Roy Lehman complains that the rich and powerful are given greater access to shape Americans' opinions.

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a Democratic presidential primary debate in Milwaukee.AP Photo 

To the Editor:

Regarding "Bernie Sanders and me," a Washington Post oped by Charles G. Koch of Koch brothers' fame, in the Times' Feb. 20 print edition:

How can the common man compete with the economic elite when the local newspaper provides the rich and powerful space for a 1,000-word essay? Meanwhile, a citizen concerned with Koch's flowery paean to unregulated free enterprise is required to do so in a letter of 300 words or fewer.

This demonstrates exactly what has become of America as giant corporations like Dow and DuPont are allowed to merge. Merged airlines make fewer seats available, and fares stay the same even as the cost of fuel goes down. Americans become less informed as all media is brought under the aegis of large corporations.

Americans' trust in its institutions is fading fast, especially a U.S. Supreme Court that has told us that corporations are people and money is free speech. How can the beaten down American citizen compete when our "elected" representatives have put in place policies that allow jobs to be exported and elite workers to be brought in from overseas with with H1B visas?

All I can hope for that the regionalized institution that is nj.com will print this letter, allow me to post this link, reclaimdemocracy.org/powell_memo_lewis/, and hope my fellow citizens will go there and reach the same conclusion I have: The economic elite have been undertaxed for the last 35 years, which has led directly to the degradation of our country's infrastructure. 

The elite have built "think tank" nonprofits to massage statistics and the truth, and purchase policy with campaign cash to politicians. Those politicians, in turn, will not replace U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a corporate elitist, with a justice who just might see things the way ordinary Americans see things. 

Unlike you, Mr. Koch, I'm "feeling the Bern." A peaceful political revolution is preferable to the bloody one the policies you've bought is fomenting. Sorry about  running over my word limit.

Roy Lehman

Woolwich Township

How to keep N.J. 'zombie homes' occupied

To the Editor:

I read Craig McCarthy's recent article on how many vacant homes there are in New Jersey, with a list breaking down the vacancies by county. 

It does not make sense that thousands of homes sit vacant and deteriorate for years. There are three in my neighborhood. They have no sale signs, no contact information for the lending bank or mortgage company, and they do not appear to be listed with local real estate offices.

When the occupants leave and are no longer paying their mortgage payments, the bank should offer a fast and easy way for new buyers to take over the payments or refinance the mortgage balance, rather than neglecting these homes. 

This would be a win-win-win. The bank would not take a loss, the potentially defaulting homeowner would not need to have a severely downgraded credit rating, and someone in need of a home could buy one for a reasonable price. 

Problem solved.

Mike Hearn

Mantua Township

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

Rehearsals are underway for the March 10-12 production

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Less than a month remains before the Washington Township High School Way-Off Broadway Players take a trip back to Rydell High and present the spring musical, "Grease," to the community.

Directed by WTHS teacher Abby Molotsky, the show will feature cameo appearances by former high school principal and now superintendent of schools Joe Bollendorf and district student data coordinator and president of the Washington Township Education Foundation Charlie Doud, who will share the role of "Teen Angel."

Washington Township High School Way-Off Broadway Players work on a dance number during rehearsal for their upcoming production of "Grease." Jane Humes | For NJ.com 

The production is scheduled for three shows: March 10 and March 11 at 7:30 p.m.; and a March 12 matinee at 3 p.m. Tickets for the performances are $10. Advanced tickets will be available on one night only - March 3 from 7 to 8 p.m. in WTHS Cafeteria B. All remaining tickets will be available at the door starting one hour before each show time.

Lending support to the production are the following staff members: Frank Appello (musical director), Joe Zachowski (vocal direction), Nicole Corigliano (choreography), Mike Repasy (set design and construction), Bob Heinze (lighting design), Jack Bozuffi (sound design), Sybil Cohen (set painting and scenic design) and Shannon Molloy (business manager).

Washington Township High School Way-Off Broadway Players work on a dance number during rehearsal for their upcoming production of "Grease." COURTESY PHOTO 

The production also will incorporate the talents of the following WTHS student-actors, musicians and crew members:

Cast of Grease

Leads: Frank Marasa (Danny Zuko) and Alexa Liss (Sandy); and supporting cast Joe Dalbow, Nate Aquino, Josh Loomis, Scott Bonerbo, Aaron LeVan, Nicole Bosurgi, Antonia Brunetti, Megan Kenderline, Emily Yerkes, Cristina Corriveau, Nadia Stracciolini, Adriana Simiriglio, Marco Santos and Frank McCartney. Company participants include; Isabella Albus, Jesse Altamuro, Jenna Alshya, Noah Avis, Kariyah Bennett, Hannah Berman, Austin Brendlmaier, John Carlin, Angelica Carroll, Aaron Crespo, Brandon Cross, Robert Dagostino, Willow Dangle, Julia Dunn, Courtney Fields, Kiersten Harris, Imani Hamilton, Nik Haughey, Mackenzie Hoose, Michelle Iacone, Regina Jones, Amanda Kraynik, Elena LeVan, Jessica Levin, Kyle Lucero, Trevor Lubrant, Julia Marasa, Vanessa Millar, Cole Milaro, Giann Mitchell, Mackenzie Murphy, Madison Murphy, Jessica Navarro, Jess Navan, Samantha Pape, Sarah Perez, Marisa Ragone, Zack Romann, Juliana Satterfield, Madison Shelburne, Phebe Shew, Sharnae Smith, Katie Stellam Allison Straub, Julia Versace, Alyssa Volkwine, Erin Watson, Nicole Wisor and Maddie Yerkes.

Pit: Chris Sawyer, Dan Fooks, Grace Robertson, Kyle Irwin, Matt Murgo, Ray Sambor and Ryan Murray.

Stage Crew: Eric Fernee, Will Bowdron, Carl Tyler, Greg Rafter , Grace Frampton, Daniel Laws, Shawn Horn, Makayla Pappert, Bobby Bowdren, Zach Barker, Sam Morad, Nick Naimali, Rachael Miller, Mary Lavelle, Colin Carroll, Matt Britz, Gabbi Santilli, David Rosenberg, Cameron Markey, Madison Briggs, Kelsey Caban and Suhua Song.

Tech Crew: Joe Rynkiewicz, Grant Carson, T.J. Mazeika, Todd Murphy and Anthony Ridolfi.WTHS getting ready for product of 'Grease' March 10-12

An educational, an eye-opening, day for students of OLMA

CAMDEN -- Newfield's Our Lady of Mercy Academy's junior class got a hands-on lesson in medicine that they won't soon forget during a recent visit to the Cooper Trauma Center in Camden. Cooper serves as the regional Trauma Center for Southern New Jersey. A Level I Trauma Center that cares for severely injured patients involved in motor vehicle crashes, falls, industrial accidents and acts of violence. 

Cooper is equipped to allow trauma patients to arrive by helicopter or ambulance and the student's day began on the rooftop helipad where some of the most seriously injured patients arrive.

Playing the role of the patient, OLMA student Tia Dupont was treated by a Trauma Center doctor -- just as she would be if her injuries were real. Trauma patients arriving at Cooper Trauma are first evaluated by a trauma team. As injuries are identified, other specialists are involved to assist with the care of the patient. 

The day was both educational and eye-opening -- and even included a visit to the morgue.

