Pine Barrens Tribune January 27, 2024-February 2, 2024

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RUFFLING SOME FEATHERS

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

To Many Area Residents, the Changes Now Being Made at the Camp Now Called YMCA of the Pines Affecting Its Use of Native American Names and Symbolism Are Simply Signs of a ‘Woke’ Mentality, But Rather Than Political Correctness, the Camp’s Operators Say They’re Just Attempts at Correcting Certain Stereotypes and Misconceptions That May Have Been Innocently Created by Such ‘Traditions ’ Photo Provided

The Entrance to Camp Ockanickon.

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MEDFORD—It might be regarded as one of the great ironies of our history.

But there is just no getting around the fact that even after centuries of its tribal lands being taken over and its traditions traduced or truncated by waves of white immigrants, a powerful mystique has become attached to Native American culture that is practically sacrosanct to many descendants of European settlers. And that applies to attempts to change anything related to names and symbolism associated with socalled “Indians” – even terminology that might be considered incorrect, disparaging, or downright offensive by some of them, such as the word “Indian” itself (as the owners of some athletic teams have discovered to their chagrin).

So, it follows that when the operators of YMCA of the Pines, formerly known as Camp Ockanickon, in Medford Township, decided that certain misconceptions and stereotypes they believe might have See FEATHERS/ Page 6

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Saturday, January 27, 2024

Donovan Gardner Steps Aside as President of Pemberton Council, But Not Before Delivering Year-End Diatribe Admonishing Mayor

After Gardner’s Admonishment Compares Mayor’s Attire to That of ‘Custodian,’ Officials, in Subsequent Reorganization Session, Try to Strike Conciliatory Tone

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—Democrat Donovan Gardner has stepped aside as Pemberton Township Council’s president, instead nominating Democratic Councilman Paul Detrick in his place as township Council President for 2024.

Republ ic an Cou nc i l man Dan Dewey initially nominated fellow GOP Councilman Joshua Ward for the post, but during an initial roll call vote for Detrick’s nomination, with Democratic Councilwoman Elisabeth McCartney, who recently has been a pivotal swing vote, casting a vote for Detrick on the five-member body, along with Gardner, in addition to Detrick voting for himself, Dewey and Ward ultimately decided to throw their support behind Detrick, making it a unanimous choice.

“I appreciate the show of solidarity to start the new year,” declared Detrick after being administered the oath of office for council president. “I think that is a great thing.”

Ward, in cong ratulating Detr ick later in the session, asserted, “I know we don’t always see eye-to-eye up here as council, but we do have the same end result in mind,” noting that he and Detrick “talk frequently.”

Gardner, however, while saying very little during the 2024 township council reorganization meeting (he remains a township councilman), had a lot to say in the Dec. 20 close-out council session of 2023, in not only reflecting on 2023, but giving his hopes for 2024, all while delivering a scathing rebuke of Republican Mayor Jack K. Tompkins’ first year in office, while also taking shots at Dewey and Ward in the process.

At one point during the diatribe, Gardner maintained that the mayor was seen as a “custodian” or “maintenance worker” by residents because of his choice of attire while working in the municipal offices.

“When our mayor took office this past year in 2023, he made a bold statement to the newspaper, declaring, ‘Pemberton Township is now open for business,’” Gardner started his diatribe. “This statement is also echoed by some of our councilmen. Mayor, it has been one year since you made that statement, so please show us – all the residents – all the new businesses that you were able to bring to this township.”

In calling it a “matter of fact,” Gardner maintained that under the administration See COUNCIL/ Page 7

Solicitor Reappointment in Pemberton Once Again Met with Dissent, But Longtime Lawyer Favored by Democrats Narrowly Maintains Post Non-Represented Employee Salary Measure Also Disputed, But in End, Passes; GOP Mayor’s Zoning Board Selection Fails to Garner Council Motion and Dies

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON —L aw ye r A nd r ew “A ndy” Bayer’s re app oi nt me nt a s mu n ic ipal sol ic itor for Pemb er ton Township was once again met with dissent by the two Republicans on Pemberton Township Council, but while a challenge was registered for the record, Bayer’s 2024 reappointment narrowly squeezed by, propelled by township Democrats who still hold a razor-thin majority on the governing body, all as the Republicans seemingly agreed to move on – for now.

That was in stark contrast to last year, when a reappointment for municipal solicitor was held up for weeks, with Republican Mayor Jack K. Tompkins claiming he held the sole power to make any solicitor appointment, and even threatening to potentially file suit to have his initial selection of Jerry J. Dasti, of Dasti, McGuckin, McNichols, Connors, Anthony & Buckley, installed in the post.

All the while, then-Council President Donovan Gardner maintained that Bayer, a longtime solicitor for Pemberton who has been a strong ally to local Democrats,

could stay on during the dispute, with there being a clause in his contract that he can continue in the role until any dispute is settled, and that he would also have to be given 30 days’ notice of termination.

Last year’s stalemate came to an end, however, with an agreement to install Bayer as municipal solicitor for 2023, at the ultimate recommendation of the mayor (following three council meetings of disarray), as well as appoint the law firm of Dasti, McGuckin, McNichols, Connors, Anthony & Buckley as special counsel.

But in referencing during a Jan. 3, 2024, reorganization meeting how that 2023 agreement came about, GOP Councilman Dan Dewey described that there was “a big war in the backroom.”

“The agreement was that he (Bayer) would serve in 2023, and then he would be done, and we would bring in a new solicitor that the mayor had picked,” Dewey maintained.

“I just want it on the record that Dan Dewey is a man of his word! I remember specifically what the deal was, and here we go – and nothing against Andy, but it looks like it is going to be Andy for another year, and it See DISSENT/ Page 11

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 3

Temporary Speed Cushions Slated for Several Thoroughfares in Pemberton Township That Are Maintained by Municipality

Councilman Reports Almost Getting Hit by Car in Investigating Complaints of Speeding on Mt. Misery Road, Describing ‘Really, Really Bad’ Situation

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—The installation of temporary speed cushions are planned for a couple areas of Pemberton Township, Republican Mayor Jack K. Tompkins announced during a Jan. 2 Pemberton Township Council meeting.

