According To Our Land Use Ordinance

At the June 23rd Township meeting, I tried to remind the committee that the basic objective of having ordinances and code enforcement is to achieve total compliance and of their obligation to pursue that goal. This was in response to their decision to sell grossly undersized properties as buildable lots based on their misguided belief that they were still protected under a “non-conforming pre-existing use” status. There were two dissenting committee member votes based on the gross undersize of the properties. As you may know, I was unsuccessful in my attempt. That is why I am taking the time to show why these undersized lots are no longer considered “pre-existing uses”.

Again, these properties are grossly undersized for residential development (less than 5 acres in a 25 acre zone). They have been abandoned for about 10 years or more thereby losing all protection under a “pre-existing” status. Below is the section of our ordinance that addresses non-conforming uses:

Article 12, Section 144-123, Para 16 (page 132)

16. NON-CONFORMING USES

The otherwise lawful use of a building or land existing at the time of adoption of this Ordinance may be continued, although such use does not conform to the provisions of this Ordinance, provided:

A. No expansion of such building or use shall be permitted.

B. That the existence of a non-conforming use on a part of a lot or tract shall not be construed to establish a non-conforming use of the entire tract or lot.

C. That whenever a non-conforming use is discontinued or changed to a conforming use, it shall not thereafter be change back to a non-conforming use.

D. That whenever a non-conforming structure has been abandoned or, damaged by fire or other causes to the extent of eighty percent (80%) of its market value, as determined by the Tax Assessor, it shall be rebuilt or repaired in conformity with the regulations of the district in which it is located or obtain the necessary approvals.

E. That if a non-conforming use of a structure ceases operations or remains vacant for more than one year, circumstances may be considered as evidence of the abandonment of said prior non-conforming use.

Because the above requirements are typical in most municipalities, they are well explained in a number of publications and case law. For example, see “New Jersey Zoning and Land Use Administration” by William M. Cox (chapter 11).

In summary, I totally agree that the Township should sell whatever it can, but what it sells must be in accordance with the rule of law. Any deviation may have unforeseen legal consequences and make code enforcement more difficult.

Anthony Gabris, former Zoning Official

Below are a few pictures of the structures that were demolished about 5 years ago. You be the judge as to whether the “pre-existing uses” were maintained as required by ordinance. All pictures can be viewed full size by clicking on them.

SWEETWATER CASINO

ITS ONE YEAR AGO TODAY THAT THE SWEETWATER CASINO WAS ON FIRE. BIG LOSS FOR MULLICA. AND MANY YEARS OF GREAT TIMES.

LOCAL SKATEBOARDERS MAKE MULLICA PROUD

By KELLY ASHE, For The Press of Atlantic City, Posted: Monday, June 29, 2009

In Upper Township, a summer spent on boards could keep them from getting bored.

Seventeen-year-old Pat Bilazzo of Mullica Township performs a frontside ollie over a gap between two ramps during the first contest in the King of Upper Township Skate Series sponsored by Bordz Skate Shop of Somers Point at the Amanda's Field Skatepark in Upper Township on Sunday.

UPPER TOWNSHIP - Skateboarders as young as 7 showed off their high ollies, hippie jumps and kick flips at Amanda's Field Skate Park on Sunday.

Twenty-six skateboarders, ages 7-23, competed in the opening round of Bordz Action Sports' King of Upper Township skate series in the Petersburg section of the township. The series will include two more competitions later this summer at the park.

Scott Guntz, owner of Bordz Action Sports in Somers Point, created the event to give the competitors, many of whom were teenagers, something fun and positive to keep them busy. Skateboarders can pay $20 to compete in any of the three events or $50 for all three.

Competition is broken up by age and skill divisions. Skateboarders will earn points toward the final in August. The skater with the most points for each group will receive sponsorships, in the form of free gear, from CIRCA footwear, Zero skateboards and DCMA apparel, Guntz said.

The turnout was not what Guntz had hoped, but he said the local talent pool is better than it has ever been.

"The best part is the newer and younger skaters that came out," Guntz said. "They are the ones who are going to help keep the sport alive."

The opening competition began with a 20-minute open jam during which all the entrants skated at once, followed by the high ollie, hippie jump, kick flip, distance launch and heel flip challenges. After a short break, a second open jam was held. The contest concluded with the limbo challenge.

Eight-year-old Stephanie Carty, from the Nesco section of Mullica Township, was the only female competitor. She won the limbo contest by successfully skating underneath a bar 9 inches off the ground without her feet leaving the board. Her winning approach was to lay on her stomach while using her hands to push her board along.

Stephanie has been skating since she was 5. This was her first competition.

"It's weird being the only girl," she said. "There's not many girls who skateboard, so I learned from my brother Stephen."

Her brother Stephen won the 13-15 division and the kick-flip challenge by completing 22 in a row. He also performed 11 heel flips in a row to win that challenge, too. Stephanie and Stephen's mother, Kathy Schofield, said Stephen gets up ever morning at 6, eats breakfast and is on his board by 7.

"He loves to practice. He won't get off his board till I make him," Schofield said.

The next round of the King of Upper Township series is July 25 and the finale Aug. 22.

"I am going to try harder and harder until I win the sponsorship," Stephen said.

Other highlights of the competition include Steve Lord's longest launch of 15.2 feet and his 46-inch hippie jump, Steve Beck's 30-inch high ollie and an appearance by Alex Ronan, a close friend and sidekick of pro skateboarder and reality TV star Bam Margera.

E-mail Kelly Ashe:

KAshe@pressofac.com

RESULTS

8-and-under girls-1. Stephanie Carty 100 points; 8-and-under boys-Chris Hendrixson 100; 9-12 intermediate boys: 1. James Russell 100, 2. Pat Malady 90; 9-12 novice boys: 1. Jim Hammerstedt 100; 13-15 boys: 1. Steve Carty 100, 2. Tom McGivney 90, 3. Mike Schenker 80; 160-older males: 1. Pat Bilazzo 100, 2. Steve Beck 90, 3. Travis Conover 80; 16-older advanced and best all-around skater: 1. Steve Lord 100.

WOMEN BEHAVING BADLY

In the latest posting on Keep Mullica Green, the desperation of Kathy Chasey's re-election bid comes to the forefront.

Both Chasey and Foreman, the last ten minutes, during public discussion, as seen on the Mullica News video from the June 23rd committee meeting shows how little regard they have for the people of this town. Most parents wouldn't accept this behavior from their own children, let alone grown adults who are supposed to be professionals and elected officials. It's an embarrassment to Mullica Township and a slap in the face to all the residents in our community.

REMINDER-COUNTY FIRE DRILL ON SUNDAY

This is a reminder to all residents, the Elwood Volunteer Fire Company will be hosting a County Fire Drill this Sunday, June 28. The drill will be held at the Carpenter's Training Center on Rt. 30 and 2nd Ave.

There will be various fill sites through out the Elwood section and Hammonton areas. There may be a slight inconvenience to some of the residents.

Please use caution when traveling through these areas. There will be a lot of emergency equipment on our roads that morning.

All roads will remain open with the exception of 2nd Ave for thru traffic.

Roads that will be affected:

Route 30/White Horse Pike, Elwood section of Mullica

Town of Hammonton up to Rt. 542

Boyer Ave. Hammonton

Moss Mill Rd , Elwood Section & Hammonton section 7th Street between Rt. 30 and Moss mill Rd. ( Hammonton border line)

Locust St. Elwood section

Elm St. Elwood Section

Elwood Road in Front of the fire house

2nd Ave (closed to thru traffic)

MULLICA RESIDENTS HONORED FOR RESCUING DROWNING BOY

By ROB SPAHR, Staff Writer, 609-272-7283, from The Press of Atlantic City, 6/26/2009

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - The last thing 6-year-old Johnathan Cordero remembers before his near-death experience is playing a game with his T-ball teammates in a pool at a party June 6.

To play the game, called "Dead Man Floating," one swimmer floats face-down in the water and other swimmers try to save him.

When it was Cordero's turn to play dead, no one saved him in time and he sank to the bottom of the pool.

The next thing he remembers is seeing the faces of off-duty state Department of Human Services Officer Paul Rivera and Kim Butterhof, the mother of one of his teammates.

Rivera, an assistant coach for the T-ball team, walked past the pool to check on his own children when he noticed Cordero at the bottom of the pool.

"I figured it was something to do with the game all the kids were playing, but then I just felt like something was wrong," Rivera said.

Rivera jumped into the in-ground pool and swam to Cordero.

"When I got to him, I knew there was a problem because he didn't react at all," Rivera said. "There should've been some kind of reaction."

Rivera scooped Cordero's "still and lifeless" body to the surface, where Butterhof was waiting to help lift the boy out of the pool.

"Most of the other parents were busy making sure their own kids were safe and trying to get the rest of the kids in the house," Rivera said. "I was so happy to see Kim standing there, because I wouldn't have been able to get Johnathan out of the pool fast enough if I had to do it by myself."

Butterhof, an administrative assistant for a construction company, learned how to perform CPR as part of a massage-therapy course she took last year.

"On the Friday before the party, they asked everyone in my office if anyone was certified in CPR. I said, 'I am, not that I'll ever need it for anything,'" said Butterhof, who already knew both her children were safe prior to the rescue. "But little did I know that 24 hours later, I'd be using it."

Butterhof immediately started to do chest compressions and Riveria assisted with the CPR counts.

"All of a sudden, I saw Johnathan's eyes open and he started vomiting up the water," Rivera said. "I've never been so happy to have someone throw up on me."

Cordero's mother, Debra Griffin, was not at the party but her husband, Al, called to tell her to get to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus, right away.

"When I got there, he was alert and talkative, like nothing had happened," Griffin said. "I didn't know whether to hug him or to scold off for playing a game he shouldn't have been. Hugs won."

Griffin said she would be eternally grateful for the quick-thinking of Rivera and Butterhof.

"There is not enough thanks in the world," she said. "Without them, Johnathan would not be here."

Johnathan got a chance to thank his rescuers when they met Thursday at a park.

Rivera and Butterhof received awards for their heroism from the Police Department and Township Committee.

"For us, as police officers in a rural town, we are often a couple seconds too late getting to things like this that occur," said Detective Sgt. John Thompson Jr., adding the township is so vast and rural that it can sometimes take officers five or 10 minutes to respond to a call. "We felt it was appropriate to recognize the efforts of these two people, which resulted in such a positive outcome - Johnathan's life."

The state's Department of Children and Families announced a public awareness campaign last month called "Not Even for a Second," which urges parents and caretakers to pay close attention to children near water and to child-proof swimming pools.

"Summer should be a fun time for families. But caregivers must be on constant watch with children around water," Department of Children and Families Commissioner Kimberly Ricketts said in a news release. "If someone isn't paying close attention, instead of making summer memories to last a lifetime - you have lost a life."

E-mail Robert Spahr:

RSpahr@pressofac.com

6/23/09 Committee Meeting up on Mullica News

Mullica News has the committee meeting from last night (6/23/2009) up on their site for viewing.

Click link to view the video

Dr. William Zwiebel, face of Kessler Hospital,dies at age 60.

By ROB SPAHR, Staff Writer, 609-272-7283, Posted: Press of Atlantic City, Tuesday, June 23, 2009

HAMMONTON-Dr. William Zwiebel, the longtime face of Kessler Memorial Hospital, died early Monday morning.

The 60-year-old Ocean City resident and medical director of AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's Satellite Emergency Department, Kessler Campus, died at about 1:30 a.m. Monday at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia after suffering a ruptured aorta, according to Police Chief Frank Ingemi.

"This community has lost an icon," said Ingemi, a longtime friend of Zwiebel's. "You cannot put into words what Dr. Zwiebel has meant to this community.

Zwiebel - who leaves behind a wife, Nancy, and two sets of adult twins - started at William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital in 1984 and quickly became a well-respected figure in the community.

"Next to the word 'care' in the dictionary, they should really put a picture of him," said Francis 'Butch' Gazzara, Kessler's clinical manager, who worked with Zwiebel for more than 20 years. "He had a phenomenal sense of humor that poured over into the quality care he gave."

AtlantiCare President Donald J. Parker said Zwiebel had the sense of humor of Capt. "Trapper" John McIntyre from "M*A*S*H" and the diagnostic talents of Dr. Gregory House from the popular Fox drama "House"

"He was without a doubt the face of Kessler hospital. In fact, more people probably associated Dr. Zwiebel with that hospital than William B. Kessler himself," said Parker, adding that Zwiebel once personally saved his life after he had gone into anaphylactic shock.

Zwiebel also was praised for his role in keeping the financially strapped Kessler operational under "deplorable" working conditions, in terms of sanitation and available supplies, during the hospital's final months.

"I was asked how we were able to work under such pitiful conditions," Zwiebel told The Press of Atlantic City on March 23. "I said, 'On a wing and a prayer.'"

After Kessler Memorial Hospital closed March 12, Parker said, Zwiebel played a major role in bringing AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's satellite emergency department to the facility so the community would not be without an emergency room.

Shortly after AtlantiCare's operations at Kessler began, AtlantiCare officials deemed it appropriate to put Zwiebel's face on billboards to promote it.

Parker said the billboards with Zwiebel's picture will remain up, but that a George Bernard Shaw quote will soon be added to them in his memory.

It will read: "I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can."

A public viewing for Zwiebel will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at the First Presbyterian Church at Seventh Street and Wesley Avenue in Ocean City.

E-mail Robert Spahr:

RSpahr@pressofac.com

Committee Meeting Agenda - Tuesday, 6/23/09-7:00 PM

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
JUNE 23, 2009
7:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

ROLL CALL

RECOGNITIONS: Paul Rivera & Kimberly Butterhof

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 06/09/2009

FIRST READING:
Ordinance #7-2009/Amending Chapter 102 / Uniform Construction Codes
Ordinance #8-2009/Accept Land/Block 4117, Lot 2
Ordinance #9-2009/Amending Chapter 34, Section 34-4/Personnel Policies

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:
A. Discuss purchase of Prior Land Sale Block 10821, Lot 11

NEW BUSINESS:
A. Resolution # 71 – 2009-Fifth Avenue
B. Resolution # 72 – 2009-Darmstadt Avenue
C. Resolution # 73 – 2009-2009-2010 Liquor License Renewals

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Resolution ES -09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 03/24/2009

ADJOURN

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MULLICA TOWNSHIP CLASS OF 2009!

NJ Lawmakers push for veterans' hospital in South Jersey

From the Star-Ledger, June 17, 2009.

TRENTON: Expressing the belief that we have to do better on behalf of the military veterans that have served our country, Senators Jeff Van Drew and Christopher Connors Tuesday announced bipartisan efforts to push for a South Jersey health care facility to meet the health care needs of the region's military veterans.

The lawmakers are asking that the federal Veterans' Administration (VA) look into establishing a health care facility at the former Kessler Hospital site - which is currently being used as an emergency care clinic by AtlantiCare - in order to create a regional health care center to address the medical needs of the region's large veteran population.

"This effort isn't about political ideologies or personal beliefs about the ongoing conflict in Iraq, but rather about giving something back to those people who've given so much for our nation.," said Van Drew (D-Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic). "With South Jersey's large number of military veterans, including a large number who've recently completed their military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's time we had our own VA health care center in the region."

Military veterans living in southern New Jersey are many times forced to travel to veterans' hospitals in Wilmington, Philadelphia or North Jersey to get the sort of medical treatment they need. While the VA has established small clinics in Ventnor, Cape May and Vineland, these facilities are only equipped to perform certain types of outpatient medical services, and are often overwhelmed by the large number of veterans seeking care.

"Being forced to travel long distances in order to receive health care services continues to have a negative impact on the quality-of-life for veterans living in this part of the state, especially for those individuals who require extensive medical treatment," said Connors (R-Ocean, Burlington and Atlantic). "Our Delegation will continue to work closely with officials at our levels of government to address this very serious issue that affects a great portion of the veterans living in our state."

KMG POSTS THE LETTER THAT LED TO THE COUNTY'S "TRASHY" RESPONSE

Keep Mullica Green recently posted the letter (link to KMG letter) written by Bernard Graebener and Michael St. Amour asking the county to pick up trash along the county roads in Mullica. The letter, which seems innocent enough, led to a sharp response from Dennis Levinson's toady, Gerald Del Rosso. Keep Mullica Green further details how Comitteeperson Kathy Chasey is "comfortable" with trash in Mullica.

Sports drive choice of first classes at Cedar Creek High

By EMILY PREVITI, Staff Writer, 609-272-7221 - Posted in the Press of Atlantic City, Friday, June 12, 2009

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - Classes of students from Egg Harbor City, Mullica Township, Port Republic and Washington Township may know by the end of the summer whether they'll be the first to attend the new Cedar Creek High School when it opens in September 2010.

The $81.7 million project is designed to alleviate overcrowding at Absegami and Oakcrest high schools - but sports will be a big factor in determining how quickly students move to the new school in Egg Harbor City.

The school could open with students from all grades, with sophomores and freshmen or with freshmen alone.

"The number of kids is depending on ... certain populations coming in," said Adam Pfeffer, superintendent of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District, which oversees all three schools. "We have to know who's been interested in what and who's been playing what (sports)."

Pfeffer said he hopes to present data on student enrollment options for Cedar Creek before the end of the summer.

That timeline seems reasonable to Absegami Teachers Association President Madeline Avery, who said teachers are wondering what will happen because some of them could end up floating between schools at first.

"If they only open it as a ninth- and tenth-(grade) school, and you need to have five classes to be a full-time teacher, ... there might be some crossing over in the first or second year, I would think," she said, adding that the district likely would hire some new teachers in addition to the veterans who would cross over.

And parents want to know how the new school will affect sports programs.

"If you open a school as a ninth- and tenth-(grade) school, it's not going to have a varsity program. It's not going to allow a student to be a three- or four-year varsity letter winner. I would say some parents are probably concerned about that," she said. "And some are not. I guess it depends on whether your kid is involved in sports."

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association does not allow students to play for a sports program unless they are enrolled at the school that offers the program or the school that offers the program is the only school in the district that offers the sport at any level.

Pfeffer has said the district does not plan to open the school with a varsity sports program, nor all sports offered at Oakcrest and Absegami High schools, which opened in 1960 in Hamilton Township and in 1982 in Galloway Township, respectively.

E-mail Emily Previti:

EPreviti@pressofac.com

How other new schools started

Barnegat Township High School: Opened in 2004 with only freshmen and with varsity teams in sports that don't compete at sub-varsity levels (such as track and field and swimming).

Jackson Liberty High School: Opened in 2006 with freshmen and sophomores, and with a varsity girls' cross-country team and sub-varsity teams for all other sports.

Blessing of the Mullica River/Community Picnic

Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.- "United We Stand" in the Pinelands

Sponsored by St. Mary's in the Pines Cemetery and Pinelands UMC

Blessing of the Mullica River & Flag Day

Location: St. Mary's in the Pines Cemetery (Jackson Road & Pleasant Mills Road)
Officiating: Fr. Neal Dante and Pastor Ray Schmeling
Guest Speaker: Barbara Solem-Stull (author, "The Forks' & "Ghost Town")
Music: Preston Furchion & Doug Laubert

Followed by: Light Refreshments

For additional information on St. Mary's events call (609) 561-4595 or 965-2413

Then later that day, from 4:00 - 8:00 PM
Community Picnic

Pinelands UMC @ Nesco (3551 Nesco Road)

Bring a dish to share and a chair to enjoy
Music, Food, Fun & Games

For additional information 804-1844 or 567-2798

NO BIDS ON LAUER SCHOOL

Mayor Forman's Report, as shown on the taped committee meeting from June 9th on Mullica news, stated no bids were received on the Lauer School. She stated that the Facilities Committee will review the price again and may come back with a lower opening bid price.

JUNE 9th-TWP COMMITTEE MEETING NOW UP

The video of the June 9th, 2009 Committee Meeting is now up on Mullica News and can be found here .

COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA-TONIGHT

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
JUNE 9, 2009
7:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 05 / 26 / 2009

MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION

PRESENTATION: MS CITY TO SHORE RIDE

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Update on Senior Citizens Organization.
B. Resolution #69-2009 / Approve Landsale – Block 2701, Lot 8
C. Review Proposed Amendments to Chapter 102 / Construction Codes

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resolution #70-2009 / Community Development Block Grant Program / 2010-2012
B. Discuss Acceptance of Land
C. Street Vacation Request / Promenade “A”
D. Request Waiver of Application Fee / Pro Pedals


PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES6 #-09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 5/26/2009

ADJOURN

CHASEY AND FORMAN PLAY COUNTY POLITICS AT EXPENSE OF MULLICA RESIDENTS

Keep Mullica Green responded to the recent article posted in The Press of Atlantic City this past Sunday in which the Atlantic County Administrator called Mullica Township "Unappreciative". To read the full response, please click here.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT-6/08/09

Any bids for purchase of Lauer school will be revealed at tonight's meeting at 7:00 PM

anonymous

ATLANTIC COUNTY CALLS MULLICA TOWNSHIP UNAPPRECIATIVE

From The Press of Atlantic City, Sunday, June 7, 2009-Rob Spahr,Staff Writer— County officials want the Township Committee to be more appreciative of the county services the township receives instead of publicly complaining about what does not get done.

The committee voted last month to call upon Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson to do something to rid the township of the “unsightly” debris that lines county roads in the township.

“(The county workers) aren’t picking the trash up. They’re just mowing it over and blowing it into the woods,” Committeeman Bernard Graebener said in May. “You can walk out there and see the trash is all cut up.”

Graebener, who drafted the letter to Levinson, claimed multiple calls to the county to correct the problem were futile. The letter was signed by Graebener and Committeeman Michael St. Amour.

The complaint drew a strongly worded response from Atlantic County Administrator Gerald Del Rosso.

“You could have picked up the phone like you did when you needed our assistance with the potential solid waste facility on Route 30 proposed by Southern Rail and its local partners,” Del Rosso wrote in a letter to Graebener and St. Amour dated May 28, adding the county was praised for its efforts in preventing the waste transfer station. “In addition, there doesn’t appear to be any futility when Mullica asked the county to help with the tire clean up and when the County’s Division of Public Health acquired an extra $50,000, in addition to the $217,000 from a prior Mullica tire remediation.”

Del Rosso argued the county’s Public Works Department not only responded to each of the township’s complaints, but was also productive when it did.

So far this year, according to Del Rosso, the county has been to Mullica to pick up roadside trash six times, resulting in 72 bags of trash and recyclable materials being collected.

Del Rosso suggested the township do a better job of controlling its own trash problems.

“How many landowners/ homeowners have you written/cited for litter/debris on their property? As that debris moves/blows around, a once clean road now becomes litter-strewn,” he said. “Has your police department cited anything for throwing trash outside their cars? Counties have no authority on the enforcement side.”

Del Rosso said Wednesday that he was “very unhappy” that members of the Township Committee spoke negatively about the efforts of the county’s workers without doing enough to reach out to Public Works Department supervisors first.

“I suggest you might want to consider working with the county instead of against our efforts,” Del Rosso said.

Graebener said Del Rosso’s letter did not accomplish very much and did not address any of the township’s concerns.

“We want to work with the county, but we called them four times and nothing got done. They were even mowing over the garbage on Moss Mill Road again (Tuesday),” Graebener said. “As elected representatives, we have responsibilities to our taxpayers and that includes making sure the roads are clean.”

FARM MARKET PRODUCE VOUCHERS

The Division of Intergenerational Services will once again coordinate the distribution of state farm marker produce vouchers to low-income county residents, age 60 years and older.

Eligible residents may receive $30 in vouchers for the purchase of locally grown produce at participating farm markets from July through November.Residents must be 60 years or older with an annual income that does not exceed $20,036 if single or $26,955 if married. Eligible participants will receive six, $5 vouchers per person to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from participating farm markets. Customers may spend one voucher at a time, but will not receive change if they do not use the whole value of a voucher.

No vouchers will be issued without proof of income which may include a Social Security statement, tax return, bank statement, or Medicaid card as well as proof of identification and address as verified by a driver’s license, utility bill, bank statement or Medicaid card.

For Mullica Residents, vouchers and a list of the participating markets will be distributed on Thursday, July 9th from 10:00 AM until Noon at the Egg Harbor City Senior Center, 341-351 Cincinnatti Avenue, Egg Harbor City and Thursday, July 30, from 9:30 AM until Noon at the Hammonton Senior Center, 310 Bellevue Avenue, Hammonton.

For a list of participating farm markets and a schedule of voucher distribution sites, please visit www.aclink.org/intergenerational or call 1-888-426-9243.

MULLICA TOWNSHIP 5TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY DAY

The 5th Annual Community Day will be held this Saturday, June 6 at 10:00 AM at the Township Rec Field. There will be Baseball/Softball games played throughout the day, the Girl Scouts will be having a car wash, The Sheriff's Dept will have a car seat safety check, as well as a dog demo, the Mid-Atlantic Medivac 5 will have a demo, the Township's Fire Departments will have trucks on display and demos, there will be a Skate park contest and demo, Soccer registration, Alex's Lemonade Stand will be set up, as well as various informational tables.

PRIMARY ELECTION TODAY-6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

The Primary Election is being held today, June 2. Poll hours are 6:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Polling locations are as follows:

• Ward-1 Elwood Fire House, 414 Elwood Road, Elwood
• Ward 2-Nesco Firehouse, 3521 Nesco Road, Nesco
• Ward 3 Living Faith Chapel aka Harry Kehler Jr Post #5403
  VFW , 5200 White Horse Pike, Devonshire

If you are unsure of your polling location, please check your sample ballot.

SALE OF LAUER SCHOOL

The Mullica Township Board of Education Atlantic is accepting sealed bids for the purchase of former school building and all real property on which the same is situated, land size 1.71 +/- acres, located at Block 9702, Lot 10, 1224 Darmstadt Avenue, Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. Sealed bids will be received by the Mullica Township Board of Education on or before 4:00 PM prevailing time, June 8, 2009 and will be publicly opened and read at 7:00 PM on June 8, 2009 at the Board of Education Public meeting. A complete copy of the bid notice may be obtained by clicking here.

MULLICA TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY DAY

Mullica Township Community Day will be held this Saturday, June 6th beginning 10:00 AM at the Township Rec Field off of Elwood Road

Township Land Sale Results

Block 10818, Lot 17 was sold to Ms. Eilene Moore of Elwood for $26,400. Block 10818, Lot 18 was sold to Mr. James Fifth of Elwood for $26,400.

Kim Cariso Varvarezis Benefit

On May 30,2009, a roll-the-dice biker run to benefit Kim Cariso Varvarezis, who has been battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma, will begin at 5pm at Six Packs Pub on the White Horse Pike in Mullica Twp. The cost is $5.00 per person. Call Courtney (609)385-8195 or Leslie(609)703-0297.

STIMULUS MONEY/ATLANTIC COUNTY

Ms Chasy has some wrong information - I have not investigated what is available for Atlantic county but I did read that McGuire in Atlantic County and the Air national Guard did receive stimulus monies - also a school received funds. I find it difficult to believe that North Jersey got 95 per cent of the funds. Perhaps someone should look into how one applies for funds.

Brief Synopsis of 5/26/09 Twp. Meeting

Mullica News and the A.C. Press were not in attendance at the last Twp. meeting.

Mr. Kenneth Moore,CPA,RMA gave a review of his 2008 audit. He was highly complimentary about the way the records are kept up-to-date and everything is well documented. He said Dawn Stollenwerk is one of the best CFO's in Atlantic County.
The Town's finances seem to be in fairly good shape under the conditions that the town is forced to operate. The State rules, that the Town is forced to abide by, are a burden.

Budget Hearing: Budget was approved:
Ms. Chasey,Ms. Forman, Mr. Kennedy -yes
Mr Graebener,no, Mr. St Amour,no. Mr. St Amour stated, "I'm uncomfortable with the amount of fund balance that was used."

Committee Reports:

Ms. Chasey reported that no Federal Stimulus money will be available to Mullica. 95% of the money available went to North Jersey,5% to South Jersey and Atantic County did not receive any.

Ms. Chasey wanted everyone to know about "Clean Communities". If you want to a adopt a road, you can call 272-6960 and they will give you a sign,gloves,a bag and anything you need to start cleaning up the road of your choice.

Mr. Kennedy-no report

Mr. St.Amour reported that the pipes and tanks have been installed on Darmstadt Ave and the paving should begin within the next two weeks. Tubgrinding has begun and should be completed this week.

Mr. Graebener reported that the next Planning Board meeting will be held on June 3 at 7:30pm. He noted that his Dept. will be amending Chapter 102 of the Construction Code to bring it into compliance with the State.

Ms. Forman reported that Community Day will be held on June 6,2009 starting at 10:00am. The School Board is accepting bids on the Lauer School on or before 4:00pm June 8,2009. Visit the Twp. website for more details. www.Mullicatwp.org

About 40 senior citizens held a meet and greet at the Elwood Fire house on 5/19. Ms. Forman attended this highly informative and enjoyable meeting. Benefits and activites for the seniors were discussed. The next meeting will be on June 17th at 1:00pm. Anyone wishing to join or volunteer should call 965-0614 or 965-1590.
Ms Forman suggested to the Committee that an Ordinance be amended so the group can be recognized as an Organization. The Solicitor will be investigating the different types of Organizations in other towns and the matter will be discussed at a future meeting.

Old Business:
A .Resolution #65-2009/Confirm Land sales
Two of the three lots were purchased. Lot 17 went for $26,400 to Ms. Eilene Moore
of Elwood and Lot 18 was sold to Mr. James Fifth of Elwood for $26,400.
Vote to confirm- Ms Chasey,Ms. Forman,Mr. Kennedy, yes
Mr. Graebener, Mr. St. Amour, no

B. Parades and Assemblies:
After a lenghty discussion about the definition of the words and the safety issues involved in the Ordinance, it was decided that a representative from JIF would come to Mullica and speak personally with members of the Committee,tour the "Dump",and give safety suggestions. It appears that an exemption for political speech will be placed in the Ordinance. This matter will again be discussed at future meetings.

New Business
A . Accept Annual Report of Audit 2008 All yes
B. 2009 Emergency Management Roster All yes
C. Atlantic County Task Force Members All yes

Public Discussion:
An elderly gentleman with 30years of experience teaching art spoke of his desire to start a community center for the children of Mullica. He was asking for the Twp.'s help with funding,a building or perhaps grant money. Ms. Forman explained that the budget did not contain any extra money for this purpose and that it all comes down to money. She said we have a strong community spirit and the parents and teachers would do a whole lot. If we had the money we would have the very best community child center. The Committee asked him to talk to the Recreation Association.

Jo Ann

Public Land Sale and Committee Meeting TONIGHT

Reminder, there is the Public Land Sale tonight at 6:00 PM at Town Hall followed by a Township Committee meeting at 7:00 PM. The information on the land sale and the agenda are listed in the posts below.

TOWNSHIP MEETING AGENDA-5/26/09-7:00 PM

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
MAY 26, 2009
7:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 05 / 12 / 2009

REVIEW OF 2008 AUDIT: Mr. Kenneth Moore, CPA, RMA

BUDGET HEARING

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Resolution #65- 2009 / Confirm Land sales
B. Discuss Parades & Public Assemblies


NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resolution #66-2009 / Accept Annual Report of Audit 2008
B. Resolution #67-2009 / 2009 Emergency Management Roster
C. Resolution #68-2009 / Atlantic County Task Force Members

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES #5-09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 3/24/ 2009

ADJOURN

TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LAND SALE-TUES. 5/26/2009-6:00 PM

The Township Public Land Sale will be held at 6:00 PM-one hour prior to the Township Committee Meeting at Town Hall.

For details of the Land Sale, click here

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE-BATSTO CHURCH

On Monday, May 25th at 11:00 AM a Memorial Day service will be held at Batsto Church.

Mullica Officials Want County to Clean Up Trash on Its Roads

Published in the Press of Atlantic City, May 22, 2009- By ROB SPAHR, Staff Writer

ONLY ONE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER VOTES AGAINST REQUESTING THE CLEANUP OF TRASH ALONG COUNTY ROADS

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Township officials want the county's Public Works Department to clean up the trash along county roadways instead of just running over it with a lawn mower.

Committeeman Bernard Graebener drafted a letter to Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson on Thursday that called on Levinson to do something to rid the township of the trash that lines county roads in the township."

(The county workers) aren't picking the trash up. They're just mowing it over and blowing it into the woods," Graebener said. "You can walk out there and see the trash is all cut up.

Committeewoman Kathy Chasey, who was the only committee member to vote against sending the letter, said she is "very comfortable" with how the county maintains its right of way.

"There (are) 371 total miles of county road in the entire county. Mullica has 50 or so miles of it. They only pick up in the right of way where they mow," Chasey explained. "Does that mean there's never going to be a piece of trash that gets caught in the mower and blown all over the place? Absolutely not. It's going to happen. But they do everything they possibly can to prevent it.

When Graebener asked what alternatives there were to get the trash removed, Chasey suggested the possibility of using the township's Road Department to clean up the mess on the county roads.

"We get the same services as every other town (in the county). We're not going to get special service. We're not going to get extra pickups," Chasey said. "If we want to use our own road department ... to go out and pick up county roads, we certainly can do that."

Harry Tillett, the head of the county's Department of Public Works, said his department already does everything possible to pick up trash along county roads.

"If you run over one piece of trash, it becomes 100 pieces and more work to pick it up. So we pick up the trash whenever we can," Tillett said. "Living in a tourist area, we are always battling ... trash along the roads where there is a lot of traffic with people who come from out of state."

Tillett said if the township informs the county about a bad trash problem at a particular location, county workers would promptly respond. "We try to keep up with it all," he said. "But if we're working at one location, there is another 374 miles of road that aren't being picked up."

But Graebener said multiple calls to the county this year were futile."Basically, it leaves a poor impression of Mullica for visitors," he said. "It's very unsightly.

E-mail Robert Spahr:RSpahr@pressofac.com

CHECK OUT HAMMONTON

PEOPLE OF MULLICA, PICK UP THE HAMMONTON PAPER AND SEE WHAT THE MAYOR OF THEIR TOWN DID IN JUST 3 1/2 YEARS WITH THE HELP OF HIS COMMITTEE MEMBERS WORKING TOGETHER. WE HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF SEEING SNOW IN AUGUST BEFORE THAT WOULD HAPPEN HERE.

CAN OUR MAYORS LIST TEN THINGS THEY DID FOR THE GOOD OF MULLICA IN THE LAST 6 YEARS. HOPE NOVEMBER BECOMES A GOOD MONTH.

First Rabies Case in Mullica Confirmed

First case of rabies confirmed in township

A raccoon found chasing a cat May 11 has tested positive for rabies.

The raccoon was spotted chasing the cat by a property owner in the area of South Carolina and Fourth avenues. The municipal animal control officer removed the raccoon from the property and sent it for testing at the New Jersey State Department of Health Laboratory, where the rabies test results were confirmed May 18, according to Atlantic County Health Officer Patricia Diamond.

An investigation by county health officials indicated there were no human exposures, officials said.

It was the township's first confirmed case of rabies this year and the second case found in Atlantic County in 2009.

"If you find a wild or stray animal on your property you should contact your local animal control officer," Diamond said in a release.

The Atlantic County Division of Public Health asks anyone who has been bitten or exposed to an animal through a scratch or had any contact with the animal's saliva, to seek medical attention immediately and report the bite by calling 609-645-5971.

From "In Your Town", Press of Atlantic City.

THE PRESS EDITOR AGREES

LET PROPOSAL DIE-DON'T CRIMP FREE SPEECH IN MULLICA

The Editor of the Press of Atlantic City is apparently siding with the position of Keep Mullica Green's Graebener and St. Amour when it comes to First Amendment Free Speech Rights in Mullica.

Please read below the very pointed article written in today's Opinion page in the Press of Atlantic City (Monday, May 18, 2009).

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says, "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech ... or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

A proposed ordinance in Mullica Township says any people or group wanting to gather on public property must pay for a permit, which they must apply for 30 days prior to the gathering, and must provide proof of liability insurance 10 days prior to the gathering. The permit can be denied or revoked "at the discretion of the township."

We'd say there was a bit of conflict here between the First Amendment and this proposed ordinance. Such burdensome restrictions on free speech and the right to assemble are not likely to survive a legal challenge. The ordinance even specifically includes any "meeting" in its definition of applicable "special events" requiring a permit.

Unfortunately, although the ordinance was temporarily scrapped last week, two committee members plan to reintroduce it.

This issue comes up regularly. Towns faced with the prospect of a march or rally by some group they find abhorrent (or just annoying) quickly draw up a new law requiring expensive permits, proof of insurance and various other impediments to the gathering. Such laws have to be crafted very carefully to survive a court challenge. Most aren't - and most don't.

Mullica's ordinance, as originally proposed, does not come close, in our opinion. And according to one Democratic committeeman, it's all an attempt to curtail a long tradition in Mullica - political campaigning at the town dump.

Supporters, including Mayor Janet Forman, say that's not true - that the ordinance was prepared at the request of the Joint Insurance Fund that covers the city.

"I don't want to step on anyone's civil liberties," Forman said. "But if a thousand people want to stand in front of the dump for a vigil, we need something in place to make sure the township is protected if someone gets hurt."

But whatever the intent, any ordinance that requires 30 days of notice and proof of insurance for a political "meeting" on public property just isn't going to fly.
We suspect some miscommunication here. Certainly, the JIF can't require the township to do something that's clearly unconstitutional.

The township solicitor suggested an amendment to specify that a "special event" under the ordinance would "specifically exclude any public assembly or other gathering for the purpose of political discourse, debate or other similar expressive activity."

That would help, of course.

But Mullica is going down a tortuous path here for unclear reasons.

At the moment, the ordinance is dead. We suggest its supporters leave it that way.

Susan Polk & Anthony Gabris on the Campaign Trail

From "The Egg Harbor News", May 13, 2009-Campaigning at the Township Transfer Station

Critics Say Mullica Plan Violates Free Speech

From the Press of Atlantic City, Thursday, May 14, 2009:

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - A proposed ordinance that raised First Amendment concerns has been temporarily scrapped, but likely will resurface in a few weeks.

In a split vote, an ordinance that would require the public to pay for permission and insurance before gathering on public property was rejected Tuesday night by the Township Committee.

But at least two committee members plan to reintroduce the ordinance as soon as possible so it can be voted on by the entire committee. Mayor Janet Forman, who supports the ordinance, was absent for Tuesday night's 2-2 vote.

Forman said the township was asked to pass the ordinance by the joint insurance fund to protect it from possible lawsuits, but critics argued doing so would violate the First Amendment.

Under the ordinance, any people or group wanting to gather on public property within the township would be forced to apply for a permit 30 days prior to gathering and then provide proof of liability insurance coverage 10 days prior to the gathering. Any request for a permit could be denied "at the discretion of the township," which also would have the authority to revoke any permit.

This means the popular local practice of politicking at the township's waste transfer station would require permits and insurance, as would any public protest, vigil or rally.

But Ed Barocas, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said imposing the 30-day and insurance requirements would be "clearly unconstitutional" if applied to such gatherings.

The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech … or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

"The ACLU has sued on behalf of groups wishing to speak in a number of New Jersey municipalities with overly broad and restrictive permitting requirements for (public gatherings)," Barocas said. "And we have resolved these situations in the past… because the First Amendment acts to prevent such onerous restrictions on free speech."

Barocas said the Supreme Court - conservative and liberal justices alike - have consistently found common ground in protecting the right to practice free speech in public places, such as parks and sidewalks.

It was only after concerns about the ordinance's legality were expressed that the township's solicitors recommended the township request permission from its insurance provider to amend the ordinance so the "definition of 'special event' shall specifically exclude any public assembly or other gathering for the purpose of political discourse, debate or other similar expressive activity."

Barocas said adding such language to the ordinance would be beneficial.

On Tuesday night, however, the township's chief financial officer, Dawn Stollenwerk, said the municipality's insurance representatives felt the ordinance did not need the amendment.

Fully expecting a split vote, Committeeman Michael St. Amour recommended the committee vote on the ordinance as is, even though it was not scheduled to be voted on at the meeting. When a split vote occurs, the ordinance must be reintroduced for first and second readings, as well as a public hearing, before it can be passed.

"In that time, we'll get information back from the JIF on what might make the ordinance pass on its own," St. Amour said. "And I think the best step toward that is adopting language similar to what our attorney already recommended."

Committeeman Bernard Graebener said he is against the ordinance even with the amendment because he doesn't feel taxpayers should be forced to pay for a permit to use public property they are already paying to maintain. And after initially expressing concerns about the ordinance, Deputy Mayor William Kennedy voted twice in favor of it.

Committeewoman Kathy Chasey said after the meeting that she plans to introduce the same ordinance again as soon as possible.

"Definitely," she said. "I think it's a good ordinance."

