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TIPS AND SNIPPETS: Only in NJ, Only in GC, Rumors, Top Towns

RELATED BILLS POINT OF VIEW

Bills Tips and Snippets

By Bill Cleary

ONLY IN NEW JERSEY-The United States Department of Education recently announced the finalists of the Race To The Top program. A pool of 41 applicants competed for over $4.35 billion in school reform grants as part of President Obama’s economic stimulus proposal. The goals of the DOE’s Race To The Top is to reward student achievement through the development of strong standards combined with quality teachers in the classroom, and encouraging students in lower performing schools to improve.

Although the state of New Jersey submitted an application it was not chosen. The reason, according to NJ Commissioner of Education Bret Schundler, is because the teachers unions did not back the federal program.

Schundler states, “President Obama’s education initiative, Race To The Top, embodies many ideas that Governor Christie and I agree with and will advocate for in the next four years.  While we are extremely disappointed that New Jersey was not included as a finalist in this first round of funding, we are not surprised.

“From the start of this process it has been clear that while the Corzine administration submitted a good application, a major deficiency in New Jersey’s submission was the lack of support from local union leadership.  With union leaders in more than 350 participating districts refusing to sign on, it would have been very difficult to convince the U.S. Department of Education that New Jersey was united behind this effort.

“In these extremely difficult fiscal times, the entire education community in our state must come together to fight for New Jersey and put the best interest of our children first.  As we begin to work on the second round due in June, I am encouraged that the NJEA leadership has agreed to work on this with us.  With their support of what the President is seeking from New Jersey, I’m convinced we will be able to put forward a winning application.”

The U.S. Department of Education chose schools in: Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee. The final winners slated to receive portions of the federal grant will be determined in April.

Race to the Top press release

ONLY IN GLOUCESTER CITY-Jim Bowie Johnson, who retired from his job as

WANTED YOUR CHEERS AND JEERS

RELATED CATEGORY BILLS POINT OF VIEW

ClearysNoteBook is in the process of writing the monthly Cheers and Jeers column for February. If you have a Cheer or a Jeer for some person, place or thing now is the time to speak up.

The column is not just for Gloucester City. We would also like to have some response from residents living in communities throughout the area. Send to BillGCN@verizon.net .

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BILL’S POINT OF VIEW: LOOK WHAT I FOUND!

 

WITH ENROLLMENT FIGURES DECLINING IS A $60 MILLION MIDDLE SCHOOL NEEDED IN GLOUCESTER CITY?...A 1979 District Master Plan Says NO!

Category Bills Point of View

By Bill Cleary

I was clearing out a file cabinet recently and found a copy of the Gloucester City School District Facilities Master Plan prepared in 1979 by Robert F. Strauss and Associates.

Looking through that 100 page document I found it astonishing how close the author came to predicting the decline in student enrollment over a 10 year period beginning in 1978 and ending in 1988. In 1978 the total enrollment was 2493 and it was predicted that figure would decrease to 1854 by the year 1988.

Photo: Sign announcing the construction of the New Elementary-Middle School

The latest figures for Gloucester City schools provided to the Brooklawn School District

TIPS AND SNIPPETS: Parking Permits, Light Jail Sentence, Become a Fireman, Bye Pine Grove?, Troubled NJ Trust Fund

By Bill Cleary

PARKING PERMITS NEEDED-The City of Gloucester City recently approved permit parking for the residents of the 200 block of King Street as well as the 200 block of Essex Street due to complaints from the neighbors about the employees from Holts parking in the area. Holt provides three parking lots for its employees. Once the ground thaws the signs will be installed.

A resident from the 200 block of Morris Street writes,

Bill, I have four vehicles and two are usually on King, I’m told because I live on Morris St. I can’t get a permit now. When the “no show taxpayer sweeper” comes around where am I supposed to park, four blocks over and take somebody else’s spot. This is just more @#$% from our city government going stupid. As for the “no show sweeper” the only thing that it does is take my dirt and move it to my neighbors and so on down the road. What is this town becoming? Soon it will be just like Camden, a rundown scared to be in City, it’s a damn shame.

I contacted Police Chief Berglund, who said, “I will ask about the other residents because I see where this man is coming from.”

WOMAN INVOLVED IN MURDER SENTENCED TO 364 DAYS-The third person involved in the 2006 killing of Lisa Hoopes, 43 at a North Burlington Street apartment in Gloucester City was sentenced last week. Camden County Superior Court Judge Samuel Natal sentenced Karen Sluzalis, 44, of Pennsauken to five years probation and 364 days in county jail. Investigators had initially charged Sluzalis with murder, claiming she not only had hit Hoopes with the bottle, but also joined John Creamer and Brian Springer when they punched and kicked the Gloucester City mother of two. Hoopes was ultimately convicted in November of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Assistant Camden County Prosecutor Alfred Durney said Creamer was serving a 40-year sentence for aggravated manslaughter; Springer took a plea agreement and is serving a 12-year sentence. Durney said he was seeking a five-year prison term for Sluzalis and told Natal that she had lied on the witness stand about her drug use and past run-ins with the law.

• 

GLOUCESTER CITY FIRE DEPT. ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS-The Civil Service Commission sent out a letter on December 22, 2009 announcing the acceptance of applications for the entry-level firefighter test for the Gloucester City Fire Department along with 69 other communities. Besides Gloucester those in the area include: Camden City, Cinnaminson, Deptford, Gloucester Township, and Pennsauken.

The letter reads in part,

TRENTON – Civil Service Commission Chair and Chief Executive Officer Hope L. Cooper today announced that applications for entry-level firefighter positions will be accepted starting January 1, 2010. Applications for the entry-level Firefighter Test will be accepted for 70 municipalities and other local jurisdictions from Jan. 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010.

Eligible applicants will take a written examination tentatively scheduled to be given in June 2010. Candidates who pass the written test will undergo a physical performance test.

• Candidates will be able to fill out their applications on the Civil Service Commission web site at www.statwe.nj.us/csc, and then print the completed forms and mail them in.

• Paper applications will be available at public libraries, the fire departments listed below as part of this announcement, community organizations and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Employment Services Offices. Once all parts of the Firefighter Test are completed and scored, certified lists that are ranked by candidate score will be provided to local jurisdictions for them to conduct their hiring process.

