$200,000 Safe Streets to Transit Grant Awarded to Somers Point

AVALON, NJ–Gov. Phil Murphy announced the award of a $200,000 Safe Streets to Transit Grant to Somers Point. This is one of only four grants awarded

Somers Point receives state funding to install sidewalks along Route 9 between Laurel Drive and Somers Point-Mays Landing Road.

throughout the state.

This grant, plus a $200,000 NJDOT grant received in 2018, will allow the city to construct sidewalks along Route 9 between Laurel Drive and Somers Point-Mays Landing Road.

“This sidewalk project has been a high priority for the city,” Mayor Jack Glasser said. “Now, we will have a safer walkway connecting the neighborhoods of the Somers Point-Mays Landing Road area to important destinations to the north of Laurel Drive, including Jordon Road Elementary School.”

The project is being fast-tracked and the city plans to start construction this spring, according to a press release.

“In a state as densely populated as New Jersey, it is important that we encourage the use of alternate forms of transportation, such as biking or public transportation. These grants support biking, walking, and mass transit programs designed to help drive better health and environmental outcomes that make New Jersey a more livable state,” Murphy said in the release.

This is not the first grant that Somers Point has received recently to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.

A $1.75 million NJDOT grant has been awarded to the city to widen and enhance the Somers Point Bike Path from the Linwood border to the Route 52 Causeway.

This very popular bike path will be widened up to 14 feet, new decorative, energy efficient LED lights will be installed, bike racks will be added and flashing beacons will be placed at high-traffic crossings.

Also, the city has secured a $130,000 NJDOT grant to create bike lanes on Somers Point-Mays Landing Road, a county road, between Route 52 and Route 9.

Rutala Associates, a local planning firm, played a key role in obtaining the NJDOT grants on the city’s behalf.

“The Route 52 Causeway is constantly being used for biking and walking and our bike path connects all the city’s points of interest, including the schools and parks. We are striving to make Somers Point the ‘Bikeway Hub of South Jersey,\’” Glasser said.

A state-funded Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was developed for Somers Point in 2014. The plan has been used to leverage these and other grants to make the bikeway network safer.

“The Department of Transportation does much more than just maintain roads and bridges,” New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “Our Local Aid grants, including the Bikeways and Safe Streets to Transit programs, provide funding to communities that develop projects to improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors to our state.”

Somers Point was also one of only three municipalities in New Jersey to be awarded a Bikeway Grant in 2019. This $130,000 grant will fund the addition of bike lanes along Somers Point-Mays Landing Road between Route 52 and Route 9.

“With the growth in biking throughout the region, these improvements will provide yet another reason for people to reside in and frequently visit Somers Point,” Glasser said. “All these projects will be completed by this summer.”

The city is also urging NJDOT and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to complete yet another bike and pedestrian path – one that will connect Somers Point to Upper Township over the new Garden State Parkway bridge.

The city is committed to making sure that there is a safe connection between the existing bike paths and the new bridge, according to the release.

Plans call for improvements to the intersection of Route 9 and Somers Point-Mays Landing Road, a bike path on the south side of Route 9 and a bridge to take bikers safely over the Parkway exit ramp and onto the Parkway bridge.

A crowd attended a state public hearing in January 2019 to show support for the bike connection, but the state has yet to start construction on the project.

*Gloucester City\’s Feral Animal Society Fundraiser

source: The Feral Animal Society, of Gloucester City

Gloucester City, NJ–The Feral Animal Society of Gloucester City is a non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation, established in 2019.

Our primary mission is to manage the population of feral animals in Gloucester City and to provide humane education about feral animals to our community.

We strive to create humane, safe communities for feral cats and dogs through Trap-Neuter-Return and Colony Health Maintenance. Our goals are to reduce the suffering and birth rate of these animals, the number of cats and dogs entering shelters, and the number of healthy cats and dogs being euthanized.

Through community partnership and volunteerism, we promote animal health and the significance of the human-animal bond in the well-being of our community.

Our Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) Program, an ongoing endeavor, is scheduled at regular intervals in conjunction with our contracted partners.

