Philadelphia, PA- (January 6, 2011) Mayor Michael A. Nutter and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) announced plans for the next generation of waterfront projects. With initial early action projects either completed or well underway, DRWC prepares to transition into the next phase of work, which will be greatly facilitated by a new two-year, $5 million grant by the William Penn Foundation. The grant will be used for ongoing development projects on the waterfront and will aid DRWC in realizing the goals outlined in the Master Plan for the Central Delaware. DRWC will leverage this grant to utilize existing capital reserves and actively seek additional grants. \”The development of the Central Delaware is a project that will reinvent Philadelphia’s relationship with its waterfront in 10, 20, 30 years from now. The plans we make today will result in a lasting monument of our dedication to green space, recreation and the value of community input for the next generation of Philadelphians,\” said Mayor Nutter. \”The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation has made a very impressive beginning in implementing this community vision for the waterfront, and I’m delighted that they are being recognized for their hard work.\”

As the Master Plan nears completion, DRWC will be identifying the next set of waterfront projects to be undertaken within the next two years. These projects will include key initiatives such as improving connections between the City and the River, enhancing or creating more public/green space along the waterfront and extending the Delaware River Trail.

I would like to know if anyone can help me understand the \”no parking\” rules in Gloucester City, a town that has and has always had parking problems.

Why do we have to move our cars for an hour for no reason at all?

In the hustle of the Christmas season I forgot to move my car and received a ticket, which I deserve as I was illegally parked.

My problem is I have been told by some that it is for the sweeper. But, the sweeper does not come by. I was told by others that they don’t know why, but yet I still receive a ticket for being parked in a prohibited zone.

So, I need to know why. Can anyone answer why this is so, as I am tired of moving my car for no reason?

Joseph M. Pine, Gloucester City

 

 

Extension Granted to Implement Layoffs on February 7, 2011 

 

TRENTON–The City of Trenton requested an extension December 31, from the New Jersey Civil Service Commission to postpone layoffs scheduled for 61 employees of Trenton’s Fire Department. Layoffs were initially postponed on November 5, and on December 29, the City of Trenton received approval to extend the layoff date to February 7, 2011.\”The administration sought special approval from the Commission to extend the lay-off date past the prescribed 120-day approved time frame due to the assessed adverse effect on the public’s safety.

 

The administration is committed to protecting the integrity of the fire department, and will continue to aggressively pursue all other revenue streams,\” stated Mayor Mack.Due to the scheduled layoffs, three firehouses are in danger of closing. The full complement of the fire department pursuant to ordinance is 252 employees, however due to attrition and budgetary restraints personnel were reduced by 31 positions to 221 employees. Thus, with the loss of 61 firefighters, the City is in a precarious position. The City’s administration will continue to aggressively seek federal funding through the SAFER grant to alleviate the pending layoffs altogether.

 

However, until a formal award is announced, the City of Trenton will move forward with layoffs on February 7, 2011.

via www.trentonnj.org

 

On December 15, around 8 p.m., my son Bob Schlueter and his friend Pat Elliot noticed a fire on Atlantic Avenue.

Without hesitation, they rushed over to the home and began pounding on the door trying to alert the residents inside. 

It is wonderful to know there are still great people in this town that will do what they need to do for the safety of others. I am very proud of you both.

Helen Schlueter, Gloucester City

 

 

 pressofAtlanticCity.com: Editorials

The new figures underscore the need for swift action. The Legislature must pass Gov. Chris Christie\’s package of pension reforms – and Christie must make at least a minimal payment into the pension account this year.

Christie\’s reforms are tough but necessary. They include rolling back a 9 percent raise in pensions granted in 2001, increasing the pension payment for most public employees, increasing the retirement age and the years required for early retirement, and ending cost-of-living adjustments for retirees.

State Sen. Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, says those reforms won\’t happen unless Christie makes at least a minimal payment into the fund. That $500 million payment is just a fraction of what the state ought to be paying – and is required by a state law Christie himself signed less than a year ago. Still, the governor has hedged on whether he will make that mandatory payment this year because of the state\’s ongoing budget shortfalls.

Here\’s one suggestion: Politicians should think long and hard about enacting laws that cost money and make that budget shortfall worse. For example, the Legislature is advancing jobs-creation bills that would give hundreds of millions of dollars in tax breaks to various businesses. And it is also considering a bill that would reduce state tax revenues by another $62 million by exempting retirement income from senior citizens earning up to $100,000.

read via www.pressofatlanticcity.com

By Chris Concannon

Gloucester City News

The results of the 21^st Annual Holiday House Decorating Contest opened the December Bellmawr Council Meeting.

Councilman Lou De Angelo suggested the possibility of this being the last of this type of contest, as participation was down in general, with homes not as well decorated as in past years.

