WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

Hundreds of leaves were born on the tree and they were all friends.

Together they danced in the cool breeze and played in the sun.

Daniel was the largest leaf and Freddie\’s best friend.

He knew many things he explained that they were part of a tree in a park. He also explained about the birds, the sun and the moon.

Freddie loved being a leaf. Summer was especially a nice time.

Many people came to the park.\”Let\’s get together and give them some shade,\” said Daniel.\”Giving shade is part of our purpose in life. Making people happy is a good reason for our living.\”

Old people sat under the tree and talked of old times. Children ran around and laughed and it was fun to watch those children having such fun. Summer passed and fall came, soon the leaves changed their colors. Some of the leaves turned red and others turns yellow, Freddie turned purple. They were all very beautiful, and many people came to picnic and to see their beautiful leaves.

One day a strange thing happened some of the leaves were blown off by a strong cold wind. The leaves became frightened, \”what’s happening?\”They said.\”It\’s the time for leaves to change their home.\”Daniel said.\”Some people call it dying.\”

\”Will we all die?\” Freddie asked.\”Yes, \”Daniel answered.\”Everything dies.\” \”I won\’t die!\” said Freddie.

But his friends started to fall one after another; soon the tree was almost bare.\”I\’m afraid of dying, \”Freddie told Daniel.

\”We\’re all afraid of things we don\’t know, \”Daniel said.\”But you were not afraid when spring became summer, or when summer became fall. Changes in life are natural.\”

\”Will we return in spring?\” Freddie asked, \”I don\’t know, but life will. Life lasts forever and we\’re part of it, answered Daniel.

\”We only fall and die, why are we here?\”Freddie asked again.

Daniel said, \”For friends, the sun and the shade. Remember the cool breeze, the people and the colors of fall. Isn’t that enough?\”

That afternoon, Daniel fell with a smile. Freddie was the only leaf left on his branch. The first snow fell the next morning; the wind came and took Freddie from his branch it did not hurt at all.

As he fell, he saw the whole tree for the first time. He remembered Daniel\’s words, \”Life last forever.\”Freddie landed on the soft snow.

He did not know this. But, in the tree and the ground, there were already plans for new leaves in spring.

Honors:Victoria Alexander, Gregory Aquilino, Emma Ball, Helen Barrett, Ariana Beebe, Gabrielle Bobo, Courtney Bocchicchio, Mya Bocchicchio, Richard Bonczak, Brittany Brown, Kenzie Calhoun, Tyler Capner, Allen Chase, Dominick Cipolone, Gabrielle Crain, David Critch, Claire Czerski, Samuel Czerski, James Danielwicz, Laura Danielwicz, Nevada DeFord, Andrew Fehr, Holly Fitzgerald, Kasey Gardner, Taylor Gavin, Erica Gilmore, Maria Granato, Brianna Hamilton, Kirsten Hoffman, Kelsey Immendorf , Lorianne Johanesen, Julie Johnson, Jordan Klingner, Samantha Krieg, Elijah Lapp, Laura Lexa, Jillian Lynch, Matthew Massey, Emily Massi, Trent Maxwell, Meghan McDonough, Carlie McErlane, Alison McHugh, Drew McMonagle, Victoria Milano, Danielle Nicklas, Elise Niessner, Leyla Ozer, Sevda Ozer, Zachary Pacetti, Cole Panek, Madison Panek, Jackson Price, Natalie Price, Austin Rampolla, Colin Rapa-Slover, Hailey Reed, Madison Riek, Andrew Romano, Nicholas Salamone, Lindsay Scirrotto, Matthew Sheehan, Michael Snyder, Robert Snyder, Justin Spadea, Alexis Staib, Logan Stemetzki, Danielle Stevenson, Alexis Venere, Louis Wittje, Jeanine Welsh, John West, Haley Woodington, Morgan Zielinski

Beloved husband of 55 years to Rita M. (nee Neilio); loving and devoted grandfather of his 3 granddaughters Rita Jayne Bobo (Louis), Sharlene Schomber and Barbra Albertson (Glenn); adoring great-grandpop to Jake and Ethan; step daughter MJ Jones; dear brother of Stewart Hemphill (Doris), Harriet McCormick (Howard) and the late Elmer Angeroth.

Prior to retirement, Bubby provided for his family by working hard as an ironworker for Local 401 for over 30 years. A dedicated fire fighter for 72 years, Bubby was the cornerstone of the Tacoma Fire Company. He served as their fire chief for 26 years; cultivating strong relationships as a dedicated leader, mentor and friend. A life member of the Deptford Twp. Fire Fighters Association, Gloucester County Fire Association, the Gloucester County Fire Chief\’s Association, and the former Deptford Ambulance and Rescue Squad furthered his commitment to his passion for fire service.

Just last month, Bubby received a Lifetime Achievement Award given by the NJ State Legislature and Gloucester County Board of Freeholders. He was honored to be included in Deptford Twp. Inaugural Class Volunteer Hall of Fame. He was also a member of F & AM Lodge No. 95, Mantua. In his free time, Bubby enjoyed water skiing with his family every Saturday at Lake Lenape, deer hunting trips to Michigan and bowling. His 3 granddaughters and 2 great-grandsons were the apple of his eye. He was also mentor, friend and father-figure to past Fire Chiefs of Tacoma Fire Company and an inspiration to many.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Thursday 6:30-9pm, Friday 10:30-11:15 am and Funeral Services 11:30 AM all in the McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury. Interment with Fire Service and Military Honors: Woodbury Memorial Park, West Deptford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tacoma Fire Co., 768 Tacoma Blvd., Westville Grove, NJ 08093. Please share a story about Bubby at www.mcgfuneral.com.

