With its option for beach towns to carve out a smoking section, New Jersey's new law banning smoking on the sand could be a source of conflict.

It's got to be the ultimate conflict-avoidance move to have New Jersey's statewide ban on beach smoking start Wednesday -- when hardly anyone, smoker or non-smoker, is on New Jersey's beaches.

Except for those brave souls who raise charity funds by participating in polar-bear plunges throughout the South Jersey shore (a salute to all of them), the smoking ban realistically goes into effect around Memorial Day 2019. It's probably a good idea to have this four-month shakedown cruise.

In one sense, it's a shame that legislation is required where common courtesy should prevail. Those who smoke should always yield to those who are bothered by or otherwise affected by second-hand smoke. The beach isn't a confined space. Even without the new law, smokers could usually find spots where their puffing  is minimally invasive to others.

But, then came the secondary arguments about butts (and now, empty vape liquid bottles) on the beach, fires on the boardwalk and other environmental degradation. Former Gov. Chis Christie vetoed a similar ban during his libertarian dress-up days when he had Republican presidential ambitions, but everyone knew it was just a matter of time before Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new version of the bill.

Now that the time is here, common courtesy should be the watchword as the ban rolls out this spring and summer. Christie stated that he vetoed the legislation because he thought smoking bans were best left to individual towns. Lo and behold, even the new law isn't crystal clear about when "no" means "no." An option remains for each municipality to carve out a portion of its beach where smoking (and vaping) will be permitted. 

So, it'll still be a patchwork of where you can, and where you can't. Although the maximum set-aside is 15 percent of a town's beach, other criteria are fluid. Will towns allow smoking only on the least desirable section of a beach? Will they restrict it to only those spots where lifeguards are willing to submit themselves to a constant haze of tar and nicotine?

One thing is sure: Towns that surrender their right to end smoking on every square inch of beach should get their acts together soon. Set 2019 limits now, before shore home leases need to be signed in blood, and before smokers end up buying seasonal beach tags in towns where they're not welcome. Allow time for the state to promulgate a master list. Although your favorite New Jersey-centric website will probably do that anyway, it's not really nj.com's job.

Another question is enforcement. Expect smoking control to fall into the same category as alcohol control on beaches: inconsistent and occasionally contentious. (Cut to those videos of Wildwood cops and a 20-year-old Philadelphia woman mixing it up over an underage-drinking case last year.) Some shore police departments will say they have more important things to do during the high season; few will hire additional staff to keep beaches smoke-free. But if you do get caught, remember that the penalty is $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second one, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

"The beach is not an ashtray," state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a co-sponsor of the new law, proclaimed when Murphy signed it last June. As long as a smoking ban isn't absolute or permanent on every beach in every town, Sweeney, D-Gloucester, is about half right. Our beaches will indeed be cleaner with the new law. However, there's still a need for beachgoers to be civil, and to try to resolve any smoking disputes peacefully among themselves.

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Barbara Essington writes that it's one of the good things President Trump is trying to accomplish.

The Democrats now control the House of Representatives thanks to those, who, for various reasons, want to see them go after Republican President Donald Trump and blame him for everything he has done.

It was no surprise that impeachment articles were re-introduced by U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., when the new session began. Newly sworn-in Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., has been enthusiastic about wanting to impeach Trump and recently described him with a disgusting profanity to a crowd of people. That's not a particularly a good way to begin her term!

The Democrats are ignoring the wishes of the 46 percent of Americans who voted for Trump in 2016. Trump is challenging the left's ideas on political correctness, racial preferences, identity politics and weak borders. Democrats' vindictive actions and name calling, instead of focusing on representing the people who elected them, are is not in the best interest of our country.

You don't have to like the president to recognize that good things have happened under his watch that the left fails to acknowledge: a growing economy; low interest rates; lower unemployment, including among minorities; increased oil production -- just to name a few. 

Border security and the related immigration crisis has long been an issue that needs to addressed, which is what the president is trying to do. Building an extended wall or barrier would help to solve this problem. Even heaven has a wall, according to Revelation 21.  

More importantly, many of us who believe that God is sovereign over individuals and nations conclude that He has allowed President Trump to be in that Oval Office for a reason "...for such a time as this..." (Esther 4:14)

Barbara Essington, Carneys Point Township

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Tim Sheehan writes that making farmers pay this premium wage too soon would prevent them from raising crops profitably.

The New Jersey Legislature is preparing to vote to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour. This would be a positive step, but it's important that it's done the right way. 

That's why I'm glad to see policymakers taking a smart and cautious approach to this by addressing the unique needs of our state's agriculture industry. Farming has always been a critical part of New Jersey's economy, and farmers' needs must be accounted for so they can continue to produce crops in a profitable way. This doesn't mean farmworkers shouldn't eventually get to the same minimum wage as everyone else, it just means that legislation should give farmers the time needed to adjust. This will probably take longer than for other industries. 

Implementing a $15 minimum wage would provide increased economic opportunities to our work force. But it's not a one-size-fits-all proposition, and it is good that some legislators are acting responsibly by creating a law that works for everyone, including our state's farming community.

Tim Sheehan, Sewell 

Editor's note: Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leaders both support a $15 minimum wage, but are debating over exemptions. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Stephen Sweeney back a version that phases in increases until the minimum for most workers reaches $15 in 2024, delaying this until 2029 for agricultural, seasonal, teen and small-business workers. Murphy favors a so-called "clean" $15 bill with a shorter implementation. The state's 2019 minimum wage for all workers is $8.85 per hour.

