Life on Broadway: Floods, Wildlife Parks, Food Pantry

All the water created problems for any residents who had errands to run. Also, with this much water, the chances of the rainwater mixing with the sewer water, and then going directly into the Delaware River, are much greater.

President Obama spoke of stimulus money being used to put people to work to address infrastructure problems. This would be a perfect case.

The Water Street corridor almost seems to be a forgotten area – abandoned land and burnt-out buildings. Something has to be done.

WILDLIFE PARKS

My proposal would be to create a wildlife refuge and nature park at \”the dunes.\” Also, where the old factories were, perhaps wind mills or solar panels could be installed to create clean energy.

By starting to fix up the area, some businesses – especially associated with the shipping and maritime industries – would be encouraged to open up down in Southport.

The way it looks now is not very enticing to attract new businesses to the area.

Also, there is a chance to create a small nature park at the curve of Essex Street and Johnson Boulevard.

After the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completes its thorium clean-up, they put in remedial landscaping. Working with Gloucester City, this could become a nice place for residents to walk around and watch the birds and animals.

The strongest selling point for the future of Gloucester City is the Delaware River waterfront, and all of its tributaries – the Newton Creek and the Big and Little Timber creeks.

FOOD PANTRY

Due to the Great Recession, and the high unemployment rate, this is a very difficult time for many families in Gloucester City, Brooklawn, Westville, Mount Ephraim and Bellmawr.

Currently, some 1,400 people a month avail themselves of the services at the Touch New Jersey Food Pantry on the Black Horse Pike in Mount Ephraim. The food they get is essential to the survival of the parents, and the children.

The building the pantry uses belongs to Sacred Heart Parish in Mount Ephraim, which did not charge rent.

However, under the new Camden Diocesan restructuring plan, Sacred Heart is merging with Holy Maternity Church in Audubon. Because of the additional people in the parish, more parking spots are needed.

The food pantry needs a new home. Perhaps a place can be found in the area to help continue serving the needy.