Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 13

Wednesday, March 2, 2005 www.courierpostonline.com 3B They said rt This is like a snowball rolling down hill. It just keeps picking up more snow and getting bigger." Waterford Mayor Dolores Toussaint, while waiting to testify tor the prosecution in a police corruption probe 1 n-Co CourierPost Visit courierpostorne.corncamden2015 to find our special report on the future of Camden. The section includes video and photo galleries. 1rrr iiy cpmetrocourierpostonline.cora Metro Editor Donna Jenkins (856) 486-2408 TO), Official ronce learnings mm Second Waterford suspension case begins Toussaint company Tuesday before she testified shortly before 2 p.m. Taylor, the township's public safety director, overseeing the police department for the township committee, was also a witness.

Shendock did not testify. The trio said they could not discuss the Bock case, but freely talked about problems in the police department, which Taylor said had been "out of control." They said some officers had been accused of raid, is ongoing. Quinlan said Tuesday he was confident Bock would be exonerated. Bock's 3Vz-hour hearing ended shortly after 4:30 p.m. It is expected to continue in a few weeks, township special counsel Todd J.

Gelfand said. Toussaint has spearheaded a reform movement during her four years on the township committee. Two other committee members, Jane Taylor and Tracy Shendock, kept having sex in patrol cars while on duty and not responding to police calls from residents. "We're trying to rid the town of corruption," Taylor said. "This hearing will help to do that.

We've done everything we can to correct this." Taylor has a unique perspective in overseeing the overhaul of the police department. She is a retired police detective, with 23 See WATERFORD, Page 7B By BILL DUHART Courier-Post Staff WATERFORD Sitting outside of an administrative hearing for a suspended police officer in the municipal building Tuesday, Mayor Dolores Toussaint made an observation. "This is like a snowball rolling downhill. It just keeps picking up more snow and getting bigger," said the mayor, who was waiting to testify for the prosecution in a hearing for Cpl. Richard Bock, one of eight township officers who have retired or been suspended in the wake of a corruption probe.

The hearing was not open to the public because it involved a personnel matter. Bock is accused of sleeping on duty and failure to report a transport in his police car, said his at torney, Timothy J.P. Quinlan during a break in the proceedings. Bock's hearing is the second of five for suspended officers. Hearings for Sgt.

James Sorce and patrolmen Ron Lombardo and Daniel Chiumento for undisclosed charges have not yet been held. A hearing for Sgt. Joseph Chiarul-li, suspended in December under allegations that he tipped off drug suspects of a rt i i -y I -TV. If" ZSSZ Mi 1 if i m.i lit' Mr 2 15 tf Cherry Hill officer foils suicide attempt CHERRY HILL A township police officer who spotted a suspicious vehicle parked at a motel on Route 70 talked the occupant out of committing suicide, authorities said. Sgt.

Rick DelCampo saw the car parked around 10:15 p.m. Monday. A 57-year-old Pennsylvania man inside was holding a loaded revolver and had rigged a hose from the exhaust pipe into the car, police said. DelCampo persuaded the man to put the weapon down and get out of the car, police said. The man, whose name was not released, was taken to the crisis unit at Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Cherry HilL Burlco woman held on weapons charge PEMBERTON BOROUGH A woman charged with a weapons offense over the weekend was being held Tuesday in Burlington County Jail Barbara Forker, 23, of Hanover Street, was arrested around 6:45 p.m.

Saturday after she got into a disturbance with another woman outside the Dunkin' Donuts on West Hampton Street police said. Forker was charged with illegal possession of a box cutter, disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice, police said. She also was wanted on a contempt warrant from Monmouth County. She was being held on $2,500 bail. Paulsboro house fire displaces family of 5 PAULSBORO Authorities are trying to determine what sparked a three-alarm fire that destroyed a home in the 300 block of Buck Street.

The blaze left Nicole Graham, no age available, and her four children ages 2, 5, 12 and 13 homeless. They had gotten out of the home by the time firefighters arrived around 7 a.m. Monday. A firefighter was treated for a back injury he sustained while removing a ladder. The blaze apparently started in the attic of the two-story home.