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David Levin writes that the new smoking ban is destined to become another ineffective, "feel-good" law.

As of today, it became illegal to light up tobacco products or use vaping devices in public parks, historic sites, forests, boardwalks and beaches anywhere in New Jersey (although towns may opt to set aside small smoking within these areas).  Signs are supposed to be posted in appropriate locations throughout the state. Repeat smoking-ban violators risk of fines up to $1,000 per incident. 

Enforcement, especially on New Jersey's public beaches, will be challenging. Will the individual beach towns hire patrols to enforce the law? Only time will tell if the signs are enough to keep smokers from lighting up on the beaches. This could end up being what I'd call a "feel-good" law.

There is another feel-good law in New Jersey that has not made much of a difference. A few years ago, the state upgraded penalties in its anti-littering law. The first conviction calls for a fine between $100 and $500, and an option to impose 20 to 40 hours of litter cleanup or other community service. Fines for a second conviction within six months are $250 to $1,000, with 40 to 80 hours of community service and/or up to 60 days in prison.

Has anyone in the Statehouse in Trenton thought of how to enforce such a law?  If the people of New Jersey abided by the anti-litter law, there would be little or no litter on the roadside. Anyone who drives throughout the state will see litter everywhere. Signs - without some type of active enforcement -- are a waste of time.

David M. Levin, Vineland

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Frank Turton writes that the dealmaker-in-chief doesn't seem to know the meaning of compromise.

President Donald Trump's government shutdown is now into its fourth week with no end in sight. I call it HIS shutdown, because he himself proclaimed it in advance, and declared that it would be on him. More recently, he said that he will never, ever back down on Congress funding the amount he wants for a southern border wall.

I guess this is what Trump calls "The Art of the Deal." To him, a compromise means do it his way or no way.

When he was a presidential candidate, Trump touted as one of his qualifications that he, above all other candidates, could get deals done. He since has had two years as a Republican president with Republican majority in both houses of Congress. He was not able to get his wall funding during that period, and he did not shut down the government for that sole reason while the GOP was fully in charge.

Now that the Democratic Party has the House of Representatives majority, Trump is no closer to getting the wall built. But, now that the Democrats hold some power,  he has an enemy at which he can point a finger at and try to blame.

I don't think the president really cares one way or the other if an extended wall or fence ever gets built. His problem is that he drew a line in the sand and, this time, the other side is not caving in to his demands  He would rather put hundreds of thousands of government employees on furlough or be forced to work without pay than face reality.

Frank Turton, Paulsboro

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Checking out the Garden State from the sky.

Although drones and Google Earth may have taken the novelty out of aerial photos, it wasn't all that long ago when one of the more attention-getting illustrations a business could have for a postcard was a picture of its location captured from an airplane. But it was photography from an even higher vantage point that went from eye-pleasing to humankind-helping.

NASA's earliest satellites in the 1960s provided photos of weather systems allowing meteorologists to more accurately track and predict hurricanes and typhoons. According to nasa.gov, advancements in technology (and its miniaturization) allowed future satellites "to measure the 3-D properties of clouds, smoke and other pollutants in the atmosphere; the speed and direction of wind near the ocean surface; the precise elevation and shape of Earth's surface; and changes in Earth's polar ice sheets."

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

The site goes on to note that "airborne observations conducted by NASA played a critical role in helping scientists understand why the Antarctic ozone depletion was occurring - through a connection between meteorology, aerosol/cloud chemistry, and industrially produced chlorine. These findings dramatized the significance of environmental change." The 1988 Montreal Protocol, an international agreement requiring the signatory nations to employ nondestructive alternatives to CFCs, was one of the important results of this research.

While not taken from quite so high, these vintage photos provide a look at New Jersey from above from years gone by. And, here are links to some other galleries you may enjoy.

Vintage photos of N.J. from above

Vintage aerial photos of N.J.

Vintage N.J. photos that deserve a second look

Greg Hatala may be reached at greghatalagalleries@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

It's tough to believe that the governor's exclusion of any mention of South Jersey points in his annual message was just an oversight. Let's hope actions speak louder than words.

It would be difficult to imagine that, after a year like 2018, former Gov. Chris Christie would have given a 2019 State of the State address that didn't mention any successes, modest though they might be, in Camden and Atlantic City. 

There was continued progress in Camden's schools, and a further reduction in its overall crime rate. Atlantic City welcomed the reopening of two casinos, as well as ribbon-cuttings on a new Stockton University branch and a South Jersey Gas headquarters.

From current Gov. Phil Murphy, not a peep about either city. And, while Murphy's remarks were short on audience "shout-outs" of the type that President Ronald Reagan made famous, there were acknowledgements to the mayors of Newark and Plainfield, and innovative programs in Jersey City. Mars (Hackettstown and Newark) Teva Pharmaceuticals (Parsippany-Troy Hills) and the RealReal (Perth Amboy) were mentioned as responsible users of state business development programs.

Murphy highlighted a "dreamer" from Orange now attending an Essex County college, and the owner of a home-brewing supply company in North Brunswick. Scouring the text of Murphy's address from top to bottom, we couldn't find an allusion to anyone, any company, or any government entity in the southern third of the state worthy of praise. It's surprising that Murphy remembered to acknowledge Jim Florio, who is from Camden County, among former governors who attended Tuesday's speech.

It's seems obvious that the governor's choice to ignore South Jersey was  intentional, probably the latest incarnation of an intra-party spat with Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester. But the snub to all of the counties south of Trenton is petty. It's also insulting to the large number of people and businesses trying to make a difference in our region.

