T he Chamber once again appealed to one of its neighbors for ideas on how to improve Bridgeton. In June, the luncheon

audience heard from representatives of the Millville city government on how it trans-formed the city into an art-themed center. And at the August luncheon, ideas came from Jim Malley, mayor of Collingswood, which is an-other renovation success story. Collingswood is in Camden County, a few miles east of the city of Camden.

In between those two meetings, a member of the Bridgeton Department of Development & Planning, Kevin Rabago, reported at the July luncheon on what is being done to upgrade Bridgeton’s commercial district.

Malley has been mayor of Collingswood since 1989 and has had a major hand in trans-forming Collingswood into a city of destination rather than the one about which residents used to say, “We’re not Haddonfield–– and we’re never going to be the best.”

He said his motivation throughout the reno-

vation process was the answer to the ques-tion, “Which came first––the cowboys or the saloon?” The answer? The cowboys. In other words, concentrate on the people and improv-

Business Banking is Solid Service at colonial Bank  Refinancing

  Equipment Purchases

  Commercial Mortgages

  Lines of Credit

  Working Capital

  Acquisitions

Bridgeton85 W. Broad Street451-5800

Vineland2745 S. Delsea Drive205-00581771 S. Lincoln Avenue690-5555

MillVille1107 N. High Street825-5800

Sewell271 Lambs Road589-4888

Mantua227 Bridgeton Pike468-6008

upper deerfieldRoute 77 & Big Oak Road455-4500

BRIDGETONAREA

Chamber of CommerceBusiness news

www.baccnj.com

“Business is ourBusiness”

Volume 18Issue 5

September-October2007

Jim Malley, mayor of Collingswood, discusses city problems with Carolyn Heck-man at left, Chamber Board Chair, and Claire Sapienza-Eck, program chairman, at the August luncheon.

(Continued on page 8)In June 2007, Charles Patitucci closed the Patitucci Agency in Bridgeton after a long career

of 55 years in the real estate busi-ness. He retired with the satisfac-tion of having had a long, successful career and an equally long dedication to many com-munity organiza-tions that have benefited from his commitment to volunteerism.

Because of this commitment and dedication, Patitucci will receive

the Chamber’s Francis “Binks” Sharp Award for community ser-vice at the annual “Salute to Busi-

ness and Industry” awards ceremo-ny on Thurs-day, Oct. 18, at Cen-terton Country Club.

The winner of the award must

possess the following attrbutes: (Continued on page 8)

Photos by Prestige Publications

Charles Patitucci to receive prestigious Francis Sharp Awardat ‘Salute to Business & Industry’

Charles Patitucci at his Bridgeton Home.

Or, what came first, the cowboy or the saloon?

Collingswood mayor tells of city’s transformation

Other Profiles of Salute to Business & Industry

Award Winners:Leone Industries............page 2

South Jersey

Eye Associates...........page 2

Marlboro Farm Market...page 3

Diamonds & Design.......page 4

TD Banknorth................page 5

JEM Print........................page 7

Coming Events...at a GlanceThursday, Oct. 18 “Salute to Business and Industry” AwardsCenterton Country Club

Friday through Sunday, Oct. 5-7Deerfield Township Harvest FestivalMorton Avenue, Rosenhayn

Saturday, Oct. 6 Dutch Neck Village Fall Festival 97 Trench Rd., Bridgeton

Page 2 Business News • September-October 2007

V isit the office of South Jersey Eye Associates, P.A., at the Upper Deerfield Professional Center, 205 Laurel Heights Dr., and you’re impressed with the modern, welcoming surroundings. But that’s only an introduction to the heart

of the practice with its state-of-the-art equipment, breadth of services offered and strong networking base that connects eye surgeons from throughout the region with local patients.

“We’ve made a major investment in our office,” says Dr. Robert Cole, who works in partnership with Dr. Michael Feinstein. Each had his own operation––Dr. Cole since 1974 and Dr. Feinstein since 1980––until they merged their practices in 1997. They have made major expansions and improvements at the office to bring it up to its present 6400 square feet.