Meanwhile, GOP Councilman Dan Dewey, in investigating a speeding complaint in the New Lisbon section of the township, says he “almost got ran over” by a car and is calling for action to address a “really, really bad” situation there.

Additionally, resident America Phillips is once again calling on the township, county and state to “work together” to address two intersections in Pemberton that have seen a number of deadly crashes over the past couple of years.

The removal of traffic calming devices last year on Split Rock Road has been a major point of contention between Demo c ratic Cou nc i l man Donovan Gardner and Tompkins.

Now, Tompkins said that after the situation has “been brought up,” he has decided to put one of the temporary speed cushions on Split Rock Road, and another on Wissahickon Trail, noting that Split Rock Road transitions into Wissahickon Trail.

“A resident shared that a school bus was stopping, and people were going around it,” said Democratic Councilwoman Elisabeth McCartney, of Split Rock Road.

“That person will be very happy to know that, after saying someone was going around the bus and almost hit little girls.”

However, Tompk ins quipped, “If people are driving stupid by driving around a school bus, the speed calming device won’t stop that.”

Dewey asked if the location for the temporary speed cushions is the same as where the speed bumps were torn out last year on Split Rock Road.

Tompkins responded that “we reviewed those bumps” after having received a recommendation from Public Works, and in appearing to indicate why the recom mendation was made, added, “these are removable, so they will most likely be removing them in early winter so snowplows won’t be hampered.”

Another location that will be chosen for the installation of a temporary speed cushion, according to Tompkins, is Choctaw Drive, “because that is a long road and people gather speed on that.”

Choctaw Drive, the mayor noted, is an entranceway for Country Lakes that has an open view of a lake and dam and “sometimes I catch myself doing 35 mph and it is (a posted speed limit) of 25 mph there.”

“It is a very inviting road,” Tompkins maintained.

Tompkins also plans to have temporary speed cushions installed in front of both Howard L. Emmons and Samuel Busansky schools on Scrapetown Road. www.pinebarrenstribune.com

As for the cost, Dewey shed some light on it by asking, “The price of $27,000, does that include the signs?”, or the warning signs that might be required to warn motorists of upcoming speed cushions.

Tompkins replied the cost reflects “just the cushions,” and that he would imagine Public Works considered the signage as well.

“We already sent the police to do checks, to make recommendations, along with Public Works,” Tompkins maintained.

“This is not just a random thing. We had our professionals look at this.”

When Tompkins was asked about when the devices would be installed, he responded, “I would love to see them go in around March 15.”

“I am glad to see something come back on Split Rock Road,” Gardner declared.

As for how temporary speed cushions work, Business Administrator Daniel Hornickel explained that they “function in a similar fashion” as speed bumps, and when a vehicle is driven over a speed cushion, “it takes the speed out of the vehicle.”

“They are moveable, so you can have them in certain locations to calm traffic, and then reinstall them at other locations,” Hornickel said. “They can be a long-term use. In the wintertime, we would want to take them up to avoid snowplows.”

Hornickel, in responding to a question about their life expectancy, answered, “I think we are going to get a rather lengthy useful life” out of them as “we are committed to taking them up before winter comes. “ “I think research is somewhere around 10 years on these things,” Hornickel said.

Pember ton Council unan i mously approved the purchase of the speed cushions on Jan. 3 for $27,184.

Meanwhile, Phillips asserted she “wants the township, county and state to work together” to address the intersection of County Route 530 (also known as Lakehurst Road) and Route 70, as well as Spring Lake Boulevard and Route 70.

These two intersections have been the subject of numerous fatal crashes and serious ones over the past several years.

She told officials to “move wheels” to get to a solution and declared that the parties “got to work together as a team.” These particular intersections require the involvement of the county and/or state since it is just not municipal thoroughfares involved.

The Pine Barrens Tribune previously reported, in August 2023, an account that there have been 12 accidents recently at the intersection of Four Mile and Mt. Misery roads, and that there is a home directly in front of the T-shaped junction, with a vehicle having recently landed in the front yard of that home. The residents who live in that home have asked for action to make conditions safer.

During a Dec. 20 council session, resident Kimberly Thwaits described an See SPEED/ Page 7 @PineBarrensNews

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Pemberton Township Receives Lone Bid for Trash Collection Contract, Causing Municipality to Accept $450K Rate Hike and Service Reduction ‘Public Feedback’ Results in Temporary Suspension of Bulky Waste Fee Charged to Pemberton Residents Since Last October, Mayor Proclaims

Photo Provided

Pemberton Township Resident Bill Anderson, in recently finding a pair of dumped mattresses in the woods, a fear many had expressed when a bulky waste fee was passed via a council resolution last year, took a picture of them and posted it to Facebook on Jan. 7, with one of his friends resting on them as part of a social media pun.

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—The Tow nship of Pemberton Business Adm inistrator Daniel Hornickel’s hopes for competition in bidding on a three-year solid waste disposal contract have been dashed, with a lone hauler placing a bid, and as a result,

Pemberton Township, not currently in a position to bring waste hauling in house, has had to accept a reduction in service, while at the same time, absorb a 27 percent price hike, Hornickel proclaimed during a Jan. 17 session.

Meanwhile, a new policy that went into effect back on Oct. 10, 2023, to charge

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Pemberton Township residents for bulky waste pickup has not only been the subject of continuing public outcry, but has now also been mocked online and the subject of social media puns.

One resident, Bill Anderson, in recently finding a pair of dumped mattresses in the woods, a fear many had expressed when the policy was passed via a council resolution last year, took a picture of them and posted it to Facebook on Jan. 7, with one of his friends resting on them in the picture as an intended social media pun, with Anderson writing in an accompanying caption, “Pemberton trash rules. Homeless people moving in.”

According to Anderson, the mattresses were found on Greenwood Bridge Road, with him telling this newspaper, “I cleaned that spot up in the summer. Then as soon as they say, ‘You got a pay for bulk trash,’ it returned.”

“I waited a couple weeks, then I went back and cleaned it up again,” he said.

But just three days before his social media post, Pemberton Township Council, at the request of Mayor Jack K. Tompkins and Hornickel, two men who originally had been proponents of the policy, temporary suspended “solid waste disposal fees for certain types of bulky waste.”

