Some South Jersey Mayors, Legislators, Sheriff Work Together to Fight Sanctuary State Policies

The District 1 legislative team joined Cape May Sheriff Bob Nolan and local municipal officials for a conference call with local mayors to discuss the impact of New Jersey’s sanctuary policies on law enforcement and efforts to challenge the intrusive directives from the attorney general.

Last September AG Grewal said New Jersey is not a sanctuary state but in March 2019 the New Jersey

Immigrant Trust Directive

went into effect—essentially ending any cooperation between the State and Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigration enforcement matters. See related articles below

“The refusal of Murphy and his attorney general to enforce federal and state immigration laws continues to endanger law-abiding citizens,” said Senator Michael Testa (R-1). “Not only is the Murphy Administration evading our laws, they are treating illegal aliens to drivers’ licenses, college financial aid, and lawyers to fight deportation. Sheriff Nolan has my unyielding support in his struggle to protect New Jersey families from crimes committed by illegal aliens who have no respect for our laws and no fear of the consequences.”

Sanctuary

directives

from Attorney General Grewal prevent law enforcement agencies from honoring federal detainer requests to hold illegal immigrants who have been arrested or jailed for criminal activity in New Jersey until they can be transferred to federal immigration authorities.

“Politics should never interfere with public safety, but these ‘liberal policies’ handed down by the progressives in Trenton are handcuffing law enforcers and preventing them from doing their jobs,” said Assemblyman Antwan McClellan (R-1). “We will continue to stand with the Sheriff and all members of the law enforcement community who work every day to keep our communities safe.”

Grewal’s directives also restrict other types of cooperation between local, state, and federal authorities that could help keep New Jersey families safe and blocks federal immigration authorities from accessing local law enforcement databases.

“Hard-working residents who follow the rules and do the right things are being treated like second-class citizens,” said Assemblyman Erik Simonsen (R-1), whose family includes immigrants who came here legally. “The governor and attorney general should be working on behalf of state residents, not putting them at risk.”

Sheriff Nolan signed on to a federal program, committing to coordinate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies when illegal immigrants are processed through Cape May County’s jail.

In October, Grewal moved to block the program. The issue is currently in the courts.

“I appreciate the support of the District 1 legislators who share my concern with irresponsible immigration policies that make illegal immigrants a protected class immune from our laws,” said Nolan. “Together, we will continue to fight for the interests of the residents of Cape May County and the rest of the state.”

The LD 1 team of Testa, McClellan and Simonsen said they will continue to provide Cape May County constituents with updates on legislative efforts to fight sanctuary policies and the ongoing court case.

AG GREWAL:

STOP CALLING NEW JERSEY A SANCTUARY STATE

It’s Official: New Jersey Is a Sanctuary State

Gloucester County Animal Shelter is calling for volunteers

(Clayton, NJ)—Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger and Freeholder Deputy Director Frank J. DiMarco want to remind Gloucester County residents of volunteer opportunities at the Gloucester County Animal Shelter (GCAS).

The GCAS handles over 3,000 domestic animals a year. Volunteers are a huge help in making the shelter successful and keeping foster pets happy.

“Volunteering at the Gloucester County Animal Shelter is an amazing way to assist the animals we currently house,” Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said.

Volunteers will assist in a number of different ways including walking dogs, socializing cats and kittens, escorting potential pet parents through our adoption areas and assist with light cleaning. Volunteers must be of 18 years of age to apply.

Freeholder Deputy Director Frank J. DiMarco, Liaison to the Gloucester County Animal Shelter, encourages all pet lovers to apply.

“There’s something for every volunteer to do at the shelter,” said Freeholder DiMarco. “We know the age requirement for volunteers limits a lot of our animal lovers from helping at the shelter, but there’s other ways to get involved like donating items to the shelter or fostering animals with your family.”

To get started, fill out a volunteer application at

http://bit.ly/volunteerGCAS

For more information on the Gloucester County Shelter or any questions on volunteering, visit

http://www.gloucestercountynj.gov/depts/a/shelter/default.asp

or call (856) 881-2828.

