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Camden County Emerald Society Fire Truck Pull, see application

Fire Truck Pull Application:

http://www.ccespd.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77&d=1206645668

Mount Holly Redevelopment Plan Delayed because of flooding problem*

source http://www.phillyburbs.com

MOUNT HOLLY — The unveiling of the latest redevelopment plan for the Mount Holly Gardens neighborhood will be delayed for at least a month in response to a state Department of Environmental Protection ruling.

The DEP has told the township that it must come up with a plan to deal with flooding that occurs in a small stream that runs through the redevelopment area before the project can continue.

Township Administrator Kathleen Hoffman said yesterday that the stream, which runs from Route 541, down Levis Drive and into an area near the Heller School, often fills with trash and that leads to flooding.

Hoffman said the DEP has reclassified what once had been considered a ditch as a stream. The change in classification has led to the delay. She said the township has been told to devise a plan addressing storm water management, wetlands delineation and maintenance of the stream.

read more

Body found near river identified as Evesham wife-killer*

source www.courierpostonline.com

Bucz ynski's body, found Sunday by people walking along the  river's shoreline here, was identified through dental records.

Burlington County Prosecutor Robert Bernardi, whose office determined Buczynski killed his wife, Marci Buczynski, said an autopsy determined he drowned.

Officials have said Buczynski jumped from the Delaware Memorial Bridge around 12:20 p.m. Jan. 18, about 20 minutes after calling police and asking them to check on his wife in their Atlanta Drive home.

read more                   Related: Crime

Albert Countryman Sr. Joins Clinical Staff of Community Counseling Center of Moorestown

Albert Countryman, MA, LPC has joined the clinical staff of The Community Counseling Center of Moorestown VNA.

Countryman specializes in individual, family and marital counseling, and is a clinical member of The America Association of Marital and Family Therapists.

  A resident of Palmyra, NJ, Countryman has practiced as a counselor in Huntington, PA for the past 12 years.

 

  He is the father of Albert Countryman, Jr. publisher of the Gloucester City News.

  The Community Counseling Center of Moorestown VNA is open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and evenings by special appointment.

Located at 300 Harper Drive, Moorestown, the Center offers a comforting environment that aids the therapeutic process for clients and their families.

For information or to make an appointment call (856) 380-1070

Burlington: Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Fraud

dated March 5, 2008

Burlington County: Seniors Helping Seniors

 

Seniors Helping Seniors in-home services has established a franchise in Burlington County to help meet the growing demand of older residents who want to remain in their own homes and stay as self-sufficient as possible.

It will cover Beverly, Burlington, Cinnaminson, Delanco, Delran, Eastampton, Edgewater Park, Hainesport, Lumberton, Maple Shade, Moorestown, Mount Holly, Mount Laurel, Palmyra, Riverside, Riverton, Westampton, and Willingboro.

Seniors Helping Seniors is a caregiver and companionship organization that matches seniors who need in-home care services with seniors who provide them.

The newest franchise is owned and operated by Laurie Owen of Riverton, who has more than 15 years' experience as a registered nurse working in critical care, and her brother, Timothy P. Thomas of Bensalem, Pa., an independent insurance broker specializing in working with seniors on Medicare supplemental, long-term care and final-expense insurance.

For more information, contact Seniors Helping Seniors at seniorshelpingseniors@netbusiness.com or call 856-314-8715.

Justice For Becky

Linda Bianchi, 45, of Cambridge Avenue was indicted on a second-degree vehicular homicide charge on Feb. 13, said Bernie Weisenfeld, spokesman for the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.

The indictment accuses Bianchi of being responsible for an Oct. 1 accident that killed Mount Laurel resident Rebecca D. Haines. READ MORE

Becky's family has started a web site in her memory, below is except from that site.

Rebecca Danielle Haines (photo) was born on May 28th 1983 at Garden State Hospital and was raised in Medford, New Jersey and Mt Laurel, New Jersey.

She grew up with a loving family, mother Diane Haines and father Joseph Haines. Rebecca Danielle Haines graduated from Lenape High-school in 2002 then went on and joined the United States Navy. There she served four years as an operations specialist third class petty officer, traveling to the Persian Gulf on the USNS Arctic to refuel and deliver supplies to ships stationed overseas. Rebecca met Walter, while she was in the navy. They were to be married in June of 2008.

