Month: December 2019

Lindenwold Chief of Police Thomas J. Brennan Retires

LINDENWOLD, NJ (December 30, 2019)—-The Lindenwold Police Department announces that Chief Thomas J. Brennan (photo)will retire on December 31, 2019, after thirty years of dedicated service to the community. Chief Brennan began his law enforcement career with the Camden County Sheriff’s Department in December 1989. On January 27, 1992, Chief Brennan was hired by the Lindenwold Police Department.

Over the course of the next 27 years of his career Chief Brennan steadily rose through the ranks. He was promoted to Sergeant in June 1999, Lieutenant in March 2007 and ultimately Chief of Police on April 4, 2012.

During his successful career Chief Brennan also served on the Community Policing Bicycle Unit, Tactical Entry Team, and Internal Affairs Unit. Over the past seven years, Chief Brennan demonstrated progressive leadership by utilizing new technology to enhance the department’s operations by upgrading to a new records management system, utilizing social media to enhance the agency\’s community policing outreach and implementing a body-worn camera program.

Chief Brennan’s signature accomplishment was his commitment to the principles of community policing and his desire to engage with the community. During his time as Chief of Police, he implemented a new School Resource Officer Program, Juvenile Police Academy, Coffee with a Cop Program and reinstituted the National Night Out Event. Chief Brennan was also very proud to have overseen the expansion of the Police Department which modernized our administrative facilities.

All of us here at the Lindenwold Police Department would like to thank Chief Brennan for his dedicated service to the community and his guidance and leadership to the agency. We would also like to congratulate him on a successful thirty-year career and wish him and his family many years of health and happiness in retirement.

Captain Michael McCarthy Jr. will be sworn in as Chief of Police on January 4, 2020.

Thank you Chief Brennan

Address/Location

Lindenwold Police Department

2001 Egg Harbor Rd

Lindenwold, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-784-7566

Coast Guard Medevaced Man from Cruise Ship 17 Miles Off the Atlantic City Coast

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (December 30, 2019)– — The Coast Guard medevaced a man from a cruise ship approximately 17 miles off the coast of Little Egg Inlet, Saturday night.

The captain of the cruise ship Anthem of the Seas contacted watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay’s command center and notified them that the 70-year-old passenger was having severe abdominal issues and needed a higher level of medical care.

An aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City launched to assist.

Once on scene, the aircrew hoisted the man up, accompanied by his son, and transported them to AtlaniCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City.

\”We are glad that the crew contacted us as soon as they did,\” said David Umbereger, command duty officer at Sector Delaware Bay. \”The speedy notification and precise coordination was key in getting the man the care he needed.\”

Non-Fatal Police Shooting in Woodlynne

WOODLYNNE, NJ (Dec. 30, 2019)–Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer reported a non-fatal police involved shooting in Woodlynne on Sunday evening December 29, 2019.

Preliminary investigation indicates that on Sunday, December 29, 2019, at approximately 10:57 p.m., officers from Woodlynne Police Department were dispatched for a report of an armed robbery at a gas station in the area of Mt. Ephraim and Ferry Avenues in Woodlynne.  Upon arrival, the officers were advised by the victim of the direction where the suspect fled and encountered a male matching the description of the suspect.  The male appeared to be armed with a handgun and fled the scene on foot. After a brief foot chase and refusing multiple orders to drop the weapon, one of the officers fired a single round striking the suspect.

The suspect told police that he discarded the weapon and provided its location.  The weapon was then located nearby.  Following his arrest, the suspect was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment.

The suspect was identified as Jai Wood, Jr. (age 24) of Camden.  Wood was charged with Armed Robbery and Resisting Arrest. Additional weapon charges are pending.

The involved officer’s identity will not be released at this time. This investigation is being conducted pursuant to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office Law Enforcement Directive No. 2019-4 and remains ongoing.

Released Monday, December 30, 2019.

The Sixth Most Charitable State is Pennsylvania

By Dave Fidlin |

The Center Square

Pennsylvanians are more likely to help their neighbors, stick with a volunteer activity and partake in fundraising compared to most other areas of the country, according to a recent

study.

Researchers with personal finance website WalletHub recently combed through various data for the study, “

2019’s Most Charitable States

.” Pennsylvania ranked sixth of the 50 states.

Charitable giving, naturally, is a front-and-center topic amid the holidays. WalletHub asked a number of academics and experts to weigh in on this topic in a broad sense.

