Pine Barrens Tribune August 19-August 25, 2023

Constitutionalists Present ‘Demands’ to Tabernacle Body, Including Calling for Rescindment of ‘Hartman Rule’ for Comments

After Getting Done Citing What They View as Examples of Recent ‘Maladministration’, Revelation Budget Allows for Salary Raises Leads to Charges Reductions Are Needed

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

TABERNACLE—Several constitutionalists, after having previously expressed their apparent dissatisfaction with the direction of Tabernacle Township and delivering a warning at the July 3 session of the Tabernacle Township Committee that “we have eyes on the situation” and have now given “proper notice” and that “we wish things are attended to as outlined in the Constitution, as written in this state,” returned to the latest governing body session on July 31.

This time, the constitutionalists, after repeatedly declaring “we see a pattern of maladministration” and citing “breach of trust,” made several demands of the governing body, among them: “we need to hold an emergency meeting to straighten out the trustees who aren’t being faithful on this team,” “we the people demand the Tabernacle board members hold an emergency meeting to address the conflict of interest with Ms. Maryalice Brown currently holding several offices in Tabernacle and Woodland townships (Brown is the clerk/administrator in both Tabernacle and Woodland through a shared services agreement with Woodland),” “and we

See DEMANDS/ Page 5

Photo Provided

A preliminary concept plan for a First Responders Memorial to be built and dedicated in Medford Township.

Burlington County Sheriff’s Department Reportedly Commences Details in Washington Township Which Are ‘Specifically to Enforce Traffic Laws’ Squad Chief Asks for Blind Curve to Be Addressed on BurlCo’s Route 542, While Official Will Ask Atlantic County to Address Potholes on Route 652

By D ouglas D. M elegari

Staff Writer

WASHINGTON—The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department has reportedly commenced traffic enforcement details in Washington Township.

“The Sheriff’s Department has been in town working traffic details at our request,” Committeeman C. Leigh Gadd, Jr., also the municipality’s Public Safety Director, confirmed at an Aug. 1 meeting of the Washington Township Committee. “I have heard mostly positive feedback.”

For years, Washington residents have complained about motorists exceeding the speed limit in the municipality.

Those complaints only ratcheted up after 2020, when the municipality saw a significant increase in visitors from out of area, as the Coronavirus pandemic changed social habits, causing many to seek out locations away from the big cities for recreational activities (with Washington and neighboring municipalities offering opportunities for hiking, riding, and camping in the forest as well as for fishing and boating at the Mullica River, etc.).

Additionally, officials have contended a nearby boat works firm also appeared to be creating some traffic issues around rush hour.

And in addition to complaints about speeding, there have also been a number of deadly crashes recorded in Washington over the last several years.

“I also heard a lot of positive things with the Sheriff’s Department being here,” Mayor Daniel James declared. “I need to thank Committeeman Gadd for that, as he took a bull by the horns, and it seems to be working out.”

Burlington County, in an Aug. 16 press release, advised the “proactive enforcement initiative” is being funded with grant money awarded to Washington to “support public safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.”

“Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility and our officers work with local municipalities and police departments to assist with enforcement and education,” said Burlington County Sheriff James Kostoplis through the release. “We have officers available and trained to do this important work, and we’re proud to be out there performing these services to improve the safety on our roads for everyone.”

Kostoplis said his office has conducted traffic enforcement actions in other Burlington County towns previously,

See SHERIFF/ Page 11

Officials to Explore Lowering Speed Limit on Route 206 in Tabernacle

By D ouglas D. M elegari

Staff Writer

TABERNACLE—Officials are exploring having the speed limit lowered on a stretch of Route 206 in Tabernacle Township that is between Medford Lakes-Chatsworth Road (County Route 532) and the Southampton Township-line (by Carranza and Old Indian Mills roads).

The Tabernacle Township Committee directive to Township Administrator and Clerk Maryalice Brown, as well as Township Engineer Tom Leisse, to work with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to explore lowering the speed limit along this stretch of highway follows a deadly collision that occurred there on June 26.

The Pine Barrens Tribune previously reported that Rafael Colin Salinas, 35, of Tabernacle, was making a left turn into his driveway, near milepost 15.4 of the state highway, when his vehicle was struck in the rear by a freightliner, which then caused the vehicle to go into the northbound lanes of the state highway where a head-

on collision occurred with a tractor trailer, before that impact sent the vehicle back into the southbound lanes where it was struck again in the rear by a box truck. Salinas, who had three children and also a stepson, was killed in the impact.

“We have had a lot of serious accidents on Route 206, in the business section, between the Southampton line and Medford Lakes Road, and I feel we are at the point that maybe we need the speed limit lowered, if we can do it,” asserted Tabernacle Mayor Samuel Moore III.

Moore contended there is just “too much going on there on the highway” to continue with the posted 50 mph speed limit, in his opinion.

Members of the public shouted that they “agree 100 percent” with the mayor, suggesting that the speed limit be reduced to 40 mph. Leisse responded to the mayor that he would provide the governing body with a proposal to perform a traffic study of the area.

“I know there is a lot we are going to have to possibly do, to do this, but to save a life, it is well worth it,” Moore declared.

Photo Provided

A patrol car for the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department.

Atco Dragway’s Closure Has Drawn More Interest in Woodland Roadway Known for Illegal Street Racing, Says Resident in Asking for Enforcement Man from Savoy Boulevard Said He’s Seen Online Posts Calling Street the ‘New Atco’ with Municipality’s Mayor Responding Town Has ‘Serious Problem with Drag Racing’

By D ouglas D. M elegari Staff Writer

WOODLAND—The abrupt closure of the Atco Dragway in Waterford Township has reportedly had the consequence of drawing increased interest in a Woodland Township road that has long been notorious for illegal street racing, maintains Woodland Township Resident David Miller.

“Facebook has numerous advertisements now,” Miller told the Woodland Township Committee during its July 26 session. “They are calling it the ‘New Atco’ – it is all over Facebook – they have pictures of Savoy Boulevard.”

Miller, who lives on Savoy Boulevard, later described to this newspaper where the aforementioned advertisements could be found on Facebook. He further contended that the races are often “scheduled,” claiming racing schedules are often posted on the page at issue.

While this newspaper’s review of that Facebook page came up short in finding any racing advertisements or posted schedules (though one has to be “friends” with this particular page to see the full complement of postings), what is evident from the publicly available pictures and posts is that the author is a racing enthusiast, with one of the posted pictures from December 2021 featuring a pickup at the Atco Dragway, a vehicle that Miller claimed the individual likes to often race (keenly aware of this, he says, because the author is a relative of his who he has recently taken to task for his purported street racing habits).

The author also is listed as liking the Atco Dragway. It was on July 18 that the Atco Dragway permanently closed after 63 years.

“We have an ongoing problem that is getting worse: drag racing,” Miller described to the Woodland committee. “And the cycles coming down the street are going so fast; you don’t see them.”

Miller maintained he is not only seeing New Jersey license plates on the vehicles and cycles at issue, but out-of-state plates, including from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

“The Troopers said they do loops, but I never see them around, even when we do call them,” Miller maintained to the Woodland committee, later telling this newspaper he would like to see more enforcement in the area.

