Independent Westville Mayor Candidate’s Election Remarks

Dear Westville Neighbors,

November 7, 2026–First, I would like to congratulate all of our newly elected officials and wish them much success as they serve our community.

I also want to sincerely thank every resident who supported me, encouraged me, shared their concerns, and took the time to get involved throughout this election. Your support has meant more to me than you know.

Although the election is behind us, my commitment to Westville has not changed. There are three things I especially want to keep working toward.

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CNBNews Archives: The Cleary’s of Camden City,

(RELEASED in the 1980’s)

THE CLEARYS OF CAMDEN

201:JAMES FRANCIS CLEARY, (John200, James1) was born on February 10, 1863, in Camden, New Jersey.. (1863-1924); He died August 13, 1924, at 555 Pine Street in Camden, New Jersey of organic heart disease. James was interred on August 18, 1924, at Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The directories of Camden list him at various addresses between 1883 and 1892 near Pine Street, where his parents lived. After the death of his mother, Mary, he was left with lifetime tenancy in a house at 705 South Sixth Street. His occupation changed from laborer to collector to driver for Burnett and Betts, then to work in “wine and liquors” in 1892. From 1893 through 1897, he appears to have been in business for himself with a partner named Corbett. From 1898 through 1905, he lived at 225 Pine Street and was listed as a “bottler.”

His niece, Agnes (Cleary) Weatherby, remembers that he had a ‘soda fountain’ during the early 1920s. A news account in the Camden Daily Courier on Thursday, August 14, 1924, under the headline JAMES CLEARY DIES SUDDENLY, SOUTH CAMDEN MAN DROPS DEAD WHILE SERVING MAN IN STORE,

reads as follows:

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Philly Cop Killer Acquitted in 2019 Murder Case Due to Misconduct

Eric Lewis, Suspect accused of killing Police Officer Shane Seibert

PHILADELPHIA PA (October 14, 2026)–Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner told NBC10 the suspect in killing Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seibert should not have been acquitted in a previous murder trial, but misconduct involved in that investigation “forced” the judge to find him not guilty,

Despite his criminal record, 35-year-old Eric Lewis, worked for the city of Philadelphia. He was charged with killing Officer Seibert and wounding another officer, worked for the City of Philadelphia.

The district attorney’s comments come after the NBC10 Investigators found that Lewis was prosecuted in a separate 2019 homicide case but was acquitted at trial.

Krasner said a judge acquitted Lewis after finding misconduct. (video courtesy of NBC10 Philadelphia

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CNBNews Photo of the Day: A Red -tailed Hawk Visits Us

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ –Earlier today, a Red-tailed Hawk visited us; it landed on our backyard deck. I was able to watch it from inside my house for a few minutes before it flew away.

Some time ago, I was walking Peyton, and as we approached our home, a dove flew low above my head and into our garage. Seconds later, a Red-tailed Hawk appeared and landed on top of my parked van outside the garage.

Peyton and I stood across the street from my house for 15 minutes, watching this deadly scenario unfold. Would the dove be so foolish as to leave the sanctuary of my garage? Or would the hawk fly into the garage to flush its quarry out into the open?

As time passed, my patience wore thin. I let Peyton off her lead, and as soon as she ran up the driveway, the hawk flew away. I peeked inside the garage and found the dove perched on a rafter. When I checked on it an hour later, it was gone.

According to the All About Birds website, most Red-tailed Hawks are rich brown above and pale below, with a streaked belly and, on the underside of the wing, a dark bar between the shoulder and wrist. The tail is usually pale below and cinnamon-red above, though in young birds it is brown and banded. “Dark-morph” birds are entirely chocolate-brown with a warm red tail. “Rufous-morph” birds are reddish-brown on the chest with a dark belly.

The website states that a person is unlikely to see this bird in their backyard unless the yard is quite large. Red-tailed Hawks eat mostly mammals, so they are less likely to visit a popular feeder than a Cooper’s Hawk or Sharp-shinned Hawk. It is very rare for a Red-tailed Hawk to go after dogs or cats.

