When will the Delaware River Port Authority learn to conduct its business in an open and transparent manner?

It's been more than three years since it was confirmed that a federal grand jury was looking into the spending practices of the Delaware River Port Authority. With no indictments, and no progress reported to date, we were beginning to think the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office had found no "there" there.

But just when we were ready to put to rest our skepticism about the "new, improved" DRPA, comes a scathing admonishment from a federal judge in a case about one set of bids -- for painting the Commodore Barry Bridge between Logan Township and Chester, Pa.

The judge's ruling reversed a DRPA contract award to the second-lowest bidder. The decision resulted from litigation filed by Alpha Painting & Construction Co. -- the lowest bidder, which the DRPA had passed over.

In awarding the contract to Alpha, rather than initial bid winner Corcon Corp., Judge Noel L. Hillman called the original award "an undocumented process shrouded in mystery and obscured from public scrutiny." 

Barely $10,000 separated the two firms' bids. Both were about $17.8 million. It's small change to the DRPA, but the greater point is about what the judge labeled a "Kafkaesque" system.

Such lack of clarity for an $18 million bid portends poorly for about $700 million worth of contracts the DRPA is set to give out in the next few years, Hillman wrote. 

What's most alarming is that this case involves a strict bidding process. This isn't about the no-bid professional appointments that the port authority so often makes, nor the problem-plagued $500 million "economic development" program that drew the feds' attention amid complaints that most money flowed to politicians' pet projects.

It's an old trick to steer a contract to a preferred vendor by deeming lower-cost bidders "not qualified." This finding is legitimate in Alpha's case, say DRPA lawyers. The agency plans to appeal the judge's ruling.

The scariest part is that an intelligent federal judge waded through a thicket of specifications and still couldn't find reasons other than "arbitrary and capricious" ones to shut out Alpha. Further, the judge stated, the DRPA used an attorney-client privilege claim to keep a veil of secrecy over what should be public record.

References to "the Wizard of Oz before the curtain is thrown open" are uncommon in this type of judicial opinion, but Hillman chose to invoke the image for the DRPA's internal bid-review process.

"The evidence has revealed that DRPA's bid review process only presents an illusion, and not the reality, of transparency," the judge added.

The more the DRPA tries to reinvent itself as a bastion of transparency, the more the facts show otherwise. 

Even if the feds' probe turns up nothing criminal, the DRPA still needs to restore public confidence after squandering hundreds of millions of bridge-toll dollars on dubious outside projects and risky investment strategies. Clean up your act, folks. If the lowest-price bid doesn't win a contract, the reasons why need to be transparent and defensible in court.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

The four employees were laid off after the borough contracted with Salem County for police dispatching services.

PENNS GROVE --  Borough officials want to move ahead with a plan to give their former police dispatchers $6,000 each in severance payments.

Mayor John Washington said Friday action could come as early as council's next meeting this week. 

Council last month unanimously introduced an ordinance to give Regina Vasquez, Tamika Richmond, Amy Gibson and Michelle Alexander the payments.

But when the measure came up for final adoption on Sept. 20, it failed to garner the support need to bring it to a vote and died.

Washington says the move stalled because of a public contention that any severance payments should be prorated for the former dispatchers based on their years of service.

"We're not interested in prorating," the mayor said Friday.

On Aug. 15, Penns Grove became the last town with a municipal police force to contract with Salem County for dispatching services.

None of the four borough dispatchers were offered jobs with the county 911 center despite applying, Washington claimed.

Salem County officials confirmed none of the four had been hired.

Washington said Penns Grove officials felt the dispatchers should get something since they were left without jobs. According to the severance-payment ordinance, the dispatchers were laid off by the borough on Aug. 23.

Borough Solicitor Adam Telsey said officials believed the four dispatchers have "worked hard and have been valuable employees."

Penns Grove joins county dispatch system

For their "years of service and dedication they (council) felt as they wanted to give them something," Telsey said.

