Pine Barrens Tribune Nov. 12, 2022-Nov. 18, 2022

STAYING POWER

Prospect of Hefty Hikes in Water, Sewer Rates Looms for LeisureTowne, Hampton Lakes Residents Water Utility Again Proposes to Pass ‘Infrastructure’ Costs on to Customers, Also Seeks to Up Rates for Fire Hydrants

By Bill B onvie Staff Writer

SOUTHAMPTON—Just when it seemed that the price of commodities couldn’t go much higher, a considerable number of Southampton Township residents are suddenly facing the prospect of having to shell out considerably more money than they have been for one of life’s most basic commodities—water.

Democrat Andy Kim Celebrates Winning of Third Term as 3rd District Congressman with a Rousing Call for National Healing Not Totally Dependent on Political Process

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

MOUNT LAUREL—It wasn’t long after the supporters of 3rd District Democratic Rep. Andy Kim assembled at an Election Night “watch party” were cheering the announcement that their candidate had just won a third term in Congress that they were being treated to what may well have been one of the more moving oratorical displays of this year’s Midterm races that combined

elements of humor, humility, and humanity.

But then, this was the selfsame congressman described by Burlington County Democratic Chairman Joe Andl as an “American hero” for having “sat on the floor in the halls of the Capitol building and cleaned it up after January 6.” So it should perhaps have come as no surprise that he would use the occasion to summon forth the sort of tender-hearted tendencies that President Lincoln, in his first inaugural

address, referred to as “the better angels of our nature” by suggesting to his audience that creating a kinder, more empathetic environment for the nation’s children is an effort we all need to take part in, rather than just relying on our political institutions to resolve the problems that plague us.

“Look, I get there are a lot of challenges out there in this country, and sometimes it feels overwhelming,” Kim acknowledged to See CONGRESSMAN/ Page 11

Pinelands Water Company, the supplier of drinking water to the communities of LeisureTowne and Hampton Lakes, is now seeking to pass on some $1.5 million in “water system enhancements” it claims to have made since 2019 that are not covered by current charges to its residential customers, along with another $1.1 million in “wastewater system enhancements” for both those developments and the Village of Vincentown, for which it also has a sewer contract.

And that’s not to mention a hefty increase it hopes to get approved in the rate the township pays for maintaining fire hydrants in the LeisureTowne and Hampton Lakes developments.

The proposed water and sewer rate hikes, which the company petitioned the Board of Public Utilities to approve on Sept. 7, according to two legal notices, would, if given the board’s approval, raise

Photo By Andrew King

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with Reports of Other Thefts in Township During the Same Morning Investigators Have Since Recovered Stolen Vehicle in North Jersey, Are Working to See if All Nov. 6 Incidents Are Connected; Murphy Proposes Auto Theft Plan

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

MEDFORD—A wild scene reportedly played out on the streets of Medford Township on Nov. 6, with authorities here reportedly still trying to put all the pieces together as to the exact timeline, the perpetrators responsible for what happened, and whether all the reported incidents to occur in a span of just a couple hours in the early morning are connected.

What the Medford Township Police Department currently knows for sure is that “masked suspects,” at least two people as depicted in surveillance video, according to Lt. James D’Averso, a spokesman for the Medford Township Police Department, had attempted to commit a theft in the early morning hours of Nov. 6 from an ATM machine outside a TD Bank branch located on Stokes Road.

Pictures later posted on social media showed the ATM machine having sustained damage in the incident.

According to a statement issued later on Nov. 6 from Medford Police, the masked suspects “during this crime,” are believed to have “utilized” a white Range Rover that had been “stolen” from a residence off Hartford Road, between Route 70 and Jennings Road, in Medford.

D’Averso told this newspaper that in addition to the two suspects seen on surveillance video, Medford Police are “still trying to confirm” whether another vehicle seen in the area, at the time of the attempted ATM theft, was possibly involved in the incident.

The Range Rover, “from what we can tell,” D’Averso said, was stolen prior to the attempted ATM theft.

The lieutenant told this newspaper on Nov. 9 that the stolen vehicle “has just been recovered up in Union Township,” which is in North Jersey.

Currently, D’Averso noted, the “vehicle is being processed” and authorities are “in contact with the owner.” So far, he added, no arrests have been made, despite authorities having recovered the Range Rover.

“It takes a little bit of time,” he said of the processing of a recovered vehicle for obtaining possible further evidence.

Medford Police also revealed in the Nov. 6 statement that they received reports of “additional property thefts” having occurred that day on Mill Street, as well as in the Deerbrook neighborhood, also in the early morning hours.

“My truck was broken into at 4 a.m. this morning in my driveway, on Mill Street in Medford,” later wrote one of the apparent victims on social media, pointing out that he had forgotten to lock his vehicle. “Several items were taken. They threw my laptop from the car onto Stokes Road and it was later recovered.”

D’Averso, when asked if it is believed the additional thefts that occurred on Mill Street, and in the Deerbrook neighborhood, are in any way connected to the stolen vehicle and ATM theft matter, responded that “a vehicle that was similar to the one seen at the bank was seen in Deerbrook,” but that he can’t say for sure at this time “whether it was the same one,” though he pointed out it was a “similar make and model.”

As for what occurred on Mill Street, he had “no confirmation” at this time that what occurred there was in any way connected to the other incidents.

D’Averso also responded that he could not say what was taken in the thefts.

The Nov. 6 incidents in Medford follow an apparent carjacking at a Wawa located at Route 70 and Eayrestown Road on Oct. 22. So

far, one person has been arrested in that case.

“We are on with the State Police, attending theft meetings every week,” said D’Averso when asked about the recent stolen vehicle cases in Medford.

Several New Jersey municipalities have reported seeing an increase in auto thefts, prompting Democratic Governor Phil Murphy to reveal on Nov. 7 what he called a “comprehensive plan” to “combat auto theft in New Jersey,” through a series of legislative proposals and administrative actions.

Among the legislative proposals the governor backed is establishing a “persistent auto theft offender statute,” which would give state and local prosecutors the option to seek more serious criminal consequences for those who have been “repeatedly found guilty of stealing cars.”

He also suggested making “possession and distribution of certain auto theft tools” a “crime,” as well as imposing criminal penalties for the “failure to comply with certain guidelines in the sale and purchase of catalytic converters.”

