Life long Gloucester City resident, born in 1944. Graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School Class of 1963. Attended Camden County College. Army National Guard 1964 to 1970. Activated in 1967 during the Newark Riots. Worked full-time at the Gloucester City Post Office from 1967 to 1978. Worked part-time at the Gloucester City News from 1965 to 1977. In 1978 I was named editor of the Gloucester City News and Camden County Record. Purchased the City News in 1985. In 2005 the paper was sold. In 2006 I established Cleary's Notebook. At the age of 81 I remain editor of Cleary's Notebook News writing commentary and reporting the news for South Jersey and Philadelphia regions.
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CNBNews)(January 20, 2023)—The morning of Wednesday, January 18, 2023, arrived with a mixture of emotions I can barely put into words. After 33 treatments spanning nearly two months, I was finally heading to the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at 3600 Civic Blvd., Philadelphia, for my last prostate cancer treatment. With me were my wife, Connie; my daughter, Connie Lynn Woods; and my granddaughter, Brianna Woods. My entire family wanted to be there—but the hospital limits the number of support people you can bring with you to just three. Still, knowing they were all thinking of me, sending texts of encouragement throughout the morning, made me feel surrounded by love.
As we drove up I-676 that morning, the Philadelphia skyline emerging through the winter haze, I found myself reflecting on how this journey had begun. It seemed like yesterday, yet it felt like a lifetime ago.
Surrounded by her family, on May 4, 2026, Connie passed suddenly, at the age of 83. (nee Marena). Of Bellmawr. Formerly of Mt. Ephraim.
Loving wife of 40 years to the late Howard W. Benham, Jr. Loving mother of Derek Benham (Janice) and Lisa Peters. Cherished grandmother of Bryce Benham, Hailey Peters, Shaun and Luke Maloney. Predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Dorothy Marena.
Connie was a graduate of Audubon High School, class of 1960. She worked many years as a secretary at RCA in Camden, where she would meet her husband, Howard.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewings on Monday evening, May 11th from 6 to 8 PM and again on Tuesday morning, May 12th from 9 to 10 AM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday morning, May 12th at 10:30 AM at St. Joachim Parish: Annunciation Church, 601 W. Browning Road, Bellmawr. Interment will follow in New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
Holding Officials in Gloucester City & South Jersey Accountable Since 2006
William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews
JEER-YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW
Early Sunday morning, May 3, around 3 AM, a vehicle flipped over at the intersection of Thompson Avenue and Harley Avenue. CNBNews immediately reached out to Gloucester City Police Lt. Jason Flood for basic information about the crash. As of today, no response.
Residents deserve timely updates about serious incidents in their neighborhoods — not silence. Transparency shouldn’t require repeated requests or public shaming.
(Photo courtesy of JerseyNews.)
CHEER–New Flag for St. Mary’s Cemetery
The tattered, torn American Flag that flew over Old St. Mary’s Cemetery has been replaced with a new one. We first notified St. Mary’s Rectory about the flag approximately two years ago, and were directed to contact the curator of the New St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bellmawr, which we did. CNBNews alerted them numerous times over the past 12 months, and this time we were successful.
CHEER—Emergency Alert System Installed at Johnson Blvd. Jogging Track
An emergency alert system has been installed at the Johnson Blvd. Jogging Track. Kudos to the Gloucester City mayor and council for approving the purchase and the installation of the equipment.
JEER-Verizon Trucks Block Market Street Sidewalk Near Cold Springs SchoolCampus
On April 27, 2026, around 10 AM, two Verizon trucks were parked directly across the Market Street sidewalk, just feet from the entrance to the Cold Springs School Campus. The larger truck sat idling with no driver inside, a violation of both state and local traffic laws. The exhaust fumes were overwhelming, and pedestrians were forced to step into the street to get around the blockade. What makes us mad is the fact that the drivers of these vehicles are so inconsiderate of the school children and other pedestrians who use the sidewalk daily, coming and going to the nearby elementary school and the high school.
This isn’t a one‑time problem. Verizon operates an office at that location, and trucks routinely block the sidewalk. What remains a mystery is why local police enforce street‑sweeper violations with enthusiasm, yet ignore commercial vehicles obstructing sidewalks and running engines illegally. Public safety shouldn’t depend on who’s behind the wheel.
