September’s Cheers and Jeers

By Bill Cleary

CHEERS-Gloucester City resident Bill Waters submitted some photos of graffiti in September along with a letter expressing his concern about this unsightly problem. As a result of his “citizen journalism” some of the sites he pointed out have been painted and cleared of the graffiti. Kudos to you Bill for caring enough about our community to get involved.

CHEERS-The Cherry Hill Reform committee who forced their local government to create a register of volunteer commissions and boards with the names and term lengths of all the people serving and all open positions. Members of the reform committee last year were successful in having the council to adopt a tough ordinance designed to limit pay to play -- the unethical practice of lawyers, engineers and other professionals donating to candidates' election campaigns, then being rewarded with hefty municipal contracts once those candidates are elected. These two examples and the one above is proof that whether alone or with a group you too can make a difference.

CHEERS-To the people who foster unwanted, abandoned or sick animals in their homes until they are adopted? They use their own money, time and give lots of love to these unfortunate creatures. All they ask in return is a GOOD forever homes for the animals they help. And a thank you every once in a while.

CHEERS-To the Gloucester City Irish Society and everyone else involved in putting together this year’s Shamrock Festival. “There was a great turn out, great food, awesome music and I had a wonderful time,” writes a person named Tammy. She continues, “Also Cheers to the people who worked so hard to make the old Billy’s Place tavern, now the Auld Dubliner, (157 S. Burlington Street) an asset to this city”.

CHEERS-“To the Gloucester City EMT's, Fire Department, Police and Paramedics for being on scene within three minutes of the 911 call when my son was struck by car on Market Street last Tuesday evening. I cannot thank you all enough! Also CHEERS to my neighbors, friends and strangers who comforted my son until help arrived. As his mother knowing that people, some that did not even know him, were there to comfort him when I could not, is something that I will always remember. I am eternally grateful”, signed Patti Schaeffer.

JEERS-Paul Juray of Market Street gives a Big Thumbs Down to a local plumber who charged $142 to plunge a clogged tub drain. “He was on site 10 minutes at best and he's local. I should have known to ask first what the basic service charge is up front...I will from now on.”

JEERS-To the squatters at Chatham Square Apartments for embarrassing our city government with their lies and propaganda.

JEERS-To mayor and council for spending $4.1 million to buy this slum and then not knocking down the eyesore as originally proposed.

Jerry Sampson writes, “JEERS to any coward who makes an accusation about a person and doesn’t sign his or her name. If you want to jeer at someone local, have the fortitude to sign your name so that the individual can respond. Otherwise, anyone can accuse a person of any fabrication that their cowardly heart can devise”.

JEERS-To the senators and congressmen that voted in favor of the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street. “Forcing each taxpayer to pony up $2,300 of their hard-earned money to bail out Wall Street’s misconduct will not fix the underlying problems,” said NJ Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-2nd) who voted against the bill. Included in the legislation was $110 Billion in "Pork". For example a tax incentive program for the film and television production companies that amounts to $478 million.

If you know of someone or something you would like to nominate for a cheer or a jeer, send the information to Cheers and Jeers, ClearysNoteBook, c/o Gloucester City News, PO Box 151, Gloucester City NJ 08030 or via Email BillGCN@verizon.net

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