KATHRYN M. BLACKBURN age 84

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Saint Mary\’s Church, Gloucester, for Kathryn M. Blackburn (nee McHenry), 84, who died September 18, 2008.

Beloved wife of the late Thomas and survived by her sons Tom (Debbie) and Tim (Deana), all of Washington Township; two daughters Tina (Denny) Helder of Westville and Anna (Bob) Hoesl of West Deptford; a brother John of Collingswood; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Friends met at the Ellis-Stiefel Funeral Home, Westville. Interment was in New Saint Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

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DRUGS MADE MY LIFE A LIVING HELL

Frank (pictured) is a youth drug-abuse prevention motivational speaker who lives in Gloucester County.

After having a huge fight with my girlfriend one night, I decided to go out with some friends to have a good time and forget my problems. I was very drunk and high on Methamphetamine when I foolishly climbed up a tree and fell about 40 feet to the ground.

The next thing I remember is waking up from a coma eight weeks later and feeling a pain so tremendous and so severe that I could barely endure it. I had lost control of my bowel movements, could no longer perform day-to-day tasks by myself and the legs that once carried me swiftly down the football field in high school were now lifeless. I weighed less than 100 pounds and was faced with the harsh reality that at 22 years old, I would be wheelchair-bound for the rest of my life. I was lucky to just be alive, but I knew my life would never be the same again.

It has been 20 years since the stupid act I committed in a severe drug-induced state changed my life forever. But I can tell you it has been hell on earth — an existence filled with enough misery to last a lifetime.

As a kid, I was your average American teen growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey. I was a B student, had lots of friends, an out-going personality and a passion for playing sports. I was a polite,

quiet kid and part of a nice middle-class family.

When I was in sixth grade, I convinced myself that drinking beer wasn’t a big deal. \”I’ll only drink on the weekends,\” I thought, \”anyway it’s only beer, and everybody else drinks.\” My friends were all the \”jocks\” in the school and playing football and other sports was what we lived for. But yes, a lot of them were drinking beer and I wanted to do what they were doing to fit in. I didn’t want to feel left out or be the only kid who wasn’t cool. Not surprisingly, I graduated from beer to harder liquor and I continued to drink more frequently once I entered high school. The heavy drinking led me to experiment with drugs and I put my life on a direct crash course with disaster.

I started smoking Marijuana (or \”dope\” as we used call it) in 10th grade and I began losing interest in all the activities I was involved in. I even lost interest in practicing

hard for the junior varsity football team at my high school in New Jersey. Then during a game one day, I tore all the ligaments in my right leg and a doctor informed me that I would never play sports again. I was crushed. Sports had always been such an important part of my life and a way for me to release frustration. I spent my newfound free time with a new group of drug-using friends. We smoked a lot of marijuana, which led me to harder drugs like Cocaine , acid and methamphetamine.

By the time I was a senior in high school I was using heavily. Somehow, I still felt like I had everything under control. In my own mind, my freedom was rooted in the notion that I did what I wanted, when I wanted. Going out with my friends and getting wasted became more important to me then going to school. Nothing else mattered and I didn’t care about anybody or anything, except getting high.

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Bellmawr School District Researching Consolidation of Services

By Lois Staas

NEWS Correspondent

During last week\’s meeting of the Bellmawr Board of Education, former Board Member Darlene Lescota clarified the reason for her recent resignation, \”I did not resign because of time constraints. I resigned because as a board member I could not speak about the surplus in the budget and what it is used for.\”

Lescota is one figure in a long line of resignation after the retirement of former Superintendent Timothy Bell.

After his leaving the district about three and one half years ago, Bell was succeeded by Deborah Monahan, who was shortly succeeded by current Superintendent Annette Castiglione.

Former Board Secretary/Business Administrator Bruce B. Finkle left for another position and was succeeded by Dr. Ann Garcia, who resigned and was succeeded by the interim John Amato.

Meanwhile, Bellmawr BOE replaced former Solicitor John D. Wade with Ronald W. Sahli. In addition to Lescota\’s resignation, the BOE had previously accepted the resignations of Linee Getzinger and Maria Fasulo.

Three candidates for the vacated position were on hand for a public interview by the Board of Education members present for the meeting, President Jody Mangus, Vice President Jamie Casey, Mrs. Mary DiMattesa, and Mr. Ron Henry.

This week the BOE will convene to discuss and vote upon Lescota, replacement. Those being considered are Mr. Andre, Mr. Britner, and former BOE member appointed by the County Superintendent, Mrs. Shankerow.

