Day: December 12, 2019

Virginia G. “Ginny” Giacobbe) of Mt. Ephraim

Virginia G. “Ginny” Giacobbe (nee Vernamonti), on December 9, 2019, of Mt. Ephraim. Age 86.

Beloved wife of 66 years of Dominic Giacobbe. Devoted mother of Charles (Linda), Christopher (Pamela), Thomas (Margaret), James (Lisa), Dominic (Jackie) and Elaine Colton (Paul). Loving grandmother of 15 and great grandmother of four. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Giacobbe was a member of the PTA in the Mt. Ephraim schools. She was also a volunteer for Mt. Ephraim midget football and little league.

There will be a viewing from 6 to 8pm Sunday eve and 9:45 to 10:45am Monday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Funeral Mass 11:30am Monday at St. Rose of Lima RC Church, Haddon Hts.

Entombment New St. Mary’s Mausoleum, Bellmawr.

SJ Gas 2019 First Responders Grant Program Winners

FOLSOM, NJ,

December 11, 2019 – Today South Jersey Gas, a subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI), announced the winners of its annual

First Responders

Grant Program

. This year, seven grants totaling over $30,000 were awarded to local first responder

departments.

“At South Jersey Gas we’re proud to support the hardworking, dedicated first responders who serve our communities every day,” said Dave Robbins, president of South Jersey Gas. “We are proud to partner with this year’s winners and support their continued efforts to make out neighborhoods better, safer places to live and work.”

The 2019

First Responders Grant Program

recipient departments and projects include:

Deptford Fire Department

– to purchase combustible gas detection equipment and a gas monitoring meter.

Egg Harbor City Fire Department

– to purchase protective hoods and gloves.

Heislerville Volunteer Fire Company

– to purchase protective fire helmets and hoods.

Reliance Fire Company

– to purchase SCBA masks and cylinders.

Runnemede Fire Company No. 1

– to purchase protective hoods.

Tabernacle Fire Company No. 1

– to purchase a thermal imaging camera and a gas monitoring meter.

Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department

– to support the purchase of a dual-band radio.

Through the

First Responders Grant Program,

South Jersey Gas provides critical support to help operations, improve safety measures and/or provide training at local first responder departments. With applications from first responder departments that serve municipalities across the utility’s service area, South Jersey Gas conducts a thorough and competitive selection process to determine the grant recipients.

The

First Responders Grant Program

will be offered again in Fall 2020. Program information is available on the South Jersey Gas website at:

southjerseygas.com/community

.

About South Jersey Gas

South Jersey Gas, subsidiary of SJI (NYSE:SJI), delivers safe, reliable, affordable natural gas and promotes energy efficiency to approximately 385,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and portions of Gloucester, Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey. For more information, visit

southjerseygas.com

.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY! They Say We Die Twice—

“They say we die twice – once when the last breath

leaves our body and once when the last person we know says our name.”  ~

Al Pacino (Standup Guys)

Rutgers‒Camden Nursing Students Visit Elderly Camden City Residents

TO THE POINT

:

CAMDEN –          Yaazmyn Rosa’s weekly visit to Camden’s Northgate II affordable housing complex to help residents manage their healthcare needs is one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences in her education at

Rutgers University‒Camden

.

Rosa and her classmates in the

accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program

are among a team of health care workers and social workers who provide in-home consultations to solve complex care issues for elderly residents.

“What you’re learning in class, you’re able to put it in practice,” says Rosa, of Moorestown, who is graduating in January 2020.

Working alongside Northgate II social workers, the Rutgers–Camden students conduct health assessments using the “Age-Friendly 4Ms Framework,” a national movement sponsored by the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. The framework evaluates what matters to the individual regarding medication, mentation, and mobility. Students check for health issues common to elders, including depression, dementia, and risk for falls; review medications; and advise residents on health-related issues that are important to them.

Some aspects of the assessment lend themselves more to the strengths of the social work staff, while some assessments require someone with a nursing background.

