Pine Barrens Tribune May 23, 2020-May 29, 2020

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Vol. 4 – No. 36 ♦

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May 23, 2020 – May 29, 2020

Evesham Moves to Lay Off Staffers After Negotiations Over Furloughs Fail

ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

State Officials Remind 2020 Graduates of How Special a Role and Opportunity to Serve the Coronavirus Crisis Offers them as School Districts Formulate Creative Commencement Plans

By Andy Milone & Bill Bonvie Team Coverage

SHAMONG—While some news reports may give the impression that this year’s high-school seniors are about to be deprived of the traditions, the fun and the ceremonial importance that have come to be associated with being awarded a diploma, New Jersey state officials have provided them with a distinctly different perspective on what it means to graduate in the midst of a global pandemic.

When asked by this newspaper at a May 18 press briefing what they would say if they were giving keynote speeches for a commencement ceremony this year, Gover nor Phil Mur phy, state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan and State Epidemiologist /Assistant Commissioner of Epidemiology Dr. Eddy A. Bresnitz, M.D. all responded in similar fashion.

The way they see it, the members of the Class of 2020 have been dramatically, if unexpectedly, thrust into a role of momentous historical significance, and are being given the opportunity to distinguish

themselves like no other graduates have since the earth-shaking days of World War II. “I would say this commencement year is unlike any, in any of our lives,” Murphy declared, calling the occasion “akin to graduating from high school in 1944,” or a week or two after the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day. “I mean, it is in that sort of realm.”

Then, conveying a new “call to action,” the governor suggested that the current Coronavirus crisis warrants nothing less than a Second World War-type level of commitment to public service of the sort exemplified by frontline healthcare workers and law enforcement personnel.

Persichilli said she would tell the graduates “that this is unprecedented, that they are living through history, and there are going to be books written about this.”

“So, don’t waste it (the opportunity),” she said. “Jump in, do your part and save lives—and consider becoming a nurse,” urged the health commissioner, who as the governor pointed out, has a background in nursing herself.

Callahan, who has participated in daily briefings on the state’s efforts to bring the contagion under control, agreed that

in a crisis such as this, “there is certainly opportunity.”

“If you are 18 years old and going off to college, are you going to be part of the group that brings solutions, and (be) a problem solver, or are you going to sit in the wings and be the complainer?” Callahan asked.

The State Police superintendent said he would hope that this year’s graduates “become part of the team that sets New Jersey and the country as the model that we are for the rest of the globe,” and that would be his message to them, “to not get wrapped around the axle of the challenge, but more so in the opportunity that lies ahead to leave it better than they found it.”

Bresnitz took the occasion to emphasize the importance of government service, which he said he believed ever yone should perform—although not necessarily uncompensated—for at least a year “as part of their life experience” and to help them understand “what government actually means and what it does for you, and how important it is for society to make progress.”

The governor concurred, saying he favored two years of government service, along the lines of the Israeli model, in See HISTORY/ Page 5

EVESH A M—More than 23 minutes after Evesham Township Council returned from a lengthy executive session during a special meeting held virtually on May 16, amidst ensuing council comments, was a revelation from Township Manager Robert Corrales that the municipality’s labor union had rejected a temporary furlough plan for municipal employees proposed to counteract a reportedly significant amount of lost revenue due to the Coronavirus pandemic; and that he was now proceeding with layoffs of municipal employees.

“The union decided not to move forward with furloughs, so this is a layoff (plan) now,” Corrales said. “I am meeting with department heads to see what makes sense for each department.”

Corrales, earlier this month, had proposed a “proactive” furlough plan that would have included furloughing a number of municipal employees “at all levels” for a “period of time” due to the township, as of May 5, experiencing an approximately $545,000 loss in revenue over the past one-and-a-half to two months, and predictions that the situation will worsen as taxpayers fall behind on tax payments due to rising unemployment and businesses closures stemming from the pandemic.

The township manager warned that if the labor union did not agree to the furloughs, township officials could be left with no choice but to implement “historic” layoffs as they want to avoid a tax increase given the impact that the pandemic is also having on its residents.

Corrales, as he unveiled the furlough plan May 5, noted that the state and federal governments have put programs in place to significantly lessen the financial impact to employees who are affected by a reduction in hours, and that municipal employees would be eligible for federal aid under the Pandemic Employment Assistance that increases weekly unemployment benefits by $600 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “Reduction of hours are a favorable approach to mitigate revenue loss, as opposed to tax increases and indefinite layoffs, because they are temporary and for a defined period, and allow employees to remain on the township’s active payroll system, and protects their seniority, medical and other benefits, and maximizes savings for taxpayers,” the township manager said at the time.

The township manager also said at the time that given the current health crisis associated with COVID-19, the ability to maintain health See FAIL/ Page 4

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Basantis, After Being Chided by Stanfield, Says He Is Implementing Steps to Make Sheriff’s Office More Receptive to Callers

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

MOUNT HOLLY—A letter of admonition sent to Burlington County Sheriff Anthony Basantis by the county’s long-time former sheriff, Assemblywoman Jean Stanfield (R-8th Legislative District), has resulted in Basantis announcing he is taking steps to make his office more accessible to residents, and to have their calls and concerns answered in a more timely manner.

At the same time, Basantis, a Democrat who was elected to the post last November, took the occasion to point out some of the things he and his aides have done to help people cope with the Coronavirus pandemic that had stricken nearly 4,000 county residents and killed some 245 of them as of May 19.

In her letter, which she posted on her Facebook page May 17, Stanfield told Basantis she was reaching out to him “on behalf of concerned citizens who are having trouble getting through to you in this time of crisis.”

She particularly took him to task for a “very troubling answering machine reply message” that reportedly informed callers that their voicemails would not be checked, noting that such a response tended to “disenfranchise many of our most vulnerable seniors” and others without Internet access for whom the phone is their only method of communicating with public officials.

“It is imperative that people know they can call those who are responsible for protecting us and be assured their calls will not go unanswered,” she maintained.

Stanfield also reminded the current sheriff of the “extremely important role” his office

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plays du r i ng the COVID-19 crisis in ensuring that test sites remain safe and r u n smoothly, and by frequently prov id i ng a “point person for local first responders and Stanfield municipalities that rely on you for g uid ance and extra m a n p o w e r .”

Given that “ma ny brave o f fi c e r s a r e getting sick,” she noted, t he she r i f f ’s department could be a Basantis “huge resource” in reinforcing local police departments.

In an apparent response to Stanfield’s letter, Basantis initially issued a two-paragraph press release the following day detailing some of the ways his office has been serving the county and its communities “during these challenging times.”

When asked by the Pine Barrens Tribune to provide a more specific reply to the concerns raised by the assemblywoman, the sheriff See BASANTIS/ Page 7

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Tabernacle Road Improvement Work Begins

Photo By Andrew King

Work crews begin improvement work May 20 on Tabernacle Road in Medford Lakes Borough.

By Andy Milone Staff Writer

MEDFORD LAKES—The first phase of a Tabernacle Road improvement project in Medford Lakes Borough has begun this week.

The first phase includes resurfacing and drainage improvements to Tabernacle Road from its intersection with Stokes Road to its intersection with Mohave Trail, Borough Manager Dr. Robert Burton said.