Forman agreed. "Anything to reduce our liability," she said Wednesday. "Our insurance company is recommending we do this, and I'll rely on their professionalism."

As far as the restrictions it would place on spontaneous gatherings such as vigils, protests and rallies, Forman said those events should be forced to comply with the guidelines.

"I don't want to step on anyone's civil liberties," she said. "But if a thousand people want to stand in front of the dump for a vigil, we need something in place to make sure the township is protected if someone gets hurt."

But St. Amour said he feels the Republicans only want to pass the ordinance in order to restrict campaigning at the dump, which he said would be a huge blow to opposing political campaigns.

"The township would be putting itself in harm's way by passing the ordinance in this way and would end up really subjecting itself to more expenses by not protecting free speech," he said. "It's not right. It's not fair. It's not in following with the First Amendment of the Constitution. And it will be challenged."

E-mail Rob Spahr:
RSpahr@pressofac.com

5/12/2009 Committee Meeting Now Up

The May 12th Township Committee Meeting is now available for viewing on Mullica News.

MULLICA TWP PTA MEETING-LAST OF THE YEAR

Tonight (Wednesday, May 13) is the last Mullica Township PTA meeting for the school year. The meeting is at 7:00 PM in the school library.

BUDGET HEARING/COMMITTEE MTG AGENDA-5/12/2009

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
MAY 12, 2009
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER
SUNSHINE LAW
FLAG SALUTE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 4/14/ 2009, 4/28/2009, 5/5/2009

HEARING: Ordinance #5 -2009 / Amending Chapter 168 / Parades & Public Assemblies Continued

BUDGET HEARING
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CORRESPONDENCE
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Resolution #59-2009 / Approving Ambulance Service Agreement
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Resolution #60-2009 / Approve Land Sale Request Contingent Property Owner / Block 2701, Lot 8
B. Resolution #61-2009 / Refund Tax Overpayments
C. Resolution #62-2009 / Release Maintenance Guarantee for Dumont Avenue
D. Resolution #63-2009 / Supporting the Click It or Ticket Mobilization
E. Resolution #64-2009 / Police, Fire & EMS Dispatch Implementation Grant Component
F. Discuss Fabbri Builders Request for Waiving of Permit Fees / Public Works Salt Shed
G. Discuss Waiving Recreation Use Fee
PAYMENT OF BILLS
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES #-09
APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES:
ADJOURN

2009 BUDGET HEARING/TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

Just a reminder, there is a Township Committee Meeting tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 12) at 7:00 PM at Town Hall. The 2009 Budget Hearing will be held during this meeting. The agenda is not yet available on the Township's website, but will be posted once it is made available.

Questions for the Twp Fire Companies

Atlantic County Fire Departments Total Call Report 2008

The Atlantic County Fire Departments Total Call Report for 2008 is out.
This is how Mullica Twp stacks up
Elwood Vol. Fire Company........................ 120 = 55%
Nesco Vol. Fire Company......................... 37 = 17%
Sweetwater Vol. Fire Company.................... 36 = 17%
Weekstown Vol. Fire Company..................... 24 = 11%

217 Total


I was wondering and though maybe this forum could answer my questions since I am new to the township.

1. Do the township fire companies receive taxpayer funds or are all of their monies raised through donations?

2. Is each fire company separate or do they operate from a single budget?

3. If they are all separate and receive township funds are they each funded equally or are they funded according to runs, etc., etc?

I was just wondering this because I noticed the the Elwood Co. runs more calls than the other three combined. I am thinking of joining one of the township fire companies (I kinda live in the middle of the township) so I did some research to find out who was the busiest & best funded but I could not find out anything on funding. I went back several years and Elwood was always twice as busy as the other three but I also want to join a company that's funding is on par with it's level of activity.

Thank you.

In Memory Of Larry Angel-5/08/2008

One year ago today, Larry Angel passed away, he is gone, but surely not forgotten. In remembrance of Larry, The Gadfly will observe 24 hours of silence-postings and comments can be left, but will not be posted until after 12:01 AM Saturday.

Death is not the end
Death can never be the end.
Death is the road.
Life is the traveler.
The Soul is the Guide
...
Our mind thinks of death.
Our heart thinks of life
Our soul thinks of Immortality.

AND NOW, THE REST OF THE STORY (AKA-WHAT THE PRESS DIDN'T MENTION)

Keep Mullica Green did another posting this AM regarding how the elected Republican committee members approved a tax increase by 2.5% for residents of Mullica, against the will of the voters by approving the GEHR budget. This goes into further detail than the Press of Atlantic City article in today's paper and once again, is on public record. These aren't lies, they are FACTS.

You can read the rest of the story by clicking this link.

Mullica OKs defeated GEHR budget despite opposition

Once again, Chasey, Forman and Kennedy have showed no regard to the voters wishes. No "scare tactics" here, facts plain and simple. KFC just does not care about the constituents, period.

By EMILY PREVITI, Staff Writer, 609-272-7221 | Posted on the Press of Atlantic City: Thursday, May 7, 2009

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Two elected officials objected Wednesday to the way their fellow committee members handled re-examining the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District budget that voters rejected two weeks earlier.

The Mullica Township Committee voted 3-2 to pass the Greater Egg budget Tuesday, the night after the Hamilton Township Committee did so unanimously. Voters in those townships rejected paying the $24.7 million in taxes school officials said they need for the upcoming school year. Greater Egg's taxing districts also include Egg Harbor City and Galloway Township, where residents approved the budget.

Whenever voters defeat a school budget, the elected municipal officials from the taxing districts review the budget and make any cost-cutting recommendations before voting on it. If a local governing body votes down the budget, the county superintendent of schools reviews it before sending it to the state Department of Education.

Mullica Committeemen Mike St. Amour and Bernie Graebener cast the votes against the resolution. They said the document had been authored before the meeting, where Graebener suggested shaving the $67.6 million budget by implementing furloughs among administrative staff during the summer.

"It seems as if the three of them already had made up their minds," St. Amour said of the Republican committee members. "(They) basically told the voters, 'Don't bother to come up and vote.'"

Outgoing Mayor Janet Forman said she, Republican Committeewoman Kathy Chasey and Committeeman William Kennedy acted on the advice of municipal CFO Dawn Stollenwerk, who had attended a budget meeting April 28 among school and local officials.

"(The decision) had nothing to do with numbers of voters," Forman said, referring to the typically low turnout for school elections. "It was based on sound government."
Implementing the suggestion to impose furloughs would have meant renegotiating contracts, a process that would take more time than the two weeks remaining until May 19, the deadline for the final school budget, according to Chasey and Forman.
That's when Galloway Township Mayor Tom Bassford said he anticipates voting on the matter.

Egg Harbor City Council will discuss it in a special session scheduled to start at 4 p.m. today, according to Councilman Jack Peterson. Peterson said he did not anticipate making changes to the budget.

Chasey is seeking re-election in November on a slate with Bruce Crow. If victorious, Crow would replace Forman. Democrats Susan Polk and Anthony Gabris are challenging Crow and Chasey.
E-mail Emily Previti:
EPreviti@pressofac.com

CHASEY MISLEADING THE PUBLIC YET AGAIN?

Keep Mullica Green has a posting on the Special Budget Meeting held yesterday. According to KMG, Chasey was not as concerned about taxpayers as she would lead you to believe. For the full story, click here.

MORE HOMES IN MULLICA?

There is a Planning Board Meeting scheduled for tonight, May 6th at 7:30 PM. The agenda is below and under "Applications: C" is where the question "More homes in Mullica?"comes to life.

Apparently, a 5 home subdivision and Farmstead is being planned for these lots located on the corner of Moss Mill Road and Darmstadt Avenue in the Devonshire Section of our township:

MULLICA TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD
AGENDA
MAY 6, 2009
7:30 PM

CALL TO ORDER

FLAG SALUTE

PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT ANNOUNCEMENT

ROLL CALL: Ms. Chasey, Mr. Forman, Deputy Mayor Kennedy, Mr. Merlino, Mr. Muller, Ms. Ramer, Mr. Sandman, Mr. Seney, Ms. Nevius, Mr. Bouchard, Ms. Mazzarella, Mr. Smolen, Mr. Malkin

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 1, 2009

APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS:Resolution # 6-09 /Preliminary & Dual Use Approval / Block 2851, Lot 2

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

CORRESPONDENCE

APPLICATIONS:

A. Final Site Plan & Conditional Use / SBA Towers, Inc. / Block 2851, Lot 2, Contd.

B. Street Vacation Request / C. Errera & J. Sarappa / Promenade “A”, Cont’d.

C. Major Subdivision / John Saalman / Block 9802, Lots 1, 2, 3

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

ADJOURN

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS-LAUER SCHOOL

The Mullica Township Board of Education has advertised and is accepting sealed bids for the Lauer School on Darmstadt Avenue. The minimum bid amount is $75,000 with 10% deposit of total bid amount included with the sealed bids. The bids will be publicly opened and read at the June 8th Board of Education meeting. The full advertisement (pdf format) can be found here.

CENSUS WORKERS

At each committee meeting there is an announcement made by either Foreman or Chasey (I don't remember which one) that the US Census is looking for workers and a phone number is given.

I actually applied to work for the census, took the test, obtained a decent score (23 right out of 28 with 10 right required to pass), but now, several weeks later, I have heard nothing from the census people. I was just curious as to whether any one else reading this blog applied and if they were hired.

I am thinking that either they had already hired the required workers by the time that I took the test, or that possibly there might be age discrimination involved as I am 69.

SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING TONIGHT-5:00 PM

AGAIN, ANOTHER REMINDER, 5:00 PM TONIGHT-TOWN HALL, SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING. THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT-7:00 PM

There is a Mullica Township School Board Meeting tonight, Monday, May 4th at 7:00 PM in the School Library.

REMINDER: SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING-TUESDAY

Just a reminder, there is going to be a Special Budget Meeting on Tuesday, May 5th at 5:00 PM at Town Hall. This meeting is open to the public and if you have issues with the budget, this is the time to speak your mind on it.

4/28/2009 MULLICA COMMITTEE MEETING NOW UP

Mullica News has the 4/28/2009 video of the Township Committee Meeting available on their site. Residents who were unable to attend the meeting can view it at this link.

Anthony Gabris on 'Why "Keep Mullica Green"?'

Anthony Gabris has written up a post explaining why he switched parties and why he is running for committee on his and Susan Polk's website, A New Day for Mullica.

TOWNS TO CONSIDER FAILED GEHR BUDGET

From The Press of Atlantic City, Wednesday, 3/29/2009 — Voters refused to support the $67.6 million Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School budget by a 45-ballot margin, or roughly 1 percent, according to official results released Tuesday by the Atlantic County Clerk’s Office.

After school elections last week, the unofficial tally put “no” votes 38 ahead.

The municipal governing body of each sending district - Egg Harbor City and Galloway, Hamilton and Mullica townships - must now review the budget, which called for 2 percent less in taxes overall and lower rates in all communities but Mullica. Residents there would have been subject to a 2.5 percent hike.

The rate in Galloway dropped by 47.8 percent, but the actual effects would have varied among taxpayers because the township underwent a property revaluation this year that doubled the township’s total land value but halved the worth of some properties and quadrupled others.

If all local governments approve the budget, it would pass. If one entity does not, the county superintendent must review it.

Greater Egg Harbor officials held an informational meeting Tuesday night with leaders from Egg Harbor City and Hamilton Township. The Mullica and Galloway governing bodies have their own meetings scheduled, according to Galloway Township Manager Jill Gougher.

A session is scheduled for Saturday, according to Board of Education member Bill Cheatham. Cheatham said only the board president would attend that meeting, and he was unsure whether it would be public.

Galloway Councilman Al DeSimone called for the township elementary school district to become its own kindergarten through 12th-grade system by adding Absegami High School, which currently caters exclusively to township students.

“It’s been attempted twice before, and I spearheaded both efforts,” DeSimone said.

Those efforts failed, but DeSimone was optimistic that changes since then in leadership could facilitate success this time. State law also has changed to encourage consolidation, Councilwoman Meg Worthington said.

Longtime Galloway Board of Education member Bob Iannacone said Tuesday he would support the move, but doubted it could gain enough traction, despite the several years that have elapsed since the last try.

Taxpayers in all towns would have to agree, Iannacone said.

MULLICA REPUBLICANS ATTEMPT TO RESTRICT FREE SPEECH

From the Press of Atlantic City, 4/28/2009

Mullica Township

Hearing tonight on new permit requirements

Issue: The Township Committee is set to vote on a controversial ordinance tonight that would require anyone interested in using any of the township's facilities or assembling along a public street, other than a public right-of-way, or public property within the township to pay for a permit. Applications for permits must be submitted to the municipality at least 30 days prior to the event, and the applicant must show evidence of liability insurance coverage within 10 days of the event.

Why it matters: The Republican committee members and the township's attorneys feel the ordinance would help prevent the township from being held liable if someone is injured during a gathering on public property. Democrats argue that the ordinance is a violation of the First Amendment and is worded too vaguely, allowing township officials to deny permits based on personal opinions instead of statute.

RSpahr@pressofac.com

A New Day For Mullica

Township committee candidates Susan Polk and Anthony Gabris announced the launch of a new website. You can now find updates about their campaign at www.ANewDayForMullica.com.

TOWNSHIP LAND SALE TO BE VOTED ON AT UPCOMING MEETING

Mullica Township is considering selling three under-sized lots in Elwood as building lots. Keep Mullica Green sees this as a move by Kathy Chasey and Janet Forman to hoodwink taxpayers. For the full article, click here.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA-4/28/2009

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
APRIL 28, 2009
7:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 04/14/2009

HEARING: Ordinance #5-2009 / Amending Chapter 168 / Parades & Public Assemblies
Ordinance #6-2009 / CAP Waiver

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Resolution #52-2009 / Approve Township Land Sales
B. Resolution #53-2009 / Waive Local Permit / Salt Shed Bid

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resolution #54-2009 / Supporting Pine Barrens Byway Corridor Management Plan
B. Resolution #55-2009 / Affirm Civil Right’s Policy
C. Resolution #56-2009 / Waive Local Permit – Mullica Twp. School
D. Approve Coin Drop Application / Elwood Vol. Fire Co.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Resolution ES # -09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 3/24/ 2009

ADJOURN

Committeeman's offhand comment on area irks residents

From the Press of Atlantic City, 4/23/2009

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - The future of three wooded lots and the neighborhood they are located in could be decided by a resolution the Township Committee is expected to vote on next week, while comments made by one committeeman have residents a little perturbed.

The lots, each less than five acres, are in the 25-acre "forest area residential," or FAR, zone along 23rd and 24th Avenues. The FAR zone designation is supposed to limit development in this area to one single-family dwelling per 25-acre lot.

However, the Republicans on the Township Committee claim the lots are "pre-existing nonconforming," meaning homes existed on the property before the regulations were put in place.

Charles Horner, director of permitting for the Pinelands Commission, said this allows for reconstruction to happen within five years of demolition without having to seek Pinelands Commission approval.

Construction department officials said the buildings were demolished in August 2004.

"This is actually a provision of our rules in the local municipality's rule book," Horner said. "So municipality has some latitude, and long as they're not trying to do anything peculiar, we're not going to raise any issues with it."

The Republicans want to auction off the properties to generate revenue from the lots before they lose their value in August.

"In the six years I've been here, I've never voted to sell a buildable lot," Mayor Janet Forman said. "This is a different animal, I think. If we can get some money in the coffers, why not? Not that I'd like to do (it) every year. But this year? They're expiring; we're going to lose whatever value they have."

Democrats Bernard Graebener and Michael St. Amour are against the plan.

"As a township, we want compliance with municipal land use law and by selling nonconforming lots were just disregarding this principle," said Graebener, adding he believes the Republicans are doing this because they already know who they want to property to be sold to. "I do think that they have someone in mind or they wouldn't be selling them."

But it was Graebener's public comments, in response to Forman discussing how the neighboring lots already are built on, that raised some eyebrows.

"These houses … they will probably be torn down also. If you look at them, they're just in poor shape," Graebener said of the homes in the neighborhood. "It's not like it's a real nice neighborhood."

Committeewoman Kathy Chasey replied saying a number of homes in the neighborhood have been bought and rehabbed.

"Well, I was down there today, and I didn't see many," Graebener responded.

Alvin Flamer, a 55-year-old disabled war veteran who has lived on a 5-acre property on 24th Avenue for 23 years, is one of several residents who took exception to those comments.

"I think he should rethink what he said. This is a nice place where everyone is like family and children can play in the street without a problem," said Flamer, who recently spent more than $50,000 on home improvements. "We pay a lot in taxes and get very little in return. During snow storms, they'll plow the streets in Sweetwater right away and never come down here. But we don't complain. We make do. I shoveled my wife's car out of the street during the last storm. That's just how it is."

Jackie and Michael Castellanos moved from an urban setting to a home on a 10-acre property on 23rd Avenue three years ago to provide their young children with a better neighborhood to grow up in.

"There's no one walking down the street cussing or selling drugs like there was before. I can sit on the porch while the kids run and play in the yard, where before I had to pretty much be glued to them," said Jackie Castellanos, 26, whose father, Joseph, built the home. "Sure there are things that could be improved, like the trash in the woods. But overall, I really have no complaints."

There are some, like Jim Fifth who is building a new home for his family on 24th Street agree that the neighborhood is "a little depressed," but argue that building nice homes on the three lots could spark a turnaround.

"You put two nice houses next to mine and the neighborhood is 50 percent new," said Fifth, 55. "Then even the current residents would be encouraged to make the property better."

Fifth attempted to purchase two of the three lots a few years ago but was told the township was not interested in selling them as buildable lots. He was able to purchase the lot between his and one of the soon-to-be-auctioned lots for $5,000. The township had asked $10,000. Minimum bids for the three properties are currently $26,200 for one of the lots and $26,400 for the others.

"As a result of the home I put at the end of the street, the lots next to mine are much more attractive now, I guess," said Fifth, adding the township should stipulate the lots be owner occupied when sold to. "Owners care more about their property and their neighborhood."

Graebener said he did not mean for his comments to sound as bad as they did.

"I didn't want to come across being elitist or anything like that," he said, adding he was trying to explain that it wasn't a viable neighborhood. "I just want to let those lots revert back to being forest."

E-mail Robert Spahr:

RSpahr@pressofac.com

UNOFFICIAL SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION RESULTS

The results are unofficial until absentee and provisional ballots are counted:

Joy Wyld: 262
Rich Noble: 237
Mary Nevius: 236

The local school budget - $3,317,503
Yes-209
No-195

GEHR School Budget- $24,764,841
Yes-1,507
No-1,545

TOWNSHIP'S BUDGET INTRODUCTORY

The Public Hearing on the Township's has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall (this is on a regular committee meeting night). You can obtain a copy of the 2009 at town hall or by clicking the PDF link below.

2009 Budget Introduction

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION TODAY

Just a reminder, the Mullica Township School Board Election is being held today. Voter's from all wards vote at the Elwood School Gymnasium. Three incumbent candidates are running, all for a three year term: Rick Noble, Mary Nevius and Joy Wyld.

There are also two questions on the budget: One regarding the GEHR school budget and one for the Mullica Township School budget.

The voting hours are from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

MULLICA RESIDENT NAMED ACIT TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Mullica Resident, Gina DeMaio, has been named the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) Teacher of the Year for 2009. A panel of administrators, teachers, staff members, parents and community representatives from a pool of nominees. She has been a medical assistant instructor at ACIT since 1994.

She lives in Mullica with her husband Jamie, an Elwood Volunteer firefighter and their two daughters.

Gina will receive the Governor's Certificate of Commendation at the Atlantic County Reception which will be held May 15th at ACIT.

Congratulations Gina!

Mullica Resident Leads the Press Bent Rods Fishing Contest

Mullica resident, Lou Vitale, is the early leader in both the overall and spring Freshwater divisions of the Press of Atlantic City's annual contest. Vitale hooked a 5 pound, 1 ounce brown trout using a Roostertail while fishing in the Hammonton Lake last Thursday.

To read the full Press of Atlantic City article, click here.

Start Working

As a former resident of Mullica Township I stop in from time to time to see how things are going in the political arena. Sadly the news seems always a little more like soap opera that orderly public discourse.

I'd like to know if there is anyone in M.T. busy on the large number of public grants that are currently on the table as part of the National stimulus package. Politics being what they are, I realize that some in the township may be opposed to participation, but I urge the politicians to get busy and start writing on behalf of the public.

