Congregation Beth El in Voorhees Receives Support from the Investors Foundation Grant Program

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ

–

A $15,000 grant from the Investors Bank’s Foundation is helping Congregation Beth El complete safety and security projects at its Voorhees campus.

Representatives from Investors Bank recently presented a check from the Investors Foundation for $15,000 to Congregation Beth El in Voorhees. Pictured from left, Investors Bank Voorhees branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, Investors Bank assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager Barry Epps, Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster, Investors Bank’s senior vice president business lending Christopher P. Warren, Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick, Associate Rabbi Andy Green, Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro, and Congregation Beth El Board President Karen Schlessel.

Congregation Beth El applied for the grant from the Investors Bank Foundation, which supports non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank.

Congregation Beth El has a rich history in southern New Jersey, beginning with its organization in the Parkside section of Camden in late 1920. The congregation grew significantly over the next 50 years, requiring a move to a larger facility in the late 1960s, and then onto the current location in Voorhees in 2009.

Congregation Beth El is an egalitarian Conservative Synagogue of more than 800 families and is affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

seeks to create a unique, shared space where everyone can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community.

Investors Bank’s Christopher P. Warren, senior vice president business lending; Barry Epps, assistant vice president and Voorhees branch manager; and branch supervisor Sayantani Bhattacharya, presented the check to the leadership of Congregation Beth El.

“We are proud to present Congregation Beth El with this grant in support of its efforts to ensure the safety of its members,” said Warren. “Everyone should feel secure in their ability to participate in worship, education, and the other activities available through Congregation Beth El.”

Congregation Beth El Executive Director Josh Laster said, “We are grateful to Investors Bank Foundation for providing the necessary funds to increase security at Beth El. With their support, we were able to implement new protocols offering additional protection to our education programs.

”

“I know I speak for the leadership of our congregation when I say that Investors Bank is aptly named,” exclaimed Senior Rabbi Aaron Krupnick. “They are investing in our shared future by helping to make our children, and their parents, safe and comfortable here at our school. Our children are our future, and we are proud to be investing in them together.”

“Investors Bank believes in supporting organizations and activities that strengthen the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Epps. “Congregation Beth El plays an important role in our community and we believe we have an obligation to support its efforts.”

About the Investors Foundation

Investors Bank created the Investors Foundation in 2005 to support the communities Investors Bank serves. The Investors Foundation supports initiatives in the arts, youth development, health and human services, education and affordable housing. The Investors Foundation works to improve the lives of its customers and neighbors.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With nearly $27 billion in assets and a network of more than 145 retail branches, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors Bank’s banking services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses.

Investors Bank: Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

About Congregation Beth El

Congregation Beth El seeks to create a unique, shared space where members can discover what it means to be human and to be part of a sacred community. Grounded in ex

ploration of Jewish tradition, text, and ritual, Beth El aspires to enrich the lives of its members to celebrate Conservative Judaism at its creative best, and to bring Jews closer to God, Torah and Israel. Congregation Beth El is proud to say it is a community of communities. The congregation is diverse and robust, with many people from many different walks of life. Congregation Beth El welcomes all levels of background and knowledge. For more information, please go to

www.bethelsnj.org.

Lines on the Pines ~ 15th Annual Event ~ \”Owls of the New Jersey Pine Barrens\”

Galloway

, NJ

–

Lines on the Pines

INDOOR

event

celebrat

ing the New Jersey Pine Barrens returns

, for the third time,

the

Stockton University

AMPUS

CENTER

located

101

Vera King Farris Drive

, Galloway, NJ,

08205

The

Annual Event

will be held

on Sunday, March 15, 2020

fro

m 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

15 YEARS on the 15th of MARCH!

This

popular

book-

signing

history

, arts

, humanities,

craft

show

and everything NJ Pine Barrens

FREE

and open to the public

. It

is presented by

It’s a Sign of the Pines

a 501

) (3)

NJ non-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the wonders of our

Pine Barrens.

