Rachel DaGrosa and Tyler Dolgos will each receive a $1,000 scholarship

The law firm of Hoffman DiMuzio has allocated close to a half a million dollars to its "Gift of the Heart" Community Service Scholarship Foundation. Forty-one graduating seniors from Gloucester and Salem county high schools have been selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship for embodying the service ideals of the program. This week, the 2016 "Gift of the Heart" Hoffman DiMuzio Community Service Foundation recipients are from Washington Township High School: Rachel DaGrosa and Tyler Dolgos.

Rachel DaGrosa  

Since she was very young, her family has been involved in volunteer activities whether going on fundraising walks or her dad's participation in Habitat for Humanity helping to build homes. Rachel believes that foundation motivated her to volunteer throughout her high school career.

Through her participation as a Class Council Executive Board Member, Rachel has volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House in Camden. Her activities include playing with children receiving treatment, maintaining their room, and keeping it clean along with putting on fresh linens. For Township Toys, she helped host a 24-hour toy drive that distributes toys to children in need within the community.  Rachel continues to walk for charity volunteering in the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome Awareness, Cystic Fibrosis Walk, Steps for Seizures for Epilepsy and the Race for Hope Brain Cancer walk.

Tyler Dolgos

For the past two years, Tyler has been a Freshmen Transition Peer Counselor. In this week-long summer program, he helps incoming freshmen transition into high school by familiarizing them with all the school's activities while acting as a role model. Tyler joined this program after his own participation in this program as a freshman.

This past summer, Tyler organized a community event with a classmate called Project CPR. This program provided CPR instruction at no cost to family and friends. Focusing on emergent situations, Project CPR taught the important steps to take especially in home situations where an individual must deal with someone with cardiac arrest. Tyler also volunteers for the Team Step-Up program. Each volunteer gives up their lunch period once a week to help a classmate who is failing a class or having difficulty comprehending a subject. Tyler enjoys seeing the difference he is making in helping his fellow students improve their grades.  

Congratulations are extended to Washington Township High School students Rachel DaGrosa and Tyler Dolgos as well as to their proud family and friends. Their community service to others exemplifies the true meaning of a Gift of the Heart!

Next week's featured recipients will be from West Deptford High School.

This item submitted by Hoffman DiMuzio Law Firm.

Christine L. Cook was supposed to be sentenced April 22 on a charge of conspiracy to commit theft.

WOODBURY -- Authorities are looking for a Clayton woman who skipped her sentencing on a charge of conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking.

Christine L. Cooke, 34, of Clayton, skipped her sentencing on a charge of conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office. 

Christine L. Cooke, 34, of East Center Street, is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 120 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. She also has a scar on her neck.

West Deptford Police responded to a Lawton Avenue address in November 2015 for a report of a burglary. Relatives of the deceased resident of that property found the front door had been forced open and a car and several firearms were missing.

Also missing were Cooke and another woman who had been staying with the late resident.

The car was found at a Blackwood diner and the two women were found at a nearby motel. Cooke was later charged in the case.

A Gloucester County grand jury indicted her in January on charges of third-degree conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking and third-degree theft by unlawful taking. She pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count in February and was supposed to appear in court April 22 for sentencing.

Anyone who knows Cooke's whereabouts should not attempt to apprehend her. Instead, contact the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office at 856-384-5643, GCPO Sgt. Ron Koller at 609-929-6348 or email tips@co.gloucester.nj.us.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Third marking period for the 2015-16 school year

Kingsway Regional Middle School announces the names of students on the Principal's List and Superintendent's List for the third marking period of 2015-16.

Principal's List:

7th Grade

Audrey Allen, Nicholas Ammazzaorsi, Chelsea Appelbaum, Brian Barnett, Kelsey Beckett, Elena Behr, Meghan Bennett, Mackenzie Bertuccini, Anush Bhavsar, Lauren Bily, Jacob Blair, Tyler Bobadilla, Katherine Bott, Sofia Bove, Mia Bowen, Cole Bryson, Gianna Bucs, Connor Burdette, Ashlynne Burke, Sienna Burnham, Maura Call, Wyatt Cann, Daniel Carbone, Alyssa Carman, Olivia Cavallaro, Anthony Cervini, Anushree Chauhan, Amanda Chhour, Conrad Cliver, Joseph Collins III, Matthew Cooney, Patrick Corkery, Lance Crawford, Roman Criscitello, Elise Daniel, Katherine Decker, Elizabeth DeLoach, Michael Easterday, Kylie Ennis, Cameron Evans, Ryan Farrell, Alisyn Fink and Kathryn Floyd.

Also, Madison Forte, Johnathan Friedrich, Taylor Gary, Jasmine George, Alexandra Giordano, David Glanfield, Aidan Hannigan, Devin Harkins, Gavin Hartman, Emily Hatton, Allison Hillman, Joseph Hindley, Ava Hoffman, LaDreya House, Amanda Hrivnak, Homar Ibarra, Mark Jaramillo, Ariana Jenkins, Noah Jones, Ethan Karimalis, Fakhir Khan, Morgan Klaiss, Nicholas Kochanek, Colin Kuni, Matthew Kunkle, Caleigh Kupniewski, Alexander Kupsey, Megan Lail, Matthew Lang, Cameron Law, Adam Legg, Katarina Leisinger, Layne Lenkowski, Nicholas Licciardello, Ashley Loftis, Joseph Mackin, Ava Mackley, Benjamin Maiers, Clay Manning, Niko Marchetta, Anthony Marino, Evan Martin, Jessica McCann, Cassidy McCullough, Ryan McGarry and Felicia McHenry.