Superintendent Castiglione reported ongoing meetings with other superintendents of K through 8 districts for consolidation of services. The State of New Jersey has mandated that districts of K-8 need to consolidate to districts of 5,000 students by the year 2010.

Another requirement is that Pre-school for 3 and 4 year olds be a full day. \”Seven superintendents in the area are meeting as a show of good faith effort, and as a means of maintaining the integrity of district services as best we can,\” Castiglione said.

Additionally, Castiglione reported that the district\’s Quality Single Assessment Continuum QSAC is underway and that the State of New Jersey is expected to visit the school system before the holidays.

Superintendent Castiglione along with Director of Curriculum and Development Dotti Specht, Director of Special Services Patricia Bartley, Bell Oaks Principal Anthony Farinelli, Bellmawr Park School Principal Elizabeth Calabria, and Ethel M. Burke School Principal Frank Jankowski, Jr. gave a Power Point presentation of the Bellmawr Annual Report for 2007-2008.

Copies of the 40-page report are available to the public via the principals\’ offices. \”I have not printed many copies in an effort to go green,\” Castiglione said.

A bulleted list of BOE actions should be posted on the website along with the report and the next specially scheduled meeting for the board to discuss and to vote on a new member to replace Darlene Lescota. The superintendent hopes that that date will also be available to the public on the school sign.

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RAYMOND K. BALLARD, retired Air Force Sgt., and Gloucester High Alumni

$\"The$ Image via Wikipedia

Private Funeral Services were held along with burial and military honors in Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ, for Raymond K. Ballard, 73, who died September 20, 2008.

He was born at Cooper Hospital to his loving parents Viola and Eugene Ballard. Ray grew up in Brooklawn, and graduated from Gloucester City High School.

He served in the United States Air Force Security Service as a staff sergeant from 1955 to 1966 as an Airborne Electronic Technician. His service took him to Missisippi, Oklahoma, California, Germany and Florida before being honorably discharged.

Following his military career he settled in South Plainfield and was employed by Mohawk Data Sciences and later worked as a government contained inspector for SAGS.

Survived by his wife Barbara, two daughters, Deborah Emended (Randy) of South Plainfield and Kimberly Ballard of South Plainfield; two grandchildren Jaclyn LaMotte (Michael) of Hillsborough and Randy Emended of South Plainfield; two great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Alexa LaMotte.

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MARGARET M. MARONSKI, employee of West Jersey Hospital, of Bellmawr

A Funeral Mass was held at Mary, Mother of the Church, Bellmawr, for Margaret M. Maronski (nee Steigerwald), of Bellmawr, formerly of Fairview, who died September 20, 2008.

She worked for many years in the Admissions Department at West Jersey Hospital in Camden. Margaret was an active member of Mary, Mother of the Church, Bellmawr and Bellmawr Senior Citizens.

Beloved wife of Robert Sr., to whom she was married for 53 years. Loving mother of Kathi Koons (Albert), Debbie Errera (Don), Peggy Hannon (Lou), Robert Jr. (Garnett), Terry Raiczyk (Stan), and Gregory (Penny). Devoted grandmother of 15. Dear sister of Pat (Bob) Nicktern, Marie Walch, Joseph Steigerwald, and the late Betty Ritter and John Toth. Also survived by many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Interment was in Saint Joseph\’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.

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ERNEST J. \”BUDDY\” PHILIPONA, SR. of Audubon Korean War Veteran

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Funeral Services were held for Ernest J. \”Buddy\” Philipona, Sr., 77, of Audubon, who died September 19, 2008.

Born in Camden, Mr. Philipona had been a lifelong resident of Audubon. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Dana-PSI Division of Warner Electric in Hurfville. Ernie was a US Army veteran and served during the Korean conflict. He was a member of Oaklyn American Legion Post #84, Runnemede VFW Post #3324 and Cherry Hill National Guard 112^th Field Artillary.

Husband of the late Barbara (nee Baget). He is survived by his son Ernest J. Philipona, Jr. of Audubon.

Interment with Military Honors at Beverly National Cemetery.

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Gloucester Catholic High School 2008 Cross Country Team

Photo by Dianna Broussard

Top row: Alex Hickman, Adam Malkowicz, Greg Brecht, Jim O\’Donnell, Joe Lafferty, Louis Tassi, John Stulpin, Frank Broussard, Jon Rothschild, George Winton, Colin James, Jessica Marks, Anna Hickman, Amanda Pegues, Taylor Morgan, Kelly Taylor, Alicia O\’Donnell, Julia Porado, Coach Jack Heath, Coach Mike McGowan.

