Hamilton Hamilton PPost ost
JULY 2020
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One final hurrah
Mighty fine debut
Arm & Hammer Park to host Class of 2020’s in-person graduation July 29
Gianna Harris lands first film role in Paramount’s ‘Mighty Oak’
By Rob Anthes
By Nicole Viviano
The Class of 2020 technically graduated June 17, but the Hamilton Township School District has planned one last in-person get-together for this year’s high school seniors. All three public high schools—Hamilton West, Nottingham and Steinert—will have their own graduation ceremony Wednesday, July 29 at Arm and Hammer Park on Route 29 in Trenton, home stadium of the Trenton Thunder. The district has secured a July 30 rain date. The Hamilton Township Education Association has sponsored a live stream of each graduation ceremony, via WBCB. Those at the stadium will need to practice social distancing and abide by health requirements, such as wearing masks. Each family will be limited to four tickets. The district said it has started to develop a seating chart and will provide additional tickets to families, if possible. The Hamilton Post marks this occasion by honoring the seniors at each public high school with the 10 best gradepoint averages in their class. To see the 30 Hamilton Township students recognized this year, turn to Page 14.
A teen singer and actress from Hamilton is the star of a film that was one of the first movies to be released in theaters since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Gianna Harris, 15, plays the role of Emma Biggs in Mighty Oak, a story about family, reincarnation and finding oneself. The film is directed by Soul Surfer’s Sean McNamara and was released by Paramount in North America. The film was released June 5 in select theaters and drive-ins around the country. It is Harris’ first role in a feature-length film. It’s the culmination of a process that started for Harris 18 months ago. Harris found out she had landed the co-starring role of Emma just a few days after sending in an audition tape in January 2019. The audition process was relatively short, Harris said, because the movie was searching to fill her role fast. Soon Harris and her regular traveling partner—her mother, Linda—were on a flight to San Diego for filming on Jan. 29, 2019. It was eyeopening for Harris, who only started pursuing acting about See HARRIS, Page 8
Their courage and compassion ‘A space for Black voices’ inspire us all.
Protestors march down Mercer Street in Hamilton Square June 10, 2020 during a Black Lives Matter rally. (Staff photo by Sam Sciarrotta.)
Lives Matter movement follow- at the restaurant with signs Anti-racism and appeared marched down Kuser the death of George Floyd,in chalk Oneing morning, a message written who was killed by Minneapolis Road June 11. A second protest protests held acrossin front of an RWJBarnabas Health facility. The words police officer Derek Chauvin was held the following week. township demand couldn’t been more Then, soul stirring, just a few days later, after have he knelt onsimpler, Floyd’s or neck or more accurate. more racist posts cropped for nearly nine minutes during equality, justice
up—this time by Michael an arrest in May. That same day as the march, Sciabbarrisi, whose family racist Facebook “Heroes posts made owns Vincent’s Pizza on Nottingham Way. An impromptu The second week of June by Stone Terrace workexecutive here.” seemed to start a sort of reck- chef Joe Russo started to cir- protest grew as residents culate on social media, ending gathered outside the pizzeria oning in Hamilton. in Russo’s firing and the tem- that night. It was a week of Protesters gathered at Sayen Three words of gratitude and encouragement that Gardens on June 10 to speak porary removal of the restau- Hamilton residents making capture the courage and compassion of health rant’s social media pages. Mul- their voices heard. out against the loss of Black workers andgrew across America. ToThe share your first rally—organized tiple here protests organically lives to police brutality. The thanks or to support our Emergency by Tiyon,Fund, Peira, Thelma and through Facebook, starting Response protest came on the heels of calls to boycott the eat- Kristina (the women chose national and local demonstravisit with rwjbh.org/heroes tions in support of the Black ery—hundreds of people met See PROTESTS, Page 10 By SaM SciaRRotta
And please, for them, stay home and safe.
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FROM THE EDITOR
(Behind IHOP)
(Across from WaWa)
Many in the United States have been spurred to action by the recent killings of Black citizens—George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, to name just two—as a result of police brutality. This includes your neighbors, with crowds turning out for a number of peaceful marches and protests across the township last month. But an ugly side of Hamilton has bubbled to the surface, too. By now, you probably know to what I’m referring. There are the racist posts on Facebook accounts belonging to men associated with Vincent’s Pizza and Stone Terrace restaurants. (For more on Stone Terrace, turn to Page 12.) There was “Kill [n-word]” spraypainted on sidewalks across the township. There’s the man in a car who shouted “Go white people!” at Black Lives Matter protesters assembling June 10 at Sayen Gardens. There was the teenager on a bicycle who rode in circles around protesters at a rally in a neighboring town, a Trump flag tied around his neck like a cape. He continued to instigate throughout the event, responding to their chants with some of his own: “Four more years! Four more years!” (I’d love to know why he interpreted the protestors’ pleas for racial equality as an attack against the Trump administration.) I’ve spent my life in this town, and know these examples are not indicative of its entire population. But that there are
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any examples prove the exact point of the Black Lives Matter movement—there are people in our country who can’t exercise basic rights without facing backlash full of racism, vitriol and violence. The only way this will change is if we all accept that it is everyone’s responsibility to speak out when we see oppression occurring, whether in person or online. I was heartened to see this had happened on the Post’s website. When one reader commented “I’m gonna vomit” on a story about the June 10 BLM march in Hamilton, people jumped to the counter, including one woman who wrote, “I’m going to vomit: That’s how most Hamiltonians feel when they see comments belittling equal human rights.” There are many more people in town in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, including Mayor Jeff Martin and school superintendent Scott Rocco, both of whom have pledged to use their offices to make change in the township. As for the rest of us, it is a start to accept that racism is all around us, baked into the foundations of this country. Instead of being defensive about this fact, we must acknowledge that we all have much to learn. We must learn that truthful criticism is not a personal affront. We must have the humility to stop talking, stop posting on Facebook, stop trying to always win the point. Listen. It is the least we can do. Contact editor ROB ANTHES: ranthes@ communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 124, facebook.com/robanthes, twitter.com/ robanthes.
Hamilton Post
We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Hamilton Post is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Post does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. As such, our staff sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood. EDITOR Rob Anthes (Ext. 124) STAFF WRITER Nicole Viviano CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS Peter Dabbene, Thomas Kelly, Bob Sherman, Jr. AD LAYOUT & PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)
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CO-PUBLISHER Jamie Griswold
CO-PUBLISHER Tom Valeri
MANAGING EDITOR, COMMUNITY DIVISION Rob Anthes
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Thomas Fritts PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacey Micallef DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL INITIATIVES Joe Emanski
MANAGING EDITOR, METRO DIVISION Sara Hastings
Community News Service 15 Princess Road, Suite K Lawrence, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 396-1511 News: news@communitynews.org Events: events@communitynews.org Sports: sports@communitynews.org Letters: ranthes@communitynews.org Website: hamiltonpost.com Facebook: facebook.com/hamiltonpostnj Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace 40,000 copies of the Hamilton Post are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Hamilton 12 times a year.
TO ADVERTISE call (609) 396-1511, ext. 113 or e-mail advertise@communitynews.org A proud member of:
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July 2020 | Hamilton Post5
AROUND TOWN
Budget proposes 4.4 cent tax hike
Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin’s proposed 2020 municipal budget includes a tax hike of 4.4 cents, an increase the administration says is necessary to fill a budget hole it faces due, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase would translate to a municipal tax increase of $8.33 per month for an average Hamilton home with an assessed valuation of $225,000. This only takes into consideration the municipal Introducing VINTAGE AT HAMILTON, a spectacular community of 122 luxury duplexes portion of a tax bill, and does not include and townhomes in HamiltonVINTAGE Twp., Mercer County…exclusively for active adults 55+. a Introducing AT HAMILTON, any increase from the school district, fire district or county government. Thisspectacular is where you’ll savor life to the fullest. All in an area known for its wealth community of 122 luxury duplexes and Martin, a Democrat, presented the of cultural offerings, recreational opportunities, dining and shopping. At Vintage budget to township council June 16. The townhomes in Hamilton Twp., Mercer County… at Hamilton, you’re centrally located—just 0.7 miles to I-195, 7 miles to the New Jersey all-Democratic council passed a resoluTurnpike, and 5.3 miles to the Hamilton Station,adults with service on the Northeast tion approving the introduction of the exclusively forTrain active 55+. Corridor line to both New York City and Philadelphia. budget. The township hosted budget workshops throughout June in order to miss your chance to own a fine review each department’s budget with ThisDon’t is where you’ll savor life to theVintage! fullest. All in that department’s • First floor owner’s suite with walk-in closet g VINTAGE HAMILTON, a spectacular community of 122 luxury duplexes director. The final an areaAT known for its wealth of cultural offerings, workshop was scheduled for June 30. • 3 bedrooms, 2½ baths Once the council has reviewed all omes inrecreational Hamilton Twp., Mercercommunity adults 55+. dining and At luxury oducing VINTAGE HAMILTON, aspectacular spectacular community offor 122 luxury duplexes ng VINTAGE AT AT HAMILTON, aCounty…exclusively community ofactive 122 duplexes AT HAMILTON, a opportunities, spectacular 122shopping. luxury duplexes • Optional finished basementof department budgets, it will adopt a ng VINTAGE AT HAMILTON, a spectacular community of 122 luxury duplexes resolution to approve the final budget. • 1-2 car garage townhomes in Hamilton Twp., Mercer County…exclusively for active adults 55+. Vintage at Hamilton, you’re centrally located— ilton Twp., Mercer County…exclusively for active homes in Hamilton Mercer County…exclusively for55+. active adults 55+. here you’ll savor Twp., life to the fullest. All in anadults area known for its wealth Clubhouse pool to the New homes in Hamilton Twp., forJersey active adults 55+. just 0.7 miles to•Mercer I-195, County…exclusively 7with miles
Kramer started in local government as the assistant comptroller for Trenton, staying there for 10 years before moving on to be Hamilton Township’s finance director under Mayor Jack Rafferty. Kramer, a Hamilton resident, went on to be chair of the Hamilton Township Improvement Authority, a member of the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders and a four-term state assemblyman. He narrowly missed out on a fifth term, losing in 1999 to Democrats Linda Greenstein and Gary Guear. Kramer is perhaps best known for sponsoring Megan’s Law in the state assembly. The package of seven bills was approved in 1994, just one month after seven-year-old Megan Kanka was raped and murdered by Jesse Timmendequas near her Hamilton Township home. Kramer’s Megan’s Law served as the model for similar bills at the federal level and for states around the country. He is survived by his wife Clare, five children and six grandchildren.
