FULLER, REBELL
Of Westville, NJ, on January 25, 2007. Services: Thursday, 11am at Ferry Ave. U.M. Church, Camden. Carl Miller Funeral Home, 856-365-2966.

The Gift of Coaching

 BY JACK HEATH

We’re following in your footsteps.

Cause that’s where your footsteps go.

–Ian Hunter

“Following in Your Footsteps”

No book came closer to describing what it\’s like to coach a small high school cross-country team while not teaching in the school than Marc Bloom\’s God on the Starting Line.

Still, as I finished his thoroughly enjoyable book I could no€™t help but think there was something missing. It occurred to me exactly what it was as I stopped to pick up a stray safety pin on the grass at a cross-country meet a few days later. Only a long-term cross-country coach would stop to pick up a stray safety pin on the grass. They know they\’€™ll need the pin for race numbers eventually, while other coaches and runners probably never even notice the pins.

Marc only coached for a couple of years. He overcame obstacles,had great success, and moved on, doing a great job of capturing the experience in his book.

However, one thing I had learned from my coach, Browning Ross, is you have to be there for the long haul–a coach must stay through the (mostly) lean and sometimes boom years. But keep coaching no matter what, because you never know.

I was in my last year of college at Rowan (then Glassboro State) finishing up my last season of cross-country as captain of the team when Browning asked me if I\’€™d like to help him coach at Gloucester Catholic, my alma mater, where he had coached me. €œNo thanks!€ I said. €œI just want to run; I can\’€™t see high school kids listening to me anyway, so I\’€™d rather just concentrate on my own running.€ Browning nodded in what I thought was agreement. I\’ll swing by at 3 tomorrow to get you for practice.€ read more

Dooley\’s Bar Comes Tumbling Down; Cost to the taxpayer $34,400

The empty tavern/restaurant, owned by Gerald F. Dooley Inc., at the corner of Broadway and Cumberland Street , City, has been demolished. Hired to do the work was Franchi Demolition & Excavating, Inc. from Camden, the low bidder, at a cost of $34,400. The city purchased the building in October for $425,000. The intricate details of the purchase was never released to the public.
Supposedly it is to be the future home of Reel Fish Seafood, now located in Bellmawr.

Newly elected Mayor William James was asked today if he knows anything about the transaction? He said as of yet he hasn\’t looked at the arrangements made by former Mayor Kilcourse. And added there have been so many issues that this (Dooley transaction) wasn\’t at the top of the list.

In fairness to Mayor James, Councilmen Brophy and Marchese they have only been in office for a month. I, along with the public, need to give them some time to get familiar with their new job. I expect eventually everything will be released. And I plan to stay on top of the issue until then.

I am not alone in my quest to find out more information. For example Marcia Atkinson posted the following comment this morning on the web site.

\”I would like to know why the city didn\’t just condemn the property like the Board of Education did to the Highland Park Apartments.Why did
they pay so much for a property that was improperly maintained and
allowed to sit vacant for so long. Something isn\’t right here,\” Marcia Atkinson, Gloucester City.

I think we all agree with Marcia; you and I have a right to know how our tax dollars are being spent.

Why we are on the subject of real estate I did some research into how much commercial properties have sold for in Gloucester City in the past two years. *And found the highest paid for a commercial property in our City during that period was $375,000. The property was Billy\’s Tavern, which included the liquor license.

In talking with a local Realtor he said, \”Commercial properties in our city do not warrant spending $425,000 for Dooley\’s. Nor does it warrant spending $600,000 for Gloucester Plumbing.\”

I forgot to mention City council voted last Thursday night to proceed with the purchase of Gloucester Plumbing Supply using UEZ funds. The last price I heard was $630,000. The owner of the Plumbing Supply, Joe Kenney, a member of the UEZ Board plans to construct a new building near the City Water Tower on South Broadway. The intricate details of that arrangement hasn\’t been released to the public either. At the same meeting the council finalized the arrangement to spend $460,000 on preliminary costs to build a new water plant.

