As we come to the end of 2024 and look forward to the new year, here’s a look back at the top three stories in Cinnaminson.
James Alturo started a counting effort in February he fittingly dubbed Jim’s Cigarette Butt Challenge, collecting cigarette butts along Route 130 and Branch Pike. He donated 1 cent for every one picked up to the American Lung Association.
Counting cigarette butts
For James Alturo, it started with a challenge: How many cigarette butts would he pick up from last winter in 2022 through the end of 2023 along Route 130 and Branch Pike?
“My goal was 15,000,” the former Palmyra resident and retiree said in early 2024 about the counting. “I figured that’s a lot. I started in February with only 11 months. It’s 1,000 a month.”
For the count – fittingly dubbed Jim’s Cigarette Butt Challenge – Alturo decided to donate 1 cent for every cigarette butt collected to the American Lung Association. By August and September, he was up to 15,000, and a new goal was set.
In retirement, Alturo dedicates his time to paying it forward each day. He spends time volunteering at the South Jersey Food Bank and continues to pick up trash in his community and along Route 130 and Branch Pike.
He even came up with a slogan: “See trash, pick it up, all day. You’ll have good luck.”
“I’m hoping to make the public aware and spur others to take action and help clean up,” Alturo observed, adding that he hopes to work with officials in Cinnaminson and neighboring towns on the cleanup effort.
“A clean community is a better world for all.”
More than 200 residents gathered at Wood Park to honor the late basketball legend Tom Lynch, who helped teach the fundamentals of the game to generations of Cinnaminson youngsters. Here, members of his family unveiled a new sign designating the Tom Lynch Basketball Courts.
Basketball legend
On a sunny St. Patrick’s Day afternoon, more than 200 residents gathered to honor the late basketball legend Tom Lynch, who helped teach the fundamentals of the game to generations of Cinnaminson youngsters.
Members of his family unveiled a new sign on March 17 during the dedication of the Tom Lynch Basketball Courts at Wood Park, followed by a round of applause.
“He told us to get outside and play,” said his son, TJ Lynch, adding that his dad often encouraged his kids to play basketball at either Wood or Garfield Park. “Cinnaminson is a great place to live and this is a nice honor for my dad.”
The younger Lynch was accompanied by his brother Matthew, his sister Tracy and all their children.
The Cinnaminson Police Department said goodbye to Police Chief Rich Calabrese, who retired on May 31, and swore in William “Bill” Obuchowski as the new chief in June (right).
A new chief
It was a changing of the guard as the Cinnaminson police department said goodbye to Police Chief Rich Calabrese, who retired on May 31, and swore in his replacement, William “Bill” Obuchowski, in June.
After 24 years in law enforcement, Calabrese announced he was going to retire in early May.
“I want to thank my beautiful wife, Cynthia Calabrese, for always being my rock, and my family for dealing with not having daddy home all the time,” the chief shared. “I also want to thank my extended family (the Cinnaminson community), who has been the reason why I do what I do. Love and respect to everyone.
“(The) Cinnaminson community will always have a special place in my heart,” Calabrese added. “This was way more than a job to me. Cinnaminson is my family … always will be.”
The department made history with Obuchowski’s promotion, according to Executive Director Mitch Sklar, of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. With his dad, John, a retired Cinnaminson police chief, the Obuchowskis are the first father and son to have served as chiefs in the same department.
There were two other father/son combinations and one father/daughter combination among police in New Jersey, but they all worked for different departments.
Obuchowski was appointed officer in charge on June 1 and was promoted and sworn in as chief at a township committee meeting on June 17.