Also, Thomas McLeer, McKenna Mealey, Amelia Meyo, Kaleb Monasterial, Shelby Moore, Arjuna Mopal, Reyna Morganti, Grace Morrison, Natalie Mueller, Akshay Nair, Audrey Nelson, Victoria Nelson, Patrick Newport Ratiu, Mai Vy Nguyen, Grace Nitowski, Veatriki Nitsolas, Julia Nocentino, Ahkee Northern, Karina Oman, Camryn O'Rourke, Jade Oshodi, Brandon Oswald, Gia Otten, Corey Owens, Kevin Pandorf, Gabriel Pomasin, Jason Price, Nicholas Pullman, Nicholas Quigley, Jaden Rickards, Jacob Ritchie, Ryan Roney, Ashton Ruggio, Payton Ruwet, Owen Ryan, Daniel Saavedra, Rocco SanFelice, Jack Schell, Andrew Schenk, Sarah Sciubba, Ikmanjot Singh, Emma Smith, Jacob Stasen, Brooke Stephan, Chloe Sweeney, Lila Swietanski, Grace Tedesco, Julianna Thomas, Thomas Thompson, Arelys Tirado Marrero, Emma Turner, Jacob Vander Vennen, Jacob Waltzer, Audrey Warren, Sydney Watts, Kevin Wiederholt, Katelyn Wilson, Jacob Wojcicki, Sarayah Woodridge, Ryan Woody and Trista Yandach.

8th Grade

Sophia Arredondo, Esha Banga, Sean Barr, Kaleb Borkowski, Garrett Boskey, Andrew Bott, Isabella Bowne, Kieran Breen, William Bui, James Burns, Nicholas Calloway, Taylor Campagna, William Campbell, Brianna Carcione, Karli Cervini, Matthew Ciocco, James Coburn, Steven Cockrell, Jarod Conroy, Allison Cook, Grace Coughlin, Daniel Curtis, Richard Davison, Olivia DeFusco, Samantha Delmar, Megan Deming, Jacklyn Descano, Trevor DiTullio, Alison Elliott, Carl Ernst, Jerrick Garcia, Morgan Garcia, Elija Gatling, Kevin Gorman, Joseph Gray, Sofia Gular, Emily Hall, Andrew Hermansen, Olivia Heyer, Erin Highland, Basil Ingemi, Natalie Ivans, Davion Jimenez, Meghan Johnson, Argero Karapalides, Emily Keene, Grainne Kelly, Alexandria Kim, Rich King, Christian Klinger, Corrine Klosinski, Jada Komadina, Samantha Leone and Seamus Lewin.

Also, Mia Lobascio, Georgia Love, Tara Maccarone, John Malaszecki, Stephanie Malone, Anastasia Manes, Radcliffe Maningo, Cameron Manser, Joseph Marino, Rylie Martin, Liam McKinley, Sarah Meldrum, Olivia Meyer, Aubrey Miller, Claudia Mills, Lyndsay Mogland, Christopher Mollo, Hailey Morris, Troy Mostoller, Christopher Nelson, Maurice Pearson, Imani Perry, Allison Pierontoni, Tatyana Prepsel, Bailey Probert, Nickolas Prus-Preston, Clarence Ratkowiak Jr, Hannah Reklewski, Riley Robles, Erica Ross, Jacob Rowe, Melih Sahin, Kennah Salvo, Madison Sarchese, Shannon Scanlan, Tyler Schulz, Monica Scian, Hannah Scott, Brianna Sistrunk, Ryan Skrajewski, Lauren Small, Abigail Smith, Tyler Snyder, Isabella Spuler, Emma Stanley, Megan Steckler, Heather Sutton, Conor Talbot, Allyson Tharp, Alexis Thompson, Chloe Tran, Emily Turner, Gabriella Velez, Natalie Vincent, Rachel Wanlass, Kennedy Waterson, Robert Wharton and Mackenzie White.

Superintendent's List:

7th Grade

Abigail Lutz, Abigail Miller, Abigail Patel, Adam Williams, Aidan Smith, Alexandra Reed, Alexis Murphy, Amy Chen, Andrew George, Andrew Mitchell, Arthur Roney, Bhavana Chamarthi, Bode Camann, Briana Worrell, Chase Tinges, Christopher Spicer, Cole Griscom, Colin Hickey, Connor Griscom, Connor Ward, Dalton Britner, Darci Garrity, Declan Earley, Dylan Gabriele, Dylen Jacob, Emma Foley, Esha Shinh, Ethan Chambers, Ethan Gray, Ethan Nguyen, Evan Bretz, Gabriella Pedrick, Gabrielle Reed, Georgia Holcomb, Grace Chropka, Grace Vit, Haley Modi, Haley Phalines, Ida Smith, Isabela Jacobs, Isabella Kuminka, Jake Mathew, Jamilynne McCabe, Jason Chan, Jason Grandizio and Jenna Sprigman,

