\”It has come to my attention that the City of Gloucester City is in talks with the City of Camden, for Gloucester City to take over the fire protection of the Fairview section of Camden. How is it that we have no money, but spend it on whatever little projects we want done, are looking into privatizing the ambulance, Norcross connection. We are gonna be hard pressed to handle our own jobs in Gloucester City and now they want us to take on more with less. 

\” Also, who is paying for Howard Clarks\’ salary now that there is no more UEZ? Everything seems to be about the Fire Department but nothing on how our mayor and city council are spending taxpayer money like its their own. Please look into everything. I am going to try and use whatever resources I have again as long as every story is not lopsided.\”

City Solicitor John Kearney was asked to respond to Sanderson’s inquiries. As to the first question, Kearney said, \”There are no discussions with Camden City concerning anything. 

Regarding the question about the City’s UEZ Director, Kearney said, \”The long saga of Howard Clark and his salary has ended with the City paying half and the UEZ paying half. This was after full payment had been approved by the UEZ in Trenton. Somebody changed their mind and we almost had a situation where the City would have to pay the whole salary. No-one knows what will happen in 2011. Howard does valuable work for the City and his loss would likely slow efforts to get new businesses into town, increasing the ratable base and slowing the growth of property taxes.\”

Clark is paid an annual salary of $70,000.

 Kearney was asked to respond to some questions that have been submitted by other people in the last week.

CNB: In your experience have you ever dealt with a town that has so many rumors circulating on a continual basis?

Kearney: In 20 years of doing municipal work I have never seen a town with so many rumors. 

CNB: Are the unions in Gloucester City harder to deal with then in other communities?

Kearney:  I expect selfish behavior but this departure from reality is troublesome. One would hope for a recognition of the troubled times and a desire to work together to save jobs. That has not happened here.

CNB : The union members of the City Police Department have been working without a contract since 2008. What is happening with those negotiations?

Kearney: We are in arbitration and final briefs are due in January. 

CNB: How much has arbitration with the PBA cost the taxpayers so far?

Kearney: Approximately $10,000. Remember each day with the arbitrator costs $1200 per day, divided between the parties.

This is the facility you have all been waiting for and we are now offering all
of our classes here. It is worth the trip!

Saturday 12/18/2010
9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Gun For Hire Tactical *Pistol, Level 1 – $225

2007 Photo of the Delaware River, taken at Proprietors Park in Gloucester City looking towards Holts Cargo Pier and the Walt Whitman Bridge

(photo credit CNBNews.net)

The workers also entered and took over a Wawa supermarket, dramatizing the union’s call for a boycott of Del Monte, a major supplier of fresh fruit to supermarket chains around the U.S. Wawa is a major seller of Del Monte fruit in the Delaware Valley area. Fresh Del Monte Produce is not affiliated with Del Monte Foods Co., which sells packaged food products.

Support actions on the National Day of Action also took place as far away as Galveston, Texas, and Coral Gables, Fla. Denver City Councilmember Paul Lopez met a union delegation outside city hall in 28-degree weather and stated: \”It’s a cold day and a cold night, but this is an action of solidarity. We are here because what Del Monte is doing is undermining the fundamental pillars of the work force in America. They are taking us back to the 1920s.\” (ilwu46.com, Dec. 4)

Take a Middle of the Day Lunch Break with a True Hero.

Specialist Michael Rogers of A Company STB 1st Brigade, 1St Armored Division is returning after a year deployment to Kirkuk Iraq where he served in Military Intelligence. 

21 Years of age, soft spoken and a big heart, he is a dedicated and decorated Soldier with a steep family history of Service in the Armed forces. 

Currently home based at Fort Bliss Texas he calls Pennsauken his home. 

Michael enlisted in the Army with a little help from the Fire Chief.

Please Join the Yellow Ribbon Club, WWR, Pennsauken Police, Fire and EMS, and Family and Friends in providing this hero a welcome home he will never forget. 

Please come out to welcome home Specialist Daniel Marquez from serving in Iraq.

