My wife, Rosemary, wrote a wonderful letter to the editor of the Orange County Register which, of course, was not printed. So, I decided to \”print\” it myself by sending it out on the Internet. Pass it along if you feel so inclined.

Dave LaBonte (signed)

Written in response to a series of letters to the editor in the Orange County Register:

Dear Editor:

So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren\’t being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry.

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today\’s American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home.

They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture.

Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany, Italy, France and Japan… None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what t country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan. They were defending the United States of America as one people. When we liberated France, no one in those villages was looking for the French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country\’s flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.

And here we are in 2008 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I\’m sorry, that\’s not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900\’s deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags.

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty, it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn\’t start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.

(Signed) Rosemary LaBonte

source http://abc.go.com

By SUSAN JAMES

Jan. 25, 2008 —

 

Deer are in the headlights these days, maimed along the nation\’s roadways and nibbling away at suburban gardens. Now they\’re closing in on one of America\’s poshest addresses — New Jersey\’s Short Hills Mall, home to high-end stories like Cartier and Coach — and local officials are striking back.

On Jan. 29, Essex County will send sharpshooters into South Mountain Reservation, a 2,000-acre swath of woodland that sits smack in the middle of tony towns like Maplewood, Milburn and the Oranges for a month-long deer kill.

New Jersey is no stranger to marauding wildlife. In 2004, the state shot more than 328 black bears in one season after widespread reports of the animals invading backyards.. It was the first such hunt in more than three decades, and environmentalists say development is to blame.

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Sophomore guard Epiphanny Prince (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had 19 points, 14 of those in the first half, to lead No. 5/5 Rutgers to a 63-54 win over Villanova on Saturday afternoon at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Junior Kia Vaughn (Bronx, N.Y.) and senior Matee Ajavon (Newark, N.J.) added 16 and 14 points, respectively.

Vaughn paced the team, along with senior Essence Carson (Paterson, N.J.), with eight rebounds each. Ajavon had a season-high nine assists.

The Scarlet Knights (17-2, 7-0 BIG EAST) closed the contest on an 11-5 run over the final 5:35 of play to take the victory, its 12th straight.

\”Personally, these games always give me a headache,\” head coach C. Vivian Stringer noted of her 794th victory. \”You see very quickly who can play and who can\’t. Villanova is very smart and they read defenses very well. He (Villanova head coach Harry Perretta) doesn\’t let you make a mistake. It was a good win.\”

Villanova (12-8, 2-5), trailing by six at the break, took a 38-37 lead with 13:53 remaining on a jumper by Laura Kurz. The advantage would be the last for the Wildcats as Ajavon responded with seven straight points to move RU ahead, 44-38. Villanova closed to three on four different occasions, lastly with 6:00 to play. A pair of three\’s by Ajavon and Prince and a 10-footer by Carson would make it 60-49 with 3:10 showing.

Rutgers shot 50.9 percent from the floor while Villanova was at a 48.9 percent clip, becoming the 27th straight opponent to shoot below 50 percent. The Wildcats were 10-of-20 from behind the arc, while the Scarlet Knights connected on 5-of-11 from downtown.

Trailing 8-6 after a three-pointer by Wildcats guard Maria Getty, Rutgers used an 11-2 surge to take a 17-10 advantage at the 11:49 mark of the first half. Vaughn scored six during the drive and Prince capped it with a triple from the far side. The see-saw battle was underway. RU went ahead 20-15 on another trifecta by Prince with 9:49 to go in the first only to see \’Nova respond with a flurry of three\’s. VU\’s Lisa Karcic gave the visitors a 22-21 lead on 3-pointer – the fourth of the game – with 6:40 on the clock.

Prince scored six straight – the first in traffic, the second a steal and subsequent lay-up and finally an up-and-under left-side drive – to push RU ahead by five. Junior Heather Zurich capped the 8-0 run with a mid-range jumper for a 29-22 edge.

Yet another three-pointer by the nation\’s top three-point team closed the deficit to four before Rutgers stretched it to six-point game (33-27) at the break.

For the second straight game, Rutgers had fewer than 10 turnovers in a game (9).

The Scarlet Knights are next in action on Tuesday, Jan. 28 when they travel to West Virginia. Five of the next six opponents are either ranked at the present or have been ranked at some point this season.

\”In this five-game stretch coming up, this is make or break time,\” Stringer said after the game. \”We could lose any of those; it\’s certainly possible to win all of those. We were confident going into this game, so I\’m glad that we won.\”

It\’s Super Bowl time again, and whether you\’re cheering for the Patriots or the Giants, the odds are your Super Bowl party plans are underway.

 

One thing that\’s certain is that Gloucester City is a huge football town. Even though the Eagles disappointed us this year, we\’ll still gather with friends and family to watch this year\’s Super Bowl game and activities.

Photo: Duffy\’s Delicious Candies, click on photo to enlarge

 

Getting ready to enjoy the Super Bowl usually involves sprucing things up around the house, preparing dishes and snacks, food, some decorating, and more. Honestly, things can get a little stressful with all there is to do.

