News from around
the downtown
p. 16-17
p. 27-38
Are you ready for the
Cape May music festival?
p. 47
TOWN TAXES RISING 3¢
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Volume 20 • Issue 16
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Council met
on April 18 at town hall for their
regular monthly meeting and
passed the first reading of the
town’s budget that includes a 3-cent
www.hammontongazette.com
First reading of budget passes 6-1
tax increase.
After approving the minutes
from their previous meeting on
March 21, Mayor Stephen DiDonato called Hammonton Police
Board passes
nepotism policy
by Tania Rivera
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Board of Education approved the first reading of the
“Instructional Personnel – Nepotism” policy at their regular meet-
Captain Nick Salvatore and Hammonton Police Chief Robert Jones
to the podium. Salvatore is retiring
from his position as captain after
more than 30 years of service as a
police officer in Hammonton. Jones
thanked Salvatore and offered his
thanks and praise for all that the
captain has done for the community.
“I’d like to bring up Captain Salvatore and present him with this
plaque on behalf of the members of
the Hammonton Police Department
for 31 years of service. Congratulations on your retirement. Don’t be
a stranger. It’s going to be weird not
Lions honor Giannini with award
See COUNCIL, Page 14
ing on April 14. Hammonton
Board of Education Vice President
John E. Lyons was excused from
the meeting.
The board approved the following amounts, as stated in the
agenda:
• ratify the purchase order lists
for February and March 2016 in
Petrongolo’s film
showing this month
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Former
Hammonton Councilwoman Tracy
Lucca Petrongolo recently finished working on her latest film,
The Finders. The political thriller
See BOE, Page 4
See The Finders
on April 24 & 25
is set in a small town and focuses
on the town’s beloved mayor as its
main character. Her lifelong goal
is to make a difference in other
Red & White Celebration is a hit
See FILM, Page 2
THG/Kevin Troilo To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Miss New Jersey 2015 and Hammontonian Lindsey Giannini accepted the Hammonton Lions Club “Citizen of the
Year” award at a dinner at Tomasello Winery on April 14. More than 125 people attended.
ton history to ever be given this
honor. The 2012 Hammonton High
by Kevin Troilo
School graduate was welcomed
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
and recognized by numerous peoHAMMONTON—Hammonto- ple throughout the night, including
nians gathered on April 14 at Lions Club President Lisa DeKTomasello Winery for the 27th an- lerk, who began the evening with
nual Lions Club “Citizen of the some kind words for Giannini and
her family.
Year” Dinner.
“It’s very special to be able to
The ceremony is one of the most
anticipated events of the year and present this award in the year of
is held to recognize and honor a Hammonton’s Sesquicentennial to
local person for his or her contri- someone who serves as a role
butions to the town and its greater model for our children,” DeKlerk
said.
good.
The evening was hosted by
The 2016 recipient was Miss
New Jersey 2015 Lindsey Gian- Lions Club Chairperson Loretta
nini. At 22 years old, she became Rehmann. Rehmann thanked many
See LIONS, Page 10
the youngest person in Hammon-
‘Creative’ meeting
draws 80-plus people
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
THG/Joseph Bruno. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
James Rodio (second from left) was honored at the St. Joseph High School (SJHS) Red & White Celebration on April
16. He is pictured with SJHS principal Lynn Domenico, SJHS Chairman of the Board Paul Ordille and SJHS Advancement Director Jodi Domenico-Kollias. For more pictures and article on the event, see Pages 27-38.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—After being
cancelled due to a snowstorm, the
second installment of Creative
Hammonton was held on April 12
at St. Joseph High School. Nearly
80 people gathered in the library
to discuss ways they can join together to use creativity and innovation to positively impact the
town.
The team from Creative New
Jersey orchestrates their conferences unlike any other group. At
most conferences, the leaders construct an agenda and tell those in
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See CREATIVE, Page 12