ClearysNoteBook

Monday May 12: Bits and Tidbits by Bill Cleary

A CLARIFICATION

Regarding the column in the May 8, 2008 issue of the Gloucester City News with the heading, Breakfast Club Thrown a Curve

It has come to my attention that the owner of the Dining Car Depot along with some other people believe the story was factual.

To clear up any misunderstanding let me begin by saying Daisy Daily the author of the column is actually yours truly. Yes I am coming out. I will admit that I have written other columns using that pen name. And Daisy will no longer be writing for ClearysNoteBook (www.clearysnotebook.com).

Let me further state:

1. There was never a food fight at the Dining Car Depot. Nor did the members of the Breakfast Club ever partake in a food fight.

2. The restaurant was in fact closed on the day of our meeting. And had been closed for several days. The owner and his wife did have a new baby.

3. There is no such person as Flip Flap Jack.

4. As for the statement that some of the Geezers were carrying protest signs reading Power to the People. That was untrue.

5. As for the statement one of the Geezers took down his pants to show off a new style “Depends”….that didn’t happen either.

6. None of the elderly men fainted. Nor did any of them lie down to take a nap.

7. Lastly there is no one in the group named El Presidente Charlie.

For those who took it seriously, the story was fictitious. Definition of the word fictitious: (according to Roget’s Super Thesaurus) adverb-made up, imaginary, fabricated, concocted, untrue, unreal. 

The 40 plus members of the Breakfast Club were infuriated about not being told beforehand the restaurant would be closed on the day of their meeting. My intention for writing the article was to make light of the incident so those who were angry would see some humor in what occurred.

Related: Read the article

Related: Letter to the Editor

Related: All stories and photos pertaining to Breakfast Club

BEST BLOG OF THE DAY:

THE TAXPAYERS LAMENT
That’s how much spending auditors said was “unnecessary, excessive or lacking documentation” by Abbott school districts. Now, under normal circumstances, learning that the Plainfield school district tried to justify spending $504 on the ...
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BEST CNB COMMENT OF THE DAY

Re: Benefit for Karen Young

To be more specific on why people would sponsor a fundraiser, Karen's newest baby was just born and she was home on maternity leave when she lost her husband.  I believe that they did not have insurance because he had a pre-existing heart condition. She grew up in town and her mother-in-law is a teacher at Cold Springs School.  This is a VERY sad story!

Related: Bits and Tidbets

Bill's Point of View: How soon we forget!

Earlier this month I wrote a column about the Pimp your Prom contest sponsored by the radio station 102.Q FM. At first I was hesitant to post the contest because of the word Pimp.  I thought it was strange for a radio station to use that word for a contest.  After all I remember the word to mean whoremaster. It must be a generation thing I thought. And because of the number of schools participating in the event I felt I was over reacting and went ahead with listing it on my blog.

Shortly after it appeared on ClearysNotebook I received comments from people who thought it was awful that Gloucester City High School was participating in the event.

As the day unfolded more remarks came in and one in particular got me upset. The person wrote, "Does anyone recall that just a few years ago the Q-102 DJs came through Gloucester City making fun of us?  I will not forget and that is why I think this is a shame. I also have to agree with this "pimping" word becoming fashionable.  It is leading to many negative behaviors. Please reconsider this."

I remembered that incident the DJ's said, and I am paraphrasing "all Gloucester girls are toothless, fat and ugly". 

As I reflect on the article I believe I took offense to that remark more so then the use of the word Pimp. Should I promote a contest for a radio station that trashes the women of our community? So I removed the post from CNB.

A few days later I spoke with my older grandchildren about how is the word Pimp used in their vocabulary? And they explained that today's hip-hop generation is using the word as slang. Think for a moment one of them said. Didn't your generation use words that had different meanings than what was written in the dictionary?

They were right. As corny as it may sound we used some of the following slang.

(Cat) A hip person

(Beats) Chariot Car

(Cherry) Originally, an unaltered car. Later, anything attractive

(Hot-rodders) Chrome-plated Dressed up cars

(Circled) Married

(Classy chassis) Great body

(Cloud 9) Really happy 

I know that I enjoyed being a rebel in the fifties and sixties as much as the next guy. Long hair, (yes at one time I had hair) cutoff jeans, a bandana wrapped around my head, patches sewed on my jeans, long beads around my neck, a beard, and an earring. That was just some of the things I and others did to standout in the crowd when we were teens. I still can fit into those jeans……

And using a word such as Pimp, wearing bagging pants below their knees, putting their hats on sideways or backwards are apparently this generation's way to show their independence.

It is inevitable we all eventually lose touch with the next generation as we age... And once that happens we soon forget what it was like to be young and carefree. We take ourselves too seriously.

And it appears this is exactly what happened to me in this case.

I had forgotten what it was like to be a "Rebel".

So to the students of Gloucester City High School and to all the students in South Jersey and Philadelphia please accept my apology for making The Pimp Your Prom contest such a negative issue.