Our Lady of Mercy Academy is a privately owned, Catholic high school for young women.  For more information, call 856-697-2008, or visit www.olmanj.org.  

A Cherry Hill church has had trouble keeping up banners that promote its 'Black Lives Matter' discussion.

We know absolutely nothing about the vandal or vandals who twice destroyed "Black Lives Matter" banners that were put up outside a Cherry Hill church.

The first time, about 10 days ago, a banner was stolen. Then, on Sunday morning, Unitarian Universal Church officials discovered that a replacement banner and a second banner had been stolen, and a wooden frame and lights nearby had been damaged.

Why are so many who have commented on nj.com willing to give this vandalism a pass? The second incident makes clear that this was an attempt to silence the views of one religious group. Yet, the majority of those responding to articles about the incidents ignored the crime before launching into arguments over the meaning of "Black Lives Matter." 

Are we no longer concerned with actions that try to impinge on religious freedoms?

No one, of course, will confuse the Universal Unitarian Church with one of the country's more doctrinaire religious denominations. It has a live-and-let live attitude. The Cherry Hill church in particular supported same-sex unions and marriage long before a majority of the public and related institutions signed on. The "Black Lives Matter" slogan seemingly represents the liberal church's particular view about justice system inequality -- but, maybe even that is too presumptuous about the banner's intent.

Actually, church representatives say their aim was to stimulate discussion on issues surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement. The banners advertised a community meeting still scheduled for this coming Thursday evening. We hope it goes ahead as scheduled.

In a true definition of inclusiveness, someone responding to "Black Lives Matter" with "All Lives Matter," "Police Lives Matter," or even "White Lives Matter," shouldn't be dismissed as "racist." These phrases are discussion points if used in the context of conversing about underlying issues.

Regardless of why the church hung the banner, doesn't it have a right to display the slogan on its own property without it being trashed or ripped down? Such actions are the antithesis of religious freedom.

As a criminal act, destroying a church sign with any kind of  "... lives matter" sentiment is more serious than stealing a plant from a front porch and less serious than burning a cross or spray-painting a swastika as a form of intimidation. Based on what is known so far, the Cherry Hill incidents probably do not meet the legal test of hate crimes.

But when those of any viewpoint fail to condemn the act, and retreat instead to preconceived views about race, it's far from South Jersey's finest hour. 

I once had two great job offers in one day. Did I make the right call?

Bob ShryockTimes file photo 

Two Jack Wilsons contacted me within hours that spring day at the Times in 1968, altering forever my outlook on life as a newsman.

The first Jack Wilson, my publisher and good friend, sat down beside my desk in late morning, thanked me for my efforts as sports editor, and shockingly inquired if I'd take the responsibility as the paper's managing editor, an upward money move.

Torn because I loved being sports editor, I told Jack I'd have to call my wife. She was positive about the move, swung my vote, and I relayed the verdict to Jack, who seemed thrilled. He gathered the folks in the newsroom to make the announcement. Only a few booed.

Amazingly, the second Jack Wilson - unrelated to the first and then sports editor of the old Philadelphia Bulletin - called two or three hours later. We'd met only once or twice previously and he had no knowledge of my same-day promotion, but he had a mind-altering offer.

"Bob," he said, "I'm offering you a job in Bulletin sports. Major golf beat, including Masters, U.S. and British Opens, Big Five basketball, and desk one night a week. Interested?"

Most would kill for a job like that. And the money, in comparison, was out of sight.

I was dumbfounded, particularly since this Jack Wilson had no knowledge of my situation. All of this was happening in one day.

My head said take the Bulletin offer but my heart, a trifle misguided, said stay in Woodbury.

So I stayed in Woodbury out of loyalty to the first Jack Wilson. The Bulletin's Jack Wilson told me when we met at a dinner years later that he couldn't believe I turned him down. And so did his namesake over a drink one day.

In truth, my four years as M.E. at the Times were undistinguished, making my decision harder to digest. But the Bulletin folded in 1972,  same year I was fired by the Times after its purchase from Harte-Hanks Inc., so the point is moot.

I never did cover a Big Five basketball game or work the Bulletin desk one night a week. I did cover three U.S. Opens for the Courier-Post and have a treasured souvenir from the 1981 tournament at Merion: A dust-gathering trophy for sharing first place with Allentown's John Kundla in the press event with 81s. I attended the 1985 Masters as a guest of Ron Jaworski, but wrote gratis.

I never had the chance to cover a lot of top-shelf golf. But in those days, I could still play a little.

And I did cover the 1976 NCAA basketball finals at the Spectrum, Indiana staying unbeaten, three World Series games, and, get this, one World Cup soccer game at the Meadowlands.

I don't even like soccer.

But once a sportswriter, always a sportswriter.

Bob Shryock may be reached at bshryock@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Looking for seniors interested in showcasing their talents

DEPTFORD TWP. -- Gloucester County is looking for seniors to perform in the annual Division of Senior Services Golden Follies Entertainment Show on Tuesday, May 24 at Auletto Caterers in Almonesson (Deptford Township), from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Seniors who are interested in showcasing their talents can sing, dance, tell jokes, play an instrument, or perform a skit. No experience is necessary.

Call 856-686-8327 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to register for the show. This is not a contest, there are no winners or losers; it is a day to have fun with other seniors.

Tickets for the Golden Follies Entertainment Show will be available beginning on March 7 at Gloucester County's Budd Blvd Complex, 115 Budd Blvd. in West Deptford and the six nutrition sites throughout the county. Tickets are $2 each for Gloucester County senior citizens over the age 60.

Buffet lunch is served at 12 noon and the show begins at 1 p.m., music will be provided. For further information please call 856-384-6900.

Justin E. Partridge was charged with sexual assault of a child more than four years younger than him.

WOODBURY -- A West Deptford man has pleaded guilty to a second-degree sexual assault charge, admitting he assaulted a child between the ages of 13 and 16, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Justin E. Partridge, 31, is expected to be sentenced to five years in state prison and be required to register under Megan's Law for sex offenders under the terms of a negotiated plea deal. He will also be subject to at least 15 years of parole after his release from prison.

He was charged with assaulted the victim, who was more than four years younger than him, between February and April of 2014. 

Partridge's sentencing is scheduled for April 29.

 Rebecca Forand may be reached at rforand@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RebeccaForand. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

WOOLWICH TWP. — Kingsway Regional announces the names of students on the Superintendent's List, Principal's List and Honor Roll for the first marking period, 2015-16.  SUPERINTENDENT'S LIST GRADE 9 – Makenna Beyer, Rebecca Blaszczyk, Andrew Bongiovanni, Kieran Burns, Andrew Casanova, Holly Chambers, Ajay Chhita, Madelynn Collins, Kyle Daugherty, Lucy Dominigue, Julia Evernham, Andrew Jasinski, Alexandria Kerr, Lauren Krott, Madison...

 

WOOLWICH TWP. -- Kingsway Regional announces the names of students on the Superintendent's List, Principal's List and Honor Roll for the first marking period, 2015-16. 

