Recapping the names, faces and events which made the last 365 days so memorable in the borough
Another year is coming to a close for Haddonfield, and residents can take time to reflect on all that’s happened in the borough that shaped the previous 365 days.
Whether it’s news from the municipal government, news out of the school district, high school or the unique personalities that add to its character, The Sun is here to highlight just some of the biggest events that made headlines in 2018.
Boys lacrosse season cancelled in response to alleged racial slur
In early May, the remainder of the Haddonfield Memorial High School boys lacrosse season was cancelled following an incident at Haddonfield Memorial High School where a HMHS lacrosse player allegedly directed a racial slur at a black Sterling High School female track athlete.
The district was informed of the complaint and began an internal investigation, during which issues were discovered that were deemed “completely unacceptable” for the community, according to the school district.
In response to the incident, and the subsequent failure of anyone on the team to name the alleged perpetrator, the district cancelled the boys lacrosse season and reached out to the NAACP, Anti-Defamation League and other professionals to facilitate greater understanding within the community, between the parties involved and among the Haddonfield and Sterling student bodies.
A planned HMHS student walkout over displeasure with the accusation and cancellation of the season never materialized, but despite how “extremely concerning” the situation was, interim superintendent David Lindemuth attempted to mollify concerned parties by saying the alleged incident is not a true reflection of the community.
Mussoline begins tenure in June, encountered lingering questions on racial harassment
Larry Mussoline, who was selected in March to take over as superintendent of the Haddonfield School District on July 1, instead began his tenure in early June. According to board president Adam Sangillo, it was a combination of “extraordinary experience and accomplishments” that made Mussoline the ideal choice for the superintendent position. The board was “enthusiastic and appreciative” of Mussoline’s willingness to listen, learn, and engage quickly.
Two years ago, Mussoline was finally prepared to call it a career, but in December 2017 received a call from the Haddonfield Board of Education to gauge his interest in the superintendent post.
Haddonfield was in a tough situation, dealing with the fallout from the boys’ lacrosse incident and the sudden departure of Lindenmuth. Given the opportunity to perform what he called a “retooling” rather than full-on retirement, and with the unanimous vote from the board itself, Mussoline decided to press on and take the job immediately.
In spite of his plans to move forward and bring education in the district firmly into the 21st century, Mussoline couldn’t escape continued discussion of racial harassment within the district during the early part of his tenure. In early October, members of St. Joseph Regional High School’s football team were revealed to have filmed a racially-charged video using epithets toward members of Haddonfield’s team prior to their game in late September. In a statement issued shortly after that revelation, Mussoline firmly expressed faith in the student body and the community as a whole, choosing to move forward with his work rather than dwelling on the past — and urging the community to do the same.
Haddonfield moves beyond lacrosse incident, tries to find ways to encourage diversity
After the lacrosse incident in May, many in the community sought ways to make the borough more diverse. The alleged incident gained traction in the news and brought residents and non-residents alike to step in and act as a catalyst for change.
With a mission to make Haddonfield and towns like it more diverse, NAACP President of Camden County East Lloyd Henderson believed the key to diversifying Haddonfield is a ongoing process.
The NAACP is actively involved in creating an inclusive environment at HMHS. Since the incident, the organization conducted an internal workshop with the high school staff on the “racial climate and lack of diversity” in the school at the end of May, according to Henderson.
Echoing Henderson’s sentiments on the benefits of diversity, Mussoline planned to implement a “boots on the ground” approach to diversifying schools in Haddonfield, including HMHS.
According to Mussoline, the district reached out to the executive director of the Center for Access at Rowan University to engage in a long-term strategy for “culturally responsive” practices, in addition to continuing to work with the NAACP.
The district revealed plans to ensure a student will be an active member of the NAACP Youth Council and work with the Anti-Defamation League on appropriate training for students, coaches, athletes and advisors as well as several initiatives. New initiatives brought to the fore included a “No Place for Hate” school program and a Diversity Day organized by ADL Diversity Leaders, which was planned to be held in the late fall, according to Mussoline.