“I think a lot of these senior citizens don’t know where to start” when faced with many health and social problems. “I think having someone to talk to and go through the assessment process with them is important,” says nursing student Emily Kahn of Cherry Hill. “We ask them, are you able to do these things by yourself? Just because a person looks like they are able to take care of themselves, and bathe themselves, and clean their house, and get themselves dressed in the morning, doesn’t always mean they feel confident doing so.”

Since 2018, Rutgers School of Nursing‒Camden students have had the opportunity to work with

Northgate II

residents through the

New Jersey Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program

(NJGWEP), led by the Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM). It is a unique partnership between Rowan and the Rutgers School of Nursing‒Camden to provide interprofessional experiential learning to students in managing elderly residents’ complex care issues.

The experience at Northgate II is educational, rewarding, and helps to boost the students’ confidence in their nursing skills.

“All of us started there thinking, ‘we don’t know what we are doing,’” says Kahn. “It was nice to work together as a team, and say, ‘ok, I can explain this’ and ‘I can help them with these issues.’”

The NJGWEP, funded by a $3.75 million grant to the Rowan SOM from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports grantees in developing a health care workforce that is prepared to integrate geriatric practice into primary care and promote best practices in caring for older individuals. The program provides a framework that allows residents and their families to participate in decision-making and is based on person-centered care.

Sometimes working with the residents requires simply providing some education or educational materials about how to handle a health issue, or ways to stay safe in their homes. In other instances, students may recommend that a resident have a follow-up visit with their primary care provider because they are having issues with memory, or having trouble walking, or could benefit from a medication review.

Rosa and her classmate Carmen Iossa successfully collaborated to help a patient who had numerous questions and concerns about his health issues.

“What I didn’t know, Carmen would provide the answer,” says Rosa. “When he didn’t know something, someone on the team would pick up on it, and by the end of the interview, the patient was happy. He got answers to all of the questions he had.”

“The program builds interprofessional collaboration into the experience,” says

Margaret Avallone

, a clinical assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Nursing‒Camden and leader of the project for Rutgers–Camden’s involvement in the NJGWEP grant. “Learning to work in teams is so important because that is how they’re going to work after they graduate.”

Iossa says working with the Northgate II residents has given him new experiences that will be useful throughout his career. One of Iossa’s patients did not speak English. “It was a good experience for me, because a lot of times you’re not going to speak the same language as a patient,” says the Cherry Hill resident who will graduate in January. Iossa worked with a Spanish-speaking social worker who interpreted as they arranged a home health aide for a patient who had suffered two strokes and was no longer able to perform basic daily activities. Now, the home health aide comes to the man’s home five days a week, doing chores such as cleaning his apartment.

“That was an accomplishment,” says Iossa. “He had a lot of stuff in his apartment, and clutter in the corner, where there is a cord that he can pull to alert the building staff that he needs assistance. If he fell down, there’s no way he would have been able to get to it to call for help.”

Polling Confirms Support Across Eastern Regions for Transportation Improvements

Two-Thirds of Registered Voters Support Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Distributors Paying for Pollution; Survey Covers Seven States in Region: CT, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA and VA.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 11, 2019) –

A

new survey from MassINC Polling

Group shows that 66 percent of voters in seven Eastern states (Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia) support modernizing the region’s transportation network. Specifically, two out of three registered voters overall support the idea that companies distributing gasoline and diesel fuel should pay for the pollution they create, with the proceeds being available to states “to make transportation … better, cleaner and more resilient to the effects of climate change.” The MassINC Polling Group survey was conducted November 12-19, 2019 among 6,395 registered voters.

The seven states included in the survey are members of the

Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)

– a coalition of 12 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and Washington, D.C. working to develop a regional policy to better provide cleaner transportation options for residents of urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Below are responses to the MassINC survey from members of

Our Transportation Future

– a coalition of 64 leading environmental, scientific, transportation, health, and business organizations advocating in support of TCI.