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began as a conversation among friends sitting in a Piney bar: how could we bring like-minded people together to celebrate and maintain the cultural richness of the New Jersey Pine Barrens?

Fifteen

years ago our first weekend gathering, entitled

Lines on the Pines

, brought together

a few authors, an

archaeologist and a photographer

whose work reflected or was influenced by the Pines. The annual event has become a much anticipated networking opportunity for presenters and for local community members who attend by the hundreds to talk with authors about the newest Pine Barren\’s themed book,

and now

to look over hand-made jewelry made from nineteenth-century Jersey glass slag, or just chat about the Pines.

Nine

years ago

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began a second event,

Lines on the Pines for KIDS

Goes to College

! During a one-day event, Pinelands-themed classes

were

offered to children aged 6-12 in Stockton\’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton, NJ. Both events reflect

the core mission of

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

: to celebrate the

authors,

history,

and the

arts and humanities of the NJ Pine Barrens.

Now

the

two

events are combined

into

one

big event

Lines on the Pines

is proud to offer

once again

–

The PB&J\’

The Pine Barrens and Juniors

program

. This is a unique opportunity for KIDS to learn about the NJ Pine

Barrens and earn a patch at this

annual event. Mi

McCormick, of South Jersey Trails, has developed a booklet for Junior Explorers detailing the mission and the pledge of the

PB&J Program

his year the theme for KIDS is \”

Owls of the

New Jersey

Pine Barrens

\”

which

encourages

KIDS

of all ages,

to learn about

owls

Shannon Askins, a

local

graphite artist

has

put together a stunning

collection of original drawings of

owls

in a

book,

\”Owls of the New Jersey P

ine Barrens

\”

This book

will be available for folks to purchase. During the day, KIDS will have different activities that will enable them to learn more about

owls and other

live animals, snakes, birds of prey,

in the Pine Barrens

as well as meet our mascots, the crisis response dogs.

In addition, some fun activities will include basket weaving,

face painting

use

of the giant Word Board to create words relatin

g directly to the Pine Barrens and making pine cone owls.

Our sponsors, AtlantiCare

– A member of Geisinger,

Stockton University School of Arts and Humanities and the South Jersey Culture & History Center, ACUA,

Plexus Publishing,

NJM Insurance Group

and others

offer support in

making the

event a huge success.

This year

we welcome

back,

Paul Evans Pedersen, Nicki Giberson,

Kathy English

, Rich, Mary & Steven Carty

, Josh Westcott, Nance Jo Luciani

, Heather Hires, Holly Doyle,

Kirk Jarvis

d over 8

0 more artists, authors, historians

, historical socie

ties and groups.

Dinner

following the daylong event

ighlights

speaker Linda Stanton, Founder and President of

It\’s a Sign of the Pine

, who

will

present

\”

2020 Vision Lead

to a Wise Decision.

\”

The presentation will include the development of this 15 year-old program, its accomplishments and history. On hand, will also be several

\”Pine Barrens Celebrities\”

who will speak briefly on what

Line

on the Pines

means to them.

For more information:

Website

www.linesonthepines.org

and Facebook,

Lines on the Pines

on the Pines

~ 1

Annual Event

\”

Owls of the New Jersey Pine Barrens

\”

Galloway

, NJ

–

Lines on the Pines

INDOOR

event

celebrat

ing the New Jersey Pine Barrens returns

, for the third time,

the

Stockton University

AMPUS CENTER

located

101

Vera King Farris Drive

, Galloway, NJ,

08205

The

Annual Event

will be held

on Sunday, March 15, 2020

fro

m 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

15 YEARS on the 15th of MARCH!

This

popular

book-

signing

history

, arts

, humanities,

craft

show

and everything NJ Pine Barrens

FREE

and open to the public

. It

is presented by

It’s a Sign of the Pines

a 501

) (3)

NJ non-profit corporation dedicated to sharing the wonders of our

Pine Barrens.

