Ordinance 73-15 addresses the issue of snow removal from sidewalks. The ordinance says \”It is the duty of the police officers of Gloucester City, to make complaint against any person or persons who violate73-15 of this ordinance\”.

Chief Berglund acknowledged that he did not assign any police officers to perform the required duty of the ordinance nor did he know how the time was established to start the count down for the violation.

Chief Housing Inspector Stecklair acknowledged that he volunteered his services to \”Be the Eyes and Ears of the Police Department\”.

It was his position that \”something needed to be done to ensure safe passage of children to school\”.

Stecklair then assigned Inspector Wagner to police the King St, Market St, Monmouth St, and Broadway corridors. When asked why Wagner listed nine owners not part of his instruction, he speculated that they may have been phoned in by complaining neighbors and Wagner added them to the list being forwarded to the police department.

When asked why such a small group of properties were selected instead of citing all properties city wide Mr. Stecklair said \”it is like catching speeders, you can’t catch them all\”.

I feel the properties weren’t going anywhere and could have been covered city wide.

The ordinance allows twelve hours to comply. Stecklair feels this is more than adequate time to comply. Berglund felt 24 hours may be more appropriate. All parties agree the ordinance needs to be rewritten.

I feel \”No rule is so general that it is without exception\” and the exceptions should be included in the ordinance.

Chief Berglund stated that letters have been sent out to administratively dismiss the tickets. The letter finds you guilty and warns all recipients that any future violation will be fully prosecuted and shall not be dismissed.

So the indication is that even if you would have been able to prove wrongful citation or prejudicial selection you are still guilty and lose the opportunity to have a future offense dismissed that will be afforded to others not preselected by Inspectors Stecklair and Wagner.

One question that comes to mind is what happened to \”fair and equal treatment under the law\”?

My letter is not intended to be the position of our public servants. It is therefore suggested that the city post the ordinance in question on its web site and that any/all named individuals post clarifications to my letter if they differ with any of the foregoing content. It will certainly improve communication between the city administration and the taxpayers.

signed A ClearysNoteBook (CNB) Reader

CNB Note: More details on this topic will be forthcoming in Monday’s Tips and Snippets column.

T’was the night of the snow storm

and all through the City,

Not a creature was stirring, it was so pretty.

I was walking my dog on a long winter’s night,

When back at the house I ran into my plight.

I locked myself out with nowhere to go.

One cold little dog all covered with snow.

I asked for some help from some teens throwing snow,

But they disappeared in the houses below.

And shining like a star there in the night,

Was the Gloucester City Firehouse, what a beautiful sight.

I rang their bell and what did I meet,

Some friendly fireman who worked on King Street.

They welcomed us into the firehouse so bright,

Where they keep watch both day and night.

And what to my wondering eyes did appear,

A big shining red fire truck and firemen in their gear.

They opened my house so lively and quick,

That I thought to myself they must work for St. Nick.

And as I watch them drive out of sight,

I thought I heard in the distance someone say.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Thanks to all the Gloucester City Firemen

who helped me that night.

Marilyn Flexon, Gloucester City (source Gloucester City News)

City Councilman Nicholas Marchese Jr. thanked Spencer for giving his time and efforts to the board, stating that the chairman brought an air of professionalism to the board which he feels board members will carry forward with them.

In other business, local resident and business owner Glenn Hastings withdrew his application for a use variance on his North King Street property.

Hastings had originally intended to seek approval to have a shed and storage trailer to accommodate one of the businesses he currently runs.

He operates a coffee shop at 28 N. King St., where he and his family also reside. He also runs a paintball business and sells portable hot tubs, in addition to his wife’s candle business.

Hastings was using the storage structures to keep stock for the spa business.

He told Board members that he has since moved the trailer and shed off the premises to a location in

Commentary By Bob Bevan

In these hard economical times, our city must do more with less. State aid will no longer be at the level that it has been in the past. Small businesses throughout the country are closing and people are losing their jobs. Our UEZ-Economical Development Department has been working hard to stem the tide. As some of our businesses have been closing, the UEZ has been recruiting new businesses to replace them. The new T.D. Bank on Broadway and Cumberland has added to our tax ratables and provided additional jobs. We will soon have a new company moving into the PRC Property on Jersey Avenue which will employ approximately 40 people. The Philadelphia Pretzel Factory celebrated its \”grand opening\” this past spring. O’Donnell’s, now called O’Donnell’s Bar & Grille, was completely renovated inside and out by it’s new owners and recently opened their doors. Expected to open this summer is a new steakhouse restaurant, located on Jersey Avenue and opening soon will be a pharmacy to replace the RxD Pharmacy located on Monmouth Street.

Claudia and Mark Hirmer, mother and father of six children, are on criminal trial with eleven other people:

UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO OUR CONSTITUTION, DISCLOSING GOVERNMENT FRAUD CANNOT BE MADE A CRIME . . .

UNLESS YOU ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN

The Supreme Court will decide on January 15th, 2010, whether to hear the Hirmer’s case or whether they will continue the government cover up of the theft of your hard earned money in utter disregard for our continued freedom and prosperity. You have until then to act.

Do you want to stop the theft of your money? Do you want to preserve your right not to be put on trial for spreading the truth? Do you want to preserve your right to defend yourself from bogus allegations you are a criminal? Freedom of speech is so important to our continued well being that our Founding Fathers made it the 1st Amendment. Will preserving that freedom be your first priority of the New Year?

FightBackNow.us is your one stop destination to discover the truth and take simple steps to demand the Supreme Court hear these critical issues. Do it for yourself, do it for your kids and grand kids, and do it for your Country.

This is important. Please visit the website, spend a few minutes educating and convincing yourself of the truth, and then notify the media, the Supreme Court and Congress that we will no longer tolerate what passes for justice in America. We’ve made it simple to let your voice be heard in a number of ways; please ring the bell of freedom. It only takes a couple of minutes of your time.

And pass this e-mail on to your friends and family

\”Fools,\” said I, \”you do not know Silence like a cancer grows.\”

–Simon and Garfunkle

Still, 2010 brings a clean slate, and a fresh start. Here’s hoping the economy rebounds and our soldiers come home soon.