source www.courierpostonline.com

The projected tax decrease is based on an equalized tax rate, which means tax rates will vary depending on municipality. As it stands, 22 of the county\’s 37 municipalities would get a county tax reduction, six would see county taxes stay the same and nine would receive a county tax increase. Those towns are Brooklawn, Gloucester City, Laurel Springs, Lawnside, Lindenwold, Pennsauken, Stratford, Voorhees and Woodlynne.

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News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

ALBANY, NY (04/14/2008; 1100)(readMedia)– New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today reminded prospective turkey hunters that the 2008 spring season opens for all hunters on May 1, and the special Youth Turkey Hunting Weekend will take place April 26-27.

\”Spring turkey season is one of the most popular hunting activities in New York, and I’m certain that hunters are already feeling a great sense of anticipation,\” Grannis said. \”DEC has embarked on several new initiatives in support of sound, scientific management of our wild turkey resource and we are pleased to report on some of those efforts as hunters look forward to another season in pursuit of this outstanding game bird.\”

It was another exciting year for wild turkey management and research in New York State. In 2007, DEC staff continued with the winter flock survey and a banding study designed to assess turkey survival and harvest rates. The spring 2007 season saw the second straight year of increased harvest, followed by an above-average nesting season where warm, relatively dry weather positively impacted nest success. The good production years during summer 2005 and 2007 combined to produce an exciting fall hunting season with an abundance of both juvenile and adult birds in the field.

 Forecast for Spring 2008 – The fifth annual Youth Turkey Hunt will be held on April 26-27, 2008. This is an excellent opportunity for youths ages 12-15 to spend time afield with experienced adult hunters gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to become safe and responsible members of the hunting community. We look forward to the great stories and pictures we receive from young hunters and their adult companions and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable hunt.

Other details of the youth turkey hunting weekend are as follows:

• Eligible hunters are youth 12-15 years of age, holding a junior hunting license and a turkey permit;
• Youth 12-13 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or relative over 21 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian. Youth 14-15 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or an adult over 18 years of age, with written permission from their parent or legal guardian;
• The accompanying adult must have a current hunting license and turkey permit. The adult may assist the youth hunter (including calling), but may not carry a firearm or bow, or kill or attempt to kill a wild turkey during the youth hunt;
• Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day; and
• The bag limit for the youth weekend is one bearded bird. This bird becomes part of the youth\’s regular season bag limit of 2 bearded birds. A second bird may be taken beginning May 1.
• All other wild turkey hunting regulations are in effect during the youth turkey hunting weekend.

The regular spring season opens on Thursday, May 1 and continues through Saturday, May 31, as it has for more than a decade. Other details of the 2008 spring turkey hunting season are as follows:

• Hunting is permitted in most areas of the State, except for New York City and Long Island;
• Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their small game hunting or sportsman license;
• Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day;
• Hunters may take 2 bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only 1 bird per day;
• Hunters may not use rifles or handguns. Hunters may hunt only with a shotgun and shot sizes no larger than # 2 or smaller than # 8, or with a bow and arrow;
• Successful hunters must fill out the tag which comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey shot; and
• Successful hunters must call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) within 48 hours to report any turkey shot.
• Hunters who take a bird with a leg band, in addition to reporting the bird via DECALS, are encouraged to call the \”800\” number listed on the band. The information you provide helps DEC staff better manage the wild turkey resource.

During spring 2007, due to excellent production during summer 2005 and a relatively mild winter, we observed a larger proportion of 2+ year old birds in the harvest than the previous year. This year, the above average nesting season during summer 2007 and another relatively mild winter throughout much of the state will likely result in good turkey numbers, but with a larger proportion of juvenile birds available to hunters than last year. Based on good productivity and winter survival, we anticipate that turkey harvest will be similar to last year.

Turkey Hunter Safety – New York has an extremely safety-conscious generation of hunters, largely due to the annual efforts of over 3,000 dedicated volunteer Sportsman Education instructors. While hunter numbers have declined in New York over the past decade, the decline in hunting-related shooting incidents is primarily attributable to improved hunter safety. The rate of hunting incidents (incidents per 100,000 hunters) is declining much faster than the number of hunters. During the 1960s, the incident rate was 19 incidents per 100,000 hunters. Since 2000, the incident rate is one-third of that, averaging 6.3 incidents per 100,000 hunters.

With 37 hunting-related shooting incidents, 2007 was the 5th safest year since such records have been maintained. Of this total, 5 were related to turkey hunting (2 during the spring season, 3 during the fall season). This is below the ten-year average for turkey hunting-related shooting incidents, and is the lowest number of incidents on record for spring turkey hunting. However, it is a reminder that even one accident is too many, so be sure to identify your target and beyond, and have a safe and enjoyable season.

For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the 2007-08 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or go to the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/29461.html.