\”New Yorkers agree that improving our transportation system goes hand-in-hand with fighting climate change. An overwhelming majority of New Yorkers support joining TCI to reduce transportation emissions – the state\’s biggest contributor to climate change – and making investments in mass transit like the MTA.\”

— Julie Tighe, president, New York League of Conservation Voters.

\”Governor Baker has been leading the multi-state, bipartisan effort known as the Transportation & Climate Initiative. Today’s poll results make clear that Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly support this policy and the modernized infrastructure and cleaner air that it will bring. This program isn’t just popular, it is sound, sensible public policy.\”

— Chris Dempsey, director, Transportation for Massachusetts.

“The Transport Hartford Academy is not surprised to see that 69% of Connecticut respondents supported the Transportation & Climate Initiative approach.  In this poll, 76% of residents supported improved transit and 73% supported complete streets that provide safe alternatives to driving.  Connecticut residents are clamoring for a more sustainable transportation system.”

— Anthony Cherolis, coordinator, Transport Hartford, Center for Latino Progress.

“Transportation is the lifeblood of communities across the region and the linchpin in their advancement. It has never been more vital for states to think and act boldly when it comes to reimagining their transportation futures. From Massachusetts to Virginia, voters recognize the urgency and support a better, cleaner and more resilient transportation system. Our communities are deserving, and without question, our states should lead and deliver.”

— Bruce Ho, senior advocate, Climate & Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council

“The scientific evidence is clear: we must cut emissions to fight climate change. People across the region recognize the importance and urgency of this issue, and it’s clear that there’s no solution to the climate crisis without reducing emissions from transportation. Let’s put science into action and build a clean, modern transportation system that works for everyone.”

— Daniel Gatti, senior policy analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists.

\”TCI presents a valuable opportunity to both mitigate the impacts of climate change and drive economic growth in communities throughout the region. It\’s clear both businesses and the public want a modernized, efficient, and sustainable transportation system that allows people to easily get to work.\”

— Alli Gold Roberts, director of state policy, Ceres.

“The poll shows that people across the region want proactive leadership to address our transportation and climate challenges. We need bold solutions to make the shift to a clean transportation future, and an ambitious TCI program can jumpstart that transition.”

— Jordan Stutt, carbon programs director, Acadia Center.

\”People across the Northeast are ready to shift away from the status quo of our ineffective, outdated and polluting transportation. Expanding access to electric vehicles, public transit, and walkable and bikeable communities will save lives, create new jobs, and help people get where they\’re going faster.\”

— Mark Kresowik, regional deputy director, Sierra Club.

ABOUT OUR TRANSPORTATION FUTURE

Our Transportation Future

is a coalition of local, regional, and national organizations committed to modernizing transportation across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. OTF is focused on improving our transportation system — the ways we move people and goods in the region – to spur economic growth, make us healthier and safer, clean up the environment, and improve our quality of life.  An improved transportation system means more clean cars and trucks, more reliable mass transit, more walkable and bikeable communities, and investments that connect everyone, including those in underserved and rural areas.

OTF members include:  A Better City, Acadia Center, Appalachian Mountain Club, Center for Sustainable Energy, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, Ceres, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Clean Air Council, Clean Water Action, Climate Law and Policy Project, Climate XChange, Connecticut Fund for the Environment / Save the Sound, Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, ConnPIRG, Conservation Law Foundation, Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), Energize Maryland, Environment America, Environment Connecticut, Environment Massachusetts, Environment Maryland, Environment Maine, Environment New Hampshire, Environment New Jersey, Environment New York, Environment Rhode Island, Environment Virginia, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Greater Prince William Climate Action Network, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, Green For All, Health Care Without Harm, the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Maine Conservation Voters, Maryland PIRG, Massachusetts Climate Action Network, Massachusetts Public Health Association, MassINC Gateway Cities Innovation Institute, MassPIRG, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), The Nature Conservancy, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, New Jersey Sustainable Business Council, New York League of Conservation Voters, NJPIRG, Northeast Clean Energy Council, PennEnvironment, Philadelphia Solar Energy Association, Rail Passengers Association, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Sierra Club, Transport Hartford Academy at the Center for Latino Progress, Transportation for America, Transportation for Massachusetts, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Union of Concerned Scientists, U.S. PIRG, Vermont Conservation Voters, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, Vermont Natural Resources Council, and 350 MASS for A Better Future.

