Sisters Chloe (left) and Audrey Ren are township students who have studied piano since they were 6 years old.
Chloe Ren and Audrey Ren will compete as national finalists in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Piano Duet Competition.
The sisters earned the opportunity after winning the Eastern division of the competition.
Chloe is a sophomore at Cherry Hill East and Audrey attends Rosa International Middle School. They’ve been studying piano since they were 6 years old and are currently students of Veda Zuponcic.
Chloe is a four-time, first-place winner of the annual SJMTA (South Jersey Music Teachers National Association) Technique Competition and a seven-time High Honor awardee from both the NJMTA and the SJMTA’s annual spring recital auditions. Audrey is a five-time first-place winner, also of the annual SJMTA Technique Competition, and three-time honorable-mention awardee of the NJMTA’s annual young musicians competition.
Both sisters play at local and community events in South Jersey.
The national winner of the Senior Piano Duet Competition earns a cash prize and will perform in a winners concert during the MTNA national conference. The three-tiered competitions begin at the state level. Winners of each state contest advance to the video-only division competition, whose winners then proceed to the national competition finals.
Courtesy of Cherry Hill School District Dr. Kwame Morton said he’s especially proud that projects funded by the 2022 bond referendum are coming to fruition.
After nearly two decades in the Cherry Hill school district, where he has served as an elementary- and high-school principal, Dr. Kwame Morton is in the middle of his first full academic year as superintendent.
In a recent interview with The Sun, Morton said he’s proud of the work that’s been accomplished so far, and looks forward to all that’s coming in the near and distant future.
A strong point of pride for Morton has been watching projects funded by the 2022 bond referendum of $363 million – the largest ever passed in New Jersey – come to fruition.
“The commencement of the work was aligned with my start as acting superintendent (in July 2024), so I’ve been intimately involved in the projects that have taken place thus far,’ he explained. “We’ve had massive roofing work done across the district, we’ve had gyms redone in multiple schools, we have new APRs (All Purpose Rooms) being built at six of our elementary schools.
“That’s only a third of the work that we have in front of us,” Morton added. “So seeing the projects get completed on schedule, on time, on budget has been awesome. It’s been fantastic for us.”
Another 2024 highlight was the district being cited as one of only a few statewide to receive preschool expansion funds. There are currently about 350 kids in the continually expanding program.
“That’s wonderful to have the opportunity to provide free preschool, universal preschool for the families of Cherry Hill,” Morton emphasized. “It’s tremendous.”
Morton also spotlighted the hiring of several new principals, including Christina Collazo-Franco at Carusi Middle School, Alison McCartney at Woodcrest Elementary School and Daniel Finkle at Cherry Hill East.
“They hit the ground running. I think things are going very well in our schools,” noted Morton, who reported that he has sought out like-minded individuals who “possess and embody the same energy and mindset.”
“I’m proud of the comprehensive change as I think about it all,” he observed, “and how we’re systematically addressing everything and managing it all and moving forward, and attempting to provide kids the greatest experience possible in the district.”
Source: Google Maps
Looking ahead at the rest of 2025 and beyond, Morton said his administration is “deeply entrenched” in crafting a new five-year strategic plan. The current one expires this year.
“That’s a massive effort,” he acknowledged. “It involves tremendous community voices, survey process, individual meetings, focus group meetings, reviewing data, establishment of focus areas, establishment of goals, indicators of success. All of that is happening as we speak.”
The administration is also crafting its first “Portrait of a Graduate” profile, to identify the characteristics, attributes and qualities the community wants for students as they progress through the school system. It will also include skills students should acquire during their education that will help them navigate the world after graduation.
Community meetings over the past few months have enabled parents and other stakeholders to have their voices heard, a process Morton estimated will end by May or June. And he is in the early stages of exploring possible elementary-level redistricting in the 2028-’29 academic year.
“We had a demographic study that was done last year, and this demographic study follows population trends,” he offered. “We were able to see that in the 2028-’29 school year, we’re projected to have significant enrollment increases at the elementary level, particularly because of the preschool program that we started. And as the children matriculate upward, of course they’re going to land in specific schools.
“So we’ve begun the planning process around elementary redistricting, and more to come with that.”
Under consideration to alleviate overcrowding is the transition of the Arthur Lewis administration building – formerly an elementary school – back to its original use. Other adjustments, including new transportation routes and updated boundaries for schools and neighborhoods, will also be discussed.