He advised the Woodland committee “you have to do something about this” and

he is “concerned about the liability because nobody is doing anything about it.”

Woodland Mayor William “Billy” DeGroff recognized, in response to Miller’s public comments, that the township has a “serious problem with drag racing,” but he maintained “we have” done something about it. He explained that he previously met with the prior station commander of the Red Lion Barracks of the New Jersey State Police and expressed that “one of our big concerns is drag racing.”

“I will speak to the station commander (again),” DeGroff added. “We know they have an issue with staff, and it is understandable given they cover a large area. … We can possibly reach out to the Sheriff’s Department.”

Woodland and Washington townships recently entered into an agreement with the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department to conduct traffic details in the municipalities, following numerous complaints about speeding and other motor vehicle infractions, and reports of limited state police manpower to respond.

DeGroff added that Woodland Deputy Mayor Mark Herndon, who is a resident of Savoy Boulevard, “knows what it is like there.”

“Hopefully, we can do something about it,” DeGroff declared.

Miller, on Aug. 14, told the Pine Barrens Tribune that since the July township committee meeting, he has seen the drag racing activity decrease somewhat, but that prior to that session, it was occurring “all the time,” especially on evenings and weekends.

That being said, however, Miller recounted an incident from “two weekends ago” in which he alleged he observed “two classic antique racing cars” racing on Savoy Boulevard, even “making a video.” He contended he called the state police after the individuals “got smart with me,” and is unsure of whether there was any police response following his call. Additionally, he said, he has seen cycles racing on the road “two or three different times” since “I’ve been up at city hall.”

And he told this newspaper that those racing have even painted a white line on the road to mark a point for the races, and he has observed “betting” taking place over the races. Additionally, Miller recounted to the Woodland committee that “propane tanks are torching the road between races” (racing cars are often fueled by propane). DeGroff, during an Aug. 15 workshop

See RACING/ Page 13

HONORING

(Continued from Page 1)

concept plan for the monument, a project being spearheaded by Medford resident Mike Panarella, a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer of 15 years who has led prior efforts to build war memorials in the county, and the Medford Sunrise Rotary Club, with Medford Mayor Charles “Chuck” Watson and area first-responder organization leaders, assisting in the planning process.

The planned memorial is particularly unique in that it not only intends to recognize those who are often commonly thought of as being associated with emergency response, such as paid and volunteer police officers, firefighters and EMTs throughout the area, but also the individuals and groups who hold critical supporting roles, from county dispatchers to the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), the latter encompassing CERT and County Animal Response Team (CART) members.

“This covers everybody, from those who take the call, to those who answer the call,” Medford Fire Chief Rob Dovi, who serves on the memorial planning committee, told this newspaper. “This covers it all.”

Panarella, in showing the conceptual drawing, pointed out that the plan calls for the logo of Burlington County Central Communications to be engraved in the center of the monument, with engraved emblems representing EMTs, firefighters, the MRC, and the Burlington County Police Officer’s Association surrounding it.

It was thought to put the emblem

for the dispatchers in the center of the monument, according to Panarella, “because they coordinate the activities” and “connect to all,” or as he put it, “when you call 911, they ask, ‘What do you need? Fire? Police?’, Etc.”

“We don’t know anything that is going on unless the dispatcher takes the call, and they are the ones who assign resources,” Dovi added.

Tim Pearson, chief fire coordinator of Burlington County, representing the Burlington County Fire Chief’s Association on the memorial planning committee, declared it is “actually a pretty good honor to know there are people out there who want to honor first responders.”

“Whether it be by memorial, shaking your hand – that type of stuff, I am actually glad somebody is taking an initiative to honor and recognize us,” Pearson said. “Freedom Park is a beautiful park together with the other monuments, and I think this is the right step to help the first responders in the fire service.”

According to Panarella, the approved location for the monument is independent of the existing war memorials at the park, and has been approved to be located closer to the existing park gazebos, as “we wanted to not confuse it with the war memorials.”

He and the Medford Sunrise Rotary Club are aiming to raise at least $12,500 over the next couple of months to support the memorial’s costs. If “we get a little bit more, we can do some pavers” and “if we get even some more, we can embellish the sides.” The Rotary is accepting contributions through its website, or readers can contribute to Medford Sunrise Rotary, c/o First Responders Memorial,

See HONORING/ Page 6

Confirmed Tornado Tosses Basketball Net, Demolishes Shed in Pemberton, as Well as Snapping Numerous Trees in Hardest Hit Margaret Street Area

By D ouglas D. M elegari

Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—For the second time this year, a tornado traversed through Pemberton Township, the latest one having been given an EF-1 rating by the National Weather Service, determined to have touched down just to the north-

northeast of the Country Lakes section of the municipality on Aug. 10.

Hardest hit, according to a National Weather Service storm survey, was the 100 block of Margaret Street, where meteorologists found “extensive tree damage.”

It is also where a backyard shed, belonging to resident Pam Lee, was found

posted showing that the tornado caused its doors to cave in, with snapped pine trees throughout her property.

Inside the shed at the time of the tornado, according to Lee, were her rabbits.

“Luckily, they hid in their litterbox area, which was covered, and survived,” she reported.

Lee later told WPVI-TV-Philadelphia, a local ABC affiliate commonly known as 6 ABC, “I was literally screaming, ‘Oh my God, they’re dead, they’re dead.’” That is until she found them “hidden.”

While Lee’s home survived the tornado, the National Weather Service reported “a few shingles were blown off the roof of one house” near Lee’s home and “across the street, a small section of siding was blown off the side of a house.”

One of Lee’s neighbors posted on social

Photo By Pam Lee

Pemberton Resident Pam Lee’s backyard following a tornado that passed through on Aug. 10.

See TORNADO/ Page 11

DEMANDS

(Continued from Page 1)

demand rescindment of this ‘Hartman Rule’ (an authorized motion spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Mark Hartman back in 2022) to reduce public comment from three to two minutes immediately because we wish to have our full three minutes.”

The combination of what had previously been conveyed by the constitutionalists at the preceding meeting, and residents at that last session also having largely ignored the public comment rule by shouting out the points that they came to express to their elected officials, apparently raised enough security concerns to the point that two New Jersey State Troopers maintained a presence at the July 31 Tabernacle committee session. And Tabernacle Mayor Samuel Moore III appeared to subtly, but intentionally warn of their presence as one of the State Troopers walked into the Tabernacle Volunteer Fire Company firehouse (where governing body meetings are currently held) as public comment was in progress, stating out of the blue, “good evening, officer.”

One of the examples of alleged “maladministration” cited on July 31 by one of the constitutionalists is that on July 3 “we had a committee member speak before the committee because they were apparently out of the loop about decisions with the municipal building.” But late in the somewhat wild July 31 session, that particular governing body member, William J. Sprague, Jr., now “offers my apologies to the town and committee for not following procedure last month.”

At the very end of the July 31 session, after the governing body convened a closed session, Township Solicitor William Burns maintained the municipal building project is “moving forward as designed,” all after Sprague on July 3 asserted, “Somebody came to me at the parade, and he said that I understand there has been a lot of changes with the building. I said, ‘What changes?’”, with officials at the time not disputing that notion, despite Sprague’s asking for it to be corrected.

