Category: NEW JERSEY

Attorney General, DEP Commissioner Announce the Filing of Two New NRD Lawsuits

The State Filed Eight NRD Lawsuits in 2019, Twice the Number Filed in 2018

Handy & Harman Complaint

Sherwin-Williams Complaint

NRD Sites Poster

NRD Fact Sheet

TRENTON –

Continuing to hold New Jersey’s polluters accountable, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe today announced the filing of two new Natural Resource Damage (NRD) lawsuits, one against The Sherwin Williams Company and the other against Handy & Harman Electronic Materials Corp.

The complaint against Sherwin Williams arises out of the company’s operations at sites in Gibbsboro, Voorhees Township and Lindenwold in Camden County. The State alleges that Sherwin Williams manufactured oil-based paints, lacquers and varnishes, and in the process discharged industrial wastes into the ground, into nearby Hilliards Creek and into other surrounding creeks and lakes.

The complaint against Handy & Harman arises out of its operations of an etching and surfacing facility in Montvale, Bergen County in the 1980s. During Handy & Harman’s ownership, the complaint alleges, hazardous substances – including the chemical TCE (trichloroethylene) – were discharged on the property, resulting in the contamination of groundwater and the closure of nearby drinking water wells.

Today’s NRD lawsuits mark another step in Attorney General Grewal and Commissioner McCabe’s efforts to revitalize New Jersey’s environmental enforcement program. After eight years in which the State did not file any new NRD actions, the State has now filed 12 NRD actions in two years. In 2019 alone, the State filed eight such actions, including the two filed today.

“As Attorney General, I have been committed to holding polluters accountable for the legacy of contamination they left in our state,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Too many companies have treated the public’s natural resources like private dumping grounds, despite the health risks to our residents and the harms to our environment. That is why we’ve spent the past two years making polluters pay for the damage they caused, efforts that continue with today’s lawsuits. I am proud of the twelve natural resource damage actions that we filed in just two years, and I know that we are only getting started.”

“Today’s two lawsuits continue DEP’s unwavering commitment to go beyond the cleanup of contaminated sites to requiring the restoration or compensation for the damage to our precious natural resources,” said DEP Commissioner McCabe. “Enforcing our state’s laws against past abuses helps put us on track toward a cleaner, healthier future for all New Jerseyans.”

Sherwin Williams

The Sherwin Williams Company for decades operated a paint manufacturing plant and conducted related operations at multiple sites across Gibbsboro, Voorhees Township and Lindenwold. From the mid-1800s until the 1970s, Sherwin Williams and its predecessors manufactured a variety of paint products, including dry colorants, lacquers, varnishes, resins and both oil-based and water-based paints. As part of its operations, the company used and stored thousands of gallons of hazardous materials such as lead oxide, zinc oxide, lead chromate, and sulfuric acid.

According to today’s lawsuit, Sherwin Williams for many years discharged a “substantial amount of hazardous substances and industrial chemicals” into the ground and surface water. According to the complaint, the contaminants discharged include lead, arsenic and other heavy metals, as well as a variety of potentially harmful chemical compounds and waste paints. At one point in the plant’s history, the complaint notes, locals in and around Gibbsboro, Voorhees and Lindenwold rechristened Hilliards Creek as “Rainbow Creek,” because the water would take on different colors “depending on the color of the paint that Sherwin Williams was manufacturing and/or disposing of on a given day.”

The complaint alleges that Sherwin Williams spent decades knowingly contaminating the environment, and consistently “ignored orders” from DEP to address the pollution it had created. The complaint also asserts that the company “repeatedly issued misleading or inaccurate statements … to downplay its responsibility for the contamination.”

Given the company’s noncompliance with DEP orders, the complaint continues, DEP was forced to refer the sites over to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which placed two of the sites on the National Priorities List as Superfund sites decades ago. The EPA, working with DEP, is overseeing that remediation. DEP is now seeking damages for that prior pollution. The State’s seven-count complaint alleges violations of New Jersey’s Spill Act, Water Pollution Control Act, and Solid Waste Management Act, as well as common law claims involving public nuisance, trespass and negligence. As part of this filing, the State is seeking punitive damages.