“But we are nowhere close to being ready with recommendations yet,” Morton stressed.
The school district will continue to enhance its communication strategy, he emphasized. A “revealing” audit completed last year led to some vital updates of the district’s digital presence and communication with the public.
“Community members found it very difficult to navigate our district website and found it difficult to find information,” Morton said. “So one of the things that we’ve done as a result, we have a new website. A new website just launched on Jan. 2 when we returned back to school.
“So this new and improved website has received positive feedback and was an outgrowth of that process.”
As Morton’s inaugural school year as superintendent enters its second half, he says he’s honored to helm a district where the students, parents and staff feel strongly about academic success.
“Cherry Hill’s a great community, a wonderful community of passionate individuals,” he stated. “Many people move here for the schools and experience for their children. That’s just the type of place that Cherry Hill is.”
By Kathy Chang/The Sun The service and parts department of Subaru of Cherry Hill essentially supports the dealership’s sales department. Chris Sherman (left to right) is the service and parts department’s lead service advisor, Moneka Nop is a technician and Greg Eife is the department’s director.
At the service and parts department of Subaru of Cherry Hill, each day is different. With 65 to 75 cars serviced Monday through Saturday, it’s important to have the right people in place.
The Sun caught up with Greg Eife, director of the department, who has been in the business for 43 years and came to Subaru of Cherry Hill six and a half years ago. His department essentially supports the sales staff at the dealership with the after-care of a purchased vehicle.
“We perform all kinds of repairs, (from) maintenance to warranty repairs,” Eife explained. “We build relationships so they (customers) come back and buy the next one. I’m a great believer in the word of mouth … Your reputation on the streets – quote unquote – is the most important thing.
“So we work real hard on one customer at a time to build that, maintain that …” he added. “That’s the most important thing, and that we are fair. Sometimes car dealerships, service departments, can get a bad reputation …
“My message would be, ‘Hey, give us a chance. We are not that.’”
Moneka Nop is a technician and started at Subaru of Cherry Hill the week after Thanksgiving in 2024. She is in a role unusual for women and the only female technician at the dealership. And if you ask Nop, she doesn’t pay any mind to that. She just “likes what she does.”
“I’m very proficient at what I do,” she said. “I’m good at what I do. I’m not as far advanced as the rest of the guys – not yet. I actually enjoy doing this stuff.”
Nop was looking for a part-time job in 2019 when she applied at a Quick Lube. That’s where she learned how to do oil changes and tire rotations.
“I learned on the job,” she recalled, adding that the job started getting repetitive, so she decided to apply to car dealerships.
“I put in applications to many, many dealerships,” she remembered, “and to be honest with you, I don’t think they called me back because of my name, because I’m a female. But in today’s world, it shouldn’t be like that.”
And after working for a year at another Subaru dealership, Nop came to the township dealership on a recommendation from a previous manager.
“I work in the quick lane, almost the same as Quick Lube, but they have me doing a lot more,” she said. “I’m not just oil changes and rotates all day long. They’re trying to get me to become like (an auto) mechanic.”
And that’s Nop’s ultimate goal – to become an auto technician.
“You get to learn on the job and I love that about Subaru in general,” she enthused. “They teach you while you are here. They send you to school. They do a lot. You are valuable to them and that’s good that they make you feel that way.”
And as for advice to females who would like to gain entry into the auto industry, Nop assured, “anybody can do anything as long as you put your mind to it. You have to make what you want out of it.”
Eife oversees 35 employees who range from 18 technicians and six service advisors to a business development person, a shuttle driver, a parts person manager, an assistant manager and counter staff.
“I oversee the daily operations of the service advisors and technicians and I have lead technicians and lead service advisors that report to me,” he said. “I’m in charge of our reputation, training personnel to that end. I also interact with the customers myself …
“I love that.”
As part of his role, Eife also is responsible for warranty compliance with Subaru. And with its national headquarters just three miles down the road in Cherry Hill, it means the dealership is “the home team.”
“My job is to make sure that we fill the shop up and we can get (customers) in and out of here in a timely manner and fixes are done correctly the first time,” he emphasized. “We want to make sure customers are treated properly and the facility is right for them and everything is clean.
