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FEBRUARY 2022 FREE

Horsing around

TWW: 25% of lead lines removed

Township native recounts relationship with diving horse Gamal in new book

EDITED BY BILL SANSERVINO

Trenton Water Works has removed 25% of the lead pipes from its water-distribution system, including at private homes, according to the utility, which serves most of Lawrence Township.

TWW began removal in February 2020 with an inventory of 31,791 lead lines in the system. Since then, TWW used four vendors and six publicly awarded contracts to replace 8,008 lead services with safer copper lines in its system and at private homes in Trenton, Hamilton, Lawrence and Ewing.

TWW funds its Lead Service Line Replacement Program with state grants and loans featuring forgivable principal from the N.J. Infrastructure Bank, which enables municipalities to make critical investments in public infrastructure. To date, TWW’s LSLRP has received $50 million to fund the program’s five phases, $21.5 million of which will be forgiven by the I-Bank. TWW estimates completion of the LSLRP to cost $150 million more over six years.

According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, replacing lead services at homes ranges from $4,000 to $12,000 per home.

However, to participate in TWW’s LSLRP, homeowners are charged $1,000, not including a plumbing permit See TWW, Page 3

BY DAN AUBREY

Lawrence Township resident Floyd Bennett recently opened Final Boss Comics and Games in downtown Lawrenceville. (Photo By Angel Ortiz Jr.)

A new player in comics and video games comes to town

BY ANGEL ORTIZ JR.

In many comics and video games, the final boss represents the end of an adventure.

When you defeat the final boss, you save the day and become the hero. At Final Boss Comics and Games, however, the adventure has just begun.

Lawrence Township’s newest comic book shop, located on 10 Gordon Avenue, officially opened its doors to the public in November. The store sells not only comic books and video games, but also action figures, board games, table

top games and trading cards.

There is something for everyone at all ages at Final Boss and the owner, Floyd Bennett says he is making sure that everyone gets whatever they are looking for.

“Whatever people want, I will sell,” Bennett says. “I always want this to be a onestop shop.”

This isn’t the first time Bennett, also a Lawrence Township resident, has owned a comics and games shop. He previously ran FJB Comics and Games (named after his initials), which was located in

Jersey City from 2007 to 2017.

FJB Comics 10-year run came to an end when the landlord of the building that the shop was located in sold the property.

He considered looking for a new home for FJB Comics, but ultimately opted against it. “I thought about looking for another space, but decided it was best to close after a decade of serving the [Jersey City] community,” says Floyd, The Jersey City native hung up his hat as a comic book shop owner for more than four years. He had moved to LawSee FINAL BOSS, Page 6

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The Last Diving Horse in America is Lawrence Township native Cynthia A. Branigan’s book that mixes a personal journey, a friendship, and a slice of New Jersey and American history.

The book’s title can be interpreted literally. Branigan tells her encounter with a horse that had once amused and amazed audiences by appearing with a rider on a high platform and then diving from a great height into a body of water.

Using a prose that is often elegiac in tone, Branigan recounts a personal memory of a horse that will “always be in that invisible sacred place that others cannot see, but which each of us carries within ourselves.”

Yet the same tone also fits the recollection of an era when thousands flocked each year to Atlantic City to witness such a spectacle that eventually and rightfully became unpopular to the public’s sensibilities but is now a distant memory of many, including myself.

Here Branigan thoughtfully recreates the sensation of seeing Atlantic City’s Steel Pier’s “High Diving Horses” and her own soul stirring that led to saving a horse: Gamal, the horse, who would become mine, was See BRANIGAN, Page 4

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2  Lawrence Gazette | Februar y 2022

TWW continued from Page 1 fee paid to their municipality.

Under its capital plan, TWW also upgraded all the filters in its waterfiltration plant and rehabilitated its chlorine contact basins. Additionally, TWW is working on a project to renovate the plant’s Delaware River raw water intake to make it less susceptible to obstruction, and building two multi-million-gallon storage tanks on its Prospect Street property.

Residents interested in TWW’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program can learn more by visiting twwleadprogram.com.

Lawrence LOWV seeking award submissions The League of Women Voters of Lawrence Township, part of the national and state League of Women Voters organization, is offering its Annual Youth Leadership Award for 2022.

The LWVLT will award up to $2,000 to a student or students who exemplify civic leadership in their community. The Lawrence LWV primarily serves Lawrence, Trenton and Ewing with voter education and voter services. High school students from these three districts are eligible to be considered.

The Lawrence League of Women Voters invites graduating high school seniors to highlight how they have demonstrated civic leadership in their community.

The League will present one or more awards in late May 2022. Application requirements are intentionally broad and open to all high school seniors engaged in any form of civic action.

Submissions are due by April 1. To be considered, email LWVofLawrence@gmail.com with either a one-page essay, a one-minute video, or any other creative work.

Application form: forms.gle/ VXcdAJocBVXavzg26.

“We are looking forward to presenting our youth leadership award again this year. Thanks to the generosity of our members and community, we are able to award $2,000 in 2022,” said LWVLT Co-chair Katharine Schumacher. “The pandemic has put unimaginable stress on students everywhere, yet we continue to be impressed by the leadership and civic action taken by students for their communities,” “Our goal is to celebrate the youth leaders in our communities who are stepping up to lead their peers under very difficult circumstances. The League is here to support, applaud, and promote our next generation of civic leaders.

If there are members of the community who wants to support this scholarship fund, anyone can make a tax deductible contribution to the LWVLT Youth Leadership Award fund. All proceeds go directly to the students.” For online giving: lwvlt. org/donate-1

FAMILY DENTISTRY • IMPLANTS • ORTHODONTICS

LAWRENCE GAZETTE

We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Lawrence Gazette is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Gazette 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 Bill Sanservino (Ext. 104) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan Aubrey, Rich Fisher, Angel Ortiz CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST Kevin Nerwinski

Community News Service 9 Princess Road, Suite M Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 396-1511 News: news@communitynews.org Events: events@communitynews.org Sports: sports@communitynews.org Letters: bsanservino@communitynews.org Website: lawrencegazette.com Facebook: facebook.com/lawrencegazette Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace

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Cynthia A. Branigan is pictured with Gamal in 1980 in a photo from her book, “The Last Diving Horse in America.”

BRANIGAN continued from Page 1 born in the early 1950s, as was I. For all I know, we entered the world in the same year, month, and day.

He, a Texas native, went on to the more traditional horse pursuits of barrel racing and rodeos before being tapped for the unconventional career of diving.

I was born in suburban New Jersey, and it was my father’s fond hope that, after he invested in my education and travel, I enter a respectable profession of some sort. Instead, I became an inveterate rescuer of displaced animals. It was through our disparate occupations that Gamal and I wound up together.

There was a time when horses, flying through the air, could have been said to reflect the promise of America — the notion that anything, even the impossible, was possible.

But as the decades wore on, people began to see the diving horse act as little more than animal cruelty. Eventually, diving horses became no more than a vacationer’s distant memory.

The horses performed at the far end of the Steel Pier, far from the boardwalk, far from ordinary reality. Although it was dark outside, the lights on the pier were blinding.

Every sight and sound seemed exaggerated, even grotesque: insistent barkers urging people to take a chance on whatever game they were hosting; the deafening noise of the rides; the piercing pop-pop-bing coming from the shooting gallery; and the announcement “All aboard, all aboard to the bottom of the ocean,” where a diving bell took people a few feet beneath the surface of the Atlantic to its murky bottom.

(One summer my parents and I) arrived just in time for the diving horse’s last performance of the day. A

dizzying crisscross of bare light bulbs was strung overhead, but when the act began, they were turned off and spotlights fixed on the horses ramp and platform. Even with the carnival atmosphere, the scent of French fries mixed with salt air, the crowd jostling for position, despite all of that, the horse had an allure that eclipsed all human activity beneath him.

In my altered state of consciousness, it felt like the ocean itself was breathing as waves drew away, then crashed forward onto the pilings below. A voice boomed from the loudspeaker, “Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourself for the thrill of a minute. We present Carver’s Steel Pier High-Diving Horse!” A hush came over the crowd.

Out of the darkness, and off to one side, a gray horse appeared with a handler. The horse was fitted only with a harness. As he and the handler reached the bottom of the carpeted ramp, the handler set loose the horse.

There was no hesitation, the horse ran forward. The instant he reached the platform at the top, a helmeted woman in a bathing suit, who I had noticed before, leapt onto his bare back, leaned into him, and held on to the harness. They became one.

The horse was now in complete control. He could have sailed forward, but seemed in no rush. He was the star and would do things on his terms. He lingered and surveyed the audience, as if taking stock, seeing how many were in the crowd that night, or making sure they were paying attention.

He gazed out at the ocean, then back again at the crowd.

Without warning, he kicked off from the platform and soared through the humid night air with precision and dignity. It was a terrifying sight, and an unforgettable one. The dive took but a few seconds; but to me, the sear-

Lawrence native Cynthia A. Branigan, left, and the cover of her new book, “The Last Diving Horse in America.” ing image of the horse’s body, pointing like a perfect arrow at his target below, seemed to run in slow motion. I was in awe of his taut muscles, his concentration, his willingness to perform.

His plunge into the water was flawless.

Once the horse and his rider emerged from the tank, he trotted to an older woman who fed him carrots, while the same man who turned him loose now rubbed him down with towels. The overhead lights came back on, the audience dispersed, and things went back to the way they were. But I had some trouble returning to ordinary reality.

The wind picked up as we left the pier and carried with it the slightest tinge of autumn. It was still summer, of course, deep summer. Yet the breeze contained a new dimension now, a sad, wistful reminder that things would not be this way much longer, that change was coming whether we wanted it or not.

I remembered that we were leaving Atlantic City the next day, and not long

ROMOLO

after that another school year would begin.