Borough Clerk Mark McIntosh said Medford Lakes has received a $238,069 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to fund most of the first phase, while the rest of the needed funds will be pulled from the borough’s operating budget. He said the overall project cost is $410,720.

GWP Enterprises, Inc., of Franklinville, was the lowest bidder for the first phase of construction at $410,720, according to McIntosh, and was awarded a 60-day contract for the job (weather permitting). The borough, according to a recent Medford Lakes Borough Council resolution awarding a contract to GWP, received seven total bids for the construction,

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with the next lowest of $428,833 coming from Gerald A. Barrett, LLC, out of Berlin. Four of the bids came in at less than $500,000.

Environmental Resolutions Inc., of Mt. Laurel, was the lowest bidder for the first phase of the engineering at $57,000, according to McIntosh. The borough had three firms put in for the engineering work, McIntosh said.

“The good news, and the bad news, is that we have a virus and no one is really driving around,” said Burton during an April 22 council meeting. “We don’t have any school traffic going that way, so if there is anything good to be taken from this situation, is that there is not a lot of people using Tabernacle Road during (the repaving).”

Even with the anticipated reduction in traffic, however, the location of detours has still been provided on the borough’s website. For residents of the immediate area, westbound traffic will be detoured onto Oak Drive to Beach Drive to Stokes Road. Those living north of Tabernacle Road will first have to detour onto Blackfoot See ROAD/ Page 8

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Wildfire Activity Increases in Pinelands With More Than 2,000 Acres Scorched

Photo By New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

A forest fire that crossed the Egg Harbor River, fueled by high winds and relatively low humidity.

The second fire, first spotted at 1:30 p.m.

WHITING—Two separate forest fires this on May 19 by a NJFFS observer manning week in the Pinelands have underscored the the Blue Anchor Fire Tower, broke out in recent increase in fire danger across the area Winslow Township, on the border of Camden due to a drier weather pattern. and Gloucester counties, according to Shinske.

The first blaze was 99 acres in size, and “The fire eventually crossed the Egg Harbor developed on May 17 south of Roosevelt City in River, fueled by high winds and relatively low Manchester Township, off Route 539, according humidity,” she said. to Caryn Shinske, a spokeswoman for the New Aircraft, multiple fire trucks and equipment, Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and 50 fire personnel were still at the scene of (NJDEP), which oversees the New Jersey Forest the blaze on May 20, Shinske said, which was Fire Service (NJFFS).

95 percent contained as of that time.

By late in the evening May 17, the NJFFS “There is no threat to local structures due reached 100 percent containment with the to the fire’s remote location,” she said. “The “Roosevelt 99 Fire,” according to Shinske and public is advised that smoke may be visible a posting by Section B10 of the NJFFS. for an extended period while firefighters work “The Forest Fire Service determined that the to contain the wildfire. Motorists traveling wildfire resulted from an unattended bonfire,” in the area should remain cautious of smoke, Shinske told this newspaper. “There were no firefighters and fire vehicles that may be evacuations and no structures were threatened.” working on nearby roadways.”

There was no word by deadline time on The cause of the second fire, deemed the whether the NJFFS planned to file charges in “Big Timber Fire,” is still under investigation. the matter.

‘Medford Lakes First’ Trio Declares Victory

By Andy Milone Staff Writer

MEDFORD LAKES—Two incumbents and one newcomer running a joint campaign within a field of six candidates captured all three open seats on the Medford Lakes Borough Council in a May 12 nonpartisan municipal election.

“Medford Lakes First,” a coalition consisting of Mayor William “Bill” Fields, Deputy Mayor Dr. Gary Miller, and Dr. Gail Caputo, declared victory on its campaign Facebook page shortly after the “polls” closed at 8 p.m.

According to unofficial results from the Burlington County Clerk’s Office, Miller led the way with 1,099 votes, followed by Fields with 1,068 votes. Caputo rounded out the top three with 1,055 votes.

“First and foremost, we want to thank our fellow Lakers for participating in this election under very challenging circumstances and for showing how committed you are to keeping our

town a great place to live,” the post declaring victory said. “We are deeply humbled by your support and look forward to continuing to serve the community and the people we love so much.

We were committed to running a campaign that put people over partisanship, and recognize the unique qualities that sets Medford Lakes apart from any other town, and we promise to govern in that same spirit.”

Fields, a school safet y and securit y coordinator in the Rancocas Valley Regional School District, was re-elected to serve his second four-year term on the council.

Miller, who has spent many decades in public service, including serving as the mental health/ human services administrator for Burlington County, will add another four years to his third council stint, which began after winning a special election held in November 2017. Miller See TRIO/ Page 5

Saturday, May 23, 2020

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(Continued from Page 1) benefits for all the township employees and their covered dependents “is a key factor” in considering furloughs over layoffs.

Corrales declared May 5 that while the township “values its employees and recognizes the hard work that these dedicated individuals put in day after day,” township officials also have a “fiduciary responsibility” to township residents.

“The number of positions (to be laid off), per department, is still being finalized,” said Corrales on May 16. “It is hard to say what that would be in any one department.”

Corrales, during his May 5 presentation, said that in the “unlikely event” that an agreement could not be reached with union leadership, the township would be required to consider “indefinite” layoffs.

However, in response to a question from Republican Councilman Robert “Bob” DiEnna inquiring about whether the layoffs would be done in rotation now that negotiations fell through, Corrales replied that the layoffs would be “permanent.”

“There were negotiations between myself, labor counsel and the union leadership, and there was back-and-forth about concessions, or whatever you want to call it … there were discussions about how we can move this forward and how we can get the union to accept,” Corrales said. “There were a couple of ideas thrown about from each side, but at the end of the day, when it came down to it, they did say they would reject it and ‘take their chances.’”

Democratic Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper pointed to the furlough plan having a “financial design” that would have allowed municipal employees to “be kept whole, financially.”

“You were offering them benefits, and there were some concessions that were asked for, which would have actually cost us more money, and instead the union rep made the statement, ‘We will take our chances.’” Cooper said. “I just want to say publicly that I am disappointed that while we were trying to encourage and support your efforts to keep jobs financially whole, that instead negotiations to layoff employees is now what you are considering.”

Cooper pointed out that there is a mechanism that when a public employee is notified that he or she is going to be laid off, that person has an “opportunity to negotiate.”

“I encourage all employees to go to their unions and talk about what they are willing to take and do, because, perhaps, they were not fully informed that this was something you were doing across every department, and every area; and that (perhaps) they were not aware that concessions were offered and different options were given and put on the table.”

Cooper added that she was “disappointed” that “people” were using a “public health crisis

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to get more out of contracts.”

“We were trying not to put the burden on the taxpayer, while also trying to restore jobs at a later time for all employees,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that we have to keep moving in this direction.”

Corrales, in a May 19 interview with this newspaper, said that the labor union, in exchange for agreeing to any furloughs, initially wanted a decrease in healthcare contributions (where the township would contribute more on each employee’s behalf) and an agreement where employees could carry over vacation days in “excess over an allotted amount.” He said the township was open to agreeing to the vacation day request, but that the municipality could not make changes to the healthcare contributions because it would “negate” the savings that the township would have achieved through furloughs.

