The Hammonton Gazette 12/16/15 Edition | Page 6

Page 6 • Wednesday, December 16, 2015 • The Hammonton Gazette The Hammonton Gazette “The Paper of Record” gabriel J. donio, Publisher gina rullo, Editor-in-Chief dan russoman, Sports Editor Benny mendez, Staff Artist marysusan hoffman, Brittany mauro, michael hozik, donna Brown, Joseph Bruno, kevin Troilo, Tania rivera, kelly hunt, Staff The Hammonton Gazette is located at 233 Bellevue ave. To reach a staff member, call [phone] or fax at [phone]. The mailing address is p.o. Box 1228, hammonton, nJ 08037. ediToriaLs new-look board The Hammonton Gazette is published Wednesdays, by The Hammonton Gazette, Inc. Copyright © 2015. All rights reserved. ISSN 1093-6181 Members of the board of education elected Raymond Scipione to the vacant seat of former board member and councilman-elect Joseph Giralo on December 10. The vote of 7 to 1 was not unanimous (former mayor and current board member Barbara Berenato voted against Scipione), but the board members overwhelmingly supported Scipione’s candidacy ahead of those of former board member Johanna Johnson and recent Republican council candidate Otto Hernandez. Scipione brings his strengths and commitment to public service to a board that will have a very different look in January. While the election returned board member Thomas Attanasi to the governing body, Linda Sacco will be serving for the first time, and Salvatore Velardi is a returning board member. Longtime board members Giralo and Eric Weiss as well as Leo Petetti will not be returning, so the new-look board will move forward in a different direction in 2016. While the board will have a new look, many of the challenges will be the same, including providing the best education at a price the taxpayers can afford, receiving the most school funding possible from the state, continually improving the educational program and facilities of the school district and keeping the schools connected to the communities of Hammonton, Waterford Twp. and Folsom. Next month, the new year — the town’s sesquicentennial year, celebrating its 150th year — will begin. It will begin with a new-look board of education and a new-look town council. We wish all elected officials good luck as they begin 2016. The big bake-off perspecTive/counTy updaTe As 2015 comes to a close and we reflect on the last 12 months, there is reason to be hopeful. While we still contend with the economic impacts of the 2014 casino closings, we did successfully complete a nine-month economic development study and presented its findings and recommendations in September with the 112-page Atlantic County Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan. For the first time, we now have a countywide plan for diversifying our economy and promoting economic growth and development with input from our residents, business representatives and community partners. On December 9, we took the first step in implementing that plan by holding an inaugural meeting of an interim Atlantic County economic development corporation consisting of 17 representatives of our business community who will assist in making this organization operational. The non-profit corporation will serve as the lead agency for economic development in Atlantic County with a goal of attracting and retaining businesses and industry and promoting our region as an attractive place to live, work and raise a family. I very much appreciate the cooperation and commitment of these volunteers in establishing a focused, results-oriented organization. The first steps are to adopt a set of bylaws and a budget and approve the search process for an executive director. Once the permanent organization is up and running, county government will step aside to ensure the organization's ability to function independently and in a non-partisan manner. We are also moving forward with plans for a countywide abandoned home registry to provide municipalities with a tool to address properties in foreclosure that have become problematic due to a lack of proper maintenance. Such properties often become eye sores that attract vandalism and illegal activity, not to mention the fact that they drive down property values of neighboring properties and entire communities. A recent report by RealtyTrac does show that although we have some of the highest forecl osures rates in the country those numbers are dropping. The foreclosure rate is down 16 percent from October 2015 and 6 percent from a year ago. Each of our 23 municipalities will have an opportunity to participate in the registry program through a shared services agreement with the Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA). The contracted service provider, Community Champions, will work on behalf of those towns to assure that vacant and foreclosed properties are registered, identify parties responsible for their maintenance and upkeep and assist code officials in resolving code violations. The ACIA will hold a series of three meetings to provide municipal officials with information and training about the implementation process. There is no doubt that we will still face challenges in 2016, but we are taking steps forward and beginning to make solid progress. Best wishes to you and your loved ones for health and happiness in the New Year! dennis Levinson atlantic county executive mays Landing While the board of education was voting for a new member on December 10, voting of a different kind was happening across town at the offices of The Gazette, for The Gazette’s Cookie Bake-Off. Our judges had their hands (and mouths) full that night, as The Gazette received the most entrants in the contest’s 12-year history. We thank all entrants for their support. In addition to making it a great contest, it also allows us to receive loads of free Christmas cookies each year, something we all really appreciate at The Gazette! Gazette Sports Editor Dan Russoman was there along with other staff members. Russoman had the original idea for the contest more than a decade ago. It’s a great way to celebrate Christmas at our offices, with the lights and decorations, the judges, guests and staff members and, of course, all those cookies. Winners all received medals from Ray Rose of Innovative Promotions. Congratulations to all the winners, and we look forward to hosting the event next year. Quote of the Week: “TruTh is The highesT Thing ThaT man may keep.” — Geoffrey Chaucer The Hammonton Gazette welcomes letters to the editor that are no more than 800 words long. All letters must include the name of the author and an address and telephone number for verification. Letters should be mailed to The Hammonton Gazette, Editorial Page, P.O. Box 1228, Hammonton, NJ 08037. Letters also will be accepted via fax. The fax number is 704-1938.  Or by email to [email protected]. Deadline for all submissions is 2 p.m. Monday. The Hammonton Gazette reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions expressed in letters, perspectives or in guest columns do not necessarily reflect those of The Hammonton Gazette.  The Gazette is not responsible for factual errors in letters, perspectives or in guest columns. The Gazette retains the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.