Theresa Graham asked council during the public forum, \”why isn\’t UEZ monies being spent on that project?\”

Mayor James said today that he is under the impression that UEZ monies can only being used on projects benefiting the business community. To which I responded, \”won\’t the business community benefit from a new water plant?\”

Getting back to what the local real estate agent said. The fact supports his statement. Here are some of the commercial properties that have sold over the past four years selected from a list of 39 properties.

531 Monmouth (Camera Shop) sold for $152,500; 241 South Broadway, (Towne House Florist) $63,000; 115 N. Broadway, (Gloucester Deli) $40,000; 309 S. Broadway (Celtic Tavern), $30,000; 208 N. Broadway, (Sporting Good Store) $77,000; 124 S. Broadway, (Thrift Shop)$183,000; 524 Monmouth, (Jewelry store) $90,000.

Also, 527-529 Monmouth St., (the former 5 & 10) $300,000; 700 Monmouth St.,(Train Station) $300,000; 525 Monmouth St., (Drug Store) $132,500; 240 N. Broadway, (Chase Carpet) $145,000; 242 N. Broadway, (Chase Carpet) $150,000.

I like to hear what you think. So please take a moment to comment.

*Note: We asked for listings along Broadway and from each side of the main thruway four blocks back. Commercial properties on King Street or Route 130 were not included.

JONES, ELAINE C.
(nee McCullough) on Jan. 28, 2007. Aged 85 years. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she was a resident of West Deptford for over 60 years.
Elaine devoted her life to her husband and family. Elaine enjoyed reading, oil and watercolor painting, camping and spending time with her family.
She is the beloved wife of the late William H., devoted mother of William, Kenneth & Gary Jones and Eileen Kandle, loving grandmother of nine and great grandmother of five.
Visitation 1 PM andMemorial Service 2 PM, Saturday in the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury. Interment Woodbury Memorial Park, West Deptford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. John of God Community 1145 Delsea Dr., Westville Grove, NJ 08093. Tributes and memories may be shared at: www.mcgfuneral.com.
McGuinness Funeral Home

Photos by Bruce Darrow……see album in the left hand column

KELSEY, MARY C.
(nee Egan), on January 29, 2007, of Audubon. Age 68. Wife of the late Henry Kelsey, Jr. Beloved mother of Henry Kelsey III and Maureen Hook and her husband Charles. Devoted grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of 9. Dear sister of Helen Dobrowolski. Loving companion of 17 years to Albert \”Mike\” Nuhn. Mrs. Kelsey was a member of Bellmawr VFW Post 7410 Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed traveling, going to the casinos, visiting the Jersey Shore and spending time with family.
Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing from 7 to 9pm Friday eve and 9 to 10am Saturday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Service 10am Saturday at the funeral home. Entombment New St. Mary\’s Mausoleum, Bellmawr. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Liver Foundation, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603, New York, NY 10038. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to
[email protected]

Writer says cost to operate fire department is high 

Just to enlighten people on approximately what it cost to have a full time paid company since that person thinks its only a couple dollars a month. Contact the City Administrator and find out what the true budget of the Fire Department is compared to what the Municipal budget is. The Fire Department budget would be close to if not more than $3 million a year, roughly $2 million spent on salaries.

If you divide that with the number of homes in town (check with the tax people they have that number) is about 5,000 – which comes to roughly $600 a year of your property taxes going towards the Fire Department if they only spend $3 million; which is about 30% of your municipal budget. (Maybe the GCN should do a article about it to clarify figures and compare it to other towns.)

If the citizens in this town are that concerned about how high taxes are..see where it is being spent compared to what other towns pay for their municipal budgets and fire departments (which I don\’t see their towns burning down when they dont have a full time department).

Im glad the paper prints out the budget every year, anyone ever read it? you might be surprised what you pay for in this town compared to what you get. Wait til the ABBOTT monies leaves the school (after the new houses be built it will happen) and you have to pay for the full school budget as well.

Thats why my house is for sale now, cause I wont be able to afford to live here later.

