Category: CNB NEWS TIPS & SNIPPETS

The Holt Files: Part One

The Holt Family Arrives in Gloucester City

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

CLEARY’S NOTEBOOK NEWS PHOTO

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Holt Marine Terminal encompasses 125 acres of Gloucester City waterfront property.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNews)(August 3, 2026)--Driving from North Broadway onto Hudson Street recently, it was hard not to see the giant cranes blocking the skylight as you got closer to the Holt Marine Terminal in Gloucester City. Some of those cranes that towered over the Mill Block properties, located between King Street and Ellis Street, were 20 stories high. There was a constant humming noise emitted from the terminal as we drove on Ellis Street towards Mercer Street. 

You have to wonder how the people who reside so close to this terminal deal with the seven-day-a-week operation.  When a container ship carrying fruit, meat, or some other commodity arrives, residents in the area are given no consideration. Their only choices are to move or sleep with a pillow over their heads. 

Presently, the City has signed an agreement with a real estate developer who plans to build 350 apartments at the former Coast Guard Base, about 100 yards from the marine terminal. The Holt family is fighting the proposal. Their lawsuit claims that the development plan, which would be built just feet from Holt’s office building, would interfere with their operation.

59 YEARS AGO HOLT ARRIVED IN GLOUCESTER CITY

In 1967, Leo A. Holt Sr., the father of Thomas Holt, purchased 37 acres of the former New York Ship property. Interested in the same property at the time was the Camden County Municipal Utlities Authority (CCMUA). Gloucester City Mayor Vince Daily fought against the CCMUA moving into his community. Thank God for Mayor Daily. That agency processes roughly 58 million gallons of sewage every day at its main plant in South Camden. People living near it claim the smell coming from their property is sickening some days.

RELATED:

HOLT FAMILY NOT LIKED BY LONGSHOREMEN

Holt was an independent truck driver serving Mom and Pop stores. Holt Motor Express had 10 trucks. And they owned 11 warehouses around the Philadelphia and Camden City area. Leo Holt Sr., died in 1968. After his death, his sons took over Holt Motor Express and expanded into the stevedoring business.

THE HOLT FAMILY’S RECENT IMPROVEMENTS AT THE GLOUCESTER MARINE TERMINAL

Continue reading “The Holt Files: Part One” →

Tips & Snippets: Trash Blockade, Flood, Sign Sez, Brooklawn Celebrates, No Power Again

Written By Cleary’s Notebook News Staff

CNBNEWS PHOTO

TRASH BLOCKS SIDEWALK—Why would those responsible for blocking the sidewalk with trash think that this was acceptable? A week ago, on Monday, Sweetie and I were walking on South Broadway towards Brooklawn. We tried to get past the blockade of trash in the photo, but it was impossible. We were left with no other choice but to risk our lives and walk onto nearby Broadway. Fortunately, traffic was light. One has to wonder about the people who piled the trash on the sidewalk that way. Surely they had to see that they were blocking the pathway for pedestrians. Unfortunately, as we travel through our City we have come upon more incidents of people who have no consideration for their neighbors. Their grass needs to be cut, their trash cans are placed in their front yard, and derelict cars with no license plates or registration stickers are parked on their property.

Photo courtesy of Gloucester City Historical Society.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ–Following a heavy summer rainstorm, youngsters played in the contaminated water that overflowed from the sewers, flooding Market Street and nearby Broadway. Residents in that neighborhood told Cleary’s Notebook News that they saw feces floating on top of the water. The exact date of the photo is not known.

RAW SEWERAGE BACKS UP INTO HOMES IN CAMDEN AND GLOUCESTER CITIES-The Courier Post reported recently that it would cost over $400 million to fix the flooding in Camden City and Gloucester City. In the meantime, raw sewage will continue to back up into homes and flows down city streets. The untreated wastewater spills into watersheds and seeps into popular recreation spots like Cooper River, which is regularly used by rowing teams but is too dirty to swim in. In Gloucester City the raw sewerage can be seen flowing into the Delaware River even on sunny days.

A heavy rainstorm on July 6, 2026, dumped almost four inches of rain in an hour and caused Camden County’s sewer system to back up, causing floods and over 150 calls for emergency help, officials said.

Videos posted online showed flood waters breaching storefronts and basements.

Camden County says it now has a plan to fix the longstanding issue, but it’s going to take more than a decade to complete and a huge sum of money to pull off. The Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority (CCMUA), a government agency located in South Camden, is responsible for wastewater treatment and regional sewage management. Since the 1970s, Camden County residents have paid that agency millions of dollars to fix the sewerage problem and flooding. When it was first proposed, the CCMUA was going to build its wastewater treatment plant in Gloucester City, where the Holt Marine Terminal is today. READ MORE

Continue reading “Tips & Snippets: Trash Blockade, Flood, Sign Sez, Brooklawn Celebrates, No Power Again” →

Nextdoor’s Indefinite Ban on CNBNews Raises Serious Questions About Fairness and Transparency

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews Editor

UPDATED:

Last week, Cleary’s Notebook News (CNBNews) received notice from Nextdoor Neighbor, the neighborhood‑based social media platform, that our account had been banned. The stated reason: three short snippets of press releases we posted allegedly violated their guidelines.