Additionally, Murphy asked the legislature to invest in “enhanced pretrial services,” including pretrial monitoring by law enforcement, expansion of the use of house arrest paired with location monitoring, and providing additional resources related to substance abuse, mental health, and housing insecurity, all of which he maintained will “reduce the risk from individuals who are awaiting trial.”

“I am grateful for the collaborative work that has been done across government in partnership with law enforcement at the state and local levels to combat crime in our state,” Murphy said. “Today’s steps, which include increasing penalties for persistent auto theft offenders and criminalizing certain conduct related to auto theft tools and catalytic converters, will strengthen this administration’s efforts to reverse the uptick in vehicle theft we have witnessed over the past few years. However, we also ask that our residents take additional measures to protect themselves from auto theft. If you cannot park your car in a closed and locked garage, make sure that your vehicle is locked and that the key fob is with you.”

D’Averso also told this newspaper that the “best way to make sure your car is not stolen is to not keep your car unlocked with the key fobs in it,” pointing out there have been instances where individuals had their vehicles stolen by simply leaving it unlocked with the key fobs inside.

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—What has been described as a “bipartisan team experiment” for local elected office might have actually just worked in Pemberton Borough if the vote tallies there hold over the next couple of days as any lingering Voteby-Mail ballots are counted, as well as any provisional ballots that were cast.

Republican Diane Fanucci, who campaigned together with her neighbor and longtime friend, Democrat Steven Fenster, for two seats on Pemberton Borough Council, appear to have prevailed over Republican Stewart Thompson, the latter who Fanucci decided not to campaign with for the General Election, despite him having also been placed in Column One on the ballot, which was dedicated to Republicans.

Fanucci had garnered the most votes as of press time, with 274 ballots cast for her, while Fenster garnered 249 votes. Thompson was trailing in the results by having only garnered 205 votes as of press time.

While Fanucci pointed out she was told following Election Day that there are still mail-in-ballots that have to be counted, with the counting of any provisional ballots to follow, and was therefore somewhat reluctant to declare victory, she added that she was “not anticipating the gap closing that much” since Pemberton Borough is a “tiny little town.”

“I am just thrilled that both I and my running mate, Steve, were voted in, it looks like,” declared Fanucci, adding she is still awaiting the official certification. “We tried the experiment of a bi-partisan team and it worked.”

When asked to elaborate on what that experiment entailed, Fanucci, a 19-year resident of the borough, said that when she had decided to run for office, she took note of the fact that Fenster was swept out of office in 2021 through what she described as a Republican wave, and that Republican candidates who ran for council back in 2018 had been swept out through a Democratic wave, which had caused Fenster to be elected the first time around.

That history, she explained, is what led her to take part in “a bipartisan ticket, unofficially” to “see how people react.”

“I think everyone is sick and tired of ‘party,’ ‘party,’ ‘party,’” Fanucci declared. “I am about ‘ideas,’ ‘ideas,’ ‘ideas,’ and that is something I think needs to happen in Pemberton Borough.”

Fanucci, who is a longtime council meeting attendee known for “bringing up many things,” including ideas, the latter sometimes in direct opposition to those of the status quo, told this newspaper that “on a local level, especially in a small town, ‘party’ really doesn’t matter.”

“Like I said, ‘ideas’ matter,” she declared.

Her “top priority” on council should the results hold, she said, is to “definitely get an answer as to how to recapture our properties on County Route 530.”

The county, when it undertook a project to widen County Route 530, forced several borough businesses along that stretch of highway, such as a hardware store, to give up their land, with many of them ultimately having closed. Buildings that once housed those closed businesses have since been razed to make room for what is now a four-lane highway, but the lots they once sat on are still considered buildable.

“Most people don’t realize we lost $1 million in tax ratables, according to our now retired clerk,” Fanucci said. “That is huge for a tiny little borough. All the taxpayers had to pick up the slack because $1 million is no longer taxable.”

Another priority, she maintained, is purchasing a license plate reader for the Pemberton Borough Police Department. It is a tool that she said she learned the department needs after speaking to its sergeant.

Additionally, Fanucci said she would like to “keep the borough looking attractive so that we can get our properties sold in a timely fashion, to quality people who will enhance the neighborhood.”

Fenster, she confirmed, “is my next door neighbor and good friend,” maintaining that he thinks “along the same lines” about “what

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

MOUNT HOLLY—What turned into a heated race for an open seat for Burlington County Sheriff ended Tuesday night, Nov. 8, with the current undersheriff for the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department, James Kostoplis, a Democrat, defeating Republican Mike Ditzel, a lieutenant for the agency who once held the rank of undersheriff.

Kostoplis, who succeeded Ditzel in becoming the department’s undersheriff following the 2019 election of Democrat Anthony Basantis as county sheriff, swept his GOP rival by garnering 87,081 votes, as of press time, compared to Ditzel, who received only 69,080 votes.

Kostoplis, who previously unsuccessfully sought the top post in the sheriff’s department back in 2013 and 2016, declared himself the victor of the 2022 sheriff’s race around 11:15 p.m. on Nov. 8, but refrained from making any lengthy remarks, instead just thanking both his wife and supporters.

“We all did this together and we couldn’t have done this without you,” he declared during a victory celebration held at The Westin in Mount Laurel Township.

Kostoplis had received the endorsement of Basantis, via Facebook, on the evening of Nov. 4.

“I would like to FULLY endorse my current undersheriff, James Kostoplis, as the next sheriff of Burlington County,” wrote Basantis in making the endorsement. “His impeccable character, and over 45 years of law enforcement (experience), speak for themselves! Regardless of your party affiliation, (Democrat, Republican, or unaffiliated), please support and vote for James Kostoplis for Burlington County Sheriff, as he will serve and protect ALL of the Burlington County residents.”

Kostoplis, in declaring victory, noted that he was proud that both he and Democratic

County Commissioner Allison Eckel, his running mate (who also won a three-year term Nov. 8 and currently oversees the sheriff’s department) “kept it positive” and were “not negative,” unlike “the other side.”

This newspaper previously reported that during a LeisureTowne candidates’ forum held in Southampton Township last month, Ditzel alleged the department had “crumbled” under Basantis’ leadership, charging there were staffing and programming issues, and in a later press release, the GOP candidate had doubled down on the allegation that the agency was in “shambles.” He had also launched a number of other sharp attacks on Basantis, including by trying to diminish the county sheriff’s previous law enforcement experience.

