ClearysNoteBook

Gloucester City Water Responsible for Killing Pond and Aquarium Fish

By Bill Cleary

On June 23, a resident sent a letter to ClearysNoteBook.com complaining about Gloucester City’s water killing her pond fish.  The letter reads as follows,

Gloucester City Residents- Take heed and don’t make the mistake I made. As you may know, Gloucester City is in the process of building a new “water treatment” plant. Here’s my story. On Monday, the water in my fish pond was extremely low so I took the garden hose and filled it up. I then fed my eight gold fish that have lived in my pond for three years. After a couple hours, I went out in the yard to check on the water level and found eight “dead” fish.

Since I was shocked with my discovery, I phoned Bill’s Wonderland of Pets and told my story to a very attentive guy. He asked me where I lived and when I answered Gloucester City, he said, “want to hear a story?” He continued to tell me about a woman, who lives in Gloucester and that she breeds “Angel Fish” for the store and recently lost a couple of her tanks of fish. He then said there is very likely a problem with Gloucester’s water having too much chlorine and ammonia which killed the fish.

So, to anyone with tropical fish or backyard fish ponds, DO NOT change or add any Gloucester City water without first getting the water tested and treated!

A Sad Pet Owner

Following the posting of that letter (two weeks ago) numerous complaints and comments from other residents who experienced the same problem were posted on CNB. I called the plant a couple of times to speak with the superintendent of the department, Fred Schindler, but was told finally today he is on vacation. However, I did learn that a statement from the department was going to be released today to the weekly newspaper, the Gloucester City News and Channel 19.

I was able to obtain a copy of the unsigned letter which warns residents about the city water killing pond and aquarium fish.

It reads as follows,  

Construction continues at the Water Department. To date 300 pilings have been set with 100 more left to do.

The Gloucester City Utilities Department has also made required modifications to the treatment and operations of the plant. These changes have had minimal impact on water quality or quantity, although interruptions were anticipated.

Recently on or about the third week of June to the first week of July, possible water problems have been reported concerning loss of aquarium and pond fish. Resulting from our investigations, we believe that the combination of chlorine and associated by-products had an acute affect on fish. This situation in no way suggests that there is a health concern to the residents of the City.

The Gloucester City Utility Department continues its promise to deliver proper water quality and quantity in accordance with all state and federal regulations. We welcome any questions or comments you may have and are sorry for any inconvenience this project may cause. Please feel free to call us at 456-0169. This is a 24 hour active line.

photo by Bill

Construction of the new water treatment plant, costing $9.4 million is moving along. Above pilings for the new building are being put into the ground.

The existing Gloucester City Water Treatment Plant was originally constructed in the early 1880s. The reservoir and filter building were constructed in 1883, while the settling tank and pump house were constructed in 1921. The main treatment equipment, which are the pressure sand filter tanks were installed in 1959.

The replacement is needed to improve water quality being pumped from the City wells and to replace existing equipment that has exceeded its life expectancy.

In 1995 the City received a grant of $180,000 from the New Jersey Historic Preservation Bond Program to restore the exterior masonry of the building. See New Jersey Historic Trust .

ROWAN EARNS USTFCCCA DIVISION III ALL-ACADEMIC TRACK AND FIELD TEAM HONORS

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Rowan University received United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Men’s Division III All-Academic Track and Field Team honors.

The USTFCCCA honored 51 teams this year. Schools are chosen based on a combination of academic and athletic achievements. The top honor goes to the team that has the highest combination of overall finish at the NCAA Division III Indoor and/or Outdoor Championships and cumulative grade point average (GPA). To be nominated, a team must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.1. The Profs ranked 50^th among the qualifying schools with a 3.159 GPA.

CATEGORY ROWAN U

American Hero: Spc. Christopher M. Talbert, 24, of Galesburg, Ill.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Christopher M. Talbert, 24, of Galesburg, Ill., died July 7 in Shindad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, Marion, Ill.

CATEGORY AMERICAN HERO

 

Christie Still Leads NJ Gov. Race

Rasmussen Reports™:

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state shows Christie with a seven-point lead over Corzine, 46% to 39%. A month ago, immediately following his GOP Primary victory, Christie led by 13 percentage points. The current numbers are just about identical to the pre-primary numbers from May.

Westville Man Pleads Guilty to 4 Bank Robberies

CAMDEN – A Westville man pleaded guilty today to committing four bank robberies in Camden and Gloucester Counties, Acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra, Jr., announced. 

Phillip Jones, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to a one count Information that charges him with bank robbery. Judge Kugler continued the
defendant’s detention and scheduled sentencing for Oct. 15. 

