Girl Scouts learn about
business from cookies
Highlighting a few of
our nation’s presidents
Pedersen takes you into
the heart of the Pines
GENERATORS STOLEN
p. 25
p. 19-24
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Volume 23 • Issue 8
by Gabe Donio
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
p. 37
www.hammontongazette.com
Police: Taken from store on Route 206
Diocese publishes Arena, Frank Donio Inc. honored
alleged sex abuser
priests’ names
HAMMONTON—A burglary
occurred at a store on the 100
block of Route 206 where two
generators valued at a total of
$2,100 were taken, Hammonton
Police Lt. Kevin Friel said. The
burglary was reported to police at
7:30 a.m. on February 11, Friel
said.
“We received a call that there
was a burglary that had been dis-
covered by employees of the
building. Reviewing footage, it
was seen that someone had
See POLICE, Page 15
6 names connected to Hammonton
by Gina Rullo
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—On February 13, the Diocese of Camden, in con-
cert with the other dioceses of New Jersey, published the names of all
diocesan priests credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors, including
DelBene CEO of
Welcome America
See DIOCESE, Page 3
by Stephen Pistone
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
PHILADELPHIA—About 18
years have passed since Hammon-
ton native Michael DelBene grad-
uated from the College of New
Jersey, moved out of his hometown
and embarked on an eventful and
successful career in business man-
agement. However, he still holds
dear the small-town values and
hometown pride that were instilled
in him while he was growing up in
town.
Now the president and CEO of
See DELBENE, Page 8
Courtesy photo
Glossy Fruit Farm and Frank Donio, Inc. were honored on February 6 during the New Jersey Agricultural Society’s
luncheon held as part of the annual N.J. State Agricultural Convention. NJ Agricultural Society President David Specca
(left) presented the N.J. Agricultural Society’s Phillip Alampi Industry Marketing Award to Frank Donio Inc. President
David Arena. See related article inside.
4 Teachers of the
Year recognized
by Franki Rudnesky
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
HAMMONTON—On Thurs-
day, February 14, the Hammonton
Board of Education held their
monthly meeting, in which they
honored the Teachers of the Year
from each of the four schools in
the district.
Board president Sam Mento III
called the meeting to order. Board
members Barbara Berenato and
John Lyons were not in atten-
dance.
The meeting began with three
presentations.
The first of the presentations
was made by Heather Flaim, who
Env. Comm. hears
about runoff issues
G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER
Courtesy Photo
Hammonton native Michael DelBene is now the president and CEO of Philadelphia-based nonprofit, Welcome America
Inc., DelBene will oversee an organization whose mission statement and flagship event—the Wawa Welcome America
Festival—embody a similar mindset in the City of Brotherly Love.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—During its
meeting on February 13, the Ham-
monton Environmental Commis-
sion heard a presentation from
Carolyn Singer, stormwater organ-
izer for non-partisan 501(c)(3)
nonprofit, the New Jersey League
Gazette • SUBSCRIBE NOW! • CALL 609-704-1939
of Conservation Voters (NJLCV)
Education Fund, in regards to the
implementation of an annual fee-
based system to protect and up-
grade stormwater management
systems in municipalities that have
been severely impacted by flood-
ing and stormwater runoff issues.
During Singer’s presentation,
she cited a 2015 Atlantic County
See COMMISSION, Page 4
by Stephen Pistone
See SCHOOL, Page 10