The Hammonton Gazette 01/01/2014 | Page 2

New pizza and wing take-out eatery opens p. 9 Special 8-Page Think Green section p. 15-22 Driving Miss Daisy coming to the stage in Philly p. 33 Wednesday, January 1, 2014 CENTRAL DISPATCH COMING? Volume 18 • Issue 1 www.hammontongazette.com by Gabe Donio Gazette Staff Writer HaMMONtON—according to a release from the atlantic County Government, atlantic County and the richard Stockton College of New Jersey have reached a preliminary agreement James Bertino: County may hire local dispatchers for the construction and operation of a countywide central dispatch facility for police, fire and emergency medical services. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, atlantic County will build and operate the facility while the college will contribute $4.8 million toward construction and donate the land, approximately 10 acres on its Galloway twp. campus. in return, Stockton will receive full inclusion in all dispatch services for the college in perpetu- ity. “Stockton is pleased to provide land and funding to help enable a countywide dispatch service. this is a long-term project that will benefit all the people of atlantic County. at the same time, we will be providing an increased level of safety and service to Stockton’s students, faculty and staff,” Stockton College President Herman Saatkamp said in the release. additional funding for construc- Businesses continue Holiday season coming to a close to pick Hammonton by Paul J. Macrie IV Gazette Staff Writer HaMMONtON—there are several new and expanding businesses in the town of Hammonton. each owner has put a significant investment in the town and feels that it is an ideal location See DISPATCH, Page 10 to conduct business. as the national economic landscape remains unsettled, these local businesses continue to put its trust in the area and its surroundings. On November 17, taco Bell opened up in Hammonton in the former KfC building on the New Republican Club being formed by Gina Rullo Gazette Staff Writer HaMMONtON—a second local republican Club is being formed and will be called the “Hammonton United republican Club,” its organizers told The Gazette. the first meeting of the Ham- See BUSINESS, Page 2 monton United republican Club will be at 8 p.m. on tuesday, January 7 at annata Wine Bar on Bellevue avenue, they said. according to a release sent on December 27 from the group, “We see the following issues in town government that must be addressed: rising taxes, rising water 37 new Choice students accepted by Hammonton See REPUBLICAN, Page 14 THG/MarySusan Hoffman. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. Many stores held after-Christmas sales. Eileen Santangelo, of Williamstown, is pictured shopping inside the Joy of Seasons, located on Route 30, on December 27. by Gina Rullo Gazette Staff Writer HaMMONtON—the Hammonton School District held its admissions lottery for Choice students on December 16. according to school officials, 37 new students for the 2014-15 school year were accepted out of about 160 applications. “On October 3, 2013, we re- ceived a ‘target’ enrollment of 174 students. that is all the students we could accept. this year we had about 160 students apply. We can only accept 37 new students because of the target,” Hammonton Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dan Blachford said. Hammonton became a Choice School about three years ago. the cost to run the program statewide increased dramatically, Locals make New Year’s resolutions by Paul J. Macrie IV Gazette Staff Writer Courtesy Photo Hammonton Assistant Superintendent Robin Chieco picks a lottery winner for admission into the Choice program at Hammonton. SUBSCRIBE TO HaMMONtON—it is the beginning of the new year, and for some it means it is time to develop a New Year’s resolution. Not everyone has a definitive res- The Gazette! ONLY $20 FOR 52 WEEKS! CALL: (609) 704-1940 See CHOICE, Page 3 olution, but for those that do, it is about the start of doing something positive or eliminating something negative, like something that is possibly detrimental to one’s health. according to a study performed by richard Wiseman from the See  RESOLUTIONS, Page 4