’Tis the season…of taxes. Not so jolly of a subject, but it looms heavy in all our lives as we approach the April 15 filing deadline on a personal level.

It’s also the time of year when state and municipal governments file their annual budgets; we will introduce our 2019 Budget on April 1. So, I will typically have a lot of conversations about taxes in general this time of year. Keep in mind, that I’ve also spent the last 30 years working in the financial services industry…taxes, taxes, taxes! It’s all I talk about, lol!

This year is a bit different, though, considering some of the national rhetoric about wealth distribution and even socialist policies. We often hear politicians say that the “wealthy” should pay more or pay their “fair share.” That rhetoric gets most voters riled up; which is why they use the terminology. But I’m sure you’d agree that the validity of those statements depends on your definition of “wealthy” and “fair share.”

At the risk of letting facts get in the way of rhetoric, let me throw a few at you. The U.S. Tax Code currently has seven tax brackets. The three highest are 32 percent at $160,725, 35 percent at $204,100 and 37 percent at $510,300. Those marginal rates define the tax rate you pay on every dollar over that amount until you reach the next threshold. Every American starts out by paying 10 percent on their first $9,700 earned and then 12 percent until they reach $39,475 and so on. As your income increases, you move to a higher bracket. This is known as a progressive tax, therefore, by definition, the “wealthier” are paying more taxes, and they are paying a higher rate on the more money they make.

Ok, so what’s the bottom line? Based on this progressive tax system, the top 1 percent of taxpayers pay 40 percent of the taxes collected in this country. Expand that view to the top 5 percent and you’ll find they pay 60 percent of all taxes. An even wider view shows that the top 10 percent pay 80 percent of all the taxes paid. Additionally, our tax system includes standard deductions and credits that allow for the bottom 50 percent of taxpayers to pay no federal income taxes at all. So much for the “fair share” argument.

The data also confirms you’re in the top 1 percent if you earn $250,000 and in the top 10 percent at $90,000 annual earnings. So, when you hear our illustrious political leaders talk about the “wealthy” they must be using some gauge I’m not aware of?

Here’s my point: These conversations about taxes should be about how those dollars are spent once the American people pay them. That’s where the solution lies, which is why our leaders like to distract us from looking at that. Just sayin’.

Mayor’s Message: Tax season was originally published in The Mullica Hill Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

By STEPHEN FINN

The Sun

After a long, cold winter, the weather finally seems to be breaking as spring makes a welcome return. Residents are slowly emerging from their homes to rediscover the great outdoors as local parents look for ways to convince their kids to follow suit.

This is where the Healthy Kids Running Series comes in. Following closely on the heels of the new season, the spring series represents the perfect opportunity to get young people to put down the electronics, put on a pair of running shoes and get active.

The five-week running program serves kids pre-k through eighth grade and requires no previous running experience, just participation.

The Healthy Kids brand has steadily grown since its inception 10 years ago with several programs located throughout Burlington County. This spring, the national, community-based nonprofit will be hosting races in Cinnaminson, Haddonfield, Marlton and Mullica Hill.

Lauren Leight is the coordinator for the Cinnaminson series. As a mother, ensuring her children are healthy and active is a top priority. She got involved with Healthy Kids when she noticed there were few activities in her area for children as young as her 4-year-old daughter.

“It was me looking for something she could do that is active and gets her out, not in the house watching TV,” said Leight. “I wanted something she could do that was a little more local to us, that’s how I got into it.”

Leight saw the running series as the perfect opportunity for her daughter, and she knew there were other parents like her.

“A lot of the participants that we have are the younger kids: 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds. Their parents are trying to find something to do that isn’t a big time commitment and not a huge distance,” said Leight.

Leight is a big believer that kids are never too young for their parents to establish a foundation of healthy habits for them and expose them to new experiences.

“I got my daughter involved in so many things when she was young and it’s actually helped her because now she has less apprehension with trying new things,” said Leight.

The Healthy Kids Running Series offers programs for kids of all ages, including 50- and 75-yard dashes for pre-k children, a quarter-mile race for kindergarteners and first-graders, a half-mile race for second- and third-graders and a one-mile race for grades four through eight.

In addition to serving a wide age range, the Healthy Kids Running Series is expanding its program further to ensure children with special needs can join in the fun.

Coordinator for the Mullica Hill/Mantua series, Merideth Daniel, is excited to start a new feature at her location called the Challenger Race. Currently this pilot program is exclusive to Mullica Hill and the home office in Thornton, Pa.

“If everything goes according to plan, then we’ll have it at all locations in the fall,” explained Daniel. “I know that some people might be hesitant to come out if their child has special needs and they need a little extra assistance, so I think this is a great way for everybody to be out there with us.”