“Reputation management is one of the big things with building and maintaining a team.”
Chris Sherman – a lead service advisor in service and parts – said department staff has built a good crew.
“There are good interpersonal relationships here, and it comes from the owner down,” he stated. “It’s a good environment. We love it. It helps with the cohesiveness, and customers see that too, when it’s a good environment.”
“It’s fun, different every day,” Eife remarked of day-to-day operations. “It can be stressful.”
That’s why training is key and – at Subaru of Cherry Hill – constant.
“Technician training happens online, it is web-based,” Eife pointed out. “It also happens with instructor-led training at the training facility in Florence. “I do a lot of training myself when it comes to customer handling, financial matters, leadership training with leaders that work for me, HR (human resources) training and coaching.
“Most of that is one on one,” he added. “Five days a week, I meet with staff and we speak about what is going on, what we can do better. We talk about goals, we talk about where we’ve been, and where are we going forward.
“We train on stress management.”
The leading and training aspect is what Eife enjoys about his role.
“I love being a leader, I love setting up a workplace where people can grow personally and professionally,” he said. “I like to train leadership, to watch people develop from the beginning to their potential.”
And over the course of his career, Eife has seen it all when it comes to learning and building.
“Adaptability is crazy important in this business,” he offered. “Every day is completely different. Every customer is completely different. You train and hire employees and staff to that end. Not everybody can do it. You have to have the right people, which is the most important thing.
“The most important resource is the right people.”
Sherman agrees. And in his role, he is the go between.
“We talk to the technician, they tell us what the need is and we translate that over to the customer,” he said. “I enjoy the customer aspect. I enjoy dealing with customers and situations and trying to help people work through things and doing the best we can for customers and making them happy and satisfied.”
The Albert Carino Basketball Clubs of South Jersey will announce their selections for the 45th annual induction of the South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday, Feb. 2.
The ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Cherry Hill. The class of 2025 inductees include coach David Allen, of Cherry Hill East, and Doug Stewart, of Haddonfield High School.
Tickets priced at $50 per person are available at carinobasketballclub.org/hall-of-fame-reservations-1. Reservations must be made prior to Wednesday, Jan. 21, with credit cards or Venmo. Checks can be sent to Jack Mongulla, 41 Emery Way, Delanco, 08075, and must be received prior to that date. Reservations will not be accepted after that and tickets will not be sold the night of the event.
Cherry Hill Mayor Dave Fleisher swears in John Ostermueller – who was joined by his fiancé – as the township’s new police chief.
Two incumbent members and a new police chief were sworn in by Cherry Hill Mayor Dave Fleisher during township council’s Jan. 7 reorganization meeting.
Incumbents Daniel DiRenzo Jr. and Jill Hulnick, who won office in the November election, were joined by loved ones as they took the oath of office. Fleisher said of the pair, “They both share my passion for moving Cherry Hill forward.”
DiRenzo, who spent 25 years working for the township fire department, including as captain and CFO, thanked his family and fellow council members for their support, and explained what a privilege it’s been getting to know locals and the things that matter most to them.
“This past year has provided me the opportunity to understand the concerns and issues that residents face and to help advocate on the issues,” he said. “Trust is very important to me, and I will persist in earning that trust.”
Hulnick, an independent consultant with leadership in the business, nonprofit and government sectors, shared the same sentiment.
“I approached this role with a deep sense of duty and appreciation for the trust placed in me by the residents of Cherry Hill,” he noted, “and look forward to serving our community for many more years to come.”
William Carter and Michele Golkow were reappointed council president and vice president, respectively. Also sworn in was new Police Chief John Ostermueller, of whom Fleisher said, “He shares my commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe and operating with efficiency, professionalism and accountability.”
Ostermueller, who boasts more than two decades in law enforcement – including the past 21 years in Cherry Hill – replaces Robert Kempf, who retired on Dec. 31. Ostermueller will lead a department of more than 175 full- and part-time employees, including 136 full-time sworn officers, special law-enforcement officers, dispatchers, administrative staff and records personnel.
“We’re going to deliver excellent public service with accountability, compassion, respect for everyone we serve,” he promised. “When we talk about what’s the vision for Cherry Hill, we’re going to make Cherry Hill the safest place to live, work and shop through community engagement, innovative strategies, deterring crime and protecting the vulnerable.
