Amazon Interested in Galloway Township; Township Officials Continue to Pursue

On September 12, 2017, Galloway Township Mayor Don Purdy stated the Township was actively pursing a business development deal with Amazon through a headhunting broker for approximately a year. 

"I decided to announce that the Township was already working with a real estate broker whose client happened to be Amazon because Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson announced that the County was interested in going after Amazon" Purdy stated. "Galloway has the perfect site with rail access and immediate access to the airport and enough acreage to accommodate what Amazon is looking for. The Township wanted to be part of the package with Atlantic County"

Mayor Purdy recently come under fire by the opposing political party for not being transparent about the secret conversations with Amazon, even further stating "the Township never had private talks with Amazon about bringing a headquarters to Galloway Township" said Gorman, Crawford, Abdrabouh and Santo in news release titled "Democrats call out Purdy Team for Misleading Galloway on Amazon Headquarters." 

EHT Man Arrested After Search Warrant Leads to Drug Bust

 On Friday, October 27, 2017, in response to a citizen complaint of drug activity, the Absecon Police Department Detective Bureau and Patrol Division executed a search warrant at an apartment in the Clayton Mill Run Apartment Complex on S. New Road across from Holy Spirit High School. 

A search of the apartment yielded approximately 3 kilograms (106 ounces) of suspected heroin, 3 ounces of suspected cocaine and numerous items of drug paraphernalia associated with the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of controlled dangerous substances. 

Pedestrians Struck While Pushing Disabled Vehicle From Roadway; One Injured, One Deceased

On October 27, 2017 at 4:33 a.m., Galloway Township Police responded to a motor vehicle accident involving two pedestrians on Pomona Road and Vera King Ferris Drive. 

According to Police, a Honda Civic driven by Steve Carides, Jr. struck two pedestrians and a disabled vehicle while traveling south on Pomona Road.  

Police identified the pedestrians as Brandon Pilecki and Kenneth Chivalette. Pilecki and Chivalette were attempting to push a disabled vehicle out of the roadway when they were hit.  

Galloway Police Blotter October 8 - 14, 2017

Galloway Township Police responded to 867 calls for service during October 8, 2017 through October 14, 2017.

Additional statistics include: 2 Burglaries, 0 Vehicle Burglaries, 21 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 102 Tickets issued, 3 Driving While Intoxicated, 38 Arrests, 10 Domestic Violence, 6 Fire Calls, 16 EMS Calls and 0 Juvenile calls.

Burglaries:   

500 Block of Jimmie Leeds Rd.

900 Block of White Horse Pike

Democrats Sudler & Montag Endorse Galloway Republican Candidates

Cliff Sudler                                  Bill Montag

Two former democratic candidates have announced their endorsement of the Republican Candidates for Galloway Council. Cliff Sudler and Bill Montag ran for office as Democrats in 2013 against Mayor Don Purdy, Frank Gargione, Robert Maldonaldo and Tim Meadows. Sudler and Montag who remain registered Democrats are currently supporting the Republican Party in their reelection efforts.

"With Mayor Don Purdy's leadership the tax rate is down, spending is under control and law enforcement personnel has increased" Sudler said. "I supported those initiatives when I ran and regardless of political party, the Mayor is getting the job done which is why I support him and the current council" Sudler said.

Galloway Police Blotter October 1 - 7, 2017

Galloway Township Police responded to 829 calls for service during October 1, 2017 through October 7, 2017.

Additional statistics include: 1 Burglaries, 1 Vehicle Burglaries, 35 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 88 Tickets issued, 3 Driving While Intoxicated, 27 Arrests, 11 Domestic Violence, 4 Fire Calls, 21 EMS Calls and 2 Juvenile calls.

Burglary:

300 Block of S. Pitney Rd.

Vehicle Burglary:

400 Block of S. Xanthus Ave.

EHT Man Arrested for Stealing Over $350,000 from Galloway Condo Association

Ira Binder

On October 5, 2017, Galloway Township Police arrested Ira Binder, 60 of Egg Harbor Township for stealing funds from a Condo Association in Galloway.

According to Police, an investigation revealed that Mr. Binder who was an office manager at The Club at Galloway Condominium Association, overpaid himself a total of approximately $352,620 between Janaury 2010 and February 2017. 

Galloway Township Detective Kerry Baerman made the arrest. Mr. Binder was charged with Theft and released on a Summons.

Galloway Police Blotter September 24 - 30, 2017

Galloway Township Police responded to 851 calls for service during September 24, 2017 through September 30, 2017.

Additional statistics include: 5 Burglaries, 1 Vehicle Burglaries, 29 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 67 Tickets issued, 1 Driving While Intoxicated, 31 Arrests, 13 Domestic Violence, 5 Fire Calls, 18 EMS Calls and 1 Juvenile calls.

Burglaries:   

Apache Ct.

500 Block of Cologne Ave.

500 Block of E. Brook Ln.

500 Block of E. Jimmie Leeds Rd.

100 Block of Old New York Rd.                                                                                              

Vehicle Burglary: 

600 Block of St. Andrews Dr.

Galloway Township Helps Promote Annual “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day”

Galloway --   Motorists in New Jersey and throughout the nation are asked to join a day-long effort on October 10, 2017, designed to increase awareness about safe driving behaviors and keep the State’s roadways fatality free for one-day. 

Known as Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, the national initiative was designed to unite the country in moving toward zero fatalities for one full day by encouraging motorists to obey all traffic laws, including buckling up, every ride; driving the posted speed limit; avoiding distractions while driving; and always being safe and sober behind the wheel. Our goal is to experience a day when all roadway users are extra vigilant and there are no fatalities on our roadways. 

Photos of "Exotic Birds" and "Cat" at AJ's Cafe' Released By Township After Request

Galloway Township News has obtained through an Open Public Records Request to the Township Clerk, photographs taken by Galloway Police and Township Officials that forced the shut down of AJ's Cafe' on the Lake.

On Friday September 29, 2017 at 12:08 p.m., the Galloway Township Police Department responded to AJ’s Café on the Lake, for an unrelated incident when they observed numerous animals loose inside the restaurant, specifically the kitchen and food preparatory area. 

According to the Galloway Current, co-owner Jacob Cohen denied the allegations that "animals were loose or in the kitchen." Cohen further stated to the Galloway Current that the three pet birds "visited" and "were kept in cages" including the stray cat.

According to Township Officials numerous animals to include three (3) exotic birds and a cat were gathered and turned over to a friend for safe keeping and care-taking while the restaurant was closed up and posted by both Township Code Officials and the County Health Department. 

Galloway Police Chief Donna Higbee stated photographs and other evidence substantiate the charges.

Galloway Township News has obtained the photographs and a response from the Township that no mercantile license has ever been issued to AJ's for either 2015, 2016 or 2017. 

Photographs released by the Township appear to show at least two of the exotic birds enjoying a strawberry on a stack of restaurant plates and the stray cat hanging out in a box on a freezer next to canned foods in the pantry/kitchen area.  A litter box also appears in the pictures below a wash sink in the restaurant area.

According to Township documents, Jacob Cohen did submit an application for a mercantile license on May 25, 2017; however, that application is still pending as the Township Fire Official and Construction Official have not approved the license to be issued.

The restaurant was found to be operating without a Township approved mercantile license and was immediately shut down and the County Board of Health was contacted to respond. 

Staff and patrons were sent home and the restaurant owner has been charged accordingly by the Police Department. 

This location will be closed to the public until further notice as it has been deemed unsanitary and an unsafe structure for human occupancy. 

Additional pictures as released by the Township, which includes the stray cat loose in the restaurant, are included below.