Council makes police promotions; honors Wrobleskis
Page 4 • Wednesday, November 27, 2019 • The Hammonton Gazette
COUNCIL, from Page 1
views in the police department,
with the Law and Order Commit-
tee, the mayor and police chief.
We’ve come with the resolution of
the officers that we wish to se-
lect,” friel said.
the first officer was Sgt. Don-
ald Kunen, who has been with the
department for 18 years. Kunen, a
graduate of Widener University,
became a sergeant in 2018. He has
been on the department’s police
emergency response team, is one
of their firearms instructors and
helps to manage the department’s
defensive tactics training.
“His performance at work has
been wonderful. He has led his
squad in the department very well
with their statistics. He himself
has provided great statistics
through the years, constantly, in
continuity ... He’s always come
and put forward the best foot and
given 110 percent,” friel said.
friel asked the mayor and coun-
cil for their support in promoting
Kunen to the rank of police lieu-
tenant. Councilman Michael tor-
rissi made the motion, which was
seconded by Councilman Sam
rodio. the motion passed unani-
mously.
Kunen’s promotion opened up a
sergeant’s position on B Squad, a
position to which friel asked that
Cpl. Christopher Clements be pro-
moted. Clements was hired by the
department in 2000; prior to that
he worked toward a position with
the Department of Corrections in
atlantic County, and also worked
for the Casino Control Commis-
sion.
“He’s the kind of guy that just
doesn’t quit. When he went
through the academy, he injured
his ankle. instead of washing out,
like most people would have, he
kept going through—how many
miles did you guys run each
day?—up to five miles a day with
a bad hoof. He was out there still
running because of his dedication.
He wanted to be a police officer.
He didn’t want to quit, and i’ve
never seen Cpl. Clements quit
yet,” friel said.
friel asked for the approval of
promoting Clements to the posi-
tion of police sergeant. torrissi
made the motion, which was sec-
onded by Councilman Steven fur-
gione. the motion passed
unanimously.
the third promotion was for an
appointed position, that of corpo-
ral. for that, friel recommended
K-9 Officer robert zbikowski,
who joined the department in
2007. He worked as campus po-
lice at the richard Stockton Col-
lege of New Jersey (now Stockton
University) for three years prior to
that, and became one of Hammon-
ton’s canine officers in 2010.
“He’s a gentleman that gives
120 percent. i don’t even have to
ask; by the time i’m finished ask-
ing, he’s like, ‘no problem, i got
it; we’re doing it.’ He and his part-
ner are mainly the reason why the
seized Cadillac is out there. He is
a guy that has a high drive—a go-
getter—does everything that he
can to care for and protect our
community,” friel said.
friel asked the mayor and coun-
cil for approval in appointing
zbikowski to the position of Cor-
poral K-9 Officer. torrissi made
the motion, which rodio sec-
onded. the motion was approved
unanimously.
all three men were sworn in to
their new positions.
Later in the meeting, Council-
man thomas Gribbin noted that
the council would be accepting
the resignation and retirement of
long-time town employee frank
Domenico Jr. from the construc-
tion department, effective January
1, 2020.
“i know we all have things we
want to say for frank for being a
good town employee for all these
years, and we wish him the best,”
Gribbin said.
this council meeting also af-
forded both council and residents
of Hammonton a chance to bid
farewell to longtime residents Dr.
edward and Mrs. June Wrobleski,
who will be leaving Hammonton
to reside in Carmel, ind.
a short presentation was held,
and Kiwanis member—and long-
time friend of the Wrobleskis—
Dave Murphy opened the
remarks.
“i’m very pleased to see so
many wonderful people here, and
ed and June, this represents not
only the town of Hammonton, but
it also represents what you have
given us, whether it be whether it
be from philanthropic things, sup-
port of the arts, medicine, political
activity and so much more,” Mur-
phy said.
Gribbin then presented the
Wrobleskis with a proclamation
drafted by the mayor and town
council, and read it to the couple.
“Whereas the town of Ham-
monton arrives as a community
because of the goodness, kind-
heartedness and generosity of its
residents, and whereas Dr. ed-
ward Wrobleski and Mrs. June
Wrobleski, longtime residents of
our town, exemplify those quali-
ties in countless ways, and
whereas ed and June have spent
considerable time volunteering for
the betterment of our community
and have engaged in various phil-
anthropic efforts, and whereas ed
and June’s contributions to Ham-
monton include years of service
and support to Mainstreet Ham-
monton, the Historic Preservation
Committee and the Kiwanis Club
of Hammonton, among others,
and whereas ed and June were
early and ardent supporters of the
blossoming arts and cultural com-
munity in Hammonton and remain
so today, and whereas ed and June
have provided inestimable contri-
butions to our community health
and welfare, and whereas we, the
residents of the town of Hammon-
ton, want to thank the Wrobleskis
and wish them well in their retire-
ment to indiana, now, therefore be
it resolved, that the mayor and
council of the town of Hammon-
ton, county of atlantic, in the state
of New Jersey, do hereby recog-
nize and express their appreciation
to Dr. edward and Mrs. June
Wrobleski on this 18th day of No-
vember, 2019, their dedication,
commitment and contributions to
the town of Hammonton,” Grib-
bin read.
after receiving the proclama-
tion, Dr. edward Wrobleski took
to the podium to express his ap-
preciation.
“i’d like to say it’s been a priv-
ilege to live, work and serve the
community of Hammonton. We
will always love the people and
the town. thank you very much
for this honor,” Dr. edward Wrob-
leski said.
June Wrobleski echoed her hus-
band’s sentiments, noting her grat-
itude to the town and its residents,
particularly those in attendance.
“i can’t say any more than what
he said, because it’s so true. i look
around, and can’t believe all you
people are here tonight, all of you
great people. We will miss all of
you. We certainly will. it’s not
something that we decided to just
jump and do. We’ve come to the
conclusion that it’s the best thing
for us, but we will always remem-
ber the wonderful town of Ham-
monton. there’s no place like it,”
June Wrobleski said.
the next meeting of town coun-
cil will be held at 7 p.m. on De-
cember 16 in town hall.
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