donate blood.

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Saturday, March 4, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

SPORTS

By Frank Miele

Shawnee Bowlers Rewrite the Shawnee Record Books

For the Pine Barrens Tribune

MEDFORD—Shawnee bowlers, led by senior captains Chris Pagliuso and Andrew Abbonizio won the Group IV Sectional Championship with a team total of 3,175 pins, edging out Cherry Hill East who had 3,149 pins. Brick Memorial was 3rd with 3,078 pins and Lenape was 4th with 3,047 pins.

Shawnee’s last Sectional Championship was in the 2001-2002 season. Abbonizio was the top gun in the tournament with a 757 series which qualified him to be one of the 18 participants in the Individual State Tournament.

The Group IV Sectional win qualified the Renegades to compete for team honors in the state championship where they placed 3rd with 3,103 pins, behind 2nd place South Brunswick who had 3,152 pins.

East Brunswick won the State Tournament with 3,166 pins. Pagliuso had a 739 series that was complemented by Abbonizio’s 731 series.

Sophomore Tyler Gates and seniors Evan McNally and Nick Simonetti also contributed with a combined total of 1,634 pins.

“The Renegades have won three of the last four Olympic Conference Championships and back-to-back Olympic Conference Holiday Bowl Tournaments,” said Ryan Franks, the head coach since 2010. “The collective record of these seniors over the last four years in regular season matches has been 64-4-2.”

Franks said the team dramatically improved their mental approach to big situations this year.

“We stressed taking each match and tournament frame by frame and controlling what we could control,” he said. “I think that we’ve had the talent the last few years to win big tournaments but the maturation process of our seniors allowed their talent to shine through in key

moments this year.”

One of those “key moments” was when the Renegades rolled a big win over their rival and sister school Seneca, the South Jersey Group II Champs.

The Renegades only loss came at the hands of Cherry Hill East in a regular season match.

The Renegades avenged the 3-1 loss by beating Cherry Hill East in the Olympic Conference Holiday Bowl, the Group IV Sectional, and the Group IV State Tournament.

Some school records were broken along the way.

Pagliuso broke his own school record of highest season average which he set last year at 223 by averaging 228 this year. Abbonizio averaged 223, set a new school record for highest individual series with an 804 series, and also won the Individual South Jersey Sectional Championship Tournament with a 757 series.

Pagliuso and Abbonizio were named to the 1st Team All-Olympic Conference this year along with seniors Evan McNally (208 average) and Nick Simonetti (196 average). Sophomore Tyler Gates earned 2nd team honors with a 188 average. Together this group also set school records for highest team series at 3,404 and highest team game at 1,216 versus Washington Township in December.

“I think it is safe to say that this group has collectively had the most dominant stretch of bowling in Shawnee history,” Franks said. “We were able to literally rewrite the record books in highest individual average (228), highest individual series (804), highest team game average (205), highest team game (1,216), and highest team series (3,404) while collecting three Olympic Conference Championships, the school’s

BOWLERS>>PAGE 21

PHOTO SUBMITTED These Shawnee High School students earned first place in a volleyball tournament put together by the high school’s Student Council.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Andrew Abbonizio also earned the NJSIAA Bowling South Sectional High Game of 279.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Shawnee High School students play in a volleyball tournament last week.

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Saturday, March 4, 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.

11 Essential Oils for Your Thyroid Many of you are taking thyroid supplements or medications already, but you might consider adding one more thing into your thyroid health regimen: Essential oils. The medical community dismisses essential oils (EOs) because after all, how powerful can it be to inhale a flower extract? Once you inhale, this “medicine” goes right into your bloodstream, through tiny capillaries directly into the bloodstream where it then shoots all over your body and activates many biochemical pathways.

It’s a fact that inhaling the aroma of lavender can cause relaxation and sleep. We also know peppermint can sometimes help improve a migraine. As for THYROID-loving essential oils, there are plenty.

When your thyroid is LOW… The essential oils that I recommend when you have low thyroid, are specifically devoted to stimulating or producing the secretion of thyroid hormones, activating your metabolism or improving symptoms of the disease itself. I can touch on a few here in this limited space, but if you’re really interested, go to my website and read the longer version of this article. Try these quick essential oil health hacks for low thyroid disease: Gut problems: People with hypothyroidism are often overweight and commonly experience frequent stomachache or gas. A few gut-soothing essential oils that can bring you relief include peppermint, fennel, ginger and chamomile, you can make teas, apply to your skin or inhale depending on the EO.

Muscle aches and pain: People with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism often hurt more than regular folks, especially after exercising. I’ll help you “create” your own soothing balm now: Pour 30 drops of lemongrass and 15 drops of marjoram into your favorite bottle of body lotion. Make sure it’s paraben-free, but pick any basic unscented lotion that you like. Then you can rub it onto your sore muscles and body aches.

Fatigue and Exhaustion: My own go-to is a smoked butterscotch latte, double shot – LOL! But we are talking about essential oils today so try dabbing one drop each of eucalyptus and rosemary to the the base of your neck (right onto your thyroid) and it will wake you up. You should also take a quick whiff.

