The Route 54/40 free shuttle from Richland to Hammonton has been a welcomed sight.  It is a service that is not funded by local taxes!  Federal transportation funds awarded to Atlantic County partially fund it;   but substantial funds from the Pascale Sykes Foundation makes this pilot initiative possible.

Kudos to the Pascale Sykes Foundation which funds programs that strengthen families. Over the past four years it has purposely focused resources in four counties in southern New Jersey — Atlantic, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem.  Data on child/family well-being in these counties have significantly low ratings as compared to the other NJ Counties:

The Foundation hosted countywide public meetings to gain input on services needed for strengthening families.  All four counties identified transportation as a major need.  In partnership with other agencies and resources, the foundation funds transportation initiatives in each of these four rural counties.  The Route 54/40 Shuttle here fills the transportation gaps by transporting residents on its route to bus and train boarding locations. This opens opportunities for employment in areas previously unavailable and access to other previously unreachable resources.

Atlantic has two shuttle initiatives.  One is in Egg Harbor Township.  The other is the Route 54/40 Shuttle which starts near the Hammonton train station, goes through a portion of Folsom, Collings Lakes, Newtonville, Buena, Landisville, Minotola and Richland. The Shuttle’s main task is to transport residents to the NJ Transit bus stops and the train depot, with routing timed to coordinate with their schedules.

According to the data of South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), the Shuttle has transported 2,723 persons since its January startup. Of the 18 stops on the Shuttle’s circuit, Richland has the 3^rd highest on/off ridership number with 338 on and 273 getting off.  The MLK Center’s ridership numbers are 745 on / 260 off, and the Hammonton train station’s data is 533 on / 620 off.

In addition to the Daily Journal’s coverage of the Shuttle’s beginning ceremonies in its January 6^th edition, the town councils of each of these Western Atlantic municipalities, our school superintendent’s office, some local businesses, and a group of community residents labored at informing the residents of this available free service—sometimes door-to-door!

This information is only a brief note on the Shuttle and only shadows the 4 years of work by the Foundation, Atlantic County, SJTA, the Cross County Connections Agency, and a group of community residents.  The ridership volume may seem impressive for our rural area but understandably, it is less than areas with more concentrated populations.  This may mean that the Shuttle service could terminate at year’s end if ridership does not meet expectations of the federal grant.  If those funds continue those of the Foundation will also.  Those of us who have worked with the Foundation find it to be an example of lifting humanity to that heightened level intimated in the words of the hymn, “Brighten the corner where you are!”

by Rev. David Mallory, 1st Baptist Church of Richland

(Further information can be obtained by calling the Foundation’s local office at (856) 213-5058, and Shuttle schedules are at the Buena Vista Township Hall).

In 2017, Buena Vista Township will be celebrating its 150^th Anniversary.  I am reaching out to our citizens and companies that serve our community in hopes that you will help us achieve a special project that we are working on that is outlined in the paragraph below.

In the Richland Village section of our town, we have a giant white oak tree that reached the age of 235 years old.  It died last year.  It was a beautiful tree.  We are making on effort to fund raise to make a carving out of the tree trunk and lower limbs featuring highlights of our Township’s 150 years in existence.

The tree is huge and we need the funds to hire a well-known chainsaw carver to make a permanent memorial out of this historic old tree located in the center of Saw Mill Park on Route 40.  It will be lighted and capture the spirit of the fine tree it once was.  There will be a semi-circle of young white oak trees that will grow  behind the huge carved tree.

All funds raised will go directly to this project.  I would truly appreciate any help you would consider.  We are trying to start this project by October to be in time for 2017  Please make any donations payable to “BVT Special Events Committee, c/o P.O. Box 605, Buena, NJ 08310 or Click Here for our Go Fund Me page.

Buena Vista Township Committee members John Armato and Steve Martinelli took a few hours out of their busy schedules on Wednesday, August 3rd to replace old outdated light fixtures at Saw Mill Park in Richland Village.

The lights were replaced by new state-of-the-art high intensity, low energy fixtures. Committeeman John Armato was able to get the lighting fixtures at with the help of Stan Tarquinio, DataComm Manager, at Billows Electric Supply Company in Pleasantville, NJ.

