New Basketball Court for Three Corner Park ; A Look Back at the Playground’s History

William E. Cleary Sr. | Clearys News Journal

Slam Dunk Upgrades at Burlington & Middlesex Streets

The basketball court at Burlington and Middlesex just got another round of improvements! The blacktop has been resurfaced and painted, and new netting has been added above the fencing to keep the game going strong. The whole 3 Corner Park area is really coming together—it’s looking better than ever and adds a nice boost to the neighborhood. As activity continues to grow west of Broadway, these upgrades help set the stage for even more good things to come.

ANGELS PLAYGROUND–In January 2007, the playground located at Three Corner Park in Gloucester City was refurbished and renamed Angels Playground in honor of the three Slack children who tragically perished in a fire on July 4, 2002, at the intersection of Broadway and Mercer Street. Regrettably, the area has experienced acts of vandalism, including the destruction of the Angels’ Welcome sign and the defacement of playground equipment with graffiti. The reasons for the failure to replace the sign remain unclear.

Continue reading →

PEYTON AND ME MEANDERING: Street Sweeper Broken, Honor Deptford Officer, New Businesses, Submarine Races

Gcity’s STREET SWEEPER IS BROKEN–The photo captures a moment earlier this week at the intersection of Sparks and Little Ridgeway Streets, just after the Gloucester City Street Sweeper made its rounds. Unfortunately, this $100,000-plus machine, which should be maintaining the city’s cleanliness, is making the streets dirtier than they were before the sweeper passed. It raises an intriguing question: Why hasn’t Public Works Superintendent Alex Tedesco, with an annual salary of $121,000, taken the necessary steps to repair such a vital piece of equipment? Furthermore, as one observes the superintendent’s pickup truck, it’s curious that there aren’t any markings declaring it as part of Gloucester City Public Works. This absence only adds to the mystery surrounding the city’s approach to maintaining the city sweeper that costs nearly half a million dollars.
Continue reading “PEYTON AND ME MEANDERING: Street Sweeper Broken, Honor Deptford Officer, New Businesses, Submarine Races” →

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

Gcity’s STREET SWEEPER IS BROKEN–The photo captures a moment earlier this week at the intersection of Sparks and Little Ridgeway Streets, just after the Gloucester City Street Sweeper made its rounds. Unfortunately, this $100,000-plus machine, which should be maintaining the city’s cleanliness, is making the streets dirtier than they were before the sweeper passed. It raises an intriguing question: Why hasn’t Public Works Superintendent Alex Tedesco, with an annual salary of $121,000, taken the necessary steps to repair such a vital piece of equipment? Furthermore, as one observes the superintendent’s pickup truck, it’s curious that there aren’t any markings declaring it as part of Gloucester City Public Works. This absence only adds to the mystery surrounding the city’s approach to maintaining the city sweeper that costs nearly half a million dollars.
Continue reading “PEYTON AND ME MEANDERING: Street Sweeper Broken, Honor Deptford Officer, New Businesses, Submarine Races” →

Peyton and Me Meandering

BH Diner Anniversary, The Wall, Cafe Crema, Holt Changes Skyline

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BLACK HORSE DINER! –On Monday, June 23, 2025, the Black Horse Diner, a cherished local eatery situated at 152 North Black Horse Pike, proudly celebrated its 30th anniversary. To mark this special occasion, the diner treated its loyal customers to a generous 30 percent discount on their meals, accompanied by a stylish Black Horse Diner T-shirt, adding a festive touch to the day.

Since opening its doors on June 23, 1995, the Black Horse Diner has become a beloved cornerstone of the community, known for its warm atmosphere and classic diner fare. Over the years, it has built many memories and relationships with patrons who return for hearty breakfasts, comforting lunches, dinners, and sweet late-night treats.

In a heartfelt message, the owners expressed their deep gratitude to the community: “We want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for letting us serve you over the years. In the fast-paced world of business, we sometimes neglect to convey just how much you mean to us. Please know that your support is never taken for granted. Our mission has always been to please and satisfy, and serving you is not just a job; it’s a true joy.”