Femida Handy, professor and director of the University of Pennsylvania’s social welfare program, offered her insight and views on a number of topics, including the percentage of income households should donate to charity.

“All households, with incomes above the median income, should donate, and they should donate anywhere from 2 to 6 percent of their incomes,” Handy said.

According to WalletHub, study data was analyzed into two overarching categories – the first being volunteering and service, the other under the overarching umbrella of charitable giving. Pennsylvania ranked No. 12 in the first category, and No. 11 in the second one.

However, more granular analyses within both categories were weighted differently, which pushed Pennsylvania into its single-digit position within WalletHub’s analysis.

A look at states’ numbers of volunteer hours per capita carried 12.5 points, for instance, while a metric on the number of charities per capita carried 2.78 points. All told, Pennsylvania notched 65.88 points in both categories.

WalletHub financial writer Adam McCann said multiple sources were considered for the analysis, with data gleaned from such organizations as the Corporation for National and Community Service, Charity Navigator, Gallup and U.S. Census Bureau.

Pennsylvania landed in the top 10 in five metrics. The state tied for No. 1 in the metric of state regulations deemed friendly to charities.

According to the report, 43.61 percent of Pennsylvanians engage in fundraising or sell items to raise money for a specific cause. The statistic landed the state in No. 4 for the individual metric.

Pennsylvania also landed in the top 20 percent of all states in the nation using Google to search for charities (No. 6 ranking). Data also revealed 58.9 percent of the state’s population reported doing favors for neighbors, resulting in a No. 8 ranking in the metric.

Additionally, the state was singled out for having a higher than average volunteer retention rate. Data suggested 69 percent of Pennsylvanians stick with a charity after pledging to volunteer time and money to the cause.

On the other end of the spectrum, Pennsylvania fell into the bottom 10 of all states in one specific metric: share of income donated. According to WalletHub, Pennsylvanians on average donate 1.12 percent of their income – a statistic that landed the state at No. 40.

Neighboring states had across-the-board overall ranks in the analysis. Maryland ranked No. 3, Ohio was No. 5, New York was No. 19, New Jersey was No 29 and West Virginia was No. 42.

The most charitable state, according to WalletHub, is Minnesota, while the least charitable is Arizona.

published here with permission of The Center Square

Francis A. \”Frank\” Zappa, World War II Navy Veteran; Iron Worker; Liberty Clowns Member

The greatest measure of a man is not measured in the crucible of imperfections, but rather, in the metamorphoses of what he becomes. Francis A. \”Frank\” Zappa was a man of strength and conviction. He was stern, argumentative and preferred to just do it himself. But, when Frank was needed, he was wise, dependable and unconditionally offered himself to the matter at hand. Mr. Zappa was a renaissance man who was accomplished in the kitchen, the garden, the dance floor and had been a part of the

Philadelphia Mummers Parade as a comic in the Liberty Clowns.

He was born in the cradle of Liberty, South Philadelphia. \”Mum-Town USA\”. During these formative years he had contributed to the manpower of our great nation serving as a coxswain in the United States Navy. Frank defended the ideals of our American freedoms during World War II in the American and Pacific Theaters aboard the troop ships; SS Robin Wentley, SS Cape Canso, SS Dashing Wave and the cargo ship SS R. Mansfield. The world in which we live equally distributes talent. But, it doesn\’t equally distribute opportunity. Opportunities are often disguised as hard work. Frank had driven a taxi through the city, owned and operated his own Barber Shops in Yeadon, Pa., Riverside and Delran. He made a career as an ironworker at G.H. Steel Co in Broomall, Pa.

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Frank pressed lady luck in the casinos at the craps table, enjoyed fishing, hunting and telling stories of the \”big one\” that got away. Some memories never leave your bones. Like the salt in the sea; they become part of you – and you carry them. We\’ll meet again. Don\’t know where, don\’t know when. But we know we\’ll meet again.

Mr. Zappa was the widower of his late wife of 64 years, Mary (Sassano), and was the father of Sandra and her husband, Peter Genzano, Barbara Adams, and Stephen and his wife, Mary Jane Zappa. He was the proud grandfather of seven and great grandfather of seven. Frank was the brother of the late Dominic Zappa and Rose Thomas, and is also survived and will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews. Mr. Zappa\’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you and sentiment of gratitude to Dr. Kathleen Heintz, everyone at MD Anderson and the Cooper Heart Institute for all of their care and concern.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019 at the Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes, 400 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, N.J. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Cinnaminson. Interment New St. Mary\’s Cemetery & Mausoleum, Bellmawr, N.J.