More state, national s offerings, is where you’ll savor life toopportunities, the fullest. All in an areaand known for its wealth Former assemblyman l recreational dining shopping. At Vintage savor you’ll life to savor the fullest. infullest. an to area known for itsknown wealthfor its wealth accolades for the Post where life 5.3 toAll the All inHamilton anandarea Pre-Construction Pricing Turnpike, and miles the Train culturalyou’ll offerings, recreational opportunities, dining shopping. Atfor Vintage Kramer dies at 86 where savor life to the fullest. All in an area known its wealth n, you’re centrally located—just 0.7and miles to I-195, 7 shopping. miles to the New Jersey al offerings, recreational opportunities, dining Vintage recreational dining shopping. At Vintage the Upper $300’s Community News Service, the parStation, withfrom service on the Corridor line Hamilton, you’reopportunities, centrally located—just 0.7Northeast miles to I-195, 7and miles to the New At Jersey al offerings, recreational opportunities, dining and shopping. At Vintage ent company of the Hamilton Post, has Paul Kramer, who had a long career and 5.3 miles to the Hamilton Train Station, with service on the Northeast ntrally located—just 0.7 I-195, 7 miles to the on, you’re centrally 0.7 miles to with I-195, 7New miles to the New npike, and 5.3 the miles Hamilton Train Station, service onJersey the Northeast tomiles bothtolocated—just New YorktoCity and Philadelphia. in localJersey politics, died June 16. He was 86. been recognized by three professional on, centrally located—just 0.7 to I-195, 7service miles to Jersey 609-900-3130 ne tothe both NewNew City and rridor line to both York City andPhiladelphia. Philadelphia. es toyou’re Hamilton Train Station, withmiles service on Northeast and 5.3 miles toYork the Hamilton Train Station, withthe onthe theNew Northeast 2275 Kuser Road, Hamilton, NJ 08690 andYork miles toYork the Hamilton Train Station, with service on the Northeast ine to5.3 both New Citychance andbyPhiladelphia. New City and Philadelphia. Sales office open appointment only. Don’t miss your to aa fine Vintage! Don’t miss chance toown own fine Vintage! ine to both New your York City and Philadelphia. • First floor suite walk-in closetVintage! Don’t your chance towith own a fine iss yourmiss chance toowner’s ownsuite a fine Vintage! owner’s with walk-in closet Don’t• First missfloor your chance to own a fine Vintage! • 3 bedrooms, 2½ baths rst floor •owner’s suite with walk-in closet First floor owner’s suite with walk-in closet • 3 bedrooms, 2½ baths • Optional basement Prices subject to change withoutfinished notice. See Sales Consultant for details • First owner’s suiteCompany. with walk-in Both Day & Night ©2020 floor Sharbell Development Corp. Equal Opportunity Equal Housing Opportunity. closet • 3 bedrooms, baths RISTORANTE • 32½ bedrooms, 2½ baths • Optional finished basement • 1-2 car garage • 3 bedrooms, 2½ baths • Optional • Optional finished basement • •Clubhouse withbasement pool 1-2finished car garage • Optional finished basement • 1-2 car garage • 1-2 car•garage Clubhouse with pool Pre-Construction • 1-2 car garagePricing • Clubhouse• with pool with pool Clubhouse from the Upper • Clubhouse with $300’s pool Pre-Construction Pricing
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organizations for work done in 2019. CNS received six awards from the Association of Free Community Papers, an international trade organization. AFCP unveiled award winners online June 25. It received more than 1,500 individual entries. The Hamilton Post newspaper earned first place overall in the general excellence category, besting entrants from across North America. This is the fifth time the Hamilton Post has earned a general excellence distinction from AFCP. Communitynews.org won second place honors in the best online presentation of news content, the third consecutive year the website has earned recognition in the category. Diccon Hyatt won first place in the feature writing category for a piece published in U.S. 1 Newspaper about “The Castle,” a Victorian house in Hopewell Borough with a dark past. Senior community editor Bill Sanser vino won second place in the news writing category for his investigation into the murder of an infant, published in the Ewing Observer. Managing editor Rob Anthes, a Hamilton native, earned two nods from AFCP. His piece on the Hamilton Animal Shelter, published in the Hamilton Post, received an honorable mention in the news category. Anthes won first place in the news category for “Hacked in minutes,” a detailed look into the vulnerabilities of Mercer County’s aging voting machines. Anthes also earned accolades from
the Society of Professional Journalists’ New Jersey and the Keystone chapters for his work on “Hacked in minutes.” The story finished second place for the Stewart and Beverly Awbrey Award for community-oriented journalism. The New Jersey chapter of SPJ gives the award to reporters in the Garden State who have completed hard-hitting investigative journalism that is public-spirited. It is Anthes’ second NJ-SPJ award. Anthes finished third place in the enterprise reporting category of the Society of Professional Journalists Keystone Chapter’s 2020 Best in Journalism Contest, which is open to all journalists in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is Anthes’ third Keystone SPJ award; last year, he won first place in the environmental reporting category and second place in the commentary category. Based in Lawrence, Community News Service has won awards in 11 consecutive years, gaining recognition for its editorial content and design, advertising design and overall excellence of its publications. CNS publishes the Bordentown Current, Ewing Observer, Hamilton Post, Hopewell Express, Lawrence Gazette, Princeton Echo, Robbinsville Advance, Six09, Trenton Downtowner, West Windsor and Plainsboro News, and U.S. 1 newspaper.
WHAT DID WE MISS? What are you noticing in your community? What stories do you think we should tell? Do you have news to share? We want to hear from you. Send your news or tips to news@communitynews.org.
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HARRIS continued from Page 1 two years ago. Acting first became a part of her life when she was chosen to take part in the first national tour of School of Rock in 2017, her Broadway debut. Playing a leading role on the six-month tour, Harris “was thrown into acting very, very fast,” she said. Through her crash course in the national show, she discovered her interest in TV and film acting, along with her long-time love of singing. Her excitement for the new film hasn’t changed her original vision of her career path, as a singer, but has opened her up to considering a life filled with both passions. “I’ve been a singer the longest and that is what I want to do,” Harris said. “And I do love acting and I hope that I have a singing career to the point where I can be like, ‘Hey, I want to be in a movie now.’ And I could do a movie. I want to do both but I’m really focused on singing right now because that’s my passion in life, that’s what I want to do. I want to pursue singing.” Harris also has appeared on TV, in the Thanksgiving 2018 episode of Sesame Street with Leon Bridges. Harris trained and auditioned for larger acting roles but had never booked one before Mighty Oak. She starred in a short film that was released in 2019, The O’Clocks, but found the set for a full-length movie to be very different. “I like change,” Harris said. “I like experiencing things new, so it wasn’t
Hamilton resident Gianna Harris stars in “Mighty Oak,” a film released in June.
really difficult, it’s just a new way of how to do things. Just a new experience and I love that so much. Learning new things.” Harris spent about a month filming in February 2019 and was brought back for about two weeks in June that same year to film surfing scenes. It was hard work, and her days consisted of a lot of back and forth, she said. Hair and makeup would take roughly 45 minutes. Since Harris was playing a kid, her looks were kept sim-
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ple and natural-looking. Time on set varied between days, depending on how many scenes were to be filmed. One scene could get wrapped up in two hours but multiple scenes in different locations led to six to eight-hour days—although never more. When she wasn’t filming, Harris had tutors on-site to help with her schoolwork between takes and to ensure that they were working within the child labor laws. In most cases, scenes involving children were kept towards later in the day to allow them time to finish schoolwork. After returning home for about three months, Harris arrived back on set in June 2019 to learn how to surf and film the movie’s water scenes. Her days would consist of two to three hours in the water with a surfing instructor and filming. As fun as it was to take her first shot at surfing, it was equally as tiring. The rest of the movie was finalized
quickly, with its release coming just one year after Harris shot her last scenes in June 2019. The movie follows a music manager who loses her brother and lead vocalist in a tragic accident. Years later, young guitar prodigy Oak Scoggins, played by Tommy Ragen, appears to have the same spirit as the manager’s late sibling. Her character in the movie, Emma Biggs—a close friend of the titular Oak Scoggins—shared many traits with Harris. Emma sticks up for Oak a lot throughout the film. Standing up for others and for what’s good is something Harris feels strongly about as well. “I don’t feel like I ever was playing a character when I was playing her because it definitely was me,” Harris said.