FBI Seeks Information on Disappearance, 15 Years Ago Today, of Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone, Jr.

PHILADELPHIA PA (February 19, 2020)–The FBI, Philadelphia Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Mount Laurel Police Department, and Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office are seeking the public’s assistance as we continue to investigate the disappearance, 15 years ago today, of Danielle (Ottobre) Imbo and Richard Petrone, Jr.

Imbo and Petrone were last seen in the late evening hours of Saturday, February 19, 2005, leaving a bar on Philadelphia’s South Street for Petrone’s black 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup truck. An extensive investigation to date has generated some promising leads; however, neither they nor the vehicle have ever been located.

This investigation into Danielle and Rich’s disappearance remains open and active, and there is still a $50,000 reward for information on the couple’s whereabouts or for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for their disappearance. The reward is being administered by the Philadelphia Citizens Crime Commission.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to call the Citizens Crime Commission tip line at 215-546-TIPS (215-546-8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Resources

DANIELLE IMBO

RICHARD PETRONE

Recycling Tips for Gloucester County Resident

(Swedesboro, NJ)—Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger, Liaison to the Gloucester County Improvement Authority, wants to remind residents of the importance of recycling.

In 1987, the Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act requires all residents, schools, businesses and government agencies in the state of New Jersey to separate and recycle certain materials from the regular trash in order to reduce the amount of garbage that requires disposal. These items include newspaper, glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, bi-metal cans and plastic bottles, jars and jugs.

“Over the last several years, we noticed residents not taking the proper time to sort their recyclables. Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to our landfills, conserves our natural resources and reduces pollution,” stated Freeholder Director Damminger.

The “Dirty Dozen” is Gloucester County’s list of items that should never be in your recycling container. These items include:

1. Plastic bags

2. Materials in plastic bags

3. Shredded paper

4. Scrap Metal

5. Hazardous waste

6. Diapers or bio-hazardous waste

7. Non-recyclable plastics

8. Cups

9. Plastic caps or lids

10. Liquids in recyclable containers

11. Ceramics or non-recyclable glass

12. Frozen food containers

“The main phrase our county’s recycling program stresses is, ‘When in doubt, throw it out,’” added Freeholder Director Damminger. “One dirty recyclable could contaminate the contents of an entire recycling truck so it’s important to take the time to sort and check with your town for recycling guidelines and tips.”

The Gloucester County Improvement Authority offers residents resources and information on what items can be recycled and what items need to be disposed of separately. For additional information or questions call (856) 478-6045 or visit

www.gcianj.com

###

Northern State Prison Correctional Officer Sentenced for Smuggling Fentanyl/Marijuana to Inmate

TRENTON –Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a former senior correctional police officer at Northern State Prison in Newark, N.J., was sentenced to prison today for smuggling fentanyl and marijuana to an inmate in the prison in exchange for money.

Roberto Reyes-Jackson, 31, of Irvington, N.J., was sentenced to four years in state prison by Superior Court Judge Verna G. Leath in Essex County. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 10, 2019 to conspiracy to commit official misconduct. He forfeited his job as a result of his guilty plea and is permanently barred from public employment in New Jersey.

Deputy Attorney General Samantha McCluskey prosecuted the case and handled the sentencing for the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). Reyes-Jackson was indicted in 2017 in an investigation by OPIA and the Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division.

The state’s investigation revealed that between September and December 2016, Reyes-Jackson smuggled multiple single-dose wax folds of a powder compound laced with fentanyl to inmate Aaron Copeland. He also smuggled a small amount of marijuana to Copeland. The smuggling came to light in December 2016, when prison staff discovered a bag of marijuana in Copeland’s cell and two wax folds of fentanyl. A full search of the cell revealed additional marijuana and fentanyl. The investigation revealed that Reyes-Jackson accepted hundreds of dollars in bribes from Copeland’s girlfriend, Tyeesha Powell, to smuggle drugs into the prison. Copeland, in turn, distributed the drugs to other inmates, who paid him by having friends or relatives outside the prison wire money to Powell.

