Pine Barrens Tribune October 2, 2021-October 8, 2021

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Vol. 5 – No. 52 ♦

The News Leader of the Pines

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FR EE

October 2 - October 8, 2021

Grand Jury Declines to Charge Patrolman Who Fatally Shot Man Involved in Altercation, Armed with Long Scythe

‘EGREGIOUS CONDITIONS’

AG’s Office Says Presentation to Grand Jury of 2019 Matter Was Mandated by NJ Statute

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

A livid Nancy Meyer, a Pemberton Township High School teacher, describes “insanity” unfolding in the Pemberton school district, asking, “Is this really what Pemberton has become?”

Nurses, Educators and Other Pemberton Schools Personnel Describe ‘Unsustainable’ Circumstances, Including Nurses Having to Perform Both In-Person Care and Contact Tracing Due to Staffing Issues, ‘Out of Control’ Student Behavior, in Addition to Teachers Being Penalized for Having to Quarantine

Superintendent Responds with Steps He is Taking to Relieve Nurses of Contact Tracing, But Discloses He Asked Staff to ‘Do More with Less’ Since There is ‘Not the Same Amount of Funding as in the Past;’ Also Acknowledges Pupils Are Experiencing ‘Severe Emotional Challenges’ Following COVID Shutdown school board on Sept. 23 of a further with the latter new responsibility assigned

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON—A week after school bus drivers and parents detailed to the Pemberton Board of Education a “c a t a s t ro p h i c ” b r e a kd ow n o f the Pemberton Township Schools’ transportation system, resulting in an ongoing “travesty” to begin the 2021-22 school year; district nurses, educators, and school bus drivers informed the

deteriorating situation in the district with “highly problematic” issues resulting in “egregious conditions” and “insanity.”

Among the “unsustainable” circumstances described at the latest school board meeting included school nurses having to work “two full-time jobs” simultaneously due to staffing shortages, providing in-person medical care and contact tracing for Coronavirus,

extending their work hours into the evenings and weekends causing “unsafe” exhaustion; teachers being penalized for having to follow district quarantining guidelines; students being sent to school by parents despite being symptomatic for Coronavirus; severe staffing shortages in other areas resulting from both budget cuts, and a number of COVID infections See PERSONNEL/ Page 9

PEMBERTON—A Pemberton Borough patrolman who responded to the Sunbury Village section of neighboring Pemberton Township on July 19, 2019, for reports of an altercation, and subsequently encountered a man armed with a long scythe, fatally shooting him as he reportedly advanced toward other individuals, will not have any charges filed against him, according to a Sept. 22 press release from the state Attorney General’s Office.

While all the “available evidence,” including video footage and the recorded statements of civilian witnesses, revealed that Witney Rivera, 41, of Pemberton, was armed with a scythe and advancing toward other individuals when he was shot, state statute requires all fatal police encounters must still be presented to a grand jury, the state Attorney General’s Office noted.

The fatal police encounter, the state Attorney General’s Office revealed, was investigated by its Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to “16 to 23 New Jersey residents” called to serve on the grand jury.

“The shooting occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m. on July 19, 2019, when Police Officer William Roberts, of the Pemberton Borough Police Department, responded See JURY/ Page 15

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Saturday, October 2, 2021

Two Ex-Pinelands School Board Heads React Indignantly to Criminal Probe Based on Superintendent’s Complaint Police Investigation Finds Nothing ‘Suspicious’ in Email Activity, But Current Board President Talks of Possible Ethics Violation

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

LITTLE EGG HARBOR—When the Pinelands Regional Board of Education last met on the evening of Sept. 14, its current president, August “Augie” Daleo, gave an update that, while providing nothing in the way of details, did reveal, in somewhat cryptic fashion, that a behind-the-scenes probe was underway in the district into a matter involving a possible ethics violation.

Daleo began by noting that “recently there was some chatter on social media – something about an investigation that was ongoing” in the Pinelands Regional district that he called “an in-house investigation.”

He then maintained that “the board is not going to entertain having discussions with self-absorbed people who like to get on social media and make claims or allegations that are unfounded.”

“However,” he added, “with that said, an investigation was completed, the findings in the investigation, although they did not rise to the level of lawbreaking, did rise to the bar set for ethics violations and above.”

“So that’s being looked into, and we’re going to move on with that,” Daleo added.

While neither the subject of that alleged investigation nor the source of the “chatter on social media” were named in that brief statement, the Pine Barrens Tribune has since learned the identities of the individuals to whom he seemed to be referring – both long-time members of the school board and predecessors of Daleo in its presidency, who have been quite outspoken in interviews with this newspaper about what they claim occurred, and have granted it permission for their responses to be publicized.

The apparent target of what appears to have been an actual criminal investigation – albeit one that went nowhere – was Thomas D. “Tommy” Williams, Jr., a retired Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department (LEHT) lieutenant, who served for a short time earlier this year as school board president until reluctantly resigning at the beginning of June to help facilitate his recovery from a lung transplant he received at Philadelphia’s Temple University Hospital in March (chronicled by this newspaper in a July 17 cover story) following a life-threatening COVID-19 infection.

The individual apparently accused by Daleo of making unfounded allegations, former Board President Susan Ernst, who retired from the school board two years ago, had indeed vented her indignation on social media (specifically, a private Facebook group with some 590 members to whom she provides her own “Reflections”) at having been interrogated by a Little Egg Harbor Township police officer as part of the criminal investigation his department was conducting at the time – one reportedly stemming from a complaint lodged by District Superintendent Dr. Melissa McCooley in regard to supposed “suspicious activity” on Williams’ official email account.

“To date, no one has officially contacted me regarding this investigation, neither the school nor the police department,” Williams told this reporter in a phone Interview. “I reached out to the Little Egg Harbor Police Department myself after hearing I was the subject of an investigation and was told nothing was found and everything is closed.”

Williams said he asked what “crime” was alleged to have taken place, and the police department was unable to provide an answer.

“In regard to the school district, Dr. McCooley brought up that there was suspicious activity regarding my school email

account and asked for permission to do an audit on said account,” Williams maintained.

“I said, ‘absolutely, because we know you (school district officials) look at our email anyway.’ I further said, “When you get the results, let me know so I can have my attorney present.’”

He also noted that this exchange had occurred remotely during a Zoom session that took place shortly before his health situation resulted in his having to resign from the school board.

Lt. Troy Bezak, the LEHT Polic e Depar t ment’s publ ic af fai rs of fic er, confirmed to the Pine Barrens Tribune that the department had indeed conducted an investigation based on a complaint from the school district about “potential suspicious activity” that had apparently been flagged on the district’s computer server, which also was referred to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office (according to Ernst, to make sure there was no conflict of interest involving Williams’ former position as an officer with the department) before being sent back to the local police agency. The complaint, Bezak said, involved “concern that there may have been unauthorized access to the server,” but “no crime or criminal activity” was subsequently found by the department to have occurred.

“They did provide us with the name of the person whose account they thought had been compromised,” Bezak said. “The investigator had some computer records and he spoke to some people.”

Ultimately, he added, “it was determined there was no unauthorized access, and the activity reported as suspicious wasn’t actually suspicious.”

Daleo, in a subsequent phone interview, reiterated his belief that “the findings from the investigation would definitely rise to the level” of behavior proscribed under School Ethics Commission guidelines, and that is “what is still being looked into.”

When later asked by this newspaper if he could be more specific about the alleged violation of the state ethics code that is involved, Daleo replied, “I’m not citing anything – no comment.”

Board Solicitor William S. Donio also had no comment when asked whether any sort of ethics complaint had been filed in the matter, and a representative of the state Department of Education Office of Communications, who was asked the same question by this newspaper via email, could neither confirm nor deny the existence of such a complaint.

Williams, however, not only denied he violated any state or district ethical guidelines in the handling of his email, but maintained that it is actually the current school board members who are violating a state mandate – Executive Order No. 251, which specifies that “all elementary and secondary schools … must maintain a policy regarding mandatory use of face masks by staff, students and visitors in the indoor portion of the school district premises,” with certain specified exceptions, none of which mentions school boards meeting inside one of the school buildings. And he claimed he had reported that alleged violation to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Ernst, in a version of events given to the Pine Barrens Tribune that was consistent with one she provided to her Facebook group in a posting called “Reflecting on a Criminal Complaint,” contended that on June 25, she was visited at her home by Little Egg Harbor Police Detective Joel Mahr, and when she See COMPLAINT/ Page 13

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Two Altercations Break Out at Pinelands Regional High School, Including One with 10 to 15 Students, Adults, Including Parents

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

L I T T L E E G G H A R B O R —Tw o altercations, one inside Pinelands Regional High School, and another outside of the high school involving somewhere between 10 to 15 students and adults, including parents, according to Lt. Troy Bezak, a spokesman for the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, necessitated a shelter-in-place order for the high school on the morning of Sept. 27.

Dr. Melissa McCooley, in several emails to Pinelands Regional families, later obtained by this newspaper, did not mince words about the expected consequences for what happened, informing them “those involved will be charged” and that “this will not be tolerated.”

According to one of the emails from McCooley, an altercation occurred in the Commons of the high school, but an administrator stationed in that area “immediately intervened.”

A second altercation, which Bezak told this newspaper was “kind of a continuation of what went on outside,” occurred between a “group of parents and students” in front of the high school, McCooley wrote. As that second altercation took place, she said, “additional adults arrived in an attempt to get involved and were asked to leave.”

As the second altercation unfolded, “administration and the high school’s School Resource Officer (SRO) immediately

responded” with additional officers from both the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department and Tuckerton Borough Police Department “called to the scene.”

“Discipline will be enforced for all students involved,” wrote McCooley in her last communication to school families about what transpired. “Charges are pending from the local police department for adults involved.”

The superintendent, in a preceding email, wrote the high school incidents are “currently under investigation and those involved will be charged.”

“This will not be tolerated,” she said of the incidents, including the latter involving “multiple parents and students.”

Bezak told the Pine Barrens Tribune that police were called to the high school at approximately at 9:48 a.m. for a fight, and while it is “still very much under investigation,” it appears “somewhere between 10 to 15 people were involved in both physical and verbal altercations in front of the school.”

The lieutenant said the altercations at the high school were apparently connected to “several other incidents within the past few days” in the Little Egg Harbor area, including one at Harbor Island Plaza, by Portofino Restaurant and a 7-11 convenience store in the center.

The incidents, he said, “may go back longer than that, too,” with police learning on Sept. 27 about other potential incidents.

“Officers and detectives are still actively See ALTERCATIONS/ Page 10

Evesham Officer Struck by Fleeing Vehicle Suffers Minor Injuries; Suspect Leads Police on Chase Through Town, Manages to Escape

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

EVESHAM—An Evesham Township police officer was “assaulted” on Sept.

26 while in the process of conducting an overnight commercial business check, authorities announced the next day.

The suspect, after leading police on a subsequent chase through the municipality, was still at large as of press time, with authorities, who have a good picture of him from police body cam footage, asking the public for help in identifying him.

The incident, according to a press release posted to the Evesham Police Facebook page, occurred around 3:35 a.m. on Sept.

