“Studies have shown that senior citizens are at greater risk of being targeted by telemarketing scams than any other age group, and fraudulent telemarketers direct anywhere from 56 to 80 percent of their calls at older Americans,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney.

“Senior citizens are likely to own their home and have excellent credit which makes them attractive to con artists. We need to empower seniors so they can protect themselves and their loved ones.”

In 2008, the State Division of Consumer Affairs launched Fed Up, a consumer fraud education program specifically designed for senior citizens.

The division also created a guide titled Fed Up to help senior citizens and consumers of all ages protect themselves when hiring a contractor, making an investment, shopping online, and engaging in other everyday activities.

TO obtain a copy of the guide, visit the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website at www.nj.gov/oag/ca/fedup/NewFedUp.pdf.

Fed Up includes important information on topics including:

• Doing business, including hiring a contractor, purchasing a motor vehicle, and learning whether a charity is legitimate before you make a donation,

• Avoiding common scams, such as the “Grandparent Scam” and other impostor scams; the many types of Internet based fraud, and sweepstakes and telemarketing scams,

• Protecting your identity and credit, with important tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft; steps to take if you believe you have become a victim; and information on how to avoid being scammed while trying to repair bad credit.

• Investments and mortgages, including a rundown of the “Top 10 Investment Scams” and frauds related to mortgages and foreclosure,

• Managing Your Health, including information on preventing prescription drug abuse, choosing a doctor, and working with in-home care providers.

“Too many senior citizens are having their retirement security threatened by financial predators,” said Assemblyman John Burzichelli.

“Many victims are unwilling to admit they’ve been defrauded and as a result crimes go unreported to the authorities.”

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website at www.njconsumeraffairs.com or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

To protect consumers from unwanted and unsolicited telemarketing calls the state passed the New Jersey “Do Not Call” law in 2003.

Individuals who have not signed up for the national registry and who want to stop telemarketing calls, may register their home and/or mobile phone numbers by calling the Federal Trade Commission at 1-888-382-1222 or by logging onto www.donotcall.gov.

To learn more about the “Do Not Call” law log onto the State Division of Consumer Affairs website at www.nj.gov/donotcall.

“Being informed is the best defense against the many con artists who are out to rob you of your hard-earned income,” said Assemblywoman Celeste Riley.

“Senior Citizens need to know who they can report crimes to and what resources are available to them.”

When shopping for gas and electric providers it is important to know what questions to ask and how to identify legitimate providers.

Log onto the NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) website at www.nj.gov/bpu/commercial/shopping.html#nbr2 to learn more how to safely shop for energy providers.

The National Crime Prevention Council recommends following these tips to help seniors avoid scams:

• Offers too good to be true usually are. Ask to receive the “unbelievable deal” or the “amazing prize offer” in writing so you can read it carefully before making a commitment.

• Never give out your personal information over the phone or Internet unless you have initiated the contact. Legitimate business callers will never ask you for this information over the phone.

• If a caller asks you to pay for an offer in advance or asks for your credit card number or Social Security number, tell the person you don’t give out personal information over the telephone.

For more information on how seniors can protect themselves from scams and fraud visit New Jersey AARP’s website at www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/.

“Wenonah has the highest property taxes in Gloucester County, and residents would have saved $400 a year in property taxes,” Sweeney noted at a recent New Jersey Conference of Mayors seminar in Atlantic City. Furthermore, the police chief and sergeant in Wenonah’s seven-member police department were about to retire, so merging with Mantua’s 29-member force should have been easy.

But as soon as Democratic Mayor Tommy Lombardo and Councilman John Howard started pushing the issue, “signs started popping up over town saying ‘Save Our Police Department,’ and the Republicans turned it into a campaign issue,” Sweeney said.

Residents gathered 500 signatures to put a referendum on the ballot, and in November, more than 62 percent of Wenonah residents voted “no” on the merger question, and elected two anti-merger Republicans to the Wenonah Borough Council, effectively putting an end to consideration of the question for at least the next year.