When the mayor was asked as to why he is now calling for a temporary suspension of the policy, he answered, “public feedback.”

“We were initially considering this because we are looking at trash contractors and stuff like that,” Tompkins added.

“Our contract is up March 31. Once we determine which direction we are going in with trash, and the future, we will approach council at that point in time.”

Trash collection in the township has turned problematic of late, with reports of weeks-long pickup delays, and missed collections. Tompkins, about two months ago, wrote to residents that he had discussions with the current hauler, Seaside Waste, which informed him that the issues were a “result of multiple trash collection vehicle breakdowns, culminating in a lack of available collection vehicles required to meet collection demands.”

However, the mayor maintained that Seaside Waste informed the township that the firm is “currently procuring 13 new garbage trucks to address deficient collection equipment.”

The Pine Barrens Tribune previously reported that council hesitancy in 2023, followed by an administrative oversight, resulted in the township reportedly missing a window to procure its own

trash collection trucks, with it revealed that there was a plan in the works to bring trash collection back in house.

Hornickel, during a Jan. 3 council session, announced that “bid opening for garbage collection is tomorrow,” or Jan. 4.

“So, keep your fingers crossed we will get competition,” declared Hornickel, who previously revealed that as a result of not being able to bring collection in house, the township is likely facing significant cost increases for waste hauling.

However, during the subsequent Jan. 17 council session, the governing body ultimately awarded a contract to Seaside Waste in the amount of $4,527,303 (according to a council meeting agenda), from April 1 to March 31, 2027.

Hornickel, who confirmed Seaside Waste was a lone bidder, later shared with this newspaper that the township’s current collection rate is $11.09 per household, per month, and with there being 8,480 households in the township, it equates to $1,128,518 annually.

Beginning April 1, the rate will rise to $14.11 per household, per month, and with there being 8,480 households in the township, it will equate to $1,435,834 annually, or an annual increase of $307,316.

But by year three, or April 1, 2026, the rate is scheduled to rise further, or to $15.56 per household, per month, and with there being 8,480 households in the township, it will equate to $1,583,386 annually, or what is $454,868 higher than what the township is paying today.

Prior to the collection issues, there was also a scheduling change in some sections of the township, which eliminated Saturday pickup, resulting in pickup to be instead on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Some residents have since questioned why two collection days are even needed, especially since the pickups are now only one day apart.

Officials revealed on Jan. 17, the township will cease having solid waste collection two-days per week, and will only have collection once per week.

When Democratic Councilwoman Elisabeth McCartney asked about the extent of the increase on the township, Hornickel replied, “you are looking at what has been happening in other towns” in which numbers are increasing “as high as 75 percent” and Pemberton is “probably pretty close to that if you consider the reduction in service and the amount it is going up by.”

See TRASH/ Page 9

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Close Encounter with Animal Control Officer’s Van Proves to Be Lucky Near-Accident for Once Bedraggled and Abandoned Pup Following Two-Day Pursuit in Bass River, ‘Very Sweet’ Little Dog Named Scooter Has Now Been ‘Vetted,’ Awaits Interview with Forever Family at Local Rescue

Four Ordinances Intended to Curtail Future Warehouse Development, Which Won’t ‘Shut Out Warehouses Entirely,’ Introduced in Pemberton

Councilwoman Warns Residents, However, That You Can’t Stop Development, Maintain Programs and Keep Taxes Down, Previewing ‘Hard Decisions’ Ahead

By Douglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

Photos Provided

Chris Cittadino, animal control officer for about two dozen communities in Burlington, Ocean and Atlantic counties, poses with the very shaggy little dog he finally managed to capture after nearly hitting him on Route 9 in Bass River Township. At right, the same pup, only now groomed and named Scooter, awaits the new family of which he will soon become a member.

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

BASS RIVER—It was the kind of lucky accident – or near-accident, actually – that some people might cite as evidence that dogs have a kind of sixth sense. Unless, unbeknownst to us, they can actually read.

Whatever the explanation, the vehicle that came close to hitting this particular pooch, a shaggy, tick-infested little black mutt when first observed, on Route 9 in Bass River Township a few days after the start of the new year in the vicinity of Viking Yachts, just happened to be the van driven

by Chris Cittadino, the animal control officer for about two dozen communities in Burlington, Ocean and Atlantic counties.

“I was actually driving to another job down in Galloway when I saw this dog cut out in front of my vehicle,” Cittadino told the Pine Barrens Tribune in a recent phone interview, after his close encounter of the furry kind was mentioned by Bass River Deputy Mayor Louis Bourguignon at the township commission’s brief and uneventful reorganization meeting on Jan. 8.

“Thanks to animal control for catching a dog,” was how Bourguignon referenced the episode. “They got it cleaned, shaved

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and are trying to find a home for it.”

But it actually was not quite that simple.

Once having applied his brakes just in time to avoid striking the animal, Cittadino jumped out of his van and attempted to apprehend it on foot, only to lose track of it in the adjacent woods.

But catching strays being part of his job, he persevered in pursuing the dog over the next couple days, after a survey of residents of the vicinity failed to come up with anyone who knew of a lost dog or how this one might have ended up wandering on the well-traveled highway.

Finally, after a couple days of putting food out on a blanket, assisted by a woman who resided in the neighborhood and had seen a posting about the pup Cittadino had put on a regional “lost and found pets” Facebook page (this particular canine appearing to be a bit more “skittish” toward males), “we finally got him to trust us just long enough for me to scoop him up,” he recounted.

But while the usual next step for an animal control official might have been to take a stray to a county shelter, Cittadino felt this one, a seven-pound male that had no microchip by which to locate its owner, would “be better off at a rescue,” and

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P E M B E RT O N — A b i - p a r t i s a n subcommittee on warehouses has come up with four separate ordinances that would reportedly have the effect of curtailing warehouse development in Pemberton Township, though one councilman noted that they will not “shut out warehouses entirely,” if approved.

The proposed ordinances passed on first reading during a Jan. 3 Pemberton Township Council session and have now been sent to the Planning Board for comments.

A second reading and public hearing on the proposed ordinances has been tentatively set for Feb. 21.