In Gloucester City, a community that is 2.2 square miles the estimated budget for the Fire Department is $4 million.

City Councilman Nick Marchese, Finance Chairman said the department has 32 paid firemen, which includes 9 supervisors. Salaries for those full-time employees is approximately $2,565,003.The City has 25 volunteer firemen.

Across the state paid departments are shrinking because of budget constraints. In 2009 Gloucester City mayor and council appointed seven firemen to full-time positions. Only one of those men was new since six of them had the title of provisional firefighter. The City firefighters have been working without a contract since December 2008.

PINE GROVE MEMBERSHIP DWINDLING-The fire engine from the Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Company has been relocated to the Gloucester Heights Fire Company on Nicholson Road said an anonymous Pine Grove member. Pine Grove membership is down to six active members, and 16 associate members. Pine Grove volunteers report to Gloucester Heights when there is a fire. My source tells me Pine Grove recently took out an $85,000 mortgage. “The City has approached our executive board about purchasing the fire house. We are not going to sell.”

New Jersey's Troubled Trust Fund- The state's fund went insolvent in March 2009, but it maintained an unsustainably low tax rate for years before that, entering the current recession with less than three months of reserves. New Jersey business owners face a hefty average tax increase from $569 to $896 per employee for 2010 source http://projects.propublica.org

Send your Tips to BillGCN@verizon.net or c/o Gloucester City News, PO Box 151, Gloucester City 08030. To comment http://www.ClearysNoteBook.com

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Tips/Snippets: Conan off to Prison, New Westville Fire Chief, 400th Win for Coach, Bad/Good Economic News, Borings, County Jail, Air Stripper

BY BILL CLEARY

BYE CONAN, GOOD RIDDANCE-February 15, 2009 Gloucester City Police received a call that Christopher DeMunguia, 35, a suspect who was wanted on a $50,000 warrant for an Aggravated Assault charge, was sitting in a bar located on King Street. Gloucester City Patrolman Little and Patrolman Wall approached the male to place him under arrest and the male attempted to assault Little.  DeMunguia, aka Conan, then assaulted Wall and a struggle ensued.  DeMunguia was taken into custody in short order. After being treated at the hospital he was remanded to the Camden County Jail on $75,000 cash bail.

Bill’s Point of View:The Blizzard of ’09 Still the Topic of Discussion

See photo galley The Big Snow Storm

By Bill Cleary

Some Gloucester City residents are still upset with the way local authorities enforced the snow removal ordinance (#73-15) following the December blizzard. The record snow storm began on Friday December 19^th and didn’t end until early Sunday morning, December 20. Nearly two feet of snow fell over that time period.

According to Chief Housing Officer Joseph Stecklair he and Mayor Bill James were discussing the storm around 9am in front of the municipal building on Monday, December 21. Stecklair said he noticed that pedestrians were being forced to walk in the streets because sidewalks were not cleared. Because of safety concerns Stecklair said he contacted Police Chief George Berglund, and it was decided that the housing office would gather up addresses of those properties that were in violation of the law.

“It took Kyle (Wagner) assistant housing officer all day to cross reference the addresses with the tax records,” said Stecklair.

That information was turned over to the police department who mailed the citations on Tuesday, December 22.

Stecklair said only properties on the west side of town were cited. “Reason being most

TIPS AND SNIPPETS: Dogs of War, Murder Suspect Caught, News Reporter Moving, Tax Collector Arrested, Railroad Crossings Repair

The Gloucester City dog training school, Brother of the Wolf, had some welcome guests recently; two stray dogs rescued from Iraq and Afghanistan are being trained at the facility located at 700 Market Street.

An article Dogs of War was published Saturday in the Philadelphia Daily News. K-Pot and RG were brought to the United States as part of an SPCA International initiative to retrieve dogs and cats befriended by U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The mixed breed dogs are being trained by Danielle Berger, of Sewell.

“Most of these dogs were born in war zones,” said Dawn Watson, author of CNB Pet Tips and owner of Brother of the Wolf. “They’ve never seen leaves falling or snow or people they can trust.”

The SPCA International says it costs $4,000 for each animal to be rescued from the Middle East. For more information visit www.spcai.org.

The alleged murderer that was arrested in Gloucester City on drug charges and let

CHEERS AND JEERS FOR DECEMBER ‘09

By Bill Cleary

CHEER-In these very troubled times when people are having a tough time keeping a roof overhead and food on the table, there have been countless acts of generosity by both groups and organizations as well as individuals to make someone less fortunate have a merry Christmas, it is these acts of selfless kindness towards our fellow human beings in a time of need that renews my faith in both God and mankind, and to all who gave, Thank You.

JEER- Why close the perfectly good state prison in Camden City and then build a very costly new one only about a mile away? Sounds like someone has plans to make big money on the redevelopment of that land. It won't shock me to find out that some politicians would profit from this also, if you want the truth in politics, follow the money.

CHEER-Each December the Gloucester City volunteer firemen drive a fire truck with Santa Claus on top handing out candy canes to kids in the community. Even though the ranks of the volunteers have been depleted those that remain continue the tradition. This year members of council along with members of other local organizations came forward to lend the volunteers a hand. Kudos to those involved.

JEER-It was a shock this month to learn that the Camden County Freeholders Board’s is

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"Among the many gifts that we buy and receive, let us not forget the true gift: To give  each other something of ourselves, to give each other something of our time, to open our time to God. In this way Anxiety disappears, Joy is born, and the Feast is created.

During the festive meals of these days, let us remember the Lord's words:  "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite those who will invite you in return, but invite those whom no one invited and who are able to invite you. Luke 14:12-14. Also this means: when you give gifts for Christmas, do not give only to those who will give to you in return, but give to those who receive from no one and who cannot give you anything back."An excerpt from the Christmas Midnight Mass Homily, given by Pope Benedict XVI December 2006

May the Lord's blessings be with you on Christmas and always….

Thank you for your support and loyalty over the past year.....

from all of us at ClearysNotebook!

Sincerely,

Bill & Connie Cleary ....

