Regarding the rumor that I am in favor of the privatization of the Camden County Jail.

The Camden County Mayors Association does not and cannot speak for individual Mayors, it can however express support or non-support of issues affecting the County as a whole through a majority of membership vote.

The reported vote to support privatization by the Mayors Association does not reflect my opinion as it relates to this matter.

It has only been since late November 2009 that I first heard any mention of a plan and since that time, I have received information from both the Camden County Board of Freeholders in support of the privatization and the Correction Officers Union who are opposed to privatization.

I have reviewed both arguments and have become enlightened as to the magnitude of this endeavor and the possible implications it could have upon Countywide Public Safety.

With a background of 26 years Law Enforcement experience behind me and three years as Mayor of an affected municipality behind me, I continue as I always have, to concern myself with the future of Public Safety, not only in my community but surrounding communities and across the State as well.

The incarceration of violent and dangerous criminals is a necessary and lawful need of every society since the beginning of civilization and governments of every level, Federal, State, County and Municipal are charged with the inherent responsibility to provide this service in the safest and most professional manner.

My experiences throughout my career and my conversations over the years with Correction Officers from all over the State, paint a clear picture for the need to provide our citizenry with professional, trained, law enforcement officers to handle what is, the most dangerous and physically and psychologically demanding task in the Law Enforcement profession, working in a Jail.

With questions still to be answered and alternatives to be investigated, I do not support Privatization of the Camden County Jail as the only solution to this dilemma and I will continue to educate myself in a timely manner so I can become more informed on the issue.

After much discussion a spike was purchased and placed on the church raising to the height of 82 feet.

source

But what does that mean on a local level?

The remedies offered by Gloucester City are often encased in a \”Catch-21\” cycle.

For example, the Gloucester City Library offers free computer classes so that residents can apply for unemployment on-line.

It also offers on-line job searches and resume writing classes.

However, Librarian Erica Cathers said, \”We did not see much of a response at the end of 2008. It just seemed to bottom out.

\”The State of New Jersey gave us a grant for a job searching program, we had a program on resume writing courtesy of Robert Marino, and we attempted to schedule slots so that we could personalize the library’s services to residents, she said.

\”But, we don’t get many people in here for the classes, now. They may not be computer-savvy and embarrassed to admit it.

\”Maybe they are overwhelmed. There is no way to tell. And, we can’t really ask people too many personal questions because of confidentiality issues,\” Cat-hers said.

A visit to the library January 7 revealed that no one had signed up for the two classes scheduled for that evening – \”Meet the Computer,\” and \”Unemployment Claim Filing.\”

While Ms. Cathers was forthcoming in her responses, the other librarian on duty declined to speak.

\”She has nothing to add,\” Cathers said. \”We are here to help people, but we have to exercise discretion.\”

The Gloucester City Library, a stand-alone facility without ties to any other libraries, has helpful information on its website about how to apply for food stamps on-line, how to apply for energy assistance, and it provides links to other government-sponsored programs.

The library website for those interested in learning the computer is: gcpl.us-/ComputerNewbie. The website for job hunting help, Help for Hard Times, is gloucestercitylibrary.-wordpress.com/2009/10/15/job-hunting.

Also, there are more computer classes scheduled every week to help people look for jobs or learn how to use a computer.

For those looking for work, despair has a human face.

Worry and despair were in the face of Mike Berenato, 52, a Gloucester City resident and union worker for 12 years before losing his job. A burly man, Mike had the look of years of physical labor about him.

He seemed eager to share his story.

\”I moved here 18 months ago to be closer to my job,\” he said. \”My family and I moved from Mantua, where we had lived for 30 years. I thought it would make life easier. Then, I lost my job.

\”I was a member of the Rotary Club and really enjoyed that. I dropped out without letting them know why because I am so embarrassed about being broke. I volunteer with a charity, and we can’t find investors with this economy; everyone is hurting,\” Mike added.

When asked to sum up his emotions during this difficult time, he responded quickly, \”Depressed.\”

\”I’m too depressed to even visit with friends. If they call me and say, ‘Mike, come on over,’ what am I going to bring with me? A bad attitude?\”

There are a lot of people hurting from unemployment in Gloucester City, and throughout the state.

People walking down Broadway with seemingly nowhere to go are the human faces of the nation’s poor economy.

However, there is help in Gloucester City, and in the state of New Jersey.

A good place to start is the Gloucester City Library. For information call 456-4181.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his viewing on Thursday evening from 7 to 9 pm and Friday morning from 9 to 10 am at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City.

Mass of Christian Burial Friday 10:30 am at St. Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth St. Gloucester City. Interment Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown.

Assistant Camden County Prosecutor Alfred Durney said Creamer was serving a 40-year sentence for aggravated manslaughter; Springer took a plea agreement and is serving a 12-year sentence. Durney said he was seeking a five-year prison term for Sluzalis and told Natal that she had lied on the witness stand about her drug use and past run-ins with the law.

Ryan has stepped up to the plate not only for his family but for our country. The only thing he is asking for is Spaghettios and towels. I think it would be great to send him more than he and his comrades could handle.

The Yellow Ribbon Club will take care of the shipping; just need some Spaghettios and towels. Adding socks to his care packages would probably be good too.
Thank you.

Principal Jack Don praised Weichman for her grades and participation in many extracurricular activities, including the Leo Club and the Choir.

Weichman would like to one day attend Maine College of Arts, and eventually enter the Peace Corp.

Sara Deetz, a fifth grader at Mary Ethel Costello School, talked about some of the programs at Costello.

Deetz is an honor student and plays basketball and softball.

\”Mary Ethel is a school full of bright and energetic students,\” she stated.

Third grader Trinity Booth told board members about some upcoming events planned for the children at Cold Springs School.

Jeffrey Munoz, 18, has been at the Highland Park Program for Success for four years. He thanked former principal George Henry and current principal Victoria Ernst for their support and assistance.

Munoz said he likes the people with whom he goes to school, his teachers and the class trips.

\”He’s just a really helpful, generous young man,\” commented Ernst.

During the public forum, resident Michael Hopkins questioned how the district verifies that students actually reside in the city.

Superintendent Paul Spaventa said there are individuals whose specific job is to verify student residence and investigate claims of non-residency.

Hopkins complained that he has been cited by the City for children, of whom he was not made aware, living in his rental properties.

Board president Louisa Llewellyn directed Hopkins to go to the City for assistance with his problem, as the Board of Education would have nothing to do with Certificate of Occupancy issues.

The Board will meet again at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, for a caucus session. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 9 at 7 p.m. in the GHS media center.