Haddonfield residents gather to talk about gun violence
Borough Hall was filled with residents in late May who were eager to discuss an issue that has found its way into schools across the country. The Haddonfield Human Relations Commission hosted a panel of experts willing to shine light on one of today’s most relevant topics: gun violence.
Panelists included Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, behavioral medicine psychologist at Cooper Hospital Dr. Anastasia Bullock, Sangillo, local activist group Moms Demand Action members Shani Nuckols and Amy Lackpour, then-Haddonfield Police Chief Theodore Stuessy and General Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald.
Lampitt said in addition to new legislation, laws were being worked on and will continue to be refined. Bullock discussed overall strategies for parents to talk with their children about gun violence and what is happening across the country.
Bullock advised parents to “adapt” the conversation to their kids and limit exposure to media networks, as that may cause anxiety.
Sangillo explained the protocols in schools to help keep students safe. Sangillo said witnessing gun violence in a school is his “biggest nightmare” and being elected board president has changed his mindset.
In the question and answer portion of the meeting, residents asked questions about school safety and what new gun legislation would mean to citizens.
When asked about measures to ensure student safety, Sangillo said every door has a lock, and Stuessy added the police department was constantly having live drills with officers to make sure they are prepared and respond efficiently. Greenwald said he believes in the Second Amendment but also believes in common-sense gun reform, adding he does not believe it is necessary for any resident who is not in law enforcement to have access to armor piercing bullets and that legislation has been backed by every group other than the NRA.
HMHS students stand up for gun control
On Feb. 14, shots rang out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., where 17 people fell victim to a mass shooting. The shots were heard across the country and inspired HMHS students to take a stand.
The national movement was sparked by Women’s March Youth Empower, a group geared toward supporting young leaders in communities nationwide while identifying causes that matter. One of the young leaders Women’s March Youth Empower has encouraged is HMHS freshman Alexa King, who organized and started the event at HMHS.
Approximately 200 students gathered outside of the main entrance of HMHS to participate in a school walkout in mid-March.
Students spilled outside the front entrance of the school, designating 17 minutes of silence to commemorate the lives lost at the Parkland shooting. King, who helped facilitate the walkout, wanted to take a stand and felt the best way to do it was through demonstration.
Another speaker at the walkout, Tracey Taylor, president and founder of the bipartisan group at HMHS Political Action Club, was heavily involved with political issues the country faces today. Gun control is an issue that hit close to home for Taylor. Her cousin, a freshman at Douglas, was one of the survivors.
Taylor’s main objectives, while helping facilitate the walk, included continuing to advocate for stricter gun control laws and background checks, explaining the shooter in the Las Vegas shootings passed two background checks. Taylor also hoped legislators will consider raising the age to buy a guy to 21 for all states.
Encouraging the students to stand by their beliefs, HMHS Principal Chuck Klaus also supported the students bonding together in a “peaceful fashion” and was thrilled to see the students exercising their First Amendment rights.
Bancroft redevelopment plan faces challenge from affordable housing group
A plan to build 80 townhomes and 10 to 12 affordable housing units at the former Bancroft site moved forward despite a recently surfaced lawsuit involving the development.
The lawsuit, which was filed in 2016 by the Cherry Hill-based Fair Share Housing Center, claims the borough’s redevelopment agreement is in violation of state affordable housing laws. It was discussed at length during the July commissioners meeting after residents said they learned of the lawsuit from an NJ Pen article. Attorneys for the borough and FSHC said the case is in mediation and has been handed over to a court-appointed special master.
It’s not the only legal action involving the Bancroft property. A group of residents, led by former mayor Jack Tarditi, filed a lawsuit in March challenging amendments to the redevelopment plan. In a complaint filed in 2016, FSHC called for the court to step in and mandate a higher density for the Bancroft development as well as additional affordable units, according to court documents. FSHC also claimed in the original complaint the 19.2-acre Bancroft site could reasonably accommodate at least 45 low-income units.
Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough said on July 18 the courts may determine Haddonfield is in need of between 500 and 700 affordable units. However, that number would likely be adjusted to a much lower figure because of a lack of developable land in the borough. McCullough and other borough officials said the town will also probably move toward putting low-income housing units in a designated lot behind Borough Hall to meet the town’s quota. In regard to the Bancroft property, she said the borough is going to proceed with the redevelopment agreement with 10 to 12 affordable units until the court approves a different plan.
Haddonfield boys basketball overcomes injuries, adversity to win first sectional title in 11 years
Despite a broken right wrist, Haddonfield Memorial High School senior Will Bond’s heroism during the South Jersey Group II championship game against Lower Cape May Regional High School spurred his teammates. Bond finished second on the team with 14 points and helped the Bulldawgs to a 63–45 win to give the boys basketball program its first sectional championship since 2007.
Bond was just one of a number of Haddonfield players who were injured at some point during the season. The injuries, coupled with the Bulldawgs playing the entire season away from home due to their school gym being under renovation, made the 2017–18 season unlike any other they had experienced.
Though the team was excited to finally beat Camden after losing to it in the sectional finals in 2015 and 2017, the Bulldawgs made sure to remain focused for the sectional final game against Lower Cape May.
HMHS English teacher and five students fully invested in helping Sudanese student
In September, Haddonfield Memorial High School English teacher Kimberly Dickstein visited Atlanta, Ga., where she met and shook hands with former President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, at the Carter Center, which is dedicated to preventing and resolving conflicts, enhancing freedom and democracy, and improving overall health to underserved and impoverished populations. She was there on behalf of her efforts, along with five HMHS rising seniors, to aid former child soldier and South Sudan native Garang Buk Buk Piol’s education at Emory University in its Masters in Development Practice program.
Scholarships covered most of his tuition, but to get a U.S. visa, he would have to prove he had the resources to financially support himself in Atlanta — and he didn’t. Enter Dickstein, who started a GoFundMe in June. Team Garang came together this summer with five rising seniors from HMHS. They were able to raise $21,000 in three weeks by canvassing door-to-door in Haddonfield.
Dickstein and her students hosted Garang for four days in October, and also held a fundraiser at First Presbyterian Church in early December to contribute to Garang’s educational funds. To date, the Haddonfield community has raised more than $40,000 on his behalf.
Cutler takes over for Stuessy as Haddonfield Police Chief
At one time in his life, Jason Cutler had no idea where Haddonfield was. But after almost a quarter century in the borough, Cutler has become an integral part of the fabric of its law-enforcement community. After preparing for the role over the last year as Ted Stuessy reached his own retirement at the end of September, Cutler officially took the reins as chief on Oct. 1, thanks to a seamless transition aided by his mentor.
Cutler is planning on updating and upgrading the way the police interact with the public, particularly regarding the department’s social media presence, but also through face-to-face interactions.
Among Cutler’s vision for greater community interaction, he mentioned a new program at the high-school level covering what to do if you get stopped by the police, aimed at new drivers. He also made a point to emphasize that school security is at the top of his list of concerns, saying
interaction between officers and students themselves can foster greater understanding and trust regarding their safety. To that end, Cutler stated he plans to meet with all the principals of all the schools and set aside dates in the very near future, where every school will get a plethora of officers converging to play ball, eat lunch, whatever the case may be.
Haddonfield offered a glimpse of quieter, more efficient future
In early October, representatives from Tesla Motors, Environment New Jersey, as well as Borough Commissioner Jeffrey Kasko, teamed up to present several electric cars for observation and test driving in the parking lot behind Borough Hall during a “Ride and Drive” event. The four vehicles on display were Tesla’s Model 3 and Model X, the Nissan Leaf SV and BMW i3. Kasko dove right in with the Tesla 3, taking it for a longer test drive and route than others in attendance. Following the test drive, Kasko hinted the borough might be in line to purchase a two-seat electric vehicle for its police department as soon as next year.