At the age of 63 I guess it is safe to say I have become my parents. And in some ways that isn't a bad thing. This too will happen to you…..eventually. And when it does you too will say to yourself….."How Soon We Forget"!

Related: Bill's Point of View

Related: A Few Thoughts

 

Gloucester City: Alleged Food Fight Comes Back to Haunt Breakfast Club

By Daisy Daily
CNB Gossip Columnist

The Gloucester City Breakfast Club was thrown a "curve" this past Saturday morning finding out when they arrived at the Dining Car Depot that their favorite restaurant was closed.  The sign on the restaurant door read, "New Baby, will Re-Open on Tuesday, April 29".

The organization has been meeting at the restaurant for over a year, the last Saturday of each month at 9 AM.

Photo El Presidente Chalie

Now this is where the story gets interesting. I have an inside source who works at the local eatery and he told me the restaurant was open.  Flip Flap Jack said, (not his real name) "several of the elderly Geezers started a "Food Fight" at last month's meeting. When the owner saw them pull into the parking lot on Saturday, he told me "quick lock the door".  As for the posted signs about the baby, "that was just a ruse so they would go away," said Flip Flap.

I stood in the parking lot with "The Geezers" as their numbers continued to grow wondering what they were going to do. There were a few rebels in the crowd, left-over from the 60's no doubt, who pull out these dilapidated signs that read, "Power to the People". They thought it was a sit-in I guess. The others just talked about their ailments and what new medicine they were taking this month. In fact one of them even took down his pants to show off the new style "DEPENDS" he was wearing.

The oldest of the group, a man the other "Geezers" call "El Presidente Chalie" shouts out for everyone to follow him to the Brooklawn Diner.  I notice whenever El Presidente speaks no one pays any attention to him. It was interesting to watch this gentleman drive his pickup truck around and around in circles for several minutes looking for the driveway to exit. Finally someone pointed him in the direction of Brooklawn and The El Presidente headed south. Minutes later the rest of group got in their cars and they drove that way also.

Before he drove off I had asked this man Chalie about the food fight, and he said it never happened. "Someone asked me to pass the toast. It was a long table. So I had to throw it. This happpen a couple of times. It was no fight. We were just passing the toast back and forth.".

Curious I headed to the Brooklawn Diner myself to see how many of the group which numbered about 50 would be able to find their way to the new destination. When I arrived at the Brooklawn Diner, El Presidente was standing outside. Apparently word about last month's suppose food fight at the Dining Car Depot spread to other establishments. El Presidente said the manager of the Diner was unable to accommodate so many people for breakfast.

It was hard to believe the manager since the diner was only half-full.

By this time it was getting late and some of "The Geezers" were either hyperglycemic since they started to faint from not having anything to eat. Or they were tired from all the excitement and decided to take a nap.

Two hours was more than enough time of watching this comical group so I decided to split and head for a nearby Dunkin Donuts. The last I heard "The Geezers" headed further south to a restaurant on Old Crown Point Road in Gloucester County. No doubt the story about the Food Fight had not reached that Diner so they were allowed inside.

As for next month's meeting stay tuned to ClearysNoteBook, I will let you know where and when it will be held.

Related: Breakfast Club articles

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly for March & April

Bill's Point of View: 

JEER-Once again vandals are destroying the Fort Nassau playground located at the Johnson Blvd. jogging track in Gloucester City. Most recently they sprayed painted the words "Die N$%%er" and a swastika along with many curse words on some of the park equipment. The only way this is going to stop is to close down the Fort altogether. Move the equipment across the street to the Martin Lake Park. The vandals seem to stay away from that area because the park is surrounded by residential homes. While on the other hand the Fort is located in an area that is hard for the police to patrol because of all the foliage.

CHEER –The borough of Mount Ephraim has a new community website. The redesign was completed with the help of volunteers and resulted in no costs to the Borough. Special Kudos to Jeff Vilardo and Bernice Alibrando for the countless hours they put in. To view the site go to http://www.mountephraim-nj.com/

CHEER –The Wing eating challenge between the Gloucester City Police Department and the Gloucester City Fire was a huge success. Proceeds benefited the Camden County Heroes Scholarship Fund. PhillyFireNews.com was the corporate sponsor. The Fire Guys: Jerry Hubbs, Chris Oliver, Chris Ryan, Curt Dillon, Pat Hagan and Anthony Bramble. For the police the team consists of Brian Morrell, Doug Ziegler, Bob Lee, Jimmy Little, Billy "Goober" Johnson and Steve Burkhardt. Thanks guys for being great sports.

CHEER – Gloucester City's Annual Clean-Up Day held earlier this month. Thank you to all the volunteers that made this event a success once again. 

CHEER-The Gloucester City Lions Club for continuing the practice of mailing to residents an explanation on how much the organization receives from their Annual White Cane Drive.  The organization explains how it spends the donations they receive down to the very penny. People have a right to view annual financial disclosures from each group that solicits donations from the public. Kudos to the Lions Club for leading the way.

