CNB Poll Results: The Public favors the Re-appointment of Dr. Vitola as City School Physician

By Bill Cleary

As of 11 am Thursday April 24 there had been 156 votes cast on the recent Opinion Poll on ClearysNoteBook  about whether or not Dr. Carl Vitola should be reappointed as  physician for the Gloucester City School District.  The poll began on April 20 and will be removed later today.

The majority of the votes were received from people in the immediate area.  And some votes were cast from individuals living in such places as South Dakota, Florida, Kansas, Georgia, New York, Connecticut , Maine to mention a few.

The question presented to the public read "Do you think the City Superintendent or School Board is making a fair or right decision replacing such a Great Person like Dr. Carl Vitola?"

People were asked to vote either Yes or No; 79 percent voted NO while 20 percent were in favor.

Three people told this reporter (two of them being school board members) Superintendent Paul Spaventa had suggested to the Board that Dr. Vitola, whose office is in Turnersville, should be replaced with one of the City doctors.

Spaventa also suggested, according to these sources, that the present Board solicitor, Len Woods, be replaced.

Dr. Vitola has served the district since 1988.  And Mr. Woods's law firm has represented the Board for four years.   

Each year the contracts for professional services are renewed for a one year term. The Professional Services are: School Board Attorney, School Board Auditor, Architect, and General Physician. The filing deadline for those interested in these positions was April 18th. The contracts begin this year on April 25th.  

It is not unusual for the Superintendent to recommend someone else to provide these services.  Ultimately however it is the majority members of Board that make the final decision on who is appointed to these positions.

The School Board's reorganization meeting will be held tonight 7 PM in the Gloucester City High School Media Room, Route 130 and Market Street. The contracts for professional services will be awarded. Also the oath of office will be administered to the successful candidates of the April 15 school board election. They include: Kathleen McHugh, Robert Bennett Sr. and Jacqueline Borger, all elected for three year terms. And Edward Hubbs, who won the election for the unexpired one year term.

Comments

[Sherle Murphy]

Congradulations Doc....who else could replace you. My family started with you on Monmouth Street and following you to Turnersville. I think it would have been a terrible mistake to let you go. You're always there when we need you. What Dr would go the extra way you do with your care kindness and sincere concern for our well being. YOU are and Always will be our family doctor and friend. All 3 of my children my husband my mother and father and myself are so thankful for everything you've done for us over the years. NOBODY CAN OR WILL BE ABLE TO REPLACE YOU IN OUR HEARTS..THANKS FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE.
LOVE SHERLE BRAMBLE MURPHY

[JASON CHIODI]

HEY DOC, CONGRATS ON GETTING REAPPOINTED. IT WOULD NOT BE THE SAME ON SATURDAYS NOT SEEING YOU IN THE LOCKER ROOM OR ON THE SIDELINES! YOUR THE BEST.

[Dr. Carl Vitola]

I would like to express my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all that supported me in being reappointed as school physician. Your kind words, praises, congratulations and support deeply touched my heart. I always considered it an honor to be part of Gloucester City's family, and being a part of Lion's football. I enjoyed working alongside all the coaches, the school nurses, the trainers, the principals, teachers, house staff and students. Gloucester City has been very good to me and I do not take it for granted.

On behalf of my family and I, my sincerest appreciation and humble thanks.

Dr. Carl A. Vitola "Doc"

[Paula Conroy]

The only reason Dr. Vitola is technically not "a city physician" is that the city would not allow him to buy the train station and turn it into his office, as he had outgrown his small office on Monmouth Street, now occupied by Tia's Hair Salon. (How many years ago was that? And how soon after was it turned into a restaurant?) They also would not allow him to expand the smaller office. He had no choice but to move out of town to continue to provide services for his growing list of patients. Those of us who still rely on him for medical care consider him "a Gloucester physician", and he always will be!