SHOULD THE VOTERS OF GLOUCESTER CITY PLACE A QUESTION ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT TO DECIDE ON A CHANGE IN FORM OF GOVERNMENT?

Of the 142 people who voted 93.1 percent said they were in favor of the question while only 6.9 percent said they were against it.

To all the people who participated thank you for your input.

Bill Cleary

DEMOCRATS AND TAXES RUINING NEW JERSEY\’S ECONOMY

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF BLUE JERSEY

by: jmelli

Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 16:31:18 PM EST

Oh wait. They\’re not.

New Jersey is second only to Massachusetts in a ranking released today of the states by their success at transitioning to the innovative, knowledge-based \”new economy.\”

The Kauffman Foundation study also puts Maryland, Washington and California in the top five. The five lowest-ranked states are West Virginia, Mississippi, South Dakota, Arkansas and Alabama.

The study compares the 50 states on 26 factors, including patents and entrepreneurial activity. New Jersey ranks high for its concentration of high-tech jobs, fast-growing companies, industry-sponsored research and the strength of our digital economy.

It must have just been another honest mistake in my GOP talking points. I\’m sure they\’ll get on it and fix that up right away.

Its amazing how \”one bad apple\” is convincing people that all the volunteers are bad apples and that they all stole from the pot. So in return people are deciding not to support the volunteer firefighters by not donating to any thing because someone has blackened their eye.

I am sure the volunteers are trying to do the best and do the right thing that they can for this situation. If by charging the fellow with theft and the judge decides to give him probation with restitution, which may amount to 20 bucks a month, where does that leave the association – still indebted to the burn foundation because I\’m sure they will find away to pay it back no matter what. Maybe considering taking the money, give it to the burn foundation which where it belongs, and boot the bad apple out of the fire department may be a better plan, at least the money for the burn foundation will be given to them where they much need it.

But to consider all the volunteers thieves is outragous! If a member of your family stole money, are you a thief too by association? Don\’t forget that most of the volunteers are funded through donations and fund raisers, ie… bingo\’s, hoagie sales, mailings, not by the City. If people decide to not donate to any function or mailings to the volunteers than you will be jeopardizing having a volunteer fire service in this town.

I am sure the association would want to discuss this with the public to clear up any misleadings and assumptions Mr. Cleary keeps accusing the volunteers of doing, however, I believe they can not because its still under investigation and determination on how to handle the situation.

People should give the benefit of doubt than accuse them of cover up so early in the game. Its sad and shameful that this had to happen to the volunteers and fire department, but remember when theres a fire who comes out all hours of the day and night, leaving their families and giving their time to save your property and love one…fire fighters, career and volunteer – so support them even in times of trouble.

Volunteers has giving their time and support thru the years to you, is this town going to drop them when they need them? Support the volunteers Im sure they will do what they feel is right for the situation. And when you have to call 911 because your house is on fire,remember who are still responding to HELP YOU. –

Print this in the GCN Mr. Cleary instead of bashing them!

signed A supporter of Firefighters

Editor\’s Note: I would ask the writer to be more specific. When and Where did I bash the entire volunteer fire association? I have been consistent in asking the officers of the Association to either confirm or deny that money is missing from the Marathon\’s banking account.

And if this is correct, then apologize to the public and we can move on. The money taken belonged to the people who donated to this worthy cause, it didn\’t belong to the Firemen Association.

This happened before. A system should have been put in place in the 80\’s so it couldn\’t happen again.

I believe the Gloucester City Volunteer Firemen are the best at what they do. And I am very thankful for all the sacrifices they make in order to keep our city safe.

Bill Cleary

PS: I will gladly print your letter in the Gloucester City News. However, you will need to sign your name to it. Send your name along with a phone number to [email protected]

If you are in the mood for great Italian cuisine try Vitale\’s Italian Bistro at the corner of Brick and Jersey Avenues, Gloucester City. The former seafood restaurant is gone and a new owner has completely renovated the inside.

Give it a try, you won\’t be disappointed. Take out available. Open every day except Monday.

40 Town-Homes To Be Built On Former Haddonfield Lumber Site; Students Asked To Name Street

 Bill Bates
NEWS Correspondent

Mount Ephraim Commissioner Anthony Chambers said Borough Officials have created a contest open to students at the Mary Bray Elementary and the R.W. Kershaw schools during last week’s Board of Education meeting.

A developer will be building 40 town-homes at the former Haddonfield Lumber Site. In this new development includes a street that will be added to the Borough.