Across the country smart municipalities are putting pettiness aside and looking for ways to use federal funds to improve services or to take on projects that have been sidetracked by loss of local funding. It seems in the past that M.T. has been willing to take what ever share the County or the State is willing to send their way. That is a lazy approach and will not result in much progress. There must be improvement to infrastructure, schools or human services that could us this help. Does anyone have a "wish list" for public projects

Come together, review the numberous grants out there, compare them to the needs in the community and start writing. Hire a grant writer if you need too. But do something. Don't wait for the County or State to find M.T. act on your own behalf.

F.Ware

AND THE SAGA CONTINUES...

Mullica's deputy mayor switching to Republicans

By ROB SPAHR Staff Writer, 609-272-7283
(Published in the Press of Atlantic City: Saturday, April 18, 2009)

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Citing philosophical differences with the local Democratic club, Deputy Mayor William Kennedy says he has submitted the necessary paperwork to change his party affiliation to Republican.

The move is not yet official, Kennedy said, but he expects to be notified of that soon.

Kennedy said his political philosophy has not changed and that the move had more to do with pleasing the members of his soon-to-be former party.

"The Democrats don't get along with me, and I don't get along with them," Kennedy said. "I'm doing this because the Democrats asked me to."

In January, the local Democratic Club called on Kennedy to resign from his position on the Atlantic County Democratic Committee due to his "desire to not affiliate with the local Democratic Club and local Democratic elected officials."

Also in the envelope was a pre-written resignation letter, addressed to Atlantic County Democratic Committee Chairman Patrick D'Arcy, for Kennedy to sign.

A few days later, Kennedy told The Press of Atlantic City he would resign from the committee on his own terms, not "because these people signed a letter at a meeting that I wasn't invited to."

Kennedy said he eventually realized it was time for a change.

"And if you come to the meetings, everything with them is negative," he said. "I try to be positive."

When asked if he would run for re-election as a Republican, Kennedy said he "doubts very much" that he will run again, but added that decision is still two years away.

And Kennedy said he does not believe that his new party affiliation or the Democrats' apparent lack of confidence in him will negatively affect the township.

"I'm not any different today than I've ever been," he said. "I'm still the same person and a D or R next to my name doesn't change that."

The move, however, will officially shift the power on the five-person Township Committee from Democrat to Republican. Kennedy was already increasingly siding with the two Republicans on split issues in recent months, as the tensions between him and the Democrats grew.

E-mail Robert Spahr:

RSpahr@pressofac.com

IT'S OFFICIAL-KENNEDY JUMPS PARTIES

In what only could be described as a move anticipated given his voting record with the Republicans, his appointment of Republican Janet Forman as mayor and his whining to the Press of Atlantic City in a February article "I'm still a Democrat. Apparently I'm a bad one, but I'm still a Democrat,"...Bill Kennedy, officially, as of April 9, 2009, has jumped parties, from Democrat to Republican. After perhaps leaving himself in a position of having to owe both Chasey and Forman. Sadly, as has been mentioned here before, he used the voters of Elwood (and from the other wards)to get himself in office as a Democrat only to thumb his nose at them. For the Democrat's take on this, the post on "Keep Mullica Green" says it all.

Mullica budget raises taxes; no discussion despite split vote

From the Press of Atlantic City, Wednesday, April 15, 2009

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - The Township Committee quietly introduced a $5.5 million budget Tuesday night that will raise municipal tax bills almost 2 percent.

The $5,509,005 budget represents a $176,025 increase over the 2008 budget and calls for an $84,390.94 hike in the tax levy, from $2,994,022 to $3,078,412.94.

The tax rate per $100 of assessed value will also climb 2 cents to $1.057. For a home assessed at $200,000, this will mean an annual increase of $40.

The committee discussed issues ranging from land sales to "public assembly" permits at length during the meeting. But when it came time to introduce the budget, the committee did not mention any of the pertinent figures, and a 3-2 vote on its introduction was not explained.

The only discussion about the budget at all was a conversation between Committeewoman Kathy Chasey and CFO Dawn Stollenwerk about when the public hearing and vote on the budget must be held.

Committeemen Michael St. Amour and Bernard Graebener, who both voted against introducing the budget, said they felt enough discussion on the budget took place during multiple budget workshops and they expected more time would be given to the topic during the public hearing.

"Mullica Township is in a much better position than other municipalities who depended on development to offset their budget in the past and are now facing difficulties," St. Amour said after the meeting. "It's a vicious circle that Mullica was lucky to steer clear of."

Mayor Janet Forman, a Republican, blamed St. Amour and Graebener, both Democrats, for the lack of discussion on the budget, claiming St. Amour and Graebener did not want the public to know "how they want to raise taxes instead of cut taxes."

Democratic Committeeman William Kennedy and Chasey, a Republican, both voted to introduce the budget.

St. Amour and Graebener said they voted against the budget due to the additional $114,000 in surplus funds that were used to control the tax rate and because they felt there was no sufficient discussion on areas to cut spending.

"Despite what the other side says, (ways to cut staffing expenses) were never mentioned," Graebener said. "They should have at least been discussed."

But Forman stood by the use of the additional surplus funds and the budget.

"We're getting hit on all sides, from Greater Egg, from our school district, from everywhere. I'm not blaming anyone, but we had to do something to cushion the blow for our taxpayers," she said. "We're comfortable with tapping into the surplus because we're confident it will bounce back and our land sales could help with that."

E-mail Robert Spahr:

RSpahr@pressofac.com

Municipal budget

Breakdown20082009

Total budget$5,332,980$5,509,005

Tax rate per $100 of assessed value$1.037$1.057

Tax rate change by percent5.6%1.93%

Amount to be raised by taxes$2,994,022$3,078,412

Ratable base$288,706,046$291,229,785

Surplus funds applied to the budget$740,000$854,000

Remaining surplus$699,688$624,650

Tax bill for home assessed at $100,0001,037$1,057

SCHOOL BOARD ABSENTEE BUDGET

SCHOOL ELECTION ABSENTEE BALLOT

Greater Egg Harbor Regional
High School District
Public Question:

RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Greater Egg Harbor
Regional High School District, in the
County of Atlantic, is hereby authorized
to raise by taxation the sum of
$24,764,841 for GENERAL FUNDS for
the ensuing school year 2009-2010.
The portion of this tax levy allocated to
the taxpayers of Mullica Township is
$2,156,312.22.

Our PK-8 local district public question, however, reads exactly as follows on the ballot:

Mullica Township
Local School District
Public Question

RESOLVED, that there should
be raised for General Funds
$X, XXX, XXX for the ensuing
school year 2009-2010.

Our local district appears to want us voters to approve and hand them a blank check! These administrators earn 6-figure salaries!


Signed,

A non-gullible, non-approving\taxpayer

Moderator comment:

PLEASE NOTE, THE ABOVE WAS SENT IN BY SOMEONE WHO RECEIVED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AND SINCE THEN, DUPLICATE BALLOTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH THE CORRECTED AMOUNT. THIS WAS VERIFIED WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND WAS AN ERROR FROM THE PRINTER OF THE BALLOTS AND NOT THE MULLICA TOWNSHIP SCHOOL BOARD NOR THE ATLANTIC COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS. THERE WERE ONLY SEVEN (7) ABSENTEE BALLOTS SENT TO MULLICA TOWNSHIP IN ALL AND ALL HAVE BEEN SENT NEW, DUPLICATE BALLOTS WHICH CLEARLY HAVE THE CORRECT AMOUNT AND STATE THEY ARE DUPLICATE BALLOTS. To the poster, the Gadfly thanks you for the heads up, however it was looked into and verified last week.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA -4/14/2009

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
APRIL 14, 2009
7:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 03/24/ 2009, 04/02/2009

HEARING: Ordinance #3-2009 / Amend Chapter 7 / Public Defender Fee

Ordinance #4-2009 / Amend Salary Ordinance

FIRST READING: Ordinance #5-2009 / Amending Chapter 168 / Parades & Public Assemblies

Ordinance #6-2009 / CAP Waiver

RESOLUTION # 47-2009 / EXAMINATION OF BUDGET

BUDGET INTRODUCTION

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:
A. Discuss Cops Hiring Recovery Program
B. Resolution # 48-2009 / Award Salt Shed Bid
C. Resolution # 49-2009 / Endorsing Left Hand Turn Signal / Rt. 30 & Elwood Road

NEW BUSINESS:
A. Resolution # 50-2009 / Support Our Troops
B. Resolution # 51-2009 / Cancel Alliance Balance
C. Appoint John Holroyd / Emergency Management Council
D. Appoint Township Physician / Advocare Advanced Primary Care
E. Appoint Shared Services Ad-Hoc Committee
F. Discuss Township Land Sales

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES # -09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 3/24/ 2009

ADJOURN

A LOOK AT MULLICA'S FUTURE TAX PROBLEMS THANKS TO KATHY CHASEY

Keep Mullica Green is drawing a parallel between Egg Harbor Township's present-day budget problems and Mullica's future budget problems. To read about the damage being caused by Kathy Chasey, read KMG's post here.

Shocking News: Sweetwater Casino Uninsured!

The fact that there has been no progress in the rebuilding of the Sweetwater Casino may be due to the fact that the insurance policy on the restaurant had been allowed to elapse prior to the fire.

This interesting piece of information was told to me by a friend who said that she had been given this information by Janet Foreman. My informant said that Mayor Foreman expressed concern because of the potential loss of such a valuable rateable to the Township.

GOOD LUCK WILL

Good luck to Will Porter, who will be boxing in his first professional match tonight at "Brawl in the Hall" at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Will is an employee of Mullica Township.

CONGRATULATIONS

The Mullica School District has announced their Teachers and Support Staff of the Year. These three people were selected through a committee of their peers.

Ms. Jeannine Luciani-Mullica Township Middle School-Governor's Teacher Recognition Award.

Ms. Elba Perez, Support Staff of the Year, Pre-K Classroom Aide and Bus Aide and Mullica Resident employed by the district since 1978.

Ms. Marci Galli, Teacher of the Year. Ms. Galli teaches third grade at the Mullica Township Elementary School and has been a teacher for 17 years, 12 of them for Mullica Township. She is also a resident of Mullica Township.

Congratulations to all three deserving recipients.

PTA MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT & MORE BUDGET ANSWERS

The Mullica Township PTA is hosting a "Meet the Candidates" night this evening at 7:00 PM at the school library. Following the candidate forum, the Proposed School Budget will be further discussed with the public.

COUNTY CLERK CONFIRMS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

The County Clerk has confirmed that Kathy Chasey and Bruce Crowe have submitted their petitions to run for township committee in the Republican Primary.

KMG ENDORSES SUSAN POLK & ANTHONY GABRIS FOR COMMITTEE

Keep Mullica Green has endorsed Susan Polk and Anthony Gabris as the Democratic candidates for Mullica Committee. For more about each candidate, see the post on Keep Mullica Green.

TOWNSHIP BUDGET MEETING UPDATE

Keep Mullica Green has done an update on last night's Township Budget Meeting. The post can be read on their site by clicking this link.

MULLICA TOWNSHIP ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT

The Annual Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, April 4th at 2:00 PM at Rec Field for all children up to age 7. Raindate is Saturday, April 11th at 2:00 PM.

MULLICA SCHOOL BUDGET CUTS STAFF, PROGRAMS, RAISES TAXES

From the Press of Atlantic City, Friday, April 3, 2009

The township School District’s budget calls for tax increases, staffing reductions and program cutbacks. But Business Administrator Lourdes LaGuardia said it could be much worse.

The district introduced the $9.1 million budget Wednesday night that calls for a 3.5 cent hike in the tax rate and a $127,596 increase to the tax levy. The total budget will also increase by $248,596.

LaGuardia said the district, which relies heavily on state aid, was hurt when its state aid of $5,561,045 stayed flat this year, while its operating expenses increased.

“We had to make cuts to the budget to get it below the cap,” she said. “We didn’t want to eliminate any programs, so we chose to scale some back.”

On the chopping block were:

Four staff positions (two teachers and two aides by layoff, and two teaching positions through attrition.)

Facility upgrades

Staff development and tuition reimbursement

Funding to after-school activities and field trips

Computer upgrades and supplies

The budget also calls for the elimination of the district’s special education contingency funds that are set aside in case a student with special education needs enters the school district and must be bused to another school.

“If a (special education student) walks through our door in September, we will not have the money to accommodate them,” LaGuardia said. “It’s something we’ll have to address as the time comes.”

LaGuardia said she fielded suggestions to completely eliminate funding for extra-curricular activities to stabilize the tax rate, which she avoided doing.

“As an elementary and middle school, we are in the business of preparing children for high school,” she said. “Without these programs, they will not have the confidence to succeed at the next level.”

If the budget does not get voter approval April 21, LaGuardia said the district could have no choice but to eliminate all after-school programs. And additional staffers and courtesy busing would also be in jeopardy, she said.

“Everything else has already been skimmed out,” she said. “There’s nothing left to cut.”

Mullica school budget
Breakdown 2008-09 2009-10
Total budget $8,884,352 $9,132,948
Tax rate per $100 of assessed value $1.104 $1.139
Tax rate change by percent 2.22% 3.17%
Amount to be raised by taxes $3,189,907 $3,317,503
Tax bill for home assessed at $100,000 $1,104 $1,139

SCHOOL BUDGET INTRODUCTION

Link to Proposed School Budget

A reader wrote in and stated they had missed the Budget Introduction last night and wanted to know "what happened and what should we be ready for?" and someone wrote in a response. In all fairness, the response deserves its own post, so here is what the person wrote in verbatim:

An answer to both questions would be "yes". It should be in the paper soon.
It looks like alot of hard decisions were made by the board to cut the staff,programs and improvements but there is still a .0305 cent increase proposed.

On a home assessed at $150,000 this would only be about $3.83 more a month.

Four certified staff members and 2.5 Aides would be leaving and the only thing left to cut would be more teachers which would result in even larger class sizes.
It's a sad situation for everybody with the economy the way it is. .

Thank you to the reader who responded and hopefully others who were in attendance will have other insights about the meeting.

SPECIAL TOWNSHIP BUDGET MEETING-TONIGHT-5:00 PM

Just a reminder about the township's Special Budget Meeting scheduled for 5:00 PM tonight at town hall.

CHASEY'S VOODOO ECONOMICS-RAID MULLICA'S CASH RESERVES?

According to a recent post on Keep Mullica Green, Kathy Chasey's "Emergency Budget Meeting" scheduled for tomorrow night at 5:00 PM is apparently nothing more than election year trickery on the taxpayers of Mullica. For the full post, click here.

BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET INTRODUCTION TOMORROW NIGHT

Just a reminder that the Mullica Township Board of Education is holding a special meeting tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 1st) to discuss the school budget for 2009-2010. The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM in the School Library.

MULLICA AMBULANCE AUCTION RESULTS

Both ambulance auctions ended today and the Buick will end at later tonight. The 1995 ambulance sold for $11,500 and the 1988 sold for $5,000. This is the selling amount, not including any fees that may be assessed from listing, final value and possibly Paypal fees. An update on the Buick Century, which ends at 6:00 PM with be posted later, but as of this posting, it is at $4,100. Edited to add: Buick Century did sell for $4,100.

Edited: According to the Township Website, after fees are paid to govdeals.com, the township will net a total of $19,055 from this auction.

SPECIAL BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING AGENDA-4/02/09

AGENDA
SPECIAL BUDGET WORKSHOP
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2009
5:00 PM

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW: NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS GIVEN BY NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE
PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY ON MARCH 31, 2009, IN THE EGG HARBOR AND HAMMONTON NEWS ON APRIL 1, 2009 AND POSTED AT TOWN HALL.

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

BUDGET DISCUSSION

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

ADJOURN

KESSLER HOSPITAL RECORDS ON FILE FOR 10 YEARS

From the Press of Atlantic City, 3/31/09:

The operators of the defunct Kessler Memorial Hospital will continue to keep patient records on file for 10 years.

The hospital closed March 12, but patient records will continue to be stored at the 600 S. White Horse Pike facility.

Former patients and their physicians can obtain copies of medical records by:

Sending a letter to Medical Records, William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital, 600 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037.

In case of emergency, calling the Medical Record Department at 609-561-6700 ext. 5280.

Copies of medical records cost $10 per patient request and $1 per additional page.

SOCCER GOALS

Given the start-up of spring soccer leagues as well as the recent media coverage of traumatic head-injuries, we hope to provide a public service announcement to the members of our community. Last October, our 11-year-old daughter was playing goalie for her recreational soccer team at the MTRA fields when wind blew the goal over to the ground, hitting her in the back of her head as it fell. She was diagnosed with a concussion by Kessler Memorial ER staff. Although her injury was serious and was cause for concern for several weeks to follow, we consider ourselves fortunate that the injury wasn’t worse. (It is worth noting that our 7 year-old’s team played on this same field, earlier on that same day.)

As a result of our daughter’s injury, we conducted some research on soccer goal tips and discovered that since 1979, approximately 30 people across the U. S. have died as the result of unsafe soccer goals. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 120 injuries involving falling goals are treated each year in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. Furthermore, in their current design, only 22 pounds of force can bring down a 400-pound goal.

The goal that toppled into our daughter was not anchored to the ground. We reported the incident to the Mullica Township Rec. Assoc. on the day it occurred and we are thankful for their assurance that they would properly address the situation to help prevent future accidents of this type. Prior to our daughter’s injury, we never considered that one of these goals could fall due to wind or player collision. The purpose in us sharing our experience is to strongly encourage all parents to ensure that soccer goals have been properly anchored to the ground prior to their child’s practices and games, particularly as the teams travel to fields in other municipalities. If any parent is interested in additional information on this topic, we found the websites of Anchored for Safety and the Consumer Product Safety Commission to be particularly helpful.

Andy and Jean Schlee

IMPORTANT BUDGET MEETINGS FOR MULLICA

The Mullica Township Board of Education is having their Budget Meeting on Wednesday, April 1 (and this is no joke) at 7:00 PM in the School Library. All residents are encouraged to attend.

Also, a SPECIAL BUDGET WORKSHOP MULLICA TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING has been scheduled for Thursday, April 2 at 5:00 PM at Town Hall. Again, all residents are encouraged to attend.

MULLICA TOWNSHIP FREE RABIES CLINIC SATURDAY

The free rabies clinic will be held this Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 AM til 12:00 Noon at the Public Works Garage, next to town hall. You may purchase your dog license for 2009 there the same day. Cost for the dog license is $5.00 for neutered/spayed and $8.00 non-neutered/non-spayed.

The deadline for the 2009 Dog License is Tuesday, March 31 or else there is an additional fee incurred after that date.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24th COMMITTEE MEETING AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING

The Tuesday, March 24th committee meeting is now up for viewing on Mullica News.

COMMITTEE MEETING-7:00 PM TONIGHT/AGENDA

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
MARCH 24, 2009
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 03/10/2009

FIRST READING:
Ordinance #3-2009 / Public Defender Fee
Ordinance #4-2009 / Amend Salary Ordinance

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:
Resolution #44-2009 / Tax Payment Agreement –
South Jersey Truck Auto, Salvage & Recycling / Geracos

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resolution #45-2009 / Oppose Elimination of Property Tax Deduction
B. Resolution #46-2009 / Mutual Aid Agreement with Atlantic County
C. Approve Volunteer Fire Application / Elwood Fire Company – Junious W. Felder
D. Discuss Utilization Fees for Recreational Facility
E. Discuss Waiver Request for Facility Use Fee

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES #4-09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 03 / 10 / 2009

ADJOURN

DOCTOR SAYS E.R. BEING RUN BETTER THAN WITH KESSLER

From the Press of Atlantic City, Tuesday, March 24

HAMMONTON - AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's satellite emergency department, Kessler Campus, is only a week and a half old, but one doctor says it is already better than its predecessor.

"It's night and day," said Dr. Bill Zwiebel, who worked at Kessler Memorial Hospital for 25 years before it closed March 12. He now works at Kessler Campus as a member of AtlantiCare's emergency department staff.

AtlantiCare took over the E.R. after Kessler Memorial closed, and, Zwiebel said, it immediately began making improvements. On Monday night, AtlantiCare officials updated Town Council on their progress. Zwiebel spoke at the meeting and in an interview with The Press of Atlantic City.

Click here for full Press article.

DEVELOPMENT CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST FOR CHASEY?

From Keep Mullica Green website posting, Sunday, March 22, 2009-News of the State Assembly and Senate's recent overwhelming vote to permit developers the option to convert proposed age 55+ housing to housing for all ages raises some serious questions about our former Mayor's two-year cheerleading to change Mullica's zoning to allow dense development in Elwood Village Center.