“Our counteroffer was that we understand the impact on the members, and we would be willing to provide two personal days for 2021,” Corrales said.

But, he contended, as he made that counteroffer, the union had already revised their position, calling for “Chapter 78 Healthcare Contributions” to be essentially frozen at the 2020 level and to also add to their “cost of living” in the contract for 2021 and 2022.

“It negates any cost savings we are trying to achieve here,” Corrales contended. “When we said we would not entertain it, I got back a reply that, ‘We do not have anything further to discuss and members have made their decision.’

We told them, at this point, we were very much open to talks.”

He contended that the township had to provide union employees 20 days’ notice of its intention to now conduct layoffs.

“I don’t want to say a number, as it can still fluctuate,” he said. “My door remains open and the negotiation process continues.”

Teri Razler, one of the municipality’s employees, appeared to shed light on another possible contention between the parties by asking why the municipality’s $10.3 million surplus cannot be used to offset the revenue losses and prevent employee impacts, in addition to inquiring about what services will be impacted with the loss of employees.

DiEnna, who previously May 5 expressed dismay with the township’s managers intentions and again asked May 16 if council could vote on the matter, shook his head as the question from Razler was read aloud.

“No surprise,” DiEnna said.

Democratic Mayor Jaclyn (Jackie) Veasy replied by calling the situation “a very hard puzzle to put together.”

“When it comes to surplus, there is a certain level that we need to maintain to make sure that we have (enough to cover) financial shortfalls the rest of this year, as well as next year; (and that) we are able to maintain that

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(Continued from Page 4) surplus,” the mayor contended.

Elizabeth J. Peddicord, director of finance for Evesham, said that the municipality’s current surplus is $10.3 million, but that last year the municipality appropriated $6 million of it in its budget.

“So, for this year, it is still up in the air how much is going to be appropriated,” she said.

“But at the end of the day it is always up to the township manager and council, collectively, what is reasonable and what makes sense.

We know without a doubt that revenues have already gone down this year. They will continue to go down.”

Peddicord called the use of surplus a “balancing act.”

Robert P. Nehila, Jr., the township’s recently appointed auditor, of Bowman and Company LLP, said that it will be the decision of the mayor and council as far as how much surplus is used toward the township’s operating budget.

“Right now, we have $10.3 million in surplus—think of that as your savings account for your household,” he said. “If you are going

TRIO

(Continued from Page 4) previously served on the council from 1994 to 1998, and from 2010 to 2016.

Caputo, a researcher and professor of Criminal Justice at Rutgers UniversityCamden, will begin her first four-year term.

She replaces Councilwoman Kathy Merkh, who chose not to seek re-election.

Bethany Holtz, substitute teacher, researcher, and part-time web designer, received 575 votes, while Dave Mason, a pharmaceutical supply chain compliance and serialization lead, received 330 votes and Joseph Aromando, who

HISTORY (Continued from Page 1)

which “you have a military option or a nonmilitary option.”

“But I love that notion,” Murphy said.

The governor also made a point of “how much respect we still have for the accomplishment (of graduating), even though “we can’t gather in the way that we would otherwise gather.”

“Despite the fact that it’s unusual, and it’s not traditional, it’s no less a big deal, and we would want folks to remember that,” he said.

Just how unusual and how much of a “big deal” it is, in fact, is reflected in some of the creative approaches to this year’s commencement that high-school districts in the region are taking.

At Pinelands Regional Senior High School in Little Egg Harbor Township, for example, Principal Troy Henderson related to the Pine Barrens Tribune the district’s current plan “to make sure that every kid has some kind of graduation-related experience.”

To that end, he said, a program has already gotten underway, starting this past week, to invite all 248 graduating seniors, one at a time, accompanied by up to four family members, to come to the high school and be videotaped walking across the stage getting their diploma.

“Because we’re scheduling the kids 10 minutes apart to keep everyone separated, it is going to be over the course of six days,” he said.

“But once we are done, we are going to compile it and include the traditional speeches you’d have from class leaders and district officials (himself included),” all of which he said will be put together in a video and shared with both the students and the community on graduation night, which this year falls on June 19.

W hile the mode and details of that transmission had yet to be determined, Henderson said the graduates will all be

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM to dip into that, you are going to want to know what am I comfortable with being left with for the future. In the past years, we enjoyed replenishing surplus with a variety of different avenues. Right now, in today’s times, those avenues to replenish the surplus are probably not going to be there at the end of the year. …If you are not going to replenish it, you are going to need it for the 2021 budget and 2022 budget and so forth and so on.”

Nehila added that “right now” the “challenge” is the “fear of the unknown.”

“We don’t know what the future is going to hold,” he said. “Maybe in August we will have a clear picture, and in November we will have a real clear picture. Right now, if you were to tear through your surplus, and suppose you don’t regenerate it, it would not be prudent to do that.”

On Tuesday, former and longtime Evesham Township Mayor Randy Brown appeared to chide township council and officials for not agreeing to use township surplus monies to offset the revenues losses.

“Evesham Township mayor, township council and township manager laying off township workers.... nah, that’s not possible with a $10.5 million dollar surplus...really?” asked Brown on his Facebook page. owns his own business, received 327 votes.

“The other candidates were very civil, positive and constructive in their campaigning,” said Miller in a telephone interview with this newspaper on May 13. “There was no ugliness, which can happen during elections.”

Aromando previously served on the council from 1998 to 2002, and since then, has sought many times to regain his seat on the governing body, including in 2017 when he ran for the open seat against Miller during the special election.

A total of 1,566 voters out of some 3,469 who are registered in the borough participated in this year’s municipal election, which was unlike any

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See TRIO/ Page 6 receiving a link that will enable them to have a permanent visual record of the occasion. He added that steps have been taken to make sure that “every one of our students has access to a laptop or a personal hot spot,” a device designed to provide them with Internet access in case it isn’t available to them at home.

In addition, he revealed, the district is planning to schedule a fun event to substitute for this year’s canceled senior prom— a drivein movie in one of the high-school parking lots, for which every member of the class will be issued two tickets. Food and ice-cream trucks will be brought in for the event, he said, with administrators and chaperones delivering burgers, sandwiches and dessert to each vehicle.

“We’re letting the kids vote on what movie they most want to see, which can be anything that is out there,” said Henderson, pointing out that most of the seniors have never actually been to a drive-in movie before.

A parade of cars on a predetermined route through town is also being contemplated, he added, although that would have to be worked out with the local police department.

“If the governor allows us to have any kind of in-person gatherings, we are pushing for that as well,” the Henderson l said. “It all depends on what kinds of guidelines or restrictions he puts on it.”

Henderson also had a message for his students: “just that we love and miss them, and whether we are learning from home or learning in school, we are Pinelands strong.”

The Lenape Regional High School District (LRHSD) and the Pemberton Township School District are taking somewhat different approaches to providing memorable send-offs for the Class of 2020, given the current ban on in-person commencement ceremonies.