 

Fortunately, the stores, restaurants, and businesses in Gloucester City offer almost everything you could want or need to enjoy the game. If you like to go out, there are places like Jack\’s Twin Bar on Broadway. They provide a pleasant and inviting atmosphere for watching the game. Plus, they offer giveaways and drink specials as well as game day pricing on food.

 

If you\’re the type of person that prefers to watch the game at home with family and friends, well the retailers of Gloucester City can help you do that, too. Say you want to offer something for your guests to munch on during the game.

 

Gloucester City offers plenty of places to pick up sandwiches or other foods.

Duffy\’s Delicious Candies, over on Broadway, offers a great variety of chocolates and their cholocate covered strawberries are unbelievably delicious. And don\’t forget to stop by RXD Pharmacy, photo right, to stock up on Pepsi. (click on photo to enlarge)

 

Thinking about a few home tasks or decorating ideas? Stop by Carr\’s Hardware to get all the cleaning products, paints, and other hardware items you\’ll need. If you\’re thinking about a little kitchen or bath touch up before game time, visit the folks at Gloucester Plumbing Supply. They have the selection and experience to help make your house shine.

 

As you\’re getting ready for your guests, don\’t forget to call Sunshine Flowers and Gifts, photo on left. Nothing brightens a winter home better than fresh flowers or a centerpiece for the table. (click on photo to enlarge)

 

The fact is that Gloucester City has an incredibly wide array of retail stores, restaurants and businesses. If you want to look and feel your very best, we offer a solution that\’s as easy as one, two, three.

First, stop by Front to Back Therapeutic Massage for a deep tissue sports massage.

 

Then head over to Tropical Illusions Tanning Salon for a mid-winter treat.

While you\’re looking and feeling great, visit Lucky Star Art Gallery & Photo Studio on Monmouth Street.

 

If you dare, schedule a retro pin-up photo session or, if you\’d prefer, a family photo.

 

No matter what you\’re doing for the Super Bowl, we hope you do it with the help of Gloucester City\’s retail stores, restaurants and businesses. Shopping here helps support our local merchants, creates local jobs and keeps our local economy strong.

Dear Editor:

The Borough of Brooklawn is about to embark on an injustice to their citizens by: Spending thousands of tax dollars to protect a USELESS law Pushing out a non-profit animal rescue that has been providing FREE humane animal welfare services to their residents for years
Assuring that MORE stray animals will walk their streets Setting a precedent that \”no good deed is unpunished\”

Residents of Brooklawn: your voice is needed to STOP this ridiculous, ego-driven controversy. Only YOU can stop this waste of money, effort, and time on the part of your town council.

Last week, Furrever Friends (FFRV) was featured on FOX and Channel 3 News regarding the rescue of a mother cat and her 3 kittens; they were found hogtied, in a knotted trash bag, in a dumpster in Brooklawn, NJ. Last year, they instructed the wife of a Council Member how to bottle fed several litters of orphaned kittens found in Brooklaw; In Nov, they intook a cat from the son of a Brooklawn Council member…only to be stiffed a promised donation. The Brooklawn Office gives out FFRV\’s information to their residents calls came in regarding strays.

YET – Brooklawn continues to harass and threaten to fine FFRV foster volunteer, Jen Smith, because her RESCUED animals are over their \”pet limit\” of three. She is going to Municipal Court AGAIN on February 12th, and as she was warned, could be fined for each and every day she is breaking this \”law\”. The case will also be heard in Superior Court on March 11th. Keep in mind that FFRV is a strongly supported rescue in Southern NJ, and has full support of the Camden County Animal Shelter, Almost Home Shelter, Society to Protect Animals, Save the Animals Foundation and the Animal Welfare Assocation.

It is amusing that this pet limit law…put into place to protect animals…is now being used to hinder, demean and punish an organization that rescues more animals in Brooklawn then their useless pet limit law possibly could.

This constant treat from Brooklawn has forced Furrever Friends to take this matter to a higher court. Rather then work TOGETHER to find a solution, Brooklawn is going to spend tax payers\’ money for a multiple day Superior Court case so the town may have the right to force YOU to give up a pet IF they see fit! The rescue, in fact, has now shut down all intake of new animals so the volunteers can concentrate on the legal battle before them. What a horrible shame.

Do Brooklawn Residents want:Brooklawn to spend $10k or more of your money to protect a law that doesn\’t work? Brooklawn to have the right to force you to give up a pet DESPITE that you are a picture perfect guardian?
MORE strays to walk your steets? (If you do not like animals, that is even MORE of a reason to endorse the volunteer efforts of Furrever Friends!)

To read what Pet Limits REALLY accomplish (nothing!) compared to what ENFORCED nuisance laws do…or to adopt one of Jen Smith\’s foster animals before Brooklawn orders her to toss them out…see the Furrever Friends website. FFRV.PETFINDER.ORG

Your time in reading this is appreciated.