After completing her four year term with the United States Navy, Rebecca went on and took college courses at Gloucester County community College, where she studied nursing. Rebecca was accepted into nursing school and was to begin in 2008 at Our Lady's of Lourdes Hospital.

Things suddenly changed on Oct 1st 2007 when she was driving home from Wal-Mart where she currently worked.

About 10 pm. Linda Bianchi, 45, of Marlton, sped through the intersection, running a red light, fatally striking Rebecca. She died of head injuries shortly after 1 AM on Tuesday at Cooper University Hospital, Camden.

Her life ended abruptly due to someone making the wrong choices in life. Rebecca left behind a loving family and memories that will never be forgotten.

Please think before you drink.

read more

Evesham woman indicted in fatal 2007 crash

source http://www.phillyburbs.com

WOODBURY — An Evesham woman has been indicted in connection with a fatal accident in Gloucester County last year. 

Linda Bianchi, 45, of Cambridge Avenue was indicted on a second-degree vehicular homicide charge on Feb. 13, said Bernie Weisenfeld, spokesman for the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office.

The indictment accuses Bianchi of being responsible for an Oct. 1 accident that killed Mount Laurel resident Rebecca D. Haines.

Police said Bianchi was under the influence of alcohol when she drove through a red light at the intersection of the Black Horse Pike and Berlin-Cross Keys Road in Washington Township. Her car crashed into the driver’s side of Haines’ car, police said.

read more 

Burlington County Couple Charged with Stealing State Health Benefits

 

Media Release, January 17, 2008

lTRENTON - Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that a state employee and his wife were charged today with stealing $1,100 in state health benefits by misrepresenting their marital status.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Edward Baggett, 37, Westampton, formerly employed by the state Division of Youth and Family Services, and Margo Rhett, 41, also of Westampton, were indicted by a Burlington County grand jury on charges of second-degree health care claims fraud, third-degree theft by deception, and fourth-degree falsifying records. The indictment was voted last week but handed up in court today.

The indictment alleges that between Aug. 11, 2003 and April 2, 2004, Baggett, who was an employee of the State of New Jersey, falsely represented that he was married to Margo Rhett so that she and her children could obtain health insurance coverage pursuant to the State Health Benefits Plan. Baggett, in fact, was not officially married to Rhett at the time. Rhett, and her children as dependants of Baggett, would have been entitled to health insurance coverage pursuant to the State Health Benefits Plan had they been officially married. The indictment alleges that both Baggett and Rhett falsified various official state records indicating that they were husband and wife. Baggett and Rhett were subsequently married. As a result of the alleged fraud, the State Health Benefits Plan allegedly paid $1,100 for medical claims and prescription claims.

State Investigators Natalie Brotherston and Kristi Procaccino and Deputy Attorney General Michael V. Troso were assigned to the investigation. Troso presented the case to the Burlington County grand jury.

The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a fine of $10,000.

# # # 

Three Burlington County Men Plead Guilty in $500,000 Motorcycle Theft Ring

 

Media Release January 14, 2008

TRENTON - Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that three Willingboro men pleaded guilty late Friday for their roles in a $500,000 motorcycle theft ring in South Jersey.

The pleas resulted from a joint investigation by the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor and New Jersey State Police in which 23 persons were arrested.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Kyle Bunn, 30, Ronald Crosland, 30, Jamar Doggett, 28, all of Willingboro, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Thomas S. Smith Jr. in Burlington County to charges contained in a 39-count state grand jury indictment returned on March 20, 2007. Bunn, Crosland and Doggett each pleaded to second-degree conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property.

On Jan. 2, Jaesen Hensley, 25, of Lumberton, pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property.

At the guilty plea hearing, the defendants admitted that from 2003 to 2005, they participated in a criminal enterprise which operated primarily in Atlantic, Burlington and Mercer Counties. The defendants admitted that they scouted for motorcycles and all terrain vehicles to steal, usually as they were parked near the homes of their owners. The motorcycles and ATVs were stolen by various members of the conspiracy. Afterward, some of the vehicles were "retagged" or "stamped" and sold. Retagging or stamping occurs when the vehicle identification number is changed so that the motorcycle or ATV cannot be identified as having been stolen.

The criminal enterprise focused on thefts of Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda motorcycles. In addition, Crosland was charged with theft of a 1997 Dodge van that the enterprise used to transport stolen motorcycles. In total, about 75 stolen motorcycles and ATVs have been recovered as a result of the investigation, with a total value in excess of $500,000.