Also, Jessica Zhang, Joann Kandavalli, Juliana Amaradio, Kathryn Foth, Kavya Nuthi, Kayla Sullivan, Kerry O'Connor, Krish Olmedo, Kush Patel, Laken Franchetti, Lauren Phan, Liam Wilkins, Luke Wilkins, Madison Miller, Madison Phun, Marina Costello, Max Ma, Maya Yun, Melanie Shultz, Michael DeMelas, Michael Parker, Molly Shapiro, Morgan Wordelmann, Nia McCombs, Nicholas Guidotti, Nicole Nordone, Olivia Smith, Patricia Martin, Pratik Jacob, Rabiya Haque, Rachel Robichaud, Rachel Welikey, Radhey Patel, Rayat Singh, Rohan Nambiar, Ryan Kane, Ryan Ostrowski, Rylie Starer, Sarah Cancila, Sean Horner, Skyler Pratt, Stephen Bleistine, Steven Maiers, Sydney Craig, Vincent Battaglia, Zachary Giacobbe and Zachary Kazelskis. 

8th Grade

Abigail Brown, Abigail Matthias, Alexis Juliano, Allison Berkoben, Allison Bobst, Anirudh Muralidharan, Anthony Dittert, Barbara Brogan, Cameron Tran, Caroline Heino, Colin McGravey, Colleen Burns, Divum Raval, Elyse Norris, Emily Pierontoni, Evan Miles, Jacob Martin, Jason Blanda, Jeremy Kiil, John Fitzpatrick, Jordan Kelley, Joshua Emens, Kaitlyn Kiil, Kallasandra Poole, Karla Soldevilla, Katherine Carrig, Kittana Tran, Maham Ajaz, Matthew Shapiro, Michael Cylc, Nathan Matthias, Niam Patel, Nicholas Reichert, Nicole Rival, Nikolaos Kalfas, Richard Jaramillo, Samuel Allen, Siyana Begey and Summer Monasterial.

This item submitted by Kingsway Regional Middle School.

Bret Henderson is facing arson and aggravated assault charges in the June 2015 fire.

WOODBURY -- A Deptford man who is accused of setting his house on fire and fleeing to Georgia has been indicted on arson and aggravated assault charges.

A firefighter was injured in the June 14, 2015 fire on Haggas Avenue, leading to the aggravated assault charge.

Oak Valley Fire Company member John Jernisey suffered second-degree burns to the next when part of a collapsing wall hit him. The house was a total loss in the blaze, with fire overtaking more than 80 percent of the structure by the time it was placed under control.

Henderson's wife, Jamie Buchanan, and her three young children were not home at the time of the fire.

Henderson, 49, was found a week later in Gwinnett County Georgia, where he was arrested and transported back to New Jersey.

He faces a second-degree arson charge and a third degree assault charge.

Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand.Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Every Saturday, the South Jersey Times cheers those who make our area a better place in which to live and jeers those whose actions merit derision.

Every Saturday, the South Jersey Times cheers those who make our area a better place in which to live and jeers those whose actions merit derision.

CHEERS: To caring for one who cares for her community. When 81-year-old Millville crossing guard Mattie Riley was struck by a car and injured March 22, those who have seen her the past 17 years providing safe crossings for city schoolchildren got concerned. With her knee injured Riley has been sidelined from her job, but her community wants to let her know they miss her. A collection of cards and other items has been ongoing. The gifts were presented to her on Friday. "It makes me happy that they really care, that they care about me because I call them my children," Rilley said. "I love all of my children. I love those kids as if they are my own."

JEERS: To the loss of important vocational programs. The board of the Cumberland County Technical Education Center has announced plumbing and electrical courses will be nixed as the school moves into its new multi-million facility in the fall. The reason? Low enrollment in those courses, officials say.  Not enough student interest? Poor recruiting by the school? There are still many questions as CCTEC makes the transition from solely a shared-time to a full-time high school. The opportunity to learn the plumbing or electrical trades should not be lost in Cumberland County. That needs to remain the core mission of the technical school.

CHEERS to preserving the past. Silent at first, the new owners of the Berlin Farmer's Market were more than happy to chat six month after their purchase of the South Jersey landmark. Vendors late last year voiced a sense of displeasure regarding what they saw as stagnation from the former owners. During a visit late last week, we saw aesthetic changes that are going a long way to bring the facility that dates back to the 1940s into the 21st century. What's more, the new ownership from the Columbus Farmer's Market has no desire to move Berlin away from its neighborly atmosphere that's present both inside and out. We look forward to many more years of sifting through Berlin's flea market goods and taking in the sights and smells of the indoor shops.

JEERS to misplaced priorities. Life sometimes gets in the way of work. An understanding employer usually grasps that and allows for personal matters to get sorted out. Two Camden County Board of Social Services workers mustn't have had a good enough reason to rack up a nearly $29,000 phone bill -- which the county had to pay for -- while on the clock. In a state Superior Court ruling rendered earlier this week, the two sisters lost their appeal regarding their firing after making tens to hundreds of hours' worth of overseas phone calls to the Dominican Republic while they were supposed to be at work. We wholeheartedly agree with the court's decision. Life getting you down? Take some time off.

