By Sara Martino

NEWS Correspondent

An ordinance allowing Brooklawn to make an increase in the 2008 budget was okayed on first reading during the recent Brooklawn Council meeting.

The Local Government Cap Law provides that in the preparation of the local budget, a municipality may limit any increase in the budget to 2.5 percent un-less authorized by ordinance to increase it to 3.5 percent over the previous year\’s final appropriations.

Mayor John Soubasis and members of Council, according to the ordinance, find it advisable and necessary to increase the 2008 budget over the previous year in the interest of promoting the health, safety and welfare of the citizens.

The increase will only be 1 percent in the budget for 2008, he said, amounting to $20,776.73.

The ordinance will be considered for final adoption after a public hearing on Tuesday, February 19, in Brooklawn Borough Hall at 6:30 p.m. Copies of the ordinance are one file in the clerk\’s office.

In other business, the Council awarded a contract to Office Basics for purchase of office supplies; adopted an indoor air quality program; authorized Interlocal for animal shelter services; and formed a records management committee.

Council also approved a telephone allowance for mayor and council and approved Bingo and Raffle licenses for the American Legion.

 

I just finished reading the letter in last week\’s Gloucester City News from Owen O\’Neil of Westmont, in reference to Furrever Friends Rescue and volunteers. I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. O\’Neil\’s take on what the town of Brooklawn is doing to these people.

At least someone out there has a heart and cares for the abandon animals. Now, the town is telling them they are in violation of city ordinances for taking in and caring for stray animals. Who else is going to take the responsibility? Certainly not the owners who tossed these animals out. They are the people who need to be prosecuted – not someone who actually takes the time, money and compassion to get these animals vet care and find them homes.

Animals feel pain. Animals get depressed and lonely. Animals feel just like humans do. But, people refuse to believe that because they cannot communicate their discord. So, they torture them or toss them out on the street expecting them to survive in the cold, the heat, the snow, the rain and all other conditions.

Toss one of these people out on the street and see how they would feel. They would not survive.

I see this all the time in Gloucester City. Cats left outside with a dirty bowl of food on the front porch and a bowl of water. What kind of existence is this? These animals need love, attention, veterinarian care and most of all to be spayed or neutered to prevent other homeless animals.

But, these ignorant people around here think that because it is a cat, it should be outside.

Now, someone actually takes the time and their own money to give these animals what they need and the township is trying to prosecute them. This is ridiculous.

Prosecute the owners of these animals who abandon them. Charge them with abandonment and fine them to help these nice people take care of these strays. Leave FFRV alone. They are not hurting anybody. They are helping animals that need it. FFRV should be com-mended for their kindness, not prosecuted.

If FFRV needs any help, please let me know. I will be glad to volunteer to help these poor animals get what they need. That is love, affection, attention and medical care.

Daniel Boggs, Gloucester City

 

source www.journal-news.com

I was excited about the next evening\’s hunt because the wind was perfect for me to hunt one of the best fields for hogs.

Nothing is a certainty, though. And as bad luck would have it, the wind started shifting while I was in the stand until it was blowing right out of the north. This was blowing my scent right into a big swamp and a huge game trail where the hogs come out.

It still was good for the hogs that would come out of the game trail to my right or the east. I could only hope for the best.

After several groups of hogs came out from behind me and wandered back into the swamp after smelling me, I was starting to feel a little dejected. Then out of nowhere about 12 hogs came toward me from the east swamp. read more

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL MEN’S BASKETBALL: Jerome Hubbard (Neptune/Neptune) averaged 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in two Stockton games last week. Hubbard scored a game-high 20 points and tied his season high with five assists against College of New Jersey WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Kristin Sciarrillo (Edison/Edison) tied her career high with 16 rebounds and also scored eight points in Stockton’s game against College of New Jersey. Sciarrillo also scored nine points in a win over Rutgers-Camden. She registered two blocked shots in each game as well. LATEST RESULTS Men’s Basketball (16-6, 9-3 NJAC) Rutgers-Camden 87, Stockton 74 Stockton 83, College of New Jersey 72 Women’s Basketball (12-12, 5-7 NJAC) Stockton 60, Rutgers-Camden 58 College of New Jersey 58, Stockton 32 UPCOMING EVENTS (Home opponents in CAPS) Monday, February 18 Men’s Basketball vs. MANHATTANVILLE 7 pm Wednesday, February 20 Women’s Basketball @ Kean 6 pm Men’s Basketball @ Kean 8 pm Monday, February 25 Track & Field at NJAC Championships (Toms River, NJ) Thursday, February 28 Men’s Basketball – NJAC TOURNAMENT 7 pm Stockton Athletics Home