Penns Grove got a push to join the county police dispatching system from the state Department of Community Affairs which had for years given the borough extra state aid as a way to keep the municipal tax rate down

Last year the DCA awarded the borough $280,000 in transitional aid (extra state aid on top of what New Jersey gives the borough annually). Attached to that payment was the condition that Penns Grove stop providing its own police dispatching services and join the county system as a cost-saving measure. The borough received no transitional aid this year.

Washington said money for the severance payments, which would total $24,000 for all four dispatchers, had already been set aside in a special fund.

A DCA spokesperson said Friday that the state had no objections to the granting of the severance payments.

Borough council meets again Tuesday night.

The incident took place near the intersection of East Broadway and Olive Street, authorities said.

UPDATE: Shooting victim identified; condition is critical.

SALEM -- A man was shot on a Salem City street late Sunday night, authorities say.

The incident took place around 10:22 p.m. at the corner of East Broadway and Olive Street.

The unidentified victim was reported to be 29 years old.

He was shot at least once in the back, according to an official.

The man was taken by ambulance from the scene to Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. A medical evacuation helicopter had been requested to airlift him from the city, but apparently could not fly because of the weather.

The Salem City Police Department and Salem County Prosecutor's Office are investigating the shooting.

There was no immediate word on the man's condition.

A search for a suspect in the case was still ongoing late last night, an official said.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Homeless pets throughout northern and central New Jersey in need of adoption.

There are plenty of places to collect dog training tips.  Some folks take advice from experts on television, others consult websites and still others invite professionals into their homes to work directly with their pets.

Here, one expert offers insight on some dog training myths. Alyona DelaCoeur, who holds a certificate in applied animal behavior through University of Washington and is a certified veterinary assistant and AKC evaluator, addressed a few training questions.

According to DelaCoeur, founder of training website whydoesmydog.com:

* You can't teach an old dog new tricks. False! Sometimes it's actually easier to teach mature dogs tricks because they're less distracted. Certainly some unwanted behaviors will take longer to stop because the dog has had longer for them to become habits, but they can be retrained. Bear in mind, though, that older dogs will need more frequent rest breaks in training.

* Bribe your dog with food to get results. Positive reinforcement through motivation works best in dog training; the use of treats and food should not be the main focus. While treats and toys can be helpful, building a strong connection with your pet is the most important part of training.

* Training is guaranteed for life. One way dogs are like humans is that they can forget their good manners and learn new bad habits throughout their lives. One way to avoid this is to not introduce major changes into a dog's life; a dog who never begged before may start if someone gives him food from the dinner table, for example.

Here is a gallery of pets in need of adoption in New Jersey. More adoptable pets can be seen here and here.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

Salem County Rewind presents a look back at Salem County's rich history through photographs and news items from a century ago.

In this feature, which appears each week, we share a vintage photo from Salem County (along with a large number of other historic local photos in an earlier gallery) and Salem County history tidbits taken from newspapers of a century ago.

SALEM COUNTY PICTURE FROM THE PAST

This vintage photo from Salem County shows the Salem Oak in the Religious Society of Friends Burial Ground on West Broadway in Salem City. This picture postcard view is from sometime in the first half of the 20^th century. The oak was recently declared by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection the largest white oak in the state of New Jersey. The Salem Oak has been a landmark for centuries. This photo of the oak shows it in healthier days. In 1999, the tree lost three of its large branches. The house seen behind the oak to the left on the other side of West Broadway was razed to make way for the Salem Oak Diner in the mid 1950s. (Times File Photo)

SALEM COUNTY HISTORY

Looking back 100 years ago in Salem County for this week in 1916, these news items were included in the Salem Sunbeam.

*

A land terrapin which is supposed to be 100 years old was picked up in an orchard near Alloway and brought to Salem this week. On its shell are the initials L.D. and the date 1810. Are they the initials of Lewis Dorrell from 116 years ago?