At his plea hearing, Jones admitted that in less than a three-week period, in April and May of 2009, he robbed four banks by presenting demand notes to bank tellers, in which he claimed to have a gun. Furthermore, Jones admitted that in one of those robberies he displayed the butt of a handgun that was tucked into his waistband.

Jones admitted committing the following bank robberies; 

ROWAN’S BIEHN NAMED TO USTFCCCA DIVISION III ALL-ACADEMIC TRACK AND FIELD TEAM

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Rowan University’s Sean Biehn was chosen to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division III All-Academic Track and Field Team.

The USTFCCCA honors student-athletes for their academic and athletic achievements during both the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. In order to qualify for the All-Academic Track and Field Team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 or higher and have earned a NCAA automatic or provisional in their respective event.

American Hero: Pfc. Nicolas H. J. Gideon, 20, of Murrieta, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Pfc. Nicolas H. J. Gideon, 20, of Murrieta, Calif., died July 6 at Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered earlier that day in Paktya, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fires.

He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

CATEGORY AMERICAN HERO

Media Help Obama Gear Up for 'Stimulus, The Sequel'

http://www.businessandmedia.org

“Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” That’s a saying once bungled by President George W. Bush, to the loud delight of the liberal media. But that same media should keep it in mind as Washington mulls a second round of stimulus spending.

A July 7 Bloomberg story by Shamim Adam reported that Laura Tyson, an economic advisor to the Obama administration, had put forward the notion that the $787 billion approved in February was “a bit too small,” and that government should consider a second stimulus package “focusing on infrastructure projects.”

Although Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., maintains there is “no showing that a second stimulus is needed,” other members, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer in a July 7 Politico article, say it shouldn’t be taken off the table.

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Is City Council Woman Dodging Corzine's Taxes with a Florida License/Residency?

Just the Latest to Express Her Disgust with Democrats' Tax Increases?

According to reports on politickernj.com, Democrat Jersey City councilwoman Nidia Lopez may be the latest casualty to lose her job because of high tax policies embraced by Governor Jon Corzine.  Nidia Lopez won election to the Jersey City Council despite possibly having unlawfully claimed her residency as Florida - a low tax state where New Jersey residents frequently move to avoid high taxes.  If true, the councilwoman would almost certainly be removed from her position.

Haddon Heights Man Sentenced for Mail Fraud, Money Laundering

CAMDEN – The former president and CEO of All Freight Logistics, Inc., was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison today on mail fraud and money laundering charges in connection with his Ponzi scheme to defraud investors of approximately $5.8 million, Acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra, Jr. announced.

U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb also ordered Glyn Richards, 45, of Haddon Heights, to serve 3 years of supervised release upon the completion of his prison term. Richards has been held in federal custody since his capture in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 9, 2009, after he fled while free on a $350,000 secured bond pending sentencing. In addition, Judge Bumb scheduled a restitution hearing for Sept. 28 to determine the appropriate amount of restitution Richards must pay to the victims of his scheme.

SIX MUNICIPALITIES RECEIVE COAH CERTIFICATION

24 Towns Now Certified Under COAH’s Revised Third Round Rules

TRENTON – Six more municipalities today received substantive certification under the Council on Affordable Housing’s (COAH) revised third round rules.  The action came during today’s COAH Board meeting.  The municipalities are: Blairstown Township, Cape May Point Borough, Flemington Borough, Florence Township, Milford Borough, and Old Bridge Township.

24TH ANNUAL WILDLIFE ART SHOW SET FOR AUG. 7-9

The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area visitor center will feature hundreds of original paintings and fine-art prints from some of the best-known wildlife artists in the state during its annual Wildlife Art Show from Aug. 7-9.  The show is free, and the hours are: Friday, 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

In addition to the artists’ sales, the show will offer tickets for $2 each or three for $5 to win a selection of artwork in a drawing that will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9.  Proceeds from the drawing will benefit The Wildlands Preservation Fund land acquisition program. 

Data Needed to Avert Closure of Snapper/Grouper Fishery

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) is currently considering a management alternative, which would close the Mid-Atlantic snapper/grouper fishery.  The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's Marine Fisheries Administration is reaching out to snapper/grouper anglers to collect catch data necessary to avert the closure of the Mid-Atlantic fishery by the SAFMC.

Information on the SAFMC snapper/grouper fishery management alternative, the list of species affected by the alternative and contact information for reporting Mid-Atlantic snapper/grouper catch data is available at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/mardataneeded.