With so much of the governor's remarks focused on needed reforms to the Economic Development Authority tax incentive programs that threw scads of tax breaks at companies willing to move to Camden, it's understandable that Murphy wouldn't mention that it's great to have Subaru stay in South Jersey due to one of one of those Camden deals. It wouldn't have fit Tuesday's narrative.

Look, we've been critical of the same EDA programs that Murphy, and a just-finished audit he commissioned, attacked. There's too little oversight, too little rationalization of per-job incentive amounts, no restriction on poaching jobs from nearby New Jersey suburbs, and considerable evidence that associates of South Jersey power broker George Norcross III had a pipeline to a lot of the EDA's Camden handouts. And, yes, the recent programs that tilted EDA resources to Camden were the brainchild of Sweeney and U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., George's brother and a state senator at the time they were conceived.

Is that a reason for Murphy to toss away a whole region along with some of its brackish bath water? We don't think so. So, we'll remind the governor again -- as we did when his initial transition team and cabinet picks showed a lack of geographic diversity -- that New Jersey's southern border is not New Brunswick. And there a lot of people in a lot of need in Cumberland and Salem counties.

If seen through to fruition, many of Murphy's priorities, such as a boosted minimum wage and a more responsive NJ Transit, will lift all boats, all over the state. But believe it or not, governor, some of those boats are harbored in shore towns located below Asbury Park and Long Branch.

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Here's a roundup of recent home sales in Cumberland, Salem and Gloucester counties.

Bridgeton

-16 Spring Street, Paula Cruz-DeGarcia and Jose L. DeGarcia-Cruz to Nicholas S. Gutowski for $102,000. 

Carneys Point

-317 South Johnson Street, Richard T. Haasch, executrix for the estate of Richard E. Haasch, to John I. Levy for $137,500.

-40 Oak Lane, Route 48 Properties, LLC to NVR, Inc., doing business as Ryan Homes of New Jersey, for $51,000.

Deptford Twp.

-610 Cornell Ave., William P. Keane Jr. to Sean A. Harvey for $184,900.  

Elmer

-878 Lower Mill Road, Fannie Mae to East Coast Housing LLC for $71,500.

Glassboro

-118 Field Loop, D.R. Horton, Inc. to George M. Jr. and Mary T. Harrington for $304,000.

-134 Stoneham Drive, Michelle Y. and Thomas P. Grehl to Meghan Long and Marc Thomas for $149,900. 

-130 Stanger Ave., Radd A. Dilworth to David A. Riffert for $155,000.

Mantua Twp.

-4 Crescent Hollow Drive, Robert Doody Sr. to Neil E. Fisher for $279,000.

Millville

-1222 Robin Road, Darren and Kasie Harris to Dan and Tara Dixon for $232,900.

-1823 Hance Bridge Road, Kenneth O. Mosley Jr. to LJR Real Estate LLC for $100,000.

-16 Wildwood Ave., K&L Real Estate LLC and Kevin Reed to Fred A. Green and Tracy Schultz for $159,000.

-27 Chestnut Street, Arcadia ACU Clinic Inc. to Tracy Parr and Ashley M. Pettit for $131,000.

-425 Caroline Lane, Marie K. Battist-Celestin to Holly Gajdzisz for $240,000.

Mullica Hill

-702 Barnsboro Road, Hezzie John Jr. and Lorraine Melody Schools to Nanak Produce and Marketing, Inc. for $120,000.

-4 Hasting Drive, Michael J. Dammann to Ilia and Stephanie Dolgansky for $410,000.   

Pedricktown

-182 Pennsville-Pedricktown Road, Mary D. and Marcel A. Slusher to Patricia and Joseph Lister for $289,900.

Pennsville

-87 Heron Ave., Jason T. Knight and Doada Christie Brothers to Rhonda C. Gresk for $85,000.

-19 Plant Street, Acting Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of Washington D.C. to Melissa Thompson for $54,150.

-92 Riviera Drive, Nationstar HECM Acquisition Trust 2017-2, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB, to Thomas and Kadjar B. Romansky for $44,000.

-7 Barclay Drive, David A. and Andrew I. Ross to Mario DeSalvo Jr. for $130,000.

-7 Narcissus Road, Devlin G. Phero to Heather Baccile and Robert B. Dods III for $115,000.

-15 Barclay Drive, Christiana Trust to Edward W. Hiles Jr. for $128,000.

Penns Grove

-19-21 Naylor Ave., Melissa D. Thompson to 5355 West Main, LLC for $80,000.

Pilesgrove

-16 Catalpa Crest, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, doing business as Christiana Trust, to Michael J. McGovern for $124,900.

Pilesgrove Twp.

-473 Whig Lane Road, Kelly B. and Kevin W. Whitling to Sion P. and Stephanie Williams for $260,000.  

Pittsgrove

-787 Lower Mill Road, Patricia Lee Lafferty to Stephen L. Jr. and Kimberly S. Burton for $237,000.

Pittsgrove Twp.

-21 Oaklyn Terrace, Steven, Angela and Charles Prickett to Dwight and Rebecca A. Lein for $155,000.

Pitman

-230 North Woodbury Ave., Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee for GSAMP Trust 2006-FM2, mortgage pass-through certificates, series 2006-FM2, by: Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, as attorney-in-fact, to Harry and Susan Armstrong for $118,993.   

Salem

-362 H. Bridge-Ft. Elfsborg, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company to Choudery Bhalli for $37,000.

