By Lois Staas

News Correspondent

Cub Scouts of America Bellmawr Pack 185 is back. During the public portion of the Mayor and Council meeting, Leader Kim Gallagher expressed the Pac\’s desire to become involved in the community through civic involvement.

 

Gallagher commented that the scouts could be active with the VFW, EMS, and police department. Scouts have assisted placing flags on veteran\’s graves in the cemetery, participating in Memorial Day services, presenting wreaths, marching in the Fourth of July Parade, helping on town clean up days, raking fall leaves, and shoveling snow.

Pac 185 meets the first, second and fourth Monday of each month. The meeting place is usually the community center, but may be temporarily relocated to the Walnut Avenue VFW due to some renovations at the center.

Several supporters were on hand to attest to the development of core values such as good character, physical fitness, practical skills and service.

The early part of the evening was dedicated to honoring those students who won the Bellmawr Fire Department\’s Fire Prevention Poster Contest Winners of 2006.

Chief Burleigh, Fire Marshal Ralph R. Jones, and Chief Calhoun were present to publicly congratulate everyone.

Chief Burleigh said, \”The contest makes a big difference to the fire service in bringing fire safety home.\” Burleigh continued by saying these winners will go on to the county and winners there would receive computers and scholarships. Then, the state would choose one poster to be the state\’s poster, which would be mass-produced and displayed in stores throughout the towns in New Jersey.

Councilman John Bollinger added, \”Thanks to the fire department, the children who participated, and the parents who care.\”

Bellmawr\’s Officials, Educators and Fire Department, believing in fire safety through education, have united with the Bureau of Fire Safety to assist tomorrow\’s leaders in making Bellmawr a \”Fire Safe\” community.

\”We are proud to introduce the students who were recognized for outstanding effort in 2006 United States Savings Bond Competition, each receiving a $50.00 Savings Bond and also to recognize all participating schools.\” They said.

The following winners received a certificate and a $50 Savings Bond:

Bellmawr Park School-Michael Shannon; Kindergarten, Caitlyn Abrams; 1^st grade, Jennifer Shannon; 2^nd grade, Kyle Convey; 3^rd grade, Lissette Montesdcoca; 4^th grade.

Ethel M. Burke School- Gabby Vanart; Kindergarten, George Jacob; SE, Neena Maloney; 3^rd grade, Vanessa Charles, 3^rd grade, Nick Davis and Helen McAleer; 4^th grade.

Annunciation School-Richard Borman; Kindergarten, Aine Shield; 1^st grade, Jenna Saiia; 3^rd grade, Shawn Ryan; 4^th grade, Katie Foster; 5^th grade, Shannon Grega; 6^th grade, Brianna Guinta; 7^th grade, Katie Croce and Nicole Hezlep; 8^th grade.

Saint Francis de Sales School-Ava Kuehner; kindergarten, William Siefer; 2A, Sara Rossi; 3A, Natalie Moody; 6^th grade.

Bellmawr\’s students submitted hundreds of outstanding fire safety posters. All student and participants and our educators truly deserve recognition for their contribution to fire safety in our community.

During the regular part of the meeting, Reverend Harry Pressley and Mr. Robert Scarborough were appointed and sworn in as Class I Special Officers.

James Burleigh was appointed Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator. Harry Corcoran was appointed member to the Planning Board and Jasper Garagozzo was appointed alternate.

During his report councilman Peter DiGiambattissta relayed that the borough had worked on the budget the past couple of weeks. \”In two weeks we will meet with the auditor and accountant and hand the budget over to the state.\”

Councilman James D\’Angelo said, \”The last snow storm took a big hit on us. The ice is what hurt us. The guys did the best they could.\” About six water mains burst due to the extreme weather.

D\’Angelo continued, \”In regards to the two new Class I Officers, it is one hell of a ride. It\’s not a job, but an adventure.\”

Councilman Stephen Sauter also congratulated the new appointees, \”They are a welcome addition to the force.\”

New Jersey NEWS Round-Up Thursday March 8 by: jay lassiter reprinted with permission of Blue Jersey

