Motor Vehicle Commission employees recognized for civic duties, county prepares for annual addiction awareness event
Honoring model citizens
On Aug. 18, I was honored to join Washington Township Chief of Police Patrick Gurcsik and Councilman Joe Perry in honoring three heroic Motor Vehicle Commission employees. On April 18, three brave MVC employees came to assist one of our Washington Township Police Officers Allen Franchi with an altercation that could have escalated into a dangerous situation. These employees noticed Franchi protecting a child from an adult male who was demonstrating threatening behavior. Franchi called to request additional units for help with the situation, but before help could arrive, the adult male charged at Franchi. The three employees, Andre Sawaya, Ryan Armstrong and David Fraser noticed the situation escalating and ran outside to assist Franchi in handcuffing the assailant in the parking lot. If not for these brave individuals, this matter could have escalated into a terrible situation. Gurcsik and I awarded these three brave citizens with Citations of Merit and Washington Township Police Department Challenge Coins. I would like to thank Gurcsik for putting this event together to recognize these three wonderful gentlemen. I also want to thank these citizens for bravely assisting Franchi in getting a dangerous situation under control.
Gloucester County Recovery Walk and Candlelight Vigil
Gloucester County will be hosting a Recovery Walk and Candlelight Vigil on Thursday, Aug. 31 at James G. Atkinson Park in Sewell. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., and the walk begins at 6 p.m. This is a free event to support individuals who are recovering from addiction. The more this topic is brought up, the more I see communities coming together to fight the stigma surrounding addiction. I am happy to participate with the county in their event. This is in addition to the Addiction Awareness Vigil and the Community Conversation with Congressman Norcross held at the high school earlier this year. We want to keep spreading awareness so we can minimize addiction in our community and help those struggling with addiction. To participate in this walk, you do not have to be in recovery yourself, and everyone is welcome to support this cause. Following the walk will be a Candlelight Vigil to remember those lost to addiction. Thank you to the county for holding this important event and thank you to those who continue to make this a priority in our community.
Joann Gattinelli is the mayor of Washington Township. She can be reached at mayorgattinelli@twp.washington.nj.us.
