Mayor’s Column

Voorhees Township has an ordinance that prohibits smoking, vaping and all electronic smoking devices on all Township owned land. Although cannabis usage is now legal, this ordinance includes the prohibition of smoking cannabis on all Township owned property.

Studies have shown that breathing environmental tobacco smoke is a significant health hazard for children, the elderly, and individuals with cardiovascular disease, impaired respiratory function and asthma. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), a class A carcinogen. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, SHS aggravates and increases the risk of chronic diseases including asthma, allergies, heart disease, pneumonia, emphysema, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and diabetes.Secondhand smoke causes nearly 34,000 premature deaths from heart disease each year in the United States among adults who do not smoke.

The Township Committee believes that the general health and well-being of our residents is a top priority and this prohibition benefits everyone. It is in our best interest to refer to all Township owned land as “Smoke Free Zones.”

The ordinance bans smoking within the boundaries of any Voorhees Township owned land or any property which is owned, maintained or in the possession of the Township, including all parks, playgrounds, active and passive recreational facilities, the Municipal Complex, Police Department, Fire Department and the Department of Public Works. Any person found to be in violation of this ordinance will be issued a Summons and subject to a fine of $100 to $150 for the first offense, $150 to $250 for the second offense and $300 to $500 for any subsequent offense.

This smoking ban covers all parks, including Connolly Park, Giangiulio Sports Complex, Maiaroto Sports Complex, Rabinowitz Sports Complex, Lions Lake Complex, Kirkwood Sports Park, John Hale Memorial Park, Lake Villa Playground, Round Hill Road Playground, Sandpiper Drive Playground, Sheppard Road Basketball Courts and Stafford Woods Disc Golf Course.

Voorhees is proud to join communities throughout the state and nation in instituting such a ban to protect the health of our families.

**The Voorhees Township Economic Development Committee (EDC) is hosting its free Annual Small Business Forum on Tuesday, May 3 from 6:30pm-8:000pm in the Township Courtroom.  Light refreshments will be served. The featured guest speaker is Bill Green, new owner of the historic Stafford Farm and author of several books.  Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of Southern NJ, the Rutgers Camden Small Business Development Center and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will be participating.  For more information, call the Office of Economic Development (856)882-5211.

**The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club is holding a shredding event on May 7 from 9am to noon at Tab Shredding, 341 Cooper Road, West Berlin. The cost is $30 for up to 3 bags/boxes plus $10 for each additional bag/box up to 10. Cash or check only. All proceeds will go to charity.

** The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation is excited to return to ‘in-person’ events! In celebration of 20 years of caring, ARVF has a great line up for this celebratory year, beginning with: 

• Thursday, April 28, 2022 from 6pm-9pm at The Mansion on 3000 Main Street – Food, Wine & Craft Beer Tasting Night and Art Expo. Space is limited, guests must be 21 years or older to attend. Tickets are $60/pp. To reserve your ticket today, visit info@arvf.org, or call 856-784-0615 during business hours.
• June 20, 2022 – 2nd Annual ARVF Golf Outing.
• October 21, 2022 – 20th Anniversary Emerald Ball. 

** Save the dates for the Summer Series Concerts at Connolly Park: June 23, July 21 and August 11. Shows start at 7:30pm. For more information, check the Township calendar of events at voorheesnj.com/calendar/events.

** The Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey will celebrate Maestro Matthew Oberstein’s final concert on Sunday, May 1 at 3pm at the Eastern Regional High School Center for the Performing Arts.   A Gala Celebration will follow from 6pm-10pm at The Mansion in Voorhees.  For more information, visit PSNJ.ORG

** The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club invites prospective candidates to attend its District Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference at Stockton University this summer from June 26 to June 27, 2022, and June 29 to June 30, 2022.  For more information, contact Joanne Ventura at jventuradg2019@comcast.net or call her at 609-330-7531 or 856-596-2828.