--

During the electric storm last Friday afternoon, lightning truck Mene Pierce's house near Berry's Chapel and burned the building to the ground while the family were picking lima beans in a field not too far from the house.

--

The freeholder board plans to take a tour of the county to get familiar with the roads and bridges so that the members may vote more intelligently on the questions that come before them on the subject. The tour will begin in Salem and go for about 100 miles.

Miss Anna Spring is having a railing erected around the portico of her house on North Main Street, greatly improving its appearance.

--

Florist H.E. West will open a store in the Patterson Building in Salem this week.

--

Joseph Thompson Jr. and son are now putting the finishing touches on the interior of the new house built by Smick & Harris' on Johnson Street in Salem.

--

The Pennsville Board of Education has decided to open a new school at Fenton's Beach and is now busy securing furnishings and equipment for the new building.

--

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Flip through this digital scrapbook of submitted photos

Community photos for September 2016 include a photo of a flag presentation at Caroline L. Reutter School, Commended Students at Delsea Regional, and the Little Mr. and Little Miss Millville contest winners.

Flip through our digital scrapbook of community-submitted photos. Have a photo you'd like to submit? Send it to sjtowns@njadvancemedia.com. Please include a caption with names of everyone in the photo (names not necessary for very large group shots), and tell us about the event.

Do you have an upcoming public event that you'd like included in our community calendar? Go to nj.com/myevent.

The Faith and Freedom Coalition of New Jersey will meet Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Elmer Grange Hall at Pole Tavern.

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP. -- On Tuesday, the Faith and Freedom Coalition of New Jersey will again host Coptic Christian Fr. Mina Mina.

The Faith and Freedom Coalition of New Jersey will meet Tuesday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. 

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Elmer Grange Hall, 535 Daretown Rd.

Mina is the head of St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church in Wilmington, Delaware. He will continue his discussion of the manuscript "Administration (Management) of Savagery" also known as "al-Qaida's playbook."

In 2004, Abu Bakr Naji, a suspected al-Qaeda strategist, published the manuscript online. The manuscript has been widely embraced by Islamic State senior leaders as a blueprint for their barbarous acts and intended plans for the establishment of a caliphate. It is an Islamist justification for the use of violence, according to the Faith and Freedom Coalition.

Mina will briefly recap what was explained by him at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's last meeting for those who could not attend. He will then continue to describe the remainder of each segment of the manuscript.

There will be a time for questions and answers as it appeared there were many raised at the last meeting. Copies of the "manuscript" will be provided for those attending the meeting.

There is no fee to attend these meetings. Those attending are encouraged to bring a guest.

Information provided by the Faith and Freedom Coalition of New Jersey.

Bethany Franz was included in the 'professional category'

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - There were more than 60 pumpkins carved into unique, interesting and fun ways at last Saturday's 19^th annual Meals on Wheels of Salem County Giant Pumpkin Carve, held at the Salem County Fairgrounds. But only five of those were done by folks in the "professional" category. One of those entries came from Bunker Hill Middle School art teacher Mrs. Bethany Franz.

Franz spent more than four hours on Friday, September 23^rd, creating her masterpiece, which was shaped into a Jeep vehicle, including wheels. This was Franz's third year competing in the professional division.

Concert series starts out with 'Tunes from the Crypt'

Celebrating the eighth season of Music Around the County, the Planning Team announces the events scheduled for the 2016-2017 musical season. Upcoming concerts will include some favorites from past series and some new offerings.

The season will open with our perennial favorite, "Tunes from the Crypt", at St. John's Episcopal Church in Salem, with organist Joanne Owen at the console. The concert is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. Following the concert, attendees are invited to join the Ghost Tour -- meet at Royal Port Antiques. Come get your Halloween season off to a scary start!

"Pictures & Pipes" with renowned theater organist Wayne Zimmerman, returns on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. This year, Zimmerman will play the recently installed theater organ at the Woodstown Presbyterian Church. Zimmerman's previous appearances at Alloway Baptist Church and Elmer Methodist Church have attracted large audiences of all ages. This year, Zimmerman has chosen to share the original 1925 silent movie, "Phantom of the Opera." Step back into the 1920s and experience the Phantom in the same way the original audiences did.

