Author: importer

Camden County Employee Charged with Theft

Camden, N.J. – A Camden County employee has been charged with stealing more than $114,000 that was intended for regattas and rowing competitions at Cooper River Park, according to Acting Camden

County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer.

James Stack, 44, of Collingswood, has been charged with Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Property Received and Official Misconduct.

Investigators say Stack, who previously served as the Director of Rowing at the Camden County Boathouse, accepted money from various rowing organizations and deposited the checks into two bank accounts he managed under Cooper Training Center, LLC, a company Stack owns. Detectives said evidence showed Stack would then deposit a lesser amount into accounts managed by the county.

The discrepancy was caught during a county audit and reported. Investigators found evidence dating back to January 2018 through December of 2019 and said the investigation is ongoing.

Stack was cited and released pending a Central Judicial Processing hearing March 10.

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PA Legislators Concerned With $100M Redesign of State College System

By Christen Smith |

The Center Square

Gloucestercitynews.net files

Pennsylvania lawmakers questioned a proposed $100 million redesign of its higher education system this week after years of declining enrollment left many of its 14 universities in the red.

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Chancellor Dan Greenstein said the “radical” plan – which includes a $20 million boost annually in state funding over the next five years – would allow the organization to share services, demolish underutilized buildings and encourage staff retirements that altogether could save between $80 million and $120 million through 2025.

“The universities have created five-year plans which demonstrate how they will balance the budgets from which these numbers are derived,” he told the Senate Appropriations Committee during PASSHE’s budget hearing this week. “And they will be held accountable for this. … This can has been kicked down the road, and the road has ended.”

Gov. Tom Wolf’s $36.1 billion state budget proposal allocates $490 million to PASSHE and $12.9 million in support of the system’s redesign effort. Greenstein said the agency needs a 2 percent increase over last year’s funding, plus the $20 million appropriation, to target its joint goals of keeping tuition affordable and the five-year redesign plan.

Greenstein said PASSHE also renegotiated labor union contracts and created an extended sick leave payout program the agency hopes will encourage 200 staff and faculty to retire annually. In October, all universities implemented “sustainability policies” that establish balanced budgets and new procedures meant to effectively manage personnel – from curtailing the use of temporary faculty to consolidating existing roles at all levels to eliminating or combining duplicative programs with low enrollment.

“It’s going to require an unprecedented level of collaboration with our unions and close collaboration with our universities,” Greenstein said. “This will stretch us, but I am confident we are ready, and as the numbers portray, it is time.”

Enrollment across PASSHE’s 14 universities declined 20 percent over the past decade, Greenstein said, while state funding levels for the system rank 47th nationwide. Pennsylvania’s student debt is also the second highest in the nation, Greenstein added, despite the agency’s priority of keeping tuition affordable.

“You and all the students have the absolute right to be enraged and livid by the lack of leadership from this General Assembly,” said Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks. “The fact is that we are not investing where we should be investing. We are not giving you the resources you need.

“The cost that our students are asked to bear, as you just said, has a direct relationship with the funding we give to our state system” he added. “It’s inexcusable that Pennsylvania ranks 47th in the country.”

Other senators pressed Greenstein on whether the redesign plan should consider closing universities with lower attendance rates – an idea the chancellor said disenfranchises the rural communities many of them serve.

“I don’t think the numbers support your theory because the rural institutions are the ones that had the greatest reduction in numbers,” said Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Lycoming. \”I know how important Mansfield University is to the town of Mansfield, … but somewhere along the line, we really have to take a look at would we be better off closing them and folding the funding into the institutions that are really thriving.”

Sen. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster, told Greenstein the “backwards” prioritization of struggling universities concerns him and undermines the few schools that remain successful.

“My big worry, from many different perspectives, is the fact that we are missing out on opportunities with the institutions that are growing, that are doing their best to keep their head above water and that they cannot do these things because they’re not getting the resources,” he said. “The resources are being funneled through back channels to create opportunities that every single student in the commonwealth is not being given, in terms of scholarships, and that’s just fundamentally not fair.”

Martin’s comments reference Wolf’s $204 million proposed Nellie Bly Tuition Program, which would target financial assistance to full-time PASSHE students. Under program rules, students must agree to stay in Pennsylvania for as many years as they received the benefit.