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began as a conversation among friends sitting in a Piney bar: how could we bring like-minded people together to celebrate and maintain the cultural richness of the New Jersey Pine Barrens?

Fifteen

years ago our first weekend gathering, entitled

Lines on the Pines

, brought together

a few authors, an

archaeologist and a photographer

and now

to look over hand-made jewelry made from nineteenth-century Jersey glass slag, or just chat about the Pines.

Nine

years ago

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

began a second event,

Lines on the Pines for KIDS

Goes to College

! During a one-day event, Pinelands-themed classes

were

offered to children aged 6-12 in Stockton\’s Kramer Hall in Hammonton, NJ. Both events reflect

the core mission of

It\’s a Sign of the Pines

: to celebrate the

authors,

history,

and the

arts and humanities of the NJ Pine Barrens.

Now

the

two

events are combined

into

one

big event

Lines on the Pines

is proud to offer

once again

–

The PB&J\’

The Pine Barrens and Juniors

program

. This is a unique opportunity for KIDS to learn about the NJ Pine

Barrens and earn a patch at this

annual event. Mi

McCormick, of South Jersey Trails, has developed a booklet for Junior Explorers detailing the mission and the pledge of the

PB&J Program

his year the theme for KIDS is \”

Owls of the

New Jersey

Pine Barrens

\”

which

encourages

KIDS

of all ages,

to learn about

owls

Shannon Askins, a

local

graphite artist

has

put together a stunning

collection of original drawings of

owls

in a

book,

\”Owls of the New Jersey P

ine Barrens

\”

This book

will be available for folks to purchase. During the day, KIDS will have different activities that will enable them to learn more about

owls and other

live animals, snakes, birds of prey,

in the Pine Barrens

as well as meet our mascots, the crisis response dogs.

In addition, some fun activities will include basket weaving,

face painting

use

of the giant Word Board to create words relatin

g directly to the Pine Barrens and making pine cone owls.

Our sponsors, AtlantiCare

– A member of Geisinger,

Stockton University School of Arts and Humanities and the South Jersey Culture & History Center, ACUA,

Plexus Publishing,

NJM Insurance Group

and others

offer support in

making the

event a huge success.

This year

we welcome

back,

Paul Evans Pedersen, Nicki Giberson,

Kathy English

, Rich, Mary & Steven Carty

, Josh Westcott, Nance Jo Luciani

, Heather Hires, Holly Doyle,

Kirk Jarvis

d over 8

0 more artists, authors, historians

, historical socie

ties and groups.

Dinner

following the daylong event

ighlights

speaker Linda Stanton, Founder and President of

It\’s a Sign of the Pine

, who

will

present

\”

2020 Vision Lead

to a Wise Decision.

\”

The presentation will include the development of this 15 year-old program, its accomplishments and history. On hand, will also be several

\”Pine Barrens Celebrities\”

who will speak briefly on what

Line

on the Pines

means to them.

For more information:

Website

www.linesonthepines.org

and Facebook,

Lines on the Pines

Ancora Psychiatric Patient Charged with Escaping

Camden City, N.J. – A Camden City man has been charged after running away from Ancora Psychiatric Hospital staff Feb. 18, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Berlin Township Police Chief Leonard

Check.

Marvin Smith, 41, is charged with Third Degree Escape from Parole, Fourth Degree Contempt of Court, Third Degree Burglary and Disorderly Persons Theft.

Smith was being taken back to Ancora after receiving treatment at an area hospital for a minor injury around 10:30 p.m. When the car Smith was in stopped at a red light at the intersection of Rt. 73 and Cross Keys Road, hospital workers said he took off running.

Officers from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Berlin Township Police Department, N.J. Transit Police and Camden County Office of Emergency Management all responded to search for Smith. The Voorhees Township Police Department, Cape May County Sheriff’s Department and N.J. State Department of Corrections responded with K-9 units to track Smith’s scent. The Human Service Police also deployed a drone.