The majority of county voters, however, clearly weren’t phased by those attacks on Basantis, who was previously described by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy as an “extraordinary sheriff” upon him being sworn into office in January 2020.

“I have been the sheriff for the last three years,” said Basantis in endorsing Kostoplis.

“For all of my Burlington County friends and family that helped me get elected and fulfill my dream of becoming Sheriff, I TRULY appreciate all of the support you have given me! It means the world to me!”

After explaining that he has “worked in law enforcement for over 20 years,” Basantis closed his endorsement message by declaring, “Well, the time has finally come for me to hang my hat and retire at the end of the year.”

“I am really excited to start the next chapter of my life!” he asserted.

Kostoplis, according to his LinkedIn profile page, began his law enforcement career as a sheriff’s officer with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, with assignments covering the jail, court security, prisoner transportation, SERT

Photo By Andrew King James Kostoplis, a Democrat and current undersheriff of the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department, declares victory on Nov. 8 after having been elected county sheriff.

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

EVESHAM—The five-member Evesham Township Council will remain an allDemocratic entity for at least the next two years, thanks to incumbent Mayor Jaclyn “Jackie” Veasy and two of her colleagues, Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper and Councilwoman Patricia Hansen, having managed to withstand a strong challenge from three well-qualified local Republicans to be re-elected by apparent substantial majorities.

While vote tallies were still considered to be tentative pending the arrival of any additional mail-in ballots, the numbers reported on the night of Nov. 8, after the polls closed, were 10,150 votes for Veasy to 8,540 for her Republican rival, Dennis Mehigan.

Cooper and Hansen had tentatively tallied 9,932 and 9,827, respectively, winning out to Republicans Bonnie Olt, who received 8,593 votes, and Michael Thompson, for whom 8,594 ballots were cast.

Asked for comment on the results, Veasy, Cooper and Hansen referred this newspaper to the following statement from their campaign coordinator, Phil Warren:

“Mayor Jackie Veasy and Councilwomen Heather Cooper and Patricia Hansen are grateful for the residents’ support this election season. Doubling their victory margins from 2018 is a strong validation, not only of their leadership and record, but of their character. Evesham voters deserve and value leaders who put the entire community first and showed that with a solid vote of confidence in the Veasy, Cooper, and Hansen team.

“Together Mayor Veasy, Deputy Mayor Cooper, and Councilwoman Hansen will continue to serve the residents every day, focusing on their core values – financial stability and responsibility, investing in the

long-term future and infrastructure of the town, and keeping Evesham as the best town to live, work, and play. They are beyond grateful to have the confidence of the residents and every single supporter, family member, and friend who have stood by them.”

The transformation of the council, which had previously been under Republican control, to a solidly Democratic body came about during the 2020 election when Eddie Freeman III and Ginamarie Espinoza were elected to the remaining seats. They will be up for re-election in two years.

In a statement emailed to the Pine Barrens Tribune, Drew Wilson, spokesman for the Evesham Township Republican Committee, said the committee “is proud of the vision that Dennis Mehigan, Bonnie Olt, and Michael Thompson have put forth for Evesham during this election, but the voters have spoken.”

“We congratulate Mayor Veasy, Deputy Mayor Cooper, and Councilwoman Hansen on their re-election victory,” Wilson declared.

In noting that “while we’ve disagreed over policy and priorities both before and during the campaign, we share something very important in common with Jackie, Heather, and Pat,” he declared, “We all want what’s best for Evesham Township and its residents.”

Wilson’s email also emphasized that both the Republican candidates and local GOP committee would “certainly continue to be involved in our community, as we have been for many years,” and that “while we have lost this race, we have not lost our passion for conservative principles,” and looked forward to being active in future efforts.

“We sincerely thank our incredible supporters who helped us throughout the campaign, as well as our families, friends, and neighbors who have made this journey possible,” he declared.

“Thank You!” added the GOP spokesman.

By Bill Bonvie anD Douglas D. Melegari Team Coverage

PEMBERTON—The 16-year reign of Democratic Pemberton Township Mayor David Patriarca appeared to have ended on Nov. 8 when preliminary results of the Midterm Elections indicated that his Republican rival, ex-Councilman Jack Tompkins, had finally succeeded in ousting him after a previous attempt failed to do so.

Tompkins’ two running mates, Daniel Dewey, Sr., and Joshua Ward, both newcomers to politics, also were thought likely to have won the township council seats currently held by Democratic Council President Gaye

Burton and Jason Allen.

According to preliminary election results, which don’t account for all possible mail-in ballots as they can be received by election officials six days past Election Day, so long as they are postmarked by then, nor do they include provisional ballots, Tompkins’ tally was 3,357, or 53.5 percent of the vote, compared with Patriarca’s 2,893, or 46.1 percent.

Dewey and Ward were listed as having initially won 3,222 and 3,176 votes respectively, to 2,982 for Burton and 3.050 for Allen.

While saying he didn’t wish to take victory as a certainty without its officially being certified

Photo By Andrew King

Democratic Evesham Mayor Jaclyn “Jackie” Veasy (right center) and Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper (left center) celebrate their re-election victory with supporters on Tuesday night, Nov. 8.

Shamong Township Woman Charged with Driving While Impaired and Causing Deadly June 13 Collision in Medford Lakes Borough

MEDFORD LAKES—A 58-year-old Shamong Township woman has been charged with driving while impaired and causing the death of a teenage motorist earlier this year during a head-on collision in Medford Lakes Borough.

Theresa McElvarr was charged last week with second-degree vehicular homicide and four counts of third-degree assault by auto.

She was served with the warrant, according to a press release from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, on Nov. 2 at her Lenape Path home, where she is reportedly convalescing from injuries received in the collision.

The case against McElvarr will be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment, the Prosecutor’s Office noted.

The investigation, it was noted, began just after midnight on June 13 when officers from the Medford Lakes Borough Police Department were called to the area of Stokes Road and Pawnee Trail for a report of a two-vehicle collision.

The investigation revealed that McElvarr was traveling north on Stokes Road, in a

Hyundai Tucson, when she veered into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided headon with a Honda Civic traveling south with five occupants inside.

The driver of the Honda, Gianna Mastalski, 17, of Mullica Hill, was transported to Virtua Marlton Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at approximately 1:45 a.m.

