By Leigh Anne Hubbs

NEWS Correspondent

The Multi-Purpose Room at Kershaw Middle School was filled with more than 50 parents, school employees and concerned tax payers of the Mouth Ephraim School District.

They gathered March 22 to hear details of the proposed 2010-11 budget.

School Board members were in executive session for approximately two hours before announcing the cuts that will affect the upcoming school year.

Superintendent Joseph Rafferty said the district was expecting a cut of 5 percent, 10 percent or 15 percent in state aid, but instead the entire budget was reduced by 5 percent.

He said it is the \”responsibility of the school board to ensure fair and efficient education for all children\” and apologized in advance to anyone who will be affected by the cuts.

Rafferty is taking a 3 percent reduction in pay.

Some of the preliminary budget cuts include a freeze on all non-contractual increases, foreign language will only be taught at Kershaw School, and activities such as band, choir and Battle of the Books will be paid by students.

Pre-school will now only be in the mornings for early intervention students, and Kindergarten will be reduced to half days.

Four teacher positions and five paraprofessional positions will be reduced along with one secretary position.

Board members said that it is their responsibility to be efficient with local tax dollars.

School Board President Dominick Cipolone thanked everyone for attending, and stated that the board is trying to do their best in these very difficult times.

The School Election is on Tuesday, April 20.

Bellmawr Street Hockey is hosting a Mom\’s Street Hockey Tournament this weekend, Anderson Avenue. Games start Friday 4/9 @ 7 p.m. and Saturday 4/10 @ 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Our Mom\’s are ages 30-50 and we play by the same rules as the boys. This tournament is a benefit for a Gloucester City family that lost their father. Mom\’s interested in playing here is your chance to get a local league started.

By Sara Martino

NEWS Correspondent

\”We will have no choice to update the city water tower,\” Mayor John Soubasis said during March’s Brooklawn Borough Council meeting.

\”But right now we do not have funds,\” he said.

The mayor and other Council members met with representatives from the Utility Service Company in Delaware to discuss the options for the refurnishing of the water tower.

A presentation had been given at the February meeting showing all the work that was needed and the cost of the service. The discussion was tabled as some members were absent from that meeting.

MILTON ROWEN, SR.

Funeral Services were held for Milton Rowen, Sr., 92, of Bellmawr, who died March 20, 2010.

Milton was a former employee of National Fiber Stock, Philadelphia. He was a proud Army veteran of WWII. Milton was an avid Phillies fan and history buff.

Beloved husband of 74 years to Alice (nee Sheairs). Devoted father of Alberta Kreh, Alice Weston, and the late Milton, Jr. Father-in-law of Carol Rowen, Loving grandfather of 9, great grandfather of 16, and great-great grandfather of 1. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Entombment Locustwood Mausoleum, Cherry Hill.

Henry and daughter-in-law Susan Zehner, Everett (Patricia) and William (Florence) Zehner, cherished grandmother of 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, dear sister of Josephine Campbell and a host of other predeceased brothers and sisters.

JOHN K. SMITH, III

Funeral Mass was held for John K. Smith, III, 85, who died March 22, 2010.

A World War II Veteran of the Army Air Corps, John was a proud graduate of the University of Miami (FL). He had been a resident of Audubon for over 50 years where he was a parishioner of Holy Maternity Church. Recently, he was living in the North Beach section of LBI where he was a parishioner of St. Thomas of Villanova.

John is the devoted husband of Jean (nee Geisel). He is the beloved father of Susan (John) Anderson of Marlton, Joan (John) Sander of Sewell and Christine (Ken) Brostrand of Runnemede. He is the loving grandfather of Robert, Rebecca and Evan Anderson; Megan Schiavo; Adam Sander; Kyle and Caitlyn Brostrand. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

His final committal service with military honors will be held at the NJ Veterans Cemetery in Arneytown at a later date.

JOSEPH WALKER

Funeral Services were held for Joseph Walker, 72, of Haddon Heights, formerly of Bellmawr, who died March 19, 2010.

Joseph was a member of the South Jersey Shooting Club and the Bass Angler’s Sportsman Society. He was also the former Fire Chief of Bellmawr Park Volunteer Fire Co.

Beloved husband of 53 years of Myrtle (nee Harper). Devoted father of Gary Walker, Steven Walker, and Brian Walker. Loving pop-pop of Brianna Walker. Dear brother of Robert Walker (Norma), James Walker, and the late Dolores Reeves, and Margaret Reichardt. Also survived by his best buddy Daisy.

Interment was in Berlin Cemetery, Berlin.

ANDREW O. WARD, SR.

A Funeral Mass was held at Annunciation BVM Church, Bellmawr, for Andrew O. Ward, Sr., 72, of Bellmawr, who died March 19, 2010.

Mr. Ward was a member of Glendora VFW Post #8714. He was a retired CPO in the U.S. Navy.

