by Gabe Donio

Gazette Staff Writer

HaMMONtON — ralph a . Morano , devoted family man and former Hammonton mayor , passed away peacefully at the age of 86 at home with his family by his side .

e G G H a r B O r tWP .— egg Harbor twp . Mayor Paul Hodson ( r ), now in his third year , learned the importance of serving one ’ s community at a young

by Joseph F . Berenato Gazette Staff Writer

HaMMONtON — Since the beginning of the novel coronavirus ( COViD-19 ) pandemic , the Hammonton Drug alliance ( HDa ) has been finding it challenging to continue to reach the youth in Hammonton .

During the March 22 council meeting , members of council stood for a moment of silence in honor of Morano and his service to the town . Mayor Stephen DiDonato also remarked on the former mayor during the

age .

“ i was raised by a pretty conservative family in Somers Point . My father was a World War ii veteran , and when he came home he was in the VfW and american Legion . He helped us with Little League and

Paul Hodson See HODSON , Page 4

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

On March 26 , the Atlantic County CNT ( Crisis Negotiators Team ) held an active shooter drill at St . Anthony of Padua Church on Route 206 . Members of the team spoke via a bullhorn with a “ shooter ” inside the church . Members of the Atlantic County CNT maneuvered outside of St . Anthony of Padua Church during the drill .

by Joseph F . Berenato Gazette Staff Writer

“ it ’ s been hindering what we ’ re able to do and who we ’ re able to reach . We try to do what we can do , but , there really is no interaction with the children ... We ’ re trying to keep our presence out there , that we ’ re still here — but it ’ s just a little harder ,” tina DiMatteo , the HDa ’ s co-chair , said .

See DRUG , Page 10 meeting .

“ He passed today , and we ’ ll be putting the drape up on town hall first thing in the morning . May he rest in peace , and our thoughts and prayers are with the family ,” DiDonato

senting the report from the Business and industry Committee , by Joseph F . Berenato

Gazette Staff Writer Councilman William Olivo discussed a possible avenue of economic development in the

HaMMONtON — town council held their regular monthly downtown section through triad meeting at 7 p . m . on March 22 via associates , inc . zoom teleconferencing software . “ We ’ re going to look to triad to During the meeting , while pre-

See COUNCIL , Page 8 by Joseph F . Berenato Gazette Staff Writer

HaMMONtON — at their January 19 meeting , held virtually at 4 p . m . via Webex teleconferencing software , the atlantic County Board of County Commissioners

said during the March 22 council meeting . former Mayor Barbara Berenato succeeded Morano as mayor in 1998 . She commented on his passing when contacted by

See MORANO , Page 20

voted to appoint Hammonton resident Michael Macrie Jr . to the atlantic County agriculture Development Board , for a term to expire on December 1 , 2025 .

Macrie , who grew up in a farming family , brings a decade of full-

See MACRIE , Page 3

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

On March 28 , Victory Bible Church held their first showing of “ The Easter Experience ,” a multi-media presentation

of the Passion of Jesus Christ . A resurrected Jesus stood in front of his disciples before ascending into Heaven . The experience will be presented again on April 1 and 2 .

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