See New Year\’s Eve Fireworks on the Battleship

CAMDEN CITY, NJ–The Battleship will open her decks for guests to watch the 6 pm or Midnight SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront.

We’ll have music, food concessions and bar service. We will open her decks two hours before each show – 4:00 pm for the 6:00 pm fireworks show and 10:00 pm for the midnight show.

Come aboard for just a $10 donation per person.

Become a member today ($40) and receive 5 free tickets to the fireworks show! Call (856) 966-1652 Extension 127 for details.

All proceeds go to the on-going restoration of the Battleship, a non-profit museum and memorial.

Fire the 5-inch gun at the conclusion of the 6:00 pm and Midnight Fireworks! We’ll offer chances for guests to pull the trigger and fire this historic gun on New Year’s Eve!

6 PM Show Tickets

Midnight Show Tickets

Also available by calling 866-877-6262 ext. 108, or at the Battleship’s Ticket Office, open every day from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, except Christmas Day, and prior to both the 6:00 pm and Midnight shows on New Year’s Eve.

Unless there are dangerous weather conditions, the fireworks will go forward, even if it’s raining. The Battleship will have the Officers’ Wardroom and the Exhibit interior spaces on the main deck open for guests prior to the start of the fireworks.

There are no chairs and lawn chairs are not permitted to be brought aboard the Battleship. No alcohol is permitted to be brought aboard the Battleship.

Both SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront shows are free to Battleship Members.

Location:

62 Battleship Place Camden, NJ 08103

Retiring Paterson Firefighters, Police Officers Receiving $1.2 million Leave Time Payouts Under Tax Deferred Plan

PATERSON, NJ (December 28, 2019)–Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh (photo) and council members have agreed to set up what’s called a 401(a) plan, tax-differed retirement saving accounts, for retiring public safety employees. According to The Paterson Times members of the City Council approved

a measure this past Monday allowing Sayegh’s administration to set up the plan at the request of the police and fire unions.

Under the proposal, the city will deposit the accumulated leave time payouts for police and fire employees into the tax-differed retirement savings accounts. Before the new year, the city is paying $1.2 million to 19 firefighters and police officers. The sum is a partial severance payout for the employees.

Municipal official disclosed the city has to pay approximately $5 million in accumulated leave time payouts to firefighters and police officers. The lot includes approximately 30 employees, said officials.

Read More

DOWN THE SHORE: Shore Medical Center Joins the Penn Cancer Network

From left, Lori Gustave, of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Dr. James M. Pond, medical director of the Cancer Program and Cancer Committee chairman at Shore Cancer Center, Joy Sutter, of Penn Medicine, and Joseph Johnston, of Shore Cancer Center, celebrate the new agreement. (Photo courtesy Shore Medical Center)

SOMERS POINT NJ–Shore Medical Center in Somers Point and Penn Medicine announced Tuesday that the Shore Cancer Center is now a member of the Penn Cancer Network.

The agreement brings expanded access to the highest quality cancer care for patients across southeast New Jersey, according to a press release.

The Penn Cancer Network is a select group of community hospitals throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware collaborating with Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center to provide excellence in cancer care throughout the region.

Penn’s Cancer Network hospitals are recognized for their excellence in patient care and a commitment to improving the health and well-being of their community.

“This is an historic announcement for Shore and our community. On behalf of our Board of Trustees, physicians, clinical and support staff, I want to let those patients who are battling cancer in our community know that we are doing everything we can to help you,” Ron Johnson, president and CEO of Shore Medical Center, said in the release. “We joined the Penn Center Network so our patients continue to receive the best possible care close to home, right here in Somers Point.”

David Hughes, Shore’s chief development officer and chief financial officer, said, “My family has a long history with the Shore Cancer Center. My father in-law Dr. George Mckeon, was an ED doctor at Shore Medical Center and World War II veteran who was wounded storming the beaches of Normandy. He settled in Somers Point with his wife who he met while attending medical school in Ireland.”