26 after the police officer observed a “man slumped over the steering wheel of a Ford F-150” while conducting a property check of a commercial business.

The man, the press release said, regained consciousness during an investigation, with the police officer suspecting “he had operated the vehicle under the influence of illegal drugs.”

At some point, according to the press release, the man “became combative, refusing to exit the vehicle.” He then purportedly fled the scene in the pickup.

“While fleeing the scene, the male’s vehicle struck the Evesham police officer,” the press release states. “The male suspect led officers on a pursuit, operating his vehicle in a reckless manner, while putting innocent motorists in danger.”

The pursuit, according to the press release, ended when the vehicle the man was driving “became disabled” in the area of Kettering Court in Evesham, but the man was able to flee the scene.

“Subsequently, it was lear ned the vehicle was reported stolen out of Bristol, Pennsylvania,” the press release states.

The struck officer sustained minor injuries in the incident, according to the press release, and was treated on scene by Evesham Fire-Rescue personnel. Lt. Joseph Friel, a spokesman for

Photo Provided

A man who police say fled the scene of an investigation, striking a police officer.

Evesham Police, later told this newspaper that the agency would not be releasing his name.

Evesham Police were assisted by the New Jersey State Police’s Aviation Unit on Sept. 26 in the search for the suspect, after establishing a large perimeter in the area where the pursuit ended that day. But the suspect was not located.

The suspect police are looking for is approximately 30 to 40 years of age and had a black beard. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with a blood stain on it by his abdomen, shorts, yellow flip flops, and a black, wool hat with the tag still attached. The suspect also has “distinct tattoos,” including flowers on his right inside forearm and a heart with the word “Olivia” inside it on his left shoulder.

If anyone has information on the suspect’s identity or whereabouts, you are asked to contact Evesham Police at 856-983-1116, or its Confidential Tip Line at 856-983-4699.

In previewing the potential charges that the suspect may face; police characterized the incident as “aggravated assault on an Evesham officer and eluding,” noting he was also wanted for stealing a vehicle and drug possession.

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The purpose of the five-year review was to assess whether remedial actions performed at the Lakehurst NPL sites continue to be protective of human health and the environment. The five-year review concluded that the current remedies are protective. In a letter dated 31 August 2021, EPA concurred that the remedies are considered protective at this time. As part of the review, JB MDL and EPA solicited questions or information regarding the remedial actions from the public.

The Final Five-Year Review Report is available to the public as of September 2021. This report documents the methods, findings and conclusions of the review and also identifies issues found during the review and proposes recommendations to address them.

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Evesham and Its Township Manager Are Defendants in Discrimination Suit Filed by Female Police Officer

By Bill Bonvie Staff Writer

EVESHAM—The Township of Evesham and its manager are being sued by a female police sergeant, who claims she was passed over for promotion to lieutenant despite having excellent test scores after her performance was given a low peer review by two former supervisors in the police department against whom she had once filed harassment charges that were subsequently upheld.

The plaintiff, Sgt. Erin Gorman, is being represented by attorney Christopher J. Ross, of the Mullica Hill law firm of Jaquelyn M. Vigilante, which has filed a civil action in Burlington County Superior Court alleging “gender-based discrimination and retaliation” in violation of state law and demanding a jury trial.

The defendants include both the township itself and Township Manager Robert Corrales, who is alleged in a legal brief received by the Pine Barrens Tribune to have “purposefully underscored” Gorman in an interview (one of several that are apparently part of the process to obtain a promotion) and “manipulated” raw scores provided by Police Chief Christopher Chew “so that she would not be promoted.”

In spite of the low evaluation she received from Corrales at the beginning of last year, the suit claims the plaintiff had scored a 94 on the written examination, “the highest score,” and that Chew had informed her he did not believe she answered any questions incorrectly in her interview with him. The suit also mentions that the chief’s notes indicated “there were no issues with her responses.”

In addition, the brief says that when Gorman, upon not being selected for a promotion, reached out to her department to review her scores, she learned that despite

past practice, Corrales’ interview notes were not available for review or even maintained in the promotional file.

The brief also alleges that when the plaintiff, who has been with the department since 2005, first applied for a promotion to lieutenant in 2017, and again in 2020, both of the superior officers who were the subjects of her earlier harassment complaints, Lt. (Bruce) Higbee (then a sergeant) and Lt. (Ronald) Ritter, “were placed on the peer evaluation panel,” and proceeded to give her an “exceptionally low” rating in 2017 and “the second lowest score for peer evaluations” in 2020.

These evaluations, it contends, were allowed to detrimentally influence Gorman’s chances for a promotion, despite Higbee’s having been “disciplined for a violation of the workplace harassment policy” and “permanently restricted from supervising (the) plaintiff,” and Ritter having also been “disciplined,” with Gorman never again coming under his supervision. Both officers, this newspaper has learned from a department spokesperson, have since retired from the Evesham department.

The plaintiff is said to have requested that she be reassigned after her rejection for a promotion the first time in order to correct what she was told was her “lack of experience as a patrol supervisor” that had weighed against her, and had subsequently “exceeded all expectations in that role.”

The suit further maintains that in 2019, the plaintiff “complained of discrimination and gender bias in connection with false rumors levied against her by an anonymous letter sent to Evesham, based in part on her, gender,” but that the “defendants failed to conduct an adequate investigation and impermissibly See DEFENDANTS/ Page 10

Saturday, October 2, 2021

Pemberton Boro Landlord Who Operates Stained-Glass Business Selected as Late Councilman’s Successor with Election Looming Melissa Tettemer Must Now Run for Unexpired Term This November

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—Melissa Tettemer, a 14-year resident of Pemberton Borough who is self-employed making st a i ne d-g la s s w i ndows, pa nels, a nd suncatchers, has been selected as late Pemberton Borough Councilman George Ward’s successor, but in order to maintain her spot on the governing body, she must run for the unexpired term this November.

The council vote to appoint Tettemer, a Republican, to fill the vacancy on Pemberton Boroug h Cou nc i l, wh ich c ompr is e s both Democrats and Republicans, was unanimous on Sept. 20, following a moment of silence for Ward, which served as an acknowledgement of his passing.

Ward, also a Republican, died suddenly at the age of 67, the Pine Barrens Tribune recently reported.

The late councilman had just begun his first term in January and was charged with leading the borough’s Water and Sewer Department. Mayor Harold Griffin, following Tettemer being administered the oath of office by Borough Clerk Donna Mull, announced during the all-virtual Sept.

20 council meeting that Tettemer would takeover that role.

“I just want to tell you guys that I am very flattered that you all think so highly of me,” said Tettemer after being sworn in to cheers and congratulations by her colleagues.

Tettemer later told this newspaper that she and her husband, Brian, have both lived in Pemberton Borough for 14 years. She explained that they initially pursued buying – while dating – the home next door to where

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Eventually, she said, the home next to hers was rented out, but flooded due to a broken pipe, and the owner of it by that point “wanted someone to take it off his hands.”

So, she and her husband, decided to buy that residence too.

Melissa Tettemer told this newspaper it is now one a few rental properties in the borough that she and her husband owns.

“We understand some people can’t afford to buy a house,” the new councilwoman told this newspaper. “We feel like we are enabling people to live in borough who otherwise would not be able to afford a place here.

We take pride in our rentals.”

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Southampton Committee Gives Formal OK to Solicit Joint Bids with Springfield for Potential Privatization of Trash Collection

Police Called About Overcrowding Report on Pinelands Regional Bus, with Superintendent Faulting ‘Misinformation’ for Causing ‘Havoc’

While Approval Was Given Sept. 21, Legal Notice Was Published

by Springfield Aug. 13 Soliciting Joint Bids for the Two Townships; Mayor and Political Activist Clash Over Who Will Benefit from It

District Officials Disclose Bus Routes Were Temporarily Combined Due to Ongoing Driver Shortage, But Maintain Seats Still Open

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

SOUTHAMPTON—A resolution allowing Southampton Township to enter into a cooperative pricing agreement with Springfield Township, or one that allows Southampton to go out to bid together with Springfield for trash collection services, passed during the Southampton Township Committee’s Sept.

21 meeting.

The action comes as Southampton Township nears a decision on whether to keep trash hauling services in-house in some capacity or privatize trash collection with a private contractor, part of an ongoing process that has been reported on extensively in the past by this newspaper.

“So, we have said more than one time over the last few months that as we are looking at our trash situation in Southampton, we are looking to gather information,” said Southampton Mayor Michael Mikulski during the Sept. 21 Southampton committee meeting in introducing the resolution. “This resolution is to authorize us to go out (to bid) with Springfield for pricing for privatizing trash. It does not commit us.

“This is all part of the fact gathering process. If a decision is made to even consider privatization, there will be a public hearing and we will talk about it before we vote on it.

This doesn’t commit us to doing it.”

Earlier this year, however, Southampton Committeeman James F. Young Sr., who previously stated that he was advised to never touch Southampton’s current in-house trash

collection program because of its popularity among residents due to having a reputation for efficiency and employing locals, expressed concern that by going out to bid, Southampton would then be obligated to award a contract, with only a few exceptions allowed to disqualify the lowest, responsible bidder.

George Mor r is, solicitor for both Southampton and Springfield townships, along with Mikulski, also an attorney for a private practice, disagreed with Young at the time.

Dur ing the Sept. 21 Southampton committee meeting, Deputy Mayor Ronald Heston “put it on the record” that in reading the resolution’s language “it looked like it committed our administrator to fully act on our behalf,” but that he “found out that what it does is it allows our administrator to get the information to turn it over to the committee.”

“Without this resolution, Springfield would not be able to share it (the bids) with us and they are the lead agency to get the information,” Heston said. “With that said, I don’t have a problem with the resolution.”

During August’s Southampton committee meeting, Mikulski removed the resolution from an agenda for that session because “we have always said we would not go out to bid in any kind of process that did not allow us to back out of it if we didn’t like it.” The Southampton mayor maintained at the time that “unlike a construction project bid where you are locked in,” the Southampton committee is looking for See TRASH/ Page 10

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

LI T T LE EG G H A R B OR— A n announcement from the Pinelands Regional School District on Sept. 23 that students of a middle school bus route would be riding together on another bus with high school pupils for that afternoon only, in combination with a social media posting referencing it and asking parents, “Did your kid come home saying they were sitting on the floor and kids were sitting three kids to a two seater (because) it was overflowing?”, followed by others chiming in that they had reported similar overcrowding issues on district busing since the start of the school year, resulted in the police being called by that parent to file a report and “havoc,” as Superintendent Dr. Melissa McCooley called it, with those reading the social media thread (which was shared throughout the area) apparently becoming alarmed enough about what was said to contact school officials with concern and demand answers.

Those contacts resulted in Nick Talarico, business manager of Pinelands Regional’s Transportation Department, releasing a strongly worded statement to the community, denying that there were overcrowding issues involving that particular school bus, with McCooley later maintaining to this newspaper that what transpired online was the result of “misinformation” from “from what I was told, one student, one parent.”

“There were 32 students on a bus that seats 54,” the superintendent said. “It is a shame that misinformation can cause

such havoc.”