McElvarr and the four passengers in Mastalski’s vehicle, all of whom were 17, were transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

McElvarr and three of the teens were ultimately admitted to the hospital with broken bones and other injuries.

Joel Bewley, a spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office, later told this newspaper that McElvarr was impaired with alcohol.

A copy of the criminal complaint filed against McElvarr, obtained Nov. 10 by this newspaper, alleges that she had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.194 at the time of the crash.

According to Bewley, the state’s legal BAC limit is .08.

Evesham Twp. Police Charge Camden County Man in Two Summertime Residential Burglary Cases, Serving Suspect With Warrants While in Jail

EVESHAM—A Camden County man was charged this week with burglarizing two Evesham Township residences during the summer, authorities announced on Nov. 8, with the suspect reportedly served his warrants pertaining to the cases while incarcerated for a separate matter unrelated to the ones that occurred in Evesham.

Shadeed Jordan, 35, of Lindenwold, was charged with two counts of third-degree burglary and third-degree theft, in addition to two disorderly persons offenses for theft and criminal mischief, according to a press release from the Evesham Township Police Department.

The initial residential burglary, police noted, occurred around 7:47 a.m. on July 26, in the 100 block of Meadow Lane, in Evesham. Responding officers had reportedly observed that an individual “forced entry into the home, burglarized the residence and stole multiple items,” causing detectives to later respond to the scene and collect evidence for further investigation.

At the time of the incident, it was pointed out by police, a suspect had not been identified.

A second burglary then occurred around 2 p.m. on Aug. 27, in the 100 block of Brick Road, in Evesham.

“Again, an investigation at the scene revealed that an unknown actor forced entry into the home, burglarized the residence and stole multiple items,” police reported.

“Detectives were also called to this scene where they collected evidence to further investigate.”

Following what police described as an “extensive investigation” in which Evesham detectives were assisted by the Deptford Township Police, Monroe Township Police, Lindenwold Police and Camden County SWAT Team, “enough evidence was culminated,” police said, to charge Jordan with burglary and theft in both cases.

“Jordan, who is already incarcerated (unrelated to the Evesham Township case), was served with his warrants and remains in jail,” police said.

Lt. Dan Burdette, a spokesman for Evesham Police, when asked why Jordan was already incarnated prior to the Evesham charges, responded, “I cannot comment on another agency’s investigations.”

Eckel Elected to Three-Year Term as County Commissioner, Dispelling Any Lingering Doubt About Her Status on Board

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

MOUNT HOLLY—The all-Democratic makeup of the Burlington County Board of Commissioners has now been solidified with the apparent election of Allison Eckel to a three-year term of her own as the fifth member of the board, following a legal dispute and a court case filed by county Republicans over her appointment to fill an unexpired term back in May.

Eckel was declared the unofficial winner of the seat by a preliminary vote of 87,856, or 56.3 percent, to 67,992, or 43.6 percent for her opponent, Republican candidate Jeff Fortune.

Eckel’s victory was noted at Democratic Congressman Andy Kim’s Election Night watch party by County Democratic Chairman Joe Andl, who quipped that the Democrats having “retained our 5-0 control of the commission” had now made Eckel a “completely legitimate” member.

Eckel’s status was questioned by the county GOP because the Democratic party had failed to comply with a deadline for filling the remainder of the term of former Commissioner Linda Hynes, who had resigned to assume the post of Superior Court judge. In a written opinion in August, however, another Superior

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the quarterly “facilities charge” of a home with a 5/8 inch meter from $39.39 to $64.71, and the quarterly “metered service charge” that customers pay from its current $3.24 per thousand gallons to $5.33, a rise of $2.08 for that amount of water usage.

In both cases, the company stated it “believes that this increase is necessary in order for it to be able to continue to provide safe, adequate and proper service to its customers and to prevent the impairment of its financial integrity.”

The company has scheduled a virtual public hearing on the proposed rate increases for Dec. 8 at 4:30 p.m., with “members of the public invited to attend and express their views,” on the following Zoom platform:

Court judge, John E. Harrington, had rejected the plaintiffs’ arguments.

In brief remarks at the party, Eckel thanked all those who helped campaign for her.

“From the town levels all the way up, you guys turned out, you guys did the work,” she said. “None of us did this alone, it’s all about the community.”

In a Nov. 10 concession statement posted to the Facebook page of the campaign for Fortune, and his running mate for the Burlington County sheriff’s post, Mike Ditzel, the two Republicans congratulated Eckel and thanked “our friends, family, and supporters for everything they have done for our campaign over the past ten months.”

“We could not have asked for a better team,” the Republicans added. “Unfortunately, we did not win this election, but we are proud to have run an issue-oriented campaign focused on bringing a voice to the voiceless in Burlington County.

“While we may have lost, we aren’t going anywhere. We will continue to serve Burlington County to make it the best place to live, raise a family, and retire. We love Burlington County and wish for nothing but success in its future.”

https://oal-nj-gov.zoomgov.com/j/161958357

7?pwd=bUtHWE9jbmhVY1pmSUJSM0h5Y 2xCQT09, with a meeting ID: 161 958 3577, and a passcode: 693748. According to the official notice, an administrative law judge from the Office of Administrative Law will preside over the proceedings.

Between the two increases, according to the company’s own estimate, a customer with a 5/8-inch meter, “using 11,900 gallons of water per quarter, will see his/her bill increase from $78.03 to $128.18,” for that same period, which would amount to more than $200 per year in additional charges.

As for wastewater, the price for carrying it away would rise from $7.06 to $8.95 per thousand gallons, and the added “service charge” would go up nearly $25 from $92.92 to $117.79, which, for a customer whose wastewater volume was 11,900 gallons per

Photo By Andrew King Democrat Allison Eckel declares victory on Nov. 8 in a race for county commissioner.

Photo By Andrew King Democrats celebrate wins at the county and federal level on Nov. 8 in Mount Laurel.

McElvarr

1. GIFT GIVING

If you plan to participate in a holiday gift exchange with your friends or family members, take this opportunity to introduce them to local merchants. For example, regionally made body-care products, handcrafted jewelry and artisanal foods make great gifts.

2. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Alcoholic beverages and the holiday season go handin-hand. This year, serve beers brewed in your region, wines made at a local vineyard and spirits distilled nearby. To add to the fun and sample an assortment of products, consider organizing a tasting event at your next holiday party.