Click here to read full posting.

TOWNSHIP AUCTION ON GOVDEALS.COM

The '88 Ford Ambulance and the '95 Ford Ambulance are both up on GovDeals.com, as well as a relisted 2003 Buick Century, which was used by our Detective Bureau. Apparently, the deal fell through after the last auction and the item was relisted. The auctions end on March 31 and you can follow all three auctions at this link.

RETIREE BLAZES NEW TRAIL

From the Press of Atlantic City, Friday, March 20, 2009.

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Gary Pieper couldn't care less about leisure suits and early-bird dinners.

When the 63-year-old retired from his job as a union sheet-metal worker after 42 years, he chose to forgo the stereotypical retirement and opted, instead, to start running into fires.

Pieper, a grandfather of four, wanted to be a firefighter.

"I was a member of a company in North Jersey for a short time in the 1970s, until I moved down here and got busy with work," Pieper said. "But I think it's something that never leaves you. It stays in your blood."

Not only did Pieper make it through the fire academy - where he was old enough to be some of his classmates' grandfather - he was recently honored for finishing at the top of his class.

Before any of that could happen, Pieper had to convince his family and Sweetwater Fire Company Chief Gary Franklin that he could handle the physical demands of firefighting.

Click to continue to read full article

MULLICA TO SELL AMBULANCES - SQUAD OR NO SQUAD

Full article on the Press of Atlantic City Article, dated 3/17/09:

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - The township will sell off the ambulances its defunct Emergency Medical Services squad used, potentially thwarting the squad's recent attempts to reunite.

The Township Committee agreed in January to let the members of the squad make a public pitch for their volunteer services to be retained again. The squad disbanded in December after it could not convince the township to provide it with a new building.

The township has a contract for service with the Hammonton Rescue Squad that runs through the end of the year. But Mullica's squad wants to resume serving the township on a part-time basis, providing it gets the building it wants.

But the committee still decided to sell the squad's two ambulances.

"There is no ambulance squad at this point. And we have two ambulances that we don't need, that eventually would have to be replaced even if there was an ambulance squad," Committeeman Bill Kennedy said.

Committeeman Michael St. Amour encouraged the squad to still make its pitch but said the age of the ambulances -they are 1988 and 1995 vehicles - was a big concern.

It would cost between $65,000 and $80,000 just to rehabilitate the 1995 vehicle, St. Amour said.

"Anyone else who makes a proposal to the municipality would be coming with equipment. And these will be sitting for another nine and a half months," he said. "I don't know if they'll even start at this point."

Franklin told The Press of Atlantic City last month that as long as the squad got a new building it would not ask for a new truck.

The 1995 truck is still a very good piece of equipment, he said, but the squad would eventually ask for the township to purchase a used truck.

Township Clerk Kimberly Johnson said the vehicles will likely be auctioned on www.govdeals.com within a month.

E-mail Robert Spahr:

RSpahr@pressofac.com

POLL RESULTS IN-Are You Satisfied with Mullica's municipal property taxes?

Yes, they’re just about right given the number of service we get for our money. 31 votes.

No, they’re too high. We’ll even take fewer services to our lower taxes, if necessary. 23 votes

No, they’re too low. We’ll pay more for more services, if necessary. 2 votes

56 people have spoken and the majority felt (55% of the voters) that Mullica's taxes are just about right given the services we get for our money.

Any ideas for another poll, send them in.

ANONYMOUS WEB COMMENTS WORTH PROTECTING

Excerpt from a Friday Press article in the Op/Ed section that I think is appropriate for discussion on this site. Signed, Anonymous

“Protecting anonymous speech is one of American law's most noble ventures. As Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens once wrote, "Anonymous pamphlets, leaflets, brochures and even books have played an important role in the progress of mankind. The decision in favor of anonymity may be motivated by fear of economic or official retaliation, by concern about social ostracism, or merely by a desire to preserve as much of one's privacy as possible. Whatever the motivation ... the interest in having anonymous works enter the marketplace of ideas unquestionably outweighs any public interest in requiring disclosure.

A post on a comment board might have far greater reach than a sign on a lawn or a shout in a public square, but the same theory applies. There will be painful episodes along the way, but making an aggrieved party first submit proof that he has been damaged by an anonymous comment is a good way to protect the rights of those who have something to say.”

Maryland's highest court this month decided that anonymous comments on Web message boards have and deserve extraordinary protection. Someone who wants to sue you for anonymous libel must step into the mosh pit of the comment boards and try to persuade you to come forward, because the courts will not tell a Web site to reveal your identity.....and it's a nice protection for those who have serious information to put out there but fear retaliation if they attach their names to their message.

The full article, see Washington Post article here.

KESSLER ER NOW ATLANTICARE

From the Press of Atlantic City, Saturday, 3/14/09

The era of AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's Satellite Emergency Department, Kessler Campus, has begun.

AtlantiCare took over Kessler Memorial Hospital's emergency department at 7:05 p.m. Thursday - five minutes after the 45-year-old facility closed its doors.

"We are looking to make a significant investment into the Kessler campus to guarantee that it will be up to our high standards," said Rene Z. Bunting, AtlantiCare's vice president of marketing and communications.

Lori Herndon, AtlantiCare's chief operating officer, said AtlantiCare is leasing the existing emergency department and some space around it. Kessler's board is still responsible for the rest of the property, she said.

The transition took less than 24 hours, after Kessler officials terminated an agreement Wednesday night for cardiovascular surgeon B. Reddy Dandolu to buy the hospital for a reported $7.5 million. Hospital officials claim Dandolu failed to send an agreed-upon $300,000 down payment.

"I've been told that most times it takes weeks, if not months, to (make this kind of transition)," said Herndon, adding this is AtlantiCare's first foray into operating a satellite emergency department. "I was notified about it at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, and we were open by 7:05 p.m. Thursday."

But AtlantiCare does not plan to open a hospital in Hammonton, she said.

Kessler's emergency room is now operating with only AtlantiCare staff, Herndon said, due to the short notice given for the transition. This includes three emergency room doctors who worked for Kessler but were also affiliated with AtlantiCare.

A satellite emergency room is not entirely the same as an emergency room attached to a hospital, and there are a few categories of patients who the state Department of Health and Senior Services says are "more appropriately treated" at an emergency room at a hospital. They are as follows:

According to the department, a satellite emergency department must provide basic life support emergency care and stat laboratory services, basic radiology services, defibrillators, advanced airway equipment, surgical airway equipment, suction equipment, an obstetric kit and emergency chest decompression equipment. Other services can be added at the facility's discretion.

Herndon said AtlantiCare is already in the process of screening former Kessler employees for employment.

AtlantiCare also plans to work with other health care providers to host a private job fair for laid off Kessler employees, Bunting said. The event is expected to take place next week, but the details were not finalized as of Friday afternoon.

AtlantiCare inherited two patients when it took over the emergency room Thursday night, officials said. Seven more came in before 8 a.m. A few of the patients were in serious enough condition to be sent to other facilities after being stabilized.

It was emergency treatment they would have had to wait at least 20 minutes for if the emergency room did not stay open.

The ripple effect of Kessler Hospital closing has already started with local eateries seeing a drastic decline in business.

Click link for the rest of the story

Two People Shot, Killed at Mays Landing Vet Office

Details are sketchy at the moment, but at least two people were shot and killed this morning around 10:00 AM at the All Paws Vet Clinic on Central Ave. & Route 40 in Mays Landing. NBC-40 and the Press of Atlantic City have reports of the story. It is reported as a murder/suicide and appears the receptionist was killed by her estranged husband who then committed suicide. UPDATE: Names have been released and there is an article on the AC Press Website.

KESSLER CLOSES DOORS FOR GOOD

Kessler Memorial Hospital has closed it's doors as an acute care hospital for good this morning. According to several news reports, employees were told this morning that the doctor intending to purchase the hospital could not get the additional funding needed and the state ordered the hospital closed. All patients were either released or transferred to other hospitals. NBC-10 News reports all employees had been paid at least partial paychecks and told to remove their belongings as the hospital was closing.

The hospital has served the community since 1964 and it's a very sad ending for all the employees of the hospital, as well as for the communities it has served over the years. To the staff, we thank you for your professionalism and dedication during what must have been trying times of not knowing for the past year and working without pay, not knowing if you were going to get paid. ABC news reported the staff received one weeks pay and are still owed two weeks pay. THANK YOU.

There is an agreement with Atlanticare Regional Medical Center to establish satellite emergency services at Kessler Memorial Hospital, but it will no longer operate as a hospital and patients needing to be hospitalized will be transferred out. They will also be bringing in their own staff.

RELISTED AUCTION CAR SOLD

The 2003 Dodge Intrepid that was relisted on www.govdeals.com auction ended yesterday. The winning bid was $2,850.00. This is before listing and final value fees.

KESSLER SALE FAILED; $300,000 DEPOSIT NOT SENT

The state Department of Health and Senior Services says the surgeon who signed a letter of intent to purchase Kessler Memorial Hospital appears to be in breach of that agreement and wants the hospital to pursue other options.

In a letter to hospital officials dated Wednesday, Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard said her department was advised that the hospital had still not received a deposit from cardiovascular surgeon B. Reddy Dandolu.

For full story, see Press of Atlantic City article here.

Sweetwater Casino

Does anyone know what is planned for the Sweetwater Casino? This weekend there was nothing going on. No stakes were visible marking what might be the outline of a new building, and no equipment was standing by to dig the new foundation. There were a few large bearded motorcyclists present, hanging around, leaning on their Harleys, while looking wistfully at the remains of what was once their weekend hangout.

All of the signage has been removed other than a sign saying that boat slips are available for the coming summer season. Will the main attraction for the resident boaters be the bull dozed remains of what was once the signature location of our small village?

Rumors are afloat of course. They include a scenario where the restaurant will be replaced with luxury waterfront condos.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA-3/10/2009

There is a township committee meeting tonight, 3/10/2009 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall.

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
MARCH 10, 2009
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

SWEETWATER FIRE RECOGNITION: GARY PEIPER

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 02/24/2009

HEARING: Ordinance #2-2009 / Amend Chapter 7, Public Defender Application Fee

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:

Resolution 35-2009 / Inter-Local Agreement / Mid-Atlantic Communications Center
Resolution 36-2009 / Inter-Local Agreement / Mid-Atlantic Communications / BVT
Resolution 37-2009 / Inter-Local Agreement / Mid-Atlantic Communications / Weymouth Twp.
Resolution 38-2009 / Inter-Local Agreement / Mid-Atlantic Communications / Estell Manor

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resolution 39-2009 / Recycling Tonnage Grant
B. Resolution 40-2009 / Safe & Secure Grant
C. Resolution 41-2009 / Approve Municipal Aerial Mosquito Control Agreement / Atlantic County
C. Resolution 42-2009 / Disposition of Abandoned or Unclaimed Vehicles
D. Resolution 43-2009 / Disposition of Township Ambulances
E. Approve Junkyard License / South Jersey Truck Auto, Salvage and Recycling - Geracos

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES #3-09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 02 / 24 / 2009

ADJOURN

MULLICA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF ED MEETING TONIGHT

The Mullica Township Board of Education meeting is scheduled for tonight, Monday, March 9 at 7:00 PM in the school library. The public is invited to attend.

MULLICA SCHOOL GETS GRANT

According to an article in Saturday's Press of AC, the Mullica Township School District received a grant of to install toilet rooms and upgrades to convert six classrooms for preschoolers at the Primary School. Cost $297,666 and the State Grant was for $150,744. This will be used as an expansion of the Pre-K program to include a Pre-School program at the school.

New Poll On Sidebar

New poll on sidebar, thanks to the reader who wrote it in.

KESSLER FINDS BUYER AND MEETS PAYROLL

In an article in today's Press of Atlantic City, the latest on the dire situation at Kessler Hospital. The deal won't be finalized until Monday and it doesn't say if it will be a private hospital or continue as it is (receiving from from the State).

After months of shopping for investors, the financially distressed hospital's last-ditch effort to survive was successful as members of its board and its foundation's board agreed to potentially dip into their own pockets to guarantee a loan.

Officals agreed to sell the hospital to B. Reddy Dandolu, a cardiovascular surgeon with the University of Pennsylvania Health System. They also secured a $200,000 loan from Hammonton to help cover the $500,000 payroll shortfall.

But to get that money, the Town Council said, the hospital had to find at least 10 people from its board of directors, its foundation's board of directors or the general public willing to help cover the cost of the loan if it defaults. Five people on each board agreed to back the loan.

"It's a way of holding their feet to the fire," said Mayor John DiDonato, who pledged the first $20,000. "And it would be a show of good faith to our taxpayers, that the people responsible for the negotiations are willing to do what it takes to make this thing work."

Hopefully, everyone will get paid and the hospital will be saved. A statement in the Press said "but with the exception of one employee, all the staffers agreed to continue working through the weekend in order to give the board enough time to save the hospital" The professionalism and dedication of the staff should be commended.

For the full article, click to see the Press of Atlantic City article here.

MULLICA TOWNSHIP SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

Rick Noble, Mary Nevius, and Joy Wyld are running for the Mullica Township School Board this year. Three seats up, all three are incumbents and all terms are for three years. Uncontested race, so why have the election? Oh yes, the school budget needs to be voted on.

The election is April 21, 2009. More on the hours of the election will follow.

MULLICA TWP EMS

Hello,

I have a question for Mullica Twp residents, why is the Twp paying for repairs/refurbishing to Elwood Fire Company equipment when the other fire companies in the Twp paid for those items out of their budget money? Also, the in the Budget meeting it was decided to put aside money to refurbishing an ambulance and now the Twp’s ambulance are going to be auctioned off?

FOUND-TWO SMALL DOGS

Found two small dogs, possibly siblings, both had collars, well-fed, taken care of. Found at the corner of Elwood Road and Moss Mill Road in the street. Please email gadfly01@comcast.net with your phone number and we will have the person who found the dogs call you with more information.

PLANNING BOARD MEETING-TONIGHT-7:30 PM

There is a Planning Board meeting scheduled for tonight, March 4 at 7:30 PM at Town Hall. The agenda is as follows:

MULLICA TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD
AGENDA
MARCH 4, 2009

CALL TO ORDER

FLAG SALUTE

PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT ANNOUNCMENT

ROLL CALL: Ms. Chasey, Mr. Forman, Deputy Mayor Kennedy, Mr. Merlino, Mr. Muller, Ms. Ramer, Mr. Sandman, Mr. Seney, Ms. Nevius, Mr. Bouchard, Ms. Mazzarella, Mr. Smolen, Mr. Malkin

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 4, 2009

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

CORRESPONDENCE

APPLICATIONS:
A. “C” Variance Request / James Schwarz / Block 9701, Lot 6

B. Completeness Review / Preliminary & Final Site Plan & Conditional Use /SBA Towers, Inc. / Block 2851, Lot 2

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

ADJOURN

MULLICA SCHOOLS OPENING 2 HOURS LATE-TUESDAY-3/03

Due to the adverse weather and road conditions, the Mullica Township Schools will be opening 2-hours late on Tuesday, March 3rd. Parents bringing their children to the school should arrive by 10:30 a.m. Childcare and Latchkey will have their normal 7:30 a.m. start time.

MULLICA ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL CLOSED TOMORROW

According to a post on Mullica News, both the Mullica Township Primary School and Mullica Township Middle School will be closed tomorrow, Monday, March 2, due to the inclement weather.

SCAMS

I read today in the Press about the police from Absecon warning people about getting calls that their relatives might be sick, arrested or dead. The scammers tell you to dial a number with the area code of 809,284 or 876 for information. If you do it, you'll get operator who starts a long conversation with you or a recorded message. This will cost you $2,425 a minute and people have been unable to dispute the charges.

A friend of mine told me yesterday about a scam going on in her state. A small, elderly lady in a mall parking lot asks people to help her by her car. When a good person goes to help, a man jumps out and robs them. The citizens are being told not to help anyone, try to memorize the plate number of the vehicle of anyone who asks for help and report it to the store immediately or call 911.

Signed Mullica Citizen

PINELANDS COMMISSION POLL RESULTS

Should Politicians control the Pinelands Commission?

65 people voted and the results:

An overwhelming 84% (55 votes) said No, I like Mullica the way it is, keep the greedy developers/devious politicians out of it.

If there is a poll you would like to see, send in an idea.

AUCTIONING VEHICLES PAYS OFF FOR MULLICA

Article in the Press of Atlantic City somewhat better explains the auctioning off of the vehicles on www.govdeals.com.

There is still the matter of listing fees, as well as the charges Paypal charges to handle the money transaction, in which Kathy Chasey stated the township will open a Paypal account for these types of transactions. Ms. Chasey stated "We plan to set up a Paypal account so the 7 percent is paid directly by who purchases the items.". However Paypal will still charge the Township a percentage of the selling price, plus an additional flat fee for handling the money for them. Paypal has to make money too. Final value fees (what the item sold for) also goes to www.govdeals.com as their payment, as they have to make money also.

What the items sell for and what money actually comes in to the township after listing fees, final value fees and Paypal fees will be a different story. It's still a great idea, reaching out to people across the internet versus just those coming to the township for the auction. One can assume buyers from out of the area will have to pay transporting the vehicle to themselves. For more on the story, see the article in today's Press linked here.

MULLICA ON-LINE AUCTION RELISTED ITEM

According to the Township Website, the 2003 Dodge Intrepid has been relisted on GovDeals.com because of a defaulted bid. The new auction for the car will from from February 25, 2009 ending March 11, 2009. You can follow the bids here.

2/24/09-COMMITTEE MEETING NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR VIEWING

The Committee meeting from last night, 2/24/09 is available for viewing already and can be seen at Mullica News.

Mullica Township PTA Movie Night-Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

The Mullica Township PTA Movie Night is set for Friday, 2/27/09 in the school cafeteria-movie starts at 6:30 PM. Movie being featured is Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Bring a towel or blanket to sit on. Open to everyone, children must be accompanied by an adult. Food and beverages will be available.

WHO'S WHO IN MULLICA

Not that resident's didn't already know this information, but in today's Press of Atlantic City was a small blurb "Who's Who In Mullica". The comments left told a truer story then the blurb itself.

COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT - 7:00 PM TOWN HALL

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
FEBRUARY 24, 2009
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 02/10/2009, 02/17/2009 - Budget Workshop

FIRST READING: Ordinance #2-2009 / Amend Chapter 7, Public Defender Application Fee

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Resolution # / Release of Bond / Country Woods

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Discuss Vendor Policy
B. Approve 2009 Mobile Home Park License Application / Mullica Woods Mobile Home Park
C. Approve MTRA Application #42-2009 / Installation of Well

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES # -09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 01 / 27 / 2009

ADJOURN

FILMED MEETINGS NOW UP FOR VIEWING

The Township Committee Meeting from 2/10/09, as well as the second Budget Workshop meeting from 2/17/09 are now available for online viewing at Mullica News.

MULLICA'S FINAL AUCTION RESULTS

The final auction results:

1993 Ford Backhoe Model 555D/DF9P1Z $12,526.00
Bids: 50
2003 Dodge Intrepid $4,010.00
Bids: 69 Bid defaulted and item relisted on 2/25/09
2003 Buick Century $3,630.00
Bids: 49
2001 Ford Crown Victoria $1,510.00
Bids: 37
1988 Chevy C1500 Pickup $805.00
Bids: 37
1992 Ford F150 Pickup - 4x4 $322.59
Bids: 47

What the Township will actually make off of this, is unknown now because of listing fees for each item, as well as what the final value fees are. The auction site has a fee for listing each item, going by what the starting bid is and a final value fee, which is a percentage of what the item sold for.

FEE HIKE FOR PUBLIC DEFENDER IN MULLICA

From today's Press of Atlantic City article it's reported the committee informally agreed, by a 3-2 vote (Forman, Chasey, Kennedy-yes)(Graebener, St. Amour-No) to double the municipality's Public Defender fee from $100 to $200 in order to cover a raise it gave it's public defender last month (The raise for the public defender passed by a 3-1 vote last month with Forman, Chasey and Kennedy voting yes and St. Amour voting No to the raise, Graebener wasn't present at that vote). St. Amour stated it's "penalizing those with the least money" and Forman stated "Aren't all of us taxpayers indigent at this point". Hammonton's fee is $100.00 and Egg Harbor City is $150.00. One can assume this will be brought up and formally voted on at the next committee meeting, this Tuesday 2/24/09. For the full story, click here.