We immediately appealed. On Saturday, July 25, 2026, Nextdoor issued its final decision:

“Appeal not approved: Account indefinitely suspended.”

No explanation. No citation of a specific rule. No opportunity for correction. Just a permanent ban.

Local Reviewers With the Power to Silence You

Nextdoor relies on local “Reviewers” — ordinary users granted extraordinary authority — to censor posts, remove publishers, and suspend accounts. Because Nextdoor is a privately owned company, it has the legal right to remove anyone it chooses. But the way this ban was handled raises legitimate concerns about bias, personal grudges, and selective enforcement.

Continue reading “Nextdoor’s Indefinite Ban on CNBNews Raises Serious Questions About Fairness and Transparency” →

Former Supt. Receives 6 Figure Deal from Manchester Twp. School

William E. Cleary Sr. |CNBNews

MANCHESTER, NJ (July 13, 2026)(CNBNews)— Former Manchester Township Schools Superintendent John Berenato has received a six‑figure settlement in connection with his lawsuit over his 2023 firing.

He was awarded $265,000 by the district’s insurance carrier under a settlement approved at the June 16, 2026, Manchester Township Board of Education meeting, according to open‑government advocate John Paff of Transparency NJ.

Berenato was fired on Nov. 7, 2023 at a special board meeting, with the dismissal taking effect immediately. The board claimed he failed to disclose a 2010 drunk‑driving conviction and license suspension on his employment application.

Continue reading “Former Supt. Receives 6 Figure Deal from Manchester Twp. School” →

Trump’s Administration Scores Major Supreme Court Win

26, 2026

SUMMARY-The article describes the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of the Trump Administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants. The article also highlights the Trump Administration’s efforts to end the catch-and-release policy, expedite deportations, and crack down on sanctuary cities.

The Supreme Court has delivered a major victory for American sovereignty, ruling that the Trump Administration has full authority to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants. The Biden Administration weaponized TPS as a backdoor amnesty to flood the country with millions of unvetted migrants — and that loophole is finally closed.

This is the latest decisive win in President Donald J. Trump’s relentless effort to end the border invasion and put American citizens first.

The Trump Administration has made 60 changes in border rules since being elected :

Continue reading “Trump’s Administration Scores Major Supreme Court Win” →

Gloucester City Power Outage Weather Related, said PSE&G

UPDATE: The power outage was not the reason why electricity was lost in the Riverview Heights section of the city, according to a spokesperson for Public Service Electric and Gas.

iStock graphic

Kathy Hennessy Riley, PSE&G Corporate Communications, said the cause was weather-related. “I wanted to clarify that the traffic light pole that was struck at Broadway and Market Street was not the cause of the local power outage that affected the Riverview Heights section of the City on Monday night.

The outage, which affected approximately 2500 customers, was weather-related. Crews worked to safely identify and address the issue and restore service to affected customers as quickly as possible.”

A thunderstorm was happening in Gloucester City and the surrounding area when the power outage occurred.

RELATED :https://gloucestercitynews.net/2026/06/local-power-outage/

Four-Hour Power Outage in Gloucester City

UPDATED

UPDATE: The power outage was not the reason why electricity was loss in the Riverview Heights section of the city, according to a spokesperson for Public Service Electric and Gas.

Kathy Hennessy Riley, PSE&G Corporate Communications, said the cause was weather-related. “I wanted to clarify that the traffic light pole that was struck at Broadway and Market Street was not the cause of the local power outage that affected the Riverview Heights section of the City on Monday night.

The outage, which affected approximately 2500 customers, was weather-related. Crews worked to safely identify and address the issue and restore service to affected customers as quickly as possible.”

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNews) (June 22, 2026)--The traffic light at Broadway and Market Street is apparently the cause of the local power outage that affected the Riverview Heights section of the City. The local police did not report how the light was knocked over. Neither did they release any information on whether there were any injuries. Businesses and residents lost electricity around 2 PM. It was restored at 6 PM.

Traffic lights along Broadway from Kohler Street to Market Street were offline. Many of the businesses along that stretch of highway closed their doors due to not having air conditioning. Residents living in the Carpenter Square Apartments were also affected.

Public Service Electric and Gas first notified customers that the electricity would be restored by 7 PM.  Service was restored at 6:10 PM.