Yet again on Jan. 3, there was public outcry against development in town, with there being as many as 10 planned warehouse projects in process, and that can’t be stopped due to the Time of Decision Law, grandfathering such projects to current zoning.

When the subject of the proposed ordinances came up, Republican Councilman Joshu a Wa rd pro cla i me d t h at t he subcommittee has been “working diligently” to address the issue and “met with the special planner over the last couple of weeks.”

“I am extremely happy with what that accomplished,” Ward declared.

“To sit there and shut out warehouses entirely, I don’t know – I don’t think that is something that is possible, nor do I believe that is something that needs to be (the case). Again, I am not for warehouses, but it is what it is.”

Given the fluid situation with the proposed language of the ordinances, including that the Planning Board can make comments suggesting amendments, Ward proceeded to deliver it to one maintained by a friend of his called Kimmy’s Safe Haven in Egg Harbor City.

The proprietor of that establishment, Kim Brown, then took the bedraggled, abandoned animal to a grooming salon near the Hamilton Mall called “Tames the Wolves,” from which he would soon emerge as what could just as easily pass for a calendar canine or poster pup (although

did not want to get into the particulars, yet.

However, what he was comfortable in saying is that there are purportedly “generous concessions” reflected in what has been proposed “as far as height requirements” and “as far as vegetative buffers,” with “square-footage adjustments” also reportedly recommended.

“Let the Planning Board review the ordinances, get them back to council and then they will go back to a public discussion,” Ward said. “But they look a lot better and cleaner.”

Democrat Paul Detrick, now council president, sits on the subcommittee with Ward. He declared of what is proposed that it is “not perfect, but a whole lot better.”

W h i le the fou r ord i nanc e s were introduced without much fanfare, back on Dec. 20, Councilman Donovan Gardner, who has since relinquished control of council to Detrick, railed against efforts to stop development in town, maintaining that without plans to generate revenue, taxes have already risen and may continue to rise (see separate story).

Democratic Councilwoman Elisabeth McCartney, who has voted for some warehousing, but has also expressed concern that there is now too much of such development in town, warned in comments following the introduction of the ordinances that while she has heard the wishes of the public to stop the development, “we can’t do that, have all that we have (program and amenity-wise), and keep taxes down.”

She warned that there will be “really hard decisions” council will have to make moving forward “in terms of the budget this year.”

“Not everyone is going to be happy with that,” McCartney declared. it appeared that someone had attempted to fashion his fur into dreadlocks,” according to what she was told by the groomer).

Now given the name “Scooter,” he was next examined by a vet, who determined by looking at his teeth that he was about four years old and that, despite his exposure to the elements (including those ticks), he seemed See PUP/ Page 11

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

FEATHERS

(Continued from Page 1) been inadvertently created about Native Americans over the years by seemingly innocent camp customs needed to be addressed, it sparked a bit of a backlash.

The attempt to somewhat modify and modernize the message the camp has been conveying was described in a letter recently sent out to patrons of the camp by Mark Dibble, its CEO, and Chief Volunteer Officer Joe Michiels – one that has clearly ruffled the feathers of at least some of the patrons and alumnae who received it, as indicated by their responses.

After maintaining that “we want to express our utmost respect for those who have cherished these aspects of our camp culture” and “understand and appreciate the pa s sion and c on ne ction many campers and families have felt towards these traditions,” the letter went on to note that the camps (which also include Camp Matollionequay for girls) had “gradually phased out the incorporation of Indigenous Peoples’ traditions and artifacts within our program.”

This decision, it said, was “carefully considered and discussed by our Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee,” and “was not made lightly,” but only after “great deliberation and education, including conversations with Elders from one of the largest local tribes, the Lenni Lenape.

“It is also not a wholesale erasing of our history or traditions,” the letter continued.

“While certain elements will remain, others will be relegated to places on camp where we can explain their historical context.”

While blue and green feather plaques that had been stored in the Ockanickon and Matollionequay dining halls, for example, “have been taken down and safely stored,” banners displaying the names of campers who earned them in the past will be hung in both dining halls, and the plaques will be on display during the spring Family Camp Weekend (Memorial Day weekend) to allow alumni to photograph them. Plans also call for the plaques to remain at the facility, perhaps in a small museum to be constructed onsite.

And while “the camp names will not be changing,” names of the villages will be “to better align with our current program operations and thematic framework” – a task assigned to the camp staff and JEDI committee, whose members have “been workshopping options with current and former staff, campers, and alumni,” with results to be posted on the camp’s website in the coming month.

“The primary reason behind this decision,” according to the letter, “is our commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment that is considerate of the diversity within our camp community.”

The letter continues that, “We recognize that the use of Indigenous Peoples’ traditions and artifacts, despite our best intentions, does perpetuate stereotypes and cultural appropriation.”

“It is important to acknowledge the significance that these traditions have held for many of us, and we want to honor the memories and experiences associated with them,” the letter writers contended, and the decision to make such changes, “is not meant to diminish the value of those experiences, but rather to ensure that our

WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM camp continues to evolve in a way that is respectful and inclusive.

“As we move forward, we are committed to replacing these traditions with new, en r ich i ng, and cu ltural ly sensitive activities that align with our values,” with the letter writers inviting recipients “to share your thoughts with us as we navigate through this transition.”

They also add that, “Your feedback is invaluable, and we are open to engaging in respectful conversations to address any questions you may have.”

The authors recognize, however, that, “We understand that this change may evoke strong emotions within our community.”

Just how strong such emotions can be is reflected in some (although by no means all) of the responses to the letter posted at a local Facebook site, Medford 08055.

“Sad day indeed when our own Pine Barrens community business cannot embrace the culture of the people that lived on these lands,” went one such reply from a follower of the page identified as Mel Gre. “The very thought of changing the name and removing teachings of the earth and their cultural history for children attending the camp is truly an injustice to their education,” further contended Gre. “We grew up learning the INDIAN traditions and cultures at a young age. How to respect the earth, preservation, about the local animals, soils, and plants. It is a shame more people don't understand this history is important enough to embrace it, instead of removing it.”

Then there was this comment from Jon Coonley: “This woke mentality has to stop.

They are trying to erase our history out of a fear of someone being offended. ….

Next, they will be demanding every street in Medford Lakes needs to be changed.”

