Deptford council decided its business of the month and citizen of the month awards for September during its meeting on Sept. 22.
The business award will be a joint one to all of the fire companies associated with the township department: Oak Valley, Tacoma, Helping Hand, Almonesson and Union. They will be honored not just for service to the community, but also the multiple awards they won at the recent New Jersey Fireman’s Convention in Wildwood. Those included first place in the categories of performance and appearance.
“I look around and all the other people in the fire company are working hard,” said Councilman Ken Barnshaw, also a volunteer firefighter. “I remember one guy getting under the truck with a toothbrush. “There’s a big deal when they get recognized. Deptford brought a lot of equipment.
“The volunteers were very proud of the fact that people came down to celebrate what they do for the community and get recognized.”
Meanwhile, six presidents of Deptford’s sports clubs were jointly named citizen of the month. They are Kyle Mobley, basketball; Jackie Petruzzelli, softball; Mike Bonanno, soccer; Shawn McLaughlin, football and cheerleading; Jim Noce, Oak Valley Athletic Association; and Bob Scavelli, wrestling.
The township discussed the awarded presidents for a few months, but had to wait for the right time to bring them all together.
“No one backed out,” said Councilman Bill Lamb. “It’s nice to recognize them.”
The citizen and business of the month awards will be recognized with township proclamations at the next council meeting on Monday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m.