“When Wenonah voted not to consider merging police departments, its residents were saying, ‘We don’t care about saving money.’ So why shouldn’t we cut state aid to municipalities that don’t care enough to lower their own property taxes when they have the opportunity to do so?” Sweeney demanded. “We’ve tried the carrot. We need to try the stick.”

For the second year in a row, Sweeney is pushing a controversial shared services bill that would empower New Jersey’s Local Unit Alignment, Reorganization and Consolidation Commission (LUARCC) to determine objectively where municipalities could save money by sharing services. Cost-saving options would be put for a public referendum, and if the voters refuse — as Wenonah’s residents did — their town would lose state aid equivalent to what the property tax cost savings would have been.

Sweeney’s bill, S-2, is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, and the Senate president said he is optimistic that he can get the bill through the legislature this year.

William G. Dressel Jr., executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, likes the carrots in Sweeney’s shared services bill — including dropping Civil Services mandates and leaving existing union contracts in place until new contracts are negotiated for the merged department — but he and other mayors are adamantly opposed to Sweeney’s “big stick.”

“Voters should hold elected officials accountable; not the other way around,” Dressel insisted in a letter to the state’s 566 mayors. “We must oppose any proposal which would, on the one hand, allow the voters to express their will; but, on the other hand, inform those voters that they will be punished, if their will does not comport with that of a majority of the appointed members of the LUARCC.”

Sweeney’s bill is working its way through the Legislature as a new wave of plans to save property tax dollars through police consolidation is being debated throughout the state:

• Somerset County towns have until August to decide whether to participate in a plan to merge 19 municipal police departments into one countywide police department with five regional precincts — a plan that would actually increase total police staffing by 14 patrolmen to 606, while saving $44 million over the next decade.

• Camden city officials were in state Superior Court this week fighting a drive by the Fraternal Order of Police to force a binding referendum on the ballot in November to block the planned merger of Camden County’s municipal police departments into a single countywide department — a measure that Sweeney and Republican Gov. Chris Christie have both supported.

• And in Bergen County, where 15 municipalities are studying potential police mergers under a grant from the county prosecutor, the Demarest Council on Tuesday agreed reluctantly to citizens’ demands that they hold a non-binding referendum on plans to merge the Demarest Police Department into the Bergen County Police Department before the council votes on any final merger plan.

Sweeney, who championed shared services while director of the Gloucester County Board of Freeholders from 1997 to 2010, says he has seen too many courageous municipal officials pilloried over the years for having the courage to take on home rule.

“When you have the courage to do the right thing, you shouldn’t be punished,” Sweeney told a roomful of mayors attending the New Jersey Conference of Mayors convention on April 27. “We want to help you by taking the local politics out of it.”

To Sweeney, taking the local politics out of the issue is justifiable because high property taxes are not just a local issue, but a state issue. New Jersey’s average $7,500 property tax bill, Sweeney argues, is what makes the state non-competitive, and while the 2 percent cap law he sponsored will hold down future property tax increases, it will also force municipalities to cut services if they’re not diligent in finding cost savings.

It’s too important an issue to the future economic prosperity and survival of the state to allow cost-saving plans to become snarled in emotional appeals to home rule and special interests, Sweeney argues.

“When I was on the Gloucester County Board of Freeholders, we took over EMS [Emergency Medical Services],” Sweeney noted. “The average response time was 15 minutes, we had it down to 5:53, and the national average was eight minutes. But we still had two towns that didn’t want to join. When towns refuse to cooperate when the service is free and the service is better, what are you going to do? That’s why we need legislation that changes the system by putting in a penalty — a loss of state aid — for towns that refuse to help themselves.”

Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said he planned to introduce a bill intended to put user fees under a 2 percent tax cap on property taxes, which was enacted in 2010.

“A ‘user fee’ for a municipally provided service is just another way of saying ‘tax,’ and these attempts to get around the property tax cap are disingenuous and detrimental to homeowners,” Sweeney said.

Under the current law, towns can’t raise total property taxes more than 2 percent unless residents approve an increase by referendum.