The musical season continues in 2017 with the Delaware Women's Chorus on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 88 Market St. in Salem. The chorus is an ensemble based at the Music School of Delaware and includes members from ages 20-78. The Delaware Women's Chorus is directed by Joanne Ward and includes some women from Salem County as members. The concert will highlight women composers and the program will be a preview of the repertoire being prepared for their upcoming trip to Austria and the Czech Republic. 

Next will be the Philadelphia Young Performers Orchestra on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 3 p.m. in the Davidow Auditorium at Salem Community College. The orchestra is conducted by George Atanasiu of Rowan University who also serves as the orchestra's artistic director.  Atanasiu is a Romanian-born cellist who has performed internationally and also conducts the Rowan String Ensemble. 

Wrapping up the season will be Dueling Organs featuring organists Michael Stairs, of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Gordon Turk, music director at Ocean Grove, at the Pittsgrove Presbyterian Church in Daretown on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at 3 p.m. This historic church, which dates to the 1860s, has two pipe organs which Stairs and Turk will play antiphonally and together. The organ in the rear gallery balcony was built in 1855 by Jardine, an American organ building company, and the organ in the front of the church was built by the Moeller company in 1955. The program will present "colorful" music from the past and the present.

The Music Around the County series is a program of the Salem County Arts Alliance and is supported through donations from individuals, grants from Arts organizations and the Salem County Cultural and Heritage Commission.  Attendance at the concerts is free although donations are appreciated.

For more information about Music Around the County programs, contact Joanne Owen at 856-769-3212.

This item submitted by Barbara Dawson for Music Around the County.

Mark Marino writes the state will find ways to draw down the added revenue too rapidly.

To the Editor:

I just read in the Oct. 1 Times that a 23-cent-per-gallon increase in the state gasoline tax finally will be approved. I think we all knew it would be passed. We just didn't know when.

Citizens of this state have a short memory. In the 1970s, New Jersey mounted signs at motor vehicle inspection stations boasting, "... Best Roads in the Country." This was prior to the 1984 implementation of the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), supported by motor fuel taxes. Previously, road building was financed with general state revenue. For whatever reason, it worked.  

Anytime a politician comes up with a new fund and incorporates the word "trust" in its name, that should throw up some red flags for taxpayers. 

Under the agreement for the 23-cent boost, a "trade off" from a miniscule general sales tax reduction (from 7 percent to 6.625 percent by 2018) won't even be realized by the taxpayer -- surely not as much as the 3 percent sales- tax cut for yacht buyers signed in 2015 by Gov. Chris Christie. In New Jersey,  politicians are good at collecting taxpayers' money, but they're poor at spending it.  

I'm sure it will be business as usual in the way New Jersey issues contracts and builds roads, which one 2014 study found can cost two to three times more per mile than other states.

Also, New Jersey around 1980 had one of the strongest public-worker pension funds in the country. The politicians took care of that, too. Now it's on the verge of bankruptcy.  

I've looked into the crystal ball. I see the sales tax back up to 7 percent, and the TTF once again out of money.

 Mark Marino

 West Deptford Township

Bad precedent to allow lawsuits against Saudis

To the Editor:

The recent override by Congress of President Barack Obama's veto of legislation allowing 9/11 victims' families to sue Saudi Arabia is an emotional knee-jerk reaction that may have dire consequences. It is a Pandora's Box that could lead other countries to sue the United States.  

Maybe the entire population of Iraq will sue us for mistakenly invading their country. What about the families of civilians who were accidentally killed by our drones in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Libya? 

Other aspects of the override are troublesome. Some of the men and women who voluntarily risked their lives for us in the Middle East were killed. Those who were injured face another nightmare when they must deal with the Veterans Affairs health system back home. Some first responders who bravely went to Ground Zero are dying, and can't get government-paid medical care.