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ONLY IN NJ:The Gravy Train Continues to Roll for Select Groups of Public Employees

Retiring Gloucester City Employees share in benefit payouts ranging from from $500 to $100,000...Firemen and Police receive the most

By Bill Cleary

A 100 plus page report titled The Beat Goes On looks at the abuse in public employees benefit programs in 75 municipalities across the State of New Jersey.The report was released earlier this month by the State Commission of Investigation. Members include: W. Gary Edwards, Joseph R Mariniello Jr., Patrick E. Hobbs and Robert J. Martins.

Although Gloucester City was not cited in the report 19 retiring employees in that community received payouts for sick leave and vacation time that totaled nearly $500,000 in the past five years.  Retiring police and firemen received the highest payouts. A complete list of the payouts appear below.

From the report summary, “Municipal employees collecting bonuses for working on their birthdays or when they leave their jobs. Still others receive multiple paid days off for not being sick or for donating; extra cash on top of regular pay for perfect attendance at work; and paid holidays for moving personal belongings, or to go Christmas shopping..

“At a time of economic distress unprecedented since the Great Depression – with government budgets depleted and austerity the theme of the day even in the private sector – the gravy train continues to roll without impediment for select groups of employees on the public payroll. The Commission examined a statewide cross-section of local government employment policies, contracts and agreements involving a comprehensive mix of police, fire and civilian personnel and, in addition to extraordinary specialty perks like those described, found a lucrative array of questionable benefit practices that collectively cost New Jersey taxpayers millions of dollars every year, including:

Gloucester City’s Municipal Clerk Is Fired; A Turbulent Three Years Comes to an End

By Bill Cleary

Category City of Gloucester City

Gloucester City Mayor and Council passed a resolution at its December 7^th work session to terminate the employment of Municipal Clerk Paul Kain. Kain has been absent from his position since July 10, 2009. He is no longer being paid his annual salary of $65, 000 however he continues to receive his health benefits until the end of the year.

John Kearney city solicitor said because Kain has job tenure the matter now goes to the State Department of Community Affairs for a ruling. Kearney said, “A hearing will be held, and it could take as long as 30 to 60 days before a date is set. The City hired a special counsel to represent it since I could possibility be called to testify. Mr. Kain gave us no other option. He couldn’t tell us when he was going to return. The City has a number of projects going on, and we need a Municipal Clerk.

The City’s Special Counsel is Christine P. O’Hearn of the Brown and Connery Law Firm, Westmont. O'Hearn is a partner with the firm and concentrates her practice in labor

November 2009 Cheers and Jeers

By Bill Cleary

JEER-The state of New Jersey announced recently that it is facing a $1 billion hole in this year’s budget — a shortfall five times bigger than previously disclosed — and will cut funding for schools, municipalities, higher education, hospitals and pension plans to help close the gap. Thank you Trenton politicians (Democrats and Republicans) for screwing up the state we call our home. You and I deserve some of the criticism too for electing these clowns year after year. We could solve the problem by passing a law that would allow no more than two terms in office. Get rid of the career politicians on both the state and federal level.

CHEER-To all those that volunteer their time to coach youth sports, raise money for charitable causes, donate their time to help others along with those who volunteer for the semi-annual City Cleanup Day. Thank you for all you do.

CHEER-The Gloucester City Mustangs 125lb football team won the conference title on Saturday, November 28, 2009 with a win over neighboring Westville. And a BIG Cheer for the Gloucester Catholic Girls Soccer Team who won their 6^th State Championship. Plus congratulations go out to the Gloucester Catholic football team who won the City title this year by beating Gloucester High 30-22.

JEER-Not sure if it is for the Gloucester City Water Department or the Gloucester City Highway Department. But there is a fire hydrant over on Goldy Drive in Gloucester City that was hit by a PSE&G truck last February. It was knocked sideways and is still that way after all this time. Will this ever get fixed? What happens if there is a fire in that area?

CHEER-TD Bank arrived in grand style this month opening up a welcome addition to the Broadway corridor. The new building, at Broadway and Cumberland Street, replaces an unsightly tavern property that stood in that location for many years. Kudos to all those involved who worked behind the scene to bring this business to Gloucester City.

JEER-To the police officer (s) riding around town on the three-wheel City Police vehicle without a safety helmet. What kind of example is he showing the kids who must wear a safety helmet when riding their bikes?

CHEER-TD Bank recently made a $5000 donation to the Gloucester City Library Board of Directors through its charitable foundation. Thank you from the residents of Gloucester City.

JEER-There is a vacant building on the south side of Market and the corner of King St. that has been for sale for quite some time.  There are fragments of broken glass on the sidewalk of the Market Street side that have been there for months now.  Who is responsible for the cleanup?  The owner? The City? Children play near there. Litter is a huge problem and a huge blemish on our community and elsewhere.

CHEER-A big round of applause for the Boys Scouts and their leaders who run the annual Food Drive to be used in the City for those in need. Thank you to Scout Leader Bill Labbree Jr., who went out of his way to make a special trip to pick up food bag for the drive.

A contributor writes, “JEER To the women in charge of the cheer leaders for having the girls stand our side of the WaWa begging for money on a holiday. The girls should have been home with their families. And I didn’t appreciate the foul language being used by one of the adults in the group.”

CHEER-Applebee’s Restaurants throughout the area honored veterans on Veterans Day by giving them a free meal. The veterans could order whatever they wanted Free of Charge. What a great way to salute those who did so much for our country.

Do you have a Cheer or Jeer? It can be for any person, place or thing. And the column is not just for Gloucester City. We would also like to have some response from residents living in communities throughout the area. Send to BillGCN@verizon.net or by snail mail to Gloucester City News, PO Box 151, Gloucester City 08030.

Thank you to those who contributed suggestions for this column in no particular order, M. Stubbs, Mike Gurchick, Billie Smith, Debra Sachs, Bill John, and Debra Morse.

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The Poorest School Districts, Paid Fire Departments Are Shrinking, Recovery Funds for 08030, Don’t Mess with Mother Nature

By Bill Cleary

NJ HAS THE POOREST SCHOOL DISTRICTS-New Jersey annually ranks at or near the top among the states in household income. But it has some of poorest school districts in the country, according to the Press of Atlantic City (November 19, 2009 edition www.pressofatlanticcity.com).

