By Sara Martino

NEWS Correspondent

BROOKLAWN NJ-The improvements at the Community Circle Project at Bergen Street have been started, and may be partially completed before the Fourth of July celebration there.

Scott Smith, of Kei Associates, told Brooklawn Borough Council that curbing should be almost installed and trenches will be filled prior to the holiday.

During the meeting, Council members said they wanted the area to be safe.

Borough Clerk Barbara Lewis reminded the governing body that the Brooklawn United Methodist Church Bible School classes will be held in the firehouse, as well as in the church, and thought it better to wait for the work to proceed.

\”The most hazardous situation is in the curb forming, and by the Fourth the forms should be filled,\” the engineer said.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Terry J. Lynch, 22, of Shepherd, Mont., died June 29 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

Category American Hero

By Chris Concannon

BELLMAWR NJ-Hundreds of parents and family members filled the Bell Oaks All-Purpose Room to capacity for the annual Eighth Grade Commencement June 16.

As the nervous but excited graduates filed in to the traditional \”Pomp and Circumstance,\” the standing room only crowd smiled and snapped scores of photographs.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, Graduate Patrick Sheehan gave the opening address.

Superintendent Annette Castiglione then certified that the entire graduating class of 129 had met all the criteria to be conferred their diplomas, and move on to High School.

Following her remarks, Bell Oaks Principal Anthony Farinelli thanked the staff and introduced the Board of Education (BOE), along with senior faculty and staff.

Whereas everyone who was introduced was applauded, Eighth Grade teachers Edward Beail and Kurt Skibbe drew the loudest and most raucous cheers from the graduates.

Following introductions, Ms. Castiglione, along with Mr. Farinelli, awarded the diplomas, with the aid of BOE President Jody Mangus and Mary Di Mattesa.

The graduates, along with the Bell Oaks Chorale, then joined together to sing \”In Our Children’s Eyes\” by Steven Flagherty.

Dozens of awards were then presented, the majority in memory of past teachers, administrators, students and public officials. Two gentlemen were on hand to present their own.

The last thing the State of New Jersey needs is more money going down the drain. Residents of New Jersey have a few questions that won’t be able to be answered easily.

Will the proposed light rail line alleviate any congestion on Route 42 and 55? Is the Camden to Trenton light rail line that was installed in the mid-90’s and known as \”a waste of time and tax dollars\” out of the red yet or is it still being subsidized by tax payer’s dollars?

Why did the Governor, the head of the DRPA and various other officials take it upon themselves to bypass the voters again on such an important project? What do the residents have to do to protect themselves and get their voices heard regarding this important project?

Joanne Howey, Gloucester City

By Linda Boker-Angelo

NEWS Correspondent

The Gloucester City Planning Board approved a motion last week recommending that Mayor and Council adopt the proposed Housing Element and fair share plan prepared by planner Shirley Bishop in accordance with the NJ Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) guidelines.

COAH is the state agency designated to set the standards and insure that municipalities are meeting their obligations to offer fair, affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income families.

Bishop told Board members that Gloucester City is in good shape to meet COAH requirements, as it has a credit of 90 shares which more than covers its obligation, as determined by COAH.

The Board also approved three applications for building improvements in the Historic District. The Gloucester City Historical Museum, 34 N. King St., requested permission to replace their existing sign.

An emergency roof repair was authorized for the former Coast Guard base, 101 S. King St. Owners of a property located in the 200 block of S. King St. wanted to repaint exterior window and door frames and repair cracked windows.

There will be a public hearing during the July 15 meeting regarding the City’s Master Plan, which is due for review and revision. The Municipal Land Use Law requires every town to re-examine its master plan every six years. Gloucester City last re-evaluated its plan in 2003.

The Board meets again at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, in City Hall, 313 Monmouth St.

source Gloucester City News

http://www.nj.com

PATCO-type rail a much better fit

A mass-transit study conducted for the Delaware River Port Authority by STV Inc., and completed in October 2005, stated the following:

\”… A new PATCO (electrified high-speed-line-style train) service from Glassboro to center city Philadelphia has a potential of 20,700-31,000 daily passengers. Diesel Light Rail, similar to the (Camden-to-Trenton) River LINE has a technology that operates on exclusive guide ways or in the street, but could not merge with the PATCO high speed line to access center city Philadelphia (directly) due to performance inequalities and electric-only operation within Camden and Philadelphia travel structures.\”

By Linda Boker-Angelo

NEWS Correspondent

The Gloucester City Board of Education (BOE) last week accepted the resignation of member Raymond Coxe.

Coxe said he and his wife are moving to a new home outside of Gloucester City, and would therefore be forced to give up his seat on the Board.

Since joining the Board in April of 2006, Coxe has served as chairman and assistant chairman on several committees, and was elected by his fellow board members to serve as vice-president in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The Board also approved the retirement of George Henry, Principal of the Highland Park Program for Success and the Adult School. Henry joined the district in July of 2000.