Yet, the families of 9/11victims who happened to be at the wrong place at the worst time have received millions of dollars through an act of Congress, and more from insurance proceeds and donations. They have become a powerful force with unprecedented influence.  

Yes, 9/11 was a horror that we could not have imagined. It has changed all of our lives and it continues to affect us today. Our invasion of Iraq has cost us precious lives and money that was sorely needed elsewhere.

There is no way to make people who have lost loved ones whole, but we need to think about global healing. We have done some things that are less than honorable in our quest for justice, some of which further terrorism.   

I am both patriotic and spiritual. We will never be over 9/11, but we cannot allow it to do more harm. I reluctantly sign my name. I know how unpopular this opinion is. 

Linda Richards 

Woodbury

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com  

The free program will be held at 3 p.m. at Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church, 15 Yorke St., Salem on Oct. 16.

SALEM -- The Salem County Historical Society has announced that Elena R. Flynn, Esq., will be the presenter for the 13^th John S. Rock Memorial Lecture this month.

John S. Rock was born in Salem County. He went on to become a master of many professions. (Salem County Historical Society) 

The lecture will be held Sunday, Oct. 16, at Mount Pisgah A.M.E. Church, 15 Yorke St., at 3 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy this free educational program.

Flynn currently serves as the Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) Officer for the Superior Court of New Jersey in Vicinage 15 which covers Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

In this capacity, Flynn is responsible for daily monitoring and implementation of the Judiciary's EEO/AA Master Plan, which is in place to ensure equal access for applicants, staff, volunteers, vendors, and court users and maintaining a public sector workplace environment that is free of bias and discrimination and affirms the value of diversity, inclusion, and broad representation of the local community's population demographics.

As part of the Salem County Historical Society's educational programming, this lecture commemorates the life of abolitionist John Stewart Rock (1826-1866), teacher, healer, and counselor. Rock, born in Salem County, was a black abolitionist of national prominence, who was well known in his time but less recognized in ours. He was the first African American to be admitted to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court on Feb. 1, 1865.

The Society continues to honor the life of this native son through this lecture series and through a special $500 John S. Rock Memorial Scholarship at the Salem Community College. Contributions from the community at large fund both commemorations through a restricted fund at the Salem County Historical Society. 

For more information, contact the society at 856-935-5004 or at www.salemcountyhistoricalsociety.com.

This information was provided by the Salem County Historical Society.

A physical runner, Taylor also has sprinter's speed.

A physical runner, Taylor also has sprinter's speed.

Najee Adams, 29, was shot while he stood with a group on the corner of East Broadway and Olive Street late Sunday.

SALEM -- A city man who had a bullet shot through his body remained in critical condition Monday, authorities said.

Najee Adams, 29, was hit as he stood with a group of people on the corner of East Broadway and Olive Street around 10:22 p.m. Sunday, said Salem City Chief of Police John A. Pelura III.

After being shot, Adams was taken to Christian Hospital in Newark, Delaware, where he remained in critical, but stable condition on Monday.

According to Pelura, Adams was hit once by a bullet from what is believed to be a small caliber handgun that was fired from a distance.

The chief said investigators think the shot was fired by someone on East Broadway.

Man shot in back on Salem street

Authorities confirmed that the bullet entered Adams' back and went through his body, exiting in the front. Adams was standing on the western corner of East Broadway and Olive near the sidewalk apron when the shooting occurred.

Pelura said "ballistic evidence" was recovered from the scene.

He said it is not clear whether Adams was the shooter's intended target or they were aiming at someone else.

According to Pelura, despite there being a crowd on the scene, those questioned have been uncooperative and have provided few clues into what happened.

As of Monday afternoon. authorities were still searching for a suspect in the shooting. 

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call Salem City Police Det. Sgt. Carlos DeLaPaz at 856-935-0033.