Ceremony Commemorates Vietnam War’s First Combat Casualties

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2009 – Bright blue skies above the National Mall today belied the solemnity of the ceremony commemorating the first two American combat casualties of the Vietnam War.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Chester Ovnand and Maj. Dale Buis were the first two U.S. servicemembers killed in the Vietnam War. Their sacrifice was honored in Washington, D.C., Jyly 8, 2009, in a ceremony commemorating the 50th Anniversary of their deaths. DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden

“On this date 50 years ago, two men lost their lives in a country that most of us here in the United States had never heard of at the time,” said Jan C. Scruggs, founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. “The deaths of U.S. Army military advisors Maj. Dale Buis and Master Sgt. Chester Ovnand marked the beginning of a lengthy war, which became a very divisive event for our society.” 

U.S. involvement in Vietnam ended in 1975. By then, the fighting had claimed the lives of more than 58,000 U.S. servicemembers and nearly 2 million Vietnamese.

FDA: New Public Health Regulation to Improve Egg Safety and Reduce Salmonella Illnesses

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced a regulation expected to prevent each year 79,000 cases of foodborne illness and 30 deaths caused by consumption of eggs contaminated with the bacterium Salmonella enteritidis.

The final rule requires preventive measures during the production of shell eggs in poultry houses and requires subsequent refrigeration during storage and transportation. 

Egg-associated illness caused by Salmonella is a serious public health problem. Infected individuals may suffer mild to severe gastrointestinal illness, short term or chronic arthritis, or even death. Implementing the preventive measures would reduce the number of Salmonella enteritidis infections from eggs by nearly 60 percent.

NJ Open Government NOTES by John Paff

http://njopengovt.blogspot.com

In the past week or so, four news articles and editorials have been published that show that many local governments around the state are scrambling to drastically lower the cost of paper copies. 

PHOTO: John Paff

(photographer Kathy Johnson)

Those articles are downloadable here.

07/02/09 Article - New Jersey Law Journal "Town Insurers Fear Effects of Ruling Limiting OPRA Charges to Actual Costs"
http://ogtf.lpcnj.org/2009188Yg//a90702NJLJ.pdf 

07/05/09 Article - Daily Record (Morristown). "Can cost a bundle for Morris public records."
http://ogtf.lpcnj.org/2009188Yg//a90705RecordArticle.pdf 

07/08/09 Editorial - Daily Record (Morristown). "The cost of public records Towns should follow court guidance and reduce fees."
http://ogtf.lpcnj.org/2009188Yg//a90708RecordEditorial.pdf 

07/08/09 Article - New Jersey Herald (Newton). "Towns slash public records fees"
http://ogtf.lpcnj.org/2009188Yg//a90708HeraldArticle.pdf

I urge readers to inform their local officials about this cost-lowering movement and urge them to follow suit. 

 John Paff
Somerset, New Jersey

Camden Police & Prosecutor’s Office Investigating Workers’ Death

Press Release July 8, 2009

Camden County Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk and Camden Police Chief Scott Thomson reported Wednesday a death at the N. 36th Street Cocoa Services factory Wednesday morning.

Vincent Smith II, M/29, of Camden, died at the factory on the 700 block of N. 36th Street about 10:30 a.m. Smith was a temp worker at the business.

Smith was standing on a 9-foot-high platform loading solid chocolate into a melting vat when he fell into the 8-foot-deep vat. A coworker immediately hit an emergency shutoff switch and two others tried to pull Smith out, but he was hit by an agitator, a large paddle-like piece of machinery in the vat used to mix the solid chocolate as it melts, and suffered fatal injuries from the blow. Firefighters removed Smith from the vat. He died at the scene.

Lyons & Sons, Inc., which owns the 36th Street building and manages the Cocoa Services operation, closed the business for the day after the accident.

Camden Police and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene and are investigating, but preliminary information suggests the death was an accident.

Hospitals, White House Reach Accord on Cuts to Pay for Reform

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org Jul 07, 2009

Major hospital groups reached an agreement Monday with the White House and Senate Democrats to accept $155 billion in payment cuts over ten years, a concession that would help pay for proposed health care reforms, the Washington Post reports. Government savings would come mainly from lower Medicare and Medicaid payments to the hospitals, and smaller subsidies for providing care to the uninsured. Hospitals expect to make up some of the losses by increasing their volume as anticipated reforms bring health insurance to many of the 47 million Americans who don't have coverage. 

"A source close to the negotiations said a deal was struck after discussions about the "shared responsibility" of the entire health-care system -- including doctors, insurers, individuals and the government -- and an understanding that each part of the system would sacrifice to make it work," the Post reports (Connolly and Shear, 7/7). 