CHEER-Firefighters Battle Massive Brush Fire in National Park
On Saturday morning, April 11, the Gloucester County Emergency Management issued an alert about an extremely large brush fire burning in National Park near the Sunoco Refinery property. Smoke plumes were reported as far south and east as Glassboro and Washington Twp. The smoke could be seen as far as the Walt Whitman Bridge. Thank you to all of the firemen and emergency personnel involved in fighting the fire.
JEER-$40,000 Pickup Truck for the UEZ Director
JEER-$40,000 Pickup Truck for the UEZ Director
We continue to wonder why the mayor and council spent $40,000 to buy a 2025 Ford F-150 for UEZ Director Lori Ryan. Is the City so rich that it can afford to spend your tax dollars needlessly? Lori Ryan is the current UEZ Coordinator and Director of Community Development for the Gloucester City Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). She manages the district’s incentives and business development programs, including facade and signage grants. Why would that position suddenly require the purchase of a pickup truck? Previous coordinators never had one. You have a right to know!
CHEER—Gloucester City Marks America’s 250th Anniversary
The City of Gloucester has decorated the Municipal Building, 512 Monmouth Street, for the country’s 250th Anniversary. The decorations look very nice.
JEER—Judge Apologizes to Man Accused of Attempting to Assassinate President Trump
Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui (above, far right) gave the government until the next day to update the court on where Allen would be held at the Washington, D.C., jail. “Whatever you’ve been through, I apologize for the prior week,” the judge said to Allen, according to USA Today. The latest man charged with trying to assassinate President Donald Trump received an apology from the judge in his court appearance Monday, May 4. Attorneys for Cole Allen claimed in filings revealed during the hearing that the suspect had been wrongfully placed on suicide watch and denied access to a Bible.
JEER—$550,000 Spent on the Abandoned PNC Bank With No Plan
In 2024, the Gloucester City mayor and council spent $550,000 to buy the abandoned PNC Bank at 500 Monmouth Street. They had no plans for the property, but they spent your money anyway. At times, the governing body has acted as if they are playing Monopoly. Were you aware, Mr. and Ms. Taxpayer, that you have funded the purchase of over 200 properties? This governing body continues to frivolously spend taxpayers’ funds without any explanation or public input. Today, the former PNC property remains empty. PNC left the City in 2023. SEE RESOLUTION: https://www.cityofgloucester.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif5381/f/uploads/132-2024.pdf
Why didn’t the mayor and council ask the city taxpayers for their opinion? After all, it was their money that was being spent to purchase the building.
A search on the internet revealed an article about another community that purchased a PNC property that was also being sold for $550,000. But they invited their residents to a meeting to discuss the purchase. They were able to buy it for less than the asking price. Read: Commission Meets on Purchase of PNC Bank Building.
JEER—Seminar Highlights Ongoing Language Barriers Recently, an organization held a seminar to show Spanish-speaking communities how to use WhatsApp to communicate better. Liberal New Jersey is a sanctuary state; as such, it comes as no surprise that people are living here who can’t speak English. To become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, applicants must demonstrate an intermediate level of English proficiency, which includes the ability to read, write, and speak basic English. Our Irish forefathers arrived in America in 1892. Although our great-grandparents couldn’t speak a word of English, they persevered and became U.S. citizens. Other nationalities, such as Italian, Germans, Poles, etc., did the same. Why is it that Spanish-speaking people and some other nationalities haven’t succeeded in learning our language?
JEER — Trash Overflowing at the Railroad Right‑of‑Way
The area along the Conrail right‑of‑way near Market Street is once again littered with mattresses, tires, and construction debris. Residents report calling Public Works for months with no response. Illegal dumping continues because enforcement is nonexistent.
JEER — Broken Streetlights on King Street Still Not Repaired
Several streetlights between Monmouth and Somerset have been out for more than six weeks. Residents have reported them repeatedly. Dark streets invite trouble — and the City should know better.