If your thyroid is HIGH… It would be unfair if I didn’t share my knowledge about hyperthyroidism, or Graves’ disease (an autoimmune thyroid condition), so here’s what I suggest from an EO standpoint. Mix 15 drops of lemongrass with 15 drops of frankincense, 2 drops of myrrh (warning: myrrh smells awful), as well as 10 drops of lemongrass into a container with a tablespoon of apricot or almond oil. This can be sniffed or applied topically to your throat area a few times daily. Don’t ingest that, it’s topical. Dilute as you desire, leave out the myrrh or replace with sandalwood. This EO blend should help you deal with anxiety, stress, anger, agitation, tremors and insomnia. You don’t have to have hyperthyroidism to use this, in fact all of you dealing with stress could try it.

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

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

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Why Is Childhood Diabetes on the Rise?

By Sue Hubbard, M.D.

Diabetes continues to be a growing problem among our nation’s children. Did you know that every year there are more than 25,000 children diagnosed with diabetes?

To begin with there are two different types of childhood diabetes, type 1 and type 2; and while both cause an elevated blood sugar, they also differ in many ways.

Type 1 diabetes was formerly called juvenile onset diabetes and is typically diagnosed in children and adolescents. Only 5 percent of those with diabetes have type 1. Many parents worry that their child may develop diabetes because they eat too much sugar. While eating sugar is not good for you, it does not directly cause type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells (insulin producing cells) of the pancreas. Scientists are not exactly sure why this occurs, but it seems to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and actually has nothing to do with diet.

Type 1 diabetes comes on suddenly and causes dependence on insulin for the rest of the child’s life. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually include extreme thirst, frequent urination (day and night), increased appetite and sudden weight loss. Children who develop type 1 diabetes appear tired, thin and sick. To many parents who worry that their child is diabetic, I tell them that they really cannot miss the symptoms and that just drinking a lot of water will not be the only symptom.

Fortunately, the ways in which insu-

lin is given continues to improve and most children now use an insulin pump, which delivers insulin in a more consistent manner than in previous years. But, even with new insulin delivery systems and the hopes for pancreas transplants, type 1 diabetes is challenging for a family to manage.

Type 2 diabetes, which was previously called “non-insulin dependent diabetes,” differs in that it was previously typically diagnosed in adults, but it is now rising in children. In type 2 diabetes, the body isn’t able to use insulin in the right way and the glucose in the blood stream is less able to enter the cells. This is called insulin resistance. So, the pancreas tries to produce even more insulin to keep blood sugar levels normal. Over many years the pancreas may wear out completely. Type 2 diabetes is sometimes controlled with an oral medication rather than insulin.

Type 2 diabetes seems to develop more frequently in those children who are overweight, less active and often have a parent with diabetes. As more children in this country have developed obesity, the number of cases of type 2 diabetes has also continued to rise. In many cases, if a child changes their lifestyle, eating a healthy diet, losing weight and exercising, the body may be able to restore normal insulin balance. In this way, type 2 diabetes differs from type 1 diabetes.

If you are concerned that your child is showing any signs of diabetes, make sure to consult your doctor. Continue to promote healthy eating habits and daily exercise.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

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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?”

Hey Skippy! How ’bout some help?

When I went to visit our eldest son at his new digs in Des Moines last week, I didn’t think too much of the fact that he lived on the third floor of an apartment complex that did NOT have an elevator.

I’m no Jillian Michaels, but I can climb stairs with ease. I take pride in doing one story without losing my breath, the second story while remaining composed and can usually climb a third story without losing consciousness.

It wasn’t until I had to haul a large suitcase and an extra bag that I packed just for my shoes, that I was cursing the situation.

But I did it. I just grabbed with all of my might and lugged it to the celestial third floor like a pack mule.

I didn’t mind the extra trip to the car to get my cell phone charger. I didn’t complain when I had to go back down for my coffee Thermos and I even offered up a friendly hello to fellow apartment people after making a third trip because I forgot my novel.

While I was silently thankful that I only have a two-step ascension into our own home, I took the third floor situation in stride.

I was pretty tolerant of the whole predicament until I was tasked with the three-floor climb while alone with a load of groceries.

Yessir, tack on a bag of ice, a gallon of milk and other various and much-needed items and suddenly it’s a whole different ball game.

Before loading myself down, I stood outside of the vehicle and sized up the threestory apartment building.

I could do it in three trips, I told myself. Or do one stellar trip and then come back for the smaller and last haul. Or, and this was a point to be pondered, I could buck up and carry it up the bajillion stairs all at once.

Playing the part of a Sherpa schlepping wares to the top of Everest, I stuck the milk under my left arm, put about four bags of groceries on my fingers and carried the large bag of ice in my right hand.

I started the trip out happily enough, but then was almost cursing to myself as I realized

the door to the building was 25 yards away and simply a precursor to the challenge on which I was about to embark.

Jillian Michaels would have been impressed that I would even ponder such an endeavor.

Just as I was about to the door, I noticed a tall, young and very strong looking young man who appeared to be on the same path. Ah ha, I thought to myself. I was convinced that he would assess my situation and happily offer to help.

I was even playing the scenario out in my head as he drew near. “Of course,” I would say as I gave him the milk and perhaps a bag or two. I was blessing him for his offer of assistance long before he approached. I was even wondering if I should offer him a tip. Would five-dollars be enough?

When I got to the door, not only did he NOT offer to take a bag, he waited for ME to open it. “Do you mind?” I asked as I tilted my head towards the door.

Without looking up from his iPhone he opened the door.

As I started my miserable ascent up the stairs ahead, I angrily wondered if I was slowing him down, blocking his way, or perhaps keeping him from something important like plugging that stupid phone in.

I didn’t huff after the first floor, but I certainly puffed after the second and not only did that young man follow me all of the way up, he was behind me the remaining 20-yard walk down the hall to Vernon’s apartment.