Bunn, Crosland, Doggett and Hensley were arrested on May 4, 2005, with 14 other people. As a result of the ongoing investigation, 16 defendants have pleaded guilty. Torray Murphy, 31, of Willingboro, was sentenced to five years in state prison. Another defendant, Johnnie Kennedy, 27, of Trenton, was sentenced to nine months in state prison. A third defendant, Michael Green, 31, of Willingboro, was sentenced to six months in county jail.

Detective Sgt. Mark Wilhelm and Detective Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Martin of the State Police, and State Investigator Christina Fiscella, Analyst Terri Drumm and Deputy Attorney General Christine A. Hoffman of the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor were assigned to the investigation into this case. Hoffman represented the state at the guilty plea hearing.

Hensley is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Smith on March 14; Doggett on March 28; Crosland on April 18; and Bunn on June 6. Second-degree crimes carry sentences of up to 10 years in state prison, and a criminal fine of up to $150,000.

Prosecutor Brown noted that some important cases have started with anonymous tips. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline 1-877-55-FRAUD or visiting the Web site www.njinsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit an award to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution and conviction for insurance fraud.

The Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor was established by the Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act of 1998. The office is the centralized state agency that investigates and prosecutes both civil and criminal insurance fraud, as well as Medicaid fraud.

# # #

Burlington County to honor Veterans with medals

Approximately 80 veterans will receive Burlington County military service medals on Thursday, Nov. 8.

The ceremony, to be held at the Masonic Home of New Jersey, located at 902 Jacksonville Road in Burlington Township, will start at 2:00 p.m. and serves as a tune-up to Veteran's Day, which will fall on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Burlington Township freeholders, who are working alongside the Department of Military and Veterans Services, are sponsoring the event.

Coach Frappolli gets the call from Eagles

By JEFF OFFORD
Source PhillyBurbs.com 

When Joe Frappolli answered the telephone last week and listened to what the woman on the end of the line was telling him, he thought the call was a joke.

The Philadelphia Eagles wanted to honor him?

At the game on Sunday against the Bears?

No way?

“We have a lot of people around school that like to play pranks,” said the Florence football coach with a laugh.

The call was no prank.

Yesterday, Frappolli received the Eagles High School Coach of the Week award prior to yesterday's game at the Linc.

Frappolli, who has been head coach at Florence for the past 34 years, has a 232-100-5 career record. He became the winningest high school football coach in South Jersey history last month.

Frappolli's Flashes have won the last four Central Jersey Group 1 titles and have a 50-2 record over those four seasons.

“I was sort of taken a back when I realized the call was for real,” said Frappolli, who was accompanied yesterday by his wife, Donna. “I actually kind of welled up. Back in 1960 my uncle took me to my first Eagles game at Franklin Field. I was 12 years old and it was my Christmas gift. I saw the Eagles and the Packers play. I liked it so much that I later became a season-ticket holder and have been for over 30 years. So today really brings everything full circle.”

Along with the award, Frappolli was given two lower level box seats for yesterday's game. The Eagles donated $1,000 to the Florence High School athletic program.

“I've been a Philadelphia sports fan forever so that makes this award even more special,” Frappolli said. “Just to watch the Eagles throughout the years and to be a fan as long as I've been. To come to this stadium and to be honored the way I have by this team, it's a very humbling experience.”

Jeff Offord is a sports writer for the Burlington County Times. E-mail him at jofford@phillyBurbs.com.

NOTE: Joe's daughter is Gina Dunphy, UEZ director for the City of Gloucester City.

Burlington County News

Evergreens community names a coordinator

Kathleen Rogers recently was appointed retirement living specialist at the Evergreens, a continuing care and retirement community in Moorestown.

Rogers, who lives in Moorestown, serves as a liaison between prospective and new residents and the retirement community, helping to answer questions about life at the Evergreens and provide a smooth transition for those moving to the campus.

Before joining the Evergreens staff, Rogers worked at Commerce Bank in the escrow department. Her community involvement includes serving as a member of the Moorestown Historical Society, where she helps organize the annual porch and ghost tours.

Rogers received bachelor's degrees in sociology and communications from Rosemont College.

 

Evesham road work will take four months

Construction to improve the intersection of Tuckerton Road and Old Marlton Pike in Evesham, which began late last month, is expected to take four months to complete.