I closed my eyes and pictured the diving horse, not as he stood on the platform, nor as he emerged triumphant from the tank; but in midair, leaping into the unknown. I did not want the act to end, did not want the summer to end. But as much as I wanted this, I knew I could not stop time, could not keep the horse suspended in space.

This realization brought on more tears, and my mother asked what was wrong. I did not have the words for the emotion, so I told her I was tired, had too much sun. That much was true; but there was more. Something about how I regarded the world was shaken up that night. Some puzzle beyond the ken of an 11-year-old, had been set before me and would take years to solve.

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6  Lawrence Gazette | Februar y 2022

Floyd Bennett outside his new Gordon Avenue store, Final Boss Comics and Games. (Photo by Angel Ortiz, Jr.) FINAL BOSS cont. from Page 1 rence in 2016, one year prior to closing FJB Comics. After leaving the comic book life, Bennett worked for the Trenton and Camden school districts. After a long hiatus from the comics store business, he had the itch to renew his business again.

“I missed it; all of it.” Floyd says.

“I spent the time in between my last store as a director of operations/vice principal for several schools and even with all the responsibility on my plate, my favorite part of the day was bringing comic books in and giving them as incentives for the kids who were struggling or as rewards for those who were doing good.

“After the pandemic hit, I was able to reassess my options and I realized that I needed to be back in my element and what better place than this wonderful town I live in.”

That’s when Bennett decided to open up a new comic book store again—this time in his hometown and a different name: Final Boss Comics and Games.

Bennett initially wanted to keep the original name of the store with his initials, but eventually decided on the

change.

“Closing FJB took a lot out of me,” Floyd says. “It was a successful company, and while I was ready to bring it back, I knew that I needed to change and be at its best. I wanted to keep the FJB initials for obvious reasons and then it hit me; who’s better than a Final Boss. I created FJB to be a one-stop shop and Final Boss will continue to evolve to be even greater.”

Customers who step into Final Boss Comics and Games are greeted with a wall of comic books and shelves of graphic novels. There is plenty of space to browse and see everything the shop has to offer.

For those who are not in the mood for comic books, there are video games for sale, action figures and Pokémon cards. Bennett says he is there to greet those walking in and needing help. He asks what they are looking for and their interests. He says he can recommend a new comic book series or graphic novel to you just based on your favorite shows, movies, books etc.

“I’ve always had a sense of being able to match the consumer to the entertainment,” says Floyd. “There’s

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something for everyone in the comic world, whether you’re a fan of superheroes, a story of friendship/ romance, or a tale of action and fantasy. I carry all of it and love when someone comes back and says they loved their purchase especially when they’re young and encourages them to read more.”

Aside from comics, Bennett is also concentrating on the games portion of his store as well. Unlike his previous FJB Store, he is selling board and tabletop games for the first time with Final Boss. Trading card games like Pokémon and Yu-gi-oh are also available for purchase too.

With the popularity of retro video games mixing with current video games, there are also plans for Final Boss to sell older games at a fair price while taking in trade-ins for games to build a library in the store. Other Final Boss plans include several special events at the store.

“I definitely have more room in this space than I did at FJB,” says Floyd.

“So I definitely want to host more events, game nights, signings, and give more local creators/artists a place to express themselves. The community asked for a place to play board, table top and card games and we’re bringing it. We definitely want to have a few kids play as well.”

Bennett says he knows the importance of having a new business in Lawrence as it differs from running one in a larger town like Jersey City. With a location like Jersey City being closer to New York City, there was consistent turnover in FJB due to people moving to work in NYC then sometimes moving away.

“In the six years I’ve lived in Lawrenceville it definitely comes with a community feel which is even better for what I want to create,” says Floyd.

“Local businesses are the heart of this town and I love being part of it.”

Even with the change of venue, Bennett says he plans on running Final Boss the same way he ran FJB. “When someone walks through the door, they’re part of the family. Yes, this is a business, but we’re here to have a good time,” he says. “We used to joke that the store [FJB] was like Cheers, where people would come by just to hang with each other while buying

their books. We definitely want to keep that atmosphere [with Final Boss].”

One thing that Final Boss is bringing from FJB is the practice of pull lists, where the owner holds a series of newer comic books for a customer so they can pick them up and purchase them at a later date.

This usually happens a lot on new comic book release day, which occurs every Wednesday. This is the practice that Bennett wants to keep, so that way his customers do not miss a single issue, while also giving them discounts.

He also plans on keeping older comics, trade paperbacks and graphic novels in stock, since new movies and television shows often bring older stories back to life.

In the four years between FJB and Final Boss, Bennett has started a family, and found new challenges in running a business while keeping a balance in his family life.

“A lot has changed since I started 15 years ago,” says Floyd. “The good thing about this town [Lawrence] is that it is community and family centric.

I close at 5 p.m. most nights to ensure I can have dinner and family time. This is also why I have ‘by appointment’ hours as well, because I live five minutes down the road and can always open the shop to fit a customer’s schedule.”

It is never easy to start a business again from the ground up, especially when life changes very quickly for you in the several years after your first business closes. It’s also not easy starting during a pandemic, but defeat is not always the end.

As for Bennett, he is coming back and says he is ecstatic to bring his love for comics and games to Lawrence.

Final Boss Comics and Games is bringing a community closer with entertainment during these interesting times.

Bennett encourages anyone to start a business even with a pandemic with this advice: “Know your customer, listen to your customer, make sure to budget properly, make a good business plan and have fun!”

Final Boss Comics and Games is located on 10 Gordon Ave. The store is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with special appointments scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Phone: (609) 447-1093. Online: facebook.com/FinalBossComics.

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SPORTS

Sullivan displays her competitiveness in the pool RICH FISHER

There are times Kate Sullivan will climb out of the pool and sit down to ice her shoulder during practice. But she doesn’t just sit there doing nothing but hold an ice bag. The Lawrence High junior multi-tasks and begins to do an ab workout.

“She’ll say ‘I’m not trying to get out of a set, I need to ice my shoulder but I also know I need to keep working and better myself,’” Cardinals coach Hillary Hargraves-Dix said. “That’s the kind of person she is.”

Sullivan just shrugs when asked about that.

“Why sit, when I can be doing abs?” she wondered while pressing the aforementioned ice bag against her left shoulder. “I don’t want to be icing just to get out of a set.”

It’s that kind of attitude that makes Sullivan one of the Cardinals top swimmers and one of the Colonial Valley Conference’s most versatile performers.

Through Lawrence’s 5-2 start, her diversified success was downright remarkable in dual meets. Sullivan had two first-place finishes in the 100 breast, a first, second and fourth in the 100 fly, a first and second in the 200 free, three

first and one second in the 200 individ- here, but was always the type of athlete ual medley, a first in the 50 free. If you who’s like ‘What do you need me to do, lost count, Kate won at least one race in coach? I can do it.’ She might complain five of the eight individual events that in, like, a loving, joking type of way. But she’s always happy to do are held during a meet. what I need her to do.

As for relays, she She’s always been a hard helped Lawrence to five worker.” wins and one second in When the coach says the 400 free, three firsts “always” she is not exagand three seconds in the gerating. Hargraves-Dix medley, and two firsts in has watched Sullivan the 200 free. That made grow up in the pool. Kate’s for a total of 18 first-place parents were members of finishes in eight different Ben Franklin Swim Club events. before she was even born.

If swimming were Naturally, when Kate a chess game, Sullicame along, they took her van would be a newly there too and she immediinvented piece called the ately took to it. wild card – move her to Sullivan “My parents got me in any spot on the board the water early, teaching whenever the situation is me the basics of keeping my head above warranted and get a positive result.

“Katie’s one of our most versatile the water,” she said. “I just loved it.”

And little Kate was also being swimmers,” Hargraves-Dix said. “She can do everything from freestyle to the observed by her future coach as she most grueling events – butterfly, 500 competed for the Ben Franklin PASDA freestyle, 200 IM. She really does it all. I team.

“When I used to lifeguard and mancan put her anywhere. That’s one of the age there, she was a young kid running biggest qualities about Katie.

“She definitely blossomed into a around the pool, always at the pool, more versatile swimmer when she got always in the water,” Hargraves-Dix

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said. “She was very energetic and outgoing and then it was amazing to have her join the team all grown up now and she turned into one of my best swimmers.”

The coach, a former standout swimmer herself at LHS, could see that talent at an early age.

“She’s always had that competitive edge,” Hargraves-Dix said. “She comes from a very athletic family so they always have that focus on sports and sportsmanship; and just the urge and drive to compete.”

From PASDA, Sullivan graduated to the Lawrence Lightning travel team, which she said “really fostered my love for the sport,” and then moved on to the high-powered Eastern Express club team. Throughout her stops, different coaches gave Kate different strokes to try, molding her into a hybrid performer.

Sullivan has since given up club swimming as she needs to focus on her Advanced Placement courses if she hopes to maintain her 4.2 grade point average.

Upon arriving at Lawrence, Kate was part of a large flock of talented freshmen, the nucleus of which now leads the Cardinals. She had some early sucSee SuLLIVAN, Page 9

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Let’s Get Cozy

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from the cover Seasons of love

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Learn the love languages of New Jersey with this guide to food, events, retail opportunities, and romantic giveaways throughout the state. From decadent chocolate-covered strawberries to a perfect wintery scenery, there are options for anyone looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day, whether doing so with partners, friends, or family.

Food

Serving up French fine dining at the Grounds For Sculpture, Rat’s Restaurant’s romantic experience for this Valentine’s Day is an à la carte menu with featured wine and dinner specials. Guests at Rat’s Restaurant can dine on options for the holiday such as duck confit en croûte, oysters rockefeller refaire, squid ink crab pasta, a 16-ounce veal porterhouse, and for dessert, a sacher torte.

Because Valentine’s Day is on a Monday this year when Rat’s is usually closed, the restaurant will be open solely for dinner on Feb. 14.