TCNJ’S KLIMOWICZ TALLIES 1,000th CAREER POINT

Ewing, NJ…The College of New Jersey women’s basketball team hosted the Profs of Rowan University in the Lions’ home regular-season finale. The Lions came away with the 74-61 victory to improve to 19-5 overall and 10-2 in the NJAC, while posting their sixth straight victory. Rowan drops to 14-10 overall and 6-6 in the league. With Wednesday’s win, the Lions took the series on the season after collecting the win at Rowan on January 23, 75-50.

TCNJ’s junior center Hillary Klimowicz (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) joined the 1,000 point club on Wednesday night after starting the night just eight points shy of the plateau. A transfer from Division I St. Joseph’s University, Klimowicz added 275 of those points in her first season at St. Joe’s and has since scored 731 while playing for the Lions. Overall on her collegiate career, she now has 1,006 as well as 695 rebounds.

TCNJ led 34-19 at the break as they opened on an 11-0 run to start the game. Klimowicz paced the Lions adding 10 points in the first stanza to join the 1,000 point club, while freshman Kelsey Kutch (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) added eight points in the first half as the Lions held the Profs to 21.2% effort from the floor (7-33).

Junior guard Lisa Koch (Oak Ridge, NJ/Washington Township) had a career night as she finished with 19 points, bettering her previous high of 14 points set in December against Marymount (VA). Koch added five three-pointers and paced all players on the night. TCNJ would get additional double-digit scoring on the contest from junior guard Alyssa Michella (Washington Township, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) as she added 11 points with eight rebounds, while Kutch finished with 16 points.

Rowan’s freshman Gina Catanzariti (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) added seven of her 10 points in the first half to lead the Profs as she came in off the bench. Senior guard Kristina Wallace (Logan Township, NJ/Clearview Regional) led the Profs as she poured in 16 points, while sophomore forward Jessica Nimbley (Middletown, NJ/St. John Vianney) added 10 points with three assists.

Overall on the night, TCNJ shot 50.9% from the floor (28-55) and hit 47.1% from three-point range (8-17), while Rowan was held to just 14.3% from three-point range (2-14) and 34.3% overall from the floor (23-67).

Prior to the contest, TCNJ recognized their 2007-2008 senior, forward Sara Best (High Bridge, NJ/Voorhees) in conjunction with Senior Night in Packer Hall. Best finished with seven points, six rebounds and five assists to elevate her career totals to 693 points, 239 rebounds and 136 assists.
CNJ returns to action on February 23 travelling to Rutgers University-Camden for a 1 p.m. match-up in the regular-season finale, while Rowan University hosts Kean University in a 1 p.m. home contest in Glassboro, NJ as they hold their Pack the Gym Day event.

Ewing, NJ…The College of New Jersey women’s lacrosse team will open the 2008 campaign ranked third in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Division III Pre-season Poll. The Lions received 348 votes with one of them being a first-place vote.

The defending national champion Diplomats of Franklin & Marshall College are ranked in the top spot with 397 points with 17 first-place votes. Salisbury University is second with 361 votes followed by the Lions. Gettysburg College and Middlebury College round out the top five.

The Lions open the season on Saturday, March 8 heading to in-state opponent Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham in a 1 p.m. start. TCNJ’s home opener is set for Tuesday, March 25 hosting Eastern University at 7 p.m.

Over the course of the 2008 season, the Lions will face five teams ranked in the pre-season poll, including Salisbury, Gettysburg, SUNY Cortland (eighth), University of Mary Washington (16th) and Montclair State University (20th).

TCNJ is coming off of a 12-3 season a year ago advancing to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. Overall, the Lions have earned 13 national championships and have appeared in every NCAA Tournament since the field began in 1985.

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Doris Batezel, on February 20, 2008. Age 87. (nee Sterling) Born and raised in Gloucester City.