Both districts reported receiving a memo earlier this month from the New Jersey See HISTORY/ Page 7

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Saturday, May 23, 2020

NEED-TO-KNOW INFORMATION Economic Advisory Council Created to Focus on Evesham’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery In Surprising Development, One Councilman Opposed the Formation, Unhappy with ‘Route That Was Taken’

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

EV ESH A M —A d ra mat ic cha nge i n economic conditions during the COVID-19 emergency throughout the state, including in Evesham Township, which has a sizable “diverse and dynamic” business district, has prompted Evesham Township Council, virtually, to approve 4-1 the creation of an Evesham Township Economic Advisory Council.

Casting the lone dissenting vote was Republican Councilman Rober t “Bob” DiEnna, who later declared he agreed with the “destination,” but not the “route taken” to get there.

The mission of the council, according to township officials, is to provide for business “revitalization, recovery and stabilization” in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We know that we are going through a very difficult time here in Evesham as we go through this Coronavirus pandemic together,” said Democratic Mayor Jaclyn “Jackie” Veasy.

“We have been hearing from businesses and the community that they were looking for some help and guidance through this whole process.”

The advisory council is to always include a representative from the banking and finance community, a member of the local legal community practicing in and/or residing in the township, two members being representatives of the local retail community, two members being representatives of the local real estate

TRIO

(Continued from Page 5) other in that it was conducted entirely by mailin ballots, as ordered by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“It was a weird election, campaigning without having to knock on any doors,” said Fields in a telephone interview with this newspaper on May 13. “We needed to find alternative ways to reach out to people.”

The winning trio’s way of doing so was to take to the streets in a campaign truck dubbed “Olde Jebediah,”a 1950s Dodge flatbed festooned with campaign signs and American flags.

Fields and Miller, in separate interviews,

community, a member of the local restaurant community, a representative of the local small business community, a member of the Board of Directors of the Marlton Business Association, the township manager or his/her designee, and the mayor or his/her designee.

Robert Curley, of TD Bank; Ashley Buono, of Parker McCay; Alicia DiMichele, of Alicia DiMichele Boutique, along with Pamela Maver of Soft Surroundings; Mark McKenna, of Pat McKenna Realtors along with Devin Dinofa, of Keller Williams Realty; Kristopher Herman, of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar; Frank Plum, of Workplace HCM Inc., Michael Thompson, of The Thompson Group Insurance Agency; Evesham Township Manager Robert Corrales and Veasy will serve on the advisory council.

Veasy contended that the 11-member advisory council appointees represent a “broad cross-section of local business representatives” that draw upon diverse experiences of the town to maximize the town’s long-term economic potential. She declared that creating “coordinated and centralized themes” are important in creating a sustainable recovery.

The advisory council, with 9 voting members and two ex officio members, has been tasked to help the township share information about community development initiatives, identify opportunities for local policy, assist in the preparation of g rant and f u ndi ng See RECOVERY/ Page 8 identified the relining of the borough’s sewer system and revitalization of its firehouse as two projects that they will continue overseeing to make sure they reach completion.

Both also noted there will be a learning curve for Caputo, but expressed their confidence in councilwoman-elect.

“She is a college professor, and she has taken on many different acts of volunteerism before,” Fields said. “She’ll pick it up quickly and should become a contributing asset right away.”

This was the first nonpartisan municipal election since the current council voted 3-2 in March to turn down a non-binding referendum supported by a majority of voters who voted in 2019 that would have moved local elections to

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Primary Election to Be Held ‘Primarily’ by Mail

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

MOUNT HOLLY—New Jersey’s primary election for 2020 is to be held primarily by mail due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Democratic Governor Phil Murphy had already moved the primary from June 2 to July 7 due to the spread of COVID-19, but now he has ordered that all registered Democratic and Republican voters receive vote-by-mail ballots, and that all unaffiliated and inactive voters receive vote-by-mail ballot applications.

“This will be a primarily—and that is an important word—vote-by-mail election,” Murphy contended. “We will ensure that every vote is counted. Our goals are twofold: to maximize our democracy, while minimizing the risk of illness. We want everyone to participate in a safe and fully democratic process.”

Both the ballots and application will come with pre-paid postage, according to the governor. The deadline by which votes must be received by a county board of elections to be counted as valid will be extended from 48 hours after the polls close to seven days after the polls close. However, a ballot still has to be postmarked by the day of the election.

“In addition to the United States Postal Service, we will also require counties to distribute secure drop boxes for voters to turn in their completed ballots,” said Murphy during a May 15 Coronavirus briefing. “I got off the phone with Dave Williams, who is the chief operating officer and executive v ice pre side nt for t he Un it ed St at e s Postal Service, and I walked through how

important our partnership is with the post office, particularly in high density, and particularly in low income, neighborhoods.

He assured me their full cooperation, and this is a partnership we want to see flourish in the months ahead.”

As this newspaper previously reported, Democratic Burlington County Clerk Joanne Schwartz has said that “voting by mail ensures all residents can vote without traveling to a polling location in a safe and secure way,” while Republican President Donald J. Trump called it a “terrible thing” and added that “there is a lot of dishonesty going along with mail-in voting.”

Murphy is requiring at least one polling place to open on Election Day in each municipality, and that provided there are enough poll workers, each county is required to have at least 50 percent of its usual polling places open on Election Day. The governor declared that the open polling places will give voters, who may need access to in-person voting opportunities, the opportunity to vote.

“While many voters have seamlessly transitioned to voting by mail, we know there are other voters who prefer to cast their ballot in person, in addition to voters with disabilities who cannot fill out a vote-by-mail ballot,” Murphy said. “For in-person voting, we plan to require at least one polling location to be opened in each municipality; and social distancing protocols will be enforced within these polling locations, including the sanitizing of any touchscreen voting machines between voters.”

Seasonal Farm Worker Testing for COVID-19 Underway with 58 Workers Testing Positive

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

SHAMONG—The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, is testing seasonal farm workers for Coronavirus as the state’s g rowing season begins, according to NJDOH Commissioner Judith Persichilli.

“Testing of our seasonal farm workers in South Jersey is already underway,” she said during a May 16 Coronavirus press briefing in Trenton.

As of May 16, according to Persichilli, 507 individuals at 11 farms have been tested, so far, for the virus.

“58 have returned as positive and are currently in isolation,” the health commissioner said.

Persichilli contended that she held a call on May 15, the official start to the growing season, with 85 far m owners, growers, county health and agriculture officials, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service, the Farm Bureau, State Board of Agriculture and healthcare officials, along with federally qualified healthcare centers, to discuss g uidance that the NJ DOH will provide this week to far mers and growers on how to keep their seasonal farm See FARM/ Page 8

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BASANTIS (Continued from Page 2)

emailed one back on his official letterhead, the tone of which was more apologetic.

“Just like many other people, for their safety, many of our employees are working from home,” he wrote. “With that said, there is no excuse for people to not receive a timely return call. We have implemented measures to ensure faster response times and greater accessibility. “ Basantis, who spent 15 years serving in the sheriff’s office prior to becoming a candidate for the top job, saying at the time that he thought working under Stanfield had been “good,” also thanked this reporter in his reply “for treating my office fairly.”