Early KKK rally in Florida. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Ninety-five years ago this month—in February 1915—the D.W. Griffith movie later titled The Birth of a Nation premiered in a Los Angeles theater. Though considered progressive in its technique and style, the film had a decidedly backwards plot that glorified a short-lived, post-Civil War white supremacist group called the Ku Klux Klan. The movie’s broad release in March provoked riots and even bloodshed nationwide.

It also revived interest in the KKK, leading to the birth of several new local groups that summer and fall. Many more followed, mostly in southern states at first. Some of these groups focused on supporting the U.S. effort in World War I, but most wallowed in a toxic mix of secrecy, racism, and violence.

Four people were allowed to speak, but when the Freeholders did not like what we were saying, they stopped the meeting after 13 minutes! When the regular meeting started at 7 p.m., the next 34 minutes was filled with one politician patting the back of another and lots to pictures taken of lots of smiling politicians. So much for these people understanding what problems we taxpayers face.

I was allowed time to explain that one day I was driving down Town Center with $12,500 of medical bills in my hand and saw a sign being erected \”Your Tax Dollars at Work.\” Those tax dollars paved the street and put new curbs in front of the mayor’s house. Could these politicians understand why I am upset that my tax dollars are being spent to make the mayor’s house more valuable when I have no way of paying $12,500 in uninsured medical bills? The Freeholder’s answer: \”I don’t know where the mayor lives.\” That convinced me that yet another politician is oblivious to the problems they have created.

Another woman expressed her anger because her daughter was very seriously ill, could not afford her medical bills and could not get help from anyone. She was frustrated to say the least. Again, the Freeholder didn’t seem to understand what the problem was, or why the audience applauded me when I suggested the woman have her daughter claim to be illegal so she can have all the medical care she needs – free and with no questions asked.

A man vented frustration about a boathouse being built on the river. No one asked if the residents wanted a boat- house. We at the meeting wanted lower water bills instead. The Freeholder’s answer was that much of the money is coming from grants. Do the politicians think we are so stupid that we do not know where grant money comes from? The Federal Government taxes us $1,000, takes $250, and gives the state the rest. The State takes $250 and gives the County the rest. The County takes $250 and gives Brooklawn the rest. Local politicians double our water bills and then build an unwanted boat- house, and we are supposed to think that grants are free money and rain down from the clouds.

All we heard was: \”That’s not a county issue,\” and \”We don’t have anything to do with that.\” So, I suggested that the Freeholders call their party boss, George Norcross, who seems to know all about everything. That is when the meeting was stopped. In my opinion, the Freeholders are so afraid of George Norcross that they will stop a public meeting when his name is mentioned in vain.

What upset me most was not the ignorance of the Freeholders. Rather, it was that not one member of Brooklawn Council spoke up to defend the citizens they are supposed to represent. They did not request or even demand that the meeting continue. They were busy getting pretty for their upcoming photo-ops.

I have a solution, but I do not think local or county politicians want to hear it. How about allowing the voters more than 13 minutes to voice their concerns, even if those concerns are not what the politicians want to hear.

Dorothy Heade, Brooklawn

source Gloucester City News

The NJOA and a number of NJOACF council members attended the senate committee hearing in support of the bill. The NJOA and NJOACF have been aggressively advancing the bill on behalf of recreational anglers for two years with exceptional efforts by council members Reef Rescue and JCAA.

Director, Division of Fish and Wildlife, testified in favor of the bill. Both NJ DEP and NJ DFW have written to Pete Grimbilas, President, NJOACF and Anthony Mauro, Chair, NJOACF, stating that the commercial gear must be removed from the reefs in order to remain in compliance with Wallop Breaux objectives. Bill Figley made an excellent presentation of the facts that support removal of the \”Traps off the reefs.\”

Senator Smith referenced the compelling aspects of Mr. Figley\’s testimony and noted that recreational anglers range in number between 600,000 and 1,000,000 the higher number taking transients into consideration.

The reefs are intended for hook-and-line and spear fishing. According to Director Chanda, failure to adhere to the objectives of federal law

(Wallop-Breaux) exposes the state to financial penalties that may be imposed retroactively. These Sport Fish Restoration funds are funded by an excise tax on recreational fishing purchases and federal law mandates that these funds be used for the benefit recreational fisheries.

The NJOA will keep you apprised of future developments regarding \”Traps Off the Reefs.\”

Anthony P. Mauro, Sr Chair

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Environmental Projects

The state’s ruling prohibits club owners from serving alcohol, thereby changing the nature of the property’s use and leaving the adult entertainment business in question.

In the 1980s, Gloucester City Council had adopted an ordinance prohibiting adult entertainment establishments. Any such businesses that pre-dated the law were able to continue operating, but no new adult clubs could open.

Attorneys submitted copies of deeds showing that the property has been home to a go-go bar since 1976.

Testimony was given by individuals who have patronized the establishment, under different ownerships, from that time to the present, as to the kind of entertainment, food and drink that was offered.

In the end, the Planning Board voted to table the issue until next month, giving each member more time to review the ordinance and make an informed decision.

The Board approved an-other application for a two-story addition to be erected on a property in the unit block of Harvard Avenue.

The 24 by 23-feet addition will add living room and upstairs bedroom to the home.

Board members elected Frank Wunsch to preside as Chairman for the year. Pat Cerrone was chosen to serve as Vice Chair.

The Board reappointed the following professionals for the year ahead: Anthony Costa, Board Solicitor; Larry Waetzman of the Waetzman Planning Group, Board Planner; and Norm Rogers, Board Engineer.

The next Board meeting is Wednesday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall.

source Gloucester City News