Sprague had also joined with residents on July 3 to question why South Jersey Gas hadn’t yet been held accountable for the condition of Oakshade Road after a gas main project, and utility contractors’ use of the firehouse parking lot for storage (in which it was learned there had been no previous rental agreement with the township for its use and maintenance).

While Oakshade Road has since been resurfaced, thus far, Tabernacle has been reportedly unable to get a retroactive rent arrangement in place for the firehouse lot. The parking lot debacle is yet another form of purported “maladministration” the constitutionalists cited July 31.

And then there is the township budget – approved during the July 31 session, but reportedly several months late, which also drew allegations of “maladministration,” and when the public came to learn that there is money set aside for local officials, including members of the governing body, to be given up to a three percent raise, which came as an apparent surprise to Committeeman Noble McNaughton, another demand was presented to the governing body: vote to reduce salaries back down to what they were originally because “none of you are minding the store.”

“I will not accept that and will fight that,” declared McNaughton of the proposal to raise salaries, following the protest.

Also during the July 31 session, Brown had to clarify the ownership of

a vandalized CBOX, contending she “misspoke” on July 3 after having been “misinformed,” and that it belongs to the Tabernacle Athletic Association (TAA), not the municipality. A prior Tabernacle committee motion for the township to purchase another one is now dead, she reported.

Those are the highlights of a session where Hartman was mentioned by name several times by the constitutionalists, but ab sent.

Public Calls for Abolishment of the ‘Hartman Rule’

Hartman successfully, but nonu nanimously propelled a motion to the floor on Feb. 28, 2022, that reduces the timeframe one has to make public comments at a governing body meeting here from three to two minutes.

It was Hartman’s first official action upon being appointed to the governing body, having filled a vacancy left behind (he has since been elected to the public body).

“I know I am the new guy, but I have been on the past calls listening to the meetings and all – and I want to talk about the public comment,” said Hartman at the time, when the governing body was not holding in-person sessions. “I feel three minutes is a little too long. The first two minutes are very productive. It gets to the point. And then, for the last minute, it circles (around). It doesn’t really get anywhere. So, I want to see if I can get a motion to have it go to two minutes and have a more productive call.”

The Tabernacle committee then voted 3-1 with one abstention to reduce the allotted time a member of the public has to offer public comments, with thenTabernacle Committeewoman Nancy McGinnis casting the lone opposing vote and Committeewoman Kimberly Brown voicing the lone abstention, with the latter believing the governing body should first determine if what it is doing is legal.

Several weeks prior to Hartman’s motion, in January 2022, the Tabernacle committee decided to eliminate one of two public comment periods that were traditionally part of its governing body meetings. That has meant, with the exception of a public hearing on ordinances, members of the public are only given two minutes to speak during each governing body session.

In the weeks that followed Hartman’s motion, the governing body continued to hold meetings by telephone, in which it could easily control the time limit, by muting the microphones of public commenters when their two minutes expired. It led to controversy.

But now, with the return of in-person sessions since March of this year, and more substantial business and concerns being brought forth at the meetings, the governing body has not only seen the policy come under much harsher criticism, but has found it much more difficult to control members of the public from exceeding their allotted time.

In some cases, members of the public that are cut off at the mic have resorted to making their points known by shouting them out.

“There is something that seems to be going on,” said resident Kevin Charles.

“I am concerned with the concept of the people, power of the people and come here as one of the people. I come here concerned with the free speech issue –about disclosing certain information (also taking issue with the future of town hall scheduled to be discussed in executive session, as advertised on a closed

See DEMANDS/ Page 7

TOP 8 REASONS to advertise

IT’S A FACT: when consumers feel personally connected to an advertisement, they’re more likely to support your business. Here are 8 good reasons to allocate an advertising budget.

1. INCREASE TRAFFIC. Consumers are more likely to visit a business after seeing an advertisement — and more consumers mean more sales!

2. IMPROVE YOUR IMAGE. Dynamic and engaging advertisements attract consumers, no matter how strained the economic situation or how stiff the competition.

3. ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS. The market is always changing, and new consumers are constantly popping up in your region. There you go, a new target audience to inform that your business has what they want.

4. BUILD CUSTOMER LOYALTY. Once-loyal customers may drift away as their options multiply. By advertising, not only do you instill a sense of belonging and trust, but you also encourage them to remain loyal to you.

5. IMPROVE YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE. The hard truth is that a limited number of consumers are willing to buy your products. Advertising is the best way to convince them that your products are the best, no matter what the competition says.

6. STAY TOP OF MIND. When you advertise your products, you alert potential customers to your products or services. This increases the likelihood that they’ll think of you when they need the products or services you offer.

7. INFORM THE PUBLIC. When you launch a new product, for example, advertising allows potential customers to find out about it without having to do research.

8. INCREASE REVENUE. Effective advertising attracts customers to your business and improves sales. In short, it increases your success! 609-801-2392 sales@pinebarrenstribune.com

HONORING

(Continued from Page 3)

P.O. Box 1235, Medford, NJ 08055.

“I have been doing this for 50 years and I have never had anything like this, and I have been up at the 9/11 Memorial,” Bruce Herbst, Burlington County EMS Coordinator, who has served throughout the course of several major incidents, including September 11, Superstorm Sandy, Avian Flu, Swine Flu, Ebola, and COVID-19, told this newspaper. “And something like this, you need something to dedicate to people in EMS for appreciation of what they did.”

Herbst, also on the planning committee for the memorial, started volunteering for EMS when he was just 16 years old, as well as served as a police officer for 32 years.

“Basically, I like helping people and all, and stayed with it the whole time from the volunteer to paid side,” he said.

Rusty Williams, another memorial planning committee member who retired from the Medford Township Police Department after 25 years of service, and currently serves as police chaplain for the Medford Lakes Borough Police Department after having been ordained in 2008, called the monument “a small token” for area first responders, adding it is a “small way of honoring them for the sacrifices they make

and services they provide.”

As also a resiliency facilitator for first responders, Williams pointed out that those involved in emergency response often “go through trauma, which they will keep with them for the rest of their lives.”

“It is all about honor,” said Williams of the project.

And for those in law enforcement, this particular memorial is “not just about those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also about the sacrifice with just what they go through” in taking and responding to the call.

“This whole project is just an opportunity to bring light upon the law enforcement community and the sacrifices they make every day for their communities,” Williams added. “At a time when it is easy to bash and point out the negatives and how everyone screws up, it is important to know the police 99.9 percent of the time do it right.”

Panarella explained to this newspaper that the idea for the memorial came about around six months ago, when he attended an early morning meeting of the Medford Sunrise Rotary at the Medport Diner in Medford. He said the Rotarians asked him about what are some of the things he would like to do for the community that he hasn’t yet done, and he responded, “to create a memorial for first responders.”

From there, the organization and

Panarella have worked “shoulder-toshoulder” with the township and area emergency response leadership, moving forward on the project.

Almost immediately, said the former high school teacher of 41 years, there was a sense that MRC, and the volunteer entities that comprise it, should be on “equal footing” with other emergency response organizations in any memorial that moves forward.