Theodore S. Wypych of Bellmawr age 76

Theodore S. Wypych, on December 10, 2019, from Bellmawr; formerly of Camden. Age 76.

Beloved husband of the late Joanne (nee Olesiewicz). Devoted father of Marie-Ellen (Greg), Lisa (Paul), Suzanne (Michael), Deborah (Michael), and Nancy (Richard). Loving Dziadzi of Alexandria (Nick), Corinne (Julio), Kelsey, Samantha (Alex), Theodore John, and Camryn and great grandfather “Big D” of Gavin. Brother of the late Nicholas. Also survived by nieces, nephews, and many friends and acquaintances.

Theodore was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was co-owner of Specialty Wire Works in Camden and retired from Rapid Forms. His friends knew him as “Teddy Crocker” for his love of baking. Theodore loved his family fishing trips, scratch offs, and enjoyed his happy hour at Benedict’s Place. He loved to talk on the phone and particularly enjoyed weekly conversations with Paul.

There will be a viewing from 11am to 1pm Friday at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, BELLMAWR.

Funeral service 1pm at the funeral home.

Interment New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Theodore’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Newtown Creek Superfund Site Study Area in New York City; Public Comment Extended

NEW YORK

(December 10, 2019) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period for its proposed plan that evaluates impacts of the current and expected future volume of combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges to the Newtown Creek Superfund Site Study Area in New York City to

January 27, 2020

. EPA added Newtown Creek to its Superfund National Priorities List of the country’s highest priority hazardous waste sites in September 2010, and investigations of the entire site are ongoing.

The Newtown Creek Superfund Site Study Area is comprised of the waters and sediments of Newtown Creek in Brooklyn and Queens. Outside of the Superfund process, the City of New York is under order by the State of New York to implement a CSO Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) for Newtown Creek. The LTCP, which was approved by the state in June 2018, includes a number of components to reduce future CSO discharges to the creek, including construction of a storage tunnel.  The LTCP is ultimately anticipated to reduce the volume of CSO discharges to Newtown Creek by approximately 61%, and to achieve waterbody-specific water quality standards under the Clean Water Act. EPA evaluated the LTCP in the context of the Superfund site to determine if the volume reductions anticipated under the LTCP are sufficient to meet the needs of the future cleanup of the Superfund site. EPA has determined that the water pollution volume controls prescribed by the LTCP that the city and state will implement, in accordance with requirements of the Clean Water Act, are sufficient to meet the needs of an eventual Superfund cleanup for the Study Area of the Newtown Creek Superfund Site. The EPA anticipates requiring monitoring of the four largest CSOs to confirm the assumptions made in this proposed plan.

The EPA is conducting in-depth investigations of the extent of the contamination at the entire Newtown Creek Superfund Site in order to determine how best to clean it up over the long-term. This proposed plan is for one aspect of the site.

The EPA will determine in the future whether additional control actions, either in the creek or at CSO points-of-discharge, are needed to address the cleanup of the full site. These additional control actions could include the placement of sediment traps and/or oil sorbent pads at the end of CSO discharge pipes and in-creek maintenance dredging to address potential accumulation of contaminated solids near the CSO discharges.

During the public comment period, EPA’s two public meetings in New York City are being held to inform the public of EPA’s proposed plan for reducing the volume of CSO discharges to the creek, and to receive public comments on the proposed plan and other options that were considered. The first public meeting was held on December 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street in Queens and the second meeting will be held on December 11 at 6:30 p.m. at P.S. 110, 124 Monitor Street in Brooklyn.