Sewell

-6 Citation Court, Jonathan and Brianna Gravina to Scott Breland and Erin Mary Keane for $263,500.

-717 Rutland Court, Mark W. Blumer and Kelley L. Johnson to Lisa Acello for $160,000.

-20 Acrux Court, Jeannette A. Russel to Naiem Abodaka for $115,000.

-18 Rosewood Court, Dante N. and Desiree M. Laspata to Richard W. and Jessica P. Bruno for $300,000.    

Swedesboro

-17 Buckeye Road, Robert W. and Rachael C. Zaleski to Frank and Sheena Nunan for $317,900.

Vineland

-12 Sutliff Ave., Donald and Kathryn L. Fransko to Joel M. Myers for $170,000.

-981 Chimes Terrace, Suzanne E. Dodd to Carolyn and Rodney Williams for $175,000.

-2950 College Drive Unit 2G, Eric Bonifiel MD, PRB Realty Associates and Armando Russo MD to Inspira Medical Centers Inc. for $1,100,000.

-990 W. Wheat Road, Rosemont Farms LLC to Daniel and Vanessa Colon for $199,900.

-1609 Wills Place, Angela A. and Byron A. Calakos to Dereck A. Kelley for $270,000.

-2461 Quail Street, Rebecca Jones to Cory R. and Kelly A. Ozelski for $208,000.

-1310 Lake Road, Coucill D. LLC to Patrick E. Eschert for $171,000.

-4645 Robin Road, Rebecca F. Agnew-Bryan and Matthew V. Bryan to Kasey Santana for $114,000.

-345 W. Oak Road, Maldonetta May to Daniel W. and Ronda Dwight for $159,500.

Westville

-115 Ladds Lane, MiPro Homes, LLC to Adam Jakubowski for $245,000.

Williamstown

-1013 Hille Terrace, William E. and Alicia McCool to Nicholas J. Sauer and Linda M. Didonato for $192,000.

-910 Wildwood Ave., Trident Real Estate Partners, LLC to David S. and Pennie A. Oliver for $245,000.

-549 Frederick Street, Nicholas A. and Brianna P. Florentine to Chelsea H. Malseed and William Flores for $191,500.

-387 Rushfoil Drive, Christian and Kristi Anastasi to James C. Gnew and Jaclyn Michelle Gnew for $335,000.

-704 Sherwood Drive, David C. Geiser Jr. to Edward N. Jr. and Bridget Giaccio for $279,000.  

Woodbury

-119 South Columbia Street, Tara Charlton Smith and Charles Smith to Matthew R. Abernethy for $118,200.       

South Jersey Times may be reached at sjnews@njadvancemedia.com. Follow us on Twitter @theSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

The president of the Food Bank of South Jersey outlines steps being taking to aid food stamp recipients and unpaid government workers.

On Dec. 21, the federal government partially shut down, potentially impacting an estimated 40 million people facing food insecurity in America. In South Jersey alone, more than 200,000 residents have limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Of these vulnerable citizens, 57,000 are children who need healthy food to thrive physically, mentally, socially and academically.

The U.S Department of Agriculture announced on Jan. 8 that all federal nutrition programs will be funded through February, despite the shutdown. While this announcement is positive and critical for individuals facing food insecurity, it is essential for programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), among other vital supplemental nutrition programs to continue operatig beyond February.

Commodities provided by the USDA, in addition to generous donations by individuals and corporations, enable the Food Bank of South Jersey to provide food to South Jersey's most vulnerable populations. When government operations are interrupted, vulnerable populations like children and seniors are usually among the first impacted.

Sadly, 70 percent of South Jersey residents who depend on our hunger relief programs live at or below the poverty line. The food bank is the urgent solution these residents turn to when they are hungry and can't afford to buy food.

As a leading regional hunger relief organization, the Food Bank of South Jersey is taking steps to mitigate the effects of this shutdown on families who find themselves in difficult circumstances. The food bank and its network of over 150 agencies stands ready to meet the challenges and provide food to populations affected, including federal workers who may need assistance.

Fred C. Wasiak, President/CEO, Food Bank of South Jersey, Pennsauken

Note: More information about the food bank, including its services and how to volunteer or donate, is available online at foodbanksj.org, or by calling (856)-662-4884

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Carol Rhodes writes that there's precedent for letting appointed commissioners off the hook when there's suspicion over mismanagement of funds.

Regarding "N.J's 11B corporate tax break program blasted (by) audit ..." and similar articles:

The commissioners on the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) need not concern themselves about all the bad press they've received lately. I guarantee this will blow over without anyone being held accountable for the purported mismanagement of billions of dollars in tax breaks. 

You see, there's already a precedent in New Jersey for this. Federal judges have ruled that the Delaware River Port Authority and its commissioners violated the law in awarding its business contracts. A painting contractor's lawsuit against the DRPA continues, although no criminal charges have been filed regarding the case. It appears that no one in the Pennsylvania or New Jersey governors' offices, who have jurisdiction over this bi-state agency, bothered to investigate further.

As long as Democratic power brokers control the people who serve on these agencies, those power brokers' financial interests will be paramount. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, certainly can't afford to represent the taxpayers' interests. It might antagonize his handlers.

Sweeney's brother is one of the DRPA commissioners who claimed attorney-client privilege in the bidding case, and the senator's good buddy, U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist., has family members whose business interests received funding from the DRPA's now-lapsed economic development fund, plus tax credits authorized by the EDA.

