Gloucester City NEWS YEAR END REVIEW Part 2
Friday, January 15, 2010
By Albert J. Countryman Jr.
JULY
2 – Gloucester City Council remembered, with a moment of silence, the three firefighters and three children who lost their lives in a July Fourth house fire in 2002.
They were Mount Ephraim Fire Chief James Sylvester, Deputy Chief John West, Gloucester City Firefighter Thomas Stewart, III, and the three Slack girls.
The Lady Lion’s Softball team received certificates of commendations for becoming the NJSIAA Group 1 State Champions.
Gloucester City welcomed home Soldier Sean Hodge after a year of service in Iraq.
A parade of motorcycles led by a local police car with sirens, escorted Sean’s car through the Riverview Heights section of the city to his home.
Retiring E.M. Burke Custodian Frank Jankowski, Sr. was honored during the Bellmawr Board of Education (BOE) June meeting for his 37 years of service to the School District.
9 – A $700 million construction project on Route 295/42/I-76, Direct Connection, Camden County has received the approval of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
Several Borough employees were on hand at Bellmawr Council meeting to receive certification from the State PEOSHA representative.
More than 200 onlookers crowded the Bellmawr Ballroom on Lewis Avenue on June 14 to watch the annual Miss Bellmawr Pageant.
Lauren Snively, a 2009 graduate of Deptford High School, receives the Marco DiLorenzo Scholarship Fund check for $1000 on June 9.
16 – Gloucester City Native Re. Ed Rusk officiates at Harry Kalas’ graveside service.
A resident sent a letter to ClearysNotebook.com complaining about Gloucester City’s water killing her pond fish.
Construction of the new Gloucester Water Treatment Plant, costing $9.4 million, is moving along.
Bellmawr Fire Department Chief Jim Burleigh Station 32 recently unveiled the Department’s new Fire Safety House.
Congratulations to the top five students in Gloucester City High School’s Class of 2009, Valedictorians Marisa Cooper, Jessica Lindsay and Gavin Carpenter, Salutatorian Kristen Jacobs and Third Honors Cecilia Fedore.
23 – The Gloucester City Planning Board approved two applications for development submitted by area businesses.
Borough Engineer Norman Rodgers said his company will evaluate the length of the road involved in the Woodbine Avenue Project to determine what it would cost to pave it.
The Camden County Open Space Trust Fund granted $25,000 for improvements to the Kershaw School playground area, thanks to the hard work of Bernice Alibrando and Melissa Raywood.
St. Mary’s Vacation Bible School was “the place to be” the first week of July.
Mark the Magician, made his first appearance at the library, performed a variety of magic tricks while teaching a few valuable lessons to the children.
30 – Mayor William James and City Council approved an ordinance relating to Chapter 15 of the Gloucester City Code entitled Alcoholic Beverages.
Camden County Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk and Gloucester City Chief William Crothers reported a man walked into the Bank of America on the unit block of North Broadway in Gloucester City on July 27.
During a combined caucus session and regular meeting, the Gloucester City Board of Education last week approved a contract adjustment for School Superintendent Paul Spaventa and Business Administrator Margaret McDonnell.
Resident Jason Higgins was sworn in as a Class II Special Officer at Bellmawr’s Council Meeting.
The seven brave men and women who returned home safely from over seas lead the July Fourth Parade in Mount Ephraim.
AUGUST
6 – Following the heavy rainstorm, CNB received several complaints from King Street residents about the deep puddles of water.
Gloucester City School District officials excitedly announced receiving several grants that will assist in food preparation and food availability for its students in the coming school year.
Arrested and charged with robbery of the Bank of America was Thomas DeLauro, 47, of the 300 block of Middlesex Street.
13 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a public meeting to discuss the clean-up of the ball fields.
Heavy rain floods King Street near the Mill Block Homes in Gloucester City.
Brooklawn Police are awarded funds to hire a new police officer under the COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP).
