COOPER

assemblywoman and longtime Burlington County sheriff who has announced plans to retire from politics at the end of this year. Cooper, who is also Burlington County Democratic Committee vice chair, will likely be facing former Burlington County freeholder and labor leader Latham Tiver, who is Stanfield’s choice as her successor and has already received the endorsement of the Burlington County Republican Committee.

The Democratic party also nominated education advocate Andrea Katz and Hammonton High School teacher Anthony Angelozzi for the district’s two Assembly seats that are currently occupied by Republicans Michael Torrissi, Jr. and Brandon Umba.

Cooper, according to a press release emailed to the Pine Barrens Tribune by Democratic political strategist Michael Muller, “brings more than 30 years of experience working in the human services on behalf of special needs families and people with disabilities” and is “committed to building a transparent and inclusive government, restoring fiscal stability, and keeping the community safe and affordable.”

During her tenure in Evesham, the release notes, the township had no tax increases, its crime rate decreased by 28 percent, it received millions in new grant funding to improve infrastructure, and services to veterans, seniors and people with disabilities were expanded.

“As a lifelong resident of Burlington County, I know the challenges that we are facing with the growing affordability crisis in our communities,” Cooper is quoted as saying. “Our local businesses need our support, our working people need jobs that enable them to support their families, and everyone needs leadership that is engaged within the community and willing to take action. I am a visible, active partner to the people of Evesham, who I serve and advocate for now, and I look forward to bringing that same accessibility and commitment to delivering results to the entire district at the state level.”

Katz, it notes, is a mother of three who has established herself as an advocate for underfunded public schools who “took on corporate interests to protect our environment and will be a voice for mental healthcare services.”

Angelozzi, who is president of the Hammonton Education Association, according to the release, “understands firsthand the challenges that our children face and has a unique perspective regarding the tools students need to succeed, and “will be a strong voice for our children” who in order to flourish, “need to grow up in a thriving local economy where people aren’t just struggling to get by.”

Prior to the announcement from the Democrats, the Burlington County GOP announced that Torrissi, who founded a transportation company in New Jersey that has expanded throughout the east coast and is a former councilman of Hammonton, as well as Umba, a volunteer firefighter and township manager, “will once again team up to run for the state Assembly,” part of a team headed-up by Tiver at the top of the ticket that will “continue to fight in Trenton for the overburdened and overregulated families and businesses of New Jersey.”

“Burlington County Republicans are ready to do our part in taking back the state Senate and General Assembly,” said Burlington County Republican Committee Chairman Sean Earlen in a pronouncement.

Tiver, an official of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 and also a former township committeeman in Southampton, when contacted by this newspaper for comment on Cooper’s entry into the race, responded by issuing the following statement:

“Trenton Democrats see New Jerseyans as their personal piggy bank to fund their pet projects and patronage jobs while they increase energy costs and limit parental choice. This November, voters will have a clear choice. They could accept more of the same or send me to Trenton to be a checkand-balance on the Democrats’ runaway abuse of power. I look forward to speaking about those differences on the campaign trail and earning the support of my friends and neighbors.”

April

April 1

Events and special promotions happening locally this month!

Children’s Easter Egg Hunt

Location: Medford Township

Details: Medford-Vincentown Rotary Club and the Shawnee and Seneca High School’s Interact Clubs are hosting a Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, on Sat., Apr. 1, at 11 a.m. sharp (rain date Apr. 8), at Freedom Park in Medford. Come out for the festivities! (Advertiser’s note: The Sunrise Rotary Club Calendar printed the date of this event as Apr. 8 in error. The correct date is Apr. 1).

April 1

Train Rides Through the Woods of New Gretna

Location: Bass River Township

Details: The Woods of New Gretna Park and the New Jersey Shore Live Steam Organization provide train rides for all each Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The small steam locomotives, and other trains, wind their way through the beautiful park. The rides are provided by a group of dedicated volunteers who have revitalized the park and laid out the railroad track, based on the historical Tuckerton Railroad. The volunteers maintain the railroad and walking trails and are constantly expanding them. Riding the trains is free, but donations are very much appreciated. The train rides are outdoors.

April 3

The Merchant Marine in World War ll

Location: Vincentown (Southampton Township)

Details: The Southampton Historical Society will present a program, “The Merchant Marine in World War ll” at Old Town Hall, 25 Plum St., Vincentown, at 7:30 p.m. Without the U.S. Merchant Marines transporting vital supplies to the troops, the mighty Allied war machine would have come to a screeching halt. Despite cargo ships being sunk at an alarming rate by U-boats and bomber planes, patriotic Americans sailed into harm’s way to “Deliver the Goods.” Joe Wilson, whose father served aboard the famed “Liberty Ships” during WW ll, will explain the importance of these ships and the dedicated and vulnerable Merchant Marines who served on them. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Kathy Rosmando at 609-859-0524.

April 16

Details: The Jersey Shore Comic Book Show will be held Sunday, Apr. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Elks Lodge, 600 Washington St., Toms River. Admission is $5; Children under 12 admission is free. For more information, call 609-242-7756..

April 18

Details: The Pinelands Young at Heart Senior Club is sponsoring monthly casino trips to Atlantic City Resorts on the third Tuesday of each month. The price is $35, with $20 back to play at the casinos. The first pick-up is at 8:30 a.m., at the Lumberton Plaza, TD Bank parking lot. The second pick-up is at 9 a.m., at the Old Squad Building on Hawkins Rd. in Tabernacle. Enjoy drawings and Bingo games on the trip. Snacks and water are included. For more information, call JoAnn at 609-268-8951.