Our Colony Health Maintenance activities include providing daily feedings, and building small outdoor shelters and feeding stations. Whenever possible, we attempt to socialize these animals to humans, and foster them toward adoption.

The Feral Animal Society of Gloucester City Community Humane Education Series,

Activities Workshops and Volunteer Program,

Map of the Gloucester City Cat Colonies,

TNR Statistics and Cat and Dog Census.

How to Help.

FUNDRAISER

THE FERAL ANIMAL SOCIETY of GLOUCESTER CITY, NON-PROFIT 501 (c) (3) Foundation, TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return)

FUNDRAISER Thursday, February 20, 2020

* Gift Baskets Raffle * 20% of all food and drink sales between 4p-9pm will be donated by Pat’s Select to the Feral Animal Society of Gloucester City Foundation, NON-PROFIT, 501 (c) (3).

Date: 2/20/2020 04:00 PM – 2/20/2020 09:00 PM

Location: PAT\’S SELECT 400 South Broadway, Gloucester City, NJ, USA (

Map

)

More Info: 856-456-1111

Gloucester City, NJ, USA

856-375-8556

– The Feral Animal Society of Gloucester City

GCFASF@yahoo.com

source

https://www.fafgc.com/

‘I Heart Haddonfield’

HADDONFIELD, NJ –The second annual ‘I Heart Haddonfield’ continues on

Valentine’s Day with selfies and special events at the “Open Heart” sculpture at Kings Court. From 5-9 p.m., officiants will be onsite to ‘make it official’ for couples interested in renewing their vows, getting married (official NJ documents required), getting engaged, or making partnership commitments. Couples will receive flowers, chocolates and official signed certificates.

Enjoy live music from Sam Caruso under romantic pink lighting, and be entered into a drawing for prizes including dinners from Denim and Mare Monte, goodies from King’s Road Brewing Company, and much more. Share your best selfies during this celebration of love on social media, post on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter tagging @host08033 and use the hashtags #IHeartHaddonfield and #DowntownHaddonfield. Everyone can take their own pictures at “Open Heart” and post – parents with babies, school friends, pet friends, anyone you love.

Rutgers-Camden’s Hilt earns second NJAC weekly track & field honor

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. (Feb. 10, 2020) – Rutgers University-Camden track star

Emily Hilt (Mickleton, NJ/Kingsway Regional)

is a threat to break the program shot put record at every meet she competes, and her success rate has been phenomenal so far this season.

For the fourth time in her five meets this winter, Hilt established a new Rutgers-Camden women’s shot put record while competing at Saturday’s Frank Colden Invitational at Ursinus College.

That accomplishment has earned Hilt her the second New Jersey Athletic Conference Women’s Indoor Track recognition this season as the NJAC Field Athlete of the Week. She also won that honor on Dec. 16.

In her latest outing, Hilt produced a shot put of 12.30 meters, beating the mark she established on Jan. 25 of 12.22 meters. That mark also was set at Ursinus College, during the Collegeville Classic.

Hilt came to Rutgers-Camden this year after a stellar two-year career with Rowan College at Gloucester County. A junior academically, she has sophomore eligibility for indoor track and will have junior eligibility in outdoor season.

Hilt set a Rutgers-Camden indoor shot put record during her first meet as a Scarlet Raptor, finishing fourth of 29 performers at the Fastrack Opener Dec. 6 with a distance of 11.58 meters. She also set the program’s weight throw record the same day, placing third of 24 with a throw of 14.43 meters. Both distances were ECAC qualifiers.

At the Seahawk Shootout on Dec. 13, Hilt had another ECAC qualifier in the weight throw, finishing sixth of 23 with a 14.20-meter toss. She also competed in the shot put, finishing 10th of 30 that day (11.00 meters). Ever since then, Hilt has raised her program shot put record in each meet, while recording three more ECAC qualifiers in the event. She finished first of 18 (11.84 meters) in the shot put at the Dutchmen Invite (Jan. 17), was fourth of 47 with her 12.22-meter shot put on Jan. 25 at the Collegeville Classic and finished first of 55 shot putters Saturday at the Frank Colden Invitational with her latest mark of 12.30 meters.