Handy & Harman

From 1970 until 1986, Handy & Harman Electronic Materials Corp. and its predecessor conducted metal etching and surfacing operations at a three-acre property located at 20 Craig Road in Montvale, Bergen County. Operations included the cleaning of electrical components through a degreasing process that relied on the solvent TCE.

According to the complaint, TCE was stored in a pair of 500-gallon, above-ground storage tanks located behind the facility, with waste TCE stored in drums located throughout the property.

According to the lawsuit, “numerous” discharges of TCE occurred both inside and outside the plant during its operating years. As a result of the contamination, several drinking water wells operated by the Borough of Park Ridge were impacted, which led to these drinking wells’ closure decades ago.

In December 1986, Handy & Harman entered into an Administrative Consent Order with DEP requiring that the company investigate and remediate environmental contamination at the site. Since then, investigation and remediation activities have taken place both on the property and at impacted drinking water wells surrounding the property.

Through today’s action, DEP seeks to recover damages for the prior injuries to natural resources, as well as for the cleanup and removal costs that have been incurred by the State in the past and that are likely to be incurred going forward.

The six-count complaint alleges violations of the Spill Act, Water Pollution Control Act, and Solid Waste Management Act, and common law claims involving public nuisance, trespass and negligence. (The complaint names other defendants as well, including Steel Partners Holdings, which acquired all outstanding shares of Handy & Harman.)

Environmental Enforcement Program

Under the leadership of Attorney General Grewal and Commissioner McCabe, the State has significantly strengthened its environmental enforcement program. In particular:

The State filed 12 NRD lawsuits in the past two years, including its first such actions in a decade, and including eight in 2019 alone. The cases involved:

Exxon-Mobil, for pollution at its Lail facility in Gloucester County

The manufacturers and distributors of a toxic family of chemicals known as “PFAS” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances); and

E.I. DuPont de Nemours, including for pollution in Pompton Lakes and at its Chambers Works site.

Filed fourteen environmental justice lawsuits, encompassing a range of urban and rural communities across New Jersey, in December 2018 and November 2019.

Filed other enforcement actions against polluters, including those responsible for:

A solid waste dump in Vernon Township, Sussex County (Feb. 2019);

A solid waste dump in Plumsted Township, Ocean County (Aug. 2019); and

Odor pollution in the Ironbound section of Newark (Sept. 2019).

Filed lawsuits against the federal government to:

Successfully prevent offshore drilling off the New Jersey coast;

Prevent the Trump Administration from rolling back critical federal rules that address climate change, clean air, and clean water; and

Ensure that the federal government takes steps required by law to reduce the ozone pollution entering New Jersey.

NJDOT Releases 511NJConnect System

NJDOT announces proactive

Alert system uses geo-fencing technology to provide information to motorists

(Trenton)

– New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti today announced the launch of 511NJConnect, a new alert system that allows transportation agencies the ability to proactively provide information directly to motorists who are stuck in long-term highway closures.

At the conclusion of the last winter, Commissioner Gutierrez-Scaccetti directed New Jersey’s transportation agencies to find a way to use technology to keep motorists better informed in the event of an extended highway closure.

“We all understand the frustration and stress that can be caused by being stuck in traffic for an extended period of time,” Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “While we hope we never have to use it, 511NJConnect is an innovative way to use technology to provide motorists information and status updates during a long-term road closure. Just knowing that there is someone out there monitoring the situation can be extremely reassuring.”

In the event of a sustained stoppage of traffic, the 511NJConnect system, using geo-fencing technology, will identify motorists in the proximity of the incident and send an alert to their hand-held devices. Motorists within the target area will be given the option to register for automatic text messaging or phone updates throughout the event generated by transportation agency staff monitoring the situation. Once the incident is resolved, motorists who registered for the alerts will be automatically unsubscribed from the system and all personal data will be removed.

The system will allow direct communication and updates about the incident to those motorists who are impacted.

511NJConnect is not a substitute for calling 9-1-1

if a motorist has an actual emergency in their vehicle.

Developed in coordination with the New Jersey State Police, the 511NJConnect system will be used for long-term traffic incidents in which motorists become immobilized for an extended period of time on New Jersey’s Interstate highways, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, or the Atlantic City Expressway.