In addition to administering eye examinations and prescribing glasses or contact lenses, South Jersey Eye Associates is also equipped to treat diseases such as glauco-ma and macular degeneration; conditions such as dry eye and allergies; diagnose and refer patients to consulting ophthalmologists who can perform surgeries for vision disorders as well as LASIK procedures; prescribe safety glasses for the workplace or leisure activities; and devise a program of vision therapy to treat such disorders as eye focusing, eye-hand coordination and visual perception. More information is available on the web site, www.southjerseyeye.com.

Dr. Cole and his wife Anna have four grown children while Dr. Feinstein, married to Kay Delp, has two daughters. One is a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh and the other a junior in high school.

Leone Industries, winner of the Indus-trial Sector award, is somewhat of an anomaly for its time. In an age of

plastics and synthetics that has seen many glass manufacturers become obsolete, it produces only glass containers. And in an age of fast and processed food, the 40-year-old company serves the health-conscious whole foods market.

The company was founded in 1967 by Joseph and Katherine Leone. “They were the first two presidents,” says their son, the current president, Peter Leone. At the time, the company was primarily producing glass items for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. It later evolved into what it is today, a manufacturer of containers for the food and beverage industry.

When Joseph Leone died in 1979, Kath-erine took over the business, assisted by her young sons. Later, in 1986, Peter took over the duties of President and his brother David became Executive Vice President.

The company produces food contain-ers––jars and bottles––primarily for “entre-preneurial, growing businesses,” says Peter Leone. “Our designs can be found in most food production facilities, specialty food stores, grocery stores or in homes through-out North American and elsewhere.”

The company operates out of a sprawling plant at 422 S. East Ave., Bridgeton, and is one of the county’s top employers with about 325 employees.

The Leones are proud of their involve-ment in the natural/organic market and try to do their part for the environment, purchasing recyclable materials whenever possible. They credit their success primarily to “paying attention to their customers’ ex-pectations,” says Peter. He also gives credit to the “great people we work with, without whom we’d never have made it this far.”

Peter and his wife Judy have two daugh-ters, 10 and 7, and David and his wife Jen-nifer have a son, 11, and a daughter, 13.

Peter Leone (left) and his brother David pause as they inspect glass containers manufactured at the East Avenue plant in Bridgeton.

Drs. Michael Feinstein (left) and Robert Cole display some of their state of the art equipment at the Upper Deerfield office.

Photos by Prestige Publications

Zimmerman to be honored at ‘Salute’ dinner for 40 years of service Anyone who’s been around the Bridgeton Chamber for any

length of time has come to know Gary F. Simmerman. Always affable, happy to lend his time and talents to Cham-ber projects, his record of more than forty years on the Board of Directors is proof of his dedication.

When the current Board was being organized in May, how-ever, Gary declined to be nominated for yet another term.

To recognize his remarkable record and to express apprecia-tion for his leadership throughout the years, the Chamber will pay tribute to him in addition to the other award winners at the Salute to Business & Industry dinner on Oct. 18 at Centerton Country Club.

Invitations to the dinner have been mailed. Be sure to send in your r.s.v.p. card by Oct. 11 for a memorable evening.

Industrial Sector Award:

Leone specializes in glass for the food industryProfessional Sector Award:

S.J. Eye Associates offers full range of services

Page 3

A photograph of a young boy about 12 years old behind a roadside fruit and vegetable stand hangs in

Marlboro Farm Market & Garden Center owner Kenneth Harris’s office.

That picture was prophetic, because it foreshadowed what the adult Ken Harris was to become.

“It was always my dream to have my own farm market,” he recalls, and he followed up those early roadside stands by plunging right into the challenge of making the dream a reality as soon as he graduated from Cumberland Regional High School, in 1979. Now he can look with some satisfaction at the business he’s created: a thriving farm and garden center that offers not only locally grown fruits and vegetables but also flowers, shrubs and trees (including cut-your-own Christmas trees) that he grows himself on his rambling property at 601 Route 49, three miles west of Shiloh. The bus-tling market has a loyal customer base representing not only the local area but also Pennsylvania, Delaware and other parts of South Jersey. “They come from quite a distance,” says Harris.

The market has spawned two other lo-cations, one on Route 47 in Green Creek and the other on Bayshore Road in Fish-ing Creek, both in Cape May County. Harris’s father, the elder Kenneth Harris, manages the Green Creek store. In fact the entire operation is family-run, with Tracy, Kenneth’s wife, working in the market and the office and Sue, his mother, serving as office manager. “You

can’t have a business like this without the support of your family,” says Harris. “They’ve supported me from the very beginning.”