SUPERINTENDENT'S LIST

GRADE 9 - Makenna Beyer, Rebecca Blaszczyk, Andrew Bongiovanni, Kieran Burns, Andrew Casanova, Holly Chambers, Ajay Chhita, Madelynn Collins, Kyle Daugherty, Lucy Dominigue, Julia Evernham, Andrew Jasinski, Alexandria Kerr, Lauren Krott, Madison Lanham, Kalel Martorano, Madison Meyers, Zalak Modi, Sienna Palella, Drashti Patel, Lindsey Phan, Matthew Racey, Gavin Wagner, Olivia Wyckoff.

GRADE 10 - Ayden Chance, Kevin Estabillo, Alexa Evernham, Matthew Farnese, Paul Golias, Joseph Grandizio, Cade Hindley, Cole Hindley, Kelsey Hoagland, Marcus Holly, Annie Lancos, Matthew Miles, Rohit Nambiar, Nikolas Parker Jr. Krishna Patel, Jayden Pereira, Anup Shah, Lilly Smith.

GRADE 11 - Sara Allen, Paige Fearon, Erin Gray, Gary Harmon, Rachael Kelley, Nicole Kibler, Lindsay Krott, Jessica Lail, Ceilia Leso, Conor Magerr, Gavin Oswald, Gabrielle Repp, Hailey Rivell.

GRADE 12 - Troy Bohonko, Brianna Deal, Ashleigh Donato, Gianna Emmett, Benjamin Estabillo, Alexis Foster, Robert Harron, Renee Hersperger, Alexander Iskander, Anna Kjellson, Alexis Ramirez, Samantha Shadrick, Simran Shinh, Eryn Swineford, Jasmine Zhang.

PRINCIPAL'S LIST

GRADE 9 - Gabrielle Allen, Marie Altmann, Brandon Anderson, Grace Armano, Jason Atkins, Danielle Barber, Brooke Belka, Antonio Bene, Peter Bernardino, Trevor Bobst, Aaron Brady, Anthony Brasco, Chloe Britton, Zachary Brook, Alyssa Brown, Rebecca Brown, Simone Burgess, Kylie Carney, Joseph Carriero, Anjana Chamarthi, Connor Coles, Sydney Coles, Mdison Connor, Jonathon Cook, Brandon DeLuca, Dhani Deveaux, Allyson Dionglay, Alyssa Doyle, Anna Doyle, Jacob Elliott, Samantha Federico, Kirsten Fertig, Haley Ford, Abigail Garrett, Mia George, Jacob Gillespie, Claudia Harding and Ronan Harkins.

Also, Nadira Harris, Donovan Holly, Connor Holm, Alison Hrivnak, Nicandro Iannacone, Ashley Jirik, Orion Joyner, Naxhie Karpuzi, Jasleen Kaur, Dawson Kipphut, Stephen Kretz, Matthew Kushnerock, Meghan Labbree, Jacob Lang, Alexis Laskowski, Melissa Le, Danielle Leone, Matthew Lipka, Sara Little, Alexis Lubonski, Citlalli Luque-Perez, Edward Malone, Domenic Marino, John McCunney, Jacklyn Medlenov, Jacob Mitchell, Eva Molloy, Gillian Morganstein, Julia Morris, Lauren Morrison, Dalton Mower, Caitlin Murphy and Jacob Natkin.

Also, Alexander Navejar, Tuong Vy Nguyen, Zoe O'Malley, Angely Ortiz Moreno, Alyssa Palmucci, Ryan Patel, Hetvi Patwa, James Pedrick, Sierra Peiffer, Sophia Pfeffer, William Pollick, Lauren Quadir, Saipradosh Ramrajesh, Isabella Randazzo, Patricia Redulla, Kayla Repko, Jacqueline Repp, John Retkovis, Timothy Reynolds, Morgan Robinson, Nicholas Rothwein, Catherine Rowe, Skylar Salamone, Rachel Sampson, Alexis Santoferraro, Olivia Schell, Mariel Scott, Raymond Seas, Jeffrey Sexton, Alyssa Spinner, Morgan Spinner, Michael Tanzola, Dylan Tomlin, Makaila Valentino, Abigail Vance, Katelyn Warren, Shianne Watson, Erin Westervelt, Matthew White, Stephen Wilkins, Kelsey Wintheim, Colleen Wong, Anna Wood, Nicholas Woodburn, Jacob Woody, Connor Zabielski, Devan Zane and Mariana Ziejewski.

GRADE 10 - Kylie Anicic, Christopher Barbara, Lucy Barnish, Madison Batra, Preston Baughman, Emily Bennett, Isabel Bennett, Madison Biester, Michael Bispels, Caleb Black, Riley Bradson, Amanda Browne, Kelly Bryson, Luke Brzozowski, Robert Burns, Teresa Calabro, Riley Calhoun, Aidan Campbell, Sara Lan Campbell, Evan Cancglin, Alexis Cancila, Anthony Chan, Kylie Charnitsky, Indrojit Chatterjee, Adam Chhour,  Joshua Chirip, Lauren Cianci, Emily Close, Lauren Conn, Samantha Conn, Isabella Contarino, Steven Costa, Jack Costanzo, Arianna Costello, Ethan Deluca and Madison DeSantis.

Also, Christina Devone, Madison Devone, Michael DiBona, Maeve Donnelly, Ryan Elliott, Alexandra Emmett, Emma Esteves, Joshua Everwine, Grace Fagan, Matthew Fatiga, Caroline Floyd, John Gable, Skylar Galati, Zachary Garcia,  Nicole Greening, Madison Grigg, Amanda Harvey, Christian Ho, Serena Ho, Connor Hoffman, Montgomery Hollis, Harry Huder, Paisley Hudson, Jasmin Jones, Moselle Jules, Julia Kabat, Jeffrey Kinosian, Makena Kowal, Riley LaRubbio, Steven Limanni, Kristen Liquori, Kelly Lupton and Alejandra.

Also, Luque Perez, Brianna MacFarland, Jada Mack, Bryce Magee, Andrew Magilton, Julianne Magin, Nichole Magnus, Asim Malik, Gabrielle Maloney, Maria Mancine, Dustin Marino, Gianna Martella, Jacob Martin, Lauren McGrath, Riley McHale, Kale McLaughlin, Stephen Mecke, Danielle Mellon, Zachary Miller, Alexis Mullarkey, Danielle Napier, Joelle Navrot, Ciyahna Nelson, Jake Newsom, Austin Ogren, Adeyemi Ogunkanmi, Alyssa O'Hala, Brianna Pearson, Jacqueline Peters, Timothy Phillips Jr. Melody Probert, Ryan Quigley, Rebecca Quinn, Julian Quinonez, Anna Rebechi, Giovanni Riggi, Rachel Runzer, Kareem Rutledge, Mackenzie Ryan, Vincenzo Salerno, Kalie Seraydarian, Haley Silva, Megan Silvia, Narpinder Singh, Lexie Snajkowski, Sarah Snook, Katie Statile, Daniel Sullivan, Carlos Marrero Tirado, Brent Toliver, Noah Turner, Dylan Tutko, Serena Varelli, Elizabeth Vorrasi, Andrew White, Jessica Willox, Zania Winfrey and Ryan Yacullo.

