FULL STORY: Galloway Employees Receive Promotions and Raises in First Year of a Stabilized Budget Plus One Union Files a Grievance

GallowayTwpNews.com has obtained through Open Public Records Requests, Personnel Action forms on various employees from January 2013 to May 2013. 

The personnel action forms contain Raises, Promotions, New Hires, Resignations, Retirements and Transfers. Over the past three (3) years the Township has faced a budgetary downfall that has resulted in Layoffs, Retirements and forced Furloughs. 

The Township during their Budget Presentation this year praised Township Manager Arch Liston for presenting a balanced budget with no gimmicks. The gimmicks previously used as described by multiple council members, was the utilization of deferred school tax to supplement the budget. The Township didn't even have that gimmick option available to them this year, therefore in our opinion, the Township had no choice but to present a gimmick free balanced budget. There was no longer a can available to be kicked down the road.

With that newly balanced budget, the Township has now started to spend money on certain employment positions and employees by offering raises and in some cases incentives. We have highlighted some of those below.

January 2013 to March 18, 2013

• New Hire: Matthew Ayers, Deputy Director of Public Works - Started on May 11, 2013 with a salary of $67,500. Ayers will also receive an additional $1,800 per year for the added position of "Safety Officer". Ayers, who was an employee with the Township previously, then left, and is now back with the Township at a starting Vacation Time at the rate of employee who has already served 10 years. 
• Jim Brennenstuhl, Part Time Special Assistant to the Township Manager - Started on February 19, 2013 at a rate of $25.00 per hour. No other information or explanation of Personnel Action was provided on the form. 
• Louis Miranda III, Mechanic - Started February 11, 2013 at a Part Time rate of $10.00 per hour.
• Matthew Cassel, Mechanic - Started January 2, 2013 at a Part Time rate of $10.00 per hour.
• Kenneth Keefrider, Mechanic - Started Janaury 2, 2013 at a Part Time rate of $23.00 per hour.

March 19, 2013 to May 1, 2013

• Ray Guerra, Foreman Road Division - As of May 6, 2013 a salary increase to a new salary of $51,332.64. This increase puts Guerra's salary above his subordinate.
• Gary Dooner Sr., Road Division, Acting Foreman - As of May 6, 2013, Dooner Sr., was promoted to Assistant Foreman with a new salary increased to $41,000.
• Paul Gras III, Assistant Foreman - As of April 29, 2013, Gras III was promoted to Assistant Forman with a new salary increased to $41,000.
• Kelli Danieli, Deputy Township Clerk - As of April 29, 2013, a salary increase of $1,000 for passing a Municipal Clerk's Class of Advanced Duties. This is the second salary increase Danieli has received in the past year.

Other personnel actions forms as released by the Township are provided below. Those forms of which some consist of retirements and promotions within the Police Department have been previously reported on.

The Police Department and the Public Works Department have been two of the biggest departments over the past year that have been hit significantly hard with an abundance of retirements and voluntarily layoffs. Now those departments this year are seeing an increase of Promotions and Raises to various employees. 

According to one employee, Local 676 Union which represents non-supervisory employees in the Public Works Department has been attempting to negotiate their already expired contract with Township Manager Arch Liston. The Union in an attempt to negotiate in good faith requested a 2% raise for those employees. Those employees have not received a raise for about three (3) years, stated the employee.  

According to the employee, Liston did not only refuse to agree to the 2% raise but he also refused to negotiate their expired contract until July 2013. That refusal, according to the employee, has now lead the Union Local 676 to file a grievance against the Township for failure to negotiate in good faith. 

GallowayTwpNews.com will continue to report on the outcome of this negotiation, as well the negotiations with other Unions within the Township who also have contracts that are set to expire. 

With the Township's continued concern of cutting costs and wasteful spending, GallowayTwpNews.com will continue to monitor the spending of the Township, including personnel changes within the Departments and the continued grievances filed against the Township. 

Lt Paf March 18, 2013 by GallowayTwpNews

LT PAFs Mar 19-May 1, 2013 by GallowayTwpNews

Galloway Township Police Blotter May 5-11, 2013

Burglaries:    

5/7    E. Jimmie Leeds Rd, Meadowridge Rd., S Second Ave.

