\’ By Jamie Findlater Special to American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 28, 2008 – Iga Hagg knows all about care packages; in fact, after 10 years of sending them out, she\’s pretty much an expert. \”The troops appreciate beef jerky, sunflower seeds, movies, DVDs,\” she said. \”In the outlying areas, they appreciate receiving baby wipes and socks and hygiene products — and all this is topped off with tons of cookies.\” Hagg first realized the importance of care packages when her own son was deployed to the Balkans, she explained during an \”ASY Live\” BlogTalkRadio interview. The online radio program is an extension of the Defense Department\’s America Supports You program, which connects citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home or abroad. \”In every letter he would send, he would talk about how nine out of 10 of his buddies did not receive regular mail,\” Hagg said. Since 1998, her organization, \”Adopt a Platoon,\” has been sending out thousands of care packages to let U.S. troops know they care. In fact, she said, the group sends out about 30,000 pieces of mail and care packages a month. \”It is my experience,\” Hagg said, \”that Americans want to support the troops, but unless they have a deployed servicemember — a spouse or a son or daughter in the military — … they don\’t know how. … For this reason, we rely greatly on our \’platoon moms and dads.\’\” The group also works closely with combat hospitals and gets word from chaplains who tell them what items the troops need the most. One of Adopt a Platoon\’s current projects, \”Operation Don\’t Bug Me,\” stemmed from one of these requests. The group sends mosquito repellent during the summer months. Other operations range from supplying soldiers with sunglasses, to seasonal moral boosters such as \”Operation Holiday Stocking\” and even a special campaign called \”Operation Underwear.\” \”Only American mothers truly care and understand the most important needs that you wouldn\’t normally think about,\” she said. The group\’s \”Operation Crayon\” started in 1999 in the Balkans to help out with humanitarian missions in Bosnia and in Kosovo. Today, it serves areas in Iraq and Afghanistan. \”Now, while our troops help with reconstruction efforts, we can provide the writing tablets and supplies for the schools,\” Hagg said. A teacher by trade, Hagg said she understands that it is important to get everyone in the community involved. \”We rally fellow Americans, our neighbors and our community to stand behind our troops,\” she said. \”We encourage people to submit an application, and we follow through with personal phone calls. We work to involve teachers and their students, families, business, civic groups.\” Everyone can get involved as much or as little as they like, she said. \”A classroom in a senior high school wants to write letters, but can\’t afford the care packages,\” she said, \”so we form a partnership with them.\” Though trying to determine what items will truly give troops that extra push is a full-time job, Hagg said, it\’s worth the effort. She said troops appreciate cards and letters the most. \”They just need to know that we\’re thinking about them all the time,\” she explained. The success of the organization over the past decade is proof that America values its servicemembers, Hagg said. \”I had no idea in 1998 that we would be as big as we are today,\” she said. \”It just goes to show that our American people want our support our deployed sons and daughters.\” (Jamie Findlater, host of \”ASY Live\” on BlogTalkRadio.com, works in the New Media branch of American Forces Information Service.)

Related Sites: Adopt a Platoon ASY Live

By Linda Boker-Angelo

NEWS Correspondent

After considerable discussion, the Gloucester City Planning Board last week voted to recommend that Mayor and City Council commission the drafting of a full new master plan.

Last month, Board members had discussed the possibility of recommending a revision of the current master plan, which was adopted in the 1990s.

However, after considering input by City Council and more fully discussing the issue, Board members opted to endorse the creation of a brand new plan.

It would incorporate the City\’s new redevelopment areas, as well as the planned changes and anticipated goals of City leaders.

In other business, the Board approved proposed improvements to two homes in the City\’s historic district.

Those properties are located in the 200 block of Monmouth Street and the unit block of North King Street.

The Planning Board will hold its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, in City Hall, 313 Monmouth St.

Media Release May 1, 2008

Pitman, NJ – The College of New Jersey had one player named to the 2008 New Jersey Athletic Conference All-Star First Team, while five others earned second team and honorable mention honors. TCNJ’s junior shortstop Jeff Toth (Parlin, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial) headlined the 2008 Lions honored, while junior Adam Tussey (Brooklawn, NJ/Gloucester) was named to the second team and senior pitchers Mike Oliver (Crosswicks, NJ/Hamilton West) and Bob Buskett (Trenton, NJ/Notre Dame) as well as senior first baseman Bill Kropp (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts), and junior third baseman Vince Mazzaccaro (Gloucester, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) were all tapped for the honorable mention squad.

Toth, a 2007 Division III All-America Third Team honoree, earned a spot on the NJAC All-Star First Team this season after earning second team honors a year ago. On the 2008 season, Toth is batting .382 with 37 RBIs, nine doubles, three triples, six home runs and is 14-17 on stolen bases. Toth, who has a .625 slugging percentage this year, has also scored 40 runs, while connecting on 52 hits with 27 walks. A 35-game starter in 2008, Toth has started 80 games for the Lions and now has added 81 RBIs, 120 hits, 14 home runs, 10 triples, 15 doubles and scored 91 runs in his two seasons with the Lions.

