The Hammonton Gazette 05/13/15 Edition | Page 6

Page 6 • Wednesday, May 13, 2015 • 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, Brittany mauro, Lauren Bucci, Lauren crescenzo 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 © 2015. All rights reserved. ISSN 1093-6181 Loving the library In recent months we have been reporting on changes and additions to the Hammonton Branch of the Atlantic County Library, including the addition of a 3-D printer, which puts the library in the vanguard of 21st Century technology. In addition to the technology available at the library, the heart of its mission remains a repository for thousands of books, newspapers, magazines and other media like music and movies. The library also remains the best repository for historical resources, including archives of local newspapers from Hammonton and the county, most of which have been scanned in and are available at the library’s website at www.atlanticlibrary.org/hammonton_branch All of this information is free (all you need is a library card), and even in the age of the internet — which can also be accessed for free at the library — there remains a strong need for libraries and librarians and their storehouse of information, free and open to the public. Our library is well-maintained by the county, and while physical improvements would always be welcome (the signage out front could use repairing, and bathrooms and other spaces could be freshened up inside — and more, newer additions to the collection would enhance the branch) the library is proudly maintained by the county and the people who work at the building on Egg Harbor Road. Plans call for the town to possibly purchase the former St. Martin Church property adjacent to the library and place it in our parks system. If it is done, the county library facility and property would become part of one of the finest open space and parks areas in the county, which would include the library; the former St. Martin property; Hammonton Lake Park with its Canoe Club, restored Kiwanis Pavilion and bandstand, playgrounds, athletic fields and lake; and the Smith Conservation Area with its newly-marked walking nature trails. The library is and will continue to be a vital component of Hammonton. It should continue to be well-maintained and improved by the county, and used by all residents of Hammonton and the surrounding area. We appreciate the Hammonton Branch of the Atlantic County Library and support all of their efforts to inform and educate and entertain the public. cruisin’ coming may 15 Cruisin’ MainStreet, the street festival that has become an evening filled with family fun that is looked forward to each year by Hammontonians and people from the surrounding area, returns to the downtown on May 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. What makes Cruisin’ so much fun? It’s an event dedicated to cars, food and seeing friends and family on the streets of the downtown area on a nice spring night. It all adds up to a perfect formula that makes Cruisin’ MainStreet a wonderful evening. We thank the efforts of MainStreet Hammonton and the Cruisin’ Classics Auto Club, two organizations committed to successful efforts to revitalize downtown Hammonton and having a great time doing it. They and their sponsors have helped change our town for the better through Cruisin’ MainStreet, which started as a once-a-year event two decades ago and has grown to two events a year (May and September) that draw thousands to Hammonton. In addition to the economic benefits (shops and restaurants always enjoy the crowds from Cruisin’) the event just makes the downtown look its best, filled with cars, people and energy on the night of the cruise, especially when the cars begin to drive around the downtown, just like they did in decades past. Cruisin’ MainStreet has become one of the town’s favorite events because it’s a big celebration of a lot of things that make us all feel good. Good luck to event chairman Angela Donio, the members of the Cruisin’ Classics Auto Club and all the volunteers and sponsors who help make a fun night possible twice a year, every year. PersPective/NJ LegisLatioN Last month the Senate Republican caucus introduced a package of 36 bills aimed at spurring economic growth and job creation in New Jersey, which has been lagging behind both our neighboring states and the nation at large. This legislative package, designed to be a shot in the arm to our state’s post-recession economic recovery, is just the latest introduction in our ongoing efforts to make New Jersey into a state that fosters job growth rather than one that scares businesses away to other states. A number of these bills have already received Democratic support. We look forward to working with our colleagues across the aisle to get this entire package of growth bills to the governor’s desk for his signature. Two of these bills, both of which I have sponsored, were drafted with the specific economic needs of South Jersey in mind. There is a need to both foster growth in the more recently developed sectors of our local economy, technology and science, as well as find innovative ways to expand our more traditional industries like agriculture. The first is S2760, which is currently pending before the Senate Labor Committee, requires New Jersey’s training grant program to be focused on critical fields, such as manuf acturing, science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other areas vital to economic growth by providing preference in state training grants to employers supporting these areas of the economy. In addition to the economic benefits of this bill, it also helps to stop the “brain drain” that has affected our state for years. Given our district’s reliance on agriculture, I have also introduced S2863, which encourages the production and marketing of specialty agricultural products to restaurants, local specialty food markets, supermarkets, farmers markets, ethnic markets, and natural or organic food stores. It also calls for the establishment of a specialty agriculture development program within the Department of Agriculture. This legislation puts a new spin on marketing one of the more traditional, yet most important, economic sectors of southern New Jersey. When it comes to encouraging growth and prosperity in New Jersey one of the greatest challenges is finding solutions that do not come with a price tag for taxpayers, that is why I am proud to say that not one of these bills come at an additional cost to you, the taxpayer. I urge our colleagues to band together in order to make these proposals law. Quote of the Week: dawn addiego New Jersey senato 8th district “By three methods we may LearN wisdom: First, By reFLectioN, which is NoBLest; secoNd, By imitatioN, which is easiest; aNd third By exPerieNce, which is the Bitterest.” — Confucius 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 email 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.