Source http://www.courierpostonline.com

By RENEE WINKLER
Courier-Post Staff

Anyone who spotted Ruth Cleary tooling around in her red Chrysler convertible probably thought of her as a blithe spirit.

She always had time to chat with neighbors she met during her 46 years in Haddon Heights or with people in nearby communities visiting the same yard sales as she.

But there was a warmer, more giving side to Cleary, who died recently after an illness that forced her into a Cherry Hill nursing facility for the last year of her life.

By then, her beloved car had been replaced by a wheelchair, said one of her three daughters, Kathy Underwood of Gloucester City.

Cleary spent a lifetime opening her heart — and often her wallet — to strangers who became friends.

Born in Pine Grove, Pa., near Pottsville, she was on her own at 16 after her parents\’ death. She began to work as a waitress, where she met her husband, Jim, a bartender.

 

Friday, October 19^th, doors open at 7 PM. Gloucester Heights Fire Hall, Nicholson road. Friends of Ray Ford along with Gloucester Catholic, Gloucester High Alumni invited (men only). Admission $8 includes food and refreshments.

Photos from Ray Ford\’s 2006 Meeting see more of 2006 album

 

Note from Bill: Below is the Courier Post article that I used to write my editorial. The lines I used for information are highlighted. In my article I mistakenly used the demographics for West Deptford instead of Deptford. One of the points I was trying to make is not so much about demographics, although that is import. What I was also trying to get across is the fact that volunteers are being used by these fire departments to cut down on costs. The story also points out how Fire Departments conduct outreach programs to attract more volunteers. In my opinion that is something Gloucester City should and could be doing.

Emergency Call Volume Increases

Thursday, October 11, 2007

By BILL DUHART
Courier-Post Staff,  

WINSLOW-There\’s a transition under way in the township fire department but also an effort to hold on to timeworn traditions. And Winslow is not the only town performing this balancing act.

Four career firefighters have been hired here since last year and plans call for five more full-timers within the next year. But department officials say they still want to keep the tradition of volunteers to augment the full-timers.

\”Last year, we went from 1,303 emergency dispatches to be on pace this year for up to 1,600,\” said township fire Chief Peter Finley. \”A few years ago we were at about 500 to 600 calls a year.\”

The chief said demands for coverage in a rapidly growing township, especially during weekdays, is driving the change. The population of Winslow, which is 58 square miles, stand at about 34,000 people.

\”The days when volunteers worked in town and could leave their jobs and go off to a fire call just doesn\’t happen anymore,\” Finley said. \”Also, a lot of people have more than one job and have family activities. It makes it difficult to dedicate the time necessary to do that.

\”It\’s a national problem, recruiting and attracting quality people to the volunteer ranks. Training is getting more difficult and a lot more time and energy is required.\”

Finley said more career staff doesn\’t spell the end for the 140 volunteers in the seven fire companies in the township.

The township now gets full-time coverage from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and volunteers are on hand in fire stations from 6 p.m. to midnight. After midnight, volunteers respond from home to the station and the fire scene.

The typical township resident paid about $191 yearly to fund the fire district in 2007. That\’s based on a tax rate of 19 cents for every $100 of assessed property value. In 2006, typical residents paid $165.

The starting pay for full-time firefighters is $40,700. Add in benefits and each full-timer costs about $55,000.

Edward Kensler Jr., chief of the Florence fire department, shares Finley\’s concerns. His department also uses a combination of career and volunteer firefighters.

\”Fire companies need to do a better job reaching out and attracting new volunteers,\” said Kensler, the first career firefighter hired in Florence in 1987 and now one of six career firefighters there among 35 volunteers. \”Our volume of calls has gone from 200 a few years ago to up to 450 a year now.\”

While Florence, with about 12,000 residents, has a third of the population of Winslow and a fifth of Winslow\’s 58-square-mile area, it still is affected by many of the same problems that drive up response calls.

