Camden County honored 13 prominent Hispanic citizens to celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month last month.
Four of the 13 are Cherry Hill residents who were recognized at township council’s s recent meeting: Rosy Arroyo, José Brito, Johanna Vargas Rodriguez and Elizabeth Martinez.
Arroyo was recognized for her efforts to improve youth services and divert individuals away from the juvenile justice system. She is a program manager with the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice, Delinquency Prevention and Youth Justice Innovations Unit.
Brito was recognized for advancing equitable access to a high-quality education in underserved communities. Martinez has worked at the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services for 16 years and is also known as the first lady of the Puerta de Salvacion Church, where she and her late husband were pastors. Rodriguez was recognized for her ownership of Maria’s Station Cafe in Gloucester City.
Mayor David Fleisher also recognized Erlton Bike Shop for its 50 years in Cherry Hill and acknowledged the impact and legacy of the late former mayor Bernie Platt, who died last month.
“Mayor Platt has been a pillar in our community for the last half century and served the town that he loved as mayor from 1979 to 1980 and again from 2002 to 2012,” Fleisher noted. “I had the honor for several years to work alongside Mayor Platt as council president. As a successful business owner, community leader and elected official, he’s left an indelible mark on Cherry Hill and our community.”
Council also approved a resolution that allows the township to enter into a new agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center to support development of a Volunteer of America property’s 100% affordable senior-housing project, while ensuring compliance with state housing regulations.
Municipal Attorney Cosmas Diamantis elaborated on the resolution.
“It’s really an administrative resolution that will give the Volunteers of America the opportunity to apply for a specific allotment of funds that the state made available to certain affordable housing projects,” he explained. “This resolution gives that project access to funding opportunities from the state.”
Upcoming township events include a pumpkin fest on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Barclay Farmstead, and a harvest festival on Sunday, Oct. 20, from noon to 4 p.m. at Croft Farm.
The next council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
