HARRISON TWP. — When Hercules, a 3-year-old American Bull Dog, was found locked in a small crate in the basement of a Wenonah home, he barely had enough muscle tone to walk.

Extremely malnourished, covered in his own feces and urine and full of fleas, the image of a dog in such dire need of care was too much to bear for 12-year-old Caide Wileczek.

Now, a lemonade stand and more than $3,700 later, Wileczek got his first chance to meet his newly rescued companion on Saturday at theDelaware Valley Veterinary Hospital.

With friends and family present, Caide was greeted by the newly revitalized Hercules as tears overcame him and his mother when meeting the dog for the first time.

Even though the dog was in much better shape than he was found in a little more than a week ago, running around and excited to meet its new friends, Caide admitted that it was still hard to see him in his weakened state.

“When I saw it online and they said it had gained pounds, I thought it would be more noticable,” said Wileczek. “When I first saw him, it was kind of hard to see him like that.”

But for someone who already lives with two dogs, seeing him on his feet and back in good health, was enough to lift Caide’s spirits about the dog’s future.

“It’s such a pleasure. It’s amazing,” said Caide about meeting him on Saturday.

Hercules’s story is one that could’ve been one without such a happy ending. After the Deptford Police Department found the dog in the Wenonah home, they immediately transported Hercules to the local vet hospital and charged the owner, Roxanne Notaro, with six counts of animal cruelty.

In such poor shape, with open sores on its elbows and no fat content, Hercules was going to require some major surgery after weeks of proper nourishment in order to get him back to full strength.

“Usually, we don’t see them this far gone,” said Dr. Jessica Morrisey of the veterinary hospital. “He couldn’t even stand up when he first got here.”

After seeing Hercules in the Gloucester County Times, Caide decided that he was going to start a fundraiser in his local community to raise money for his medical care.

Setting up a lemonade stand at Oak Valley Middle School, his entire community rallied around his cause as students from the school held up signs and the school’s entire baseball team pitched in to help fill the orders.

“I thought $500 would be a good day,” said Caide. “Next thing you know, it’s like a tornado.”

With the help of his classmates and his family, Caide went on to raise $3,748.33 to put towards Hercules’ recovery, which should cover the majority of his medical care including the surgeries, according to the hospital staff.

Now that the check has been handed over, Caide plans to try and head back to the hospital every two weeks with a notebook to chronicle his progress.

For Caide’s father, RJ, having seen this story first hand while owning two dogs of his own was almost disheartening until his son managed to raise the incredible $3,700 he did.

“When you come and see it in this shape and you hear it’s doing good, how bad was it?” asked the elder Wileczek.

He hopes that perhaps stories like this will be able to get people’s attention and, while it may not stop all cases of animal abuse, maybe it will inform people out there that there are cases like Hercules’s that need attention.

“Hopefully, there’s a much bigger picture and people get the hint,” said Wileczek.

Notaro’s court date is set for May 2.

When elected officials are sworn in, they take an oath of office. Part of that oath is to swear or affirm to support the U.S. and New Jersey constitutions.

Some Democrats in Gloucester County need a refresher course on the oath and the constitutions after their recent actions. I’m speaking specifically of Freeholder Director Bob Damminger, Freeholder Lyman Barnes and East Greenwich Township Mayor Fred Grant.

Damminger, a candidate for re-election this year, led his fellow Democrats on the board in adopting a social media policy that surely violates county employees’ right to free speech. The unconscionable policy prohibits an employee from posting pictures of public county buildings or even talking about the County of Gloucester on any form of social media like Facebook or Twitter.

The restraint carries over to the employee’s own personal time. In other words, speak up against the Democrats and expect to be disciplined.

Then there is Barnes. I believe he attempted to intimidate the free press. At a recent freeholder meeting, he asked a Times reporter to “do [him] a favor” and ask all her post-meeting questions from the podium during the public portion of the meeting.

