November 2009 Cheers and Jeers

CHEER-To all those that volunteer their time to coach youth sports, raise money for charitable causes, donate their time to help others along with those who volunteer for the semi-annual City Cleanup Day. Thank you for all you do.

CHEER-The Gloucester City Mustangs 125lb football team won the conference title on Saturday, November 28, 2009 with a win over neighboring Westville. And a BIG Cheer for the Gloucester Catholic Girls Soccer Team who won their 6^th State Championship. Plus congratulations go out to the Gloucester Catholic football team who won the City title this year by beating Gloucester High 30-22.

JEER-Not sure if it is for the Gloucester City Water Department or the Gloucester City Highway Department. But there is a fire hydrant over on Goldy Drive in Gloucester City that was hit by a PSE&G truck last February. It was knocked sideways and is still that way after all this time. Will this ever get fixed? What happens if there is a fire in that area?

CHEER-TD Bank arrived in grand style this month opening up a welcome addition to the Broadway corridor. The new building, at Broadway and Cumberland Street, replaces an unsightly tavern property that stood in that location for many years. Kudos to all those involved who worked behind the scene to bring this business to Gloucester City.

JEER-To the police officer (s) riding around town on the three-wheel City Police vehicle without a safety helmet. What kind of example is he showing the kids who must wear a safety helmet when riding their bikes?

CHEER-TD Bank recently made a $5000 donation to the Gloucester City Library Board of Directors through its charitable foundation. Thank you from the residents of Gloucester City.

JEER-There is a vacant building on the south side of Market and the corner of King St. that has been for sale for quite some time. There are fragments of broken glass on the sidewalk of the Market Street side that have been there for months now. Who is responsible for the cleanup? The owner? The City? Children play near there. Litter is a huge problem and a huge blemish on our community and elsewhere.

CHEER-A big round of applause for the Boys Scouts and their leaders who run the annual Food Drive to be used in the City for those in need. Thank you to Scout Leader Bill Labbree Jr., who went out of his way to make a special trip to pick up food bag for the drive.

A contributor writes, \”JEER To the women in charge of the cheer leaders for having the girls stand our side of the WaWa begging for money on a holiday. The girls should have been home with their families. And I didn’t appreciate the foul language being used by one of the adults in the group.\”

CHEER-Applebee’s Restaurants throughout the area honored veterans on Veterans Day by giving them a free meal. The veterans could order whatever they wanted Free of Charge. What a great way to salute those who did so much for our country.

Thank you to those who contributed suggestions for this column in no particular order, M. Stubbs, Mike Gurchick, Billie Smith, Debra Sachs, Bill John, and Debra Morse.