The Red-tailed Hawk has a thrilling, raspy scream that sounds exactly like a raptor should sound. At least, that is what Hollywood directors seem to think. Whenever a hawk or eagle appears onscreen, regardless of the species, the shrill cry heard on the soundtrack is almost always that of a Red-tailed Hawk.

Gloucester City FD Staffs 2nd Fire Co. at No Cost to Residents

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (October 4, 2026)(CNBNews) — The Gloucester City Fire Department has announced that it will begin staffing a second fire company, a change that allows the department to place a ladder truck in service with dedicated staffing — and to do so without adding to the cost borne by the community.

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CNB Hunting News: Maryland Spring Turkey Harvest over 5,000 Birds

Maryland Spring Turkey Hunters Report Harvest of 5,094 Birds

June 1, 2026

Wild turkey

Photo by Tessa Farley, submitted to the 2021 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.

Maryland hunters harvested a total of 5,094 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring season. This year’s harvest was 5% higher than last year but remained below the record harvest of 5,356 set in 2023.

“Favorable weather helped contribute to another productive spring season for Maryland turkey hunters,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “While populations can fluctuate across regions and from year to year, turkey hunters continue to enjoy quality hunting opportunities across Maryland.”

Garrett County reported the highest harvest with 542 turkeys, followed by Charles County with 452 and Worcester County with 430 turkeys. Allegany and Washington counties also reported over 300 birds each.

Youth hunters started the spring turkey season with the Junior Turkey Hunt, April 11-12. A total of 441 wild turkeys were taken during that weekend, representing 8% of the total. Sunday hunting accounted for 14% of the statewide harvest.

Hunting licenses for the 2026-27 season will be available starting July 1 on the Maryland DNR website. The major fall hunting seasons begin Sept. 1 with mourning dove season, and deer hunting begins with archery season on Sept. 11.

Harvests by county for the past five seasons are below:

County	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Allegany	282	483	345	314	372
Anne Arundel	85	136	106	118	101
Baltimore	82	101	89	71	85
Calvert	72	99	107	101	100
Caroline	168	174	151	162	192
Carroll	94	132	125	118	130
Cecil	67	95	86	112	130
Charles	334	445	472	445	452
Dorchester	170	180	211	226	216
Frederick	343	391	322	281	294
Garrett	436	579	546	506	542
Harford	91	128	105	98	108
Howard	51	61	40	43	46
Kent	160	184	130	184	193
Montgomery	164	206	150	121	137
Prince George’s	115	164	135	129	123
Queen Anne’s	144	170	191	186	240
Somerset	176	199	202	175	184
St. Mary’s	204	253	226	282	293
Talbot	84	96	95	119	102
Washington	400	515	445	406	382
Wicomico	193	215	238	254	242
Worcester	293	350	442	400	430
Total	4,208	5,356	4,959	4,851	5,094

Coming in July New E-bike Requirements, Includes Having Insurance, License

William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (May 31, 2026)(CNBNews)–Electric scooters and electric bikes have flooded into Gloucester City and surrounding towns, and the results are becoming harder to ignore. What began as a convenient way to get around has quickly turned into a safety problem for anyone who uses our sidewalks, jogging paths, or neighborhood streets responsibly.

The danger isn’t theoretical. On my daily walks with Sweetie, I’ve had kids on these motorized bikes come up behind us without a sound. These machines make no noise, so you can’t hear them approaching until they’re already on top of you. More than once, a rider has blown past us at high speed, leaving no time to react. In one instance, a teenager on an e‑bike came straight at the dog and me, expecting us to move aside. I was forced to step off the path or be hit. That’s not “sharing the road”—that’s intimidation.