However, the parent who posed the question i n fer r i ng that the bus was overcrowded, stated in the thread, later obtained by this newspaper, that “what they did is they stuck all the kids from the other bus on one bus” creating an “unacceptable and unsafe” situation, adding, “I have an officer coming over to file a report.”

That account prompted two other parents to come forward with concerns, with the one writing, “My kid said it happened the first day of school and I called and complained. I guess it hasn’t been resolved two weeks later.

Not surprised!”, while the other posted, “My daughter has been begging me to drive her because the busses are overcrowded, and she feels unsafe. Of course, I have been obliging.

She hasn’t expressed exactly why, but now I will be questioning her. This is absolutely unacceptable.”

Others, in response to all the charges, contended, “It is very concerning. God forbid an accident occurred, and with COVID, putting that many kids together,” and that, “It is against the law.”

Talarico’s statement, responding to what was written by parents, said “we were made aware of a social media post circulating multiple parent and community groups last night” and “this post mentioned some information that was false and/or misleading regarding the routes that we had to combine yesterday afternoon.”

“YES, we combined two bus routes yesterday due to a shortage of staff,” he See HAVOC/ Page 8

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Saturday, October 2, 2021

Pemboro Officials at Odds Over Resuming In-person Meetings, Bonding for New Police Vehicles and Allowing Cannabis Trade

By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer

PEMBERTON BOROUGH—A surge in Coronavirus cases across Burlington County has caused Pemberton Borough Council to pause in-person meetings, for now.

However, that Aug. 16 decision is being criticized by Council President Bonnie Haines, who on several occasions during a subsequent Sept. 20 bough council meeting, declared, “I think we can do better.”

Haines was absent from the August meeting, which went from being advertised as an in-person meeting to being billed as a Zoom session with just a couple days’ notice.

Council’s July meeting was the first (and only) one this year to be held in-person, after increased inoculations against the potentially deadly contagion had resulted in a decline in cases nationally, though the variant has since reversed that trend.

Borough Solicitor David Serlin suggested on Aug. 16 that council formally vote on Mayor Harold Griffin’s recommendation that “the meetings be held on Zoom until such time that the current health emergency has receded,” as well as indicated that the decision to switch the means of holding the Aug. 16 meeting was that of the mayor.

While the mayor received support from all members of council who were present for the Aug. 16 session, Councilman Terry Jerome, just prior to the vote, offered a suggestion that the governing body discuss whether to move forward with holding “hybrid meetings.”

“We are in unprecedented times, and we are in unprecedented times on top of unprecedented times,” he said. “The formats of the meetings are completely, 100 percent acceptable. We, in the interest of moving forward as a council, however, need to have discussion about hybrid meetings. I just think it is something to discuss, as a council, possibly reserved for a workshop meeting.

“I think, as a whole, all of us do much better when we all work in unison. For a positive outcome of borough, if we need to put some structure to it, we need to discuss it. In the interest of ambiguity, what kind of meetings are we going to have moving forward? For our best benefit, and for the public’s best benefit, I think it is something we should discuss. I think it should be done with clear and conscious thought.”

Serlin, when recommending council formally vote on Griffin’s recommendation, mentioned any decision would be further subjected to scrutiny by council during a Sept.

8 special meeting, with Griffin also mentioning that the topic would be discussed that day.

Borough Administrator and Clerk Donna Mull later told this newspaper that the special meeting ended up being “very short” and “nothing last night” was discussed about changing the current format of the council meetings.

“But at the last meeting it was decided it would stay virtual for now,” she maintained to this newspaper.

Haines, reviewing the meeting minutes for council’s Aug. 16 session, and who apparently also missed the special meeting, pointed out “Mr. Jerome brought up the idea of having a hybrid meeting,” before asking, “Was that ever discussed?”

Griffin replied, “Not that I know of,” with Jerome adding, “It has not been discussed as of yet.”

Councilman Robert Brock then asked Haines, “What is a hybrid meeting?”, and then more pointedly asked the council president, “What is your definition of a ‘hybrid meeting?’”

Haines defined it as one “where you choose to show up and have it in public, or you can call in through Zoom or whatever.”

“Oh, I see,” said Brock in a somewhat pointed fashion.

Haines, however, undeterred, maintained “I think social distancing in the meeting room is certainly doable.” That remark caused Jerome to contend that “after doing a tiny bit of research,” he found doing hybrid meetings was not a possibility at this time for the borough because of “technical issues” that would be encountered.

“In a perfect world, it would work very well,” Jerome said. “But in reality, we would probably suffer some latency issues, meaning that the public would not be able to catch up to where we were or vice versa. And that revolves around the platform we are using at this point – the Zoom platform. The stuff that gets us to the point of being real-time is pretty darn expensive. It is cost prohibitive.”

After Haines again expressed that an “inperson meeting where we social distance is a possibility,” but added this time that “it is easy enough to do in that room,” Brock quipped, “It is easy enough to do what we are doing now – I don’t know what the problem is with that.”

“I just have an issue with this type of meeting,” the council president maintained.

“And not being able to see the public, not being able to see each other. I think we are losing something, and we can do better!

“It is not like we have 50 or 100 people attending our meetings. We are a very small town and lately we don’t operate like a very small town. And I really think we can do a whole lot better and I would like to have conversations in that direction.”

While some council members agreed with Haines, Brock retorted, “Bonnie, if everybody got their shots, and was willing to wear a mask, I am willing to do it your way.” That remark caused Haines to declare, “I can’t speak with a mask on, Bob.” “Why?” asked Brock, to which the council president replied, “The public is not going to be able to hear us speaking with masks on.”

“I mean, I am willing to try it, but I don’t think it is going to work,” she added.

Serlin, however, pointed out that he also represents a school board, and that all school boards in the state must comply with a mandate from the governor requiring masks to be worn at all times while in school facilities, and that “it works” where the public can hear who is speaking through the masks.

“It is not what you want to do, or what I want to do, but it works,” Serlin declared.

“How about we don’t let anyone come to the meeting unless you are vaccinated?” said Griffin, appearing to take a jab at Haines, who retorted, “How about I don’t think that (a person’s vaccination status) is any of our business!”

Brock then became rather emotional, declaring loudly and pointedly, “I do! I do!”

“Well, see Bonnie, you don’t have the problems that some of us have!” Brock asserted. “I have COPD! I am COPD! I am high risk, Bonnie!”

Both Brock and Griffin have been open in the past about their health challenges due to being in their 80s, even sometimes being lighthearted about their age.

H a i n e s , i n r e s p o n s e t o B r o c k ’s emotional remarks, said she “appreciates that” situation, but she doesn’t think the government has the right to ask about a person’s vaccination status, “ever.”

“We will agree to disagree,” she declared.

“I am going to keep bringing this up until we can come up with a better solution. Because I think we can do better! I am convinced we can do better!”

Haines, despite holding the council leadership position, has been unable to get the majority of her counterparts to move in her direction on several key issues.

Earlier this year, Haines had clashed with Brock over wanting to bond for two See OFFICIALS/ Page 8

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

♦ Page 7

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

HAVOC

(Continued from Page 5) acknowledged. “… (But), NO, the combined route was not ‘overflowing’ with students.

We checked the camera footage this morning of the ride home and counted 39 students on the bus. A bus holds 54 students.”

Combining bus routes, maintained Talarico in the statement, “is nothing new” for Pinelands Regional, adding, “We did this all year last due to the same staffing issues we are facing this year.”

Talarico then attempted to reassure parents and the community at large that “we are doing head counts on all of the buses throughout the school year to make sure that if a situation like this arises, there are enough seats for every student.”

“Drivers will not start their routes with students not in their seats, or if there are safety issues,” he declared.

Regarding the situation in which two bus routes were combined on Sept. 23, Talarico maintained, “the combined route did not have students sitting on the floor or too many students in seats.”

“Again, we checked the camera footage and did not see anyone on the floor and all

OFFICIALS (Continued from Page 6)

new police SUVs, contending she thought there were less expensive alternatives, such as police cars, and that two new vehicles should not be purchased at the same time so that they don’t wear out at the same time.

Haines also called on council to develop a vehicle replacement plan for the borough Police Department to help spread out the

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Saturday, October 2, 2021

seats had the appropriate number of students in them, or less,” he said. “Remember, two students can sit in the two seaters and three students can sit in the three seaters. If your student ever has an issue finding a seat because a student will not move over, have them speak to their bus driver.”

Talarico’s statement, posted on Pinelands Reg ional’s Fac ebook page, was also forwarded to this newspaper by McCooley and Assistant Superintendent Gina Frasca in response to this newspaper’s inquiry about what transpired on Sept. 23. However, the administrators did not answer a question posed by this newspaper as to whether they would release the camera footage.

The parent who posed the social media question later informed those following the situation that Talarico had called her to explain his findings after watching the camera footage, but then had received another contact from a police officer who purportedly told her, “‘I could see why your son may think the bus was crowded because it is very crowded in the back of the bus.’”

The parent then states a school principal denied her subsequent request to review the camera footage “‘because other students are on the bus that I am not allowed to see.’”

“Yet they are allowed to take pictures and post

for everyone to see on social media?” the parent asks, maintaining that the principal informed her there were still open seats on the bus, while the police officer contradicted that claim.

The reports of overcrowding on school buses from the Pinelands Regional School District to the point that students have been forced to sit on the floor are similar to that of ones that have been coming from the Pemberton Township School District, another one of three high school districts in our coverage area.

Pemberton School officials, in last week’s newspaper edition, pointed to a national shortage of bus drivers, resulting in some states calling in the National Guard to drive students to and from school. There have also been other media reports of school districts paying parents to drive their children to school, and, in one instance, students being transported to school on a party bus with stripper poles.

Talarico, in his statement to the Pinelands Regional community, recognizes “there is a nationwide shortage of bus drivers” and “we are not immune to this in our community.”

“We are doing everything we can to get students to and from school safely,” he said. “There will be days when we have to combine routes or possibly double up routes,

which will cause buses to run late. We will communicate that to you if it ever has to happen. We would never over pack a bus, which is a HUGE safety issue, just to get students home on time. Safety is always our number one priority no matter what obstacles are thrown our way.”

The business manager of the transportation department added “we cannot address issues on the buses if we are not made aware of them” and “if your student is having an issue on their bus, please contact the transportation office, not your local Facebook group.”

“Now that we have addressed the false information that is out there, we want to share some true news with you,” Talarico said. “The bus drivers that are driving your kids to school every day are going above and beyond to make sure your students are getting to and from school safely. They are facing more and more challenges daily with the pandemic and staff shortages, yet they continue to excel at their jobs. We cannot thank them enough for all that they do. So instead of liking this (statement) in a local Facebook group, what we really want you to do is to go out to your student’s bus stop and thank their driver for the amazing job they are doing. They all deserve it.”

costs for new vehicle procurement so that any new police vehicle can be purchased through the budget, rather than through a bond.

She ultimately suggested council, this time around, bond for only one police SUV, and then lease the other, but was outnumbered.