In terms of the percentage of Camden County children, Camden City comes in first out of 37 communities with 32 percent of the 18,551 school children between age 5-17 living in poverty or 6,024; Woodlynne is second with 23 percent of the 627 children age 5-17 in poverty or 144 children; and Gloucester City is third with 19 percent of 2,106 children age 5-17 or 395 children.

In nearby Gloucester County: Out of 27 communities Paulsboro takes the lead with 22 percent of 1,274 children or 278; Woodbury 17 percent or 312 children; Glassboro 12 percent of 2,910 children or 12 percent; Westville 11 percent of 474 children are living in poverty;

Click here to search database of poverty in NJ school districts

READ ARTICLE

PAID FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE SHRINKING-I read an interesting article in the Courier Post earlier this week about the Medford Fire Department. The Fire Department has 80 volunteers and six paid daytime firefighters that cover the 39-square-mile township. What struck me most about the article was the estimated cost to operate the Medford Fire  Department is between $1.3 million to $2 million depending on capital expenses.

In Gloucester City, a community that is 2.2 square miles the estimated budget for the Fire Department is $4 million.

According to City Councilman Nick Marchese, Finance Chairman the department has 32 paid firemen, which includes 9 supervisors. Salaries for those full-time employees is approximately $2,565,003.The City has 25 volunteer firemen.

Across the state paid departments are shrinking because of budget constraints, yet here in Gloucester City mayor and council recently swore in seven firemen to full-time positions. Only one of those men was new since six of them had the title of provisional firefighter.

The City firefighters have been working without a contract since December 2008.

Steve Addezio, Medford public safety director said Medford's volunteers are paid between $2 and $5 per call and can qualify for a township-funded pension program.  The department responds to about 1,200 calls per year and between 11 and 15 firefighters per call on nights and weekends.

read article

HAVE YOU HEARD THIS ONE?-www.recovery.gov, the government site that is the watchdog over the stimulus money list five grants being awarded in the 08030 zip code area totaling $82,187,002 creating a total of 36.66 jobs. The jobs are in the construction field specifically the resurfacing of major highways in the immediate area.

According to the site the Brooklawn School District received two grants one for $655,687 and one for $93,298, the Gloucester City School District received a grant for $3,906,884, and the Gloucester City Housing Authority a grant for $172,927.

YOU CAN’T BEAT MOTHER NATURE-Last week’s Nor’easter caused millions of dollars in damage to the coastline of  New Jersey. Last month NJ Senator Robert Menendez announced that he was able to secure more than $159 million for NJ beaches and flood control. And just the other day the Senator announced that the fed's were allocating another $17.6 million to fix the beach damaged from the most recent storm.

I am just wondering what the solution is to saving the state’s coastline? It is apparent that all the money being spent is not doing a bit of good. One big storm is all it takes and those refurbished beaches are washed out to sea.

What is really upsetting is not only do my tax dollars both state and federal get spent on these useless beach restorations, but I am also charged a fee by the shore towns to use the beach that I paid to rebuild.

Do you have a Tip or Snippet send to BillGCN@verizon.net

Dead Pond/Aquarium Fish, $400 Million to Cleanup Radon, Public Question Passed, The More Things Change etc.…

By Bill Cleary

Who is responsible for Dead Pond/Aquarium Fish-This past summer a number of Gloucester City residents alleged that the City’s water was responsible for killing their aquarium and pond fish. Some of those same residents filed a claim against the City seeking reimbursement for their loss. A number of the fish that were killed were Japanese Kio fish. A fully matured Kio is priced as high as $3000.

Judy Baker, who lost her pond fish, filed a $350 claim with the City’s insurance carrier, Scibal Associates.

This past week Judy received the following letter denying her claim against the City.

As we have advised, Scibal Associates is the claims administrator for the City of Gloucester.  We have investigated your claim for damage to your fish after adding tap water to the pond.  The City has advised that they do not add chlorine or ammonia to the water.  They confirm that the water met required standards for human consumption; unfortunately, it is not warranted for us in fish ponds.  We find that the duty to test the water for fitness for use in a fish pond rests with the owner of the pond and must deny your claim.  I regret that we cannot inform you more favorably.

The letter was signed by Robin Sulzer.

If any other resident received a letter from Scibal either denying or approving their claim please send it to me at BillGCN@verizon.net so I can share it with our readers.

Following an outcry from the fish loving public and from residents complaining of the ammonia/bleach smell when they shower, the City released a letter on July 9^th, 2009. The headline I wrote above that letter read, Gloucester City Water Responsible for Killing Pond and Aquarium Fish.

The City’s letter reads in part,

Recently on or about the third week of June to the first week of July, possible water problems have been reported concerning loss of aquarium and pond fish. Resulting from our investigations, we believe that the combination of chlorine and associated by-products had an acute affect on fish. This situation in no way suggests that there is a health concern to the residents of the City.

I believe the City admitted in that letter that the water was responsible for the fish dying but that is my opinion.

$400 Million for Radon Cleanup in Gloucester City/Camden City…The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers are building a temporary football practice field and a temporary Tee-ball field in that area so that the hazardous waste from some of the playing fields at the north end of Johnson Blvd. can be removed. The temporary fields will be used during the 2010/2011 seasons. The approximate cost for the temporary fields is $50,000, according to Brian Duffy, spokes person for Army Corp of Engineers.

Between the 1890s and 1940s, the defunct Welsbach Co. manufactured gas mantles at its facility located at King and Essex Streets. Presently the area is being used by Holt Cargo Systems. The gas mantles contained the radioactive elements thorium and radium. These elements give off gamma radiation and radon gas as part of the process of radioactive decay. These wastes were used as fill material in some area in Camden and Gloucester City. In 1996 the site was placed on the EPA’s Superfund Site List,  a list of the nations’ most hazardous waste sites. Around 2002 the remediation work began on the homes in the Essex and Brown Streets area including the City Swim Club property.

Duffy said the cleanup of all the sites is expected to take another 10 years. The projected cost $400 million. Of that amount an estimated $350 million will be spent in Gloucester City. The remaining amount, approximately $50 million is allocated for Camden City sites.