“That’s our mission. That is what we are. That’s who we’ll be.”
Fleisher also shared at the meeting some township highlights from 2024, his first year as mayor. They include preserving more than 23 acres of open space with the purchase of Holly Ravine Farm; investing more than $1.4 million in new police technology and public safety initiatives; completing renovations at Barlow and Brandywood parks; paving 75 neighborhood roadways; installing more than 120 ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) improvements; registering more than 2,300 users of the new My Cherry Hill app; and welcoming more than 6,000 attendees to the township’s Independence Day celebration, with fireworks back for the first time in a decade.
“We have worked hard to demonstrate our commitment to reinvigorating a sense of pride in our community, to connect and communicate with our residents on many fronts,” explained Fleisher, who spotlighted the township’s new website and expanded social media presence.
“None of this happens without the support of our residents and the leadership of our township council.”
Cherry Hill Township School District Bridget Palmer, Dean Drizin (top right) and Kurt Braddock won their seats in the November election.
The township board of education kicked off the new year by swearing in its three newest members: Bridget Palmer, Dean Drizin and Kurt Braddock, who were victorious in the November general election. All took the oath of office during the Jan. 2 board meeting.
Palmer – a Cherry Hill resident for more than a decade – is the director of government affairs for Bancroft, the Haddonfield provider of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her twins currently attend Carusi Middle School.
Drizin is a physician executive, veteran and father of two township students. He leads the corporate development office of a national home health-care organization and is a flight surgeon in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Braddock, who plays hockey throughout South Jersey and trains locally in kickboxing, has 20 years of experience as a teacher and researcher. He is an assistant professor in the school of communications at American University in Washington, D.C.
When it came time to nominate a new president at the board meeting, Joel Mayer wasted no time in putting forth Gina Winters’ name. But first he acknowledged outgoing president Miriam Stern, who held the leadership position for two years.
“The last couple of years have been among the most impactful that I can recall, not just on my time on the board, but before I was a board member, going back from the successful bond initiative,” said Mayer. “Now, we’re seeing a lot of that construction come to fruition. The successful transition to our new and highly qualified and effective superintendent, and so many other things that we have done here under the leadership of Mrs. Stern, who has been a stalwart supporter and protector of students and staff, those that need the most protection.”
“That said,” Mayer concluded, “it’s time for new leadership. It’s time for some new ideas and new passion.”
Winters’ election as board president was unanimous. Then, in a vote of 7-2, Adam Greenbaum was named vice president over Kimberly Gallagher, who was appointed district representative of the Camden County School Boards Association’s Executive Committee and the New Jersey School Boards Association. Renee Cherfane was named to the Camden County Educational Services Commission.
Also during the meeting, the board announced revisions to its committee structure, a project that was launched by Gallagher under the previous board. A major change involves moving all committee meetings to Tuesday nights, instead of having them spaced out over Monday and Tuesday. The policy and legislation committee, chaired by Mayer, will meet first at 5 p.m.; followed by curriculum and instruction, chaired by Winters, at 6 p.m.; and business and facilities, chaired by Greenbaum, at 7 p.m.
The purpose of the change, Winters explained, is to make it easier for more people to attend meetings.
“Committees will also have three members this year, with a fourth position open, so that members can rotate among committees and they can see what’s happening in the other committees,” she added.
In the public comment portion of the board session, one resident expressed concern with the meeting restructure, noting that the 5 p.m. start time doesn’t take into consideration those who work, nor does it “bode well for transparency.”
Special to The Sun Sangeeta Doshi (clockwise from top left), Andrew Passalacqua, Joyce Pierce and Colleen Bianco Bezich will receive the Camden County Freedom Medal for service to their communities.
Four residents from Cherry Hill and Haddonfield will be honored at the 2025 Camden County Freedom Medal Ceremony on Wednesday for improving their respective communities.
The award – created by the Camden County Board of Commissioners in 2001 – is being presented to 13 civic leaders who demonstrate ideals and actions that reflect the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Since its inception 24 years ago, more than 1,200 Camden County residents have received the prestigious honor.
Among the 13 awardees for this year are Cherry Hill’s Sangeeta Doshi and Andrew Passalacqua, and Haddonfield’s Colleen Bianco Bezich and Joyce Pierce.