When he stopped at the apartment next door to get his key out, I turned and looked at him and asked quite sarcastically, “Can I help you with anything?”

“Nope,” he replied, “I’m good.”

“Good to know,” I muttered under my breath as I dropped the bag of ice and got my own key out.

I don’t wish the young man ill. But if ever our paths cross again, I do have a couple of good tips for him. And neither one of them involves a five-spot.

© 2017 LORI CLINCH

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C R O S S W O R D

Across 1 Bumper car, at times 7 Cookbook author Rombauer 11 Smoke 14 Lancelot’s unrequited lover 15 Assam products 16 Barcelona bear 17 Equipment for picnic competitions 19 Grabbed a chair 20 Melee 21 Ballet bend 22 State with five national parks 23 Embryo development sites 26 Priestly vestment 29 Right Guard rival 30 Old anesthetic 31 Willy Loman, in a 1949 play 34 Architect Jones 37 McDonald’s founder 38 Make really happy 41 Nobel Prize subj.

42 “Cheers!”

44 Connections traced on ancestry.com 46 Tiny amounts 49 Chill in the air 50 Denials 51 Big name on Wall Street

P U Z Z L E

55 French friends 56 Elevator option 57 Horseshoe-shaped letter 61 Tried to get into an office 62 Lisa Simpson’s instrument 64 With 43-Down, what a criminal might be on 65 Augusta National’s __ Corner 66 British Invasion star 67 Doesn’t lack 68 Nothing more than 69 Its flag features a six-pointed star Down 1 Weight room count 2 Burn soother 3 Damon of “The Martian” 4 Mazda roadster 5 Inters 6 Classic auto 7 Novelist Calvino 8 Deliver from memory 9 Succeed 10 In the Gospels, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on one 11 San José denizen 12 First name in gravity 13 Some black-clad teens

18 “This Is __ Tap” 22 Early Web forum 24 Title 25 City with two MLB teams 26 More than wonders 27 Carefree adventure 28 Connections traced on ancestry.com 32 Modern birthday greetings 33 “Can’t help ya” 35 Disco adjective 36 Tip jar fillers 39 Lease signer 40 “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” writer Carle 43 See 64-Across 45 Galaxy alternatives 47 Title for Bovary 48 Distracting bedmate 51 “Party on, Wayne” speaker 52 City on the Missouri 53 Sty denizens 54 Ugly campaign tactic 58 “¿C-mo __?”

59 “The Wizard of Oz” family name 60 Skater’s maneuver 62 Impact sound 63 Geisha’s sash

S U D O K U

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Pine Barrens Media, LLC– Searching for a freelance journalist/reporter with strong reporting skills and great storytelling abilities to join the Pine Barrens Tribune news team! The ideal candidate will have excellent news judgment and be able to develop sources to allow them to break major stories both in print and online. We are seeking a motivated, energetic, creative and aggressive reporter who can think and perform outside the box. The candidate should be able to develop story ideas and gather information for the newspaper and website, have sound writing skills, a great work ethic, strong interpersonal skills, and a can-do attitude. The best person for this job will have excellent writing skills and thrive on breaking stories. Video editing, photographic editing and graphic artwork experience is a huge plus, but not required. A college degree in Journalism / Mass Communications or related field of study is required. The average work schedule will include evenings and week-

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

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Extra

Saturday, March 4, 2017

ANGLERS FROM PAGE 1

pedestrians to fish on the bridge was insufficient.

Washington Township in 2000 decided to adopt an ordinance prohibiting, among other activities, fishing from the Lower Bank Bridge for public safety reasons.

“Fishing, crabbing and related activities from, on or utilizing the Lower Bank Bridge for same are hereby prohibited,” the ordinance says in part. “Loitering upon the Lower Bank Bridge is prohibited. Parking motor vehicles on the Lower Bank Bridge or approach thereto is prohibited. Swimming, diving and related activities from, on or utilizing the Lower Bank Bridge are hereby prohibited.”

Any person convicted of violating the ordinance is subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 and imprisonment of up to 90 days. At the discretion of a court, a person can perform community service in lieu of imprisonment.

The ordinance also says that at the time of enactment, the Washington Township Committee received information from Burlington County’s traffic engineer that the New Jersey State Police received complaints of dangerous swimming, diving and fishing activities from, on and surrounding the Lower Bank Bridge.

In addition, in 2000, the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders adopted a resolution indicating that there were potential safety hazards associated with pedestrians fishing from the Lower Bank Bridge. The resolution says that the hazards warranted the posting of signs on the bridge prohibiting certain activities on the bridge, including fishing.

Subsequently, signs were posted on both ends of the bridge which say "No Fishing, Swimming, Jumping, Diving, Parking and Loitering."

Despite the actions taken, Washington Township officials say they are unaware of any summonses being issued prior to 2016.

However, last year the circumstances changed.

Township officials said they saw an uptick in the number of complaints about people parking and walking on River Road and Lower Bank Road.

The uptick in complaints has been attributed to the fact that a once vacant property and home on the Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County side of the bridge is now occupied. Anglers used to park their vehicles on the vacant lot.

“Cars were parking on private property,” said Washington Township Mayor Dudley Lewis.

The township also received reports that people were walking in front of cars in the travel lanes due to the parking issues.

In reaction to the complaints, Washington Township began enforcing the ordinance pertaining to the Lower Bank Bridge. In addition, the township began enforcing a separate ordinance which prohibits fishing on the Green Bank Bridge.