GRADE 11 -  Nicole Adanuncio, Olusheni Adewale, Macy Andrews, Samantha Armano, Brianna Ashmen, Tayla Ball, Katherine Banenas, Ashley Bard, Alina Battaglia, Dawson Bosco, Amber Boucher, Christian Bradly, Nicholas Brady, Oonagh Breen, Dumar Burgess, Mitchell Burnham, L'Teonia Caine, Jianna Campbell, Ryan Candia, Gregory Carpenter, Angelina Casiano, Parker Casper, Breanna Chew, Austin Clark, Tanner Coles, Kierstan Connor, Samantha Cox, Samuel Craig, Sabrina Crane and Kyle Crawford.

Also, Julia Davidson, Joshua Davis, Allison DePaolo, Abby DeVoy, Jordan Dreyer, Bridget Dukes, Lauren Dunmyer, Ashley Easterday, Ryan Evernham, Kathleen Eyler, Camryn Federico, Nicole Ferretti, Juliana Foote, Evgenia Fotakis, Mariah Fox, Mikaela Fox, Kaitlyn Francis, Connor Fratz, Shaena Friedman, Katherine Gallagher, Matthew Garozzo, Jimmy Gathers, Kevin George, Jaime Gialloreto, Joseph Glackin, Pamela Goleniewski, Ricardo Gonzalez, Ellen Granson, Katelyn Green, Ryan Grogan, Madeline Hahn, Allison Hall, Sabrina Hall, Camille Handy, Jake Hartman, Kyle Hasselman, Regan Healey, Julianna Heider, Marissa Heino, Jennifer Heritage, Jessica Heritage, Colleen Highland and Morgan Horner.

Also, Mackenzie Hunt, Siyana Jackson, Caprice James, Katelyn Jeffries, Nicole Jeziorski, Anyae Johns, Anastasios Kalfas, Vlora Karpuzi, Danielle Kelly, Elizabeth Kennedy, Haley King, Liam Kinnarney, James Knoll, Emma Kushnerock, Alexia Lavin, Benjamin Le, Erin Lewis, Courtney Lugovoy, Emily Maccarone, Miranda Marcantuno, Louis Maroney, Sarah Marr, Marcella Mazzuca, Victoria Mbakwe, Cassandra McAvoy, Latayana McKnight, Jacob Metheny, Morgan Milburn, Alyssa Miller, Garrett Miller, Catherine Morris, Zackary Mullen, Taylor Mulvenna, Casey Murphy, Kelly Murphy and Rachel Murphy.

Also, Dennis Napier, Margaret Neal, Reilly Noel, McKenzie Nugent, Olivia Oglesby, Anand Patel, Brian Penot, Julianna Pfeffer, Morgan Phillips, Kourtney Pyle, Croce Randazzo, Taylor Repko and Samuel Ricci, Andriana Rice Gilmore, Kiersten Rivell, Alyssa Salera, Antonio Saporito, James Sarchese, Darrius Scott, Morgan Sharp, Ellen Simmerman, Brianne Slusar, Erin Smith, Shannon Smith, Samantha Sprague,  Kelsey Stasen, Geneva States, Nicolas Suarez, Katlyn Tas Taylor Thomas, Jacob Trippel, Rachel Vick, Kim Vuong, Joseph Waltzer, Erykah Webster, Sara Wertz, Shane Williams, Gracie Willitts, Tyler Wilson and Amanda Zabielski, Rachael Zeck. 

GRADE 12 -  Nicholas Amorebella, Marissa Armandi, Cheridan Arthur, Alexander Asplint, Scott Berlin, Shjon Bill, Justin Bily, Matthew Blaszczyk, Samantha Brink, Rebecca Brown, Deborah Bunker, Alexandra Cann, Laura Carrig, Carrie Carter, Jacob Carty, Maria Cavallaro, Joaquin Cavazos, Gabrielle Ciminera, Tatum Cockrell, Jacob Conroy, Jake Cooney, Melanie Cooper, Philip Crescenzo III,Tristen Cressman, Amber Damask, Emily Danilak, Jennifer DeVault, Taylor DiDonato, Justine Dittert, Iyeosimhe Enike-Ekhelar, Alexis Flocco, David Floyd, Daniel Gable, Danielle Gannon, Julia Gehring and Abigail Gill.

Also, Sarah Gray, Devon Grippe, Meghan Hemdal, Kristina Hess, Kristen Honrychs, Jordan Hudson, Ryan Jackson, Carly Jatzke, Cyrah Kidd, Rebecca Kier, Adele Kushall, Lyric Laborde, Erin Lang, Rebecca Lemmo, Renee Lemmo, Brenna Leso, Steven Licciardello, Shane Lore, Emily Malone, Erin Malone, Nathaniel Marks, Jake McBride, Megan McGrath, Caralinda McMahon, Jamal McPherson, Lea Mellon, Alexia Menasion, Morgan Meoli, Arquel Miller, Lindsay Miller, Caitlin Moore,  Emily Morrison, Alyssa Mullarkey and Adithya Muralidharan.

Also, Nicholas Musumeci, Brooke Nettleton, Kelsey Nowlin, Kevin O'Hare, Thomas Ondo, Jeremy Otten, Brooke Owens, John Palladino, Jessica Palmaccio, Victoria Palmaccio, Deep Patel, Caitlin Pearson, Francis Picone, Nicholas Pino, Matthew Pollock, Cassidy Quigley, Brandon Quinn, Allison Ragonese, Marut Raval, Dylan Rinnier, Daniel Rival, Samantha Seelig, Jack Shakespeare, Samuel Shinn, Paige Silvia, Mara Spector, Andrew Sullivan, Kyra Traino, Nichole Tuller, Jessica Tunstall, Taylor Turner, Trent Tutko, Kirsten Vance, David VanVooren, Veronica Venit, Xavier Vespa, Nathan Villanueva, Marissa Willox, Jack Wiscount and Laura Zuzek.

Gloucester County Library provided a list of the top books checked out from the Gloucester County Library System in the last 2 years.

Anne Maxwell writes about a flock of limitations on bird-feeders.

To the Editor:

I read with great interest the Times' recent article, "N.J. town's newly hatched ordinance would allow backyard chickens," about the measure proposed by the Woodbury City Council to regulate the keeping of chickens. 

You could probably substitute "chickens" with "birds" relative to the  bird- and wildlife-feeding ordinance recently approved in Collingswood:

-- No more than two bird feeders per home;

-- No more than a certain amount of seed by weight;

-- No feeders in the front yard front of a property;

-- No feeders on the side of a property;

-- No feeders within a certain distance of a fence or property line.

It sounds like Collingswood birds may soon need to flock to Woodbury for their next meal!

Anne Maxwell

Collingswood

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

The Washington Township Public Library first opened its doors in March 1966. It celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

WASHINGTON TWP. --   Colleen Ferber grew up in a household where reading wasn't just encouraged, it was expected. When she was 10 years old, there was no library in Washington Township, so she and the other 10,000 residents of the town would have to make a short trip to Pitman every time they wanted new reading material.

Ferber would ride in the backseat of the car with a flashlight so she wouldn't have to put her book away once the sun went down. Although her mother, Margaret Heggan, had little free time, there was always a book on Ferber's nightstand.

"It was an assumption that we were going to read," Ferber said. "We all loved to read, my brother and sister were read to every night."

Heggan's passion for reading that she instilled in her children, along with an initiative from the Whitman Square Women's Club who thought having a hometown library was essential, is what led to the creation of the Washington Township Public Library. 

The building opened its doors on March 2, 1966. 