Loving and devoted wife of 46 years to the late Clifford D. Batezel. Devoted mother of Barbara D. (Ed) Anyzek of Gloucester City, Janet (late Frank) Busch of Gloucester City, Carolyn (late Donald) Masey of Gloucester City, Clifford R. (Patricia) Batezel of Pine Hill, Richard (Liz) Batezel of Collingswood, Raymond (Christine) Batezel of Haddon Twp., and Kimberly (Lou) Morris of Mickleton. Loving grandmother of Sheryl (Barry), Linda (John), Ed, Jr. (Patricia), Michelle (James), Frankie (Tina), David (Beth), Matthew (Cathy), Richie, Brian, Steven, Jennifer, Kelly, late Timothy, Sean, Tara, Kerrin, Lia, and Taylor. Loving great-grandmother of Katilynn, Zachary, Joshua, Brianna, Ed, III, Carlie, MacKenzie, Madison, Connor, Hannah, Grace, Emma, Casey, Maria, Zachary and late Taylor. Dear sister of Evelyn (late Raymond) Morton of Cinnaminson and predeceased by her sisters; Margaret Higgenbotham and Christine Hoffman.

Doris was a lifelong resident of Gloucester City and a devoted parishioner of St. Mary\’s R.C. Church.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Sunday evening from 7 to 9 pm and Monday morning from 9 to 10 am at the McCANN – HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street (at Brown Street) Gloucester City.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning at 10:30 am at St. Mary\’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Interment New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

The family requests memorial donations may be made in Doris\’ memory to: The Hospice of Moorestown VNA: 300 Harper Dr. Moorestown, NJ 08057 or Saint Mary\’s Special Fund: at the above address. Please write Doris Batezel in the memo of the check. Expressions of sympathy www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Doris Batezel.

 

  

see Memories Album #3

Related: Memories Album #2

Related: Memories Album #1
 

by Hank F. Miller Jr.

Winter lies heavy on Japan. Ski slopes, hot sake, common-pot stews, frosty smiles, rosy cheeks and-at least for those in the highlands or up north-buckets of snow. It\’s one cozy chapter of chipper romance that all Japanese feel for the four seasons. But-and you can ask my wife Keiko, on this – I am not Mr. Romantic. Especially I have but one desire in this season of chilly delights, and it is not to escape to the slopes or to build a snowman or to munch \”mikan =Tangerines\” under the\”kotatsu = a low table where one sits on cushions on the floor with a heated lamp connected to the bottom of the low table with a quilt over the top, that keeps your lower body warm.

 

It\’s merely this:

 

I want winter to go away-now. Some Japanese-enchanted perhaps by the slurp spell of hot \”soba noodles\” or bewitched by the crystal clarity of the seasonal skies-choose to query me on this.

Did I grow up spoiled on California sunshine? They ask. Or did I spend my younger days wafting around the Everglades, where the winter temperatures are ever – warm But No.

 

I hail from the East Coast, Southern New Jersey where winter not only has some bite; it can take your breath away. Furthermore, I grew up at a time when the words \”global warming\” was but distant glints in some industrialist\’s eye. As a kid, when I went outside, I had a pile on so much clothing that it was physically impossible to bend either of my elbows or knees. If knocked down in such a state, the only way to get up again was to roll south until it was warm enough to wiggle free from several layers of apparel.

 

While that may be a mild exaggeration, it is a cold fact that when, up on learning my first job in Japan would be on the \”southern\” island of kyushu,myjoy was so unbridled that I smiled form ear to ear for an entire week, even in my sleep. For I had escaped winter at last!

Of course, as anyone who has lived on Kyushu will attest, I was soon in for an icy surprise. For while Kyushu\’s winters have little snow, they also have little warmth. What\’s more, in those days southern Japan had to accept foreign innovations such as centralized heating, insulation or winter jaunts to Hawaii occasionally?

What was supposed to keep you warm was your samurai spirit.

 

In my case. I traded my samurai spirit for an Eskimo parka.

But even this failed to do the trick. My teeth did not merely chatter, they soliloquized. I shivered my way through to spring.

Though at that time Keiko and I lived in a new apartment in Wakamatsu City, with surrounding mountains and farmland it was a picturesque scenic sight but freezing.