Written comments on the proposed plan, postmarked no later than close of business January 27, 2020, may be emailed to

schmidt.mark@epa.gov

or mailed to Mark Schmidt, U.S. EPA, 290 Broadway, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007.

To view the EPA’s proposed plan for the site, please visit

www.epa.gov/superfund/newtown-creek

Using Elaborate Fraud Scheme Gang Stole Over $3 Million from Various Banks

Only in New Jersey!!!

Three defendants pleaded guilty to third-degree charges and were sentenced to probation. Five defendants were admitted into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program and had their charges dismissed ~

CNBNews editor

TRENTON

–Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a fourth leader was sentenced to state prison today in connection with an elaborate fraud scheme in which the participants used fictitious identities to obtain credit cards and open bank accounts that they used to steal approximately $3 million from various banks. A total of 14 defendants were charged in the joint state and federal investigation.

Aqeel Sheikh, 58, of Newark, N.J.

, was sentenced today to seven years in state prison by Superior Court Judge Candido Rodriguez Jr. in Union County. He pleaded guilty previously to charges of conspiracy and money laundering. Another ringleader was sentenced last month.

Naim Tahir, 51, of Clark, N.J.,

was sentenced on Nov. 15 to seven years in prison by Superior Court Judge Robert Kirsch. He also pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and money laundering.

Two additional leaders of the scheme were sentenced to prison earlier this year by Judge Rodriguez as a result of the investigation.

Shaikh Dawood, 61, of Cranford, N.J.

, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft by deception and was sentenced to eight years in prison on March 8, 2019.

Mohammad Zaman, 46, of Staten Island, N.Y.

, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft by deception and was sentenced to five years in prison on Feb. 1, 2019. A fifth defendant,

Hassan Shahbaz, 46, of Jersey City, N.J.

, pleaded guilty to first-degree charges of conspiracy and money laundering. He faced a recommended sentence of eight years in prison, with three years of parole ineligibility, but he was deported prior to sentencing.

Deputy Attorney General Thomas Huynh and former Deputy Attorney General Brian Faulk took the guilty pleas, and DAG Huynh handled the sentencing hearings for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Cyber Crimes Bureau. The defendants were charged in an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness, U.S. Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Office of Criminal Investigation. Those agencies were assisted by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Department, Clark Police Department, Secaucus Police Department, and Jersey City Police Department.

“This type of credit card fraud involving stolen and false identities imposes huge costs on the financial services industry and ultimately on consumers,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We are committed to working with the industry and our state and federal partners to investigate and aggressively prosecute these crimes.”

“This was a complex case involving hundreds of fraudulent credit cards and millions of dollars in transactions,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “I commend the attorneys and detectives in our Financial & Cyber Crimes Bureau and all of the agencies that partnered with us to skillfully investigate this criminal ring and secure prison sentences for its leaders.”

“This complex sort of scheme of credit card fraud harms both commerce and consumers and nationwide results in billions of dollars in financial losses yearly,” said Brian Michael, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Newark. “In this case, all of the underhanded maneuvering of the defendants was no match for the cooperative efforts of law enforcement that exposed the scheme and delivered justice.”

“This investigation is an excellent example of a partnership between state and federal law enforcement agencies, working together to bring down a sophisticated bank fraud network,” said USPIS Inspector In Charge James V. Buthorn. “I fully commend the hard work put forth by all of the agencies involved, which resulted in bringing this group of fraudsters to justice. Postal Inspectors will continue to tirelessly investigate these types of financial crimes that utilize the U.S. Postal Service to facilitate illicit activities.”

“This elaborate scheme harmed not only the financial services industry, but also the integrity of the Social Security number as an identifier,” said John Grasso, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Division. “I want to thank the Attorney General’s Office and our Federal and State law enforcement partners for pursuing this investigation and dismantling the scheme. We will continue to work with other agencies to prevent the misuse of Social Security numbers for personal gain.”

“A criminal enterprise of this scale and sophistication speaks to the modern challenges of protecting consumers and financial institutions from fraud,” said N.J. State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “Treasury is proud to have contributed to this successful effort and we stand ready to continue working with our state and federal partners to ensure that perpetrators of similar financial schemes are brought to justice.”

