"The Moving Wall"
A half-size replica of the Vietnam War Memorial set for Freedom Park June
14th - 19th The Moving Wall," a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans
War Memorial in Washington, DC that serves as a solemn reminder of the more
than 58,000 lives lost between 1956-75 in that Southeast Asian country, is
arriving later this month at Freedom Park. "This is an appropriate way to
pay tribute to those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during
this war, yet never received the recognition they deserved,'' Mayor Lisa A.
Post said. "Bringing The Moving Wall to Medford will afford our residents
the chance to experience a replica of this poignant memorial.'' Mayor Post
added that she and the Township Council are overwhelmed that community leaders,
both public and private, have provided the necessary resources required to
host The Moving Wall, which is expected to attract tens of thousands
of people to Medford during its display. A project committee was formed and
has been meeting regularly since January to plan for this project, and to
date over 180 individuals, from students to military veterans to senior citizens,
have volunteered in various capacities to host the visitors. Volunteers are
still needed. Those interested may contact the Recreation Department at (609)
654-2512.
The Moving Wall will open to the public at 12:00 noon on Wednesday,
June 14th and close on Monday, June 19th at 4:00 pm. It will remain open for
visitors 24 hours per day, rain or shine. Opening ceremonies have been scheduled
for 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 14th. Congressional Medal of Honor recipient
CSM Jon Cavaiani, the last POW released from North Vietnam, will be the keynote
speaker. Also participating will be military officials from McGuire AFB and
Fort Dix. The Greater South Jersey Chorus and the Medford Methodist Bell Choir
will be offering musical performances. Closing ceremonies will be held at
4:00 pm on Sunday, June 18th, with daily ceremonies also taking place on Thursday,
Friday and Saturday evening at 7:00 pm.
The concept of The Moving Wall began in 1983 by members of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. and, after construction was completed, was first
displayed in Texas in 1984. It was funded using only public contributions,
and it is owned and administered by the Vietnam Combat Veterans, LTD. The
replica has appeared in more than 1,000 communities across the nation, and
the stop in Medford will be the only New Jersey appearance this year.
STORMWATER REGULATIONS IN EFFECT.
The following are guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Solutions to stormwater pollution and easy things you can do every day to
protect our water.
A Guide to Healthy Habits for Cleaner Water
Pollution on streets, parking lots and lawns is washed by rain into storm
drains, then directly to our drinking water supplies and the ocean and lakes
our children play in. Fertilizer, oil, pesticides, detergents, pet waste,
grass clippings; you name it and it ends up in our water.
Stormwater pollution is one of New Jersey's greatest threats to clean and
plentiful water, and that's why we're all doing something about it.
By sharing the responsibility and making small, easy changes in our daily
lives, we can keep common pollutants out of stormwater. It all adds up to
cleaner water, and it saves the high cost of cleaning up once it is dirty.
As a part of New Jersey's initiative to keep our water clean and plentiful
and to meet federal requirements, many municipalities and other public agencies
including colleges and military bases must adopt ordinances or other rules
prohibiting various activities that contribute to stormwater pollution. Breaking
these rules can result in fines or other penalties.
As a resident, business or other member of the Medford community, it is important
to practice these easy things you can do every day to protect our water.
Limit your use of fertilizers and pesticides:
* Do a soil test to see if you need a fertilizer.
*Do not apply fertilizers if heavy rain is predicted.
*Look into natural alternatives for pesticides.
*Maintain a small lawn and keep the rest of your property or yard in a natural
state with trees and other native vegetation that requires little or no fertilizer.
*If you use fertilizers and pesticides, follow the instructions on the label
on how to correctly apply it.
* Make sure you properly store or discard any unused portions.
Properly use and dispose of hazardous products:
*Hazardous products include some household or commercial cleaning products,
lawn and garden care products, motor oil, antifreeze, and paints.
*Do not pour any hazardous products down a storm drain because storm drains
are usually connected to local waterbodies and the water is not treated.
*If you have hazardous products in your home or workplace, make sure you store
or dispose of them properly. Read the label for guidance.
*Use natural or less toxic alternatives when possible.
*Recycle used motor oil.
* Contact your municipality, county or facility management office for the
locations of hazardous-waste disposal facilities.
Keep pollution out of storm drains:
*Municipalities and many other public agencies are required to mark certain
storm drain inlets with messages reminding people that storm drains are connected
to local waterbodies.
* Do not let sewage or other wastes flow into a stormwater system.