“Starting April 1, tickets will be issued to those fishing on the bridges,” the township posted on their website. “Fishing is not allowed on the bridges.”

This caught many anglers off-guard.

“All of a sudden it became an issue,” Sefton said. “There has never been an accident.”

Lewis said that the township had no choice but to enforce the ordinance because the bridge doesn’t have a sidewalk.

“We’ve had people fishing along the travel lane,” he said. “We have had chairs and fishing gear in the lane of travel. Someone even put up

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM a beach umbrella.”

Lewis also said that motorists have complained of little children darting out into traffic because there is nothing to restrict them from doing so.

He said there can be 20 to 30 people fishing on the bridge at one time.

“We’re not trying to be punitive,” Lewis said. “We are just asking people not to fish there.”

He said that the committee has empowered the township’s code enforcement official to write summonses to offenders.

“I prefer not to have our own code enforcement official doing that,” Lewis said.

“However, no police department wants to take on that responsibility although they are empowered to.”

Lewis was particularly critical of the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department for not providing enforcement assistance to the township since it’s a county bridge.

Eric Arpert, a spokesperson and lead public information officer for Burlington County, said on Feb. 17 that he was going to reach out to Sheriff Jean Stanfield to see if the department had a responsibility to patrol the Lower Bank Bridge. He said that he would reach back out to the newspaper with an answer. He did not call back.

Police protection services in Washington Township are largely provided by the New Jersey State Police and New Jersey State Park Police.

The state’s Division of Fish and Wildlife also has a Bureau of Law Enforcement. The Division of Fish and Wildlife employs 60 conservation officers statewide as the state’s professional law enforcement agency dedicated to the wise use of the state's natural resources.

Conservation officers are uniquely qualified to enforce wildlife laws and regulations. This includes educating and informing the public in the process regarding the rules, laws, procedures and management practices involving the recreational and commercial uses of fish and wildlife resources to ensure the protection of the environment.

As sworn law enforcement officers, conservation officers have authority to enforce all of the laws of the state and federal government enacted for the protection and management of natural resources and other related environmental enforcement activities.

It’s unclear if the agency can enforce fishing prohibitions adopted by a municipality.

The bureau’s central region office, which is responsible for Burlington County, did not return calls seeking comment.

Lewis was pressed if the township’s code enforcement official has written any summonses to anglers.

“I don’t believe he has issued any summonses,” Lewis said. “However, if there are repeat offenders he will issue summonses.”

Lewis also said that the township passed a “mirror ordinance” to align themselves with Burlington County.

However, the Pinelands Commission maintains that the county only passed a resolution. Resolutions usually have to be renewed each year.

It’s unclear as of press time whether the county has renewed the resolution or if they have their own ordinance in effect which prohibits fishing from the Lower Bank Bridge.

Anglers, who were aware of the regulations and standards which protect fishing access in the CMP, reached out to the Pinelands Commission after the township’s code enforcement officer started to enforce the fishing prohibition.

“We didn’t become aware of this issue until 2016,” Horner said.

The commission immediately launched an

investigation into the matter. Members of the commission’s administrative staff visited the Lower Bank Bridge.

“Our staff does not possess traffic engineering experience,” Horner said. “Based upon our visit to the bridge, it is questionable whether the existing bridge has sufficient cross sectional width to accommodate fishing from one side of the bridge, a guard rail type barrier, two travel lanes and a minimal shoulder where no fishing or other use would be permitted.”

On July 11, 2016, the Pinelands Commission wrote a detailed letter with their site visit findings to Kathleen D. Hoffman, township clerk for Washington Township.

The letter said that the administrative staff of the commission held a meeting with Washington Township Deputy Mayor Daniel James on June 28, 2016. The letter said that during the meeting it was indicated if a protective guard rail type barrier could be provided on the Lower Bank Bridge to separate a public fishing area from the vehicle travel lanes, the township would be in a position to reconsider the matter.

The commission copied the Burlington County Engineer’s Office and asked for his opinion.

“Upon receipt of the county engineer’s opinion, we will update the township,” the commission wrote.

Horner told the Pine Barrens Tribune last week that the commission never received a response from the county’s engineer. Horner said he reached out again to the county after our inquiries and that he had still not heard back from the county.

Horner said that he was not sure who approved the structural design of the bridge.

Arpert was also asked on Feb. 17 about who approved the design of the bridge, why was the bridge not built with adequate access for public fishing, and the county engineer’s opinion.

Arpert promised to call the newspaper back with responses to these questions as well. He did not call back.

Additional attempts to reach Arpert were unsuccessful. Various secretaries who answered the phone in his office throughout the week told the Pine Barrens Tribune that he was unavailable for comment.

When asked if the county was in violation of the CMP for not providing an adequate area for public fishing on the bridge, Horner said that since fishing was permitted from 1991 to 2000, the Pinelands Commission determined the county provided for and met the conditions imposed 26 years ago.

He added that the CMP requires that bridge crossing provide access for public fishing, as appropriate.

He said the phrase “as appropriate” in the CMP regulation was key.

“It’s unfortunate what happened,” Horner said. “But we understand it.”

Sefton said he thought the Pinelands Commission passed the buck to the township. He also was critical of the fact that the commission did not inspect the Lower Bank Bridge after it was rebuilt to see if the applicant did what they were supposed to.

“The Pinelands Commission really dropped the ball here,” Sefton said. “This is something they should enforce. They need to enforce the rules and regulations they set for the rest of the public.”