5/10  E. Upland Ave

CFS            845                      Accidents    20

EMS           96                        Tickets        81

Fire             10                        DWIs            2

DVs            14                        Arrests        37

ARRESTS:

Mark J. Voughit, 49, of Gallowaywas arrested on May 5 by Ofc. Robert Bauer for DWI.

Mandee M. Beasang, 23, of Galloway was arrested on May 7 by Ofc. Patrick Neal for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana.

Alan W. Bassett II, 32, of Galloway was arrested on May 7 by Ofc. Kevin Jorgensen for burglary and theft.

Christopher Littleford, 43, of Port Republic, was arrested on May 7 by Ofc. John Mooney for DWI, following a single vehicle accident.

Arby M. Williams, II, 35, of Pleasantville, was arrested on May 9 by Ofc. Scott Winnebergr for possession of CDS.

Hailey G. Jones, 18, of Galloway was arrested on May 9 by Ofc. Ronald Gorneau for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana.

David L. Hood, 41, of Galloway was arrested on May 9 by Ofc. Ronald Gorneau for driving while suspended after DWI.

Joshua Henderson Cole T. Byron, both 18, of Egg Harbor Twp. were arrested May 11th by Det. Jason Kiamos for possession of marijuana under 50 grams. Byron was also charged with possession of oxycodone and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Per Galloway Township Police Department, persons listed here as arrestees are considered innocent until or unless otherwise adjudicated otherwise in court. 

BREAKING NEWS: Reports to Egg Harbor City and Galloway Police Result in Impersonation and Fraud Alerts

Attention: Public Safety /Awareness Bulletin

On May 20, 2013 the Galloway Township Police Department as well as the Egg Harbor City Police Department received two (2) separate reports of Impersonation / Fraud. 

Victim(s) reported that a White Male approached their residences’ identifying himself as an Atlantic City Electric employee. The unidentified male requested that the homeowners’ give him forty-five ($45.00) dollars in cash so that he could “clean their meters.” On both occasions the male advised that the fee needed to be paid at the time of service to him directly. 

On one occasion, the homeowner requested identification and the male refused to provide her with any stating that he was going to come back later and rip her meter off of her residence if she didn’t comply. The male left the area without further incident and was described as a stocky white male wearing a safety style vest and driving a Black pick-up truck; no further information. 

Second occasion: White male thin build approximately 5’07 to 5’08 between twenty (20) to thirty (30) years of age, wearing a safety style vest also driving a dark colored pick-up truck approached the residence and was able to gain access to the residence by the homeowner. No injury or stolen items have been reported however Atlantic City Electric has confirmed with Police that none of their employees are assigned to or involved in this incident or this type of solicitation. 

Anyone having further information or experiencing a similar incident is asked to contact their local police department. Residents should be advised to deny access to their homes to anyone they do not know unless a pre-arranged service agreement has been set up and proper identification has been presented. 

Press Release provided by Galloway Township Police Department

UPDATED: Coming Up: Galloway Employees Receive Promotions and Raises in First Year of a Stabilized Budget

UPDATED: GallowayTwpNews.com apologizes for the delay in the release of this story. Other stories have been developing which diverted attention from this one, however this story is anticipated to be released by the end of the week. Please check back for details.

GallowayTwpNews.com has obtained through an Open Public Records Requests, Personnel Action Forms executed by Township Manager Arch Liston. Included in those forms are Raises and Promotions that were handed out to only a select few in the Public Works Department.

A Public Works employee who provided information on the grounds of anonymity indicated Local 676 was still negotiating their Union Contract with the Township. Their contract expired in December 2012. The employees requested a 2% raise for the next 3 years, however according to the employee, the Township did not want to offer any raises this year to those employees.

We will be providing further details and releasing the Personnel Actions forms in an upcoming story. Check back for details. 

ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer Final Field Set 2013 Tournament Schedule and Information

Galloway, NJ (May 21, 2013) — The unofficial start to the summer season begins in South Jersey with “A Shore Tradition” The ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. The tournament begins Monday, May 27 on the Bay Course at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in Galloway, NJ and concludes with the crowning of a champion on Sunday, June 2. The final field of 144 has been set and includes the Rolex Rankings top 10 players in the world along with 95 out of the top 100 players on the LPGA’s money list.

The ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer field is comprised of tour leaders; Rolex Rankings No. 1 Inbee Park and 2012 returning Tournament Champion and Rolex Rankings No. 2 Stacy Lewis. Additionally, the field boasts 22 Major winners including: Cristie Kerr, Britanny Lincicome, Na Yeon Choi and Paula Creamer. Returning fan favorites include: Lexi Thompson, Michelle Wie, Christina Kim and Natalie Gulbis, as well as Hall of Famers Juli Inkster, Karrie Webb and Se Ri Pak. International stars vying for this year’s title include: Yani Tseng, Suzann Pettersen, Ai Miyazato and Beatriz Recari. The complete final field list is available at http://shopritelpgaclassic.com/field.php

2013 Tournament Schedule and Information

Format: Three days, 54-hole stroke play
Field: 144 players
Purse: $1.5 million, $225,000 Winner's check
Course: Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, Bay Course

Schedule*

Monday, May 27

• Professional practice rounds (open to the public, free admission)
• 1:00 p.m. - LPGA Qualifier (open to the public) - Results will be available after 7:00 p.m. Visit http://shopritelpgaclassic.com/field.php

Tuesday, May 28

• 8:00 a.m. - Professional practice rounds (open to the public, free admission)
• 3:00 p.m. - Million Dollar Shootout (18th hole of Bay Course)

Wednesday, May 29

• 7:00 a.m. - Official ShopRite Pro-Am Sponsored by Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Day One (All Day – open to the public)

Thursday, May 30

• 7:00 a.m. - Official ShopRite Pro-Am Sponsored by Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Day Two (All Day – open to the public)
• 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. The Phillie Phanatic will visit the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer

Friday, May 31

• 7:00 a.m. - Round one (All Day)
• 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. -- Greater Atlantic City Chamber Invitational Golf Classic Presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, Pines Course)
• 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm -- Live Coverage on Golf Channel

Saturday, June 1

• 7:00 a.m. - Round two (All Day)
• Cut to low 70 players plus ties
• 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. -- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Junior Golf Show Presented by South Jersey Industries (Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, Driving Range)
• 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm -- Live Coverage on Golf Channel

Sunday, June 2

• 9:00 a.m. Final round (All Day)
• 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm -- Live Coverage on Golf Channel
• Award ceremony immediately following play

(All times subject to change)

The following programs provide free admission opportunities:

• Practice and Pro-Am rounds held Monday, May 27 through Thursday, May 30 are free to all patrons.
• ShopRite will once again offer Price Plus Card holders two free daily grounds tickets by showing a valid Price Plus Card at the Tournament's Main Admissions Gate.
• Children ages 17 and younger will be admitted free into the Tournament all week courtesy of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
• Additionally, on Saturday, June 1 each Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey member will receive free admission for two, by showing their healthcare card at the Main Admissions Gate.
• Enterprise, the official rental car of the Tournament, is offering anyone who rents an Enterprise car during Tournament week a voucher for two free one-day grounds tickets to the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer.
• Service personnel including fire, police and military will be admitted free all three days of championship play by showing proper credentials at the Main Admissions Gate.

Tournament Week Activities

• GEICO will be hosting a putting challenge at their booth Friday through Sunday; stop by and enter to win a foursome of free golf.
• Kia is back as the Official Automobile of the event and will have displays throughout the golf course that fans can interact with and win prizes. There will also be an opportunity to win a Kia for a hole-in-one for anyone playing in the Pro-Am.
• The Philadelphia Section PGA will be providing complimentary golf lessons in spectator village during Tournament play.
• Michelob ULTRA will be the official beer of the event and will be featured at the 19^th hole and on-course Beer Garden.
• Snapple has returned as the official iced tea of the event and will be featured throughout the Tournament grounds.
• Dunkin' Donuts will provide samplings of product during the Tournament in the spectator village. It will be hosting a contest through their social media platforms to give away an Inside the Ropes VIP Experience. For details, visit facebook.com/DunkinPhilly or twitter.com/DunkinPhilly.
• Rothman Institute Orthopaedics will be providing injury prevention and stretching exercises to all patrons in the spectator village.
• Sparkling ICE will provide free samplings of product during the Tournament in spectator village and also at the 9^th Hole Sparkling ICE Hydration Station.

All three rounds of championship play will be televised live on Golf Channel. For the latest tournament news and information, visit ShopRiteLPGAClassic.com.