“By agreeing to smuggle fentanyl to an inmate in Northern State Prison, Reyes-Jackson put lives at risk,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Fentanyl is so potent that minute amounts can result in overdose and death. This prison sentence holds Reyes-Jackson accountable for betraying his duty and callously disregarding the safety and welfare of his fellow officers as well as inmates in the prison.”

“When a correction officer conspires with an inmate to break the law, it poses a grave threat to safety and security in the prison, particularly when a dangerous drug like fentanyl is involved,” said Director Thomas Eicher of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. “We will continue to work closely with the Department of Corrections to ensure that any officer who corruptly compromises safety in a correctional facility is aggressively investigated and prosecuted.”

“We have an uncompromising commitment to ensuring safety in our facilities and a zero-tolerance policy for anyone who violates that safety,” said New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Marcus O. Hicks, Esq. “The overwhelming majority of the New Jersey Department of Corrections staff operate with integrity. Those who do not must be held accountable for their actions.”

Copeland, 31, of Newark, pleaded guilty previously to a charge of distribution of fentanyl and faces a recommended sentence of three years in prison, including one year of parole ineligibility, to run consecutive to the sentence he is currently serving. Powell, 34, of Pleasantville, N.J., pleaded guilty previously to distribution of fentanyl and faces a recommended sentence of probation. They are awaiting sentencing.

Former Deputy Attorney General Peter Baker presented the case to the state grand jury. Attorney General Grewal commended all of the investigators, detectives and attorneys who conducted the investigation for the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability and the Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division. Senior Investigator Patrick Sesulka and Deputy Chief Investigator Edward Soltys conducted the investigation for the Department of Corrections.

Visit Philadelphia & Megabus Offer $2.29 Fare to Philly on Leap Day

Visitors Can See The Flower Show, Celebrate Black History Month & More on February 29 & March 1, 2020

Saturday, February 29, 2020 is Leap Day, and to celebrate the once-every-four-years occasion, VISIT PHILADELPHIA

has partnered with Megabus to

offer $2.29 fares from New York and Washington, DC to Philadelphia. A limited number of $2.29 fares will also be available for departures from Philadelphia on Sunday, March 1, 2020. The deal is bookable

here

Those who take advantage of the offer can partake in the expected (Liberty Bell, cheesesteaks, Rocky steps) and the unexpected (public art, breweries galore, tax-free clothing shopping) fun in Philadelphia. They can:

Celebrate the last day of

Black History Month

at the African American Museum in Philadelphia at Belmont Mansion, Johnson House Historic Site, Mother Bethel A.M.E. and National Marian Anderson Museum, to name a few.

Enjoy the first day of

PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

See

Hello Dolly!

at the Academy of Music.

Experience the Selma and suffrage exhibits at the

Brandywine Museum of Art

Spend the night in Philadelphia by booking the perks-packed

Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package

More trip ideas for Leap Day and every day are available at

visitphilly.com

and

uwishunu.com

VISIT PHILADELPHIA

is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog,

visitphilly.com

and

uwishunu.com

, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

CNB BUSINESS NEWS

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA (VIDEO)…Thank a Veteran Today for their Service

SOURCE:

The American Legion Burn Pit

First, from Yahoo News:

This month marks the 75th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Iwo Jima, which saw some of the bloodiest fighting of World War Two take place on a small Japanese island 1,200 km (745 miles) south of Tokyo.

Iwo Jima was the first native Japanese soil to be invaded during the Allied advance. Located halfway between Tokyo and Guam, it was regarded as a strategic outpost. Close to 7,000 U.S. Marines and nearly all of the 21,000 Japanese defenders of the island died during the 36-day battle.

The Japanese troops held the heavily fortified island for more than a month, supported by a network of bunkers and tunnels and hidden artillery positions.

From Feb. 19, 1945, over 500 warships and 1,000 warplanes from the U.S. navy and army pounded Iwo Jima so heavily that the shelling and bombing changed the shape of the island\’s highest point, Mount Suribachi, located at its southern tip.