New Poll On Sidebar

There is a new poll on the sidebar stemming from a Press of Atlantic City article, dated 2/14/09, about State politicians pushing for legislation that would require them to sign off on all Pinelands Commission changes to the development map. Let us know your opinion on this.

SCHOOL HEAD LICE - THE END OF THE STORY

A parent comes directly to the school board with a grievance about head lice screening by the school nurse while totally ignoring the chain of command in the school district. Rather than direct the parent to address her problem with the school nurse, the board president and superintendent permit a wide ranging discussion while totally ignoring the rights of the nurse to choose to have such a discussion heard in executive session.

With all due respect the Mullica Township School District needs to have a policy which includes a grievance procedure for parents when they have a problem such as the head lice issue. In this instance the procedure would have required the parent to begin by making an appointment with school nurse to discuss her concerns about the process used for the head lice screening. If after a conference with the school nurse, the parent still was not satisfied, then the next step of procedure would have been for her to make an appointment with the nurse's immediate supervisor which would probably be the building principal. If her concerns were not met at that level she could then go on up the line to the superintendent. The final step would be a formal written grievance which would go to the board and be discussed in executive session in order to protect the rights of the employee. The board's decision on the resolution of this grievance would be final unless the parent decided to take the issue on up the line to the State Commissioner of Education, The State Board of Education and ultimately the court system.

I am fairly certain that such a grievance procedure must exist in the MTSD as I believe it is mandated by the State. If this is the case, the board president and superintendent should have immediately ended any discussion and insisted that this process be followed. Should they continue to allow the public airing of grievances concerning individual employees, they may soon find themselves immersed in legal action. Also, if parents feel free to bring every little problem directly to the board level, there will be some very long meetings in the months ahead.

MULLICA TOWNSHIP PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION DATES SET

The Mullica Township Half-Day Pre-K & Full-Day Kindergarten Registration dates are Friday, March 27, Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, May 14 from 9:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. To be eligible for Kindergarten, children must be 5 by October 1, 2009. To be eligible for Pre-Kindergarten, children must be 4 by October 1, 2009. Your child must be present at registration and you must also bring your child’s immunization records, birth certificate and proof of residency. Please call Mrs. Quattrone for an appointment at (609) 561.3868, ext. 146.

Keeping Mullica Green through the Pinelands Preservation Alliance

Keep Mullica Green recently posted about the work of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and how their work affects Pinelands communities like Mullica Township. Click link to see full post.

BUDGET WORKSHOP, TUESDAY, 2/17/09-7:00 PM

The second township Budget Workshop Meeting will be held tomorrow night, Tuesday, 2/17/09 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this workshop and see where our money will be spent for the next year. Mullica News will also be taping the meeting.

POLL RESULTS IN

The results from the poll, "Was Bill Kennedy Smacked Enough by His Mother?", which stemmed from his quote in The Press of Atlantic City article dated 2/26/09, "I've been a Democrat since I first registered to vote," Kennedy said. "When I went to register, I asked my mom whether I should be a Republican or a Democrat. She smacked me on the back of the head and said, 'You're a Democrat,' and that was that." are in and the results are:

3 votes for "Yes-Explains a lot", 12 votes for "No-he needed more" and an overwhelming 54 votes for "Let me take a few whacks".

Imagine, Bill Kennedy as a human pinata. Unfortunately, we don't think anyone will want anything that falls out of him because odds are, it's not gonna be candy or toys.

LAWYER TELLS MULLICA TO "FUHGETABOUTIT"??

Once again, Mullica is in the news in The Press of Atlantic City in only what can be described as another "HUH????" article. Kennedy's lawyer has decided to waive his fees in "very difficult economic times" after Kennedy threatened to sue the township for not paying the balance of his legal bills. I wonder if other attorney's across the county are doing the same? This wasn't a courtesy to the Township, this was Kennedy's personal bill, so the confusion has set in. For the full article, click here.

A Squad Member's comment

A very interesting post was found posted on the AC Press under the 2/6/09 article "Rescue Squad seeks to revive Mullica Squad". The comment was dated Wed.,Feb.11,2009. 7:24 pm. and Signed by "Mullica Tax Payer".
It reads as follows:
"No, the squad members found out about the squad disbanding the same way the rest of Mullica Twp.did. By way of the letter sent out to everyone. And No, most of us will not be returning to the squad if Franklin is Chief".
I thought this was a very important piece of information that might be lost because of all the more recent articles on different subjects.
This statement opens alot of questions about what is really going on behind the scenes and if Gary Franklin even has a squad to bring back.

Signed Mullica Resident

Found on Mullica News RE: Head Lice

A post from today on Mullica News stated the Mullica Township Elementary School has recently mailed notices to parents and guardians informing them of a small head lice infestation at the school. To read more of the post, see Mullica News, linked here.

School Lice - The Beginning of the Story

(Note: The person who submitted this story tried to answer under comments but a computer glitch prevented it) so this is the beginning the the story from the previous post.

A parent discussed concern at the school board meeting that 2 whole classes of children were all checked with a comb by the nurse on Friday, then all checked again with a comb on Monday. Parent expressed that this may be excessive. Parent also expressed that same comb was used on all children. Parent expressd not wanting their own children subject to this at school, and would check children themselves at home. Mr. Goldberg (supt'd) commented that there is only 1 concerned parent regarding the nurse's procedure. Several others who were present expressed concern - Mr. Tom Carl on the school board, a teacher expressing herself as a parent, and Janet Forman. A cosmetologist present stated that her equipment has to be bagged and disposed of if it comes in contact with lice. Another teacher said to send a note home for what they look like, and she will check her child's head.

The children likely saw the nurse using the same comb on all of their classmates. They may think that this is okay to do.

CDC website regarding lice in schools:
"Current evidence does not support the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of classroom or school-wide screening for decreasing the incidence of head lice among school children. School administrators are encouraged to help educate parents and staff about the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice. "No-nits" policies that require a child to be free of nits before they can return to school are not recommended. Children should be permitted to return to school or child care after appropriate treatment is started. Head lice can be a nuisance but they have not been shown to spread disease". (other literature mentions that a secondary infection can happen, perhaps from scratching)

American Academy of Pediatrics - Head Lice School Control Measures:
"Screening for nits alone is not an accurate way of predicting which children will become infested, and screening for live lice has not been proven to have a significant effect on the incidence of head lice in a school community over time. In addition, such screening has not been shown to be cost-effective.
......Because of the lack of evidence of efficacy, classroom or school-wide screening should be strongly discouraged.
It would be prudent to periodically provide information to families of all children on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of head lice. Parents should be encouraged to check their children's heads for lice if the child is symptomatic; school screenings do not take the place of these more careful checks. It may be helpful for the school nurse or other trained persons to check a student's head if he or she is demonstrating symptoms."

Comments from school board members: Dr. Malaspina said to have someone give a written report. Tom Carl said to do a letter, and not wait 30 days until the next meeting. Terrance Watson asked if school is obligated by law to do anything. Tom Carl said that he has heard from parents and teachers coming here. He stated to put a plan in action, clear it up.

Public Comment at School Board Meeting

According to the Atlantic County Health Department Communicable Disease Department, the National School Nurse Association, and the President of the NJ School Nurse Association, mass screenings for head lice are no longer recommended. Contrary to the school superintendent's mis-statements last night, the county Health Department and NJ School Nurse Association also confirmed that parents absolutely are allowed to refuse to subject their children to the school nurse's procedures. Center for Disease Control consumer information also documents that in order to prevent the spread of head lice, combs should not be shared. The county Health Department also stated that such a procedure at school is improperly demonstrating and teaching children to share combs. Disposable wooden sticks are used to examine those who are symptomatic.

Research-based protocol regarding lice procedure is available from Judith Mullane, President of the NJ State School Nurse Association. The protocol is based on 3 sources: Center for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Association of School nurses. She can be contacted at her daytime work number: 201-389-5023. The author of this post is urging school board members to contact her. There is a contact at the Atlantic County Department of Health Communicable Disease Department. She accepts complaints and concerns. Kate Adams 645-7700 ext. 4236

Existence of self-designed procedures does not deem them as being appropriate. Any family whose child was subject to the school nurse repeatedly using the same comb with all students can file a written complaint to the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs - NJ Board of Nursing www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/nursing.htm Families can also call Kate Adams at the county Health Department.

Signed.....Advocate for Children in our Government-Run Schools

COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA-2/10/09

Ask and you shall receive:

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
FEBRUARY 10, 2009
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 01 /20 /2009 Budget Workshop, 01 / 27 / 2009

HEARING: Ordinance # 1-2009 / Salary Ordinance

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resolution #33–2009 / Refund Tax Overpayments
B. Approve 2009 Mobile Home Park Application / Eastgate
C. Approve 2009 Junkyard License / Quality Auto
D. Approve Professional Property Appraisal Contract for Tax Assessor’s Added Assessments
E. Approve NJ Firemen’s Association Membership / Samuel Sofia Jr.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES # -09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 01 / 27 / 2009

ADJOURN

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT-7:00 PM

There is a Township Committee meeting tonight, at 7:00 PM at town hall. Although we can assume there will be an agenda for the meeting, since doubts are it'll be a "free for all, say what's on your mind" meeting, the township website doesn't have the agenda up nor does it have the second committee meeting scheduled for 2/24/09 even on the calendar. They are always the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month unless committee decides to have only one meeting on a certain month, then it's announced ahead of time. We'll just assume the lack of agenda on the website and the missing second committee meeting are both oversights. Perhaps the Director of Administration can look into this.

KEEPING TRACK OF THE TOWNSHIP'S FIRST ONLINE AUCTION

The Township's first on-line auction is began on February 3rd and will end on February 18th at 5:00 PM. The auction seems to be going well, with several bids on each item. You can see the auction and keep track of the bids by clicking the link here. In order to bid, you have to sign up at GovDeals.

RESIGNATION CALL DOES NOT FAZE KENNEDY

From the Press of Atlantic City article dated 2/06/09.

"Several township democrats are calling for Deputy Mayor William Kennedy to step down from the county's Democratic committee, questioning his loyalty to the party."

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Members of the local Democratic Club are calling for Deputy Mayor William Kennedy to resign from his position on the Atlantic County Democratic Committee.

A formal request was handed to Kennedy in an envelope marked "confidential and personal" prior to a recent Mullica Township Committee meeting, Kennedy said.

In the envelope was a letter dated Jan. 17 and signed by 16 people that requested Kennedy's resignation from his position on the county committee due to his "desire to not affiliate with the local Democratic Club and local Democratic elected officials."

Kennedy is one of six people who represent the township at county committee meetings. It is a two-year position to which the club elected him last year.

Also in the envelope was a pre-written resignation letter, addressed to Atlantic County Democratic Committee Chairman Patrick D'Arcy, for Kennedy to sign.

"They even addressed the three envelopes for me. The only thing they were missing was stamps," Kennedy joked.

Kennedy, who is in his second term on the Township Committee, said he has no plans to succumb to the club's pressure.

"If I want to resign, I'll resign. And I'll do it on my own terms," he said. "Not because these people signed a letter at a meeting that I wasn't invited to."

Even if Kennedy resigns from the club, his political affiliation could stay the same.

"I've been a Democrat since I first registered to vote," Kennedy said. "When I went to register, I asked my mom whether I should be a Republican or a Democrat. She smacked me on the back of the head and said, 'You're a Democrat,' and that was that."

But Deneen St. Amour, the township's Democratic municipal chairwoman and the wife of Democratic Committeeman Michael St. Amour, said some of Kennedy's recent comments seem to contradict that.

"After reading Bill quoted in The Press of Atlantic City saying that he's always considered himself 'neutral or independent,' that he doesn't think 'Democrat or Republican, at this level, means that much,' and that he couldn't support Michael due to what happened in court, I asked the former municipal chair for advise on what I should do," said Deneen St. Amour, adding she was told the only way Kennedy can be replaced is if he resigns.

"No, I don't expect him to sign it," she said.

Michael St. Amour testified against Kennedy in a court case in which the Kennedy - then mayor - was accused of physically assaulting a township resident at a school board meeting. The charges against Kennedy eventually were dropped.

"There is nothing personal involved in this at all," Deneen St. Amour said. "If you don't consider yourself a Democrat, I don't think you should be representing our local Democrats at the county level."

Michael St. Amour took it a step further, saying Kennedy should resign from the Township Committee as well.

"I think that he's lost his moral compass, and I've lost any confidence in his ability to do what's right for the township," said Michael St. Amour, who signed the club's resignation request along with fellow Democratic Committeeman Bernard Graebener.

Graebener said he did not feel it was appropriate to comment on the club's letter to Kennedy.

St. Amour, Graebener and Kennedy are the three Democrats on the five-person Township Committee.

Kennedy seemed to be relatively unfazed by his critics.

"I'm still a Democrat. Apparently I'm a bad one, but I'm still a Democrat," he said. "And I've always acted with the township's best interest at heart."

E-mail Robert Spahr: RSpahr@pressofac.com

Click here for full article.

RESCUE SQUAD SEEKS TO REVIVE MULLICA SQUAD

From The Press of Atlantic City — The township Emergency Medical Services squad disbanded in December, but its members say they are ready to go back to work.

The part-time volunteer rescue squad opted to cease operations in December rather than continue with what its members considered to be subpar facilities, Chief Gary Franklin said.

“When the squad was first started about 10 years ago, it was put into one of the bays at the township’s garage as a temporary home,” Franklin said, adding the bay was cramped, unhygienic, lacking proper HVAC amenities and had no running water. “But it seemed like every time we asked for an upgrade, all the township did was look into shared services instead.”

When it stopped operating, the squad paid the Hammonton Rescue Squad about $14,000 to cover the township full time through June 15, Franklin said. Hammonton already provided that service on a part-time, 12-hour-per-day basis.

At a Jan. 20 budget workshop, the Township Committee voted to extend the contract with Hammonton through the end of 2009 for $25,000.

The decision prompted Franklin to remind the committee that the members of Mullica’s now-defunct squad still want to be the ones serving the community - as long as the township meets their demands.

Franklin said the squad’s needs are small.

“All we need is a pole barn big enough for our trucks that has running water, bathrooms, heating and air conditioning,” he said. “We’ve even told the committee that if we could get that building, we won’t ask them for a new truck.”

The Township Committee announced Jan. 27 that it would allow the squad to make its pitch at a public meeting. The invitation also will be extended to any rescue squad interested in providing the township coverage.

“I’m willing to listen to anyone,” said Deputy Mayor William Kennedy, chairman of the township’s Public Safety Committee. “But it will be difficult for them (Mullica’s squad) because they have no building and no ambulances. Those belong to the township.”

Kennedy, who said no one from the Mullica squad has approached him about a possible return, said there are also financial and coverage incentives to hiring a full-time squad such as Hammonton.

But Franklin insisted that it was in the township’s best interests, in terms of finances and public safety, to give the Mullica squad what it is asking for.

“In my opinion, you’re better off keeping volunteers as long as possible,” Franklin said. “The interest is there, it always has been. All that’s missing is the support from the township.”

Mullica, Egg Harbor City Police Merger Off Indefinitely

From the Press of Atlantic City article dated 2/04/09: Plans to study merging the Mullica Township and Egg Harbor City police departments have apparently been scrapped, at least for now. For the full article, click here.

Rent, Fee Relief Matter of Survival for Mullica Woods Residents

From the Press of Atlantic City article, dated 2/04/09: Mullica Woods residents are pleading with the state and local officials for compassion in the form of rent freezes and pad-fee reductions. For the full article, click here.

CALLING MULLICAMAN!

Where has Mullicaman been? Is he around? Did they get to him? Has anyone checked his lair?

"THE WEDDING IS OFF" IN MULLICA

It seems that for the second time in three years, Mullica Township residents will no longer have a municipal officiant available for weddings and civil unions. Last year, Michael St. Amour, as Deputy Mayor served as the officiant, but looks like residents will have to call on other municipalities to have a wedding/civil union performed once again. For more on this story, see the article on Keep Mullica Green.

DID MULLICA NEWS SELL OUT TO JANET FORMAN?

Honestly, I am stunned that Mayor Forman agreed to have the meetings taped and aired just because of how critical she was to Mullica News when they linked up a posting (FOUND HERE) on her becoming mayor from Keep Mullica Green and Mullica News put their one sentence “take” on her becoming mayor and how they felt most people would agree with Graebener and St. Amour and vote “no” to Forman as mayor. After posting anonymously, attacking the site for having an opinion, she then posted a private comment, which Mullica News published. She attacked them again for having an OPINION (which everyone is entitled to, even if you don’t agree with it). She then went one step further and stated how the editor didn’t respond to her and then criticized their journalism as not being good because of “namecalling (sic), rumor and misinformation”. Nowhere did I see Mullica News calling her a name. They stated an OPINION, which was completely on the mark according to their poll, which can be found in the “Polls Archive” dated January 13, 2009. 74 people voted; of those 74, only 9 people were “happy” about Ms. Forman being named mayor. 65 people (88% of the votes) expressed that they weren’t happy.

Surprisingly, Mayor Forman heaped praise on the host of the Mullica News site, calling it a great source of information. It makes me wonder what kind of deal she worked with Mullica News on their “opinions” from here on out. Only time will tell…

COMMITTEE MEETINGS NOW TAPED

Beginning with the January 27, 2009 Township Committee Meeting, Mullica News has graciously offered to tape all committee meetings, as well as all other township meetings and Board of Education meets and air them on their website Mullica News. The January 27th meeting is now up on the site and available for viewing online using the link above.

SECOND TOWNSHIP BUDGET WORKSHOP SCHEDULED

The second Budget Workshop for 2009 has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th at 7:00 PM in Town Hall. Please note the time change from the last workshop, which was held at 5:00 PM.

BILL KENNEDY MAKES THE AIRWAVES

Reported to the Gadfly just moments ago, SoJo 104.9 FM radio, in their morning news briefs this AM, reported that Mullica Township's Deputy Mayor, William Kennedy, intends to sue the township for not paying for his legal expenses stemming from a criminal complaint filed against him last year. Can Bill's book deal and Oprah appearance be far behind?

Please note: They called it a CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AND NOT A FRIVOLOUS LAWSUIT and, for the record, it was a criminal complaint.

KENNEDY VOWS TO SUE MULLICA TOWNSHIP

According to the Press of Atlantic City and a statement from Bill Kennedy to the Press, Kennedy plans to sue the Township.

From The Press of Atlantic City — By ROB SPAHR — Deputy Mayor William Kennedy said he will sue the township after the Township Committee on Tuesday night did not reimburse him for legal fees from a May criminal complaint filed against him.

On May 13, township resident Lou Vitale filed a criminal complaint against Kennedy that alleged the then-mayor punched him at a school board meeting. Kennedy then countered with a harassment complaint against Vitale.

After a Folsom judge dismissed all the charges, Kennedy asked the committee to add his $2,500 fees from Pleasantville attorney Steven J. Feldman’s to the township’s bill list.

“If I had been found guilty, I wouldn’t have brought it up,” Kennedy said Tuesday night.

State law allows governments to “indemnify” a public official, paying legal bills and damages, provided he or she was acting in the public capacity in the context of the case.

The committee approved Kennedy’s $1,000 down payment to Feldman in December, by a 3-1 vote.

But a 2-2 vote Tuesday night essentially denied Kennedy, who abstained, reimbursement for the remaining $1,500 in legal costs.

Committeeman Bernard Graebener, who was the swing vote after voting yes on the previous payments, said reading the recently-released court transcripts changed his opinion of Kennedy’s role in the incident.

“I do not believe he was acting in a public capacity,” Graebener said. “I feel bad, because I wouldn’t have voted yes the first time if I had had all the information.”

The two Republicans on the committee - Mayor Janet Forman and Committeewoman Kathy Chasey - voted to pay the fees for Kennedy, a Democrat. The Democrats - Graebener and Committeeman Michael St. Amour - voted against it.

Forman said she feared this would spark another lawsuit against the township, because it paid the first set of legal fees.

Graebener said it would be up to Kennedy “to do the right thing and not cost the taxpayers any more money.”

But Kennedy was certain about what he will do next.

“Damn right I’m going to sue,” he said. “They (Graebener and St. Amour) are the ones costing the taxpayers money by voting no. They should be worried about that, not me.”

Firefighters speeding through school zone

I was witness to a near tragic event on friday night!!! An Elwood firefighter in a black truck came speeding through the school zone!!

