CNBNews

The NJ Government Records Council, (GRC) has sent a letter to Gloucester City Administrator Paul Kain asking him to participate in mediation procedure with the publisher of the Gloucester City News, Albert Countryman. The NEWS had made an OPRA request to the City Administrator asking for a copy of the E-mail sent by him to Councilman Nick Marchese. Kain who is the Custodian of Records refused the request. Mediation is the next step in the procedure. Kain doesn't have to participate. If he chooses not to than the GRC will proceed to rule on the matter without his input.

Kain has five days to respond to the GRC.

Councilman Marchese on June 6 via E-mail had asked Administrator Kain if his report was available on the meeting held a week before about the Freedom Pier development at the former Coast Guard Base. Kain sent a "curt" response via E-mail the following day to Councilman Marchese.It was evident from reading part of the  E-mail that there was more going on between two important people who are responsible for operating our City. And it appeared that because of the feud the redevelopment of the City's waterfront was being delayed costing the taxpayer's money in engineering fees.

Kain is the custodian of records for the City and also the focal point of the OPRA request. One has to wonder why he didn't excuse himself from ruling on the matter since it is apparent that there is a conflict of interest.

Related: More on OPRA

ON TO ANOTHER SUBJECT

Last week I was informed that Harry Fox Jr., who plead guilty to embezzling $42,000 from the Gloucester City Little League has filed for bankruptcy. In fact I was told he filed for bankruptcy prior to his sentencing on May 30 before Camden County Superior Court Judge Thomas J. Brown Jr.

On March 12, Fox Jr. surrendered to police and was charged with theft by deception a third degree crime. At first it was reported that $52,000 was missing but after a further audit the amount was reduced to $45,000.

Theft by deception is a third degree crime that carries a maximum fine of $15,000 and jail time of three to five years.

In court, Fox Jr, age 46, plead guilty. As part of the plea bargain the Gloucester City resident made a payment of $7,000.

Judge Brown ordered the defendant to make further payments of $500 a month, payable on the first day of the month until the debt is paid in full. He was sentenced to five years probation, 250 hours of community service and ordered to give a DNA sample.

Now that Fox Jr. has filed for bankruptcy it is not clear what effect this will have on his agreement to pay the Little League $500 an month.

Tony Eller, president of the Little League was asked that question. Eller said he would have to contact an attorney for an explanation. "After speaking with the attorney I will be able to give you an answer".

read more about Fox Jr.

New Camden Police Chief, GCHS Graduate, Class of '90

Congratulations to John Scott Thomson, a 14-year Camden police veteran who most recently served as the city's deputy chief, is the new chief of police of Camden City, NJ.  Chief Thomson graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School with the Class of 1990.

Louis Vega, a former assistant chief in Miami, is the new Camden City police director

The City of Gloucester City has released the list of bills for the month of July. Click link below.

BILL LIST AVAILABLE ONLINE

Gloucester City is now posting their monthly bill list on the web.  It should be posted by the last Monday of every month.

Click here for July 2008 Bill List.

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~Bill Cleary