Then there's the embarrassing matter of recently publicized donations -- which were supposed to go to a "dark money" fund with secret donors -- to an open-donor political fund that backs legislative leaders like Sweeney. General Majority, a super PAC affiliated with power broker George Norcross III, received $55,000  from PSEG after Sweeney and others passed a law that subsidizes its nuclear generating plants with up to $300 million a year from ratepayers.

I say, when all else fails, blame the Russians.

Carol Rhodes, Barnsboro

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Volunteers and a Camden County funeral home stepped up to make sure a Vietnam-era serviceman's life was celebrated.

A small act of kindness by a local funeral home and a few hundred volunteers should not go unnoticed. 

Peter Turnpu, 77, whose body was found at his Waterford Township residence last month, was about to be buried in a "potter's field." Leroy Wooster of the LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home and Crematory in Atco decided that such a nondescript service was not good enough for a vet who died without a family.

So, Wooster put out a call for mourners to join him at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Burlington County for a procession and graveside service Friday afternoon. NJ Advance Media reported Thursday that representatives from several veterans groups were committed to attending, and the turnout, according to some reports, was more than 1,000.

While Turnpu apparently had no close friends, Wooster and Camden County Freeholder Bill Moen fried to fill in some of the blanks. A native of Estonia, Turnpu became a citizen in 1954, and served in Vietnam from 1964 through 1996. But not much is known about his later years. 

The funeral director put out the word for volunteers through local newspapers and TV stations, which got picked up by social media. Wooster's funeral home donated the casket.

"This could be anyone's relative," Moen added of Turnpu.

But he wasn't just "anyone." He was a Vietnam veteran, honorably discharged, whose life was celebrated by a big bunch of people who cared.

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Jack Hummel's death at age 77 is a huge loss for the Bridgeton area and the unique style of journalism that he practiced.

They say that things, usually bad things, happen in threes. Unfortunately, that's true with recent deaths of journalists who covered our region's southernmost counties like onions on cheesesteaks.

On Christmas Day, we lost Bill Gallo of the South Jersey Times and nj.com, who previously was longtime editor of Today's Sunbeam in Salem County. On Jan. 10, Joyce Vanaman, a retired Millville reporter for the Press of Atlantic City, passed away at age 89. Just this past week we learned sadly that Jack Hummel, 77, who, after a 47-year career with the Bridgeton Evening News and its successor NJ Advance Media publications, had died.

Gallo, 59, was an encyclopedia about all things Salem County. If you wanted to know what was going on in Millville, you had to follow Vanaman. But Hummel was the most "unorthodox" of this trio, as one of his many admiring former co-workers put it.

His enduring connection to readers in Bridgeton and surrounding towns came not from bylined news articles -- although he filed plenty of those -- but from a daily column that he wrote under a pseudonym, BEN. It was the worst-kept secret in Bridgeton that Hummel was behind BEN, a mixture of community news, corny humor, press releases carried verbatim, quotes from readers' letters and pointed barbs toward public officials suspected of not playing things straight. Frequently, it was the first place you'd find a major news story involving Bridgeton or government in Cumberland County.

The BEN column was as iconic as it was uncontainable. On some days, it seemed to dominate the news space of the entire paper. It was a huge "must read," even after editors began shortening the print version because dead trees had become expensive. You could usually find more BEN online, however.

BEN vanished from the South Jersey Times soon after Hummel's retirement a few years ago. Former reporter Don Woods made a brief, valiant attempt to continue the column in abbreviated form. It just wasn't the same.

Jack Hummel was one of a kind, his column even more so. BEN was lauded by fans as highly readable, though some laughed at it as a relic. All must agree with this: News coverage in South Jersey is a much more homogenized commodity now that BEN and Jack Hummel are gone. Condolences to Hummel's family and friends, and to everyone who couldn't wait to know what BEN was going to say each day.

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Fear prompts many to react unreasonably to this strange, "foreign" hairstyle. It may have motivated what happened to New Jersey wrestler Andrew Johnson.

Many years ago, the late B.B. King cut a record called "Never Make Your Move Too Soon." Many of us have done just that, but, as we mature, we hopefully learn patience. One could make a strong argument that it seems to be human nature to react quickly and emotionally to critical issues without thinking things through.

I have learned through trial and error that it is often best to wait, let the waves of emotion pass, take time to gather all the facts, and listen to those with first-hand information prior to commenting. That is one reasonI have just recently formed conclusions regarding Buena Regional High School wrestler Andrew Johnson being forced to allow someone to cut off his dreadlocks in order to participate in a wrestling match. 

What has continued to resonate with me is all of those who claim to know so much about high-school wrestling and concluded that "the rules are the rules" and that they apply to everyone. Well, it now appears that no one in charge seems to know exactly what those rules are. It is certainly reasonable to conclude that if numerous adults and associations that administer the rules cannot agree on what they are, they cannot be properly or fairly enforced.

Let's talk first about the young man's hairstyle. Dreadlocks are one of the oldest hairstyles, reportedly first worn in ancient India. Today, dreadlocks have been adopted by men and women all over the world, but have been most closely associated with black culture. One of the first individuals I can recall seeing with "locs" was Bob Marley. He almost singlehandedly connected them with the Rastafarian movement, Jamaica and reggae music. 

This all seems pretty simple but, unfortunately, there is at least one caveat: Dreadlocks are intimidating to many people. Dreadlocks scare them to death and makes them very uncomfortable. 

Truth be told, many, like the referee who gave the ultimatum to young wrestler Johnson to cut his hair during a meet, do not know the difference between braids and dreadlocks. So, fear prompts many to react unreasonably to this strange, "foreign" hairstyle. I have both male and female friends who have worn locs for decades and say that when they go out in public, others on the sidewalk stop, stare and let them pass as if Moses were once again parting the Red Sea. It would be funny if it were not so sad.

