William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

Cheer –Newly appointed Superintendent of School Paul Spaventa found out that not all video tapes of school board meetings were being given to the Local cable Channel 19 for public viewing. Someone either in the administration and/or on the school board was choosing what tapes the public got to view. As soon as it was brought to his attention the superintendent corrected the problem. Thanks Mr. Spaventa for righting a wrong.

JEER-To shoppers and staff members that smoke directly outside the entrance to a store or business. Smokers certainly have the right to engage in this activity, but more consideration needs to be given to where you smoke so that individuals do not have to walk through a cloud of smoke to enter. CVS often has a smoky entrance due to some of their own employees

Cheer-To the two sixth grade Brooklawn students who attend the Alice Costello School for their innovative charitable work. After the 3-year old daughter of one of their teachers was diagnosed with leukemia, Gabryelle Doherty and Sydney Weichmann were inspired to begin to raise money to help seriously ill children. If you wish to purchase a purse from the girls, you can contact staff at the Alice Costello School at 456-4039.

Jeer– To the representative of the City of Gloucester City and the representative of Police Chiefs for not releasing a public statement explaining the turmoil in our Police Department. Is the public\’s safety in jeopardy because of the split between the rank and file and the administration? The Chiefs (Bill Crothers and Mike Kaye) remain silent, choosing instead to have surrogates write Letters to the Editor, post comments containing cheap jabs. The PBA union president released a statement about the problem but our elected leaders and department heads remain silent. The public deserves answers.

Cheer-Mount Ephraim Board of Commissioners recently appointed three police officers to the police force. Jonathan Reichelderfer, Daniel Sheets, and Matthew Frankowski were all sworn in as Class I Police Officers. They will be replacing 20-year police officers Daniel Tokolish and Scott Pezzano who recently retired. KUDOS to the new officers and best of luck to those who retired.

Jeer-Regarding the new King Street Corridor concept. Great idea, but when are we going to stop the 53-foot tractor-trailers from crisscrossing throughout our residential areas? The other day I watched a 53-foot trailer, pulled by a sleepover cab, travel North on 4^th Street and turn East onto Market Street. It was about 3:00 PM, and the streets were loaded with kids coming home from school, while this behemoth vehicle snaked around, jumping curbs and finally (about 7 minutes blocking traffic) got onto Market St. Don’t we have some LAWS about semis rumbling through our city?

Cheer–To GHS Teacher Patrick Hagan and his business classes that organized a warm and classy gathering of families, friends, and athletes that honored GHS players that scored 1,000 points or more in their basketball careers. This multi-generational celebration was a beautiful and heartwarming reflection on our school and community.

Jeer- To the DCA (Department of Community Affairs) for taking forever to approve the City’s expired grant application for the revised plan to purchase and renovate the Gloucester Heights Fire hall into a new Senior Citizens Center. The fact that the City dropped the ball in letting this grant expire probably deserves a jeer as well. Councilman Nick Marchese said, ”We are happy to say that the renovations to the hall will be completed shortly, and our Seniors will be able to enjoy this fine facility. We thank the Gloucester City senior citizens for their patience.\”

Cheer–To City Mayor James and Police Lt. Berglund who were willing to meet with various neighbors to discuss problems that are impeding our \”quality of life.\” Both men were concerned and offered suggestions and resources to call.

.Cheers to Fireman Brian Hagan who took the time to hand deliver a package that was mislabeled and incorrectly delivered to the King Street fire house. \”On his way home one evening Brian took the time to deliver it to my home,\” said Bernadette Gorman.

Cheer- To Gina Dunphy for all of the help she has been able to provide the City of Gloucester as the Coordinator of our UEZ (Urban Enterprise Zone office). Her contributions both professionally and personally will always be looked upon as great accomplishments for our City and the citizens of Gloucester. Unfortunately, Gina will be leaving us this month to be with her family more and we wish her all the best in the future. “Thank you, Gina, for your help and commitment to your job and our City.”

Cheer-To the Mount Ephraim Celebration Committee, organizations and businesses for the seasonal banners on Kings Highway.

Jeer – Mount Ephraim Post Office \trailer – fence falling down, trash all over, parking lot light leaning into the yard, plain and simple – an eye sore.

Cheer –For the Mount Ephriam Memorial dedicated to the lives of Mount Ephriam Firemen Jim Sylvester and John West, who died tragically in the Gloucester City fire trying to rescue the three children on July 4, 2004.

RELATED: A look back: July 4th fire in Gloucester City

Cheer– Members of the Gloucester Heights Fire Association got tired of waiting for the City to pick up a dead squirrel lying in the street. So they took it upon themselves to clean up the mess. Thanks guys for helping to keep our City clean. Silly as it may seem a lesson in civic pride was displayed by these individuals; one that we should all heed.

Cheer-To the members of the Gloucester City Fire Department on their T-shirt campaign to raise funds to help our troops in Iraq. Kudos to the area fire departments (Brooklawn, Mt. Ephraim, Bellmawr, Westville, Gloucester City, Chews Landing, Deptford, Cherry Hill) for a job well done in fighting the recent fires that have occurred in our area. The Cheer includes the EMT\’s for their rescue services at auto accidents as well.

Contributors include: Councilman Nick Marchese, Pastor Jim Doster, Susan Cain, Bernadette Gorman and two who remained anonymous. Send your Cheer or Jeer to [email protected].

Note the comments are those of the author and do not necessary represent the views of the Gloucester City News.