By Albert Countryman Jr.

The staggering economy has been the big story of 2008, with the U.S. government finally admitting the nation was in a recession all of this year.

This has affected local people who have lost jobs and are struggling to make ends meet.

It has also hurt local businesses, making it harder to survive.

The budget process for town governments and school boards will be increasingly difficult.

However, there have been some bright spots.

The new Gloucester City Middle School, which is now a vacant lot minus 68 homes and two businesses, will finally be built.

Governor Corzine has asked the N.J. School Development Authority to begin building and renovating schools as a measure to upgrade the economy.

Developers and builders have been feeling the credit crunch, but there are still several projects — including 29 new townhomes at the former Coast Guard Pier on the Delaware River.

Here is the NEWS’ annual Year in Review:

JANUARY

3 – Gloucester City Mayor William James said at last week’s City Council meeting that the NJ Department of Environmental Protection has approved the City’s application for designation as a Brownfield Development Area.

Winners of Bellmawr’s Eighteenth Annual House Decorating contest were honored by Mayor and Council at their December 20 meeting.

As of press time, Westville Mayor Michael Galbraith was a home recovering, and feeling better.

District gets ready for HSPA test with a prep program offered to all eleventh graders.

10 – Gloucester City Mayor and Council held the 139^th annual reorganization and Sine Die meeting.

The Gloucester City UEZ held a workshop at the Dining Car Depot to unveil a new plan to help promote businesses in the community. The meeting was hosted by Gina Dunphy, UEZ coordinator.

Gloucester City Mayor William James, beginning his second year in office, delivered his 2008 State of the City address during the reorganization meeting.

Three new police officers were appointed during last week’s meeting by the Mount Ephraim Board of Commissioners.

Two Council members were sworn in as members of the Westville governing body on January 2.

17 – Police Chief, Deputy sue City, the two chiefs took legal action against the Mayor and Council because the City did away with longevity pay perk that has been in existence for years.

A resident asked the Gloucester City School Board why the December meeting was not on Channel 19 during the Board’s January meeting.

Mayor John Soubasis officiated at the swearing in ceremonies for reelected Councilwomen Rosemarie Boulden and new Councilman Gregory Boulden during the reorganization meeting.

The Gloucester City Business Association presents Howard Clark Communication and Channel 19 with the \”Man of the Year\” award for his hard work and dedication to the association and the community.

24 – Felicia Mikels, 17, formerly of the 800 block of Mercer Street in Gloucester, was the apparent victim of murder on the evening of January 18.

In an effort to further revitalize the Gloucester City waterfront, Mayor and Council were looking for developers and builders who want to play a part in the effort.

Several members were sworn in during last week’s brief meeting of the Gloucester City Planning Board.

Anthony Wojtkowiak, 21, of Gloucester, a senior in the School of Communications at the University of Miami, covered the state of Florida as a MTV Street Team Reporter from January 14 to November 15.

31 – In a classic cross-town battle before a packed gym the Lady Lions scored the final seven points of the basketball game to defeat Gloucester Catholic, 45-38.

Public Service Electric and Gas stopped installing new electrical poles along Market Street and Broadway.

The Gloucester City Tree and Beautification Committee presented at state award to City Council during their last meeting.

Gloucester City Council presented Resolution of Appreciation to three residents during the meeting – James McNamee, Mark Maise and Bruce Parry.

Courier-Post.

It should surprise no one — including our tax-happy government officials in this state — that New Jersey counties dominate the list of places with the highest property taxes in the nation. Seven of the top 10 counties in the United States for highest property taxes are right here in New Jersey. Out of more than 1,800 U.S. counties that were ranked, Camden County had the 22nd highest median annual property tax bill at $4,924. Burlington County ranked 25th highest at $4,866 and Gloucester County ranked 29th at $4,692 for the median annual property tax bill.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Plan to close Riverfront State Prison causes a stir
• Greenwald: Time for a New Jersey New Deal
• ClearysNoteBook: Can the Dolphins Survive Winter Weather in New Jersey rivers?

WORTHINGTON

Lucille

On January 13, 2009. Age 60. Of Maple Shade. Formerly of Salem. Survived by her friends and caregivers at Sterling Manor Nursing Home in Maple Shade.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her graveside burial on Thursday at 3:30 pm at Land of Canaan Cemetery, Elk Township. No viewing nor service. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Lucille Worthington.

Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Ph: 856-456-1142

Image via Wikipedia

FELTON Horace S., Jr. \”Bud\”

On January 13, 2009. Age 85. Of Cherry Hill. Loving husband of the late Virginia Felton (nee Costello). Father of Horace S. \”Rusty\” (Ann Schrader) Felton, III of Bozeman, MT, Nancy (Chris Allard) Felton of Anchorage, AK, Roger (Patti) Felton of Sammamish, WA, Margaret Felton of Mantua, NJ, David (Kelly) Felton of Tampa, FL and uncle of Jeff Vorndran. Brother of Mary (late Stanley) Price and Edith (late Jack) Long. Grandfather of 6. Loving companion of Barbara McCaully. Also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born in Philadelphia, Bud proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was the owner of Delkote Inc. in Penns Grove, NJ and was a member of Philadelphia Coatings Association. He was a member of the Second Alarmers in Philadelphia for over 60 years. Bud was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church in Merchantville. He joined Rotary Club in Penns Grove and later transferred to Gloucester City. He emulated the Rotary motto of \”Service Above Self\” and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow which is the highest honor. He was Chairman of the Cherry Hill Board of Fire Commissioners and served with great pride and many accomplishments on the Board for 20 years.

Relatives, friends, Rotarians and Bud’s brother Firefighters are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Friday evening from 6 to 9 pm at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City. On Saturday morning there will be a visitation from 10 to 11 am at the Grace Episcopal Church: 7 East Maple Ave., Merchantville. Burial Office and Holy Eucharist 11 am in the church officiated by Rev. Anne McRae Wrede. Interment with U.S. Navy Military Honors Colestown Cemetery, Cherry Hill. Memorial donations may be made in Bud’s memory to the Grace Episcopal Church: 7 East Maple Avenue, Merchantville, NJ 08109. Please write in the memo: Horace S. Felton, Jr.

 Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Horace S. \”Bud\” Felton, Jr. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ. Phone: 856-456-1142

YEAGER,Robin Jayne Age 49, died suddenly on January 12, 2008. She lived in Voorhees for the past year and was formerly of Gloucester City, Monroe Twp, and a longtime resident of Glassboro. She was a Pharmacy Technician at Wedgewood Pharmacy in Swedesboro.

 She is survived by her soul mate Richard Whittington, children Barry (Amy), Jacklyn (Frank) Maatje, Alex (Beatrice), Erica (George) Yeager and grandchildren Alyssa, Frankie, George, CJ, and Trevor all of whom she loved very much and dedicated her life.

Friends may call on Saturday 1:00pm-2:45pm in the KELLEY FUNERAL HOME, 125 Pitman Ave., Pitman, NJ. Funeral service 3:00pm. Cremation private. Memorials may be shared at: www.kelleyfh pitman.com