Several people asked if the local question on the November 3 ballot pertaining to the volunteer firemen in Gloucester City passed. The final vote was 1105 yes and 822 no. As a result volunteer firemen who qualify will be eligible to join the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP). The program rewards members of the volunteer firefighter organization for their loyal, diligent and devoted services to the residents of Gloucester City.

The LOSAP will provide for fixed annual contributions to a deferred income account for each volunteer member that meets the criteria. The estimated cost of the program has been calculated at $25,000 per year. Membership start date shall be November 1 and the firefighter must serve one full year to be eligible.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE…The Camden County Recycler newsletter was released last week. According to an article in the paper recycling has increased in all county municipalities by 32 percent since the year 2006. The increase is attributed to the single stream recycling program. In one article Freeholder Jeff Nash states, “Due to the ease of single stream recycling, (placing newspapers, glass, and cans all in one container) we are seeing an increase in homeowner compliance with recycling requirements.”

If compliance is up throughout all Camden County communities by 32 percent one would ask why then did Gloucester City feel the need to a hire a Sanitation Enforcement Officer in August. The individual hired at the time for the $300 a week part-time job was Jim Rauchet, the president of the local Democrat Club.

Come to find out two weeks after he was appointed Rauchet quit. Then in September the City advertized the position on the NJ Civil Service website. And from what I been told some members of council still feel the position is needed.

I hope that isn’t correct. If people are complying with the law as Freeholder Nash states then this position is not needed in the City of Gloucester City or in any other county community.

And if our mayor and council say it is then they should prove it to the public by releasing the recycling tonnage figures for the last three years. And before hiring anyone go to the residents and asked them to increase their effort before wasting their tax dollars on a “trumped up” position.

The French novelist Alphonse Karr (1808-90) said it best, “The more things change, the more things stay the same.” 

Tips and Snippets: A New Governor, Congratulations James Gang, Correction

HOPEFULLY CHANGE IS ON THE WAY-The Monday morning quarterbacks are out in force giving their opinions on why Christie won the top seat in the state. The  Democratic pundits are making light of the fact that Corzine lost the election saying he loss because of the recession and high unemployment. And they brush over the fact that although President Obama, Vice President Biden and former president, Bill Clinton were running around the state campaigning for the governor he still loss in a state that "bleeds Blue".

I think the public was not only fed up with high taxes but also the political corruption in Trenton. And I do believe people were sending a message to the President and Congress (both Republican and Democrat) to clean-up their act or they will be the next ones to be shown the door. The populace has had enough of their wasteful spending (stimulus and bailouts),the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the partisan politics.

Locally one wonders what effect this election will have on the construction of the proposed Gloucester City Middle School on Market Street.

The newly elected governor, Chris Christie, said on the campaign trail that tax dollars were being spent frivolously by the ABBOTT Districts. And he was going to take a hard look at each project before spending any more money in those districts. His comment about the Abbott Districts was one of the reasons why the state’s Teachers Union didn’t back Christie’s campaign.

Cheers and Jeers for the month of October

CHEER-The Gloucester Catholic Alumni Association honored Police Officer John Driscoll with the Thomas Stewart III Award at a ceremony on October 31. The annual award is presented to the Gloucester Catholic graduate that demonstrates selfless commitment and extraordinary service to the greater community.

Driscoll has been a baseball and soccer coach and an assistant basketball coach, he and his wife Kate have delivered Meals on Wheels for seven years. He and his wife also held a fund raiser for autism for 4 years. The money went to the Doug Flutie organization to be used for needy families. For the past 10 years he has delivered food every Thanksgiving to the poor for St. Mary Parish. A Gloucester City Police Officer for 10 years he was also the DARE program instructor for four years.

What a great example for others to follow. Thank you and congratulations John.

JEER-The 8th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy was observed last month. Eight years have passed, billions of dollars have been spent and still there has been nothing built on the site were the Trade Towers once stood. Yet the Empire State Building was constructed in just 400 days. Each day that passes gives more strength to the cause of the radical muslins.

CHEER-For years civic activist John Paff has fought municipal governments across the state of New Jersey that abuse the Open Public Meetings Act. CentralNewJersey.com writes, “John Paff is a rebel with a cause and a litigator without a license. The cause is open government and Paff knows the ins-and-outs of laws on open records and open public meetings far better than most attorneys. He has filed a dozen lawsuits under the Open Public Records Act, another dozen under the Open Public Meetings Act and more than 50 complaints with the Government Records Council, the agency assigned to settle disputes over records.”

It is comforting to know that the residents of this state have such an advocate in their corner. Thanks John for all that you do.

JEER-To parents attending their children’s soccer games and smoking on the sidelines.  Especially the mother who was recently practicing with her son before the game started, running up and down the field with a lit cigarette in her hand.

CHEER-To the Gloucester City School Board and the Mt. Ephraim School Board for sponsoring recent meetings in their communities to encourage communications between their districts and the residents.

JEER-However, one parent is upset with the Gloucester City School District for not communicating with the public about the effects of the H1N1 flu on the students. She writes, “I would like to know why the district hasn’t sent parents any information on this topic. The superintendent said it was due to the HIPPA law. I would rather be told about the swine flu then head lice. I do know the flu is in the schools because my child was diagnosed with the illness recently. Instead of all the secrecy it would be better if we were informed so that parents can take the proper measures to protect their children and their families.”

KUDOS to Mt. Ephraim School Superintendent Joe Rafferty and Brooklawn Superintendent, Dr. John Kellmayer for keeping the parents/public informed about the effects of the H1N1 flu is having on their student population. Both superintendents recently released statements to the public on the topic.

JEER-To the Gloucester City Housing/Code Inspectors for wasting their time in harassing homeowners for minor or insignificant infractions, when there are PLENTY of significant, prominent eyesores that need their attention and effort.  Being concerned about a few weeds/barely long grass in back yards is ludicrous in light of the areas of the city that are desperately in need of aggressive enforcement.  If you want to make the most difference to improve the looks/hygiene of the City, take on the dilapidated housing, abandoned buildings, broken sidewalks, boarded up houses and trash strewn lots. ~signed a disgruntled resident

If you have a CHEER OR JEER for the November column sent it to BillGCN@verizon.net or by snail mail c/o of Gloucester City News PO Box 151, Gloucester City 08030.