Washington Township's first library was located on Ganttown Road. It opened its doors on March 2, 1966. (Photo provided)Jessica Beym | For NJ.com 

Since then, the library has undergone four relocations, countless renovations and three name changes, leading up to celebrating its 50^th anniversary this March.  

The journey to opening a library wasn't a swift one. Members of the library project began a fundraising initiative, going door to door asking for monetary donations and books. Activities including concerts, fashion shows and bake sales were also held to raise money.

The Solar Building Company, one of the developers of Whitman Square, donated a "Russian House," a 24 foot by 26 foot sample home, designed to look like a home for a newlywed Russian couple.  The building was moved to a site on Ganttown Road, where it became the first library building. When it officially opened to patrons on March 2, 1966, the library was staffed by 25 volunteers and was open for just two hours a day.

"For many people, it was great to be able to borrow books, take them home and read them," Ferber said. "Different subjects that you wouldn't have access to any other way."

By 1971 it became apparent that the small donated building was not going to be able to meet the needs of the community for much longer. The shelves were overcrowded and the library was at risk of losing its financial aid because it could not meet state requirements. Plans for a bigger library were announced in 1973, when Joseph Esposito donated a one-acre plot of land on Chapel Heights Road and started building. On Oct. 8, 1973, the new 1,500 square foot library was unveiled and named The David Iervollino Memorial Library, after Esposito's nephew.

As the population of Washington Township continued to grow, so did the demands on the library. In 1976, it expanded again to keep up with the community, which by then had reached 22,000. The pattern of relocating and increasing in size continued through 1992. The library had just been renamed again, this time as the Margaret E. Heggan Free Public library, after Heggan, for the time and effort she devoted to it.

"She was a volunteer for many years and many hours," Ferber said of the decision to rename the library after her mother. "It probably would have been 1,000 hours a year. She did a lot to keep fighting for more space and the next building, the next site it would be moved to, because they just kept outgrowing the various places."

Margaret E. Heggan, who spent countless hours volunteering at the Washington Township Library, later became the namesake of the building. (Photo provided)Jessica Beym | For NJ.com 

After being renamed for the third time, the library moved to what was supposed to be a temporary location on East Holly Avenue, but it remained there until 2011. At that point the Washington Township population had reached 50,000, again surpassing what the library could support. New locations were considered, including a skating rink and an empty grocery store. Eventually, the Library Board of Trustees decided on a spot on Delsea Drive, where it has been ever since.

Today, the Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library is a 19,600-square-foot structure that contains roughly 126,000 books, movies and audio books, according to Library Director Sheila Mikkelson.  As of 2015, the library has 23,687 cardholders and had 140,959 visitors that year alone. The library also checked out 255,027 items to customers in 2015, a 21.3 percent increase from the year before.

"Our circulation is pretty high. There are still people who want to read books," Mikkelson said.

The library is staffed by 11 full-time and 14 part-time employees, and is open 62 hours per week. It is funded primarily through municipal taxes from Washington Township, with five percent of funding coming from late fees and donations, and one percent from state aid.

In addition to the books and other items the library check-outs, it also hosts programs to the general public, from an American Girl Book Club to computer literacy courses that teach participants how to blog and use social media.

"It's socialization, we have kids and parents meetings others." Mikkelson said. "Where else can you spend time and not spend any money? We're open to everyone, regardless of anything."

The library will celebrate its 50^th anniversary on Saturday, March 5, at 1 p.m. In honor of the era the library was started, there will be readings from popular books of that time period, a Minecraft project to build the library based off of blueprints and a giant birthday card for guests to sign for the library.

"We've progressed a lot in 50 years, and we really are an excellent library," Mikkelson said. "We've got a healthy budget where we can offer a lot to our residents. The fact our circulation increased 21 percent in one year is pretty phenomenal."

FRANKLIN TWP. — Delsea Regional High School announces the names of students on the Superintendent's List and Principal's List for the second marking period 2015-16. SUPERINTENDENT'S LIST: GRADE 9 — Hector Agosto, Rachel L. Baglio, Joshua Biener, Haley Blackman, Aidan Borguet, Christopher Burton, Carli Busler, Luke Carione, Sandy Castillo-Luna, Jenna L. Coraluzzo, Kayla DeCesari, Julia Diaz, Aaron DiClaudio, Kyle Fennimore, Destiny...

FRANKLIN TWP. -- Delsea Regional High School announces the names of students on the Superintendent's List and Principal's List for the second marking period 2015-16.

SUPERINTENDENT'S LIST:

GRADE 9 -- Hector Agosto, Rachel L. Baglio, Joshua Biener, Haley Blackman, Aidan Borguet, Christopher Burton, Carli Busler, Luke Carione, Sandy Castillo-Luna, Jenna L. Coraluzzo, Kayla DeCesari, Julia Diaz, Aaron DiClaudio, Kyle Fennimore, Destiny Forrest, Anthony Garavento, Sierra Giuliano, Mason Greene, Luke Harker, Ashley M. Harris, Ashley Jackson, Colin L. Kane, Patrick Kelleher, Daniel Lockwood, Dawn H. Lombardi, Jenna McCarty,  Harley Modestowicz, Megan Monteleone, Caliann Moore, Kyle Moss, Carley Parker, Eshika Patel, Ashley Pearson, Lauryn Pearson, Gabrielle Polonsky, Bradley Rauscher, Emily R. Scott, Sarah Stranc, Karlie A. Sweiderk, Madison A. Visalli, Christen Wilson.

GRADE 10 -- Nadia A. Berardelli, Jackson Cancglin, Casey Eberts, Kayla Jelinek, Kori S. Jelinek, Cara Kientz, Sean D. Lauser, Thomas C. Maxwell, William Mayhew, Aaron Spatafore, Alexis Zimmer.   

GRADE 11 -- Matthew Eggink, Jenna Enley, Francis Forte, Kierstin Fowler, Hollie Jones, Justin G. Moore, Kaitlyn M. Rauscher, Thomas Schofield, Sierra Weyhmiller.

GRADE 12 -- Colin Craig, Alexis DiStefano, Elisia C. Lancaster, Robin C. Lombardi, Kayla B. Master, Jessica Monteleone, Andrea Neville, Derick Polillo, Valerie Renner, Jahmea Tenzie.

PRINCIPAL'S LIST:

GRADE 9 -- Faith Angelus, Daniel Antonelli, Delia Baer, Margaret L. Benz, Tyler Berwick, Allison Brewin, Sienna Brown, Jake Cahill, Zachary Cavanaugh, Tyler Clark, Gabriella Collins, Jordyn Cudd, Zoey Cuthbert, Michael DiDomenico, Faith Duppel, Robert Eldridge, Dayla T. Fennal, Sophia R. Fortner, Matthew Gardiner, Allison Gebhart, Jillian Groff, Daniel Hackett, Keijah T. Hall, Christopher D. Henry, Ryan Jillard, Arianna Johnson, Madison Johnson, Danielle Jones, Megan Jones, Haley Kahana, Jacob King, Madison Knox, Madison J. Kratzer, Gia Leotta, Gabrielle Long, Madison Mace, Dale Mascio, Madison McCloskey, Jessica McFadden, Allison Mingin, Kimberly Musuras, Tushar Patel, Dylan Perry, Alexis Phillips, Alexander J. Plefka, Joseph M. Plefka,  James Puglia, Ethan Rappleye, Morgan K. Reed, Nicholas Rossi, Kendra G. Sample, Jane A. Seabert, Geyer W. Shope, Paige Small, Christian Smith, Brittany Stroh, John Sweeten, Kelli Vannewenhizen, Sonia Velandia-Estupinan, Caroline L. Walther, Mikenzie Wengert, Savannah Weyhmiller, Jaime N. Wirtz.