CHEER-A Brooklawn resident wrote that the Public Works employees in her community deserve Kudos for being polite and courteous to borough residents. "They go out of their way to help the people.  And they always place the empty trash containers back on the sidewalk in an upright position."

JEER-I don't know how you feel but I  am sick and tired of seeing the political commercials televised every 15 minutes for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton .and Tom McCain. These annoying political spin announcements have been running now for nearly 20 months. And most of us realize that whoever is elected to the office be it Democrat or Republican they end up being no different than the person they replaced. Promise the voter the world to get elected; but forget your promises once in office.

CHEER-It was reported recently in the AARP magazine…… government competence is the top concern of voters 50 and older. There is only one solution writes Dean Brittain……..a national constitutional amendment for term limits.  If politicians get only a short time in office and then have to live with the results of their decisions like everyone else, they will make decisions we can all live with.

THE UGLY-That title goes to every person who ever stole monies from a local fundraiser, such as the Softball Marathon, Mustangs Candy Sale or a Little League treasury.  You never hear these individuals make a public apology for their wrong doing.  Not only do they discredit the organization but they also destroy the reputation of their family.  The courts are so lenient in punishing these thieves' it is no wonder the crime continues to be repeated time and time again. 

If you want to submit a Cheer or Jeer for next month's column send it to BillGCN@verizon.net. We welcome your suggestions.

Related: Bill's Point of View

On The Lighter Side by Bill/ UPDATE ON PEPE`

The Striped Skunk is the main carrier of rabies in the U.S.A.

The other day Pepe` was seen on Gaunt Avenue. From what I have learned he got into a little dispute with a dog in that neighborhood and sprayed the pooch.

Then this morning Pepe` or his brother was fighting with some dogs on South Stinson Avenue. Police were called and told the resident that because the skunks are a protected animal there isn't much that they could do about the problem.

If you dog does get sprayed there is a product sold in pet stores that you can buy to get rid of the smell. It is called Skunk Off.

SEE LINK

Project Wildlife: Living with Skunks

 

 

How to Get Rid of Skunks

Description - The size of this noxious odoured creature is similar  to that of a housecat. The strped skunk has a small, black head with a white stripe between the eyes and two broad white stripes which meet at the shoulders of its black back. The tail is black with a white tip or fringe.

Distribution The striped skunk prefers the desert, woodlands, grassyplains and suburbs. It occurs throughout the interior and southern tier of Canadian provinces and all of America.

Biology  The unique characteristic of the skunk is its ability  to spray a fetid, oily, yellowish musk 10-15 inches. This fluid in the eyes causes intense pain and a fleeting loss of vision. Ammonia or tomato juice are best to remove the odour.

The pelt is not highly valuable but the musk, once the odour is removed, is used as a perfume base because of its clinging quality. The skunk is an omnivore who feeds on a wide variety of vegetable matter, insects and grubs, small  mammals, the eggs of ground nesting birds and amphibians. In mid-May 4-7 young are born. Although they do not hibernate, during the lean winter months they may become temporarily dormant. The Striped Skunk is the main carrier of rabies in the U.S.A. Its chief predator is the Great Horned Owl. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9

The real Pepé Le Pew was seen this morning by several people in Riverview Heights walking down Stinson Avenue around 10:30 AM

Over the years this section of Gloucester City along with other spots in the City has become a haven for wild life.

If you recall earlier this winter a deer was photographed at night standing in the parking lot at Gloucester City High School.  On my daily walks behind the school I have spotted deer in broad daylight, along with a red fox, and a number of possum along with raccoon. And each spring a pair of mallard ducks show up. They walk up and down the streets searching for food without a care in the world.

I never thought I would see a skunk though.  Especially in broad daylight. All I need now is for Lacey or Erica to try and catch old Pepe.  I’ll see if I can get a photo of him/her. And let me know if you catch a glimpse of Pepe.

Against my Better Judgment

Bills Point of View:

When I received an email from one of the readers of my blog about Gloucester High School participating in Q102 Radio promotion called Pimp Your Prom I was hesitant to post the announcement. The word "Pimp" I thought was offensive and I couldn't understand why a radio station would choose such a word for a contest. According to Roget' Super Thesaurus, the word means whoremonger, agent, flesh peddler, madam, hustler.

I checked the list of schools participating in the contest such as Paul XI, Cardinal Dougherty High School, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Eastern Regional, Williamstown High School, Holy Spirit High School, Glassboro High School, Gateway Regional etc. I thought it must be okay or there wouldn't be so many schools involved. And I noticed Williamstown High School actually held a Pep Rally on campus to further advance the school's ranking on the nomination list.

The radio station's promo for the Pimp Your Prom contest states, Sony Pictures and Q102 want to take Over Your Prom! The nominations are in! Vote for your high school now! The school we select will have Q102's Jessie Jordan and Rocco hosting your prom along with DJ Richie Rich. We'll bring tons of giveaways, concert tickets, artist meet and greets and more! And we will even get some of you live on the radio! We'll also hook up one person from the winning school with formal wear and limo transportation to and from the prom!