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WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

By Bill Cleary

Dan Miller, the owner of Always Affordable Taxi, Gloucester City, asked me to find out why the City zoning laws prohibit a taxi cab business from parking its cabs on Broadway. Mr. Miller said last year he was going to open a Dollar Store at the South Broadway complex across from the senior citizens apartments. He planned to operate his taxi cab business at the same location and park the cabs in the large store parking lot. But because of the city law against taxi cabs he was refused a certificate of occupancy. He was also thinking of buying a north Broadway property but was told by the Housing Office no taxi cabs allowed.

Always Affordable Taxi provides jobs for 9 city residents, it purchases its gas for the taxi cabs here in Gloucester City, and it also uses the local newspaper (Gloucester City News), Channel 19 and ClearysNoteBook to advertize their services.

Tips and Snippets: Piano Finds a Home, Zoning Board Ok’s Dog School, Levins Endorsed by USW

By Bill Cleary

  PIANO FINDS A HOME- Gloucester Catholic High School has accepted the offer by Dan and Dawn Watson for a free upright grand piano. The Watsons, who reside on Market Street, have been seeking a home for the piano since August. Several letters written by the Watsons offering the piano to area schools, churches and other organizations went unanswered.

PHOTO: Students from the local school with the piano, Dawn Watson and GCHS supervisor Jim Martin .

DOG TRAINING BUSINESS NOW OPEN-The Gloucester City Zoning Board approved the commercial variance for a dog training business Brother of the Wolf to operate at 700 Market Street. The vote was 7 to 1 with one member abstaining. Dawn Watson, the owner, holds training classes for dogs by appointment.

Last month the Gloucester City Planning Board upheld Zoning Officer Joseph Stecklair’s earlier decision to disallow the Market Street resident from operating a dog obedience school out of her home unless she first applies for the appropriate use variance. Stecklair said the property is in an area zoned as residential.

Stecklair had directed the applicant to seek a decision from the Zoning Board on the matter, but Watson first opted to appeal Steckler’s decision. In a split vote, the Planning Board members passed a motion requiring the applicant to apply to the Board for the use variance which was approved at the Board's Wednesday, Oct. 21 meeting.

UNION ENDORSES LEVINS-United Steelworkers (USW) Local 10-1 announced today that they have unanimously endorsed “one of their own” for Gloucester City Council, Independent Candidate Wil Levins.

“Wil Levins is an outstanding young man who exemplifies the best of our Local,” said USW Local 10-1 President Jim Savage. “We are proud to call Wil a member of Local 10-1 and we’re equally proud to see Wil run a campaign that his fellow citizens can be proud of. Wil is a dedicated Union member, friend and co-worker. His work ethic, loyalty, and sense of fairness are admirable qualities and we believe that the residents of Gloucester City would be well-served being represented by him during these difficult economic times. The employees of Gloucester City who are currently without a contract deserve better, and we’re positive that Wil Levins will work hard to treat them fairly.”

USW Local 10-1 represents approximately 650 refinery and dock workers at the Sunoco Philadelphia refinery and the Sunoco Logistics Eagle Point dock facility.

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Tips and Snippets: Broadway Work, Skinheads, Paying for Water, Et cetera

By Bill Cleary

GLOUCESTER CITY-Did you notice all the construction work on South Broadway between Market and Monmouth Streets last week? If you rode by the area it was pretty hard to miss the workers cutting up the sidewalk and the backhoe loading buckets of dirt into trucks. Trying to get into the City Post Office was a nightmare since the area was roped off with traffic cones and construction tape. I couldn’t recall reading anything about plans for a major project this size anywhere. And so being a curious person I contacted Councilman Nick Marchese.

PHOTO South Broadway between Market and Cumberland Streets

Marchese explained that $150,000 is being spent to enhance this section of South Broadway. “Plans call for five iron park benches, 12 banner poles and 17 free standing decorative lights to be installed along with state-of-art sidewalks. Depending on the weather it is expected to take between two to three weeks to complete.”

Marchese said the funds for the work are being provided by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the Gloucester City Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). He added, “The City engineers are working on a similar streetscape plan for Market Street from Broadway to King Street and for sections of Burlington Street. Plus the City recently received $270,000 from President Obama’s stimulus project to be used to extend the project north on Broadway from Monmouth Street to Hudson Street. The work will begin in spring 2010.”

I came across an article about protestors at the 3rd Annual "Leif Erickson Day Celebration" in Philadelphia at the statue of the Viking explorer on October 11. The demonstrators were from the Keystone State "Skinheads" . The reporter for the blog http://libcom.org interviewed the convicted felon Christopher DeMunguia, of Gloucester City. I can’t believe this guy is not in jail. Checking with the local police department I was told his case is still pending.

PHOTO: Christopher DeMunguia

From …http://libcom.org

In February, DeMunguia, only six months out of jail on an aggravated assault conviction, assaulted a police officer when he and three other officers went to a bar in Gloucester City to arrest him on another aggravated assault charge. A judge not knowing his background or the threats he made to police, allowed him to post bail, even though he didn't even have a known address. DeMunguia told the libcom reporter that he justified his situation with the fact that child molesters and rapists are also released. "I would rather somebody that beat somebody up live next to me than somebody that's going to molest my kid," he said.

I received a Tip this past week about the contractor who is storing equipment on the Market Street lot between north and south Route 130. The individual, a plumber, wondered why there was no meter on the water hydrant the contractor is using to gauge the amount of water being used. Administrator Jack Lipsett said, “The City charges a contractor either by bulk or by a meter. In this case the contractor for the 295 project, RE Pierson is being charged by bulk. The City is being paid.”

Et Cetera…By the way I don’t post comments on ClearysNoteBook.com that pertain to family members of elected officials. I mention this as I received a remark this past week about the wives of three city council members that never saw the light. I don’t believe family members should be singled out just because their husband/wife happens to be serving on council. This particular commentary was posted to the article PBA Union Official Response to Gannett News Articles. Why this person thought it was necessary to bring the wives into the contract fight between the City and the union is beyond me.