During her career at RCGC, Hilt set the program’s indoor track record in the shot put (13.12 meters) and earned All-American honors in that event. She also competed two seasons with the Roadrunners’ outdoor track program.

Hilt is a Childhood Studies major at Rutgers-Camden who has a double minor in Psychology and Philosophy.

Down The Shore: ACUA Employees Among Top Donors in Charitable Campaign

SOMERS POINT,NJ–The New Jersey Employees Charitable Campaign has announced that employees of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority were the second highest contributor, behind Rutgers University, to the NJECC.

ACUA employees donate nearly $58,000 during the statewide N.J. Employees Charitable Campaign. (Photo courtesy ACUA)

ACUA employees collectively raised $57,908 for their charities of choice and are vested in bettering the communities they serve, according to a press release.

“As an organization with less than 250 employees, this is a testament to the generosity of our remarkable team,” ACUA President Rick Dovey said in the release. “Our employees are proud to serve our communities every day through their work, and their personal donations speak volumes to the type of workforce we are thankful to employ.”

Every year, ACUA employees from across all departments are invited to participate in the NJECC, which allows state and local municipal employees to contribute to a variety of charities through payroll deduction.

The NJECC is among the many charitable causes ACUA employees champion each year. The news of their successful campaign comes off the heels of a recent visit to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey Southern Branch, where employees helped to organize donations.

Mt. Laurel Man Charged with Possession, Distribution of Child Pornography

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ–(February 10, 2020)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Mount Laurel Police Chief Stephen Riedener announced that a 56-year-old Mount Laurel man has been charged with possessing and distributing child pornography.

Marco Pulcini, 56, of Wilderness Run Court, was charged with four counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Second Degree).

Pulcini was arrested on February 7 at his residence following the execution of a search warrant. Multiple electronic devices were seized and will be examined by detectives from the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit.

The investigation began after the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit received information regarding Pulcini’s online activities from United States Homeland Security Investigations – Cherry Hill Office.

The investigation revealed that Pulcini utilized file-sharing software to allow others to access child pornography in his possession.

Pulcini was released following a first appearance over the weekend in Superior Court in Mount Holly. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a Burlington County Grand Jury for possible indictment. He will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Remy.

The investigation was conducted by the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit, with assistance from United States Homeland Security Investigations – Cherry Hill Office, the New Jersey State Police and the Mount Laurel Township Police Department. The lead investigator was HSI Special Agent Jennifer Miller, who is presently designated as an acting BCPO detective.

The Prosecutor’s Office High-Tech Crimes Unit is a member of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the New Jersey State Police Cyber Terrorism Task Force.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Linda Marie Kraft, of Gloucester City

Gloucester City – On February 2, 2020. Age 73. (nee Schmolze). Loving wife of 51 years to the late Roy A. Kraft. Loving mother of Leana Crowther (John) and Niccole Kraft. Beloved twin sister of Jennifer Fish and sister of George H. Schmolze, Jr. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Linda was a graduate of Haddonfield High School. She worked many years as a receptionist for ALP Lighting in Pennsauken.

Interment will be private in Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Linda M. Kraft. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph: 856-456-1142

Feds Put South Jersey Illegal Dumper in Jail

Last Thursday, Judge Renee Bumb in U.S. District Court in Camden sentenced Thomas Toy of Elmer to 30 days in prison and ordered him to pay $4.2 million in restitution for illegally storing hazardous materials. Thomas Toy ran the Superior Barrel and Drum Company, a company that cleaned and processed industrial drums before reselling them. The facility was located on the border of Elk Township and Glassboro.

“There should be no tolerance for illegal dumping. What Thomas Toy did in Glassboro was a disgrace and he belongs in jail. It’s important that he is being held accountable for his illegal dumping in South Jersey. This will serve as a deterrent for others because when you break the law you should go to jail. For too long, illegal dumpers have been getting away with poisoning our communities,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “The federal government is making polluters accountable. Polluters need to clean up their mess and pay for it, too. Making sure this site is completely cleaned up is important for the health and safety of this community.”