FORMER ROWAN PITCHER KULIK NAMED TEXAS LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK

GLASSBORO, NJ – Former Rowan University left-hander Ryan Kulik was selected the Texas League of Professional Baseball Clubs Pitcher of the Week.

Kulik (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), now with the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, pitched seven shutout innings in a 2-1 victory over Frisco (July 3). He only allowed two hits and struck out one hitter. Kulik has won his last two starts, putting together a 16.1 scoreless innings streak. This season, he is 3-5 with a 4.73 earned run average and 24 strikeouts in 13 starts.

Remains of Seven U.S. Troops Killed in Afghanistan Returned Home

CATEGORY AMERICAN HERO

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Benjamin J. Matwey
Special to American Forces Press Service

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del., July 8, 2009 – The remains of seven American troops killed July 6 during combat operations in Afghanistan returned to their nation during a dignified transfer this afternoon at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

HONORING THE FALLEN - A U.S. Navy team transfers the remains of Petty Officer 2nd Class Tony M. Randolph at Dover Air Force Base, July 8, 2009, as Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined Rear Adm. James J. Shannon, commander of the Naval Warfare Center, Army Brig. Gen. Michael T. Harrison Sr., director of Joint and Futures, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G8, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington D.C., and Air Force Col. Manson O. Morris, commander, 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base. U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik

Twenty-six family members from every region of the country stood on the tarmac witnessing their loved one's return.

Attention: SAINT MARY SCHOOL ALUMNI

GLOUCESTER CITY NJ-Are you a graduate of Saint Mary School?  We would love to hear from you, let us know how you are doing!

Please contact Saint Mary School Alumni President; Theresa Gorman at sistmc@yahoo.com or call (856) 456-9296.

Join our facebook page: The sons and daughters of Saint Mary School.

CATEGORY ST. MARY

Should It Really Be About Money?

http://www.savestmarys.net

We know that the church closures are not about money. Truly, whatever is lacking could surely be found. (The Diocese owns so much unused real estate and has plenty of money.) And besides, some of the most financially viable churches in the Diocese have been slated for closure. But many persist in believing the closures are about money.

Worse still, there are priests and pastors out there who claim that if a church cannot support itself, it has no right to exist.

(Keep in mind that debt is sometimes incurred due to the necessity of paying assessments to the Diocese and certain amounts to support local Catholic schools, whether or not parishioners actually make use of or can afford tuition at these schools. Barring these two things, most churches do not have any problem paying their utility bills and maintaining their properties. We should also remember that by virtue of threatening certain churches with closure, the bishop has scared off many Catholics from the Faith or their parishes altogether, causing a great deal of confusion, despair, and decreased church attendance, all of which affect collections.)

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Ben Franklin Bridge 5th Street Pedestrian Tunnel to Close for Repairs

  Ben Franklin Bridge 5^th Street Pedestrian Tunnel to Close for Repairs

The 5^th Street Pedestrian Tunnel under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia will be closed for repairs from Friday, July 10 at 8 p.m. until Monday, July 13 at 4 p.m.

Detour signs will direct pedestrians to use 4^th Street while the 5^th Street Pedestrian Tunnel is closed.

For updated travel information visit our website at www.drpa.org.

The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges, PATCO, the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal and the RiverLink Ferry.

 

Legislation to Preserve Farmland & Open Space Approved

Press release

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam to help preserve farmland and open space throughout the 1st District has been unanimously approved by the Legislature.

“New Jersey is called the Garden State for a reason,” said Albano, chairman of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  “Our farmlands and open space provide the foundation for a strong agricultural and tourism economy. These investments were supported by voters and will pay dividends for generations to come.”

The preservation funding was approved by voters in 2007.

The bills would provide

This Day In Corzine History: A Retrospective on the Failed Governorship of Jon Corzine

 July 8, 2006: Corzine's 2006 Shutdown of Government Ends Just How He Wanted…Higher Taxes On New Jerseyans

TRENTON – Three years ago today, Governor Jon Corzine finally reached a deal with legislative leaders to end the government shutdown he began because of his need for higher taxes.  While even Democrat legislative colleagues were uncomfortable with Governor Corzine's demands for higher taxes, that didn't stop Governor Corzine from bringing state government to a grinding halt.

The shutdown, caused by the failure of Governor Corzine and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts to reach a budget agreement due to Governor Corzine’s insistence on higher sales taxes, cost the state an estimated $1.3 million,   not to mention the cost to hundreds of families who were left without work and paychecks that week.