The Hammonton Gazette 09/20/17 Edition | Page 2

From Hammonton to the NYFD p. 25 Special Section: Keeping Hammonton safe p. 27-38 Burlap to Cashmere coming to Kathedral p. 45 2 MEN CHARGED IN THEFTS Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Volume 21 • Issue 38 by Gabe Donio G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER HAMMONTON—Two local men were arrested and charged in connection with two separate thefts, Hammonton Police Lt. Kevin Friel said. David Bonanata www.hammontongazette.com Bonanata, Quintero also face drug charges Jr., 32, and Angel Quintero, 31, are also facing drug charges, Friel said. The first theft occurred at 11:36 a.m. on September 11 on the 200 block of N. White Horse Pike (Route 30), Friel said. According to Friel, a vehicle was parked at Wawa, when a Red- max backpack leaf blower valued at $500 was removed from the bed of the pickup truck. “The video footage displayed a Mr. David Bonanata Jr., 32, of Hammonton, removing the blower backpack from the victim’s truck bed and fleeing the scene,” Friel said. Police arrested Bonanata at 1:57 Board of education A concert at the lake park approves spending by Tania Rivera G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER HAMMONTON—The Ham- monton board of education held their regular meeting on Septem- ber 14. During the meeting, the board See POLICE, Page 2 approved the board minutes of Au- gust 17, 2017 (Open and Closed Sessions). Board Member Sal Ve- lardi abstained. The board approved the follow- ing amounts, as stated in the agenda: • ratify the purchase order lists for July and August 2017 in the Anti-drug group formed locally by Stephen Pistone G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER HAMMONTON—During the last nine months, there have been 17 drug overdoses in town, ac- cording to Hammonton Police De- tective Sgt. Edward Slimm. After See SCHOOL, Page 14 witnessing an ongoing illegal drug epidemic, a group of residents have decided to band together to help alleviate the problem through the formation of Residents Against Illegal Drugs (RAID), a non-profit committee that was formed by resident Anthony Sbarra Jr. with the mission of cre- See RAID, Page 3 Fans show support for H.S. football THG/Stephen Pistone. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. The Pitman Hobo Band played in the Kiwanis Pavillion at the Lake Park on September 16. The event was organized by the Hammonton Canoe Club and the Hammonton Kiwanis Club. See Pages 2 and 42 for more photos. by Stephen Pistone G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER HAMMONTON—If there is one thing Hammonton is known for aside from being the Blueberry Capital of the World, is its rich cul- ture for high school football. Each fall, droves of die-hard football fans can be found at Ham- monton High School (HHS) and St. Joseph’s High School (SJHS) supporting the local high school football teams. Some wear blue to represent the Blue Devils, some red to represent the Wildcats, but they all share the same sense of pride and passion for their team. Galloway honored by N.J. Nat’l Guard by Stephen Pistone G AZETTE S TAFF W RITER THG/Stephen Pistone. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. (Left to right): Longtime Hammonton High School football fans James Santora, Thomas Amedio, Wayne Szabo and Anthony Sbarra look on from atop the bleachers as Hammonton plays Washington Twp. on September 8. SUBSCRIBE TO The TRENTON—New Jersey Man- ufacturers (NJM) Director for Building Services Frank Gal- loway III has had many accom- plishments and received many accolades over the course of his 34-year career but received what See FANS, Page 4 he referred to as one of his highest honors when he was selected to be the keynote speaker during the New Jersey National Guard’s New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy’s Class 46 graduation ceremony at the Trenton War Me- morial on September 11. Galloway took the stage and ad- Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939 See GALLOWAY, Page 4