The Best and The Worst for the month of September

Bill\’s Point of View

• Jeers: To corrupt politicians in the State of New Jersey. Since 2002 the US Attorney\’s Office has charged 108 public officials with corruption offenses. Ethics reform in New Jersey should have included a limit on the length of time a politician can serve. The real problem lies with the career politician. After so many years in office they become too friendly with the special interest groups; and therefore susceptible to bribes and kick backs. Two terms and out.
• Cheers: To everyone involved in honoring the memories of Marine Corporal Mark Ryan. The 25-year-old Gloucester City resident was killed in 2004 fighting in Iraq. Recently Gloucester City High School, Ryan\’s alma mater, retired his No. 19 football jersey at a ceremony held before a game. A large crowd of students and residents attended the event.
• Cheers: To Mount Ephraim Police Chief Edward C. Dobleman and members of his department for participating in \”The Street Smart Is Street Safe\” program. As a result, the police will implement new training and requirements for local crossing guards. The goal is to create a safe working environment for the crossing guards and to assure the safety of the children.
• Cheers: To the men and women on the committees that donated their time to plan and run the Brooklawn Wiffleball reunion, The Shamrock Festival, The Ferry/PAL Golf Tourney. Included in the cheer are the men and women from Mt. Ephraim along with organizations and businesses involved in raising money for the Sylvester/West memorial monument.
• Cheers: To Howard Clark and Tadd Kozeniewski of local cable Channel 19 for the all time they have volunteer to film events in the area. For 16 years the two-some have been involved in helping to promote the communities of Gloucester City and Brooklawn. As a result of their hard work people get to see parades, high school games and government meetings. Thanks Howard and Tadd. Continued success to you both.
• Cheers: To the Sickle Gang, comprised of Charles Spears, Joe Boccaleri and Paul Monroe who volunteered hours of their time cleaning up the south section of the Gloucester City Marina. For the past several years that section of the marina had been neglected by the City\’s Public Works Department. As a result of the Sickle Gang\’s hard labor we now enjoy the beautiful view of the Delaware River and the Philadelphia Skyline.
• Jeers: To the City of Gloucester City\’s outdated \”No Parking\” ordinance. There is not one \”No Parking\” sign in the Cypress Garden section of the city, (Walnut , Maple, Chestnut, Oriental, Holly, Cypress, Weston, Goldy, Edwards, Gehrig, Clover, Miller, and Thompson). And there is none in the Highland Park section (Sherwood, Greenwood, Rosalind, Sylvan, Orlando, and Highland Blvd.). Residents in those areas of our City say they have no problem with parking tickets. In the meantime residents on the east side of the City have to move their vehicles two times a week or be subject to a $25 fine. It is not fair that a large portion of the residents in this City are being single out to pay this \”Parking Tax\”. The City\’s No Parking law is outdated and should be done away with all together.

Let\’s hear from you. What is your opinion? Email [email protected] or write Editor Albert Countryman, PO 151, Gloucester City 08030.