Stanfield, when asked May 19 whether she was satisfied with Basantis’s response to her letter, told this newspaper she was pleased to see the sheriff’s office would be changing its method of following up on calls, and that it plans to be more prompt in getting back to people, which was her goal from the beginning.

She added that she had “heard from a lot of people” about the matter, “and we wanted them to know we weren’t ignoring them.”

In an interview the day before with this newspaper, Stanfield recounted that during her 23 years at the sheriff’s department, from which she retired a year ago this month, people would call all the time with questions that weren’t under her office’s purview, but that they would be pointed in the right direction by department personnel, and messages left at night would always be promptly answered the following morning. In addition, she said, older residents were invited to the d e p a r t m e n t ’s s e n i o r c i t i z e n p o l i c e academies and expos, enabling her office to “develop a relationship” with them “so that they trusted us and knew we were a safe place to get resources.”

“We had a certain culture in the department that was very community-oriented,” she said.

“I hope they will continue that.”

Basantis’ press release noted that he was first in the state to file a complaint in Superior Court seeking to stay foreclosures and evictions during the pandemic in order to “provide relief for those who may otherwise have been displaced from their homes.” Within a couple days of his complaint being filed, the release noted, Democratic Governor Phil Mur phy issued an executive order staying evictions and foreclosures.

The release also pointed out that in addition to providing security at the court and county buildings during the pandemic, the sheriff’s department had picked up donated

PPE, provided security and traffic detail at the county’s Coronavirus test site, and has been assisting the Burlington City Police Department with food distribution.

Among its other functions, the sheriff’s department continues its process service of emergency temporary restraining orders, maintains an active warrant unit and recently provided traffic and security detail at the Burlington County food donation distribution site, according to the release. It also “operates Project Lifesaver, which together with other law enforcement agencies across the country, protects individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and other disorders, who may wander away from their homes.”

The sheriff also invited residents wanting more information to visit his office’s website at htt ps://w w w.co.burlington.nj.us/130/ SheriffsDepartment , or to call the office at 609-265-5127.

During his campaign for sheriff, Basantis, the son of Greek immigrants, had listed interacting more with the community, reaching out to its residents and having more dialogue with them, along with addressing their needs and concerns and making the department’s services more accessible to seniors and veterans as being among his top objectives in seeking the office.

Stanfield, in her letter to Basantis, also expressed her gratitude “for the men and women of your department who answer the call every day.”

“It is vital that leadership makes these brave people feel like they are not alone and that their work has a purpose,” she said, adding that she couldn’t begin to imagine how hard it has been during this pandemic for “all our frontline heroes, especially our first responders and medical workers.”

She also thanked the current sheriff “for all the work you are doing and the important role your department is undertaking” and expressed her appreciation for his “taking the time to listen to the concerns of our residents.” As a state legislator, she added, she is “here to help in any way possible” and makes it a point to follow-up whenever residents reach out to her office.

One way she hopes to help, according to a May 19 posting on her Facebook page, is by cosponsoring a bill (A4149) that will direct the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to establish a program to purchase agricultural food products from farmers in the state who are unable to sell their products due to disruptions caused by the pandemic.

“Under the program, there will be donations toward free and reduced school breakfast and lunch programs, as well as food banks across the state,” she said.

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HISTORY (Continued from Page 5)

Department of Education (NJDOE) indicating “only virtual graduation ceremonies could be planned at this time.” The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) also communicated that “in the best interest of the health and safety of the public, in-person ceremonies, including graduations… and other similar celebrations” would violate Executive Order No. 107.

In the meantime, the LRHSD, which will have a total of 1,650 graduates between its four high schools, announced its plans in a recent press release for a “Diploma to Door” event to ensure its seniors have a “positive and memorable” transition into post-high school life.

“We have gotten positive feedback so far and expect the majority (of graduates) will participate,” wrote District Spokesperson Allyson Roberts in a May 18 email to this newspaper. “We’ll be surveying all LRHSD seniors over the next few weeks to determine participants.”

Plans now call for a LRHSD administrator to place a pre-bagged diploma at the door of each graduate who chooses to participate, and to provide each one with “personal recognition of their accomplishment,” the press release states.

Administrators will proceed with this gesture between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on June 16, the originally planned LRHSD graduation date for the Class of 2020.

“The ‘personal recognition’ comes from our high school principals and assistant principals delivering students’ diplomas to their homes, and at each stop, offering the graduate a sincere, individualized message of congratulations—all done in a way that follows safe social distancing practices,” Roberts said.

The administrators will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and will place the diploma at the door of each graduate’s home before stepping six feet away, the press release adds. Graduates will also be asked to wear PPE, along with their cap and gown, but will be allowed to come outside for a picture as long as they adhere to social distancing boundaries.

These plans were reviewed and supported by local police chiefs, as well as by Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Station Commander Lt. Richard Gilman, according to LRHSD Superintendent Dr. Carol Birnbohm.

Roberts also noted in her email that on the same day that the “Diploma to Door” event takes place, each LRHSD high school will release one balloon representative of school colors for each member of its Class of 2020 at 6 p.m., one of a number of activities planned to celebrate the commencement.

“The district is working with communities to encourage residents to decorate their doors and lawns in their high school’s colors on June

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

♦ Page 7

16,” Roberts added. “Many residents outside of our parents and staff have asked how they can show support for the LRHSD Class of 2020.”

In addition, she said, the district is reaching out to town councils to request that they recognize the Class of 2020 on their message boards, and each high school in the district is spotlighting its seniors on social media.

A formal graduation ceremony has also been scheduled at 7 p.m. on July 16, although whether the ceremony is virtual or in-person is yet to be determined.

“As we have seen, directives and guidance regarding limitations on gatherings and events have been changing frequently,” said Birnbohm in the press release. “We have not yet given up hope on celebrating our graduates with some form of traditional commencement ceremony.”

The superintendent later explained in a May 12 “End of Year Announcement” letter to families and employees why the district has not decided to move forward with planning for a virtual ceremony at this time.

“After consulting with students, parents, faculty and staff, we know a traditional ceremony is most desired,” Birnbohm said.

“We will be disseminating further information as we get closer to that date on whether some form of a more traditional ceremony will be permitted, or if we will have to broadcast avirtual graduation ceremony at that time.”

This newspaper also asked Murphy at his May 18 press briefing if districts should hold onto hopes of this sort that in-person commencement ceremonies may be allowed in July, especially given that such events are usually held in outdoor settings, which Murphy had earlier deemed to be a safer environment than indoor ones.

“Should school districts, should students, should moms and dads hold out hope that we can somehow have some form of an in-person commencement?” Murphy said. “The answer is they should hold out hope. I have that same hope. I have got nothing to report, but I have the same hope.”

Not all school districts share that hope, however.

The Pemberton Township School District is moving forward with planning for a virtual commencement ceremony for 258 seniors, according to Superintendent Tony Trongone, who expressed his doubts to the Pine Barrens Tribune about the prospect of holding an in-person commencement ceremony.

“What we are trying to do is be creative, while being respectful of the law,” said Trongone on May 19. “We don’t have a choice.

We have to follow the governor’s orders.”