WISHING OUR PATIENTS AND ALL OTHER 2020 GRADUATES A HAPPY GRADUATION!
Contact staff writer NICOLE VIVIANO: nviviano@communitynews.org, (609) 3961511, ext. 118, twitter.com/nicoleviviano, facebook.com/nicoleviviano609.
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PROTESTS continued from Page 1 not to give their last names, citing concerns for their safety)—began at the park gazebo and featured several speakers, including the four women. Also speaking were Rev. Francisco Pozo of Christ Episcopal ChurchCristo Rey in Trenton, poet Leah James and Reggie Walker, director of Rider University’s Educational Opportunity Program. The speeches both before and after the march were key to the protest, the organizers said. “Our goals consisted of building a space for Black voices in Hamilton that would be heard during the speaker portion, as well to locals in their homes,” they said. “In addition, stressing the support of allyship, since Hamilton is only 14% Black, and re-focusing the movement on Black women and LGBTQ+ community as well since they are often moved to the side or forgotten, especially Black trans people.” Residents stood on their porches— some watching, some recording the march with their cellphones—as protestors walked from Sayen Gardens, down Mercer Street towards Route 33, turning at Wawa and heading back to the park’s gazebo. The march route was blocked off from car traffic with the cooperation of the township. The march passed homes and businesses and filled the hot Wednesday evening air with calls of justice for Floyd and Breonna Taylor, a 26-yearold Black woman who was killed
Protestors march from Sayen Gardens and onto Route 33 in Hamilton Square June 10, 2020 during a Black Lives Matter rally. (Staff photo by Sam Sciarrotta.)
by police in Louisville, Kentucky in March. Taylor, an emergency medical technician, was shot eight times after officers used a no-knock search warrant at the wrong house. The march was a display of solidarity in a part of Hamilton that has been traditionally whiter and wealthier than the town on average—chosen partially for that reason, the organizers said.
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Residents hold signs during a Black Lives Matter rally at Sayen Gardens before marching onto Route 33 in Hamilton June 10, 2020. (Staff photo by Sam Sciarrotta.)
The women decided to organize the protest on June 4 and spent the week coordinating routes with the Hamilton Township Police Department, working with Nottingham Fire Company to organize parking and determining which routes would not disturb traffic to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. The march was planned to be about 20 minutes longer, but they made the decision to shorten it the day of due to heat. The organizers also obtained voter registration forms from the Mercer County Clerk’s office to hand out at the event, and they received donations of face masks, hand sanitizer, water and snacks. The organizers weren’t sure how many people would show up. And though attendance was low relative to Hamilton’s total population, Sayen Gardens was packed, and the event’s organizers were happy to see it. “We were pleased with how many allies did show up,” they said. The June 10 protest—and the other rallies that happened the week— stressed the importance of listening to
and supporting people of color, especially outside of metropolitan areas. Protests in major cities have gotten a lot of coverage both in the news and on social media, but people elsewhere are organizing, too. “It is important for residents of smaller of towns to speak out because in those small towns, many acts and words of racism happen on a daily basis,” the organizers said. “Now is the time to call it out, and protesting is the way to do that.” Calling that behavior out—racism of any degree, police brutality, intimidation—locally is vital, the organizers said, because no town is immune to it. And the sooner that is acknowledged, the sooner change can happen. “Acts of racial injustice happen everywhere in Hamilton—cops pulling people over, students saying racial slurs in school and especially on Facebook groups,” they said. Contact SAM SCIARROTTA: ssciarrotta@ communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 121, facebook.com/samsciarrotta1.
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Fired chef ’s Facebook had history of inflammatory posts from Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin and two separate protests that drew hundreds of people from across the area. Ultimately, the posts cost Russo his job. But, even after Russo deleted hundreds of posts off his Facebook account June 11, some examples lived on, marked as public so that they are viewable to even those who don’t belong to Facebook. In November 2014, following the murder of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, Russo shared a video that criticized protesters. It took issue with people looting “Sheneneh’s Hair Salon for the extensions,” a fictional example using stereotypes of Black names, businesses and hairstyles. The man in the video, who is Black, later asserts that Black Americans are using slavery as an excuse for their own failings. Russo, in his post, called the video, “Something to watch…!!!” A May 25, 2012 post features a photo of a hand-drawn document full of misspellings labeled “Offishal Birth Certificat for Hawaii” that promotes a debunked conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the United States and therefore was not eligible to be president. In a series of 2015 posts addressing protests following Freddie Gray’s death in Baltimore Police custody,
By Rob Anthes
Recent Facebook posts demeaning the Black Lives Matter movement caused a massive public backlash and cost a prominent local chef his job, but they were only the beginning. A Hamilton Post review of a Facebook page belonging to Stone Terrace by John Henry executive chef Joe Russo shows the account has a much-deeper history of inflammatory and racist posts, with examples extending back to 2012. The account paints Russo as a passionate conservative whose posts veer into racism during major events involving Black Americans. His posts often receive dozens of comments, most of them in agreement with Russo, suggesting that the Facebook page at the very least has been a haven or gathering space for these kinds of attitudes for some time now. On his Facebook account, Russo called the Black Lives Matter movement “bulls---,” and those who follow it “idiots.” He suggested that George Floyd—a Black man who died May 25 in Minneapolis after a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes—faked his death and attended his own funeral in order to hurt President Donald Trump’s reelection chances. He shared a video that encouraged white people to
The Facebook account belonging to former Stone Terrace executive chef Joe Russo faced backlash for recent posts, such as one that included a photo altered to make former First Lady Michelle Obama appear to be a servant. But the account’s inflammatory posts date back far longer, including the 2012 photo (right) suggesting Barack Obama faked his birth certificate. (Facebook screenshots.)
They spurred a large and swift outnever apologize for their race, with a caption that suggested opinions like cry against Russo and the Stone Terhis were being “heavily censored” on race that included calls to boycott the restaurant, a reprimanding statement social media.
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The tone of former Stone Terrace executive chef Joe Russo’s Facebook account continued in the comments, where friends said protesters in Baltimore should be caged for being “thugs” and “animals.” The protests started after Freddie Gray, a Black man, died in Baltimore Police custody.
Russo suggested the protesting and government response was a conspiracy. The posts received dozens of comments—many of them racist— with Russo’s Facebook friends calling Black people “f’ing animals” and “thug animals” and suggesting police should “cage them.” In January 2017, after Trump’s inauguration, Russo shared a photo of Melania Trump and Michelle Obama that had been altered to give Obama the appearance of a servant or slave. Another post, dated Nov. 1, 2017, featured a photo of a police officer kneeling on a detained man’s neck with the text, “Hey NFL, here’s how to take a knee!” Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin used the same method on Floyd in May, with an autopsy finding Floyd died from “asphyxia due to neck and back pressure” because the knee in Floyd’s neck “interfered with his breathing and blood flow to the brain.”
These are just a few samples of what continues to appear on Russo’s Facebook page. *** Screenshots of posts Russo made in 2017 and this year began making the rounds on social media June 10. The restaurant and event venue initially distanced itself from Russo, calling him “an employee” in a statement posted on Facebook late June 10. The statement finished: “We would like to first make clear that Joseph Russo is not the owner of The Stone Terrace, and these views do not reflect our views as a whole. We are deeply ashamed of the comments made, and apologize for not speaking to this sooner. The Stone Terrace absolutely stands with the black community, and is listening, learning, and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.” The statement did not have its intended effect. Some accused Stone Terrace of lying about Russo’s role at the restaurant—more than just an employee, Russo has long been the public face of the venue and even has his own YouTube show, “Joe Russo’s Let’s Just Cook,” that he films in Stone Terrace’s kitchen. The Stone Terrace’s own website described Russo as a partner in the business and brother-in-law of owner John Henry. Throughout June 11, the scope of the anger increased as Russo’s posts spread across social media, reaching far beyond Mercer County. By the afternoon of June 11, the Stone Terrace had taken down its Facebook and Instagram pages entirely, and erased all references to Russo on its website. Russo changed his name—from Joseph to Joe—on Facebook, used a new profile picture and scrubbed his page clean of any post made later than 2015. Russo deleting recent material allowed older transgressions to rise to the top. Mixed between posts rooting on the Duke University men’s basketball team, the New York Jets and the New York Yankees is a series of posts on the 2015 protests in Baltimore. People in Baltimore protested for 15 days in April and May 2015 after Freddie Gray, who is Black, sustained injuries to his neck and spine while in a police vehicle, fell into a coma and later died.