NJDOT remains committed to providing safe roadways to New Jersey motorists and in anticipation of the winter season, the Department is implementing this proactive approach to assist and inform motorists in the event of an unforeseen extended closure of a highway.

Motorists should keep a basic emergency kit in their vehicles that includes non-perishable food and water, a cell phone charger, weather-related items such as a blanket, shovel, ice scraper, or rain gear, and any specialized supplies such as baby or pet care items. Visit

ReadyNJ.gov

for more information about emergency kits and preparedness.

About the 511NJ Suite of Services

— The

511NJ.org website

, phone system, Personalized Travel Service, and

New Jersey Traffic

features provide valuable real-time traffic and traveler information about incidents, crashes, congestion, construction, special events, and travel times.  The Department updates this information 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

Fingerprints of an invisible, restricted horseracing therapy

By

Katherine Unger Baillie | Kbaillie@Upenn.edu

A treatment called extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is used in patients both human and equine to speed healing of injured tendons and ligaments. Using high-pressure sonic waves, ESWT is thought to increase blood flow to the treated area, and has been shown to reduce pain over the short term.

Mary Robinson, director of Penn Vet’s Equine Pharmacology Laboratory, led work with lab member Jinwen Chen, to find fingerprints of shockwave therapy, a treatment used to address injury and pain in both humans and horses. The practice is banned in racehorses 10 days prior to competition. (Image: Paulick Report)

In racehorses, however, masking pain can come with a cost: overworked minor injuries could lead to major ones—or even pose a life-threatening risk to both horse and rider.

For that reason, horseracing authorities have banned the use of ESWT for horses within 10 days of a race or sporting event. But the question of how to enforce the ban on this “invisible” therapy remained open. Now a team led by

Mary Robinson

, director of the School of Veterinary Medicine’s

Equine Pharmacology Research Laboratory

, and lab member Jinwen Chen has found that the practice does in fact leave a trail. In a paper in

Equine Veterinary Journal

, they report finding potential biomarkers of ESWT that, with further testing, could one day be used to enforce the ESWT ban.

“Because it\’s not a drug—it\’s applied to the surface of the skin—it\’s just not an easy thing to detect,” says Robinson. “After a lot of trial and error, our study was able to measure changes in levels of five inflammatory factors, some of which we could detect up to three weeks after the shockwave therapy.”

The attempt to find these biomarkers dates back roughly a decade.

“It was Dr. [Lawrence] Soma, my predecessor, who said [the lab] was going to have to look at blood-based or urine-based biomarkers to try to detect shockwave therapy,” Robinson notes.

To find the fingerprints that ESWT might leave behind, the researchers tested the therapy on 11 horses kept as a study herd at Penn Vet’s

New Bolton Center

. The researchers collected blood samples from the group of horses, composed of Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, at several timepoints both before and after they each received a single dose of ESWT to a leg.

Over the years, the lab investigated a number of potential biomarkers, molecules that would indicate a horse received ESWT. They zeroed in on 10 pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signaling molecules, called cytokines, which they can measure from the blood using a sensitive test called ELISA.

“We looked a week before giving the shockwave therapy to see if there were any changes in the baseline period, due to changes in time of day or anything else, and didn’t see anything we could define as significant,” Robinson says. “And in the post-shockwave period we went out to three weeks.”

They could not detect changes in five of the cytokines they examined following ESWT. But the other five—TNF-a, IL1b, IL-1RA, IL-6, and sTLR2—did respond. Of those, TNF-a levels were significantly increased through the whole of the post-therapy study period, three weeks.

More study is necessary, Robinson emphasizes, before these biomarkers could be used to assess inappropriate use of ESWT in racehorses. For one, the researchers would like to see if measuring these same molecules in horses that are actively training and racing, or that have an acute injury, might change their results.

For that, she and her colleagues are actively pursuing follow-up studies to look at these biomarkers and other indicators, using a biobank of samples from client-owned animals, including injured and active racehorses, treated at New Bolton Center.

The end goal is to keep the sport safe.

“Shockwave therapy is great as long as people rest the horse after using it,” she says. “We are concerned that it’s being abused in the racehorse industry and that it could potentially result in breakdowns. That’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid.”

