I want to say thank you for your support in this Primary Election. We will continue to work hard on the current projects such as TD Bank, Freedom Pier, Chatham Square townhouse conversion, Water Treatment Plant, the Broadway, Market Street, and Burlington Street streetscape projects. We will proceed with new ideas to enhance our cities future such as in-fill housing/Commercial construction, the creation of new jobs through bringing new businesses into town, stabilize government spending.

I thank my wife, Janice, who helps me every day be a better person and Councilman. Her love, patience and advice allow me to better serve you and I love her for that. I also thank our daughters Kristin and Lauren for their patience and help with the additional work load over the past three years. I could not be serving you without all of their support. They understand the need Gloucester City has to be redeveloped, and rehabilitated. The next three years will see some of those improvements.

May 29 was the 8^th annual fundraising Ovarian Cancer trip to Camden Riversharks Game. We raised more than $1,400 to help find a cure for the difficult cancer. We sold out the 255 seats we had reserved for this game. It totally amazes us how this event has grown. We believe people know how important it what we are we doing is.

There were so many people who helped make this event the success, it was. We would like to give them credit. First, thanks to the Gloucester City News for running our ad and donating a year subscription to the News as a door prize. Also, thanks to R.J. of Holcomb Bus Company for the generosity. Many thanks to Fran at Browns for helping us with the pizzas, and also to Delores Nordt for her generosity. Thanks to Yashvent Sheyhot at the Brooklawn Days Inn for the generous donation.

I would like to take a minute to say thank you to the Gloucester City Ambulance Crew. On May 15, I became very sick and had to have 911 called. The ambulance crew responded very quickly and began trying to make me as comfortable as possible.

These two men were very professional and kind. I feel they should be commended, and I would like to say thank you very much for making my bad day a little better.

Pat Forker, Gloucester City

Ms. Louisa Llewellyn, School Board president, will present diplomas to graduates of the Class of 2009 of Gloucester City High School at Commencement exercises Monday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m.

The ceremony will be at the John A. Lynch Memorial Field, located behind the high school, Market Street and Route 130.

In the event of inclement weather, commencement will be moved indoors to the new gymnasium.

Dr. Jack L. Don, principal, will present the class and award the medals and special honors. Superintendent Paul Spaventa will award scholarships.

The processional will be \”Pomp and Circumstance\” by Elgar.

The class officers are: President, Erin MacAdams; Vice Presidents, Marisa Cooper and Kyle Stewart; Secretary, Matthew Gorman; and Treasurer, Gavin Carpenter.

Baccalaureate Services, sponsored by the Glou-cester City Ministerium for the Class of 2009, will be Thursday evening, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

This year’s service includes Rev. William Dilks, Highland Park Church of God, and Rev. Deborah Piggins, Episcopal Church of the Ascension.

All members of the Class of 2009 are invited to attend Baccalaureate.

By Chris Concannon

Gloucester City News-Bellmawr School Superintendent Annette Castiglione opened May’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting by lauding a project-based learning initiative at Bell Oaks Middle School.

The 80-minute teaching blocks are designed around a central theme, and this one was \”Colonial Life,\” Fifth Grade Teacher Jennifer Packer said.

Packer then showcased her students, who spoke on several topics, including Yellow Fever, selected essays, book choices and book structure.

George R. Murphy, Jr. Age 73. Of Millsboro, DE. Formerly of Gloucester City. 

Longtime member and Former Officer of Local Electricians Union 439 / 351 and Graduate of Gloucester Catholic and Former Assistant Football Coach at Gloucester Catholic.

Due notice will be provided by McCann-Healey Funeral Home, 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City NJ.

Ray Ford Old Timers photo gallery

 

RELATED RAMS ALUMNI

By Chris Concannon

Gloucester City NEWS-Two Bellmawr Firefighters were honored May 27 at the 32^nd Annual Camden County Memorial Service and Valor Awards at the Camden County Regional Emergency Training Center in Blackwood.

Following the flag salute, invocation and welcoming comments, the evening was turned over to Master of Ceremonies Tom Gurick, WOGL FM air personality, former Camden County Freeholder, and Gloucester City native.

Many accolades were rendered to Camden County’s bravest, including those of former Freeholder and the new Camden County Clerk Joe Ripa, who said, humbly, \”Saying thank you doesn’t say it all.\”

Gloucester City News-The Gloucester City High School softball team defeated Saddle Brook, 3-0, Sunday in Toms River for a fourth state title.

The Lady Lions also won in 2000, 2001 and 2005.

Senior Pitcher Taylor Chain finished a great career with a shutout and 18 strikeouts. She only gave up two hits.

Jill Stafford, also a senior, sparked the offense in the second with a double to deep left center. Brittney Dolson delivered an RBI single for a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Grace Cooney hit a line drive down the leftfield line to score Theresa Anderson. Ashley Zaccaria then beat out an infield single. Chain helped her own cause with a double to give the Lady Lions a 3-0 lead.

Gloucester City News-A possible vote June 16 on a referendum to adopt a Council-Manager form of government for Gloucester City will not happen.

Because of a legal opinion by Solicitor John Kearney that was agreed upon by members of City Council, there will be no special election. City Clerk Paul Kain wrote:

\”An opinion provided by John B. Kearney, City Solicitor, to the Mayor and Common Council (and copied to the Camden County Board of Elections, Superintendent of Election and the N.J. Attorney General’s office), wherein the City Solicitor has determined that the City of Gloucester City is governed by New Jersey Statutes 40A:61-1 has been received by City Clerk Paul J. Kain on Tuesday, June 2.

\”The Mayor and Common Council had previously approved a resolution June 1 directing the City Clerk to cease and desist any action related to the Direct Petition received by his office on May 19 and subsequently certified by Clerk Kain as to containing a sufficient number of signatures of registered voters on May 28, 2009.