Home-security calls are an issue, Kensler said.

\”And about 90 percent of the home-security calls are false alarms,\” he said. \”We call them Smells and Bells.\”

Finley said about a third of his calls are from home-security systems. Kensler said he has to guard against the false alarms lulling volunteers into not responding for every call.

\”If you get three out of four false alarms a week it might put some doubt in a volunteer\’s mind if they really need to respond to this address when the pager goes off,\” Kensler said.

Chief Stephen Hubbs of Deptford shares those concerns.

\”My call volume has increased by 90 percent since 2001,\” said Hubbs, 47, one of 20 career firefighters here among 110 volunteers.

Hubbs said emergency medical assists and car accidents dwarf actual calls for fires in his department. False alarms also outpace actual fire calls. He said automatic alarm systems are now required by building codes here.

Hubbs cited statistics from the National Volunteer Firefighters Council that say 70 percent of firefighters nationally are volunteers. Volunteer recruitment remains an essential part of fire and emergency response in Deptford.

Winslow fire officials are also concerned about continuing to recruit volunteer firefighters as they hire career staffers.

\”We got a number of new homes going up with new residents,\” said Anthony Sirolli, chairman of Winslow Township Fire District. \”Sometimes we just pull an engine into a development to try to get young people interested in becoming volunteers.\”

Another part of the district\’s outreach is its annual Fire Prevention Open House, held this year on Sunday at Winslow Township High School on Cooper Folly Road. The event features pony rides, a roller coaster and a giveaway of two computer systems to local residents. The event, from 1 to 4 p.m. is free and also features free food and drinks.

 

Bill,

 

In response, I have to say that Saturday\’s demonstration was not a High Water Mark for the State FMBA or the local fire department unions.

 

On behalf of myself, city council and the fine citizens of Gloucester City I want to apologize to Maryann, Tom and Ryan Stewart, Danielle and Nicholas and Mrs. West and her family and Mrs. Sylvester and her family for the inconsiderate demonstration and tee shirt display conducted by the Fire Departments Union.

As Mayor I can only say that I am disheartened by, embarrassed for, and angry with, both the organizers and the participants of this demonstration as this was not the time or the place to grandstand their agenda.

William James, Mayor of the City of Gloucester City

To read Mr. Lavin\’s remarks, click

see Photo Gallery

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A Hot Topic

Source http://www.southphillyreview.com

If you don\’t love a parade, but can\’t get enough of the rich history that surrounds the group there are several books on the subject, the most recent being \”Life, Liberty, and The Mummers\” by Ed Kennedy.

The 54-year-old captured a year in the life of the Mummers with a 198-page photo essay. Set to be released this month, the book will be available at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Amazon.com. Shooting began in \’03 when he attended his first parade, not quite knowing what to expect.

\”It\’s like a G-rated Mardi Gras to me,\” the New Orleans native said with a laugh.

He was welcomed with open arms and spent the next four years with groups like the South Philly Vikings and the Quaker City String Band.

The Elkins Park resident said similarities between his hometown\’s famed Mardi Gras and our town\’s celebrated Mummers\’ Parade drew him to the subject, and it was the bond between the Mummers and the community that kept him coming back for more.

\”On Second Street, when you get on it, that\’s where they\’re performing for their own community,\” he said. \”You see that closeness, that sense of community. I wrote in my book that South Philly would cease to exist without the Mummers — they both support each other.\”

Many members date the start of the Mummers to the 1600s — before William Penn even set foot in the soon-to-be Keystone State.

\”The Swedes of what\’s now known as Queen Village would go around and put on plays from house to house,\” Burke said. \”Then they would be invited in to eat and have a few beers. That\’s how the tradition got started — by being with neighbors celebrating — and the tradition continues to what you see today.\”

In the 1870s, groups organized with comic and fancy-dress clubs forming, becoming the first versions of today\’s Mummers. Parades became the focus in the 1880s, with the prize of $25 being awarded in the \’88 contest on South Broad. Baked goods, food and beer from local taverns served as prizes, as well.