In relation to Johnson's case, numerous reports indicate that officials in charge of wrestling either do not know the rules pertaining to hair length or are unable to interpret them consistently. One recent article indicated that when Johnson returned to the mat this month -- after having his dreadlocks forcibly shorn -- a different referee told him he'd still have to cover his hair. The meet was initially called off. 

This time, the student's mother was there to support her son, and asked "Why?" That's when those in charge started backpeddling. It seems that she still hasn't gotten a reasonable answer. 

Subsequently, Roy Dragon, a top New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association wrestling official, sent out a photograph of a black wrestler as an example of styles that need a hair covering. This directive was then contradicted by Elliott Hopkins, director of sports, sanctioning and student services for the National Federation of State High School Associations, the national governing body for high-school wrestling. He wrote that the wrestler in the example -- similar to Johnson's hair after it was cut -- would not require a hair covering. No one in charge seems to know what the heck they are doing, so they keep punishing Johnson for absolutely nothing.

I, for one, do not want to hear anything more about "the rules are the rules" when   nobody knows what the rules are. Everyone associated with high school sports and wrestling in particular should be embarrassed. There is now at least one authoritative finding that Johnson's hair does not violate any rule. No one, absolutely no one, should have cut his hair.

Johnson supported his team and agreed to the haircut rather than forfeit his match. Instead, his wrestling team should have supported Johnson and walked out of that gym. The "rules are rules" camp should ponder this: Rules are enacted to maintain order. When a rule instead creates chaos, as in this case, it's time to throw it out and get a new rule that not only helps maintain order, but is fair.

Milton W. Hinton Jr. is retired as director of equal opportunity for the Gloucester County government, and is past president of the Gloucester County Branch NAACP. Email: miltonw@imap.cc

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Pets throughout New Jersey await adoption.

Here is this week's collection of some of the dogs and cats in need of adoption in New Jersey.

We are now accepting dogs and cats to appear in the gallery from nonprofit shelters and rescues throughout New Jersey. If a group wishes to participate in this weekly gallery on nj.com, please contact Greg Hatala at greghatalagalleries@gmail.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at greghatalagalleries@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

This matters because until recently, the Census Bureau and everyone else treated internet access and the devices required as a luxury, not a necessity.

On today's Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, many turn their thoughts to community service because, no matter what you think of the Rev. King or his life and legacy, the underpinning was always service. It was not just service to one group or another, but service to all, acknowledging that the nature of service differs from person to person and group to group.

The other thing King was focused on is equality. I realize that equality as a concept comes in many forms, and that and there is no magic bullet to erase inequality. But, that fact may be a good thing -- not a weakness. I say this because the very idea of equality can intimidate and frighten, just as inequality can anger and enrage. I think much of this surrounds the mistaken belief that equality means taking something from the "haves" and giving it to the "have nots." It doesn't have to be a zero-sum game.

Equality, at least to my mind, is about access and opportunity. It's about ensuring that all people regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religion have a fair chance and equal access to opportunities to succeed --and to fail. We can't ensure someone's success, but we can ensure that a person has a fair shot on his or her own merits. This is a wholly American idea, one that I think reasonable people can get behind.

If there is to be any reallocation of resources, it should be toward ensuring equal opportunity, with no guarantee of positive outcomes. Change can come in such factors as school facilities, books, equipment, or training programs. Understandably, this might be a moving target depending on technology, or the state of the economy or the marketplace.

One example in Bridgeton involves internet access by computer, smartphone or other devices. This became apparent to me while skimming an njspotlight.com article by Colleen O'Dea. In that piece, O'Dea sifted data from the Census Bureau and the American Community Survey from 2013 through 2017. The upshot is that there is a "digital divide" such that people in New Jersey's inner cities and isolated rural areas are much less likely to have internet access than their fellow citizens in the suburbs.

The analysis found that in Salem City, Bridgeton and Atlantic City, fewer than 73 percent of households had at least one computer or smartphone. That compares to more than 98 percent of households in the wealthier suburbs of north and central Jersey. This is part of why libraries are so critical. They provide access and opportunity -- and you don't have to buy anything.

As far as as all forms of internet access are concerned -- and this includes dial-up, broadband/cable, DSL, satellite or a cellular data plan -- fewer than 60 percent of households in Bridgeton, Salem, Camden, Trenton, Perth Amboy and Lakewood could go online. (The article notes that Lakewood's low percentage may be a result of lifestyle choices by its large Orthodox Jewish community.) In contrast, in 17 of  wealthier suburbs measured in central and northern New Jersey, a full 95 percent of households could go online - they had access and opportunity.

Wisely, the article pegs this issue to what is known as the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) Report, which looks at the ability of households to afford basic life necessities. This matters because until recently, the government and everyone else treated internet access and the devices required as a luxury, not a necessity. Last year was the first time that census officials provided information on computer and internet usage by municipality -- and that's a good thing.

Why does this matter? Because the internet is how people apply for jobs. The days of walking into a store or office and asking for a job or an application are largely over: You'll be told to go to the website. Without internet access, it's more difficult to apply for government benefits, check Social Security information or do any of the basic functions that have migrated online. 

Equal access is now measured in computer code. It's a digital thing, requiring a new conversation. Go figure.

Albert B. Kelly is mayor of Bridgeton. Contact him by phone at 856-455-3230 Ext. 200.