 

I could feel the winters breeze through the cracks in the3/4\” inch plywood walls and with no insulation at all. The windows would rattle due to no packing around them, believe me it was cold.

I do not have to shiver my way through winter any longer; I have since relocated to our new formed concrete home some 22 years ago.

Japanese indoor heating has greatly improved-after that the Japanese discovered that heating systems were marketable.

My wife says she likes winter, but it\’s nice to crank our heater up and stay cozy till summer comes around again.

We do love our home and it\’s a really beautiful mountainous area and very scenic. We really enjoy our lives here, raised three beautiful and great children here and look forward to many more wonderful years here together at the Miller home.

 

Warm Regards from Kitakyushu City, Japan.

 

Hank, Keiko and Family

February 20, 2008

Press Release

Mary Bray School

 

Distinguished Honors

Third Grade Fourth Grade

Helen Barrett Emily Calhoun

Cassidy Chambers Victoria Milano

Amy Guldin

Alyssa Marszalek

Matthew Marszalek

Austin Rampolla

Kelsey Vespe

 

Honors:

Third Grade Fourth Grade

Sarah Beckett Mychaela Bilger

Ariana Beebe Courtney Bocchicchio

Richard Bonczak Dominick Cipolone

Nevada DeFord Kasey Gardner

Angel Dougherty Harry Harris

Andrew Fehr Elijah Lapp

Holly Fitzgerald Meghan McDonough

Kelsey Immendorf William Verzilli

Valerie LaMarra Haley Woodington

Damon Meraz

Amanda Murphy 

Lindsay Musselman 

Cole Panek 

Azalea Rosado 

Nicholas Salamone 

Michael Snyder 

Casey Spadea 

Alexis Staib 

Georgana Stewart 

Kaila White 

 

Commendable:

Third Grade Fourth Grade

Anthony Cristino Christopher Blaylock

Scott Fitzpatrick Maryellen Crain

Lucas Greenwood Taylor Gavin

Kaelyn Lahn Kaitlyn Stokes

Jillian Lynch

Zachary Pacetti

Matthew Sutton

Kenneth Zettlemoyer

 

R.W. Kershaw School

 

Distinguised Honors:

Fifth Grade Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade

Jessica Chambers Gabrielle Bocchicchio Rachel Cosgrove Matthew Goepel

Alison Guldin Eric Ingram Lauren Greenwood

Smantha Krieg Apryle Panyi

Brandon Lanchang

Matthew Massey

Trent Maxwell

Paul Milano

 

Honors:

Fifth Grade Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade

Allison Adolf Joshua Beck Jacob Bell Kyle Adams

Jade Carson Tyler Capner Stephen Severance Kaitlyn Alibrando

Kelsey Coan Chelsea Cassar Brian Watson, Jr. Dominic Bocchicchio

Gary Czerski Michael Gaglianone Kristyn Young Michael Colgan

Samuel Czerski Erica Gilmore Tammy Doyle

Stephan Gravenor Lisa Harris Nicholas Duffy

Kirsten Hoffman Taylor Kennedy Leia Hall

Zachary Holmes Emily Massi Ryan McErlane

Carlie McErlane Amber McNally Gina Michael

Natalie Price Destinee Meeser Miranda Mistalski

Sage Rubeo Leyla Ozer Keith Michalski

Justin Spadea Alexis Venere Jennifer Papa

Jeanine Welsh Morgan Zielinski Amanda Pescatore

Kaitlyn Young Jessica Pescatore

Rebecca Rosetti

Alisha Sarno

Bianca Sciamanna

Gordon Smith

Meleia Wetmore

 

R.W. Kershaw School

 

Commendable:

Fifth Grade Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade

Nicholas Alexander Courtney Angelastro David Baxter, IV Stephanie Dolan

Timothy Alexander Sevda Ozer Emily DiPopolo Jessica Gigantino

Steafan Barrett Andrew Rosetti Joshua Ferrer John Gugel

Steven Baxter Nusrat Jahan Matthew Henderson

Conor Beckas Zachary Pallotta

Robert Coyle

Claire Czerski

Adam DeFord

Tiahna Duong

Jordyn Eggert

Christopher Lindgren

Mark MacGarvey, Jr.

Morgan Peterson

Melissa Salamon

Erika Stillings

Matthew Walker