photos/article by Bill Cleary 

HOW MUCH DID IT COST? NOW WE KNOW!-Remember the \”sweet-heart\” deal announced October 12, 2006 in the Democrat controlled \”What’s Happening In Gloucester City\” newsletter that the City had purchased the dilapidated building at Broadway and Cumberland Street. It was one of those Democrat \”puff pieces\” that came out before the election with the banner \”Great Things Are Happening\” in Gloucester City. In this article the Kilcourse administration conveniently left out some important information. In particularly, how much did it cost you and I to buy this crumbling structure?

Well thanks to the City\’s new Mayor, Bill James , bits and pieces of what has been kept secret from the public on a number of topics is slowly coming out (see the Mayor\’s Inaugural Address). As for this piece of junk the tax dollars spent totaled $425,000. In the past when a property was left to rot as this building was, the City would demolish it and charge the owner for the work. One wonders why it wasn\’t done with this decaying property.

Still more facts are missing. For example, why was the site offered to a seafood business (Reel Fresh Seafood, Bellmawr) without it being announced to the public first that the city was looking for someone to establish a business at that locale? And how was it the owner of the property was able to sell it to the City without bringing it up to code. You try to sell your property and the Housing Code Office is all over you finding cracks in the sidewalk and issuing orders to paint this or repair that.

Who is going to assume the cost for the repairs or the demolition, taxpayers or Seafood business? Did the owners of Reel Fresh Seafood put any monies towards the purchase? Is the liquor license still in operation for the former bar?

Parts of the roof and concrete have fallen off the building. Hopefully work begins on the improvements soon.

Keep coming back to ClearyNotebook as we continue our quest to find out the answers to those other secrets that have been kept from all of us for so long.

BARRAR, NADINE
Nadine Prickett Barrar, age 89, of Mt. Ephraim, NJ, widow of Joseph Prickett and Robert Barrar. Died Thursday, January 4, 2007 at her daughter\’s residence in Moncks Corner, SC.
Grave- side service will be held in Chews Landing Cemetery, Glendora, NJ at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First United Methodist Church, Mt. Ephraim, NJ.
Mrs. Barrar was born December 23, 1917,in Runnemede, NJ, a daughter of the late Frederick and Lillian Derbyshire Sweesy. She was a graduate of Audubon High School, NJ. She was a member of the Runnemede Widows Club. She retired as Sales Supervisor with JC Penney and she was a member of The First United Methodist Church, Mt. Ephraim, NJ.
Survived by daughter, Joy Burton of Moncks Corner,SC, stepson, Larry Barrar of Haddon Heights, NJ, stepdaughter, Ruth Dagostino of NJ, 3 grandchildren, Rebecca, Joshua and Joseph Burton all of Moncks Corner, SC, 1 great grandson, Christopher Burton of Moncks Corner, SC, 1 sister, Grace E. Fillman Sweesy of Blenheim, NJ. She was predeceased by her son and brothers, Robert Prickett, Thomas and George Sweesy.
Arrangements by the JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 South Main St., Summerville, South Carolina 843-873-4040

Hughie \”Mac\” McCaughey, former owner of Publishers Inc. & Camden County Record; Lifelong Member of the Gloucester City Lions Club; World War II Army Veteran. Services Thursday at McCann Healey Funeral Home

Hughie Alexander McCaughey \”Mac\” of Brooklawn passed away on Saturday January 7, 2007 at the age of 82.

Mac was born in Woodbury, NJ but was raised in Brooklawn where he graduated from the Alice Costello Grammar School. He went on attend Gloucester City High School and graduated with the Class of 1942.

Hughie proudly served our country in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1946. He returned home to the United States and became an apprentice printer for Gray and Godshall Printers. The Godshall business was purchased by Publishers, Inc. in 1957. Hughie was one of the owners of Publishers Inc. and became its Vice-President in 1964 and owner from 1964 to 1988. He was also a part owner of the Camden County Record, a weekly newspaper for a good number of years.

Mac was a member of the Gloucester City Lions Club joining in 1962 and was a member up until his death. Hughie was Past President and King Lion in 1979-1980 and was a very dedicated member of the Lions Club for many years. He had printed the club bulletin which has resulted in the Bulletin being selected as the most outstanding in District 16-C on three occasions. In addition, Hughie served as the District 16-C printer for several years.

Hughie was a longtime member of the Gloucester City High School Fathers’ Club. He was a former member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Gloucester City where he served as a Sunday school teacher for many years.