3. PERSONAL WELLNESS PRODUCTS

Entice your guests to buy local products themselves by placing a handmade bar of soap in the bathroom, lighting locally crafted candles or providing an allnatural hand cream to relieve dry hands.

4. FOOD

If you’re whipping up a homemade meal for your holiday guests, plan your menu around seasonal and local products. If you’d rather take a break from cooking, hire a caterer who uses regional goods. Don’t forget to purchase dessert from a nearby pastry shop or bakery.

5. CLOTHING

Create head-turning holiday ensembles by shopping at local clothing stores. Shirts, dresses, skirts, pants and accessories come in many stylish and comfortable options.

6. DECORATIONS

Spruce up your holiday decor with unique, locally crafted items. Wreaths, vases, sculptures and other handmade treasures are sure to infuse your home or office with the Christmas

This holiday season, be sure to boost your community’s economy by supporting your local businesses.

Fashion Yuletide Trends and Styles

5 HOLIDAY LOOKS FOR MEN

upcoming holiday office party or New Year’s Eve bash to attend? If you want to arrive at your event in style, try one of this year’s trending holiday looks.

1. THE SUAVE GENTLEMAN

At once elegant and savvily reserved, this style is a call-back to the dandies of the 19th century. To get the look, wear large pants with a button-down shirt and long coat.

2. THE PERIWINKLE PRINCE

Turn heads by sporting Pantone’s color of the year for 2022, Very Peri. This bright and happy hue and its variations evoke a spirit of celebration. For the holidays, go all out by wearing Very Peri from head to toe.

3. THE CASUAL COCOONER

Do you like to appear calm and collected at all times? If so, stylishly casual clothing is a winning choice. For holiday gatherings, opt to wear quality

pieces made of soft fabrics. Bulky knits are always a great choice. To elevate this look, choose items in white or cream.

4. THE EASY RIDER

Styles inspired by motorcycle gear are all the rage. Get this irresistibly cool look by wearing a black leather jacket or pair of pants—or both!— and combine with a colorful shirt or sweater.

HOLIDAY OUTFIT IDEAS FOR WOMEN

Do you want to ramp up your holiday wardrobe? To inspire you, here are some of the latest fashion trends.

GORGEOUS IN GREEN

From emerald to lime, green is one of the season’s most popular colors. For a festive and fun look, adorn yourself from head to toe in the shade you like best.

THE ROARING TWENTIES

The opulence of the 1920s continues to inspire fashion designers around the world. Chic minimalist cuts, voluptuous boas, shimmering fabrics and cheeky fringe create the perfect blend of frivolous and refined.

SHEER BLACK

Find a transparent skirt, dress or pair of pants, and layer it over another elegant piece. For a more daring look, wear your sheer black sheathing with chic underwear.

SYNTHETIC FUR

5. THE URBAN ADVENTURER

This year, give your style an adventurous edge. Safari jackets and cargo pants with multiple pockets are trending. As a bonus, these practical pieces allow you to discreetly carry the gear you need.

To get help finding your ideal look in time for the holidays, visit the menswear stores in your area.

Faux-fur pieces will warm you up in style. Build your signature look with a cute jacket, full-length coat or a voluminous cape. Red, beige and gray are the current colors of choice.

ULTRA-SHORT SKIRTS

The low-waisted mini-skirt, also known as the micromini, is ready for a comeback. For full marks on trendiness, choose one dotted with cut-outs and pair it with a crop top.

To create the perfect holiday look, visit out your local shops.

CRANBERRIES FOR SALE

Fresh cranberries sold at Edie’s Beauty Salon (524 Lakehurst Road). Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call for availability. 609-744-5522.

FALL CLEANUPS

Fall cleanups, lawn cutting, and gutter cleaning. Shrub pruning and some tree work, along with hauling. Free estimates=reasonable rates. Call or Text Bob at 1-609-880-3789.

FURNITURE REPAIR

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 .

HAULING

ANYTHING,

Household appliances. Televisions, furniture, etc. for disposal or transport. Garage and yard cleanups along with lawn cutting and gutter cleaning. Free estimates. Call or Text Bob at 1-609-880-3789.

HOME HEALTH AIDE

Experienced certified home health aide. Companion and caregiver. References available. Call or text Cindy 609-227-9873.

FOR SALE

Old model railroad magazines and Lionel trains for sale. Negotiable. 609-268-1514.

WWI Post Card Album. 100 postcards. $100 firm. Call 1-973-610-8619.

LAWYERS

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WATER

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quarter, would mean a total quarterly rise of $47.36, or more than $189 annually.

That total sum of close to $400 more a year for a customer using and dispensing with that amount of water would help the firm pay for utility plant infrastructure replacements and upgrades at well production facilities, the water distribution piping system and customer water meters, in addition to wastewater treatment plant and collection system improvements, according to an email sent to the Pine Barrens Tribune by Bernadette M. Sohler, Vice President – Corporate Affairs for Middlesex Water Company, the parent firm of Pinelands Water.

In addition, the company is asking that the annual maintenance fee it charges the township for fire hydrants (even if they’re not used) be upped from $469.72 to $771.61 per hydrant, which would represent an increase of more than $300 for each one. With a total of 98 hydrants in both those communities, according to Township Administrator Kathleen Hoffman, that request, if granted,

THEFT

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Despite holding a press conference in recognizing there is an auto theft problem currently in the state, Murphy’s office, in a press release, maintained that auto thefts in September of this year were actually down 14 percent from September of last year, and that in October, auto thefts were down 12 percent from October of last year.

Still, Democratic Senate President Scutari declared during the unveiling of the plan that “the alarming increase in auto thefts threatens the property and the safety of New Jersey residents in their communities,” with Democratic Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin adding, “Car thefts are plaguing communities across our state.”

“We must protect public safety and ensure justice is delivered for the sake of all New Jersey families and our law enforcement,” Coughlin further maintained. “Every community deserves peace of mind. As we step up our efforts to mitigate, disincentivize and dismantle car theft rings, I applaud the ongoing response of the Attorney General and

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would amount to an additional $29,400, which she said would be passed on to local taxpayers.

