The Hammonton Gazette 01/15/14 | Page 6

Page 6 • Wednesday, January 15, 2014 • The Hammonton Gazette The Hammonton Gazette “The Paper of Record” Gabriel J. donio, Publisher Gina rullo, Editor-in-Chief dan russoman, Sports Editor Benny Mendez, Staff Artist MarySusan Hoffman, Paul J. Macrie iV Michael Hozik, donna Brown, Joseph Bruno, Lauren Bucci, Lauren Crescenzo, Brian Morris, anthony Marella, Staff The Hammonton Gazette is located at 233 Bellevue ave. To reach a staff member, call 704-1940 or fax at 704-1938. The mailing address is P.o. Box 1228, Hammonton, NJ 08037. EdiToriaLS The Hammonton Gazette is published Wednesdays, by The Hammonton Gazette, Inc. Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved. ISSN 1093-6181 Work it out Whenever the topic turns to the sewer plant and its longtime association with putting treated effluent into Hammonton Creek as part of its operation, everyone gets a headache. We can understand why. The Gazette has been reporting on the sewer plant and the “stream” for almost 20 years. It’s time to wrap this story up, for good. The best chance for that happening is occurring at the present time. The Pinelands Commission and the town confirmed the town has been out of the stream since April 8, 2012. Restrictions have been placed on the town regarding building – not quite the level of the building moratorium that ended in the early 1990s, but restrictions that will impact residential and commercial building until the issue between the town and the Pinelands is hopefully resolved during the next few months. The town approved a Long-Term Wastewater Management Plan (LTWMP) at its January 1 meeting. While we’re not completely convinced that re-routing the treated effluent from the stream to the overland drip acreage and eventually, the soccer fields where our children will play is any better for the environment (which certainly includes humans), it is better than having the effluent in Hammonton Creek. The town and the Pinelands must continue to work together toward a solution regarding the effluent that balances the Pinelands Commission’s concerns (protecting the aquifer) against the concerns of the town (controlling our own destiny regarding our growth). There are no reasons both goals cannot be achieved, even though it has taken decades to reach this point. Both sides need to understand that the other side has points that are valid. Then the two sides will morph into one side, a team working to solve all the problems involved in the entire problem, while satisfying the concerns of everyone involved. It’s time to work it out – and move forward. Eagle Theatre: 2014 The 2014 season of the Eagle Theatre opens this week with the stage show Footloose, based on the film from the 1980s. If you love the music of the ‘80s, this show cannot be missed. It’s the perfect opener for the theater’s ambitiously entertaining 2014 season, which includes the shows Next to Normal, Glengarry Glen Ross, I Left My Heart: A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett, The Civil War and Into the Woods. We’ve enjoyed the vibrant entertainment the Eagle Theatre has brought to Hammonton, including recent shows like the dueling piano Christmas Show – which quickly sold out – the stirring play Lombardi and the always-fun Little Shop of Horrors. The Eagle Theatre is a town treasure. With its return to the local landscape in 2009, it has brought high-quality live theater to the downtown and the entire town. The once-quiet area of Vine Street is now packed with people, and the parking lots are filled with their cars, as they enjoy dining, shopping and a show. Anyone who has been to a show at the theater, which seats a maximum of just more than 200 people and includes its own wine bar for patrons to enjoy in addition to a snack bar, knows it provides a special, intimate connection between the performers and the audience. It’s a wonderful place to watch a live performance. In the past, the theater has shown movies on the big screen, something that we’d like to see reappear, perhaps with a selection of classic films from different decades, once a month. The Eagle Theatre has become a landmark location for Hammonton, and a regional attraction for the performing arts. We wish them a very successful 2014 season. To the Editor: LETTEr To THE EdiTor For the record, the Hammonton High School (HHS) athletic program moved from the Cape Atlantic League (CAL) to the Tri-County League. All sports other than football will participate in the TriCounty League. As a member of the Tri-County, the football program will be competing in the West Jersey Football League (WJFL). The WJFL is a football-“only” league which was formed four years ago in response to the many problems confronting all leagues in South Jersey as a result of football. A solution to these problems was to form this football-only “Super Conference” (WJFL) where teams would be placed in divisions based on pre-established criteria with the main factor being enrollment. In addition, all teams would be assured a complete, nine-game schedule. And, since this was football-only, the other sports would continue to compete in the same league in which they had always participated. Original leagues would be kept intact except for football. There were only two leagues that did not join, the Cape Atlantic League and the Colonial. When HHS first inquired about a possible move, it was intended to be football only. However, some of the head coaches from other sports were interested in moving as well, so the athletic director at that time (Frank Torcasio) initiated contact with the Tri-County. All head coaches who were to be retained the following year were polled and more than 90 percent were in favor. Actually, this wasn’t the first time HHS contemplated leaving the CAL. According to a former athletic director, inquiries had been made to and from other leagues long before I came to HHS . We have always been good soldiers for the CAL. We played whoever, whenever and wherever the CAL told us to play. We have never had to apologize to anyone for our tough schedule. To make the accusation that the motive for the move was to avoid the parochials is reckless and unfounded, but then again, when has that ever mattered? For the last 25 years, Hammonton football has achieved 14 wins and 1 loss vs. St. Augustine; 7 wins and 3 losses vs. Holy Spirit; 11 wins, 13 losses and 1 tie vs. St. Joe. We have defeated St. Joe four out of the last seven years. Our freshman team was undefeated this past season, and we are very excited about the future of our football program. By joining the WJFL, we know that every two years our schedule will be determined by the pre-established criteria which will be adhered to. Furthermore, by joining the Tri-County League, Hammonton High School did what the rest of the Cape Atlantic League attempted to do... join the WJFL. The CAL, from a football standpoint, has issues that cannot be resolved. The president of the league realizes this, as do the other athletic directors, principals and coaches, which is why they will again attempt to become a part of the WJFL when they re-apply in the very near future. The Hammonton Board of Education and administrators should be commended, not chastised, for having the foresight to anticipate the inevitable. Twenty-five years ago, when I initiated the application process for the vacant head coaching position at HHS, there was one man whose recommendation I sought and that was Chuck Donohue. Dr. Warren Benedetto, along with Board of Education members such as Sal Velardi and Anthony Sbarra were ultimately responsible for hiring me. Dr. Benedetto informed me immediately after my hire that it was the recommendation from Chuck Donohue that ultimately “sealed the deal.” Therefore Mr. Pete Santilli, if you are feeling the least bit guilty for my being hired 25 years ago by the Hammonton High School district, don’t worry because I believe you had nothing to do with it. With all due respect to the deceased mentioned in your letter, next time, try referencing and/or speaking to people who are still alive and have knowledge of the facts. This way, your opinions won’t be based on faulty assumptions. Pete Lancetta Football Coach Hammonton High School The Hammonton Gazette welcomes letters to the editor that are no more than 800 words long. All letters must include the name of the author and an address and telephone number for verification. Letters should be mailed to The Hammonton Gazette, Editorial Page, P.O. Box 1228, Hammonton, NJ 08037. Letters also will be accepted via fax. The fax number is 704-1938.  Or by e-mail to [email protected]. Deadline for all submissions is 2 p.m. Monday. The Hammonton Gazette reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions expressed in letters, perspectives or in guest columns do not necessarily reflect those of The Hammonton Gazette.  The Gazette is not responsible for factual errors in letters, perspectives or in guest columns. The Gazette retains the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.