Sefton said his livelihood partially depends on anglers being able to access the bridge.

His bait and tackle shop is on the Egg Harbor City side of the bridge, approximately twelve minutes away from the prime fishing spot.

He said up to 100 anglers could visit the Lower Bank Bridge during a good weather and

PAGE 19 fishing day.

He added that many bridge anglers traveled to his business at 326 Philadelphia Avenue to pick up needed fishing goods and materials given his businesses’ proximity to the bridge.

“I’m definitely losing business,” he said.

Sefton said he would average two to three dozen customers each day when fishing access was permitted on the bridge. He said each customer spent at least $10 on bloodworms, live grass shrimp, nightcrawlers, minnows, weights, hooks, and rigs.

Egg Harbor City Councilwoman Hazel Mueller said she is concerned for Howard’s livelihood. She has been vocal about what is happening and said that she was doing everything she can to support “Captain Howard” and his business.

“I don’t get it,” she said. “It makes me very upset.”

She said people have always been able to fish on the bridge and called for compromise, even if it meant installing speed bumps on the bridge or lowering and enforcing the speed limit.

“I think it’s a damn shame that the little man has one more thing that has been taken away from them,” Mueller said.

She said that everyone needs to come together to find out the facts about what exactly happened with the bridge’s construction.

“I want to know how it got swept under the rug,” Mueller said. “This should not be political.

Let’s find out the facts.”

The Lower Bank Bridge is partially in Atlantic County.

The Pine Barrens Tribune sought answers as to who exactly has jurisdiction over the Lower Bank Bridge and Green Bank Bridge and if Washington Township could enforce a township ordinance on the Atlantic County side of their bridges.

“It gets very complex,” Horner said. “We received various answers from attorneys. It’s a very involved legal question. I don’t know the answer to it.”

He added that he wasn’t sure whether the municipalities or counties involved had ceased their authorities.

Lewis said township officials could technically only write summonses on one side (the township side) of the bridges which connect to Atlantic County municipalities.

Atlantic County officials provided the Pine Barrens Tribune on Feb. 23 with a copy of an inter-local services agreement that was entered into on July 17, 1986. However, the agreement expired on June 30, 1993.

The agreement was by and between the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Atlantic County. The agreement had assigned jurisdictional responsibility for the bridge.

“The County of Atlantic shall assume complete jurisdictional responsibility for the Green Bank Bridge,” the agreement read in part.

“The County of Burlington shall assume complete jurisdictional responsibility for the Lower Bank Bridge and the Pleasant Mills Bridge.”

The agreement said that the term “complete jurisdictional responsibility” included responsibility to provide and compensate all necessary employees to operate said bridge and the responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the respective bridge structures.

The term “maintenance” included sign posting and traffic enforcement.

“Each county shall assume responsibility for setting and enforcement of traffic regulations, including weight restrictions for its respective bridges and for compliance with any applicable

ANGLERS>>PAGE 20

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ANGLERS

FROM PAGE 19 Coast Guard regulations,” the agreement read in part.

Egg Harbor City also adopted an ordinance in 1974 prohibiting fishing on the Lower Bank Bridge.

“All persons are prohibited from fishing, crabbing, swimming, parking motor or other vehicles, or loitering for any purpose, on or from the bridge crossing the Mullica River between Lower Bank in Washington Township, Burlington County, and Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County or the approaches thereto,” the ordinance reads in part.

The penalties for violating the city’s ordinance match Washington Township’s ordinance.

It’s unclear if the Egg Harbor City Police Department has ever enforced the city’s ordinance.

Egg Harbor City Mayor Lisa Jiampetti declined to comment on whether Egg Harbor City Council has taken any recent action to support or oppose about the fishing prohibition.

She appeared to be unaware of the city’s ordinance and referred the Pine Barrens Tribune to the city’s online code book.

“No, we do not (have an ordinance) as far as I know,” she said. “I don’t know if Washington Township does. There was an issue about fishing in spring 2016 where fishers were trashing the bridge and encroaching on private property.”

She referred inquiries to Lieutenant Dylan Hutton who leads the Egg Harbor City Police Department and performs the duties of the chief. However, he is not considered to be a police chief.

The Egg Harbor City Police Department has been the subject of controversy and John McColgan, who served as the department’s police chief for several years, retired last year.

“I am not aware of anyone ever enforcing it in the 10 or 11 years I have been here,” Hutton said.

WASHINGTON FROM PAGE 4

thing,” said Barbara Cavileer, chief of the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company.

Lewis said he wants the Pinelands Adventure Camp to work with central dispatch.

“Our only concern here is that you work together with central dispatch and your system and try to iron out some way that the correct people get to the spot where they are needed,” Lewis said. “I am speaking for the squad at this point but they never deny an emergency call. That is not the issue. If we are called, we respond. But there needs to be some way that the confusion is eliminated.”

O’Connor said he agreed. He offered to also treat the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company volunteers to a luncheon if they offer to provide medical coverage.

“One of the problems is you’re dealing with a town of 102 square miles and 610 residents,” Lewis said. “Finding volunteers is difficult.”

Barbara Cavileer said the Pinelands Adventure Camp is only one group and there are several groups that want to use the woods every weekend.

“If I did it for you, how could I spread myself that thin?” Cavileer said.

Lewis said that when the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company is called to the northeastern part of the township, the next closest ambulance squad to respond to an incident in Green Bank or Lower Bank is Galloway Township’s EMS which is 15 miles away.