Hoping to send a message to the President, the Assembly will vote on the Iraq troop surge today. \”We have the Department of Defense trying to act like the State Department,\” said Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, D-Bergen, a veteran of Desert Storm. Check back here on Blue Jersey for the vote tallies.   Residents have a common law right to video record public meetings here in the state says the NJ Supreme Court in a ruling yesterday. \”Openness is a hallmark of democracy – a sacred maxim of our government – and video is but a modern instrument in that evolving pursuit,\” wrote Chief Justice James R. Zazzali. \”Arbitrary rules that curb the openness of a public meeting are barricades against effective democracy.   During his campaign for Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker promised accessibility and \”face time\” with city residents. He\’s keeping that vow.   Here\’s the latest on the snub of Loretta Wienberg by the Bergen County dems. You might wanna hold your nose before reading. The more this battle rages on the uglier it gets, but one thing is clear and that is Loretta\’s ongoing support for (and from) the state\’s liberal netroots.   One gay couple had to shop around to find a township that would help them tie the knot. It took a while, but now the happy couple is just looking to live happily ever after. Finally.   Switching gears a bit, Trish Graber from NJ.com is reporting on the turnabout of the GOP regarding this probe by the Office of Legislative Services. Minority leader Leonard Lance promised a public airing, but now suddenly his party has gotted tight-lipped. Find out why.   The BurlCo GOP is fielding former Philly Flier to run for Assembly against Herb Conaway. Ironic that a left winger on the ice is a right winger in life. Judge for yourself. Did I miss something? Got a newsy tip? Lay it one me, Blue Jerseyans!

jay lassiter :: Thursday News Roundup

Faulkner Act (New Jersey)

The Optional Municipal Charter Law or Faulkner Act provides New Jersey municipalities with a variety of models of local government. This legislation is called the Faulkner Act in honor of the late Bayard H. Faulkner, former mayor of Montclair and chairman of the Commission on Municipal Government.

Overview

The Faulkner Act offers four basic plans (Mayor-Council, Council-Manager, Small Municipality and Mayor-Council-Administrator) and two procedures by which the voters of a municipality can adopt one of these plans. The Act provides many choices for communities with a preference for a strong executive and professional management of municipal affairs. Twenty-one percent of the municipalities in New Jersey, including the six most populous cities — Newark, Jersey City, Camden, Trenton, Paterson and Elizabeth — all govern under the provisions of the Faulkner Act. More than half of all New Jersey residents reside in municipalities with Faulkner Act charters.

In all Faulkner Act municipalities, regardless of the particular form, citizens enjoy the right of Initiative and referendum, meaning that proposed ordinances can be introduced directly by the people without action by the local governing body. This right is exercised by preparing a conforming petition signed by 10% of the registered voters who turned out in the last general election in an odd-numbered year (i.e., the most recent General Assembly election). Once the petition is submitted, the local governing body can vote to pass the requested ordinance, and if they refuse, it is then submitted directly to the voters.

History

The Faulkner Act was created to provide municipalities with greater flexibility than provided in New Jersey\’s traditional forms of government (City, Township, Borough, Town and Village) and to expand on the reforms provided in the Walsh Act and the 1923 Municipal Manager Law.

As originally enacted in 1950, the Faulkner Act provided for three forms of government: Mayor-Council, Council-Manager and Small Municipality. Within each form, letter codes designated predefined aspects of each form and its individual arrangement of options, such as partisan or nonpartisan elections, concurrent or staggered terms, all at large or a combination of ward and at large seats.

In 1981, the Faulkner Act was significantly amended. The letter codes were eliminated, and the number of varieties within each plan was greatly increased. The Council-Manager plan was amended to include the option of having a mayor chosen by the electorate. A new form, Mayor-Council-Administrator, was added. Municipalities were also given greater flexibility to amend their Faulkner Act charter without having to place the entire charter on the ballot.

Forms of Government

Read more

DETTERLINE
Barbara J.
(nee Hoefer), on March 6, 2007, of Bellmawr. Age 77.
Wife of the late William. Mother of Barbara A. Detterline. Survived by her granddoggie Zoey. Sister of K. Joy Matchett. Aunt of Bobby, David and Dale Matchett and Lucille Legidakes. Also survived by great nieces and nephews, a host of friends and her friend, Dr. Lisa Rink, whose love, caring & expertise gave us those few extra days to say good-bye.
Mrs. Detterline was a member of the Golden Girls Bowling League. She was a former cafeteria worker at Bell Oaks School. She also enjoyed spending time with her neighborhood friends.
There will be a viewing from 7 to 9pm Friday eve and 9 to 10am Saturday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, BELLMAWR. Funeral Service 10am Saturday at the funeral home. Entombment Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill. Family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in Mrs. Detterline\’s memory to the American Heart Assoc., 1 Union St., Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691, to the NJ Boxer Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 564, Middlesex, NJ 08846 or to the charity of the donor\’s choice.
Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to
Condolences@Gardner

MILLER, JASON J.
On March 5, 2007, of Gloucester City, NJ, age 25.
He is the beloved son of Debra Miller and loving nephew of Susan DiGiacomo, Rowe Iaanese, Jake Miller and Madeline Agnew. His dear aunt and Godmother Helen Vizcarrondo, cousins Angie, Jennifer, Samantha, Vincent, Faith, Eileen and many loving friends also survive him. Jason loved animals and worked at Debbie\’s Dog Parlor in Gloucester City.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the ETHERINGTON-CRERAN FUNERAL HOME, 700 POWELL ST., GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ. Jason\’s Memorial Service will be held at 8:00 PM. Interment is private at the request of the family.