The Salem Police Department was assisted by the Salem County prosecutor's Office, Lower Alloways Creek Township Police Department, Pennsville Police Department and New Jersey State Police in securing the scene. 

A look at some of the best plays in the state from Week 4.

Diana Perales cites the emails, the Clinton Foundation, abortion and more.

To the Editor:

Here is why I will not vote for Hillary Clinton - and neither should you:

1. If she knew about the possibility of leaks of sensitive material from her State Department emails, she should be considered a criminal. If she didn't know, she is not as smart as a 5th grader.

2. Do you honestly believe that foreign countries would give thousands of dollars to the Clinton Foundation out of the kindness of their hearts, without expecting favors?

3. She and the liberals want to keep open borders, allowing immigrants to come over the border illegally.

4. If Clinton couldn't help prevent a handful of U.S. citizens representing us in Libya from being murdered, what is she going to do to protect the entire country?

5. She has no sound proposal to increase jobs in the United States. Scores of companies have left because of over-taxation and over-regulation. Instead, she proposes higher taxes for those she deems as rich. Did a poor person ever provide a job?

6. Clinton has stated that there is a "structural bias" against abortion by many religious persons and groups that needs to change, and that unborn children do not have constitutional rights. 

When it is convenient for liberals, they misuse the clause against establishment of a state religion to mean that Christian ideas have no place in the public square. Under the Declaration of Independence, citizens are to be guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I sure don't want Clinton to determine what life is or when it begins.

Dianne Perales

Sewell

U.S. House challenger: What I want to tell union labor

To the Editor:

On the evening of Sept. 29, I attended -- or tried to attend -- an International Union of Operating Engineers' Local 825 PAC meeting. Democrats and Republicans seeking elected office across the state at various levels were there.

After being there a short time and meeting a number of rank-and-file members, I was asked to leave -- not just the event, but the premises. "Just keep walking," I was told.

Although it was disappointing to be ejected from a candidates' night, I found rank-and-file members keenly interested in my plans to bring transportation infrastructure and modern manufacturing jobs to South Jersey. Unfortunately, their leadership seemed threatened by my message.

I  have unveiled detailed plans to rebuild South Jersey's economy by:

- bringing Navy shipbuilding to Camden; 

- expanding PATCO to Glassboro as well as to 30th Street Station and Atlantic City, and expanding key highway corridors like I-76/Route42, I-295, and U.S. Route 322, as well as finishing Route 55 to the shore; 

- creating a modern civilian conservation corps that will provide work experience for young people, particularly in cities where opportunities are few; 

- only buying and hiring American, from raw materials to the finished product on every job site. 

This was the message I tried to bring to Local 825, but I was turned away.

Let the working men and women of South Jersey know that I care first and foremost about bringing jobs here.  I'm willing to meet with any trade union to explain my platform. Most importantly, I won't be intimidated by politicians and insiders who are out of touch with South Jersey workers and families.

Bob Patterson

Republican candidate for Congress

District 1

Haddonfield

Editor's note: Patterson is the Nov. 8 Republican challenger to  U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st Dist.

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

Firefighters were called to a home on South Broadway Monday night shortly before 8 p.m. for the report of a gas leak.

PENNSVILLE TWP. -- A section of the township's main street was shut down for a time Monday night as authorities dealt with a gas leak at a local home, an official said.

Firefighters were called to a house at 57 S. Broadway between 7:30 and 8 p.m. after residents there reported the smell of natural gas leak outside of the house, according to Pennsville Fire and Rescue Co. No. 1 Chief Larry Zimmerman.

The firefighters on the scene found high a high concentration of gas near the home's meter. It was determined there was a leak in the pipe from the street to the meter, Zimmerman said.

Residents of the home and neighbors in the other side of the duplex were evacuated, the chief said. Residents in nearby homes were notified of what was taking place.

South Jersey Gas was called and workers responded to the scene to fix the leak.

South Broadway from Church Street to Chestnut Street was closed off as a precaution.