According to Trongone, all of Pemberton’s virtual graduation ceremony will be prerecorded, and none of the ceremony will be live streamed. The ceremony will be available for viewing on Channel 19 (in Pemberton) and See HISTORY/ Page 8

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applications, and coordinate with any federal, state or local agencies seeking to support local business and commerce.

“Local businesses are the backbone of our economy in Evesham Township, and we will always do everything in our power to support our businesses and their employees.”

Veasy said. “This new advisory council will allow us to work closer than ever with our local business community to coordinate the recovery efforts needed to keep our local economy strong.”

According to township officials, a particular focus of the advisory council will be the “substantial base” of small and family-owned businesses in Evesham that are “most directly affected” by the change in economic conditions from the pandemic.

“We have over 2,000 businesses that I am aware of,” said Democratic Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper. “…We don’t know what a post-COVID-19 community is going to look like. The economic health is just as important as the public health—one cannot be thought about, or focused on, without the other.”

Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, kept all non-essential businesses closed from the end of March through mid-May. Sever al t y pes of bu si nesses, a s of press time, still have not been allowed to reopen, or have significant limitations placed on their operations, such as only being allowed to offer curbside pickup of food or merchandise.

Republican Councilman Kenneth “Ken” D’Andrea, who declared he was “all for” the creation of the advisory council, said that by having one member from the Marlton Business Association serving on it, “it will keep that connection (between the township and association) going.”

“We need that connection with a lot of the

HISTORY (Continued from Page 7)

via a YouTube link on June 17.

“We are trying to make it a memorable time in their lives, but it is going to be without the football field,” he said. “I feel so bad for the Class of 2020, but we’re doing everything in our power to make it memorable.”

Pemberton administrators had hoped to resemble a traditional graduation ceremony by filming each graduating senior with their cap, gown and diploma cover while walking across a stage on the football field, as their names were called, Trongone said.

He said that as it stands right now, this stage walk will not be taking place on the

FARM

Gover nor Phil Mur phy) is working to identify the availability of federal funding, and alternative housing solutions, for farms that need to supplement housing for social distancing purposes,” Persichilli said. “The stakeholders on the call raised good and thoughtful issues, and I want them to know that we hear you.”

She added that the role of the agricultural economy is “vital” in the state and depends on a strong workforce, and noted that there are thousands of seasonal farmworkers.

“As the growing season ramps up in New Jersey, this collaborative effort is imperative to help protect the thousands of seasonal farmworkers and the farming community who are critical to sustaining that economy,” Persichilli said.

Nancy Kearney, in a May 20 email to this newspaper, said that the NJDOH is not releasing the names of the farms due to privacy reasons.

“Additional information on test results and testing is forthcoming” she told this newspaper at deadline time, adding that NJDOH has not received any reports yet of farms tested in Burlington County.

work the Marlton Business Association has done, and working in partnership with them to energize, re-stabilize and reignite…we want to use every mind at our disposal so we can all collectively work on how to again get the engine going.”

D’Andrea, during the township council’s reorganization meeting held prior to the pandemic unfolding, had called on the governing body to entertain re-establishing an economic development commission, which Veasy agreed needed to be looked at.

Cooper, af ter t he adv isor y cou ncil was approved, noted that a commission “would have taken more time” and the “taskforce if you will” has enabled the township to “move more swiftly” to “create a solid group of people” who will help advise township council on “decisions that we need to make.”

“We need that broad spectrum of support,” she said.

DiEnna, in explaining why he opposed the creation of the advisory council, said “it is not easy to regard these things as black and white,” or “‘yes’ and ‘no’” or “up and down” or “right and left,” contending that there was a lot of nuance.

“You are probably all asking yourselves, ‘Why would he vote ‘no’ for a program that he touted, spoke to and believed in?’ DiEnna said. “…While I agree with the destination, I don’t agree with the path we are taking for many reasons. To get two people in a room today to agree about anything is d if ficult enoug h, to get 11 is al most impossible. To get them to meet monthly—a lot of them won’t make it. How will they vote? How will it be constructed without having a bunch of people talking at and by one another?”

DiEnna added that he was “excluded from the conversation” and contended that the “resolution was created so quickly.”

“I think our priorities could have led us elsewhere,” he said. “But, I admit, I agree with the destination, I only disagree with the routes taken.”

November. The referendum was an idea pushed

by Aromando.

“I’d like to continue to focus on the preservation of our town and what it stands for,” said Miller, who, like Fields, voted against the change in this longstanding tradition.

M i l le r a d d e d t h a t “d oi ng wh a t i s best for the town isn’t always the most popular decision,” and noted how he would l i ke t o cont i nue prot e ct i ng wh at it s resident s most enjoy about liv i ng i n Medford Lakes, such as its summer camps for kids.

Fields, Miller and Caputo will ser ve alongside Councilmen Thomas Cranston and Bob Hanold.

football field because of logistical challenges associated with social distancing and the risk of people gathering. The stage will instead be located in the front of the high school, by its main entrance, to improve the expediency of graduates getting in and out of cars, and this is where each student will be filmed.

These video clips will then be used during a virtual graduation ceremony, that will also feature each graduating senior’s photo and a quote or message of the graduate’s choice.

The district also has plans to include a “Pass the Diploma” video, which will feature a compilation of clips of each student receiving his or her diploma, moving their tassels from the right to the left side, and then virtually passing their diploma to the next graduate.

But “it’s changing every day with what you

can and cannot do,” Trongone pointed out.

There are lots of uncertainties, he noted, involving everything from where the senior class president, salutatorian, valedictorian and superintendent will be recording their speeches to what a processional could look like.

Asked if there was any possibility the district could have an in-person graduation if allowed

by Murphy’s administration in July, Trongone said, “We’re planning for a virtual graduation and I don’t want to give people false hope and then have them be upset when told ‘no.’”

“I just don’t see how they’re going to pull it off,” Trongone added. “I really don’t see it.”

In addition to the virtual graduation, Trongone said his staff has found other ways to honor the graduates.

For example, more than 70 staff members

have already paraded around town with seven school buses, and placed lawn signs on each graduates’ front yard.

“Hon k s, sig n s a nd cheer s —f rom a distance—completed the special day!” noted a Facebook post from the district.

“I have to complement our high school staff (on) all the different activities,” Trongone said.

“It’s a real tribute to their vocation. It is more than just their job. Our staff really cares about our kids.”

But no matter what the state ultimately decides is allowable in regards to this year’s commencement activities, the Class of 2020 will be graduating into a world that has been profoundly altered within a few weeks’ time— and contemplating a future that they had never previously planned on.

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(Continued from Page 6) workers, and the whole farming community, safe during the growing season.

“This guidance will provide a framework for issues such as social distancing while working, or in transportation to the worksite, or in shared housing,” Persichilli said. “Educating workers on the need to wear masks at all times on the worksite, to conduct hand washing and personal hygiene practices, and clean and disinfect (is part of the guidance). Also, screening workers prior to coming onto the worksite, testing and separating those workers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to avoid the potential spread of infection, (is also part of the guidance).”

The state health commissioner declared that “many in the farming community already recognize the challenges, such as social distancing.” She cited providing transportation for the workers to the work site, or in housing, as one of the challenges.