Photo by CNBNews reporter Kathy Cleary Underwood

The traffic light at Broadway and Market Street was struck by either a car or a tractor-trailer. Work crews from Public Service Electric and Gas were at this location for several hours. Residents and businesses lost electricity around 2 PM today. Electric was restored around 6 PM. Local police released no information to the media about the incident.

CNBNews JUNE 2026 Cheers & Jeers

William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

 

CHEER — To Gloucester Catholic Baseball for Winning Its Fourth Straight Title

The Gloucester Catholic High School baseball team, captured its fourth straight championship, adding yet another trophy to one of the most storied programs in New Jersey. Year after year, the Rams reload, refocus, and rise to the top — a testament to their coaching staff, their work ethic, and the school’s deep baseball tradition.

In a time when many programs struggle to stay competitive, Gloucester Catholic continues to set the standard. Congratulations to the players, coaches, families, and fans who make this run possible.

Continue reading “CNBNews JUNE 2026 Cheers & Jeers” →

CNBNews Archives: Gloucester City’s Nov. 2 Council Race

Gloucester City, NJ(August 30, 2021)(CNBNews)— The November 2 election in Gloucester City will have three different groups offering candidates for the positions on the council that are open. When Mayor Dan Spencer resigned suddenly in April, he still had a year and a half left on his four-year term. His resignation set up the following chain of events. Democrat Councilman at large Pat Keating stepped down from his position and was appointed to the mayor’s seat until this November’s election. The fact that there were two unexpected openings on the council seems to have got two former mayors with different philosophies thinking about getting back in the arena.

Those two mayors are Bob Bevan, who was elected in the 80s to two terms as an independent, and Charles (Chuck) Billingham, who was elected in the mid-90s as a democrat. 

Former Gloucester City Mayor Robert Bevan’s candidate for Pat Keating’s council-at-large seat is Sarah O’Brien; she is very involved in a youth program called Community Rocks, which teaches art and music to kids, according to Bevan. Continue reading “CNBNews Archives: Gloucester City’s Nov. 2 Council Race” →

Multi‑Million‑Dollar Upgrade for Alice Costello Elementary School

William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

BROOKLAWN, NJ (CNBNews) (June 13, 2026) — Groundbreaking ceremonies for the multi‑million‑dollar enhancement project at Alice Costello School were held Friday, June 12, on the school grounds at 301 Haakon Avenue. Dr. Samuel A. Rosetti, Superintendent of Schools, served as host for the event.

Dignitaries in attendance included State Assemblyman William F. Moen Jr., Camden County Commissioner Jonathan L. Young Sr., Mayor Jerry “Skip” Grandstrom, School Board President Michele Cecilio, and Architect Bob Garrison.

Two seventh‑grade students, Geoffrey Gettings and JJ Meehan, also participated in the program. Gettings led the Pledge of Allegiance, while Meehan delivered the student address. His comments are below.

The facilities improvement and modernization project is being funded through a strategic partnership utilizing the Camden County Improvement Authority’s Borough‑Guaranteed Lease Revenue Bonds (Series 2025).

“This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our students, families, and community,” Dr. Rosetti said. “The facility upgrades will allow our school to continue serving as a place of learning, growth, and opportunity for generations to come.”

The Brooklawn Borough School District has officially launched a $6,290,000 modernization initiative scheduled throughout 2026 at Alice Costello School. Supported through the CCIA financing program, the project reflects the district’s commitment to providing a safer, more sustainable, and high‑performance learning environment.

Critical infrastructure upgrades will address essential components of the school’s physical plant, including advanced building automation systems (BAS), comprehensive electrical improvements, and modern architectural design‑build enhancements. District officials say these improvements will deliver immediate benefits in environmental quality, operational efficiency, and updated safety protocol

Good afternoon, everyone! I’d like to welcome our school board members, teachers, parents, neighbors, and fellow classmates. 

My name is J.J. Meehan, and I am a 7th grader here at Alice Costello School. It is an absolute honor to stand here today as we break ground on a massive upgrade for our school. 

When you’re in 7th grade, you spend a lot of time thinking about the future—high school, sports, and what you want to be when you grow up. But today, our town is investing $6.3 million directly into our future right here in these classrooms. 

We aren’t just getting a few cosmetic fixes. This project is bringing top-tier technology to ACES. We’re talking about smart building automation systems that control the climate, flat LED lighting that helps our planet save energy, and high-tech air purifiers in our classrooms to keep us all healthy and focused. 

As students, our school is like a second home. When our community invests in making it safer, cleaner, and more modern, it tells us that our education matters. It inspires us to work harder. 

Even though I’ll be graduating soon, I am so proud that this project will leave a lasting legacy for the younger grades and the future students of Brooklawn. 

Thank you to the Brooklawn Board of Education, the Camden County Improvement Authority, Dr. Rosetti, ACES staff, and everyone in our community who made this historic day possible. Now let’s dig in!