Thomas Toy was indicted for storing hazardous waste in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in January 2018. Superior Barrel and Drum Company imported many drums that contained hazardous waste, which included toxic chemicals like benzene and lead. However, the company did not have permits to store these toxic materials.

“Toy needs to be held accountable for illegally dumping waste and endangering the health of the people of Glassboro and Elk. DEP should also be held accountable for their failure to address this. These toxic chemicals have been poisoning the community for far too long, and DEP has been looking the other way and failing to enforce this site. Exposure to lead can cause kidney and brain damage, especially in young children. Benzenes are carcinogens that can cause anemia and affect the immune system, increasing risks for infections,” said Tittel. “The governor recently signed a law that will help protect New Jersey from illegal dumping by requiring more scrutiny for those involved in these industries. This will help protect New Jersey from future dumpers, but DEP still needs to do their job to enforce illegal dumping.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removed approximately 1,800 of these drums of waste from September 2013 through September 2014. The total cost of this removal was $4.2 million, the amount that Toy has been fined as restitution.

“While the Judge’s ruling today is a win for Glassboro and Elk, the state still needs tighter regulations and restrictions on how our waste is handled. We have a long history of contaminated materials coming into our state, in part because DEP chooses not to regulate these chemicals. DEP needs to set and enforce standards for toxic materials to prevent any more possible dumping,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “It is good that the U.S. District Court is holding Thomas Toy accountable. Now the DEP has to step up and make sure there will be a full cleanup at this site.”

Zuzulock of National Park receives NJAIAW honors as Rutgers-Camden Woman of the Year

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (Feb. 10, 2020) – Throughout her four years at Rutgers University-Camden,

Sarah Zuzulock (National Park, NJ/Gateway Regional)

has been a standout on the soccer

pitch, a team leader and a stellar student in the classroom. All of those qualities helped Zuzulock earn recognition Sunday when she was cited by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) as Rutgers-Camden’s Woman of the Year.

The NJAIAW honored all of its Woman of the Year recipients during the organization’s 28th Annual New Jersey Woman of the Year Awards Luncheon, held at Seton Hall University. The organization hosts the Woman of the Year Luncheon annually in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, recognizing a student-athlete from all two- and four-year colleges and universities in the state, in addition to all New Jersey high schools. As noted by the NJAIAW in its luncheon program, “Each Woman of the Year recipient has made significant contributions to her institution and community through athletic accomplishments, academic success, and community involvement.”

Zuzulock was a four-year standout in the Rutgers-Camden midfield, playing in all 69 Scarlet Raptor soccer games over her career. She started 67 games and finished her career with seven goals and 12 assists for 26 points. She is tied for 16th on the program’s career list for games played and tied for 13th in assists.

During her junior season in 2018, Zuzulock earned recognition as the team’s Most Valuable Player while helping Rutgers-Camden qualify for both the ECAC and New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs for the first time since 2007.

A two-time team captain for the soccer program, Zuzulock’s accomplishments in the classroom are equally impressive. A Dean’s List student in the demanding Nursing major, she already has earned a pair of NJAC Academic Honorable Mention awards (freshmen aren’t eligible for the honor). She should add NJAC academic honor in June when the conference cites its top student-athletes for the 2019-20 scholastic year.

Zuzulock has served on Rutgers-Camden’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has captured a berth on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll during all seven of her semesters on campus. The Rutgers-Camden Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for the 2020 Spring semester will be announced in late May.

Zuzulock was a multi-sport athlete at Gateway Regional High School, earning 10 varsity letters, including four in soccer. She added three letters in winter track, two in spring track and one in lacrosse. As a sophomore, she helped the Gators capture the Group 1 soccer title and earned All-Conference Second Team recognition. She was an All-Conference First Team honoree during both her junior and senior seasons, while serving as the team captain both years.

Sarah is the daughter of Lynn and Shawn Zuzulock of National Park.