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p. 23
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Start the new year off
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p. 15-22
p. 31
DIDONATO TAKES OFFICE
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Volume 18 • Issue 2
www.hammontongazette.com
by Gabe Donio
GAzeTTe STAff WRiTeR
HAMMONTON—Mayor
Stephen DiDonato was sworn into
office as the first two-time fouryear-term mayor in town history
with his family by his side at the
annual reorganization meeting of
town council held at noon on Janu-
Councilman Thomas Gribbin named deputy mayor for 2014
ary 1. Three members of town
council were also sworn in as their
families looked on: edward
Wuillermin, Michael Pullia and
Thomas Gribbin, whom DiDonato
appointed deputy mayor during the
meeting.
Two people steal
10-year-old’s wallet
by Gabe Donio
GAzeTTe STAff WRiTeR
HAMMONTON—Police are
searching for two people in their
20s who are wanted in connection
for stealing a 10-year-old’s wallet
with $60 of Christmas money inside it, Hammonton Police Cap-
See COUNCIL, Page 12
tain Nick Salvatore said.
The theft occurred at the 12th
Street Wawa on December 28 at
2:20 p.m., where a 10-year-old
customer took a Wawa gift card
out of his wallet, put the wallet on
the counter after making his purchase, and left the wallet on the
Food pantries in
need of donations
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAzeTTe STAff WRiTeR
HAMMONTON—As a new
year begins and the Christmas season concludes, some question
whether residents who have donated food items during the holidays will stop giving to local food
pantries, such as the St. Vincent de
See WALLET, Page 10
Paul food Pantry. Several individuals in the area continue to stress
to people that donating food items
to the less fortunate is something
that should persist throughout the
winter months, especially during
the between time period of Christmas and easter.
The Rev. Thomas Donio of the
St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish said
THG/Gina Rullo. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
DiDonato, Bagliani’s to be honored
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Nelson Johnson shakes Councilman Thomas Gribbin’s hand after swearing him into
office. Gribbin is pictured with his wife Sara and daughters Grace (holding the Bible) and Brynn.
HAMMONTON—On January 6, the Greater
Hammonton Chamber of Commerce announced it
will honor longtime volunteer Dominic “Tip” DiDonato and Bagliani’s Market at its awards banquet on
May 20.
DiDonato is a well-respected community volunteer
See FOOD, Page 10 and the former owner of DiDonato’s Bowling Center.
He will be receiving the Chamber’s “Nice Going”
Award. Bagliani’s Market will be receiving the Business of the Year Award.
“Hammonton is lucky to have individuals and
businesses who care deeply about our town; and we
are proud to honor them,” Chamber President Kelly
Raso said.
Byrnes joins board; school board reorganizes too
by Lauren Bucci
GAzeTTe STAff WRiTeR
HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Board of education held
its reorganization meeting on January 1, 2014 at noon.
Board member eric Weiss and
folsom Board of education representative Lisa O’Toole were absent.
Three board members were
sworn in based on the results of
the November 2013 election. Current board members John Lyons
and Barbara Berenato were joined
by their families and sworn in for
another term. Both Berenato and
Lyons are eager to continue their
service to the district especially
since they have family members
attending, or entering into, the
Hammonton School system.
“As you saw when i was sworn
in, i have five very good reasons
for wanting the school district to
Merchants discuss
‘13 holiday season
by Paul J. Macrie IV
GAzeTTe STAff WRiTeR
THG/Lauren Bucci. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Linda Byrnes was sworn into office on January 1 at the reorganization meeting of the Hammonton Board of Education.
Her daughter Kristyn Byrnes-Frankel officiated and her husband H. Stewart “Skip” Byrnes held the Bible.
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HAMMONTON—The holiday
shopping season has concluded,
and local retail business owners
offered their perspective on how
sales went during the latter month
The Gazette! ONLY $20 FOR 52 WEEKS! CALL: (609) 704-1940
See BOARD, Page 3
of November into December.
Most were relatively pleased with
sales, despite a shorter shopping
time period due to the Thanksgiving holiday falling on November
28.
Rob and Danielle Thornwell,
the co-owners of Sears on the
See BUSINESS, Page 4