CHEERS: To a Gloucester County resident who is getting her life back on track a year after a hit-and-run crash left her on life support. Rachel Hall, of Harrison Township, was struck by a car while riding her bike in Philadelphia last year. She was a week away from graduation at Temple University when she was struck, and the severe head and leg injuries she suffered have required a long recovery. This setback hasn't stopped her, though. Rachel will accept her diploma on May 5 during graduation ceremonies at Temple, and from there she is pursuing a career in which she can help others. She wants to work as a police officer helping victims of human trafficking. The world needs more compassionate people like Rachel and we wish her well in her continued recovery and her future career.

CHEERS: To a story with a happy ending. Franklin Township Library reopened last weekend after it was closed for nearly three weeks because of a mulch fire. Smoke from the burning mulch seeped into the building and required a major cleanup operation. After cleaning carpets, upholstery and walls, replacing ceiling tiles and monitoring air quality, the building was given a clean bill of health. Thankfully, the library's collection suffered no damage in the incident and a much-loved local institution is now back open to the public.

If you know of someone or something you would like to nominate for a cheer or a jeer, please send the information to sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

The conditions that warranted the program in the first place are either still with us or they've morphed into something worse. Come Dec. 31 this year, the City of Bridgeton, beyond closing the books on calendar 2016, will no longer be designated as an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ).

By Albert B. Kelly

Come Dec. 31 this year, Bridgeton will no longer be designated as an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) community.

Neither will Newark, Camden, Trenton, or Plainfield.

That means that UEZ-certified businesses who take advantage of certain UEZ incentives -- such as charging 50 percent less sales tax or purchasing certain items tax exempt can -- will no longer be able to do so in 2017.

In Bridgeton it affects 70 businesses. I'm not sure about the other zones. But the conditions that warranted the program in the first place are either still with us or they've morphed into something worse.

MAYOR ALBERT B. KELLYBill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com 

On one hand, you can argue that this day was always going to come. After all, the program had a start date and an expiration date with an extension along the way. Bridgeton was designated as a UEZ community on Jan. 1, 1986 for a 20-year period.

Legislation allowed for a 16-year "one-time" extension which had to be requested in 2000. 

The Vineland-Millville designation expires in about two and half years; a few other communities in the early 2020s.

Between now and the end of the year, I will be making the case that zone designations at least be allowed to extend for a few years more. I'm not necessarily going to make the case for any new incentives -- just for consideration on an extension. 

I don't think this is wholly unreasonable, at least not the way I thought the 2011 gutting of the program was. Prior to 2011, 50 percent of the sales tax revenue generated by each community's certified business base was available for projects in that zone.

But politics being what they are and with a nasty hole in the state budget, urban communities were an easy target. Never mind the fact that we were coming out of the worst recession since the Great Depression.  

But here's the thing, some or many of the state's urban communities haven't gotten out of their recessions.

That's a whole different discussion but the point is, the UEZ program was one way to mitigate the challenges of competing in a fast-changing global economy. With companies shifting to states with lower tax burdens or even overseas with cheap labor, it was something.

Since 2011, several bills have been sponsored to restore aspects of the program, such as a community's ability to fund zone-based projects; those bills never got anywhere. Such a thing would be useful because all of the challenges remain, but we have fewer resources to face them.

Now it's simply about extending the zone designation so that businesses in urban communities can continue to offer something that non-urban communities can't. I recognize that the program, like most programs, can't go on forever. 

Perhaps anchoring the designation to some benchmarks may be a more fair approach than simply ending it at a fixed point in time. Yet, even as I say that, I can agree with the argument that says if you haven't improved things in the years since the designation was in place, more time won't help.

Maybe, but the chronic nature of the struggles in urban communities are shaped by many forces and no single program, whether UEZ or whatever, is going to be the deciding factor. It takes a varied and diverse tool kit to deal with "chronic" and Bridgeton along with Newark, Camden, Trenton, and Plainfield is about to lose one of those tools.

Then too, it may be time for some new models.

The inequality we see today is not just about wealth, it's also knowledge, technical chops, workforce skills. The landscape is changing fast and when 82 percent of manufacturing companies report having technical openings that they can't fill, maybe the focus needs to be there. Maybe create an entrepreneurial-focused program in these zones.

Change is necessary and as far as UEZ, or what remains of it, about to expire, I would like to think that it would be replaced with something else --  something fitted for the 21^st century. For now though, I will work to try and get just a little more time not just for Bridgeton, but for the other urban communities around the state that will soon expire. 

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

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

Vineland-native Albert Berchtold is part of the eight-man on the U.S. Parachute Team for the FAI World Cup this August in Canada. Watch video

By his count, Albert Berchtold has jumped out of an airplane about 6,500 times since he started skydiving in 1999.

The 38-year-old Vineland native moved to Florida to be able to skydive year round and he even works for a parachute manufacturer.  