Two towns — Lawrence Township and Medford — will put the question to voters Tuesday, and a third, Demarest, in Bergen County, was scheduled to decide at a council meeting last night if it would hold a referendum on May 8.

If Lawrence Township votes down the referendum, it will levy a monthly fee of $28 for trash collection. But if it succeeds, the average homeowner will pay $145 more a year for a home assessed at $161,292, the town’s average.

In Medford, municipal garbage collection will probably be eliminated if the referendum is unsuccessful.

Last year, officials in the two towns where referendums succeeded said they would have levied fees on garbage collection if the increases had been rejected.

“Municipal governments must do more to control property taxes” Sweeney said. “Paying lip service to their residents’ needs for cost containment, then turning around and hitting them with a separate bill, is still just taking more money out of the same pocket.”

A League of Municipalities survey released in December found that towns are increasingly turning to user fees on such amenities as parking and recreation to raise revenue.

“We haven’t seen the details of what Senate President Sweeney has put out there,” said Bill Dressel, the League’s executive director. “I think that given the circumstances that local officials are finding themselves in … they’ve got to look at options, at every option that they possibly can.”

He added, “We would like to have a discussion with the Senate president on exactly what he’s trying to do.”

A spokesman for Sweeney said that although the bill is not yet available, he wants to introduce one as soon as possible.

A spokesman for Gov. Chris Christie, Michael Drewniak, said, “We will have to see the particulars, but the governor has been critical of these cap-evading moves by local governments.”

“The STEM division here has given me opportunities for hands-on experience in the labs,” said Michaels, of Deptford Township. “The professors here love what they do and are ready to answer any questions you have. I feel I am ready for any future science classes I take because of the lab techniques I have learned.”

The science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM—curriculum Michaels spoke of so highly took another step forward Tuesday with the groundbreaking for four new labs that will be added to Scott Hall.

The 18,272-square-foot addition will support GCC’s programs in physics, chemistry and biology by providing space for at least 20 science sections each semester. The $3.5 million addition is being paid for with Chapter 12 funds for 2012, which are half state and half county funded and have already been bonded.

“Scott Hall has been a wonderful addition to this college, and there are already six labs within it,” said Freeholder Director Robert Damminger. “These four new labs will augment our facilities and serve our students, allowing the college’s programs to expand into calculus-based physics, microbiology and cell and molecular biology. There was fully-integrated input from faculty and staff in the design and, with Gloucester County Institute of Technology’s new academy of engineering and Rowan University’s engineering program right at our doorstep, the time is right.”

Damminger said, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the need for engineering professionals is expected to grow significantly over the next 10 years.

“We’ve poised ourselves to be in a great position, setting the bar higher for what this college can do for the state, if not the nation,” he said. “And we’re eager to fill this addition with bright and articulate students.”

The addition is scheduled to be completed by March 2013.

Senate President Steve Sweeney called the expansion an investment in education and the economy.

“I congratulate my friends here for having a vision, for creating opportunities for young people to stay and learn in this state and this region,” said Sweeney. “This will help our economy by making engineering firms take another look at Gloucester County. GCC is an absolute jewel, one of the finest county colleges in the state.”

Freeholder Deputy Director Joe Chila said he was excited for the county’s students, who will now have the opportunity to go from GCIT (or another high school science program) into GCC and then straight on to the college or university of their choice.

And Freeholder Lyman Barnes, education liaison for the county, also praised the “seamless” transition.

Trustee Virginia Scott, for whom the building was named, said, “We’re still doing great things, and that tells me that GCC is the right place to be.”

“Gloucester County College is the gateway to four-year education in New Jersey,” Scott continued. “It’s our building and our time. The future is here.”

GCC President Fred Keating said the addition was originally only supposed to include two new labs, but after meeting with the dean and faculty, he advised — on their behalf — that four should be included in the plan.

“They told me that now is the time to invest,” said Keating. “To the faculty, thank you for that little epiphany. Today, we are going to break ground and expand our building, but we’re also announcing that we’re beginning to recruit heavily for our STEM division. There is a critical need in that area for our society. This is a pivotal piece, an affordable quality way to move into a highly-aggressive area of study.”