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Gerald Keer writes that they follow their rules in our neighbor to the north.

Regarding illegal immigration, what part of "illegal" needs to be explained? There are legal processes for immigration. Over the last half century, there have been many violations of rules for immigration into the United States.

If you choose to move to Canada, our northern neighbor, strict rules are enforced. Try to drive across the border at a legal checkpoint. You must be certain to have your passport. You will be stopped and questioned about your purpose. Canada preserves its nation's rule of law.

Get off a scheduled international airline flight in just about any country and you'll need a passport to enter. I went to work in Korea and needed a visa and a passport.

Recent comparisons between the old Berlin Wall, between East and West Germany, and plans for additional physical barriers at our southern border are a deliberate insult to U.S. citizens.

It is obvious that the Democratic Party does not have an understanding of "illegal." Or, is their current fight over spending taxpayers' funds for a wall political, because Republican President Donald Trump favors the idea? Democratic senators and U.S. House members have voted for extensions of border barriers in the past.

By some estimates, U.S. taxpayers spend $18.5 billion annually on medical care for unauthorized immigrants. This is less that the $5.7 billion that the president wants this year for border control with a wall. 

I wonder about how governors, including New Jersey's Phil Murphy, support  taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood clinics. Do we want birth control or immigration control?

Gerald Keer, Turnersville

Salute big funeral for vet who died alone

I feel a sense of peace and encouragement after reading the recent article "Veteran died alone, so funeral home is giving him a proper service and asking strangers to come."

I believe that the reverence for Peter Turnpu, 77, of Waterford Township and his service to our country is the foundation upon which our democracy rests, and an expression of pure love and respect. 

The outpouring of condolences for a veteran who died in obscurity represents a strength that we in America possess. (An estimated 1,000 people turned out for Turnpu's Jan. 19 graveside funeral at Brigadier Gen. William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Burlington County.) 

Turnpu's funeral reminds me that a most sacred place that our government possesses is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, where we honor and protect the remains of soldiers who are nameless but not forgotten. 

So, thank you Peter Turnpu and all veterans. I, a civilian, salute you, too. Because of you, I enjoy the freedom to write this letter and our democracy enjoys the freedom to exist. I also salute funeral director LeRoy Wooster, who arranged the ceremony, for his selfless devotion and professionalism.

Charles A. Hughes, Woodbury

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Compliance with a law requiring counties to designate cold-weather shelters for the homeless still has a way to go, as the state contends with dangerous temperatures.

Politicians in Cape May County have been giving each other the cold shoulder over implementation of Code Blue, under a state law that compels counties to prepare and announce lists of "warming centers" for the homeless when a winter deep freeze is on the way.

Specifically, State Sen. Bob Andrzejczak and Assemblyman Bruce Land, both D-Cape May, accuse the county government (under control of Republicans) of failing to work to provide the services. They may also include clothing and food, as well as daytime and overnight shelter locations. The legislators were sponsors of the 2017 law. 

Triggered when temperatures drop below 25 degrees, or 32 degrees with precipitation, all 21 counties are supposed to have plans in place to declare Code Blue. With wind-chill readings below zero in every corner, Sunday night and Monday clearly qualified all over the state. 

New Jersey 101.5 radio tallied 15 of the state's 21 counties issuing Code Blue alerts as of Monday afternoon. At that point, the total did not include Cape May County or Gloucester County. Neither did a list promulgated by nj211.org, a clearinghouse for county-by-county information on Code Blue notifications. The list states that it indeed was updated on Monday. Maybe this validates Andrzejczak and Land's point about Cape May, although Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton vigorously denied their assertions.

The radio station's online article noted that the quick freeze occurred over the Rev. Martin Luther King Day holiday. However,  a holiday -- especially one established partly to improve the lives of poor and forgotten people -- is no excuse for failing to step up. The cold snap was predicted days in advance, along with a potential snow or ice storm that thankfully didn't materialize in most of South Jersey.

Whether or not Andrzejczak and company's Cape May claims are valid, the cold, cold air exposes that compliance with the law they championed is still a mixed bag. Somerset County, according to the 101.5 post, still has no overnight shelters. And, if official Code Blue emergencies had been declared in any of the missing counties, that information wasn't adequately communicated to nj211.org. Also, too few counties have made adequate preparations for overnight or 24/7 needs.

In fact, we're not sure how many listed shelters were actually usable on Sunday or Monday. Most of them are in public buildings like libraries that are shuttered on holidays. Libraries' willingness to share resources will people who need to warmth is praiseworthy, but it's up to county and local emergency management officials to ensure at least some of these buildings are unlocked and heated, despite customary holiday or weekend closings.

The law doesn't require counties to commit specific funding for Code Blue, and doesn't dictate how the state is supposed to measure compliance. The whole idea came from a program in Bridgeton that was initiated by faith-based groups and volunteers, and later gained support from municipal officials. 

As Code Blue forges ahead, the state may need some mechanism to help fund it, and a specific mandate for the state Department of Health or Department of Community Affairs to monitor responses. It does appear that more counties have adopted the formal plans than a year ago at this time.

Here and now, it's irresponsible for a county or town to expose its homeless to temperatures that can bring frostbite in an hour or less. Let's get those shelters and warming centers operating, even if it's only on a one-shot basis. Even if it's a holiday.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

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Gloucester County official Debra Sellitto assures that the county implemented its freezing-weather plan for the homeless, although one resource website was not initially notified.

