Brooklawn 7/8 Boys Continue Winning

Gloucester High School

Gloucester Catholic

https://darrowphotos.com

BROOKLAWN, NJ–The Brooklawn School Boys Basketball improved to 10-1 after beating visiting Merchantville. The pre-game was exciting as the 8th grade players were honored by parents, Coach\’s Austin Darrow and Chris Rodriguez in their last home game.

The Brooklawn Bears look to finish the regular season strong before heading into the Camden County Basketball Elementary School League.

More Photo\’s available for viewing at www.Darrowphotos.com

Photo\’s Courtesy of Bruce Darrow

Pictured below Coach\’s Chris Rodriguez and Austin Darrow

Pictured below Aidan Mc Clintock

Pictured below Jason Flynn

Pictured below Coach Chris Rodriguez presents Kaden Elmore

Gloucester High School

Gloucester Catholic

https://darrowphotos.com

Judy Lee Connelly, of Brooklawn, age 74

Judy Lee Connelly

Judy Lee Connelly (Hopkins), 74 of Brooklawn, NJ passed away peacefully on February 2, 2020, with her loving family surrounding her. Judy was the beloved wife of Daniel Connelly and beloved mother of their children, Randy (Patti), Christopher (Linda), Lisa (Jack), Eric (Andrea), Jennifer (John), and Daniel (Lynn). She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Adam, Ryan, Alex, Josh, Brittany, Christopher, Sydney, Paige, Elizabeth, Michael, Mackenzie, Jenna, Carly, Emma, and Adriana, and 8 great grandchildren, her brother Curtis, her sister Terry, and many nieces and nephews. Her nieces Paulette, Dawn and Tracy held a special place in her heart. Judy was predeceased by her parents James and Marjorie Hopkins, sister Karen Fisher, brother Lynn Hopkins and her grandson, Eric, Jr.

Judy worked at Package Materials in Haddonfield, NJ for 35 years. Judy dedicated most of her life to her family as they were her pride and joy. Everything was about family! She had a beautiful heart and always loved above and beyond. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were always the apple of her eye. Judy took such good care of everyone and if anyone needed or wanted anything she was always ready to help.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Thursday evening, February 6

, from 6 to 8 PM and again on Friday Morning, February 7

, from 10 to 11 AM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Funeral Service 11 AM in the funeral home. Interment will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. Please memo, Judy Lee Connelly.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Judy Lee Connelly. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN–HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph:856-456-1142

Medal of Honor Recipient Faces Cancer

MOTHAX

The American Legion Burn Pit

Just a very special article today I saw in Military.com that I wanted to share:

Sgt. Ronald Shurer is now fighting on different terrain than the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan, and against a different enemy than the battle-hardened insurgents of that remote region.

Sgt. Ronald Shurer

Fifteen months after he stood at the White House to

receive the nation\’s highest combat honor

, he\’s squaring off in an all-consuming battle against life-threatening lung cancer that his doctors rate at stage 4, meaning it has metastasized or spread to other organs.

\”It\’s everywhere,\” Shurer, 41, said in a lengthy Jan. 22 interview at the coffee shop.

More than once, Shurer said he was prepared to comment on everything about the stage 4 cancer except his prognosis. Statistics from the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society point to five-year survival rates of less than 20%, although those numbers come with the caution that they may not reflect recent advances in treatment.

It is a very long piece, but every bit of it is spectacular.

If you missed the story of Shurer\’s earlier heroics, the Army has a good video up:

His citation:

Staff Sergeant Ronald J. Shurer II distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on April 6, 2008, while serving as a Senior Medical Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3336, Special Operations Task Force-33, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sergeant Shurer was part of an assault element inserted by helicopter into a location in Afghanistan. As the assault element moved up a near vertical mountain toward its objective, it was engaged by fierce enemy machine gun, sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The lead portion of the assault element, which included the ground commander, sustained several casualties and became pinned down on the mountainside. Staff Sergeant Shurer and the rest of the trailing portion of the assault element were likewise engaged by enemy machine gun, sniper, and rocket-propelled grenade fire. As the attack intensified, Staff Sergeant Shurer braved enemy fire to move to an injured Soldier and treat his wounds. Having stabilized the injured Soldier, Staff Sergeant Shurer then learned of the casualties among the lead element. Staff Sergeant Shurer fought his way up the mountainside, under intense enemy fire, to the lead element’s location. Upon reaching the lead element, he treated and stabilized two more Soldiers. Finishing those lifesaving efforts, Staff Sergeant Shurer noticed two additional severely wounded Soldiers under intense enemy fire. The bullet that had wounded one of these Soldiers had also impacted Staff Sergeant Shurer’s helmet. With complete disregard for his own life, Staff Sergeant Shurer again moved through enemy fire to treat and stabilize one Soldier’s severely wounded arm.