Doshi has served the Cherry Hill community for more than two decades through participation in an array of organizations, including the Domestic Violence Response Team, the District IV Legal Ethics Committee, Moms Demand Action, the Indian Cultural Center and Indian Temple Association, the Camden Air Quality Committee, Inspiring South Asian American Women, the New Jersey Leadership Program, the Asian American Alliance in South Jersey and the North South Foundation.
“I am humbled and honored to receive the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Medal,” said Doshi. “MLK’s philosophies incorporated many of Gandhi’s teachings that we were raised with. We were taught to always give back, volunteer and to leave everywhere better than you found it.
“I am grateful, lucky and blessed that with the support of family, mentors and colleagues, I can contribute positively to my community. Thank you.”
Passalacqua, a student at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, is making a meaningful difference in South Jersey through his service project, Crayons for Courts. After observing a child as young as 5 years old endure the anxiety of a courtroom setting, Passalacqua was inspired to act. He raised nearly $3,000 to purchase more than 6,000 packets of crayons, 3,000 coloring books, 2,000 activity books and stickers. His first donation was to the Camden County courthouse.
Bezich is committed to championing diversity and inclusion, as well as serving underserved communities. As mayor of Haddonfield, she has supported events such as LGBTQ+ Pride, Juneteenth and Diwali. She also mentors refugee children through the Diocese of Camden’s Office of Migration and Refugee Services, and has supported organizations such as LUCY Outreach, where she served as a board member, and Cathedral Kitchen.
“I’m humbled and overwhelmed, and honestly still in shock,” Bezich acknowledged, “because I had nominated another individual who is so deserving of this award, and upon learning that she would be honored, I found out that I had also been nominated.”
Pierce, a former teacher in Haddonfield, former councilwoman and acting mayor of Lawnside, was nominated by Bezich. Pierce has shown a passionate dedication to the students and people of the borough, with a goal to always ensure that her students received a consistent, high-quality education.
Each year, the commissioners set out to identify county residents who exemplify the teachings of King, specifically those who’ve contributed over time to making significant, tangible improvements that benefit their communities. The awards are based strictly on volunteer work, excluding any remuneration.
“The individuals selected for this prestigious award display true commitment to making the world a better place through actions such as community service, teaching and more,” explained Commissioner Jonathan Young. “It warms my heart to know that we have so many incredible, selfless people who call Camden County home and who are dedicated to serving their communities.”
The 2025 Camden County Congressional Award will also be presented at the medal ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Collingswood Ballroom, 315 White Horse Pike. Young is this year’s recipient.
Cherry Hill library board of trustees meeting: 4 p.m. on Zoom. Formal action may be taken.
Documentary screening: “The Sultan and the Saint,” 7 to 8:30 p.m., Cherry Hill library. In recognition of January as Muslim-American Heritage Month. The award-winning PBS documentary chronicles the connection between Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt during the Crusades. A discussion with refreshments will follow. Register online at chplnj.org.
Saturday, Jan. 18
Practical cyber security tips for staying safe online: 11 a.m. Cherry Hill library. Register online at chplnj.org.
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Planning board meeting: 7:30 p.m. See chnj.gov for details.
Thursday, Jan. 23
Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting: 7:30 p.m. See chnj.gov for details.
Sunday, Jan. 26
Intro to coding with Python: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cherry Hill library, for children and teens ages 12 to 18. No experience required for a hands-on session on the beginner-friendly programming language. Register online at chplnj.org.
Monday, Jan. 27
Council meeting: 7:30 p.m. N. John Amato council chambers and via Zoom. See chnj.gov for details.
Tuesday, Jan. 28
Board of education meeting. 6:30 p.m. Arthur Lewis Administration Building.
Special to The Sun Members of the Muslim community in Cherry Hill and the South Jersey region gather independently to celebrate the proclamation of January as Muslim American Heritage Month on Jan. 3.
Gov. Phil Murphy designated January as Muslim American Heritage Month in April of 2023, during an Eid celebration, to “promote awareness and appreciation of the many contributions of the state’s Muslim community.”
Following suit, a number of local communities in the South Jersey area have made proclamations to celebrate the Muslim community, including Moorestown, Mount Laurel – whose mayor is Muslim and which also recognized the Muslim holidays Ramadan and Eid al Fitr – and most recently, Cherry Hill.