Monique Davis, assistant health officer for the Burlington County Health Department, which she explained houses the local MRC division, and Phyllis Worrell, Burlington County Office of Emergency Management CERT Coordinator, shared recollections and stories with this newspaper that give meaning to the “service above self” that the volunteers of MRC have demonstrated in various emergency responses over the years, which led to this moment.

“Throughout the different disasters, like Irene, Sandy and COVID, they have proved that they need to be recognized alongside everybody else as first responders,” Worrell declared.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, for example, a COVID vaccination mega-site was opened at the Moorestown Mall. It was the volunteers of these two service organizations, the women explained, that “did everything from testing to handing out PPE (personal protective equipment)” and when the state ultimately pulled back on its local resources, “it was the volunteers that kept the mega-site open,” with the MRC volunteers joining with Virtua Health staff to operate the mega-site.

Worrell, in pointing to COVID having brought about a “higher risk” to those 65 years of age or older, noted that despite that, volunteers, many of whom are older, “broke our door down” in wanting to help, explaining that many of them just “wanted to stay active” and partake in a cause they had trained to execute, adding that at one point, when those running the mega-site had thought there would be an opportunity to pay the volunteers, “most were like, ‘We are good, thanks.’”

Davis asserted the volunteers who she helped to lead “were the backbone,” along with Virtua-contracted public health nurses, to “run operations for testing and vaccination clinics,” noting that it “takes a lot of people” to run such clinics, and at one-point volunteers accounted for some 75 percent of the staffing at these sites.

“If you ask most of them, they will tell you this was their opportunity to give back during a time of need,” Davis said. “This is why the Reserve Corp exists, and this is what they trained for, and they did it. They just didn’t come in and work a clinic or two. They came in March 2020 and continued.”

Worrell pointed out that early in the pandemic, the volunteers manned the tables without PPE and “were close to people coughing in their face,” but that those volunteering were undeterred, “never even giving it a second thought.”

Just to give a better sense of the dedication of the volunteers to be honored through the memorial, one man, age 80, Worrell recounted with a smile, even “physically threatened to kick my butt” when his help had been turned down during the height of the pandemic, and his response was simply because “he just wanted to be there and help.”

“Every single volunteer during COVID was the same way,” said Worrell of their temperament. “They had no regard to themselves, knowing that we didn’t have the PPE that was being given to the hospitals.”

Davis declared the volunteers of MRC “saw the historical significance” of the moment, and rose to the occasion, with Worrell noting that, “I will say for me, the excitement for this project (to build a memorial) comes from the fact that these are volunteer organizations who, initially, 20 years ago when we started, were not thought of as first responders.”

Thomas Wolff, current president of Medford Sunrise Rotary and a local mortgage loan originator, in explaining why the organization has decided to take up this cause in conjunction with Panarella, told this newspaper “Rotary not only does work internationally, but it is also very important to support our local communities” and “is important the Rotary gives back, especially to the local community, because we are a service organization when it comes down to it.”

“I personally couldn’t think of a more deserving group of people,” he said of the various first responder organizations to be honored. “These people don’t do it for the money, they do it because they have a desire to help others. These guys – a lot of them get a bad rap sometimes, but they work very hard, they are not making a crazy living, and they are doing it because they want to help serve their communities.”

Panarella, who pointed out that he “only has great things to say” about Watson’s support of this endeavor and other past memorial projects (the mayor declined to be interviewed for this story), told the Pine Barrens Tribune “we are doing the right thing, for the right people, for all the right reasons.”

“How many people out there owe something to a fireman, EMT or dispatcher? Panarella asked. “Somebody owes something to them along the line, and here is something to recognize that.”

Readers can visit https://www. medfordsunriserotary.org/ to make a contribution toward the memorial.

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

The War Memorial area of Freedom Park, which was spearheaded by Mike Panarella (not pictured), who is now working in conjunction with Medford Sunrise Rotary to create a First Responder Memorial, which will notably be independent and separate from this area of the park.

DEMANDS

(Continued from Page 5)

session resolution, 2023-98) and that the information that should be of public concern is being taken away, including questions and conversations.”

It was Charles, on July 31, who first branded the “rule changing the times of public speaking” as the “Hartman Rule.”

“For whatever purpose you may deem it (public comment) irrelevant, it is the right of the people to voice their stance for the time allotted, given the oath you took for the position,” Charles declared.

Resident Ryan Sherry, who declared “he came to that meeting on July 3 and observed several instances of maladministration all across the board,” and not only pointed out what Sprague had done that day, but that the “budget is now a full month late,” claiming the town has since been incurring fines for it, asserted, “We have this ‘Hartman Rule,’ which is unconstitutional.”

“I looked through the New Jersey State Constitution, of which you all have been entrusted to uphold for us, and it is nowhere to be found in there,” Sherry declared. “That needs to be rescinded. We need to be able to voice our opinions in an ample allotment of time. Here, I am halfway through my time, and I should have much more, so I can detail more instances. … We demand rescindment of this Hartman rule immediately because we wish to have our full three minutes.”

After resident Megan Jean-Ward told the governing body to “take notice that all state, local and county boards or elected and employed agents in the state are required to faithfully fulfill the requirements of office which you are elected and employed,” pointed out elected officials “subscribe to an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of his state and the United States, and maintained “if you believe you have been delegated any authority to interfere with the people’s inherent rights, or block them, please show us in the New Jersey constitution where it is written,” as well as declared “ignorance of the law is no excuse,” in addition to asserting, “we the people demand the Tabernacle board members hold an emergency meeting to address the conflict of interest with Ms. Maryalice Brown currently holding several offices in Tabernacle and Woodland townships – these offices include Tabernacle clerk, Tabernacle administrator and Woodland clerk,” a timer that had been set to denote when the two-minute mark having been reached, sounded.

It came as Jean-Ward was beginning to list the various salaries associated with

the positions Maryalice Brown holds in the two municipalities, and it saw Moore slamming the gavel, appearing to be unphased by requests for more time to be allotted.

The timer only fueled further upset, however, and caused longtime Resident Carole Pulaski to take to the microphone.

“I had not been here in 20 years – my bad,” she said. “But I decided to come and see what was going on here. I am … appalled … at hearing a timer to limit public comment. ‘Appalled’ is the only word I can use. I came here to support my township committee. But that has got to go, ladies and gentleman! It is rude! It is childish! It does not belong in free government!”

She asked the governing body to “please consider getting rid of that timer just for the common courtesy to your citizens.”

As for the accusations involving Maryalice Brown’s positions, Burns has repeatedly insisted at Woodland meetings that the shared service agreement is legal and an allowable cost savings measure, and that the state encourages shared service agreements whenever possible.

No Resolution to Firehouse Lot Use by Utility Contractors

As previously reported by this newspaper, Brian Serafine, owner of B&B Landscaping, Inc. on County Route 532, as well as a Hawkins Road resident, had been paid a visit by a township employee earlier in the summer over an American flag that he maintained happened to be “twisted.” Serafine has since taken issue with the visit, contending on July 3, “I couldn’t believe the township took the time to tell me this, and immediately sent someone down to my office to tell me to untwist my flag.”