Senate Education Committee Minority Chairman Andy Dinniman, D-Chester, criticized the scholarship program proposal during Thursday’s hearing, insisting that raiding the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Trust Fund would only result in court challenges the state is certain to lose.

\”I wish it was as simple as we’ve said,\” he said. \”If you try to take the money out … and to play this game of letting students think they will get these scholarships and they will not, because it will go to court.\”

published by Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

Temple’s Dr. Silvia Fossati Awarded $500,000 Grant for Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Discovery Research

(Philadelphia, PA) – Silvia Fossati, PhD,

Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Associate Director of the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, has been awarded a two-year $500,000 grant from The Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, as part of the Foundation’s Awards Program in Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Discovery Research.

Dr. Fossati, the principal investigator on the grant, will work with co-investigator

Marc Ilies, PhD,

Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Temple University School of Pharmacy, to develop a new Alzheimer’s-specific version of an already-existing drug family called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, which are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat conditions such as glaucoma and high-altitude sickness.

Previous studies in Dr. Fossati’s Lab showed that these drugs were effective in cell and animal models at targeting certain features of Alzheimer’s disease, including mitochondrial dysfunction, amyloid protein build-up, and inflammation.

Research has suggested that chronic inflammation in the brain may be due to the build-up of cells that normally free the organ of debris, waste and protein collections – including amyloid protein. When amyloid protein deposits in abnormal levels in the brain, it can disrupt cell function and communication pathways. Elevated levels can also be a factor in abnormalities of the mitochondria – the energy-generating batteries of cells – and in damaging the brain vasculature (its blood vessels). Collectively, these can eventually contribute to cognitive dysfunction, including impairments in memory and learning – hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

Ideally, Dr. Fossati and Dr. Ilies’ drug would target these characteristics, as currently available carbonic anhydrase inhibitors do, but would better infiltrate the brain and cause fewer side effects.

The drug would be tested in cell and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease first and then potentially in human clinical trials in two to three years.

“Since carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have already been approved by the FDA and have demonstrated promising results, we are hopeful that we will be able to tailor what is currently available on the market to specifically target Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Fossati said. “We are so thankful that the foundation sees such promise in our work and has chosen to recognize us with this grant.”

The Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, which was established in 2002 by Robert P. Thome to honor the memory of his parents, provides funding in two areas – support for the dignified treatment of older adults and support for medical research on diseases affecting older adults. The medical research division alternates between funding research on macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease.

About Temple Health

Temple University Health System (TUHS) is a $2.2 billion academic health system dedicated to providing access to quality patient care and supporting excellence in medical education and research. The Health System consists of Temple University Hospital (TUH)

;

TUH-Episcopal Campus; TUH-Jeanes Campus; TUH-Northeastern Campus; The Hospital of Fox Chase Cancer Center and Affiliates, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center; Temple Transport Team, a ground and air-ambulance company; Temple Physicians, Inc., a network of community-based specialty and primary-care physician practices; and Temple Faculty Practice Plan, Inc., TUHS’s physician practice plan comprised of more than 500 full-time and part-time academic physicians in 20 clinical departments. TUHS is affiliated with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.

Temple Health refers to the health, education and research activities carried out by the affiliates of Temple University Health System (TUHS) and by the Katz School of Medicine. TUHS neither provides nor controls the provision of health care. All health care is provided by its member organizations or independent health care providers affiliated with TUHS member organizations. Each TUHS member organization is owned and operated pursuant to its governing documents.

It is the policy of Temple University Health System that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

Brandon Perez & David Sult Sentenced for Setting Homeless Man on Fire

MAYS LANDING – Two men were sentenced on Feb. 28, 2020 before Judge Waldman to New Jersey state prison after pleading guilty in November to aggravated assault for setting a man on fire in March, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.

Brandon Perez, (right) 23, of Hammonton and David Sult,  (left) 24, of Mays Landing, were both sentenced to  5 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act.

In November both men pleaded guilty to second degree aggravated assault in exchange for five years New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act (85% period of parole ineligibility and three years parole supervision upon release).

On the evening of March 15, 2019, Brandon Perez and David Sult were at Sult’s residence in Mays Landing hanging out with a group of other men. Raymond Mullen was asleep on a couch when Perez and Sult decided to play a “prank” on him. Perez sprayed lighter fluid on the back of Raymond’s clothing. Perez ignited it. Raymond suffered severe burns to his back.  The men claimed Raymond had been burned accidentally by an electronic smoking device but the investigation revealed the fire had been set intentionally.