Firefighters brought it under control in an hour. Mantua couple faces drug, gun charges WOODBURY A monthlong investigation led to the arrest of two Mantua residents on drug distribution and weapons charges. Stacy D. Hamilton, 31, of Pinebrook Drive, was charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a handgun, authorities said. He was sent to Gloucester County Jail on $10,000 bail.

His girlfriend Anna Weber, 22 was charged with marijuana possession, possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia, authorities said. She was released on C1 mi Residents see flaws in probe of police By JASON NARK Courier-Post Staff WATERFORD Joe DiDio has heard many gripes and gossip as a barber here for the last 27 years. Recently, the conversations in DiDio's Atco Avenue shop have focused on the township's beleaguered police force, which has lost eight officers to suspension or retirement in the face of an investigation into sex and drug-use allegations. "I always have complaints and, to be honest, a lot of it is unfair," said DiDio. "The majority of the policemen in this town are good guys." Still, DiDio said officers involved in the investigation may have jeopardized a good tiling.

"They're very lucky to have those jobs," said DiDio, 62. "What other type of job can you get, practically off the street, that pays that well?" In 2003, 10 members of the department were paid more than $90,000 each. "I think the police have done a good job around here. My grandson wants to be an officer here to make more money," said Mary Ger-hardt, a resident who spends part of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Waterford hired seven officers in December at less than $41,000 per year.

Sgt. James Sorce and Patrolman Ron Lombardo were suspended last month on charges that they gave false statements to investigators. The township has 21 officers. While some have complained of exorbitant salaries, resident Joe Maurone 60, was concerned that the township is paying a special prosecutor to conduct an investigation he feels the Camden County Prosecutor's Office should do for free. See PROBE, Page7B Photos by AL SCHELLCourier Post A snowman taking In a little sunshine holds a sign saying 'All flakes welcome' at a home on Brandywlne Drive in Martton.

Rlonday ore snow could come on hi i ON THE WEB For more tips about how to stay safe and healthy this winter, go to content.gannett onllne.comgnswinter gi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Monday's storm left 8 inches of snow in Vincen-town and Wrightstown in Burlington County, 7 inches in Lindenwold and 6 inches in Pennsauken. Seven inches were reported in Clarksboro and just 4 inches in West Dept-ford. So far this winter the National Weather Service has recorded 29.7 inches of snow at Philadelphia International Airport, which is the area's official reporting station. Normal snowfall for the year is 19.3 inches.

Courier-Post staff WESTAMPT0N The snowstorm that left anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow across the tri-county area on Monday is history, but the National Weather Service says that winter may not be done with us. While the area can expect dry weather and seasonable temperatures through Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of snow or rain Monday night. "It all depends on the track of a low-pressure area that is now off the coast of Japan. It is expected to travel across Alaska by Friday and reach our area Monday night. If it tracks north of us, we'll get rain, but if it tracks south, we'll get more snow," said Anthony Gi- 1 1 1 i i 1 Jacqueline Edwards adjusts the pipe on a St.

Patrick's snowman made by son John In Martton. Noah Huddle, 3, catches a ride on the snow dinosaur his parents made at their home on Brandywlne Drive in Martton. Evesham E.BB3J GIJ rr-'r jJ a' Monroe Municipal Complex Courier-Post file TOWN SQUARE News to stay informed and help you act. E-mail epmetrocoiirierpostonline.com, fax (856) 663-2831, or call (856) 486-2401 with updates. Municipal 7xZ IV Building Courier-Post file MAGNOLIA Council.

8 p.m. Borough Hall. PENNSAUKEN Committee Caucus. 6 p.m. Municipal building.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY HARRISON Environmental Commission. 7:30 p.m. Municipal building. Thursday Redevelopment plans available to public CAMDEN The. city and the Camden Redevelopment Agency have made available to the public copies of the following redevelopment plans: Bergen Square, Centerville, Central Waterfront, Cramer Hill, Downtown, Parkside and Waterfront South.

Copies on disk in PDF format will cost $10. Paper copies cost $25. Executive summaries of plans and property acquisitions lists are free. To request a copy, call the Camden City Planning and Redevelopment Hotline at (856) 9684742. Courier-Post staff beef sandwiches and a beverage.

You can help ARRINGTON A blood drive will be held 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. today and Thursday at Wawa's Barrington Training Center, 208 S. White Horse Pike. (800) GIVE -LIFE. GLOUCESTER TWP.