Detectives said they received multiple tips on Smith’s location around 7 a.m. Feb. 19 after a reverse 911 call was made. When officers responded to Franklin Ave. in Berlin Township, Smith was riding a bike and was taken into custody.

Throughout the investigation, detectives learned Smith broke into a resident’s shed before sleeping in another resident’s car. Police said he then went back to the shed and stole the bike he was later caught on.

Smith is in the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.

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

I\’m Pelosi\’s #1 target

Since day one when I was first elected, I opposed Nancy Pelosi. Her radical liberal views were not what we support here in South Jersey and that\’s why I chose not to vote for her as Speaker!

From everything I have witnessed from Pelosi and her leadership team since being sworn in, I know her only focus is maintaining political power. We need leaders in Washington who are going to put their districts and the American people first — not themselves!

That\’s why I\’m supporting President Trump and his America First Agenda!

We need leaders like President Trump in Washington who care about doing the right thing for the people of their district and not about just playing partisan games.

I\’m Pelosi\’s #1 target. I need your help to win this critical South Jersey district now that Pelosi and the South Jersey Democrats are focusing all their attention to defeating me in November.

We simply cannot afford to let this district fall into the hands of a far left Pelosi puppet.

Can I count on you to help me by chipping in $15, $25, $45, or another amount today?

YES! I will chip in $45 to prevent Pelosi from taking over>>>

YES! I will chip in $25 to prevent Pelosi from taking over>>>

YES! I will chip in $15 to prevent Pelosi from taking over>>>

YES! I will chip in another amount to prevent Pelosi from taking over>>>

Anything you can afford to contribute will go a long way in ensuring South Jersey stays out of the hands of far left socialists.

Thank you,

Jeff Van Drew

DONATE!

Paid for by Van Drew for Congress.

Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. Endorses Mehta For Senate

Shivery: “One thing is clear, Mr. Mehta is conservative.”

GIBBSTOWN – Saying, “I couldn’t sit back and watch my fellow Republicans attack a candidate because they are unhappy their pick for US Senate hasn’t won any county lines,” Greenwich Township Mayor George W. Shivery, Jr. weighed in on the Senate race today.

“I’ve met all the candidates who are still in the Senate race at least once at various events, early on I even took one of the candidates to meet a fellow regional vice president of the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs,” George Shivery said. “It’s time for these candidates to reel in their supporters and have them stop the online name calling.”

“It’s going to be tough enough for the eventual winner of the primary to beat Cory Booker and the name calling is not going to help.” Shivery added, “As a conservative Republican who has managed to win six consecutive elections in a town where the Democrats have a 5 to 1 voter registration advantage I think I know what I’m talking about. The name calling has got to stop!”

Shivery continued, “I was seated with Rik Mehta and his wife at a fundraiser and have spent time with him at other events. One thing is clear, Mr. Mehta is conservative. He is pro-life, opposes sanctuary cities, supports securing our southern border and believes in our right to bear arms.”

“Having met the candidates, heard their speeches and visited with the candidates, some more than others, I have no doubt Rik Mehta is the best candidate in the race.” Shivery said, “I’m proud to offer my personal endorsement of Rik Mehta for Senate and am hopeful Gloucester County’s screening committee sees in Rik the same qualities I see.

The Community of Lodi Awarded Veteran Friendly Municipality Certification

From left, appearing in photo: Councilmen Joseph P. Leto IV and Emil Carafa, Jr., mayor Scott A. Luna, Peter Lupo and deputy mayor, Vincent Martin. Photo by Paul Roe

[Lodi, New Jersey – February, 2020] Lodi was presented with the Veteran Friendly Municipality Certification this evening by Peter Lupo of the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce. During a brief ceremony at the start of the regular borough council meeting, Mr. Lupo presented the certificate to Lodi mayor, Scott Luna, councilmen, Joseph P. Leto IV and Emil Carafa, Jr., and deputy mayor, Vincent Martin.

The borough clerk,Carole D’amico, municipal manager, Vincent Caruso, and several other members of the Lodi government were also on hand at the council meeting.