Participants in the Challenger Race run the same distance as other children their age, but are allowed any assistance or guidance they may need from a parent or guardian.

The Mullica Hill/Mantua Healthy Kids Running Series begins Sunday, March 31, at 5 p.m. at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School in Mantua. Races are open to children ages 2 through 14. The five-week program is $35 and includes five races, a T-shirt and medals and trophies the final week of the series.

To register, visit healthykidsrunningseries.org and enter your ZIP Code to find the race nearest to your location.

Spring sprints for ‘healthy kids’ was originally published in The Mantua Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

By KRYSTAL NURSE

The Sun

For some college students, spring break is a time to visit a warm state or country to briefly get away from the stress of college. For others, they use it for philanthropic efforts.

Mullica Hill resident Rachel Accorsi, a sophomore at James Madison University, took the opportunity to visit the Dismas House of Indiana in South Bend from March 4 to 11. There, she said she learned, firsthand, about the transitional services offered to people who have been released from incarceration.

“Dismas House provides housing, meals, case management, tutoring, employment services, life skills workshops, counseling, mentoring and programs to help former offenders make a successful transition back into the community,” she said.

Her group interacted with nine residents at the house through basement renovations. Accorsi added she and the group of people she traveled with cleaned out the house’s pantry room, built a storage room to hold tools, fixed an apartment space in the basement for a future resident and bonded with the residents through various games.

“The residents were extremely welcoming of us, and we all created a very close bond with them,” she said. “We all worked during the day, and then during game time we were able to get to know the residents on a deeper level, which was really cool.”

Accorsi said she learned about the alternative spring break program through a fellow Alpha Delta Pi sorority member last year when she was a freshman with a Nashville nonprofit. She added her experience in Nashville led her to join JMU’s nonprofit SafeRides, which offers “free, nonjudgmental rides home to the JMU community.”

“They too were organizing a sponsored alternative spring break trip, and I thought that this trip would introduce me to new people while allowing me to step out of my comfort zone,” she said. “So I applied and was chosen for the trip.”

Since the trip, Accorsi said volunteering in the house has been her favorite place because she felt the “residents gave as much to me as I was able to give to them.” She went on to add she was able to see the direct, personal impact of how much she has helped the recipients of her efforts.

With her major in international affairs, Accorsi said she is looking into volunteering more with organizations like the Peace Corps.

“I don’t know if I would go back to Dismas House only because I loved the people and the memories I have made this past break,” said Accorsi when asked if she’d participate in another alternative spring break. “I don’t know if I would enjoy going back to the house knowing that all of the people I am now close with won’t be there.”

She added students should seek out opportunities at their colleges to see if they can participate in a similar spring break program to help open up career prospects and develop them more as a person.

“This program has helped me grow to become more adventurous and confident to step out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I encourage anyone who considers participating in an ASB to apply because you will make memories that will last a lifetime.”

Sophomore spends spring break assisting a small community was originally published in The Mullica Hill Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

March 14

• A driver was involved in a crash in Washington Township and responded to the Mantua Police to report it.
• A postal worker found a package of drugs in the street and called police to retrieve.
• A transit rider called the station to report she left her belongings on the bus when she exited the bus. She was able to retrieve them at the bus garage.
• Units responded to a crash at the intersection of Jackson Road and Heritage Road where one vehicle needed to be towed.
• Patrols responded to a neighbor complaint where one neighbor’s marijuana smell was annoying the other neighbor.
• Officers responded to a juvenile complaint for kids playing on the old abandoned Sewell Post Office.
• Officers took a report for a found purse at the Dollar Tree store.

March 15

• Units assisted Woodbury Heights Police for a fight at the Hollywood Café.
• Patrols responded to a minor crash in the parking lot of the Lowe’s store. The drivers agreed to handle it amongst themselves without a report.
• Officers responded to an Internet transaction where the deal was renegotiated, however, the buyer left with all the items, at the reduced price instead of just a few of the items as agreed upon.
• Units responded to a crash in front of the Target store.
• Officers responded to Chestnut Branch Park for a vehicle that was blasting loud music with offensive lyrics.
• Patrols responded to a minor crash in the parking lot of the Fulton bank.
• Units responded to a harassment complaint between neighbors over a dog.
• Officers responded to a suspicious person and they were found to have an active warrant. They were arrested and turned over to the county jail.

