GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ-(March 29, 2022)–It looks as though we’re in for another municipal (city) tax increase. Are we shocked? I doubt it. I found something, actually several somethings, that should shock every taxpayer, though.
I’m finishing work on my cousin’s estate and before closing it I thought I would check the state database for unclaimed property. The good news is I found $68 I didn’t know I had and $2,100 I didn’t know my cousin had and then…I looked into Gloucester City. Here is where we might be shocked and angry. Why are our politicians talking about raising taxes when there are twenty-one unclaimed accounts for Gloucester City and/or various departments? These accounts are old. The asset, usually money, was abandoned by the owner of the account and after a few years, it is turned over to the state treasury. The state tries to find the rightful owner and they really do try hard. At least once a year all the names of people who have property were listed in local newspapers. Today it is done on the internet which is available 24/7/365.
A list was recently printed in businessinsider.com. It gave the incomes needed to be considered “middle class” in each of the 50 states. The range is very wide but the parameters consider a town such as Gloucester City to be lower middle class while Voorhees or Haddonfield are considered higher middle class. Listed below are only a few states which stood out. New Jersey? For once we aren’t the most expensive state; we came in second. The incomes listed below are for two people in a family.
There were recent articles in newspapers claiming that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targets the poor for auditing far more often than the rich. Is it true? After what we’ve been through with the federal government over the past few years, I think anyone would say “yes.”
I’m sure most people have heard that the vast majority of auto accidents happen within five miles of home. That is true, also. These statistics, though true, come from a philosophy called “how to lie by statistics.” I am in no way defending the Internal Revenue Service or the federal government as a whole. My goal is only to explain the lying by statistics.
WASHINGTON, DC–I scanned an article this week but didn’t spend much time on it because I thought it was a joke. I should have known better. It’s the government!
There are a lot of problems that our government should be working on – inflation, gas prices, war in Ukraine, the border crisis. These are all very important. They affect all of us every day. So, what is our Congress going to work on this week? Hair Discrimination! Yes, you read that correctly, Hair Discrimination.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (March 15, 2022)(CNBNewsnet)–This past week, the Gloucester High School boys basketball team finished its historic run in NJSIAA State Playoffs. The Lions finished the season 21-10 were able to capture the school’s first sectional title in 51 years of our program’s rich history.
This team’s run started with a win over 13th seeded Clayton by a score of 87-67. Leading the Lions in scoring was Jr. Liam Gorman with 33 points. Also highlighted in that game were 1000 point scorer and Senior Captain, Steven Light, who finished with his first career triple-double (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists). Box Score Below.
In 1968 a young teacher came to Alice Costello School. As a 14 year old I fell in love with this young teacher.
We remained friends from that day forward. As my family grew so did our relationship. In the cold of winter or extreme heat of summer we would meet her with my family at Manco & Manco for pizza in Ocean City.
Upon her retirement she spent her winters in Florida where I would spend a week for Austin’s spring baseball game. Then follow the day up eating whole Lobsters.
Yesterday Ms. McCarty / Mrs. Brown, Marion or “The Principal” passed away after months of suffering. Jill and I were fortunate enough to see Marion one last time Sunday. It was hard leaving knowing that may have been our last time together.
We laughed as best we could, sometimes you wonder if laughter was a good therapy.
Knowing Marion was in the loving hands of her daughter, son and grandchildren made our trip back home easier. Rest in Peace Marion McCarty Brown
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Marion A. Brown (nee McCarty) On March 14, 2022 of Washington Twp. Beloved wife of the late Thomas Brown. Devoted mother of Thomas P. Brown (Karen) and Heather Halicks (Robert). Loving grandmother of Nicholas, Hailey, Lucy, and Cody. Dear sister of James McCarty and Nancy Basara.
Marion. Mar. Sissy. Mom. Grammy. Aunt. Friend. Colleague. Principal. Mrs. Brown. Marion was known by many titles. She was a take-charge-never-suffer-a-fool individual. Her strength, courage, and kindness were unparalleled—never hesitating to pitch in whenever, wherever needed. Never one to stand still, she was always on the go: St. John, Ocean City, Florida. Beaches all over called her name. Finding sea glass was an endless treasure. She delighted in casino trips—slot machines were her game. She always seemed to win…even when she lost. Her biggest jackpot was her precious grandchildren. They kept her spirit ever-young. May her strong, independent will live on in them.
Family and friends are invited to attend her visitation Friday 9:00 – 11:00 AM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Rd., Washington Twp. Funeral service 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Marion and Thomas Brown’s memory may be made to WT 5th Quarter Football Club, 67 Clemens Lane, Blackwood, NJ 08012.
Funeral arrangements:
Egizi Funeral Home 119 Ganttown Road Turnersville 08012
Visitation: Friday, March 18 from 9:00-11:00 am
Funeral Service: 11:00 am
In lieu of flowers, donations in Marion and Thomas Brown’s memory may be made to WT 5th Quarter Football Club, 67 Clemens Lane, Blackwood, NJ 08012.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ–New Jersey 101.5 announced recently that the graduation exam will be made harder starting with this year’s junior class. Fear not. Despite all the panic there is really nothing to worry about.
The State Board of Education wants the passing grade to be set at 750 but the state Department of Education feels that score is too high and wants it lowered to 725, once again dumbing down our schools’ standards. Even state Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex said “725 is just way too low. It makes me cringe…725 for me I think takes New Jersey [sic], lowers our standards.”
