Wednesday , January 12 , 2022

Volume 26 • Issue 2

THG / Joseph F . Berenato . To purchase photos in The Gazette , call ( 609 ) 704-1940 .

( Left to right ) Retired Judge Nelson Johnson administered the oath of office to Councilman Edward Wuillermin , who was joined by his children , Sara Wuillermin and Edward Wuillermin III . The oaths of office were video recorded the last week of December .

by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

During the meeting , Mayor Stephen DiDonato began his annual address by thanking his fellow council members .

“ I know you take a lot of time from your families , and I want to thank you for your commitment to our wonderful town . We are blessed to have such a tremendous representation of strong individuals , so thank you all ,”

by Gabe Donio

GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

H A M M O N T O N — Gabriel Luna , 21 , of Hammonton was arrested and is facing drug charges in connection with a blue wax fold containing a “ white powdery substance ” believed to be heroin , Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said .

The arrest was made on the 100 block of N . Second Street at 9:25 p . m . on January 5 , Friel said .

“ There was a suspicious male outside of a residence . The caller said he observed

See POLICE , Page 2

of the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic — and that trend appears as if it will

HAMMONTON — On January 5 , town by Joseph F . Berenato council held its yearly organization meeting

GAZETTE STAFF WRITER continue in 2022 . via Zoom teleconferencing software . The

“ We ’ re going to see some things around meeting had originally been scheduled for

HAMMONTON — Hammonton experienced continued economic growth in town . Maybe not major , sweeping changes ,

January 3 , but was rescheduled due to inclement weather .

See COUNCIL , Page 3 2021 — despite the challenges faced because

DiDonato said . but there ’ s going to be some additions com- See GROWTH , Page 14

by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — Competitive video gaming has existed for almost as long as video games themselves . In recent years , that

competition has been taken to a whole new level .

Now called esports ( short for electronic sports ), this activity has become quite popular at the collegiate and high school levels — and both Hammonton High School and St . Joseph Academy are getting in on the action . Hammonton Board of Education member John Lyons noted that Hammonton started their program because a student contacted him about it .

“ I give him a lot of credit because he got me on the phone and pitched me . He expressed an interest in having a team . He was a young man who was really engaged and actually educated me in what esports is ,” Lyons said .

Lyons said that he put the student in touch with Hammonton High School principal Thomas

Ramsay .

“ Tom went to work ... Tom ’ s great ; Tom ’ s very good at what he does . He jumped right on it and was able to get the right support ,” Lyons said .

Lyons said that high school See ESPORTS , Page 4

by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — As temperatures continue to plummet , helping those who are homeless in Hammonton has become a growing concern .

Jennifer Tornetta , the Media Relations & Public Affairs Manager for AtlantiCare , said that the Hammonton Family Success Center , located at 310 Bellevue Ave . and operated by AtlantiCare , assists individuals by “ assessing and responding to many of their social service needs .

“ These include SNAP [ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ] benefits — food assistance — clothing , utilities and , when funding is available , monies to support housing ,” Tornetta said , adding that the center ’ s telephone

number is ( 609 ) 567-2900 . Tricia Donio , the director of the

See HOMELESS , Page 10

by Joseph F . Berenato GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — Hammonton ’ s revision of its master plan is nearing completion .

“ Every municipality is required to do a master plan review every 10 years . Every 10 years there must be

See PLAN , Page 18

Courtesy Photo

On January 4 , Congressman Jefferson Van Drew ( R-2nd ) administered the oath of office to Atlantic County Fifth District Commissioner and Hammonton resident James Bertino ( second from left ). His daughter Michelle held the Bible . Clerk to the Board Sonya Harris is pictured in the background .

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