October 22, 2007 –

LAWRENCEVILLE—Rider freshman Margaret Ecke (New Egypt) was awarded Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week honors for games played October 15-21 it was announced by the conference office Monday afternoon. \”It is a well deserved honor for her,\” said head coach Lori Hussong. \”She just had an outstanding week in the games that she played.\”

Ecke, a 5-2 midfielder/forward had a goal and two assists last week as the Broncs posted two NEC road wins at Monmouth and Sacred Heart.

\”I’m very honored to represent my team,\” said Ecke. \”We’ve pulled together and the team as a whole has made me a better player. The comradeship has made our team more competitive as a whole.\”

Against the Hawks, Ecke made a defensive save in overtime and pushed the ball up the field, creating a penalty corner. Ecke then scored the winning goal with 52 seconds left in the first overtime in Rider’s 3-2 win. Ecke also assisted on the opening goal of the game, just 3:51 in.

At Sacred Heart, Ecke assisted on the eventual winning goal as Rider (9-8, 6-1 NEC) clinched the number two seed in the upcoming playoffs with a 3-1 win over the Pioneers.

\”She is getting better and better,\” Hussong added. \”Our team is getting better and better because of her play.\”

Ecke, a biochemistry major, is currently fourth in the conference averaging 0.24 assists per game. Ecke is eighth in the NEC in defensive saves with two.

\”It’s pretty rare for a freshman to break into the starting lineup right away,\” said Hussong. \”This year especially, we’ve had a lot of talented younger players that have played a lot of minutes and she is one of them. Our team is improving because of the play of all of the freshmen.\”

This marks the 22^nd time under head coach Lori Hussong that the Broncs have been honored with a conference Rookie of the Week award, including the fourth time this season. Freshman forward Michaela Franey (York, Maine/York) was honored by the conference in back to back weeks at the start of the season with rookie Amanda Barretta (Roseland/West Essex) honored the first week of October.

\”It’s a credit to the coaching staff that so many different players have been recognized,\” Ecke added. \”We work very hard together and put pressure on each other to become better players.\”

\”It is a credit to Dan [assistant coach Hussong] for the recruiting job that he does for us,\” Hussong said. \”He brought in a nice class for us and they all have been productive.\”

Rider hosts Fairfield in the final regular season game of the year October 25. The Broncs travel to Lock Haven for the NEC playoffs November 2-3.

-RU-

The unofficial straw poll regarding the demonstration by the Gloucester City Career Firemen during the recent Heroes to Hero 5K memorial run ended on Sunday evening.

The 5k Run is a tribute to the memories of the three firemen (two volunteer and one career) who died on July 4, 2002 fighting a fire at Broadway and Mercer Street. Fire Chief James Sylvester, Deputy Chief John West and Firefighter Thomas Stewart III perished in the fire along with three children. The girls — Claudia, Colletta and Alexandra Slack — also died

The unions for the career firefighters were demonstrating over a recent change in staffing made by Mayor and Council. The City said the change was necessary because the Fire Department as of August had used up this year’s overtime budget of $240,000 and had over expended that amount by $38,000. Firemen work 24 hours shifts. If someone is called in to replace a man who is out on sick leave the individual receives 24 hours of overtime pay.

An email sent out days before the event to rally members to turnout, read in part,

\”The members of Gloucester City Firefighter\’s and Superior Fire Officers Association F.M.B.A.\’s Local No. 51/251 have been fighting their city administration recently about the reduction of staffing. The city is moving in the direction of drastically reducing their staffing, solely to save money.\”

The public was asked the following question: Were the Gloucester City career firefighters right or wrong to hold a protest rally during the Heroes to Hero 5K Memorial Run. 

A total of 215 people from all over the United States (e.g. Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Connecticut, New York, Michigan, Washington DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania) took time to cast a vote. The majority of the votes came from the immediate South Jersey area.

Also we received some 75 written comments on the subject. (see links below)

As for the unofficial straw poll, 35 percent or 75 people felt the Union firemen were Right to demonstrate, compared to 140 people or 65 percent who felt they were wrong.

Thank you to all for taking the time to vote and or to comment. We appreciate your input.———–Bill Cleary

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 Mount Ephraim Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary presents a Holiday Shopping Night.

 

Numerous participants including Pampered Chef, Wood Crafts, Discovery Toys, Princess House Crystal, Home Interior Gifts, Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry, Partlite Candles, Tupperware Products, Tastefully Simple, Grandma\’s Creations, Avon Products and many more… at the Mount Ephraim Firehouse at 200 Bell Road, Mt. Ephraim.

 

Free refreshments provided. For more information, contact Donna Schepacarter at 931-9206.

Cash & Carry.