GRADE 10 -- Pamela Abbott, Gabriel Asuncion, Cameron Banff, Andrew P. Barbaro, Alyssa Beebe, Teresa L. Blasscyk, Kolby T. Braxton, Jake A. Carlson, Jessica Chodnicki, Hayley Colanzi, Wyatt T. DiGregorio, Maryssa DiSilvestro, Tyler Duffy, DaJanae T. Farmer, Loredonna Fiore, Nicholas Franco, Maranda Fuscia, Graycee Garron, Sophia Gorrell, Alexa Grochowski, Virginia Harnack, Caitlin Hinson, Lesli L. Ibarra Benitez, Breanna Isner, Ashley Johnson, Mya Jones, Jacob T. Keppen, Kyle Kohlmyer, Cole Leo, Bracklyn Lindmeier, Jenna M. Marchese, Ava M. Marsh, Megan E. Master, Samantha A. Mastracchio, Timothy Morgan, Matthew Mossbrucker, Ella Odore, Katarena N. Paez, Jake T. Patterson, Sheridan Pender, Emma Pierce, Robyn Porlucas, Ashley K. Preston, Nicholas Pugliese, Nicholas Reber, Christopher Recinto, Shawn Rehman, Reed M. Ridgeway, Emily K. Sawyer, Carley S. Schaffer, Lacey Schiavone, Dylan Senatore, Brian Slusarz, William B. Sneathen, Emily K. Sorey, Elijah M. Soto, Carissa N. Swanson, Lexus S. Thompson, Evan Vandzura, Faith S. Verderose, Sharon R. Wagner, Brianna Waller, Allison Weaver, Taelyn V. Williams, Jo-Hanna F. Zeilman,  Devon Zimmer.            

GRADE 11 -- Brooke Antonelli, Hunter Banff, Canika J. Battle, Lukas W. Birmingham, Miranda Booras, Keelan Borguet,  William F. Conners, Taylor Creach, Nicolette Diaz, Alexis DiClaudio, Kayla Enley, Alexis L. Fagotti, Jason M. Ferro, Michael Forrest, Cecelia Gerstenbacher, Nicholas Giordano, Ashley Greene, Antonio Jones, Ian Kotarski, Daniel Leone, Kristine L. Lim, Michael P. Mourey, Curtise J. Perry, Abigail R. Poisker, Stephen K. Rode, Carly M. Schepacarter, Taylor P. Schiavone, Nathan Senatore, Rachel N. Tondo, Kailynn Warfield, Breanna Williams

GRADE 12 -- Mark Allonardo, Haley M. Baltzer, Christopher A. Bascomb, Steven P. Birmingham, John E. Bittle, Jarrod C. Brovero, Gregory Butenewicz, Sydney Casey, Destiny A. Clark, Alex Clemick, Quinn J. Collins, Danielle C. Considine, Angela L. Corbin, Madalyn DaSilva. Danielle A. Seschler, Nicholas Deschler, Karli Earnest, Katherine L. Frye, Samuel Gorrell, Taylor L. Greene, Julia M. Grimley, London Harris, James H. Helsel, Adrianna L. Kelly, James Kelly, Michael M. Lindsey, Nicole E. Lloyd, Victoria Lombardi, Mary MacDonald, David J. Marshall, Gabrielle M. Martinez, Jeremy McClain, Katie McNamee, Madison McShea, Charles T. Montagnoli, Emily Musuras, Bria R. Nestore, John J. Nicholson, Amanda Parker, Alysah R. Pasquerilla, Tyler Piper, Shane Price, Jacob Ranson, Michelle M. Reilley, Marissa E. Reilly, Kyle P. Richardson, Patrick M. Richael, Sara Romain, John Schwartz, Robert T. Scott, Hannah N. Seabert, Dominique Simmons, Taija M. Smallwood, Jazmin Stokes,  Trevor Vidas, Edward K. Williams, Jessica Young.

I trust that the firms moving into Camden, many of which have availed themselves of the Grow NJ program, recognize their prominent role in Camden's future.

By Raymond Lamboy

On Wednesday, Camden Mayor Dana Redd will give her annual state-of-the-city address at the Cooper's Ferry Partnership Meeting. She is likely to highlight the $2.2 billion in projects that are planned for the city. This will be an opportunity to celebrate and congratulate all involved in bringing about this new dawn to our long-suffering city. 

This is an unprecedented time in Camden. This latest effort truly has the potential to turn this city around.

The ingredients for this success have been put in place: legislation to create significant incentives; motivated and committed local governments; and visionary firms that are eager to be part of Camden's turnaround story. The resulting investments will create economic impact that has the potential to reach every part of the city to its deepest grassroots, bringing about a new day of growth and prosperity for all of Camden.

A key ingredient that must be added to ensure this most hopeful outcome is the creation of a "Community Benefits Agreement."

Community benefits agreements are formed through a collaborative  process among community, businesses, developers and government -- working together to gain an understanding of the city's most pressing needs. They then devise a plan to address these needs through contributions and investments, which are memorialized in a public legal document.

In San Diego, the developers of a new Padres baseball stadium and a coalition of residents, small businesses and non-profits came together to create a "First Source Hiring System." This system coordinated  the developer, the Padres and other businesses to screen and match residents to short-term construction jobs, as well as long-term employment through the ongoing operation of the stadium. This system was hosted by a local non-profit and funded in part by contributions from the businesses involved.

In Los Angeles, the developers of the Staples Center and a similar coalition crafted a local source matchmaking program. This program worked in concert with the developer, future arena tenants and other firms involved to match contractors and suppliers to available service and supply contracts, large and small. 

In Wisconsin, Milwaukee County and a community coalition negotiated an agreement that included a community and economic development (CED) -- pronounced "seed" -- fund. The fund was designed to be a catalyst to enable businesses to develop and grow and for their communities to prosper. In this case, the fund was supported by revenue realized from the sale of portions of a valuable parcel of county-owned land.

It is clear from these examples that these companies and coalitions recognized unique opportunities to stimulate change and growth. True membership in community comes with an intentional effort to ensure that all aspects of a company's economic impact have a channel to change the conditions on the ground in their new host municipality.

I trust that the firms moving into Camden, many of which have availed themselves of the Grow NJ program -- specially targeted incentives loans through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority -- recognize their prominent role in Camden's future. Each firm, just by making the commitment to move to Camden, demonstrates visionary leadership. The risks being taken by these firms and local leadership, including Mayor Redd's administration, are not lost on me and my fellow residents.

We invite Holtec International, Subaru of North America, the 76ers, Liberty Property Trust, Brandywine Properties and all the related developers and Grow NJ incentive holders to join us in a coalition with our local leadership to think through Camden's challenges. Let's work together to develop a Community Benefits Agreement that will ensure that the vision of a new day for Camden becomes a reality.