And STEM Dean Barbara Turner said she’s very proud of the science, technology, engineering and math education the college offers students.

“GCC continues to be that outstanding conduit between high schools and four-year institutions,” said Turner. “With GCIT’s new engineering academy, Kingsway’s new STEM academy and the college continuing to build new transfer partnerships with four-year institutions, STEM represents student success.”

The bridge, at the foot of South Main Street, has been closed since mid-October.

According to Rick Benz, an engineer with Civil Dynamics, there was a major washout due to a severe rainstorm in mid-August 2011 and then Hurricane Irene, which occurred two weeks later.

“It’s been a long time. It’s a tough road to have closed,” Salem County Freeholder Deputy Director Ben Laury said.

Although the bridge was closed down in October, work on the rehabilitation and restoration of the Elmer Lake Dam has been an ongoing project for the past eight years.

“We’re fortunate to have really solid people. This has been a total team effort to bring this lake back to life,” New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney said prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the success.

“We have always been committed to fixing the Elmer Dam and ensuring it received the care and maintenance it deserved. Today’s ribbon cutting is more than just a symbolic measure. It’s a tribute to everyone who had a hand in making sure this day was possible,” Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli said in a release.

Over time, the dam experienced deterioration on both sides of the wall and the floodgates used for water control were not working properly, according to Elmer Councilman Steven Schalick.

In the course of a flood, all of the gates could not open to relieve the water.

According to Senior Project Manager of the Department of Treasury John Tisa, the dam is only waiting for one piece, a sluice gate, which will allow the water to flow under the bridge down stream and fill the down stream side of the lake.

Tisa estimated the sluice gate will arrive in about two weeks.

Currently, there is about 2.5 feet of water in the lake, Tisa added.

The Elmer Lake Dam, located on South Main Street, is owned by the Department of Environmental Protection division of Fish and Wildlife and the road that runs across the bridge is a county owned road.

Restoration and repairs of the Elmer Lake Dam in total cost $1,000,200, according to Tisa.

The Elmer Lake Dam restoration was supported by an appropriated $1 million from the “Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act,” according to a release.

According to Laury, the bond covered two-thirds of the project and the remaining balance came from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The NJDEP and Third District legislators have worked together to restore the dam since 2004.

According to Benz, the dam is now armored and if needed, water will flow across the road into secondary outlets and the dam will not erode.

Among others present were members of the Elmer Borough Council, the mayor of Pittsgrove Township, Salem County Freeholders Bruce Bobbitt and Beth Timberman and other government officials.

“The cooperation from everybody, from the senator to the contractor, were absolutely flawless. It is a wonderful project,” Mayor Joe Stemberger said.

Already, about $70 million has been spent to clear the site, construct a retaining wall on the shoreline, and haul and place 300,000 cubic yards of soil to raise the elevation of the 190-acre site, directly across from Philadelphia International Airport.

The port is at a bend in the river, and thousands of cubic yards of sediment have been dredged to deepen the area to 40 feet to accommodate ships.

New Jersey is providing $200 million toward the construction. Bids will be advertised in May to build the wharf, said Kevin Castagnola, executive director and CEO of South Jersey Port Corp. About $65 million in construction and equipment-supply contracts will be executed in the next year.

The port is the largest economic development project ever undertaken in Gloucester County, said George Strachan, executive director of the Gloucester County Improvement Authority, the construction manager for the project.

“It’s probably the largest in South Jersey,” Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert Damminger said. “It’s all about jobs.”

Paulsboro is a small town of 6,000 that has seen brighter days. The port will bring commerce and as many as 2,500 jobs, said state Assemblyman John Burzichelli, a former mayor there.

“The importance is obvious: It’s the jobs created for the region,” said Burzichelli. “Paulsboro is only two square miles, so the impact is going to be considerable.”

Paulsboro fell on hard times, first when Interstate 295 diverted traffic from the downtown. Then came the shopping malls, such as Deptford, which helped kill the mom-and-pop stores.