Sasha Peatman is not only an assistant general manager at Rat’s Restaurant, but a master sommelier. Subject to the day, she will be curating featured wine pairings to accompany the specials.

“I wanted to open some really nice bottles that you normally wouldn’t be able to have by the glass, just for this

special weekend,” she said.

“We have eight outside tables that are covered by a glass awning and have heat lamps installed in the ceiling, so we actually still are offering outdoor dining to guests that are not comfortable with sitting inside,” Peatman said. “It is obviously still a little bit chilly out there, but you’re very well-protected, and all of those outside tables are around our pond and have a view of the Monet’s Bridge, so the ambience out there is still very lovely.”

Rat’s Restaurant, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton. Saturday through Monday, February 12 through 14, 4 to 9 p.m. www.ratsrestaurant.com.

COVID-19 Protocols: Employees wear masks, customers are not required to wear face masks if fully vaccinated, and outdoor seating is available. *** Hopewell Valley Vineyards is hosting a private, ticket-only event with midday meal favorites like imported and local cheeses, wine, brick oven breakfast pizzas, roasted potatoes, meats, and other enticing fare.

“Our brunch menu is very extensive,” said Violetta Neri, who owns the vineyard alongside husband Sergio Neri, the winemaker and chef. “It’s really amazingly customized to us.

Our chef and winemaker being ItalSee VALENTINES, Page 4

SIX09

EDITOR Jamie Griswold ARTS EDITOR Dan Aubrey FOOD & DINING COLUMNIST Joe Emanski AD LAYOUT & PRODUCTION Stacey Micallef SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113)

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VALENTINES, continued from Page 2

ian, he makes ricotta pancakes and a berry sauce for [them] from scratch.”

The brunch also comes with mimosas and bellinis using a prosecco-style wine. Violetta Neri says that in the past, this menu for private events has been very well-received.

Personally, she recommends their thin-crust nutella pizza that “comes [out] piping hot out of the oven” with the chocolate-hazelnut spread and powdered white sugar.

Violetta Neri is also hoping to have their chocolate port wine ready by the day of the event. In a similarly sweet fashion, Hopewell Valley Vineyards will be selling chocolate-covered wine

bottles as gifts in white, red and rosé flavors.

Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington. Sunday, Feburary 13, 11 a.m. $32.00 each plus gratuity ($38.40) and tax. Reserve by February 9 at 609-737-4465 or www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com.

COVID-19 Protocols: Hopewell Valley Vineyards follows state mandates that are subject to change. Anyone is permitted to wear masks according to their comfort level. *** With elevated American cuisine and a seasonal flair, The Meeting House will have an à la carte menu, as well as featured specials, available for Valentine’s Day. The Meeting

House would typically be closed on Mondays, but due to the holiday, the restaurant will be open exclusively for dinner. Owner Amar Gautam said that guests can now make their reservations online.

The Meeting House, 277 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Monday, February 14, 4:30 to 9 p.m. www.meetinghouseprinceton.com.

COVID-19 Protocols: The Meeting House follows local Princeton mandates that are subject to change. *** K’s Events and Decorations specializes in packages that combine food and flair for customers at home.

Customizable for a private date night between two, multiple couples com-

From left: The Pavilion at Rat’s set for a past Valentine’s Day; heart-shaped pizza from Brother’s; and a fruit and chocolate bouquet from Carella’s.

ing together, or a celebration with friends, Antonia James, the owner, brings along a picnic setting and a three-course dinner provided by Under the Moon Cafe Catering.

“It’s not limited to one couple,” James said. “You get a discount if you add more couples to the ticket…[or you could] grab a couple of girlfriends and do it as a Galentine’s night.”

Supplying pillows, benches, candles, centerpieces, and “the whole nine yards,” James ensures that pairs

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or groups can have enjoyable, elevated meals even from the comfort of their own homes. If there is not enough space available for the picnic setup, James and her team can adapt to place the spread on a dining room table.

The options for the dinner consist of salmon, short ribs, or a vegetarian choice, as well as dessert. Now inside of a new location at Dragonfly Farms, K’s Events and Decorations also has balloon and floral arrangements available for additional purchase.

K’s Events and Decorations, 966 Kuser Road, Hamilton (inside Dragonfly Farms). Open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $300 for two people; $100 for each additional person. www. kseventdecorations.com.

COVID-19 Protocols: Mask, gloves, and sanitizer required for staff. Customers are not required to wear masks. *** For the romantic who is truly cheesy at heart, Brother’s Pizza will be selling heart-shaped pizzas all the way through Valentine’s Day for an estimated price of $18.95, plus toppings. Pre-ordering is recommended and can be done either online or over the phone.

Brother’s Pizza, 871 Route 33, Hamilton. Valentine’s Day hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Regular hours: Open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. 609-586-2707 or www.brothers­

pizza33.com.

COVID-19 Protocols: Employees are encouraged to wear masks according to their comfort level or if not vaccinated, customers not required to wear masks.

Events

Last Christmas might be a figment of the past, but sleigh rides and the like are still in season at the Mercer County Park Commission’s Howell Living Histor y Farm, giving couples and families multiple ways to cruise around “the farm’s wintery landscape.” Couples can choose a two-seater sleigh or a horse-drawn carriage, while families can ride a

bobsled or a hay wagon.

“Imagine it’s February of 1890, and you look out the window to see your Valentine pull up the driveway in a sleigh pulled by two horses,” administrator Kevin Watson said of either the “one-of-a-kind date” or the “family fun” options. Watson, who recommends arriving early, said that the rides run from 10:30 to to 3 and are first come, first served.

Children are encouraged to make Valentine’s Day cards as part of a crafting program from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “for a small materials fee.” Soup will be available at the farmhouse, warmed by the stovetop on a chilly February day.

Howell Farm’s Kevin Watson enjoys a sleigh ride with his fiancee, left, and Emery Frick and Tom Donnelly of Piscataway show their handmade Victorian valentines at Morven.

Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Lambertville. OldFashioned Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Febraury 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www. howellfarm.org.

COVID-19 Protocols: Masks required to be carried by customers and worn when unable to social distance from others. *** See VALENTINES, Page 6

February 2022 | SIX095

VALENTINES, continued from Page 5

Using pressed flowers from Morven Museum & Garden’s gardens, attendees can make Victorian-style Valentines with Morven’s curator of education and public programs, Debi Lampert-Rudman. Before the workshop, there will be a visit to the museum included. Materials and instructions will be provided. No previous experience is required, and spaces are limited. Ticket price also includes “take home” refreshments and admission.

“Morven is the home of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Richard Stockton, and his wife, Annis Boudinot Stockton, one of the first female published poets in America,” Lampert-Rudman said.

Years later, it became New Jersey’s first Governor’s Mansion.

During the Victorian Era, LampertRudman continues, a lush greenhouse was a sign of affluence. The flowers are not blooming at this time of year, but the Victorian Valentine’s program is “an homage” to the gardens of that era.

“It’s been a very successful [event] for several years and our last in-person pressed flower workshop was just this past November,” Lampert-Rudman said.

Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Victorian Pressed Flower Valentine Workshop, Saturday, February 5, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. $45 per general admission ticket ($35 for members). www.morven.org.

COVID-19 Protocols: Masks required, vaccinations preferable.

Attendees will be seated in the same groups or ‘pods’ as those they registered with or individually, all socially distanced at least six feet from other tables in a large room. *** Harkening back to an era of The Great Gatsby and jazz music, Bordentown Walking Tours and the Downtown Bordentown Association are co-sponsoring a historic journey across town with an insightful look at Bordentown’s speakeasies.

“Building on the success of our Revolutionary Pub Crawl over Independence Day weekend last summer, we are again looking forward

6SIX09 | February 2022

to a fun, informative and entertaining pub crawl featuring four great establishments in beautiful, historic, and walkable downtown Bordentown City,” said Mark Neurohr-Pierpaoli, the founder of Bordentown Walking Tours. The tour also includes “a bite to eat” at every stop over the course of four hours.

While the tour guides telling stories of Prohibition and the Roaring 20s in Bordentown will be in costume, guests are also “encouraged” to wear their best gangster or flapper attire.

Patrons must be 21 or older with proof of ID. Roaring 20s Pub Crawl, Old Town Pub, 135 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown. Saturday, February 12, noon to 4 p.m. $75 per ticket (includes four drink tickets and food). Guests (21+ only) can reserve their tickets online. www.oldtown.pub.

COVID-19 Protocols: The event will follow all current guidelines. Indoor requirements vary by establishment.

Neurohr-Pierpaoli said that when together outdoors as a group, masks and social distancing are encouraged, but not required.

Retail

Boasting “the widest selection of chocolates in Mercer County,” Carella’s Chocolates and Gifts, a womanrun, family-owned chocolatier offers trays of assorted chocolates in flavors that customers can pick and choose from to fill out their boxes. Carella’s also has chocolate-covered strawberries, fruit bouquets with Valentine’s Day designs, and chocolate-covered wine bottles.

Owner Connie Dalton said that customers can bring in any wine, spirits, or soda for the process. Carella’s then puts a food safe bag around the plastic or glass to ensure that the chocolate never touches the bottle.

“We dip it in our kettle, and it’s real high quality chocolate,” she continued. “We usually do dark chocolate, because that’s the best paired with wine.”

The dipped bottles sell for $28, the same price as the chocolate-covered strawberries. The bouquets range in price depending on the order, which can include both their signature chocolates, chocolate-covered fruits and

an assortment of fresh fruits.

Carella’s Chocolates & Gifts, 2503 Nottingham Way, Hamilton. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ThursdayFriday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. www.carellaschocolates.com.

COVID-19 Protocols: Masks appreciated, staff vaccinated and boosted. *** For those with an insatiable sweet tooth, David Bradley Chocolatier is selling heart cocoa bombs, as well as heart smash boxes, for Valentine’s Day. The boxes come in two dimensions, a large size and a ‘cupcake’ size for younger choc-a-holics. Along with the purchase, customers are given a wooden mallet to break the surface.

