TRENTON- The Department of Environmental Protection today unveiled draft proposed rules for enhanced public access to the state\’s coastal and other tidal waters, suggesting reasonable regulations but also employing additional, common sense measures to enhance public access.

Making the draft proposed rules publicly available for discussion prior to the official public comment period is one component of the DEP\’s comprehensive efforts to go above and beyond the normal rulemaking process to ensure the most effective rules that best serve all of the residents of New Jersey.

\”We are guided in our efforts by the standards set forth in Gov. Chris

By Army Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth
U.S. Division Center

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, Aug. 19, 2010 – Through the dusty driver\’s side window, Army Pfc. Thomas Johnson could see the final stretch of dirt road leading to the border.

Stryker armored vehicles with the 2nd Infantry Division\’s 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team line up at a fueling site at Camp Taji, Iraq, Aug. 17, 2010, to receive fuel before heading out on a two-day mission to leave Iraq through Kuwait. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth

 As one of the lead elements in a company-size formation of Stryker armored vehicles, Johnson and Army Spc. Adam Porter -— both combat engineers with 38th Engineer Company, attached to the 2nd Infantry Division\’s 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team — had driven collectively more than 400 miles on the unruly and sometimes deadly roads from here to Kuwait in a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle.
Soldiers of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team have just completed a yearlong tour supporting the U.S. Division Center area of operations in and around Baghdad, assisting, training and advising the Iraqi security forces.

As a memoir of the last full combat brigade in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, which comes to a close at the end of the month, the rest of the crew said their final goodbyes to Iraq into their digital cameras before entering Kuwait and ending their final deployment to Iraq.

The team of combat engineers helped to clear the way for the symbolic convoy out of Iraq, reminiscent of U.S. forces first pushing into Iraq at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, driving down a route similar to the one servicemembers entered the country through in 2003.

The brigade\’s departure leaves 56,000 U.S. servicemembers in Iraq. When Operation Iraqi Freedom ends Aug. 31 and the civilian-led Operation New Dawn begins Sept. 1, that number will be down to 50,000. That\’s when the U.S. military mission in Iraq officially changes from combat to an \”advise and assist\” capacity, completing a transition that has long been under way.

Most of the Stryker brigade soldiers, including Johnson and Porter, said they did not expect to leave Iraq behind a steering wheel, driving to Kuwait.

\”I thought we\’d fly out of here,\” Porter said.

But the mode of exit didn\’t matter to the soldiers, as long as it meant they were returning home soon.

While people in the back of Strykers and MRAPs had the opportunity to nap during the two-day trip, the gunners, drivers and vehicle commanders stayed awake, focused and alert to their surroundings. Energy drinks, daytime naps and casual conversations among crew members kept the weary drivers going.

\”I was thinking about doing my job proficiently and getting everybody there safely. If I don\’t get everyone there safely, then we fail the mission. And I\’m all about completing the mission,\” said Johnson, mentioning that part of his mission was returning home to his wife.

The team made it without having to deal with any attacks, a major improvement from veteran combat engineers\’ experiences during earlier rotations. Because security has improved over time as Iraq has become more stable, certain aspects of later deployment cycles have changed as well.

\”Yeah, we trained to kick in doors, we trained to clear buildings, we trained to react to contact, but every single one of us knew what we were going to be doing — riding in a truck looking for [roadside bombs],\” Porter said.

For Johnson, a Phoenix native, and Porter, from Ashland, Wis., training for driving the Buffalo-style MRAP — a large vehicle with a mechanical arm for checking potential threats — began during the brigade\’s June rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. Soldiers trained on a 5-ton truck frame with a Buffalo cab welded onto it. It was not until arriving in Iraq they had an opportunity to get behind the wheel of the real thing.

A year later, as Johnson drove his team past the gates leading to Kuwait and concluding their last patrol in Iraq, he said he felt a long-awaited feeling.

\”It\’s a feeling of success that you did what you were expected to do for a whole entire year, then coming to the end of your tour and finishing it out strong,\” he said.