South Jersey Port Corp. and the Gloucester County Improvement Authority are developing the marine terminal. Port officials have been talking to potential tenants, including offshore wind developers, equipment manufacturers, and component fabricators, about using the Paulsboro piers.

Eleven private offshore wind developers have expressed interest in developing wind farms totaling more than 12,000 megawatts off New Jersey’s coastline, said Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Ragonese.

“Offshore wind is definitely a viable possibility for Paulsboro, if it ever occurs,” Castagnola said. “A manufacturer could bring the components in through the port, assemble them there, and then ship them back out. Or, if there was enough work, a manufacturer could build their plant in Paulsboro and manufacture the wind turbines right there.” Wind energy supporters want to make New Jersey a hub for wind manufacturing.

The Paulsboro port is on 130 acres that had been the BP Oil Paulsboro Terminal, and 60 acres that was Dow Chemical’s former Essex Chemical plant.

BP made the property available to Paulsboro and developer South Jersey Port for $1 under a 90-year lease.

The terminal will handle ships carrying break-bulk cargoes, rather than large container cargo ships. Break-bulk cargo — such as plywood, steel coils, fruit, and cocoa beans — is packaged in smaller crates or pallets, and not shipped in 20- or 40-foot containers.

“We’ve talked to various people and customers. Nothing has been finalized, but we have a few opportunities that we are pursuing,” Castagnola said.

The project calls for Gloucester County Improvement Authority to build an access road and bridge over Mantua Creek that would link traffic from an exit on Interstate 295 directly to the port. Trucks would not drive on local streets. That construction requires 3? acres of private land that one homeowner does not wish to sell. The case is in court.

The port’s final wharf design and environmental approvals are completed, officials said. Once the wharf is built, ships will be able to dock.

“We’re investing in our infrastructure to be well-positioned to take full advantage when the global economy improves,” Strachan said. “ We’ll always need ports, and this is the time to build them, to help fuel our regional economy.”

This year’s “Spring Banquet” — which is a modernized and revamped version of the chamber’s annual “Shad Banquet” — honored the Third District legislative team as the chamber’s Distinguished Citizens of the Year.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assemblyman John Burzichelli, and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley were each recognized by the chamber for their outstanding commitment and dedication to the people of Salem County.

“Thank you to the people of Salem County for allowing me to serve you,” said Riley. “We feel like the Third District is the best district in New Jersey, and we’ll keep working to make it even better.”

Burzichelli added, “We came to Salem County as strangers years ago. Since that time, we’ve had the chance to learn, understand and meet the people here… We’re happy to now be a part of Salem County, and we thank the people here for taking us in as their own.”

“We think Salem County is the most beautiful county in the state of New Jersey,” said Sweeney. “This award is a great honor. The people here have really taken us in, and we never take this community for granted. (The residents here) are all very near to our hearts.”

Thursday’s night’s recognition of the three Democrats represents the second time since 1968, when the Distinguished Citizen Award was first presented, that state lawmakers have been honored.

In 1994, Republicans Sen. Raymond Zane and Assembly Speaker Jack Collins and Assemblyman Gary Stuhltrager were honored with the award.

Collins returned to the banquet this year to present the Distinguished Citizen Award to the Third District team.

“I know what it’s like to face the challenges citizens in New Jersey face, particularly in the south where the districts are outnumbered by the northern districts,” said Collins of Pittsgrove Township. “These three understand that challenge, and they are working for the people in South Jersey.”

About 225 attended the event held in the ballroom of the Centerton Country Club here.

To mark this year’s modern spin on the traditional banquet, the chamber also introduced a new award for this year’s event: The Small Business Leader of the Year Award.

Receiving the first ever award was Paul Langley Sr., owner of The Wagon Wheel Restaurant, located in Pilesgrove Township.

Langley has been in food service since 1971 and operates The Wagon Wheel along with his wife Sharon and son Paul Langley Jr. He is also very involved with his community, having served in the past as President of the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Business Association and Chairman of the Woodstown Pilesgrove Joint Environmental Commission. Both Langley and his wife are also active members of the Woodstown Presbyterian Church.