A year after the city recognized the parade in 1901, string bands joined the lineup and in 1903 minstrel Charles Dumont introduced \”Oh! Dem Golden Slippers,\” which has become a signature song for the group.

In 2000, the Mummers were rerouted from Broad to Market Street, but made their way back in \’04.

The Mummers have not stopped growing. Just this year, a new group called the Pennsport String Band formed, with a different take.

\”We are a new type of string band,\” President Robert Simiriglio, a former member of the Durning String Band who will march in his 34th parade this year, said.

The 45-year-old who grew up on 19th and Ritner streets said the different format — with no dues or duties — came from the wishes of its 43 members who wanted to continue Mummering without the intense commitment.

\”It\’s all paid for out of pocket,\” he said. \”We don\’t do many jobs or parades. We keep expenses low. There\’s no clubhouse. A lot of members still wanted to march New Year\’s Day, but they are people who like to spend summers with their families. Some string bands have jobs weekly, but a lot of us don\’t have that kind of time. We decided this would be a fun thing to do, an easy thing and cheap.\”

No matter who struts or how many years pass, the Mummer family tree is planted — and firmly rooted — in South Philly.

\”I could take a picture of a crowd at the New Year\’s Day parade, and to find out who that person was, go back to South Philly, stop at a bar or some place and ask, \’Does anybody know who this is?\’ And they\’d say, \’Oh yeah, go down two blocks to the right. It\’s my cousin\’s friend\’s sister,\’\” Kennedy said. \”Even if you\’re not a Mummer, you know somebody who is. They have a real connection with the community.\”

Read more http://www.southphillyreview.com

 

COSTS OF FIRE PROTECTION For The Calendar Year 2007 

Fire:
Salaries & Wages…………………………………. $2,398,237.50
Other Expenses 238,800.00

$2,637,037.50

Note: Overtime through October 10, 2007=$279,015.38)

Uniform Fire Safety Act:
Salaries and Wages………………………………… $70,085.01
other expenses 8,000.00

$78,085.01

Office of Emergency Management:
Salaries and Wages ……………………………………………………………. $28,000.00

Other expenses 10,000.00

$ 38,000.00

Indirect Costs:
Insurance:
Estimated 25% of JIF/MEL Premiums ($546,149.40)…………………….. $136,537.35

Premium for Gloucester Heights Policy………………… 1,985.50

Volunteer Life Insurance Premiums……………………………………. 248.18

$138,771.03

Group Insurance Plans (Including Retirees):
Medical ………………….. $424,908.00

Dental …………………….. 24,048.00

Prescription ………………………… 118,029.96

Vision Reimbursements……………………. 158.00

Medicare Reimbursements (Retirees) ………………………… 4,488.00

$571,631.96

Utilities (Including Volunteer Stations) (2006 Figures)
Electricity ……………………………….. $30,503.06

Gas……………………………. 25,640.51

Telephone ……………………………………….. 5,394.24

Sewerage Disposal………………………………………. 945.00

Gasoline & Diesel Fuel …………………………………………………………………… 21,442.32

$83,925.13

Employer Share of Payroll Taxes:

Social Security @6.20% …………………………… $6,695.09

Medicare @1.45% ……………………….. 36,196.68

$42,891.77

Contribution to Police & Firemens Pension System:

47.24% of 2007 Pension Bill of $507,116.80 ……………………………. …………….. $ 239,561.98

Subtotal Operating Expenses……………………………………………………………… $ 3,829,904.38

Debt Service Related to Fire Capital Expenditures:

Bond Anticipation Note Principal ………………………………………. $76,500.00

Interest on Notes …………………………………………………………….. 54,875.25

Serial Bond Principal:

1992 Bond Issue (14.72%)………………………………………………………… 46,956.80

1995 Bond Issue (10.05%)……………………………………………………… ….. 31,155.00

Interest on Bonds:

1992 Bond Issue (14.72%)…………………………………………….. 1,467.40

1995 Bond Issue (10.05%)…………………………………………….. 7,039.27

_____________________________________________________________________217,993.72

 

Total Expenses ………………………………………….. $4,047,898.10

 

Signed: Gloucester City Mayor and Council 

Note from Site Editor: There was some discrepancies with the amount of the Fire Department\’s Budget. The Union said the amount was $2.49 million for all fire department services. Mayor and Council said the amount was $4 million. I had asked for both sides (City and Union) to provide factual information to back up their claims. Today, I received the above information by email from Mayor and Council.

I am hoping the union will follow suit and release the document showing the budget was what they claim it was, $2.49 million. I had also asked the union to explain how $50,000 was spent in one month for overtime. Were there firemen injured fighting a fire who are not able to work? Or are firemen abusing the sick leave benefit.

On Saturday, October 13 the union members held a protest rally during the Heroes to Hero 5K memorial run seeking public sympathy for their cause. The union\’s contract expires in 2008.

 

 

 

Bill\’s Point of View:

I am going to jump into the \”Fire\” that is burning between the Gloucester City Mayor and Council and the Gloucester City Career Firefighters. I have a couple of questions to ask and I want to make a couple of points. Hopefully a resolution will be found soon, as I feel if this topic is allowed to fester, it will divide the community.

All parties should be able to debate their differences without over reacting. The fact that a fireman had to be removed from this month\’s council meeting because of his histrionic show of temper did not help matters. Mayor and council represent you and me. When someone disrespects their office he or she is disrespecting the residents of this community.

One of the most sensitive topics is the tragedy that occurred in 2002 when three firemen (one paid and two volunteers) along with three children lost their lives in that terrible fire. Mention it and everyone starts walking on eggshells.

I also remember how heart breaking it was when volunteer Fireman Dick Wright Sr. and volunteer Fireman Dan Revelli, lost their lives. Dick died fighting the Smitty\’s Bar fire while Dan lost his life fighting the Dennery Dairies fire. I knew both men personally. Yet in my years of reporting about Gloucester City I never recall their names mentioned as a reason for increasing manpower in our fire department. Nor do I recall their names being used to gain public\’s support during union negotiations with the City.

In a nutshell the upcoming union contract for the Fire Department has nothing to do with 2002. But it does have something to do with fiscal responsibility. And the residents of Gloucester City elected the individuals on council to represent our best interest. Let\’s face it. Our community is poor. We have labels to prove it; Urban Enterprize Zone and ABBOTT District. It doesn\’t get any worst then that.

It is obvious as you ride through the City there are fewer homes and fewer residents to help pay for the services we have become so use to. Looking at the City\’s demographics you\’ll find there are 4604 housing units with a population of 11,484 living in a radius of 2.83 square miles.

That is important to remember.

As you look around to more affluent communities you\’ll find they are operating their Fire Departments with fewer paid men utilizing volunteers to fill in the gaps. For example in a recent Courier Post article the Chief of the Florence Fire Department said his community of 12,000 residents relies on six career firefighters (Gloucester City has 34) and 35 volunteers (Gloucester City has 25). Florence, a community in Burlington County, has 4391 housing units spread out over 10 square miles.

In the same article Chief Stephen Hubbs, of the West Deptford Fire Department said his community has 20 career firefighters (Gloucester City has 34) and 110 volunteers (Gloucester City has 25). Hubbs cited statistics from the National Volunteer Firefighters Council that say 70 percent of firefighters nationally are volunteers. In West Deptford there are 19,368 people living within a radius of 17.76 square miles. There are 8,000 housing units.

Something that should be made public ASAP is why the Fire Department spent $50,000 in one month for overtime. The Fire Department was allocated $240,000 for overtime this year. The City said as of August the Fire Department went over that amount by approximately $30,000. Are some firemen amusing sick leave? Or do we have firemen who are injured? And if that is so, how come the public was never told?

