JEER — To the landlord who treated East Thompson Avenue like a dumping ground
A landlord on East Thompson Avenue left an unsightly pile of trash at the curb six days before the scheduled pickup — a heap that sat there blowing around the neighborhood like a slow‑motion insult. Just a few steps away on South Burdsall Avenue, another pile of recyclables was dumped directly in the street instead of being placed in a proper recycling bin.
Gloucester City’s trash ordinances couldn’t be clearer: household waste and recyclables must be placed at the curb no earlier than 7 PM the night before pickup, and only in secure, watertight containers. The rules also spell out weight limits, container‑cover requirements, and fines that can reach $2,000 for repeat offenders. These aren’t suggestions — they’re laws meant to keep neighborhoods clean, safe, and livable.
WHY IT MATTERS
Community pride begins at home. When someone leaves trash out for nearly a week, it doesn’t just create an eyesore — it chips away at the dignity of the block. It tells your neighbors their street isn’t worth respecting. It invites rodents, scatters debris, and sends the message that Gloucester City is a place where standards don’t matter.
And here’s the real frustration: the City already has ordinances on the books to prevent exactly this kind of behavior. If those laws aren’t going to be enforced, then what’s the point of having them? Residents who follow the rules shouldn’t have to live with the consequences of those who don’t.
CHEER-To the Gloucester City Lions Club and the Gloucester Little League organization for replacing the torn American Flag and the POW Flag at the LL field and at the Johnson Blvd Jogging Park. Kudos also to Bruce Parry for his help.
WHY IT MATTERS
A torn, faded, or shredded American flag — and the same for a POW–MIA flag — should never be left flying in that condition. These flags represent the men and women who served, sacrificed, and in many cases never came home. When they’re allowed to deteriorate, it sends a message that those sacrifices are no longer worth honoring.
Respect for the Symbol
- The American flag stands for the nation, its history, and the people who defended it.
- The POW–MIA flag is a solemn reminder of those who were captured, missing, or never accounted for.
- Flying either flag in a damaged state diminishes the dignity of what they represent.
Respect for the People Behind the Symbol
- Veterans, active‑duty service members, and Gold Star families see a torn flag as a sign of neglect.
- For POW and MIA families, that black‑and‑white banner is personal. It’s a promise that their loved ones are not forgotten.
Community Pride and Civic Standards
A tattered flag doesn’t just reflect poorly on the property owner — it reflects poorly on the entire community. It signals indifference, neglect, and a lack of pride in the place we call home. When a city allows its most sacred symbols to fall into disrepair, it chips away at morale and sends the message that standards don’t matter.
Proper Flag Etiquette
The U.S. Flag Code is clear:
A flag that is worn, torn, or faded should be retired respectfully and replaced with a new one. Many veterans’ groups, including the American Legion and VFW, will retire old flags at no cost.
JEER — SATAN IS AT WORK IN BATON ROUGE. Police in Baton Rouge say a 22‑year‑old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape and assault of a 94‑year‑old woman. Detectives identified the suspect, Jeremiah Taylor, after releasing surveillance images through Crime Stoppers and receiving multiple tips from the public. He was taken into custody and booked on several charges. Investigators say the attack took place on March 6 in broad daylight. The community response was crucial to identifying and arresting Taylor. Source (WAFB/Gray News).
WHY IT MATTERS.
Crimes against the elderly strike at the heart of any community’s sense of decency. The swift response from the public and law enforcement shows that people will not sit quietly when the most vulnerable among us are targeted.
JEER — To the FDNY Islamic Society for showing poor judgment at a sacred memorial. During an iftar gathering at FDNY headquarters, members of the department’s Islamic Society laid their prayer mats directly in front of the plaque honoring the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11. The image struck a nerve with many firefighters and families of the fallen, who saw the placement as disrespectful to a site that carries enormous emotional weight. The FDNY insists no offense was intended, but the incident has reopened long‑standing concerns about how religious observances are handled around public memorials.
WHY IT MATTERS.
For countless New Yorkers, the 9/11 attacks remain a deeply personal wound, and the sacrifice of those 343 firefighters is sacred ground. Positioning prayer rugs in front of their memorial—even unintentionally—felt to many like an insensitive lapse that failed to honor the gravity of the loss.
CHEER — MSC Michaela Makes Departure from Port of Philadelphia-
On Feb. 14, the MSC Michaela sailed from Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, marking another milestone in the port’s growing container operations. Local officials highlighted the economic boost and long-term job stability the port continues to bring to South Jersey and Philadelphia.
WHY IT MATTERS
A busy shipping port is a good sign for the economy. It also means the Longshoremen are working and are able to feed and clothe their families.
JEER — South Jersey Factory Explosion Injures Five
The March 5 explosion at Savita Naturals in Logan Township rattled the region. Residents reported hearing the blast miles away. Investigators are still determining whether safety lapses played a role.
CHEER — South Jersey Fire Crews Prevent Larger Disaster After Factory Explosion
On March 5, firefighters in Logan Township contained the flames after the Savita Naturals factory explosion, preventing a wider industrial catastrophe. Five workers were injured, but crews stopped the fire from spreading to nearby chemical storage.
JEER — Fatal Crash in Toms River Involving Suspected Impaired Driver
On March 7, a woman was killed after a car slammed into a guardrail and then collided head‑on with her vehicle. Police say impairment is suspected — another preventable tragedy on our roads.
CHEER — Gloucester City School District Advances Cost‑Saving Upgrades
Between February and early March, the district moved forward on energy‑efficient HVAC and lighting upgrades using a financing method that avoids new taxpayer debt. A rare example of government doing something smart with money.
JEER — 92‑Year‑Old Woman Killed in Lithium‑Ion Battery Fire
A tragic Feb. 13 fire in Stafford Township killed 92‑year‑old Betty Matero, with investigators linking the blaze to a lithium‑ion battery failure in an outdoor storage area.
CHEER — Community Rallies After Buena Mobile Home Fire
A March 7 blaze destroyed a mobile home and pickup truck in Buena. Neighbors and local groups immediately stepped in with clothing, temporary housing, and donations — a reminder that South Jersey still shows up for its own.
CHEER — Gov. Sherrill Visits Deptford Small Business
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill stopped at Two Sweet Boutique in Deptford to highlight small‑business support initiatives. A rare moment when Trenton attention actually lands on a mom‑and‑pop shop.
CHEER — Inspira Urgent Care Centers Earn National Accreditation. Inspira’s urgent care network received national accreditation in early March, a win for South Jersey residents who rely on these centers for fast, local medical care.