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Russo’s 2015 posts express dismay at looting and perceived inaction of elected officials in Baltimore, and saying it was “a conspiracy” that the mayor of Baltimore did not immediately quell the protests with police. Russo received dozens of comments from friends—many of which rival or surpass the racist language he used in addressing the Black Lives Matter movement. One woman called Baltimore “planet of the apes.” Another woman called the protesters in Baltimore “f’ing animals” and “these animal thugs.” A third woman said, “cage them – their animals.” *** On social media, where much of the Russo saga played out, people reacted to the news of Russo’s posts with a mix of outrage and resignation. “People talking about the owner of the Stone Terrace being racist like this wasn’t already said 4 years ago,” one Twitter user wrote. Scores of posts urged people to boycott the venue. A rally was quickly organized via social media for 6 p.m. June 11 that would later draw hundreds of people to the Stone Terrace’s driveway on Kuser Road. A second protest June 15 also rallied a crowd outside Stone Terrace. Russo and Stone Terrace also drew the rebuke of Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin, a Democrat who hosted his 2019 election night party and his January inauguration at the venue. The Stone Terrace has been a frequent host of local political and government events.
Republican Kelly Yaede held her annual State of the Township at the venue while mayor. The Mercer County Democratic and Republican committees both have held meetings there. “I’m saddened and horrified to see Mr. Russo holds such hateful and abhorrent views,” Martin said in a June 11 statement. “Had I known he held these racist feelings, I would never have attended, supported, or held events at his restaurant. I unequivocally condemn his words and his disregard for human decency.” Stone Terrace owners John and Catherine Henry took the first steps in the process of rebuilding June 12, restoring the Stone Terrace Facebook account and issuing a statement that echoed Martin’s words. The couple struck a contrite tone, condemning Russo’s comments and asking the community for forgiveness. “We recognize that our silence on the matter was compliance, and we take full responsibility for allowing this to occur,” the statement read. “This behavior by any staff member or employee will not be tolerated and will result in immediate termination. We are so deeply sorry for the pain caused by these comments, and hope our community will recognize the sincerity of our apology.” The owners did not respond to several emails seeking further comment. Contact editor ROB ANTHES: ranthes@ communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 124, facebook.com/robanthes, twitter.com/ robanthes.
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TOP 10 SENIORS 2020 Hamilton High School West Andres Blanco Bonilla
Peter Wright
Lauren LeClaire
Nayeli Franco
Princeton University Computer science
George Washington University Mechanical/Aerospace engineering
Yale University Political science/pre-law
Bentley University Forensic accountant
Class rank: 1 GPA: 4.99
Class rank: 2 GPA: 4.93
Class rank: 3 GPA: 4.92
Class rank: 4 GPA: 4.87
Clubs: Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society Prior schooling: Mercerville Elementary, Grice Middle Teacher who inspired me: The one and only Tim Kline. The name speaks for itself. No explanation needed. Favorite memory: It’s for me to know and for you to never find out. You may be an open book, SpongeBob, but I’m a bit more complicated than that. The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma.
Sports: Basketball, tennis Prior schooling: Yardville Heights Elementary, Grice Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Van Slooten. I ate lunch in his library with my friends for two years in a row. He would always join in on our conversation and have some philosophical outlook to add. He knew what I wanted in a school before I did. His advice helped me develop as a person and a student. Favorite memory: The days in AP Calc BC when we had finished work for the day and Mr. Kline would still try to make it a fun math class by putting on random, vaguely math-related videos. It wasn’t the videos that made it my best memory. It was hanging out and relaxing with some of the best people in my life all at once.
Sports: Soccer, lacrosse Clubs: Peer Leadership, yearbook editor, National Honor Society president Prior schooling: McGalliard Elementary, Grice Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Funari and Mr. Kline are two of the best teachers and people I have ever met. They made learning fun. Favorite memory: Meeting all of my friends and making lifelong memories with them that I’ll never forget.
Sports: Soccer Clubs: Key club, Student Government, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, Peer Leadership Prior schooling: Kisthardt Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: Jay Fishman has served as an extremely influential teacher and role model; he showed me how important it is to be passionate about your work and allowed me to discover my destined career path. Favorite memory: All the amazing people I have gotten the chance to meet and form close friendships with serve as my favorite memory. I will forever appreciate them and the impact they’ve had on both my education and life in general.
Nicole Wagner
Abigail Sprague
Kylie Zarzecki
Gianna Anselmo
DigiPen Institute of Technology Video game designer
Baylor University Undecided
St. Joseph’s University Entertainment marketing
College of New Jersey Psychology
Class rank: 5 GPA: 4.77
Class rank: 6 GPA: 4.77
Class rank: 7 GPA: 4.62
Class rank: 8 GPA: 4.6
Sports: Freshman lacrosse Clubs: Drama club, select choir, Key Club, National Honor Society Prior schooling: Robinson Elementary, Grice Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Fillmore. I was never the most confident student, especially when it came to singing in front of crowds of people. But four years later, with his constant help and encouragement, I can sing anywhere with no issue. He believed in me as a person, and that means the world. Favorite memory: In 4th grade, with one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Zelenak. My friends would compete to see who could finish Harry Potter books first, and we would read under our desks during class. We were caught frequently. So frequently, that “Harry Potter” was banned for the rest of the year.
Sports: Soccer, basketball, lacrosse, track, cheer, tennis Clubs: Peer Leadership, Yearbook, Key Club, National Honor Society Prior schooling: Faith Christian School Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Morris, my Algebra 2 teacher has been the most influential teacher to me. Even though I still dislike math, he challenged and motivated me to learn and made the class enjoyable with his style of teaching. Favorite memory: The Junior Class Fashion Show, from all of the practices to the real thing.
Sports: Cheerleading, lacrosse Clubs: Key Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Italian National Honor Society Prior schooling: Kisthardt Elementary, Grice Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mrs. Baril. She was my Italian teacher for two years and I always enjoyed going to her class. She not only taught me about the Italian language and culture, but I also learned many life lessons that I will never forget. Favorite memory: Spirit week. I always had so much fun dressing up for the different themes and seeing how excited everyone was to participate. It was always my favorite time of the school year.
Sports: Cheerleading Clubs: National Honor Society, Italian National Honor Society, Key Club Prior schooling: Sunnybrae Elementary, Grice Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Van Slooten. I would go to the library every day during my lunch period to talk to him. He would give me life advice that helped shape who I am as a person. He was always able to tell when I was having an off day and tried his very best to make relationships with each of his students. Favorite memory: West spirit weeks. You could feel the buzz of excitement right when you walked through the doors. It was the one time a year your whole grade would come together as one and everyone felt united.
14Hamilton Post | July 2020
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Class rank: 9 GPA: 4.59
Class rank: 10 GPA: 4.58
Sports: Softball Clubs: Key Club, HEY Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society Prior schooling: Lalor Heights Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mrs. Giampiccolo has been the most influential for me. She pushed me to do my best in class, and she always tried to do what was best for each of her students. She also talked to me a lot about my future and she encouraged me to pursue a career that I was interested in, while also involving science. Favorite memory: All of the Spirit Weeks throughout high school. It was fun to be able to come together as a school and get ready for the Thanksgiving Day football game.
Clubs: HHW Marching Band, Jazz Band Prior schooling: Robinson Elementary, Grice Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Certo, Mr. Maher and Mr. Wheeler. They really developed my desire for music during my high school journey. I am very grateful for them to teach and help me with the art of marching, jazz, and concert music to raise my musicianship skills. They also gave me the desire to make music of my own! Favorite memory: The summer marching band camp, as well as all of the band trips after the season. (Especially the Disney Trip!) I am so grateful to make new friends during this time, creating long lasting memories. I also loved doing the Talent Show with my close friends (our band is called Negative Altitude), and it was amazing doing hours and hours of practice with them. In the end it all paid off!
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TOP 10 SENIORS 2020 Nottingham High School Evan Dogariu
Will Richards
Ethan Pizarro
Kayla Mulrine
Princeton University Engineering/computer science
New Jersey Institute of Technology Mechanical engineer
College of New Jersey Accounting
Class rank: 1 GPA: 4.84
Class rank: 2 GPA: 4.78
Class rank: 3 GPA: 4.73
Rutgers University Business management
Sports: Tennis Clubs: Robotics club, chess club, math club, and National Honors Society Prior schooling: University Heights Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Innocenzi. Throughout my years in his robotics classes, as well as on the team, Mr. Innocenzi always demonstrated and instructed the engineer’s way to approach things and solve problems while simultaneously enjoying myself; this is something that I hope to continue to apply to a wide variety of situations for many years to come. Favorite memory: My favorite memory was watching Cutthroat Kitchen almost every day once AP exams were over.