Haddonfield residents, local clergy come together at Library Point
Whoever said “it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness” would have found comfort and kinship on Oct. 29 at Library Point in Haddonfield. That’s where hundreds of borough residents, concerned citizens and local clergy convened at sunset for a vigil to commemorate the synagogue shooting in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh on Oct. 27 that left 11 dead, and to reaffirm their stance that hate cannot conquer love.
From all walks of life, men, women and children of a variety of faiths came to stand, united. For a half hour, against the autumn chill which followed sunset, they held hands, lit candles and shielded their light from the wind, brandishing signs advocating love of their neighbors and against assault weapons.
Rabbi Gidon Isaacs of Temple Emanuel of Cherry Hill presided over the vigil with Cantor Neil Schnitzer adding musical accompaniment. Isaacs spoke extensively on subjects that touch the heart in times of crisis and tragedy, ultimately offering words of comfort and resolve.
The gathering inspired Haddonfield Jewish Center’s founder Dr. Ilise Levy Feitshans to take a greater role in community reconciliation, beginning with a special Hanukkah celebration in early December, and is expected to continue for an outdoor Seder for Passover next April.
Haddonfield links with Camden County to participate in program aimed at curbing opioid abuse
Once the calendar turns to 2019, Haddonfield is slated to be one of 32 municipalities throughout Camden County to participate in an aggressive effort spearheaded by the county Freeholder Board to continue the fight against opioid use and abuse.
Project SAVE (Substance Abuse Visionary Effort) is a pilot program modeled after and based on the initiative Gloucester Township created back in 2014. Since the start of that program until September, the township reached almost 200 individuals suffering from opioid use disorder.
As the nation grapples with a public health crisis that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, killed 72,000 people last year, county government has taken increasingly proactive measures in searching for innovative ways to treat residents in crisis.
The program is being implemented for one year to look at the effectiveness of having an advocate and navigator for nonviolent offenders suffering from opioid use disorder. The Freeholder Board is expected to provide $100,000 to start the program and monitor its investment through the county Department of Health and Human Services.
Board of Education goes through changes
Following elections from November 2017, Tom Vecchio joined Haddonfield’s Board of Education for the first time, while it also re-elected Sangillo as president and Susan Kutner as vice president. Incumbents Glenn Moramarco, Heather Paoli and Maureen Eyles were also sworn in to the board. Moramarco was sworn in for a one-year term, and Vecchio, Paoli and Eyles for three-year terms. Sangillo and Kutner took their positions with unanimous votes from the board.
However, Moramarco would not complete his term in office, resigning in September. November’s election saw Sangillo and Kutner once again selected to seats on the board, while Justin Benford finished third in a four-person race and is expected to be sworn in at the board’s January meeting. At the board’s final meeting of 2018, it revealed Mary Fagan resigned for personal reasons, effective Dec. 12. Kutner later announced she would relinquish her role as VP effective Dec. 31 to concentrate her efforts on leading the board through its long-range facilities planning.
Local filmmaker shoots horror movie scene at Haddonfield boutique
Mantua Township filmmaker Mario Cerrito III is hoping his latest production, dubbed “Project K,” will make hundreds of millions of dollars, like other hit independent horror movies such as “The Blair Witch Project” and “Paranormal Activity.” He and his crew filmed one of the movie’s opening scenes at Six Clothing, a shop on Kings Highway, in late July. Part of the “found footage” genre, the main character, played by Elizabeth Gaynor, of Allentown, Pa., picks out a bright red dress to wear to a dinner with her boyfriend for her 40th birthday. Needless to say, not everything is going to go smoothly at the restaurant, but no blood was spilled at the trendy boutique. “Project K,” which is just a working title, will be Cerrito’s third film. Cerrito is doing all of the producing, directing, writing and editing for the film, which will likely be finished by January or February 2019.