Mr. Lupo praised the borough for its recognition of the challenges faced by veteran owned businesses and for the hardships veterans often face when trying to find meaningful employment. He added that Lodi goes beyond words and takes action to make substantive improvements to economic opportunities for veteran businesses in the community.

The certificate reads, in part, “This municipality strives to make the lives of veterans better and is therefore awarded the Veteran Friendly Municipality designation for 2020”.

Municipalities earn the certification by passing a resolution to award 6% of public contract dollars to veteran owned businesses and to achieve workforce composed of 5% veterans. The Lodi resolution also provides for 3 veteran only parking spaces in municipal parking areas and a promise by the township to proactively notify veteran businesses of upcoming bids and contract opportunities. To date, the certification has been presented to Paramus, Hackensack, Garfield, South Hackensack, Rochelle Park, Fairview, Garfield, Marlboro Township, South Plainfield, Union City, Freehold, and a continually growing list of municipalities.

The resolution was adopted by unanimous vote by the borough council. It will give veterans a chance to be more competitive for public bids and contracts

The mayor and council accepted the certificate from the chamber and paused a moment for a group photo.

The New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce is a 501c6 nonprofit organization focused on making New Jersey’s economy fairer to veteran owned businesses, as well as veteran job creation.

###

NJ TRANSIT Makes Advancement in Positive Train Control Project

FRA Gives Approval for Revenue Service Demonstration to Begin

NEWARK

– The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has given NJ TRANSIT approval to begin Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD) of its Positive Train Control (PTC) system, moving NJ TRANSIT one-step closer to meeting the

federally mandated deadline of PTC certification by December 31, 2020.

“Entering the RSD phase of PTC is a major milestone and a testament to the incredible work by our employees working around the clock with our contractors to ensure this important safety technology implementation remains on schedule,”

said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin Corbett.

“Two years ago, we had just 10 months to take the project from only 12-percent to 100-percent complete toward the December 31, 2018 federally mandated interim milestone for installation – we were successful. With this announcement, and the continued support from the FRA, I’m confident we will meet the December 31, 2020 federal deadline for full implementation of PTC.”

The FRA’s approval allows NJ TRANSIT to initiate RSD on the Morristown Line between Summit and Denville. Previously, field testing has been conducted on test trains that did not carry customers. During RSD, NJ TRANSIT’s current safety technology called Automatic Train Control (ATC) will remain active and will not be affected by the testing.

NJ TRANSIT continues to conduct and expand its non-revenue testing on its other rail lines and is working collaboratively with Amtrak and freight operators to ensure interoperability of all PTC systems.

In December 2018, NJ TRANSIT marked 100-percent completion of the FRA’s 2018 year-end milestone for PTC that included installation on 282 locomotives and cab cars, 326 miles of wayside infrastructure such as poles and antennas and trained 1,745 employees.

Measure Brings the Project a Step Closer to Full Funding Grant Agreement for Replacement of 109-Year-Old Bridge

NJ TRANSIT is commending the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) decision to give an improved project rating to a proposed replacement of the Portal Bridge. The 109-year-old swing span over the Hackensack River, and its history of mechanical breakdowns, has long been a chokepoint for rail customers travelling the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between New Jersey and New York City.

“From day one, my administration has worked closely with our congressional delegation and Secretary Chao’s team to enhance this critical project that cannot wait another day — we have committed the entirety of New Jersey’s local share in the form of $600 million in EDA bonds, completed critical early construction work and developed shovel-ready plans for major construction. Today’s decision by USDOT puts us one step closer toward our ultimate goal; replacing this unreliable, century-old bridge and reducing delays for NJ TRANSIT customers,”

said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

“New Jersey remains ready and willing to work cooperatively as a full partner to ensure that this project, which affects the commutes of tens of thousands of our residents daily, is completed as expeditiously as possible.”

“We are very thankful that the FTA has improved its rating of the critical Portal North Bridge project,”

said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia.