But along with the company’s request, the BPU may also be hearing some very indignant responses from affected residents, as well as from Ronald Heston, the Southampton Committeeman who first called the attention of this newspaper to the proposed rates hikes, which he first became aware of from a couple of legal notices carried by a daily paper (current state law limiting the requirement for such notices to the paid-circulation newspapers closest to the affected locale).

“When you start talking about a 60 percent increase in water and a 25 percent increase in sewer charges, I think we as people need to stand up and say, ‘enough is enough!’” Heston declared.

And while the amounts involved are, to his knowledge, the largest the company has ever requested, they are also what he characterized as the culmination of years of its having continuously pushed the envelope where rate hikes are concerned.

“They do it all the time,” Heston contended.

I remind folks to please stay vigilant.”

D’Averso told this newspaper that vehicles being stolen “just seems to be a trend” currently with the “goal appearing to be to get high-end vehicles.”

As for why the thieves are targeting places such as Medford, he said, “They go where those high-end vehicles are – and Medford is one of those towns.”

Anyone with information on the recent thefts in Medford are asked to contact Medford Police.

“Auto theft not only victimizes the owner of the vehicle, but it can also victimize the whole community,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, during the governor’s announcement. “Stolen vehicles are often used in the commission of crimes and can be found driving recklessly on our roadways creating a dangerous environment for everyone.

“The support Governor Murphy has provided with the additional resources have proven to be pivotal in our effort to combat this national issue. Those resources added with the new legislative and administrative steps shows this state’s commitment to supporting not only law enforcement, but it’s commitment to the safety of all New Jersey residents.”

Erwin

them “unbelievable.”

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Heston, however, said this time he planned to confront the regulators of the BPU directly about the issue during the League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City on Nov. 15-17.

“They have a booth there,” he noted, “And I wish to ask them if a 60 percent increase should even be filed, it’s so outrageous.”

He pointed out that the rate hikes sought by the electric utilities serving the township were relatively miniscule by comparison, contending that “if the water and sewer company had said we need up to a 3 percent increase, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Equally outspoken about both the size of the proposed increases and the fact that others have preceded them were residents of LeisureTowne contacted by this newspaper, one of whom, Dorothy Bartolino, called

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following the mail-ins having all been counted, Tompkins told the Pine Barrens Tribune he felt “comfortable that we’ve won,” wanted to thank everyone who voted for him and was “honored and humbled” by the prospect of a victory the second time around, especially since he regarded himself as “the underdog” in the race.

When he first saw the numbers, he said, “Well, OK, I’m behind,” and then when he realized they were putting him ahead, “it was a feeling I haven’t had in a long time—I was overwhelmed.”

Should that victory hold up in the coming days, he said he is “hoping we can all work together to do the right thing for Pemberton,” since he doesn’t look at it in terms of “red and blue, but Pemberton green.”

Tompkins, who said he was in the midst of collecting his campaign signs so as to comply immediately with the law requiring that be taken down after the election, added that while “it would be nice to have a smooth transition,” he also remembers that Patriarca will continue to be mayor until the end of next month and ”there’s no way I would step on his toes” in the interim.

Dewey, while on a trip to Montana, told this newspaper that he, too, was confident of victory, although not yet taking it for granted, but if so, “It’s a great day for Pemberton.”

Ward could not be reached for comment on this story.

Patriarca appeared to concede the election during a Pemberton Township Council meeting on Nov. 9, the first following Election Day.

“Many residents in LeisureTowne are elderly and on fixed incomes, and are currently having a difficult time financially,” she pointed out. “I’m not sure what will happen to the residents who will not be able to pay these exorbitant increases. LeisureTowne is not a ‘high-end’ over-50 community. This increase will not be affordable to many, which is very sad and scary.”

Bartolino went on to note that there had been a meeting in LeisureTowne a few years ago with the BPU about an increase then, at which residents presented many reasons why one should not be implemented.

“But no one listened, and the increase was passed,” she charged, calling for the current proposal to be addressed by more residents of the community “who will actively present their questions and concerns to the BPU and legislators to stop this action.”

Another LeisureTowne homeowner,

“We will not be claiming election fraud,” he said in noting he was being humorous. “We will not be refusing to turn over power to the government. And there will be no ‘insurrection’ on the municipal building.”

But on a “serious note,” Patriarca shared a lesson from earlier in the day from a private function, maintaining that “we don’t run ‘against’ individuals, we run ‘with’ individuals.”

“Because, although we may differ in our

Thomas Haluszczak, a lawyer, ex-prosecutor and author who served for a short time on the Board of Trustees of the unincorporated retirement community, called the rates that Pinelands Water Company now wants to institute “confiscatory” and accused the company of attempting to “extort” those who reside there.

“We are a captive customer because we cannot buy water or sewer services from anybody else or drill a well,” he contended.

Haluszczak went on to say he is “extremely distressed” by this latest request and that he believes “our only hope now is to prevail at a BPU hearing and hopefully get an administrative law judge assigned for another community-wide hearing” on the matter.

Also calling for such a hearing was Evie Doherty, a resident of LeisureTowne for two decades, who maintained that the last time the water utility sought an increase, it was also infrastructure-related, and that such requests seem to occur “every three years or so.” Doherty also claimed that the BPU “never says no to an increase, but just rubber stamps what the Pinelands Water Company wants,” although the amounts involved are

Allen said he had no other comment on the likely outcome aside from “God is still good,” which solicited an “Amen” from someone attending the meeting.

Burton told those in attendance she will comment on the outcome next month, but added that having a crowd come out for a council meeting, as was apparently the case on Nov. 9, is “what we want” and “what we are here for.” Council meetings are the place, she

usually pared down slightly by the agency. Only this time, she maintained, the residents should not only question why infrastructure is once again an issue but inquire as to whether the company will be a beneficiary of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (legislation intended to modernize the United States’ roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports, airports, broadband, and drinking water and wastewater infrastructure) recently signed into law.

Doherty added that she found the proposed fire hydrant hike especially “outrageous” given that it is sure to increase the tax burden on residents as well.

Whether or not someone participates in the public hearing, according to the official notice, “written comments may be submitted to Hon. Jacob S. Gertsman, ALJ, Office of Administrative Law, P.O. Box 049, Trenton, NJ 08625-0049 and/or Hon. Carmen Diaz, Acting Secretary, Board of Public Utilities, 44 South Clinton Avenue, 9th Floor, Trenton, NJ 08625-0350. The OALDocket No. PUC 08466-2022S and the BPU Docket No. WR22090555 should be included in any such letter.

administration – just everybody getting along, working together and not being selfish. I don’t look at it as ‘I’ am doing something, ‘we’ are doing something for the township.”