The Gloucester City Celebrations Committee revisits the beloved “Gloucester Day” held October 3.
The Eighth Annual Heroes to Hero Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk from Mount Ephraim to Gloucester City was held.
20 – The Gloucester City Cultural Arts and Heritage Society held its first annual Art Festival in Proprietor’s Park.
Gloucester City High School graduate Gloria Henkel Ritchie, Class of 1966 writes a book, “The Ominous Storms at Piney Cove.”
27 – Brooklawn held its final Shoprite Wiffleball Tournament, September 4-5.
Gloucester City Planning Board granted a site plan waiver and parking variance for a new bar on Jersey Avenue.
SEPTEMBER
10 – Stadium lights were installed at Gloucester City High School allowing for Friday night games.
Bellmawr Borough approved a resolution to repair one of the town’s water well shafts.
17 – The Gloucester City Irish Society hosted its annual Shamrock Festival, held at Proprietor’s Park and Marina.
Westville resident, Jackie Shiverdaker is named new Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) State Commander.
Construction of TD Bank continues on Broadway and Cumberland Street.
Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. steps down after 22 years in the New Jersey Assembly.
24 – Former Gloucester City Police Chief William Crothers and Deputy Police Chief Michael Kaye receive $100,000 each as a result of a lawsuit being settled.
Ted Howarth was among some 3,000 leaders of The American Legion attending the nation’s largest Wartime Veterans Organization’s 91st National Convention in Louisville, KY.
Mount Ephraim Board of Education hosts an open forum where the public was encouraged to voice their ideas on how the district could cut costs.
OCTOBER
1 – The Betty Sheppard Memorial dedication was held in the quad at Bell Oaks School.
A “Support for Scott” fundraiser was held at the Brooklawn Legion, Scott Bevan who was diagnosed with melanoma cancer.
A scary house, pony rides will highlight the return of “a much loved event” Gloucester Day on October 3.
8 – Sgt. Joseph S. Bangle came home after his 14 month tour in Afganistan.
Saint Mary’s School in Gloucester City continues to make great strides in the recruitment and retention of students.
A large group of brave individuals from both the sports and public service arenas received awards during the recent Bellmawr Council Meeting.
The First Baptist Church, Monmouth and Sussex Streets, Gloucester welcomed their new interim pastor, the Rev. Dr. Robert L. (Bob) Muse.
Mount Ephraim American Legion Post 150 and Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 6262, in conjunction with the Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs, had the distinct honor of awarding the Camden County Military Service Medal to seven veterans living in Mount Ephraim and surrounding areas.
15 – The Public Works Committee, made up of various Gloucester Council members, announced that the 2009 Community Clean-Up Day, Part II, will be Oct. 24.
St. Mary’s School Principal Gail Corey and Msgr. James Curran welcomed Sixth Grade Student Representatives Francesca Pollander and David Morley during the recent Council Installation Ceremony.
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Westville observed “Make a Difference Day” by partnering with the Heart of America Foundation in collecting hard cover and paperback books.
As a first step in developing a rebirth of community participation in Gloucester City School District planning, the Board of Education sponsored “Speak Up, Gloucester City” in the High School Media Center.
22 – A small animal show took place at the NJA3 program at Cold Springs School. At the show, John and Nick Orsino of Gloucester City treated children to an up close look at their personal collection of turtles, tortoises and amphibians.
Westville Mayor Russell Welsh presented the oaths of office to two new Special Law Enforcement Officers, Frank A. Schmitt and Michael Shannon during a Borough Council meeting.
School District Director of Curriculum and Instruction Liz Curry had good news for the Gloucester City BOE. She said the majority of elementary school students met state standards, and even excelled, in the Language Arts portion of last year’s NJ Assesment of Skills and Knowledge (ASK) tests.
The Camden County Department of Health announced the distribution of the regular/seasonal flu shot scheduled for Cold Springs was cancelled.
