Winners from the
Hamm. Arts Center
p. 18-19
Town treasures from
The Gazette’s archive
p. 31-42
Must see Monet Exhibit
in Denver, Colorado
p. 55
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
‘DIRE’ NEED FOR BUS DRIVERS
Volume 23 • Issue 42
www.hammontongazette.com
full-time now: $17/hr.; Subs now: $16.50/hr.
by Franki Rudnesky
G azette S taff W riter
the meeting was called to order by board
president Sam Mento iii, and all board
members were present aside from board vice
president thomas attanasi.
During the meeting, Mento brought up the
district’s need for school bus drivers, and the
HaMMONtON—On October 10, the
Hammonton Board of education held its
monthly
meeting
which
included
presentations by Hammonton High School
(HHS) principal tom ramsay and district
assistant superintendent tammy Leonard.
district’s willingness to increase the hourly
start rate for district bus drivers in order to
attract drivers to the district, as was
evidenced by a matter to be voted upon
included in an addendum.
“as always, if anyone is looking for an
employment opportunity, we are hiring bus
drivers. it’s not just a job, it’s a career… we
do offer healthcare,” Mento said.
representing the finance committee,
board member Barbara Berenato echoed the
Streitfeld, a local Clocktoberfest held downtown
legend, dies at 97
by Gabe Donio
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—Dr. Leonard
Streitfeld, a World War ii combat
veteran and local optometrist
whose dedication through volun-
See SCHOOL, Page 4
Volunteer known
for public projects
teerism to Hammonton, particu-
larly the revitalization of the
downtown area, earned him the
two highest awards a Hammon-
Clocktoberfest
raises funds for
town clock repair
See STREITFELD, Page 13
by Joseph F. Berenato
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—On October 12, Hammonton held its first-ever
Clocktoberfest at 100 Central ave., in front of town hall.
Making a play on Oktoberfest—a traditional Bavarian beer festival and
faire—Clocktoberfest was created with a very specific local goal in mind.
Columbus Day at Sons of Italy Castone donates
St. Joe landscaping
See CLOCK, Page 14
THG/Joseph F. Berenato. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Clock Committee co-chairman John Runfolo opened up the festivities at Clocktoberfest on October 12. This new event
helped raise money to repair the town clock.
by Gabe Donio
G azette S taff W riter
HaMMONtON—after years
of donating landscaping to St.
Joseph High School, located at the
corner of Central avenue and Vine
Street, Ben Castone, owner of Ben
Castone Landscaping, has contin-
ued to donate to the Catholic high
school. this year he added an ad-
ditional major donation: Land-
scaping the entire front of St.
Joseph regional elementary
School at the corner of third and
Pleasant Streets, just blocks away
from the downtown high school.
Castone, a member of the
alumni of St. Joseph High School,
said he donates his time and ma-
Env. Comm. hears
from town resident
G azette S taff W riter
THG/Joseph F. Berenato. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
(l-r) David Scardino, Nick LaGuardia, Robert Galletta, The Rev. Joseph Capella, Charles Sbarra and The Rev. David Rivera
after the presentations at the Giuseppe Garibaldi hall on October 14. Article on Page 8.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HaMMONtON—On October
9, the Hammonton environmental
Commission held its monthly
meeting at 7 p.m. at town hall.
Commissioner terri Caruso-
Cafiso took over for chairperson
Gazette • SUBSCRIBE NOW! • CALL 609-704-1939
Dan Bachalis, who was absent.
after all in attendance recited
the Pledge of allegiance, James
Smith, of 415 W. Pleasant St.
spoke before the Commission re-
garding an issue he was having
with his utility company.
atlantic City electric notified
Smith on or about January 30,
See COMMISSION, Page 3
by Joseph F. Berenato
See CASTONE, Page 16