The $823,000 project involves the construction of drainage improvements and widening of the intersection to allow for dedicated turn lanes on all approaches. A fully actuated traffic signal with left-turn arrows will be installed.

Roads at the intersection will remain open to traffic but delays are likely due to lane closures with alternating flows of traffic.

 

Burlco will receive grant for gang-control program

The Burlington County Freeholders recently agreed to accept a $542,163 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance to provide funds to supply officers for the County Task Force for Rapid Response to gang-related incidents.

The task force would comprise officers from municipal police departments, the Sheriff's Department and the Prosecutor's Office.

The application for funding came from the Prosecutor's Office in conjunction with the Police Chief Association's Street Gang Committee, headed by Sheriff Jean E. Stanfield.

Stanfield announced the formation of the county's Gang Prevention Task Force on Aug. 23 and later announced that the Bureau of Justice Assistance had approved a grant for $30,823 to pay for police overtime in Willingboro and Pemberton Township that is providing anti-gang education and a police mentoring program in those towns.

 

Flu shots being offered by Visiting Nurses

The Moorestown Visiting Nurses and is offering flu shots in October and November.

The organization is charging $25 for flu shots, which are available to adults and children over age 9 with parental consent.

Pneumonia vaccinations also are available. The shots, which last five years, cost $40 and are available to anyone age 18 and older.

The vaccinations will be given by appointment every Monday in the organization's office, 300 Harper Dr. in Moorestown. Appointments can be scheduled by calling Denise Boothman at 856-552-1302, extension 2196.

 

Samaritan Hospice photo picked for ad campaign

Linda Hughes, publicist for Marlton-based Samaritan Hospice, recently had one of her photos picked by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization to be part of its 2007-2008 Ad Slick Collection.

The photo of a Samaritan patient's visit with a pet therapy dog was one of only five chosen for the national campaign. A sketch of the image taken by Hughes will be used by member groups in marketing and advertising materials nationally.

Samaritan's inpatient facility is at Virtua Hospital in Mount Holly. It serves Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer Counties.

Animal-assisted therapy can enhance the lives of people who are ill, disabled or dying.

For information on how to become a pet therapy volunteer, contact Samaritan's Volunteer Department at 856-596-1600.

more Burlington County News 

Burlington County Flu/Pneumonia Clinics

Forms for the clinics can be found on the county website at www.co.burlington.nj.us. Residents can print the form, complete it and bring it with them to any of our clinics.

Below are the scheduled sites for the 2007 Flu/Pneumonia Immunization Clinics:

October 20, 2007 Fire Academy (Drive thru Flu Clinic) 9:00 – 12:00 am 1 Academy Drive, Westampton

November 7 Chatsworth Municipal Building 9:30 – 11:00 am 3rd & Main Streets, Chatsworth

November 7 St. Paul United Methodist Church 12:30 - 1:30 pm 5630 U.S. Hwy, Route 9, New Gretna

November 7 Washington Twp. Emergency Squad Building 2:00 - 3:00 pm 2424 Route 563, Green Bank (Egg Harbor City)

November 8 Cinnaminson Middle School 9:30 – 11:30 am 312 Forklanding Road, Cinnaminson

November 8 Maurice & Everett Haines School 1:30 – 3:30 pm 162 Stokes Road, Medford

November 9 Howard R. Yocum School 1:30 – 3:00 pm North Forklanding Road, Maple Shade

November 13 Patentaude Senior Center 9:30 – 12:30 pm 429 John F. Kennedy Way, Willingboro

November 14 Shiloh Baptist Church 9:30 – 11:30 am Elizabeth Street, Bordentown

November 15 St. John Neumann 1:00 – 3:00 pm 560 Walton Avenue, Mt. Laurel

November 16 Pemberton Township Library 9:30 – 11:30 am 16 Broadway, Browns Mills

November 16 St. Casimir's School Gym 1:30 – 2:30 pm 502 New Jersey Avenue, Riverside

November 20 Oprea Larson Post 8838 9:30 – 11:30 am Hornberger Avenue & 10th Street, Roebling

November 27 Vincent Fire Company #1 10:00 – 12:00 noon Race Street, Southampton

November 28 St. Paul School Gym 4:00 – 6:00 pm 6th & James Streets, Burlington City

November 29 Evesham Twp. Recreation Center (Gibson House) 9:30 – 11:30 am 535 East Main Street, Evesham

November 30 Burlington County Health Department 12:00 – 3:00 pm 15 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton

November 30 Sacred Heart School Gym 4:00 – 6:00 pm 260 High Street, Mt. Holly

December 3 North Hanover Twp. Community Center 1:00 – 2:30 pm 43 Schoolhouse Road, Jacobs town

December 6 New Jersey Eco-Complex 9:30 – 11:30 am 1200 Florence-Columbus Road, Bordentown

December 7 Delaware Avenue School 3:00 – 5:00 pm 301 Delaware Avenue, Palmyra

December 14 Burlington County Health Department 1:00 – 3:00 pm 15 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton

The immunization program is aimed at protecting the most vulnerable population.