“The administ ration (of Democratic

ROAD

(Continued from Page 2) Trail to access those roads. Eastbound traffic on Tabernacle Road, however, will be allowed to proceed.

The remaining portion of Tabernacle Road to be resurfaced in the borough will be considered Phase II (and may require a Phase III), which will extend from Mohave Trail to Chickasaw

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Burton said the second phase will begin sometime this summer.

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Three Incumbents Win 4 More Years on Bass River Board of Commissioners

By Andy Milone Staff Writer

BASS RIVER—Three incumbents on the Bass River Township Board of Commissioners retained their seats during a May 12 nonpartisan municipal election, although one of them came within a very narrow margin of losing their seat to a friend.

According to unofficial results released by the Burlington County Clerk’s Office, Mayor Deborah Buzby-Cope, Deputy Mayor Nicholas Capriglione and Commissioner Louis Bourguignon held off four challengers and will serve another 4-year term on the governing board.

B u z b y- C o p e , t h e l o n g e s t - t e n u r e d commissioner, led the vote tally with 306 votes and will serve a sixth term in office.

“I was elated and felt honored to have received the most votes,” Buzby-Cope said.

She said that once her next term begins, one of her first orders of business will be to work with the township’s engineer to upgrade the tax maps to make them easier to read and understand for residents.

Asked about serving alongside the same two commissioners for another four years, she said, “We have had a great team in the past, and I look forward to our working another four years together.”

Bourguignon received the second highest tally of votes at 236. Capriglione, who retained his seat with 184 votes, narrowly defeated Karl Swanseen by just eight votes.

Residents Carol Bitzberger and Kevin Foder each received 65 votes, while Brenda Percy tallied 46 votes.

Swanseen told this newspaper that he will not be challenging the close results.

“With so few votes cast, the percentage (gap) is wide enough, in my opinion.”

Capriglione subsequently told this newspaper that he and Swanseen have been friends for 25 to 30 years.

"He is a caring, outstanding man and is very well liked,” Capriglione said. "Either one of us could have won.”

He called the close race “an absolute compliment,” because it “says the voters care.”

Asked if he was surprised Swanseen didn’t challenge the results, he said, “To be honest, it seemed like a pretty fair representation from the county. If it had been the other way, I wouldn’t have challenged it.”

Bourguignon noted that “now, we can move forward with plans that we have made over the last few years,” citing road improvement as one area he would like to focus on.

He added that he will continue making the “tough” decisions that aren’t always favored by the public when deemed necessary, such as voting last year to significantly raise taxes in order to keep the township from going bankrupt.

“As a commissioner, you have to listen to everybody, whether it is positive or negative,” he said. “When you make decisions, you’d like to go with your heart, but sometimes, you have to make tough decisions.”

Buzby-Cope, Bourguignon and Capriglione have now been successful for three straight elections.

“I would just like to thank all the businesses, and all they donate to the town,” Bourguignon said. “And our residents who, if we need anything, are always donating their time. More people in this town are doers, and that is what I like to see.”

A total of 390 voters out of some 1,048 who are registered in the township participated in this year’s municipal election, conducted entirely via mail-in ballots due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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Saturday, May 23, 2020

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10 % OFF For Jobs Over $500.

10% OFF

Driveways & Parking Lots

SEALCOATING:

for Military Vets or Senior Citizens.

Commercial,, Industrial,, Residential

Asphalt Overlays Repairs • Asphalt Patching

239 Pemb.-Browns Mills Rd. • Browns Mills, NJ 08015

609-893-9353

ELECTRICAL

Hot Pour Crack Repair Line Striping • Stenciling Sign Installation/Sign Removal Speed Bump & Bollard Installation

Driveway B-ball keys only $300

Free Estimates Fully Insured Like us on Facebook HIC:13VH09369600

Hours : Tue. Thru Sat. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

609-859-8668 • www.nickolausconstruction.com

ELECTRICAL/SOLAR

MASONRY Joe Posch

Cell: (609) 709-1331 (609) 494-6566 Fax: (609) 812-9281

SINCE 1989

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

.

Whole House Generators Backhoe & Bucket Truck Service A+ BBB Rating • FREE Estimates

RUSS HUBSCHMAN OWNER • LIC# 9924

FREE ESTIMATES • FULLY INSURED • COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL

www.bearelectricco.com

John’s Painting

• Garage Slabs • Driveways • Sidewalks • Curbs • House Raising • Foundations • Etc. Lic. #13VH06233700

609-894-9014 PEST CONTROL AUTOMOTIVE

PAINTING AUTOMOTIVE

ALL TYPES OF MASONRY

REAL ESTATE AUTOMOTIVE

llc.

Quality Workmanship

Senior

nts!

Discou

Painting & Staining Interior/Exterior Powerwashing Drywall Repairs White Washing Bricks

Mon.-Fri. 8a.m.-5p.m. • Sat 9a.m-5p.m Call: 856-283-7970 • Email: jjamison4321@gmail.com

TREE SERVICES

WELL SERVICES

TREE SERVICES Removals Shrub Trimming

Pruning Stump Grinding

Land Clearing Firewood

Serving Burlington, Camden & Ocean Counties

N.J. Lic. #NJTC768133

Robert H. Griscom Fully Insured

(609) 654-6602 NJ Lic. 13VH06395500

Saturday, May 23, 2020

MARKETPLACE

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

TO ADVERTISE CALL OR EMAIL

609-801-2392 • SALES@PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM DEADLINE: TUESDAYS AT 4 P.M. 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M.

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12

$ AD RATES AS LOW AS

95 PER WEEK

ANTIQUES

FURNITURE REPAIR

MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

Rancocas Woods Craft Co-Op & Antique Attic is open Fri.-Sat.-Sun. from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. You can call to make an appointment.

We follow CDC Guidelines! No Contact Purchase and Pick-Up! Masks Worn; Touch Surfaces Sanitized. Eateries are also open for take-out. 208 Creek Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. Like us on Facebook at RancocasWoods Craft Co-Op .

Adam’s Furniture Restoration, LLC. Fully insured. Furniture repair, kitchen cabinet refinishing, touch-ups, and in-home services.

Call 1-856-979-6210. Visit www.facebook.com/ adamsfurnres .

Applying for Social Security disability or appealing a denied claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Social Security Disability Attorneys, at 1-855-498-6323! Free consultations. Local attorneys nationwide. [Mail: 2420 N St. NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/ NM Bar.)] Become a Published Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing - trusted by authors since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed.

Comprehensive services: consultation, production, promotion and distribution. Call for your free Author’s Guide. Contact 1-877-6262213.

Call Empire Today® to schedule a free in-home estimate on carpeting and flooring. Call today!

1-855-404-2366.

Cross Country Moving, long-distance moving company, out-of-state move $799. Longdistance movers. Get a free quote on your longdistance move. 1-844-452-1706.

Dental Insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Not just a discount plan, real coverage for [350+] procedures. Don’t wait, call now at 1-877-308-2834 for details. www.dental50plus.com/cadnet#6258 .

DISH Network special—$59.99 for 190 channels. Add high-Speed internet for only $19.95/mo. Call today for $100 gift card! Best value and technology. Free installation. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-855-837-9146.

