Dear Mr. Lamont:

As a lifelong resident of Gloucester City, New Jersey; I find it extremely offensive that on one of your recent shows, you categorized my hometown as, \”the armpit of South Jersey\” and \”just a town full of drunks all over the street.\”

Your ill-informed and reprehensible remarks have cast an undeserved aspersion upon an entire community of hard working and honorable people.

Your petty attempt at garnering a few ratings (even though you are technically a public service show) maligns the good name and credibility of Greater Media Philadelphia, which I have always considered to be a one of the best media groups in Philadelphia.

You took a cheap shot…with a broad brush! That sir is pathetic!

 

You owe the people of Gloucester City an apology. Thank you.

Thomas J. Gurick, Gloucester City

Former Camden County Freeholder

By Lois Staas

NEWS Correspondent

 Student Government Day has been a part of the May meeting of Bellmawr Mayor and Council for several years and this May was no exception.

The following ladies and gentlemen participated:

Mayor, Brianna Mc-Knight; Borough Attorney, Kaylee Mitchell; Construction Official, Reno Franchetti; Director of Finance & Personnel, John Brocious; Director of Health, Welfare and Education, Ashley Ordile.

Also, Ecological Superintendent, Kevin Cano; Highway Superintendent, Timothy Patterson; Police Chief, Glenn Holden; Tax Collector, Brianna Fiorelli; Water Superintendent, Andrew Carlin; Director of Building & Lands, Chris Panico; Borough Treasurer, Ryan Fisher; Tax Assessor, John Bartnikowski; Director of Recreation, Caitlin Schalalbeo; Sewer Superintendent, Jennifer Funk.

The purpose of Student Government Day is to encourage interest, imagination and activity in government. The basic belief is that the future of Bellmawr is with its youth.

The State Government also gave each student commendation and praise for participating in the day\’s events.

Councilman Louis DiAngelo related the plan of the day. Students met at the Borough Hall and were sworn in by State Speaker of the House Joseph Roberts, who swore them in and explained the interaction of state and local governments.

Next was a visit with Camden County Freeholder Riletta Cream in Camden City. Then it was off to the Sheriff\’s Department and the Office of the Superintendent of Elections.

After lunch the student officials met with Superintendents Ciano and Coleman for a tour of the Ecology Center. There they saw the new dirt being weighed and spread the development.

At 7 p.m. students conducted a brief meeting and read reports. Student Director of Public Safety Frank Sandrock stated that the Fire Department responded to about 100 emergencies last month and that the department passed OSHA inspection with flying colors.

Student Director of Finance and Personnel John Bricious noted a modest increase in the budget due in part to salaries, insurance premiums and fuel.

There is a hope for state discretionary funds.

Timothy Patterson, who was student Highway Superintendent, stated that the department not only repaired roads, but also assisted the other departments and school district.

Student Director of Buildings and Lands informed everyone that his department was running smoothly and within budget.

The outdated computers in the office had been replaced and the system updated.

Special thanks to Bellmawr Police Chief, William Walsh for his part in the smooth upgrade and uninterrupted service.

Caitlin Schlalabeo, student Director of Recreation, reminded everyone that the July Fourth celebration will begin with the Baby Parade at 9 a.m. followed by the Bicycle Competition at 10 a.m.

As usual, the Main Parade will commence at 11 a.m. from the Annunciation School parking lot.

The Youth Summer Program, which lasts seven weeks, will begin July 6. Night Out will be August 7 at the Rec. Center.

Student Director of Health, Welfare and Education noted the categories for welfare: open, closed, denied and approved.

Small cash grants for medication and rent are available for the unemployable, who are directed toward Social Security Disability. Those who are employable are assisted in finding work. All money is reimbursed by the state.

Nicole Dalessio, student Municipal Court Administrator, reported that state and local police had written 475 tickets within the last month. There were 94 criminal complaints.

Student Police Chief Glenn Holden thanked local businesses for their assistance in supporting the Bellmawr Police Bike Rodeo on May 19 at Annunciation School. PBA raffled off 10 bikes and the ambulance donated helmets.

Student Water Superintendent Andrew Carlin said his department was responsible for the operation of Bellmawr water. The six-department employees make sure clean, drinkable water flows to all Bellmawr homes.

Jennifer Funk, student Sewer Superintendent, said her department operated the pumping stations, responded to complaints and assisted when possible.

Some student resolutions were a Teen Center with ping pong and pool tables, a Memories Book funded by the BOE and a basketball court with playing times, parent permission slips and passes.

The Student Council unanimously supported May-or and Council for the redevelopment project, especially the mall and movie theater.

Councilman Stephen Sauter commended the participants, \”The students did a fantastic job. I look forward to this day every year. The eighth grade teachers do a great job. We always get positive feedback about how respectful and well mannered they are. These are great kids.\”

Councilman DiAngelo said, \”I echo what Steve said. I thank Chuck (Sauter) and all the borough employees for their hard work today.\”

\”Ditto,\” stated Councilwoman Regina Pointkowski, \”and this is such a nice time of year with a lot of nice things for our young people.