Tussey, a transfer from nearby Rider University, has started all 36 games for the Lions this spring at second base and leads the Lions with his .392 average and 62 hits. Of those 62 hits, 57 are singles and has driven in 28 runs. He also leads the team with 158 at bats and has drawn 24 walks and struck out just six times, ranking 20th nationally as the toughest to strikeout.

Oliver boasts a 5-1 record with a 2.34 ERA in eight starts and has two complete games on the season. He has worked in 57.2 innings this spring and fanned 56 batters, both tops this season for the Lion pitching staff. On his career, Oliver has a 18-3 record while amassing 160 strikeouts in 182.1 innings of work. He had an unbeaten streak that grew to 10 games and spanned two seasons, before suffering a 3-0 loss last weekend at Kean. Oliver is currently a candidate for the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team.

Buskett has a 5-2 record this year for the Lions with a 3.74 ERA in eight appearances this year. He has racked up 55.1 innings this season while fanning 30 and has held the opposition to a .238 average with just 18 walks. On his career, he has worked in 196 innings with a 20-4 record with 121 strikeouts.

Kropp, who is also a candidate for the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team, has started 31 games for the Lions and has excelled at first base. He boasts a .346 average at the plate with eight extra-base hits and 23 RBIs. He has committed only two errors in 281 total chances this year for a .993 fielding percentage and has helped the Lions turn 27 double plays. Overall on his career, he has played in 122 games at TCNJ while collecting 123 hits and 73 RBIs.

Mazzaccaro, who earned a starting role late last season and has started every game this year at third base, has a .359 average on the 2008 campaign. He is second on the squad with 40 RBIs and has 52 hits with 15 extra-base hits including eight doubles and five home runs.

TCNJ finished the 2008 regular-season with a 28-8 overall record, while earning the No. 3 seed in the 2008 NJAC tournament after a 12-6 record in the league. TCNJ, which has captured the last three NJAC Championship titles, will open their 2008 championship run on Thursday, May 1 hosting fourth seeded Rowan University at George Ackerman Park at 3:30 p.m.

The NJAC tournament will then shift to Newark, New Jersey and will wrap on May 3-5 at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium with the league’s tournament champion earning the conference’s automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division III Championships. The 2008 NJAC championship baseball marks the fiftieth year the league has had a baseball champion and in those 49 previous year no program has won four championships in a row.

photo by Janet Bevan

Enjoying the recent Gloucester City High School Alumni Night held at the Brooklawn Legion include: L-R Carol Hurff Ritchie, Dot Evans, & Rae Lane Chew (Class of \’57).

Elvis was impersonated by Keith Gibson. Approximately 220 people were in attendance. Click photo to enlarge

According to Janet Bevan, one of the organizers of the event, \”The \”fund raiser\” for the scholarship social was very successful thanks to all who gave their support.

KEAN\’S IOVIERO NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR FOR SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON

NJAC Media Release

Kean University senior outfielder Derek Gianakas and Rowan University senior left-hander Ryan Kulik have been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Year respectively for the 2008 season.

A two-time first-team all-conference selection, Gianakas currently leads the NJAC in both slugging percentage (.746) and home runs (11). A two-time NJAC Player of the Week selection, he also ranks second in total bases (100) and third in runs scored (45). Against NJAC pitching, Gianakas hit .400 and posted league-best totals in slugging percentage (.917); runs scored (24); home runs (7); and total bases (55).

Kulik\’s selection as NJAC Pitcher of the Year marks the second time that he has garnered the league\’s top pitching honor, and the fifth time in six seasons that a Prof hurler has earned the selection. A two-time first-team all-conference selection, he currently leads the NJAC in opposing batting average (.173); innings pitched (73.0); strikeouts (112); wins (7); and games started (11). A four-time NJAC Player of the Week selection and the current NCAA Division III national leader in strikeouts, Kulik posted league-best conference-only marks in opposing batting average (.163) and strikeouts (55).

Kean junior right-hander Brandon Aich was named the league\’s Fireman of the Year as the conference\’s top relief pitcher. He currently ranks second in the NJAC in earned run average (1.72), opposing batting average (.174), and wins (6). Against NJAC competition, Aich posted a league-high five victories and ranked second in both earned run average (1.53), and opposing batting average (.167).

Rutgers-Newark freshman second baseman Matt Connors was named NJAC Rookie of the Year. A four-time NJAC Rookie of the Week selection, he hit .382 overall and currently ranks second in the league in hits (65) and third in the conference in runs scored (45). Connors finished the NJAC conference season ranked second in total hits (30).

One year after leading the Cougars to the NCAA Division III National Championship, Kean head coach Neil Ioviero was selected as NJAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season by his peers. Ioviero has led the Cougars to a 30-9 overall record, and their second consecutive NJAC regular season championship via a 14-4 conference mark. In 12 seasons at the helm of the Kean program, Ioviero has guided the Cougars to an overall record of 311-134.-2.

2008 NJAC BASEBALL ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS

http://www.enviroblog.org

Did you know your pet\’s food, toys, and bed don\’t have to be tested for safety?