 

So against my better judgment on Friday with all good intentions I wrote a blurb about the contest and posted it on ClearysNoteBook. I was still uncomfortable with the use of the word Pimp. But maybe I was overreacting.

 

Throughout the weekend I received several comments on the post.  It seems the terminology was also upsetting to others. For example: 

Michael Kazmar (GHS Class of 81) wrote, "Wow! How things have changed at old' GHS. When I was there (1980-81 proms) the students on the prom committee, along with our advisers (Mr. Tomarchio, Fran Thomas, for example) took care of selecting the entertainment, the centerpieces and the venue. We then sold tickets and got our tuxedos and gowns with saved-up earnings from our part-time jobs. We decorated the room and then got in our own cars or those borrowed from our parents (a limousine, are you kidding?) Our own hard work and passion for a good time for all was the result! We didn't need a radio station to "pimp" our prom.
It is really, really sad that the word "pimp" or "pimping" is glorified and used so loosely and associated with a student activity at my old school. "

 

Another remark received on the topic was from Scott MacAdams.

"I have to agree with Mr. Kazmar. My first response was disgust and I must admit I hesitated to respond because I thought it may not be the politically correct thing to do. I, too, went to public school but I am sure not proud to be associated with that crap. Yeah, it's the society we live in but I don't have to like it. No wonder the American graduation rate is horrible. There are some wonderful people I know as teachers, but for the most part the system has failed. America took the Word of God out of the public schools in 1963. Think there is any correlation to the decay in society. I am proud of Mr. Kazmar and his response, I'm just not happy with myself on this one having had a second of hesitation in saying what I truly believe."

And then Sunday evening this comment without a name,

"Does anyone recall that just a few years ago the Q-102 DJs came through Gloucester City making fun of us?  I will not forget and that is why I think this is a shame. I also have to agree with this "pimping" word becoming fashionable.  It is leading to many negative behaviors. Please reconsider this."

 

I had forgotten about the incident involving Q-102 DJ's who said, and I am paraphrasing, "all Gloucester girls are toothless, fat and ugly". Or words to that effect.That was the last straw, so to speak. I had forgotten about that episode.

I have decide not to give the contest anymore publicity on ClearysNoteBook and I have removed the announcement from the site.

I haven't spoken with the school administration so I don't know if they approved the contest or not. Although one would presumed they did since the administration would have to allow the radio station access to school property.

 

Unpopular as it may be among students to withdraw the school from the contest, I believe it would behoove our school board and administrators to reexamine the school's participation in the "Pimp Your Prom" contest.

 

If for no other reason the word "Pimp" is demeaning to all women. A word that should not be associated with Gloucester City High School or the community of Gloucester City.

Gloucester City: How Can We Stop The Thieves from Stealing Our Donations?

BILL'S POINT OF VIEW:

Thank you to the Gloucester City Little League for sharing the information about the organization's finances. It helps to fill in some holes for example how the $52,000 was accrued. Besides the money being stolen some of us wondered either to themselves or out loud how come the Little League had so much money in their treasury. Your explanation answered some of those questions.

For those who are just tuning in the former treasurer of the Little League, Harry Fox Jr., was recently charged with embezzling $52,000 from the organization. And as many residents are aware this isn't the first time something like this has happened in Gloucester City.

Over the years I have watched, as you, in 1980 money stolen from the Mustangs Football organization cookie sales (a mother of one of the players stole the funds).

Also in the 1980's there was a City fireman who took $10,000 plus from the annual Softball Marathon.

Then again in 2007 there was another City fireman caught stealing funds from the same account.

And now the latest, $52,000 being stolen from the Little League organization.

There have been some recent comments posted about what could be done to stop the thieves. The most recent from an unknown person who signed their name Tired of Donating to Thieves makes the most sense, have the treasurer bonded. "If the treasurer was bonded the organization would get their money back and the bonding company would go after the thief, " he/she said.

I also feel it is not too much to ask that all organizations disclose full financial statements to the public each year. Some organizations feel if they give out that information the public will not be as generous. I don't believe that would happen. And on the other hand other organizations feel the public has no right to know how their donations are being spent.

Recently in one of my columns I suggested that all clubs and organizations require two even three signatures to withdraw money from their bank account. And give full financial disclosure to the members each month. Following the publication of the column I received a call from Mike Kenney, treasurer of the Mustangs. He said after reading my thoughts he made the motion to do just that at the Mustang meeting and the organization approved it.  Let's have a Cheer for the Mustangs!

All groups who solicit donations from the public should be required to release their financial statements on a yearly basis. That includes coin drops, golf tournaments, firemen's softball tournaments, fishing tournaments, cookie and candy sales, beef and beer events, door to door solicitations and so forth on.

As mentioned before, openness would help discourage those with "sticky" fingers.