“Inside, there’s a couple pretzels, nonpareils, and little beads that come tumbling out when you smash it with that hammer,” Chris Hicks, David Bradley Chocolatier’s owner, said.

“Of course, no matter what I do, you can’t get away from the chocolate-covered fruit,” she continued.

“Strawberries are still the number one seller.”

David Bradley Chocolatier, 92 North Main Street, Windsor. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. www.dbchocolate.com.

COVID-19 Protocols: Employees wear masks, customers are not required to wear face masks. Sanitizer available and plastic shields up in the store. Samples are currently being handed out by employees instead of having customers reach in themselves.

To ensure safety, David Bradley also has a paging system in place if the store becomes too crowded so that customers can wait in their cars until buzzed to come inside.

Romantic Getaways

For a breath of fresh air, guests at Hotel LBI can “escape” to a suite — one that has both discounted rates for staying longer and a full kitchen.

“Hotel LBI is open year-round and is a perfect place to escape for that much-needed staycation,” said Liz Santoro, area director of sales for Hotel LBI. “[It’s] a short drive and centrally located between NYC, Philly and AC. It is the perfect place

Accommodations at Hotel LBI in Ship Bottom, left, and the Colonial Inn in Historic Smithville.

to unwind.”

To kick off their relaxation, Santoro added that guests can choose from relaxing at the indoor pool and hot tub, sipping a cocktail by the fire, and experiencing fine dining, all in close proximity to Long Beach Island. Winter Escape is applicable to new reservations only and cannot be combined with any other offers.

Hotel LBI, 350 West 8th Street, Ship Bottom. 20 percent off winter rates when you stay two nights or more (Offer Code: WINTER) through March 31. www.hotellbi.com.

COVID-19 Protocols: Masks recommended, areas of high contact and public spaces sanitized frequently. *** Historic Smithville is known as a shopping village priding itself on oldfashioned charms, and The Colonial Inn is no different. As part of two current promotions, guests can stay two nights and get another for half price from Sunday to Thursday.

If guests want to stay longer, the Four Seasons Weekday Getaway lets them pay for three nights and receive the third at 50 percent off the weekday price. Likewise, they can pay for four nights and receive the fourth night completely free from Sunday to Thursday. Weekday deals must be requested upon making a reservation, with advance reservations encouraged.

“All the 60+ shops are open, all the restaurants are open in the village, so it’s still a great time to come,” said Taylor Walsh, The Colonial Inn’s marketing manager.

Walsh said that The Colonial Inn’s Valentine’s Day packages can include indulgences such as roses and champagne, strawberries and wine, and cheese from Magnifico’s Say Cheese.

The Colonial Inn Bed & Breakfast in Historic Smithville, 615 East Moss Mill Road, Smithville. www.colonialinnsmithville.com.

COVID-19 Protocols: Masks not required when checking in, no-contact check-in available, rooms cleaned frequently.

what’s cooking?

Fueled by

MERCER EATS

A new cheesesteak joint gives something to chew on

By Dan Aubrey

The ongoing regional argument about who makes the best cheese­ steak — in and out of Philadelphia — got a new twist in 2015.

That’s when a world-famous food critic weighed in and delivered a decisive one-two shot into the guts of self-proclaimed Delaware Valley cheesesteak connoisseurs by giving a greasy thumbs up to a steak joint not only off the road less traveled but outside of Philadelphia.

With that anointed cheesesteak maker just opening a new shop close enough to the U.S. 1 region, now is the time for area food adventurers to make a trip, get a quick bite out, and join the debate.

The food critic was the late New Jersey-native and host of the popular cable television show “No Reservations,” Anthony Bourdain.

The show featured former New York City celebrity chef globe-gobbling with no reservations about eating local delicacies — including concoctions stirred up with maggots, testicles, and animal eyes. The program attracted a large audience up to the host’s suicide in 2018.

But in 2015 he and the show’s producers decided to put the focus on the southern New Jersey and Philadelphia area.

Since Philadelphia and cheesesteaks are akin to the connection between London and fish and chips, it was clear that the show’s menu needed to include a highly visible test taste and that Bourdain would have to face the ensuing fire from legions of cheesesteak fans.

But first, let’s put the delicacy in perspective.

“A cheesesteak is a long, crusty roll filled with thinly sliced sauteed rib-eye beef and melted cheese,” posts Visit Philadelphia, the official city visitors’ port for regional info.

Its writer — agreeing with numerous others (including this one) — readily says the cheese of choice is Cheez Whiz — a glowing, mild-tasting processed cheese sauce developed by Kraft foods in the 1950s. But American and provolone are acceptable substitutions.

South Philadelphia hot dog vendor Pat Oliveri is credited with the creation in 1930. A Thomas Edison of caloric intake, Oliveri cooked up the idea of putting grilled beef on a hotdog roll and giving it to taxi driver client.

The driver in turn had a mouthful to say about the concoction and drivers, and their clients soon headed to Oliveri’s corner — where he spiced up the menu by adding cheese.

Oliveri and his co-partner brother eventually opened the shop on the

Donkey’s cheesesteak has been touted as a regional favorite, but it lacks the traditional presentation on a long, crusty roll.

corner of 9th Street and Passyunk Donkey’s Place on Haddon Street in Avenue, the site of the now well- Camden.

Donkey is the late Leon Lucas. He known Philadelphia stop, Pat’s King of was a lightweight boxer who repreSteaks.

In true Philadelphia fashion, a com- sented the U.S. in the 1928 Olympics. petitor opened Geno’s Steaks across His nickname is connected to a punch the street and ignited the long-stand- that was likened to a donkey’s kick.

Lucas purchased the place in 1943, ing argument regarding the better gave it its lively name, and added cheesesteak.

Although cheesesteaks have cheesesteaks with his own special become as plentiful as hot dogs or hot sauce to the menu.

Eventually the reputation of Donpretzels in Philadelphia and around the region, the who-serves-the-best- key cheesesteaks gained steam, and in 1998 then-Philand-why arguadelphia mayor ment has only Ed Rendell got a intensified.

Although taste of the CamNow cheesden competition esteak aficionacheesesteaks have and asked Donkey dos often argue become as plentiful to come to Philatheir preferdelphia. He didn’t ence for a paras hot dogs or bite. ticular vendor Donkey’s is a with the same hot pretzels in family operation. fervor used for After Leon, the bar sports teams Philadelphia and was run by Donand political parties — even to around the region, the key’s son, Robert Lee Lucas, and the point where who-serves-the-best- now by his son, Joe a server at a Lucas. noted Philadeland-why argument Robert had phia restaurant moved to Medford, advised ignoring has only intensified. where the family the cheesesteak opened a Donkey’s on the menu outpost several and heading to a small place several blocks away. She years ago.

Now back to 2015’s game-changing also noted — rightfully — that Pat’s visit. and Geno’s were for tourists.

A quick review of newspaper Bourdain’s entry into the cheese­ steak dispute was like tossing two reports show that Bourdain was out splashes of fresh grease on the an about in the area and even sighted in the Pinelands. already sizzling controversy.

But, as we know, the show stopper The first was that he didn’t venture into Philadelphia — a place he was his stop at Donkey’s. And since dubbed the cheesesteak capital of the cheesesteaks are the only sandwich on the menu, it was clear why Bouruniverse.

The second was that his sweet dain was there.

As the Camden-area Courierhot spot was on a road less traveled:

Post newspaper reports, Bourdain “stopped by Donkey’s Place in Camden in late January for not one, but two of its special cheesesteaks, featuring candy caramelized onions and a poppy-seeded Kaiser roll.”

But in the “Parts Unknown: New Jersey” broadcast segment, available for viewing on YouTube, one can watch the historic account unfold.

Bourdain sits at the bar. Lucas places the sandwich before him. And Bourdain intones the following narrative: “It’s round. It’s got steak, spices, browned onions, and real American cheese — such as it is. And it is sublime.”

Bourdain then tastes, gazes at the chef, and says, “Man, this should be a national landmark right away. This sandwich is unbelievably good.”

One can only imagine the chefs at Pat’s, Geno’s, Jim’s (my go to place), and Tony Luke’s eating their hearts out — with wiz — as a Camden joint gets international attention for Philadelphia’s phenomenon.

With Donkey’s Place opening its third location in Mt. Holly — about a 35-minute ride from Hoagie Haven in Princeton — I decided to do some taste testing for myself.

As noted, I’m a fan of Jim’s Steaks on South Street in Philadelphia and use that as a standard.

Here’s some quick taste-making background. According to former Philly Voice and current New York City-based food writer Allie Miller, Jim’s takes a spot with Pat’s and Geno’s as one of “big three” Philly cheesesteak places.

But more importantly, as Miller reports, “Jim’s recipe is slightly different from the others. Their menu states that they use top round black Angus beef for their meat. Also, Jim’s tends to be more partial to Cheez Whiz over other dairy options.” It’s also served on soft submarine roll that absorbs the juices and flavor but maintains its body for easy lifting.

And while it doesn’t have the street scene that Pat’s and Geno’s have, Jim’s has gotten Philadelphia Magazine’s nod for best cheese­steak in the city and the recipient of four Best in Philly awards.

So with a tuned palate, I took a trip to Camden to get a taste of Donkey’s real deal before heading to its new digs in Mt. Holly.

Donkey’s Haddon Avenue place is in the northern section of the city and is easy to access from the area where Routes 30, 130, and 38 meet. A few minutes’ ride up Kaighn Avenue and a left hand turn onto Haddon gets you there.

There is parking on the street and See DONKEY’S, Page 8

February 2022 | SIX097

Top Ranked for Quality and Safety.

DONKEY’S, continued from Page 7

rwjbh.org/hamilton

in a lot for Donkey’s patrons. And while urban decay is nibbling at the area, people coming and going seem lively and upbeat.