Councilwoman Elisabeth McCartney, also a Democrat, agreed with Gardner’s sentiments, maintaining “it has always been my belief that administration and town council has worked together in improving the quality of life for our residents,” everything from “safety to improving infrastructure.”

“And my responsibilities with town council will remain with that same belief, moving forward in the following year,” she declared.

“And I want to thank the mayor, Gaye and Jason for your dedication to our community.”

Mark McCartney, spouse to Elisabeth, in thanking the Democratic duo for “all the years you put into this town,” noted the job of a local elected official “is in many ways, a thankless job.”

Tompkins

ideas and opinions on things, our interests should be the same,” the mayor declared. “And that interest should be for the community and that is why we run.”

With Tompkins notably sitting in council chambers on Nov. 9, Patriarca asserted, “we are both running for the community.”

The mayor then said that “in the near future” he will “have my staff” reach out to “set up a meeting with Mr. Tompkins to discuss any questions he may have and enlighten him on anything he may need to be enlightened on.”

“So, that will take place and I will set that up,” Patriarca assured the audience.

contended that, “you should get your answers” and “find answers to questions and concerns.”

“We are here to do what is best, and gain the best interests of the entire township,” the council president declared.

Democratic Councilman Donovan Gardner added that “we are going to miss you Jason, Gaye and Dave,” and in reflecting on the election results, called them “interesting because we all get along.”

“And there are five council members up here,” he said. “We are all individuals, but we act together for the benefit of the township. I hope that also goes on in the next

“You guys stepped up to the plate and you did it with dignity and grace,” he said of the Democratic candidates. “And you have to know there are people in this community who appreciate that. And Jack – I know Jack is going to do his best to do a good job.

“I feel going forward from here, you just have to embrace the new administration, and new ideas, and hopefully, keeping some of the old ideas and running this community in such a way where it is beneficial for everybody.”

With McCartney, Gardner and Democratic Councilman Paul Detrick, who referred to Tompkins as “mayor-elect” during the council meeting, remaining on council, the governing body will still feature a Democratic majority, though Tompkins will hold the power of veto.

Abrams

Recalling that she had seen complaints from her neighbors on the Nextdoor social media site that their water bills were in the range of $400-$500 following the last such rate hike, Bartolino asked, “What will their bills be like if these increases are passed?”

Dewey

Ward

SHERIFF

(Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team), traffic, patrol and the Honor Guard.

He notes that one of his “accomplishments” there was the capture of serial murderer Richard Cottingham, who had escaped from the courthouse.

A more detailed biography on Kostoplis’ Facebook page explains that in 1983, he left the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department for the Hamilton Police Division, where he held various positions, including that of PBA President, detective, sergeant, lieutenant and captain.

While serving as a detective bureau commander for Hamilton Police, Kostoplis wrote he observed a “loophole” in the registration of sex offenders, and in response, implemented a “new random and unannounced physical address check of registered sex offenders”, which later became the “Mercer County policy,” leading to “arrests of offenders for failing to register and for providing false addresses.”

After having retired from the Hamilton Police Department, Kostoplis was appointed to the position of chief warrant officer of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, maintaining that “during my time there, the Violent Criminal Warrants and Child Support Warrant arrests tripled.”

“Throughout my career, I have been known as a motivating team builder, diplomatically resolving many conflicts and daily human resource problems as the union president (PBA), later as a supervisor, and finally as a bureau commander,” Kostoplis wrote. “I initiated

COUNCIL

needs to happen with making the borough a better place.”

The Democrat, interviewed by this newspaper as well, was also cautiously optimistic about the final outcome of the council race, maintaining he has “no idea how many mail-in ballots there are” that still have to be counted, but asserted, from what he has seen so far with respect to the results, “I think the spread looks pretty good.”

“I am pretty confident,” he said of a victory.

When asked what he thought of possibly having an opportunity to serve on council with his longtime friend, Fanucci, he responded, “We campaigned together, so that was obviously the ideal outcome.”

“I think we proved party shouldn’t really matter in a small town, at the local level,” Fenster asserted. “It is really about how people perceive what we are going to do for the town. I don’t think our opponent really showed too much in that respect.”

Fenster noted that one of his “top priorities” is to “in general, continue to improve things around town.”

“When I was on council a few years ago, there was a major effort to make the town look nicer, clean up abandoned properties, while continuing to improve quality of life for people in the town,” he said.

Working to improve the borough business climate is “definitely” something he is also interested in pursuing once again, he added.

Republican Mayor Harold Griffin, who has had public disagreements in the past with both Fenster and Fanucci, when asked by this newspaper for his take on the election results received so far, responded that if they hold up in light of Fanucci and Fenster acknowledging that they campaigned together, “The (borough) Republican Club has become a ‘social club.’”

many police division programs without impacting the budget, such as Crime Watch meetings, Senior Programs, Youth Programs, Anti-Shoplifting Programs, Anti-Theft Decoy Cars, the Tips hotline, Gang Database, Valor Awards Committee, police Honor Guard, and writing general orders and policies.”

Kostoplis, who once also served as a contracted employee for the U.S. Marshal’s Service, currently serves on the Bordentown Township Committee, and is a former volunteer firefighter, EMT and fire commissioner at Bordentown Fire District Two.

“Thank-you Burlington County,” he wrote on Facebook the day after winning election to become Burlington County Sheriff.

Ditzel, as the results became evident, while standing alongside his GOP running mate, Jeff Fortune, who sought to defeat Eckel on the county Board of Commissioners, said “as much as this stings and hurts and stinks,” the probable outcome is “through no fault of our own,” maintaining that “for the past 8 months” the GOP slate “busted our butts” putting forth “a lot of new ideas.”

“We can’t change the way people vote,” he added. “So far, it is not coming our way.”

The Republicans stopped short of conceding, however, on Election Night, though the GOP’s executive director later acknowledged their efforts “didn’t work out.”

On the morning of Nov. 10, in a statement posted on the Facebook page for the Diztel and Fortune campaign, the candidates remarked, “Unfortunately, we did not win this election, but we are proud to have run an issue-oriented campaign focused on bringing a voice to the voiceless in Burlington County.”