“I’m very humbled by this award,” Langley said, after being surprised with the recognition. “I’ve dedicated my life to my community and the small businesses of Salem County. I’m blown away. I didn’t expect this, and I don’t do the things I do in my community to receive any awards.”

While this year’s banquet was a celebration of 45 years of tradition, it also presented a theme of change and new beginnings.

Keynote speaker of the night Dr. Loren Thomas spoke of change, and three possible ways to react to it. He said people can either resist change, embrace change, or create change of their own.

“Change is constant. Like it or not, it’s happening all the time,” said Thomas. “It’s up to us on how we respond to it.”

Thomas is superintendent is the vo-tech, Special Services and Mannington school districts.

Executive Director of the Salem County Chamber of Commerce Jennifer Jones said reinventing the Shad Banquet into the Spring Banquet was the chamber’s way of responding to change in the years since the banquet began.

“There’s been a long standing tradition of holding this banquet in the spring, which where the new name comes from,” said Jones. “This is still a great networking opportunity for our attendees and great exposure for chamber sponsors, but this isn’t the same banquet it was when it started… and it was time for a change.”

Past Citizen of the Year Award winners

Past winners of the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award presented by the Salem County Chamber of Commerce:

1968 – Henry D. Young; 1969 – Eugene Taylor Sr.; 1970 – Rosa Doran; 1971 – John B. Campbell and Robert Patrick; 1972 – Lydell Mitchell; 1973 – John Chaplin; 1974 – John McCoubrie Sr.; 1975 – Thomas H. Bowen; 1976 – Dr. Horace Loscalzo; 1977 – B. Harold Smick Sr.; 1978 – John Hassler Sr.; 1979 – Dr. John S. Madara and Mrs. Ruth Madara.

1980 – Dr. Granville Thomas; 1981 – Daniel Harris; 1982 – George “Lou” Schantz; 1983 – Jack Elk; 1984 – David Cawman; 1985 – Msgr. John Griffey; 1986 – Russell Gardiner; 1987- B. Harold Smick Jr.; 1988 – Charles Pedersen; 1989 – Scott Smith.

1990 – Wes Denman; 1991 – Elizabeth Fogg; 1992 – Tom and Dot Toulson; 1993 – Jim and Rita Burlaga; 1994 – Zane, Collins and Stuhltrager (3rd Legislative District); 1995 – Ron LeHew; 1996 – Ed Warren; 1997 – Rev. Dave Bailey; 1998 – John Jordan; 1999 – Michael Warner.

2000 – Mary Johnson; 2001 – Ceil Smith; 2002 – Sharron Sparks Boyle; 2003 – Keith Campbell; 2004 – Dr. Peter Contini; 2005 – Otis Sistrunk; 2006 – Donald Pierce; 2007 – Bill Gallo Jr.; 2008 – Sam Jones; 2009 – Bob Vanderslice; 2010 – Salem Main Street; 2011 – Ernest Henderson and Bill Levis

As the weather improves and residents start cleaning around the house, it becomes important for items that contain personal information to be disposed of properly.

Unwanted televisions, computers, electronic tablets, e-book readers, and monitors cannot be simply put into the trash, but must be recycled as required by the state’s year-old Electronic Waste Management Act. The Act generated an estimated 40 million pounds of recycled e-waste last year in New Jersey, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. This is a five-fold increase in e-waste tonnage over the approximately 8 million pounds collected in 2010, and an amount that is expected to increase this year as the program expands and improves in all 21 counties in New Jersey.

“We have to ensure that electronic waste is recycled and that everyone has convenient options for recycling,” said Senate President Sweeney. “Improperly handling discarded electronics, or throwing them in the trash can expose hazardous chemical compounds that are known to negatively affect human and environmental health.”

“Under the Electronic Waste Act items such as TVs, computers and monitors may not be placed on the curb for regular trash collection pickup,” said Assemblyman Burzichelli. “Instead, these items must be taken to a drop-off point, such as a county or municipal solid waste collection center or a participating electronics retail store.”