"I loved it so much wanted to make it bigger part of life," he said.

In April, Berchtold joined the eight-man U.S. Parachute Team after showing off his canopy piloting skills. He competes this August in the FAI World Canopy Piloting Championship in Farnham, Canada.

"It's very challenging because every year there's a good chunk of those people who come out who could all realistically make and earn a spot on the team," Berchtold said. "They are very sought after positions in the competition and everyone works really hard. Making the team is great and earning recognition from your peers and earning one of those spots is something we really shoot for."

Photos of N.J. native competitive skydiver

Canopy piloting uses a smaller parachute. As the skydiver approaches the ground, he pilots his parachute to negotiate around skill courses while approaching speeds of 100 miles per hour.

Despite earning recognition from his peers and skydiving for so long, he is aware of the dangers of jumping out of an airplane.

"A good level of anxiety and fear is normal," he said. "I think if you were going up to 13,000 feet and you weren't scared there must be something wrong with you. It's definitely normal to have a good amount of fear and respect for what you're doing."

He's going to be especially careful five weeks from now, after his first daughter will be born. For now, he is going to train right up to August's competition.

Berchtold's advice for anyone thinking about getting into skydiving? Look into your local drop zones and try it out.

"Go out there and learn about the process and make a jump," he said. "It's a great sport and a great activity."

 

Brian Mertz has been denied a petition for appeal of his 2012 conviction of first degree murder.

The New Jersey Supreme Court has denied a petition for an appeal by the man convicted in 2012 of the first degree murder of a woman in Gloucester County.

On May 26, 2002, the body of 22-year-old Clarksboro resident, Jennifer Whipkey was found in a wooded area behind a motel in West Deptford. Whipkey had been stabbed more than 60 times.

Six years later, in December 2008, Brian Mertz was charged in Whipkey's death. Mertz had lived yards from where Whipkey's body was found at the Westwood Motor Lodge, and DNA evidence linked him to semen found in her body. 

In 2012, after a lengthy trial and several days of deliberation, Mertz was sentenced to a 50-year prison term. Mertz's defense attorney, however, said the day Mertz was sentenced that he would appeal the first-degree murder conviction.

Mertz's first appeal was centered around points from the initial trial, stating that the court should have interviewed a juror who said she regretted convicting Mertz, that the jury was not properly instructed in corroborating the defendant's testimony and that Assistant Prosecutor Michael Curwin was biased against Mertz.

The appeal was rejected and the court upheld both the conviction and the sentence.

Mertz loses appeal of 50-year sentencing

Mertz petitioned for a second appeal asking the N.J. Supreme Court to reconsider his conviction and sentencing. The petition was denied on Friday. 

The court's denial follows the state Superior Court Appellate Division decision from December of 2015 affirming the conviction and sentence. The appellate judges also said the 50-year sentence given to Mertz for first-degree murder was based on the evidence presented and within the permissible range for the crime.

With the denial for a second appeal, Mertz will have to serve a total of 85 percent of his sentence, approximately 42 years, before he is eligible for parole.

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The driver was thrown from the car, which rolled over several times during the accident.

CHERRY HILL -- A man in his 20s was killed early Saturday in a car crash, according to reports.

Cherry Hill Police Department officers were called to the area of Church Road and Route 38, reports 6abc.com. The accident occurred around 2:45 a.m. Saturday.

The driver was thrown from his car after losing control and striking a barrier. The car rolled over several times during the accident.

Authorities pronounced the driver dead at the scene. The accident is still under investigation and a portion of Route 38 was shut down while the crash was cleared.

Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Christie's joke about the basketball team's new home in New Jersey was an epic fail, unless he was trying to chase businesses away.

What is it about South Jersey that seems to bring out the worst in Gov. Chris Christie?

First, Christie thumbed his nose at us twice in the past year by not getting involved quickly after damaging weather incidents. In March, he decided that campaigning out-of-state for Donald Trump was more important than attending the funeral of a state trooper from South Jersey who was killed in an on-duty accident.

So what could possibly go wrong Wednesday when Christie addressed the Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce? How about bashing one of the businesses that his administration has helped attract to Camden?

The Philadelphia 76ers are unquestionably horrendous. The basketball team just finished with a 10-72 record, missing by one win the distinction of overriding the NBA's worst full-season record, still held by the 1972-73 Sixers (9-73). The perception that the current 76ers are hapless by design, in hopes of landing a star draft choice, has been fodder for both frustration and humor from fans.

Thus, the Sixers' play quality may be fair game for a governor who has been known to throw a zinger or two at radio sports hosts, especially when explaining why he has a thing for those hated Dallas Cowboys. Maybe the problem was the awkwardness of the governor's welcome for the 76ers' Camden practice facility, which is being fronted with $82 million in state Economic Development Authority tax breaks.

According to NJ Advance Media, here's what Christie said at the chamber speech:

"The only thing the 76ers will do in Philadelphia once they move into Camden is lose."

The one-liner apparently was meant to convey that all of the team's front-office operations are moving to Camden, even though its games will still be played in  Philadelphia. Christie could have turned the phrase so it wasn't such a knock on the team's future, as well as New Jersey's worst slogan ever for snagging businesses. He could have said, for example, "Once the 76ers start practicing in Camden, they're going to start having a winning record."