Jen Andersch, FFRV Volunteer
Woodbury, NJ

 
The January Breakfast Club had a great turnout. The monthly gathering met today January 26, at the Dining Car Depot in Gloucester City. Some of those in attendance included: from left, Joe Boulden, Jim Coppolla, Bill \’The Buck\’ Graves, wearing his 1962 GHS sweater, Bob Bevan, John Rowand, Harry Blymer and John Hindsley.

Also present: Harry Walker, Joe Raube, Jack McDade, Bud Ritchie, Walt Hall, Bill Ritchie, Ed Simila, Chalie Pitzo, Frank Grandizio, Joe Miller, Butch Shaffer, Bud Wrigley, Joe O\’Donnell, Bob Sliwa, Ron Raube, Carl Davis, and Jim McGee (the 50-50 winner).

Also, Len Lacavara, Frank DiFelice, Joe DiGiacomo, Jack Heiser, Jim Boyle, Ed Hubbs, Rick Gonzales, Jack Persichette, John Lang, Bill Cleary, Geo Cleary, Stu Rechard, Ken MacAdams, Walt Zdon, John Zdon, and Don Kelly.

 

see photo gallery

see all things Breakfast Club

JOHNSON, EVERETT G. \’BUD\’
Age 70 of Chalfont, PA on 1/24/08. Born in Gloucester City, Bud resided in West Deptford for 39 years before moving to Chalfont 3 years ago.
Bud was an electrician and instrument tech for Air Products & Chemicals Inc., in Paulsboro for 33 years, retiring in 1996. He was a former member of the Paulsboro Masons. Bud served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1960.
He was predeceased by his son Jeffrey and his sister Esther Dietrich. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Margery Morton Johnson and his son Scott Johnson of Chalfont, PA and 3 grandchildren Matthew, Sara & Kristen.
Visiting Monday 7 to 9 and Tuesday at 10am with services at 11am at the DAVIS & WAGNER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 171 Delaware St., Woodbury, NJ. Interment Eglington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Childrens Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 827790 Philadelphia, PA 19182-7790.

January 26, 2008

Wayne, NJ…The Pioneers of William Paterson University posted a 74-60 home win over The College of New Jersey in NJAC men’s basketball action on Saturday to maintain its unbeaten status in the conference. WPU is now 14-3 overall and 6-0 in the conference, while TCNJ falls to 5-12 overall and 1-5 in the league.
The Pioneers took a quick 6-0 lead in the first two minutes of play courtesy of senior Joey Spiegel\’s (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) two solid shots from beyond the arc. The hot shooting continued as the Pioneers shot 50.0 (14-28) percent from the floor, 50.0 (5-10) percent from three-point range and were 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the first half, leading 37-21 at the break.

The Lions fought back throughout the contest, and were able to come within eight points after senior forward Mark Aziz (Hackettstown, NJ/West Morris Central) sunk a three-point shot to bring the
score to 62-54 with 1:18 remaining in play. But the Pioneers would not relent, holding TCNJ to 21-for-53 (.396) shooting overall and 9-for-22 (.409) from beyond the arc for the game.

Spiegel led the Pioneers with 24 points, and was 7-for-11 (.636) from the floor, 3-for-6 (.500) from three-point range and 7-for-9 (.777) from the line. Spiegel\’s solid shooting brings him only 49 points shy of becoming the 26th Pioneer to score 1,000 career points.

Sophomore Bobby Dunn (Garwood, NJ/Johnson Regional) added 10 points, tying his career record set earlier this season against City Tech. Dunn\’s five rebounds mark a new career best, one better than his previous high. Senior Jason Cameron (Cliffside Park, NJ/Cliffside Park) added a new season record of three steals while adding seven tallies to the 74-60 victory over the Lions.

By game’s end, Aziz would add 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while sophomore Jay Frank (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) tallied a team-high 16 points after hitting 5-of-7 from the floor. Senior guard Jeff Warner (Jackson, NJ/Jackson) contributed 14 points as well for the Lions.

TCNJ returns to action on Wednesday, January 30 hosting Rutgers University-Camden in Packer Hall in an 8 p.m. match-up.

William K. Wright, age 61, of Gloucester City passed away on January 25, 2008. Bill proudly served our country in the United States Marine Corps during Vietnam. He was a member of the Brooklawn American Legion Post # 72 and Crescent Park V.F.W Post # 9563 in Bellmawr. Mr. Wright worked at the United States Post Office in Bellmawr as a Postal Worker and retired in April 2006 after 28 years.

Beloved Son of Marge (nee Eggers) and the late Clyde Wright. Loving husband of 11 years to Bernadette (nee Lennox). Devoted father of Scott, Brett and Wyatt. Dear Brother of Joan Campbell and Keith Wright. Loving grandfather of 14 and great-grandfather of 1.

At the request of the family, cremation and Military Services are private. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of William K. Wright.

Family requests memorial donations in William\’s memory to the Brooklawn American Legion Post #72: Railroad and Lake Drive, Brooklawn, NJ 08030.