A reporter has the prerogative to ask her questions from wherever or whenever she wants. Fortunately, the move didn’t work because the reporter stood her ground.

Finally, there is East Greenwich Mayor Grant.

Read the first issue below.

Making the Cut – Issue 01 – April 2012

Woodbury, NJ – GCREC Chairman Bill Fey is proud to announce the following slate of candidates that will be running under the Regular Organization Republicans banner in the June 5th primary election: Margie Love & Tom Thistle for Freeholder, Phil Dieser for Sheriff, Jeff Morris for Clerk and Carolyn Chapman for Surrogate.

“We were able to put together a dynamic and well rounded team this year — one that will not only appeal to the voters, but one filled with individuals who would make outstanding elected public officials,” said Chairman Fey.  ”The team has a great mix of private and public sector experience and a true committment to making Gloucester County government more affordable and transparent.”

“Whether its Bob Damminger or Joe Chila, one thing is clear: Democrats have bloated and mismanaged county government for far too long,” said Republican freeholder candidate Margie Love.  ”I’m running for freeholder because I’m tired of the names changing but the games remaining the same.”

“I’m not sure who the Democrats are trying to fool but county taxes have increased 133 percent in the last ten years,” added Republican freeholder candidate Tom Thistle.  ”When elected, Margie and I will focus on two major priorities — (1) cut county spending and not merely shift expenses from one entity to another and (2) make County government the most accessible and responsive to its residents.”

While GOP Freeholder candidates Love and Thistle will be working towards a more affordable and transparent county government, GOP Row Office candidates Dieser, Morris and Chapman will turn their attention to improving inefficiencies they see at the Sheriff, Clerk and Surrogate Offices.

“The Sheriff’s Office has a lot of great people in it but the leadership needs to change,” said Sheriff Officer and GOP Sheriff candidate Phil Dieser.  ”I love serving the people of Gloucester County everyday and I have the knowledge and energy to improve the Sheriff’s Office when given the chance.”

“I’ve been a local small business owner since 1981 and have met payroll and expenses for over thirty years without the luxury of going to voters for a bailout,” said GOP Clerk candidate Jeff Morris.  ”When elected in November, I will use my business experience to run the Clerk’s office efficiently and professionally.”

“The only experience current Surrogate Helene Reed had when she was elected in 2007 was her long list of government jobs and political appointments,” said GOP Surrogate candidate and paralegal Carolyn Chapman.  ”I have over thirty years of experience working in the private sector, primarily in estate administration, that I will bring to the table.”

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© 2012 NJ.com. All rights reserved.

Republican Freeholders Larry Wallace and Vince Nestore raised some credible objections to the policy. It was adopted this month, 5-2, by the board’s Democrat majority in a general update of the county’s human resources manual.

The policy states that employees are not to make personal posts to Facebook, Twitter, etc., while on duty — a sensible policy that other counties also have concerning the Internet.

What Nestore and Wallace are objecting to is overly vague language about county employees’ off-duty activities.

For example, without special permission, employees “are prohibited from posting pictures to non-work related social media … of any of the county’s premises, properties [or] activities.”

Really? Does that include a staff picnic? Or photos of county parks or historical sites that no one else is barred from taking?

“To me this smacks of government interference sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong,” Wallace said.

The well-intentioned policy, crafted with consultation with the county’s labor attorney, is designed partly to prevent lawsuits by employees or others. There are some cases where county-related “off-duty” posts should be restricted or subject to discipline. Employees can’t trash co-workers to the point that it invites a harassment lawsuit. In another example cited by county Administrator Chad Bruner, an emergency medical technician put on a personal Facebook page a photo of an accident scene that was seen as a breach of victims’ confidentiality rights.

Such items can be addressed with more specific rules. And language in the policy that states that workers’ social media use must “be respectful of the County of Gloucester …” in addition to specific individuals, goes too far. Does that mean employees can’t say anything critical of any county action, or of anything that happens in Gloucester County?