Council voted 5-1 during the Sept. 20 council meeting to bond $110,000 for the two new police SUVs, replacing a “2010 Ford Expedition” and “2014 Ford Explorer” that Brock previously said were having engine troubles. Haines cast the lone dissenting vote.

The council president has also stated during a previous session that she was “just not in a position to say a blanket ‘no’” to disallowing cannabis businesses in the borough “if we have an opportunity to generate revenue.” She ultimately voted against an ordinance disallowing cannabis businesses from opening in town, urging her colleagues to instead “start an investigation and discussion” as to “where we can put it, how we have to regulate it and what type of revenue we can generate from it.”

Voting in favor of the prohibition was Brock, Jerome and Councilman Robert “Bob” Briggs, while Councilman Steve Fenster and the late Councilman George Ward joined Haines in opposition to the prohibition. The tie vote was then broken

by Griffin, who declared at the time that he would vote “yes” for the ban “every time.”

“As some of you know, I was a high school guidance counselor for 25 years, and I guess I have a bad taste in my mouth, and in my

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Get Your HVAC Ready for Fall

Routine maintenance can keep your unit running at peak efficiency.

PG. S5

PG. S2

Saturday, October 2, 2021 A Special Section from the

Learn to Love the Leaves

There are several things you can do with all those leaves this fall!

Page S2 ♦

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Get Your HVAC Ready for Fall

Saturday, October 2, 2021

For many parts of the country, fall is a golden season where the air conditioners and heaters aren’t working overtime to keep us comfortable in our homes.

I

t’s also a great time to do routine maintenance on our heating and air conditioning systems to make sure they’re running at peak efficiency. This maintenance can also extend the life of your unit.

Clean it Up

Clean off the outside unit and keep it clear of debris and dirt, such as falling leaves. If you’re going to use a water hose or pressure washer, make sure you switch off the power at the circuit first. Take out any branches, tall grass or brush in a four-foot perimeter around the outside unit so that it can get

adequate airflow for heating and cooling. Inside, vacuum your vents and register covers to keep your system free of dust and debris.

Protect it

Insulate any exterior pipes with foam pipe covers wrapped in duct tape and, if you’d like, cover the condenser unit with a plastic or vinyl cover secured well with bungee cords and tape. Take this step only if you know you aren’t going to be running the outside unit. You also want to regularly change the filter to make sure the system is working easily and efficiently. If you have allergies,

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you may want to change your filters more frequently than the manufacturer recommends.

Call in Professionals

There are some tasks best left to the HVAC professionals. These include clearing drain lines and pipes, cleaning the coils, check the refrigerant charge, belts and ductwork, and performing any needed maintenance. Also have

them check your thermostat to make sure it’s properly calibrated for your system. Climate control systems are complicated and it’s all to easy to mess it up and trigger a bigger repair bill than you may have had in the first place. For any task you have questions about, call in the pros first. You may also be able to set up a regular maintenance plan that could also earn you discounts on repairs and other service.

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Caring for Trees

♦ Page S3

It can be easy to forget that the big trees in your yard are plants just like your more fragile roses and flowers that need frequent care.

D

on’t forget to care for your larger plants just like you would your smaller ones.

Start in the Fall

Proper tree maintenance starts in the fall. Prepare your trees for colder weather by pruning back unruly branches; inspecting the trees for dying limbs, insect damage or signs of disease; nourish your trees with plenty of water and organic mulch; and, if you’re planting, plant your new trees in the fall.

Healthy, well-cared-for trees don’t snap, lose limbs or have termites.

Prune branches that are broken, either from storms or disease, and also take any branches that are perilously close to your home or other property. Remember that pruning slows the growth of trees

because they must heal the cuts before they resume growth.

Keep a Distance

Remember that the tree isn’t just the trunk and branches. Getting too close to trees, even by building a deck or parking a car under it, can damage fragile root systems, making the tree less healthy and more prone to disease. Roots need two or three times the length of the tree’s branches to grow enough to support the whole tree.

Cover it Up

A good layer of mulch will keep your tree cozy just like a warm fuzzy blanket keeps you warm when temperatures dip. Layer the mulch 2-3 inches deep around the base of your tree, but don’t let it touch the tree’s bark. Remove any

older mulch before putting down a fresh layer.

Choose the Right Tree

Every tree has it’s own place. And that place may not be in your yard.

Don’t judge the mature tree by the tiny specimen you see in your tree

nursery or garden store. Instead, consider the mature size of the tree (and look at the maximum; don’t bet on the minimum).

Consider both the canopy size and the reach of the roots. Also look at the types of leaves it will drop and where they will fall.

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Saturday, October 2, 2021

Gutter Maintenance

Those gorgeous colored leaves that drop every fall don’t just fall on your yards and flower beds.

T

hey also drop on your roofs and gutters, keeping precipitation from moving efficiently and safely away from your home. You can prevent costly roof and home repairs with a little simple maintenance done every fall.

Step 1: Time to Climb

The first step in maintaining your gutters properly is to grab a ladder and safely ascend to the gutter height. Using your hands or any number of available tools, clean all the leaves, debris, dirt and assorted crud from your gutter.

Step 2: Check Fasteners

The next thing you want to do is to check the gutter spikes to make sure they pass through the gutter, fascia board and into the rafters of your roof. Over time, these spikes can work their way out or they may have never been properly fastened at all. If needed, GUTTER

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While you’re cleaning out the gutters, don’t forget to also clean the downspouts. If these spouts are clogged, it can cause backups that will pull your gutters down from your house. You also want to check the rivets on your downspouts. If the rivets are loose or have dropped out, head the hardware store and get a set of new rivets and a rivet gun to make quick repairs. At the bottom of the downspout, there may be a splash guard to prevent the water from eroding the earth near your home. Make sure these are routinely replaced to keep your foundations secure.

Step 4: Pressure Wash

Once you’ve got everything

securely fastened, you can then break out the big guns. Pressure washers are powerful tools, and it’s important that you use them according to the manufacturer’s specific instructions, especially while you’re working up high,

such as on ladders cleaning your gutters.

Also be careful with positioning the stream from the pressure washer so that it doesn’t hit the roof shingles at the wrong angle and blow them off the roof.

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♦ Page S5

Learn to Love the Leaves Fall leaves are lots of fun, unless you’re the one that has to rake them. The good news is you don’t have to rake them this year.

L

eaves are an important part of the ecosystem, providing fall and winter homes for overwintering insects, including butterflies and other valuable pollinators.

Mulching

If you must keep the leaves off your lawn, instead of raking or, even worse, blowing the leaves away, try mulching the leaves into fertilizer for a greener spring. Leave your leaves in the flowerbeds and in other places that are away from the grass as a home for helpful insects and other pollinators to keep your gardens happy next year.

How to Mulch Your Leaves

You can mulch your leaves with a lawnmower or a leaf shredder.

Mulching the leaves chops them into fine pieces so they don’t smother your grass and so that they break down more quickly into a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your yard.

Your lawnmower may have its own mulch setting, or you can buy inexpensive mulching kits to put on your mower instead of mower blades. Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for those kits, but generally, they are used on the mower’s highest setting. Deep drifts of leaves may require multiple passes, or you can rake the mulched debris so that it’s evenly distributed across your yard.

Compost

Another idea for your leaves is to pile them up or bag them and move them to a safe place in your yard where you can compost

them. Leaves can also be piled into flower beds to act as insulation during the colder winter months.

If the leaf litter is too deep and doesn’t break down by spring, just remove them to the compost bin.

Using Leaves for Weed Prevention Remember

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smother your yard and kill your grass? It also works for weeds. You can spread leaves over patches of weeds to kill them during the fall and winter. More importantly, you can spread leaves or mulched leaves over bare spots in your yard to keep weeds from setting up shop.

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How to Maintain Hardwood Floors

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Of course, hardwood floors aren’t just for buyers. Homeowners who already have hardwood floors know just how impressive these floors can be, especially when they’re well maintained. Maintaining wood floors is not necessarily as straightforward as it may seem, and homeowners may benefit from a tutorial on how too keep the floors under their feet looking good.

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What finish is on the floor?

The Hardwood Distributor’s Association recommends a simple way for homeowners to determine which type of finish is on their hardwood floors. Homeowners are advised to rub a finger across the floor. If no smudge appears, then the floor is surface sealed. If a smudge is created, then the floor has been treated with a penetrating seal. The HDA also notes that recently installed wood floors are likely surface sealed.

How often should floors be polished or waxed?

Wood flooring professionals recommend polishing floors that can be polished once every few months. Waxing wood floors does not need to be done as frequently, and most can benefit from a fresh coat of wax every 12 to 18 months.

What can I do on a daily basis?

Some simple tricks and daily maintenance can help wood floors maintain their impressive look.

Utilize floor mats. The HDA notes

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that floor mats near entryways can reduce the time it takes to clean hardwood floors and reduce the wear and tear they endure. For example, tiny particles like dirt can scratch the floor and contribute to the kind of minor damage that adds up to significant scarring over time. Floor mats near entryways ensures that most of that dirt never makes it to the wood floors.

Vacuum without a beater bar.

Some vacuums contain beater bars, which are designed to pick up human hair, dog hair and other things that conventional vacuums may not be able to pick up. The HDA advises vacuuming without the beater bar, as it can contribute to small scratches in the floor.

Sweeping with a high-quality broom or microfiber cloth is another way to pick up dirt without damaging floors.

Use manufacturer-recommended cleaning products. Local home improvement stores sell a host of hardwood floor cleaning products, but the HDA notes that many flooring manufacturers now sell their own hardwood floor cleaners designed specifically for their floors. These products are likely homeowners’ best bets.

Homeowners who can’t find them can seek recommendations from a local flooring retailer.

Hardwood floors are attractive for many reasons. And they look even more stunning, and last much longer, when homeowners make an effort to maintain them.

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However, floors with penetrating finishes like tung oil will need to be waxed rather than polished.

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♦ Page S7

A Guide to 5 Types of Winter Choosing Dining Squash to put on Your Fall Menu Room Furniture

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Storage

o you want to redecorate your dining room? If so, here are some things to keep in mind when you shop for new furniture.

If you have a small dining room, select a tall, narrow hutch. For a larger space, opt for a long buffet that you can hang a mirror or piece of artwork above. Before you make a decision, remember to account for the space needed to open the cabinet doors as well as the direction they open.

Table

Determine whether the space will be used for something other than eating such as working from home or doing homework. You should also take into account the size of the room and how many people you want to be able to fit around the table. If you like to entertain but your dining room is small, think about getting a dropleaf or extendable table.

1. Pumpkin

Style

Consider what design style you want for the room before you start buying furniture. This will make it easier to pick pieces that go well together and give the space a cohesive look. Whether you decide to give the room a modern, farmhouse or eclectic feel, it’s best to opt for high-quality materials, especially if you’re worried about scratches.

Visit the furniture stores in your area to find a wide selection of dining room furniture for your home.

Chairs

If your dining room is long and narrow, opt for benches or stools that can slide under the table when they’re not in use. Regardless of the type of seats you choose, make sure they’re upholstered or padded with cushions. This will allow everyone to sit comfortably.