The Washington Post has a story on Woody Williams

, who as you know is one of my favorite people:

The Japanese soldiers came out of their concrete “pill box” with bayonets fixed, determined to get the Marine who had been killing them all afternoon with a flamethrower.

Their target was Hershel Williams. He was 5-foot-6, the youngest of the 11 children of a dairy farmer from Quiet Dell, W.Va. He had a nice smile, and a girl back home named Ruby whom he planned to marry when the war was over.

He was 21, and known as “Woody.”

But 75 years ago this month, on a Godforsaken volcanic island in the Pacific called Iwo Jima, he was a terrifying destroyer of the Japanese, incinerating men in their hideouts with jets of blazing diesel fuel and high octane gasoline.

They had to stop him.

Not to ruin the ending, but yeah, they didn\’t stop him.

CONTINUE TO READ

Coming This Sunday, March 1, Saint Mary\’s Parish/Gloucester City Irish Parade

Monsignor Bill Hodge performing the Mummers Strut in front of St. Mary\’s Church, 426 Monmouth Street.

(2018 photo by Gus Danks)

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ –Monsignor William Hodge, Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Gloucester City, along with Charlie Kain, President of the New Jersey Irish Society, and Mayor Dan Spencer remind residents that the Fifth Annual St. Mary Parish St. Patrick’s Parade will be held this coming Sunday, March 1, at 1:00 PM sharp.

THERE IS NO RAIN/SNOW DATE.

Registration is now open for all organizations, clubs, Irish groups, dancers, churches, businesses, and all who would like to march and participate in this festive parade and day of events. We welcome all towns and groups from all over the Delaware Valley to participate, so spread the word! Registration forms are available at the St. Mary Rectory office from 9-3 pm, Monday to Friday or by calling 856.456.0052. The registration fee is $25.

The parade will take the same route as last year, forming and staging at the Martin’s Lake area, marching on Johnson Blvd. to Monmouth Street, up Monmouth Street to King, and dispersing at the former Coast Guard Base parking lot.

The parade includes the award-winning Champions of the 2020 Mummers Parade the South Philadelphia String Band along with their First Prize Champion Captain Denny Palandro. Also the Quaker City, Fralinger, Woodland, Avalon, Duffy, Durning String Bands, along with the Gloucester City String Band. Pipes and Drum Bands include the Camden County Emerald Society, the Second Street Emerald Society, and the Atlantic City Sandpipers Band. The Broken Shillelaghs, The Misty Dewers, Irish Dance Groups, and don’t forget the Two Street Stompers and many, many more…………

Fox29 TV News Celebrity Grand Marshall Bob Kelly will be here to march in the parade and do some MC duties and participate in some Irish shenanigans! Look for a JAMO with Bob Kelly.

Ed Beckett, a longtime educator, and Principal at Gloucester Catholic High School is this year’s Grand Marshall of our parade. Congratulations Ed and well deserved. We look forward to a big showing from the Gloucester Catholic Family and Alumni marching with Mr. Beckett in the parade.

Gloucester City’s own radio disc jockey Kathy Townsend Suckiel from the B101.1 radio station will be here along with the B101 mascot; Buzzbee!

The parade is the brainchild of Monsignor Bill Hodge (photo above) with Grand Marshal Bishop Dennis Sullivan at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2016. The Monsignor and Bishop are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year along the parade route. (image courtesy of South Jersey Observer)

For further information please contact Dan Spencer at 856.456.0052

The Perfect Combo –

Gloucester City Irish Parade 2018 Photo Album

published Gloucestercitynews.net

NJBIA Speaks Out on the Proposed Permanent Corporate Business Tax Rate Increase

NJBIA President and CEO Michele N. Siekerka issued the following statement opposing today\’s proposal for a permanent increase on New Jersey\’s corporate business tax rate as a dedicated funding source for New Jersey Transit.