Beloved husband of 50 years of Catherine M (nee Clauser). Devoted father of Andrew Ward, Jr. and Tracy Richards (Dennis). Loving grandfather of Brett, Dennis, Jr., Madisyn and Chris. Dear brother of Mitchell Ward (Sherry). Also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Ward was a member of Glendora VFW Post #8714. He was a retired CPO in the U.S. Navy.

Interment was in New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

MILDRED J. ZEHNER

Funeral Services were held for Mildred J. Zehner, 88, a lifelong resident of Gloucester City, who died March 24, 2010.

Beloved wife of the late Henry Zehner. Loving mother of the late

Friends met at the Etherington-Creran Funeral Home, 700 Powell Street, Gloucester City. Interment was in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Gloucester City.

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• Mildred Lynch, age 95 of West Collingswood Hts. (gloucestercitynews.net)

Back by popular demand!

Walking School is all you will ever need to teach your dog to walk politely by your side without pulling or becoming distracted!

Walking School is a 90-minute program specifically designed to perfect the polite, on-leash walk.

Walking School will be held on Sunday, May 2nd at 2 PM at Timber Creek Park. Directions will be given when you enroll.

We accept cash, checks, and credit cards. Tuition is $25.00 and must be pre-paid. Please call 856-349-2508 for more information or email us at [email protected].

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• Pet Tip of the Week: I Love My Dog–& My Partner HATES Him! (gloucestercitynews.net)

PRESS RELEASE:

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ – Responding to news that no incumbent Democrats will seek reelection this year in Washington Township, Republican candidates for township council Chris Del Borrello, Giancarlo D’Orazio and Dan Morley issued the following statement: 

\”I’m not surprised that the current council is reluctant to defend its abysmal record that includes a 60% property tax increase,\” said Del Borrello. \”Taxpayers are ready for a new direction; Michelle Martin and her running mates’ decision to ‘resign’ today simply saves voters the trouble of having to fire them in November.\” 

\”Washington Township has been badly mismanaged for the past 10 years,\” added D’Orazio. \”We can’t move our town forward by allowing different faces from the same political machine to play ‘musical chairs’ while residents continue to struggle. Taxpayers can no longer afford the status quo. That’s why business-as-usual ends the day our team takes office.\” 

\”Township residents deserve a fresh start in November,\” concluded Morley. \”Real reform requires more than just new faces; what taxpayers need now are new ideas. Our team will fight to cap property tax increases, eliminate obstacles for small businesses, and restore accountability to township government. Only then can our town begin to recover from over a decade of local politicians putting politics before prosperity.\”

The Pennsylvania Attorney General\’s Chief of Criminal Investigations, Frank Noonan, has received the Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers\’ Association\’s Linda E. Richardson Commitment to Excellence Award.

The Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers\’ Association (PNOA) is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting the men and women who commit their careers to protecting Pennsylvania from the threat of illegal drugs by raising public awareness of the dangers of drug abuse, by providing enhanced training to narcotics officers, and by helping to create and implement drug demand reduction programs.

Joe Jacob, Chief of the Wright Township Police Department in Mountaintop, Luzerne County, and treasurer of the PNOA, said that the Linda E. Richardson Commitment to Excellence Award is not given out on a regular basis, but instead is reserved to recognize extraordinary people who show continued achievement in narcotics enforcement.

By Sara Martino

NEWS Correspondent

Mayor William James and Gloucester City Council approved a resolution that will be sent to Governor Christie asking to remove any language in his upcoming budget that would freeze the Gloucester City Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) funding.

The UEZ was created in 2004 and, according to the resolution, has been a significant economic developmental tool for the business community.

UEZ businesses earn tax incentives and exemptions on certain purchases need-ed to run their businesses.

Due to the designation of Gloucester City as a UEZ, many benefits have been created that generated hundreds of new and full time jobs, Council members said during last week’s meeting.

Valuable funding was received to further create ec-onomic development pro-jects, and half of the mandated state sales tax is returned to the community for continued development.

According to the resolution, based on the language in the Fiscal 2011 budget brief proposed by Governor Christie, eliminating any part of the UEZ program or freezing the funds would greatly impact the City’s ability to recover from the present economic decline.

On April 6, 2010. Age 95. (nee Eckerle) Of West Collingswood Hts. Loving and devoted wife of 46 years to the late Daniel F. Lynch. Loving mother of Millie (Joseph) Piscopio. Loving grandmother of Linda J. Piscopio and Joseph P. Piscopio and great-grandmother of Daniel A., Christian J., Nola J., and Grace A. Piscopio. Predeceased by her siblings, Mae Scheurich, Irene Fithian, John W., William J. and Francis Eckerle.

Mildred was born and raised in Gloucester City and resided in Camden before settling in West Collingswood Hts. She was a faithful and devoted parishioner of Holy Maternity Church in Audubon and St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Gloucester City. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing on Friday morning from 9 to 10:30 AM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth St. Gloucester City.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth St. Gloucester City. Entombment New St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum, Bellmawr. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church Memorial Fund: at the above church address. Please write in the memo: Mildred Lynch. Expressions of sympathy: www.mccannhealey.com under online obituaries of Mildred Lynch. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Ph: 856-456-1142