Middle row: Molly Mickle, Taylor Mickle, Sarah Minchin, Sabrina Picot, Breanna Sipple.

Bottom row:Pat McHenry, Mike McDonough, Bob Swartz, Tommy Flynn, Mike Cice, Tom Dougherty, Joe Usher, Pat McSparran, Melissa Sherrer, Liz Glassman, Claudia Gallagher, Alexandra Page, LaVina D\’Anjollel.

Gloucester Catholic High School

Gloucester City High School

Sports

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September’s Cheers and Jeers

By Bill Cleary

CHEERS–Gloucester City resident Bill Waters submitted some photos of graffiti in September along with a letter expressing his concern about this unsightly problem. As a result of his \”citizen journalism\” some of the sites he pointed out have been painted and cleared of the graffiti. Kudos to you Bill for caring enough about our community to get involved.

CHEERS-The Cherry Hill Reform committee who forced their local government to create a register of volunteer commissions and boards with the names and term lengths of all the people serving and all open positions. Members of the reform committee last year were successful in having the council to adopt a tough ordinance designed to limit pay to play — the unethical practice of lawyers, engineers and other professionals donating to candidates\’ election campaigns, then being rewarded with hefty municipal contracts once those candidates are elected. These two examples and the one above is proof that whether alone or with a group you too can make a difference.

CHEERS-To the people who foster unwanted, abandoned or sick animals in their homes until they are adopted? They use their own money, time and give lots of love to these unfortunate creatures. All they ask in return is a GOOD forever homes for the animals they help. And a thank you every once in a while.

CHEERS-To the Gloucester City Irish Society and everyone else involved in putting together this year’s Shamrock Festival. \”There was a great turn out, great food, awesome music and I had a wonderful time,\” writes a person named Tammy. She continues, \”Also Cheers to the people who worked so hard to make the old Billy’s Place tavern, now the Auld Dubliner, (157 S. Burlington Street) an asset to this city\”.

CHEERS–\”To the Gloucester City EMT\’s, Fire Department, Police and Paramedics for being on scene within three minutes of the 911 call when my son was struck by car on Market Street last Tuesday evening. I cannot thank you all enough! Also CHEERS to my neighbors, friends and strangers who comforted my son until help arrived. As his mother knowing that people, some that did not even know him, were there to comfort him when I could not, is something that I will always remember. I am eternally grateful\”, signed Patti Schaeffer.

JEERS-Paul Juray of Market Street gives a Big Thumbs Down to a local plumber who charged $142 to plunge a clogged tub drain. \”He was on site 10 minutes at best and he\’s local. I should have known to ask first what the basic service charge is up front…I will from now on.\”

JEERS-To the squatters at Chatham Square Apartments for embarrassing our city government with their lies and propaganda.

JEERS-To mayor and council for spending $4.1 million to buy this slum and then not knocking down the eyesore as originally proposed.

Jerry Sampson writes, \”JEERS to any coward who makes an accusation about a person and doesn’t sign his or her name. If you want to jeer at someone local, have the fortitude to sign your name so that the individual can respond. Otherwise, anyone can accuse a person of any fabrication that their cowardly heart can devise\”.

JEERS-To the senators and congressmen that voted in favor of the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street. \”Forcing each taxpayer to pony up $2,300 of their hard-earned money to bail out Wall Street’s misconduct will not fix the underlying problems,\” said NJ Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-2nd) who voted against the bill. Included in the legislation was $110 Billion in \”Pork\”. For example a tax incentive program for the film and television production companies that amounts to $478 million.

If you know of someone or something you would like to nominate for a cheer or a jeer, send the information to Cheers and Jeers, ClearysNoteBook, c/o Gloucester City News, PO Box 151, Gloucester City NJ 08030 or via Email [email protected]

Tips and Snippets

Bill\’s Point of View

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Two U.S. Helicopters Collide at Baghdad Base

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Link: DefenseLink News

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2008 – Two U.S. helicopters collided Oct. 4 as they were landing at a coalition force base near Adhamiyah in northwest Baghdad.

One Iraqi soldier died. Three U.S. soldiers and two Iraqi soldiers were injured.

Hostile fire is not suspected to have caused the crash, officials said. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Officials did not release the make of helicopters involved.

This accident comes on the heels of a crash just two weeks ago that killed seven soldiers when CH-47 Chinook helicopter they were traveling in Sept. 18 went down near Tallil in southern Iraq.

(Based on a Multinational Force Iraq News Release.)

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