The list of locally grown produce is extensive: peaches, nectarines, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, squash and pick-your-own pumpkins. In addition to growing much of its own produce, the market obtains popular summer items such as corn and tomatoes from other nearby farmers, so it’s all local.

Harris’s first priority, he says, is taste, not appearance. Quality is a close sec-ond. An example is in how he grows his peaches. “They should be picked ripe, not hard and green, as is often done in commercial operations,” he points out. The proof is in the result––Marlboro’s peaches are ripe and juicy, brimming with sweetness.

The Route 49 market employs about 40 people and is open year ‘round. The other two markets are open from spring to fall and each employs about 10 to 15.

Displays at the market sometimes include recipes for that item, often at the request of the customer. For example, the eggplant display is accompanied by a recipe for “Scalloped Eggplant.” Nestled among the peaches are recipes for “Peach and Raspberry Cobbler” and “Peach Melba French Toast.” It’s one ex-ample of the customer-friendly approach Harris and his employees take to keep their customers happy––and coming back.

Marlboro Farm & Garden Center owner Kenneth Harris, right, works with Severo Reyes in the peach orchard, one of the several produce items grown at the center on Route 49 near Shiloh.

Photos by Prestige Publications

Members tour new Chamber office In photo at right, Fran Spinelli, left, and Mike Harris chat at the September Business to Business event in which members toured the new Chamber office at76 Magnolia Ave., Bridgeton. In left photo, Pam Burton, center, holds her grandchild Bella Burton, happily munching on cookies. Pam's husband Don is at left.

Agricultural Sector Award

Marlboro Farm & Garden Center built on owner's dream –– and quality produce, service

Page 4 Business News • Date

P erhaps it was her love of the Renaissance Pe-riod that inspired her as a

young history teacher. Or perhaps it was simply the fulfillment of a dream to make fine jewelry her full-time occupation. Many influences, including an appren-ticeship at her sister’s gift shop, led Marie MacDonald, owner of Diamonds & Design – the Maria Collection, to establish her busi-ness in 1986, and it’s still thriving today, after 21 years. There are two locations: 1048 N. Pearl St., Carlls’ Corner, Bridgeton, and 1181 E. Landis Ave., Vineland.

The jewelry store, winner of this year’s Retail Sector award, specializes in custom-designed jewelry and “ideal cut” diamonds that are superior in clarity, color and size, as well as cut. In addi-tion, Marie says she wanted to bring to the local community a place that was “unique and different, a place where you could get the best quality at the best price.” She notes that last year she celebrated her 20th anniversary in business and says she is grateful to all her customers who have supported her over the years. She also gives credit to her husband Rod, co-owner, for his involvement.

Diamonds & Design, however, is more than diamonds. Its repertory also includes gemstones such as sapphires and rubies; pearls; and silver and gold items, as well as other unusual pieces and sets chosen by Marie’s discerning eye. She travels to Europe and the Orient to offer local customers something distinctively different from what is shown in the mass market jewelry stores.

After graduating from Glass-boro State College (now Rowan University) in 1972, Marie taught U.S. and World His-tory at Bridgeton High School from 1972 to 1977 and then at Schalick High School from 1977 to 1983. After taking some time off to have her daughter Antoinette in 1983, she got her first taste of the jewelry business when she began working at the gift shop owned by her sister Patricia Spoltore (who died in 2001 in an automobile accident) at Carlls’ Corner, in 1985.

The shop was called “Pa-triciana Distinctive Gifts,” and Marie served as its bridal consultant. Part of her role was to assist customers in choosing their wedding bands. Marie would often steer them to unique gold bands made in England that could be custom

designed. That experience apparently set off the spark that led her to become certified by the Gemological Institute of America and eventually launch her own place. After the founding of the Bridgeton location in 1986, the Vineland store became the second “Maria Collection” in 1994.

Diamonds & Design is a full-service jewelry store, selling not only one-of-a-kind pieces but also providing repair, engraving and appraisal services.