This Person passed a vehicle that was trying to turn left into the school Last time i checked that is a no passing zone!!!
There were people pulling their kids out of the way to safety !!!
Whoever was driving that truck was traveling about 60 to 70 miles per hour in the school zone while people and children were present (on the wrong side of the road to boot)
Remember having blue lights does not give you the right to break the traffic laws!!!
I understand that he was going to a fire but last time i checked pickup trucks can not put out fires.
And what would the Elwood fire company tell a family of a child who got ran over by this maniac!!!!

Concerned
Elwood Nj

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT

Reminder there is a township committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow night, January 27th at 7:00 PM at town hall. The Agenda is as follows:

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
JANUARY 27, 2009
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 01 / 13 / 2009

FIRST READING: Ordinance #1-2009 / Salary Ordinance

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:


NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resolution # 32-2009 / Cancel Capital Appropriations

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES #1-09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 12 / 16 / 2008

ADJOURN

GRAEBENER, ST. AMOUR NEGOTIATION SAVES TAXPAYERS OVER $17,000 IN 2008

WOW!!! Despite Kathy Chasey pooh-poohing Mike St. Amour at both the November AND December meetings about the savings achieved with the hiring of Democrat Norman Zlotnick as Township Solicitor versus the prior year hiring of Republican Tim Maguire, looks like St. Amour was right on the money again. He has stated as far back as November that we would save as much as $17,000 and Kathy Chasey said, at a public meeting, there would likely BE NO SAVINGS AT ALL; AND THIS IS THE WOMAN IN CHARGE OF REVENUE AND FINANCE???? For the full story, click here to see the full story on Keep Mullica Green.

In Memory of Vin Thoms

Vin Thoms passed away suddenly on Monday, January 19th at the age of 68. His service was held yesterday and an online condolence book is available for those who wish to leave a message to Vin's family.

Farewell, Our Dear Friend

What to do?

What to do, when the bad news arrives

The unchangeable need to say good-bye

What to do, when your hearts torn in two?

The pain and the sadness, filling your mind

What to do, when you need to talk

But only silence answers your cries

What to do, when you need to cry

The tears won't come, for your eyes are dry

What to do, when the curtain is closed

But to say farewell, we'll miss you our friend

Farewell our friend. You will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have a chance to have had you in their lives. We thank you for so many good memories, and we wish that we'd had a chance to have more together.

For full obituary, see Keep Mullica Green post.

RESULTS IN: KENNEDY & CHASEY "MISLED" PUBLIC

As posted on Keep Mullica Green and here last week "Did Chasey, Kennedy Lie at Public Meeting?", it's become apparent that they did.

According to the Keep Mullica Green website posting of today, they "misled" the public in what some would consider a BALD-FACED LIE. For the record, a Bald-Faced Liar is a very good liar, and is able to lie without the guilt showing on his or in this case, also her, face.

For the story, see the today's posting on Keep Mullica Green. Looks like Keep Mullica Green called it right again.

Televised Meetings No More

Which should come as no surprise to any resident who was interested in watching the televised committee meetings, since on the sidebar here it has stated the Township Committee meetings hadn't been televised for months even though someone still came out and taped a few, they never made it on the air. Apparently, according to a story in the Hammonton News, this is due to a contractual agreement between the Township and Comcast. Comcast filmed the meetings, but then they were aired on a public access channel from Vineland. Those meetings, although scheduled to air, weren't reliably shown and then Channel 2, the Comcast channel for local municipalities were supposed to air them and they never did. Comcast has had layoffs and perhaps that's part of it, but it does make one wonder what the the original contract was between the municipality and Comcast.

Mullica must cut $280,000 to meet state cap

From last night's budget meeting-The Press of Atlantic City article, January 21, 2009. Click here for full article. The committee will have to meet again for another budget meeting and that date has not been determined.
Mullica must cut $280,000 from budget to meet state cap

By ROB SPAHR Staff Writer, 609-272-7283


(Published: Wednesday, January 21, 2009)

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - The Township Committee must find a way to cut approximately $280,000 from the tax levy of its projected 2009 budget to get below the state mandated 4 percent cap.

Chief Financial Officer Dawn Stollenwerk said during a special budget workshop Tuesday night that the cuts are necessary due to an increase in operating expenses and decreases in state aid and tax collections.

"Times are tough," she said. "Less people paid their taxes this year. They will likely pay them eventually. They'll just be late."

The municipality budgeted for a decrease in state aid comparable to the $6,400 that was cut in 2008 when the tax rate increased by 5.5 cents per $100 of assessed property value, Mayor Janet Forman said.

But with the state's finances in disarray, Stollenwerk said that number could easily increase, forcing the governing body to cut expenses further or ask taxpayers for help through a referendum.

The Township Committee agreed that it wants to avoid a referendum.

The committee cut its expenditures Tuesday night by refusing to hire an additional police officer or exchange two part-time Public Works employees for one full-time staffer.

Both departments made the staffing requests, in part, to cut the amount of overtime their employees were required to perform and to enable them to rotate shift schedules.

The committee initially tabled those decisions but later opted to remove them from the budget entirely.

"This year is completely different than last year, in terms of the economy," Forman said in explaining why she didn't want to add any nonessential expenses to the budget. "I don't mean to be dramatic about all of this, but I am worried."

Stollenwerk said these, and a handful of other cuts the committee made Tuesday night, helped a little, but said at least another $150,000 will have to be cut.

Meanwhile, the committee elected to give its public defender and prosecutor raises.

The decision sparked criticism from Committeeman Michael St. Amour, who said he felt like he was blindsided by the decision and left out of earlier discussions.

St. Amour said it would be difficult to justify to taxpayers giving those professionals 89 percent and 33-percent raises, respectively, when tax collections are down and the economy is struggling.

But Forman said that if the public defender was not given the raise, as much as $3,600 per year, the township would likely be unable to fill the position easily because it does not come with the pension benefits that many other towns offer.

The committee also agreed to spend $25,000 on hiring Hammonton's ambulance corps to provide emergency medical response on a temporary basis. This will give the committee more time to search for a suitable replacement for the Mullica Township rescue squad, which abruptly disbanded last month.

E-mail Robert Spahr:

RSpahr@pressofac.com

Mullica Township to Hold First Online Auction

Mullica Township will be holding its first on-line auction be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.

To access the auction site visit www.govdeals.com. The surplus property is being sold in an “as-is” condition without express or implied warranties. The surplus property being sold are VEHICLES and ASSORTED EQUIPMENT. Full list and descriptions are available at www.govdeals.com.

1. 1998 Chevy C1500 Pickup, Black VIN# 2GCDC14H7J1274798 159,715 miles
2. 1992 Ford F150 4×4 Pickup, Black VIN# 2FTEF14Y3NCA39157
3. 2001 Ford Crown Victoria VIN# 2FAFP71W41X179833 99,783 miles
4. 1993 Ford Back Hoe VIN# A420521 Model 555D/DF9P1Z Four Wheel Drive, Extend Hoe. It also has a newly installed hydraulic pump. Operating hours are 3904
5. 2003 Buick Century, Silver VIN# 2G4WS52J931256438 76,822 miles
6. 2003 Dodge Intrepid, Beige, VIN# 2B3HD46R73H504132 91,144 miles

The public may inspect the items on Monday February 2nd, 2009 at the Mullica Township Public Works Garage, 4528 White Horse Pike Elwood, NJ.

All bidders must pre-register with GovDeals at govdeals.com to participate. The Township reserves the right to accept or reject any bids submitted.

BUDGET WORKSHOP, TUESDAY, 1/20/09-5:00 PM

Mullica Township will have its first Budget Workshop for 2009 this Tuesday, January 20th at 5:00 PM at town hall.

Keep Mullica Green has an interesting post about the workshop posted on their site and the importance of you, the taxpayer, attending the meeting.

Click here to read the article from Keep Mullica Green.

Did Chasey, Kennedy Lie at Public Meeting?

From the Keep Mullica Green website, click here to read the full article and details.

Mullica Township dispute tips balance of power

Today' s article in the Press of Atlantic City confirmed what everyone said all along, Bill Kennedy is punishing the residents of Mullica Township because he's mad at Mike St. Amour for giving truthful testimony against Kennedy in court.

Mullica Township dispute tips balance of power

By ERIC SCOTT CAMPBELL Staff Writer, 609-272-7227
(Published: Wednesday, January 14, 2009)

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - A confrontation between a township official and a resident that took place eight months ago - and resulted in no convictions at trial three months ago - has tipped the balance of government power for 2009.

That's because Township Committeeman William Kennedy, the official in question, still holds a grudge against fellow Democrat Michael St. Amour, who testified that Kennedy was the aggressor against resident Louis Vitale in the confrontation.

Starting in the fall, Kennedy voted several times with his Republican colleagues - Kathy Chasey and Janet Forman - in opposition to St. Amour and Democrat Bernard Graebener. And at the Jan. 2 reorganization meeting, Kennedy voted to install Forman as mayor. The measure passed, and Kennedy was then made deputy mayor.

The post of mayor, which Kennedy held last year, does not carry veto power and is still just one vote on a five-member committee. But Kennedy's support of Forman appears to change the de facto majority. That already has manifested in the removal of township solicitor Norman Zlotnick, a move Graebener and St. Amour opposed.

St. Amour wants Kennedy to change his party affiliation to Republican: "I believe in truth in advertising." Kennedy has frequently said he places little stock in party affiliation.

"I don't think Democrat or Republican, at this level, means that much," Kennedy said Nov. 5, the day after he won re-election over Republican newcomer Joseph Maultz.

Forman was not at Tuesday night's committee meeting and could not be reached by telephone for comment.

Said Chasey, "I think it's nice, to have one party as mayor and one party as deputy mayor. ... With all of us, it's, 'Vote what we believe in.'"

Records of meetings from the township and The Press of Atlantic City in 2008 show there were 19 nonunanimous votes, not including abstentions. Ten of those votes took place in the year's first four months. Five of them split along party lines, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. Graebener was the lone dissenter three times, Chasey twice. The only members who voted together every time were Kennedy and St. Amour.

Then came the May 12 public confrontation and brief physical encounter between Kennedy and Vitale at a school board meeting. St. Amour witnessed the incident, and when called to testify, he corroborated Vitale's assertion that Kennedy was the aggressor.

Charges eventually were dropped against Kennedy and Vitale, but Kennedy did not forget St. Amour's testimony. Kennedy also felt St. Amour prodded Vitale to press charges in the first place.

"I can't support Mike because of that, and Mike knows that," Kennedy said.

St. Amour confirmed that. He said, "I think, unfortunately, you can't punish just me. It winds up the entire municipality gets punished."

In the year's nine remaining split votes, only once did Kennedy vote with his fellow Democrats - in support of soliciting qualifications from vendors, and he reversed his position at the next meeting.

On Dec. 16, Graebener voted with Chasey and Forman to have the township pay Kennedy's legal bills from the Vitale matter. St. Amour voted against, and Kennedy abstained.

Despite the fallout from the trial, Graebener and St. Amour had endorsed Kennedy for re-election.

"We ran on a ticket of keeping Mullica green, and that is our main priority," Graebener said. "We thought Bill was a safer bet, I guess."

The two Democrats, now an effective minority, fear Kennedy will enable more dense development, but Kennedy said Tuesday night those fears are unfounded.

"The only thing I would love is to develop the White Horse Pike, but not residential. I'm not for rezoning Elwood Village to put 500 houses there," Kennedy said. He envisions something like a chain hardware store on the western edge of town, where it could reach Hammonton's sewer system.

E-mail Eric Scott Campbell:

ECampbell@pressofac.com

CEDAR CREEK HIGH PIRATES

According to an article in today's Press of Atlantic City, our new high school is expected to be open in September 2010 and has a name and mascot: Cedar Creek High Pirates. The colors chosen are maroon, forest green and cream. Click here to read full article in the Press.

Committee Meeting-Tonight-7:00 PM-Agenda

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
JANUARY 13, 2009
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 12/16/2008, 12/29/2008, 01/ 02/2009

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Resolution # 26 - 2009 / Appointment of 2009 Public Defender
B. Resolution # 27 - 2009 / Award Richards Avenue Bid
C. Resolution # 28 - 2009 / Award Darmstadt Avenue Bid

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resolution # 29 - 2009 / Paris Grant / Public Archives and Records Infrastructure Support
B. Resolution # 30 - 2009 / Paris Grant / Public Archives and Records Infrastructure Support
C. Approve Salt Shed Specifications

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES #1-09

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 12 / 16 / 2009

ADJOURN

Forman and Olivo...Together again

Usually an attorney would name a boat something like “Knot Guilty”. An example is Frank Olivo, the Republican attorney from Hammonton who represented Steve Waszen for his illegal dumping and subsequent fine named his yacht (it's a bit smaller than the Forman's) Advocate II, which kind of makes sense since he’s an attorney.

Frank Olivo also showed up at a 8/12/2008 Township Committee meeting
Many may remember that Olivo was Waszen’s attorney, but he also contacted Mayor Kennedy in late July/early August 2008 to discuss BEHIND CLOSED DOORS the possibility of housing under the guise of an “Assisted Living Facility”. He also asked that the governing body consider sending something to the Planning Board for their consideration of an overlay zone to attract developers. Both St. Amour and Graebener opposed this stating the residents wanted less density and development in Mullica Township. However, Ms. Forman felt this type of development would benefit our community and entice others. Entice others for what? The meeting minutes from the public meeting can be found on the Township website here under the meeting minutes from 8-12-2008. Ironically, Olivo was sanctioned in January 2007 for engaging in a conflict of interest by representing one party in a business transaction and subsequently representing the opposite party in a lawsuit arising from the same transaction. This information can be verified at the "The New Jersey Bartender" that has information on NJ's Attorney Disciplinary System. The exact disciplinary action can be found here, which is on their site.

One can also assume that the Forman boat, built in 2005 was sort of a “celebratory slap in the face” after Forman wiggled out of one of the many things she has been accused of over the last several years. And let’s not forget the suit that Forman, Chasey and others brought against Larry Angel. It was thrown out after a two year battle. THEY LOST THE SUIT. Here is the link to the posting Larry originally did about the frivolous defamation suit brought against Angel. So the Queen of Denial decided to christen her boat yacht “Knot Guilty”.

It seems the players never change.

Board of Education Meeting tonight-7:00 PM

There is a Mullica Township Board of Education meeting scheduled for tonight at 7:00 PM in the school library. The public is invited to attend.

WHINY, CRY-BABY FORMAN

From a comment left under the post: "What the Hell were you thinking..." on January 9, 2009 at 3:16 PM;

Sorry, I disagree,the whiney diatribe given by G to an audience that consisted of 99.9 percent mullicans(including the 4 democrats that attended)was not appreciated at the re-organzation meeting , which is traditionally known as a time to welcome in the new year, not to beat dead horses. You make take sick enjoyment out of the DEP issues, but I am sick to death of hearing about them. They are not an embarrassment , but an issue in progress of being resolved. (thats more than I can say about the 150 plus outstanding DEP issues still on the books in Mullica!)And I guess it was in perfect taste to bereat the appointment of the judge also, with his wife and family in attendance? Just another example of Grabners (Mary wrote his script I am sure)lack of class. There is a time and a place, and the majority rules here guys, you really made fools of yourselves.Enjoy the next year, you won't have much to do.

This above comment was obviously posted by Janet and how shows how she and Cathy REFUSE to work with "Grabner" and St. Amour at all. One can only make the assumption that nothing was discussed with the two dems since they didn't even know who the public defender being assigned was.

When her own people in the audience (Republicans) are begging for unity and peace, she nods and then posts crap like this.

As for DEP issues, aren't most being resolved while yours is being appealed? Resolving something is making it right and appealing is AVOIDING MAKING IT RIGHT. Some of the DEP violations you are talking about are "unclean drinking water" not ILLEGALLY FILLING IN WETLANDS and of those so-called 150 “violations”, how many of the violators are on Township Committee and/or serving on a Township board? I think two, you and Glen.

The fact the Graebener questioned your (and by your, I mean you, Bill and Cathy's) choices were because it was obvious he and St. Amour weren't included in any discussion and do you honestly want the spotlight on yourself with all these pending violations and legal issues you could be facing?

Judge Broome lost another municipality this year due to numerous reprimands over the past few years. He is well past retirement age and could probably make more money retiring, but is on a power trip. Graebener again had every right questioning his appointment.

Sorry, you can't control or own Graebener and St. Amour like you do that spineless Kennedy. Oh and please, please take Bill and make him the Republican that he is because the dems sure as hell don't want him, but I'm betting the repubs don't either.

Please stop the phony "poor me, why can't we all get along" crap, you are the biggest bully and most divisive of the bunch.

KESSLER FUTURE COULD BE KNOWN BY FRIDAY

In a breaking story on Keep Mullica Green, the fate of Kessler Hospital could be known as soon as Friday. For more details, click here to read Keep Mullica Green post.

KESSLER CAN'T GO IT ALONE

From the Press of Atlantic City article dated 1/06/09.

William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital will remain open past its fundraising deadline of Jan. 16 as its administration tries to negotiate a partnership with another health care provider, the Atlantic County hospital announced Monday. Click here for full story.

KESSLER HOSPITAL FAILS TO RAISE $5 MILLION

As reported in an update on the Press of Atlantic City website, Kessler Hospital has failed to raise the $5 million in community contributions, but will remain open past January 16th and hopes to merge with another health care organization. More details will be in tomorrow's edition of the paper. Click here for full story.

What the Hell were you thinking...

Yo boys of Mullica Committee how dare you say nasty things. To Mayor Bill and Mayor Janet you two were in the wrong.
To think that you wanted Mayor think again buckwheat. You heard the saying PUT A FORK IN IT CAUSE YOU ARE DONE.

Bill you will always be Mayor
CONGRATS Janet stay clam

Z.S.

YO YO THE BOYZ ARE DOUGH...

KFC becomes FCK

Looks like KFC can now be renamed FCK because Forman is Mayor, Chasey is still the Master and Kennedy is irrelevant to them once again. You can always add a "U" between the "F" and the "C" and that can stand for YOU the taxpayer-getting screwed by em all once again. Way to go Bill, stupid is as stupid does.

Mullica Politics

Bill Kennedy sold his soul to the highest bidder and it was Janet Forman who paid up. Bill Kennedy, of the "I have always been a Democrat and will always be a Democrat" fame, nominated and voted for Janet Forman and proceeded to vote in lock step with the Republicans. Janet Forman gleefully accepted the mayorship of Mullica Township and said "Welcome to My World!"

Mullica is again for sale to the highest bidders and Janet will make sure to give the tour and invite the highest payers in. Janet, of the breaking of all the rules when it came to building her mansion garage in the wetlands doesn't follow anyone's rules. She is out to make money and doesn't hesitate to buy her way in. How much did you pay Bill, Janet? We now have a mayor whose husband does not hesitate to use intimidation to get his way and the mayor who doesn't care what laws she breaks. I hope sincerely that the various law enforcement agencies, outside of Mullica Township will start to investigate Janet and her dealings, as well as Bill and his. Mullica law enforcement is useless when it comes to these two, the favorites of Chief Barbera.

Mullicans watch your pockets and be prepared for more lies about how development will lower your taxes. It won't lower your taxes, but they don't care about that. They just want your money to give sweetheart deals to their friends.

FORMAN NAMED NEW MAYOR FOR 2009; GRAEBENER & ST. AMOUR VOTE "NO"

From the "Keep Mullica Green" website, read more about it and the reorganization meeting here.

Kennedy, Forman a Marriage in Hypocrisy

Anyone who has spent any real time around Bill Kennedy and Janet Forman can see that these two are very concerned about their image. They are both worried about their public perceptions and both have a need to be liked. They go about convincing people that they are good, God-fearing Christians who are considerate of others and pillars of their community. This can't be further from the truth.

For these two, appearances at church and professions of faith are merely "covering their asses" for the ill will that they do and the vengeance that they plot. While they do it differently, the net result is the same.

Kennedy is a dullard who will simply fall in with whoever will help him to get what he wants for himself or for his friends. He doesn't mind being used if it gets the results that he wants. Kennedy is a compulsive liar, and a poor one at that. His wishy-washy positions can't hide his lying ways---he simply is not smart enough to cover for himself.

Forman is much more manipulative and more cognizant of what she is doing. Unlike Kennedy (and his lack of self-respect), she is not willing to be used along the way and doesn't mind making a complete ass of herself by continuously spouting her words of vengeance. She is notably nervous and very insecure, complete with twitching, tugging at her clothing and clicking and adjusting her pen in her hands.

These two have never had a good thought about anyone that did not directly relate back to how it can benefit them. Forman's benefit comes in the form of future business, Kennedy's benefit from being liked and accepted. Neither is a hero in the community or a champion for the taxpayers. Both are mean-spirited and duplicitous. Since they both go to church, it must all be okay, right?

