HMS 8th grade
students graduate
Businesses support
Blueberry Festival
Hammy Award
voting time!
LAKE VANDALS CAUGHT
p. 19
p. 27-38
p. 43
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Volume 20 • Issue 25
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
www.hammontongazette.com
Two juveniles receive community service
monton Lake Park were caught by
local police, Hammonton Police
Chief Robert Jones said. The two
vandals are now actively involved
with community service at the
park under the supervision of the
Hammonton Kiwanis Club, which
spearheaded the revitalization,
Jones said.
“They will be starting commu-
nity service at the lake park with
the Kiwanis, who had donated the
materials for what was damaged.
The two individuals were placed
in a diversion program that in-
cluded community service due
their lack of a history of involvement with police, their ages and
the type of crime. The community
service is going to run through the
summer and if it is completed,
Giannini reign as HHS students graduate
Miss N.J. ends
HAMMONTON—Two juveniles who damaged and spray
painted the recently-revitalized
bandstand and other areas at Ham-
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Lindsey Giannini’s time as Miss New Jersey
2015 has come to a close. While
Giannini’s accomplishments and
contributions over the past year are
well documented, wearing her tiara
throughout the United States has
See POLICE, Page 12
Crowned successor
on June 18 in O.C.
taught her a lot more than she originally expected it would.
“I learned that I’m a tough
cookie. I don’t think I realized how
strong I was until I was really
tested through this experience. I’ve
Town officials meet
with S.J. Gas
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Town officials and representatives from
South Jersey Gas and Kline Construction Co. met on Monday,
June 13 at town hall. Hammonton
See REIGN, Page 10
Town Engineer Bob Vettese
opened with an explanation about
why the meeting was called.
“Last week, we had an issue
with some of the restoration on
Passmore and Front Street and
then some of the council members
Enjoying the garden on 11th St.
See TOWN, Page 12
THG/Joseph Bruno. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
A moment during the 120th Hammonton High School Graduation Ceremony on June 20.
Trinh, Massey lead Class of 2016
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—As the sun
set on Robert Capoferri Field on
June 20, the 120th graduating class
at Hammonton High School said
their final goodbyes to classmate
and teachers. A performance of
“The Star Spangled Banner” by
the Hammonton Senior Select
Choir gave way to 2016 Class
President Dante Galletta, who
opened the ceremony with a wel-
come address.
“It is my privilege to welcome
each and every one of you to our
commencement ceremony. It is
truly remarkable to think that our
last four years at Hammonton
High School have come to a close,
and now, as we stand on the edge
of diving head first into the real
world, we can finally reflect on our
high school experiences before the
chapter comes to its close … Having been Class President for most
of high school, it has been an
MMG Realty seeks
approval extension
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
THG/Kevin Troilo. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Project co-leaders Mica McCullough and Charley Crowley at the Hammonton Community Garden. See related article
on Page 4.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—The Hammonton Planning Board met on
June 15 at town hall. Chairman
Edward Marinelli opened the
meeting by approving the minutes
from their May 18 meeting. The
first item on the agenda was the
See HHS, Page 3
extension of an approval for a
major site plan by MMG Realty
Holdings LLC. The representative
was seeking an extension of approval for Block 4801, Lot 6,
Zone R3 at 35 Main Road. The
original final approval was
granted on February 15, 2005.
Speaking on behalf of MMG Realty Holdings was attorney Ken-
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See PLANNING, Page 4