If you look back to what type of punishment the thieves mentioned in the past received all of them got off with just a slap on the hand. They get no jail time, instead the Courts sentenced the crook (s) to community service, a few years probation, and the thief can take their time making restitution. Is it any wonder we are reading more and more about corruption in volunteer organizations?

To put it in simple terms the thief has gotten away with highway robbery and received a free interest loan to pay back at their leisure.

The time has come to put measures in place so this won't happen again in our community. And if organizations are not willing to be forth coming then the public should withhold their donations until they make full disclosure of their expenses and expenditures.

Related: Harry Fox Jr. Arrested

Bill’s Point of View: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

JEER- Take the time to read The Soprano State written by Bob Ingle and Sandy McGlure.  A book that tells the true story of the corruption that has pervaded in New Jersey politics, government, and business for the past 30 years. It is no wonder our State is the laughing stock of the Nation.  The pathetic voters of New Jersey deserve to be ridiculed, mocked and laughed at for continuing to elect crooked politicians year after year after year.  We all should be ashamed of ourselves for not doing something about the "Trenton Crooks" and "Party Bosses" long ago.  

CHEER- the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded$ 150,000.00 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the Bellmawr Fire Department.  The SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities said Chief Jim Burleigh of the Bellmawr Fire Department.

CHEER-The Haddon Township commissioners introduced ordinances aimed at curbing pay-to-play just days after a resident accused them of awarding professional contracts to campaign contributors. Commissioners unanimously approved introduction of four measures A public hearing and a final vote on the ordinances could be held at the next commission meeting on March 25.The ordinances would ban nepotism in hiring, curb the use of eminent domain for economic development and prohibit the township from doing business or entering into a redevelopment agreement with individuals or companies that contribute to the political campaigns of elected officials here.

JEER-The James Administration had promised to introduce similar legislation when they were elected two years ago. Gloucester City's government has been known for years as a Pay for Play run municipality. Mayor James I urge you and members of council to follow Haddon Township's lead and introduce similar legislation. And why you are at it abolish the outdated Ward system of government that has prevailed in our City for way too long.   

JEER-The Gloucester City School Superintendent and Board of Education who said no to the idea of holding a Memorial Tribute at the high school for Tom Gurchick, a teacher for 35 years in our school system who passed away recently. One excuse given for not allowing the tribute was because others would also want to use the school for the same purpose. So what if others do. Shame on the Administration and those School Board members who denied the friends, former students and family members of Mr. Gurchick the use of the school facilities to memorialize such a great teacher.   

CHEER-Congratulations to the Brooklawn ACES girls' basketball team, coached by Chuck Thomson, for winning the Camden County Elementary League championship.  They were the winners of the Colonial division with a 12-2 record and went on to beat 3 opponents from both the Colonial and Suburban divisions to win the championship.  Likewise a Cheer for Saint Mary's 7th and 8th Grade team who won the GHS Memorial Basketball tournament held this weekend at Gloucester City High School. And finally KUDOS to the Gloucester City High School Girls Basketball team for providing the fans with such an exciting season.

JEER- Enough already! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it will soon begin its Superfund clean-up of radioactive thorium along Temple Avenue in Gloucester Heights.   How much longer is this project going to last? It seems to me that there is no end in sight. The EPA just announced the Klemm Avenue cleanup deadline has been extended once again. And then there is a section of the Little League Field that is scheduled for cleanup. Counting the $20 million to clean up the old Rug Factory property the  superfund price tag in Gloucester City is nearing the $100 million mark. It would have been cheaper for the federal government to give each one of the 11,000 residents living here a million dollars apiece to move out of the City.

Cheer-City Police Officer Steve Burkhardt has passed the sergeant's test and will be formally promoted in the near future. Sgt. Burkhardt is also one of the department's K-9 officers. Congratulations Sgt. Burkhardt you worked hard for the promotion and your fellow officers and the residents of the City are proud of your accomplishments.

THE UGLY-I am holding off on awarding that undesirable medal of distinction until the person who allegedly stole thousands of dollars from the Gloucester City Little League  has been officially charged and arrested.

Related: Police Investigation continues

Related: The Soprano State

 Related: There is plenty of money for double dipping pensions 

related: Tammany Hall

Related: Superfund Cleanup Extended 

Related: St. Marys

Related Brooklawn ACES

Related: The School District belongs to the people

Related: Bills Point of View

 

 

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

ClearysNoteBook is preparing our February Cheer and Jeer column otherwise known as  The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

If you have anyone/anything that you feel deserves a Cheer or a Jeer now is the time to speak up.

Send your remarks to BillGCN@verizon.net. 

A signature along with your comment  would be nice but not necessary.

Everyone can participate. You need not be from Gloucester City. So come on Brooklawn, Bellmawr, Mt. Ephraim, Westville, Collingswood, Haddonfield, Haddon Heights, Cherry Hill, Camden......South Jersey get involved.

Send in your suggestions. Cut off date is Thursday, March 6th.