“Recycling electronic products helps maintain a clean environment and protects human health,” said Assemblywoman Riley. “Residents should contact their county solid waste agency or municipal recycling coordinator for e-waste recycling options currently available in their cities and towns.”

The effort to manage the amount of waste generated while conserving natural resources can best be summarized by the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

• Reduce the amount and toxicity of trash you throw away by properly disposing electronic items.

• Reuse containers and products.

• Recycle as much as possible and buy products with recycled content.

Many municipalities, as well as various public and private organizations, hold special events and collection schedules to accept old electronics for handling their disposal appropriately.

Residents should contact their municipality for additional information about recycling programs and contact their county to get upcoming dates and locations for hazardous and special waste collection events:

• Cumberland County – Residents should call 856-825-3700 ext. 129 for details.

• Salem County – Residents should call 856-935-7900 ext. 15 for details.

• Gloucester County – Residents should call 856-478-6045 ext. 14 for details.

For more information on New Jersey’s E-Cycle program, including a list of e-waste recycling locations statewide, a connection to all 21 county recycling web sites, and information for consumers on “front door” pickup service to deal with extra heavy televisions or for people with special needs, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/ewaste/index.html.

Sweeney took his party’s Real Relief Plan on the road Monday to compare the Democrat proposal with Christie’s proposal that has been called an “income tax scheme” by the senate president.

“Income tax is not the issue in the state,” Sweeney told dozens of Camden & Gloucester county taxpayers at the Camden County College town hall-style meeting. “We live in zip codes where not a lot of people are making more than $250,000.”

In February, Christie announced the income tax cut for all Garden State workers, but Sweeney told taxpayers at the college that the “lion’s share of money goes to the wealthy.”

“Money is going where it’s not needed,” Sweeney added. “We (senate Democrats) do not agree.”

According to the Democratic plan, every household with income under $250,000 would get the 10 percent property tax credit which could be taken when income taxes are filed.

“I wish it was more creative, but we wanted to make it easy for people to understand,” Sweeney said.

According to the senate president, a Woolwich Township household would get about $890 with the senate Democrats’ plan, a calculation based on figures from the 2011 State Department of Community Affairs property tax data.

In the same municipality, Sweeney said the median family savings under the governor’s proposal stands at about $296, based on figures provided from the 2010 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau.

While all of the savings would draw from the same chunk of the state budget funds allotted for tax relief, Sweeney claims the Democratic proposal puts the focus on middle class families. The hope, he said, is that families who need the extra money will put it back into the economy for things they need to buy.

While the floor was open during the meeting for comments and criticisms of the senate Democrats’ plan, public comment focused on other issues including the approval of charter schools in Cherry Hill; seniors whose fixed incomes are forcing them out of the state; and state workers who are worried about the under-funded state pension system and losing banked vacation days.

Staff Photo by Carly Q. Romalino/ Gloucester County Times

“Our infrastructure is in crucial need of improvement. These funds are much needed, much deserved, and will greatly improve the transportation safety of the Third District,” said Senate President Stephen Sweeney.

The following Salem County towns received money: Penns Grove Borough, reconstruction of Mill Street, $150,700; Pennsville Township, reconstruction of Enlow Place, $151,000; Pittsgrove Township, resurfacing of a portion of Big Oak Road, $155,625; Salem City, reconstruction of Grieves Parkway, $151,900; and Woodstown Borough, reconstruction of East Millbrooke Avenue, $151,000.

“A healthy infrastructure is vital to our economy and the safety of motorists, particularly when it comes to improving our local streets and roads. This funding will go a long way towards helping us address these concerns,” said Assemblyman John Burzichelli.

Competition is always robust for grants under the NJDOT Local Aid program, with 374 of 661 FY 12 Municipal Aid grant applications, or 57 percent, earning an award.

“Given the extraordinary fiscal times we are facing, these funds are certainly welcome to help improve our local roadways and help motorists get to where they need to go in a safe and timely fashion,” said Assemblywoman Celeste Riley.