The all-clear was given about an hour after the incident was first reported, Zimmerman said.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Steven Fenichel takes issue with state Sen. Jeff Van Drew's view of those who use the Star Spangled Banner as a form of protest.

To the Editor:

State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-1st Legislative District, recently wrote a letter critical of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling when the "Star Spangled Banner" is played at the start of games.

If only Van Drew would take time out from pontificating and "patriotic" grandstanding and read the third verse of America's national anthem, he might appreciate Kaepernick's courage. 

Here it is:

 "No refuge could save

the hireling and slave

 From the gloom of the grave,

and the Star Spangled banner in 

 Triumph doth wave

  O'er the land of the free and

The home of the Brave."

Some background about the anthem: When it was written, the British were actively emancipating slaves and recruiting them to fight American forces in the War of 1812. Its author, Francis Scott Key, was a slaveholder. It was his anger at African slaves who escaped their owners and fought gallantly against American forces that led to his pleasure in the death of these Africans: "No refuge could save the hireling or the slave...."

Key's anthem glorifies the death of these ex-slaves in a perverse way by transforming their killers into courageous freedom fighters.

Senator, please look before you leap into subjects about which your ignorance is spectacular.

Steven Fenichel

Ocean City

Editor's note: Fenichel is an independent candidate for the 2nd District congressional seat held by Republican Frank LoBiondo, who is seeking re-election Nov. 8.

Widen federal probe of DRPA

To the Editor:

The recent ruling by a federal judge saying there's a substantial need for reform of the Delaware River Port Authority's contract award process reflects poorly on state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who also wants to be New Jersey's governor.

Sweeney has refused to allow any proposed DRPA reform legislation to advance in the state Senate, even though there is an ongoing federal investigation into how the agency spent $500 million in economic development funds on non-transportation projects.

Maybe the feds should question Sweeney, D-3, who was able to obtain DRPA funds for one of his pet projects, and has a brother serving on DRPA board. The Senate president's friend, Democrat power broker George Norcross III, has also been a lucky recipient of DRPA generosity.

In the recent court ruling, the judge found no emails, no minutes of discussions, and no witnesses to back up the award of a $17.8 million bridge-painting contract to a bidder whose price was not the lowest. It's just business as usual at the DRPA.  

Just ask Matthew Boxer, New Jersey's former state comptroller, who exposed how business was done at the bi-state agency, but, whose 2012 report was ignored by Sweeney and Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

Carol Rhodes

Barnsboro 

The event takes place the last three Fridays and Saturdays in October

PITTSGROVE -- The Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee Inc. is announcing the 2016 "Terror in The Timbers" Halloween event is quickly approaching. The haunted event will take place on the last three Fridays and Saturdays in October including Oct. 14 and 15, 21 and 22, 28 and 29 from 7:30 to 9:30 each evening.

A "Safe Halloween" will be celebrated with a Sunday, Oct.30 event from 6 to 8 p.m.

The event has returned to Danna Trailhead property and woods, located at 789 Parvin Mill Road in Pittsgrove. 

Event included a haunted house, hayride, walk through the woods and a return hayride!

Cost is $6 per person, no matter the age, for this major annual fundraiser. 

Anyone 13 or younger is required to be accompanied by an adult, for the safety of everyone. Gather your friends, family and neighbors and come out for an evening of fun and fright.

Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee looks forward to seeing each of you at "Terror in the Timbers." For more information, check out Facebook or twitter, or call 856-358-8616.

This item submitted by Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee.

The incident took place in Alloway Township in 2015, authorities said. the victim was a girl, 16.

SALEM -- An Alloway man has been sentenced to five years in state prison for sexually assaulting a teenage girl multiple times.

James H. Pedrick Jr. was sentenced to five years in sate prison for sexual assault. (Salem County Correctional Facility) 

Superior Court Judge Benjamin Telsey also ordered Friday that James H. Pedrick Jr. must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Pedrick, 46, was arrested on Aug. 19, 2015 and charged with second-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

He sexually assaulted a 16-year-old female in Alloway "multiple" times, according to Salem County Assistant Prosecutor Marianne Morroni.