But to the disappointment of people in the Muslim and larger community, there was no public presentation of the Cherry Hill proclamation. It was dropped off at township resident Mona Lari’s house on Dec. 27 without photos taken or community members gathered to receive it. There has also been no mention of it on social media.
Special to The Sun The proclamation was delivered privately to Cherry Hill resident Mona Lari on behalf of the mayor’s office on Dec. 27, but without fanfare.
Lari serves as a trustee of the Pakistani American Society of South Jersey and is also on the advisory council of the mayor office, and though she feels honored to receive the proclamation, both she and others would have preferred a more public recognition after about 20 township Muslims and others attended the Dec. 30 council meeting in person and more joining online, anticipating their community would be cited for its contributions.
“The Muslim Heritage Month, Muslim American Heritage Month is a way to celebrate and reflect on the contributions that Muslims have made in our country and specifically for us in Cherry Hill, and so the month of January provides an important opportunity for us to come together to celebrate those contributions, to share our stories and to build greater understanding and unity within the broader community,” said John Starling, director and Imam of the Gracious Center of Learning and Enrichment Activities (GCLEA), a Cherry Hill mosque that serves the South Jersey Muslim community.
“Having a public proclamation really just emphasizes that point,” he added, “and I think sets a standard for the community. For that reason, while we’re honored and looking forward to celebrating the month, I personally and many other people were disappointed that the mayor and council chose not to publicly present the proclamation.”
The proclamation was not on the council meeting agenda and was verbally acknowledged only during the mayor’s comments and those of other members.
“All across town, families are celebrating Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanza,” noted Mayor David Fleisher during his initial comments. “In addition, many families held joyful Diwali celebrations last month, and in January, we will celebrate Three Kings Day, Muslim Heritage Month, and the start of Lunar New Year.
“As a community, Cherry Hill exemplifies the true spirit of the holiday season, of kindness, connection and inclusivity.”
During his later comments, Fleisher reiterated that he did acknowledge the proclamation in his earlier comments and during his mayor’s message, sent by email on Dec. 23 as part of the e-newsletter, which contained the same wording.
Though she was honored to receive it, Lari shared that she was not given a choice about how to receive the proclamation and that the township initially indicated it would be part of the Dec. 30 meeting. Council later retracted the decision due to a full agenda for the session that included six ordinances with public or second readings. As of Jan. 3, the mayor’s office had not responded to a request for comment.
“… I appreciate that they did (give her the proclamation), but it was not presented with the dignity that my community deserves,” Lari said. “Just dropping it off to one person, because they know me, doesn’t make me feel any better that the whole community is hurt.”
While members of the Muslim and Jewish communities have expressed their thanks for the proclamation acknowledging Muslim American Heritage Month, they also emphasized their contributions to the community and expressed disappointment with the lack of public acknowledgment.
A petition created by township resident Samia Mian calling for a more public recognition went out on Dec. 26 and had garnered more than 200 signatures by the time of the Dec. 30 meeting. Omar Raja, a graduate of Cherry Hill school district, recalled some of the contributions he has seen and been part of growing up in Cherry Hill.
“It’s been part of my whole life to be part of the GCLEA, feeding people in the community with the restaurant that we have (in Phiadelphia) …” he noted, ” … but I just want to say, as a community, we would like a more public proclamation to validate all the things that not just the Muslims have been through this year, but everybody around the community has been through this year.
“So we all deserve the same standing as everyone else in the community,” Raja added. ” … I guess we would all like to feel included like we’re part of this community, too.”
In January, the Cherry Hill library will screen “The Sultan and the Saint” on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and hold a children’s storytime and craft event to celebrate Muslim heritage through art on Saturday, Jan. 18.
The New Jersey Muslim Heritage Month Coalition will also be celebrating the month with a festival on January 25 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Eden Gardens at 1444 Rte. 73 in Pennsauken.
The full council meeting is available on the Cherry Hill Facebook page.
The Cherry Hill Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy returns this January.
The free nine-week program is designed to increase residents’ understanding of police operations, policies and procedures with first-hand experiences. The academy is open to any adult who lives in Cherry Hill, who has not already participated and who has no felony convictions or pending criminal actions at the time of application. Participants must also pass a background investigation.
The academy will meet every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 820 Mercer St., beginning on Jan. 22 and continuing through March 19. Class size is limited to 20 people (first come, first served).