Then, after declaring, “now I am going to make sure I make other issues in our town, a priority in our town,” he exposed that private utility contractors, since the beginning of the year, had been purportedly utilizing the Tabernacle firehouse’s gravel parking lot on Hawkins Road as a storage site, including for their vehicles, supplies, debris and equipment.

He then revealed that prior to the use of the firehouse lot by the utilities, he was approached for use of his business lot for that purpose, for $1,500 a month. He later

explained that he learned that the utilities ultimately were using the firehouse lot without a formal arrangement in place.

Maryalice Brown, in acknowledging the circumstances last month, contended it was “brought to my attention” recently that “trucks are parking,” and told the committee, ““I wasn’t even aware of it,” but “I did find out Chief (Keith) Zane gave permission, unbeknownst to the township.” Members of the public then began shouting, “They’ve been parked there for months!”, with Brown yelling back, “Do I drive down this road?”

“You have a firehouse that has given up its grounds, rent free, to a gas company, when a local resident has property available,” said Sherry on July 31 in citing what he believes are one of many instances of maladministration. “How does that not violate the free trade agreement you have all sworn to uphold? Who is pocketing from this? Who shook the hands of somebody with the gas company? Where is the benefit to the people in this exchange?”

He added that “you guys have all sworn a right to extend our benefits” and that “it is our benefits we have entrusted you to

See DEMANDS/ Page 8

Photo By Tom Valentino Tabernacle Township Deputy Mayor Mark Hartman (left).

DEMANDS

(Continued from Page 7)

enforce for us.”

On July 3, after the lack of an arrangement had been revealed, the Tabernacle committee ordered that the utilities be charged $1,500 a month, retroactively, for their use of the lot. The Tabernacle committee also sought a guarantee that the lot would be restored to its original condition.

The firehouse is currently where the township committee meetings are held given that Tabernacle Town Hall has been ordered shuttered over structural integrity concerns.

Resident Stuart Brooks, a transparency advocate who is separate from the group of constitutionalists, in pointing to the “contractor use of the parking lot outside,” declared on July 31, it is “dangerous out there, as you can all see.”

“At the last meeting, Clerk Brown said she didn’t know the fire station parking lot was being used by a private contractor, because she doesn’t drive by

this building,” Brooks recounted. “That is an unacceptable response. The use of that building has been obvious to anyone who has been using this building, and you have been using this building since March. Today, with the contractors out there, you could not even see out there. It is dangerous. It is blocking traffic. Excuses like, ‘I don’t drive by the building,’ are just unacceptable. Responsibility is what is needed to address the situation.”

Pulaski agreed with Brooks, noting “she just had knee surgery, and walking in that parking lot,” to get into the meeting, “was a danger to me and liability to you.”

“It is a good thing I am still steady on my feet,” Pulaski quipped.

Brooks put a few questions to the governing body, among them, “What is the status of our addressing the situation?” and “With the demand letter, did they respond, and are they likely to vacate in time for the fire company to hold their event here?”

“An update needs to be given and it is a problem that needs to be solved,” Brooks declared. “I am trying to think how anyone can drive out of that parking lot safely.”

The transparency advocate pointed to

three large trucks being parked “more haphazardly than orderly” in the lot.

“I don’t see how you can accept that, let alone for free,” Brooks quipped. Maryalice Brown, in later delivering a “report” on the matter, contended that there have been two utility contractors using the municipal lot, CTX and ULS. CTX is the utility currently using the lot. She then maintained that the “manager” of CTX “got wind of everything discussed at last month’s meeting” and “wanted to clarify ULS was the company that approached Mr. Serafine and offered a monthly payment.”

“CTX is a much smaller company,” declared Maryalice Brown, also clarifying, from the prior session, that CTX is not performing work on Oakshade Road on behalf of South Jersey Gas. “They do not have the financial backing that ULS does, and cannot afford a $1,500 monthly stipend.”

She then maintained CTX is “planning on making a donation” and advised the CTX manager that she “will speak to the committee and attorney to see how to proceed,” noting that the manager stressed CTX “is not that large of a company.”

But some in attendance stated “it is irrelevant,” a point that McNaughton seemed to side with, pointing out that CTX “is the company that has all this equipment here” currently.

After Brown tried to further clarify “this is CTX, and they are doing work on the border of Tabernacle and Southampton, not on Oakshade Road,” McNaughton retorted, “It doesn’t matter where they are doing it, they are still using the property.”

And “for free,” one man added.

Maryalice Brown responded that she “agreed” with the premise that CTX is still using the property, but Moore “happened to be with me” when the CTX manager called, and reiterated the manager stated the firm is “not that large of a company” and “we don’t have the financial ability to make a monthly payment.”

McNaughton persisted that the committee should “charge him a fee for use of that property,” and when Maryalice Brown asked, “Do you still want to leave it at $1,500,” McNaughton asserted, “For the amount of equipment that is out there, no question!”

“If he is a company with that amount of equipment, and doing work for the gas company, he is no small company!” McNaughton further declared.

An audience member then shouted, “Thank you, Mr. McNaughton!”

It is not clear, however, how the Tabernacle committee will be able to enforce any sort of retroactive rental agreement, short of there being litigation. It is also unclear whether the governing body will still pursue retroactive rent from ULS, which reportedly used the firehouse lot earlier in the year.

Sprague wondered how one could stop the contractors from parking in the firehouse lot, while Burns, in addressing a query about what prevents CTX from “getting up and leaving” without repairing the lot, said he doesn’t believe there is a performance guarantee in place.

“I spoke to the fire company, and told them they are not authorized to give permission to park at township facilities, and if there is a request, it has to come to the committee and they must bring it to its attention,” Maryalice Brown said.

Previously, it was stated that the fire company had advised the contractors they were to vacate in September, ahead of Fire Prevention Week activities. Brown, however, reported there is “no timeline” for the contractor to vacate the premises, “but after speaking to the fire department officials, they want it gone by Sept. 1” and “after speaking to firehouse officials, they also asked for stone to fill the ruts.”

It is unclear whether the township will have CTX removed from the premises if they choose to not pay rent, or continue

See DEMANDS/ Page 10

Photo By Tom Valentino

A State Trooper sits amongst the crowd at a July 31 Tabernacle committee meeting as part of an apparent security detail.

DEMANDS

to utilize the site beyond Sept. 1.

However, “in the future,” suggested McNaughton, “what we really need to do is come up with an ordinance that deals with this.” Any law, the committeeman continued, should set forth policy and procedure for renting out and use of municipal grounds “so we have backing” and “meat to deal with this.”

“Because, right now, we don’t have any,” McNaughton acknowledged. “What is our recourse if they skip town without paying?”

Brown reported South Jersey Gas completed repaving of Oakshade Road. Township Engineer Tom Leisse, however, noted that crews still had to come back and complete road striping. McNaughton recounted that the committee, having back in May imposed a road opening moratorium on all South Jersey Gas projects in town, added a stipulation it was not to be lifted “until completed.” Therefore, he maintained, once Brown and Leisse confirm the striping is completed, a vote to lift the moratorium is not needed.

