Buena, New Jersey

History

Charles K. Landis was a land developer who was the driving force behind the creation of Hammonton and Vineland. Landis also had a hand in establishing other small communities, including Landisville, in Buena Borough. He planned to make it county seat of a new county called Landis County, which would incorporate land from the surrounding counties. However, the locals were against this, and began calling him "King Landis".

Buena was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on September 1, 1948, from portions of Buena Vista Township. The borough was reincorporated on May 18, 1949. The borough derives its named from Buena Vista Township, which in turn was named for the 1847 Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican–American War.

In 1979, local resident Madeline Barrale authored a 115-page book illustrating the Borough's history. Buena Borough celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1999 with the 1st Annual "Buena Day" at Bruno Melini Park. In 2002, the St. Padre Pio Shrine was erected by Italian-American farmers in the Landisville section of Buena and has attracted what was described by The New York Times as a "steady stream of Catholics" who come to pray at the site.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 7.579 square miles (19.630 km²), including 7.578 square miles (19.626 km²) of land and 0.001 square mile (0.003 km²) of water (0.02%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Landisville and Minotola, each of which had postal facilities established with those names in 1871 and 1897, respectively.

The borough borders Vineland, and the townships of Franklin and Buena Vista.

The borough is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve. Part of the borough is included in the state-designated Pinelands Area, which includes portions of Atlantic County, along with areas in Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Ocean counties.

Unexpected Road was named the seventh wackiest street name according to a 2006 poll by Car Connection website.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 4,603 people, 1,723 households, and 1,160 families residing in the borough. The population density was 607.4 per square mile (234.5/km²). The borough contained 1,855 housing units at an average density of 244.8 per square mile (94.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 73.50% (3,383) White, 9.43% (434) Black or African American, 0.74% (34) Native American, 1.78% (82) Asian, 0.07% (3) Pacific Islander, 11.62% (535) from other races, and 2.87% (132) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 29.42% (1,354) of the population.

Out of a total of 1,723 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the borough, 24.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.4 years. For every 100 females the census counted 92.4 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 88.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $53,060 (with a margin of error of +/- $14,830) and the median family income was $60,398 (+/- $6,199). Males had a median income of $47,439 (+/- $6,193) versus $35,700 (+/- $8,353) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,044 (+/- $2,700). About 8.2% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 3,873 people, 1,454 households, and 978 families residing in the borough. The population density was 509.1 people per square mile (196.5/km²). There were 1,553 housing units at an average density of 204.1 per square mile (78.8/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 77.28% White, 7.64% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 10.53% from other races, and 3.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.65% of the population.

As of the 2000 Census, 33.5% of Buena residents were of Italian ancestry, the 22nd-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and ninth-highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.

There were 1,454 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the borough the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $35,679, and the median income for a family was $44,352. Males had a median income of $37,985 versus $23,788 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $16,717. About 11.8% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.1% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

Local government

Buena Borough is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The governing body consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The Borough form of government used by Buena, the most common system used in the state, is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

As of 2016, the Mayor of Buena Borough is Republican G. David Zappariello, whose term of office ends December 31, 2019. Members of the Buena Borough Council are Council President Rosalie M. Baker (R, 2018), Robert L. James Jr. (R, 2017), Joseph Mancuso Jr. (R, 2018), Jeffrey Marolda (R, 2016), Gregory McAvaddy (R, 2017) and Matthew Walker Sr. (R, 2016; appointed to serve an unexpired term).

In February 2016, the borough council selected Matthew Walker Sr. from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Edward Cugini until his resignation; Walker became the first African-American to serve on the Borough Council.

After Council President Joseph Santagata resigned from office in July 2014, the Borough Council selected Robert L. James to fill Santagata's vacant council seat, while Rosalie M. Baker was chosen to succeed Santagata as Council President.

Gregory McAvaddy was sworn into office in August 2013 to fill the vacant seat of Frank DeStefano, who had resigned earlier that month to devote more time to his business. In the 2013 general election, Republican incumbents Edward S. Cugini and Jeffrey Marolda won re-election and McAvaddy won the balance of the unexpired term of office.

The Chief of Police in Buena Borough is David Sherma, who was sworn into the Chief position in 2010 on an acting basis and took over the post officially at the start of 2011.

Federal, state and county representation

Buena is located in the 2nd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 2nd state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Buena had been in the 1st state legislative district.

