Pemberton’s old CFO sues the township | Inquirer South Jersey
And a Sears-turned-church.
Good morning, South Jersey.
Months after her dismissal, Pemberton’s former chief financial officer filed a wrongful termination suit against the township.
And a local church turned a vacant Sears into its new Vineland location.
Plus, multiple conservation organizations teamed up to raise funds for preservation efforts for the Black Run Preserve, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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Candice Pennewell is suing Pemberton Township to get her job back as chief financial officer.
In the lawsuit, she’s requesting back pay and benefits from the day she was dismissed on Aug. 26, the day after she told township officials of a possible state law violation in relation to a waste collection contract.
Pennewell alleges that her termination was in retaliation for her reports on internal ethics and spending violations. Meanwhile, the township says she was fired for losing $195,660 in a phishing scam back in June.
According to the lawsuit, the former CFO was unjustly blamed for the incident since she wasn’t at work the day the fraudulent payment was made. But Mayor Matt Bianchini said the township contends that Pennewell authorized the payment.
The Inquirer’s Lacey Latch has more on the dispute between the township and its former employee.
True North Church has a new branch in Vineland.
What was once a Sears, Roebuck & Co. department store is now a nondenominational Christian church that seats 950 people, according to the lead pastor.
As part of an effort to expand beyond its base location in Mullica Hill, the South Jersey congregation bought the vacant space from the retailer that owns Sears in 2024 for $2.4 million. It opened for its first service on Oct. 4.
Reporter Sarah Nicell has more on what went into the extensive conversion.
What to know today
A Trenton man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison for killing his girlfriend at a motel in Bensalem.
A fire at a high-rise apartment complex in Pennsauken left one woman critically injured and about 40 people displaced early Monday morning, 6abc reports.
Four conservation organizations announced a fundraising campaign Monday to help maintain 835 acres to add to Black Run Preserve in Evesham. The township would own and sustain it with the preserve, 70and73 reports.
The Voorhees Planning Board recently approved a plan to convert a historic office building into 178 apartments, according to 70and73.
The West Deptford Police Department is investigating what happened to two cats, Bast and Buttons, after the animals had to be treated for gunshot wounds in the same week.
Residents or commuters who drive through Camden should be aware of multiple roadway projects this week. Be prepared to take detours or find alternative routes.
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🗣️ Quote of the week
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🧠 Trivia time
The Campbell’s Co. has been based in Camden since what year?
A) 1978
B) 1950
C) 1869
D) 2004
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