Related: Bill's Point of View

Bill’s Point of View: a Sad Day for the Gloucester City Little League

By now everyone is aware that a large sum of money is missing from the treasury of the Gloucester City Little League.  There is an ongoing audit.  Until it is completed the exact figure will remain a secret.

The amount being thrown about by those in the know is somewhere between $35,000 and $50,000.  I was also told the $25,000 given to the League last year by the Camden County Freeholder board to enhance the facilities is not included in the monies stolen. The County is managing that money

In February 2007, I wrote an article on the theft of $8,000 from the Gloucester City Firemen's Softball Marathon.  That was the second time that a fireman in charge of the funds from that event was caught stealing. It happened once before in the 80's.  Over $10,000 was taken at that time. The monies raised are used to support the Crozier-Chester Burn Center in Upland, Pennsylvania. 

How can this continually happen in Gloucester City. Wouldn't you think that after seeing what happened to the Firemen that other organizations would learn from their mistake?   

All that is needed is a requirement that at least two signatures are needed to withdraw monies from the treasury.   At the monthly meeting the treasurer gives a detail report on what was spent over the past 30 days and how much remains in the bank account. The report is recorded in the minutes. On a quarterly basis the officers of the organization do an audit of the banking account to make sure the figures balance. Fifty thousand dollars, if indeed this is the amount that is missing, is not "chump change".

As we learned from last year's episode with the firemen it will be sometime before the actual fact about how much was stolen is released. Once the audit is completed charges will be filed and then the Camden County Prosecutor's Office does an investigation.

In the meantime we need to be fair and not prejudge the individual (s) in charge of the League's treasury.  Being human we naturally assume that the person is guilty before an indictment is handed down. But under our judicial system those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Last week a spokesman for the League said the missing funds will not result in the cancellation of the 2008 Little League season. This is good news.

However I do believe that some people will be reluctant to donate to the league this year because of the pilferage. Likewise I believe others will not be as generous when they pass a coin drop for the same reason.

Hopefully I am wrong.

There is no requirement for private organizations to release a treasury report to the public. But it certainly would help their cause if they were more open on how much money is raised each year from the coin drops and door to door solicitations.

After all it is the public's money that has been stolen. We donated it to be used for the kids playing baseball. And we deserve to be kept informed.

As a friend of mind said, "Openness makes things like this nearly impossible."

Related: Bill's Point of View

Related: Bob Kephart 
 

Bill's Point of View: The School District Belongs To The People

Tom Gurchick, a retired Gloucester City School science teacher died suddenly on February 15 in an automobile accident. Tom began his teaching career in 1965 and retired in 2000. He left a career he so dearly loved to enjoy his hobbies of growing orchids, fishing and building model planes.

Since the tragic accident there has been a number of Toms’s former students and friends posting comments on CNB.

It should be noted that at no time did the family ask to hold the funeral services for Mr. Gurchick at the high school. What they did ask was to be able to hold a Memorial Service at the school for Tom at a later date. That request was denied by Administrator Paul Spaventa and the Board solicitor.

What a tribute this would have been to the man who gave his whole life to the Gloucester City School District.

According to Board member Jim Everett the new Superintendent, Paul Spaventa said if he was to okay their request for a Memorial Service the Board of Education and himself would be open to all kinds of law suits. Explaining if you do it for one person then you have to do it for everybody.

Spaventa also told Everett that it would have cost the Gurchick family $1 million in “rider insurance”. 

A local insurance agent said the cost for a $1 million insurance rider  would be a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $700.  So much for that excuse.

If you recall the family of deceased Corporal Marc Ryan made the same appeal to the school district in 2004. There request was granted by the School Board/Administration; the viewing was held at the high school from 5 PM to 9 PM.  This past November there was a memorial service held for Corporal Ryan during the half-time of a football game.

By granting the Ryan’s family’s petition a precedent was set to allow others to use the school for the same purpose.

God forbid if another young man from Gloucester City is killed fighting in the War. Are the Board of Education /Superintendent Spaventa going to say no to that individual’s family if they make the same request that the Ryan’s did ?

As others have said already Mr. Gurchick would not want to be the subject of any discord in the school district or for that matter among the residents of his beloved City.

Personally I see no harm in allowing a funeral services or a Memorial Tribute at the high school for any prominent resident, official, soldier or teacher. It is the logical choice for such event because of it size.

I wonder if the Rotary Club, who holds a Pancake Breakfast annually at the high school, is required to have a million dollar insurance rider for their event each year?

Since 2004 I have yet to hear of anyone else besides the Ryan family wanting to use the school for funeral services. So for anyone to suggest the district would be inundated with request to hold Memorial Tributes and or Funerals at the school are baseless.

I would guarantee the majority of the populace would emphatically say YES if they were asked if a Memorial Tribute should be allowed to be held at the high school for Mr. Gurchick.

The Board of Education must understand the School District belongs to the taxpayers of this City. With that thought in mind they need to address this problem immediately so it can be handled properly in the future.