Dutch Neck Village will present its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 6, featuring apple desserts, cookies, cider and funnel cakes to tempt the palette; and for entertainment, “Ralph Robert’s Trio” from 10 to 11:30 a.m., “On the Road” from noon to 2 p.m. and “Up-front” from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

In addition, more than 100 crafters will display their wares. Admission is free, but there is a $2 parking fee.

Dutch Neck Village is at 97 Trench Rd., Bridgeton. It houses several shops, a country living museum and restau-rants. For more information, call (856) 451-2188.

Dutch Neck to greet the season with annual Fall Festival

Millville Air Museum to host Veterans' Appreciation Day The Millville Army Air Field Mu-

seum and area high school students will

join in a tribute to the nation’s veterans

at the sixth annual Veterans’ Apprecia-

tion Day on Saturday, Nov. 3, beginning

at 11 a.m., at the museum at Millville

Airport.

All veterans are invited to attend and

will be honored for their contributions.

The event is free and open to the public. Displays on the Museum grounds will include military vehicles and a scale model of a P-47 “Thunderbolt” fighter plane. Master of ceremonies Joseph Hampton, commander of the VFW post in Vineland, will preside at the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. For more information, Hampton can be reached at 856-692-8050.

Photo courtesy of Mark Forrest Associates

Retail Sector Award

Diamonds & Design showcases custom-cut diamonds and one-of-a-kind jewelry

Co-owners Marie and Rod MacDonald and their daughter Antoinette, right, with some of the unique pieces of jewelry on display at Diamonds & Design.

A three-day blockbuster event featuring hit rock

groups, fireworks, a parade, amusement rides and

the Cumberland County version of “American

Idol” will again take over Morton Avenue in Rosenhayn

Friday through Sunday, Oct. 5, 6 and 7 ––the 29th annual

Deerfield Township Harvest Festival.

Underscoring the Festival theme, “We are Country

Proud,” the country music group Emerson Drive will

perform at 8 p.m. Sunday. The Academy of Country

Music’s 2002 “Top New Vocal Duet / Group,” Emerson

Drive was also nominated for the same award in 2007.

Its single, “Moments,” recently became the number one

country song in the America.

Another highlight will be Starship Starring Mickey

Thomas,” the revamped musical group formerly known

as Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship and Starship,

which will perform Satur-

day at 8:45 p.m.

Other groups on the

Festival stage will be the

Sensational Soul Cruisers

and Lady Antebellum, per-

forming Sunday; and Bon Journey, a tribute band to Bon

Jovi and Journey and Grammy winners, The Trammps,

on Saturday. Admission to the Festival is free, with no

additional charge for the musical attractions.

The parade will take place on Saturday at noon, and

the concluding fireworks will be on Sunday at 9:30 p.m.

Cumberland County’s “American Idol”

The “Deerfield Township Harvest Festival Idol”

contest is open to everyone (not just Deerfield Town-

ship residents). Soloists only, not groups, are eligible.This year entrants are required to choose a song that was popular in a movie, to follow the Festival theme of salut-ing America. The preliminary competition will be Friday, Oct. 5,

at 6:45 p.m. and finals on Sunday,

Oct. 7, at 1 p.m. Contestants will

compete in three age categories: 4

through 12, 13 through 19 and 20

and over. A cash prize of $100 in

each age group will be awarded, as

well as a certificate for a recording

session to produce a demo CD.

For more information on the Fes-

tival, call 856-455-3200 or e-mail

festival@deerfieldtownship.org.

Page 5

Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce

76 Magnolia Ave.P.O. Box 1063 • Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Phone: 856-455-1312 Fax: 856-453-9795

Email: bacc@baccnj.com Executive Director: Anthony Stanzione

Business News Editor:Carol Smith, Prestige Publications

Grow your business..join the Chamber!

Denise Higbee, left, Assistant Vice President/Business Development Manager of TD Banknorth, left, and Lois Dieterich, Regional Vice Presi-dent, flank a promotional sign indicating changes are coming at the bank.

Deerfield Township Harvest Festival Oct. 5 through 7 features rock groups, 'Idol' contestu u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u

Photo by Prestige Publications

Service Sector Award

TD Bank North stresses community involvement; will soon be expanded, renovated

T D Banknorth at 53 S. Laurel St., Bridgeton, will soon have a new look.