This was Specialist Marquez’s 2nd tour in Iraq

He is now 24 years old and has been in the Army since graduating Gloucester City High School where he played football

His wife is Moana with son Jason and Daughter Neyla

Specialist Marquez is a rank of E-4 and is a tank diesel mechanic

He will be deploying to Afghanistan in 2011

Friends, Family, The Warriors Watch, The Yellow Ribbon Club, The Gloucester City Police Department, and The Gloucester City Fire Department, along with Gloucester City, will be on hand to make some noise and welcome home this hero in Rock Star style.

Hope to see you there.

Welcome Home Cpl. Brendan Gillen, of Tabernacle

Please come out to welcome home Cpl. Brendan Gillen from serving in Afghanistan.

He grew up in Medford Lakes and is a graduate of Shawnee High School where he played football and lacrosse

Cpl. Gillen is a Sniper for the Marines. He joined the Marine Corp in May 2007

He attended Boot Camp at Paris Island in North Carolina and joined the India Company 3/12.

His wife, Ellen is active in the U.S. Navy. Her rank is Petty Officer Third Class HM3. Ellen joined the Navy in 2005 where she received a medal in marksmanship. She was stationed at Marian Base Camp Pendleton in California in 2006 and works in the Naval Hospital.

In May of 2008, Cpl. Gillen was deployed to The Middle East in support of the war on terrorism

In May of 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 12 Marines, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines and just returned from his tour recently.

Friends, Family, The Warriors Watch, The Yellow Ribbon Club, The New Jersey State Police, The Medford Farms Fire Company, and The Tabernacle Rescue Squad, along with The Township of Tabernacle will be on hand to make some noise and welcome home this hero in Rock Star style.

Hope to see you there.

Please come out to welcome home Cpl. Ryan Radwanski from serving in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Ryan Radwanski and his wife Julia will be stopping at Dunkin\’ Donuts on 1059 Route 202 N., Unit 9, Branchburg, NJ 08876 for coffee around 1 PM Sunday afternoon. They will then be escorted in Welcome Home Fashion to 104 Catherine Lane where we hope you can join us.

Cpl Radwanski is 20 years old and serves in The Marine Corps. Cpl Radwanski is the son of Jill and Paull Radwanski and is married to Julia. 

Ryan’s Brother Eric also proudly serves in the Marine Corps and is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Ryan has two sisters; Kim and Amy, both in high school

Ryan graduated from Bridgewater Raritan High School in 2008 with honors and received his Varsity letter all four years for Wrestling.

Ryan earned an Eagle Scout award in 2008 for Boy Scout Troop 84 Somerville

He enlisted in Marines Oct 2008 and graduated Parris Island Dec 2008 where he received a meritorious promotion upon graduation as a result of his Eagle Scout status causing him to graduate as Private First Class.

Ryan received a second meritorious promotion earning the rank of Lance Corporal while serving in Recruiter’s Assistance in Dec. 2008

Ryan received the promotion to Corporal – March 2010

Ryan was deployed to Afghanistan April 2010-Nov 2010

Medals & Ribbons:
National Defense M+R
Global War on Terrorism M+R
Afghanistan Campaign Medal M+R
Sea Service R
NATO ISAF Medal M+R
Combat Action Ribbon R

Friends, Family, The Warriors Watch, and The Bridgewater Fire & Police Departments, along with Bridgewater Township will be on hand to make some noise and welcome home this hero in Rock Star style.

Hope to see you there.

*Media Welcome*

There are scores of these provisions littered in these bills.

Be careful what you wish for, remember the winter of 2009-2010?

Jess and Harriet Torres took the above photo of the December storm, A silent night on Bergen Street, Gloucester City and Coleen Pittman of Gloucester City took the photo of Danny and Patrick in the igloo.