Lewis said New Gretna is also one of the

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Saturday, March 4, 2017

However, he could not speak to the department’s activities before his employment there.

He said that his department would enforce the ordinance if there was a public safety issue.

Meg Steeb, Egg Harbor City clerk, said that she was not aware of the city’s ordinance being enforced. She also said that the subject of the fishing prohibition has not come before the city council.

“Nobody has ever complained to the city,” Steeb said.

She said that she only recalled reading something about the issue in the Press of Atlantic City.

However, the Pine Barrens Tribune is in receipt of letters from the Pinelands Commission relating to the fishing prohibition in which she was copied on the correspondence.

Ben Giannone, a code enforcement official for Egg Harbor City, said he wasn’t aware of any fishing prohibitions. However, he said his office would not get involved in such matters.

He speculated that the state’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Law Enforcement would be the ones to enforce fishing prohibitions on bridges and referred us to the state agency.

Greg O’Connell, who sits on the Recreational Fishing Alliance’s (RFA) Board of Directors, is helping to lead the alliance’s efforts in defending local anglers.

He asked the Washington Township Committee during their meeting on Feb. 7 to find a compromise or reverse their decision.

“Our office has received a bunch of phone calls from anglers upset that they are not going to be able to fish at what they consider to be historic places that they have been able to fish at for decades,” O’Connell said. “The ordinance that you guys are discussing has been on the books for a lot longer than it has been enforced from my understanding.”

Lewis said he was correct that it had not been enforced.

O’Connell said that he wanted the alliance to work together with multiple agencies to come up with ways to make the bridge safer for fishing.

“Never would I want to wait for an accident or for someone to get hurt to take a preemptive step towards safety,” O’Connell said. “Sadly, too often when these safety concerns come up, the knee jerk reaction and the quickest way to alleviate them is to just restrict access.”

He said fishing in the river is great and there are not enough places for the public to access the bank. He said a lot of people are not boat fisherman.

“The very few places on the bank where you can access the river get overcrowded and there is too much trash,” O’Connell said. “If there were more places to access the river, there wouldn’t be as big of a push to be able to fish from the bridge.”

He asked the township committee to investigate whether they can implement a one-way traffic pattern on the bridge by using traffic signals. He also asked the committee to investigate whether they can restripe the travel lanes to provide for a wider pedestrian lane.

“It gets to the point where we come to the determination that it’s just not possible, maybe the way to do this is to try to find ways to either purchase land or improve access in other areas so that these anglers, who can no longer fish at the bridge, can get back to fishing somewhere else.”

Lewis said O’Connell’s points were well taken. However, he said there is no property to purchase. He also said that if the committee rescinds the ordinance, the county’s prohibition will remain in effect.

“If the bridge were modified to replicate what was done on Wading River Bridge, we would be more than willing to remove our ordinance on that bridge,” Lewis said.

Lewis said the Washington Township Committee is not anti-fishing, but that they are in favor of public safety.

“We are willing to cooperate with public safety in mind,” he said.

Washington Township Committeeman Barry Cavileer said he agreed with the mayor.

“It’s a really big issue,” he said. “I don’t know how to resolve it.”

O’Connell said after the committee meeting that he also wants to make sure that anytime a bridge is replaced in the future, the replacement plan includes adequate fishing.

He added that his organization is fighting for access to the Lower Bank Bridge and Green Bank Bridge.

“We fight for land base access in places where fishing was always allowed,” O’Connell said.

Lewis, in a follow-up interview, said that there are other locations that anglers can continue to legally fish.

He said the Wading River Bridge was built with sidewalks 5’ to 6’ wide sidewalks on either side of it.

“Go to that bridge,” Lewis said.

He said the bridge also has a long bulkhead designed for fishing.

He also suggested anglers go to Green Bank State Park and Crowley’s Landing. He said there is a picnic area and boat launch at Crowley’s Landing.

O’Connell said reaching some of the alternative fishing sites in Washington Township is difficult due to poorly maintained dirt roads.

Sefton said he will continue to push the issue. He has written multiple letters to local and state officials, including to Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ).

He said some have responded, others have passed the buck on to another agency and a few have ignored the issue.

He has also gotten a petition together and had over 200 anglers sign it.

Sefton said that he is exploring the possibility of arranging a class action lawsuit, but he doesn’t know if he can afford the expenses.

“I’ll try to pursue it,” he said.

Mueller said she served on the Egg Harbor City Council for nine years and doesn’t like change.

“I feel bad that people can’t even have one bit of pleasure,” she said.

township’s backups. However, he said they only have an EMS engine, not an ambulance.

“They don’t have the ability to transport,” Lewis said. “They rely on Great Bay Regional Volunteer EMS.” Lewis said he wants to make sure that the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company is not placed in an awkward position and that the township’s residents are not losing their EMS coverage.

Committeeman Barry Cavileer asked O’Connor where the ambulance was stationed during the event.

O’Connor said he spoke to Woodland Volunteer Fire and EMS Chief Shawn Viscardi and that it was posted at the firehouse in Chatsworth.

The committee and Barbara Cavileer said at a previous meeting that Woodland Volunteer Fire and EMS volunteers were on standby in Brendan Byrne State Park for the event.

“I would be glad to have a vehicle to help solve this,” O’Connor said.

Barbara Somes, emergency management coordinator for Washington, offered to extend her resources to notify the New Jersey State Park Police of each upcoming event.

