GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY
www.CentreCountyGazette.com
Mature Lifestyles
The Gazette’s special section includes a little bit of everything for Centre County seniors, including a look at staying active with exercise, socializing, where to volunteer and how to guard against financial setbacks./Pages 17-24
August 4-10, 2016
Volume 8, Issue 31
FREE COPY
Gardner ready to face challenges as new SCPD chief By G. KERRY WEBSTER kwebster@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — The State College Police Department has challenges ahead as the population in the Centre Region, as well as the enrollment at Penn State University, continues to balloon. Priding itself on being a community-oriented police department for the past two decades, the SCPD needs to continue to adapt to the changes in the community, while maintaining a strong relationship with the university. John F. Gardner, assistant chief of the SCPD, feels he has the local experience necessary to carry the police department into the future, and on Aug. 1, borough council showed their confidence in him, tabbing him as the next chief of the police department. His appointment will be effective Thursday, Sept. 1.
Gardner discussed the work that lies ahead in his new position during a press conference in council chambers the day after his appointment. “Policing in a college town, especially State College, is not for everyone,” said the 26-year veteran of the force. “Maturation is a process, and most 18- to 23-yearolds aren’t there yet. We have to hire people who don’t overreact when they respond to calls or when they deal with young people. That’s one of the major challenges that we face here right now.” Gardner explained the police department uses a rigorous training and testing program to find the special individuals that make a good fit for the communityminded policing approach. He said the department is currently Gardner, Page 5
Submitted photo
GOING FOR GOLD: Former Penn State fencer Monica Aksamit has her eyes on a medal at the Summer Olympic Games in Rio, which begin Aug. 5.
Former Lion ready for Rio By CHRIS MORELLI editor@centrecountygazette.com
Submitted photo
NEW CHIEF: John F. Gardner is the new chief of the State College Borough Police Department. He will take over his new role Sept. 1.
UNIVERSITY PARK — The moment Monica Aksamit has waited for her entire life is almost here. The former Penn State fencer is in Rio for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, which begin Friday, Aug. 5. For the intense 26-year-old, the Olympics have been a lifelong dream. Is she excited? You bet. “On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d say that I’m probably at 100 in terms of excitement,” Aksamit said, shortly after arriving in Rio. “I’m excited about the entire experience, but I’m probably looking forward to meeting the world’s best athletes, as well as watching them compete.” Aksamit knows a thing or two about the world’s best athletes. After all, she’s one of them. She’s been putting in extra work as she readied for the Olympics, training pretty much non-stop. During the
stretch before Rio, Aksamit trained in both Germany and in the U.S. at the Manhattan Fencing Center. “Lately, I’ve been training a minimum of once a day, five days a week, up to a maximum of twice a day five days a week. It depends on whether or not we’ve had a tournament coming up or not,” she said. The training sessions typically last five to eight hours. Aksamit, of Matawan, N.J., spent some of her childhood living with grandparents in Poland, and has been fencing since she was 9. “I have been fencing for 17 years now. I started at a PolishAmerican fencing club after the fencing coach talked my mom into bringing me in to try out. (I was) in love with it from day one,” she said. Aksamit, Page 6
OFF TO RIO: For more on Penn State Olympic athletes, see story on Page 6
Marijuana possession no longer a misdemeanor in State College By GEOFF RUSHTON StateCollege.com
STATE COLLEGE — Possession of a small amount of marijuana within State College Borough will now be a summary offense, rather than a misdemeanor, following approval of an ordinance by borough council Aug. 1. Council voted 5-2 for the ordinance, which treats possession of a small amount of marijuana — 30 grams or less of marijuana or eight grams or less of hashish — much like an open container violation. Individuals in possession of or smoking marijuana would be issued a non-traffic citation, rather than Police blotter .................... 2 Opinion ............................ 9
receiving a misdemeanor criminal charge. Possession results in a $250 citation and smoking a $350 citation. Parents of individuals under the age of 18 who are cited would be notified. If a possession charge is made in connection with other misdemeanors or felonies, it cannot be separated out as an ordinance violation and as a matter of law would also be charged as a misdemeanor. The ordinance goes into effect once signed by Mayor Elizabeth Goreham. Borough staff had advised council not to adopt the ordinance, citing significant enforcement issues. On Marijuana, Page 8
Health & Wellness ..... 10, 11 Education ....................... 12
Community ............... 13-16 Mature Lifestyles ...... 17-24
SETH PERLMAN/AP file photo
PENALTIES LESSENED: State College Borough Council voted Aug. 1 to lessen penalties associated with possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Sports ......................... 25-29 Around & In Town .... 31-34
What’s Happening ......... 35 Puzzles ............................ 36
Business ..................... 37, 38 Classified ........................ 39