“A new bridge will significantly increase reliability for the 200,000 daily Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT customers that cross the Hackensack River each day. We thank our partners at NJ TRANSIT for their leadership, FTA and DOT for their cooperation, and all of our federal and state champions in New Jersey, New York and across the country for their continued support as we look forward to progressing this critical element of the Gateway Program.”

“Any rail customer that commutes between New Jersey and New York City will attest to the importance of the reliability this bridge has on the quality of their daily lives,”

said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Chair Diane Gutierrez- Scaccetti.

“This antiquated bridge remains a single point of failure on the NEC, which makes its replacement a top priority. We’re grateful that the USDOT recognizes how critical this link is to the economic viability of this region and look forward to getting construction underway as soon as possible.”

“We are extremely pleased with the USDOT’s decision to advance the Portal North Project closer to a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA). This critical project can’t wait any longer as this nearly 110-year-old bridge is a frequent source for delays and frustration for our nearly 90,000 customers who travel to and from Penn Station New York every day,”

said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin Corbett.

“We thank the USDOT, and our partners at the FTA and FRA, for their support of this shovel-ready project that will increase capacity and ensure reliability for the more than 450 NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak trains a day that cross the Portal Bridge.”

In September 2019, NJ TRANSIT, as the Project Sponsor in partnership with Amtrak, submitted a revised financial plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The revised plan was adjusted to reflect FTA and USDOT feedback on a previous submissions, making more local money available for the project while keeping costs in check. NJ TRANSIT and the state of New Jersey doubled the share of local funding toward the project, increasing the state’s contribution from $300 million to $600 million dollars.

Advancing the Portal North Bridge Project towards construction is critical to eliminating the major disruptions to train service on the NEC between Newark, New Jersey and New York Penn Station. The NEC is the busiest passenger rail line in the United States, and a long-term outage of the Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River would result in catastrophic delays from Boston to the nation’s capital.

Between NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak, more than 450 trains a day cross the current Portal Bridge carrying passengers making almost 200,000 daily trips. NJ TRANSIT alone carries approximately 90,000 customers (180,000 passenger trips) between New Jersey and New York City on an average weekday. The bridge regularly opens to allow for marine traffic to pass, and each opening causes delays on both lines. When the 109-year-old bridge fails to properly close, the delays cascade to affect tens of thousands of customers and their families.

The replacement Portal North Bridge is designed as a high-level, fixed span bridge that will allow marine traffic to pass underneath without interrupting rail traffic. The project is one hundred percent designed, fully permitted, and has seen early work completed on time and under budget. These successes make it especially well-positioned to begin construction to provide increased reliability and capacity to rail passengers throughout the region and nation in the near-term.

Once full construction begins, the remainder of the Portal North Bridge Project is estimated to take approximately five years.

Firefighters Want to Know More About Proposed Pennsylvania Fire Commission

By Steve Bittenbender |

The Center Square

A Pennsylvania House committee is weighing a measure that seeks to make changes in how fire and emergency services are administered in the state.

The Pennsylvania Legislature courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer

The House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee took up House Bill 1819, which would create a state Fire Commission.

State Rep. Austin Davis, D-McKeesport, the bill’s sponsor, said his district includes professional and volunteer-led fire departments that face issues regarding the ability to provide essential services and the ability to recruit and retain members.

“The communities I serve in southeast Allegheny County are facing many of the same challenges in the delivery of fire and emergency medical services that we’re witnessing across this commonwealth,” Davis said.

He told the committee he’s watched as it passed more than 20 bills that have origins from the Senate Resolution 6 Report recommendations from 2018. But, while programs and incentives may offer relief, he said they don’t necessarily address the bigger, underlying problem that will allow communities to offer emergency services for years to come.

So, Davis’ bill seeks to make “a big structural change” to the way the state organizes its support for local emergency service agencies. It would take the Fire Commissioner’s office and make it a 13-member commission that would include state fire chief – who would take over the duties of the commissioner.