March 16

• Officers supervised community service workers who cleaned up litter on Glassboro Road in the area of Route 55.
• Officers responded to a subject who had overdosed on depression medication. They were transported to the hospital by EMS for an evaluation.
• Officers responded to a neighbor dispute in which a neighbor was yelling at him.
• Officers took a missing person report for a subject who had not been heard from since the night prior. Officers were able to quickly locate him and advised the family that he was safe.
• Officers responded to a shoplifting at the Wine Warehouse for two bottles of alcohol that were stolen.
• Units responded to a domestic dispute between husband and wife. It was just an argument at this time and the husband left to cool off.
• Officers responded to juveniles playing ding-dong ditch in Wenonah.
• Ptl. BJ Hauss conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested an occupant for possession of drugs.

March 17

• Officers responded to a noise complaint coming from a hall rental at the Mantua Fire Museum at midnight.
• Ptl. BJ Hauss conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested an occupant on multiple outstanding warrants. She was turned over to Woodbury Heights Police.
• Officers assisted Woodbury Heights Police with a DUI arrest.
• Units responded to a subject who was feeling suicidal and needed transport to the crisis center.
• Officers supervised community service workers who cleaned up litter on Glassboro Road in the area of Lambs Road.
• Units responded to a domestic dispute between a husband and wife where the husband was throwing things around the house.
• Patrols responded to a crash on Cohawkin Road in the area of Cedar Road.
• A dog had wandered into the new Super Wawa without its owner. Officers were able to successfully locate the owner of the dog from a nearby house.
• Officers responded to a deer that was struck on Center Street in the area of New Street.
• Sgt. Herner conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested an occupant for an outstanding warrant. They were processed and released.
• Sgt. Herner conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested the driver for DUI, possession of drugs and obstruction of justice. She was turned over to her husband after being processed.

March 18

• Units responded to a report of a sexual assault that had occurred by a family member.
• Officers located a hit-and-run suspect who was involved in a crash in West Deptford.
• Units responded to a minor crash in the parking lot of the Sewell Post Office.
• Officers responded to a dog complaint in the Villages of Berkley.
• Patrols responded to a crash on Route 45 in the area of the Home Depot. Both vehicles needed to be towed, and one person was treated for an arm injury.
• Ptl. Oldrati conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested an occupant for an outstanding warrant.

March 19

• Units assisted Harrison Township Police with a report of an intruder inside an occupied house. It was unfounded and no one appeared to have been there.
• Ptl. Layton arrested a subject on active warrants. He was processed, posted bail and was released.
• Units responded to a crash on Main Street by the White Oak Lane apartments.
• Ptl. Sheilds conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested two occupants for drug-related charges. They were processed and released.

Mantua Township crime log, March 14–19 was originally published in The Mantua Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

In the March 18 Harrison Township School District Board of Education meeting at Pleasant Valley School, Superintendent Margaret Peretti said the district has matched their 2019–2020 school calendar as close as possible to Clearview Regional’s and Mantua’s with the exception of parent-teacher conferences.

Peretti also said parents who live on the route(s) affected by the Raccoon Creek (Main Street) Bridge closure and construction will be notified on changes of the timing or location of the drop-offs and pick-ups.

Kindergarteners will have the choice to participate in the parade during Harrison Township Day, and a writing prompt competition will be brought to the third- through sixth-grade students on what they would put in a time capsule.

View the budget story here: https://mullicahillsun.com/harrison-seeks-to-raise-school-tax-to-full-2-percent-cap-58750888e590?source=collection_home---4------0---------------------

HTSD matches calendar, praises students’ achievements was originally published in The Mullica Hill Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

At the March 19 Clearview Regional Board of Education meeting, it was announced Debbie Lundberg, of Mantua, will be resigning from the board. She has served since 2010 and Superintendent John Horchak presented her with a plaque honoring her.

The board approved for a middle school tuition rate for out-of-district families for $6,000. Additionally, escalating discounts are offered, per child, for families registering siblings at the middle school.

Following a plea from the Director of Athletics and Student Activities Mike Vicente, the high school’s Thanksgiving football game versus Kingsway Regional High School was formally moved to Sept. 6, which is considered week zero (week prior to the official start of the high school football season). Vicente cited fatigue from players in winter sports, obtaining points for a better playoff position and the state moving towards having a state championship game for football.

The next board of education meeting is scheduled for April 25, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Administration Building (420 Cedar Road).

View the budget story here: https://mullicahillsun.com/clearview-seeks-a-2-percent-raise-in-taxes-for-the-2019-2020-school-year-d577c943dec6?source=collection_home---4------4---------------------

Board member resigns, rivalry game moved was originally published in The Mullica Hill Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

At the March 19 Clearview Regional Board of Education meeting, it was announced Debbie Lundberg, of Mantua, will be resigning from the board. She has served since 2010 and Superintendent John Horchak presented her with a plaque honoring her.