Why has the paid fire department refused to utilize the volunteers who are more than willing and capable of doing the same job to help cut back on overtime? Most communities use volunteers to fill in the gaps. Example is Winslow. The township gets fulltime coverage from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and volunteers are on hand in fire stations from 6 p.m. to midnight. After midnight, volunteers respond from home to the station and the fire scene. The population of Winslow, which is 58 square miles, is about 34,000 people.

Mayor and Council stated the budget for the City\’s Fire Department is $4 million. The union for the Fire Fighters claims in 2006, the fire department budget was 15.71 percent of the total Gloucester City budget and it cost the residents $2.49 million for all the fire department services. Who are we to believe? Both sides should release the figures they are using to justify their numbers so the public could see for themselves.

Whatever the number turns out to be it is apparent that the budget could be reduced if our volunteers were put to use. Other communities do it why can\’t we?

The two sides need to sit down and discuss the problem considering all alternatives. Gentlemen, leave your emotions on the other side of the door. The future of Gloucester City is at stake.

Hopefully the public, along with the rank and file of firemen, will do the same when submitting comments to this site and or to the Gloucester City News.

I personally like to thank each and every fireman, paid and volunteer, for risking their lives protecting me, my family and my community. As far as I am concern, you are \”SIMPLY the BEST\”.

What is your opinion?

Author Bill Cleary

Sources used:

United States 2000 Census

Courier Post October 11 edition

Related Categories: More Commentary All things Fire

Lydia P. FANELLE died on October 14, 2007 at the age of 83. (nee Palusci) Of Haddonfield. Loving wife of 64 years to the late Peter J. Fanelle. Cherished and Surrounded at the time of her death by her loving family: Thomas J. Fanelle and his wife Doris of Haddon Heights, Lisa F. Sarubbi and her husband Vincent of Haddon Heights and Celeste Canuso and her husband John of Haddonfield. Beloved grandmother of Jillian Goettner and her husband Dan, Gigi and Thomas Fanelle, Vincent, Peter and Sofia Sarubbi and Isabella, John, and James Canuso. Dear Sister of Viola Blum Pruss of Barrington.

Survived by many nieces, nephews and in-laws. Lydia was born, and raised in South Camden. She was a longtime resident of Haddon Heights where she was a parishioner of Saint Rose of Lima R.C. Church. In 1979, she and her late husband, Peter moved to Haddonfield where she lived presently. She was a past member of UNICO of Pennsauken and a past member of the Haddon Fortnightly.

Most importantly, Lydia will long be remembered for fostering family closeness through the love she displayed on her table. Whether it be Sunday dinners, summers at the family shore house, tea with grandchildren or lunch with siblings and friends. The door to her home and heart was open to all. Her family is her proudest and most enduring legacy.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Thursday morning, October 18 from 8:45 am to 11 am at Saint Rose of Lima R.C. Church: 4^th Avenue at Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am in the church. Entombment with her late husband, Peter in Calvary Mausoleum, Cherry Hill. There will be no evening viewing and no viewing at the funeral home.

Family requests that memorial donations be made in Lydia\’s memory to the Canuso Foundation: 30 Washington Avenue, Suite B4, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 or to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: 642 Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102. Please write in the memo of the check Lydia P. Fanelle.

Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Lydia P. Fanelle. Funeral Arrangements and Inquires may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Phone: 856-456-1142

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GLOUCESTER CITY

Justin Breaker is loving life.

He is the quarterback of the unbeaten Glassboro High School football team.

He threw for almost 300 yards and for three touchdown passes Saturday in a 34-7 win over Gloucester in a Tri-County Classic Division game. He is back after two years away playing football with his hometown friends.