Shortly thereafter, Staff Sergeant Shurer continued to brave withering enemy fire to get to the other Soldier’s location in order to treat his lower leg, which had been almost completely severed by a high-caliber sniper round. After treating the Soldier, Staff Sergeant Shurer began to evacuate the wounded; carrying and lowering them down the sheer mountainside. While moving down the mountain, Staff Sergeant Shurer used his own body to shield the wounded from enemy fire and debris caused by danger-close air strikes.

Reaching the base of the mountain, Staff Sergeant Shurer set up a casualty collection point and continued to treat the wounded. With the arrival of the medical evacuation helicopter, Staff Sergeant Shurer, again under enemy fire, helped load the wounded into the helicopter. Having ensured the safety of the wounded, Staff Sergeant Shurer then regained control of his commando squad and rejoined the fight. He continued to lead his troops and emplace security elements until it was time to move to the evacuation landing zone for the helicopter.

Staff Sergeant Shurer’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.

And lastly, another video, from CBS, which frankly I think does the best job with these MOH stories.

Posted in the burner | 13 comments

Camden County PD Sergeant Lydia Perez Retires After 25-Years-of-Service

CONGRATULATIONS–The Camden County Police Department held a special ceremony on January 31 to honor Sgt. Lydia Perez, who retired after 25 years of distinguished law enforcement service in Camden City.

Sgt. Perez was recognized by the Camden County Police Department in 2015 for her outstanding work. The following is from that proclamation.

She joined the former Camden Police Department in 1994. Four years later, she was assigned a critical role overseeing the department’s Uniform Crime Reporting. Sergeant Perez has served in that role since 1998 with the former city department and now with the Camden County Police Department.

Every week, Sergeant Perez reviews hundreds of police reports and must ensure that each crime that occurs is properly classified in accordance with the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting standards and that these numbers are reported accurately to the New Jersey State Police.

Despite handling a daily volume of reports that is exponentially higher than most other police departments, Sergeant Perez has been recognized by the State Police as being one of the best and most accurate UCR reporters in the entire state for more than a decade. She regularly achieves UCR accuracy rates of 98 percent and above. During the recent New Jersey State Police audit of Camden County Police Department UCR crime statistics, the department was found to have achieved a 100 percent accuracy mark in correctly classifying crimes for the first quarter of 2015.

“She really takes the time and dedication to do the job based on the FBI guidelines. With her accuracy, she’s one of the top UCR reporters in the state,” said Lieutenant Spencer Hildebrand of the New Jersey State Police.

“Sergeant Perez demonstrates her commitment every day through her hard work and the high standard she sets for UCR reporting. She is a tremendous asset to this department,” said Assistant Chief Orlando Cuevas.

For her continued excellence and dedication to her job, we honor Sergeant Lydia Perez as Camden County Police Department Officer of the Week.

On behalf of the residents and community you served, CNBNews would like to thank you for your dedication. And, we wish you the best in your retirement.

CNB Crime

Blue Line

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

CNBNews Point of View

BREAKING NEWS

Homeland Security Report on Neo-Nazi Organization The Base; Leader Richard Tobin Lived in Brooklawn, NJ

CNBNews. net

Counterterrorism

Domestic

In 2020, the neo-Nazi organization, The Base, will likely attempt to recruit new members in the region, rely on members with military expertise and training, and use intimidation tactics to terrorize its victims and spread its white supremacist ideology.

The Base formed in 2018 as an organization that seeks to defend the European race while establishing a network of supporters willing to use violence to overthrow the current social and political order for a perceived impending race war.

In June, an unidentified subject(s) posted The Base propaganda in the vicinity of Princeton University (Mercer County), making this the group’s first known recruitment effort in New Jersey. One piece of propaganda said, “Save Your Race, Join The Base,” and another depicted two men with their faces concealed, holding a flag with the group’s logo while giving the “Heil Hitler” salute.

In January, law enforcement arrested six members of The Base who conducted various types of military and weapons training. In the days leading up to a gun rights rally they planned to attend on January 20, Brian Lemley, William Bilbrough, and Canadian national Patrik Mathews were charged with numerous firearms offenses. Lemley, who was a Cavalry Scout in the US Army, and Mathews, who served as a combat engineer in the Canadian Army Reserve, allegedly built an assault rifle and purchased approximately 1,650 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, authorities charged Luke Lane, Michael Helterbrand, and Jacob Kaderli with conspiracy to murder two Antifa members after participating in a paramilitary training camp in Silver Creek, Georgia.