The lights were supplied through a special program from RAB Lighting that offered free LED light fixtures to shine a “new light on monuments”. Four new fixtures worth a total of $1,600 were donated to the Township. Committeemen Armato and Martinelli, both with long standing electrical backgrounds, changed out the old lighting fixtures for the new modern LED cost-effective lighting.

Martinelli said, “My friend John Armato, injured and all, did one heck of a job replacing two of the four fixtures”. Martinelli, a 40-year IBEW veteran, said, “He was the best apprentice I ever had”. Future LED projects are planned in Buena Vista Township to save taxpayers money and offer brighter lighting.

On Friday evening, July 1, 2016, no one would have likely expected that in about a 2-hour period, the Township would be hit with approximately 6.6” of rain in the southern half of our community.

The sudden and excessive downpour flooded streets, driveways, retention basins and homes.  Twenty people were evacuated form a multi-family residence in East Vineland.  The entrance to Cranberry Run was under water and the huge field between the Buena Vista Township Municipal Building and the John C. Milanesi Elementary School turned into “Lake Milanesi” during this unusual storm.

Our fire companies and rescue squads immediately responded along with our Emergency Management Coordinator Debra Bell and her deputies Ron Ruggeri and Bill Collins.  The Township Public Works Department called in 5 employees to block roads, search for damage and assist wherever possible.

The front of Michael Debbi Park was totally flooded as were certain points along Route 40 in Richland due to the huge volume of rain all at one time.  Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Committeeman John Armato and Public Works Supervisor Gene Sykes were out during the entire evening making sure the situation was brought under control.

Special thanks to the East Vineland, Richland and Collings Lakes Volunteer Fire Companies along with the BVT EMS and the State Police.  While there was rain in all areas of the Township, a particular band of this storm breezed through Vineland and then into East Vineland, Richland and the Buena area.

Even the sun came back out to shine about 7:30 p.m. that night.  Next time you see one of our volunteers, say “Thank You” for keeping our community safe.

On Sunday July 3, 2016, during the Independence Day Festival, Dolores Comparri, long-time Chairwoman the Buena Vista Township Special Events Committee, was the guest of honor.

She served as Grand Marshal for our Independence Day Parade and during the 5 pm program, received the equivalent of an Academy Award for her leadership during the past 25 years.  Dolores has been involved in every special event from Miss Buena, the Easter Egg Hunt, Annual Tree Lightings, Comedy Nights and countless other events that kept the spirit of our Community together.

We will miss her time and dedication to what amounts to being the “Ultimate” volunteer.  All good wishes to your Dolores!

On Sunday, July 3^rd, a crowd of over 3,000 people visited Michael Debbi Park in the Richland Section of Buena Vista Township.  They were there to see the main highlight of the evening which was a fantastic fireworks display filling the Buena Vista skies.

They also came to hear DJ Nicky G, sample foods and beverages from a multitude of vendors and look at 165 cars that were on display at the Patriot’s Pride Car Show sponsored by the South Jersey Cruisers Association.

Spectators were treated to an old fashioned parade through the Township featuring our Grand Marshal, Dolores Comparri, who is retiring after 25 years of leading the Special Events Committee. Miss Buena Ciara Sikking and her court along with Mr. Buena also rode in the parade.

Fire trucks and Emergency Response vehicles plus classic cars and military vehicles filled the rest of the parade along with other locals and their vehicles who join in every year.  There were Bounce Houses for the kids, a Rock Wall, Bubble Ball game and all sorts of vendors and crafters.

The weather was fabulous and now the work begins on next year’s Independence Day Festival which will be part of Buena Vista Township’s 150^th Anniversary year.

The African American Heritage Museum at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center, 661 Jackson Road in Newtonville will present art from the estates of Fredric Toone Bacon and Lawrence Faust through September 30^th. Among the items will be several limited edition prints of nine woodcuts by Fredric Bacon.

His bold black and white prints are striking examples of African American art.  Lawrence Faust curated his own Art Park and Sculpture Gardens in the Adirondacks for many years.  He was a self-taught artist passionate about creating wood, metal, and found art sculpture in a style he called expressionist. He worked on whimsical and spiritual art pieces until his death in 2014.  Many pieces will be offered for sale.