Township of Hamilton Police Det. Lawrence Fernan investigated the incident and ACPO Det. Danielle Kratky assisted with the prosecution. Assistant Prosecutor Chris D’Esposito represents the state in the matter.

***************************

Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at

609-909-7800

or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at

http://www.acpo.org/tips.html

and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at

609-652-1234

or

1-800-658-8477

(TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at

http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/

. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.

Joseph N. Harris of Franklinville, formerly of Gloucester City, Vietnam War Army Veteran

Joseph N. Harris Sr.

Joseph N. Harris Sr. \”Butch\” age 72, of Franklinville formerly of Gloucester City passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020. Born in Camden to the late Jacob Harris and Louise (nee Hilling), Butch served in the Army during the Vietnam War and continued serving in the Army National Guard for 20 years of service. He was proud of his military service, loved his country and was a member of the Brooklawn American Legion. His passion was traveling to car shows and taking care of his 1969 Firebird. Butch was loved by all who knew him. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren.

Butch is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years Patricia (nee Mayhew), his son Joseph N. Harris Jr., (Jacqueline), two daughters, Angela Harris (Dave) and Darlene Voll (William), five grandchildren, Alexis, Jacob, Abigail, Billy and Andrew and his brother-in-law, David McNeil. He was predeceased by his sister, Saundra McNeil.

Family and Friends may visit

from 9:30 am to 11 am on Thursday, March 5th

, at Smith Funeral Home,

47 Main Street, Mantua, NJ

where a Memorial Service will be held at 11. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Wenonah Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, contributions can be made to ASPCA,

PO Box 96929, Washington, DC, 20090-6929

or by phone at

1-800-628-0028

. Memories and condolences can be shared at

www.smithfhmantua.com

NJ Announces Offshore Wind Solicitation Schedule of 7,500 MW through 2035

Commitment Demonstrates New Jersey’s Leadership on Offshore Wind

TRENTON

– Governor Phil Murphy recently announced the offshore wind solicitation schedule to meet the 7,500 megawatt (MW) offshore wind goal by 2035 and called upon the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to take all

necessary actions to implement the schedule. These projects will deliver the clean, renewable energy generation needed to meet the State’s goals of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030 and a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050. Reaching 7,500 MW will generate enough electricity to power more than 3.2 million homes and meet fifty percent of the state’s electric power need, while supporting an offshore wind industry that will generate billions of dollars in investments in New Jersey’s future and create thousands of jobs.

“Several months ago, I committed the State of New Jersey to 7,500 MW of offshore wind by 2035, as a critical component of achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050,”

said Governor Murphy.

“By announcing this planned solicitation schedule, we are demonstrating to our partners in industry and labor that we are committed to implementing this process in a thoughtful way that ensures economic growth for the New Jersey.”

“Not only was Governor Murphy the first to embrace 100 percent clean energy, he has been a national leader when it comes to recognizing the importance of offshore wind,”

said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso.

“New Jersey opened the largest single-state solicitation, is building a supply chain that will support projects up and down the east coast and is poised to double our offshore wind capacity. Guided by our new Energy Master Plan, offshore wind is a critical component in realizing the Governor’s vision of 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and ensuring our planet survives for future generations.”

The proposed schedule calls for the next 1,200 MW solicitation to be opened by September 2020, with an award made by second quarter of 2021. Setting a solicitation schedule through 2035 provides a crucial level of certainty for developers, original equipment manufacturers, and the supply chain.

To be responsive to the evolving market, the schedule has been developed to provide flexibility in terms of the amount being procured with each solicitation and the exact timeline. There are a number of factors that could influence the timing and the quantity to be procured including transmission solutions and development schedule, the status of additional lease areas, permitting, port readiness, establishment of a supply chain, workforce training, and cost trends.

