Gloucester City Cat Fish Tournament will be on March 12th at the Gloucester Marina. Many other riverfront towns hold these tournaments on the Delaware River and are very successful. This is something that we want to work with the UEZ to help promote the City, the Marina, and the overall water front. It will, in turn help with the sale of new homes on the water front giving us a chance to show our City in a positive lite. This event is in cooperation with the Gloucester City Business Association. We are looking to advertise this event in as many venues as possible. Maybe that’s where the UEZ can help. We will forward the brochure sometime next week. This tournament is for Boats and fishermen on the shore. There will also be a children\’s catfish tournament on the pier in cooperation with the Gloucester Police Athletic League Fishing Club. 8-4 pm. Details will follow.

Mayor and Council are working to purchase one of our volunteer fire halls to be used as a partial firehouse/senior center. The two would be totally separate. The City has a $ 400,000. grant to build or buy a senior center. This grant has been in the City for a year and a half. If it is not used before November we will loose the grant. This will be a location the seniors will be able to use every day. The Mayor has met with the senior organization and they are very excited about this project. We will meet with them again at the Gloucester Heights Fire Company on March 6th at 1:00 pm. This is not a permanent solution but one that will suffice until a better scenario comes up.

Request for proposals are out for commercial developers to see what could be built at the site of the old Dooley\’s Pub. The City purchased the site for approximately $ 425,000. and paid an additional $ 34,000. to have the building demolished. We would like to see a restaurant/retail stores/offices, etc. This is something we want to move forward with as soon as possible. Broadway must begin to be revitalized so the existing businesses can become more productive. This should also be something that could be offered to existing businesses in the City. Just like Gloucester Plumbing, they could move up to a better location with the City purchasing their location or selling it out right on the open market. There are many possibilities.

The City has had numerous meetings about the Fort Nassau playground. Instead of removing the entire playground as originally stated due to decaying, vandalism and problems at the location, the City has decided to let approximately 50% of the playground remain while adding the new metal prefabricated apparatus in its same location. The City is also looking into a video surveillance system with cameras to record the daily activities at this location. This will hopefully reduce the number of incidents as well as help our police force better control the area. We think this is a great compromise. We thank the participation of the original committee who help evaluate this situation. A work party will still be needed by the committee and local citizens to help restore the existing structure; i.e. staining, new signs, etc. This shows true cooperation between the City and the citizens.

Apex Modular homes may be interested in developing future homes in Gloucester City.

The City has contracted Triad Associates to write a grant to the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) so a certain portion of the waterfront would become a Brownsfield Designated Area (BDA). In becoming a BDA, the NJDEP will help to design and implement remediation and reuse plans so that we can move forward with development at a faster pace. This application is due to the NJDEP by the end of March.

The City is now reviewing the recent fire and current status of the old Pirate\’s Den to see what should happen with this site.

WaWa\’s new site plan was approved at the February Planning/Zoning Board meeting, with plans to beautify and expand their complex on Market Street.

Mayor and Council are working on installing new entry signs into the City. They will be sponsored by our local businesses with their names as part of the sign, the

 ZINDEL

Betty Joyce

 

On March 4, 2007, Age 72. (nee Hughes) Of National Park. Formerly of South Carolina and Oak Valley section of Wenonah. Surrounded and cared for by her devoted husband of 53 years, John Robert Zindel, III. Beloved mother of Gay Joyce (Zindel) Smithson of Maryland, John \”Jack\” Zindel, IV of Woodbury Heights, Michael J. Zindel of Maryland and Linda Zindel of National Park. Caring grandmother of Michele, Mike, Kristi, Kelly, Mandi, Johnnie, Kenny, Timmy, Teri, Dani, Brittany, Anthony, Jason, Susie and Doug. Loving great-grandmother of Abbey. Dear Sister of Patsy Hall of North Carolina. Loving Sister-In-Law of Milton C. Zindel, Sr. of Westville Grove. Betty was known to many as Joyce and was a bus driver for Gateway High School in Woodbury Heights. She was a resident of South Carolina then moving to the Oak Valley section of Wenonah and living the last 6 years in National Park. Joyce was very devoted to her family and loved to crochet. She was very devoted in helping others and was active with the Meals on Wheels Program. Joyce was a member of the Almonesson United Methodist Church. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Wednesday Evening from 7 to 9 pm at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City. Ph: 856-456-1142. On Thursday morning, all are invited to Joyce\’s viewing from 9 to 10 am at Almonesson United Methodist Church: 1680 Almonesson Road, Almonesson where the religious service will be at 10 am in the church. Interment Head of the River Cemetery, Estell Manor, NJ. There is no morning viewing at the funeral home. Please no flowers at the request of the family. Family requests that memorial donations be made in Joyce\’s memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: One Reed Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19147 or to Samaritan Hospice: 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053. Please write in the memo of the check Betty Joyce Zindel. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Betty Joyce Zindel.

 

  

WASILUK, MAYBELLE E.
(nee McKenna), on March 5, 2007, of Bellmawr for 57 years. Age 77.
Beloved wife of 58 years to Peter. Devoted mother of Diana Cunningham (Robert) and Peter, Jr. (Sharyn). Loving grandfather of Philip and Jaclyn Wasiluk. Dear sister of Emily Hanley (Frank), Vera Nocentino (Albert), Frank McKenna and the late James. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Maybelle was a devoted parishoner of Annunciation BVM Church. She devoted her life to being a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.
Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing from 9:45 to 10:45am Thursday morning at Annunciation BVM Church, 601 W. Browning Rd., Bellmawr, NJ 08031. Funeral Mass 11am at the Church. Interment at New St. Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Annunciation BVM Church Building Fund.
Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to:[email protected].