Ewing, NJ–Due to a facilities situation, The College of New Jersey\’s home women\’s lacrosse game scheduled for Tuesday, April 15 with Elizabethtown College has been canceled and will not be rescheduled.

Ricky was in trouble — He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife
was really angry. She told him, \’Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the
driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 6 seconds AND IT HAD
BETTER BE THERE!!\’

The next morning, Ricky got up early and left for work. When the wife
woke up she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box
gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.

Confused and curious, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the
driveway, and brought the box back in the house.

She opened it and found a brand new…….bathroom scale!

Ricky has been missing since Friday.

Please pray for him…………….submitted by KenMac

More Chuckles

Media Release 4/14

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Senior Jon Gossard (Harrington Park, N.J.) was named to the BIG EAST Baseball Honor Roll, the league office announced on Monday.
Gossard was a key contributor in Rutgers’ three-game sweep Georgetown over the weekend. The senior catcher drove in 10 runs with a .400 on-base percentage in three games against the Hoyas. He had at least one hit in all three games.

Gossard led a seven-run inning with a grand slam to put the Scarlet Knights ahead for good against the Hoyas in the series opener on Friday. He later drove in another run on a single. The cleanup hitter finished with seven RBI (a season high for a Scarlet Knight) and accounted for eight total runs in the contest.

In Saturday’s game, he collected one hit, walked once and scored an important run in the eighth inning as RU won 5-3.

In Sunday’s series finale, Gossard drove in three more runs with a 2-for-5 day. Down 1-0, he drove in a pair of runs with a single to left field to make it 2-1. Later in the game, he tied it up with another RBI single to left field. In the sixth inning, he made a nice defensive play when, with a man on second and one out, he followed a strikeout with a throw to second base to pick off the base runner and end the inning.

The senior also pinch hit and earned a walk in his lone appearance during the midweek against Delaware.

Gossard is the third Scarlet Knight to be recognized by the league this season. Freshman Jaren Matthews (Teaneck, N.J.) was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week on March 31, while sophomore Casey Gaynor (Toms River, N.J.) was named the league’s Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 25.

Rutgers (12-19, 5-7 BIG EAST) opens a seven-game homestand on Tuesday with a 3:30 p.m. against Fordham at Bainton Field.

By Bill Cleary

Tuesday, the annual school election is being held throughout the state. In Gloucester City Polls are open from 2 PM to 9 PM.

There are four individuals seeking the three seats that are opened for full terms (three years). They include: Kathleen P. McHugh, Bob Bennett Sr., Jacqueline Borger and write-in-candidate James Everett.

And there are three individuals seeking the one seat for a one-year unexpired term; James Everett, Edward Hubbs and John Schmidt.

Instructions on how to cast a write-in-vote is written on the sample ballot that you should have received in the mail if you are a registered voter. If you are confused then take the instructions with you when you go to cast your vote.

Residents are also being asked to cast a vote for or against the amount to be raised by local taxes, which is $2,976,018.

As for a recent letter that appeared on CNB written by a Concerned Citizen with the headline \”Are Some Gloucester City Board Members still being pushed Around by Supt.?\”

The letter inferred that the School Board had already decided not to re-appoint School Physician Dr. Carl Vitola and Board Solicitor Len Woods.

According to sources School Superintendent Paul Spaventa did recommend to the Board that both individuals be replaced. However, that decision will not be voted on until the Board’s reorganization meeting on April 24^th.

Dr. Vitola has served the district for more than a decade. And Mr. Woods’s law firm has represented the Board for four years.

Each year the contracts for professional services are renewed for a one year term. The Professional Services are: School Board Attorney, School Board Auditor, Architect, and General Physician. The filing deadline for those interested in these positions is April 18th. The contracts begin April 25th.

It is not unusual for the Superintendent to recommend someone else to provide these services. Ultimately however it is the majority members of Board that make the final decision on who is appointed to these positions.

My sources suggest that the present members of the Board will bow to the recommendations of the Superintendent when it comes to the re-appointment of Dr. Vitola and Mr. Woods.

It appears then that the future of Dr. Vitola and Mr. Woods employment depends on who is elected in Tuesday\’s election.

Residents who are supporters of both men should ask the candidates if they intend to vote to rehire the doctor and the solicitor.

PILIRO James

On April 11, 2008. Age 67. Of Gloucester City. Loving father of Grace Marie Piliro Yates, James Piliro, Jr. and John Charles Piliro. Loving and caring grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of 5. Predeceased by his brothers Gerald and Garry Piliro and survived by his brothers; Ronald, Louie, John and sisters; Janet and Brenda.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 pm at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street (at Brown St.) Gloucester City.

Baptist Religious Service will begin at 8 pm in the funeral home officiated by Dr. Jim Doster of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Gloucester City .

At the request of the family, cremation will be private.

Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of James Piliro.