29 – Voters in New Jersey will vote for governor and members of the N.J. Assembly during the General Election, November 3.
The Gloucester City Planning Board OKs second school on Market Street.
The Borough of Bellmawr’s EMS Unit took center stage as Council honors EMT’s.
Councilman Nicholas Marchese introduced a resolution naming the lake at the former drive-in movie theatre site as Starlite Lake.
NOVEMBER
5 – A delay has occurred in the start of the steam bank improvements along the Delaware River waterfront in Brooklawn.
Bellmawr Schools Superintendent Annette Castiglione discussed the new report cards for elementary grades K-4.
A Police Escort and 67 motorcycles brings home Sgt. Joseph S. Bangle from Afganistan and down Broadway in Gloucester City.
Catholics still fighting Diocesan plans to close or merge parishes.
12 – TD Bank celebrated the opening of its newest Camden Country location at Broadway and Cumberland Street in Gloucester City.
Brooklawn United Methodist Church celebrated their 90th year of service.
Crystal Barton, the 2009 Gloucester City High School Homecoming Queen, is crowned by the 2008 Homecoming Queen, Jessica Lindsey.
The Catholic Community of St. Mary’s in Gloucester City celebrated the priesthood of Monsignor James P. Curran and Reverend Stephen Chellan.
The members of the Westville Environmental Commission received a thank you from Councilman William Rebel and the mayor.
19 – Local Boy Scouts picked up non-perishable canned goods to help with their “Scouting For Food Program”.
Members of the Church of Ascension on Sussex Street in Gloucester City welcomed their new pastor, Father Nathan Ferrell.
There were watery eyes at Mount Ephraim’s Board of Education meeting, as Eighth Grade science teacher read aloud his resignation.
Gloucester City Mayor and Council thanked all of the people who participated in the semi-annual Clean-Up Day.
After easily passing both the Senate and Congress, President Obama signed HR 3548, The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009.
26 – The Touch New Jersey food pantry and thrift store, serving Mount Ephraim, is urgently looking for a new home, officials said.
After many appearances before the Gloucester City Planning Board, Thomas Michaels, owner of Yankee Pest Control, received approval for his plans to renovate and expand his Broadway property.
Gloucester City Board of Education members were pleased to once again hear comments by the Students of the Month.
The Mount Ephraim School District’s Community Relations Committee hosted a forum to discuss cost cutting ideas at Kershaw School.
The Brooklawn Mayor is upset with State cap for towns.
DECEMBER
3 – Mayor Russell Welsh administer
administered Oaths of Office to three members of the Westville Police Department.
Superintendent Annette Castiglione introduced students from all three schools, who showcased their talents, via the District’s “Smart Boards,” during Bellmawr Board of Education meeting.
Gloucester City Police enjoy a historic meeting as John Matkowski, Sean Saunders and Keith O’Donnell were installed as Police Officers, Carlos DePoder was sworn in as Detective, and Mark Ridge and Jason Flood were installed as Sergeants.
10 – Sean Atkinson, with his parents in attendance, was sworn in by Commissioner Andrew Gilmore as a Class II Special Officer in the Mount Ephraim Police Department.
Staff Sgt. Allan Huhn, a Westville native and a squad leader with 218th Military Police Company, deployed to Iraq for a third time.
Breaking news the new TD bank at Broadway and Cumberland was robbed.
17 – Gloucester City Council passed a resolution at its December work session to terminate the employment of City Clerk Paul Kain.
Representative from the NJ Schools Development Authority presented the Gloucester City Board of Education with a status update on plans for the proposed new middle school. The state says the new middle school should open by September 2014.
The annual Living Nativity Scene was displayed on the side yard of Brooklawn Methodist Church.
The 100-plus page report titled “The Beat Goes On” looks at the abuse in public employees benefit programs in 75 municipalities across New Jersey.
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