LAIGAIE, BETH
On March 2, 2007 (nee Boyle) of National Park formerly of Gloucester City, NJ, age 65 years.
Beloved wife of Richard T. Laigaie. She is the loving mother of Renee Laigaie and Denise Jeffers, and devoted grandmother of Stephanie, Tyler, Zachary, Dylan, Alexa,and Reilly. She was the dear sister of Diana Franchi and William Boyle, Jr.
Beth spent many years as an office manager, but most of all loved caring for and spending time with her family.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 10:30AM at the ETHERINGTON-CRERAN FUNERAL HOME 700 Powell Street, Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00am at St. Mary\’s Church 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Interment to follow Woodbury Memorial Park, W. Deptford, NJ. There will be no evening viewing.

O\’TOOLE

Hilda C.

 

On March 3, 2007. (nee Peters) Age 90. Of Sewell, Formerly of Gloucester City. Loving wife of the late Francis O\’Toole. Devoted mother of Ralph L. Everwine, Sr. of Gloucester City. Beloved grandmother of Ralph L. Everwine, Jr. (Reita), Stacey Einstein-Jennings (Frank), Stephanie Paul (Alan) and Jennifer Myers (Larry). Dear Great-grandmother of Josh (Heather), Ben, Matt, Erik, Anthony, Mallory, Wyatt, Taylor and Lauren. Cherised great-grandmother of Jacob. Hilda was a resident of Gloucester City for over 50 years. She loved to play bingo, travel to the Atlantic City Casinos and go on deep-sea fishing trips. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her visitation on Friday afternoon from 1:30 to 2 pm at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, (at Brown Street) Gloucester City. Baptist Service 2 pm at the funeral home officiated by Dr. Jim Doster of Lighthouse Baptist Church. Cremation will be private at the request of the family. There will be no evening visitation. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to the family through our funeral home website www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Hilda C. O\’Toole.

Monmouth Street Shopping District Growing-Gloucester City Food Market, 529 Monmouth Street recently opened their doors for business.

ClearysNotebook urges the public to patronize the businesses in their community by Shopping Local First!

P.S. I am sad to report Pennies from Heaven has closed.

The Gloucester City Streets Department has begun work on removing a section of the Fort Nassau playground on Johnson Blvd. The city held a number of meetings to discuss the condition of the playground which was pictured on ClearysNotebook in September 2006. The caption posted in September read,

\”The playground at the Johnson Blvd Jogging Field was constructed in April 1999 using donations from the business community along with the hard work of over 100 volunteers. It took four days to build and when completed it was a site to behold. Just seven years later the Fort is showing wear and neglect. \’

According to a recent news release from Mayor and Council the City plans are,

\”Instead of removing the entire playground as originally stated due to decaying, vandalism and problems at the location, the City has decided to let approximately 50% of the playground remain while adding the new metal prefabricated apparatus in its same location. The City is also looking into a video surveillance system with cameras to record the daily activities at this location. This will hopefully reduce the number of incidents as well as help our police force better control the area. We think this is a great compromise. We thank the participation of the original committee who help evaluate this situation. A work party will still be needed by the committee and local citizens to help restore the existing structure; i.e. staining, new signs, etc. This shows true cooperation between the City and the citizens. 

DAVIS, VALENTINA P.
(nee Vasylenko) of Bellmawr, suddenly on March 3, 2007. Aged 54 years.
Valentina emigrated from the Ukraine in 1992 and served as an aide to people suffering from Alzheimer\’s Disease.
She will be remembered as a loving and devoted homemaker and caring friend.
She is the beloved wife of 12 years to Richard D., devoted mother of Iryna Vasylenko and loving grandmother of Klavdiya Vasylenko.
Viewing 10 AM and Funeral Service 11 AM Wednesday in the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury. Entombment Arlington Cemetery Mausoleum, Pennsauken.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in Valentina\’s name.
Tributes and memories may be shared at: www.mcgfuneral.com

Helen Hambleton, formerly of Gloucester City, Succumbs at age 81

Helen Louise Hambleton (nee Anderson) died March 1, 2007 in Elkton, Md. following a lengthy illness.
She was 81. Born in Gloucester City, NJ, she resided in Haddon Township, NJ for 50 years before recently moving to Elkton, MD.

Mrs. Hambleton was devoted to her family and worked for years with her husband in the family real estate and insurance business in Gloucester City. She graduated from Gloucester High in 1943 where she served as her class Vice-President and captained the Cheerleader squad.

Survived by her daughter of Clarence and Helen Anderson, and sister of the late William Anderson, she is survived by her beloved husband, William F. Hambleton of Elkton; daughter Gail L. Jeral and husband Gary ; son Mark D. Hambleton and wife Lisa of Hillsborough NC; sister Joan M. Pierce of Gloucester City, NJ; six grandchildren, Shannon Noon and husband Michael of Oaklyn NJ, Jessica Magee of Phila., Pa., Shawn Jeral of Woodbury, NJ, Rebecca, Jennifer and Christopher Hambleton, all of Hillsborough NC; and one great-grandchild, Ella Gail Noon.

Funeral arrangements are private. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice in the memory of Helen L. Hambleton.