A blood drive will be held 3 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at St. Jude's Roman Catholic Church, 402 Black Horse Pike, school hall. (800) GIVE LIFE. STRATFORD A blood drive will be held 7 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Friday at Kennedy Memorial Hospital, 30 E. Laurel Road, conference center. (800) GIVE LIFE. Looking for more events? Check out the calendar in Monday's Senior Scoop, Tuesday's Static section, a full-page planner in Thursday's Communities section and the calendar in Friday's Scene entertainment section.

Public meetings Today BURLINGTON COUNTY BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP Zoning Board. 7:30 p.m. Municipal complex. DELRAN Zoning Board. 7:30 p.m.

Municipal building. EVESHAM Municipal Utilities Authority. 7:30 m. Authority offices. LUMBERTON Committee.

8 m. Municipal complex. MAPLE SHADE Board of Health. 7:30 p.m. Municipal complex.

MOUNT HOLLY Board of Fire Commissioners, District 1 7:30 p.m. Municipal building. WILLINGBORO Zoning Board. 8 p.m. Municipal complex.

CAMDEN COUNTY COLLINGSWOOD Zoning Board. 7 p.m. Community center. HADDON TOWNSHIP Board of Education. 7:30 p.m.

High SchoolMiddle School media center. LAUREL SPRINGS Recreation Commission. 7 p.m. Jack H. Hagen Recreation Center.

LAWNSIDE Council. 7 p.m. Municipal building. p.m. through March 31 Starling April 1, the battleship will stay open until 5 p.m.

For more information, call (856) 966-1652 or visit www.battleship-newjersey.org. EVESHAM A Burlington County High School student exhibition will be held Irom 7 to 9 p.m. from Monday through March 29 at the Center for the Arts. 123 S. Elmwood Road, Marlton.

(856) 985-1009 or www.CFASNJ.com. GLASSBORO Glassboro Lions Club will hold its pancake breakfast from 8 to 1 1 a.m. Saturday at Methodist Fellowship House, New and State streets. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, juice, coffee and tea. A $5 donation is requested.

For tickets, call (856) 881-6940. MONROE Williamstown Middle School's Renaissance Program will host a craft show from 9 a.m. to 4 m. Apnl 23. Vendors are needed.

Spaces are available for $30. or $35 with electricity. Call Jill at (856) 728-2744. PENNSAUKEN Pennsauken Lions Club will hold its St. Patrick's dance from 7 to 10.30 p.m.

March 12 at the PYAA Field House, Elm and Manon avenues. Tickets, available through club members or at the door, are $20 and include music, Municipal building. Municipal services MOORESTOWN AARP volunteers will offer free tax preparation at the Moores-town Library. The service is available from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Fridays through April 8. For an appointment, call (856) 235-0912, ext. 3016. MOUNT LAUREL Burlington County residents can drop off unwanted computers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

March 1 2 at the Department of Public Works, 100 N. Mount Laurel Road. No business or nonprofit organization equipment will be accepted. (609) 499-1001. PITMAN Free rabies shots for cats and dogs will be given from 1 1 a.m.

to 12:30 p.m. March 19 at the borough garage on Elwood Avenue. Cats should be brought in from 11 to 11:45 a.m.: dogs from 1 1 :45 a m. to 1 2:30 m. Pets may also be registered at this time in Borough Hall.

(856) 589-3522. Events CAMDEN The Battleship New Jersey will remain open for tours seven days a week. Tours depart from 9 a.m. to 3 BURLINGTON COUNTY DELRAN Planning Board. 7:30 p.m.

Municipal building. EASTAMPTON Parks and Recreation Committee. 7:30 p.m. Township building. MOUNT LAUREL Special Board of Education.

6:30 p.m. Hattie Britt Administration Building. CAMDEN COUNTY LAWNSIDE Board of Education. 7 p.m. Lawnside Public School.

STERLING HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education. 8 p.m. Sterling High School. WATERFORD Recreation Committee. 7:30 p.m.

Municipal building. GLOUCESTER COUNTY HARRISON Planning Board. 7:30 p.m. Municipal building. WEST DEPTFORD Committee.

7 p.m..