“Aren’t they already in this process with the NJ DEP and Pinelands?” Barbara Cavileer said.

O’Connor said that while the NJ DEP and Pinelands are involved with the process, there were problems with manpower.

“This year, there weren’t police available on one of the days because they didn’t have anybody,” he said. “We notified them five months ahead of time and it was near

Christmas and you think people would be looking for overtime. But on the one day there were no police available for that.”

The committee reiterated to O’Connor that Pinelands Adventure Camp needs to get in touch with Burlington County’s 9-1-1 coordinator.

O’Connor and Barbara Cavileer left the meeting room to exchange information and hold further discussion.

Interestingly, requests from two different organizations for a parade permit were tabled just minutes later by the committee.

The Pine Barons Enduro Riders submitted a request for a parade permit for a PBER Clock Run on April 9.

The South Jersey Enduro Riders submitted a request for a parade permit to hold an annual Curly Fern Enduro on March 19.

The requests were tabled at the request of Somes.

She said both organizations submitted poor quality maps of their intended routes and that they needed to clarify where the event’s assigned EMS crew would be staged.

The committee anticipates approving the requests for permits at the next meeting assuming the organizations provide better quality mapping and more specific information to the township.

A third event, an annual Legacy Bike Ride supported by Stockton University, was granted a parade permit. Stockton Police will accompany participants. The event raises $100,000 in scholarships according to Stockton officials who were in attendance at the meeting.

STATISTICS FROM PAGE 5

This put the Shared Municipal Court above operating expenses by $76,614.79.

“We run a very efficient court and cover our own operating expenses,” Beck said. “Having a court doesn’t cost the town anything.”

State law prohibits municipalities from charging the cost of employing a prosecutor, bailiff or public defender to the court’s budget.

The total cost to the township in 2016 for these positions was $34,709.96.

“I just like to put it in there to see if we are really clearing what we cost,” Beck said.

Beck said that if you include these

additional township expenses, the town received $41,904.82 in 2016. Last year, the town received $18,259.71.

“We had a busy year,” Beck said.

She said that the court pays $1,309.90 for the lease and taxes on a parking lot which is across the street from the courtroom and municipal building.

Beck said most of the cases pertain to violations and offenses committed on Route 9, Route 542 and the Garden State Parkway.

She was unable to account for the increase in the case load.

“I don’t know,” she said.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

HUG

FROM PAGE 8 along with preferences for fabric choice.

Jones has expanded her business to include kimonos for men and children, pillow coverings, lap blankets, IV pole covers and “just about anything to brighten up a room.”

Over the years, Hug Wraps have been given to patients battling cancer, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and people in nursing homes and hospices. She hopes one day to create a hospital line for children. If she had her way, every patient handed a cancer diagnosis would also be handed a Hug Wrap, which might prevent them from feeling vulnerable and neglected, as she had.

Jones never dreamed that something she made for herself “would give others so much comfort” and would lead to a lifework of a bustling kimono business.

She said it has been incredibly rewarding to create a product which brings some happiness to people at a difficult time in their lives and she appreciates all the attention Hug Wraps has garnered over the years.

In 2012, Jones won a sewing room makeover, compliments of NBC’s George Oliphant and his show, “George to the Rescue.”

The episode won a New York Emmy Award in

BOWLERS 2014 for Outstanding Human Interest Program Special.

Jones was also named a “Model of Courage” in 2016-17 for Ford’s Warriors in Pink program, which was formed to show the company’s support of breast cancer initiatives.

Hug Wraps has been invited by the Philadelphia Eagles on several occasions to set up a booth and donation jar at their games, and stories have been written about Jones and Hug Wraps in various publications.

Hug Wraps is a small 501(c)(3) non-profit and it is hard to stay afloat with expenses for materials, shipping and utilities, all of which exceed the money she brings in, despite the high volume of orders.

Jones, who has become a cancer support group speaker in addition to her Hug Wraps venture, said she is hopeful that companies and businesses will provide monetary donations and sponsorships so that she can continue her mission to put a smile on every cancer patient’s face. She is also looking for a volunteer grant writer to secure additional funding to keep Hug Wraps around.

Please visit HugWraps.org to learn more about the organization, contact Jones, and check out the options available for a loved one.

PIPELINE FROM PAGE 2

One of the newer appointees, Joe Chila, is the president of an electrical workers union, whose members will likely work on any pipeline project. He voted “yes.”

The crowd was as varied as it could be. In close proximity was a hunched, elderly man and a cute toddler who was holding a sign. Two people rode motorized wheelchairs throughout the room.

The New Jersey State Police presence was even larger than at the previous meeting.

Anywhere from three to six troopers stood between the commissioners, who were sitting

on a high dais, and the audience. Another half dozen or so state troopers were either outside or circled the lobby.

Immediately following the vote, a Sierra Club spokesman said, “We sued you once and won, and we’ll do it again.”

Another foe, with a nod to President Donald J. Trump and his staff said, “These are not even alternate facts.”

A third speaker said, “The public has been cut out.”

Despite the defeat, the foes are determined to continue to fight on, likely in court. Stay tuned.

RESOLUTIONS FROM PAGE 8

opening the newly resurfaced Davis Street. It can’t be opened for at least five years except in case of emergency.

The final one sets fees for using a new baseball field and field house.

All were passed on first reading.

The public portion of the meeting was more interesting than usual.

