\”Welcome to Gloucester City\” signs are being placed at all the entrances to Gloucester City. The first sign went up today (July 18) at the Rt. 42 and Market Street off ramp. In all seven signs will be erected by the contractor hired to do the job, Astro Outdoor Advertising of Glassboro. The cost for each is $1,759 for a total of $12,313. The background of the sign is blue gradient and it is outlined in gold and white. The posts are made out of PVC, the material used is 1 inch thick high density urethane, and the display is made out of ¼ inch thick aluminum composite backer panel. The sign is mounted to 4 inch x 4 inch x 6 foot decorative PVC posts; pressure treated core/below grade. Each sign measure 45 inches wide x 67 inches high. The signs are maintenance free.

Mayor Bill James, right and Councilman Nick Marchese said other signs are being funded by various local businesses and maintained by local organizations. This particular sign was funded and sponsored by the Gloucester City Urban Enterprise Zone and is being maintained by the Gloucester City Rotary.

\”We are very happy to say this program will not cost taxpayers a penny\”, said the Mayor. Marchese added that all the old signs that are presently at Market Street and Route 130 will be taken down. \”And only one of the new signs will be allowed at that entrance way to the City. \”

The Beginning of Gloucester City Category: Gloucester City History

GELLURA, ROSE

(nee Fornito). Went to be with the Lord on July 15, 2007; Born and raised in Camden, formerly of Lindenwold, Audubon and Wildwood; age 86 yrs
Beloved wife of the late Thomas Salvatore Gellura Sr. Devoted mother of Salvatore (Dorothy),Rose \’Chickie\’, Michael (Karen), Jean (Dean) Allen, Tina (Timothy) McNulty, JoAnn (John) Coverly, Anthony (Jane), Donna, and the late Thomas S. Jr. Loving grandmother of 40 and great grandmother of 58. Dear sister of the late Carl, Lena and Jean. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation and Funeral on Saturday from 9 AM at the FALCO/CARUSO & LEONARD PENN-SAUKEN FUNERAL HOME, 6600 North Browning Road, where a Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM.
Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill. Info, condolences and guestbook at
www.carusocare.com

Fire News NJ Editorial

 

The past month has been a difficult one for the volunteer fire service. Newsday, a Long Island newspaper, has been running articles that have twisted facts, which are depicting the fire service in a negative light. Slow response times were blamed for two fatal fires, when in fact the delay was a direct result of a four-minute hold up by the homeowners in reporting the fire. In New Jersey, a three-alarm blaze ripped through five multi-family homes. Fire officials are blaming this tragedy on cuts that forced the closing of two Bayonne firehouses. In New York City, eight children lost their lives in a tragic fire, despite a four-minute response time by the FDNY. A closer look at this fire revealed that space heaters were being used to heat the home, no working smoke detectors were present, and the occupant called her husband before she called 911. This reminds us that response time is not always the determining factor at a tragic fire. 

Let\’s face it, the fire service does an excellent job in protecting life and property. Unfortunately, we are not perfect. When we deal with factors that are out of our control, we cannot expect to win every battle. However, the fire service does perform its duties well, despite cuts in funding and in some cases negative representation from the media. 

What can we do to insure the continued service that our department provides to our communities? The answer is to be an active, keyword ACTIVE, volunteer firefighter. According to Dr. Harry Carter, MIFireE, CFO, an internationally known municipal fire protection consultant, author, lecturer, and veteran New Jersey fire officer, \”Studies by the National Volunteer Fire Council speak to the fact that volunteers are a resource that must be nurtured and supported.\” Dr. Carter believes we must act now and strengthen our volunteer fire service.  

Spring is a time of rebirth. The flowers are starting to bloom, the grass is starting to turn green, and fire departments are once again becoming visible to the public. We should encourage our neighbors to stop by the firehouse to see if they may want to become part of the organization. Company officers should be encouraging their members to respond every time that they hear a call. Every call? Is this possible? It has always been my practice that if I am home or within my community and my pager goes off, I simply go to the call if I am able to. No excuses! We volunteered to be firefighters and EMS responders. Despite what anyone else might think, our community and our department need us. Let this spring be the starting point to rejuvenate our commitment to our department. Do not worry about what others in our department do. We can make a difference in our department by setting examples for everyone to follow us. Do not let the lack of motivation be the reason that the media uses against us when the occasional call does not go the way we would like it to go. Our supporters on Capitol Hill are fighting a constant battle to make sure we have the tools needed to protect our community. We need to join them in promoting the fire service by making sure that we are active members in our department. 

