Thursday's TIPS AND SNIPPETS

May 1, 2008

Today, I spoke with Mr. Bevan, community relation officer for the city, he explained that the City's UEZ did not purchase the Gloucester Plumbing Supply property.  Joe Kenney the owner of the property could not wait for state approval of his application so he obtained financing on his own for the new building. Incidentally Joe, the building looks great. Thanks for investing in Gloucester City's future. Your new property is certainly a big improvement to the south entrance of our City.

One of the properties that Gloucester Plumbing owns on the corner of Broadway and Division Street has already been sold. It will be opening in the near future selling Pretzels.

As for certain negative remarks about the new UEZ Director, Howard Clark.  I would go to bat for him any day of the week. He truly loves Gloucester City and has volunteered his time and money for 16 years to keep Channel 19 operating.  The reason there are occasional problems with the station it is because the equipment is outdated and the City at this time does not have the funds to replace it.

I believe Howard will continue to be an asset for our community as UEZ director. Based on his educational background he is more than qualified to head that department.

Congratulations Howard on your new job. I am very happy for you.

Regarding the proposed Methadone Clinic to be built at the north entrance of our City.

I called Joe Balzano, South Jersey Port Director to ask him some questions about the Port's involvement with this controversial Clinic, however as of today my call has not been returned. Mr. Balzano is a frequent visitor to St. Mary's Church in Gloucester City attending early mass each day. And I know from personal experience from talking with him in the past he loves the community of Gloucester as much as he loves the community of Camden.

I certainly would like to speak with him so I could understand why he would allow such a deal to be made with the Port Authority and the people who operate this private run clinic. All one has to do is look at the Fox Undercover Video to see the type of people this clinic attracts.

Come on Gloucester and Camden  residents there are phone numbers and email addresses for people   you can contact to voice your opposition to this clinic. Get mad! Now is the time to speak out don't wait for later to complain.

To the people from Mount Ephraim, thanks for the dialogue you have been sharing with all of us about the proposed $3 million fire station.  Both sides are passionate about their views on the subject. Residents who want to know more should attend the Commissioners meeting tonight at 8 PM in the Borough Hall.

Comments

[Bill Labbree, Jr.]

Legal notices about the stop signs were placed in the Gloucester City News. 16 intersections were listed in the April 10th addition legal notices along with mention and listing of the intersections in the main headline article on the front page, 2 more intersections were in the April 24th addition legal notices. They may have been repeated in other issues but I don't have any other issues in front of me at the moment. Certainly a full listing on Cleary's Notebook would have been helpful, but the public was informed. I do believe the GCN is the official media that the city uses to place its legal notices. I am curious as to what the circulation of the GCN is compared to 'hits' on CNB. I believe the public has the obligation to keep themselves informed. Government cannot do much more than make the information available. Personal notification is not feasible. However, all levels of government have a far way to go from being truly transparant and open.

[Daniel McCormick]

Hey Bill,
Stop signs in most areas of this city are a must and I agree with them. But I do think that certain stop signs, especially ones that have just been "slipped in" over the past few weeks are neither neccessary, nor legal. For example, the one most people are now running into is the intersection at Middlesex and Johnson Blvd by the ball fields - probably a good idea. And now there was one just thrown up at Park Ave. and Baetzel Ave. which I myself ran because I didnt see it until the last second. I Dont think that one is necessary along with several others. Who gives these orders to install these stop signs? - The Highway Department, or does it come from higher above? Last time I checked, you couldnt just slap on a city ordnance placing stops signs wherever you want...The NJ Department of Transportation has to come out and survey the area to determine themselves if stop signs are needed or not..Not the powers that be in Gloucester City. This whole town is one big stop sign and one way streets that go the same direction for 6 blocks. What a joke!

Wouldn't it be nice to see notices like that on the city website. It takes little more than the click of the mouse.
Rick Gonzales

[slow down]

bill please help
There are new stop signs going up all over the city should they be giving us notice or will we know after we go through them.I am fine with the stop signs but how about some notice or at least a thick white line in street for some warning. I have been surprised be 3 this week.