Signed, Sweetwater Lover

REMINDER: REORGANIZATION MEETING TONIGHT

Just a reminder, the Reorganization Meeting will take place tonight at 5:00 PM at Town Hall. The room fills quickly, so it's advised you get there early if you want a seat.

Concerns about Kessler Hospital reach far beyond Hammonton's borders

Press of Atlantic City article:

By ERIC SCOTT CAMPBELL Staff Writer, 609-272-7227
(Published: Monday, December 29, 2008)

Hammontonians feel protective of their hospital: William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital, but even they know they're not the only ones who depend on it.

A little compass-twirling on a map of southern New Jersey's hospitals finds more than 200 square miles in which Kessler is the closest acute-care hospital. That's an area about five times the size of Hammonton rooting for the hospital to succeed in its emergency loan drive.

Kessler's new administration said without $5 million from residents by Jan. 15, permanent shutdown is the only option left.

Click here for full story

The Administrators and Staff of "The Gadfly" wish you and yours a Happy Holiday season and thank you all for exercising your right to free speech by sending in posts and starting new subjects and for supporting free speech just by reading the site (yes, even you Janet!). The new Gadfly format is 100% reader subjects, comments and third-party articles. No editorializing, no name-calling by the administrators. Without the several hundred visitors that this site receives each day, it could not exist. Thank you.

REORGANIZATION MEETING-1/02/2009-5:00 PM

The Mullica Township Reorganization Meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 2, 2009 at 5:00 PM at Town Hall.

This is usually a highly attended meeting, where appointments will be made, and it is advisable to get there early to be able to get a seat. In past years, it has been standing room only.

Another Salute for Logan Walsh

For those who say only negative things are posted on the Gadfly, a heartwarming story for the holidays...

For the ninth year in a row, 13 year old Logan Walsh upheld his tradition of distributing blankets and other items at the Covenant House in Atlantic City.

Logan, from Mullica Township, buys the blankets, socks, gloves and hats, from the donations he collects every year from family and friends.

He got the charitable idea when he was only four years old, "....my dad was tucking me in bed one night and I said how blessed I was to have a blanket, and then we started talking how some kids don't have a blanket, so I asked him if we could go buy them one, and then it just took off from there."

Logan's act of kindness was readily acknowledged by the residents and staff of Covenant House, who called it 'inspiring'.

Many may recall Logan Walsh was first acknowledged by Larry last January, after reading about his annual Blanket, Gloves and Hats drive he had done for 8 years for Covenant House. In fact, through Larry's efforts, the Atlantic County Board of Freeholders and Township committee honored Logan for his work with a proclamation of Good Citizenship and an acknowledgment to Logan for his works for the less fortunate were presented to Logan from Township committee last April.

RECALL THE BUMS!!!!

If anyone is seriously interested in recalling the corrupt idiots-r-us on town council.....here is the skinny as far as I can find. We cannot recall a council person within the first year of their newly elected office. Unfortunately, any attempts to recall Kennedy will have to wait until after next Nov. 4th, 2009. However, if anyone is interested in recalling either Chasey, Forman or Grabener, this is what we will have to do. First of all, I would recommend a separate petition for each of these individuals. We would have to get at least 25% of the registered voters in Mullica Township to sign these petitions. We do not have to provide any grounds for the recall action. Once we initiate the petition, we would have 160 days to acquire the required number of signatures. If we are successful, we would force a recall vote in which Mullica voters would be asked in a ballot question whether or not the individual should be recalled. If a majority of the voters that show up vote "yes", then their seat on council would be declared vacant. A special election would then be held in which the voters of Mullica would be able to vote for another person to fill this vacant seat. If this recall effort has support for any of the three individuals above, please voice your support and we will pursue it.
New Jersey*

Const. Art. 1, �2(b)


Any elected official in the state or representing the state in the United States Congress. Includes local officials.


Recall may not commence during first year in office.

No specific grounds are required

Time for gathering signatures is 160 days.

Signature requirement is number equal to 25% of the registered voters of the district



New Jersey - Const. Art. 1, �2; NJ Rev. Stat. Ann. � 19:27A-1 - 19:27A-18

The Recall Election


The recall election is generally conducted in one of two ways. In some states, the recall election is held simultaneously with an election for the official's successor. In others, the recall ballot simply asks voters if the official in question should be recalled, and if a majority of voters vote "yes," the office is declared vacant.

In New Jersey, the recall ballot contains only the question of whether or not the official should be recalled. If the majority vote is "yes" for recall, the office is declared vacant and is filled at a special election.

Mullica to reimburse mayor for legal bills

From the Press of Atlantic City, December 19, 2009,

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - "I'm still so mad at myself. It's ludicrous. The taxpayers should not be responsible for something like this."

That's what Committeewoman Kathy Chasey said in 1996, after voting to have the township pay the legal bill for a colleague investigated for misconduct.
Click here for full story

See more on the story from yesterday's comments and public posting in this site.

Mayor's Legal Fees Paid By Mullica Taxpayers???

Once again, the taxpayers of Mullica have been fleeced. Once again, Bill Kennedy, Janet Forman and Kathy Chasey can be thanked. Oh, and did I mention Bernie Graebener? Yeah, thanks to you too Bernie! Our fist wielding, assault-minded Mayor with no conscious nor shame, requested AND received reimbursement for the first installment of his legal fees ($1000.00) that came about because our Mayor cannot seem to control his temper nor his fists. Not only can we thank KFC for this wasteful expenditure, but we have a new member of the idiots-r-us gang...that's right folks....Bernie Graebener. You know, the one that claimed to bring transparency and honesty to local government. Oh, but it gets better. The Mayor did not even have a total legal bill last night, only the initial $1000.00. Was this to set a precedent with the thought that its ONLY $1,000.00? Was this an initial test on the part of Kennedy and his taxpayer funded legal team to test the water? Did the legal team not want to overwhelm the public with a comprehensive huge bill for all legal fees? Did the legal team want to set a precedent with the corrupt council voting for approval on this measly amount? Can we expect a $1,000.00 bill being submitted at every council meeting to pay for Kennedy's legal fees??? Indefinitely??? What are the total cost of this nitwits legal fees? Nobody seems to know....yet the idiots-r-us voted to approve a partial bill payment??? Huh? Would it be giving these idiots to much credit to believe that they orchestrated this bill submission on the same night as the drama with the Rescue Squad's 911 Chief Franklin making an ass of himself with his contradictory, disingenuous comments about the "democrats" and "larry angel" making the EMT's quit?? Can any of these characters be taken serious? Welcome to Mullica.

Breaking News: Janet Forman to be named Mayor for 2009

Found on Keep Mullica Green-read for details.

Mullica chief says blog, politics made EMTs quit

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - The actions of top township Democrats pushed the local volunteer ambulance corps toward disbanding, its chief said Tuesday night,

From the Atlantic City Press Published: Wednesday, December 17, 2008

By ERIC SCOTT CAMPBELL Staff Writer, 609-272-7227

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - The actions of top township Democrats pushed the local volunteer ambulance corps toward disbanding, its chief said Tuesday night, but "there was some posting on the blog page that really triggered our decision."


The Township Committee granted Gary Franklin the podium for about 30 minutes early in its public meeting. Franklin wanted to explain why the squad dissolved and turned over its emergency-response beat to Hammonton's squad, using most of its remaining money to pay for six months of such coverage.

The squad wanted a better equipped home than its bay at the township garage, and the last five years of such requests weren't successful, Franklin said. Members also felt slighted by the township's consideration of sharing emergency services with another municipality, Franklin said.

"We made it clear, we didn't want to be part of the shared services," Franklin said. "You don't want us."

Committee members interjected only a handful of words while Franklin talked. Afterward, as they reluctantly voted to accept the squad's resignation, members seemed almost as reluctant to respond to Franklin's criticism.

"I don't want to get in an argument with you," Mayor William Kennedy told Franklin. Each man had in recent years commissioned a study of how best to provide ambulance service, with Franklin's study finding volunteer service was better and Kennedy's study finding Mullica should contract with Hammonton, Franklin said.

Kennedy did address the township's aborted discussion of merging the squad with Egg Harbor City's: "Egg Harbor came to us, we didn't go to Egg Harbor. Anyway, that's done with."

Bernard Graebener - like Kennedy, a Democrat - objected to Franklin characterizing him as opposed to giving the squad a new property. Graebener had only wondered whether the proposed site was big enough and in a convenient enough location, he said. Franklin replied that they recalled the conversation differently.

Republicans Kathy Chasey and Janet Forman thanked the squad for its eight years of service.

"I realize what a personal toll this has taken on all of you," Chasey said. "The governing body did not do much to support you, and I realize that."

Republicans controlled the committee from 2004 through 2007, then Democrats took a 3-to-2 majority this year. Franklin, a registered Republican, criticized the Democrats on Tuesday night but spared the Republicans, and after the meeting he explained why.

"As much as the Republicans had controlled the committee before, Larry Angel was very good at driving a wedge ... which would actually divide the Republican board," Franklin said.

Angel, who died in May, was a longtime critic of Mullica's government, and he was the former proprietor of the "blog page" to which Franklin referred in his comments to the committee. The site now is titled "Gadfly - In Memory of Larry Angel," anonymously operated by someone with access to Angel's password.

Site comments critical of the squad made members wonder if they were "throwing good time after bad," Franklin said.

"You go on the Web pages, and there's all these EMS gurus," Franklin said. "So Larry's divisive nature carries forth."

E-mail Eric Scott Campbell: mailto:ECampbell@pressofac.com

Iraqi Pitching Prospect

The Associated Press has reported that George Steinbrenner is apparently looking to shore up his starting rotation this coming year with a hot, previously unknown, Iraqi prospect. This prospect is reported to be able to bring it, upwards of 90+ mph. This is a rough translation based on the speed of the shoes traveling at 25 mph. Watch and see the next phenom from the Middle East. Some nicknames have already been thrown out, such as the "Bagdad Bomber", the "Hush Puppy" or, my personal favorite, the "Shoefly Sunni". Whatever his name, expect to see him wearing pin stripes..........either with the Yankees or playing for their minor league affiliate, better known as the "Gitmo's".

12-16-08 TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA

There will only be one Committee Meeting this month, tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00 PM.

The Agenda is as follows:

TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA
COMMITTEE AGENDA
DECEMBER 16, 2008
7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

SUNSHINE LAW

FLAG SALUTE

ROLL CALL

PRESENTATION: Mullica Township Rescue Squad

Resolution #110- 2008 / Accept Mullica Township Rescue Squad Resignation

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 11 /18 / 2008

HEARING: Ordinance #15-2008 / Amend Chapter 2 / Economic Advisory Commission

Ordinance #16-2008 / Street Vacation / Hobart Street & Rutgers Street

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS:
X. Resolution # 111-2008 / Requesting COAH Extension for Pinelands Municipalities

NEW BUSINESS:
A. Set Date for 2009 Reorganization Meeting
B. Resolution # 112-2008 / Support A-3391
C. Resolution # 113-2008 / Supporting Central Dispatch
D. Resolution # 114-2008 / Supporting Over the Limit Under Arrest 2008 Year Crackdown
E. Resolution # 115-2008 / Bond Reduction / Shed Depot
F. Resolution # 116-2008 / Approve Municipal Open Space Financial Assistance Program
G. Resolution # 117-2008 / Appointing Municipal Housing Liaison
H. Resolution # 118-2008 / Budget Transfers
I. Approve 2009 Junkyard License. / Peter A. Capella & Sons
J. Approve 2009 Junkyard License / Caruso’s Used Auto Parts
K. Approve 2009 Junkyard License / Mike’s Used Auto Parts
L. Approve 2009 Mobile Home Park / Mullica Mobile Park

PAYMENT OF BILLS

PUBLIC DISCUSSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION Resolution ES #14-08

APPROVE EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: 10 / 28 / 2008
ADJOURN

Vote Breakdown on the passing of the GEHR Solar Bond

Voters agreed 891-509 on Tuesday to bond for $3.32 million worth of solar panels at Absegami High School.

Results by municipality

Egg Harbor City: 57 yes, 28 no

Galloway Township: 474 yes, 232 no

Hamilton Township: 260 yes, 177 no

Mullica Township: 100 yes, 72 no

Santa Visiting Mullica Pizza & Grill

Santa Claus will be arriving at Mullica Pizza & Grill on Saturday, December 13th from 1:00 til 3:00 PM. Free pictures with Santa will be available. Mullica Pizza is located at 4413 White Horse Pike in the Elwood section, For more info, call 704-1180.

Mullica Township losing its rescue squad

(Published: In The Press of Atlantic City on Thursday, December 11, 2008)

From The Press of Atlantic City — Free ambulance service in this town of 6,000 will end Monday when the local volunteer rescue squad disbands.

“It’s just time for us all to move on,” Assistant Chief Bill Scaplen said. “Nobody wants to go out of business.”

The group cited a lack of financial support from municipal officials, who said they are stunned by the decision, conveyed in a letter a week ago.

“I liked having a squad of our own, and I was hoping some day that they would take over full-time,” Committeewoman Janet Forman said.

Too full of volunteers with day jobs, Mullica’s squad has for five years paid Hammonton’s ambulance corps to respond to calls between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Now the squad has used most of its remaining finances to extend Hammonton’s coverage around the clock through June 15, Scaplen said. Chief Gary Franklin could not be reached for comment.

Unlike in Mullica, Hammonton’s nonprofit squad is paid, and it bills patients. Its 2006 tax return showed $2,159,991 in revenue, $2,170,223 in expenses and a cash reserve of $663,924. The squad also began covering Somers Point this year.

Hammonton Chief Chuck Kaczmarski could not be reached by telephone to provide his squad’s fee structure. In 2001, when the previous Mullica squad quit and Hammonton’s was hired temporarily, the base rate was $333.

“I think they’re still going to get pretty good services and response from Hammonton,” Scaplen said.

Mullica Township provides the squad two ambulances, insurance, gasoline and a bay in the Public Works garage, officials said. The squad pays for maintenance and equipment, and from its $16,500 slice in Mullica’s annual budget, it must send roughly $14,000 to Hammonton.

That leaves too little money to cover increasingly frequent repairs on the 20-year-old and 12-year-old ambulances, Scaplen said. Volunteers have sought newer ambulances from the government and a building with running water, but there is disagreement over how urgently and specifically those requests were made.

“I’ve put on my show to them with the PowerPoint presentation, showing where we are,” Scaplen said. “We’ve been extremely patient, in my opinion. … We’re out there killing ourselves to maintain things, and it just seems like we’re not getting anywhere.

The township’s budget is tight, but officials knew the squad had needs. The sides had discussed the possibility of the squad renting a Moss Mill Road tract and erecting a building, Mayor William Kennedy said.

“We didn’t really get into that too much,” Kennedy said. Forman felt the previous discussions were casual and she was “waiting to hear a formal request.” Forman said she was “devastated” and “absolutely flabbergasted” at the news.

A “dejected” Deputy Mayor Michael St. Amour wondered whether the committee could have helped more if given more notice. Since the Hammonton extension has already been reached, St. Amour said, “they had to have been discussing this internally for a matter of time.”

The government must move quickly to find a new ambulance provider, St. Amour said, even though the township is covered for another six months. Preliminary merger talks with Egg Harbor City broke down earlier this year, and the city now partners with Galloway Township.

Mullica’s 17 volunteers usually don’t spend their shifts in the ambulance bay, instead driving there when a call comes in. Scaplen keeps a first-responder bag in his car and sometimes responds directly from his house.

The squad spent Wednesday evening cleaning up and cleaning out its makeshift home. The night before, volunteers assisted on a call out of town, then thought about what they’d be missing.

“Coming back from Atlantic City, it just hit us: We’re not going to be doing this anymore,” Scaplen said.

Mullica Township rescue squad to dissolve

From the Press of Atlantic City website (Latest News)

(Published: Wednesday, December 10, 2008)

MULLICA TOWNSHIP - The township's volunteer rescue squad has informed the municipal government that on Monday it will stop sending ambulances to nighttime emergency calls and disband. For more details, see the above link.

Greater Egg Harbor Regional Solar Referendum Passes

A 891-509 vote passed the bond to install solar panels at Absegami High School in Galloway Township.

GEHR School District Solor Referendum Vote Tomorrow

The Solar Referendum for the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District is scheduled to be voted on tomorrow, December 9. All registered voters are encouraged to come out and vote. All Mullica Township residents will vote at the Elwood School, 500 Elwood Rosd, Elwood. Voting hours are from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM in the school gymnasium.

HOLIDAY EVENTS - WEEK OF 12/06

Mullica Township Holiday Tree Lighting - tonight, December 4th at 5:30 PM. Bring an ornament to decorate the tree outside Town Hall. Storytime and snacks with Santa will follow the ceremony.

Mullica Township PTA Dinner with Santa and Holiday Gift Shop Friday, December 5th. Doors open at 5:30 PM and Santa will be arriving on fire truck around 6:00 PM at the Mullica Township Elementary School.

Mullica Twp Rescue Squad

At least with Larry, he would post positive and negative responses about the Squad. I responded to a posting on Sunday and have not seen it yet. So I can only assume that you will only post the negative. It is sad that you can not see what volunteers give to the community. On a side note, last night around 10 o'clock there were 2 calls for ambulance both calls were handled by Mullica Twp Rescue Squad.
Proud Member of the Rescue Squad

You Might Be A Mullica Republican.....If

Time for yet another edition:

If you still think that there are Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq..................you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you think that Sarah Palin is an eloquent speaker.................you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim.......................you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you own more than 4 guns.................you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you think its a good idea to have a non-resident sit on an Economic Advisory Committee............you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you blame the Democrats for the recent socialistic moves by the Republican administration..........you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you are torn between framing either a life size picture of Kathy Chasey or Sarah Palin................you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you have more step brothers and sisters than teeth in your mouth...........you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you dont have any teeth in your mouth...........you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you unable to drink from a straw because every attempt results in the straw being stuck in your nose..........you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you think that pardoning Alberto Gonzalez for crimes he has not yet been charged with is a good idea.........you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you endorse torture, wiretapping, firing U.S. attorneys for political reasons, pardoning war criminals and GITMO.......you might be a Mullica Republican.
If you don't believe in the separation of church and state, don't know what this means or don't care.........you might be a Mullica Republican.

and last but not least;

If you see both a proctologist and a psychologist at the same time because you've got your head stuck up your ass.....you might be a Mullica Republican.

America Needs Justice

Recently, Charlie Gibson of ABC News asked President Bush if he had any regrets now that his second and final term is coming to an end. Bush was quoted as saying he regrets not having better intelligence. While most of us would readily agree with this statement, Bush was speaking within the context of the Iraq war. You see, President Bush took the opportunity to once again throw the hard working, federal intelligence agents under the bus. While Bush certainly is lacking in intelligence, it is not the type provided to him by the intelligence community. No, Bush and Cheney cherry picked the intelligence, forming their own false justification for taking us to war in Iraq. (Do you remember Joe Wilson......Valerie Plame's husband....the same Joe Wilson that provided intell to the Bush Admin. regarding the non-existence of enriched uranium in some African country (ask Sarah Palin...I'm sure she nows which one....I believe it was Niger)and because they couldnt rectify it within the scope of their cherry picked intelligence, instead chose to go after the man personally by questioning his patriotism and exposing the identity of his CIA operative wife) Now that thousands of lives have been lost, tens of thousands horribly injured, millions displaced and billions in federal funds gone forever, Bush has the audacity to place the blame for his incompetence, his corrupt and evil nature, squarely at the doorstep of the unidentifiable federal intelligence agencies. This man knows no shame. Lets hope that Obama directs his new Attorney General, Eric Holder, to launch an independent investigation into the illegal, immoral and corrupt activities of the Bush administration. Lets bring these criminals to justice!!!!

Important Upcoming Events for December

Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 7:30 PM - Planning Board Meeting at Town Hall

ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING Thursday, December 4, 2008
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting @ 5:30 PM. Join us and bring an ornament to place on the tree outside Town Hall. Followed by snacks and story time with Santa.

GEHR Special School Board Election-Solar Referendum "Breaking New Ground on Going Green" on Tuesday, December 9. Voting hours for Mullica Township are from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM at the Elwood School Gymnasium, 500 Elwood Road. All wards in the township vote at the school. This is the link to the GEHR Solar Referendum Fact Sheet

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 7:00 PM - Township Committee Meeting at Town Hall

Monday, December 29, 2008 at 7:30 PM - Environmental Commission at Town Hall