Bruner said that the labor counsel is reviewing the social media policy again. It needs to be less restrictive and more specific.

Woodbury, March 26, 2012 – Pointing to his experience as a small businessman, steady leadership for South Jersey, and strong support of the resurgent County GOP, Gloucester County Republicans unanimously endorsed Frank LoBiondo for Congress today and underscored the importance of him leading the top of their local ticket this November with control of the Freeholder Board at stake.

When current Freeholders Larry Wallace and Vince Nestore, Jr. broke over a decade long drought for Republicans by winning seats in 2010, LoBiondo led the ticket across much of Gloucester County.

“We all know Frank has been a tremendous Congressman and is a respected leader across party lines in South Jersey,” said GCREC Chairman Bill Fey. “But what often goes overlooked, in my opinion, is why he’s been such an effective representative. I believe it’s because before he went to Washington, Frank ran his family’s own small business for 26 years and was raised in a family that put an emphasis on public service. That upbringing and experience has produced a tremendous advocate for the people of Gloucester County and all of South Jersey. We’re proud to call him our friend.”

“During my first term as a Freeholder, I have looked to Frank LoBiondo as a role model of how to stand your ground and remain true to your principles, while reaching out to constituents with a diverse mix of political beliefs ,” said Freeholder Larry Wallace. “Having him lead our local ticket this year is a tremendous boost, as we seek to gain control of the Freeholder Board and bring real economic, fiscal and government reform to Gloucester County.”

“Running with Frank in 2010 was an honor,” said Freeholder Vince Nestore. “I am certain that I would not be in office had it not been for his support and his leadership on the campaign trail. I know our county candidates this year will benefit in the same way, and put us in a very strong position to win control of county government for the first time since the early 1990’s.”

In a 5-2 vote on March 7, the board adopted nine amendments to the human resource manual.

Despite objections to the social media rule by Freeholders Larry Wallace and Vince Nestore, the policy was adopted alongside others concerning workplace violence, contagious or life-threatening illnesses, and whistleblower protection rules.

“The reason we amended and did this policy, which was crafted with labor counsel guiding it, is because we have had a couple issues recently in the workplace that could lead to various and potential litigation,” said county administrator Chad Bruner. “And there is a mechanism in place to protect the employee as well.”

The policy prohibits employees from engaging in personal activities online while on the clock.

But some rules of conduct extend to social media use when county employees are off duty.

“There are issues that I don’t disagree need to be addressed,” said Wallace, of Woolwich Township. “To me this smacks of government interference sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Three recent online issues sparked the development of the social media policy, according to Bruner.

In one case, an Emergency Medical Technician snapped a photo of a scene that was being worked by county EMS staff. The photo was posted on a personal Facebook page, and was considered a breech of confidentiality for those involved in the incident and pictured in the photo.

Another case involved online harassment among county employees. The third incident was related to the county email system’s use for union business.

All three cases are currently under review by Equal Employment Opportunity officers at the county level. No lawsuits have been filed against the county, the administrator said.

Nestore thinks policy was created as a “knee-jerk reaction” to the three incidents that have already occurred. He and Wallace allege the vague language in the policies could do more to oppress county employees’ freedom of speech than protect the county from lawsuits.

“It’s broad, it has a deep chilling effect on the freedom of speech … they are purposefully trying to prevent people from speaking out against their county government under the threat of losing their job,” Wallace said. “I think the county is opening itself up for a possible lawsuit over someone who may end up suing over freedom of speech.”

The policy expects county workers’ social media use “to be respectful of the County of Gloucester, co-workers, volunteers, contract staff, vendors, customers, residents, and others.”

Without prior express written consent, employees are “prohibited from posting pictures to non-work-related social media … of any of the County of Gloucester’s premises, properties, [or] activities.”

Employees are not permitted to provide links to any of the county’s external or internal Internet material in any non-work-related sites, and shall not reference the county’s provided email accounts as a point of contact in any social media.