\”NJBIA supports the concept of responsibly dedicating funds to infrastructure and the priority of making improvements at NJ TRANSIT. But we do not need more revenue raisers to do it.

\”While we understand the need to prioritize improvements at NJ TRANSIT, today\’s call for a permanent increase on New Jersey\’s corporate business tax is very discouraging and it will greatly impact our largest employers who have already provided historic revenue to the state over the past year. Its permanence will also serve as yet another deterrent for any corporation looking to relocate here.

\”More disappointingly, our policymakers continue to only target solutions to our challenges through more taxation and spending, rather than the comprehensive reforms we have been calling for. In fact, we would not need to consider tax increases today if our policymakers acted on the Path to Progress structural reforms.

\”That we continue to seek to bring more tax burden to our businesses and residents during a time of dramatic revenue over-performance, and not act on proposed reforms to fix what is fiscally and structurally broken in New Jersey, is confounding. These reforms need to get done. We cannot tax ourselves out of these challenges.\”

CNB BUSINESS NEWS

South Jersey Regional 2020 Scholastic Art Award Recipients

290 Young Artists from South Jersey Recognized by Appel Farm Arts & Music Campus for 588 Original Works.

Elmer, New Jersey – Appel Farm Arts & Music Campus has announced the regional award recipients of the 2020 Scholastic Art Awards. Presented by the nonprofit organization the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the

97th Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the country\’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative students in grades 7-12. More than 111,000 teens submitted their best art and writing in more than 100 regions across the country. Out of 612 creative teens from Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Somerset, Hunterdon, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem Counties in the South Jersey Region, 290 received regional honors, including Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, or American Visions & Voices nominations:

In celebration of this year’s regional recipients, Appel Farm is hosting The 2020 South Jersey Scholastic Art Award Ceremony at Appel

Farm Arts & Music Campus in Elmer, NJ on on Friday, March 6, from 7:00-8:30 PM.

Since the program’s founding in 1923, the Awards have fostered the creativity and talent of millions of students and include a distinguished list of alumni including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol, all of whom received recognition in the Awards when they were teens.

For Gold Key works of art and writing in the Awards’ 29 categories, including architecture, painting, flash fiction, poetry, printmaking, video game design, and more, the opportunities for recognition will continue when the works are adjudicated again on a national level by a panel of leading creative professionals. National Gold Medalists will be announced in March 2020 and will be honored during a special awards ceremony at the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 4, 2020. All National Medalists are eligible for a wealth of additional opportunities, such as inclusion in the Art.Write.Now.Tour traveling exhibition, and in the The Best Teen Art and The Best Teen Writing anthologies. National Medalist poets are considered for the National Student Poets Program, the nation’s highest honor for young poets presenting original work.

“Appel Farm is thrilled to partner with schools to shine a light on their creative teens, offering this unique opportunity to share their talent on a national level. We view the arts as basic to education and our Arts in Schools programs are making this vision a reality.” – Kristina Hill, Arts Integration and STEAM Education Director, Appel Farm Arts & Music Campus

National Sponsors: The Alliance is grateful for its generous sponsors, who provide funds to support and produce the Scholastic Awards at the national level: Scholastic Inc., The Maurice R. Robinson Fund, New York Life Foundation, Command Companies, The New York Times, Blick Art Materials & Utrecht Art Supplies, The Herb Block Foundation, Golden Artist Colors, Bloomberg Philanthropies, National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; and for the National Student Poets Program, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Poetry Foundation, and The Wunderkinder Foundation. The Alliance also expresses its gratitude to numerous other individuals, foundations, and corporations for their support. For more information about the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, visit the Scholastic News Room:

http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/artandwriting

Appel Farm Arts & Music Campus: Since 1960, Appel Farm Arts and Music Campus has provided transformative arts and learning experiences, and has emerged as the arts education leader in South Jersey. Arts education programs on our campus at Appel Farm, in the schools, and in the community are raising the bar of arts education for children and families in our community. Appel Farm provides people of all ages, cultures and economic backgrounds with a supportive, cooperative environment in which to explore the fine and performing arts.