In January, authorities arrested Yousef Barasneh for spray-painting swastikas and anti-Semitic words on a synagogue in Racine, Wisconsin, in September. Barasneh is also accused of plotting other acts of vandalism against minorities. Law enforcement asserted that Barasneh’s vandalism was directed

by Richard Tobin of Brooklawn (Camden County)

. Authorities arrested Tobin in November for instructing The Base members to vandalize synagogues in Wisconsin and Michigan. Authorities said Tobin called the plan “Operation Kristallnacht,” a reference to when the Nazis destroyed synagogues in Germany in 1938.

published

Gloucestercitynews.net

Alleged White Supremacist from Brooklawn Charged with Wanting to Kill Blacks, Jews, and Gays

White Supremacist a Fireman;

The Cleanup of Gloucester City\’s Superfund Sites Continues; $384 Million Spent So Far

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (January 26, 2020)–The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is continuing the cleanup of contaminants in Gloucester City that came from the defunct Welsbach Factory located at King and Essex Streets and the Delaware River. Presently the property is the home of the Gloucester Marine Terminal/Holt property.

The same area was also the home of Armstrong Cork for many years.

The EPA is preparing the plans to remove contaminants from the Gloucester Marine Terminal/Holt property at King And Essex Streets (gloucestercitynews.net photo)

The Welsbach factory manufactured gas mantles in Gloucester City from the 1890s to the 1940s. Using state-of-the-art technology at the time, the wicks for the gas lamps were dipped into radioactive thorium so they would “glow in the dark.”

The company, not knowing the thorium was radioactive, discarded the wicks throughout Gloucester City. A similar manufacturing company, General Gas Mantle, located in Camden City did the same with the waste coming from their plant.

Since 1999 the EPA has been removing the thorium at various sites such as the baseball and football fields on Johnson Blvd. The same cleanup process has been ongoing in Camden.

In 1980, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sponsored a flyover radiological survey in Gloucester City and Camden City. Based on the survey, the EPA investigated more than 1,000 properties surrounding the two former gas mantle facilities – Welsbach in Gloucester City and General Gas Mantle (GGM) in Camden City.

As for the upcoming work at the Gloucester Marine Terminal, a source told us that an above ground tank 42 feet in diameter and 16 foot tall was going to be erected at the site.

Elias Rodríguez,

Public Information Officer, Region 2, New York, was asked to explain the purpose of such a large structure.

A similar tank like this one will be erected on Gloucester Marine Terminal/Holt property (Gloucestercitynews.net files)

\”

You are likely referring to the tank for the groundwater treatment system. Groundwater treatment will be conducted using physical and chemical treatment processes. The final design of the groundwater treatment facility including the treatment equipment/tanks has not been completed. However, one of the tanks to be designed/constructed is expected to be an open tank and would be used as an emergency back-up storage tank. So, it would not regularly contain impacted groundwater. In addition, the contaminants of concern are not ones where movement from the water to air is a concern,\” said Rodriquez.

\”

Construction of a groundwater treatment facility has been initiated and is part of existing work addressing excavation of radiologically contaminated soil at the port facility. Water encountered during the soil excavations will require treatment/disposal and that necessitates the design/construction of the groundwater treatment facility,\” he said.

\”

The Holt Cargo/Gloucester Marine Terminal parking lot is the location of the groundwater treatment facility. The port is the location of the former Welsbach facility. The former Welsbach facility operated from the turn of the century to roughly the 1940s and a waste by-product from their manufacture of gas lanterns contained low levels of radioactive material that was used as fill material in areas of Gloucester City and Camden City. One of the remaining buildings on-site at the port facility is the Armstrong Building.\”

Rodriquez said

the Welsbach Company (Gloucester City) and GGM (Camden City) produced gas mantles from the late 1890s to 1941. The companies used radioactive elements in the production of the mantles to help them glow brighter when heated. In the early 1990s, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection found elevated levels of radiation at the site and in many residential areas. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List in June 1996.

Cleanup activities completed to date include:

¨ Excavation/disposal of contaminated soil and waste materials from numerous properties in Gloucester City and Camden;

¨ The demolition/off-site disposal of the former GGM building in Camden;

¨ Cleanup of radiologically contaminated building surfaces in the Armstrong Building, the last standing building associated with the former Welsbach Company at the port in Gloucester City;

¨ Cleanup/restoration of the William Flynn Veterans Complex, which included rebuilding three baseball fields, a football practice field, and a parking area; and

¨ Cleanup/restoration of the Nicholson Road Sports Complex, which included restoration of three softball fields, a Little League baseball field, bathroom facilities, and a concession stand. Current cleanup activities include:

¨ Excavation/disposal of radiologically contaminated soil at fifteen locations at the port facility; and

¨ Relocation of utilities (e.g. electrical, gas, telecommunication) within the port facility to facilitate subsequent large excavation of radiologically contaminated soil.