\”I was overwhelmed at the Junior National Honor
Society induction. About 32 seventh graders were inducted and about 8 eighth graders. There were about 24 eighth graders there who were inducted last year. This is so important; they are really interested in education.

\”We also had our spring concert, spelling bee, and scholarship awards. Seventeen students got scholarships. Thank you to the parents for giving us such good kids.\”

In regular business the council amended the new traffic ordinance that makes Anderson Avenue one-way between Bell Road and Harbor Road from 8 to 9 a.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

This ordinance has been adopted to reduce traffic congestion during the hours children arrive and are picked up from school.

Council also passed on a second reading bond ordinance authorizing the rehabilitation and upgrading of the storm sewer system.

 

By Sara Martino

News Correspondent

Brooklawn officials have been trying for years to receive permission and funding from the state to start stream bank improvements along the waterfront.

Borough Engineer Chuck Reibel told Borough Council last week that while attending a NJ Department of Environmental (DEP) meeting, he was told that the area in need of the stream bank improvements was the site of Fort Nassau.

\”The State Historical Society was notified by the DEP concerning Brooklawn\’s request for improvements and their opinion was that Brooklawn is the location of Fort Nassau and the area possibly could not be disturbed,\” he said.

Fort Nassau was a Dutch settlement built in 1623 on the eastern bank of the Delaware River. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, the fort was located near Gloucester City in 1626 and was used for the trading with the Lenni Lenape Indians.

In another historical account, the site had been a subject of much controversy and is recorded as being at the mouth of Big Timber Creek in Brooklawn, just west of where Big Timber Creek, Little Timber Creek and the Delaware join.see history of Fort Nassau

During the early 1600s, the Delaware was known as the Nassau River.

There was also another location for Fort Nassau that was built in 1614 on the Hudson River in New York. It was destroyed by floods and was a long distance away from Brooklawn. Soubasis asked council members to contact the Gloucester City Historical Society for their knowledge of the fort location.

Riebel also said the NJ Wetlands Department has found a rare aquatic plant on the edge of the bank slopes. Councilman Gerald Granstrom said he has seen more than plants along the waterfront.

\”There is a lot of trash including syringes, hospital waste and other unsanitary items that wash up on the bank,\” he said.

A study costing up to $20,000 may have to be conducted in the stream bank area to determine if the location is truly the site of Fort Nassau, and if the aquatic plant would be considered endangered.

Upon completion, permission may be given to start the improvements that would stop erosion along the shoreline.

\”The Borough could be liable for some of the costs,\” Riebel said.

Granstrom also said he observed some activity in the closed Amoco gas station on Route 130.

Mayor Soubasis said the owner is trying to sell the property because he cannot get out of his lease and is selling small items in the store on the property.

In other business, the governing body approved four resolutions; the refund of overpayment of taxes, setting employee salaries for 2007, liquor license renewals and support of \”Click of Ticket\” mobilization.

Councilwoman Theresa Branella inquired about the number also reminded everyone about the \”Town Wide\” yard sale Saturday, June 2 at the cost of $5 for participation. Make checks payable to Theresa Branella. For information, call 456-0750 extension 162.

An ordinance was approved on first reading that would raise the registration fee to $200 per year for rental properties. The present cost is $100.

Once the ordinance is enacted, landlords will have to provide floor plans of the properties at registration.

STINSMAN, BERTHA V.
On June 4, 2007, (Nee Brangan) of Gloucester City, NJ. Age 68 yrs.Beloved wife of James L. Stinsman. Loving mother of James L., Jr. (Mary) of Deptford, Michael J. of Gloucester City and Lisa Kotzen (Michael) of Cherry Hill. Devoted grandmother of Chrissy, Sherry, Alicia, Tina, Jimmy, Megan, Madison, Kylie andEmma and dearest great grandmother of Brittany, Nicholas, Raelyn, Austin, Dyland and Alex. She was also the dear sister of Albert Brangan (Bette) of Berlin, NJ.
Mrs. Stinsman wasa devoted homemaker. She loved caring for herfamily and cooking.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet Wed. morning from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the ETHERINGTON-CRERAN FUNERAL HOME, 700 Powell St., in Gloucester City. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon. Interment to be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers her family has requested memorial donations in Mrs. Stinsman\’s memory be made to Virtua Health Foundation 609-914-8680 or American Lung Asso-ciation 212-315-8700

It’s back and bigger than ever…
October 14, 2007

Featuring: Interoperable Communications Seminar Fire Fighter Contests Static Apparatus Displays Equipment Demonstrations Firematic Flea Market Live Entertainment and Plenty of Good Food

Vendors Space Available Mail-in Registration

Registrations Begins At 8:00 AM

Gates Open at 10:00 AM