They then congratulated both Eckel and Kostoplis.

CONGRESSMAN

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the jubilant crowd in describing the daunting nature of attempting to mend the present deep rifts in our society.

“But we can do our best with our slice of America,” he declared. “We might not be able to fix it everywhere, but we sure as heck can try to fix it right here and show it’s possible.”

As he mounted a stage at his campaign watch party in a ballroom of the Westin Hotel in Mount Laurel Township to convey that upbeat message, the son of South Korean immigrants, Rhodes Scholar and former national security advisor under President Barack Obama had just managed to defeat his third well-heeled Republican rival, Robert Healey, Jr., co-chairman of the Bass Riverbased Viking Yacht Company, the firm cofounded by his late father, with a preliminary vote count of 133,176 to 107,157.

and one that “I don’t take lightly” as “there is so much at stake.”

The 2022 election, he maintained, was “not just about this election,” but rather about a pivotal moment in our country and our “recognition that what is happening right now doesn’t have to be this way.”

Changing things for the better, Kim maintained, should involve finding a more positive approach to our politics —one “grounded in service” and the belief that “empathy is a strength not a weakness,” as well as in humility, respect and “restoring trust to America.” But while the political process can do things like improving roads, bridges and tunnels, provide the kind of health care we deserve and address such issues as inequality and injustice, he contended, we need to recognize that it “is not going to fix our country on its own.”

“And that should NEVER, NEVER – and you can put that in all caps – have happened,” Griffin declared. “The Republican Club nominates two people, and those people should work together to win.”

Fanucci, however, called herself a “renegade Republican,” maintaining that she was “not nominated by the club” for the Republican ticket, pointing out that she had defeated Republican Councilman Robert Brock in a June primary, after Brock and Thompson received the club’s nomination, running together on the GOP primary ballot.

“I got nothing … I did everything myself – I funded myself,” she said of her campaign with Fenster. “We handed out almost 500 flyers. “I am grateful for all my hard work, and it did pay off. People really, really liked the bi-partisan idea, as evidenced by the results.”

Fanucci added that she doesn’t consider herself a politician, but rather a “person trying to make a difference in my town.”

When the question was put to Fanucci whether she would work together with Griffin, she responded that “we all have to work with him as far as I know” and that she “will work with anyone as long as they have common sense and do the right thing for the borough.” Fenster, when asked the same thing, pointed out that he had already served with the mayor previously and “while not always on the same page,” he believes they have a “professional respect for each other.”

Griffin agreed he had a “good working relationship” with Fenster, and as for working with Fanucci, “she has never been on council, so I have no idea what kind of working relationship I am going to have with her.”

“You can print this – I think it is a very unusual campaign that it turned out this way, and even admitting it to you (that Fanucci and Fenster campaigned together),” Griffin asserted. “But whoever is elected, I will work with them. I don’t have a problem working with them.”

While at first declining to concede the race until all ballots were counted, a process complicated by a breakdown of voting machines in Mercer County, part of which is now included in the recently redrawn 3rd District (prompting election officials there to call for an investigation and a court order to allow the storage compartments of the machines to be opened), Healey, who had reportedly invested more than $4 million of his family’s money on his congressional bid, did get around to releasing a concession statement on the day following the election.

“With enough votes now counted to make the outcome of this election clear, I want to thank all who supported me and worked so hard on behalf of this campaign,” the statement said. “I will be forever grateful for your trust and your friendship. While this was certainly not the outcome we were hoping for, I am proud of the campaign that we put forward and the incredible team we assembled. Getting to speak with tens of thousands of people throughout Burlington, Mercer, and Monmouth counties has only reaffirmed for me my calling for service. Our conversations, and their lasting impact on me, will not be forgotten.

Then, introducing a conciliatory note that somewhat echoed his opponent’s sentiments, Healey went on to contend that “this election has shown once again how deeply divided our country has become and the magnitude of the problems we are facing.”

“As we move forward with what appears to be a new majority in the House, we must find ways to work together toward common goals like reducing inflation and keeping our communities safe,” Healey added. “I congratulate Congressman Andy Kim and stand ready to work with him in that effort.”

Two other candidates in the 3rd District race, Libertarian Christopher Russomanno and independent Gregory Sobocinski, tentatively received 1,195, and 1,011 votes respectively.

The job Kim was given a collective thumbs up to continue performing was one that he characterized as both an “incredible opportunity and an awesome responsibility,”

“There’s no legislation I can write, there’s no law I can pass that’s going to heal our country fully,” he said. “There’s nothing that we can do as a Congress that’s going to simply rid our world of the toxicity, of the chaos, the anxiety and the challenges that we face in this great moment. So, what I ask of all of us, is that we don’t think of our politics as our only effort.”

It should rather be regarded, he contended, as a part of the solution, which will also require recognition that “we now need more than ever a deep sense of profound kindness in this nation.”

“So, I call upon all of us to try to be better,” he asserted. “I know I don’t always keep up to that standard and I know that we all fall short, but we have to try.”

In making such points, the congressman repeatedly and often jokingly referred to his role as father to five- and seven-year-old boys, noting that he had brought them with him to the polling place that morning, “talking to them about what to do and things like, ‘don’t press that button.’”

“At some point,” he recalled, “one of my sons was going to ask this question, like, ‘Why are you doing this?’” His reply, he said, was “‘I do this for you.’ I hope it sinks in, I hope they’re proud of me, I hope they understand or will come to understand what we’re trying to do together.”

A bit further on, he pivoted back to the political aspects of parenting by asserting that he was “standing on this stage on Nov. 8 as a newly re-elected congressman because I believe we can heal this country.”

“What I don’t believe is that my kids are doomed to grow up in a divided America,” Kim declared. “I refuse to believe that that is their fate—of my kids, of your kids, of your grandkids. They deserve better.”

Earlier, in thanking his supporters and campaign workers, whom he told, “I couldn’t have done it without you,” Kim also made the point that “my mom and my dad are here in this room—the ones that chose this life in America to build our family, for my sister, my wife, and my two kids that I hope are asleep right now.”

Then, in concluding his remarks, he enthusiastically told the gathering he couldn’t wait to wake his kids up the next day with the news, “Daddy did it. He got re-elected!”

Photo By Andrew King

Local Democrats celebrate the victory of Congressman Andy Kim, re-elected to a third term.