Proposed OSW Solicitation Schedule through 2035

Solicitation

Capacity Target MW

Issue Date

Submittal Date

Award Date

Estimated Commercial Operation Date

1

1,100

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q2 2019

2024

2

1,200

Q3 2020

Q4 2020

Q2 2021

2027

3

1,200

Q3 2022

Q4 2022

Q2 2023

2029

4

1,200

Q2 2024

Q3 2024

Q1 2025

2031

5

1,400

Q2 2026

Q3 2026

Q1 2027

2033

6

1,400

Q1 2028

Q3 2028

Q1 2029

2035

In January 2018, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 8, which directed NJBPU to fully implement the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act and begin the process of moving the state toward a goal of 3,500 MW of offshore wind by the year 2030. In response, New Jersey Board Public Utilities issued a solicitation for 1,100 MW of offshore wind and awarded Ørsted with the largest single state contract in June 2019. Ørsted expects this first project to be operational by 2024.

On November 19, 2019, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order No. 92 directing the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and other state agencies with responsibilities arising under Offshore Wind Economic Development Act to take all necessary actions to promote the development of wind energy off the coast of New Jersey to meet a goal of 7,500 MW of offshore wind by the year 2035. This new order rescinded Paragraph 1 of Executive Order No. 8, which had established the previous goal of 3,500 MW of offshore wind.

NJNG Starts Pipeline Construction In Monmouth County

New Jersey Natural Gas has started construction on their Southern Reliability Link pipeline in Monmouth County. The pipeline is being installed on Province Line Road off of route 537 which is now closed to traffic. NJNG have put plastic fencing to protect the 300 year-old cemetery across the street on Arneytown-Hornerstown Road.

“NJNG is starting construction again in Monmouth County near New Egypt on the SRL pipeline. They are now heading into Burlington County despite the fact that we are still in court with them. They are taking open space and a historic cemetery for an unnecessary pipeline. The NJ Sierra Club is filing a response to briefs to the state and NJNG. Our concern is that we won’t have an oral argument until June or maybe even October. By the time the case is decided that the pipeline cannot be built, a majority of it will be in the ground. This pipeline will cause irreparable harm to the environment and become an economic burden to taxpayers who will have to pay to remove it. NJNG is heading towards Burlington County and it is critical that the Burlington Freeholders commit to blocking this pipeline,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

NJNG’s Southern Reliability Link will have to get approval from Burlington County for permits. The Burlington County Freeholders have the power and the justification to deny road occupancy permits for NJNG’s planned use of county roads for the pipeline. Groups are asking the Freeholder to deny NJNG’s permit to build along its county roads.

“This is a dastardly deed by NJNG. They aren’t just proceeding at their own risk; they’re risking the environment and public safety, and ratepayer’s money. That is why the Burlington County Freeholders must protect their community! NJNG is completely ignoring the rules and the role of the legal system and going ahead with their unnecessary pipeline. There will be irreparable harm by allowing for construction, digging up people’s lawn, and putting a blowtorch within feet of homes. NJNG is already cutting streets off in Monmouth and Ocean County and people cannot get to their homes. They are risking public safety by blocking traffic which is especially difficult for emergency vehicles. Burlington Freeholders need to step up and protect their residents by rejecting NJNG, they need to stop this pipeline so that we have our day in court,”

said Tittel.

The proposed Southern Reliability Link (SRL) pipeline would connect to a compressor station in Chesterfield and run 28 miles of pipe through Burlington, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties. The line would threaten ecosystems, communities, and drinking water in the Pinelands. This pipeline clearly violates the Pinelands rules because this type of infrastructure is only allowed through the Pinelands Forest Preservation Area, if it primarily serves the Pinelands, but it does not.

“The SRL would be detrimental to the Pinelands is the largest open space on the eastern seaboard and recognized for its biodiversity by the United Nations. It is also the country’s first National Reserve and holds 17 trillion gallons of water in its aquifer. We have been trying to get a stay on the SRL but that has fell on deaf ears. The New Jersey Attorney General said he represents the agencies such as the Pinelands and the BPU, but they are in support of the pipeline. This is no longer Chris Christie’s pipeline, this is Phil Murphy’s pipeline. That is why we are asking the Burlington County Freeholders to protect the Pinelands and deny NJNG’s SRL pipeline,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.  “

If Governor Murphy is committed to reducing GHG’s and clean energy, why is he letting NJNG come through his own county for a destructive fossil fuel pipeline. That’s why a moratorium is so important. There is no need for the SRL pipeline other than to promote fracking and the burning of fossil fuels that impact clean water and promote climate change.”

Camden Girl Scouts Visit MD Anderson Cancer Center

Through a partnership with The Cooper Foundation, the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral School and KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy, 24 Camden middle school students visited MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper on Jan. 30 for a behind the scenes look at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers.