The Life and Times of Prince (1958-2016) features magazine covers, album covers, and Prince’s CD & VHS music will be on display through the end of September.  Prince was a unique genius and innovator in his sound, voice and colorful outfits.  He graced many magazine covers during his three decade musical career.

Don’t miss these extraordinary exhibits.  Hours: Monday – Friday, 11 am to 5. Saturday and Sunday by appointment only. Call 609-561-7262.

An “Estimated Tax Bill” has been mailed out.  Payment is due for this quarter by August 1, 2016.   After August 10th, you will be subject to interest of 8% on the 1^st $1,500.00 and 18% above $1,500.00 (unfortunately, this is state law).

The regular Tax Bills have been delayed due to various circumstances between the State of New Jersey, Atlantic County and the City of Atlantic City.  A series of bills were passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor to resolve this situation.  There is disagreement about the percentage of taxes due to Atlantic County on what the casinos are supposed to pay to Atlantic City and Atlantic County along with related tax appeals.   If this issue is not resolved in an equitable manner, it will force higher property taxes on the County portion of the tax bill affecting every town in Atlantic County.

Our taxpayers will receive a reconciled tax bill before September 30^th, but until that time, the estimated tax bill must still be paid for August 1, 2016.

Buena Vista Township had a zero tax rate increase again for the year 2016.  Our local tax rate is essentially the same for the last three years.  The bad news is that the Township has to send the estimated tax bill out that includes everyone else’s tax requests including Atlantic County, Buena Regional School District and our Fire Districts.  By law, we are allowed to charge 100% of last year’s tax levy for these other entities on your tax bill.  Buena Vista’s rate of tax was already determined months ago.

This letter is to keep you better informed of the crisis that currently exists in Atlantic County stemming from Atlantic City, but affecting all of us.

by Mayor Chuck Chiarello on behalf of the Township Committee

Teligent Inc., a specialty generic pharmaceutical company located on Lincoln Avenue, celebrated a groundbreaking event on June 24, 2016 to mark the 75,000 sq. ft. expansion of its manufacturing, research and development plus warehouse space at the complex expected to be completed sometime in 2017.

The company which now employs approximately 100 workers, projects the expansion will help that number grow to around 200 by 2018.  Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Buena Vista Township Committee Members and officials from state, county and local government offices were on hand to witness this significant milestone for Buena Vista Township.

The total size of Teligent’s facility will grow to 110,000 sq. ft. and will cost about $50 million to build and equip.

After graduations in June, the Seniors of the Newtonville Area group honored the graduating students from Buena Regional High School. We awarded a total of 12 scholarships to those graduating seniors from our area.

Members of our group attended the Independence Day Festival held at Michael Debbi Park on July 3^rd.  All enjoyed the parade and the activities at the Festival and had a wonderful time.

During the month of July, we provide FREE LUNCHES to all school-aged children every Wednesday from 1-3 pm. Lunches are distributed in the Roberta J. Corbitt Community Room located in the rear of the MLK Center. Food Vouchers designed for Seniors to purchase Jersey Fresh Produce were distributed on July 6^th at the MLK Center.

Recently, the Seniors had an expert speaker from NAPA, who came out and explained to us about various car problems that may arise. He brought displays and models of many of the basic components of vehicles, and demonstrated things to look for and when you have a problem, what is the best way to handle the situation. The information was extremely helpful and we appreciated the presentation by NAPA – “Under Car Sales”.

Our Bayada Nurse Representative made her monthly visit to keep us updated on any health issues and followed up with our monthly exercises.

The Seniors meet weekly on Wednesdays at 10:30 am at the MLK Community Center, 661 Jackson Road in Newtonville.   After our meeting, we have lunch and invite anyone over 55 to our lunch for a $1.00 donation. We also welcome any senior over 55 to join our group.

The Foodbank at the MLK Center operates on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each month. In August the food pantry will be on the 3^rd and 17^th from 1-5pm. Donations of non-perishable foods are accepted at the MLK Center during normal business hours.

by Esther M. Deal, Acting President