\”It is like a homecoming for him,\” said Donald Davis, a dominating 6-4, 230-pound two-way tackle for Glassboro. \”He knows how to win. He knows of past expectations.\”

Photo: QB Justin Breaker, #4 throws a pass as Gloucester High\’s Brett Darrow #5 leaps up to block it. Kyle Stewart #9 is being blocked from tackling Breaker. see photo gallery

Breaker, who transferred back to Glassboro after his sophomore and junior seasons at Schalick, also knows how to enjoy his life.

\”This is the best feeling in the world. I wouldn\’t change any of this,\” Breaker said about being the quarterback on an undefeated team, surrounded by long-time buddies. \”It is the best feeling to be young and to be happy and to be confident in what you do.\”

Really, isn\’t it wonderful to hear a young man to appreciate what he has? It is especially comforting to listen to Breaker on the day after Shykem Lawrence died of injuries suffered from breaking his neck last year in a football scrimmage.

The sadness of the death of the Woodrow Wilson player has added perspective to wins and losses, touchdowns and tackles, rushing yards and passing stats.

\”Everything is not guaranteed,\” a somber Breaker said about Lawrence. \”That is something unexpected. He was a good kid who got caught in a bad spot.

\”I give thanks to him personally for being so strong. I\’m so sorry for him.\”

Breaker has done a masterful job of leading the Bulldogs to a 5-0 record and a No. 5 ranking in the Courier-Post Small Schools Top 10. But how he treats the game off the field really is worth admiring.

\”You got to love your life,\” he said. \”You only have one life to live.\”

The Bulldogs are loving having Breaker back. Perhaps no one more than wide receiver Rick Tunstall, who caught nine passes for 209 yards and two TDs against the Lions (3-2).

\”If we didn\’t have a quarterback, I don\’t think we could make it happen this year,\” Tunstall said. \”He has a lot of poise.\”

Breaker completed 17 of 25 passes for 298 yards and TDs of 14, 48 and 91 yards against Gloucester.

\”Justin played an excellent game today, it is the best he has thrown the ball all year,\” Glassboro coach Herb Neillo said about the 6-1, 185-pound Breaker.

Breaker came into the game 23-for-42 passing for 323 yards with seven touchdowns in helping the Bulldogs put up an average of 47.2 points a game in the first four games. The passing game was opened up against the Lions.

Neillo feels the transition has been so smooth as a first-year starter here because the rest of the team pretty much all knew — and not surprisingly, liked — Breaker.

\”They went to school together, he played on the freshman team,\” Neillo said. \”They all hung out together.\”

Breaker, whose younger brother Tim, a junior, also transferred back to Glassboro, played on the Glassboro championship unlimited team as an eighth grader. Their reunion has not only been rewarding, but productive.

\”I grew up with those guys,\” Breaker said.

Breaker connected with one of those guys to open up the game. The Bulldogs had just a one touchdown lead when Breaker lobbed a high pass that Timothy Whitaker ran under for a 48-yard touchdown with just 52 seconds left in the half. Tunstall kicked the extra point for a 14-0 lead.

Last year, Breaker threw 20 touchdown passes for Schalick.

\”They took me in as quick as anyone,\” Breaker said. \”It was a great experience being at Schalick. It helped me get to where I want to go.\”

Breaker is now making the Bulldogs\’ offense go. He does have plenty of help, however, as Tunstall, Chris Baxter, Stephen Davis and Ralph Carr all have scored four touchdowns or more this season.

With all the offensive firepower, the Bulldogs are looking forward to the Group 1 playoffs.

Last year, Glassboro advanced to the sectional finals where it lost to old nemesis Paulsboro 20-0 after beating Penns Grove in the semifinals and Lindenwold in the first round.

Breaker, though, will enjoy every game before the postseason.

\”He brings a good vibe, he brings a good atmosphere, he brings leadership,\” Davis said. \”He brings everything.\”

He brings a refreshing love of life on this weekend when South Jersey mourns the loss of Shykem Lawrence.