Other businesses are coming to Camden and New Jersey, which had a fairly good 2015 economically. We hope he doesn't put the kibosh on them, too. 

Just imagine: "The only thing Subaru will do once it moves its headquarters to Camden is recall all of its cars." 

Or: "The only thing Amazon.com will do after it adds 2,000 jobs in New Jersey (announced this past week) is watch consumers go back in droves to brick-and-mortar stores."

Sixers' CEO Scott O'Neil was apparently none too pleased with Christie's dig, and briefly tweeted, "Such a surprise coming from (an) nj based Dallas Cowboys fan ... ." 

That's OK, as long as O'Neil doesn't back out of his team's plans for Camden. If you're Christie, you might try self-censoring before making snide comments about desperately needed employers. 

Once the Sixers have moved in to their new digs, the governor can joke about their record all he wants.

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

The first ever Main Street Arts Festival was held in Williamstown on April 30.

MONROE TWP  -- The first ever Main Street Arts Festival was held in Williamstown on April 30.

The Main Street Arts Festival was a celebration of the arts and included everything from the fine arts, music, dance and theater. The event was open to the community and general public, allowing guests to stroll along Main Street visiting artists, demonstrations, and taking in the arts.

Visitors were also given the opportunity to meet and speak with the artists and designers and purchase artwork, as well as participate in workshops hosted by various businesses along Main Street.

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. allowing residents and guests the chance to come and go throughout the day. 

Event organizers hope to bring the event back each year to express love for and generate interest in the arts.

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Both children and adults came out to enjoy the free festivities at Rutgers University—Camden.

CAMDEN -- Rutgers Day was celebrated on the Camden campus of Rutgers University Saturday.

Camden Mayor Dana Redd and Rutgers--Camden Chancellor Phoebe Haddon kicked off the event by learning a few tai chi moves. World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is held the last Saturday of April, which happened to coincide with Rutgers Day this year.

The Paul Robeson Library at Rutgers Camden hosted a superhero-themed program, which encouraged children to create their own superheroes, explore superhero books and take superhero selfies. 

The Camden Sophisticated Sisters Drill Team's performance drew a large crowd. Other popular events included creating a work of art by using a handshake mold, a frisbee toss game, and "Ask Abe," where you could speak with the United States' 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.

WATCH: My intense GoPro experience on the back of a 140 mph Superbike ride

This was the first year events were held on the Camden and Newark campuses, an expansion of the free programs offered at the New Brunswick campus, to help observe the University's 250th anniversary.

This year's Rutgers Day drew 100,000 visitors at the University's three campuses, said a school spokesman.

Lori M. Nichols may be reached at lnichols@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @photoglori. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Supervision is critical to keeping your children safe.

 

The school year is starting to wind down which means summer is right around the corner.  As the temperature increases, so do trips to the emergency room for children during summer vacation.  According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, the four-month period from May to August is the most dangerous time of year for children under eighteen years of age.

Let's face it-kids will be outside running around, climbing trees, swimming and exploring.  Supervision is critical to keeping them safe.  For many families, supervision is provided through camps, daycare and babysitters.

Here are some key tips to remember when planning structured activities for your children.

Summer Camps

There are as many different camps as there are children.  Important options to consider are age range, interests, price range and schedule.  Some camps will last for several weeks in a rustic setting while other camps will have your children come home at the end of each day. 

Please consider whether the camp you are considering is accredited with the American Camp Association (www.acacamps.org).  What type of training have the camp counselors received?  Do they know first aid and CPR?  What is the level of supervision provided?  Does it vary with the age of the child? 

Please ask whether the camp is insured.  Do they expect parents to sign a waiver absolving the camp from any responsibility regarding your child?  Most camps require the parents or guardian to sign an agreement setting forth the obligations and responsibilities of each party.  Please review the agreement carefully before signing to ensure what's in writing is consistent with what you've been told by the camp representative.

Child Care Centers  

Parents must decide whether they want their child cared for in a child care center or in a person's home.  All child care centers serving six or more children under the age of 13 must be licensed by the Department of Children and Families in New Jersey.  Home-based child care is limited to no more than five children in addition to their own children and must be registered with the state as well.

Please ensure the care provider has references and inspect the premises to ensure they are safe and clean.   Make sure there are written procedures for medical situations and emergencies.  Further, make sure there are policies regarding check-in/check-out procedures.  Check out www.njparentlink.nj.gov for more information.

Babysitters     

Many families hire babysitters or nannies to care for their children.  In New Jersey, there is no minimum age requirement to babysit a child.  Generally, children under the age of 14 should not be considered for babysitting duties.  Babysitters working a few hours a week are generally considered independent contractors but if they work fulltime they would be considered an employee for tax purposes.

A babysitter or nanny is required to fill out an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9).  Parents must verify the babysitter is legally required to work in the United States.  There are many babysitting classes including ones sponsored by the Red Cross.  Please visit www.babysittersnow.com to learn more about babysitting and babysitters in your area.

Till next time, God bless, keep smiling, when Your Legal Corner will discuss "Water Safety.