Raymond L. Lamboy is vice chairman of Camden Churches Organized for People, a nonpartisan community organization.

Perfect ACT score earns Clarksboro resident nomination to Scholars Program

Paul Jacob of Clarksboro and a graduating senior at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, has been named one of more than 4,000 candidates in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.3 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2016. 

Jacob is extremely honored by this nomination and selection, as it is a result of his perfect ACT score in 2015 and a testament to his hard work and commitment to school, service, athletics and church.

A distinguished panel of educators will review these submissions and select 800 semifinalists in early April. The Commission on Presidential Scholars will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May. 

The Commission selects up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars each year. 

All scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program, held in June in Washington, D.C. During this trip, U.S. Presidential Scholars are guests of the U.S. Department of Education and enjoy an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with government officials, educators and other accomplished people. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House. 

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. 

Paul is the son of Jacob Kuruvilla and Jessy Jacob.

State Sen. Jeff Van Drew is proposing a resolution that will formally have the New Jersey Legislature support South Jersey against Verizon.

Sixteen communities spanning across South Jersey have banded together to take on Verizon and its allegedly antiquated copper landline services in rural areas.

A state senator wants the Board of Public Utilities to hold a hearing on Verizon service in South Jersey. (File Photo)Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com 

Now those rural communities are getting assistance from state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, who is pushing for the legislature to support a petition against Verizon and to have a public meeting with Verizon in the region through a proposed resolution.

"Verizon has a responsibility to maintain the copper landlines and, if they're not going to do that, what we'd actually prefer is that they put fiber optics in," Van Drew said. "If they're not going to do that they have a legal responsibly to maintain the copper landlines and that's the problem -- the copper landlines are not being maintained."

Van Drew also sent a letter to the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) President Richard Mroz, hoping to schedule a meeting in South Jersey over the telecommunications issue.

Cumberland County has been leading the way on collecting information against Verizon and managing the petition. According to Ted Baker, county solicitor, the information has been submitted to the BPU.

"We will attempt to make sure the most comprehensive and up-to-date information that we have in every area that is of concern is brought to the BPU for consideration," Baker said.

According to Greg Reinert, spokesman for the BPU, the board has received the senator's letter -- as well as the petition and a response from Verizon.

The 16 communities petitioning Verizon to fix their landlines come from Atlantic, Salem, Cape May and Gloucester counties. The residents argue that the old copper lines offer inadequate service that limits their ability to stay connected to the outside world, is a public safety issue for making emergency calls, affects education for children unable to have a proper Internet connection and makes it hard for business owners.

According to Verizon, customers should reach out to their company whenever they are having problems.

"Our network performance in South Jersey is very good and consistently better than the state's BPU standards," said Raymond McConville, spokesman for Verizon. "This is a crisis that does not exist. We're meeting individually with the towns to go over our customer service numbers in these areas and to hear their concerns."

Van Drew expects the resolution to be introduced before the New Jersey Senate on Monday.

The announcement came one month after the storm slammed much of the East Coast. Watch video

Exactly after one month after Winter Storm Jonas slammed much of the East Coast, Gov. Chris Christie's office announced residents and businesses in seven affected counties may apply for low-interest federal loans to help with recovery.

The storm that struck New Jersey on Jan. 22 dumped feet of snow across the region and caused severe flooding in some southern New Jersey counties.

"This incident is of such severity and magnitude that an effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected county and local governments, and that federal assistance is necessary," Christie said during a Feb. 11 press conference calling for federal disaster aid.

The loans, being administered by the U.S. Small Business Association, are available to those in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Ocean counties.

Through the small business association's Disaster Loan Program, eligible homeowners and renters may borrow up to $200,000 for repairs or replacements. Businesses of any size may borrow up to $2 million for physical damages and "economic injury."

Readers who wish to learn more about the program, or those who want to apply, may contact the Disaster Loan Outreach Center, located along Bacharach Boulevard in Atlantic City. The center is located in Room 129 in City Hall. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

The Electronic Loan Application is also available via the administration's website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Additional information and loan applications are available by calling the administrations customer service center at 1-800-659-8339.

The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is April 22. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 22.

Police and family are asking for the public's help in finding 17-year-old Olivia Daniels.

ELK TWP. -- Police in the Gloucester County township are seeking the public's help in finding an at-risk missing teenager.

Investigators say 17-year-old Olivia Daniels was reported missing on Feb. 16.

Olivia Daniels, 17, has been missing since Feb. 16 (photo provided).
 

Olivia, originally of Laurel Springs, was scheduled to be in class at Camden County College, but has not been seen since 5:15 p.m. the same day she was reported missing. Her mother said that she disappeared on her way to class, and that a staff member of the residence where she was living in Elk Township reported her missing to local police.

An announcement from Elk police said that Olivia has a medical condition. Police did not specify on the nature of that condition, but noted that Olivia has poor decision-making skills. She requires daily medication, which she did not have with her when she left for school.

She was briefly reported missing earlier this month, but returned home on Feb. 15 before disappearing again. Olivia is known to frequent Philadelphia, Camden and parts of North Jersey.

Olivia Daniels is described as standing 5 feet, 4 inches tall with "autumn red" hair and brown eyes. She weighs about 200 pounds. Olivia has an eyebrow piercing and tattoos on her ankle, chest, legs and wrist.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Elk Township Det. Steven Wojciechowski (856) 881-1101.

Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Case once again put a spotlight on state's tough firearms laws Watch video

GLASSBORO -- Authorities will not prosecute a Pennsylvania corrections officer charged with bringing his firearm into New Jersey without a state permit, the Associated Press reported Monday.

Raymond Hughes, who has worked as a corrections officer for 13 years, was hit by a drunk driver as he and his wife were travelling home from Atlantic City last month. Hughes told responding police he had his firearm, which is registered in Pennsylvania. He was charged a few days later and faced a minimum of three- and- a- half years in prison if he'd been convicted.

The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office Monday dropped the charges, however, because the weapon was only discovered after Hughes, 46, himself became the victim of a crime, the Associated Press reported.

Hughes' case once again called attention to New Jersey's famously strict gun laws, considered the second-toughest in the country after New York's. A number of gun owners from outside the state, like Hughes, say they were unaware that New Jersey is one of the few states in the country that do not recognize other states' permits and were shocked to learn they faced criminal charges and significant prison time.

Those cases have sparked outrage among the National Rifle Association and other 2nd Amendment groups who say otherwise law-abiding people are being subjected to unduly harsh penalties. Among those who have been charged in cases similar to Hughes'  are a North Carolina resident who voluntarily told police in Mercer County that he was carrying a weapon and an armored car security guard in North Brunswick who faced charges for transporting his firearm in the glove box of his car.

Related: Lawmakers seek to relax gun rules

Gov. Chris Christie has pardoned those men as well as a number of others accused of unlawfully possessing a weapon even when that weapon is legally owned and has been registered somewhere in the country.

Republicans in the state Assembly announced they plan to seek modifications to existing gun law that would give local prosecutors more discretion in reducing or dismissing unlawful possession charges in cases involving owners of legal firearms from out of state.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

State officials release the list of contractors who paid fines in the fourth quarter of last year for violations, including shoddy work.

Acting Attorney General John Hoffman (Star-Ledger file photo) 

TRENTON -- Forty home improvement contractors were issued violations for allegedly cheating customers in the fourth quarter of last year, the state Division of Consumer Affairs said this week.