In addition, if an employee denotes on Facebook, for instance, that they work for Gloucester County, the worker must “prominently or expressly state that any views expressed therein are their own and not those of the County of Gloucester,” according to the document.

Violations may subject an employee to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

“The way things are now, in such a society where everybody wants to go to court, you have to have it covered,” said Freeholder Director Robert Damminger. “A lot of it is being cautious … 99.9 percent of the employees you don’t have to worry about. But if we didn’t have a problem, it probably wouldn’t have sparked it.”

Wallace worries that the “broadly worded” policy could be subject to different interpretations. Already, freeholders and administration have disagreed on how to interpret the policies.

Before the adoption vote, Wallace asked if posting his county-issued email address on his Facebook page as a way to reach constituents was technically in violation of the policy.

Bruner responded that it would be a violation. Later, he said Wallace’s example was “taking it to the extreme.”

“If a freeholder wants to put their email address out there, it’s not the issue. It’s not the intent,” Bruner said.

Wallace also raised concerns about blurring the line between a county worker and a county taxpayer.

“If an employee posted on Facebook that my taxes are too high, and I can’t afford to live here, that is another violation,” he said.

Jennifer Regina, a Washington Township-based social media consultant, also sees a “slippery slope” in the policy’s language.

“Where is the line?” Regina asked. “Does it refer to any comment you post on a news article? Where does that come into play? Can you never voice your opinion in a public circuit?”

Regina suspects Gloucester County is in “a bit of a panic situation.”

“They don’t know what to do and they are trying to control it,” Regina said. “There are some holes in it. … Just telling (employees) what they can and cannot do in a broad nature, you’re going to still have problems.”

Regina tells her commercial clients in private industries to educate employees in the appropriate use of social media before incidents break out.

“It would be better to do social media training for employees than to put disclaimers on their social media profiles,” Regina said. “Provide training for people who post something and don’t know the implications it could have. Show them cases of what has happened. Then you’re training them to be responsible instead of forcing restrictions.”

She also expects the policy to be “difficult to enforce.”

“How are they going to be looking at all the employees and where they are posting?” Regina asked.

According to Bruner, county workers could be policing each other online.

“The intention isn’t to chill someone’s privacy and their own personal usage,” Bruner said. “We aren’t going on a witch hunt to find them.”

Wallace is concerned that “if they have their sights set on an employee they can get rid of them.”

“Employees are already angry about this, and it may lead to a lawsuit,” Wallace added.

At the time of the amendment’s adoption, Damminger assured that it would get another review by county counsel and labor counsel.

Bruner reported that labor counsel is reviewing it again.

Gloucester County is the first county government in the immediate area to unveil a policy that specifically addresses social media.

Camden, Salem and Cumberland counties only limit Internet and email use to work-related matters when employees are on the clock.

Those expenditures include a $68,530 contribution during the 2010 congressional election cycle to the Philadelphia-based Walnut Street Theatre where Camille Andrews, the congressman’s wife, is one of 41 trustees. One of the couple’s two daughters, Josie, 16, has performed several times at the theater, including roles in “Carousel,” “Oliver” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington was dubbed “Family Affair” by the organization. Authors of the report said 248 members of the 435-member House of Representatives merited “inclusion” for use of campaign funds.

Suggesting that “many members of the House have been vociferously decrying government spending and calling for greater transparency and accountability,” CREW, the organization’s acronym, called for Congressmen to “apply the same standards to their own campaign spending, which frequently is opaque, confusingly or improperly reported, and subject to only limited oversight.”

The other congressman whose district includes Gloucester County, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-Ventnor, was included in the report for $24,000 in reimbursements over four years from his campaign account to himself for “travel and other expenses.”

“The LoBiondo for Congress campaign reimbursed Congressman LoBiondo for appropriate car mileage, cell phone use and event tickets associated with campaign events in accordance with the FEC,” said a statement from LoBiondo’s campaign in reaction to the report.