Eight of the commission members would come from geographic districts within the state. The governor would appoint and the state Senate would confirm them. While the chief would serve as the chair of the commission, the chief would only vote to break a tie.

While Davis’ bill drew support from the firefighting community, they did offer the committee some recommended changes to the bill.

State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego expressed concern about the power structure between the chief and the commission.

“Having the commission serve in an advisory capacity would allow the commissioner to continue serving the commonwealth Fire Service,” Trego said. “The commission would be able to provide the commissioner with recommendations for the future of the fire service but provide the commissioner with the authority to decide on the appropriate actions.”

Trego added current law allows for a Fire Safety Advisory Committee. While that committee hasn’t been functional in several years due to funding issues, Trego said it could handle some of the responsibilities set out in Davis’ bill.

Trego also had concerns about the geographic makeup of some of the districts, which he felt may be too large.

Jay Delaney, chief of the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department and the president of the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association, did not like that the proposed commission includes representatives from business and industry, architectural firms and insurance companies.

“Private industry representation should not be part of the independent fire commission,” he said.

State Rep. Frank Farry, R-Feasterville, who chairs the committee’s subcommittee on security and emergency response, said he appreciated getting the insights from the firefighting community on the bill.

“I think the testimony was fairly consistent in terms of some proposed changes that probably need to be made to this bill,” Farry said.

published by Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

ICE, and Law Enforcement Agencies Address Dangers of New York\’s Green Light Law

WASHINGTON (February 21, 2020)– – The acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director and federal, state and local law enforcement officials hosted a news conference today to address how the Green Light Law in the state of New York impacts public safety. Hosted at the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office in Troy, New York, 17 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies gathered to implore the State of New York to consider the ramifications of the Green Light Law.

“By restricting access to all DMV information, the Green Light Law stands as a dangerous roadblock to ongoing federal investigations into a broad range of criminal activity,” said Acting ICE Director Matthew T. Albence. “Information sharing is the lifeblood of law enforcement. The inability to access this information puts our sworn federal agents and officers, and the communities we serve, unnecessarily at risk.”

ICE is not asking the State of New York to provide a list of illegal aliens, or to identify which individuals in its databases are here illegally, Albence explained at the press conference. ICE needs access to the information – just like all other law enforcement agencies that work in the state – to support investigative efforts, not only in New York, but also across the country and around the world, he said. ICE’s ability to identify and dismantle a transnational criminal organization often depends on getting the right piece of information into the right hands at the right time.

The National Sheriffs Association, New York State Sheriffs Association, New York State Police Chiefs, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, New York City Sergeants Benevolent Association, Rensselaer County Executive, Rensselaer County Sheriff, Rensselaer County Clerk, Washington County Sheriff, Saratoga County Sheriff, Albany County Legislator, Saratoga County Clerk, New York Fraternal Order of Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New York, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, the Erie County Clerk, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection participated.

Colorado/Las Vegas Drug Dealers Sentenced For Trafficking Heroin Seized in Secaucus Hotel

TRENTON

– Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a Colorado man was sentenced to prison today after being convicted at trial of trafficking 31 kilograms of heroin seized from his hotel

room in Secaucus by the New Jersey State Police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Anthony R. Koon, 58, of Pueblo, Colo., was sentenced today to 10 years in state prison, including over three years of parole ineligibility, by Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Arre in Hudson County. Koon was found guilty on June 25, 2019, by a Hudson County jury of charges of first-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy, and third-degree possession of heroin. Koon’s state sentence will be consecutive to a nine-year federal prison sentence Koon is currently serving as the result of a drug conviction in U.S. District Court in Illinois.

Koon’s co-defendant, Alan A. Alderman, 74, of Las Vegas, Nev., was sentenced on Dec. 13, 2019 to five years in state prison by Judge Arre. Alderman was tried with Koon in June, but the jury in that trial was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on Alderman. Alderman was retried and was found guilty on Oct. 10, 2019 of second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin and third-degree possession of heroin.