By DON BENEVENTO

GLOUCESTER CITY-It\’s already been a magical season for the Mt. Ephraim Senior Little League team which, for the first time in the 55-year history of participation, has won the town\’s first district championship.

However, the District 14 champion Hawks now face an uphill battle in a bid to win the South Jersey Section 4 championship following their 5-1 loss Wednesday to North Cumberland, a setback that has thrown Mt. Ephraim into the losers\’ bracket.

\”The big bats didn\’t come through for us,\” said Mt. Ephraim coach George Gies, whose team will now move on to South Vineland Saturday to play the winner of tonight\’s game between Stratford and Monroe Township. \”But we gutted it out, and we were in there for a little while.\”

The winner of Saturday\’s game will play North Cumberland on Monday at Franklin Township, hoping to win and force a deciding game for the sectional title. North Cumberland, the District 3 champion, now needs only one win to wrap up the crown.

Gies believes his players will get another look at North Cumberland, which used solid pitching from Chet Godfrey and a three-run homer from Barry Larro in the second inning, to secure the win.

\”We\’re a small town and this is a big step for everybody in this town,\” he said. \”I think our kids were starting to feel the pressure. But after about the fourth inning, I think we started to believe we could win. I think we\’ll probably get another shot at them on Monday.\”

On Wednesday, Mt. Ephraim fell out of contention early, even though it seemed North Cumberland could never apply the knockout blow.

North Cumberland jumped on top against starter and loser Mike McHugh with a run in the first inning when Godfrey singled, moved to second and third on wild pitches and scored on an RBI single by Larro.

In the second inning, North Cumberland loaded the bases on a single by Gary Fischer, a double by Daren Overstreet and a walk to Jimmy Pattitucci.

At that point, Gies changed pitchers, bringing in left-hander Don Eaise, who got an out without a run scoring on a fielder\’s choice. But Godfrey hit a long sacrifice fly, and Larro hit a home run to left to extend the lead to 5-0.

\”He threw a fast ball outside, and whatever he threw, I was looking to drive the ball and hit it hard,\” Larro said. \”I was trying to do my job and bring in runs.\”

However, Eaise gave up nothing after that, in giving his team a chance to come back.

For his part, Godfrey was rarely in trouble, and he gave up no earned runs.

Mt. Ephraim got its only run in the fourth inning with the help of three of errors.

The Hawks had their best chance in the top of the second, while still trailing only 1-0. With one out, they had runners on second and third following a Scott Simonds double and a single and stolen base by Wil Hamilton. But Godfrey got a strikeout and a ground out to get out of that jam.

\”I was working my spots, and when a couple of kids hit the ball we had great defense to back us up, Godfrey said. \”The infield and outfield did great, and I just tried to pitch my best.\”

Godfrey eventually gave way to Fischer, who pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning.

FOSTER, EDWIN J. SR.
On July 17, 2007, age 87 of Mt. Ephraim NJ.
Beloved husband of the late Marie A. (nee Norton) and the late Dorothy (nee Nowinski). Devoted father of Edwin J., Jr. and Daughter-in law Susan Foster of Tabernacle NJ. Loving grand father of Dr. Dennis and (Jacky) Foster of Fairfield, VA. Beloved brother of Patricia (Jerry) McCreery of Audubon Park, Cyrene (Frank) Slegona of Camden, Maine and John Foster of Bellmawr Park. Also many loving neices and newphews. Also dearest neighbors Bill and Judy Evers, and Joann Gavin.
Mr. Foster was a World War II Army Veteran who took part on D-Day. He was also a member of the Runnemede V.F.W. Post # 3324. He was an avid Phillies Fan and enjoyed working with model trains.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his viewing Friday evening 7pm-9pm and Saturday from 9am-10am at the
MAHAFFEY-MILANO FUNERAL HOME
11 E, Kings Hwy
Mt. Ephraim, N.J.
(856)931-1628
Funeral service Saturday 10am at the funeral home. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Expressioins of sympathy & condolences may be sent to www. milanofuneralhome.com