New Jersey's Second Congressional District is represented by Frank LoBiondo (R, Ventnor City). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 2nd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jim Whelan (D, Atlantic City) and in the General Assembly by Chris A. Brown (R, Ventnor City) and Vince Mazzeo (D, Northfield). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Atlantic County is governed by a directly elected executive and a nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, responsible for legislation. The executive serves a four-year term and the freeholders are elected to staggered three-year terms, of which four are elected from the county on an at-large basis and five of the freeholders represent equally populated districts. As of 2015, Atlantic County's Executive is Republican Dennis Levinson, whose term of office ends December 31, 2015. Members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders are Chairman Frank D. Formica, Freeholder District 2, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part), Linwood, Longport, Margate, Northfield, Somers Point and Ventnor (R, 2015), Vice Chairman James A. Bertino, Freeholder District 5, including Buena Borough, Buena Vista Township, Corbin City, Egg Harbor City, Estell Manor, Folsom, Hamilton Township (part), Hammonton, Mullica Township and Weymouth (R, 2015), Colin G. Bell, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2015), John Carman, Freeholder District 3, including Egg Harbor Township (part) and Hamilton Township (part) (R, 2017), Ernest D. Coursey, Freeholder District 1, including Atlantic City (part), Egg Harbor Township (part) and Pleasantville (R, 2016), Richard Dase, Freeholder District 4, including Absecon, Brigantine, Galloway Township and Port Republic (D, 2016), Alexander C. Marino, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2017), Will Pauls, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2016) and John W. Risley, Freeholder At-Large (R, 2017). Constitutional officers are County Clerk Edward P. McGettigan (2016), Sheriff Frank X. Balles (R, 2017) and Surrogate James Curcio (2015).

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 2,771 registered voters in Buena, of which 593 (21.4% vs. 30.5% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 764 (27.6% vs. 25.2%) were registered as Republicans and 1,414 (51.0% vs. 44.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 60.2% (vs. 58.8% in Atlantic County) were registered to vote, including 80.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 76.6% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,011 votes (53.2% vs. 57.9% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 847 votes (44.6% vs. 41.1%) and other candidates with 18 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 1,899 ballots cast by the borough's 2,919 registered voters, for a turnout of 65.1% (vs. 65.8% in Atlantic County). In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 1,048 votes (53.0% vs. 56.5% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 877 votes (44.3% vs. 41.6%) and other candidates with 31 votes (1.6% vs. 1.1%), among the 1,979 ballots cast by the borough's 2,932 registered voters, for a turnout of 67.5% (vs. 68.1% in Atlantic County). In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 927 votes (49.7% vs. 52.0% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 894 votes (47.9% vs. 46.2%) and other candidates with 14 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 1,867 ballots cast by the borough's 2,749 registered voters, for a turnout of 67.9% (vs. 69.8% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 707 votes (66.0% vs. 60.0% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 326 votes (30.4% vs. 34.9%) and other candidates with 10 votes (0.9% vs. 1.3%), among the 1,072 ballots cast by the borough's 2,977 registered voters, yielding a 36.0% turnout (vs. 41.5% in the county). In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 692 votes (50.4% vs. 47.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 547 votes (39.8% vs. 44.5%), Independent Chris Daggett with 56 votes (4.1% vs. 4.8%) and other candidates with 29 votes (2.1% vs. 1.2%), among the 1,373 ballots cast by the borough's 2,819 registered voters, yielding a 48.7% turnout (vs. 44.9% in the county).

Education

Students in public school for pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade from Buena Borough attend the Buena Regional School District, together with students from Buena Vista Township and Newfield, a non-operating school district. Students are sent to the district's high school for grades 9 - 12 from both Estell Manor City and Weymouth Township as part of sending/receiving relationships with the respective school districts. Newfield, decided to sever its ties with the Buena Regional School District, and began a relationship with Delsea Regional School District, a plan approved in 2009 by the New Jersey Department of Education under which students attending grades 10-12 at Buena Regional High School as of the 2010-11 school year would finish their education there.

As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's six schools had an enrollment of 2,356 students and 163.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.45:1. Schools in the district (with 2010-11 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Collings Lakes Elementary School (now grades PreK-3, was K-5; 261 students) John C. Milanesi Elementary School (now PreK-3, was PreK-5, 447), Dr. J.P. Cleary Elementary School (opened in September 2012 for grades 4-5), Buena Regional Middle School (507; 6-8) and Buena Regional High School (814; 9-12).

Students from the borough, and from all of Atlantic County, are eligible to attend Atlantic County Institute of Technology, located in the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township, which provides vocational education in 30 different career programs as part of the Atlantic County Vocational School District.

Transportation

As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 39.28 miles (63.22 km) of roadways, of which 24.69 miles (39.73 km) were maintained by the municipality, 11.62 miles (18.70 km) by Atlantic County and 2.97 miles (4.78 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

U.S. Route 40 (with County Route 557 running concurrent) pass through the heart of the town. Route 54 passes through along the eastern border.

The closest limited access road is Route 55 in Vineland and Franklin. The Atlantic City Expressway can be reached by Route 54.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Buena include:

Attractions