NEWS, SPORTS, COMMENTARY, POLITICS for Gloucester City and the Surrounding Areas of South Jersey and Philadelphia

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The Best and Worst for the Year 2008

by Bill Cleary

Cheersjeers 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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