A Memorial service for Mr. Gurchick will be held Thursday, February 28, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Etherington Creran Funeral Home, 700 Powell Street, Gloucester City.

Related: Gurchick Obit

Related: Breaking News

 

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly for January

Bill's Point of View:

Cheer –Newly appointed Superintendent of School Paul Spaventa found out that not all video tapes of school board meetings were being given to the Local cable Channel 19 for public viewing.   Someone either in the administration and/or on the school board was choosing what tapes the public got to view. As soon as it was brought to his attention the superintendent corrected the problem. Thanks Mr. Spaventa for righting a wrong.

Jeer-To the representative of the City of Gloucester City and the representative of Police Chiefs for not releasing a public statement explaining the turmoil in our Police Department.  Is the public's safety in jeopardy because of the split between the rank and file and the administration?  The Chief's (Bill Crothers and Mike Kaye) remain silent, choosing instead to have surrogates write Letters to the Editor/post comments containing cheap jabs.  The PBA union president released a statement about the problem but yet our elected leaders and department heads remain silent. The public deserves answers.

Jeer-Regarding the new King Street Corridor concept.  Great idea but when are we going to stop the 53' tractor trailers from crisscrossing throughout our residential areas?  The other day I watched a 53' trailer, pulled by a sleepover cab, travel North on 4^th Street and turn East onto Market Street.  It was about 3:00 PM and the streets were loaded with kids coming home from school, while this behemoth vehicle snaked around, jumping curbs and finally (about 7 minutes blocking traffic) got onto Market St.  Don't we have some LAWS about semi's rumbling through our city?

Cheer- To Gina Dunphy for all of the help she has been able to provide the City of Gloucester as the Coordinator of our UEZ, (Urban Enterprise Zone office).  Her contributions both professionally and personally will always be looked upon as being great accomplishments for our City and the citizens of Gloucester.  Unfortunately Gina will be leaving us this month to be with her family more and we wish her all the best in the future and thank her for her help and commitment to her job and our City.

Jeer- To the DCA, (Department of Community Affairs) for taking forever to approve the City's expired grant application for the revised plan to purchase and renovate the Gloucester Heights Fire hall into a new Senior Citizens Center.  The fact that the City dropped the ball in letting this grant expire probably deserves a jeer as well.  Councilman Nick Marchese said, "We are happy to say that the renovations to the hall will be completed shortly and our Seniors will be able to enjoy this fine facility.  We thank the Gloucester City senior citizen's for their patience."

Cheer-To the Mount Ephraim Celebration Committee, organizations and businesses for the seasonal banners on Kings Highway.

Cheer –To the Memorial dedicated to the lives of Jim Sylvester and John West.

Jeer - Mount Ephraim Post Office 'trailer' - fence falling down, trash all over, parking lot light leaning into the yard, plain and simple - an eye sore.

Cheer- Members of the Gloucester Heights Fire Association got tired of waiting for the City to pick up a dead squirrel lying in the street. So they took it upon themselves to clean up the mess. Thanks guys for helping to keep our City clean. Silly as it may seem a lesson in civic pride was displayed by these individuals; one that we should all heed.

Cheer-To the members of the Gloucester City Fire Department on their T-shirt campaign to raise funds to help our troops in Iraq.  Kudos to the area fire departments (Brooklawn, Mt. Ephraim, Bellmawr, Westville, Gloucester City, Chews Landing, Deptford, Cherry Hill) for a job well done in fighting the recent fires that have occurred in our area. The Cheer includes the EMT's for their rescue services at auto accidents as well.

Cheer-To the two sixth grade Brooklawn students who attend the Alice Costello School for their innovative charitable work.  After the 3-year old daughter of one of their teachers was diagnosed with leukemia, Gabryelle Doherty and Sydney Weichmann were inspired to begin to raise money to help seriously ill children.   If you wish to purchase a purse from the girls, you can contact staff at the Alice Costello School at 456-4039.

Cheer-Mount Ephraim Board of Commissioners recently appointed three police officers to the police force.  Jonathan Reichelderfer, Daniel Sheets, and Matthew Frankowski were all sworn in as Class I Police Officers.  They will be replacing 20-year police officers Daniel Tokolish and Scott Pezzano who recently retired. KUDOS to the new officers and best of luck to those who retired.

Cheer-To GHS Teacher Patrick Hagan and his business classes that organized a warm and classy gathering of families, friends, and athletes that honored GHS players that scored 1,000 points or more in their basketball careers. This multi-generational celebration was a beautiful and heartwarming reflection on our school and community.

Cheer-To City Mayor James and Police Lt. Berglund who were willing to meet with various neighbors to discuss problems that are impeding our "quality of life."  Both men were concerned and offered suggestions and resources to call.

JEER-To shoppers and staff members that smoke directly outside the entrance to a store or business. Smokers certainly have the right to engage in this activity, but more consideration needs to be given to where you smoke so that individuals do not have to walk through a cloud of smoke to enter. CVS often has a smoky entrance due to some of their own employees. 