Committeeman Apologizes for ‘Not Following Procedure’

Sprague, temporarily foregoing his committeeperson hat on July 3 to critically question the activities of the very body he serves on, has not only fueled some of the allegations of “maladministration,” but it is a move that has been well-received by some in the audience in terms of Sprague having the guts to call out things that needed attention.

But now, he is apologizing for having spoken out during public comment, which had put a sharp point on his concerns, rather than if he had spoken during his committee comments.

“I offer my apologies to the town and committee for not following procedure last month,” declared Sprague, who had appeared to surprise Maryalice Brown on July 3 when he became the first to speak during the governing body’s public comment period of that night. “There were things on my mind that I thought needed to be addressed and I did it wrong and I apologize for that. If I see things that are out of line, I will make my point very clear, and I don’t hold back on my words. That can be a good thing and a bad thing.”

One of the constitutionalists, Raymond Ward, responded from his seat, “We don’t need apology!”

“It is alarming you didn’t know what was going on as a committeeman,” the constitutionalist added.

Ward is referring to the moment when Sprague declared on July 3, “We were supposed to get updates … on the new building and everything that was going on,” before the committeeman continued, “Somebody came to me at the parade, and he said that I understand there has been a lot of changes with the building. I said, ‘What changes?’ He said, ‘We are not building a new building. We are knocking down the old building. And we don’t know where they are going to put the next building up at right now.’ That is what is out there right now. So, it needs to be corrected, and it was supposed to have been corrected with reports, and that has not happened.”

No correction ever came, however, during the July 3 session, and the committeeman’s claim could conceivably have had some merit to it considering this newspaper’s previous reporting that a trio of the township’s former mayors have

critically questioned the plan, believing other options should be first explored, and that the township’s GOP chairman has also had at least some reservations about the plan as has been presented, too.

The Tabernacle committee, however, on May 8, the last time the plan had been discussed prior to the July 3 session, approved a “footprint” for a municipal building and Public Works facility to be built at 144 Carranza Road.

“Mr. Sprague, you had mentioned there had been no municipal complex report,” recounted Brown on July 31. “The only report we were missing was May. There was no action in May. The report I have for this evening is what happened in June.”

Brown called the activities contained in the latest report “minimal,” before highlighting that officials met with the court system to review “court requirements and security requests.” She added that “just recently, we received preliminary costs from professionals, which will be discussed in executive session.”

The governing body convening a closed session to discuss the planning for 144 Carranza Road and future municipal building drew concern from the constitutionalists, with some protesting the plan for a new town hall altogether.

“We want to have an emergency board meeting tonight because of the neglect of our historic town hall, wasteful spending on the town hall trailer, and if you guys can operate out of a trailer for this long, you can definitely get back into our beautiful town hall!” Raymond Ward declared. “Stop wasting our money!”

In addition, Megan Jean-Ward, told the governing body to “please take notice that we the people do not delegate the Tabernacle Township Committee or professionals or department heads any authority to move forward on agenda item Resolution 98-2023,” calling it “willful trespass.”

It was something that Raymond Ward doubled-down on, asserting, “2023-98 is willful trespass and serves as direct violations of your oaths if you agree to push this through.”

As far as Burns is concerned, according to Raymond Ward, “he has not been delegated any authority by the people to interfere or block the people’s remedy to alter, reform or abolish as the public good may require,” before pointing to Article I, Paragraph II of the state Constitution, stating, in part, “all political power is inherent in the people” and “government is instituted for the protection, security and benefit of the people.”

“That is, it!” Ward declared. “That is all you are here for! The bar attorney can’t block us from our remedy we are all guaranteed to.”

Fran Brooks, at one point, called on Burns to address the concerns, noting, “people in the audience are criticizing about closed session,” but “even though OPMA (the Open Public Meetings Act) allows it, you sit silent.”

Ultimately, despite protest from the public, the governing body authorized Resolution 2023-98, and convened a closed session. Upon reconvening the public portion of the governing body meeting, Burns recognized that there was a “robust discussion” had by the committee “regarding the matters involving the potential purchase and/or acquisition of real property for the site the municipal complex is (to be) set on.”

“The committee has not made any decisions with respect to the amount for the bond ordinance associated with construction and/or design of the property, but information will be forthcoming on that,” Burns said. “The site plan is going

including in Chesterfield last year. The Pine Barrens Tribune reported earlier this year that the Sheriff’s Department has entered into a similar agreement to that of Washington with Woodland Township.

The New Jersey State Police have long been designated the official law enforcement entity of both Washington and Woodland, as the towns do not have their own police department given a limited population and funding resources.

But Washington and Woodland officials have reportedly struggled to secure extra manpower from the state police in recent years.

However, the state police, through its Tuckerton Station, charged with policing Washington, has sent representatives from time-to-time, over the last two years, to the township committee sessions, with attending State Troopers attesting to patrolling the township and asking for any issues to relay to the station commander

TORNADO

media that a basketball net “flew into the pool” that she has, later posting a picture showing the net had sunk to the bottom of the pool.

The National Weather Service noted that “downstream” from Margaret Street, on Ridge Road, a large tree was uprooted, with additional tree damage, including two snapped trees, noted on N. Whites Bogs Road. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado touched down at 3:08 p.m. It lifted

“We know a lot of local police departments are short on officers, so we’re proud to step in and provide some assistance if needed,” said Kostoplis in the release. “By working together, we can help make sure our roads are safer for everyone.”

Burlington County Commissioner Felicia Hopson applauded the initiative.

“Public safety is our government’s No. 1 responsibility, so it is great to hear our sheriff’s officers are proactively patrolling in a town that requested our help,” said Hopson of the Washington arrangement.

Barbara Cavileer, chief of the Green Bank Volunteer Ambulance Company in Washington, inquired during the August township committee meeting whether the Sheriff’s Department was strictly assigned to traffic details, or will be available to help with other matters, such as working with the squad on calls.

“They are not here to do a normal law enforcement function that the state police are supposed to do,” Gadd responded. “They are here specifically to enforce traffic laws, because of the issues that we have that are not being addressed. They are not here to supplement state police law enforcement, they are here to address just

four minutes later, at 3:12 p.m. The agency has given it a preliminary EF-1 rating, estimating it had peak winds of 90 mph.

The path length was 0.31 miles, with a maximum width of 100 yards. Lee’s Ring camera caught a glimpse of the tornado, with her noting, “if you can zoom in, you will see the rotation.”

Another piece of surveillance video submitted to the National Weather Service by a nearby neighbor showed the “condensation funnel of a tornado moving through this area” around 3:10 p.m.

The Pemberton tornado was one of two that

(traffic) issues.”

Meanwhile, James revealed that in response to his previous calls for the state police to work on a traffic plan for whenever the Garden State Parkway is closed again (as it was during a heavy smoke condition from a forest fire earlier in the summer in Bass River Township, which reportedly forced traffic into Washington and created traffic jams with there being no detour signage), the agency has scheduled a meeting to “hear our concerns” and will “start designing a traffic pattern.”

Cavileer, during the Aug. 1 Washington committee session, also pointed out that there was “one major incident” or a T-bone crash on County Route 542, near LB’s Lunchbox, where there is a “blind curve” as one comes across a small bridge. She called on officials to petition the county for increased signage.

