The season is approaching where we are once again asking for a helping hand to those less fortunate in our community this Thanksgiving and Christmas time.

Buena Vista Township will be accepting canned food and non-perishable food items that will go to help the Community Food Pantry at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center in Newtonville and the Abundant Living Church Food Bank located on Route 54 at Jackson Road.

Collection containers will be located at each of the Township Post Offices, BVT Municipal Building, and the MLK Community Center, 661 Jackson Rd. in Newtonville.

Please make any donations no later than November 10^th for Thanksgiving and December 15^th for Christmas.

The 13^th Annual Saw Mill Park Halloween Fun Day will be held on Saturday, October 21^st from 11 am to 1 pm at Saw Mill Park, Harding Highway (Route 40) in Richland Village.

There will be a costume parade with lots of candy and prizes for the funniest, most beautiful, scary, cutest, original and best all-around costume!  The coloring contest pages will be judged with prizes in three categories.

Entry forms will be distributed throughout the schools or pick one up at Town Hall.  Free hayrides and games for the kids!

Pizza and drinks will be available for sale at reasonable prices.  Come enjoy this event with the family!

No Admission – Donations are accepted. Come and see highly detailed HO scale models of many different   trains, operated on a large realistic model railroad through beautiful scale scenery of western Pennsylvania and eastern New York State. The HO Scale Patcong Valley Model Railroad Club is in Richland Village on Route 40 & Fir Avenue about 10 miles west of Mays Landing, near mile marker 38.5. For GPS search, look for 1308 Harding HWY., Richland, NJ.

On Thursday, hundreds will gather to pay their respects and offer words of inspiration to the memory of Sen. Jim Whelan. He leaves a legacy that impacted Atlantic City, Atlantic County, the region and the state.
I remember him most as a fellow mayor.

Someone you could depend on and look up to. Many remember him as a lifeguard, athlete, teacher, coach, councilman, assemblyman and, of course, two-term state senator. A career that spanned a lifetime.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy,” said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I cannot attend Thursday’s memorial service due to my health, but my thoughts and prayers will be there to remember a man who contributed a lasting legacy.

He was a true public servant.

Mayor Chuck Chiarello
Buena Vista Township

Richland Volunteer Fire Company added a new member to their fleet. A Rosenbauer 3000 Gallon Tender Freightliner. A grant of $23,500 was received to purchase the equipment for the new truck. Mayor Chuck Chiarello said, “we are happy any time that government funds can help the local firefighters in our community.”

A Special Thank You to the men and women of NJ State Police Troop A for their continued support and protection here in Buena Vista Township.

Michael Debbi Parks Infamous Dance Floor has seen its fill. After a successful summer concert season, the dance floor was ruined in a rain storm before a 7pm performance. We are sad to see it go, but are already in the works of replacing it for next year’s summer concert series! Shine up your shoes because it’s going to need some breaking in!

Kenny I Entertainment was new to the lineup during Buena Vista Township’s Summer Concert Series this year. He hit it out of the park with his talented team of musicians and signing.

Fire Trucks in Collings Lakes, lined the streets in memory of Deputy Chief Edwin R. Jones on July 18^, 2017.

Stop by “The Tree Monument” in Saw Mill Park in Richland to pick up a copy of the Self-Guided Tour Brochure and take a walk around the tree. Over 40 Chainsaw Carvings to view, and even a hidden symbol. Can you find it?

It’s that time of the year again to start thinking about Veterans Day. The Veterans Committee will be setting a date for our Vets to visit Buena Regional High School. Last year was a great success.

The students were eager to hear how and why we served our country. After school starts we will set a date in November.

Any Veterans who would like to participate please contact the Township Clerk’s Office at 856-697-2100 Ext 1.

Written by: Veterans Advisory Board Chairman John Armato