Hughes continued, “The Cancer Center now sits on the site of our family’s former home site and medical practice. I believe in the team at Shore Cancer Center, and we are so proud to have such great partners in Penn Medicine. The partnership with Penn Medicine will help us further our reach into the community, and garner additional support that will have a direct impact on cancer patient care.”

Joseph Johnston, director of Oncology Services at Shore Cancer Center, said the Penn Cancer Network offers a host of benefits that amount to a tremendous clinical advantage.

“Our partnership with Penn includes clinical research, community and patient education, disease-specific program development, patient access, professional education for nurses and physicians, and quality and safety,” Johnston said.

Robert Vonderheide, director of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, said, “Providing the highest quality cancer care and expanding access for patients across the region – and beyond – is a chief priority of the Penn Cancer Network.”

Mike and Peaches Luken, Just One of the Many Reasons Ocean City is America\’s Greatest Family Resort

After 30 years, Mike and Peaches Lukens are wrapping up what is expected to be their last Community Christmas Dinner.

By TIM KELLY/

Somers Point News

OCEAN CITY, NJ–Ocean City Councilman Keith Hartzell, a longtime volunteer and benefactor to Wednesday’s Community Christmas Dinner in Ocean City, took a moment to consider the event organizers, Mike and Peaches Lukens.

The couple conceived the event in 1989, organized it and executed it every year since.

“They are the heart and soul of what it means to call Ocean City ‘America’s Greatest Family Resort,’” Hartzell said. “We’re a beach resort in the summer. In the other nine months, we’re a Norman Rockwell painting. We’re Mayberry. We’re small town America coming together as a community. Nothing says it better than this event.”

Peaches and Mike, who started the event by serving approximately 150 people at the old Ocean City Youth Center, have seen their idea grow into one of the town’s most beloved events. For more than 20 years now, it has taken place at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.

“We will serve more than 800 meals today,” Mike Lukens said of the event, which ran from noon to 3 p.m. Christmas Day. “We were prepared to serve 1,200. We served more than 500 dinners in the first hour alone.”

He and his wife announced earlier in the year that this would be their last at the helm of the event. The couple relocated to Cape May, and found it more difficult to accomplish the many details of the dinner from a long distance.

Mike did leave some wiggle room, though. “Maybe someone will rope us into it one more year,” he said with a laugh, and added, “We will be involved in some way. It just won’t be the same.”

No, it won’t. Mike and Peaches and Jennifer Bowman, who handles much of the marketing side of the dinner, were in search of sponsorship to take over the financial cost of the dinner, possibly in exchange for the sponsor’s name on the event.

Enjoying the community dinner are (clockwise from bottom left) Connie Henry, Bill Henry, Jim Kelly, Donna Kelly, Rob Kelly, Shannon Kelly, Mason Henry and Jordan Henry.

They were also considering crowdfunding as an option to help keep the tradition intact.

Last week, after reading of the event’s situation in an OCNJDaily.com article, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian personally donated a new commercial grade refrigerator to the church after learning the old one needed to be replaced right away.

Individual and group donations poured in after the story, raising most of the funds needed to pay for this year’s dinner and its staging.

Bowman was quick to point out that while the dinner has fed thousands of people in need over the years, it is not designed for that purpose alone.

“Mike and Peaches wanted a nice, free, fun event for people who had nowhere else to go. Or people who have family elsewhere and can’t get away.”

Peaches Lukens serves beverages at the holiday dinner at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.

Hartzell, who has donated beverages for the dinner for years, said he was a good example. A traveling sales executive, he said Christmas “is one day where I can relax and my phone won’t ring. I live in the neighborhood and I can walk here. I’m able to volunteer and help.”

“But I’m also able to enjoy it, have a great meal and take some food home,” Hartzell continued.

Throughout the dining area, individuals, couples, families and larger groups were seen interacting and enjoying each other’s company and a great holiday meal.

“This is a fantastic thing for the community,” said “Lenny B,” a DJ and karaoke singer who kept the Christmas music flowing. “I’m here every year, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

In addition to food and music, candy, toys and toiletries were handed out to those in need. People needing rides were transported to and from the event, and shut-ins were the recipients of donated and delivered meals.

Hartzell summed up the Christmas and community spirit that permeates the dinner year in and year out.

“Ocean City was founded by God-fearing people,” he said. “Today’s event shows once again that we are still a God-fearing community.”

DJ and karaoke master “Lenny B” provides the entertainment.