By Albert Countryman Jr.

Gloucester City News Publisher and Editor

Proposal Analysis

The Board of Freeholders proposal to create a countywide police and fire department will have major ramifications here, and throughout the state.

There are 37 towns in Camden County, and the Freeholders are giving them the option of disbanding their local forces and joining the regional departments – supposedly at a savings to the municipalities and the taxpayers.

Questions include: Will there really be a savings?

THANK YOU AREA RESTAURANT OWNERS

I would like to thank all the diners and restaurant owners for servicing the people in Gloucester City, Brooklawn and Westville. Also, the dishwashers, busboys, and waiters for their jobs.

It is not easy serving the public. We don’t take the time to think about that. If we did not have diners or restaurant. We would have to take time to cook. Today we don’t have the time, always in a rush. Not only that, a lot of people don’t know how to cook, we would starve to death so be thankful for having them.

Stephen S. Tremback, Gloucester City

TRIBUTE TO ARTIE DiPATRI

If during your lifetime, you were fortunate enough to have been a friend of Artie DiPatri, your life has to have been enhanced by that acquaintance. Artie was the nicest man I ever knew.

He was a man’s man, whose presence just made you feel good about being a human being. He was a kind, sincere, giving, unselfish and loving man, a wonderful husband and father and grandfather.

His coaching ability approached greatness, but his gentlemanly and fair demeanor both on and off the court far over-shadowed the X’s and O’s he drew on his clipboard.

The people who came in contact with Artie on the basketball court, the classroom or in his guidance office are truly blessed to have been in his company and be influenced by his personality.

We will miss you terribly. One of those friends you touched.

Friend and Colleague,

Steve Shimkus, West Deptford 

(reprinted from the Gloucester City News)

On January 27, 2011. Age 74. Of Cherry Hill. Formerly of Audubon and Philadelphia, PA. Loving and devoted wife of 28 years to Robert W. Moore. Roseanne was devoted to her Roman Catholic faith.

Mass of Christian Burial will be private at Saint Peter’s R.C. Church in Merchantville and burial will be private at Brig. General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to www.mccannhealey.com under Roseanne Moore. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME : 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Ph: 856-456-1142

 | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post

by Lucas K. Murray

Gloucester City Police Chief George Berglund said many departments may take a wait-and-see approach to shared services. He heads up a force of 27 with an annual budget of $3 million. 

At 2.8 square miles, Gloucester City is still one of the most active of the smaller municipalities in the county, averaging between 1,200 and 1,400 calls a month.

\”Realistically it\’s going to take years,\” he said of a countywide department. \”The smaller towns have the potential to work on something sooner.\”

His fellow chiefs have voiced skepticism on the practicality of it all.

\”There\’s a lot to be worked out,\” Berglund said. \”Like with anything, you have to build your infrastructure up before you do it. When you\’re building a house, you make sure your gas and water is hooked up.\”

via www.courierpostonline.com

By Chris Concannon

Gloucester City News

The final piece of the contract puzzle was put in place January 20, as the Bellmawr Board of Education (BOE) ratified its pact with the Bellmawr Education Association (BEA) during last week’s meeting.

Representing the teachers, BEA President Regina Andrews-Collette said the salary guide was the last element to be discussed and voted upon.

After the vote, Andrews-Collette thanked the Board for ratifying the contract.

A 50-minute executive session started the BOE meeting, and the Workshop portion opened with Superintendent Annette Castiglione commenting on the Education Committee.

She said she attended a meeting at Ethel M. Burke School January 19 to discuss issues regarding unbecoming conduct by parents dropping off, as well as picking up, their children to and from school.

The superintendent said this \”unruly behavior\” takes place at all three Bellmawr schools, and that the District will be taking action on the matter in some form.

August 15 – Moved to our new home in Jersey. It\’s so beautiful
here. The lake to the north looks so majestic. I can hardly wait to see
it snow covered. I\’m going to love it here!

I thought I was happy for Gloucester when I heard that they received the Del Monte contract, anything to help our economy. 

Not realizing they would be a block away from where I’m living on Mercer Street.

Today is Sunday and I was awakened by the sound of forklifts at 6:15 a.m.

I hear the constant beeping of forklifts when I go to bed every night anymore! But 6:15 a.m. on a Sunday morning? Come on!

It’s not bad enough I’m paying $1,000 for an apartment that a few years ago I’m sure went for $500. 

I’ve got the roar of the traffic coming off the bridge, the planes flying overhead all the time and now the constant Beep, Beep, Beep of a forklift that makes me feel like I live in the middle of an industrial park.

And my windows are closed because it’s winter! It’s going to be unbearable in the summer. 

How about a silence wall for Del Monte paid for by Del Monte. Love your fruit, hate your noise!

Cynthia Collins, Gloucester City

(reprinted from the Gloucester City News)

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

Setsubun rituals carried out throughout Japan every year around February 3rd. Setsubun is celebrated the day before \”risshun,\”referring to the start of the spring season.The ritual itself involves scattering roasted beans both inside and outside the house while loudly reciting the words,\”Oniwa-soto, \”Fukuwa-uchi,\”which means\”out with the demons!\”In with good fortune.\”Of course,the aim of this ritual is to keep the house safe from harm while inviting good luck to come inside.