A quick few steps later I’m in the tavern and sucking up the scent and sound of onions sizzling, the lively banter of workers and patrons sitting at the modest sized bar, and the anticipation of the waiting customers gazing at the cooks over the grills behind the bar.

My sense that the march of time had somehow missed Donkey’s was supported by the observations of a Philadelphia Inquirer writer who called it “a bit of Camden in amber” and “maybe a shrine” where the only major change “is that while it looks like a bar (circa 1943) and feels like a bar, it is really more a cheesesteakery these days, the Lucas family’s magnificent version of the sandwich having triumphed over the booze (especially since the place now closes at 6 p.m., though an adjoining take-out window cranks out the steaks until midnight).”

The writer also then went onto the building’s pedigree: a Prohibitionera speakeasy serving Jewish clientele and later the watering hole for shipyard workers, RCA assemblers, Campbell Soup-makers, and hospital workers.

Since my plan is to test taste the Camden and Mt. Holly sandwiches to see if there is any difference, I

8SIX09 | February 2022

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Donkey’s original location in Camden has an old-timey vibe.

order, pay ($11 per steak), joined the wait line, and pass time by looking at the rack of Donkey’s Place T-shirts.

There’s “A Meet Me Under the Mistletoe” printed over a donkey holding a sprig over its backside or “Fuck Long Rolls” (the bar’s declaration of independence from the expected long submarine roll).

I also watch as Lucas prepares his magic with the standard recipe, described by the Inquirer reporter as “a block of thin-sliced ribeye folded on the grill, poked at with the corner of a spatula to loosen the texture — but never chopped. The hot, chopped red pepper relish is from K&Z, the Camden pickle maker. The rolls are, yes, round, their tops set on the sizzling steaks to breathe their steam and give them character. They are the same oversize poppy-seed kaisers, baked to Donkey’s specs by Del Buono’s Bakery in Haddon Heights, just as they have been since opening day. Finally, there are the sweet onions. They were delivered in a little red wagon years ago by a vendor who lived two blocks away. Now it is his son who delivers them. They are ordinary onions.

But they become special on the grill, mounded up and around the steaks for close to an hour, sucking up the beefy juice, seasoned with secret seasoning (garlic? paprika?), furrowed and

The Donkey’s takeout window now open in Mt. Holly serves an equally good sandwich to its sister shop in Camden with a very different vibe.

Trenton. The place stays close to the basics and provides a comforting youget-what-you-expect sandwich.

YEARS

of chewy meat, American or Provolone cheese, sweet fried onions, and a roll from Italian Peoples Bakery in

YEARS

plowed until they are as tender and took it to another level.

I immediately turned my attention caramelized as the onions in French to the Mt. Holly version and again onion soup.”

After hearing my garbled name checked its appearance, scent, heft, and order called, I step forward and and taste and happily found that it was have one of the staff members give up to the standard of the original — me a friendly slap on my shoulder, a but with even sweeter onions.

Since one sandwich was too much cheery good afternoon in my ear, and a bag with a noticeably weighty sand- to eat at one sitting, I had the opportunity to revisit the cheesesteaks over wich put into my hand.

In a few minutes I am on my 20-mile the next day and was more impressed trek to Mt. Holly — with the scent of with each bite.

However, as good as it was (and is), steak and onions filling the car.

Since I had once lived in Mt. Holly, I was not convinced it was the best I didn’t think I would have trouble cheesesteak in the region — or even finding the 37 Washington Street a cheesesteak to begin with.

That’s because the Donkey’s verDonkey’s shop, especially since it is one of the town’s major roads. But I sion goes against the basic form perfected on the streets of Philawas wrong.

After driving around the block delphia — a recipe that calls for the and trying to make sense of the simple arrangement of steak, onions, GPS directions, I finally figure out and cheese on a basic long roll. It’s a that Donkey’s was in the parking lot simple formula that challenges cheesbehind the façade of Washington esteak chefs to excel and find their own special mojo to make the taste Street buildings.

That is just one of the striking dif- buds sing.

It’s even a point Bourdain alluded ferences between the Camden and Mt. Holly Donkey’s. Another is that to when he told a reporter he was while the old city place is marinated used to a cheesesteak served on a by decades of onion fumes and bar long roll.

Donkey’s round talk, the new one is a roll version, on frill-free take-out only the other hand, is window-counter of With a tuned palate, I more like a roast the sort one finds on beef sandwich the boardwalk. The took a trip to Camden with a Philadelolder place is run by phia accent and an older gang that to get a taste of attitude. It’s a has eaten too much Donkey’s real deal thing in a league of of its own fare and its own. needs to see some before heading to its But why take sunlight, the other my word for it? by a team of slim and new digs in Mt. Holly.

A short trip will perky young people. bring you into the And the Camden place has a community vibe, while the long rolling argument that continues new one is surrounded by empty cars. to feed our area’s fascination with The contrasts made me wonder if cheesesteaks.

Donkey’s Place, 37 Washington the sandwich would be different too — and perhaps generate an argument Street, Mt. Holly. Open seven days a about which Donkey’s cheesesteak week. donkeysplacedownto.wixsite. com/mountholly. was the best and most authentic.

However, those needing a quick After several minutes of waiting in the great outdoors, my order cheesesteak break can find several was ready and I was heading home great places in the region. Here’s just to taste test — and resisting the fra- a few: Meatheadz on Brunswick Pike in grance and the temptation to stop the Lawrenceville. In the former Stewcar and dig into the bag.

When I got home, I headed directly art’s Root Beer stop, it made big to the kitchen, put the steaks on the food news in July, 2019, when it was table, got out a notebook, and dove in. rated No. 1 by an aficionado with 295 The first thing I noticed when I regional cheesesteaks under his belt.

Pete’s Steak House. With its roots lifted the sandwich from the Camden bag was that the wax paper was moist in Chambersburg’s fabled Italian reswith juice. Then I unfolded the wrap- taurant culture, the tasty tradition per and, like Bourdain, was struck by endures on Whitehorse Avenue in the look of the sandwich — a substan- Hamilton.

Gaetano’s on Route 33 in Hamiltial mound of steaming meat, onions, and cheese under an equally substan- ton is part of a chain that has a winning mixture of a hefty layer of thinly tial poppy-seed dome.

After taking a deep whiff of the sliced meat, an equally hefty sesame sweet scent of onion and spices, I seed roll especially made for them by carefully lifted the sandwich, studied DeLuca’s Bakery in Riverside, sweet it, and found that while the roll was fried onions, and, although it comes moistened by onion and meat it was with American cheese, the opportuhard enough to keep the sandwich nity to request Cheez Whiz. While the “Where size matters” slogan may set together but invitingly soft.

Then there was the bite and the the eyes rolling, it is more than hype: immediately realization of what all the The small sandwich is 12 inches long.

And, finally, Hoagie Haven on fuss was about. Donkey’s met the best of what I had previously experienced, Nassau Street in Princeton keeps it but its spices, bread, and secret sauce simple with a respectable layering

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cess and was a little daring when it came to her first Mercer County meet.

“I let the kids give me some input about what they wanted to do in counties and she chose to swim the 100 free and 100 fly, which are back-to-back events,” Hargraves-Dix said. “They’re her best events but she quickly learned that might not have been her best choice because she was exhausted afterwards.

“But that also says a lot about her.

She’s up for the challenge, she’s not afraid to back down from something that’s intimidating to other swimmers.

I’m excited to see what she goes with at counties this year.”

It is interesting to watch Sullivan’s metamorphosis. Hargraves-Dix noted that when she arrived, her weakest stroke in the IM was the breast, which would start to cost her in races as she would fall behind. But again, she took the challenge, began working on it more specifically and honing her technique.

“That’s really brand new,” she said of the event. “I got a lot of tips from my coaches and decided to give it a shot because I was doing the 200 IM a lot and breaststroke is really important for the two IM so I wanted to get better at it. I got some pointers and worked at it every day.”

Not surprisingly, it paid off.

“Now she’s one of my main breaststrokers,” Hargraves-Dix said. “It’s great to have her there but I really like her in the 200 IM and butterfly.”

Sullivan, who had to decide on her MCT events by the end of January, says she is most confident in her 100 fly

“because I’ve trained for that event for so many years.”

But her ability in other events make her a valuable asset to the team’s success.

“She’s like my lucky charm,” Hargraves-Dix said. “I put her wherever I need her to because I know I can count on her to perform and win.”

What makes Sullivan’s performance even more impressive, is that she competes while struggling through some slight discomfort. A pectoral injury suffered from overuse a few years ago flares up on occasion, forcing her to ice it frequently and give it ample rest in the off-season. But she never uses it as an excuse to slack off.

“She gets in the pool and works the hardest in practice, finishes everything, gets up to race and is super competitive,” Hargraves stated. “This season she’s had some amazing finishes beating out someone on the last lap, the last touch. She definitely has that drive and that motivation to win.”

She also has the desire to make up for a petite frame, as Sullivan stands just 5-foot-4.

“I do abs to get those strong,” she explained, “so I can beat people on the flip turn when I can’t beat people in length.”

When Sullivan is not racing or getting A’s on her report card, she is busy participating on Lawrence High’s debate team. Asked what the key to a successful argument is, she said “Make sure you have your sources cited. You always gotta have your sources.”

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Kids still LISTEN to their PARENTS… TAKING AWAY THE KEYS DOESN’T TAKE AWAY THE RISKS…

TAKING AWAY THE KEYS

Over two-thirds of all deaths associated with underage TAKE AWAY THE RISKS… drinking DOESN’T are NOT on the roadways.

–CDC AsOver a parent, youofcannot giveassociated alcohol towith your two-thirds all deaths underage children’s friends under the age of 21 in any drinking are NOT on the roadways. – CDC circumstance, even in your own home, even with theiryou parent’s permission.