The enforcement efforts netted $481,477 in consumer restitution and civil penalties during the quarter, the division said. In all of 2015, a state crackdown led to violations against 223 contractors and more than $2.56 million in restitution and penalties.

"Through our year-long enforcement efforts we have been able to return significant amounts of restitution to consumers allegedly cheated by contractors who took money for jobs that were left undone, or completed unsatisfactorily," Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said in a statement.

The 40 contractors were ordered to pay a total of $321,477 in restitution, ranging from $360 to $50,000, officials said. The alleged violations included performing shoddy work, not finishing work that was already paid for and failing to give refunds. 

Consumer affairs authorities also directed the contractors to pay a total of $160,000 in civil penalties, according to officials. Those ranged from $1,250 to $7,000.

Officials said the contractors were cited for alleged violations of the state Contractor's Registration Act, which included failure to provide customers with "detailed, written contracts for home improvement projects costing more than $500."

See the list of contractors along with the amount of penalties and restitution. According to the state, the registration status is listed based on the time of alleged violation.  

Gateway Regional High School announces the names of students on the Superintendent's List and Principal's List for the second marking period 2015-16. SUPERINTENDENT'S LIST 7th GRADE — Kayla Berry, Paige Britt, Jenna Bryszewski, Catherine Cimino, Alexandra Colman, Frank Jewell, Abigail Jones, Audrey Moore, Chloe Showler, Olivia Smith, Syraj Uddin and Genavieve Wermuth. 8th GRADE — Miles Alimario, Russell Chandler, Jacob Cohen, Elizabeth...

Gateway Regional High School announces the names of students on the Superintendent's List and Principal's List for the second marking period 2015-16.

SUPERINTENDENT'S LIST

7th GRADE -- Kayla Berry, Paige Britt, Jenna Bryszewski, Catherine Cimino, Alexandra Colman, Frank Jewell, Abigail Jones, Audrey Moore, Chloe Showler, Olivia Smith, Syraj Uddin and Genavieve Wermuth.

8th GRADE -- Miles Alimario, Russell Chandler, Jacob Cohen, Elizabeth Eimer, Michael Garrett, Daniel Leone, Anna Pizzuto-Pomaco, Louis Torres, Jenna Weller (Paloma) Tori Witasick. 

9th GRADE -- Logan Cruet, Rachel Gill, Paige Hanstein, Dylan Kolecki, Jade McNulty, Bryan Norris, Peyton Patrick and Amber Taylor.

10th GRADE -- Jordan Bell, Christian Calloway, Sabrina Haswell, Anthony Hayes, Teagan Lewis, Scarlett McNulty and Morgan Wermuth.

11th GRADE -- Nicholas Bozarth, Alyssa Carpo, Carly Farina, Brenna Hagan, Jada Hayes, Claire Klaus, Jacob Maska, Carley Moran, Sarah Pellegrino, Kody Ross and Meredith Showler.

12th GRADE -- Kristen Cade, Nicholas Cooper, Jack Eckstein, Kirsten Mantooth and Zachary Quick.

PRINCIPAL's LIST 

7th GRADE -- Cecelia Bay, Avril Beebe, Emily Blemings, Mason Broomall, Curtis Cabrera, Liam Collins, Hannah Crowley, Taylor Denton, Andrew Doubleday, Olivia Eddis, Courtney Farren, Rebecca Furber, Sean Hauser, Lacy Humphreys, Harrison Kelly Malena Lomanno, Catherine Lombardo, Haley Marks, Aidan Martz, Jennifer McCullough, Victoria Mickles, Matthew Murtagh, Daniel Olaya, Alyssa Orsini, Brenna Packer, Kayla Ripley, Sara Sewell, Terry Shaw, Nathaniel Smith, Ella VanDine, Steven Weller and Taylor West. 

8th GRADE -- Tonima Bashar, Jason Collins, Brett Contarino, Matthew Contarino, Jacob Counsellor, Emma DeMaise, Olivia Devine, Hailey Dubbs, McKayla Ellis, Barrett Emerle, Julianna Farina, Erin Fogarty, Emma Fountain, Ferdinando Gismondi, Marti Grassia, Jacob Guarrera, Joseph Harrington, Leah Hummel, Kylie Kleinfelder, Allicen-Cait Kotarski, Ciaran Magill, Grace Massengale, Erin Masterson, Charles McCormick, Erin McCormick, Haley Morison, Katelyn Peek, John Pizzuto-Pomaco, Joshua Pizzuto-Pomaco, Paige Redrow, Rebecca Reynolds , Eric Smith, Thomas Sparks, Alexandra Taitano and Austin Zagone. 

9th GRADE -- Daniel Ceravolo, Lucia DeMeo, Anthony DiPietro, Ryan Dipper, Niobe Engel, Erin Galczynski, Charrli Genovese, Matthew Goetz, Julie Harrington, Carl Hausman, Lindsey Helmbrecht, Eric Holmes, Kirsten Ippolite, Jackson Kelly, Thomas Lloyd, Blaine Lombardo, Alyssa Maile, Juan Martino, Katherine Martz, Ryan McCall, Celina Morello, Skylar Rucci, Anthony Saunders and Maria Triantafillou.

10th GRADE -- Amar Al-Habshi, Casey Carson, Jared Fayette, Hunter Frombach, Samantha Gerbrick, Danielle Gumpert, Evan Malcolm, Noel Massengale, Dante Mininno, Emily Owens, Hannah Pierce, Francis Rovello, Anna Sahkul, Joseph Saraceno, Ricardo Smith, Paul Stainker Jr., Paige Ubil and Reaz Uddin.

11th GRADE -- Austin Alloway, Brianna Alosi, Zoe Amerman, Donald Berstler, Devon   Burkett, Matthew Cesarano, Jaci Deeck, Johanny Del-Orbe, Julia Eliasen, Gabriana Franklin, Alexander Garcia,  Anthony Hallowell, Taylor Harrison,  Ryan Hudson, Shane Hughes, Madelyn Jarrell, Kristin Jennings, Rebecca Kramer, Amy Lloyd, Aidan Maldonado Christopher Mattia, Jillian McCarthy,  Emily McCullough, Margaret McKelvey, Emily Minichino, Abigail Moniz, Starr Nitschke, Nicolette Obidos, Michael Offenbacker, Anneliese Pitocco, Carl Ream, John Reilly, Neil Sheridan, Brooke Spontak, Samuel Ver Bryck, Jacob Winterle and Sydney Wirt.

12th GRADE -- Brianna Anyzek, Kasey Bngel, Luke Berenato, Logan Bersani Patrick Blundell, McKenna Caswell, Kevin Counsellor, Vincent DeFrancesco, Christian Dugan, Karlee Fleming, Matthew Funk, Samuel Hart, Mark Hausman, Hunter Hess, Tyler Johnson, Justin Kapp, Sydney Maminski, Shaylyn Mayer, Joel Melendez, Robert Michaelchuck, Thomas Nicolle, Criscelis Pichardo, Alissa Pridgeon, Nicholas Ruiz, Nova Scafide, Erika Shaw, Michael Spross, Devon            Stout, Morgan Villegas, Julia Weikart, Kennedy Whalen and Sarah Zuzulock.