Diane Fanucci, a local activist, mentioned the time she has spent weekly for the last two or three years in cleaning: her street, neighboring streets, the cemetery and

the borough in general. She insists she’s not seeking recognition for this work. However, she did wonder why the borough is not tougher on careless homeowners and other residents who she says constantly litter.

The meeting lasted until 7:45 p.m. Veteran Mayor Harold Griffin said it was the longest borough meeting he could remember. It drew 10 residents, higher than usual.

The next borough council meeting is set for Monday, March 20, at the usual starting time of 6 p.m.

SALVAGE FROM PAGE 6

ton where she works full-time as both the clerk and administrator.

Township Solicitor Thomas Coleman asked if there were any site improvements currently being made to the site.

McGinty said there were no active site improvements. He said that he did receive

PAGE 21

approval to install a concrete pad and scale.

“We’re not in a position to do that right away,” he said.

McGinty said he would notify the township when they begin to perform any site improvements.

The license extension was granted by a vote of 3-0.

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FROM PAGE 14

PHOTO SUBMITTED Assistant Coach Chris Stone, Evan McNally, Nick Simonetti, Andrew Abbonizio, Chris Pagliuso, Tyler Gates and Head Coach Ryan Franks. third Sectional Championship, and placing 3rd in the state tournament. We’re going to miss our graduating seniors immensely next year. It has

been fun to watch them compete the last four years and grow into young men.”

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Saturday, March 4, 2017

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

HOME, GARDEN, AND FARMING Farm and Food File

By Alan Guebert

Alan Guebert is an award-winning ag journalist and expert who was raised on a 720-acre, 100-cow southern Illinois dairy farm.

New boss, same brawls The Trump Administration’s turtle-slow This Farm Bill fight could be even longer, start with the Republican-led Congress bodes harder, and costlier. For example, in 2013, the ill for what it and Republicans said would be year today’s governing bill took its final shape, a busy legislative year. Tax reform, replacing U.S. net farm income hit an all-time record, Obamacare, raising the debt ceiling and a 2018 $123.7 billion. Two weeks ago, however, the budget all await initial action.

U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasted 2017 The GOP chairmen of the House and Senate net farm income at half that, or $62.3 billion. ag committees, however, aren’t waiting on any Will yesterday’s farm policy—essentially White House signal to begin work. They have government-subsidized revenue insurance that a Farm Bill to write and pass before the current has no ability whatsoever to lift revenue—work law expires in 2018. for today’s falling commodity markets, falling In fact, the House committee kicked off its land prices and falling farm income?

Farm Bill work with testimony on the stum- Not a chance, says Daryll Ray and Harwood bling ag economy Feb. 15 in Washington, D.C. Schaffer in their latest Policy Pennings column The Senate committee began Feb. 23 with from the University of Tennessee. That Farm a hearing in the backyard of Chairman Pat Bill’s “programs simply backfill low prices with Roberts, Manhattan, KS. inadequate payments and do nothing to reduce Their quick 2017 start, however, does not the modest amount of surplus production that is mean a quick 2018 ending. For proof, recall the the cause of the low prices.” tortured path traveled by the 2014 Farm Bill, as In short, a new Farm Bill that simply updates Sara Wyant suggested to readers in a lengthy the insurance-centric 2014 law will doom U.S. Feb. 10 posting at Agri-Pulse.com. In fact, it farmers and ranchers to more years of financial was to be the 2012 Farm Bill, not 2014, and calamity.

House hearings for it began on April 10, 2010. Farm lenders, ag suppliers, and budget hawks, On Feb. 7, 2014, when the bill was signed you listening? Denying today’s farm and ranch into law, no one celebrated because the brutal, reality ensures farm policy failure and, right four-year slugfest that delivered it had fractured behind it, farm and ranch failure. decades-old political coalitions that had worked Even if ag and Congressional leaders address together to balance American farm and food this evident need, it is not at all evident that the interests that protected both farmers and the Trump White House will support any Farm Bill poor. let alone much needed changes in the 2014 law.

The biggest hold-up was Tea Party budget Early indications aren’t hopeful. hawks whose focus was cost, not policy. Their Top Trump aide Stephen Miller (who refusal to support any Farm Bill that didn’t co-authored the President’s grim inaugural slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance address) helped sink recent immigration reform, Program, or SNAP, the former food stamp a farm and ranch priority, while on the staff program, stalled the Farm Bill at almost every of then-Senator, now-Attorney General, Jeff turn.

Sessions, an Alabama Republican.

Their fiery demands were fueled even more Also, Paul Winfree, a former Heritage Founby the ground-shifting, 2010 mid-term election. dation economist, now serves as Trump’s Caught in the quicksand was Blanche Lincoln, director of budget policy. It’s a lofty perch the first woman and first Arkansan ever to chair from which to advocate a long-sought Heritage the Senate Ag Committee. She was clobbered Foundation goal: deep cuts in SNAP spending. in her 2010 reelection bid just five months after If he succeeds, the weakened farm-urban coaFarm Bill hearings began that year. lition that carried previous Farm Bills over the House Ag Chairman Collin Peterson fared finish line may be gone for good. better—he was reelected in 2010—but he In the meantime, the 2018 Farm Bill has left lost the committee’s gavel to Oklahoma’s the barn. Where it goes from here is impossible Frank Lucas when Republicans overwhelmed to guess.

Democrats to easily retake the House. © 2017 AG COMM.

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CROSSWORD

SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU

Saturday, March 4, 2017

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PAGE 23

PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE

AUTOMOTIVE New Vehicle Buying Guide Compiled by Motor Matters

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