You also cannot As a parent, cannot give alcohol to your children’s friends under the age of 21 in any circumstance, your ownunder home, even their parent’s knowingly alloweven a inperson 21,with other than permission.

You also cannot knowingly allow a person under 21, other than your own child, your own child, to be in your home or property if to be in your home or property if they are consuming or possess alcohol they The arelegal consuming or in possess alcohol consequences New Jersey are fines The of up legal to $1,000 and daysJersey in jail perare person served consequences in 180 New fines of up to www.mercercouncil.org $1,000 and 180 days in jail per person served

EDUCATE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER.

HELP STOP UNDERAGE DRINKING-

PARENT, NOT JoinBE TheTHEIR Prevention Coalition of THEIR BARTENDER. HELP STOP UNDERAGE DRINKINGMercer BE THEIR PARENT, NOTCounty THEIR BARTENDER. EDUCATE. ENGAGE. 2nd Wednesdays of the month,EMPOWER. 9-11AM

www.mercercouncil.org facebook.com/PCoMC Join The Prevention Coalition of PreventionMercerCnty

Mercer County EDUCATE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER. 2nd Wednesdays of the month, 9-11AM

www.mercercouncil.org facebook.com/PCoMC PreventionMercerCnty

Join The Prevention Coalition of Mercer County 2nd Wednesdays of the month, 9-11AM facebook.com/PCoMC PreventionMercerCnty Februar y 2022 | Lawrence Gazette9

thanks or to support our Emergency Response Fund, visit rwjbh.org/heroes

How to improve your heart health Ask The Doctor And please, for them, stay home and safe.

be over 100 and healthy. Recipe tasting should be getting 150 minutes of modHeart disease becomes more comand discussion of the challenges of createrate intensity or 75 minutes of high mon as you age so it is vital to see your ing new habits. Shirley Roberts, MA, LPC, intensity activity per week. regular primary care physician for regNCC & Alyssa Luning, RD, CSOWM. You should also make sure to watch ular checkups. how much alcohol you drink. Drinking When you reach your 60s, you Thursday, February 10 tooour much caninseverely raise your blood should visit your doctor regularly to Create Your Own Personal Mission StateSee ads ment. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Why are You Here? pressure. monitor your blood cholesterol, lipid SIX09 section What is your vision of the world? What’s finally, pgsAnd 5 and 7 try to stay at a healthy panels, blood pressure and your Body your Why? Your “Why” is your Personal weight and maintain a Mass Index to ensure a Mission Statement. Join Transformahealthy, nutritious diet. healthy heart.

Heart disease remains the No. 1 tional Life Coach Kathi Szabo, of Eclectic Are there any If your doctor prekiller of men and women in the United Wellbeing for this special workshop that Heroes Work Here_4.313x11.25_HAM.indd 1 1:21 PM warning signs to4/17/20 look scribes medicines to conStates.RWJ-104 Shankar Santhanam, MD—a will help you gain clarity on your “Why” so trol your blood sugar, Robert Wood Johnson Physician out for? you can create a personal mission stateOftentimes, people cholesterol, or blood presEnterprise provider affiliated with Robment that you can share with the world! sure, make sure to follow ert Wood Johnson University Hospital tend to ignore signs that Tuesday, February 15 his or her instructions.

Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health your heart is in trouble.

Dr. Santhanam has Clinical Culinary Nutrition: From the facility—offers some insight what you Not all heart problems Head to the Heart! 5 to 6:30 p.m. Get up come with the tradipracticed family medican do to improve your heart health. to date on current nutrition issues, hear cine in the Lawrence area When should I start worrying tional or stereotypical from other health/culinary professionfor more than 10 years. about my heart health? It’s impor- warning signs. als, and sample tasty new recipes with Some warning signs He is skilled in providing tant to start taking care of your heart our registered dietitians! Alyssa Luning, care to patients of all ages health at a young age to reduce the that you should not RD, CSOWM. Space is limited- register at and accepts most major risk of developing it later in life. Heart ignore are: chest pain least 48 hours prior to event. $5 per ininsurances. disease is something young people or discomfort, including Dr. Santhanam person participant Learn how to boost blood flow throughout your body and For more information generally don’t think about, but don’t pressure, squeezing, or decrease risk for cardiac disease, includor to schedule an appointwait to think about your heart health pain in the upper chest, ing hypertension and high cholesterol. back, or lower abdomen­—commonly ment with Dr. Santhanam or a physiuntil there is a problem.

On the menu: Soups!

What are some ways to improve mistaken for indigestion or heartburn; cian with RWJ Medical group, call shortness of breath with activity or dif- (609) 392-6366. my heart health?

Wednesday, February 16 First and foremost, not smoking. ficulty completing regular activities; The Link Between Hearing Loss and DeSmoking dramatically increases your and swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or Coming up this month at mentia – Can Hearing Aids Save Your risk of developing heart disease. Even abdomen. If you experience any of the RWJU Hospital Hamilton Brain? 10 to 11 a.m. According to several secondhand smoke puts you at greater symptoms described above, notify your major studies, older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop Alzheimdoctor immediately. risk.

To register for a program or for scheder’s disease and dementia, compared to At what age should I start going ule changes call 609-584-5900. For more Next, try to increase your physithose with normal hearing. Prevention cal activity level. Also, according to to the doctor for regular heart information, go to rwjbh.org/hamilton. is key. Audiologist, Dr. Lorraine Sgarlato, the American Heart Association, you monitoring?

Wednesday, February 2

The Baby Boomer Heart: A Generation at Risk. 6 to 7 p.m. Are you one of the 79 million Americans born between 1946-1964? Experts say that the “Baby Boomer” generation may be the most vulnerable to heart disease ever. Boomers are the first American generation to grow up with affluence and plenty. The price for this abundance may be heart disease. Join Ronald Ryder, DO, board certified in cardiovascular disease and RWJ Hamilton Rehab Specialist, Maureen Stevens, PT, DPT, GCS, Cert. MDT, as they discuss the good news - we can change our own personal world and, in so doing, reduce our risk for heart disease. Light refreshments included.

Au.D., discusses your options.

Friday, February 18

Food: Fact vs. Fiction A Virtual Program.

10 to 11 a.m. Sign in for a session with Registered Dietitian Jennifer Choi, RDN as she discusses and debunks common nutrition related claims and concerns.

Better Health Programs

There’s no better time to be 65+ years old, and there’s no better place to experience it than at the Better Health Program at RWJUH. This complimentary program will engage your mind, encourage you to move and help you reflect.

To register for a program below or to learn about complimentary membership Tuesday, February 8 call 609-584-5900 or visit rwjbh.org/ Kids in the Kitchen: You Have a Pizza My HamiltonBetterHealth.

From Rihanna To Panic! At The Disco We Play The Biggest Hits and Best Variety!

Heart. 5 to 6:30 p.m. National Pizza Day is Feb. 9. Learn how to make heart shaped pies loaded with veggies and love. Cook up some fun, and sample healthy foods in new ways! For children ages five and older with parent/caregiver. Alyssa Luning, RD, CSOWM. Register early; limited class size. $5 per child/ $5 per parent/ caregiver for in-person attendance.

Wednesday, February 9

Cold, Allergies, Flu or COVID? How Can I Tell the Difference? 6 to 7 p.m. Join Seth Rosenbaum, MD, MMM, SVP, CMO Infectious Disease, as he helps us to sort through symptoms that can be confusing and sometimes frightening.

Thursday, February 10

“Love Your Heart” Discussion Group. 6:30 to 8 p.m. For those who were diagnosed with a cardiac condition or recent cardiac procedure, please join us to explore the “Blue Zones,” where people live to

10  Lawrence Gazette | Februar y 2022

Thursday, February 3

Tai Chi. Also Feb. 17. 10 to 11 a.m. Tony Jackson focused on improving balance and strengthening legs. Gentle stretching improve flexibility. Learn how to get up if a fall does happen. Must be a Better Health member to attend.

Tuesday, February 8

Gentle Yoga Classes. 10 to 11 a.m. Gentle Flow Yoga for those new to yoga or who want to gentle practice, focuses on warming the body, alignment, strength, balance and flexibility. No experience or flexibility required. Must be a Better Health member to attend.

Monday, February 14

Canvas Painting for Valentine’s Day; 1 to 3 p.m. Kate Moore of Brookdale Senior Living Hamilton leads us in canvas painting.

There will be light snacks served and a good time for all!

HEALTH

FEBRUARY 2022

@capitalhealthnj

HEADLINES

B I - M O N T H LY N E W S F R O M C A P I TA L H E A LT H

CAPITAL HEALTH LICENSED TO PERFORM ELECTIVE CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION LAW PASSED IN 2021 ENABLES EXPANSION OF CARDIAC SERVICES Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell in Pennington, New Jersey recently received formal approval from the New Jersey Department of Health to perform elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)—also known as elective angioplasty—a lifesaving procedure to prevent heart attacks and provide patients relief from symptoms of obstructed arteries without the need for invasive heart surgery. Capital Health now has two licensed cardiac catheterization labs at its Hopewell campus and expanded offerings in its Heart and Vascular Institute. This expansion is the result of a New Jersey law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in early 2021 that allows all qualifying hospitals to perform non-emergency angioplasty.

As part of the new law, hospitals like Capital Health are required to partner with a cardiac surgery center and develop shared protocols – including transportation of patients, data sharing through electronic medical record (EMR) access, regular consultation between providers, standardized data collections, and the creation of quality committees. Capital Health has partnered with Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, Burlington County, building on a relationship that began in 2019 when Capital Health assumed operation of the satellite emergency department on Deborah’s campus.