Major changes are in store, includ-ing expanded parking and renovations to the entire interior of the building, which began its banking life in the 1970’s as the Farmers and Merchants Bank. It has been a TD Banknorth branch since May 2006, when it re-placed Hudson United Bank.

Denise Higbee, Assistant Vice President and Business Development & Sales Manager, explains the bank is full-service, which means it handles personal and small business banking, including mortgages, loans, lines of credit and merchant services, as well as insurance and investment and estate planning.

Higbee calls the bank “commu-nity oriented.” It sponsors several charitable events such as the South

Jersey Healthcare golf tournament and fashion show, the Cohanzick Zoo’s “Kids’ Fest” and the Bridgeton Farm-ers’ Market.

Higbee also is a committee member of the Bridgeton Main Street Associa-tion, which the bank supports.

In addition, TD Banknorth conducts several educational programs on finan-cial literacy at area schools, prisons, and at the Seabrook House. The “Mon-ey Smart” program provides mortgage information for first-time home buyers or those with limited incomes.

Chamber members will recall that TD Banknorth was home to the Cham-ber for several years until the recent move to more spacious quarters on Magnolia Avenue. The bank provided the space to the Chamber free of charge.

“We were proud to house the Cham-ber here,” says Higbee.

son and Greg Facemyer;Newfield National Bank – Anthony Buono, Carolyn

King and Pam Burton;Susquehanna Bank – Mike Harris, James Crilley and

Ketan Patel;The Bank – Marlene Urban, Karen Hepner, Diane

Lodge and Paula Austin.Chairman Hirata, when making the announcement of

the winners at the August luncheon, said “delinquencies,” or cancellation of memberships, were low this year at only three, another indicator of the Chamber’s continued growth.

Another membership contest is be-ing organized. Details will follow.

Page 6 Business News • September-October 2007

Turning Visions

317 West Elmer Road, Vineland, New Jersey 08360(856) 692-8098 Fax: (856) 692-3058

E-mail: sng@stankergaletto.com

stankergaletto.com

Design/Build • Construction ManagersGeneral Contractors • Property Management

Welcome, New Members!BC Processing Credit card processing1315 Harding Hwy., Richland, NJ 08350 Phone: 856-696-9572Nick Biagi

Cohannsey Cove RealtyReal estate 65 W. Commerce St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 Phone: (609) 851-4072 Rick Spackman

Papco, LLCPropane and butane transporter1709 S. Burlington Rd., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 Phone: (856) 455-9450 Henry Papiano, President ManpowerEmployment agency 430 Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360 Phone: (856) 691-8500 Trayce Ghislain, General Manager

Bridgeton/Millville NewsBuono Vita, Inc.Centerton Country ClubCentury Savings BankCity of BridgetonCohanzick Country ClubComcastDowne TownshipFirst Pioneer Farm Credit, ACAFishers Food CenterGreen Olive RestaurantHopewell Sub & PizzaJEM PrintKennedy Concrete, Inc.Nardelli Brothers, Inc.Padgett Funeral HomeRemsterville Learning CenterRita's Water IceRitter Law OfficeRutgers - Food InovationSJ Eye AssociatesSJ Water ConditioningSray-Webster Funeral HomeThe Bridgeton JournalTips Trailer ParkToad Fish CafeTri-County Comm. ActionWoodruff EnergyJustus Livingston

MembershipRenewals

First National Bank of Elmer wins membership contest

Congratulations to the team at the First National Bank of Elmer, first place winner of the membership contest

sponsored by the Chamber. In all, 23 new members were signed up as a result of ef-forts by each team, which consisted of three or four Chamber board members and one representative from area banks.

The second place winner was Century Savings, followed by TD Banknorth and Sun National Bank, which were tied for third place.

A total of eight teams participated, under the chairmanship of Chamber Board Corpo-rate Secretary Jody Hirata. Members of each team were:

Bank of Elmer-Fran Spinelli, Chris Jes-persen and Sidna Prickett;

Century Bank- Carol Musso, Gus Gos-weiler and Albert Kelly;

TD Banknorth – Denise Higbee, Carolyn Heckman, Dotty Robinson and Mark Gawel;

Sun National Bank – Jose Martinez, Brent Hankins, Claire Sapienza-Eck and Steve Wymbs;

Colonial Bank – Jody Hirata, Dave Wil-Chris Jespersen accepts the prize for winning first place in the Chamber's membership contest. Jody Hirata, chair-man of the contest, offers congratulations.

