The Hammonton Gazette 12/31/14 Edition | Page 2

The Hammonton Gazette IS SOLD IN 70+ LOCATIONS IN: Hammonton • Folsom • Mullica Twp. • Egg Harbor City Waterford Twp. • Winslow Twp. • Buena • Collings Lakes 2014: The Year in Review Special Section p. 21 Mummers, movies and more p. 33 CHRISTMAS EVE TRAGEDY Wednesday, December 31, 2014 Volume 18 • Issue 53 by Gabe Donio Gazette Staff WRiteR H a M M O N tO N — D o l o r e s Distler, 77, of Spruce avenue in the elm section of Winslow twp. was killed when she was struck by a vehicle as she was crossing www.hammontongazette.com Dolores Distler, 77, killed by car on Rt. 206 after leaving church Route 206 following Mass on Christmas eve at St. anthony of Padua Church at 5:50 p.m. on December 24, Hammonton Police Captain Nick Salvatore said. the vehicle, a silver Chevy Venture minivan, traveling northbound on Route 206 was driven by Leon Gazzara, 50, of Hammonton, Salvatore said. according to Salvatore, Gazzara was driving with his wife and three children at the time of the accident. “it happened in front of St. anthony’s. She was attempting to cross the road toward the former Mary’s [Restaurant] parking lot when he struck her. there is no indication that he was speeding or drinking at the time of the accident that i know of,” Salvatore said. Notable locals Santa arrives on a tractor share resolutions by Paul J. Macrie IV Gazette Staff WRiteR HaMMONtON—it is hard to believe that 2014 has concluded. another year has passed, but a new year always means that it is an opportunity for individuals to establish new personal goals, perhaps re-establish them, or make promises that will benefit an entire See TRAGEDY, Page 4 community. also, it is a chance for town council and board of education members, as well as other notable locals to state what they would like to see done to move the town and school system forward during the new calendar year. two members of Hammonton town Council, two members of the Hammonton Board of educa- Mayor DiDonato’s outlook for 2015 by Paul J. Macrie IV Gazette Staff WRiteR HaMMONtON—in a recent interview Mayor Stephen DiDonato discussed some projects he expects to be completed during the 2015 calendar year. DiDonato also answered questions about some See RESOLUTIONS, Page 10 other topics related to the town, such as the state of the economy, remaining vacant properties and expected resolutions of other remaining issues such as the tuckahoe turf farms LLC, soccer tournament usage on North Myrtle Street. AMI displays art from Hammonton Arts Center See MAYOR, Page 3 Photo Courtesy of Evelyn Penza On Christmas Eve Santa visited Myrtle Street’s children via a John Deere tractor. Screaming and yelling could be heard as afar as Atsion, according to one local resident. by Paul J. Macrie IV Gazette Staff WRiteR HaMMONtON—atlantic Medical imaging [aMi] atlantiCare, located on 219 N. White Horse Pike (Route 30) in Hammonton, is now displaying art work produced from members of the Hammonton arts Center. Since September, 13 pieces of art have been featured throughout parts of the medical facility. the art will be rotated every three to four months on average. aMi Business Development Director Liz Caruso and president of the Hammonton arts Center Joseph Bruno decided on the first selection of pieces late this past summer. the art is being displayed in all four waiting rooms at aMi atlantiCare, and there is a descrip- Officials: trash and recycling toters work by Paul J. Macrie IV Gazette Staff WRiteR THG/Paul J. Macrie IV. To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940. AMI Business Development Director Liz Caruso, Dr. Amerigo Falciani and Hammonton Arts Center President Joseph Bruno stand inside the Hammonton facility that now features local artwork. SUBSCRIBE TO The Gazette! HaMMONtON—for about a decade, the town of Hammonton has been using a toter system for trash pickup, while the recycling system was established in april 2008. the trash truck is owned by the town, while the recycling sys- See ART, Page 4 tem is operated by the atlantic County Utilities authority [aCUa]. How has the current system changed the way trash and recycling is removed? according to Mayor Stephen DiDonato, the trash tonnage is decreasing each year, while the recycling tonnage is increasing. ONLY $20 FOR 52 WEEKS! CALL (609) 704-1940 See RECYCLING, Page 2