Dr. Mary Robinson

is an assistant professor of veterinary pharmacology and director of

the Equine Pharmacology Laboratory

at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Jinwen Chen is a research specialist in t

he Equine Pharmacology Laboratory

at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Additional coauthors on the study were Penn Vet’s

Darko Stefanovski

,

Joanne Haughan, Zibin Jiang, Raymond Boston, and Lawrence Soma.

The study was supported by the Pennsylvania State Racing Commissions and the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen Association at Pocono and Chester Downs, Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association at Penn National and Presque Isle Downs, and The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

Future studies to expand on this body of research are largely supported by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA),

whose generous support established New Bolton Center\’s state-of-the-art Equine BioBank.

About Penn Vet

Ranked among the top ten veterinary schools worldwide, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling nearly 35,300 patient visits a year. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet’s large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles nearly 5,300 patient visits a year, while the Field Service treats more than 38,000 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center’s campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry.

Pick-6 Rolls to $4.2 Million for Dec. 16 Drawing

TRENTON (Dec. 13, 2019) – The Pick-6 drawing on December 12 produced three winners of $7,875 for matching five out of six white balls drawn. The $4.2 million drawing will be held Monday, December 16, 2019.

The winning numbers for the Thursday, December 12, drawing were: 01, 07, 37, 38, 46 and 49. The XTRA Multiplier was: 03. By adding XTRA for an additional $1.00 per play, winners are able to multiply their non-jackpot prizes by the XTRA number drawn.

Acting Executive Director James Carey announced that there were 472,546 tickets purchased for the drawing and of those sold, thousands were prizewinners! For correctly matching four numbers, 308 ticketholders won $73 each and 48 others won $219 each with the addition of XTRA. Moreover, for correctly matching three numbers 6,021 ticketholders won $3.00 each and 877 others won $9 each with the addition of XTRA. Lastly 7,454 ticketholders each won $2.00 for correctly matching two numbers with the addition of XTRA on their purchase.

###

All New Jersey Lottery game winning numbers and drawings for the Pick-3, Pick-4, Jersey Cash 5, Pick-6, CASH4LIFE and 5 Card Cash games can be viewed on the NJ Lottery website (www.NJLottery.com) or on the official Lottery Facebook Page. Evening draws, with the exception of CASH4LIFE and 5 Card Cash, can be seen on WPIX-TV (PIX11) in New York and WPHL-TV (PHL17) in Philadelphia. Powerball and Mega Millions drawings can be seen on WABC-TV or WTXF stations.

MRC Volunteers Strengthen Communities during the Holiday Season and Beyond

The holiday season is a time for giving. We spend hours (sometimes weeks, months…) searching for and picking out the perfect gifts for friends and family. Many of us donate to non-profits and charitable organizations. We even give to ourselves – often taking important time off to unwind and connect with our loved ones.

The holidays also offer an opportunity to give our time and skills to volunteer organizations and think of new ways to connect with our communities. This holiday season, consider donating your time to improve the health of your community by volunteering with the

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

.

The MRC is a national network of more than 175,000 volunteers located throughout the United States and its territories. MRC units organize, train, and utilize local volunteers to prepare for and respond to emergencies. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals as well as other community members without healthcare backgrounds.

Although volunteering is important all year, winter typically brings a predictable but dangerous series of threats to community health across the country: colder temperatures, winter storms, and power outages.

In January and February 2019, MRC volunteers from across the country – from the Pacific Northwest to New England to the Gulf Coast – devoted more than 700 hours in response to these winter emergencies.

To help their communities weather the storms, MRC volunteers staffed warming centers and overnight shelters; provided call center support at emergency operations centers; assisted with charging stations during extended power outages for residents to charge electricity-dependent equipment and devices; and performed door-to-door wellness checks on residents who may be home bound and without power.

In addition to weather-related events, many MRC units are busy during the winter months keeping their communities healthy by combating the flu virus. MRC volunteers administer vaccines and provide logistical support at hundreds of flu clinics in their local communities, including those held at community events, health departments, and schools. These events provide MRC units with opportunities to test their capabilities to respond to a pandemic or other incident requiring mass dispensing.

All of these activities build communities that are healthier, better prepared, and more resilient. If you are interested in serving your community – whether this holiday season, this winter, or any other time throughout the year – I invite you to

find an MRC unit near you

, talk to your local coordinator, and ask what their needs are and how you may be able to serve.