April 30

To promote your May event on this page contact Jayne Cabrilla at 609-801-2392 or email news@pinebarrenstribune.com

Trip to Casino Resorts

Location: Lumberton/Tabernacle (pick-up locations)

Jersey Shore Comic Book Show

Location: Toms River

Celebrate the Caribbean

Location: Browns Mills

Details: Come out for an afternoon of music, food and fun with a Caribbean theme. Global Health Share is holding a fundraiser on Sunday, Apr. 30, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at BMIA Building, 40 Arbutus St., Browns Mills. The event features the sounds of JR’s Caribbean Steel Drum Band, dance lessons by Basic Steps Ballet, a drum circle, basket auction and Caribbean food for purchase. The cost is $15 (in advance) for adults or $20 at the door; for children 12-18, $10 (in advance) or $15 at the door; Children under 12, free; for seniors 62+ and military, the cost is $10 (in advance) or $15 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Basic Steps Ballet, located in St. Ann’s Church, 22 Trenton Rd., Browns Mills. For more information, visit https://globalhealthsharecharity.org/ index.php/events/ .

Evesham Police Chief Announces His Department Seeking Advice from Community in Formulating Its Strategic Plan Number of Female Officers on Force Now Exceeds That of Other Area Towns

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

EVESHAM—Evesham Township Police

Chief Walt Miller has announced that his department is seeking advice and assistance from the public in formulating its upcoming strategic plan, rather than simply drafting it internally as it has up to now.

The department, Miller told those in attendance at the March 20 township council meeting, will be conceiving its latest such plan “a little differently than before” by “opening it up” and “bringing stakeholders into the process.” To this end, he said, a Strategic Planning Committee was being formed, consisting of about 30 residents who represent a cross-section of the community.

“We’re going to do some surveys with them to determine what it is they’re looking for from the police department, what their vision of (its) future is. After that, we’re going to bring the public in as well, review everything with them and get their view,” Miller said. The chief further noted that there are now 14 female officers on the Evesham police force, which he claimed was a larger number than any other department in the area, as well as seven women working in civilian capacities.

“I do think we’re a stronger department because of that diversity,” he added.

Miller also announced that his department, in coordination with Evesham firefighters, would be conducting a home safety event May 16 at the Gibson House, beginning at 6 p.m., which would cover such topics as natural disasters, crime, and fire prevention, and that free security light bulbs provided by PSE&G would be given out to attendees.

Finally, apparently responding to concerns previously raised by a resident about townships officials failing to publicly condemn acts of violence in the community, Miller explained the limitations imposed on his department when it comes to issuing comments or information about crimes.

Those involving homicide, child exploitation, or the use of force resulting in bodily injury or death, he noted, are not matters his department is free to comment on, but rather, by dint of executive order from the governor, must be addressed in press releases issued by the county prosecutor.

“So, it does put me in a bind as to what I can and can’t say to the public,” the chief contended. “We have to be very careful with what information we put out that relates to evidence, including motive, that can be an important part of a criminal prosecution.”

Miller also noted that while his department maintains “an active presence on Facebook, any postings related to those three types of offenses “is going to be vetted by the prosecutor to make sure it doesn’t cause any external issues.”

(Continued from Page 4) conveying this message to you.”

“This evening, I was approved as the sole superintendent of the Pinelands Regional School District,” she continued. “Therefore, I will be resigning from my employment with the Little Egg Harbor School District effective on or about June 30, 2023. Throughout the time spent in LEH, I have prided myself in always supporting staff with empathy and praise. I wholeheartedly believe this is the manner in which everyone should be treated … all the way up to the superintendency.

“I cannot thank you enough for all your hard work and dedication to our wonderful school district,” the letter concludes. “You will be greatly missed; however, I will be a short drive away at Pinelands.”

McCooley, who has been Pinelands Regional’s superintendent through the shared service since 2018 and whose tenure has not been without controversy, has reportedly had some policy disagreements with LEH board members who were chosen in the last election. However, her actions as Pinelands superintendent have been warmly praised in recent months by some of the current members of that district’s board.

A veteran educator, she was initially hired in July 2018 to take over the reins at Pinelands, from which she herself graduated in 1994. In addition to a doctorate in educational leadership, she holds bachelors’ degrees in psychology and elementary education, as well as a masters’ degrees in curriculum, instruction and administration.

The tentative regional allocation breakdown for the four communities in the Pinelands district is Bass River Township, 5.14 percent; Eagleswood Township, 6.12 percent; Little Egg Harbor Township, 75.56 percent, and Tuckerton Borough, 13.18 percent.

Miller said that the district has also “fared rather well” in state aid compared to other districts in the county, expecting to receive a $10,000 net increase despite many of its “choice students” having graduated.

A breakdown of district expenditures showed that salaries accounted for 56 percent, benefits 20 percent, transportation eight percent, district expenses, including insurance and professional fees, seven percent, tuition and curriculum three percent each, and other expenses five percent.

A more formal presentation and public hearing on the budget is scheduled for the next board meeting.

In other business, Football Coach John Tierney was named teacher of the year at Pinelands Regional High School, and Employment Specialist Amanda Feldman, who runs an annual job fair, service professional of the year. Samantha Palmer and Anthony Allocca were both named Pinelands Junior High teachers of the year, and Patricia Rider its service provider of the year.