Earthlink High Speed Internet. As low as $14.95/month (for the first 3 months). Reliable high-speed fiber optic technology. Stream videos, music and more! Call Earthlink today at 1-855-520-7938.

Lung Cancer? Asbestos exposure in industrial, construction, manufacturing jobs, or military may be the cause. Were family members in the home also exposed? Call 1-866-795-3684 or email cancer@breakinginjurynews.com. $30 billion is set aside for asbestos victims with cancer. Valuable settlement monies may not require filing a lawsuit.

!! Old guitars wanted!! Gibson, Fender, Martin, etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. Top dollar paid. Call toll free at 1-866-433-8277.

AUTO REPAIR On-site Auto Repair. Foreign and domestic, light and heavy trucks. Heavy and farm equipment. Fleet service. Electrical, hydraulic and watercraft. Mount Holly and surrounding areas. Call 609-667-8938.

AUTOMOBILES/TRUCKS Cash Paid for Your Car. Looking to buy better than junk cars. Call 1-866-261-5277.

We come to you.

AUTOS WANTED BARGAIN VEHICLES NE W WANTED, UNDER $3,000!

TODAY ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN RUNNING VEHICLES FOR SALE DUE TO RELOCATION, OR ESTATE SALE. 2014 MODELS OR NEWER. LOW MILEAGE (LESS THAN 30,000), LIKE-NEW/ EXCELLENT CONDITION. NO ACCIDENT HISTORY. MUST BE CLEAN, SMOKE-FREE AND WITHOUT PET DANDER.CALL 609-6689408.

CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! All Makes/Models 2002-2019! Any condition. Running or not. Top $$$ paid! Free towing! We’re nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-985-1806.

AWNINGS ATLANTIC AWNINGS professional installations.

Residential/commercial.

Retractable awnings, window awnings, retractable and stationary canopies, recovers, repairs, take downs, re-hangs and washing. Fully insured. FREE ESTIMATES. 609-618-2420.

LIC#131VH06758700, atlanticawningcompany. com.

FURNITURE Victorian couch and two chairs. $1,000. Call Robert at 609-654-8881.

HAULING Household appliances.

Televisions, furniture, etc. for disposal or transport.

Garage, yard and gutter cleanups and gutter cleaning. Free estimates. Call Bob at 609-880-3789.

HEALTH AND FITNESS Generic Viagra and Cialis! 100 Pills $99 with free Shipping! 100 percent guaranteed. Open 24/7, call now! 1-888-889-5515.

HELP WANTED NEWSPAPER CARRIER FOR LEISURETOWNE/SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP AREA. MUST PROVIDE OWN TRANSPORTATION, BE ABLE TO LIFT 25 POUNDS, AND BE DEPENDABLE. MUST BE AVAILABLE DAYTIME SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. CALL 609-801-2392.

HOME AND GARDEN Rototilling. Call Joe at 609-713-7913.

INSURANCE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PROPER COVERAGE. DON’T ASSUME. GET PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, DEAL WITH AN INDEPENDENT AGENT. O’NEAL INSURANCE AGENCY, 1614 ROUTE 206, TABERNACLE, NEW JERSEY, 08088.

PHONE NUMBER: 1-609-268-2158.

LAWN CUTTING Lawn cutting, along with yard and gutter clean up. Shrub pruning and some tree work, along with hauling. Free estimates=reasonable rates. Call Bob at 1-609-880-3789.

LOST AND FOUND Adopted from Popcorn Park: looking for three dogs, Miniature Pinschers named Taz, Rusty and Henry. Please call 732-796-3572 or 908670-1173. Reward for return.

WANTED!ALL FIREARMS Gun Collections * Military/Hunting An Antique n Arr * Military Artifacts Swords/Bayonets We pay CASH on the spot!

Call John & Stephanie 610-71 C 16-55353 email: antiqueandrareguns@gmail.com Federal Firearms License Holder

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a free LeafFilter estimate today. 15 percent off entire purchase. 10 percent off senior and military discounts. Call 1-855-402-0373 .

HughesNet Satellite Internet: 25mbps starting at $49.99 per month. Get more data free! Offpeak data and fast download speeds. Wi-Fi built in! Free standard installation for lease customers! Limited time, call 1-855-973-9254.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator may be covered

by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and longlasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 1-888-609-2189!

Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855-481-3969 or visit www.walkintubquote. com/national . **Stop struggling on the stairs** Give your life a lift with an ACORN stairlift! Call now for $250 off your stairlift purchase and free DVD & brochure! Call 1-866-471-1334.

Two great new offers from AT&T Wireless!

Ask how to get the Next Generation Samsung Galaxy S10e for free. Get a free iPhone with AT&T’s buy one, give one special. While supplies last! Call 1-866-565-8452 or www. freephonesnow.com//cadnet .

WANTED TO BUY Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201.

CIRCULATION The Pine Barrens Tribune is published every Saturday. 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, a public health emergency 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. © 2020 Pine Barrens Tribune

FREE!

Savings Include an American Standard Right Height Toilet FREE! ($500 Value)

Walk-In Tubs

WALK-IN BATHTUB SALE! SAVE $1,500 ✔ Backed by American Standard’s 140 years of experience ✔ Ultra low entry for easy entering & exiting ✔ Patented Quick Drain® Technology ✔ Lifetime Warranty on the bath AND installation, INCLUDING labor backed by American Standard ✔ 44 Hydrotherapy jets for an invigorating massage

Dental Insurance

Get dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company to help cover the services you’re most likely to use –

Cleanings

Or visit: www.walkintubinfo.com/network

Fillings

Crowns

Dentures

1-877-308-2834

Call now to get this FREE Information Kit! dental50plus.com/cadnet

Limited Time Offer! Call Today!

877-381-3271

X-rays

Product not available in all states. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-888-799-4433 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN).

6154-0120

Check Us Out Online www.PineBarrensTribune.com

Page 12 ♦

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM

Saturday, May 23, 2020

CAPITAL HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP IS PLEASED TO WELCOME CAPITAL HEALTH OB/GYN − BROWNS MILLS Capital Health OB/GYN – Browns Mills is a comprehensive women’s health practice. After serving women in the Lower Bucks County, PA region for almost 30 years, our team is bringing its trusted obstetric and gynecologic care to women in Browns Mills, NJ. Our experienced and board certified providers include DRS. ROBERT BERK, NEIL BLUEBOND, AMY HARVEY O’KEEFFE, MARK KUHN, and ANNE WALKER. Our team provides women

with comprehensive prenatal and obstetrical services, as well as annual women’s health exams, in office hysteroscopy, open and minimally invasive/laparoscopic surgery, cancer screenings, and minor surgical services.

Capital Health OB/GYN – Browns Mills joins Capital Health Medical Group’s extensive network of more than 400 physicians and other advanced care providers who offer primary, specialty and surgical care.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL 609.896.1400 CAPITAL HEALTH OB/GYN − BROWNS MILLS 6 Earlin Avenue, Suite 290, Browns Mills, NJ 08015 capitalhealthobgyn.org/brownsmills MOST INSURANCES ARE ACCEPTED, INCLUDING TRICARE

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

MEDICAL GROUP