CNBNews Hunting/Fishing Delaware: Fish & Wildlife Police Blotter

Reminder for the week: Waterfowl hunters, check your gear

for prohibited lead shot, ensure your boats are weather and safety ready

DOVER (Dec. 13, 2019) – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Dec. 2-8 made 2,239 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 12 citations. Officers responded to 44 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

On Dec. 7, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed their role and reviewed safe hunting practices, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field with attendees of a Hunter Education Class held at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

On Dec. 11-12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and Wildlife Section staff responded to reports of black bear sightings in and near Wilmington, and worked with multiple agencies with the intent of capturing and relocating the bear. The bear evaded capture and appears to have left Delaware as there have been no recent documented sightings.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation:

Possession of unlawfully taken game – antlerless deer (1), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (1), failure to tag antlerless deer (1), removing antlerless deer parts prior to checking (1), and trespass to hunt (1).

Fisheries Conservation:

Commercial:

Failure to tag oysters (1).

Public Safety:

Possession, purchase, ownership, or control of a firearm, deadly weapon, or ammunition by a person prohibited (3) and failure to display required hunter orange during a firearms deer season (1).

Other:

Driving with a suspended or revoked license (1) and driving at an unreasonable speed (1).

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to

http://de.gov/ogt

, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?

With the last 2019 regular waterfowl hunting season split opening today, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind waterfowl hunters to continue to check their hunting gear bags, coats, boats, and any other gear to make sure they are not carrying  lead shot.

Non-toxic shot, as approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is required for all waterfowl hunting within the State of Delaware. There are no exceptions. For a list of currently approved non-toxic shot types visit

http://flyways.us/faq/what-type-shot-approved-non-toxic-us

.

Also, if you are waterfowl hunting from a boat, please ensure that you have all the required safety equipment and cold weather equipment and supplies on board.

For more information on waterfowl hunting and boating safety requirements in Delaware, click on

2019-2020 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide

.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Small House

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 14, 2019)–Not everyone is lucky to have a huge and spacious house. Considering the cost of real estate these days, you\’re already lucky even to own a house. Despite having a small place, you can still make it look great. After decorating your

place, you will be proud to call it home.

Invest in multi-purpose furniture

You can find furniture that you can use for a variety of purposes. For instance, furniture that\’s useful as a sofa in the morning, but a bed at night. You can also have a mirror which converts to a flat-screen television when reversed. The good thing is that you can have everything you need despite having limited space.

Opt for a minimalistic approach

You can change the way you view home decoration. Instead of buying as many items as you can, you could reduce them. A minimalist approach allows your space to look more spacious and creates an illusion of comfort.

Use blinds instead of curtains

When using blinds, you can create a seamless connection between your house and the outdoor space. It feels like the world is your home. Curtains are restricting and will make your room look even smaller. Apart from using blinds, you also have to invest in a large mirror. It tricks you into thinking that there\’s more depth in your home when it\’s only the reflection of one side.

Always keep it

organized

You can\’t afford to have a messy home when it\’s already small, to begin with. The place will look even more cramped. Each time you take something out, you need to return it properly. For instance, if you read a book, you have to return it to the shelf once you finish.

Invest in built-in furniture

Sometimes, it’s difficult to find furniture that fits your needs. The available choices don’t always fit. You might end up choosing the best option, but it’s not perfect. The best alternative is built-in furniture like a

fitted wardrobe UK

specialists design and install. If you have one, you will find it easy to customize the design to match your space, preference and budget. You can also determine the specific area where the furniture will be suitable. You might have to spend a bit more for fitted furniture, but it looks amazing. It’s also practical.

Keep it simple

You might feel inspired to follow the design ideas you see in magazines. The problem is that you don\’t have the luxury of such space. You have to settle for the small area you have. Despite that, you can still make your home amazing. You just need to be smart in determining the perfect design. Keep it simple but stunning.

Start by listing everything you want to see in your house and what you need to have. From there, you can decide what else you need to purchase. If you can afford to move to a bigger house in the future or opt for remodelling, it would also be an excellent idea.