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HOBOKEN, N.J. (August 16, 2010) – Stevens Institute of Technology Director of Athletics Russell Rogers (Branchburg, N.J.) announced the 2010 Hall of Fame Class on Monday afternoon. Five new members will be enshrined in the 21st induction ceremony on Saturday, September 25, 2010 during the 2010 Homecoming Weekend. The class includes Walter Stamer ’64 (Sparta, N.J.), Shanna Garber ’02 (Wanaque, N.J.), Eric Stanley ’04 (New York, N.Y.), Aracely Cruz ’05 (North Bergen, N.J.), and Matthew Grande ’05 (Lincoln Park, N.J.). The Stevens Athletics Hall of Fame, which was started in 1990, will have 92 members once this year’s class is inducted.

\”We are extremely proud to induct such an outstanding group of people into the Stevens Athletic Hall of Fame for 2010,\” said Rogers. \”Each of these athletes set a standard of excellence on the field or court that will forever remain an integral part of the Stevens athletic program. While their playing careers were truly special, I think each individual is known even more so for the their character and integrity and the positive impact they had on their teammates and classmates.\”

Walt Stamer
Walter K. Stamer was a three-year member of the Stevens men’s lacrosse team (1962-1964) as an attackman and played two seasons as a forward on the men’s basketball team (1961-62, 1963-64). A Mechanical Engineering major, Stamer was the recipient of the Gear & Triangle Best Senior Male Athlete Award in 1964 and was one of the three best attackman on 1960-1969 All-Decade team.

Stamer tallied 89 goals and 99 total points in his career on the lacrosse field. He is third in the Stevens record book with 2.69 goals per game and averaged 3.00 points per game. The Ducks went 15-13-2 with Stamer on the field and in 1963 were the co-champions of the Mid-Atlantic Division of the United Stated Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association.

Over his two years on the hardwood, Stamer averaged 9.6 points per game. His best season was 1961-62 when he poured in 11 points per contest.

CONTINUE TO READ via www.stevensducks.com

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 This year the Mount Ephraim Senior League All-Stars accomplished something that no other team has ever done in District 14 history, winning four titles in a row.

The team this year consisted of young men from both Mount Ephraim and Gloucester City. In the district finals versus Blackwood, Mount Ephraim was down 9-2 after three innings and came back to win 11-10 by a single from Mike Colgan driving in Josh McShane with the winning run.

Vince Carpinrlli and Keith Michalski both hit home runs. In the Section Four Tournament, consisting of all of South Jersey, the Mount Ephraim team opened with a tough 9-7 loss to Monroe Township. In the game, the Hawks had 17 hits, three from Kyle Gaff, and a two run home run by Matt Goepel.

SAUTER, Mark V., Sr. suddenly on August 10, 2010, of Palm Bay, Fl., formerly of Bellmawr. Age 49. Survived by his loving wife Patricia J. of 24 years. Adoring father of Mark V. Jr. (Amanda) and Richard A. Loving son of Barbara A. and the late Charles J. Jr. Dear brother of Chuck (the late Terri), Joyce (Bob), Steve, Mike (Bonnie), Kathy (Joe), Gary (Denise). Loving nephew of Patricia L. Byrd (the late Bill), the late Catherine and James Kenney, and Harry \”Bud\” and Rosalie Brassill. Devoted son-in-law of Jerry Sr. And Rae Critelli. Dear brother-in-law of Tina (Rich), Kathy (Tom), Loretta (Pete), Jerry Jr. (Bonnie), Louis (Daphne), Rae Anne and Justeena. Loving grandfather of Matthew and Christopher. Also survived by many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and caring friends.

Prior to moving to Florida, Mark was a long time employee of Mobil Research in Paulsboro, N.J. and a long time member of Bellmawr Park Volunteer Fire Company. Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation from 5 to 7pm Wednesday evening at Annunciation BVM RC Church, 601 W. Browning Rd., Bellmawr. Memorial Mass 7:30pm. In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests memorial donations in Mark\’s memory to Armed Services Overseas, c/o The Chaplain, T.F. Bandit C. Company 3/156, APO AE 09391. Family and friends may share memories at www.GardnerFuneralhome.com