The health department encourages anyone over the age of 50 to get the vaccine.

Anyone who questions whether to receive flu or pneumonia immunization should consult with their physician.

The schedule for flu immunizations is set but dependent on receiving pre-ordered influenza vaccine on time. In case of any delivery disruptions, the County Health Department will reschedule clinics as needed. Check for any changes via the County website at www.co.burlington.nj.us/health, local media or the Health Department at (609) 265-5548.

For more information, call Deanna Adkins in the County Health Department's Disease Control Office at (609) 265-5537.

 

Five busted in prostitution ring

By Staff Report

TRENTON — Officers of the East Patrol District responding to complaints from residents in the area of South Broad and Malone streets arrested five city men in a prostitution sting Wednesday night into yesterday morning.

"Residents are angry that prostitutes are walking their streets and johns are cruising their neighborhoods,'' said Lt. David Cruz, commander of the East Patrol District. "My officers will keep the pressure on prostitutes and their customers as long as it takes for residents to have the decent neighborhood they deserve.''

Utilizing an undercover policewoman posing as a prostitute, police arrested the following individuals on charges of loitering and soliciting prositution: Lucero Vasquez, 25, of the first block of Conrad Street; John J. White, 41, of the 700 block of West State Street; Jermal Brickhouse, 37, of the 100 block of Klayne Avenue; Ismael M. Kamara, 25, of the 1000 block of Greenwood Avenue; and Lawrence Williams, 24, of the first block of Nassau Street.

Source http://www.trentonian.com

MT Holly School Bd Gives Supt Spaventa 4 Percent Salary Increase

Bill's Note: Spaventa was offered the job of Gloucester City School Superintendent on Tuesday, July 17^th.    Mt. Holly Board of Education president Carol Johnson said on July 18th the fact that Spaventa is a candidate for another job did not influence the board's decision. see story 

see all stories on Spaventa 

By JASON HARRIS
Burlington County Times

MOUNT HOLLY — The Board of Education voted at a special meeting  July 18th  to award Superintendent Paul Spaventa a $5,000 raise.

The decision broke a long-standing tradition to delay all raises until teachers and staff agreed to a new contract, according to the union president and a former board member.

Spaventa's new salary is $128,000 a year.

Board member Samuel Reale Jr. and Vice President David Gsell abstained. Both were elected in April and said it would improper to vote on Spaventa's contract because they had not been part of the evaluation process.

President Carol Johnson and board members Mark Parker and Anthony Lotierzo voted to approve the raise.

Board solicitor Frank Cavallo said Spaventa's contract requires the board to reconsider his salary each year, but the board is not required to give him a raise.

Johnson said changes in state law mean the board can't wait until the contract with teachers and staff is settled to discuss the superintendent's salary.

Johnson added that rumors that Spaventa is a candidate for another job did not influence the board's decision.

"The board did this based on his performance," she said.

The contract with the Mount Holly Education Association expired June 30. Roy Bozarth, a 23-year school board member and immediate past president, and

association President Marilyn Melchionni both said they could not remember a time when any district employee got a raise before the union had a new contract.

"It was always felt that we couldn't negotiate in good faith when we were spending money in other areas," said Bozarth, who lost his bid for re-election this year. "Those were the days when the board respected the teachers and staff."

Melchionni said she was "extremely disappointed" with the board's decision. She added that, in years past, all raises in the district matched the increase negotiated in the union contract.

"The superintendent received a 7 percent increase last year, then a 4 percent increase this year," she said. "The teachers would love to receive that kind of increase over two years."

Correction for July 18

Burlington County Times
A story in yesterday’s edition incorrectly reported how some members of the Mount Holly School Board voted on the question of whether to give school Superintendent Paul Spaventa a $5,000 raise. David Gsell voted for the increase; Anthony Lotierzo abstained.