Cheers to Fireman Brian Hagan who took the time to hand deliver a package that was mislabeled and incorrectly delivered to the King Street fire house. "On his way home one evening Brian took the time to deliver it to my home," said Bernadette Gorman.

Contributors include: Councilman Nick Marchese, Pastor Jim Doster, Susan Cain, Bernadette Gorman and two who remained anonymous. Send your Cheer or Jeer to BillGCN@verizon.net. 

Note the comments are those of the author and do not necessary represent the views of the Gloucester City News.

Related: Bill's Point of View

Give someone, some organization, etc. a Cheer/ Jeer

ClearysNoteBook is preparing a Cheer and Jeer column for the upcoming week. If you have anyone to nominate for either category send your remarks to BillGCN@verizon.net.

Hopefully some of our readers from the communities that surround Gloucester City will take this opportunity to send in some suggestions. 

Bills Point of View: Gloucester City School Board Suppressing Information

It is apparent for some time the Gloucester City Board of Education has held back televising the video recordings of controversial meetings. In other words they censor what you and I can see. Don’t believe the excuse that the equipment the school uses is not compatible with Channel 19’s equipment.

With today’s technology that is untrue and the board members/administration are well aware of that fact.

You would have thought the Board would have learned something from the Gorman and Kilcourse administrations who also concealed information from the public by not televising council meetings.  It is obvious they did not.

Following the January school board meeting a letter was posted on ClearysNoteBook from a “Concerned Gloucester City School Board member”.

The first paragraph read, “This Gloucester City Board of Education member would like to set the record straight. The Board of Education has no control over what meetings are shown on the Local cable Channel 19.” The individual asked not to publish his/her name because of the consequences he/she would suffer for voicing a public opinion.  read letter   

If the Board of Education has no control over what meetings are televised then who does? And why was the individual afraid to sign his name.  Who is controlling what Board members can say to the public?  Don’t we vote these individuals into office to represent our best interest? What else is being with held?

For years in Gloucester City there has been a long standing practice by both members of the school board and city council to “sanitize” what the public was told. The new City Council members ran on a platform of “keeping the public informed”.  Good or Bad news would be released to the media. I believe that was one of the reasons they (James, Marchese, Brophy) were elected in 2006.

At a closed door meeting held in January, the Board voted in favor of televising meetings beginning this month.  No doubt much credit should be given to the new Superintendent of Schools, Paul Spaventa for convincing those who were against the idea that they were making a mistake.  (read media release)

Incidentally some of those who were against the new policy said if the public was interested in school district matters then they should attend the meeting in person. The Stansky’s administration may be over. But it is obvious there are still members of her regime on the board that continue to believe in her philosophy of keeping the public in the dark.

It would behoove the opposing members to read what Cherry Hill Mayor Bernie Platt told a reporter from the Courier Post recently about his decision to air council meetings on television. “I believe people who work late or cannot make it to town hall for public meetings should not be blacked out of the process. They deserve to see the business of their municipality and the actions of their elected officials.”

Good for you Mayor Platt!

Gloucester City residents need to get involved in the operation of their $40 million school district. It is obvious some drastic changes are needed. New people willing to fight for our rights need to be elected. You showed your power two years ago when you threw out the old Democrat regime. We need that same determination this year on April 15 when the school election will be held.

It all begins with a strong coalition of people who think alike. People who want to make a difference in our community. It is your turn to step up to the plate and fight for reform.

The deadline for filing nominating petitions to run for school boards is 4 p.m. Feb. 25.  Prospective school board candidates can obtain a School Board Candidate Kit online from the New Jersey School Boards Association at www.njsba.org/candidacy or from local school district offices. School board members serve three-year terms.

To comment: www.clearysnotebook.com

Re: Pandemonium in Gloucester City Police Department

By Bill Cleary

Several readers inquired whether or not I have tried to contact the two chiefs (William Crothers and Michael Kaye) for a response on the “Pandemonium” occurring in the police department for their side of the story.

The answer to the question is no. For obvious reasons the case is in litigation and neither man would be able to answer my questions. That was also the reason Mayor William James could not issue a response on what is happening in the department.

James did say when asked about the turmoil on January 10, 2008, "I am concerned that there are problems within the police department. But at this time because of the ongoing litigation I am unable to talk any further on the subject."

I make several efforts to contact the attorney representing the police chiefs, John Eastlack. And, Gloucester City News editor Albert Countryman also tried on numerous occasions contact Mr. Eastlack. None of the calls were returned.

Likewise an effort was made to contact Gloucester City Attorney John Kearney for the City’s explanation on the problem. But he too failed to respond.

If any of the legal representatives mentioned would like to make a public statement or is interested in a interview contact me via email BillGCN@verizon.net. Or call the Gloucester City News, 456-1199 and ask for Albert Countryman.

 
read story about Pandemonium in the Police Dept.

Gloucester City: Governor Wants New Schools Promised for Abbott Districts Built

Bill's Point of View

A dream of a Middle S