FEDS INVESTIGATING DRPA, HORIZON ARRIVES, NEW SHOPRITE, SULLY’S GOLF TOURNAMENT
Monday, April 22, 2013
BY CNBNEWS STAFF
DRPA UNDER INVESTIGATION...AGAIN--A Philadelphia grand jury is
investigating million of dollars of politically connected “economic-development” spending by the Delaware River Port Authority. DRPA chief executive John Matheussen told the Philadelphia Inquirer on April 5, "I can confirm that we have been served with a subpoena by the U.S. Attorney's Office."
DRPA, which operates four toll bridges and the PATCO commuter rail line between Philadelphia and South Jersey, spent nearly $500 million over 15 years to underwrite museums, sports stadiums, a concert hall, a cancer center, the Army-Navy football game, and other non-transportation projects.
In the immediate area, the DRPA gave the City of Gloucester $400,000 towards the $1 million construction of Freedom Pier, which was dedicated in September 2011. The pier is located at the former Coast Guard Base, at King and Cumberland Streets.
Last year, New Jersey state Comptroller Matthew Boxer issued a report critical of political cronyism and mismanagement at DRPA, saying that "in nearly every area we looked at, we found people who treated the DRPA like a personal ATM, from DRPA commissioners to private vendors to community organizations. In fact, most of the money was directed by DRPA officials to well-established tourism groups or nonprofits, some with close ties to DRPA board members. In one case, $500,000 was given to a multibillion-dollar commercial real estate developer.
NEW SHIPPING LINE ARRIVES--Horizon Lines, Inc. was officially welcome to the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, Philadelphia, on Thursday, April 18 by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and political and business leaders from across the region. Horizon Lines, Inc., is one of the nation's premier containerized cargo shipping lines.
The arrival of Horizon Lines, which has relocated its northeast port of call from Elizabeth, New Jersey to Philadelphia, marks yet another milestone for the Port of Philadelphia. Horizon will call Packer 52 times a year, providing weekly service between the Northeast U.S. and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Horizon relocation to Packer from Elizabeth, New Jersey will create an estimated 400 full-time direct and related jobs at the Port, which will generate a projected $3.0 million in tax revenues for the City and the Commonwealth.
"This is a big win for our Port and our region," said Tom Holt, Jr., President of Astro Holdings Inc., the lessee for Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia. Holt Logistics and Holt Cargo Terminal is located in Gloucester City, NJ.
related: The Tale of Holt, the UDAG, and the City of Gloucester City (1st Part) -
NEW SHOPRITE--Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. joined Lawnside Mayor Mary Ann Wardlow and members of Lawnside Borough Council as well as State Senator Donald Norcross and Assemblyman Angel Fuentes at a ground breaking ceremony for a new 56,000 square foot ShopRite grocery store on Tuesday, April 16. Located at 130 White Horse Pike the new ShopRite of Lawnside will be operated by Somerset Stores, LLC, which is owned by David and Renee Zallie. With this new store, ShopRite of Lawnside will bring more than 200 jobs to the community. The state-of-the-art store will also offer ShopRite from Home service which allows customers to shop using their computer or mobile device, with the added convenience of having their order delivered directly to their home or ready for pick-up at the store. The new location will be renovated with the latest energy-saving and sustainable technologies in refrigeration and lighting, including glass doors on the dairy and freezer cases, LED and T-8 lighting and environmentally-friendly refrigerant systems.
The Rev John Sullivan Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at the Pitman Golf Club on Monday, June 10. Registration will begin at noon. There will be a 1:30 p.m shotgun start. This golf tournament is named for Rev. John Sullivan who spent over 20 years of his life serving the Gloucester Catholic community, Gloucester City, NJ. "Sully" was a friend to all who came in contact with him. Profit from this tournament help fund Alumni Scholarships and the Athletic Department. For more information on sponsorships or playing in the tournament, please contact Pat Moughan 609-970-1822 or via e-mail at[email protected] or Pat Murphy at [email protected]
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