CLOSING THOUGHT
Gloucester City taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and basic competence from their government. CHEERS to the residents and workers who keep this community moving forward — and JEERS to those who treat public money like a private checkbook.
Gloucester Catholic opened in 1926. (Photo courtesy of the Gloucester City Historical Society)
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNewsnet)(September 13, 2022)–Throughout the next several weeks, officials in Gloucester City will meet with several builders. One wishes to develop the former Gloucester Catholic Boys building into apartments. Developer number two is interested in the Southport acreage, which, for the most part, has been nothing but a barren plot of ground for over 30 years.
(CNBNews photo credit)The historic Saint Mary’s High School, aka the Gloucester Catholic Boys Annex, Monmouth, and Burlington Streets, opened in the late 1920s. (Photo above)
Michael William Sendler, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on May 3rd 2026 at the age of 58.
Mike was a beloved husband of Lisa Sendler, devoted father of Michael, Brandon, and Danielle. Beloved son-in-law of Nick Porro and loving grandfather of Blake and Brody.
Mike was the son of late Anne Sharer (Weidennayar), Robert Sendler and raised by Bud Sharer. Brother of Robert Sendler, Cathy Sendler, and Linda McCleaf.
Mike was born in Atlantic City later relocated to Gloucester City where he graduated from Gloucester High. He met his wife at Dominic’s tavern in Bellmawr, got married, and started a family.
(CNBNews)(May 4, 2026)–Joan G. Gianvito (nee Lane) passed away peacefully on Monday, January 10, 2022. Born at Cooper Hospital to John A. and Grace M. Lane, Joan was 79 years old. She was a resident of Medford for the past 47 years and a former resident of Brooklawn, NJ
Beloved wife of 58 years to John R. Gianvito. Loving mother of Todd (Nicole) Gianvito, Lori Coffey and Brian (Donna) Gianvito. Cherished grandmother of Nolan Coffey, Ty Gianvito, Brynn Coffey, Ryan Gianvito, Austin Gianvito and Addison Gianvito.
Joan enjoyed trips to the beach, traveling the country and the world with her husband John, spending time with friends, especially spending time with her grandchildren and of course Johnny Mathis.
A gathering of family and friends will be held this Friday, January 14, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Givnish of Marlton Funeral Home, 398 East Main St., Marlton. Her funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m.
Entombment was at Park View Cemetery at Kirby’s Mill, 25 Fostertown Rd., Medford.
Memorial donations may be made to: The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
To share your fondest memories of Joan, please visit www.givnish.com.
THE SECRETIVE GLOUCESTER CITY COUNCIL(Monday, July 20, 2015)—At a recent executive session of the Gloucester City Mayor and Council, City Solicitor Leonard Wood gave an in-depth report on the ongoing negotiations with the NHP Foundation and what they are looking to do with financing the purchase of city-owned property Chatham Square.
CNBNews submitted an OPRA requesting a copy of that report to the council and was told by the custodian of records, Kathy Jentsch, “This matter is currently in the negotiation stage. These materials are in the possession of our attorney for that purpose-attorney-client privilege”.
The NYPD has released bodycam video of a police shooting at the Grand Central subway station. The shooting took place last month, when officers confronted Anthony Griffin, 44. Griffin had a machete and had slashed three people. The bodycam video shows the moments leading up to the shooting, as well as the shooting itself. Griffin, who had three prior arrests, was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital a short time later. The incident took place at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, April 11 inside Grand Central Station. A witness told two NYPD detectives on the subway station’s mezzanine there was a man with machete on the train. As the detectives headed to the subway platform, they encountered a slashing victim, and Griffin, with the machete in his hand.
GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (CNBNews)(July 12, 2012)–Whenever there is an election involving a seat in Congress or in the White House, you can bet your bottom dollar it will be a big year for federal grants to be given out. Even though the national debt is $16 trillion and climbing, the “Washington Elite” doesn’t care; after all, it is not their money they are spending.
For example, in May, a list of 25 towns across the United States receiving money to help pay the salaries of firemen or to rehire firemen was released. The funds were awarded through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program of the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a program that provides $400 million in grants nationwide for rehiring laid-off firefighters and retaining those whose jobs are in jeopardy due to budget constraints.”