Sports: Golf Clubs: Robotics captain, Chess club cofounder, drumline section leader, math team president, DECA vice president Prior schooling: Mercerville Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Seeley. He and I have formed a friendship through drumline, DECA, and golf. Though I never actually had him as a teacher, he was my instructor for three activities throughout my years of high school, two of which he convinced me to join in the first place. Mr. Seeley is undoubtedly the most influential teacher in my life. Favorite memory: Sophomore year band Disney trip. Being in the happiest place on Earth with some of my best friends is an experience I will never forget.
Sports: Golf Clubs: Co-founded the Chess Club, member of Math Club, Coding Club, DECA, Key Club, Robotics Team and Debate Team Prior schooling: University Heights Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: My 4th grade teacher Ms. Khan has been the most influential for me. She was the first of many teachers that truly made me realize my academic potential and helped encourage me to reach higher and work harder because later down the road, it will all pay off. Favorite memory: Qualifying for the 2020 NJ DECA State Comeptition with some of my best friends. During the trip, we all had a great time and I learned a lot about business related to my major from my experiences at the event.
Trevor Kliem
Stella Spatola
Jessica Hallam
Christopher Filipowicz
Stevens Institute of Technology Mechanical engineer
Lehigh University Environmental science
Rowan University Exploratory studies
Savannah College of Art and Design Two-dimensional animator
Class rank: 5 GPA: 4.61
Class rank: 6 GPA: 4.59
Class rank: 7 GPA: 4.58
Class rank: 8 GPA: 4.57
Sports: Baseball, winter track Clubs: National Honor Society, Math Club (secretary) Prior schooling: University Heights Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Eyster, my middle school science teacher, revealed an interest within me. He made the basics of chemistry and physics fun and insightful. I probably wouldn’t be pursuing a career in engineering if it wasn’t for him. Favorite memory: Time spent collaborating, supporting, and competing with my twin brother further down on this list. I’ve spent pretty much every day of my life with Tyler, and we continue to push each other to succeed in ways we never thought possible. My work ethic is largely attributed to my brother, and I hope we will continue to annoy each other for years to come.
Sports: Field hockey, softball Clubs: Key Club, Math Club, Chess Club Prior schooling: Morgan Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: My AP bio and biotechnology teacher, Ms. Bowen. Mrs. Magdelinskas was the one to introduce biology to me, but Ms. Bowen is the one that made me want to pursue it further in college. I also loved her biotechnology course so much that I plan to make it my minor. My two classes with Ms. Bowen have been the best classes of my entire high school experience and I am so upset that they got cut short due to COVID-19. Favorite memory: Spirit Week. My school has an amazing sense of school spirit and it is so fun to participate in all of the spirit days and see everyone else participate in such creative ways.
Sports: Tennis, softball Clubs: Pit Orchestra for school play, Key Club, Medical Careers Club, Hamilton NEWS, and National Honor Society Prior schooling: Klockner Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Meinhardt. Having him as a pre-calculus teacher and coach, I was always motivated. His primary goal focused less on winning, but taking something valuable out of what he was teaching. He made sure we did not walk away without a new lesson under our belt. Favorite memory: When our boys’ basketball team won the Group III State Championship my sophomore year. It was exciting traveling to Moorestown as one big student section. Being able to watch them bring home that trophy is just one of the many reasons why I am thankful to be a Northstar.
Intercollegiate sports: Cross country, track Sports: Cross country, swim and spring track Clubs: Caelestis Literary Magazine, World Language Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society Prior schooling: Mercerville Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: My Studio Art teacher, Ms. Pustay, has been the most influential for me. She has pushed me to develop and evolve my artistic abilities and confidence—as well as meet my deadlines—more than any of my other teachers. Favorite memory: Getting coached by, becoming friends with and always joking around with Coach Tees, Parsons, Digiacomo, Emerson and Pustay in cross country, swim and spring track.
16Hamilton Post | July 2020
Class rank: 4 GPA: 4.62 Sports: Soccer, winter track, spring track Prior schooling: Mercerville Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: Ms. Dunham. Looking to one day be a successful leader, she perfectly embodies all qualities an exceptional leader would have. As a teacher, she did more than just go through the motions and actually took the time to connect with and motivate her students.
Tyler Kliem
Shirley Price
University of Pennsylvania Psychology
Ithaca College Theatre studies
Class rank: 9 GPA: 4.56
Class rank: 10 GPA: 4.51
Sports: Baseball, Winter Track Clubs: Caelestis, Delta Epsilon Phi, German Club, Math Team, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society Prior schooling: University Heights Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mrs. Kelliher, my 11th grade English teacher, unleashed my love for writing. Through her impact, I discovered the flavor and flexibility of language, the power words can commandeer, and the grip potent writing can yield. And that’s something that’ll stay with me for life. Favorite memory: I enjoyed being with my friends. Whether it was ceremoniously eating a dog treat on Crockett’s football field or rushing to Wildwood’s beaches in July 2019, the people I’ve resonated with have made my school and life experiences whole.
Clubs: Marching Unit, Jazz Band, School Musical, German Club, Environmental Club, Prism Prior schooling: University Heights Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mrs. Klek and Mr. Susswein have been my most influential teachers because most of the extracurricular activities in school have been through them. They helped me to become a better musician and a better student overall. Favorite memory: My favorite memory is the collective memory of all the school musicals I have been a part of. From Beauty and the Beast in 2014 to Catch Me If You Can just a few months ago, they have all been unforgettable experiences.
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TOP 10 SENIORS 2020 Steinert High School Madison Cortes
Chris Burger
Patrick Kline
Hannah Melkonich
Rutgers University Pediatrician
University of Maryland Mechanical engineer
Marist College Video game developer
Villanova University Biostatistician
Class rank: 1 GPA: 4.9
Class rank: 2 GPA: 4.89
Class rank: 3 GPA: 4.88
Class rank: 4 GPA: 4.83
Sports: Freshman softball Clubs: Color guard (captain), school newspaper (editor), Peer Leadership, Mock Trial, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Choir, school musical, SGA Prior schooling: Sayen Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Leonardo, Mrs. Brown, Señora Gendek and Mr. Holcombe. Mr. Leonardo saw the best in everyone. Mrs. Brown inspired my love for biology, while Señora Gendek encouraged me to embrace my Puerto Rican heritage. Mr. Holcombe was always there for his students. Favorite memory: Trip to Washington, D.C. with my GALRE class. It was a really fun and action-packed trip. I also enjoyed all of my marching unit memories, including the Disney World trip during my sophomore year.
Sports: Track Clubs: Drumline, school musical, Mock Trial, Peer Leadership, Steinert’s Board of Education representative Prior schooling: Morgan Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Ryan ignited my passion for learning, instilled good academic habits in me, gotten me to work my hardest but also be my most intellectually curious, and has been an outstanding role model. I am so thankful for everything he has done for me. Favorite memory: This year’s school show, Newsies. I spent countless hours practicing. I also got to take on one of the lead roles. The show was immensely successful, due to the outstanding talent and hard work of the cast and crew. It felt like I was really a part of something special.
Clubs: Steinert Marching Unit (4 years), Steinert Jazz Band (4 years), Steinert Musical Theater (3 years), Steinert Dungeons & Dragons Club Prior schooling: Mercerville Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: Every one of my teachers has influenced me and helped me develop. Because both of my parents are teachers, I know how dedicated teachers are to their students. Their work does not end with the school day. I want to thank ALL of my teachers for everything they have done. Favorite memory: I will remember countless things from high school, but some of my favorite memories include our band trip to Disney World, all of our Jazz Band performances, performing in the school musicals, and creating “Scenes from a Calculus Classroom” with my friends.
Sports: Tennis, spring track Clubs: Key Club, Peer Leadership, Physics Club, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society Prior schooling: Langtree Elementary, Crockett Middle Teacher who inspired me: It is hard to choose just one, but Mr. Sinkleris and Ms. Blew have been so supportive and they both helped me with the process of applying to colleges and becoming who I am today. Favorite memory: This past season with the tennis team. Over four years I have become close with my teammates and have many memories with them.
Rebecca Wisser
Noelle Muni
Joseph Vocaturo
Luke Armstrong
College of New Jersey Biochemistry
Gettysburg College Publishing
Virginia Tech (Corps of Cadets) Aerospace engineer
James Madison University Music teacher
Class rank: 5 GPA: 4.79
Class rank: 6 GPA: 4.79
Class rank: 7 GPA: 4.78
Class rank: 8 GPA: 4.78
Sports: Cross country, winter and spring track Clubs: SGA, Key Club, Spanish Club, Physics Club, Hamilton N.E.W.S Prior schooling: Yardville Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mrs. Brown. She was always interested in how our lives were with applying to colleges and how we were doing in our sports. She made time to get to know each of us in our small AP Biology class. Mrs. Brown made learning biology a lot easier and was always there for us. She brought our class together and made us all very close friends. Favorite memory: Wacky races. It was so fun to cheer on my friends and win after four years. It was also so memorable when we stormed the court after winning and made me realize how much I will miss being with my friends every day.