Clean up after your pet:
* Many municipalities and public agencies must enact and enforce local pet-waste
rules.
*An example is requiring pet owners or their keepers to pick up and properly
dispose of pet waste dropped on public or private property.
*Make sure you know your town's or agency's requirements and comply with them.
It's the law.
And remember to:
*Use newspaper, bags, or pooper-scoopers to pick up wastes.
*Dispose of the wrapped pet waste in the trash or unwrapped in a toilet.
*Never discard pet waste in a storm drain.
Don't feed wildlife:
*Do not feed wildlife, such as ducks and geese, in public areas.
*Many municipalities and other agencies must enact and enforce a rule that
prohibits wildlife feeding in these areas.
Dispose of yard waste properly:
*Keep leaves and grass out of storm drains.
*If your municipality or agency has yard waste collection rules, follow them.
*Use leaves and grass clippings as a resource for compost.
*Use a mulching mower that recycles grass clippings into the lawn.
Don't litter:
*Place litter in trash receptacles.
*RECYCLE! RECYCLE! RECYCLE!
* Participate in community cleanups.
PET WASTE POLLUTES OUR WATERS
What you can do to help protect our water:
Clean and plentiful water is important to our families, our environment, our
economy and our quality of life. Did you know that animal waste from pets
can pollute our waters? When left on the ground, pet waste is washed by rain
and melting snow and ice into storm drains that carry it to our rivers, lakes,
the ocean and drinking water. Animal waste contains a high concentration of
nutrients as well as bacteria and disease-causing microorganisms that can
cause problems.
What can you do?
Pet owners or anyone who takes your pet for walks must properly dispose of
the waste by picking it up, wrapping it and either placing it in the trash
or flushing it unwrapped down the toilet. Your municipality is required to
adopt and enforce local pet-waste laws. At a minimum, your community must
require that pet owners or their keepers immediately and properly dispose
of their pet's solid waste deposited on any public or private property not
owned or possessed by that person. People with assistance animals such as
Seeing Eye dogs are exempt. Make sure you know what your municipality requires
- and follow it. Thank you for doing your part to keep New Jersey's waters
clean. For more information, please contact the following: New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection Division of Water Quality, Bureau of Nonpoint
Pollution Control Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program (609) 633-7021.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
REVISED BICYCLE HELMET LAW
Effective March 1, 2006, New Jersey's Bicycle Helmet Law was changed. Young
people under the age of 17 will be required to wear an approved helmet when
cycling, roller skating, in-line skating, or skateboarding. The law previously
affected riders under the age of 14.
LEAVES
Leaves may be taken to the Municipal Garage drop-off any weekday between 6:30
am and 2:00 pm. Leaves must be placed in the dumpster unbagged and must be
free of any other materials. Also, recycling materials ONLY can be taken any
weekday between 6:30 am and 2:00 pm. All other materials can be taken any
Saturday from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.
RECYCLING NEWS
Medford Township, along with Medford Lakes and the Burlington County Board
of Chosen Freeholders, were able to purchase recycling containers for Shawnee
High School with grant money. A recent decision to permit water bottles in
the classrooms had increased the amount of recycling. This initiative began
on February 21, 2006, when Lisa Post, Mayor of Medford and David Wasson, Mayor
of Medford Lakes accompanied the Recycling Coordinators from each town and
the Burlington County Assistant Recycling Coordinator for a training session
with the Honor Society students and co-advisors, Kim Serdynski and Sandy O'Neal.
The students applied decals and placed the new containers throughout the school.
The recycling program is working very well, and Shawnee High School is now
in compliance and is setting a fine example for the rest of the Lenape Regional
High School district. Township officials thank everyone involved for their
help and input on this project. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REMINDER-REMINDER-REMINDER
The use of public water for irrigation is limited to an odd/even schedule
according to the date and user's house number and is limited to six hours
per day from 5:00 am - 8:00 am and 5:00 pm - 8:00pm. Odd numbered addresses
may water on odd numbered days. Even numbered addresses may water on even
numbered days. Properties equipped with automatic sprinklers are permitted
to be watered according to the odd/even schedule, but are limited to 5:00
am - 8:00 am only. Properties that irrigate using a private well, lake, stream
or other source must post a visible sign from the street stating the source
of water being used.
The Medford Messenger
Published by Medford Township in order to provide residents with timely and informative news concerning their township and local government. Correspondence concerning this publication should be addressed to: Medford Township
MEDFORD TOWNSHIP COUNCIL Lisa Post, Mayor Mike Achey, Acting Township Manager |