Holiday TV Schedule
Part One
Helpful hints for
holiday entertaining
COOKIE BAKE-OFF
DECEMBER 6
ANOTHER DRUG ARREST
p. 15-21
p. 27-38
p. 22
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Volume 22 • Issue 46
www.hammontongazette.com
Man arrested on Centennial Dr., faces distribution, weapons charges
by Gabe Donio
G AzeTTe S TAff W riTer
rested on November 11 at 11:55
p.m. on the prime block of Cen-
tennial Drive and faces drug
charges including distribution and
Email: Mayor on
Frog Rock’s
potential lawsuit
HAMMONTON—Jesse
Walker, 31, of Absecon was ar-
by Gina Rullo
G AzeTTe S TAff W riTer
Veterans receive honors
possession as well as weapons
charges, Hammonton Detective
Sgt. edward Slimm said.
“We originally went out there
for a noise complaint, and contact
was made with Mr. Walker. He
was found in possession of con-
trolled dangerous substance (cds)
paraphernalia, a crystal white sub-
stance believed to be metham-
phetamine and green leafy
See POLICE, Page 2
Country Club intend to initiate a
lawsuit against the municipality of
Hammonton, according to docu-
ments obtained by The Gazette
through an Open Public records
Act request (OPrA) made on No-
vember 7. Mayor Stephen DiDo-
Christmas Tree
lighting Dec. 1
HAMMONTON—On Novem-
ber 2, a letter was sent to the town
notifying the municipality that the
owners of frog rock Golf and
See TOWN, Page 12
by Stephen Pistone
G AzeTTe S TAff W riTer
HAMMONTON—The holiday season will kick off in grand and
festive fashion in Hammonton during MainStreet Hammonton’s
Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December
1.
Beginning at 6 p.m., scores of local and out-of-town residents will line
the sidewalks of Central and Bellevue Avenues and usher in the start of
Celebrating a century of life Digital sign for
See TREE, Page 4
THG/Stephen Pistone. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Luurtsema (far left), Atlantic County Fifth District Freeholder James A. Bertino and Councilman
Thomas Gribbin bow their heads during the Veterans Day ceremony on November 11. See related article, Page 10.
church OK’d
by Stephen Pistone
G AzeTTe S TAff W riTer
HAMMONTON—The Ham-
monton Planning board unani-
mously approved a bulk variance
(C variance) during its meeting on
November 7 to allow Victory
Bible Church to install a free-
standing digital monument sign in
addition to an existing building fa-
cade sign located on the church’s
property at 816 S. egg Harbor rd.
(Block 4003, Lot 4, zone M1 on
the town tax map).
Victory Bible Church Pastor
Anthony Parise was present dur-
ing the meeting to provide testi-
Smith turning 100
on November 17
G AzeTTe S TAff W riTer
THG/Stephen Pistone. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.
Hammonton resident Rita Smith is celebrating her 100th birthday on November 17. She is pictured with her daughter
Lois Smith Giordano.
SUBSCRIBE TO The
HAMMONTON—rita Matilda
Smith—Hammonton’s newest
centenarian— will be turning 100
years old on November 17. How-
ever, she subscribes to the theory
that you’re only as old as you feel.
“it’s a long time. i don’t feel old
Gazette • SUBSCRIBE NOW! • CALL 609-704-1939
though. i don’t do much to feel
old,” Smith said.
Smith was born in Hammonton
in 1918 to parents robert Stewart
ford and Anna Vessella, who had
seven children together. Growing
up during the Great Depression,
Smith recalled living in poverty
for most of her childhood.
“it never bothered me, but i
See SMITH, Page 8
by Stephen Pistone
See PLANNING, Page 3