“Thanks to the 2021 law that expanded access to elective angioplasty and related interventions, our ability to provide these lifesaving measures makes Capital Health a more comprehensive option for cardiac care than ever before,” said Al Maghazehe, President and CEO of Capital Health. “Our partnership with Deborah is built on our shared commitment to the health of our

patients, which will invigorate services that are part of our Heart & Vascular Institute, such as our nationally accredited Chest Pain Center, state-of-the-art operating room for interventional vascular surgery, and a comprehensive cardiology program with some of the area’s best general and interventional cardiologists.”

“With Capital Health now performing elective angioplasty, patients receive lifesaving care closer to home,” said Dr. Joshua Eisenberg, director of Capital Health’s Heart & Vascular Institute and Chief Medical Officer of Capital Health Medical Group.

“In the past, our patients would have to travel to another health care institution to have the procedure done, but by offering elective angioplasty in house, they receive a streamlined continuum that is more likely to lead to shorter hospital stays and better outcomes.”

“With more than 60 years of performing comprehensive cardiac surgery, Deborah is ready to provide Capital’s physicians with back-up coverage when the need arises,” said Joseph Chirichella, President and CEO of Deborah Heart and Lung Center. “Our cardiovascular team is ready to provide Mercer County residents with comprehensive care, and our already established working relationship with Capital will ensure seamless delivery of emergency cardiac care when needed.”

Partnership around patient access is not new for Capital Health and Deborah. In addition to the satellite emergency department on Deborah’s Browns Mills campus, Capital Health Medical Group, a network of more than 500 primary and specialty care providers, opened primary care and OB/GYN offices at Deborah in 2020, and Capital Health’s neurosciences team also provides tele stroke services for inpatients at Deborah. In turn, Deborah Specialty Physicians, a physician practice comprised of members of Deborah’s Medical Staff, provide complex and advanced heart failure patients with on-site inpatient evaluation and management at Capital Health with offices conveniently located in Lawrenceville and northern Burlington County.

Health Headlines by Capital Health | Lawrence Gazette11

Capital Health and St. Francis Medical Center Sign Definitive Agreement for

Capital Health to Acquire St. Francis

Capital Health and St. Francis Medical Center, a member of Trinity Health, have entered into a definitive agreement to move forward with Capital Health’s acquisition of St. Francis Medical Center.

The addition of St. Francis Medical Center to the Capital Health network of health care services will result in an integrated, comprehensive, and sustainable non-profit health care system for communities in the greater Trenton area.

The definitive agreement was reached after a non-binding letter of intent was signed in the spring and a subsequent due diligence period. The due diligence process evaluated how to best enhance capabilities and fulfill the organizations’ shared mission to serve the City of Trenton, surrounding communities, and their residents. The agreement will now move through required state and federal regulatory approvals, a review process that can take more than a year.

“Capital Health and St. Francis Medical Center have had a shared mission to support our community for more than a century,” said Al Maghazehe, President and CEO of Capital Health. “Over the last several years, as Capital Health has continued to grow and expand its geography, one thing I have been very clear on is our enduring commitment to Trenton. This undertaking demonstrates that and will be complemented by other significant investments Capital Health will make to develop programs focusing on the broader needs of our neighbors, bringing a holistic approach to their well-being. We are truly excited for this next chapter in health care for our region.”

WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH Thursday, February 24, 2022 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting If you’re like most women, you’re probably busy taking care of everyone else. You and your heart health need equal time and attention. DR. SATVIK SHAH, fellowship trained cardiologist (and Lawrence Township native) from Capital Health Heart Care Specialists, will review gender differences in heart conditions and symptoms of heart disease. Become your own heart hero!

This event will be taking place virtually using Zoom.

Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address. Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date.

Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

12Lawrence Gazette | Health Headlines by Capital Health

“In completing the due diligence process, we have concluded months of planning and discussion and can now start a plan to bring our organizations together with a goal of greater care options for the community,” said Daniel P. Moen, President and Chief Executive Officer, St. Francis Medical Center. “Serving our community is at the heart of each of our organizations, and it is through this shared mission and aligned approach to care that residents will receive improved access to high-quality care.”

As a result of the definitive agreement, Capital Health plans to offer an enhanced complement of integrated services with community and tertiary levels of care to more efficiently meet the needs of area residents. Preserving and strengthening health care services in Trenton will be a priority. Capital Health’s acquisition of St. Francis will combine St. Francis’ specialized cardiac services with Capital Health’s specialized service lines including neuroscience, trauma, cancer, maternity, and orthopedics, as well as preserving other critical programs in the areas of emergency and behavioral health services. It will also align all of these complementary services with Capital Health Medical Group, which includes more than 20 primary care practices and dozens of specialty practices throughout the region. In addition to St. Francis Medical Center, the acquisition will include related operations, including LIFE St. Francis, St. Francis Medical Associates, its Schools of Nursing and Radiologic Technology, and internal medical residency program.

“The City of Trenton and the surrounding communities are a critical part of our shared mission to care for the underserved and I am extremely excited by what this agreement means for residents in the immediate community and the larger region,” said Samuel J. Plumeri Jr., Chairman, Capital Healthcare Inc., Board of Trustees. “The comprehensive model of care achieved will have a significant, positive impact on the health of our community.”

“This definitive agreement demonstrates our steadfast commitment to provide area residents, including the underserved, with high-quality, comprehensive care,” said Joseph Youngblood, II, J.D., Ph.D., chairman, Board of Trustees, St. Francis Medical Center. “The Trustees of St. Francis Medical Center spent countless hours identifying the best solution to continue the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis to provide health care in the City of Trenton. Our strengths, coupled with those of Capital Health, a regional health care leader, will improve services for residents by offering a fully integrated network of services in the City of Trenton. The result will be improved access and delivery of care for area residents.”

Both hospitals are known for providing advanced care and for ensuring local access to high-quality, affordable health care services.

Throughout the regulatory process, Capital Health and St. Francis remain committed to sustaining and advancing the comprehensive, high-quality services they provide to residents of the greater Trenton area.

Robbinsville Resident Feels Better Than Ever After Capital Health Cardiac Rehab On a sunny June afternoon, 59-year-old Stan Winnick of Robbinsville, New Jersey was having a perfect day, enjoying a cycling trip with one of his two adult sons as part of a visit to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Part way through their planned route, Stan began noticing that he wasn’t feeling well and decided to cut the ride short and head back to their car.

This turned out to be a lifesaving decision. He was having a serious heart attack and collapsed on the side of the road in a very desperate situation.

“No one wants to have a heart attack, but I was very lucky to have it where and when I did,” said Stan. “A couple of people were quick to help take care of me.”

One passerby was a fellow cyclist who was trained and experienced in CPR. Eventually, a nearby resident (and retired emergency medical technician) helped with CPR until Stan was transported by ambulance to a small hospital in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, where he spent 12 days in the intensive care unit.

Stan’s fitness routine included cycling/mountain biking, running, boot camp workouts, boxing, and two gym memberships, so it was hard for him to understand what was happening. It was determined that Stan had 100% blockage in his left anterior descending (LAD) artery, most likely from plaque that had broken loose.

“When I got home, I couldn’t do any of the things I enjoyed,” Stan recalled. “I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to do them again.”

Stan’s wife, Susan, connected him to Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell, which is home to Capital Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Stan entered the program in late August, and he was pleasantly surprised by the people, services, and amenities that are available for cardiac rehab patients like him.

“The space is beautiful and cheery,” said Stan. “It felt like a resort—everyone was kind and welcoming and answered any questions I had!”

Capital Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation team assured Stan that not only could he expect to resume his normal routine, he’d be doing it even better than before with their guidance.

“I was very weak at the beginning,” said Stan. “But everyone there put in the time and effort that was needed to give me confidence and push myself to get stronger.”

Capital Health’s team of physicians, nurses, exercise physiologists and registered dietitians coordinate with referring physicians to help each person achieve their heart healthy goals. Stan’s team included Exercise Physiologist Jack Stolte, registered nurses Kathy Rowe and Kathy Ziegler, Dietitian Loni Pereszlenyi, Department Secretary Amber Chambers, and Cardiopulmonary Rehab Supervisor Laurie Beck, all of whom worked to ensure Stan achieved his goal of getting back to his old self.

After they complete their personalized cardiac rehab programs, patients are given verbal and printed recommendations for continuing exercises on their own. The Program also offers individual and group classes on topics such as heart health, risk factor reduction, nutrition, stress management, exercise, and medication guidelines.

Now, Stan isn’t just back to his old self—he’s a new man. And although Stan is thrilled by his results with Capital Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, he admits to missing his time there. “From a cardio standpoint, I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been,” he said. “I went from a dark place where I was kind of depressed to having a very optimistic view of the future.”

To learn more about Cardiac Rehabilitation at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, visit capitalhealth.org/cardiacrehab. To schedule an appointment, call 609.537.6420.

Health Headlines by Capital Health | Lawrence Gazette13

Two Experienced Family Medicine Physicians Join CAPITAL HEALTH PRIMARY CARE – HAMILTON Dr. Joseph Bordieri and Dr. Jared Newman, two board certified family medicine physicians, recently joined Capital Health Primary Care – Hamilton, located at 1445 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Suite 103, Hamilton, New Jersey 08619. Drs. Bordieri and Newman have experience in providing care for people ages 5 and older, as well as addressing specific health issues for older adults.

“The past two years have shown us that maintaining your health is more important than ever,” said Dr. Jerrold Gertzman, medical director of Capital Health Medical Group’s primary care network.

“Dr. Bordieri’s and Dr. Newman’s combined experience adds significant depth to our team, and their approaches to care will benefit families in Hamilton who are looking for guidance in managing their everyday health care needs.”

DR. JOSEPH BORDIERI received his medical degree from UMDNJ – School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey and completed his family practice residency at Union Hospital in Union, New Jersey, where he served as chief resident and earned Resident of the Year honors in his second and third year. Dr. Bordieri is an avid endurance athlete and promotes exercise to maintain overall health. He is a four-time Ironman Lake Placid finisher and has competed in more than 46 triathlons. Dr. Bordieri was named Top Doctor New Jersey by NJ Top Docs from 2020 through 2022 and is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice, and the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons.