The Commissioners thought it would be great idea if the students could name the street. They suggested maybe separating the students by grade and having the students submit their suggestions.

Then each grade could have some type of vote to determine the best suggestion. Finally, the final selection from each grade would go on to compete for the final vote from all of the grades.

The Commissioners are hoping to have this final selection by Easter Break to forward to the developer.

Student Council President Sierra Chambers then came forward to thank the School Board, Mr. Rafferty, and Mrs. Conley for allowing her to represent the students at the \”Dialogue with 8th Grade Students\” at the Camden County School Boards Association Meeting February 8.

The students discussed many topics including academics, state testing, school facilities, student safety, and serious issues that involve students, just to mention a few.

Sierra is looking forward to sharing these ideas and suggestions to the school and its student body to make improvements in both schools. Sierra said she is glad she attended the meeting and that it was a very positive experience for her.

The school board approved Rebecca Tokolish as a substitute classroom teacher for the remainder of the 2006-2007 school year.

The School Book Fair will be February 21 from 3 to 3:30 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday, February 2 from 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Parents are reminded to listen to KYW-1060 or view Channels 3, 6, or 10 on inclement weather days. The school district closing number is 591.

Preschool and kindergarten registration will be held Wednesday, February 28 and again Thursday, March 1 at the Mary Bray School at 931-7807.

The Annual School Board Elections will be Tuesday, April 17. The polls will open at 2 p.m. and will close at 9 p.m.

The voting will take place at the Kershaw School Media Center. For information on any of the events mentioned above you may visit the school districts website at www.mtephraimschools.org.

The next monthly meeting will be held at the R.W. Kershaw School Media Center on Monday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m

ENDT, WILLIAM C.
on February 26, 2007, of Runnemede, formerly of Audubon Park. Age 56.
Beloved husband of Deborah (nee Joseph). Devoted father of Buck. Loving grandfather of Jake. Favorite son-in-law of Beverly Joseph. Dear brother of Kenny (Roseann), Jack and the late Craig and Bobby. Also survived by many nieces and nephews and his pal Jynx.
Mr. Endt especially enjoyed playing with his grandson Jake. He considered his third shift friends and co-workers at NJ Transit as his second family.
Services private. Family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in Mr. Endt\’s memory to the Horizon Foundation, 221 4th Ave., Mt. Ephraim, NJ 08059. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to [email protected].

WINTERS, HELEN M. (TOOTSIE)
Suddenly on February 23, 2007, age 56, (Curran).
Wife of George of Gloucester, NJ. Dear mother of William of West Deptford, niece of Robert Curran, Anita Curran and Mary Metzgar, godmother of Ashley Winters, Michele Huppman and Brian Kramer. She is also survived by many cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Wednesday at 11 AM at The PREDPELSKI FUNERAL HOME, 983 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ. Interment New St. Mary\’s Cemetery. Viewing Wednesday morning from 10 to 11 AM at the funeral home.
www.predpelski.com

KAIGHN, MARIANNE REBECCA

Age 69, died on February 17, 2007, at her residence in Micco, FL, She was formerly a long-time resident of Glouc-ester City, NJ.
Survived by brother Earl (Diane) Kaighn of National Park, two daughters, Sharon Thomas of FL a nd Joanne (Terry) Sammons of Mantua, NJ, 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by brother Roland Albert Kaighn.
She love fishing and camping and was very happy living in Florida. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW, Moose, and Orioles.
Services were held in Florida on February 23, 2007. Donations in her memory can be made to the American Cancer Society.

John A. Fox, Owner of Fox\’s Gloucester Appliances Died at age 62

John A. Fox Sr., 62, of West Deptford, formerly of National Park died peacefully on February 22, 2007 at Underwood Hospital surrounded by his family; Aged 62 years.

John worked at Texaco for numerous years and in 1984, he followed one of his dreams and opened Fox\’s Gloucester Appliance. He operated the business for 22 years. One of the hardest days for him was in April of 2006 when he had to close his business due to medical reasons. He loved his job and the people he met through his years of service. He will always be grateful for the years he ran the business.

He told his family to always reme-mber he was happy with all he did and accomplished in life. All he ever wanted to know is \’Are we having fun yet?\’

John was a friend of Bill W.\’s and proudly would of celebrated his 22nd year on March 3rd. He cherished the numerous friendships he made over all those years.To all the people who helped and touched his life, we personally want to thank you.