The board approved for a middle school tuition rate for out-of-district families for $6,000. Additionally, escalating discounts are offered, per child, for families registering siblings at the middle school.

Following a plea from the Director of Athletics and Student Activities Mike Vicente, the high school’s Thanksgiving football game versus Kingsway Regional High School was formally moved to Sept. 6, which is considered week zero (week prior to the official start of the high school football season). Vicente cited fatigue from players in winter sports, obtaining points for a better playoff position and the state moving towards having a state championship game for football.

The next board of education meeting is scheduled for April 25, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Administration Building (420 Cedar Road).

View the budget story here: https://medium.com/the-mantua-sun/clearview-seeks-a-2-percent-raise-in-taxes-for-the-2019-2020-school-year-c1d3dcc0f488?source=collection_home---4------2---------------------

Board member resigns, rivalry game moved was originally published in The Mantua Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

By KRYSTAL NURSE

The Sun

Chestnut Branch Park will be filled with the sights and smells of food trucks on June 8 as the township hosts its second annual food truck festival.

The festival will begin at 5 p.m., complete with at least 10 food trucks offering a variety of chicken, pizza and dessert-style foods. Deputy Mayor Robert Zimmerman, liaison to the recreation committee, said the event is free to attend and people should bring cash for the vendors.

Zimmerman also hopes to have more confirmed food trucks for the event as the date nears, however, he understands time conflicts can occur because “many trucks are out elsewhere.”

Nevertheless, he said attendees will also be treated to a longer-than-usual fireworks display at dusk.

“We’re improving our fireworks display by sticking in additional money from the recreation budget into that to give us a longer and better display,” he said. “We’re doing it for the food truck event and Christmas tree lighting ceremony.”

He added when the township originally started talks of a food truck event, they wanted to see it grow each year and hopefully be able to line the perimeter of the park with the trucks and have the event occur for a longer time.

Vendors wishing to sign up for the event should visit www.MantuaTownship.com, and select “township clerk” from the drop-down menu to sign up, or call (856) 468–1500.

Also in Chestnut Branch Park will be the Easter Celebration on April 13 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., complete with an egg hunt, free candy, inflatables and a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny. A rain date is set for the 20th, same time.

Zimmerman said the kids will be able to hunt for hollow plastic eggs, and turn them in for candy at the end of their expedition.

Other spring events happening in and around Mantua:

• Creamy Acres will have Easter egg hunts and hayrides every Saturday in April starting on April 6 at 10 a.m. Kids, accompanied by an adult, can take a hayride, pick up as many eggs as they can and meet the Easter Bunny. It is recommended to bring your own basket. Cost is $8 per child 10 and under, $2 for adults. Tickets available at www.CreamyAcres.com/LilPeeps.
• Rowan University is hosting a Rocket Blast-Off competition on April 13 at the South Jersey Technology Park in (107 Gilbreth Parkway, Mullica Hill). The event will include model rocket competitions, rocket science demonstrations, an engineering fair and more. To register and find out more information on the event, visit www.BlastOff-Rowan.com. Rain date is scheduled for April 27.
• On May 1 is the Senior Expo and Spring Craft Show at Total Turf Experience (614 Lambs Road, Pitman) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seniors, caregivers and health providers for seniors are welcomed to the show. Door prizes, pickleball demos, food samplings and more will be available. Visit www.TotalTurf.net for more information.
• The Gloucester County Craftsmen and Home Show will be held at the county’s 4-H Fairgrounds (275 S. Bridgeton Pike) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 4. Over 100 vendors will be available for you to pick out the perfect spring decor for your home. Food, rock hunts, pony rides and more will be offered at the event. Admission is free. Rain date is scheduled for May 5.
• The Clearview Regional High School Choir will host a spring concert on May 22 starting at 7 p.m. at the high school. The students will get families in the mood for the spring and summer with enlightened songs. Tickets available as the date approaches.
• On June 6, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School (393 Main Street) the Mantua Township School District is hosting a Big Night Out and Water Run for kids to relax and have some summer fun before the summer break. Rain date is scheduled for June 7.

View more events at www.MantuaSun.com. Event notices can be submitted to the paper by emailing News@MantuaSun.com with the event’s name, location, duration and date, and where to find out more information or registration details.

Township hoping to ‘hop’ residents into spring with second annual food truck event was originally published in The Mantua Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Photos: Clearview Regional presents ‘Footloose’ was originally published in The Mullica Hill Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Photos: Clearview Regional presents ‘Footloose’ was originally published in The Mantua Sun on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.