During the tour of the state-of-the-art cancer center, students had the opportunity to hear from a radiation therapist, an infusion nurse, a pharmacist, and a clinical researcher to learn about their work and the technology used to care for patients.

Following the tour, Dr. Lisa Reid, a surgeon at MD Anderson at Cooper, shared the story of her career path and encouraged the girls to find their voice and follow their dreams.

Last year, Camden high school students visited Cooper as part of the STEMsational: STEM Girl Scouts Series. This year, the opportunity was extended to middle school students to encourage them to discover their passions and hear from women in leadership roles.

Click here

to view photos from the tour.

Animal News: Rescue Puppy Named New Voice Of The TurfMutt Foundation

(NAPSI)—A puppy named Mulligan has big paws to fill, but the mixed breed rescue dog is up to the challenge of becoming the new voice for the TurfMutt Foundation, says his new owner and guardian, Kris Kiser, President of the organization.

Since 2009, Kiser’s rescue dog, Lucky, “pawed it forward” by leading the Foundation’s environmental education and stewardship program for students in grades K to 8. Sadly, Lucky passed away recently, but his superhero cape is being picked up by perky Mulligan, who was found by Kiser last month during Lucky’s Mutt Madness, a national pet adoption event organized by the Foundation during GIE+EXPO, the nation’s leading trade show for outdoor power, landscaping and hardscaping industry professionals, held each October in Louisville, Ky.

Mulligan was not the only rescue pup to find a new home. Fifteen other dogs from the Kentucky Humane Society also went home with new owners.

Carl Bennett and his family brought home a beagle mix puppy, named Jovial. “She is completely living up to her name. She’s happy and sweet and loves everyone. She’s very smart and is already learning tricks,” said Bennett.

Bennett admits they weren’t planning to bring a puppy home but added, “When we saw her sweet little face and floppy ears we all fell in love. We never expected to adopt but something told us she needed to be a part of our family.

A ten-year-old dog named Mama went home with Mark Potocki. He was concerned she wouldn’t get the love she deserved because she was older. “Once I had the chance to hold her, she curled up in my arms and my decision was made,” said Potocki.

He said Lucky’s Mutt Madness was a wonderful experience. “What a great event. The vibe of the afternoon was fun and drew attention to the need for pet adoption,” said Potocki.

Kiser is deep into puppy training for Mulligan. “As a spokesdog, TurfMutt has to visit schools, and sometimes goes with me for public appearances and on TV sets, so Mulligan needs to be well-socialized and know how to behave.”

“Mutt Mulligan” marks a new page in the TurfMutt platform, which grew from a youth education program launched in 2009 in a handful of Sacramento and Washington, D.C. schools to reaching 70 million students, teachers, and families with its message that everyone can help save the planet, starting with their backyard.

Kiser added, “People can understand the value of a living landscape, when they see it through the eyes of a dog. You suddenly realize that soft grass is kinder to paws than hard concrete and that you need shade and a variety of plants in your yard.”

The TurfMutt program has become a national platform, appearing on every major television network, The Hub, Animal Planet and more, including the award-winning show, “Lucky Dog,” for three seasons; being featured in Parade magazine’s Earth Day issue; and winning awards. TurfMutt is an official USGBC Education Partner and part of its global LEARNING LAB, and has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

More information on Lucky’s Mutt Madness event and the program is at

www.TurfMutt.com

.

Charlotte L. Bishop (75) of Gloucester Township, formerly of Gloucester City

On February 28, 2020.

Age 75.

(

nee

DeMore

)

Of Gloucester Township.

Formerly of Gloucester City.

Predeceased by her husband, Westley Bishop, Sr. Survived by her daughter, Anne Marie

Reimel

(

fiancé

Edward

Berckman

); grandchildren Melonie Margaret

Reimel

,

Adam Michael

Wentzel

, Victoria R.

Berckman

and

Dominique E. Francis (Nicholas J.)

P

redeceased by her son, Robert

Muzyczek

.

At the request of her family, cremation will be private. Memorial Services are being planned for a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Msgr.

Lucitt’s

Needy Children’s Fund, PO Box 87, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Please memo, Charlotte L. Bishop.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Charlotte L. Bishop. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN

–HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph

:856

-456-1142