“The small Jeep saved her life, but if there was any big truck coming down County Route 542, it would have T-boned her vehicle and killed her,” Cavileer declared.

Washington Township Engineer Kevin Dixon said he would go out and look at the intersection. Dixon also committed to contacting nearby Atlantic County, after

occurred in New Jersey on Aug. 10, the other determined through another storm survey to have touched down in East Greenwich Township with peak winds of 95 mph.

Tornadoes are given an EF-1 rating when they have peak winds of 86 to 110 mph.

According to Rutgers University, tornadoes are much less common in New Jersey, as compared to other states, with the state averaging around two each year. But recently, the state has seen a significant uptick in occurrences, and if that continues to be the case, the statewide average will undoubtedly increase.

Washington Deputy Mayor Paul Seybold contended that on Atlantic County Route 652, which leads up to the Lower Bank Bridge in Washington, “it is getting ratty down there” with “some sizable potholes.”

“They seem to be patching it with cold patch, and it seems to last a week,” Seybold said. “We did have a fatality not long ago where a bicyclist hit a pothole in Lower Bank, on River Road, and there are a couple over there (on County Route 652) that I think could swallow a tire, not to mention a motorcycle.”

Dixon, in again raising the planned Washington Township municipal parking lot project, which has struggled to get off the ground due to both purportedly high bids and a limited number of bids, informed the governing body that he was “able to determine the township is legally capable of seeking alternate bids for the parking lot” after having previously attempted to secure bids, and “at least one contractor that we are aware of is interested in doing the work, and offered a pretty attractive price to do so.”

“So, we are soliciting bids for those items, as well as providing a scope of work covering the parking lot improvements,” he said.

tornadoes for the year now, tied with 2021 for the second-most tornadoes ever.

state having seen 18 tornadoes that year. that Pemberton has seen two confirmed tornadoes within a few months (the prior one having occurred on June 16 in the area of Ongs Hat) – that is significant within itself.

only 24 tornadoes have been confirmed to have touched down in Burlington County since 1950.

TABERNACLE COMMITTEEWOMAN ENTERS HALL OF FAME

Maryalice Brown, during a July 3 Tabernacle Committee meeting, had described that the township has a CBOX container that is used for the storage of equipment to maintain the park and athletic fields there, and within the past month, “kids smashed the door.” The Tabernacle Athletic Association (TAA), Brown said, after evaluating the damage, became concerned that if the door was only repaired, it would be in a weakened state, providing for “easier access” to the CBOX, which is where the organization “stores a tractor that is quite expensive.”

The township administrator then reported that the CBOX container company was contacted and has agreed to “trade in the broken one for another used one,” but at a cost of $2,350.

But Maryalice Brown’s previous remarks led to questions during July 31 public comment from Fran Brooks, who asked, “Why do we pay for the container, when TAA uses it to store items?” She maintained that “TAA can afford to pay for their own equipment to store equipment in” and that “it should not be a taxpayer’s expense,” maintaining the municipality already paid for a snack stand for the association, “but they get to keep all the proceeds.”

“I misspoke,” Maryalice Brown admitted during her report. “I was misinformed. We did not purchase CBOX. TAA purchased their own. The motion made last month is dead. TAA is going to purchase their own CBOX.”

State Troopers sit beside the crowd at a July 31 Tabernacle committee meeting, as constitutionalists present demands to the

committee and call for a fix to recent alleged “maladministration.”

DEMANDS

(Continued from Page 10)

to be presented and developed based on the current floor plan, which was already discussed and approved at a prior committee meeting. So, the project is moving forward right now as designed, and

Resident Asks ‘Who on This Committee is Minding the Store?’

as previously approved by the committee.”

It was on July 3 when Stuart Brooks chastised the township for being “late again with the budget,” maintaining the

Clerk Acknowledges She ‘Misspoke’ Over CBOX Ownership

Photo By Tom Valentino

Tabernacle

Photo By Tom Valentino Tabernacle Township Mayor Samuel Moore III recently honored Committeewoman Kimberly Brown for entering League of Municipalities’ Hall of Fame, with Brown “having selflessly served for a tenure not less than 20 years as a municipal governing body member and having dedicated that time to local government.”

AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR

R.P. Repair. Mobile/On-Site. Auto/Truck/ Heavy Equipment. Also repair tillers, lawn mowers, tractors, etc. Call 609-667-8938.

AUTOMOBILES/TRUCKS

Cash Paid for Your Car. Looking to buy better than junk cars. Call 1-866-261-5277. We come to you.

PAID FOR YOUR CAR

DENTAL INSURANCE

*Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855526-1060 www.dental50plus.com/ads #6258.

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 .

RACING

(Continued from Page 3)

session of the Woodland committee, said that he had since spoken to the assistant station commander of the Red Lion Barracks of the state police and was told they “would put extra patrols out there to get the people, or in his words, ‘try to saturate the area.’”

Drag racing has always been a problem on Savoy Boulevard, Miller attested to on Aug. 14, describing that a “couple years ago,” at around 4:30 a.m., he came upon a race there while leaving his home.

“There had to be over 100 cars there,” he told this newspaper. “It took time to get through them all.”

Miller’s account is similar to one posted on forums.njpinebarrens.com, from 2015, in which an individual describes returning from his granddaughter’s dance recital in New York.

DEMANDS

(Continued from Page 12)

budget was due back in March, according to guidelines set by the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and that the township “never got a waiver for lateness” and is not only “subject to a fine” now, but that the situation “jams up” quarterly tax payments.

Ultimately, that evening, the governing body introduced a $5,846,053.16 budget, with the amount to be raised by local taxes $3,413,527.94, according to Chief Financial Officer Rodney Haines, who noted that is an increase of approximately $200,000 over the previous year’s tax levy. He attributed the significant increase to debt service, which is up to $368,000. A home assessed at $300,000, he noted,

HAULING

Anything We Haul It Estates – Attics – Basements – SafePlaces

Odd Jobs –Yardwork – Hedges Removed/Pools Removed Demolitions, Sheds, Etc. Call 609-694-9356

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.

LAWYERS

Erwin Apell Attorney, Browns Mills. All legal matters - free hotline 24/7. Visa, Mastercard. Call 609-220-3059 or email Erwinapell@gmail.com .

MISCELLANEOUS

*Are you a pet owner? Do you want to get up to 100% back on vet bills? Physicians Mutual In-surance Company has pet coverage that can help! Call 1-844-774-0206 to get a free quote or visit insurebarkmeow.com/ads.

“I don’t think I saw another car on Pasadena Road, the whole way from Whiting to Route 72,” the individual wrote.

“It was about 1 a.m., when I got to Savoy Boulevard, and all of a sudden both sides of the road were lined with parked cars and there was a mass of people completely blocking the road. Not just a few people … maybe as many as 100. It was kind of a shock to come across this – no signs, the cars were dark, although a few people had flashlights. Someone yelled ‘let this guy through’ and people gradually opened up enough space for me to pass. This is one of the stranger things I have come across while driving through the Pines. Any idea what was going on?”

One person replied, “That is a spot street racers like to go to.”