Victoria M. Dalton is a dedicated Family/Elder Law Attorney with the Law Offices of Hoffman DiMuzio. Email correspondence to vdalton@hoffmandimuzio.com or call 856-845-8243.

Please note that Your Legal Corner was created to provide educational material about the law and is not legal advice.

Median salary data from the state's Taxpayer Guide to Education Spending shows the variations in teacher salaries.

What teachers make in Gloucester County varies greatly depending on what district they work in. Median teacher's salaries range from $52,153 in Franklin Township to $76,076 in the Gateway Regional district, according to new state data.

As contracts are renegotiated and salary guides adjusted, these median salaries change year to year. Pay data, released as part of the state's annual Taxpayer Guide to Education Spending, shows the median salary in each school district, as well as how they have changed from last school year. 

Median salaries in the highest paid district, Gateway Regional District, have gone up 12.9 percent in the past year from $67,368 to $76,076. In Franklin Township, where teachers are the lowest paid in the county, the median salary has gone down $1,000 from the $52,153 it was in the 2014-2015 school year.

At Kingsway Regional School District, which is second to last when it comes to median teacher salaries, the board of education and administration are working to bring those numbers up.

"Because we have a lower starting salary guide it has made it difficult for Kingsway to compete. This is a serious conversation about how do we compete and get top notch people," Superintendent Jim Lavender said. "Teachers deserve to be paid well. You want a competitive school district."

The district has also hired more than 50 new employees in the past five years, and those starting salaries will bring the median range down.

On the other end of the spectrum Delsea Regional, which has the second highest median salaries in the county, credits the longevity of its teachers with its median range being on the higher end.

"Here at Delsea we have many many long term teachers. It's very common that our teachers stay, which absolutely impacts the median salary," Superintendent Piera Gravenor said.

 Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand.Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Police released several security camera images of the man.

MONROE TWP. -- Police are hoping someone can help identify a man who threatened a gas station attendant with a handgun during an apparent robbery attempt.

A man walking from the area of Glassboro-Cross Keys Road approached the center island of the Citgo gas station at 2944 Fries Mill Road shortly before 10 p.m. on April 19.

He pulled a handgun from his jacket, prompting the gas station attendant to close and lock his booth door, leaving the gunman outside.

The man pointed at the attendant, put the gun back in his jacket and ran off toward Glassboro-Cross Keys Road.

Anyone who can identify the man shown in a series of security camera images released by police is asked to contact Detective Derrick Jacobus at 856-728-9800, ext. 501.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

St. Florian is the Patron Saint of Firefighters.

WOODBURY -- Firefighters from around Gloucester County gathered in Woodbury on Sunday evening for the annual Feast of St. Florian program.

Christ Church, located on Delaware Street, holds the program each year for area first responders.

The service included a procession, a blessing of the fire trucks, in which fire vehicles were sprinkled with holy water, and a memorial to honor fallen firefighters from around the world.

St. Florian, the Patron Saint of Firefighters, was born in 250 AD and served as a Roman Army officer stationed in what is now Austria. He was responsible for organizing and training firefighting brigades.

He was martyred when he refused to execute a group of Christians and admitted that he himself was a Christian.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

The theme, which is traditional selected by members of the township Family & Community Services board, is "No One Fights Alone."

WASHINGTON TWP. -- For the past 25 years, Washington Township's Super Saturday has acted as a homecoming-like event where the community at large gathers for a day of play.

And this year, organizers of the "old fashion town fair" are once again broadening the focus outside of a family fair by incorporating informational sessions about a serious and deadly epidemic - drug addiction.  

The event, which will be held at Washington Lake Park Amphitheater on May 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will likely attract thousands, is a family-fun event with face painting, amusement rides, food, music, vendors and more.

"It's for our great residents of Washington Township," said Lisa Collins, township park manager and events coordinator. "It gives families a chance to come out and enjoy a very affordable day and while there seeing their friends and neighbors. It's like a homecoming right here in the park."

According to Collins, the theme, which is traditional selected by members of the township Family & Community Services board, is "No One Fights Alone."

"Our message is that no member of our community should sit in silence with an addiction," Washington Township Mayor Barbara Wallace said. "There are resources available to help those who are suffering in the midst of this drug epidemic."

Speakers from Kennedy Health System, Inspira Behavioral Health, and New Jersey Hospital Association of Veterans will speak to the public about drug trends, signs of addiction, and health effects of drug abuse. Officers from the township's police department will also be on hand too demonstrate the delivery of naxolone, an opiate antidote they comes in the form of a nasal spray and is commonly used by first responders in an overdose emergency.

"We need to focus on an epidemic that is affecting the residents of our town, state and country," Collins said.

Other than the educational aspect of the day's activities and the planned family fun, about 125 vendors are expected to set up shop at the park. As a part of the event, Washington Township High School Minutemen Marching Band will perform at noon and the fifth grade bands will entertain guest in the morning.

Sass-Faction, a six piece cover dance band from the Garden State, will also put on a free performance at 12:15 p.m.

Proceeds from the day-long event will benefit the township community services department.

For a list of vendors and a schedule of events for the day, visit the township's website at www.twp.washington.nj.us.

