SUBSCRIBE TO The Gazette hammontongazette . com • 609-704-1939 one dollar
Celebrating the Eagles Super Bowl LIX win
See Inside
Volume 29 • Issue 7 hammontongazette . com Wednesday , February 12 , 2025
$ 1 00
Hammonton First announces candidates
STAFF REPORT THE HAMMONTON GAZETTE
HAMMONTON — Hammonton First marks its 20th anniversary in 2025 and recently announced its slate of candidates for the upcoming Town Council election in November . According to a press release provided by Hammonton First each was selected due to their “ dedication to nurturing the place we call home and its community values .”
The organization calls the 2025 election a significant milestone that coincides with a pivotal election year . Deputy Mayor Tom Gribbin leads this year ’ s ticket , vying for mayor , alongside the following council
See HAMMONTON FIRST , Page 10
Sons of Italy : A generational legacy
BY CRAIG RICHARDS GAZETTE PUBLISHER
HAMMONTON — Purpose promotes participation . Before the iconic building on North Third Street became the Sons of Italy it was owned by several Italian men in the 1920s . The upstairs was used to provide a free place for fellow Italians to stay when they came over from Italy — serving as a place of comfort and security until they found a job and a home of their own . Italians caring for fellow Italians was the origin of a purposed life of service .
Over 10 decades later , the commitment
See SONS OF ITALY , Page 6
Craig Richards / THG
The Sons of Italy Giuseppe Garibaldi Lodge 1658 is fortunate to have nine active past presidents in the organization . Front ( l-r ): Anthony ( Saboo ) Sbarra , Santo Ciraolo , John ( Petch ) Petrucelli and Dave Scardino . Back ( l-r ): Charlie Baldi , Frank Dimarco , Nick Laguardia Jr . and Dan Sacco . Not pictured : Joe Petrucelli .
Thomas Gribbin Jonathan Oliva Ryan Niedoba John Caruso
Curcio to seek re-election as County Surrogate
PRESS RELEASE FOR THE GAZETTE
HAMMONTON — James Curcio announced that he will seek re-election as Atlantic County Surrogate . Curcio , an attorney , is a lifelong resident of Hammonton . He is a 1978 graduate of St . Joseph High School and he graduated with honors from Rutgers University ( 1982 ).
He received his Law Degree from William & Mary in 1985 . He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1985 and spent the next 25 years in the private practice of Law .
Curcio , a Republican , was first elected to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1994 . He was re-elected several times , serving a total of sixteen years as Freeholder , including two years as Chairman .
Curcio was elected Atlantic County Surrogate in 2010 and re-elected twice . The Surrogate works in the court system as the Judge of the Surrogate ’ s Court , deciding issues relating to Wills and Administration of Estates , as well as a Deputy Clerk of the Superior Court for Guardianships and Adoptions .
He was named COANJ Section Chief of the New Jersey Surrogates in 2017 . He also served five years for the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute on a Committee addressing end-of-life decisions in estate planning and health care .
James Curcio
Surrogate Curcio speaks regularly for community organizations and Senior groups on the topics of Wills , Guardianships , and Probate .
“ I love my role as County Surrogate .” Curcio said . “ This job gives me the opportunity to assist a lot of people going through difficult circumstances . My staff and I are committed to providing quality services in an efficient manner . Above all , we strive to be friendly , understanding , and kind to everyone seeking our help .”
SUBSCRIBE TO The Gazette hammontongazette . com • 609-704-1939 one dollar