Clubs: Color Guard (captain), Mock Trial (president), Peer Leadership, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Girls Who Code, Spanish Club, Key Club, Mosaic, Garden Club, school musical Prior schooling: Morgan Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Holcombe and Mr. Sinkleris. Not only did they help me become a better writer and reader, but they took the time to get to know their students and encourage me. Favorite memory: Color Guard and the GALRE trip to Washington. Washington was the most packed three days I’ve ever experienced. Steinert Marching Unit was a community I’ll always be grateful to have been a part of. It shaped who I am today. I will always see the practices we had on cold October afternoons running the show “one more time.”
Sports: Lacrosse Clubs: Jazz Band, Eagle Scout Prior schooling: Sayen Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Ketterer has been one of the most influential teachers, and a mentor and a friend, memories from band with him as our director will stay with me for a lifetime and he helped make me not only a better musician, but a leader and member of a team. Favorite memory: One of my favorite memories from K-12 was winning best saxophones at State prelims in Jazz this year, we all worked so hard and it really paid off.
Clubs: Steinert Marching Unit (tuba), Steinert Jazz Band (bass trombone), Peer Leadership, German Club Prior schooling: Yardville Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: My music teachers, Dr. Costantino, Mr Anzuini, Mrs. Giunta, and Mr. Ketterer have all inspired me to pursue music and pushed me to work hard and challenge myself. Favorite memory: Leading the band as Drum Major during my senior year and going all the way to states. It felt great seeing our hard work pay off and how we came together as a group to put on an amazing show.
18Hamilton Post | July 2020
Natalie Kozemchak
Julia McCarty
NEWS TO
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Temple University Data analyst
College of New Jersey Elementary school teacher
Class rank: 9 GPA: 4.76
Class rank: 10 GPA: 4.76
Sports: Softball, field hockey Clubs: Spanish Club, Student Government Association Prior schooling: Morgan Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: Mr. Ryan, who was my pre-calculus and calculus teacher, has been the most influential teacher for me because he taught me not to give up when things got challenging and helped me become a better student. Favorite memory: Going on the Marine Biology trip to Key Largo my senior year.
Sports: Cheerleading (captain), spring track Clubs: Spanish Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society Prior schooling: Morgan Elementary, Reynolds Middle Teacher who inspired me: I’ve had so many influential teachers over the years. A few that have stood out to me the most would have to be Ms. Blew, Señora Gendek, and Mr. Freeman. They have not only inspired my desire to learn, but I admire their positive attitudes and genuine personalities. Favorite memory: Grand Champions at the annual CVC cheer competition. It was the happiest moment of my life. All the hours of hard work my teammates and I had put in over the past 4 years truly paid off. Winning that title with such an incredible group is something I’ll take with me forever.
THEAreHAMILTON PARTNERSHIP you a business located in Hamilton? ANNOUCES NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE Have AND you registered your business on BOARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR www.Hamilton-Strong.com ?
Are you a local resident who is looking to support local businesses and need to know how they are operating? Visit. Hamilton-Strong.com
Jeannine Cimino Board Chairman
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The Hamilton Partnership is proud to announce Jeannine Cimino, as newly elected Chaiman of the Board and Rachel Holland as the newly appointed Executive Director. Since 1993, The Hamilton Partnership has worked with community business leaders, government officials, and private decision-makers to deliver services and employment opportunities that are essential to Hamilton Township’s continued success.
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Rachel Holland, Executive Director #HamiltonNJStrong Gregory Blair (Emeritus), Nottingham Insurance Co. Hon. Jeff Martin, Mayor, Hamilton Township Lee Boss, The Mercadien Group Gerard Fennelly, NAI Fennelly Richard1993, Freeman, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Hamiltonwith Since The Hamilton Partnership has worked Frank Lucchesi, PSE&G officials, and private community business leaders, government Patrick M. Ryan,and Firstemployment Bank decision-makers to deliver services opportunities Tom Troy, Sharbell Development Corp.
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WWW.THEHAMILTONPARTNERSHIP.COM July 2020 | Hamilton Post19
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Township furloughs employees for 9 weeks By Rob Anthes and Nicole Viviano
Hamilton Township has furloughed all of its employees earning less than $65,000 per year through the end of July. A statement by the town attributed the move to financial difficulties caused by COVID-19. Employees have been furloughed two days per week for nine weeks. Furloughed employees will continue to receive health insurance and pension credits. The township said union members “overwhelmingly” approved the plan in late May. Uniformed police officers, emergency dispatchers, and employees of the township’s Department of Water Pollution Control are exempt from the furlough, which began on June 1. Employees making more than $65,000 also are not affected. The administration said it picked the $65,000 figure because, by its calculations, workers with earnings less than that would be able to recoup their lost wages—or more—on unemployment benefits. This is due to a provision in the federal government’s pandemic relief package that provides a $600 check weekly to any worker qualifying for even one dollar of state unemployment benefits. Funding for the $600 federal checks expires on July 31, the same day
the township’s furloughs end. The township estimates its workers will receive a total of $800,000 in federal unemployment benefits over the course of nine weeks. Based on those numbers, simple math shows that approximately 148 township employees are affected by the furloughs. The township did not say how many workers it had furloughed. The township did say the furloughs will save it approximately $500,000 over the next two months, allowing it to avoid laying off any employees. The furloughs came at a vital time for Mayor Jeff Martin, who days later introduced a municipal budget that includes a 4.4-cent tax increase. Martin’s administration had been preparing residents for financial pain even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, saying Kelly Yaede’s outgoing administration had left the township with a range of budget issues. The pandemic has furthered the problems. In order to fill the gaps, Hamilton has already reduced the funding for overtime pay in the police department budget and raised sewer rates, as well as borrowed $4.1 million from Robbinsville Township. Contact editor ROB ANTHES: ranthes@ communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 124, facebook.com/robanthes, twitter.com/ robanthes.
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Citing ‘pattern of inaction,’ DEP sues Trenton Water Works By Rob Anthes
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection stayed true to its word, filing a lawsuit against the City of Trenton and Trenton Water Works in mid-June after threatening to do so just weeks earlier. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced the lawsuit June 15, saying in a release that the state hopes the legal system will compel Trenton to protect the city’s water system. The release specifically called out Trenton city council for its inability to properly fund measures that would reduce the risk of lead and pathogens in TWW’s drinking water. TWW utility serves more than 200,000 people in Trenton, Ewing and parts of Hamilton, Hopewell Township and Lawrence. McCabe framed the issue similarly in a May 21 letter to the City of Trenton, saying the city council’s vote in May to reject millions of dollars in bonds for crucial measures will prevent Trenton Water Works from providing safe drinking water to its customers. The measures defeated by council May 7 would have provided nearly $100 million in funding for three projects: improvements at TWW’s water filtration plant, the replacement of 63,000 outdated water meters and the
transition away from Trenton’s openair reservoir on Pennington Avenue to a new, decentralized water storage system. The reservoir has long been an issue for TWW—it has spent more than a decade in violations of a DEP order to cover the tank. Though a majority of council voted in favor of the funding, the measures fell one vote shy of the required 5-vote supermajority. “That decision has necessitated today’s action; it is part of a pattern of inaction and outright refusal to marshal the resources necessary to meet the City’s legal obligations to effectively run the water system and protect the public health,” the Attorney General’s office said in a June 15 press release. DEP and the state Attorney General’s Office took particular offense at TWW’s lack of action regarding the reservoir, saying that because it is uncovered, it is subject to contamination. Last year, the water utility unveiled an alternate plan that would move the water supply from the current centralized reservoir to above-ground storage tanks placed in each of the five municipalities it serves. The state, however, says TWW has not formally requested DEP approval for the storage tank project, and alleges that TWW has not indicated how it intends to fund the storage tanks, which will cost tens of millions of dollars to construct. Initial funding for
the project was included in the bonds rejected by council May 7. Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora disputed DEP’s characterization of the issue, saying the state agency has known for two years that his administration planned to replace the reservoir with storage tanks. The city developed the idea after the federal Department of Homeland Security recommended Trenton no longer rely on a single water source, particularly an uncovered one. But the project could not move forward without support—and funding—from council. The lawsuit also accuses TWW of being delinquent in replacing lead lines throughout its system. DEP claims TWW had agreed in 2018 to have 14% of its lead lines replaced by July 2020. To date, TWW has only replaced slightly more than 2%. TWW’s lead service line replacement project has suffered from frequent delays, and only started in earnest this January. Trenton Water Works said it has replaced 1,000 lead service lines since 2017, with 500 of those having been removed in the last four months. It has promised it will remove 2,600 by the end of this year and an additional 1,700 lead service lines by June 2021. TWW has been front and center for most of Mayor Reed Gusciora’s term due to its historic struggles before
he took office in July 2018. Gusciora, in turn, has spent much of his term focusing on the city’s water utility. The city has reduced the number of vacant positions at the water utility— a chronic problem that contributed to a number of TWW’s issues—with the vacancy rate improving from 45% to 5% in the last two years. In the 26 months between January 2017 and February 2019, TWW received 29 DEP violations. It has received none in the last year. Trenton Water Works recently launched a 6-year, $405 million capital improvement plan for its system, a plan that is comprehensive but requires Trenton council’s cooperation in order to get funding. Gusciora said he wants the same thing as DEP: to ensure TWW’s aging infrastructure receives the upgrades it needs to deliver high quality drinking water. “We’re in a peculiar situation where I somewhat agree with DEP,” Gusciora said. “The time is now and not sometime in the future.” The state acknowledged Gusciora’s progress, but said it ultimately will do what it must to ensure TWW provides safe drinking water to its customers. Contact editor ROB ANTHES: ranthes@ communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 124, facebook.com/robanthes, twitter.com/ robanthes.