As part of a deal with the prosecutor's office, Pedrick pleaded guilty to the most serious charge, sexual assault. Other charges were dropped.

New Jersey State Police from the Woodstown Station had arrested Pedrick after investigating the case.

'Monster' jailed for sexually assaulting girl, 3

Not long after Pedrick was jailed, he posted $200,000 bail and was released from the Salem County Correctional Facility in Mannington Township and was free until his sentencing.

Once his prison term is finished, Pedrick must register as a sex offender under Megan's Law and will be under parole supervision for life.

Pedrick was represented by attorney Craig Kugler.

High-end bags are awarded throughout the night to bingo winners

Designer handbags help to raise money for organizations. These highly anticipated events have become a popular fundraiser and doubles as a social event for the entire community. High-end bags are awarded throughout the night to bingo winners. Many of these events offer attendees the chance to purchase raffle tickets for other items, and separate tickets for a 50/50s. 

Metro Creative Connection 

PENNSVILLE  Tickets are now on sale for the Pennsville Septemberfest Committee's third semi-annual bingo. The fundraiser will be held Oct. 21 at the Pennsville Middle School Cafeteria, 4 William Penn Ave. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. The evening will feature 20 games of bingo, with an authentic designer handbag going to the winner of each game. Along with the regular bingo games, tickets will be sold separately for a special raffle, and 50/50. Admission is $25 per person when purchased in advance. Additional packets of 20 games will be sold at the door for $10 per set. All proceeds will benefit the 2017 Pennsville Septemberfest.  For further information or to purchase tickets, contact Donna Belanger at 856-678-8659, or Mindy Smith at 856-678-3817.

WEST DEPTFORD -- GFWC Woman's Club of West Deptford announces an evening of Designer Bag Bingo, Friday, Oct. 21 at the West Deptford Middle School, 675 Grove Road, West Deptford. Doors open at 6 p.m. and bingo begins at 7 p.m. The evening also features door prizes, gift basket raffles, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction for designer bags not won. Admission includes a dessert buffet and complimentary beverages. Advance tickets are $30, and a limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $35. To be assured of a place, purchase advance tickets by calling 856-853-0211 or emailing dmpitchford@comcast.net. Proceeds benefit West Deptford High School scholarships, Girls' Career Institute, Special State Project "Prevent Child Abuse NJ," and other charities. The GFWC For more information about the Woman's Club of West Deptford, call, 256-253-0211 or visit www.wdwomen.org.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -- Washington Township Education Foundation hosts its wildly popular "Designer Bag Bingo" on Saturday, Oc. 15, at the Siena Hall of St. Charles Borromeo Church, 176 Stagecoach Road in Sicklerville. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. The evening again will feature 16 games of bingo, with an authentic designer handbag going to the individual winner of each game. Admission is $30 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are non-refundable. Additional bingo cards will be sold in packets of 16 sheets at the door for $5 per set. Tickets for additional auction raffles and a 50/50 raffle will be sold separately. All proceeds will benefit the Washington Township Education Foundation.  For further information or to purchase tickets, contact WTEF Vice President Irene Rosenberg at 856-625-0330 or via email at accessrose@aol.com.

BRIDGETON -- Woodland Country Day School is hosting a Designer Bag Bingo on Saturday, Nov. 5 featuring Coach, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade. Early bird tickets are on sale now through Oct. 19 for $15. Oct. 20 through Nov. 5 tickets will be $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. and games begin at 7 p.m. There will also be raffles, a 50/50 and door prizes during the evening. There will be food available for purchase along with baked goods and refreshments. No outside food or refreshments are allowed. To be held at Woodland Country Day School, 1216 Roadstown Road, Bridgeton. For additional information call Diane at 856-453-8499, ext. 112 or e-mail Diane at reesed@wcdsnj.org.

These items submitted by area organizations.