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acked with antioxidants, fiber, potassium and vitamin A, winter squashes are versatile ingredients that can be used to prepare a wide range of delectable dishes. Here are just some of the varieties that would make great additions to your diet this season.

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This round, deep orange squash has a mild, sweet taste that makes it a delicious choice for homemade fries and pies. The seeds can also be roasted and enjoyed as a snack.

2. Sweet dumpling

Cream-colored with green stripes, this variety of squash is a particularly good choice for desserts such as pudding and sorbet thanks to its slightly nutty flavor.

3. Buttercup

This round, squat squash has a

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dark green skin and orange flesh that’s sweet and firm. It can be used to make creamy soups and curries, and it pairs well with mashed potatoes.

4. Delicata

Also known as sweet potato squash due to its similar flavor, this striped oblong variety can be cooked or eaten raw. Use it to make everything from jam to fries.

5. Hubbard

This large, blue-gray or dark green squash has a round base and very bumpy skin. Less sweet than other varieties, it’s a great substitute for potato in stews and shepherd’s pie.

From acorn and butternut to heart of gold and spaghetti, there are plenty of options when it comes to winter squash. Visit the farms and food markets in your area to find a local selection.

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PERSONNEL (Continued from Page 1)

and quarantines; spread-out, limited staff having to work through their lunch periods and teachers now working eight periods in the school day with a reduction in or no prep periods to prepare their lesson plans; pupils missing out on their education with half days apparently instituted for some due to a shortage of bus drivers; and students not used to attending class in-person after being out of school for a year-and-a-half due to the pandemic now experiencing “severe emotional challenges,” causing many disciplinary problems, including one in which a bottle was purportedly tossed by a student through the windshield of a school bus with special needs students aboard.

Several of those who spoke during this latest board session did not mince words in expressing their concern that the safety of students and staff was being jeopardized by “our school community in crisis,” with pleas for leadership from the administration.

In fact, Board Member Carmen Bivins called it “intimidating” to be the first to respond during board forum to what she had just heard, as she is traditionally the first member to speak since her last name starts with a “B.” Meanwhile, Sheri Lowery, also a board member, called what was happening “scary,” acknowledging she was “almost in tears,” while an apologetic board member, Chris Otis, called the circumstances “terrible,” adding, “No one should experience this.”

Andrew Sytnik, the only board member to present, so far, any potential solution to help offset the severity of the crisis by maintaining that the school board must give consideration to raising taxes further than what it had proposed in the past, recognizing that recent state aid cuts has had an impact on staffing and resources to deal with the challenges, again raised that potential solution on Sept. 23, and also said that he was working on “a bunch of spreadsheets” to present to Superintendent Jeffrey Havers and Business Administration Daniel Smith at a future meeting, though “he doesn’t know if they will be happy” once they see them.

Sy tn ik, who clai med h is brain is “operated” by both “money and finances,” and called the signer of state legislation revising the school funding formula, and the one issuing executive orders to school districts (mandating items such as contact tracing, quarantining and vaccinations), Democrat Governor Phil Murphy, “King Murphy, The Unaccountable,” urged district teachers to email him specific instances “where they are doing more with less” so that he can present them as examples to the administration.

While Sytnik’s comments about raising taxes had solicited no response from his

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AD HOTLINE: (609) 801-2392 colleagues during prior meetings, this time, Otis acknowledged, “I don’t have a magic answer unless we dig deeper and pay more out of our pockets.”

Meanwhile, Board Member Sherry Scull, who had scolded district administrators the week before for their blaming the district’s transportation issues on the national shortage of school bus drivers, and over reports that district school bus drivers’ opinions were cast aside, this time outright castigated them after hearing an account from a school bus driver that the student who broke the windshield of the school bus was not disciplined for his actions, maintaining that report was along the lines of others involving student discipline in the past. And in doing so, Scull declared that it was the “administration,” and their lack of disciplining students, as to “why my two granddaughters are going to school in a different township.”

And to top it all off was a rant, in response to the concerns, by Board Vice President Terry Maldonado, who railed against the effectiveness of masks, while also chastising those in attendance for not following social distancing protocols, particularly the outspoken nurses and educators who described issues with COVID in the schools, declaring, “We have to change the way we think.”

All of this occurred as Smith was absent from the meeting, with no explanation provided during the session for his absence.

Havers, in addressing the concerns, contended that he was trying to bring in a private contractor to provide additional busing, and had posted job openings for interim nursing positions, but maintained that what the state has “handed” the district is out of his control.

“I have been in this district for 25 years,” said Tami McCartney, a teacher at DenboCrichton Elementary School, where there were reportedly eight confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 just last week and over 200 more people being “tracked” for possible exposure. “I have to say this has been the most stressful start of the school year, and we are only in our 14th day of school and our staff is breaking down. I have never seen anything like this in my 25 years of teaching.

Behaviors are out of control, and we are giving more time to managing behaviors, which interferes with our ability to teach. We don’t have enough adult bodies to support the needs of our children.”

McCartney called on the members of the school board to “spend the whole day” at Denbo-Crichton “to see what the day looks like in our school.”

“I think you will see how understaffed we are,” she maintained.

A colleague of hers, who was overcome with emotion after learning during the proceedings that her 37-year-old nephew had just died of COVID, regained her composure

just enough to tell the story of her “friend and colleague,” who is also a teacher at Denbo-Crichton, but was unable to attend the Sept. 23 school board meeting because she was in quarantine due to COVID. The teacher in quarantine was described through the statement as having been diagnosed with a case of bronchitis, but even so, was advised to “retest” for Coronavirus as a precaution, and quarantine, because “of so many exposures” in the classroom “with four positive cases” of COVID. “‘We aren’t even through September, and I am out six days, and I have never used this many sick days in a school year, except when I had major back surgery,’” the quarantined teacher was quoted as saying through the statement read by her colleague. “‘At this rate, I will have a note put in my file as well.

I had many colleagues with that note as well, despite you (the administration) telling us not to come to school if you have symptoms.’”

The quarantined teacher, who revealed through the statement that she has a 5th grader who attends Pemberton Schools, pointed out “‘his days are excused, but mine are not.’” “‘So, the district is giving more grace to my son then me,’” she said through the statement. “‘Meanwhile, I am still working, taking messages from students, with parents still sending questions through ClassDojo and Google Classroom.’”

The quarantined teacher maintained in her statement that “it is a shame we are being punished for exposure in the classroom because parents refuse to abide by the attestation form that they signed.” “‘There have been three cases where parents were aware their kids were symptomatic, but sent them to school anyway,” said the quarantined teacher in the statement being read aloud. “‘There are no repercussions for parents, but there are for me as a teacher. I did my part, got vaccinated in March, and continue to push myself to show my dedication. This is so unfair.’”

In declaring “we can’t keep this up,” the colleague of the quarantined teacher told the school board that district “parents, students and the nurses are all struggling” and “we are asking for help.”

“We can’t do this by ourselves; you can’t do it without us!” she asserted. “So, help us, help you!”

The challenges impacting the district nurses was described in detail by both Jennifer Caruso, BSN, RN, CSN, of Marcus Newcomb Middle School, and Shannon Horton, BSN, RN, CSN, of Denbo-Crichton.

Caruso explained that in addition to providing in-person care to students, the school nurses are tasked with verifying and entering orders for “life-saving medications for students,” as well as administering them to students in times of need. Additionally, she said, the school nurses have to ensure all students are up to date with their

♦ Page 9

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

Board Member Sherry Scull castigates district administrators after hearing an account from a school bus driver that a student who broke the windshield of the school bus was not disciplined for his actions.

immunizations, “something we work very hard at,” but it is a “very time consuming” process. Performing school physicals, she said, is “also very time consuming,” but is something that also must get done.

But now, she said, in addition to those responsibilities which consume the workday for school nurses, they are having to contact trace for Coronavirus, a process by itself that has become quite burdensome, Horton indicated, by revealing that there were the eight confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 just last week at Denbo-Crichton, one of nine district schools, with over 200 more people being “tracked” there for possible exposure.

“And if we are not with the times, we could end up with a fine,” Caruso pointed out. “With that said, managing all these (regular) tasks is difficult enough when we have students visiting (the nurse’s office) throughout the school day. Due to the pandemic, we feel like we are now doing two jobs with the added job of contact tracing, and it is not really sustainable. We feel that the safety of our students is at risk if we continue with this kind of workload.”

Caruso called it “very concerning” to hear reports that administrators may also task school nurses with COVID vaccination and testing tracking, in addition to possibly having them assist an outside vendor with performing weekly testing for nonvaccinated students and staff.

“We don’t have a final answer on that,” Caruso maintained. “We are trying to meet needs of the whole student body, and staff, and while it is near impossible, it is our priority, and we are doing our best to See PERSONNEL/ Page 11

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LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

ALTERCATIONS (Continued from Page 3)

investigating this and trying to put the pieces together of what is going on,” said Bezak when asked what is behind all the incidents. “As of right now, with a lot of people involved and a lot of incidents, it will take some time to get to the bottom of it.”

Some unconfirmed reports on social media stated that in some of the purported incidents prior to those at the high school, people were “jumped.”

There were also reports that in the incident outside the high school, at least some of the adults were armed with knives.

Bezak said police “don’t believe any

DEFENDANTS (Continued from Page 4)

considered the defamatory information.”

“At all times,” the brief contends, the “plaintiff was one of very few female law enforcement officers employed by Evesham and the only ranking female officer,” although there is currently a second ranking female officer on the force, who was recently added according to the spokesperson.

Also named as defendants in the suit are any “employees, agents, servants, officers and/or directors of the municipal

SUCCESSOR (Continued from Page 4)

Melissa Tettemer, who told this newspaper she has owned backyard chickens for the past decade, said that she and her husband are currently working on their own home, a Second Empire Victorian built in 1874.

“We are just bettering the appearance of the borough,” she said. “And since it is on the main street, people do take notice.

Actually, all our rentals are on Elizabeth Street, and we reside in a house there as well.

We just built a wraparound porch. I think appearance is important.”

The new councilwoman noted “before we even bought our house, we fell in love with the tree-lined streets with the guest lamps that had flower baskets on them.”

As the owner of a business that makes stained glass fixtures, Melissa Tettemer recently had made a stained-glass window for the entranceway to the Pemberton Borough Municipal Building, which has since been installed.

Melissa Tettemer, who moved to the borough from Hamilton, Mercer County, was one of three people recommended by

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weapons were involved” in the h igh school incident, noting “there is video, even if officers didn’t see any,” though he emphasized the high school incidents “are still very much, actively under investigation.”

McCooley, who did not respond as of press time to this newspaper’s request for comment on this particular story, along with other school officials, wrote to parents “no weapons were present” during the high school incidents.

Bezak said he did not know of any injuries from what took place at the high school, “but if there were any, they were minor, and I don’t believe any medical attention was needed.” Little Egg Police, he said, are “taking precautions to make sure there are not any further disruptions at the school.”

corporation who may have been delegated authority to make personnel decisions and have served as (the) plaintiff’s supervisors.”