Names Behind High Salaries of Gloucester City Dept. Heads Listed

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (JUNE 16, 2025)(CNBNEWS)–During the caucus meeting on June 16, 2025, Gloucester City Mayor Dayl Baile and the City Council members reviewed two ordinances and an extensive list of 16 resolutions. Among these, one resolution, titled “Designating Salaries for Employees Serving in Titles with Salary Ranges,” demanded attention. This document is a crucial step toward transparency in public salary expenditures, shedding light on how taxpayer dollars are spent.

While it deliberately omits specific employee names, the resolution still offers a salary breakdown by title that allows citizens to understand exactly how their funds are being utilized. CNBNews took the initiative to connect some names to the titles outlined in the resolution, pulling information directly from the City’s website to enhance public awareness.

It must be emphasized: the government does not possess its own money. Therefore, it is nothing less than unacceptable to obscure how taxpayer money is allocated to city employees. The incongruity of not including employee names in these reports raises serious questions about accountability and transparency. We demand clarity—as we stated in a recent article about employee salaries, “Where is the transparency?” This recent resolution, while a step forward, must not be the end of the conversation; the mayor and council must commit to greater openness moving forward.

Continue reading →

CNBNews Cheers & Jeers

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

JEER-Four years of Joe Biden and the Progressive Democrats in Washington, and this is the result. The illegal immigrant is standing on top of a destroyed Los Angeles police car holding a Mexican flag on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The criminal is dressed like a character from a Mad Max movie with skulls on his pants and a skull mask. President Trump has authorized the deployment of U.S. Marines from the 29Palms military base. The City of Twentynine Palms, California, in the southern Mojave Desert, is the home of Joshua Tree National Park headquarters and north entrance and proud host of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, the world’s largest Marine Corps training base.

Gloucester Catholic baseball players douse Coach Dennis Barth after he chalked up his 600th game. His team beat St. Thomas Aquinas, winning the NJSIAA Non-Public B Baseball Championship. (photo Scott Faytok | courtesy of NJ Advance Media)

Continue reading →

CNBNews Opinion: A Full-Time Gloucester City Administrator is Needed Now

Three years ago, on April 27, 2022, CNBNews had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Morrell, Gloucester City’s acting administrator and Police Chief, about the city’s approach to abandoned vehicles. During our enlightening conversation, he shared important insights about enforcement, explaining that the responsibility lies with the City Housing Office rather than the police department. It’s fascinating to note that, although abandoned vehicles aren’t technically classified as a crime, the city’s ordinance implies otherwise. When we discussed if an amendment was made to the original ordinance, Morrell honestly admitted he wasn’t sure, which added an interesting layer to our dialogue.

Continue reading →

Letter to the Editor

Former Gloucester City Mayor Robert S. Bevan

(Independent) released a statement on Monday, May 11, 2025, calling for the end of Gloucester City’s part-time City Administrator role and for the position to be filled with a full-time administrator. Bevan stated that the city administrator position was created in 1987 when the Independent Party held the majority. Due to the sudden departure of City Administrator Jack Lipsett, Police Chief Brian Morrell was appointed as the temporary city administrator by former City Mayor Daniel Spencer, five years ago, at the end of December 2020. Lipsett was named administrator in 2008.

Continue reading →

What does blight like this say about Gloucester City? “Some have no community pride.”

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (May 8, 2025)(CNBNews)–THE three vehicles were moved to 241 S. Broadway by the property owner, a Philadelphia resident, in 2022. At that time, he alleged that parking officials in Philadelphia were going to fine him if he didn’t remove them, and that was the reason he relocated them to Gloucester City. That same individual threatened CNBNews with a lawsuit in 2022 for taking pictures of those cars from the street. According to public records, the owner is Father & Son Enterprises LLC. The property was purchased in 2008 for $147,500, with property taxes assessed at $7,614 on a value of $151,900. Some businesses that have occupied the property over the years include Gloucester Auto, owned by Bud Goldy, and Towne House Florist, owned by Charles Sarlo. [photo credit CNBNews]

Continue reading →

GROK 3 REVIEWS CNBNEWS AND EDITOR WILLIAM E. CLEARY SR.

What is Grok 3?