When the subject of street racing on Savoy Boulevard was broached on social media by Woodland residents in 2021 and 2022, it drew a mixture of opinions, some for and against it. Notably, however, there

“will see taxes rise by approximately $58 per year.”

Megan Jean-Ward, in citing further examples on July 31 of what she views as “maladministration,” pointed to a budget that she contended is “overspent and late,” before alleging there is “gross negligence and mismanagement of funds” that are “resulting in consistently late budget approvals,” on top of what she charged is an “unwillingness to address people’s grievances.”

“Unless this is handled immediately, I have to assume the township is not concerned with correcting these issues of conflict of interest, malice, contempt, and warring against state constitutions,” she asserted. “And all parties will be held accountable! If these issues are not addressed immediately, it will be

MISCELLANEOUS

*BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725.

*Become a published author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation, production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads.

*Diagnosed with lung cancer? You may qualify for a substantial cash award - even with smoking history. No obligation! We’ve recovered millions. Let us help!! Call 24/7, 1-877-648-2503.

*DIRECTV Stream - Carries the most local MLB Games! Choice Package $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.) No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405.

*Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398.

*DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-479-1516.

*Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-610-1936.

SUMMER CLEANUPS

Summer 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.

TUTORING

Dyslexia Specialist. Limited tutoring openings available. Call 609-284-4703.

READER ADVISORY

* Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the above classifieds with an asterisk. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it is illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in U.S. dollars. Toll free numbers may or may not reach Canada.

were quite a number of impassioned people who were supportive of the street racing, even as some pointed to the dangerous situation it can pose to oncoming traffic.

“Enjoy the free life this area is meant for,” said one person of Woodland, a town nestled in the rural Pinelands, with that person adding she didn’t understand the “lack of live and let live rules around here” given the municipality’s location. Others called it a “tradition” of sorts for Chatsworth, and one that they were glad “to see still going” and that it continues to live on to this day, adding it is “handled among themselves” if it gets out of control.

“Welcome to the neighborhood, old traditions never die,” one person maintained. “Chatsworth: love it or leave it.”

Another person, however, countered, “You’re willing to put innocent people in danger for your ‘free life?’ So sad.”

But then came this pair of comments, as if foretelling what was to come about some two years later: “It’s a little disappointing

that all the tracks seem to be closing” and that “they sort of leave people no choice … they keep closing everything down. Just wait till they close Atco.”

And the then-discourse caused another man to post, “You can’t ride dirt bikes in woods no more, you can’t go 4-wheeling no more, and now you can’t have fun in your car.”

In a video depicting evident street racing in the Pinelands, posted to the Facebook page at issue, it is associated with the soundbite that appears to reflect at least one of the reasons area race enthusiasts are willing to take to the streets: “It is better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing, than a non-life spent in a miserable way.”

However, as one person argued on social media in response to other remarks along those lines, “someone is going to get hurt” and “I don’t want to be looking at a body of a kid laying on my street, because they were ‘having fun.’”

DEMANDS

(Continued from Page 13)

assumed, that all willing participants are unlawfully acting with full knowledge, intent and knowledge of trespassing against the rights of the people!”

Raymond Ward demanded to know, “As far as our accountant goes, do you guys use Quickbooks?”

“I am wondering how we got so far past this budget being due,” he added. “We see a pattern of maladministration over the past few years, which is a breach of trust, and we need to hold an emergency meeting to straighten out the trustees who aren’t being faithful on this team. I am a trust protector and beneficiary. We need to have an emergency meeting. We are asking for a lot here, but we got to start fixing this.”

But further firing up the constitutionalists is when Stuart Brooks questioned why the governing body is “increasing your salary budget” and “giving yourselves another raise.”

“Based on last year’s performance, not only is next year’s raise to $7,220 unwarranted, but the raise last year from $5,000 to $7,000 was not warranted, either,” Stuart Brooks continued. … It is not personal, it is just market fact. … Look at Medford, they handle a budget five times larger than yours, have more meetings,

longer meetings, and more discussions, and THEY ANSWER THE PUBLIC, WHICH YOU GUYS DON’T DO EVER (the caps portion shouted by Stuart Brooks)! They do more work, much more work and for that they only charge $5,000 – that is where you were and what you should do. You didn’t earn last year’s raise!”

Fran Brooks added that she “doesn’t want to hear” Haines maintain that just because the salary increases are built into the budget, it is “money that doesn’t have to be spent.”

“It is total malarky!” Fran Brooks declared. “Because you know you are going to raise the salary! You are increasing our taxes (tax levy) by two cents, but you think you deserve a salary increase as well! Why not think about giving some of the money back because of all the expenses the township residents are going to incur as a result of some really deficient decisionmaking about the municipal complex, and the expenses going along with that? It seems to me you should show a little humility and go back to the $5,000 salary.”

Then, Fran Brooks, in pointing out that both Moore and Kimberly Brown served on prior committees, contended the pair “did not maintain town hall as they should have and basically abandoned it.”

“Now it is going to cost us a fortune of money to fix that building,” Fran Brooks asserted. “Who on this committee is minding the store? None of you are minding the store

and it is time for you to take action!”

Sherry, in “thanking Mr. Brooks for his diligence in covering this,” reiterated, “we are asking you to act in accordance with the Constitution, which “you all have sworn an oath to,” maintaining “we have called this to your attention time and time again” and that “there are several things this evening on the agenda that are not in accordance with our Constitution.”

“We are aware of it!” Sherry declared. “We hope for a fair and transparent government. We are here to ensure that. You have been entrusted to provide us with the benefit of this arrangement. You guys have failed in doing your due diligence and your jobs – on several levels. And now you are asking for public comment on a budget where you are asking for a raise, after doing awful work! I agree with Mr. Brooks, you should go back to $5,000 until you perform as the public demands of you, in accordance with the Constitution as your oath demands of you!”

“Thank-you for your public comment!” replied Moore, as he did to most of the public comments of the July 31 session, only this time more sharply.

But McNaughton, in ultimately responding, maintained, “the committee, as far as I know, has no intention of increasing salary,” adding he “did miss that item in the budget, but there has been no discussion with this committee about increasing the

salary and I will not accept that and will fight that.”

While McNaughton was thanked by a constitutionalist for maintaining that position, Moore interjected that the subject had been discussed “previously” when Robert “Bob” Sunbury served on the governing body. One member of the public pointed out, “one person does not make a quorum,” and so, a salary increase can still be implemented.

“You knew what my answer was going to be,” Haines ultimately responded to Fran Brooks. “This is a budget, not an approval of expenditures. The budget does allow for three percent increases in salary lines for all. At a future meeting, that is where a salary resolution is presented, where the committee approves (or disapproves) salaries for all employees. If they choose to do an increase larger than budgeted, an increase cannot happen.”

Members of the public shouted that there should be “no increase!” The committee voted 4-0 to approve the budget. Haines reiterated “passing of the budget does not increase salaries, it is just a pool of money that could be spent if the committee so desires.”

Sherry’s message for the governing body: “you guys – I expect you to hear the will of the people, and act in good faith on our demands,” while he also “reminded the committee that you are being recorded, on YouTube, for the whole world to see.