Deputy Attorneys General Omari Reid and Heather Hausleben tried Koon for the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau. DAG Reid and Deputy Attorney General Amy Sieminski tried Alderman in October. DAG Reid handled the sentencing hearing today for Koon. The trial teams were assisted by Deputy Attorney General Sarah Brigham of the DCJ Appellate Bureau. The men were indicted in an investigation by the New Jersey State Police Violent & Organized Crime Control Bureau Trafficking North Unit and DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Group T-42. The New York Drug Enforcement Task Force comprises agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police.

“The 31 kilograms of heroin seized in this case represent tens of thousands of doses of heroin that would have fueled addiction, misery and death if the DEA Task Force and New Jersey State Police had not interceded,” said Attorney General Grewal. “I commend the prosecutors in our Division of Criminal Justice who secured these verdicts and prison sentences, as well as all of the members of law enforcement who investigated. We are fighting the opioid epidemic on all fronts in New Jersey, expanding prevention and treatment strategies while aggressively prosecuting criminals like Koon and Alderman who traffic opioids into our communities.”

“We will continue to work with the New Jersey State Police, DEA, and our other law enforcement partners to target the major suppliers of opioids who are ruthlessly profiting from addiction in New Jersey,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Interstate drug trafficking demands an interstate response, and this collaborative, multi-jurisdictional investigation is a great example of how we target this type of criminal organization.”

“The fact that troopers and detectives were able to prevent such a massive quantity of heroin from hitting the streets is a victory in and of itself, because somewhere among the thousands of doses seized was one that would claim a life or send another spiraling out of control, consumed by addiction,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police. “We are committed to combating the opioid epidemic through collaborative investigations and by continuing to focus our efforts on prevention through education.”

“Drug trafficking investigations have uncovered numerous means and methods used by criminal organizations to transport illicit drugs into our communities and homes,” said Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan of the DEA New York Division. “This sentencing is the final step in bringing to justice two traffickers responsible for delivering 31kilograms of heroin into our backyard. I applaud our partners in the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General for their dogged efforts in this investigation.”

New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said, “As a result of interagency coordination and commitment among our law enforcement partners, two dangerous drug traffickers have been brought to justice. Heroin and other drugs perpetuate a cycle of addiction and criminal behavior which in turn threatens the safety and security of our neighborhoods. I want to thank our members and law enforcement partners for their tenacious dedication to tracking illegal drugs and intercepting them at their source before they can be distributed on our streets.”

The defendants were arrested on Feb. 1, 2016, after NYDETF Group T-42 developed information that a gold-colored Mercedes Benz linked to a large-scale narcotics trafficking organization had traveled from New York to a hotel in Secaucus, N.J. NYDETF Group T-42 enlisted the New Jersey State Police Trafficking North Unit to assist them in the investigation. The joint investigation revealed that several members of the narcotics network had traveled to Secaucus that day to meet and exchange heroin.

Initially, two men were stopped in a minivan after they left the parking lot of the hotel, where they were seen meeting with the occupant or occupants of the gold Mercedes. Those men, Oscar R. Felix, 42, of Menifee, Calif., and John M. Ulloa, 38, of Bronx, N.Y., were linked through further investigation to Alderman, who was determined to be staying at the hotel. Alderman and Koon, who was staying with Alderman, were arrested inside the hotel, where investigators discovered two gym bags secured with locks in a closet of their hotel room. Investigators executed a search warrant for the hotel room the following day and discovered 31 kilograms of heroin in the gym bags. They also found $14,300 in U.S. currency wrapped in black electrical tape when they executed a search warrant for Koon’s Jeep.

Felix and Ulloa pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin and each man was sentenced on Dec. 11, 2017 to six years in state prison.

Defense Attorneys:

For Koon

: Michael R. Shulman, Esq., Jersey City, N.J.

For Alderman:

Assistant Deputy Public Defender Andre Vitale, Hudson County.