EWG found 35 toxic chemicals in dogs and 46 in cats – most at even higher levels than we find in people. And pets grow 7 times faster than humans, so what happens to them (like increased cancer rates) might happen to people soon.

That\’s why Eddie, a dog on a mission, founded Pets for the Environment with the help of Environmental Working Group.

Sign up to get pet health tips and updates. Then check out the Wall of Cute and Eddie\’s Healthy Pet Tips.

By Albert Countryman Jr.

The Gloucester City Business Association (GCBA) announced at its meeting last week (Tuesday night) that Gloucester City has named Howard Clark of Channel 19 as the new coordinator of the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ).

A longtime officer with the GCBA, Clark had applied for the position after the current coordinator, Gina Dunphy, announced she was stepping down to spend more time with her family.

Clark, who is also the owner of Sports Video, will receive an annual salary as Coordinator of the Gloucester City UEZ.

Over the past 15 years, he has consistently supported local businesses working together to make Gloucester City a better place to live, work and shop.

Media Release

Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey softball team had four players honored by the New Jersey Athletic Conference for their performances on the diamond during the regular season, with two Lions earning a spot on the All-NJAC First Team.

Senior Christina Lizzi (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) and sophomore Ellen Seavers (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) both garnered first-team honors, while sophomore Ashley Minervini (Cliffside Park, NJ/Cliffside Park) was named All-NJAC Second Team and sophomore Danielle Hagel (Egg Harbor, NJ/Oakcrest) received All-NJAC Honorable Mention.

Lizzi made the team as a first baseman after earning second-team honors in 2005 and 2006 as an outfielder. The change of positions did not slow her at the plate as she batted a steady .291 with three home runs and 19 runs batted in. She was also a perfect on the base paths with 16 steals in 16 attempts and leads the team with 21 walks.

At shortstop, Seavers and anchored the middle infield for the Lions and has led the team in a host of offensive categories this season. She has been consistent from the start hitting safely in 33 of 38 games with 17 multiple-hit games. The infielder put together hitting streaks of 11 and 12 games and is batting team-leading .396. She received All-NJAC Honorable Mention as a freshman last season.

Minervini has been the workhorse of TCNJ’s pitching staff logging a team-best 136.1 innings in 27 appearances and is third in the NJAC in strikeouts with 124. She is also fifth in the conference with 13 wins, which is a career best, to go along with a 1.90 earned-run average.

Hagel earned All-NJAC Honorable Mention for the second straight year, with this year’s recognition coming as an outfielder. The sophomore has set career highs in home runs (3) and runs batted in (20), while making 36 starts this season. One of her home runs was a game-winning grand slam in the top of the seventh inning to beat New Jersey City University.

The team has already advanced to the second round of the NJAC Tournament as the fourth-seeded Lions knocked off third-seeded Rowan University on Tuesday, 4-0. TCNJ is currently 24-15 on the season and has won six of its last seven games.

-30-

April 29, 2008

\”I hope that you all are up for the fight, for it is my intention to take whatever action, no matter how drastic and explore whatever venue, no matter what the cost to prevent this from happening\”, Mayor William James 

Dear Citizens of Gloucester City,

Today I met with a representative of South Jersey Port Corporation regarding the proposed relocation of the Camden City Methadone Clinic to the Port Facility in South Camden. As I expressed my extreme displeasure with the plans to go forward with the project I was informed that a new location for said clinic has been identified.

The new location explained to me is the Air Products Facility directly on the right-hand side at the base of the Broadway Bridge. I\’ve been advised that this is a recently identified location that the Port facility owns.

After expressing my thoughts on the matter, I advised the Port representative that the fight is on and that I would do everything in my power to prevent this from happening.

After the meeting I contacted the Mayor of Camden City. And spoke with her regarding the new location selected by the Port. Mayor Faison was unaware of this new development and expressed her deepest concern as she no more wants the clinic at her entranceway than we want it on our entranceway. The Mayor referred me to The Camden City CEO former Superior Court Judge Theodore Davis. Judge Davis called me back later in the day and was caught off guard by the new information. The Judge promised that he would look into the matter and expressed his concern with placing the clinic anywhere near a city entranceway. He further advised that he would be contacting Joe Balzano of South Jersey Port as well as the Counsel to the Governor\’s Office.

I hope that you all are up for the fight, for it is my intention to take whatever action, no matter how drastic and explore whatever venue, no matter what the cost to prevent this from happening. The statistics don\’t lie, the clinic offers services to approximately 700 drug addicts a day and with all of our efforts to beautify our community entrances and exits in progress this would be absolutely devastating to our efforts not even taking into consideration the societal impact this facility and clientele would have upon our community and the Broadway Corridor.

We have already met with our neighbors in South Camden regarding the proposed plans of placing the clinic within the port facility and now with this new plan in existence I feel as though it\’s time to step up to whoever is responsible and forbid them from again dumping upon the City of Gloucester and the City of Camden.

I know we have a lot going on right now but I am placing this project at the top of our agenda. This situation that we face will have a dramatic impact upon the present and future quality of life within our community and I hope every one of you (members of Council), the news media and the fine citizens of Gloucester City are behind me for the \”Good Fight\”.

William P. James
Mayor of Gloucester City