The prime contractor for the groundwater treatment facility is APTIM Corp.

APTIM specializes in engineering, program management, environmental services, disaster recovery, complex facility maintenance, and construction services. They have offices in Philadelphia and New York City and throughout the United States and Canada.

https://www.aptim.com

The value of the groundwater treatment facility project being built at the marine terminal is estimated to be $7 million Rodriquez said.

According to Rodriquez a

n estimated $384 million has been spent for investigations and clean-up and that includes work in Camden and Gloucester City.

When asked how much longer will it take to finish the projects in Camden and Gloucester Cities Rodriquez said, \”The current projection for the complete cleanup of these two communities is 10 years.\”

From the EPA\’s

WELSBACH & GENERAL GAS MANTLE Superfund website;

To address long-term site risks, EPA has investigated close to 950 properties in Camden and Gloucester City and has completed the cleanup on 163 of the nearly 175 properties identified as contaminated. To date, EPA has excavated and disposed of more than 350,000 tons of radiologically contaminated soils and waste materials. These cleanups included removing about 105,000 tons of contaminated soil from Gloucester City Swim Club and adjacent residential properties; about 23,000 tons from the site of a Gloucester City middle school; 35,000 tons from residential properties along Highland Avenue and Klemm Boulevard in Gloucester City; more than 55,000 tons from the General Gas Mantle area in Camden, more than 16,000 tons from residential properties and wetlands areas along Temple Avenue in Gloucester City, and about 130,000 tons from the recreational properties along Johnson Boulevard in Gloucester City.

(See More)

Video (s): $25 Million Spent on EPA Cleanup of Johnson Blvd. Sports Complex

www.gloucestercitynews.net › clearysnotebook › 2009/08 › epa-to-ho…

GLOUCESTER CITY: EPA to Hold Meeting On Welsbach …

Aug 18, 2009 –

Road

. To better understand how the community uses these ball

fields

, EPA … EPA plans to begin the

cleanup

at the

Gloucester City

Land Preserve by early fall 2009. … be working on, plug in

Johnson

Boulevard,

Gloucester City

, NJ 08030. … and Common Council of

Gloucester City

(

gloucestercitynews

net

) …

source of graphics EPA

Legion Baseball registration open for 2020 season

Registration for the 2020 season of American Legion Baseball is open, along with the purchase of insurance. There is an overall decrease of 14 percent in insurance premiums from last season.

The early deadline for registration is May 15. Teams registered after May 15 will be subject to a $200 late fee through the final deadline of June 1. Please note that each American Legion department may set an earlier deadline for registration.

Registration fees for senior teams is $50 for national registration, $35 for administrative fees and either $200 for season personal accident or $130 for year-round coverage. General liability costs is $104.

Fees for junior teams is $25 for national registration, $35 for administrative fees and either $160 for season personal accident or $110 for year-round coverage. General liability costs is $71.

State fees, if applicable, will vary by state.

To learn more about your specific department’s state fees and deadlines, contact your

department chairmen

American Legion Baseball

American Legion Baseball enjoys a reputation as one of the most successful and tradition-rich amateur athletic leagues. Today, the program registers more than 5,400 teams in all 50 states, including Canada and Puerto Rico.

Learn more

source American Legion

Thief Who Stole Pickups From Used Car Dealerships In Gloucester City Arrested: Admits Guilt

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews.net

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (January 22, 2020)–The thief that stole vehicles from C.W. Clarke Auto and Gormley\’s Auto in Gloucester City has been arrested according to

Agent Alex McVeigh spokesperson for the Camden County Prosecutors Office.

One of the thefts occurred January 2, 2020 after 7PM at CW Clarke\’s Auto, located on US Route 130 south near the Gloucester City/Brooklawn border and the other was a week or so before at Gormley\’s Auto, US Route 130 and Klemm Avenue, also in Gloucester City.

There was a Haddon Township gas station robbed at Route 130 and Nicholson Road shortly after the truck was stolen from Clarke\’s. Police have not confirmed a connection between the theft and the robbery according to

Fox29.

The suspect, Vincent Kerlin was arrested in Brooklawn on January 15, 2020.

Kerlin is scheduled to appear in Camden County Superior Court on Thursday, January 23.