The brief concludes by stating that the plaintiff “demands judgment and an award of damages” against the defendants, “together with back pay, front pay, liquidated damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, interest, costs of suit and any other relief the Court deems equitable and just.”

When contacted by this newspaper and given an opportunity to present his side of the story, Corrales replied that “the township doesn’t comment on any pending litigation matters.”

the Pemberton Borough Republican Club to fill the vacancy.

The others, according to Griffin, were Melissa Ferguson and Tim Quinlan, the latter who did not seek re-election this past November, causing Ward to run for office.

Ward’s term was due to expire in 2023.

According to a candidate’s spreadsheet maintained by the Burlington County Clerk’s Office, an unexpired two-year term for borough council was added on Sept. 1 to the November General Election ballot.

“Ms. Tettemer w i l l app ear on the mail-in and in-person ballot,” Borough Administrator and Clerk Donna Mull told this newspaper on Sept. 27.

The Burlington County Clerk’s Office confirmed on Sept. 27 that Tettemer does appear on the mail-in ballot, and that no nominations were filed by Democrats for the open two-year term.

As was pointed out by both Mull and a county clerk staffer who assisted for this story, two “regular” three-year terms on council are also up for grabs this November, with those being contested matchups.

Republ ic ans Karl “Nick ” Con ner and Andrea M. Martin are challenging Democratic incumbents Steven Fenster and Robert E. Briggs.

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TRASH

(Continued from Page 5) just “what the prices and options are” so that an “informed decision” can be made.

However, despite the resolution being initially tabled in August by the Southampton committee, and formal authorization for it not coming from the Southampton governing body until Sept. 21, a check of the New Jersey Press Association’s database of legal notices revealed that a “notice for bidders” of “solid waste collection and disposal for the Southampton - Springfield CP Solid Waste Collection Program” was actually published on Aug. 13 in at least two newspapers, meaning bids for the joint venture were already being sought by that point, as was made clear by the notice mentioning that the “municipalities participating in the Southampton - Springfield CP Solid Waste Collection Program are the Township of Springfield (lead agency) and the Township of Southampton.”

It is noted in the published Aug. 13 notice that “all bid proposals will be publicly opened and read by the township clerk (of Springfield), at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at the Springfield Township Municipal Building, 2159 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road, Jobstown, County of Burlington, NJ.” Bids, the notice continues, “must be delivered by hand or by mail to the township clerk no later than 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021.” The notice also referenced that a “non-mandatory prebid meeting” was to be held at the Springfield Township Municipal Building on Sept. 7.

Just prior to the Southampton committee on Sept. 21 giving the formal authorization for the joint bid process, Young asked, “Why is Springfield the lead, and not us?”, to which Mikulski replied, “Because Springfield is privatizing, regardless.”

“They already have privatization; they have a contract,” Mikulski maintained. “So, we are letting them take the lead. We may not do it (privatize). They are doi ng it, no matter what, with or without us. They are already private, staying private, and just trying to gather prices. They are going out to bid for two sets of prices – one is with Southampton; one is without Southampton.”

In response to Young remarking, “They are trying to bank on us for a lower price,” Mikulski replied, “Yes.” Shedding some light on how that would work during the public comment portion of the Sept. 21 Southampton committee meeting, after the Southampton resolution passed, was resident Evelyn “Evie” Doherty, who revealed her recent research while asking tough questions of the Southampton committee over the resolution. She pointed out that Springfield

only collects trash two days a week and only has just over 3,000 homes, as compared to Southampton which has many more.

Doherty pointing to those statistics caused Mikulski to reveal that if privatization happens, “the outsourced company charges each municipality per house” and that “we pay for ours; they pay for theirs,” causing Doherty to quip, “So, this is a great advantage to them (Springfield).”

By that Doherty meant that Springfield, if it joined forces with Southampton, would potentially enjoy a five to seven-day collection rate (because adding Southampton trash hauling to the mix would mean the successful bidder would have many more days of collection work than just the two that Springfield could offer by itself), but only have to pay for collection at a few thousand homes at most, or those that only comprise Springfield.

“Well, it is an advantage to them, but it is an advantage to us too,” Mikulski retorted.

After Doherty responded with “maybe,” Mikulski uttered, “No, no, no, no!”

“We can talk about opinions as to whether privatization is a good choice – that is full game,” the Southampton mayor said. “But in terms of pricing, it absolutely will be cheaper if somebody else (is with us), rather than us being by ourselves, because it is buying in bulk. It is no different. That is all I am talking about.”

Doherty, who began her latest line of questioning by declaring she was “not in favor of outsourcing,” told Mikulski she would agree with his assessment “except the amount of homes they are dealing with is so much less than what we are dealing with.”

“It would be different if you were doing it with a large town, maybe,” Doherty said.

Doherty also pointed out that Springfield’s website listed Morris as its municipal solicitor, and asserted she was “concerned this could be a conflict” given Morris was sitting at the Southampton dais representing Southampton as its municipal counsel as well.

Both Morris (who admitted he was also Springfield’s legal counsel) and Mikulski maintained at the same time “it is not” a conflict of interest for him to be representing both towns during the joint bidding process.

“In fact, it is an advantage in a way,” Mikulski contended. “If we decide to do it (award a joint bid with Springfield), we already have a contact at Springfield who can help us to connect. Again, this wasn’t a vote to do it, it was to fact gather.”

Doherty also questioned who wrote the resolution that had just passed, with Morris replying that he “believed” it was Southampton Township Administrator and Clerk Kathleen D. Hoffman. However, Hoffman was not in attendance at the meeting. Her whereabouts that evening was not disclosed.

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Photos By Douglas D. Melegari

Jennifer Caruso, BSN, RN, CSN (left), of Marcus Newcomb Middle School, and Shannon Horton, BSN, RN, CSN (right), of Denbo-Crichton, speak about having to work late into the night and on weekends to contact trace students for COVID. follow us on facebook.com/MedfordUMC problematic” that school nurses are having

PERSONNEL (Continued from Page 9)

keep everyone safe and healthy. But we are definitely concerned and feel like we need more action than listening.”

Having dedicated contact tracers, “or somebody to take care of collecting sick calls, emails and verifying what each student’s symptoms are,” according to Horton, would “reduce the burden on nurses and allow them to meet the needs of students and staff.”

Horton pointed out that “contact tracing is not required to be completed by a nurse,” and shared the example of her daughter being one as an enrollee in a nursing program. She also pointed out that the Burlington County Health Department hired an outside firm to conduct contact tracing for county residents, so that the health department staff could carry out their regular responsibilities.

“Right now, it is not possible to keep up with the emails and phone calls from parents, and messages we receive from staff about students who are symptomatic,” Horton said. “… The safety of students and staff is our top priority and that is being jeopardized by having us do two roles.”

Horton also maintained that having school nurses assist with testing of students and staff “may seem like a simple task,” but actually “requires additional PPE protection coordination, preparation, paperwork, and follow-up, all of which takes us away from in-person nursing care.”

Rob Horn, president of the Pemberton Township Education Association (PTEA), described to the board that district “nurses are miserable with their current workload” and are “suffering” from having to perform “two-highly demanding jobs.”

“If they spend so much time on the contact tracing, the healthcare of our students suffers,” Horn said. “They don’t have sufficient time to prepare charts and care plans, and to identify new problems.”

And at Denbo-Crichton, according to Horn, “there are so many positive cases and quarantines happening,” he has been “told teachers are already blowing through their sick days.”

“And I am talking about vaccinated teachers,” the education association president asserted. “I don’t think it is right to put our hard-working teachers into crowded schools and classrooms with no social distancing, and then when they get infected and have to quarantine, make them use up their sick days and then go to unpaid leave. If you really want to show support for our teachers and support staff, you have to make sure they get workman’s compensation or paid administrative leave if they run out of sick time because they got sick at the workplace.”

Horn noted that he “found it to be highly

to “work through their lunches, and as late as 10 p.m. each night,” to accomplish all the tasks that have been assigned to them.

“Not only is this entirely not fair to our nurses, but it is also a safety issue,” Horn declared. “It is not in the best interests of the healthcare of our students to have that care provided by exhausted nurses who have to skip lunch.”

Horn called on district administrators to “think outside the box” to find a solution for the “staff who have been suffering due to these egregious conditions,” maintaining, “Suffering in silence is not a virtue.”

“These staffing and workload problems aren’t going to be solved with feel-good statements about being positive and ‘doing more with less’ for the good of our students,” he said. “…They have a right to demand solutions and relief. Just piling more on our already overburdened teachers, aides, secretaries, nurses, and custodians will not allow us to continue to maintain the quality of educational services that we have been so proud to provide for our students and community.”

Horn, did, however, say that he was “happy to report” that Havers told him just prior to the school board meeting that he was “going to try to get personnel from within the district to assist the nurses with the contact tracing during the afternoons and weekends.”

“I appreciate that Mr. Havers and other administrators are thinking creatively to address this critical problem,” he said.

“But we will have to do the same with other problems as well.”

Havers, in addressing the nursing situation, declared, “We do hear you.”

“We are working to address contact tracing,” the superintendent maintained.

“As was mentioned, we posted for weekend coverage, and posted for three interim nursing positions to assist with this, and we contacted nursing agencies to assist us. We are also looking to see what we can do to reduce the contact tracing (tasks assigned to) nurses.”

Havers added that he was going to see if the outside vendor the district was working with to come in once a week to perform COVID testing for unvaccinated staff could also assist with contact tracing. He noted that he wanted to “get the input” from school nurses to see if they would be willing to test a handful of staffers who might be absent the day the vendor is in the district, emphasizing they would not have to “screen students.”

“In terms of staffing issues, while everyone brought up good points, it is not appropriate for me to discuss the contract or get involved in negotiations,” the superintendent said.

Horn, however, pointed out “a number of high school teachers” have to work four blocks, or eight periods of the day “due to

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reductions of staff.” The “norm,” he called it, is for a teacher to work five or six periods.

“What is the impact on the teachers working eight periods to save the district salary money?” Horn asked. “Many of these teachers have one prep period to prepare for two or three different classes. I know as a dedicated language arts teacher; I would not be very effective if I had to teach for eight periods. I simply wouldn’t have enough hours in the day to provide the quality planning, instruction, and feedback that I’m accustomed to providing – and that our students deserve.

“T he eva lu at ion s c ore s of t he s e overburdened teachers may suffer as a result of being spread so thin. That could lead to punitive measures from the administration.

Having teachers working more than six periods is not in the best interest of our students and should not be normalized.”

Hammering that point home, literally, was Pemberton Township High School teacher Nancy Meyer, who slammed her fist so hard on the podium, it not only shook it, but appeared to startle those sitting at the dais.

“Our school community is in crisis!” said Meyer, noting she came to the school board meeting with a heavy heart. “Our leaders – who are all of us in this room – are wiped out, beaten up, shot down and frustrated.

And they need to be heard!”

Meyer then contended that Havers stated in the past, “‘You will have to do more with less,’” before slowly raising her voice to the point that she was shouting.

“What we are told is horrible!” as she slammed her fist on the podium. “‘You will ‘have to do more with less!’ And that comes

from our superintendent! Now my colleagues are saying the same thing! Our students are saying the same thing! This is wrong!

