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

The Municipal Drug Alliance of Buena Borough-Buena Vista Twp-Weymouth Twp will be hosting a Substance Abuse Summit on the current epidemic affecting Atlantic County and our local Community. This event is open to all. An informative panel of speakers will be presenting the community with valuable information on all forms of substance abuse and the affects within our homes, towns and county. Attendees will have an opportunity to write anonymous questions to be answered by the panel in an open forum at the end of the event.

Please join us as we work together to educate on this epidemic.

August 29th at 7:00 PM
Buena Vista Town Hall
890 Harding Highway

Sponsored by Join Together Atlantic County