Send your Tips to BillGCN@verizon.net or my mail to Gloucester City News, PO Box 151, Gloucester City NJ 08030,

TIPS AND SNIPPETS: Medicare Cuts, ABBOTT Districts, Rams, Girl Scouts, Speak Up, Help St. Mary

BY BILL CLEARY

Medicare Cuts Now/Health Care 3 Years Away... How many of you were aware that if the legislation that provides health care access for all Americans is signed into law those without insurance will have to wait another three years before the bill becomes law.

According to The Associated Press under the Democratic bills, federal tax credits to help make health insurance affordable for millions of low- and middle-income households won't start flowing until 2013 -- after the next presidential election. But Medicare cuts and a sizable chunk of the tax increases to pay for the overhaul kick in immediately.

The eat-your-vegetables-first approach is causing heartburn for some Democrats. Three years is a long time to wait for dessert, and opponents could capitalize on misgivings about the complex legislation to undo what would be a signature achievement for Obama says The Associated Press.

Question…why then is the Democrat Majority so anxious to pass this legislation now, without the public or the Republican Minority having a chance to read the bill first. Anyone have an answer?

Cheers and Jeers for the Month of September

By Bill Cleary

JEER-To those people from out-of-town that continue to disrespect the community of Gloucester City. That includes bar owners, slum landlords and disorderly people. Stay out of Gloucester City we don’t want your business nor do we need the “trash” that patronize your establishments or live in your apartments.

JEER-It was reported in the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer that Camden City and Gloucester City are the only two communities in Camden County that still mix storm water and sewage in one large pipe. In other words when it rains, if the system overflows, it floods sewage everywhere. Besides paying a quarterly tax to the City of Gloucester City residents pay the Camden County MUA. Why hasn’t this problem been fixed? If 35 other communities in Camden County have been able to fix this quandary why hasn’t Camden and Gloucester Cities?

JEER-Lawn contractors with their noisy leaf blowers come into every neighborhood in the City and in surrounding towns blowing grass clippings and  leaves into the street instead of sweeping up the debris and placing in trash bags. How much longer would it take them to do the job right; maybe five or ten minutes at the most.

ClearysNoteBook Rated Number 1 by BlogNetNews

BlogNetNews weekly ratings released October 4th ranks ClearysNoteBook as the number one Most Influential Political blog in the state of New Jersey for the week of September 27 through October 3.

Only the top 20 blogs are ranked, and each week a new list is published. ClearysNoteBook has remained among the top 20 blogs in the state of New Jersey since joining BlogNetNews two years ago. The blog editor is Bill Cleary, Gloucester City News Publisher Emeritus.

1 ClearysNoteBook
2 Politics Patrol: Bob Ingle
3 Politicker NJ
4 TODAY'S NEWS NJ
5 CWA-NJ Conservatives with Attitude!
6 moremonmouthmusings
7 Dan Cirucci
8 The Save Jersey Blog
9 MiddletownMike
10 Hoboken Now
11 Capitol Quickies
12 Blue Jersey
13 Politics 24/7 Weblog
13 Bayonne Now Impact
15 Alice's Restaurant
16 SableMinded
17 The Test Panel
18 Hoboken411
18 Aquaman, Questing for Atlantis
20 The County Watchers
-

About BlogNetNews Influence

BlogNetNews' Blogosphere Influence Rating combines a variety of data sets to determine which blogs are most powerfully influencing the direction of the New Jersey political blogosphere. The exact method BNN uses to calculate influence scores must remain proprietary in order to prevent attempts to game the system. BNN's methodology takes into account the fact that all Internet data is profoundly limited in its reliability by using multiple data sets that, when combined, reveal a fair picture of activity in the blogosphere.

 

Complaint Filed Against 19 City Officials, Kudos to the Borough of Brooklawn, Local TV Star

TIPS AND SNIPPETS:

by Bill Cleary

SNIPPET…COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST 19 CITY OFFICIALS-On September 11, 2009, the New Jersey Libertarian Party and its chairman, John Paff filed a complaint with the Local Finance Board against 19 Gloucester City officials, including one member of the City Council, who failed to file financial disclosure forms that were due over 16 months ago.

In March 2009 Paff filed a lawsuit  against the City of Gloucester City for violation of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPRA).

The Gloucester City Officials who failed to file financial disclosure forms are:

Neighborhood Blight Will Destroy A Community

BILL'S POINT OF VIEW:

By Bill Cleary

This will be the third year I have written about this property located at the corner of Lane and Thompson Avenues, Gloucester City. As you can see from the most recent photo (s) taken on August 27^th  the bushes/weeds are so overgrown they extend over the sidewalk blocking pedestrian traffic. 

Because of the condition of the property I complained on August 20 to Third Ward Council members Jay Brophy and Kellie Ferry, who live just a stone’s throw away from it. I mentioned to them about the landlord having a history of not cutting the grass and further stated I was upset that someone had to complain each year before the City took action against this landlord.

It is Official, Put Away the Life Preservers, Afghanistan Troop Tour

TIPS AND SNIPPETS:

By Bill Cleary

TIP…It Is Official-Gloucester City Mayor and Council approved the  appointments of Lt. George Berglund as acting Police Chief and Lt. Ken Eller as acting Deputy Police Chief at the Thursday August 20^th caucus meeting. They will be replacing Chief William Crothers (28 years of service) and Deputy Chief Michael Kaye (27 years of service) who are retiring the end of August.

Berglund has 21 years with the Police Department and Eller 20 years. They both have Associate Degrees and graduated from the West Point Command and Leadership Program which is an intensive course spread over 16 weeks. 

With Crothers and Kaye leaving the Police Department the force is reduced to 27 officers.

TIPS AND SNIPPETS: A Stinky Job, Good News, Friday Night Lights, Collingswood Farmers Market Wins, Bellmawr Waterfront Property for Lease

By Bill Cleary

SNIPPET-What a stinky job -The City of Gloucester City has hired a Sanitation Enforcement Officer (SEO) to enforce the City ordinance for trash and recycling. According to the Press release the purpose is to decrease the City’s fees for waste volume and keep the City eco friendly or “Green”.