John loved to fish and was extremely handy. He was a very prompt, honest, andforgiving man who will beremembered for his optimist ways.

Devoted Father of Carol (Bob) Magdin, Benjamin (Jennifer) and John Jr. (Christina) and stepdaughter Karen (Todd) Simpson; Loving grandfather of Robert, Rebecca, Ben, Alisha, Spencer, Bryce, Alex and Emily Rose; Dear Brother of William, Harry and Robert.

Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing this evening, Monday, 6:30-9:00 PM and Tuesday, 9-10 AM at the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ where the Funeral Service will follow at 10 AM. Interment Woodbury Memorial Park, Woodbury, NJ
Tributes & memories may be shared at: www.mcgfuneral. com.
\’

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST !

Commentary By Hank F. Miller Jr.

\”A Journey Through The Island Of Kyushu\”

We left our home on a trip to Mount Aso in Kumamoto, Prefecture at about a three hour drive by car it was 10:00 am.when we left home on a bright sunny morning in June and the children had just got out of school for their summer vacation.
When we neared Mount Aso we noticed that the moon had already risen and was hanging,very white,in an empty blue sky.
It was only about one thirty in the aftrnoon,We could see a tiny cloud of smoke that showed,in the distance,where
Mount Aso stood.
Schoolchildren were sitting along the sides of the road near Oguni Town,drawing pictures of the rice fields which they tried to hide as we passed. Further on,higher, brown cows were lazily eating grass,looking up at the moon and wondering where evening was.
Higher still there were no schoolchildren and no cows.
The grass was the greenest I had ever seen in Japan and,as the road climbed steeply upwards,it turned greener.Behind us,like a painting,the grey-brown shape of Mount Kuju rose into the sky and the sun touched it,turning it orange,then gold.

We decided to stop and stretch our legs for a while,and while there we took a few photographs and ate some sandwhiches my wife Keiko had prepared before leaving home.
We started out again,by about two thirty we were standing on the rim of the greatest crater on earth staring down into the flat round valley big enough to contain three towns,at the walls of the crater,like landscapes of the moon,and a Mount Aso itself and the purple volcanoes beyond it to the east,we
could smell the selfer that rose in a small cloud of smoke from the crater.
We walked down into the valley,wanting it to cry once more with the little streams of steam comming out from the hot springs themselves.
June was more than half over and the hot spring town in the crater was quiet.the sun had gone down behind the rim of the crater and a long shadow was creeping up the main street.With it came the evening wind.
Many of the hotels were open for business as usual as were the pensions which the Japanese call ,but in the West they are known as lodges.We had made a booking a month before at the pension called \”The Cream House.\” When we arrived and entered we were met at the door by the owner.The only sound heard was of a huge color television set hanging on the wall in the living room that had been on since morning with no one watching.
We checked in and were shown our rooms,putting our bags there we went down to the living room and made our aquaintance with the proprietor and his wife and son.
\’what\’s the English for gemu? asked Manabu,the eleven-year-old son of the pension owner.Later we all decided to go and take a hot springbath togther.While there sitting in the small hot spring bath together,Manabu had joined us and began to ask me to teach him some English.He had a small notebook and pencil with him and was managing to write in the nootbook without getting it wet.That was very clever.I thought.He was a very clever boy.
\’What\’s the English for gemu?\’\’Game,\’I told him.He wrote it down.\’What\’s the English for ka?\’\’Car.\’\’What\’s the English for kamera?\’\’Camera.\’\’What\’s the English for \’pitcher.\’He wrote it down.\’They\’re the same! he cried happily.
The evening had turned cool after the sun went down.
so we walked through the streets of the near by town of Takamuri,we were in our Japanese summer Komono\’s and a pair of the wooden klogs called geta.The geta made a sharp noise as we walked through the half empty streets and the noise made the streets seem even emptier.
We returned back to the pensiom about ten after eating dinner at a small traditional Japanese restaurant.We went to our rooms
and went to sleep for the night.
On the next morning we awoke early at about 07:00 a.m.had a great western style breakfast,leaving the pension at about 09\”00 am.
We went horsback riding near by for anout 2 hours,after that headed back home to Kitakyushu,City.

\”After our first trip to Mount Aso,our family continued to visit The Cream House each year for the next 10 years and the owner and his family became very good friends of ours,\’
It\’s like a second home for us up there on that mountain.

A Journey Through The Island Of Kyushu (To Be continued:)

Warm Regards From Kitakyushu City ,Japan