 

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The winners of the 2010 competition are:

District 1, The Farrell Family, Majestic Avenue; District 2, The Battaglia Family, Creek Road; District 3, The Carney Family, Leaf Avenue; District 4 (co-winners), The Gillis and Sweeney Families, Peach Road; District 5, The McCloskey Family, Devenney Drive; District 6, The Smalfus Family, Park Drive; and District 7, The Ordile Family, North Cedar Avenue.

In other holiday happenings, Mayor Frank Filipek commented on the massive amount of donated gifts and other items, which lined the walls of the Borough courtroom.

He said the Bellmawr Police Department would be distributing the items to families in need on Christmas Eve.

Under committee reports, Councilman Jim D’Angelo stated he is still working on the Public

If your child hasn’t received a flu shot yet, it’s not too late. There are several dates this month in which the Department of Health is offering flu shots at its regional health centers.

• Friday, Jan. 7, 9 a.m. to noon, Bellmawr Regional Health Center, 35 Browning Road. This clinic is for children 6 months and older who have never had a flu shot.

• Monday, Jan. 10, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Bellmawr. This clinic is for children 2 years old and above who have had a flu shot before.

• Wednesday, Jan. 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., East Camden Regional Health Center, 26th and Federal streets. This clinic is for children 9 years and older.

• Friday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to noon, Bellmawr. This clinic is for children 6 months and older who have never had a flu shot.

• Monday, Jan. 24, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Bellmawr. This clinic is for children 2 years old and above who have had a flu shot before.

• Monday, Jan. 31, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Bellmawr. This clinic is for children 2 years old and above who have had a flu shot before.

To reach the Bellmawr Regional Health Center, call (856) 931-2700. The East Camden Regional Health Center can be reached at (856) 756-2264. \”Young children are among the most vulnerable when it comes to the flu, so it’s important to take the preventative action of getting a flu vaccine,\” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services. \”By attending one of our flu clinics, residents can protect the health of their family and the community.\”

By Anne Forline

Gloucester City News

It all started way back in June with an audition tape.

After two long months of nervous waiting, the good news finally arrived.

The Bell Oaks Chorale in Bellmawr was selected to perform before the Rockettes’ Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City December 10.  Before the students could command the stage at Radio City, they had to commit to many practices, both before and after school.

Also, they had to maintain good grades and conduct and had to raise money for the trip.

 

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There are more than 60 students involved in chorale at Bell Oaks School, and each student was able to go to New York. That is because Chorale Director Philomena Ross is famous for saying, \”No one goes without.\”  To make sure no student was excluded, lots of candy was sold and a basket auction was held to help raise money, which not only paid for the bus and the tickets, but for the students’ attire and for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.

On the day of the big show, the group was announced to Radio City’s audience as \”Bell Oaks Chorale from Bellmawr, New Jersey.\”  They sang and danced a capella, without music, to several choreographed songs.  It was thrilling for the chorale to be on stage before the Rockettes.

Seventh grader Danielle Gordon, 13, a chorale member for nearly four years, had never visited New York.  \”It was extremely exciting. I couldn’t stop talking about it. You had to see the stage. It was so big. You actually had to look up 50 feet to see the top! It was the chance of a lifetime,\” she said.  When asked if

By Anthony Wojtkowiak

Gloucester City News

Effective July 1, 2011, Martin O’Connor will officially retire from his post as principal of Cold Springs School in Gloucester City.

The announcement was made via letter which was read by Superintendent Paul Spaventa during December’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting.

 

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O’Connor has worked in the Gloucester City School District for more than 38 years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.

Martin even met his wife, Joanne, then a second grade teacher, through his work with the local schools.

The student representatives were Christy Levandowski from Mary Ethel Costello, Adele Robinson from Cold Springs, and Brandon Blackiston from Gloucester High.

Blackiston, a senior, said that the 2010 Thanksgiving Day Drive, run by the candidates of the National Junior High Honor Society, was a success, with the collection of 30 baskets of goods for the homeless.

By Anthony Wojtkowiak

Gloucester City News

During December’s meeting, the Gloucester City Planning Board unanimously approved the resolution to recommend to the [Mayor and Council] that the property at Block 107, Lot 1, 2, 3, 16, 17, & 18 be redeveloped in accordance with statutes 40A:12A05 and 40A:12A-6.

Paraphrasing statute 40A:12A-5, the Board found that the property was deteriorating, abandoned, and publicly owned.  These three criteria are covered under sections A, B, and C of 40A:12A-5, and any one of these criteria would have been sufficient to explore redevelopment at this property.

 

Gloucester City Zoning Officer Joe Stecklair attested that the property \”has deteriorated immensely. All though it is secure, it is a liability to the city.\”

The Board also reviewed photos of the property.

According to the Board’s worksheet, the property \”is bordered by Pine Street, Fifth Street, Water Street, and property owned by the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority which contains a pumping station.