Three other defendants – Rilvan Junaid, Mohammad Shakeel and Mohammad Khan – pleaded guilty to third-degree charges and were sentenced to probation. Five defendants – Aqeel Ahmed, Shama Musir, Faisal Mushtq, Shakeela Ahmed, and Huda Ahmed – were admitted into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program and had their charges dismissed. One defendant, Muhammad Bhatti, 68,

remains a fugitive.

The defendants created “synthetic” identities by pairing stolen Social Security numbers with fictitious names and birth dates, using them to open numerous checking and credit card accounts. They opened the accounts online to avoid face-to-face interaction with the financial institutions. Tahir was primarily responsible for creating the synthetic identities and applying for the bank accounts and credit cards, using personal identifying information supplied by Zaman.

Bad checks were deposited into the bank accounts so they could be used to make payments on the credit cards, which temporarily inflated the lines of credit on the cards. In addition, funds were withdrawn from the bank accounts via ATM and U.S. Postal Money Order Purchases before the bad checks were discovered. The defendants ultimately “busted out” the credit cards by running up the unpaid balances until they reached or exceeded the credit limits.

The scheme included a group of “merchants,” led by Shahbaz and Sheikh, who in many cases ran shell businesses set up solely to participate in the fraud. Under the direction of Dawood and other defendants, the merchants swiped the fraudulent credit cards using point of sale terminals and received reimbursement from credit card processing companies via wire transfer, while never actually providing any merchandise or services. The defendants split the proceeds. The bank accounts of the shell companies also were used to launder the proceeds of the scheme, with checks being written from one company to another as if they were conducting business.

Shahbaz, Sheikh, and Dawood set up USA United Trading, a business owned by Shahbaz that was opened for the sole purpose of defrauding financial institutions. USA United Trading held itself out as a carpet retailer, with a store front in Jersey City. USA United Trading conducted approximately $1.2 million in fraudulent credit card transactions.

The investigation began when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) received a referral from Wells Fargo Bank about a bad check case the bank was investigating. USPIS enlisted agents of the Social Security Administration and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations in Newark, who in turn enlisted the state agencies.

Former Deputy Attorney General Anthony Torntore presented the case the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Cyber Crimes Bureau. The lead investigators were Special Agent Bradley E. Greenberg of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations; Postal Inspector Brian Macdonald; former Lt. Harry Maronpot, former Detective Katelyn Prata, and former Detective James Gallo of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice; Special Agent Kristie Morgan of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General; and former Special Agent Matthew Henderson of the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Office of Criminal Investigation.

Defense Attorneys:

For Sheikh: Gregory S. Mullens, Esq., Calcagni Kanefsky LLP, Newark, N.J.

For Tahir: Luis O. Diaz, Esq., New York, N.Y.

4 Tips on How to Use Social Media to Improve Your Small Business

Did you know that77.6% of small businesses use social media to promote their businesses?

Facebook is the most popular platform for small businesses to use, followed by LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, their own blog, Pinterest, and Instagram.

So if you’re a small business who is looking to improve your business with social media, then you need to discover our top tips on how you can use social media to boost your business.

Be Discoverable

One of the most important things to do to improve your social media efforts is to make sure your business is discoverable. Whether your business is on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest, you need to make sure you are using the right keywords so people can find your business.

Place your keywords in category tags, description boxes, and photos, to ensure your business has maximum coverage. But remember not to keyword stuff, ensure that your phrasing is natural.

Use Statistics and Analyse Your Results

Understanding Facebook statistics

can greatly impact the success of your social media efforts. For example, if you know who your audience is, where you can find them online, and what time or days they use Facebook then you should be able to target your key audience using carefully thought out campaigns. This works with other platforms too, so make sure you research who is most prominent on each channel and what time they use it most.