Mr. McCaughey was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth S. (nee Moen). He is survived by two sons John D. McCaughey and his wife Theresa of Ruther Glen, Virginia and Hughie A. McCaughey, Jr. of Blackwood. Dear grandfather of Scott McCaughey of Washington, D.C. and Jessica McCaughey of Arlington, Virginia.

Relatives, friends, and members of the Gloucester City Lions Club are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Thursday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the McCann-Healey Funeral Home, 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City. Religious Service 2 p.m. in the funeral home officiated by Pastor William Dilks of Highland Park Church of God. Interment with military honors Richwood United Methodist Church, Richwood, NJ.

Family requests that memorial donations be made in Hughie’s memory to the American Cancer Society: 1851 Old Cuthbert Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 or the Helen Diller Vacation Home for the Blind: c/o Gloucester City Lions Club: 315 Orlando Avenue, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Write in the memo of the check Hughie A. McCaughey, Sr. and make payable to the Gloucester City Lions Club.

Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through the funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Hughie Alexander McCaughey, Sr.

New Jersey NEWS Round-Up Monday January 8 by: jay lassiter

Many newspapers statewide are running commentaries about the shifting political winds regarding the death penalty here in the state. As you know, in spite of the efforts of Axex de Croce and Gerry Cardinale in Trenton, capital punishment is slated to be abolished here in NJ, and replaced with life in prison. Democratic majority at his back, our senior Senator Frank Lautenberg has the environment on his mind in Washington. The New Jersey environment, I mean. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Lautenberg will be in a good position to score. Also on his agenda? Transportation funds. With the retirement of Bill Gormley from the state senate, the race to fill that slot has become one of the most hotly anticipated showdowns in the state. Now it\’s looking like Former A.C. Mayor Whelan considers running for Gormley\’s Senate seat. Good deal. The politics in that neck of the woods is leaning more blue all the time. Looks like a south Jersey Navy man is now heading up Central Command in Iraq. Asbury Park Press: Adm. William Fallon, the U.S. commander in the Pacific and a Camden native who also grew up in nearby Merchantville, replaces Gen. John Abizaid as the top U.S. commander in the Middle East. My hometown pride is tempered with the knowledge that the Navy is assuming a larger role in mid-east affairs. Afterall, an incursion of Iran (God help us) would be done primarily by sea. So stay tuned. The Philly Inquirer has a site where you can check out the votes of Philly area Congresscritters. So if you\’re in NJ Congressional districts 1-4, you\’re in luck. Finally, have you had a chance to vote for Carrot Award for the best NJ liberal blog? City Belt and Alternative Press are in the lead. Two one-man blogs follow. My site (Lassiter Space) is in third and Brilliant at Breakfast is at number four. Voting closes tomorrow, so there is still some time to send a one-person operation into the final round.

By Lois Staas

NEWS Correspondent

Bellmawr’s Mayor and Council meeting began with the

awarding of plaques for the best decorated houses in the town’s 17^th annual contest.

Prior to presenting the awards, Council President Louis P. DiAngelo said, \”Every year we send out Santa’s Helpers to see which houses fall into the category of best decorated house.\”

The winners were the following:

District 1 – Nolan Family, 47 Brown Avenue; District 2 – Howard-Reed Family,128 Worthington Avenue; District 3 – Judd Family,127 Kennedy Boulevard; District 4 – Gillis Family,16 Aspen Place;District 5 – Glaquinto Family,16 Aspen Place; District 6 – DiCiano Family,935 Center Avenue; District 7 – Bosurgi Family,121 Davon Avenue.

All of Mayor and Council congratulated the award winners.

Councilman Stephen Sauter summed up the commentary by saying, \”Thanking you to all the residents of Bellmawr who decorated houses.\”

Councilman DiAngelo noted the success of the Christmas in Bellmawr Sleigh Rides during the evenings of December 8, 9, and 10.

\”I would like to personally thank all borough employees for all of their hard work and thank the Mayor for his hard work,\” DiAngelo said.

\”Over 4,000 came through the park in three nights,\” Mayor Filipek added.

Councilwoman Regina F. Pointkowski stated, \”The Mayor knows. He was making the hot chocolate.\”

No one came forward for the public portion of the meeting.

Mayor Filipek expressed the wishes for all of council, \”From our Bellmawr family to all citizens, have a safe and happy holiday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please drive carefully. If you drink, don’t drive.\”

\”We will continue to work for the citizens of Bellmawr as always.\”

Mt. Ephraim Commissioners December Meeting

By Linda Boker-AngeloNEWS Correspondent

The Mount Ephraim Board of Commissioners last week finished up business for the year, approving funding for new Public Works vehicles and increasing the fee charged for a bingo/raffle license.