DR. JARED NEWMAN received his medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri and completed his residency at Union Hospital in Union, New Jersey. He is a ten-time recipient of Vitals Compassionate Doctor Recognition and Patients’ Choice Award and a member of the American Osteopathic Association.

Before joining Capital Health, Dr. Bordieri and Dr. Newman led Central Jersey Family Medical Group in Jamesburg, Middlesex County, New Jersey for more than 15 years. They now offer their services as part of the team at Capital Health Primary Care – Hamilton to help children, adolescents, and adults prevent illness, handle everyday medical needs, and manage chronic health issues. As part of Capital Health Medical Group, a network of more than 500 physicians and clinicians who offer primary and specialty care, Capital Health Primary Care – Hamilton offers easy access to experienced specialists and the most advanced care in the region at nearby Capital Health hospitals.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bordieri or Dr. Newman at Capital Health Primary Care – Hamilton, call 609.587.6661 or visit capitalhealth.org/hamilton for more information.

COVID-19 AND CHILDREN: AN UPDATE ON VACCINES AND THE DISEASE Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 6 p.m.

Location: Zoom Meeting While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, there is a rising number of children contracting COVID-19 in the U.S. Join DR. PUTHENMADAM RADHAKRISHNAN, a board certified pediatrician in the Pediatric Services Department at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, to get the facts on how best to protect your children. Dr. Radhakrishnan will share information about vaccine advances, approvals, safety and information on incidence of COVID-19 in children, including increasing hospitalizations.

This event will be taking place virtually using Zoom. Register online at capitalhealth.org/events and be sure to include your email address.

Zoom meeting details will be provided via email 2 – 3 days before the program date. Registration ends 24 hours before the program date.

14Lawrence Gazette | Health Headlines by Capital Health

2022 Lawrence recommended municipal budget message 2022 Lawrence Township

KEVIN NERWINSKI Budget Recommendation FROM THE MANAGER’S DESK

Foreword: A “recommended” budget is intended to be exactly as it is named. A budget as recommended by the municipal manager and the chief financial officer to the governing body.

It is a starting point for the public budget process (work on the budget actually begins in October of the prior year).

In our form of government (i.e., Council-Manager), the elected officials (i.e., the five elected council members) have the responsibility to review and, if they deem appropriate, revise the budget in some manner that the majority of the council members support and they believe is in the best interest of the community.

Ultimately, the elected officials will be required to vote on whether to adopt the final version of the budget as it goes through the review process.

Our process involves multiple public meetings (open to the public) that include each department head (i.e., Police, Fire/EMS, Public Works, Health, Recreation, Municipal Court, Finance and Construction) appearing before the governing body to discuss their departmental budget, its needs, and the forecasting of issues that may negatively or positively impact its operations.

During these presentations, council members ask questions to better understand the budget as presented to them for consideration. After all department heads have presented, we then have the “introduction of the 2022 Municipal Budget,” which may ver y well be different than the document introduced.

Finally, we have a public hearing on the adoption of the budget. In every calendar year, there are important “budget” dates that guide the preparation and adoption of our municipal budget. For 2022, they are as follows: 1. Dec. 31, 2021 is the close of the 2021 fiscal year; 2. Jan. 18 is the date the recommended budget is offered to Council; 3. Jan. 31 is the date that the annual debt statement is due to the state Division of Local Government Ser vices; 4. Feb. 10 is the date that our annual financial statement is due to the state Division of Local Government Ser vices; 5. March 15 is the date we are targeting to introduce the municipal budget to Council; and 6. April 19 is the date scheduled for the public hearing for the adoption of our 2022 Budget.

The following is a budget message that I have prepared that is intended to offer some reasoning behind the budget we have recommended.

The world health pandemic known as COVID-19 continues to dominate our thought process and considerations for the preparation of the 2022 municipal budget.

To be candid, as recent as this past November, we were fairly confident that we were past the worst of the pandemic and would be able to return to a budget that plans for a certain near and distant future.

But, given the resurgence of the virus and a faster spreading variant (Omicron), the confidence that we are trending toward pre-pandemic normalcy is no longer present.

However, over the course of these past two years, we have learned how to address the challenges the pandemic has wreaked upon us and, most importantly, we understand that this situation is and always will be fluid, and demands us to be ready, willing and able to adjust to whatever confronts us.

In crafting the previous 2021 budget, we described our approach as “remaining calm in the eye of the storm” and delivered a budget that was less than the year before and provided for no increase in taxation in an effort to offer some relief to our residents feeling the financial impact of the pandemic.

The description we used in 2021 remains as relevant today as it did back then. The difference, however, is that we now better understand the financial impact a pandemic can cause our municipal government, and we also know the level of financial assistance we have and will receive from our county, state and federal governments.

With this knowledge and experience, we can recommend a budget that is fiscally responsible with eyes wide open.

With inescapable increases to key appropriations that total $1,717,711 or 3.67 cents [1], we are able to craft and recommend a budget that provides for a 3.50 cent tax increase.[2] Importantly, this budget provides for the preser vation of our surplus balance. We have planned to use only as much as we can regenerate so that the balance does not reduce in each subsequent year.

By doing this, we are better able to maintain our high credit rating and enjoy the benefits of the best rates for financing our important community projects and infrastructure improvements.

The recommended municipal tax rate for 2022 is .632 [“.597”] which represents a 3.5-cent increase [3].

One (1) cent = $469,312.11.

The amount to be raised by taxation in 2022 is $29,659,134.15 [$27,760,451.69], which is $1,898,682.46 over 2021.

• The Levy Cap Bank available

from 2020 and 2021 is $1,353,473, and we will use $0 to remain within the 2% tax levy cap. NOTE: The 2022 Recommended Budget is $767,025 under the levy cap and is available for “banking.” This addition to the 2020 and 2021 banks will leave a usable “cap bank” of $2,120,498 for future budgets.

• The 2021 year-end surplus balance is $17,529,312.69 versus a 2020 year-end balance of $17,162,489.74, an increase of $366,822.95.

• The surplus balance remaining available after applying an amount as anticipated revenue will be $10,679,312.69 [$10,312,489.74], an increase of $366,822.95 over the 2020 remaining balance.

• The cash reser ve balance for tax appeals is $6,219,491.18 [$4,119,491.18].

• The decrease in outstanding debt continues. The 2010 closing balance was $30,797,000. The 2021 closing balance is $15,631,000.

Fiscal strength is evident as $6,850,000 in surplus (also known as fund balance) used in the 2020 budget has been regenerated at the close of 2021.

Fund balance is the excess in the following balance sheet categories: Amount to be Raised by Taxation, Miscellaneous Revenues Anticipated (MRA), Delinquent Taxes,

Expires: 2-28-22

Expires: 4-30-21

Prior Year Appropriations Lapsed, and Miscellaneous Revenues Not Anticipated (MRNA).

In 2022, our recommendation is to utilize $6,850,000 in surplus, $15,612,169.38 in MRA, $830,000 in Delinquent Taxes and $29,659,134.15 in Amount to be Raised for Taxes. The total of these balance sheet categories equates to the municipal budget of $52,951,303.53.

[1] 1) ELSA increase; 2) Health Benefits increase; 3) Contractual increases to Salary & Wages; 4) New Hires (i.e., firefighter and inspectors); 5) Increase in Uncollected Taxes; 6) Increase in Debt Service (principal and interest/Capital Improvement Funding); 7) Increase in solid waste collection; and 8) Increase in Public Employee Pension contributions.

[2] We have been able to of fset the 3.67 cent increase by certain factors within our budget (i.e., anticipated recreation fees, increase in our ratable base (i.e., Cobblestone and Amazon warehouse, etc.), QBM police staf fing reimbursement, etc.)

[3] NOTE: Figures in [ ] are 2021 amounts included for comparison.

Kevin Nerwinski, a longtime resident of Lawrence, serves as Lawrence Township’s municipal manager.

Expires: 2-28-22

Expires: 4-30-21

Expires: 2-28-22

Expires: 4-30-21

Februar y 2022 | Lawrence Gazette15

Occupational Diseases Repetitive Motion Injuries

Behind every personal injury case is a wrong to be righted.

Behind every personal injury case is a responsibility to be taken – a wrong to be righted.

Advocates for victims of injuries involving:

• Motor Vehicle Collisions • Product Liability • Motor Cycle Wrecks • Tractor Trailer Crashes • Nursing Home Negligence • Slip and Falls

• Construction Sites • Wrongful Death

Contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman.

We’ve been representing injury victims since 1929.

Introducing two additions to our Personal Injury Department:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents • Slip and Falls • Construction Accidents Liability The• Product Workplace Injury Group • Other Accidents

Richard J. Isolde

Richard initially worked as a defense attorney for insurance companies.

During that time, he saw that individuals were not always treated fairly. He decided to start representing injured victims. Since then, he has successfully litigated hundreds of cases to favorable settlements and/or verdicts. His efforts have resulted in millions of dollars for his injured clients.

Sungkyu S. Lee (“SQ”)

Before joining Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, SQ worked for a large insurance company defending policyholders who were being sued. He concentrated his practice on automobile accidents and premises liability issues. SQ brings his skills and experience from the defense side to the plaintiff side in order help injured people recover from those that caused them harm.

• SINCE 1929 • The Workplace Injury Group 1-800-432-LAWS | www.pralaw.com

Call for your free consultation Contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at 1-800-432-LAWS

989 Lenox Drive | 1st Floor | Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 | Telephone: (609) 520-0900 | Fax: (609) 896-1265 601 Longwood Avenue | Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 | Telephone: (856) 222-0111

Call for your free consultation Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman. We’ve been 1-800-432-LAWS *A description of the methodology for this award can be found at https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/methodology.aspx.

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16  Lawrence Gazette | Februar y 2022