Lou Rodio offering
property maintenance
About the history of your
favorite sandwich
Learn all about the weather
and how it affects us
p. 9
p. 25-32
p. 37
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Volume 19 • Issue 44
www.hammontongazette.com
GIRALO, GRIBBIN, PULLIA LEAD
by Gabe Donio
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—Republican
Council Candidate Joseph Giralo,
Hammonton First Councilman
Thomas Gribbin and Republican
Councilman Michael Pullia are
leading in a closely-contested election held November 3.
If the election results hold, Re-
Source: Awaiting count of 251 mail-in ballots for final tally
publicans will take the majority on
the town council for the first time
in 10 years. If the election results
change as a result of the mail-in,
provisional and emergency ballots,
and Hammonton First Councilman
Edward Wuillermin is elected,
Hammonton First will retain its
majority.
A Republican campaign source
said there are 251 mail-in ballots
remaining to be counted by the
county. The totals do not include
provisional or emergency ballots.
The results of the election, pending the outstanding ballots, were as
follows: Giralo (R), 1449; Gribbin
(HF), 1408; Pullia (R), 1399;
Wuillermin (HF), 1372; Otto Hernandez (R), 1107; Elsie Baez (HF),
920; Rock Colasurdo (D), 778.
Several of the leading candidates
were interviewed by The Gazette
following the election. Giralo, a
longtime board of education member, thanked voters for their support.
“I want to first of all thank the
people for putting their trust in me
and Mickey. I am very glad they
understood the message that was
put forth to them during this campaign. We want to thank all the voters in Hammonton for putting their
trust in us,†Giralo said.
See ELECTION, Page 2
Spending OK’d at Kiwanis parade packs downtown
special meeting
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—A special
meeting of council was held on
November 2. At the meeting,
council unanimously approved
three ordinances and three resolutions.
The first was Ordinance #0212015,
which
appropriated
$1,625,586.90 for the replacement
of water utility buildings in and by
the town of Hammonton.
“The Town of Hammonton, in
the County of Atlantic, New Jersey
hereby
appropriates
See COUNCIL, Page 10
2016 looks to be a
busy year locally
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—The year
2016 is shaping up to be a busy
one for Hammonton. Besides celebrating the sesquicentennial of
the town with several events
throughout the year marking its
150th anniversary, various renovation projects will take place.
Mayor Stephen DiDonato and
Hammonton Public Works Manager/Business
Administrator
Jerome Barberio are working with
town employees and volunteers to
ensure the projects are planned
THG/Joseph Bruno. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Bill’s Towing created a circus-themed float for the Kiwanis Club Halloween Parade held on October 29. The parade
featured Miss New Jersey Lindsey Giannini as the grand marshal, floats, costumed walkers, dancers, bands and more.
Kathy Caruso (left) and Christine Morrison (right) are pictured walking with Bill Deininger’s float. For more pictures
See TOWN, Page 3 from the parade, see Page 15.
Trick or Treat throughout town Lake meeting on
Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
HAMMONTON—On November 10 at 7 p.m., a special meeting
will be held at town hall to discuss
the future of Hammonton Lake.
The meeting will give residents
the opportunity to voice their
opinions and ideas about what
they believe should happen next.
There will be a survey distributed at the meeting (and available
for printing on www.townofhammonton.org.) that residents and
non-residents are encouraged to
complete.
See LAKE, Page 4
Outreach clinic
helps local veterans
by Kevin Troilo
GAZETTE STAFF WRITER
THG/Kelly Hunt. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Trick or treat on October 31 saw some fun costumes including: (front row) Abby Smith, 12; Sarah Mento, 13; Maddie
Mortellite, 12; Olivia Catania, 12 and in the back Olivia Strigh, 12; Annabella Peretti, 12 and Gabrielle Gherardi,
12. For more pictures from Trick or Treating, see Page 19.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—On October
29, the Veterans Administration
(VA) mobile outreach clinic came
to the Peach Tree Plaza shopping
center to offer medical services to
veterans throughout the area.
The mobile clinic, which was
staffed with workers from the
VA’s Wilmington, Delaware location, provides veterans with VA
healthcare enrollment, identification card insurance and basic medical screenings such as physicals,
general lab services and referrals
for further medical assistance if
necessary. Onboard the clinic are
Gazette • $20 FOR 52 WEEKS • CALL 609-704-1939
See VETERANS, Page 12