You can also use your own Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn statistics to figure out what type of content creates the most engagement and what your audience wants to see. Once you’ve worked out what works best make sure you create more content like it.

Create Relevant Content

So many businesses and brands make the mistake of creating content that their audience doesn’t care about. When it comes to social media you need to make sure that you create relevant content for your audience. For example, create useful how-to blogs about your products, create exciting videos about your business, and post images that your followers want to see.

The best way to find out what is relevant is by testing the waters and seeing what your audience responds and interacts with most. If you get the most engagement from posting photos and videos, then focus your content in this format.

Don’t Promote Yourself Too Much

Businesses that always post about their products or services often lose followers and don’t gain much engagement, that’s because your audience doesn’t always want to be sold your business, they also want fun content. The social media rule of thumb is to post 80% of your content so that it can inform, educate, or entertain your audience. The other 20% of your content can be directly promoting your business.

 

Msgr. Thomas J. McIntyre, Supt. of Diocese Schools, former GCHS Principal, Rams Alum

GLASSBORO, NJ (Dec. 12, 2019)–The Rev. Thomas J. McIntyre,  age 77, of Glassboro, NJ, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Dec. 6, 2019.

Rev. Thomas J. McIntyre

Born in Camden, NJ to the late James P. and Catherine (Goldthorp) McIntyre, he is the beloved brother of Jeanette Reilly of Glassboro and the late Rev. Msgr. James P. McIntyre. Devoted uncle of Janice (Tony) Lanteigne, Richard (Jodi) Winters, Christopher (Tara) Reilly, Kevin Reilly, Maureen (Mike) Collazo, Donna (Brendan) Shaw. Uncle to 14 great-nieces and nephews.

Raised in Westville, Msgr. McIntyre graduated from Gloucester Catholic HS, Mount St. Mary\’s College in Emmitsburg, MD and Gregorian University, Rome, Italy. Ordained at St. Peter\’s Basilica, in Rome, Italy on December 17, 1966, he later received his Master\’s Degree in Secondary Education Administration from Villanova University. Msgr. was a faithful leader in the Camden Diocese for many years having served as Vocation Coordinator at St. Joseph HS in Hammonton beginning in 1970 and later Administrative Assistant at Sacred Heart HS, Vineland in 1975.

In 1976 he became Principal of Gloucester Catholic HS and in 1982 was named Superintendent of Schools after briefly serving as Assoc. Superintendent earlier that year. In 1991 he became Vicar for Pastoral Services for the Diocese and in 1999 was made Episcopal Vicar for Catholic Schools. He also served on the Continuing Education & Spiritual Formation of Priests, Priests Council, Priest Personnel Board, Inter-parochial Board, College of Consulters and Presbyteral Council.

Msgr. McIntyre also served as Executive Editor of the Catholic Star Herald in the 1980\’s and was well known for his \”Teachable Moments\” column where his many inspirational writings will forever be cherished. He touched the lives of many during his pastoral ministry where he served as Pastor of St. Jude Parish in Blackwood 1992-2000, St. Peter Celestine, Cherry Hill 2000-2004 and Our Lady Star of the Sea, Cape May from 2004 to 2010 at which time he retired after suffering a head injury after a fall on the ice. He continued to demonstrate immense courage after his accident and devoted himself to the prayerful support of others while in the care of his sister in her home. Msgr. McIntyre was an amazing and humble man. His love for Christ, his family, his parishioners, and friends was always evident in his words and actions. He was an avid Eagles and Phillies Fan. Visitation Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 from 9-10:45 am, Incarnation RC Church, 240 Main St., Mantua. Mass of Christian Burial, 11 am, Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D., Bishop of Camden, principal Celebrant.

Burial beside his beloved parents and brother in New St. Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be offered to the Msgr. Thomas J. McIntyre Memorial Scholarship Fund for Gloucester Catholic HS, c/o Jeanette Reilly, 14 Ealey Ct., Glassboro, NJ 08028. (Spilker Funeral Home, Cape May) Info and condolences:

spilkerfuneralhome.com