“This is a friendly reminder to make sure you separate your trash from recyclables. Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated.” The statement was signed, sincerely Gloucester City’s Public Works and Housing Department.

According to City Administrator Jack Lipsett, “This is a part-time position paying $15.00 an hour for no more than 19 hours a week.  For the immediate future we will be warning people so they are aware of issue.  Second warning is a $32 payable fine. Third offense is court action and the fines are levied by the judge.”

Can you imagine having this job? Just what I want to do on a hot humid day in the summer, look through a trash bag with the flies, maggots and the smell of rotten garbage for a few cans or bottles that should be recycle.

TIPS AND SNIPPETS: Flooding Problem, Auld Dubliner Says Goodbye, D'Place Zone Arrives, Pets and Austism in the News

By Bill Cleary

GLOUCESTER CITY-The rain Sunday caused flooding again on King Street near the Mill Block Homes. This is the second week residents and business owners had to contend with the problem. see August 2nd article

This is disturbing to the residents living in the Mill Block Homes and is upsetting for the owners of the businesses that line the street across from the Mill Blocks.

I have sent the photos to our City Officials and asked if there are any plans in the immediate future to address this 14-year-old problem. As of yet there has been no response to my question.

Previous administrations spent thousands of dollars on development studies of the King Street corridor. I wonder if any of those plans addressed the flooding problem? You would think it would be one of the things you would have to fix before moving forward on building a waterfront restaurant or more homes.

Paula Conroy, a Mill Block resident, who sent in the photo writes, 

CHEERS AND JEERS FOR The Month of JULY

By Bill Cleary

CHEERS: To the men from Highland Park Church of God, and Bill Wilson and his workers from Property Pro’s, for helping out when Kyle Warner was injured by a chainsaw. Special thanks to Doug and Don Conner, who stayed with Kyle until the paramedics arrived. It has been a long time since I have seen men who were working on a job stop what they were doing, and take the time to remove the tree, clean up the yard and everything that had fallen, and ask nothing in return. Just caring, common courtesy.     

JEERS: To the Gloucester City Fire Chief and the Chief of Operations for not providing the public or CNB with statistics on fire and ambulance responses at the minimum of once a month to see where our tax dollars are being spent. Real stats not the ones you hand into council.

CHEERS-To the person or people responsible for getting the grass cut on either side of the railroad tracks that run through the center of Gloucester City. It looks so much nicer.

JEERS-To the family living in the 200 block of Johnson Blvd. for allowing their goats to wake up the neighborhood each morning. One Baal! Maybe two would be okay. These animals don’t stop, give me a break. I am trying to sleep and your goats don't shut up.

A big cheer to all of those involved in the Gloucester City Girls Softball tournament from the coaches to the announcers, the field crew to the snack stand workers, 50/50 sales, t-shirt sales and everyone else who worked so hard behind the scenes.  Been to many tournaments the past few years and Gloucester City always does the best tournament around.  Also a big cheer to all of our girls who played in the tournament...they all displayed great sportsmanship!   Great job to all involved for a great season!

KUDOS-To Bellmawr Police Chief Bill Walsh. Chief Walsh is very responsive, and has done a great job facilitating communication in town by designing a website, a Twitter account and emails notification for police news.

JEERS-Another month and another Jeer for those politicians who embarrass our state by stealing from you and me. Will it ever end? Not here in New Jersey it seems. The list of crooks gives bigger every day.

APPLAUSE-Brooklawn was successful this month in obtaining a $350,000 federal grant that will allow the borough to add another police officer to their police department. Brooklawn was one of 18 communities in the state to receive the funds.

JEERS- To the judges who hand down less than mandatory sentences to the politicians who are found guilty of crimes against the people. Example, U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter sentenced former PA State Sen. Vincent Fumo this month to just 55 months in prison. Fumo was found guilty of fraud, obstruction of justice and tax convictions. U.S. District Court Judge Freda Wolfson handed down a 4 year sentence to former NJ State Sen. Wayne Bryant, who was convicted on 12-counts of bribery and pension fraud. Prosecutors in both cases asked the court to hand down a 10 years sentence for each convicted felon.

JEERS-To the Fire Department and the City for not having a ZERO Tolerance on employees having DWI's who are still allowed to keep their tax payer funded jobs after being found guilty of the crime.

Contributing to this month’s column, Joe Stafford, Jack Heath, Steve Skipton, Gerry Conner and Robin Pierman. If you have a Cheer or Jeer suggestion (s) for the next column send it to BillGCN@verizon.net. Or to ClearysNoteBook c/o Gloucester City News PO Box 151 Gloucester City 08030.

related link Bills Tips and Snippets
category Bills Point of View

TIPS AND SNIPPETS:Some Good News, Some Bad News and Some Stuff- In- Between

By Bill Cleary

TIP-The contract talks between the City of Gloucester City and the PBA Local 40 union have broken down. As a result the negotiations are now in front of an arbitrator. Cost for both sides for arbitration, $20,000 each. According to my sources the City wanted the 27 member union to accept a package that gave them a zero percent raises plus pickup some of the cost of their health benefits.

Mayor Bill James said, “The country is in the middle of a recession. We have asked all bargaining units to work with us this year so no one will lose their job. Businesses in the private sector are laying people off. Some are going out of business altogether. Homeowners are facing foreclosures. Unemployment is at an all time high. The City has no money available for raises.”

The police union, according to my sources, says if that is the case why did mayor and council recently hired a new employee for the 32 man fire department.

TIPS AND SNIPPETS: Dirty Jersey and CNB Poll Results

By Bill Cleary

DIRTY JERSEY-Forty-four prominent political and religious leaders, including mayors, assemblymen and rabbis were arrested July 23^rd by federal authorities on the charge of corruption and international money laundering.

What else is new?

The banner headlines about the arrest of the 44 suspects made the front  page of newspapers around the world. Most New Jersey residents are no longer shocked by this type of embarrassing news.  A month doesn’t go by without reading about a local or state legislator being hauled off to jail for some kind of crime.

This past Friday former State Senator Wayne Bryant (Democrat, District 5) appeared in U.S. District Court in Camden to hear his sentence. In 2008 a jury found the 61-year-old Lawnside resident guilty of 12 corruption charges.