“Is this really what Pemberton is? Is this really what Pemberton has become? We ‘have to do more with less!’ It is time this board, community and the educators and children to come together to say ‘no!’ We won’t stand for ‘doing more with less!’ It is time to rally together, sit at a table and solve these problems!”

Meyer then described that bus drivers are “burdened with making excessive runs, transporting students with no masks and not having the proper safety measures in place.”

She maintained parents are frustrated not only by the pick-up and drop-off delays in transporting students, but with having to carpool in some instances.

She also maintained that stretched-thin district security guards were now having to monitor “areas they were never expected to do before,” jeopardizing student safety, and that some custodians holding positions where they are supposed to tag-team for safety reasons are now “working at night by themselves,” putting “themselves at risk for injury.”

“That is a safety risk!” shouted Meyer at the top of her lungs.

Meyer also detailed that Child Study Team staff are also having to give up their lunches, and are now expected by administrators to discipline children.

“That is not their job!” shouted Meyer, repeatedly slamming her fist on the podium.

“That is the job of an assistant principal!

See PERSONNEL/ Page 15

Page 12 ♦

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asked him what it was about, was told it involved “a complaint regarding improper use of emails” that had been filed by McCooley in which Ernst’s name had come up.

The retired school board president, who also worked as a teacher in the district for three decades, said she informed the officer her official email account had been turned off prior to the end of her six-year term on the board, and added, “I’m not sure where you’re going with this.” She recalled that he then began to query her about whether Williams had ever been inside her home or if she had ever received any emails from him, and she had replied, “not recently,” although she noted that the two were “good friends” and “we talk.”

“Finally, I said, ‘Wait a minute, what do I have to do with any of this? Am I named in the written complaint?’” and when Mahr had replied, “No,” she responded, “I don’t get why you’re even here.”

The officer, she maintained, then informed her that McCooley, when interviewed, had claimed that “some of the things that Tommy had written or passed along were my writing style.”

“I laughed and said, ‘That’s absolutely crazy,’” recounted Ernst to this newspaper.

Apparently as a result of that allegation, Ernst wrote in her Facebook group posting, “I was investigated…. questioned….and became embroiled in what I would consider a frivolous, vindictive action.”

The more she learned about the complaint, Ernst noted, the angrier she became, and subsequently filed an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request with the police department to gain access to it, but the request was ultimately denied after two extensions. When asked about that by this newspaper, Bezak replied “under OPRA, you are entitled to certain records from the police department, but criminal investigatory

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records are not one of those things – they’re exceptions.”

While Ernst noted that the police told her she could file a civil suit, and through a subpoena could probably obtain those records, she said that doing so “would be very difficult for me” because of her “very close attachment to that district.” She added, however, that if she could sue McCooley personally, she “wouldn’t hesitate.”

Ernst told this newspaper that she ultimately set up a face-to-face meeting with Police Captain James Hawkins, who was recently sworn in as the new chief of LEHT Police.

“I was very straight with the officer,” she said, reminding him that Williams at the time was recovering from a major health crisis that had almost killed him on two occasions.

She further noted that at the end of May, when the complaint was initially filed, “most people knew he was in the hospital,” and accused those involved of having “no compassion, no sympathy, no empathy.”

Hawkins, in a brief phone interview with this reporter, said the OPRA request had been vetted by Township Attorney Melanie Appleby. He added that “the school district was alerted (to potential suspicious activity) by an automated system that monitors security breaches,” but indicated it was up to district officials whether to notify the police of any such matter.

Wi l l i a m s , howe ve r, d i s put e d t h e department’s rationale for refusing to release details of its investigation, asking, “If a crime did not occur, and if there was no criminality, then why should the record be withheld?”

Precisely why McCooley thought it necessary to file the criminal complaint when she did is not clear, as she declined to answer that and other questions on the matter emailed to her by this newspaper on Sept. 22, her only response the following day being, “Good morning, please attend our board meeting October 12th, 6:00, Pinelands High School.”

But both Williams and Ernst have

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acknowledged having had their differences with other Pinelands Regional board members and administrators. Williams, in fact, filed his own ethics complaint last November against current board Vice President Betti Ann McVey, claiming that she had “an inexorable and irremediable conflict of interest” due to McCooley being her two children’s superior. While the School Ethics Commission, after a lengthy analysis, did “not find probable cause” to validate the alleged ‘violations,’ and therefore dismissed the matter, it also unequivocally prohibited the respondent (McVey) “from being involved in any and all matters related to the superintendent and/or any other individual who may have supervisory authority over her children in connection with their LEH (Little Egg Harbor School District) employment (where McCooley also serves as superintendent of schools).”

Williams asserted to this newspaper that while serving on the Pinelands Regional board, he was “not a puppet,” but rather someone who was not afraid to ask questions and ask for documentation and clarification for general business-like things that an elected official should be looking for when trying to serve their community.” In initiating this investigation, he alleged, the current regime was “throwing things at the wall to see if they could get something to stick.”

Ernst, in her Facebook posting, declared, “Let’s face it, at times I have been quite vocal regarding my opposition to some of the actions taken by the superintendent (and continue to do so).”

Williams, in telling the Pine Barrens Tribune he had contacted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office by phone on Aug. 23, said that he lodged a complaint about the Pinelands Regional board’s refusal to don masks at its recent meetings after the order was issued by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. Attempts to find out the status of that complaint this past week were unsuccessful, as the media liaison for the office was out of town and calls to the State

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Department of Education to determine whether an official policy exists in regard to such meetings had not been returned by this newspaper’s Wednesday deadline.

Donio gave an opinion at an Aug. 17 board meeting that the masking requirement, which the board has since petitioned the governor to reconsider and leave the matter up to local jurisdictions, would seem not to apply to legislative proceedings, such as school board meetings.

In a reply to an email query from this newspaper, however, Donio indicated there may be some ambiguity attached to the issue, noting that the order “could be read as not applying to board of education meetings.”

He pointed out that Executive Order No. 196 “specifically provided that legislative proceedings of state, county or local government, including local boards of education, were not subject to the capacity limitations regarding indoor gatherings.”

“Thus, throughout the state of emergency, it has been important to distinguish the functions of the schools, and the rules regarding school attendance and operations, and the functions of the board of education as a local governmental entity,” Donio said.

Consequently, the Pinelands solicitor contended, when a school board is duly convened, it is acting as a legislative body, and members of the public in attendance are not “visitors” to the school as outlined in Executive Order No. 251.

“Given that background, it is important to note that restrictions placed on a legislative body performing a legislative function, which might inhibit or discourage public attendance or participation, should be examined at the highest level of constitutional scrutiny,” Donio maintained.

Officials of two other high school districts in the area, Pemberton and Lenape Regional, have expressed the belief that the wearing of masks was indeed required at their school board meetings.

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to Goez, when she lost control of it and “went off the road to the right.”

“She then struck a traffic sign, overturned and struck a tree,” Goez said. “As a result, she was ejected and sustained serious injuries.”

Granger was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. She was pronounced dead later that day, Goez noted.

An obituary noted that Granger, a Shamong resident since 1979, was an office manager for Safeguard Business Systems, located in Shamong. She had been with company for 29 years, the obituary notes, and leaves behind two children, a son in Pennsylvania and a daughter in Texas.

Pemberton Man Sentenced in 2017 Sunbury Village Murder PEMBERTON—A man from Pemberton lodged in Burlington County Jail, in Mount Township has been sentenced to 58 years in Holly, since his arrest. The prosecutor said state prison for fatally shooting a man in the he must serve at least 85 percent of the Sunbury Village section of the municipality in murder sentence before becoming eligible March 2017, Burlington County Prosecutor for parole, and a minimum of five years on Scott Coffina announced on Sept. 27. the firearm charge.

The sentence, according to Coffina, was Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, handed down to Douglas Lewis, supervisor of the Burlington 26, by Judge Gerard H. Breland Cou nt y P ros e cutor’s Of fic e on the afternoon of Sept. 24.

Major Crimes Unit – Violent He noted it comes after Lewis Crimes section, had argued in was found guilty of murder and court that “Williams was killed weapons charges in July by a jury as payback for robbing one of that deliberated for eight hours Lewis’ associates.” over two days.

“This was an execution, plain Lewis was sentenced to 48 years and simple,” declared Coffina in prison for the murder conviction, after Lewis’ sentencing. “We are and given another 10 years, a gratified to be able to bring justice prison term “to run consecutively,” to the family of the victim, and Lewis for possessing a weapon he wasn’t appreciative of a sentence that allowed to have, Coffina said. sends a very clear message that gun violence An investigation was launched on March carried out in a cavalier fashion, as in this case, 21, 2017, when officers from the Pemberton will not be tolerated. I’d like to commend the Township Police Department were called to investigators and assistant prosecutors for the 100 block of Kinsley Road, just before 9 making a strong statement in support of public p.m., for a report of shots fired. safety through their diligent prosecution of Upon arrival, officers discovered Shaquille this defendant.”

Williams, 24, inside a vehicle with several Lewis, noted Coffina, was previously gunshot wounds. Williams, who lived in c onv ict e d of we ap ons of fens e s a nd the Browns Mills section of Pemberton conspiring with Brandon Clifton, 23, also Township, was pronounced dead at the scene. of Pemberton, to kill Williams. Clifton Lewis, according to the county prosecutor, is “awaiting trial on similar charges,” the was arrested in August 2018. He has been county prosecutor said.

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OFFICIALS (Continued from Page 8)

heart as well, for any use of what I have always considered a drug,” said Griffin in explaining his vote. “I saw what it (marijuana) did to the young people I counseled in high school.”

The mayor added at the time that a “certain amount of folks” would come to him with “this problem,” and that “in my opinion – and this my opinion only – I think marijuana is a gateway to other drugs, heroin especially.”

Haines, during the Sept. 20 council meeting, said she would “like to ask Mr. Serlin, with council’s approval and consent, to maybe give us an outline of the types of marijuana facilities allowed by statute and where those facilities would be allowed under our current zoning.”

“I don’t want to put this off, and have it forgotten until the timeframe is up, and we have to make another kneejerk decision,” Haines declared. “I would like to see information on this and a discussion at a future meeting.”

The mayor retorted “you know how I feel about it” and “council knows how I feel about it.”

“It is like bingos and raffles and all kinds of stuff like that,” he said. “When we are having to start raising money that way, I am out!”

Brock added that he does not see “it” as “revenue source.”

“Why would they pay what they are going to pay in a commercial establishment when they can go down the street, 12 blocks away (to a neighborhood just outside the borough known for being an illegal drug transaction area), and buy whatever they want at a cheaper price?” Brock asked.

Hai ne s retor t e d that the “st at ut e (legalizing cannabis businesses and adult use for individuals over the age of 21) is there for a reason,” or “for us to work with it.”

“If you all have made up your mind you don’t want any part of it, then I’ll have to live with that,” the council president declared.

“But that is not the sense I got when we had this conversation before. I am just trying to bring it up to keep the topic alive.”