Photo by Prestige Publications

Bridgeton Acting Police Chief Mark Ott’s mission in his new job is to improve the Police Department, and he has plenty of ideas on how to do it.

Speaking at the September luncheon meeting at Gia’s Catering, Ott, who has been on the job only one month, said he wants to increase the force to 10 more officers (it now has 57); make the roads safer by controlling speeding and thereby reduce accidents, and expand the canine unit. “It’s a matter of putting the right per-son in the right place, “ he said, denying that the police depart-ment has been hit by corruption.

He told the group he has “learned a lot in the past month” and is being mentored by Vineland Police Chief Timothy Codispoti. He added, “I don’t intend to be politi-cal ––that’s not my job” and invited the audience to “call us if you need anything done,” although he doesn’t yet “use that e-mail thing.” The Police Administration phone number is 451-0036.

There will be no Octo-ber luncheon because of the Salute to Business

& Industry dinner on Oct. 18.

T he world of printing has changed drastically in the last several years. The gigantic, noisy, traditional press has given way to the “cold

type” offset press or digital copier. Layouts can now be e-mailed to the printer electronically with the aid of computer publishing programs instead of being created manually by a compositor working at a metal form or “light” table.

But for all the advancements, and even though he has gladly embraced the advantages of modern technology, Herman Evans, owner of JEM Print at 36 Atlantic St., Bridgeton, still has a special place in his heart for the old press with its raised type and for the linotype machine that created the type. In fact he still has three small letterpresses that he uses when he thinks they will give the best results. “We want to make the customer happy,” he says. “It’s not all about the dollar.”

He also has an ancient linotype machine––rescued from its former home at the Bridgeton Evening News –– sitting at the rear of the ground floor, quietly waiting for its operator, a part-timer whom Evans hires occasionally, to bring it back to life.

In addition to the three letterpresses, Evans also has three offset presses and two digital copiers, all equipped to handle the many business forms created at JEM Print ––envelopes, business cards, letterheads, tickets and booklets.

Evans has had his hand in the print business since he was 14, when he would come in to help his uncle, John E. Musso, founder of the company, for whom the company is named. Evans took over full time when his uncle died in 1991, eventually moving across the street in 2001 to the present quarters, which is “three times as big” as the original location, he says. The busy shop has two full time employees and four part-timers. One key associate is Charles Manupello, who also does graphic design. “He’s very talented,” says his boss.

Evans has one daughter, Michele, studying at Rowan Univer-sity to be a teacher. His community work includes the Salvation Army, where he is on the Advisory Board, and the First Wesleyan Church, where he is a trustee in charge of buildings and grounds.

Page 7

Herman Evans in his shop with the traditional letterpress.Photos by Prestige Publications

The National Associa-tion of Insurance Women of Cumberland/Salem Counties is hosting the organization’s New Jersey State Council Education Day on Oct. 26 and 27 at the Heritage House in Millville.

NAIW is dedicated to the professional development of its members and the insur-ance and risk management industries through promoting education in innovative pro-grams and meetings offered at the local, state, regional and national levels.

For information, contact Dee Nelson at (845) 451-4950, extension 1319.

NAIW to hosteducation meetingin Millville

Acting Police Chief sets goals for department at September luncheon

Acting Police Chief Mark Ott

Commercial Sector Award Winner

JEM Print utilizes both modern and traditional technology

Page 8 Business News • September-October 2007

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856-575-0075

Hopewell Township staff (left to right): Anthony Buono,Business Dev. Officer; Barbara Lane; Shelly Shafer; AnneFelmey; Sasha Earl; Lynn Sayre; Kelly Dietterick, BranchManager of Hopewell Office and Annamarie DeFrancisco

Some banks claim to be communitybanks, but Newfield National Bankhas been serving the financial needs ofour community for 73 years.We arelocally owned and operated and havean extensive branch network for your

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• He/she must be a respected individual in the community;• Have a long record of meritorious service to the

greater Bridgeton area through promoting economic progress, contributing to the quality of life of the commu-nity at large; and

• Maintains high ethical standards in the conduct of business and in civic and community activities.