Other respondents to the letter were even more blunt, such as Jeff Bartelt who called it “nuts, but not surprising” and someone identified as “Elmer Flood” who claimed to be “glad my kids attended Ocky back in the pre-woke era” but that he would not send them there now,” as well as those who characterized it with words like “outrageous” and “ridiculous.”

Not all the feedback was negative, however.

“It seems silly for people to get worked up about this,” went one comment from Ellen Weil, a member of the Facebook group. “Things change all the time. Names of camps, schools, streets, and businesses change sometimes. As long as they are not harming you, why would this be a problem?”

A similar sentiment was posted by Bonnie Walton Jordan.

“I understand some people’s struggle with a name change,” she wrote. “But we all live in the context of our society and what may be happening in it at any given time in history.”

Jordan then urged, “Please do not disparage the hardworking and dedicated staff and leaders of the camp,” contending that a name change “will not make them any less dedicated to serving children” than they were under its original name.

Another reply from Anna Simpkins likewise characterized the decision a representative of “changes that seem to be going across the nation,” rather than being “an attempt to turn the indigenous people into obscurity.”

“Many of these native Americans want this as they feel many use their names See FEATHERS/ Page 8

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(Continued from Page 2) of Tompkins’ predecessor, David Patriarca, “three large business-generating revenue opportunities were made possible.”

“These are warehouses, cannabis (facilities) and housing developments,” Gardner said. “You are steadily working hard to kill all these projects, all while you have no revenue generating prospects for our township, which would help reduce taxes for our residents.”

Gardner also charged that it was Tompkins who “enacted” a “tax hike” for residents. (While it is Tompkins and his administration that prepare a budget, council ultimately approves it).

“You were voted in because some residents wanted change, and even they did not know what some of those changes were, because you have no plans for that!” pointedly charged Gardner.

“Now it is becoming hard to keep the change in our pockets!”

Gardner, in further excoriating the Republican mayor, declared, “You made it very clear that you do not understand finance!”

“At a recent Planning Board meeting, you made a statement, ‘I do not understand finances – that is why I give my wife the checkbook,’” Gardner alleged.

The mayor’s inability to understand finances, Gardner further charged, “is why we have to adopt several temporary budgets to keep the township running.”

He maintained that Tompkins “was not ready” with the 2023 budget, and as a result, while there were also some delays at the state level, it was “finally adopted” in August 2023.

“This was your budget!” maintained Gardner in landing the accusation.

Tompkins often spoke out at council meetings when the township was under absolute-Democratic control.

In recounting that “as a resident, Jack Tompkins, you made several comments that the prior administration was spending too much money belonging to taxpayers” and that “you ran on reducing the budget,” Gardner charged, “Now you have no plans in place on how it will be accomplished.”

“You seem to only want to spend money, not make money!” Gardner alleged.

The warehouses and cannabis firms

SPEED

(Continued from Page 3) “average of one major accident per year disintegrating a telephone pole” on Mt. Misery Road between Four Mile and S. Woods roads, and maintained that “the frequency is increasing with two more in the last three weeks.”

“The current conditions on Mt. Misery Road allow for egregious, reckless driving in both directions,” she said. “I worry daily about driving on it – about my family, friends and neighbors driving, jogging, walking, walking their dogs, mowing their lawns, getting their mail, taking out their trash and about their kids playing or waiting for their school bus. They worry too.”

She further contended that some of her neighbors have “tragic stories” to share about Mt. Misery Road and avoid

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES ♦ Page 7

that the mayor is purportedly “steadily block ing,” Gardner continued, are “potential revenue makers” that can offset taxes and “possibly bring more businesses into the town.”

“It has been one year, and you have nothing!” Gardner railed. “…. I understand individuals not wanting to bring cannabis in the township, and as an example former Mayor Patriarca was (against cannabis), and he could have vetoed the creation of the cannabis ordinance in this township, but being the long-term planner he was, he put his personal feelings aside because he knew that revenues from cannabis and warehouse development would boost our budget and would allow him to keep our taxes low, which kept Pemberton as having the fourth or fifth lowest taxes in Burlington County while he was mayor, without putting services to our residents in jeopardy!”

Gardner further charged that Tompkins is “now proposing an increase in salary ranges, including for your salary” and, as a result, “I am very anxious to know what the township budget is going to look like, and if 2023 is an indicator of the taxes, it will be keeping less change in our pockets!”

The outgoing council president did not stop there.

In raisi ng a sore spot (that th is newspaper previously reported on) that Tompkins gave an order that Gardner, as a local photographer, could no longer photograph, on the township’s behalf, any town-sponsored events such as ‘Pictures with the Easter Bunny’ or ‘Pictures with Santa Claus,’ Gardner declared, “you did not have the decency or courage to address your cancelation to me!”

Then, in raising Tompkins having “cut ties with Whitesbog Preservation” to cosponsor events, such as what was a Fall Festival, Gardner asserted, “we were all informed Whitesbog played a role in the establishment of Pemberton Township!”

Gardner labeled the mayor’s actions, in regard to the events, as “divisive things.”

“At the township 2023 Christmas Tree Lighting, you had the audacity to ask attendees if they had the opportunity to attend the Pictures with Santa Claus, which was not a township-sponsored event (this year) because you had canceled it!”

Gardner angrily proclaimed.

The outgoing council president, in continuing his diatribe, also maintained

that when Tompkins was faced with his “first real township issue” as mayor, or reports of unruly minors at Mirror Lake Beach harassing Recreation Department staff, in him threatening to close the beach for the rest of the summer of 2023, “you chose to retreat instead of addressing the issue head on.”

“Threatening to close Mirror Lake Beach should never have been an option, but rather, you should have addressed the youth that was causing the issues in the community!” Gardner declared.

A l s o “ w h at s h ou l d n e ve r h ave happened,” the outgoing council president maintained, is “closing the family baseball park in Country Lakes to turn it into a dog park.”

“This park was used (for parents) to practice baseball with their little kids, and to (allow the youth) to get familiar with baseball, and the park was also used

by Country Lakes Fire Department, along with the Recreation Department, as an Easter Egg Hunt site for the children in our township,” explained Gardner in why he is opposed to the decision that was made.