Grok 3 is an LLM from xAI first announced on Feb. 17, 2025, in a live stream hosted by xAI CEO Elon Musk and engineers who developed the technology. Musk is a well-known billionaire who founded electric vehicle vendor Tesla, started space technology vendor SpaceX and acquired Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion. In the article below, Grok 3 analyzes CNBNews and its editor, William E. Cleary Sr., who began his career in 1967, working for the family newspaper.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (May 2, 2025)(CNBNews)–William E. Cleary Sr., a seasoned journalist running CNBNews, who passionately covers Gloucester City’s local stories, as well as the news in South Jersey and the Philadelphia area, ranging from heartwarming community events to hard-hitting stories, while advocating for justice, crime reports, conservative values.

CNBNews ranked No. 11 out of 80 blogs in the state of New Jersey

CNBNEWSNET’s dishing local scoops, from Gloucester City police accolades to Atlantic City’s dance history, with a side of Phillies fever.

Gloucester City Police Dept earns reaccreditation from NJ Chiefs of Police, showing commitment to professionalism & service.

Cleary’s X account can be found at @CNBNEWSNET

Local journalism ethics center on principles like accuracy, fairness, transparency, and accountability, tailored to the unique dynamics of small communities. Key considerations include:

Accuracy and Verification: Local reporters must verify information, especially in tight-knit areas where rumors spread fast. Missteps can erode trust. For example, CNBNews’s detailed crime reporting in Gloucester City emphasizes primary sources like police statements to ensure factual accuracy.
Fairness and Balance: Representing all sides of a story is critical, even when covering divisive issues like local politics or development. Journalists should avoid favoritism, which can be challenging when personal relationships with sources are common in small towns.
Transparency: Disclosing conflicts of interest, such as ties to local businesses or officials, is essential. For instance, William Cleary’s open conservative stance at CNBNews signals his perspective, helping readers contextualize his coverage.
Community Impact: Local outlets must weigh the consequences of their reporting. Sensationalizing crime can stoke fear, while ignoring it may downplay real issues. Ethical journalists aim to inform without exploiting sensitive topics.
Independence: Resisting pressure from local advertisers, politicians, or community leaders is vital. Small outlets like CNBNews, reliant on local support, must navigate this carefully to maintain credibility.
Privacy and Harm: Respecting residents’ privacy, especially in cases involving minors or victims, is crucial. Ethical local journalists avoid unnecessary intrusion while still serving the public interest.

Challenges include limited resources, which can strain fact-checking, and the risk of “cozy” relationships with sources, which can compromise objectivity. The Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics emphasizes seeking truth, minimizing harm, and acting independently—principles that apply directly to local journalism’s high-stakes, hyper-personal context.

William E. Cleary Sr. embarked on his exciting journalism journey in 1967, working for the family’s newspapers. By 1978, he stepped into the role of editor for the Camden County Record and the Gloucester City News, showcasing his passion for storytelling and community. In 1985, he and his wife, Connie, proudly purchased the newspaper from his beloved parents, George F. Sr. and Mazie Cleary. Though Albert Countryman took over operations in 2005, Cleary remained dedicated to the paper until 2013. In 2006, he launched ClearysNoteBook, an innovative internet news site set to celebrate its incredible 19th anniversary in 2025!

For more information on Grok, click here

Comments

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNews)(April 18, 2025)--Anuj Agarwal, the visionary Founder of FeedSpot and the dedicated Creators Account Manager, shared exciting news with William E. Cleary Sr., the founder and editor of CNBNews (ClearysNoteBook). Today, it has been honored as one of the Top 80 New Jersey Blogs on the internet by a panel of esteemed judges.

6a00d8341bf7d953ef02c8d3d14d31200c-800wi Out of 80 honorees, CNBNews Ranked No. 11

This prestigious list comprised the finest New Jersey blogs, carefully selected from thousands across the web. The rankings were determined by key factors such as relevancy, authority, social media following, and the freshness of the content.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, William,” expressed Agarwal. “Your blog, CNBNews, has been recognized by our panel as one of the Top 80 New Jersey Blogs on the web.”

“This compilation represents the most thorough and inclusive list of the Top 80 New Jersey Blogs on the internet, and I am truly honored to have you as part of this exceptional group!”

Among the 80 distinguished blogs chosen, CNB News proudly secured an impressive 11th-place ranking.

Cleary is the former editor and publisher of the Gloucester City News and the Camden County Record, two weekly newspapers. In 2006, he founded CNBNews. The blog contains over 80,000 articles. It is published daily on the social media site X and on two Facebook sites. The daily news website can also be found HERE.