Dear Community Friends,
With daylight saving time coming to an end this past weekend, I’m hopeful that everyone is adjusting to fewer daylight hours and the colder weather. My family and I more frequently enter into a state of hibernation this time of year, and are blessed to enjoy the warmth of our home at night. Whatever it is you do, family time is irreplaceable, and the coming months are perfect for just hanging-out together.
We originally had a Thin Blue Line ‘ painted down the main entrance way of Chestnut Branch Park about seven years ago in support of the Mantua Township Police Department and all of Law Enforcement. The township committee and I insisted that the faded line be repainted as a display of our community’s continuous backing of the blue. This small project was just recently completed – please take notice in your upcoming travels to our beautiful park.
Our police department released the crime log for the month of October. The department handled 3,106 calls for service. Our officers made 68 arrests, issued 95 summonses, handled 165 investigation reports and investigated 39 motor vehicle crashes. Unfortunately, it’s evident that shoplifting at our big box stores such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Target and Kohl’s is still an on-going problem in Mantua. Our officers have been doing an outstanding job and continue to be making arrests of would-be shoplifters who are seemingly coming from out-of-town to commit these high dollar thefts of merchandise. We’ll continue to have a zero tolerance, and criminals should know that they will be arrested and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
A township resident reached-out to me this past week regarding their inability to get a police response when calling the administrative business line at the Mantua P.D. on Main Street. I just wanted to clarify things for those who may not already know. If you need a police officer for an emergent purpose please call 911, for a non-emergent purpose please call (856) 589-0911. In both cases you will get a live-person at the County Communications Center in Clayton (24/7), and they will see that a Mantua Township Police Officer is directed or dispatched accordingly to assist you with your needs. If you call the P.D.’s Building on Main Street at (856) 468-1920, please understand that this is for administrative business only, and you may / or may not get a live person. Do not call this administrative line if you need police emergency or non-emergency assistance.
We’ve received recent complaints regarding illegal dumping at Mantua Creek in and around the area of Hickory Avenue. We request that no one dump trash, leaves, grass, tree limbs, etc. into the waterway. Our township code 346-24 makes it unlawful for any person to throw, drop, discard or otherwise place any litter of any nature upon public or private property other than in a litter receptacle. We take great pride in keeping our community and environment clean, and have a zero tolerance for illegal dumping of any kind. Please report any illegal activity of sorts to the Mantua Police Department by calling (856) 589-0911.
On Tuesday, Nov. 7 the General Election was held. Unofficial results indicate that Committeeman John Legge was victorious in his re-election bid over challenger Courtney Bracken for the three year term on Mantua Township Committee. In other results, voters did not support the proposed GCL (Glassboro-Camden Line) project in the non-binding referendum ballot question. I’d like to congratulate Committeeman Legge on his victory, and thank all residents who exercised their constitutional right and voted in this year’s General Election.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8 we held a Recreation Committee Meeting. I attended the meeting. The recreation committee is finalizing the event planning for the “Winter Festival” scheduled for Nov. 30. We expect to have rides, food trucks, some give-aways, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a photo booth, a bonfire, fireworks at dusk and much more. Look for information on our website, social media platforms and flyers to be circulating in the schools soon.
The township with the recreation committee’s help is working on Light-up Mantua, our first ever holiday house decorating / lighting contest. On-line applications should be available through our website in the next few days to a week. If you go all-out with your outdoor decorations, join in the fun, and let’s get some friendly competition going between friends and neighbors throughout our community.
I’m also happy to announce that the recreation committee and our police department will be partnering to bring back “National Night Out” or an equivalent in 2024. This community based event was a tremendous hit many years ago in the township, and we’re excited about bringing it back next year sometime in August or September.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Veterans Day Ceremony is on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11:00 a.m. at the township municipal building.
- The next Township Committee Meeting is Monday, Nov. 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Township Building.
- Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. is the next Board of Health Meeting at the Municipal Building.
- Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. is the next Fire District Meeting at the Sewell Fire Station.
- Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. is the Winter Festival and Fireworks at Chestnut Branch Park.
Our 8-1 Philadelphia Eagles have a bye-week this week, but how about those Philadelphia 76ers. At 6-1, they’re off to a great start too. Enjoy the upcoming week and please let the committee or I know if you need anything. I can be reached by email at [email protected].
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto, myself and the entire township committee – we look forward to continuing our service with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman, MAS
