Marietta Engle and David Engle of Mt. Ephraim, NJ are announcing the engagement of their daughter Tracy Diane Engle of Mt. Ephraim, NJ to Eric Reynolds Roseboro of Collingswood, NJ. Eric is the son of Linda Roseboro-Brown and the late William J. Roseboro of Collingswood, NJ.

A November 7, 2009 wedding is planned.

TIP (Received Saturday, Dec. 20)-I talked to the contractor planting the trees in front of my house today. He said they planted over 350 of the 500 trees but had to stop due to a letter from the state that said the city was supposed to ask the citizens permission to plant the trees in front of their property and they hadn\’t done that. They also asked the contractor if he would do it and he said it wasn\’t his job it was the city\’s all he was here to do was plant them. He was shown the letter yesterday. The state took the trees and told the city they could try again next year if they followed the proper procedure.

Why does our city always do everything 1/2 way and with a 1/4 of the information? Maybe reading instructions should be a job requirement.

I confirmed the TIP is true after speaking with several people involved with the project. None of who wanted their names made public. One source said the City’s \”Municipal Contact\” with the Cool Cities people messed up. He/she was instructed to obtain residents permission to plant the trees ahead of time.

Last week when the trees were being planted in the Riverview Heights area I watched a confrontation develop between a resident on South Stinson Avenue, who didn’t want a tree, and representatives from the state. The resident was adamant in his stand. The sides went back and forth over a two day period. At one point three police officers stood at the intersection of Thompson and Stinson Avenues watching the event develop.

The second day when the contractor tried to put the tree in front of his house, the man drove his pickup truck up on the sidewalk to block the spot. No further attempt was made to plant the tree. I asked the state representative why not take the tree elsewhere and plant it. Why fight with the people. I couldn’t get a satisfactory answer. Basically I was told the people were given two opportunities to say if they didn’t want a tree. A flyer was handed out, and a post card was sent to each home. Since they didn’t respond the contractor was committed to planting the tree at that spot.

The resident argued that he just moved into the house. That the house had been empty for months; and therefore he didn’t receive notification.

The 150 trees, which cost $250 each, or a total of $37,500, have gone to another City. They were scheduled to be planted this coming week in the Highland Park section of the City. The trees that have been planted in the Riverview Heights area look beautiful. The contractor hired by the state did a first class job. On Saturday he was back putting mulch around each tree. I can’t wait until spring to see them all in bloom.

~BILL CLEARY

Related: Cool Cities Program comes to Gloucester City

Commentary By Hank F. Miller Jr.

How\’s your life space these days? Do you have correct balance of relax space, social space and, say, foot space? In Japan, space is a topic of constant discussion at Hair salons,barber shops etc.In Japan there are Hair salons and barber shops called space\”and companies tout products for \”your living space.\” Why the obsession with space in Japan ? Because there isn\’t any !

When foreigners come to Japan and move into into our first apartment we feel a bit like we\’ve been punished and force to live in solitary confinement.

And you definitely don\’t buy anything new \” I just bought a sofa,\”You say to your spouse. \”A sofa? Where are you going to put it ?\” \”There isn\’t room enough to swing a cat.\”

Kathleen V. Jagielski

(nee Hudson), age 68, of Southampton, formerly of Brooklawn. Kathleen was peacefully surrounded by her loving family when she went on to be with her Lord on December 16, 2008. Beloved wife and best friend for 48 wonderful years to her dear husband Walter. Loving mother of Walter (Kelley), Nancy, Joe (Sherry) and Matt (Krissy). Devoted grandmother of seven.

Kathleen was a loyal 50 year member of the Brooklawn United Methodist Church, the senior choir and teacher of the nursery school. She was also a member of the Protestant Community Church in Medford Lakes. As a resident of the Leisure-town Community, Kathleen was happily involved in many activities. Foremost was her devotion to teaching line dancing and western dancing. Kathleen touched many lives with her lively, joyous spirit. She will be greatly missed by many.

Interment Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson. Family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in Kathleen\’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to Condolences@Gardner FuneralHome.com

pressofatlanticcity.com

Mainland Regional High School\’s Colleen McClintock, Erin Curry and Colleen Tighe each had individual and relay doubles Thursday, and diver Carissa Santora set a school record as the unbeaten Mustangs girls swimming team beat visiting Gloucester Catholic 113-67.

http://www.brooklawnpolice.com

Inoperable vehicles are a nuisance in neighborhoods and on vacant lots. Inoperable vehicles must be stored in a completely enclosed structure. Please help keep your neighborhood and/or vacant lot clean by removing or properly storing these vehicles.

There are charity organizations and towing companies that will remove vehicles for you. Depending on the company or organization and the condition of the vehicle, it may be a tax deduction!

Reporting information that would help us

Help speed things up. Can you tell us any, or all, of the following before calling or emailing?

1. Make and type and color of vehicle
2. Registration number
3. How long you are aware it has been there
4. Location – be as exact as possible e.g. \”in front of 301 Christiana Rd.\” or \”Boro lot by the pole barn\”
5. Condition of vehicle – e.g. \”all windows broken\” or \”on bricks\”

Click link for more information http://www.brooklawnpolice.com/Abandoned%20Vehicles.htm

The Retrospect.

It was February 2007 when – following a rift between former Mayor Anthony Pugliese and the newspaper – the commission voted to take its legal notices to The Gloucester City News and the Courier-Post. Pugliese gave up his seat earlier this year to become a judge and since that time, Mayor Chris Tassi and the commissioners have indicated that they were considering going back to The Retrospect. 

By Army Sgt. David Hodge
Special to American Forces Press Service

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq, Dec. 19, 2008 – A Multinational Division Baghdad soldier and his four-legged partner work with other military dog teams here in helping to make Baghdad’s streets safer for Iraqi citizens and soldiers to live and operate.

Army Sgt. James Harrington, a military policeman and dog handler assigned to Multinational Division Baghdad, poses with Ryky, a Belgian Malanois, while out on mission Nov. 24, 2008, in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James Harrington
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Army Sgt. James Harrington, a military policeman and dog handler attached to the 1st Special Troops Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, along with Ryky, his canine partner, patrol the streets and communities of southern Baghdad’s Rashid district to search for weapons and make soldiers a more effective force. 

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Lavina S. Force passed away on December 18, 2008, (nee Harding) of Gloucester City, NJ, age 80. She was the beloved wife of the late Stanley W. Force, Sr. and loving mother of Stanley Jr. and his wife Pat of Westville Grove, Robert and his wife Terry of Gloucester City and Kenneth and his wife Jackie also of Gloucester City.

She is the dear sister of Thomas Harding, Emily Smith, Elsie McLaughlin, June Margenson and the late Harry Harding. She is also survived by her dear grandchildren Jason (Jennifer), Ben (Heather), Kenny and Christopher, step-grandchildren Michael and Barbara, and great grandchildren Jeremy and Jordon.

 Lavina was born and raised in Westville and resided in Gloucester City since 1950. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet Sunday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the ETHERINGTON-CRERAN FUNERAL HOME, 700 POWELL ST., GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ. Lavina\’s funeral services are private and will be held at the convenience of her family.