There were a couple of other charges that Gardner made involving Tompkins, but by far the seemingly most personal, was one that had to do with the mayor’s attire.

Both Gardner and Tompkins are military veterans.

“Mayor, as an air force veteran, are you familiar with 35-10, which is called, ‘Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel,’ which has now been changed to 35-16 since we got out?”

Gardner asked. “If the mayor’s office had 35-10 dress appearance in place, do you believe that your daily office attire would be in compliance? Your attire around the township, as mayor, is seen by our residents as (you being) a custodian!”

Gardner, in persisting with his yearend rant, continued to imply, somewhat angrily, that residents arrive at the conclusion that, “You are a custodian” or that “You are a maintenance worker in the building, or about to chop down trees, or cut the grass!” because of his attire.

“As a mayor or manager, you need to exceed the office dress attire!” declared Gardner, noting that in the case of custodians or outdoor maintenance workers, he is not belittling them in understanding that they want to protect their best clothes.

At the subsequent Jan. 3 reorganization meeting, following Detrick’s nomination, there were offers of bi-partisan solidarity extended to the new council president, not only from councilmembers on both sides of the aisle, but residents, with resident Michelle Forman asserting, “I think you are going to make a good president.”

“You are always polite and courteous to the residents, although I don’t always agree with your votes,” she said.

Ward, in maintaining that he and Detrick frequently talk and that everyone on the dais has the same end result in m i nd, de clared of the new counci l president, “I congratulate you, 100 percent, and whatever you need, we are here and behind you.”

The GOP councilman, in wanting to “give wisdom to council” for the new year following “soul searching of his own,” then appeared to “address” what occurred at the previous, close-out session by quoting from the Bible, or James 3:14-16, ‘“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”’

Ward also read from Philippians 2:34, ‘“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.’”

“I just want to throw that out there,” Ward concluded. “I think we all need to support … no matter who, what, where or when. I think people are just tired of negative language, hurtful language – and words do cut more than a sword. No matter what our grievances are between each other, or somebody else, let’s try to move the township forward this year.”

Tompkins did not offer any comments about what was said during the Dec. 20 and Jan. 3 council sessions.

it as much as possible, and for her own experience, she recounted a “reckless driver doing speeds estimated at 70 mph,” and then “having spun around several times before hitting telephone poles between Four Mile and S. Woods roads.”

She called the occurrence “commonplace where we live,” and called for “traffic calming measures,” noting the police are not always available to patrol the road, also presenting the council with a signed petition.

Dewey, during the subsequent Jan. 3 council session, reported on having recently visited with residents of Mt. Misery Road to investigate the further complaints made in December.

A car “missed me,” he recounted, maintaining, “I almost got ran over out there when discussing it.”

“I just want to stress how dangerous this is,” said Dewey of the situation, maintaining vehicles in the area were doing at least 60

mph, if not 80 mph, all while a father is having to cross the road with his daughter to get her back and forth to school via a bus stop (John Rivers, a father of an 8-year old girl, who recently moved to Mt. Misery Road and lives in the 100 block of the road, had described on Dec. 20 witnessing cars struggling to stop in time for stopped school buses, and also that an accident had occurred “20 feet into my property”).

“I think it is very important to get with the county or that poor baby is going to get run over,” declared Dewey, pointing out that there is also a place for police to hide and catch speeders.

In calling the situation “really, really bad,” he further maintained the police “could probably write five books of tickets a day out there.”

Both Four Mile and Mt. Misery roads are county roads, according to Hornickel.

Back in August, the township was

supposed to have contacted the county.

Hornickel, on Jan. 3, reported that he contacted the county twice since then about the issue, emailing a traffic engineer he often worked with, and just recently elevated the concern to the head engineer after not hearing back, and that is when he learned that the person he was trying to make contact with had passed away.

However, since that time, according to Hornickel, the county has put him in contact with a new individual and has committed to doing a traffic study of the area.

Hornickel also committed to forwarding the petition to the county, with McCartney, at one time a homecare nurse, recounting having treated a patient in the area that became “bedridden” from having been hit while pulling out of her driveway.

Tompkins said he would work on having “school bus stop ahead” signs installed for Mt. Misery Road.

Page 8

♦

EVENT CALENDAR

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FEBRUARY

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FEB. 7

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Details: Evesham Historical Society is presenting a program honoring Black History Month on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., at Marlton Middle School, 1150 Tomlinson Mill Rd., Marlton.

The presentation, Evesham’s Forgotten Black History: The Milford Settlement, will be given by historian, Paul W. Schopp, Assistant Director of the South Jersey Culture and History Center at Stockton University.

The discussion will include that beginning in the 1820s, Evesham Township hosted a significant enclave of free Blacks and fugitive slaves. Located in what is now the Kresson area, at least 40 families of color owned or rented property and worked in local sawmills and farms; many also worked as woodsmen, serving as sawyers and colliers. Discover this community’s importance in Underground Railroad operations. Learn the story of Alexander Hemsley, who lived in Milford for nine years before relocating to Timbuctoo, NJ where slave catchers caught him. Members of the Milford community attended the Burlington County Courthouse in Mount Holly to testify on Hemsley’s behalf during the mid-1930s trial.

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FEB. WEEKENDS Train Rides Through the Woods of New Gretna Location: Bass River Township

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FEATHERS

(Continued from Page 6) without any true link to their culture,” Simpkins further maintained. “They just don’t want ethnic stereotyping. That is like someone using your heritage and using it just because they feel like it. It’s their choice, not non-indigenous people.”

Thoughts along those same lines were offered by Dibble to the Pine Barrens Tribune when the paper contacted him seeking some further clarification of the reasons why the changes at issue were deemed necessary, and who explained that what some may interpret as an attempt to introduce a politically correct agenda is more a matter of making some culturally correct adjustments.

“The letter we sent out was intended for our current campers who understand that what we’re talking about changing isn’t as significant as it might sound,” he said, but rather a response to “many, many complaints we’ve received over the years from parents, visitors and from people who said they have Native American backgrounds.”

A primary object of such objections, according to Dibble, was the “profiles” for which those above- mentioned plaques were awarded, featuring depictions of Native American faces in headdresses that were created out of wood by both campers

and counselors, all of them young people, which were then signed and placed on display in the dining halls.

