The Best and Worst for the Year 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
by Bill Cleary
Out
of all the articles I write the one that receives the most comments are
the Cheers and Jeers. Below you will find a mix assortment of those
columns by month for the past year. Thank you to everyone who took the time to send in a remark. If you have a Cheer or Jeer for the upcoming December
column send it to [email protected]. Or
by mail: Gloucester City News, PO Box 151 (08030).
JANUARY &
FEBRUARY
·
JEERS-To the
representative of the City of Gloucester City and the representative of Police
Chiefs for not releasing a public statement explaining the turmoil in our
Police Department. Is the public's safety in jeopardy because of the
split between the rank and file and the administration? The Chief's (Bill
Crothers and Mike Kaye) remain silent, choosing instead to have surrogates
write Letters to the Editor/post comments containing cheap jabs. The PBA
union president released a statement about the problem but yet our elected
leaders and department heads remain silent. The public deserves answers.
·
CHEERS-To the two sixth grade Brooklawn
students who attend the Alice Costello
School for their innovative charitable work. After the 3-year old
daughter of one of their teachers was diagnosed with leukemia, Gabryelle
Doherty and Sydney Weichmann
were inspired to begin to raise money to help seriously ill children.
MARCH
·
CHEERS-The Haddon
Township commissioners introduced ordinances aimed at curbing pay-to-play just
days after a resident accused them of awarding professional contracts to
campaign contributors. Commissioners unanimously approved introduction of four
measures A public hearing and a final vote on the ordinances could be held at
the next commission meeting on March 25.The ordinances would ban nepotism in
hiring, curb the use of eminent domain for economic development and prohibit
the township from doing business or entering into a redevelopment agreement
with individuals or companies that contribute to the political campaigns of
elected officials here.
·
JEERS-The
Gloucester City School Superintendent and Board of Education who said no to the
idea of holding a Memorial Tribute at the high school for Tom Gurchick, a
teacher for 35 years in our school system who passed away recently. One excuse
given for not allowing the tribute was because others would also want to use
the school for the same purpose. So what if others do. Shame on the
Administration and those School Board members who denied the friends, former
students and family members of Mr. Gurchick the use of the school facilities to
memorialize such a great teacher.
APRIL
·
JEERS-Once again
vandals are destroying the Fort Nassau playground located at the Johnson Blvd.
jogging track in Gloucester City. Most recently they sprayed painted the words
"Die N$%%er" and a swastika along with many curse words on some of
the park equipment. The only way this is going to stop is to close down the
Fort altogether. Move the equipment across the street to the Martin Lake Park.
The vandals seem to stay away from that area because the park is surrounded by
residential homes. While on the other hand the Fort is located in an area that
is hard for the police to patrol because of all the foliage.
·
THE UGLY-The title
goes to every person who stole monies from a local fundraiser, such as the
Softball Marathon, Mustangs Candy Sale or a Little League treasury. You
never hear these individuals make a public apology for their wrong doing.
Not only do they discredit the organization but they also destroy the
reputation of their family. The courts are so lenient in punishing these
thieves' it is no wonder the crime continues to be repeated time and time
again.
MAY
·
Congratulations to Walt Burrows, Courier Post Sports writer who is
retiring after 58 years of reporting on local sports. Walt grew up in
Gloucester City and graduated from Gloucester City High School. While in school
he worked as a stringer for the Gloucester City News, and continued to do so
after he graduated. Later he got a job with the Courier Post and as they say
the rest is history.
JUNE
·
CHEERS- John
Hindsley, past Commander of American Legion Post 135 writes, “A Big Salute to
the residents of The 800 and 900 blocks of Monmouth Street for the number of
American Flags on display. This is year around, not just holidays !!! All
the flags are in good shape, too. I wish more Americans would display "Old
Glory" as well. Remember, please replace any flag that is faded, ripped,
or torn. You may turn them into your nearest American Legion or VFW for proper
disposal.
JULY
·
THE UGLY-The
Monmouth Street Business District is slowly dying. After 25 years RxD Pharmacy,
525 Monmouth Street has closed its doors. Across the street from the former
pharmacy are two more vacant buildings that have been empty for some time. Take
a drive through the City and you will find more vacant stores. Residents can
only blame themselves for the decline in the places to shop in our community.
We need to think twice before heading to the Mall. Ask yourself; can I buy that
item in town? “Stop the exodus, Shop Local”.
AUGUST
·
CHEERS- Dorothy Stanaitis, of Gloucester City was
recently named Rutgers-Camden's First Trustee Emerita for Life. For years she
was the “Story Lady” for the Gloucester City Library until her retirement in
1994. Since retiring, Stanaitis has juggled her two passions --
story-telling career and Rutgers -- with consummate skill.
SEPTEMBER
·
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.
·
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.
OCTOBER
·
CHEERS: To
Gloucester City Mayor William P. James, Ted Howarth, Ed Walens and
members of the Mayor's Executive Committee for their outstanding
dedication and work on the "Hometown Heroes" Banner Project. The
banners look wonderful along Broadway. Thank you, gentlemen, for your community
spirit and respect to our fallen citizens and their families. And Kudos to Rick
Waddington and Billy Underwood of the Highway Department for the great job they
did hanging up the "Fallen Heroes" Banners. Their hard work is a
credit to the community.
NOVEMBER
·
JEERS-To former NJ Senator
Wayne Bryant. The fact that he along with more than 130 lawmakers in New Jersey have been indicted and found guilty of
robbing the taxpayers, this has to be some kind of record for fraud.
·
CHEERS-To the
neighbors and friends of Evan
Goldglantz, of Gloucester City, who helped him in his
time of need. Evan was burned over 90 percent of his body in an accident that
occurred at his home on Division Street. He is being treated at the
Crozier-Chester Medical Center, One Medical Center Blvd., Upland PA 19103.