Image:

https://unsplash.com/photos/EMWgB-BTyh0

Louise A. Fowler, of Gloucester City, age 73

Louise A. Fowler

(Gloucester City, NJ)(Dec.13, 2019)—Surrounded by her family at home, on December 11, 2019 at the age of 73. Of Gloucester City (nee Hickson). Loving and devoted wife of 24years to Earl T. Fowler, Sr. Loving mother of Michelle and Thomas Quinn, Dawn and Vincent Digiacomo, Stephanie and John Bryszewski, Kimberly and Michael Morrell and Earl Jr. and Kelliann Fowler. Cherished grandmother of Megan Cairns (Mike), Erin Boyle (Kevin), Thomas Quinn III (Jordan), Derick Fowler (Ashley), Amber Digiacomo, Vincent Digiacomo Jr., Dominick Digiacomo, Samantha Bryszewski, John Bryszewski, Jr.,

Hannah Bryszewski, Michael Morrell, Colin Morrell, Earl Fowler III, Abigail Fowler and Wyatt Fowler. Cherished great grandmother of Olivia, Sophia, Anastasia,

Ethan, Delaney, Thomas IV, Blake, Brianna, CJ, Max and Junior. Beloved sister of Susan Allcott, Lynn Verlander and sister-in-law of Jerry. Predeceased by her sister, Joyce Conover and her brother, Louis Hickson. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing

on Sunday evening

,

December 15

th

from 4 to 6

PMand again

on Monday morning

,

December 16

th

from

10 to 11 AM

at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME,

851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City

, where her funeral service will be held

at 11AM

. Interment will follow in Hillcrest

Memorial Park

, Hurffville.

In lieu of flowers donations are requested to SCUCS,

537 W. Nicholson Rd, Audubon, NJ 08106

. Please memo, Louise A. Fowler

Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Louise A. Fowler. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:  McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, NJ.  Ph:

856-456-1142

.

Clifton apparel firm apologizes; Lord Ganesh underwear removed after Hindu protest

Clifton (New Jersey) headquartered apparel label Customon has apologized and withdrawn thong and panty carrying image of Hindu deity Ganesh after Hindu protest; which called it “highly inappropriate”.

Sarah D. from Customon, in an email to Hindu statesman Rajan Zed (who spearheaded the protest), wrote: “We do apologize for such an inconvenience and thank you for your notification that allowed us to take action”… “the subject design belongs to a third party designer…the designer is going to get a warning”. The objectionable products were not found on the Customon website when searched today.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, thanked Customon and Sarah D. for understanding the concerns of Hindu community which thought images of Lord Ganesh on such products were highly insensitive.

Rajan Zed suggested that Customon and other companies should send their senior executives for training in religious and cultural sensitivity so that they had an understanding of the feelings of customers and communities when introducing new products or launching advertising campaigns.

Zed had said that Lord Ganesh was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to adorn one’s crotch. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.

Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Rajan Zed had noted.

Zed had stated that such trivialization of Hindu deities was disturbing for the Hindus. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers, Zed added.

In Hinduism, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.

Objectionable Ganesh Thong and Ganesh Pantie for women were both priced at $18.64 each. Ganesh Thong’s “Product Info” stated that “you can be sexy with this well-formed under garments”. Customon, which claims to be “one of the leading custom t-shirt digital printing and embroidery services in the industry”, has another office in Eatontown (New Jersey).  Its products include t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats/caps, underwear, phone-cases, mugs, etc.

Pa Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Memory of DelCo/Gloucester City Fireman

MORTON, PA (December 10, 2019)—Former Gloucester City firefighter Michael Malinowski died suddenly on December 3.   Malinowski was a volunteer firefighter with the Gloucester City Fire Department from 1996 to 2015. A few years back he and his family moved to Morton, Pa where he continued to serve as the captain of the Morton Rutledge Volunteer Fire Department. On Monday evening, Dec. 2 Malinowski responded to the report of trees and wires down just after 8 p.m. in Nether Providence, Pa. Following the call, Malinowski reported to officers that he was feeling ill, according  to the

DelcoTimes

.

published

Gloucestercitynews.net

Related:

Gloucester City News

Fire

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

CNBNews Point of View

BREAKING NEWS

Former Gloucester City Firefighter Michael Malinowski Dies Suddenly