Besides the fact that some of these could be regarded as “caricatures” or “stereotypes,” he said, they contained such inaccuracies as having eagle feathers in their headdresses, when such feathers weren’t even used by tribes such as the Lenni-Lenape, who are indigenous to South Jersey and environs.

Such renderings have come to be considered downright offensive to a growing number of people, particularly those of Native American descent, Dibble pointed out.

While “these are coming down,” he noted, they are not being done away with, but simply relegated to a cabinet where they can still be viewed by alumnae of the camp, along with banners that will be hung in the dining halls to honor those campers who have been recognized with blue or green feather awards (in the boys and girls dining halls, respectively) over past years.

In other words, emphasized Dibble, “We are not erasing our history.”

Such decisions, however, were not made simply by staff members acting on their own, Dibble noted.

“We said that since we are not experts, let us speak to some Native Americans and figure out how to do this right,” he recalled.

Among those consulted, he said, were both a representative of the LennniLenape (a name that is itself disputed by

some tribal members) and the CEO of a Sioux-operated YMCA camp located on a reservation in the Dakotas who has had experience dealing with such issues.

The proper use of Native American names was another matter taken up by camp administrators. A particular source of perplexity, he maintained, has been the use of the original name of the boys’ camp, Ockanickon, to apply to an evolving series of programs that are now conducted on a year-round basis and have even been expanded to include activities ranging from child-care programs in local schools to scouting activities to corporate retreats.

“It became more and more confusing, as people didn’t really know which camp or program they were talking about,” he asserted. “So, in 2018, we added YMCA of the Pines as an overarching corporate name.”

More recently, the decision has been made to rename the villages.

“We did not get rid of the names of the camps, because they are named after real people, and we teach the campers about them,” he added.

One name modification that is now in the process of evolving, however, has nothing directly to do with the camp, but rather its sponsoring organization. While “YMCA,” a somewhat outmoded designation that stands for Young Men’s Christian Association, remains its legal name, it is distinctly unrepresentative of the “diversity” that an

enterprise like YMCA of the Pines is now seeking to emphasize in its appeal. For that reason, Dibble explained, the national organization now prefers to be known in its marketing and branding simply as the “Y.” As such, its objectives now include incorporating a set of “fixed core values” in all of its programs, which consist of “caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, inclusion and courage.” But all of these, he said in reply to a question on the subject, are taught from a secular perspective that is inclusive of all creeds and faiths, rather than a religious one.

Dibble himself credits his own youthful YMCA camp experiences with having “saved my life” at a time when he had a chip on his shoulder about suffering from learning disabilities, as well as health issues. At the camp he attended, however, he found he was “good at working with kids” and using his skills to help resolve some of their problems.

“I met my wife and all of my best friends at overnight YMCA camp,” he told the Pine Barrens Tribune. “That is why I decided to make it a career choice.”

Experts, he maintained, “are finding that the No. 1 skills kids need to be successful in life are things like resiliency and teamwork, even more than traditional classroom instruction.

“And those are what the data show overnight camping, such as what we offer, teaches them,” Dibble concluded.

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(Continued from Page 4) “It is 27 percent from a price perspective, but you are cutting service in half,” Hornickel pointed out.

Council President Paul Detrick, a Democrat, asked Hornickel on Jan. 17 if bringing hauling in house is still a consideration, to which the business administrator responded, “I encourage council to appoint a subcommittee, because that would be a great discussion.”

Republican Councilman Joshua Ward backed the idea, noting trash trucks “are not cheap” and look to cost at least $480,000, and that it depends on the type of truck one gets, noting there are different types (for manual collection versus automatic collection).

“There are a lot of things driving these costs,” declared Ward of the new contract.

“You have to go down to one day a week or else the prices go through the roof.”

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The one bid, Ward declared, “hurts us as a community.”

“Everyone is trying to figure it out, going forward, what it is going to look like,” Ward added. “It is a lot to figure out and a lot to understand.”

McCartney also backed the idea of the formation of a subcommittee.

GOP Councilman Dan Dewey and Hornickel pointed out that the “$4.5 million for three years” to be assessed to the township by Seaside Waste is “just to pick it up and take it there,” or to the county’s landfill in Florence, with the township currently paying about another $90,000 a month in tipping fees. The revelation was part of a lengthy discussion between the two men about a purported county policy requiring municipalities within its borders to dispose of solid waste at the county landfill.

Meanwhile, on the issue of bulk waste, a notice was reportedly distributed to Pemberton residents back in the fall, on bright purple paper, informing them of

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the bulky waste changes that had been implemented then, including that there would be a charge of $10 per item, which elicited comments online, such as, “Are you kidding me! When are we going to get the refunds from all the missed pickups?!

Not to mention changing our pickup times one day apart – a complete joke. Who makes these decisions? I personally would like to have pick up one day a week (maybe they can handle that) and forget all these extra fees! Not to mention all the people who will now increase that piggy habit of dumping in our woods!”

But Democratic Councilman Donovan Gardner, on Jan. 3, called the earlier resolution that had enacted the bulky waste collection fee a “good-bad-good resolution.”

The bad, he indicated, is that it is “hard to differentiate” between a contractor dumping bulky waste and “someone cleaning out their house,” who is a resident.

In defending having enacted the $10 fee last year, Gardner said, “it was not coming from everyone’s pocket, but coming from the person dumping.”

“Every time someone put bulky trash out there, the person dumping it was

paying for it,” said Gardner of when the policy was in effect. “Now all of us are paying it, and we all got to pay extra for somebody’s trash. The tipping fee at the yard is what brings up the cost of the trash – the disposal of it.”

In light of the new trash hauling figures, Gardner, on Jan. 17, asked about the possibility of holding a “bulk pickup day or week” and “how would it look” if residents are told to drop off such items at the township yard.

“We a l re ady a c c e pt st u f f now,” Hornickel replied. “One of the things I am going to be working on with the company president is establishing regular, weekly bulk pickup. He and I have begun those discussions, but it is premature.”

Further discussion on bulk waste, he added, would await council’s decision on the new trash contract, which was approved by the governing body on Jan. 17 by a 5-0 vote.