Griffin then told he Haines he “would bring it up anytime she wants,” adding, “I am certainly not one who would shy from any discussion, Bonnie.”

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PERSONNEL (Continued from Page 11)

And if we are going to do this … then pay them!”

“Our people are working with less every day! Here at the high school, class sizes are 25 students, plus. Desks are less than 3 feet apart! … Our lunch periods are shortened, prep periods diminished, but workloads have increased! So, I plead with you! Help us! Stop the insanity! Say ‘no.’ It is time to stop doing ‘more with less!’”

Meyer, who began her remarks by asking, “Why do we put ourselves last?”, received loud cheers and applause from essentially all the non-administration district employees in attendance, with Scull also notably clapping her hands together.

Havers, in response, maintained that “the reality is” that he “wants to have more staff.”

“I have said this before and I will say it again, I didn’t want to cut anyone who we cut last year! Havers declared. “I didn’t want to cut anybody we cut two years ago! I didn’t want to cut anybody we cut three years ago.

This is not my desire! We are losing millions of dollars every year. That is the reality! I wish it was not. “…We are asking staff to ‘do more with less’ because we don’t have the same amount of funding as in the past!”

As for the transportation issues, after district employee Justine Miller took the board and administration to task for “always being reactive, instead of proactive,” and for not taking any meaningful action to address a shortage of bus drivers earlier this summer, given the district had such issues dating back to last year, Havers maintained he contacted the executive county superintendent to see if the governor would consider calling in the National Guard, and has also lobbied state educational officials to loosen the requirements to become a school bus driver, which became more burdensome in 2016.

The superintendent said he was advised just prior to the board meeting that the state was looking to establish a process to move school bus driver applicants to the front of the line.

“We get a lot of ‘executive orders,’” Havers asserted. “I wish we could get an ‘executive order’ changing the driver requirements.

Additionally, the superintendent said he was in talks with Sheppard Bus Service, of Millville, with offices in Trenton and Mays Landing, to provide for additional busing.

“Hopefully, they can pick up a couple of our high school runs,” Havers said. “That will help more high school students get to school on time. It will also make it a little bit easier for the middle school routes. So, we are working on it. Certainly, it is not as fast as I would like it (the process) to happen, but we do understand.”

The superintendent acknowledged that

JURY

(Continued from Page 1) to an altercation between Mr. Rivera and other persons near Mr. Rivera’s residence on Kinsley Road in the Sunbury Village area of Pemberton Township,” the state Attorney General’s Office said of the investigation into the matter. “When Officer Roberts arrived, he observed Mr. Rivera to be armed with a long scythe and advancing rapidly toward other individuals. Officer Roberts gave repeated commands for Mr. Rivera to drop the weapon, but Mr. Rivera did not comply and continued to advance toward those individuals. Officer Roberts then fired at Mr. Rivera, fatally wounding him.”

First aid was rendered to Rivera by officers arriving on scene, as well as by emergency medical personnel, the state

AD HOTLINE: (609) 801-2392 district officials did not “realize how severe the situation was” with a shortage of bus drivers in the district, even though that need was discussed in April.

“We are undergoing a transition in terms of transportation supervisors,” Havers said.

“It was not very manageable … that is for sure. I am not sure anybody realized how bad it would be. I am not sure that I did. …

There was no national news coverage over the summer that I can recall of the national shortage of bus drivers, but fair point, we should have known.”

Raising the issue of what occurred with the school bus with special needs students aboard was Kenneth Orangers, a bus driver of nine years “who loves his job.”

“What is the policy for students who are acting out on school buses?” Orangers asked.

“Yesterday, I would like to bring it to your attention, I was driving my school bus with special needs children aboard. I had another bus on the side of me. One of the students from that bus decided to throw a bottle out of it, hit my windshield with it, and broke my windshield. I had to calm my special needs students down, and it took me a few minutes.

“Today, I went back to the middle school, the principal came up to me, and said they found who the student was, but said, ‘We are not going to suspend him from the bus or anything. We are just going to put it on is IEP and note it in Genesis that he damaged the vehicle.’ In my eyes, it seems like the student just got away with doing damage to the vehicle and is not going to be reprimanded.”

Orangers went on to descr ibe an environment where “bus drivers are going out of our way” to make accommodations during the crisis, but “it seems like the students are treating us bad.”

“We get called names, there are fights on the bus and the middle school is not reprimanding its students,” said the bus driver, pointing out he is a district graduate.

“It is not fair to us bus drivers.”

Havers, in response to that account from Orangers, said he “understands we have a challenge” with “less drivers, which means we have less buses, which means we have more students on the buses.” He then declared that “some students – too many, actually – have not been in school for well over a year” due to the pandemic, and now that they are back in school, “some have severe emotional challenges.”

“Some we have to retrain them on how to behave in school,” the superintendent said.

“That is definitely going to take some work and some time.”

As for the specific incident, Havers maintained that school principals are “addressing the issue, and reviewing the video cameras.” He said it the job of transportation officials to “write the student up,” and that if the bus driver has concerns with what actions were taken, he should

discuss the matter with Edmund Treadaway, the district’s new transportation director who started on the first day of school, and then if he is not satisfied with his response, talk with Smith.

But Scull, clearly agitated by the superintendent’s response to Orangers, excoriated the administration, pointing out district staff were putting their licenses on the line in some cases and deserved better than this.

“There are issues in this district that don’t seem to be ever addressed, such as a problem with the middle school and the administration not doing anything with the problem!” Scull said. “I have heard that complaint for years! And when you bring it up to administration, and I stood there (at the podium) to bring it up before too, you hear, ‘Oh, well the administration is doing the best they can.’ That is why my two granddaughters are going to school in a different township. Why? Because the administration at the middle school doesn’t deal with the problem.

“Years ago, if a kid broke a windshield, their parents were responsible for paying to repair that windshield! What is going on?

Something needs to be done! Kids need to be held accountable. They get away with what you let them get away with! That has unfortunately been happening here for too many years – an attitude of, ‘It’s only Pemberton kids, who cares, they are all a bunch of hoodlums anyway.’ That attitude needs to change! They need to be taught right from wrong!”

Scull recounted an incident from a couple of years ago in which there was a fight “at the middle school.” Five girls, she said, were let off the hook because they told administrators “‘our parents told us we could fight.’”

“Excuse me!” Scull declared. “The parents told them to fight, so you didn’t do anything with them? How about telling them, ‘You want them to fight, fight in your own backyard! You fight in our building, then you are going out of it in handcuffs.’ You will see it stop! Because they will get away with what you allow them to get away with!”

Scull added that in regard to teachers having to use their sick days to follow district quarantining guidelines, “I don’t think it is right,” adding that “I do believe the district can do something about that,” by creating a “policy under personnel.”

Havers did not address the concerns about teachers being charged sick days for quarantining, except to note that “students that have symptoms are being sent home” and “parents are being advised all the time to not send their kids here” if symptomatic for COVID. Ma ldon a do, howeve r, not e d h e r ob s er vat ion “t h at she s e e s p e ople complaining about COVID, contact tracing and testing,” while “you are not even social

Attorney General’s Office said.

Rivera was then transported to Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 10 p.m.

“An autopsy determined that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds,” the state Attorney General’s Office noted.

After hearing testimony and evidence from the investigation, the grand jury concluded its deliberations on Sept. 21, and voted “no bill,” meaning “a majority of grand jurors found the actions of the officer who shot Mr. Rivera were justified and no charges should be filed against him,” according to the state Attorney General’s Office.

“After considering the facts, evidence, and testimony from the OPIA investigation, the state grand jury found the actions of the officer were justified,” said the state Attorney General’s Office, emphasizing grand jury presentations are conducted in a neutral, objective manner, and with appropriate

transparency regarding the process. “An officer may use deadly force in New Jersey when the officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect the officer or another person from imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm.”

While it took over two years for the process to play out, the Pine Barrens Tribune previously published an eyewitness account from Sennasha Kinlaw, who lived next door to Rivera’s residence, in which she repeatedly noted that she can’t stand the police, but that “the cop came out and did his job.”

Kinlaw, who spoke to another media outlet as well, had described to this newspaper that the police officer “begged” Rivera to “‘cut it out, cut it out,’” and “‘drop your weapon,’” but that he had refused to do so. Rivera, she maintained at the time, “proceeded to cut those boys heads off (those involved in the altercation) with the big pitchfork knife (long scythe).” The police officer, she told this

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

♦ Page 15

Photo By Douglas D. Melegari

Superintendent Jeffrey Havers responds to the charges that “egregious conditions” are happening in Pemberton Schools.

distancing in the audience.” School board meeting attendees were required to wear masks, in accordance with a mandate from the governor.

“Do you really think this mask will protect you, 100 percent?” she asked. “We have to change the way we think.”

T h e b o a r d v i c e p r e s i d e nt , w ho acknowledged “she doesn’t sugarcoat anything,” continued that COVID had turned her into a “giant germophobic,” but did note that “I am the first one to go headto-head in battle for you, the taxpayers, and students.”

Tom Bauer, president of the school board, ended the latest school board meeting by declaring that the school board members were “absorbing what you are saying.”

“We do listen to you, and do hear you,” he said. “When I first came on the board, a couple terms back, a lot of people just shook their head and said, ‘You all just agree with the administration.’ That is so wrong! We go to the committee meetings (the board has various committees such as finance, and administration) and a lot of questions are asked. We don’t accept a lot of things, argue and try to come up with the best solution.”

Following the sheer number of serious concerns conveyed about the safety of Pemberton Schools’ students and staff during the past two school board meetings, and several school board members acknowledging “they don’t have answers,” this newspaper asked Pemberton Township Business Administrator Daniel Hornickel if he or Mayor David Patriarca had any emergency powers allowing the municipal government to provide support to the school system.

“Neither the mayor, nor I have emergency powers in relation to the school district,” Hornickel replied. “Aside from offering the intervention of the Police Department, the township is willing to assist the district administration if requested to do so.” newspaper, had even fired a warning shot, but Rivera, still would not drop the weapon.

The fatal shooting, intertwined with another that same night, was followed by a tense standoff between residents of Sunbury Village and police. Kinlaw, in speaking out at the time, said she was doing so because “if that (her account) is not put out there, you are going to have holy hell out here.”

Pe mb er ton Boroug h Pol ic e C h ief Edward Hunter, when reached by telephone following the announcement of the grand jury’s decision, declined to comment on it and referred this newspaper to the state Attorney General’s Office.

“We are not commenting beyond the press release we issued,” said Peter Aseltine, a spokesman for the state Attorney General’s Office. “Any questions regarding Officer Roberts’ job status would need to be directed to the Pemberton Borough Police Department.”

Page 16 ♦

LOCAL NEWS / FEATURES

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Saturday, October 2, 2021

Protecting Yourself Against HPV Tuesday, October 5, 2021 | 6 p.m.

Zoom Meeting The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that every sexually active individual is infected by human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their life. Unfortunately, HPV can lay dormant and cause up to six different types of cancer years after infection.

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55+ Program: Create a Stress Toolbox!

Thursday, October 7, 2021 | 9 a.m.

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This event will be taking place virtually using Zoom. Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

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