CREW labeled Andrews “one of the most egregious offenders.”

It cited Andrews for nearly $9,000 in donations by the Haddon Heights Democrat to the Rutgers University School of Law in Camden — where his wife is associate dean of enrollment and projects — for scholarships, dinner tickets and writing awards. The law school also benefited from $1.5 million in government earmarks for specific programs, the organization observed.

The 347-page report includes more than a page of references to donations and payments to theatrical organizations where Josie Andrews has performed.

In addition to the $8,530 donation to the Walnut Street Theatre, the group said it found Andrews used campaign funds for:

• A $5,000 donation to the Rock School of Dance where “Ms. Andrews trains.”

• Nearly $8,000 in payments to the Prince Music Theater where “Ms. Andrews has performed several times.”

• A $1,961 payment to the Walnut Street Theatre “for food expenses and donor gifts.”

• A $196 payment to the Walnut for “tickets for a school group.”

• Over $4,200 in payments to the Broadway Theatre in Pitman to cover donations, “events and gifts for donors.”

On July 9, 2009, when Josie Andrews was the opening act for Raven-Symone at Six Flags-Great Adventure in Jackson Township, the report asserts the Andrews campaign paid $119 to the amusement park “for a meal expense on the same date.”

“There have been no taxpayer moneys spent for any theater,” said a statement released by Fran Tagmire, Andrews campaign spokesman.

“Totally independent and separate from any public moneys, Rep. Andrews’ campaign has been a long-time supporter of Walnut Street Theater’s educational programs. That theater is a 501(c)(3) entity that carries out important outreach programs for kids in South Jersey on issues such as bullying, racism, and the environment,” the statement reads.

“In these difficult times where government funding of the arts has diminished considerably, these charitable and community endeavors are struggling to survive. The campaign rules permit donations to charitable organizations, such as this one, and Rep. Andrews is proud of his support of this and many other charities, including funding scholarships at every high school in his district. His young daughter’s few activities at that theater have been completely separate and apart from its outreach programs.”

CREW earlier this year asked the Federal Elections Commission to investigate whether a $12,000 expenditure the Andrews campaign covered last November when the congressman traveled to California was proper. Josie Andrews, who was on the trip, had a music recording session in Los Angeles at the same time. The congressman previously indicated through Tagmire that he did fundraising and met with several groups in his governmental capacity while in California.

The same organization criticized the congressman for his use of $10,000 in campaign funds last year for a party that celebrated his 20 years in the House, held on the same day he had a high school graduation party for his older daughter, Jacqueline.

Last year, Andrews reimbursed his campaign account $13,000 for money he used to take his family to a wedding in Scotland. The funds were then donated to a charity for homeless veterans. The reimbursement followed an article on the wedding trip that first appeared in the Star-Ledger of Newark, sister paper to the Times.

Contact John Barna at 856-686-3640 or jbarna@southjerseymedia.com

“It’s not surprising that my pension padding foe and Democrat Chairman Fred Madden announced his backing of Damminger and Chila for re-election to the Freeholder Board. It’s also not surprising that the Democrats only want to talk about the last three years.

Director Damminger stated, “the activities of my first 12 years laid the ground work for the last three years of budget cuts.” What he probably meant to say was his first 12 years of activities included increasing taxes 133 percent — which made it easy for him to now cut taxes by a measly 8 percent.

Its important to remember these budget cuts are NOT an example of running a ‘fiscally tight ship’ as Democrat Freeholder Chila put it. This is an example of political necessity. Since Governor Christie and Republican freeholders were elected in 2009 and 2010, taxpayers have been diligently watching how their money is spent.

Democrats Madden, Damminger and Chila know they can no longer get away with huge tax increases and bloated government mismanagement. Our Republican campaign this year will be two fold — showing the voters that Republicans can run a more efficient government and contrasting that with Damminger and Chila’s whole tax and spend record, not just their last three years.”