Mark, Gloucester City

Jack on Jack:
A Look at Coaching Legend Jack Pyrah

 

BY JACK HEATH

Near the shadow of the Walt Whitman Bridge in Gloucester City, NJ resides one of the best track coaches in the country. Jack Pyrah, now 87 years old, spent 26 years as Villanova assistant track coach under legendary Villanova coach Jumbo Elliott and 26 years as Villanova’s head cross-country coach. Elliott, considered by many to be the best American distance coach of all time, coached at Villanova for 47 years before passing away in March of 1981.

Pictured- THE VICTORIOUS VILLANOVA 4 X ONE MILE RELAY TEAM
WEARING BLACK RIBBONS AT THE 1981 PENN RELAYS.
FROM LEFT: KEN LUCKS, MARCUS O’SULLIVAN (CURRENT
VILLANOVA COACH), JACK PYRAH, JOHN HUNTER, AND
SYDNEY MAREE.

Jack joined Villanova as Jumbo Elliott’s assistant track coach and head cross-country coach in the fall of 1966 after meeting Elliott in spring of 1965 on a plane on the way to a Knights of Columbus track meet in Cleveland. Jack retired from Villanova in 1991 and is now considered Villanova \”coach emeritus.\” Upon his retirement, Villanova presented Jack a unique gift–the offer to accompany the Villanova track or cross-country teams to any meet in the country. Jack was inducted into the Villanova Hall of Fame in 2001.

Jack didn’t know when his Uncle George took him to his first Penn Relays in 1934 at age 16, that he would attend 73 Penn Relays in a row, and that he would witness an incredible 54 Championship of America relay victories by Villanova at Penn. More importantly, that first trip to Penn started in motion a lifetime love affair with running and track and field, and a lifetime of friendships with some of the greatest track-and-field athletes of all time.read more

BREWER, JACQUELINE \’JACKIE\’
(nee Murphy). On January 29, 2007 of Audubon, NJ, age 72 years.
Beloved wife of Frederick W. Brewer, Jr; devoted mother of Frederick W. Brewer, III, Thomas J. Brewer (Patricia), Edward F. Brewer, Sr. (Mary), Jane Helmes (Russell), Bettyann Epley-Cloak (Frank); loving grandmother of Lynn, Jacqueline, Dorothy, Russell, Abigail, Nicole, Susan, Bud, Brian, Fred, Melissa, Amanda, Edward, Katelyn; great grandmother of Chet, Danny, Hanna, Jack, Eliza; dear friend Lorraine \”Lorri\” E. Brewer; sister of Charlotte Norman, Francis Murphy, Martha Jane Murphy, Audrey Murphy.
Jackie was a member of the Audubon Democrat Club, Audubon Little League and a former Girl Scout Leader.She was an avid bowler and enjoyed playing cards.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Thursday morning from9-11AM at the HENRY FUNERAL HOME, 152 W.Atlantic Ave., Audubon. Funeral service will follow at 11AM. Interment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. Contributions in Jackie\’s memory may be made to: American Diabetes Assoc., Southern Regional Chapter, 1060 N. Kings Hwy, Suite 309, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

Virden, Ralph J.

On January 31, 2007. Age 84. Of Sewell. Formerly of Gloucester City and Paulsboro. Surrounded and cared for by his devoted family. Loving brother of Doris Homer of Gloucester City, Milton Virden of Paulsboro, Thomas Virden (wife Veronica) of Gloucester City and the late Grover \”Skeets\” Virden, Jr., Catherine Glover, William Virden, Robert Virden, Francis Virden and Helen Cheeseman. Ralph is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was a longtime resident of Paulsboro and Gloucester City. Ralph always enjoyed the company of his friends and family. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Saturday morning from 8:30 am to 10 am from the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street (at Brown Street) Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 am at Saint Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Interment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. There will be no evening viewing. Family requests that memorial donations be made in Ralph\’s memory to Msgr. Lucitt\’s Needy Children\’s Fund: c/o Saint Mary’s R.C. Church at the above address. Please write in the memo of the check Ralph J. Virden.
Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Ralph J. Virden.