The judge will determine whether Kerlin will be remanded to Camden County Jail pending further court proceedings

or whether he will be released to conditions.

Kerlin was released on his own recognizance as there is no monetary bail in the State of New Jersey as a result of the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which became effective January 1, 2017.

His detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday, January 23, 2020.

He was charged out of Gloucester City with one count of Burglary, one count of Theft by Unlawful Taking, and one count of Criminal Mischief.

According to the Complaint and Probable Cause statement the defendant confessed in a taped statement to stealing the vehicles from C.W. Clarke and Gormley\’s.

Thief Strikes Local Car Dealerships

Gary G Watermasysk, Brooklawn Volunteer Fireman, Zoning Board Member

On January 16th, 2020, Gary G. Watermasysk, age 68, passed away from this earth while surrounded by his family. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Stanley and Dorothy (Sing) Watermasysk, and his siblings Stanley, Russell and Dorothy. Gary is survived by his

four children Scott (Beata), Mark (Kim), Keith (Kristen), and Kristi-Lynn; his grandchildren Kylie, Kollin, Kendal, Kelsey, Jason, Emily, Kaylee, Caleb, Zachary, and Sophia; the mother of his children and friend Sandy Sheehan; and life-long friends Don and Kathy Ellis.

Gary was born on October 28th, 1951, at Audubon Hospital. He was the youngest of his siblings and spent the vast majority of his life living in Gloucester City and Brooklawn. He worked for A&P Food Markets, Fleming Foods, and retired from Wonder Bread. He served as a lifetime fireman for Brooklawn Volunteer Fire Company, where he also held several leadership positions during his tenure there. Gary served on the Zoning Board for both Brooklawn and Gloucester City. Without a doubt, Gary’s life passion was his children and grandchildren. As great of a dad, as he was, he was an even better Pop-pop. He would do anything for his family and was often found cheering them on from the sidelines of every sport or activity they had. He would spend full days hopping between games to see his kids or grandchildren play. Gary instilled his dedication to his family in each of his children and grandchildren. Gary was known for being genuine, caring, helpful, funny, and kind; however, his sarcasm and quick-witted nature will be remembered fondly. If there was a joke to be made, you could count on Gary to make it right up until his last moments. Gary loved to travel with his family and was able to go to places such as Switzerland to visit his son, Disney more times than we could count, and cruises to various beautiful locations. He was also an avid Philadelphia sports fan and was thrilled to see the Eagles pull off a Super Bowl win!

His loving family and friends will forever remember Gary. He did not want us to be sad, so his family asks that anyone who can share a funny or happy memory of him, please do so. He wasn’t a fancy person and did not want a lot of fuss made over him. For those joining us for his celebration of life, please feel free not to be too fancy as well. For those interested in doing so, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) 1415 Rt. 70, #311 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

www.jdrf.org

as Gary longed for a cure to Type 1 Diabetes for his grandson. To all reading this- please spend time with your family, take a vacation or share a laugh in his honor. Those are the things Gary enjoyed most, and that is how we will all remember him.

Relatives, friends, firefighters and neighbors are invited to join Gary’s family on Saturday morning, January 25, 2020 between 10:00 am and 12:30 pm at Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes 700 Powell St. Gloucester City where a funeral and remembrance ceremony will begin at 12:30 pm. #crerancelebration #heartfelt

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gary G Watermasysk please visit our

Sympathy Store

American Legion provides over $1.1 million in grants to veteran families

The American Legion

In January 2019, The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program broke a single-month record in grant distribution – $1,030,163. Of the grants distributed, $1,000,500 assisted children of active duty Coast Guard servicemembers who were financially affected by the federal government shutdown.

The government shutdown created a critical need of monetary assistance for active-duty U.S. Coast Guardsmen. And The American Legion answered their call for help by providing immediate financial support through the TFA program.

But the financial need for veterans and their families across the country was still there long after the government reopened.

Subject to an audit, so far 2019 numbers for TFA show that $1,143,000 was provided in cash grants that assisted over 3,000 children of nearly 1,700 veteran families. And these grants are non-repayable.

The American Legion distributes one-time grants of up to $1,500 to eligible active-duty military and American Legion members in need. Grantees must have minor children in the home and the funds are designed to help meet the cost of shelter, food, utilities and health expenses so that children have a stable environment during a time of hardship. Since 1925, TFA has awarded more than $16 million

The American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance program is funded through the generosity of donations made by American Legion members and the public to The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation. National Commander Bill Oxford has made the Veterans & Children Foundation his primary fundraiser to help the foundation reach the goal of $25 million.

Donations to The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation are tax deductible and can be made online at

www.legion.org/donate