The governing body passed a bond ordinance appropriating $270,000 for the purchase of a loader/backhoe and a street sweeper. Approximately $256,500 in bonds will be issued to finance the pur-chase.

The commissioners also approved a resolution rais-ing the fees for a bingo/raffle license, in ac-cordance with a recent state increase. The state has dou-bled its licensing fee from $10 a week to $20 a week. The borough is permitted by law to collect up to the same amount for a local fee. The commissioners voted to also charge applicants $20 a week.

Resolutions granting a bingo license to Sacred Heart Church and bingo-/raffle licenses to MEPRI and Sons of Italy Lodge #2362.

The commissioners will meet again at 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 4 in the Borough Hall, 131 South Black Horse Pike.

An elderly couple had been experiencing declining memories, so they decided to take a power memory class where one is taught to remember things by association.

A few days after the class, the old man was outside talking with his neighbor about how much the class helped him.

\”What was the name of the Instructor?\” asked the neighbor.

\”Oh, ummmm, let\’s see,\” the old man pondered. \”You know that flower, you know, the one that smells really nice but has those prickly thorns, what\’s that flower\’s name?\”

\”A rose?\” asked the neighbor.

\”Yes, that\’s it,\” replied the old man. He then turned toward his house and shouted, \”Hey, Rose, what\’s the name of the Instructor we took the memory class from?\”

Mt. Ephraim Fire Dept Responds to Auto Accident

by Bill Bates News Correspondent

The Mount Ephraim Fire Department, Station 45, was dispatched at 3:27 hours on Friday, December 1 in front of 602 North Black Horse Pike, the WaWa, for a two car motor vehicle accident.

Basic Life Support Unit 297, Haddon Heights, came upon the accident moments after it was dispatched.

BLS 297 ascertained that they had a two vehicle MVA with one entrapment.

Camden County Communications re-toned the assignment and added Rescue 2, from neighboring Bellmawr, as Mount Ephraim’s rescue is temporarily out of service.

The MEFD is awaiting the arrival of the new truck which should be in a few weeks. The truck is currently being mounted with special equipment and having the lettering and painting completed.

Deputy Chief Brian Gilmore arrived and assumed Command 450. Shortly after, Mount Ephraim’s Engine 452, followed by Bellmawr’s Squad 32 arrived and both companies went to work to extricate the patient.

Command 450 reported at the ten minute mark that both companies were operating and that he would hold with the equipment and staffing on location.

The patient was extricated by the 20 minute mark and transported to Cooper Hospital by Haddon Heights BLS 297.

Engine 452’s crew and Command 450 stayed on location to assist the police and the tow company as they removed the vehicles from the highway.

The driver of the vehicle and the driver and passengers of the second vehicle were all treated and released the same day.

GREEN, MARGARET K.
(nee Graf) Age 89, on January 5, 2007. Lifelong resident of Gloucester City.
Loving wife of the late Edward E. Green. Beloved mother of her two devoted sons Edward C. \’Bolt\’ of Brooklawn and Robert G. and his wife Carla of Gloucester City. Loving grandmother of Robert M. Green of Gloucester City, Steven (USN) and Jennifer Thomas and William J. (USN) and Lindsey Green, all of Norfolk, VA. Loving great-grandmother of Brett, Jessica and James. Also surviving is a loving niece Vivian Sprague of New Gretna.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend her viewing and funeral, Wednesday starting 1 p.m. at
MAHAFFEY-MILANO
FUNERAL HOME
11 East Kings Highway
Mt. Ephraim, NJ 08059
856-931-1628 Religious services 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret\’s name to Gospel Ministries to Children of South Jersey, c/o Janet E. McKinney, 531 Deep Run Road, Perkasie, PA 18944, are preferred.

Mt. Ephraim Fire Dept Candy Cane Parade

On Sunday, December 17, members of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department organized their annual Candy Cane Parade.

This is a small parade that hits just about every street in the borough where Santa & Mrs. Claus visit the residents and children one last time before Christmas.

The emergency vehicles are all decked out with their holiday lights and the holiday music.

The Candy Cane Parade lasted a little over two hours and over 1,000 candy canes were given out by members of the fire department.

Thank you to the Mount Ephraim Emergency Management and MEPRI EMS who also joined us for this special parade.