Regarding the editorial "N.J. Code Blue still needs to boost its reach" on Jan. 22:

Please be aware that Gloucester County follows the state Code Blue law, which does not require that nj211.org be notified when a weather-related Code Blue is activated for the homeless. This website (which did not list Gloucester County's recent activation) is not an official clearinghouse, just another resource. 

That said, the county Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinator and I have discussed this, and will add nj211.org to the distribution list as another means of getting information to the public. We are always looking for ways to bring about awareness and share information.

Residents should be confident that Gloucester County did implement its Code Blue plan during the past several days of below-freezing temperatures. It directs those in need to the Centers for Family Services' "First Call for Help." During these events, those who need help should call the Gloucester County Code Blue Homeless Hotline at (800) 648-0132.

When activating a Code Blue, notification is done by the OEM and communicated to the state OEM, the Centers for Family Services -- the county's designated provider -- and every municipal OEM coordinator, among others.

The Gloucester County OEM is constantly working to assist and communicate with residents about safety and related issues. The office has dedicated professionals who are widely respected by their peers throughout the county and the state. Readers should follow its Facebook page, @GloucesterCountyOEM, for the latest information.

Debra Sellitto, Communications/Public Information Director, County of Gloucester

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

"They come runnin' just as fast as they can, 'cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man." -- ZZ Top, 1983

What would stylish young gents who graduated from high school in 1977, like me, be wearing that year?

According to thetrendspotter.net, the late '70s saw hippie looks fade and disco styles emerge. "Brought on by a wave of new music and inspired by stylish celebrities who spent their nights at Studio 54, '70s disco fashion was glamorous and exciting."

The site noted that '70s disco fashion "often featured three-piece suits in a range of colours with wide lapels, wide-leg or flared pants, and high-rise waistcoats. Other notable elements included aviator sunglasses and specs, wide and bold neckties, and long, pointed shirt collars."

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

As I recall, for a night at the disco, guys would take unbuttoned shirts to an extreme. And, the patterns and colors of polyester shirts and slacks make some of us cringe to admit we actually wore that stuff back then.

But, I'd say we have all worn an outfit or two that we consider cringe-worthy today.

Here's a gallery of photos of men, women, boys and girls in New Jersey dressed in the styles of the times. And also, some links to similar galleries you'll enjoy.

Vintage photos of what people wore in N.J.

Vintage photos of fashions and styles in N.J.

Vintage photos of styles and fashions in N.J.

Greg Hatala may be reached at greghatalagalleries@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

Because they'd help balance a pro-development Pinelands Commission, the governor's pair of environmentally friendly picks should be approved.

Who'd have thought it? Gov. Phil Murphy has come up with a novel approach to maintain New Jersey's greatest natural resource and help prevent overbearing commercial interests from spoiling it.

He's actually nominated two people to the Pinelands Commission who are environmentalists, and who are concerned about the 1.1 million acres the panel oversees.

If confirmed, the appointments will mark a welcome change from the heavy-handed tactics of former Republican Gov. Chris Christie -- aided and abetted by state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and former state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (now in Congress) -- to surgically remove traditional commission members and replace them with eagerly pro-development appointees. It's the commission's main role, after all, to limit building activity that could degrade the natural reserve or the estimated 17 trillion gallons of clean water beneath it.

The new nominees come with strong conservation movement pedigrees. One is Kelly Mooij, vice president of government affairs at New Jersey Audubon. She is an attorney specializing in environmental law, and a trustee of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters -- which applauded both appointees. 

The other nominee, Theresa Lettman of Manchester Township, was a staffer at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. Although the alliance sounds like it's affiliated with the Pinelands Commission, it's actually an independent preservation group. Lately, it has acted as a kind of truth squad shadowing some of the commission's more controversial actions. Lettman is also involved with several local environmental organizations in Ocean County.

Most of the drama during the Christie administration revolved around a tie vote in 2014 that voided South Jersey Gas Co. plans for a 22-mile natural gas pipeline  through a swath of the Pinelands. After the rejection, pro-pipeline forces worked to stack the deck, in part by having freeholder boards in Pinelands counties replace their individual traditional appointees with certain "yes" votes for a pipeline reconsideration. Christie also refused to renominate some at-large appointees whose terms had expired.

By the time all of the machinations concluded in 2017, the reconstituted commission voted 9-5 to approve the project. Pipeline construction has begun, although it is embroiled in litigation by groups trying to halt it.

The pipeline's major purpose is to supply the coal-fired B.L. England electricity plant in Cape May County with a cleaner source of energy. That's not an altogether unreasonable pursuit, despite what activists who want New Jersey to get off of all fossil fuels immediately have to say. But, stacking the commission allowed the panel and its staff to ignore any possible solutions that would involve rerouting the pipeline or additional safeguards against leaks or fires.

Murphy's nominees would help counter a repeat of the pipeline scenario with future projects, but there are caveats. First, there's no word on whether  Sweeney or other South Jersey state senators will OK Mooij and Lettman, or will block efforts to confirm them. Second, Lettman is slated to replace longtime Pinelands Commissioner Candace Ashmun, a preservationist who wants to retire at age 93. So, trading her for Lettman wouldn't change the commission's balance. It's like the ideology-neutral exchange that occurs when a president replaces a retired U.S. Supreme Court conservative with another conservative justice.

Whatever the complications, Murphy's choices are a step in the right direction, a counterbalance to the dig-baby-dig mentality that now dominates the panel, and a downpayment on a promise to pay attention to New Jersey's environmental community. Sweeney and the rest of the Senate should resist any urge to hold the nominees hostage over some unrelated issue, and approve them.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

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