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59 Blue point, for one 63 Frown 64 Lomé locale 65 Opus 66 Mystique 67 Canyon sound 68 Chordophones 69 Render speechless 70 Swedish shag rugs 71 Tuckered out Down 1 French Sudan, today 2 Muscat resident 3 Cinerary urns 4 Prepare to propose
5 Oxalis plant 6 “___ Only Just Begun” 7 Auricular 8 Pine starter 9 Lively dance 10 Abbreviated 11 Prefix with sphere 12 Ayatollah’s land 13 Type of chops 21 Treeless plain 25 Balancing pro 27 Elfin 28 Append 30 Not fully shut 31 “The Last of the Mohicans” girl 32 Glimpse 33 Cold war initials
34 Libertine 35 Goes for a tan 36 Brightest star in Taurus 38 Reporter’s hope 41 Central 44 Leatherworker’s tool 48 Goofball’s forte 49 Stands for things 51 Glyceride, e.g. 53 Frame job 54 Critical 55 Weighed down 56 “Woe is me!” 57 Boor 58 Maven 60 Turkish official 61 Farm sounds 62 Midterm, e.g.
8.25"
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Sudoku
Puzzle A:
To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
3 9 8 5 2 9 6
1 3 7
9 2 1
4 Community News Service - Hamilton/Ewing/Hopewell 4 9 3 5 1 Sudoku 1 - Very Easy - 7/20 8 2 5
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A.J. PONE OPTICIANS
8
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Puzzle B:
To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, column and box must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
7 5
5 8
3
2 2 9 3 8 Solution Easy Sudoku 6 1 4 5 91 5 3 69 8 2 14 7 4 6 2 7 6 1 4 9 8 5 3 1 13 8 4 3 7 65 2 6 29 1 5 9 8 4 3 87 6 2 31 6 1 2 5 9 8 4 3 7 45 3 87 2 1 6 93 8 5 2 8 6 21 7 5 4 3 9 62 1
7 Copyright 4 9 8©2020 2 PuzzleJunction.com 3 5 1 6 3 2 5 9 6 1 Puzzle 7 4 solutions 8 are on Page 27
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Dave and Dennis Pone, owners of A.J.Pone Opticians say the last three months have been difficult, but we are slowly but surely getting back to normal. We are known for providing precise, quality eyewear, and extraordinary service. “We’ve been open on a limited basis all along, doing emergency repairs, replacement of lost or damaged eyewear etc. often times from our parking lot! Now we are back to regular hours, instituting protocols for safety dictated by state directives, such as requiring masks, alcohol cleaning of instruments, social distancing when possible, and hand washing often. We also have hand sanitizer at our dispensing areas for customer convenience, and clean high touch areas between patients. Additionally, we are working strictly by appointment, one patient at a time, with the exception of minors and persons with disabilities who may need assistance. We are thrilled to see so many of our patients coming back! Business is almost back to normal.” This has been a difficult time for so many small businesses, and we have all had to get creative. In the end, I’m hopeful that we will all be able to comfortably get out and shop small in Hamilton. Our small businesses need all of our collective support! “Mom and pops”, family businesses and restaurants make up the very fabric and “life blood” of Hamilton Township. Best wishes, good health, and success to all.
A.J. Pone Opticians 2303 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton, NJ 08619 609-586-6633 • ajpone.com July 2020 | Hamilton Post23
Car fire at Steinert High School extinguished BOB SHERMAN, JR. FIRELINE
Hamilton Township Duty Chiefs responded to 110 incidents in May. As of the end of May, Duty Chiefs have responded to 510 incidents. Hamilton Township Fire District No. 2–Mercer ville Fire Company responded to 90 incidents in May. As of the end of May, Station 12 has responded to 504 incidents. Hamilton Township Fire District No. 3–Rusling Hose Company responded to 79 incidents in May. As of the end of May, Station 13 has responded to 405 incidents. On May 10 at 8:25 a.m., Engine 13, Engine 15, Engine 16, Engine 19, Truck 13 and Duty Chief C19 Aaron Heller and C16 Richard Kraemer were dispatched to the 1800 block of South Broad Street for a building fire. Several 911 calls reported heavy smoke in the area. E13 under direction of Lt. Mike Kiernan and T13 under the direction of Lt. Tim Sharpley arrived on scene to find a fire at 1733 S. Broad Street, a 3-story building with heavy fire extending above the roof line with extension into the building. C16 requested the first alarm assignment, dispatching Squad 12, Truck 14, Engine 18 and Special Services 18 to the scene. E13 stretched a handline while
Hamilton Township Station 19 Career Staff “B” Platoon Captain/EMT Fred Taylor, Firefighters/EMT’s Eric DeVita, ES Esperanza and Keith Hall pose with Engine 19, their new 2020 Pierce Enforcer 1500 gpm Rescue/Pumper. This apparatus carries 1,000 gallons of water and has rescue capabilities. (Photo by Bob Sherman, Jr.)
T13 started ventilation, searches and laddering the building. E15 provided a supply line to E13, and stretched a backup line to the second floor. E16 began removing bars from the basement windows. C16 established command. E19 was assigned to Rapid Intervention Team and assisted with removing basement window bars. T14 assisted with searches and laddering. C19 was
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responded to 66 incidents in May. As of the end of May, Station 16 has responded to 508 incidents. On May 28 at 5:39 p.m., Engine 16, Engine 15, Truck 13, Engine 19 and Chief 17 John Retalis were dispatched to Soden Drive for a reported dwelling fire. E16 under the direction of Capt. Chris Mull arrived to find a one and a half story, wood framed, single family dwelling, with smoke showing from the front door. E16 crew stretched a hose line to the front door. E16 crew entered the basement and found an occupant utilizing a dry chemical extinguisher on a dryer fire. The occupant was ordered out of the residence. E16 crew found a small fire in the dryer. E16 crew brought a water extinguisher in and extinguished the fire. The utilities were disconnected from the unit. E16 advised that the fire was extinguished and no signs of extension were found. T13 ventilated house of smoke. No were injuries reported. Fire was investigated by Fire Marshal 17 Scott McCormick. Hamilton Township Fire District No.7–Nottingham Fire Company responded to 86 incidents during May. As of the end of May, Station 17 has responded to 493 incidents. On May 17 at 2:40 p.m., Squad 12 and Truck 17 were dispatched to the parking lot of Steinert High School for a reported vehicle fire. Squad 12 under the direction of Capt. Jarrad Pierson arrived on scene to find a passenger vehicle well involved in fire. Squad 12 stretched a hose line and extinguished all visible fire. T17’s crew assisted and performed overhaul. Fire Inspector Jason Ryan was requested to the scene for investigation. Hamilton Township Fire District No. 8–Colonial Fire Company responded to 45 incidents in May. As of the end of May, Station 18 has responded to 300 incidents. On May 7, Engine 18, Engine 14, Truck 13, Engine 16, Squad 12, Engine 19 and the duty chief, C13 Chief Steven Kraemer, were dispatched to Hamilton Avenue for a reported house fire. E18 under the direction of Capt. Dave Snyder arrived to report an odor of wood burning. Further investigation found fire in the attached house rear wall. Exterior siding and interior wall were removed to gain access to fire. Fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported. Hamilton Township Fire District No. 9–Groveville Fire Company responded to 58 incidents in May. As of the end of May, Station 19 has responded to 403 incidents. On May 8 at 3:56 a.m., Engine 19 with Capt. Joe Flynn and Engine 15 with Capt. Eric Wojcik were dispatched to Bordentown Township for a working fire at Tommy’s Pallet Yard, Old York Road. Engine 15 assisted with water supply to a tower ladder. Units were on location until 6:15 a.m.