As for the possibility of bringing collection in house, if a subcommittee were to recommend doing so, Hornickel said it would “take a couple of years” to obtain all the necessary equipment as well as carry out the necessary planning.

Page 10 ♦

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY ♦ Page 11

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(Continued from Page 2) should have been the other gentleman. And that is all I have to say!”

Bayer, following Dewey’s comments, however, was installed to the post of municipal solicitor for 2024 by a 3-2 vote, with Dewey and his other Republican cohort on the council, Joshua Ward, casting the dissenting votes.

Some grumbling could be heard in council chambers as the vote was finalized.

“I just want to say, I was never a party to any such agreement,” said newlyinstalled Democratic Council President Paul Detrick, causing Dewey to respond, “It was in that room,” with the Republican pointing to the next door conference room.

Dewey further asserted, “It was supposed to be done – Dasti and associates.”

“I certainly never made an agreement,” D et r ick re sp onde d. “It i s not my understanding of the agreement.”

Someone could be heard mumbling something to Detrick, but it is inaudible on a meeting tape, with Detrick subsequently declaring, “It is done; you are right.”

Council moved on from the issue without any further protest from the Republican councilmembers on Jan. 3. Tompkins,

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while present for the session, said nothing.

Later, a resolution passed without objection appointing four separate law firms as municipal special counsel for the new year, including the law firm of Dasti, McGuckin, McNichols, Connors, Anthony & Buckley.

Another area of dissention entailed Tompkin’s 2024 appointment for the Zoning Board. Tompkins, as indicated

by Democratic Councilwoman Elisabeth McCartney, wanted to appoint resident James Boland to an open seat. But McCartney questioned why current Alternate Rachel Delgado-Simmons is not being elevated to the spot, maintaining that as an alternate, “I feel, logically, she should take a permanent spot” because of her history of having already attended sessions of the board.”

“It is not personal,” further maintained McCartney, with Boland, in the past, having gotten into skirmishes with the council and mayor’s office when both were under absolute-Democratic control.

Ward responded that he saw it not as an issue of tenure, but as an issue of qualification.

“I would agree that with tenure, you have an understanding of how meetings function, but again, members have to sit and attend classes to become familiar with zoning and land use (issues),” Ward said.

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to have no health issues, was eating and drinking normally and wasn’t at all lethargic and showed no ill effects of his ordeal.

Personality-wise, Brown subsequently told this newspaper, although he appeared “a little nervous at first,” Scooter has been adapting quite well, is quite lively, loving and sociable (although more partial to women), “very sweet, and wants nothing so much as to be given love and attention.”

“He will come right up to me and my

staff and wants us to pick him up, then snuggles right up against us,” she said.

Brown also noted that Scooter has already been given his rabies and distemper shots, and was about to be neutered.

“I think he is going to do really well in a home,” she added, noting that he has a “meet and greet” type personality.

In addition to seeking a forever family for Scooter, (as well as other canines for which it is now caring), Brown also took the occasion to invite anyone who would like to either serve as a rescue volunteer or in a foster capacity to contact Safe Haven at 609-713-4278.

Ward made a motion to approve the mayor’s intended appointment, but it failed to elicit a second.

“The motion dies without a second,” Detrick declared.

Another resolution that saw dispute was one titled, “Sets Rates of Compensation for Non-Represented Township Employees.”

Gardner declared that the measure would have the effect of increasing his salary from $7,846 to $8,242, and, “I want to keep my pay at the 2023 rate.”

While Detrick asked for a motion on the item in either direction, someone could be heard uttering, “Let it die!”

No motion was made, prompting Detrick to ask, “Is there any further discussion regarding this resolution?” and Business Administrator Daniel Hornickel to assert, “If I may, everybody on that list has received a RICE notice, and if council wants to discuss this in closed session, feel free to do so.”

It ultimately did so before adjourning the reorganization meeting, with Ward maintaining it appeared some things needed to be “hashed out.”

Upon council returning to public session, the resolution passed 4-0, with Gardner abstaining.

It was not said at the session by how much the salary is increasing for the

non-represented employees, but Business Administrator Daniel Hornickel, when queried on the matter, responded that the “increase for non-represented employees was generally 2.5 percent, which matches what the supervisory staff (mostly division managers) are receiving under the CWA Local 1040 Supervisors union contract.”

It was also not said publicly on Jan. 3 if the mayor would also be getting any raise through this measure, something Gardner maintained on Dec. 20 was in the works, and decried, after previously putting a stop in early 2023 to a move to increase the mayor’s salary to $13,000, with council setting it at $9,000 instead. While Hornickel did not directly address a question posed about the mayor’s salary, a fulfilled Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request revealed that Tompkins’ salary was increased to $13,000, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023.

The retroactive salaries also include the business administrator being given $160,000 annually; the chief of police taking in $151,778 annually and the Public Works Director receiving $115,332 each year. The chief financial officer’s salary has risen to $112,750, while the director of Community Development is now receiving $108,000 annually.

(Continued from Page 5)

Page 12 ♦

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Worship Guide

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follow us on 50 Burrs Mill Roadd, Southampton, facebook.com/MedfordUMC NJ 08088 609 - 847- 4848

All Worship on Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.

Sunday School����������������������������������9:45 a�m�

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Bible Study - Wednesdays �����������������6:30 p�m�

609-893-2720 527 Lakehurst hurst Roa ad | Browns Mills, NJ 08015

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Sunday Worship Service �����������������������11 a�m� Cross Roads Youth Group - Sundays �������5 p�m� Prayer Fellowship - Wednesdays ��������7:15 p�m� Adult Choir Practice - Wednesdays ����7:30 p�m�

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St. Andrew’s Church 121 High St., Mt. Holly MASS: 5 PM Sat. 10 AM Sun. Morning Prayer (M-F) 9 AM on Facebook Office: (M-Th, 8 AM-Noon) 609-267-0225 E-Mail: STANDREWSCHURCHMH@gmail.com Website: WWW.STANDREWSCHURCH-MH.ORG

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Trinity Episcopal Church 18 Mill St. Vincentown, NJ 08088 Worship: Sundays 10 a.m.

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2 Hartford Road | Medford NJ 08055 medfordumc.org | 609/654-8111 info@medfordumc.org

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