The rain date for the event is scheduled for May 14.

The Arbor Day Foundation designates cities that have met certain criteria

WOODBURY -- On April 29, as part of an Arbor Day Observance, the City of Woodbury celebrated the receipt of its official Tree City USA designation, sponsored by the national Arbor Day Foundation. As part of the award, Tree City USA signs will be posted at the Cooper Street entrance to the City and at Bell Lake Park (South Girard Street and Myrtle Avenue), to welcome visitors and residents, and the Tree City USA flag will fly outside of City Hall (33 Delaware St.). The two-year application process was part of City Council's Green Team Committee, composed of Council Members Heather Tierney, Daniel Reddin, and Bill Fleming; Recycling Coordinator Roy Duffield, Economic Development Director Randi Woerner, Public Works Director Rich Leidy, and volunteer Tom Dukelow.

The Arbor Day Observance, an annual tradition in Woodbury, is a program led by the Green Team, with support from the Municipal Alliance, and is a key part of the Tree City USA Community standards. This year, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops were on hand to assist in the day's activities, including the dedication and planting of several flowering trees at Wing-Dickerson Park (Allens Lane). Woodbury students created posters relevant to an Arbor Day theme. The poster contest winner received their award as part of the April 29 ceremony.

Mayor Bill Volk states, "The commitment of Mayor and City Council to Woodbury's trees and community is a benefit to all of us."

Recently, residents may have noticed the removal of several trees at the busy Evergreen Avenue/Cooper Street intersection. The removal was required for traffic improvements as part of the former Woodbury Country Club redevelopment. Atrium Post-Acute Care, a project by the Buriss Group, is committed to planting 500 trees in and around their grounds to recuperate the loss of the Evergreen Avenue trees, made possible in part by the City of Woodbury's commitment to the Tree City USA community core values.

A nationally recognized program, Tree City USA offers towns and cities across the country the opportunity to be recognized for their commitment to trees. Municipalities that meet Tree City USA's fundamental standards are invited to apply. Woodbury met those criteria by:

(1)  Establishing a designated Green Team Committee, comprising elected officials, city administrators, and residents, and charged with the responsibility for all trees located on city-owned property. Tree City USA notes the benefit of a diverse involvement "creates a wide awareness of what trees do for the community and provides broad support for better tree care."

(2)  Passing a public tree care ordinance, outlining tree care activities to include plans for planting, maintenance, and removal.

(3)  Setting an annual budget of a minimum $2 per capita, an investment that, according to Tree City USA, provides "clean air, clean water, shade and beauty." Woodbury allots $3.92 per capita, which includes both budget expenditures and the value of volunteer hours.

(4)  Implementing an Arbor Day Observance, where citizens are encouraged to celebrate together the beauty and benefits of their local trees. At the April 12 council meeting, Mayor Bill Volk signed an official proclamation in support of Woodbury's annual Arbor Day celebration

In 2014, Tree City USA reported 138 Tree City USA communities in the State of New Jersey, with 40.06 percent of the population living in a Tree City USA community. New Jersey spent approximately $29 million on urban forestry management in 2014. 

For more information, contact Heather Tierney at htierney@woodbury.nj.us. Learn more about the City of Woodbury at www.woodbury.nj.us.

This item submitted by the City of Woobury.

Gant was recognized for his support of veterans and his extensive historical research

On April 26 Howard Gant Sr. was honored with a Proclamation by the Borough of Glassboro for his 25 year military service, his ongoing support of veterans and his extensive historical research that added many deserving local Civil War Veterans to Glassboro's War Monument.

He was also honored for 20 years of outstanding service on the Glassboro Memorial Day Parade Committee.

Gant is currently the treasurer of Glassboro's American Legion Shaw-Paulin Post 241.

This item submitted by American Legion Post 241.

The New Jersey Transportation Association has begun the statewide crackdown on toll violations.

The statewide crackdown on toll violations has begun.

Starting May 1, the New Jersey State Police will be working with the South Jersey Transportation Authority's Information and Tolls Technology Department for their annual toll violation enforcement program. 

"This program will ensure those drivers who deliberately attempt to avoid paying their fair share will be issued a summons on the spot," said Stephen F. Dougherty, SJTA's Executive Director, in a press release issued by the SJTA. 

The Atlantic City Expressway (ACE) includes 47 miles of roadway from Atlantic City through Atlantic, Camden, and Gloucester counties. The program will concentrate law enforcement focus along specific interchanges along the Atlantic City Expressway (ACE) which have historically generated a higher violation rate. 

Drivers in N.J. and N.Y. pay one-third of all tolls collected

The operation and maintenance of the roadway is supported exclusively by tolls collected from the more than 51 million drivers reported to have used the roadway at toll plazas, entrances, and exit interchanges along the roadway

"Because no state tax money is used to support ACE, it is imperative violators, especially repeat offenders, are identified and fined," said Dougherty. 

"Truth be told, we are hoping the added police presence will result in zero violations, but more importantly, remind drivers to slow down, avoid texting and to practice safe driving habits," he added. 

Caitlyn Stulpin may be reached at cstulpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitstulpin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.