Recently, we also heard of an electric scooter allegedly striking a pedestrian at the Johnson Boulevard Jogging Track in Gloucester City. That didn’t surprise us. We’ve watched riders whip around that park as if safety rules apply only to someone else. Not long after, we saw a motorbike racing down the sidewalk toward the Market Street Wawa before cutting directly into oncoming traffic. These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of a growing pattern of reckless behavior that puts innocent people at risk.

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Tuesday Show Your Disgust with Gloucester City’s Tax and Spend Policy, Vote Republican!

Cleary’s Notebook News Opinion

This Tuesday, Gloucester City residents have a chance to send a message to the Democratic Party that they are taking back their City. This General Election is a crucial opportunity to address the $4,000 plus increase in property taxes since 2021.

Running for the three seats on the Republican side are Anthony D. Kates, a local resident and business owner; Sandra “Sandy” Reed, a veteran in civic engagement; and Patricia “Pattie” Kropp, a vocal champion for taxpayer rights—bringing their own visions for change.

Seeking the three at-large council seats on the Democratic Ticket are Edward Cilurso III, Robert Page, an advocate for community betterment, and Joy-Ann Madrack, a proponent of social issues.

For 45 long years, the Democratic Party has dominated Gloucester City. This election is an opportunity for residents to question whether their leadership has truly served the community’s best interests. Critics say the Democrats are more concerned about getting jobs for family members than about lowering property taxes.

A 2019 NJ.com article ranked Gloucester City among the top 30 towns in New Jersey with the highest property tax rates, underscoring the need for decisive action and substantial debate about fiscal policy. Property taxes have risen sharply over the last six years.

Since 2021, the city has operated without a full-time administrator and police chief. The steady increase in taxes indicates it’s time to hire a qualified city administrator with the necessary educational background.

**GLOUCESTER CITY TAX RATE IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE USA**

Gloucester City, located in Camden County, currently faces an effective property tax rate of 3.99%. This is not just high; it’s excessive when compared to the national median of 1.02%. This staggering rate places Gloucester City among the highest tax burdens in the United States. In March 2025, *Ownwell, a tax appeal company, highlighted this issue, suggesting that residents cannot afford to remain complacent any longer.

The local Democratic Party is well aware that residents of Gloucester City are experiencing financial challenges. That fact is the reason why this city was classified as an Abbott district in 1993 due to its low socioeconomic status. Additionally, Gloucester City was designated as an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) in the 1980s because it is considered a distressed area with high unemployment. However, records indicate that the local Democratic Party is largely unconcerned about the fact that many residents are struggling to cope with rising property taxes.

**CC COMMISSIONERS BROKE THEIR PROMISE**

This Tuesday, we will recall the broken promise made over twenty years ago by the Camden County Democratic Freeholder Board, now called the Commissioners. After finishing repairs on the Little Timber Creek Bridge, we were promised improvements to County Highway 551, which runs through Brooklawn and Gloucester City. Decades later, that road still consists of potholes and road patches. As you drive over it the ruts in the road feel like you are driving on a dirt path. If you support the Democrats running for a seat on that board, vote for them. But don’t complain when your teeth rattle as you drive on Route 551 entering or leaving Brooklawn and Gloucester City.

**CIATTARELLI IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR GOVERNOR**

A recent poll suggests that the New Jersey gubernatorial race could be tightening, with Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill leading Republican Jack Ciattarelli by four points. Sherrill is one of the D.C. Democrats who are responsible for the federal government shutdown that has occurred over the past month. They are advocating for illegal immigrants in our country to receive free health care, which would cost taxpayers a trillion dollars. Sherrill has not clarified her stance on this issue; she simply states that “basic humanity” influences the debate. Moreover, she has not explained how $7 million suddenly appeared in her bank account. It’s time for Republicans to reclaim the governor’s seat in New Jersey. We urge voters to support Ciattarelli on Tuesday.

*Ownwell is a technology-enabled property tax appeal company that helps homeowners and commercial property owners lower their property tax bills. They combine local property tax experts with AI-driven software to manage the entire appeal process on their clients’ behalf. source AI