We have all been saddled with higher utility costs, more specifically from Atlantic City Electric. These recent rate hikes are unsustainable and contradict everything that we strive for in Mantua Township. I have joined forces with other elected officials – including the G.C. Mayor’s Association – by writing to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to demonstrate resistance to these absurd increases. The following is a summarization of the letter that I sent to BPU President, Christine Guhi-Sadovy on Jan. 30:
“I am writing on behalf of my constituents of the township of Mantua, Gloucester County, New Jersey. The sole purpose of this letter is to express strong opposition to the outrageous utility bill increases recently imposed by Atlantic City Electric (ACE) statewide and particularly to the residents within my community’s jurisdiction.
“ACE’s excessive rate increases have drastically contributed to the lack of affordability, and have adversely affected goals that we’ve tried to accomplish locally to make Mantua Township more cost effective. The Mantua township committee and I urge the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to act responsibly, and to stand behind our constituents by taking immediate actions within your realm of responsibility to curtail these drastic utility rate hikes.”
The entire letter to the BPU and other mayoral updates can be viewed on our website at www.mantuatownship.com/mayors-message.
The Clearview Pioneers Wrestling Building in Mantua Township was recently named the John E. Hughes Sr. Wrestling Facility. The Clearview wrestling family came together to recognize longtime resident and Clearview wrestling icon John E. Hughes Sr., who passed away back in June of 2023.
Mr. Hughes was a staple in our community and had such a tremendous impact on Clearview wrestling and the youth of Mantua Township. Committeewoman Eileen Lukens and I were privileged to call John our friend, and we were truly honored to be there for the ceremony in order to show support for John’s widow, Annette, and their family during this momentous occasion.
February is American Heart Month. For me personally, heart disease is something that I’ve been battling for many years. Heart month in Mantua is very near and dear to my heart. Thirteen years ago, at the young age of 46, I was given a new lease on life. I was blessed to have survived the “widow maker” and emergency coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery that repaired a 98% blockage in the left anterior descending artery of my heart.
This year during heart month, we ask you to keep longtime resident, retired public works employee and member of the Mantua fire district, George Crew, in your thoughts and prayers. George is home recovering from recent triple bypass surgery and aortic valve replacement. He is the recipient of this year’s township proclamation recognizing him for the unfortunate impact of heart disease, and for having the resilience and bravery required to navigate through such a health challenge.
During the month of January, the Mantua Township Police Department handled 2,335 calls for service, made 61 arrests, issued 191 summonses, handled 178 investigation reports and investigated 43 motor-vehicle crashes. Our police department does a phenomenal job, and we continue to support their unwavering efforts to keep our community safe.
To show our gratitude, we’ll be upgrading the sign at Chestnut Branch Park that recognizes and demonstrates our community’s admiration for the MTPD. Special thanks to Car Effex and its owner, Michael Layton, for donating the new sign that will be erected prior to the Police Unity Tour and National Police Week beginning on May 11.
Former township Committeeman Shawn Layton spent the last seven-and-a-half years serving our residents with a strong passion and love for his hometown. He concluded his term in office on Dec.31 of last year. We recognized Shawn at our Feb. 10 committee meeting by presenting him with a plaque and township proclamation.
On behalf of the township committee, I want to wish our very good friend and former colleague the best of luck with his future endeavors. We’re going to miss his experience and valued public sector knowledge, especially from a public safety perspective.
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, (Lukens) and I presented a township proclamation to longtime township barber Joseph Denisi at Gino’s Barber Shop on Route. 45. Mr. Denisi was born in Curinga, Italy, on Feb. 16, 1945, and emigrated to the United States in 1961. He has been barbering in Mantua Township for several decades, while living the American Dream.
We want to wish Mr. Denisi a very happy 80th birthday and thank him for being an iconic symbol for barbering in our community.
Our thoughts and prayers are with longtime resident and former Mantua school district board of education president Heather Pool and her family. Heather’s husband, Richard passed away recently after a short illness.
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t congratulate the Philadelphia Eagles on winning Super Bowl LIX. We are truly Eagles country, but in Mantua Township we chant Eagles: E-A-G-L-E-S!
