Current of Egg Harbor Twp. - Sept. 1, 2010
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SEPTEMBER 1, 2010 VOL 17, NO. 7
Reval under way in EHT
By
JORDAN WOMPIERSKI
Staff Writer
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP –
The township is preparing to kick off the revaluation process for the first time since 1996 and has already started assessing some homes by sending out inspectors to look at properties that have undergone improvements in 2010, according to Mayor James “Sonny” McCullough. The revaluation work is being done by Vital Communications, Inc. and will cost the township roughly \$1.5 million. The new property values will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012. “The revaluation has started,” McCullough said on Friday, Aug. 27. “It’s starting with new additions or any add-ons or improvements that have taken place.” McCullough said the township was hoping to begin the process in May, but was waiting on the state to approve its tax maps. Now that New Jersey has given Egg Harbor Township the green light, the municipality has gotten to work on assessing the value of its properties. “If somebody added a swimming pool or deck onto their house, they’re the first properties that we’re going to hit,” he said. McCullough said the revaluation process is coming at a convenient time for those who own property in the township. “It’s a good time for the property owners,” McCullough explained. “It’s good that we’re starting it now when the real estate market is down. There’s a number of communities that did it a number of years ago at the peak, and now they’re experiencing quite a bit of real See REVAL on Page 12
Learning about police work to build character or a career
By
JORDAN WOMPIERSKI
Staff Writer
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP –
Led by Egg Harbor Township Police Ptls. Robert O’Donoghue and Richard Vogt, the Egg Harbor Township Police Explorer Post 94 is continuing to have a positive impact on its members and the greater community. Fifteen members from the post recently traveled to compete in the biannual National Law Enforcement Conference in Atlanta, Ga. and the team received a number of impressive accolades. The Police Explorer program, run through the Boy Scouts of America and sponsored by the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, is designed to provide local youths ages 14 to 21 with an inside look at policing. Started in Egg Harbor Township in 1981 by Officer Ted Kammer, now an undersheriff with the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, the free program has seen more than 30 former members move on to full-time careers in law enforcement. When O’Donoghue was in fifth grade, his D.A.R.E. program police officer was Kammer. Now, O’Donoghue is proud to be one of the Police Explorer advisors and act as a role model in the way Kammer did for him. “I always kind of looked up to him and I liked the program,” O’Donoghue said. “I saw what it did for kids. It teaches them good morals, good character, and helps them get a little work ethic.” O’Donoghue said the program is a great opportunity for any individual, even if they might not be interested in pursuing a law enforcement career and even if they do not live in Egg Harbor Township. “Some kids just do it because they like the program,” he said. “They just want to come out; they really have no intention of being in law enforcement, but it’s something that they like to do and they enjoy. We have kids from Somers Point, Ocean City, Galloway, Linwood. It’s pretty much open to anyone in the area.” The Explorers meet each Monday night to learn police methods and tactics and prepare for the national competition. Katie Cantell, 21, of Galloway Township has been See POLICE on Page 12
Jordan Wompierski
Karen Chikezie, 16, of Egg Harbor Township guides Milan Palmadge, 2, of Somers Point at the Kids Choice Academy Trike-A-Thon Friday, Aug. 27.
Trike-A-Thon is a wheelie good time
By
JORDAN WOMPIERSKI
Staff Writer
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP –
Dozens of children at Kids Choice Academy spent their afternoon cruising around on scooters, four-wheelers, and bicycles for a good cause on Friday during the Kids Choice Academy Trike-A-Thon. The event was organized by 16-year-old Karen Chikezie, a soon-to-be senior at Egg Harbor Township High School, who said she was very pleased with the turnout. “We weren’t expecting this many,” said Chikezie of the 25 or so kids that eagerly pedaled, pushed, and drove their way around the oval course set up behind the building. “There’s a traffic jam every 10 seconds!” Chikezie’s mom, Cordis, owns the childcare center, but the Trike-A-Thon, held to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, was all Karen’s idea. “Our goal was to raise \$1,500, and so far See TRIKE on Page 2
Send us your home project photos
In honor of The Current’s Fall Home and Garden Section, scheduled to appear the week of Sept. 16, we’re inviting readers to share pictures of their home improvement projects.Send us a picture of you with your project and you might projects. Send be included in our special section. Be sure to tell us your name, home town, when you started, and when you hope to be finished, along with a word or two about the most important thing you learned while doing your project. Email your finished, pictures to current@shorenewstoday.com, subject line “Home Improvement.” Deadline is Sunday, Sept. 12. current@shorenewstoday.com,
Starting next week, The Current will arrive on Thursdays
The delivery date for The Current of Egg Harbor Township will permanently change from Wednesdays to Thursdays beginning next week. Next week’s edition will be delivered Thursday, Sept. 9.
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