On December 11, 2010. (nee Wojceichowski) Age 79. Of Gloucester Heights. Loving and devoted wife of 47 years to the late Philip R. Snyder. Loving mother of Philip Snyder, Franklin (Susan) Snyder, Richard (Jeanne) Snyder, Patricia Snyder and Rosemary (Joe) Barron. Loving grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of 1. Also survived by Pat Snyder-Vavra. Florence was a faithful and devoted parishioner of St. Mary’s R.C. Church. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Wednesday morning from 9 to 11 AM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 AM at Saint Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Interment with her late husband, Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. There is no evening viewing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Florence’s memory to: Msgr. Lucitt’s Needy Children’s Christmas Fund: P.O. Box 87, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. In the memo of the check please write: Florence E. Snyder. Expressions of sympathy: www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Florence E. Snyder. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth St. Gloucester City, NJ ph:856-456-1142.

On December 12, 2010, (nee Sanborn) of Gloucester City, NJ, age 76 years. Loved dearly by her children Michael Wilkins, Cathy Lafferty, Scott and Ben Carey and her grandchildren LT Casey Lafferty D.O., Sean M. Lafferty, Kyle and Cody Wilkins, Scott, Austin and Colin Carey. She is also survived by her husband Roy Wilkins, brother John Sanborn and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Wilkins was an avid supporter of many Military and veterans organizations and when she could, loved going to the Casinos.

According to Lisa Ryan, spokesperson for the DCA, the City’s case against Kain will be heard by Judge Joseph Martone, from the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). There is a mediation session before Judge Martone on December 21 in an attempt to settle the dispute between Kain and the City. The actual hearing is scheduled for February 15, 2011. 

Two month ago Kain made an application to the DCA to be reinstated immediately to his job but that was denied. 

The tenure system for public employees has been in the news recently with politicians from Trenton down to the local governments calling for it to be reformed. Once an employee gets tenure the process of removing the individual for malpractice in office is costly and drawn out. Tenure on the municipal level is given after 4 years and one day.

Gloucester City has hired Christine P.O. Hearn of the Brown and Connery Law Firm, Westmont to represent the taxpayers because City Solicitor John Kearney may be called to testify. 

In 1991 Kain began his employment with the City as assistant clerk. Approximately 12 years ago he was promoted to Municipal Clerk. In 2006 he was named City Administrator by former Mayor Thomas Kilcourse. With that new title Kain’s salary was increased from $65,000 to $95,000. He also worked as a part-time Township Clerk for Washington Township, Burlington County, at a salary of $13,000. When the James administration took over in 2007 they found that the City lost several million dollars in state and federal grants during the time Kain was administrator because the applications were not filed on time. In December 2008 Kain was removed from his duties as City Administrator and replaced by the present administrator, Jack Lipsett. And his salary was reduced to $65,000.

Kearney was asked to comment on the upcoming proceedings. He was also asked about a lawsuit filed by Kain who is seeking a cash settlement. 

\”Out of an abundance of caution, and on advice from lawyers who specialize in municipal employment/tenure cases the City filed the petition to remove Kains tenure status. In what can only be described as bizarre the only way under the statute to end tenure is a voluntary resignation or action by the DCA. So Kains’ argument that his unexplained and not justified absence from his job does not mean he gave up tenure has some facial merit. Of course he could be using the same argument if he took the next five years to cruise the globe returning to claim his tenured position. This is another example of our absurd system and how good intentioned ideas can go astray. Protecting career public servants from political pressure has been turned into making it difficult to remove the incompetent. As far as I know there has not been a DCA hearing that Kain did not attend. The only proceeding to date was Kains application to DCA for immediate reinstatement which was denied about two months ago.

\”In light of the risk of litigation as well as the expense the City put together the settlement package that Mr. Kains lawyer had demanded. The funds were coming from the City as well as insurance sources. Mr Kain then apparently changed his mind. As the dispute is continuing I do not want to discuss the details as it may have a detrimental effect on future proceedings.The bottom line here is that the law requires us to go through a long expensive process to remove a tenured employee. And that is what we are doing. If it costs money to achieve certainty that must be considered. No money is spent by the City lightly without due consideration.\”