assigned to Interior Operations. Squad 12 was requested as second RIT. Crews found a rapidly extending fire with fire found on floors 1, 2 and 3. Fire appeared to have started on the rear of the building and extended to the interior after burning through a door and window on the rear. Pre and post control overhaul were performed to control the spread of fire along with coordinated line and ventilation tactics. Hamilton Police Detectives, Mercer County Prosecutor, Fire Marshal 19 Michael Danbury and Hamilton Inspections requested. PSE&G arrived and secured utilities. Water was secured in the basement by E13. Building was turned over to a property representative. Hamilton Township Fire District No. 4–Hamilton and Enterprise Fire Companies responded to 49 incidents in May. As of the end of May, Station 14 has responded to 296 incidents. On May 18 at 4:52 p.m., Engine 14, Squad 12, Truck 13, Chief 12 Christopher Tozzi and Chief 17 John Ratalis were dispatched to Nottingham Way and Donald Drive for a multi-car motor vehicle accident with injuries. The 911 caller reported fire coming from under one of the vehicles, one person in a vehicle and one person laying on the ground. Engine 14 with Capt. Nick Creo arrived and reported a three-vehicle MVA, with a fire appearing to be out. Ambulances transported the victims. Hamilton Fire Police assisted with traffic. Hamilton Township Fire District No. 5–DeCou Hose Company members responded to 50 incidents in May. As of the end of May, Station 15 has responded to 215 incidents. On May 2 at 2:12 p.m., Engine 15 with Capt. Jarrett Gadsby was dispatched to Hunter Avenue where the 911 caller reported his car is on fire under the dash. Crew extinguished the fire in the interior of the car and returned to quarters. Bob Sherman, Jr. is a life member of MerHamilton Township Fire Dis- cerville Volunteer Fire Company and a trict No. 6–White Horse Fire Co. Hamilton resident.
Nine questions with Margaret Simpson THOMAS KELLY FIGHT IN THE MUSEUM
Margaret Simpson is a Hamiltonbased watercolor painter. I consider watercolor hard to work with, but Margaret is masterful. She takes her time and paints in many layers to achieve the depth of color and to define the spaces of her compositions. She has a wide subject range and a deliberate approach. I like her work very much. I think you will, too. I love the compact space of the landscapes and the feeling of being in the frame. Is this purposeful? Yes, things like light and shadow, positioning of items, those elements that either lead the viewer in, are part of a greater visual story to be told. Their purpose is to convey that story as a snapshot in time that I felt was worth preserving. What is your process? My inspiration mostly comes from my own experiences in nature. I tend to search for wild beauty and find those scenes are a calming influence on me. I like to sketch outside in nature, but just by walking in the woods, I am constantly framing scenes in my mind’s eye. I even think of how to mix paint colors to match the warm and cool colors I see in the sky and on foliage. I don’t tend to draw thumbnails or light/shadow studies beforehand. But I know many artists do that. Who were you influenced by? I love the simplicity of Andrew Wyeth’s lighthouses, quiet but with a haunting palette. I like NC Wyeth’s idealized illustrations for posters; Hudson River School artists realism from Thomas Cole and Albert Bierstadt for their heroic portrayals of rugged mountains and beautiful skies; Mary Cassatt’s figures of women and children in everyday life and Georgia O’Keefe whose stylized flowers are more about design than realism. Do you feel your work is evolving? I have more time to paint, so can plan a better initial drawing as well
Hamilton-based artist Margaret Simpson uses watercolors to paint in layers and achieve depth in color, such as in her work “In The Water Garden”.
as spend time to include more detail. Additional time spent does improve my work. When you paint what you love, that shows. I paint with lots of transparent layers to build depth for realism. It takes time. I spend a few weeks on a painting. I paint at my kitchen table where the northern light is especially good. My landscapes make me happy to show light and shadow, depth of field and portray something I love. Were you always a watercolorist? Yes! I’ve liked it since I was in my teens. I was in the Trenton Artists Workshop Association in 1981 when Mel Leipzig recruited students at Mercer. I took Marge Chavooshian’s watercolor class at Mercer, and later knew her from Garden State Watercolor Society (which will hold its 50th exhibition later this year). I paint with my sister, Clara Sue Beym, as well. For 5-6 years, I have painted casually with a group of Hamilton-area friends, “Tuesday Colorists”. During those same years, Sue and I have exhibited annually with “Mercer Family and Friends” at the gallery of Mer-
I have time to paint but not a dedicated studio. That’s fine, as the light is sunniest in my kitchen. Locally, where do you like to eat and hang out? You’ll find me in the woods! I joined the Friends for Abbott Marshlands board because I care about its preservation; that was the area where I grew up. I am learning to be more of a naturalist. We cook at home a lot now. My husband Jamie is an excellent cook. Places we order from locally are Pizza Grill, Scotto and Crimani, and our favorite restaurant lately is BoneFish Grill. What one attribute should all artists have? Patience. I have seen artists get frustrated. Have a plan. Give yourself the time to complete it! Of course, practice is so important to improving skills, but I am more “detail with a plan” than spontaneous. But I do like to try new things, like pastels, abstracts or multimedia. What is your dream project? My dream project would be to write and illustrate a children’s book. For more information, go online to margaretsimpson-art.com or on Instagram, @margaretlovesart.
cer County Library Lawrence branch along with founders Bill and Helene Plank and others. Most exhibits are online this year including our Small but Mighty exhibit for Garden State Watercolor Society. Thomas Kelly is a Hamilton-based artist and What fight/struggle do you have member of the Hamilton Arts Council. His regarding your art? work can be found at thomaskellyart.com.
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One view on racism past, present and future PETER DABBENE COMPLEX SIMPLICITY
In the wake of George Floyd’s death, I debated whether to address it specifically in this space. So much had been said by so many people, much of it more harmful than helpful... maybe it would be best to say nothing, and instead try to provide a brief, humorous diversion from our collective troubles, as I’d originally planned? But it nagged at me, and I knew I would regret ignoring the incident in this forum. Sometimes it’s about the number of voices, not the specifics of what’s being said. The semi-prophetic words of Martin Luther King, Jr. captured this idea perfectly: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Still, the question remained, how? What did I have to say that might cast events in a different light, or cause them to be seen from a different angle? Inspiration came from an unlikely source: Star Trek. I’ve been rewatching the TV series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with my kids, in fits and starts, for a couple of years. A few days after George Floyd’s death, we sat down to watch the next episode,
expecting the usual escapist fantasy. We got much more. In 1998’s “Far Beyond the Stars,” (Season 6, Episode 13), a vivid vision/ hallucination transports the Black 24th century Starfleet Captain Benjamin Sisko—played by Avery Brooks, who also directed the episode—to a version of 1950s Earth, where he’s Benny Russell, a struggling writer at a science fiction magazine. Benny writes a story about a space station and its commander, a Black man named Benjamin Sisko. (That’s right, Star Trek goes meta.) Despite praise from his peers for its quality, Benny’s story is turned down because it features a Black protagonist. Benny is fired, and as he struggles to determine which timeframe is reality and which is fiction, another Black character is caught breaking into a car offscreen, and is shot by two white policemen, despite being unarmed. Sometimes fiction is too close to the truth. Each person’s view of life is filtered through his or her experiences, and I think watching this episode years ago, as a young man, was the first time I really connected to the impact of prejudice. My father had shared stories of discrimination against Italian-Americans, and his own formative experiences inspired him to work against it throughout his life. But as I
was growing up, the idea of someone treating me differently because of my last name always seemed foreign, distant, a remnant of another time. And though I knew racism existed, I couldn’t relate to being unfairly harassed by law enforcement because of skin color, since it had never happened to me. Writing was much closer to home. When I first saw the episode, I connected with its depiction of the early days of science fiction, and the highs and lows of writing. Even as an adult, this episode stands out for me—I’m a little embarrassed to admit—not so much because of the Black man who’s unnecessarily shot by police, which still seems too insane to be possible in the real world despite hours of video evidence to the contrar y. Rather, it stood out because writing was familiar enough that I could at least better understand the despair and outrage that such unfair treatment breeds. Watching the episode again, amid the daily turmoil that followed George Floyd’s death, reminded me of the basic injustice at the heart of it all. These are complicated times, made more so by social media, 24-hour news cycles, and constant battles over terminology, meaning, and who can or should say what. One person’s statement of unity, “All Lives Matter,” is
another’s callous dismissal of Black lives. I’ve been fortunate that my experiences with racism have been second-hand—much of it through books, television, and movies—but the term “White Privilege,” meant to reflect that difference in real-life experience, seems too often to distract from the message. And I can’t think of a worse slogan to introduce the complex but potentially beneficial idea of rebudgeting money to address the underlying causes of crime—instead of simply prosecuting it—than “Defund the Police.” But again, sometimes it’s about the number of voices, not the specifics of what’s being said. The vast majority of Americans believe what happened to George Floyd was wrong. We run into trouble at conjunction junction—What happened was wrong, AND. What happened was wrong, BUT. What happened was wrong, SO. Changes have to be made, and they will be, thanks to those voices. Aware of the ugly past and the historic, messy, transformative present, I, like Benny Russell, choose to imagine a future where these problems don’t exist. I just hope we don’t have to wait until the 24th century to get there. Peter Dabbene is a Hamilton-based writer. His website is peterdabbene.com. His books can be purchased at amazon.com.
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