Patittucci graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1938 and two years later began working for Morvay & Sons. After serving in World War II (where he met his wife Delila while in Colorado for basic training), he returned to Morvay’s, and when owner Alex Morvay decided to close shop, he and Morvay formed the “Equi-table Realty and Mortgage Company” in 1952. In 1969 he decided it was time to open his own business, and the Patitucci Agency was born, operating at 74 Washington Street in Bridgeton until 1974 and then––just across the street–– at 57 Washington St., until 1995. After the build-

ing was sold, the agency moved to 20 Franklin St., where it remained until his retirement. In its peak years the busi-ness employed as many as 10 agents.

Among Patitucci’s many community activities are: the Bridgeton Housing Authority, where he served for 32 years, 26 as chairman; Commander of the Catholic War Veterans; President of the County Board of Real-tors; President of the Italian American Civic Club; Vice President of the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce; Director of Cumberland National Bank; a member of the Small Business/Agriculture Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; opera-tor from 1982 to 1990 of the Motor Vehicle Agency; in 1974, nominated as Realtor of the Year; Director of the Bridgeton National Bank and United Jersey Bank in 1971; member of the Bridgeton Industrial Commission in 1998; and currently a member of the Cumberland County Executive Committee and the Republican Cumberland County Advisory Council. He also filled an unexpired

term of six months on the Cumberland County Board of Freeholders in the 1960’s.

The award winner’s home on Commerce Street is filled with photographs of family members and, in his office, memorabilia of the many organizations he served. The office also reveals his keen interest in stamp collecting and in the life and times of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as photos of many New Jersey politi-cians with whom he has crossed paths over the years.

He and Delia have four children: C. Paul, also a real es-tate agent; Dr. Robert S., a physician in Upper Deerfield; Kathy Graham, an arbitration administrator for the state; and Suzanne Meehan, a court service supervisor. They also have seven grandchildren ranging in age from 15 to 26, and all live in the area.

What motivated him to get so involved in his communi-ty? “People should volunteer; everybody should do their share,” he says, adding, modestly, “You help out. You do what you can.”

Collingswood mayor advises Chamber audience to tackle top ten list of problems

(Continued from page 1)

Sharp award winner, Charles Patitucci, serves community where he forged 55-year career

u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u u

ing their lot. “That’s what downtown development is all about,” he said.

One of his major accomplishments was restoring a deteriorating apartment complex,

Sutton Towers. Another was his “Glad to be Single Again” project––converting multi-

family homes back into single family dwellings, granting loans for the conversions.

The bottom line to achieve change, he said, is not to be afraid to invest in yourself.

“A lot of towns are waiting for a white knight or a giant to solve all their problems. But

they have to realize that things cost money to fix, and if we do nothing, we’ll never dig

our way out.”

He said the first step is to identify your assets and liabilities and prioritize them:

• Create a top ten list of your problems

• List your assets

• Identify a vision

• Think big, but take baby steps.

Malley said planners should be “constantly” working on their top ten problems but at

the same time not be afraid to try new things.

Another step in re-creating Collingswood was its active arts program to attract peo-

ple downtown and create a community-friendly atmosphere, he said. “We have arts and

crafts festivals, cruise night, “Second Saturday,” a book festival, a “Gala” on a down-

town street, a theater in town with a ballroom below, a jazz festival and a Shakespearean

theater company,” he said, listing some of the town’s attractions.

Kevin Rabago, Program Monitor in Bridgeton’s Department of Development & Plan-

ning, substituted at the July meeting for Sandi Zapolski, Director of Community and

Economic Development. She was called away on a family emergency.

Among improvements already in place, the speaker noted, are the façade program

for businesses and the installation of surveillance cameras downtown, which gives the

police “20 to 30 extra sets of eyes.” The city also is working on restoring “dozens” of

properties that qualify as “Brownfields”––the designation given by the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) for contaminated properties or lots that need to be cleaned up.

Rabago said he’d like to see Route 49, “our main corridor, from Buckshutem Road to

Millville,” improved, since that will be the road to the new raceway now under con-

struction. “Let’s maximize what we have,” he summarized.

(Continued from page 1)