I have a couple of things on my mind that I like to discuss with you. Even more important I like to know what you have been thinking lately.

Did you know on Tuesday, Dec. 4 there will be an informal meeting held in the Mary Ethel Costello School about the proposed passenger rail line running through Gloucester City. The line would connect communities in Gloucester County to Camden City. In addition, there would be a passenger station located at Cumberland Street, in Gloucester City. If approved the rail service would be an electric train. Service during peak hours would be every 10-12 minutes; off peak service would be every 15-20 minutes. In 1996, the same Camden County to Gloucester County route was proposed but a small group of people complained and the idea was dropped.

I am in favor of the proposal mainly because the traffic situation on the major highways heading both south and north are overwhelming. One accident on a major highway and all the traffic is diverted to Gloucester City. When that happens it can take 30 minutes or more to ride from Gloucester City to the Brooklawn circle.

A passenger station located in Gloucester City would also help boost the economy. Growing up in this community there was always a passenger rail service in existence. In fact, at one time there were three rail lines running through the City.

Gloucester City needs to catch up with the 21^st century and the rest of South Jersey. Anything to stop the City\’s spiraling decline should be welcome with open arms. I believe the electric train will be a start in that direction.

Second subject….the idea of charging property owners a rental fee for each rental unit began in 1995 or thereabout. For some strange reason in the 10 years or so this law was in affect it was never enforced. The Housing Office collected the money each year but never inspected any properties, as far I know.

Now the James administration wants to change the ordinance to increase the rental fee that property owners pay by 300 percent.

The new governing body has said by increasing fees we will clean up our housing stock. Ironically, the previous administration that was voted out of office promised us the same thing. In the 10 years, the law has been in existence our rental housing stock if anything has gotten worst.

Mayor James and members of City Council, you do not need to hire more people in the housing office. Instead, we need stricter housing laws and penalties. If the property owner does not clean up the property then the City should do it and add the charge (s) to the owner\’s property taxes. You have a part-time person handing out parking tickets. Hire a part-time person to cite property owners.

Final topic:

Say goodbye to the days of the Abbott School District.

Our new school superintendent, Paul Spaventa inherited a financial mess from our previous superintendent, Mary Stansky. It is not all her fault nor is it all the fault of our local School Board.

No. I blame our state legislators and the Superior Court Judges for creating the mess we find ourselves in today when it comes to financing the operation of our Public Schools.

I have to ask those on the local school board, \”Did you ever discuss among yourselves what will happen when the money runs out?\” Well board members if you have been reading the papers and listening to the news you know the money has run out. The state is broke and the free ride is over.

Before we became an Abbott District, we had less employees and the budget was much lower. Today we have more employees, less students, and an estimated budget of $41 million. So what happens now? How much of that estimated amount do the local residents have to pay?

The public was told last week the school district is looking at a $1.3 million deficit. Are you still planning to build the $20 million Middle School? If we cannot pay for the buildings and staff, we have now, how can we afford another new school.

Things look bleak for the City School District. I believe last year\’s scare of 70 plus school employees being let go was just a drop in the bucket. Unless Trenton comes through with some more money, which I doubt, we will see more lay-offs in the months ahead.

To our new, school superintendent, Paul Spaventa, welcome to Gloucester City. I do not envy your position. I hope you do better with communicating with the public than your predecessor.

Nor do I do I envy being a politician or a school board member in this City. There are some tough and unpopular decisions to be made by both governing bodies in the year 2008.

Did I mention the union contract for the City\’s 34 career firefighters is up for negotiation in 2008?

Why not help them out by sharing your thoughts. Who knows you might come up with a idea on how to save the taxpayer\’s money.

More \”Points of View\” from Bill

LYNN, GINA MARIE
(nee DeLorenzo), of Westville, on November 29, 2007 peacefully, surrounded by her family. age 39 years.
Beloved wife of Michael Lynn; devoted mother of Brandy Lynn (Wes Lindsey), Michael Lynn, Jr., Antoinette Lynn & Julia Lynn; grandmother of Taylor Rose Lindsey; daughter of John (Lynne) DeLorenzo and Kathleen (Michael) Spencer; sister of John DeLorenzo and Peter Delorenzo.
Raised in Medford Lakes, Gina and her family lived in Gloucester City, moving to Westville 4 years ago. For the last 8 years, Mrs. Lynn was Asst. Billing Mgr. for SJ Port Corp. in Camden,Viewing Sunday 7-9PM in BLAKE-DOYLE FUNERAL HOME, 226 Collings Ave., Collingswood. Funeral Monday 9:30 to 10:30 AM from the Funeral Home. Funeral Mass 11AM in Most Holy Redeemer RC Church, Delsea Drive, Westville Grove.
The Family suggests donations in Gina\’s memory to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053.

GAMBONE, THOMAS F.
Age 85, of Audubon, passed away on Tuesday November 27, 2007 at the Atriums at Silver Care in Cherry Hill.
Mr. Gambone faithfully defended his country as a veteran of the U.S. Navy during WWII. He had been a lifetime member of the Raws-Tait VFW Post 7334 in Somerdale, the Oaklyn-Bettlewood American Legion Post 84 and the Audubon Fire Dept., Station 1-1. He was the owner of the L.T. Sub Shop on West Atlantic Ave. in Audubon.
Mr. Gambone is the widower of the late Marie (nee Moneglia) and is survived by his brother Louis E. (Alice) Gambone. He is uncle of Angel Gambone (David Crispi), Robert Gambone (Lorraine), and Lucy Gambone. He is the Great-Uncle of Adrienne (Albert) Panetta, Jr. and Great, Great Uncle of Gabrielle A. Panetta.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 am at Holy Maternity Church, 431 W. Nicholson Rd., Audubon, Fr. Cairone Celebrating. Interment and Military tribute will follow at the William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown.
Relatives and friends are invited to remember and honor Thomas on Monday between 8:30 and 10:30 am at the HENRY FUNERAL HOME, 152 W. Atlantic Ave., Audubon. www.henryfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Raws-Tait VFW Post 7334, 10 Kennedy Blvd., Somerdale, NJ 08083.

PROFERA, PAUL, JR.
\”Superintendent of Profera Homes\”, suddenly, on November 29, 2007, of Bellmawr, formerly a longtime resident of Fairview. Age 66.
Devoted husband of 45 years of Margi (nee Gialuco). Loyal son of Marie (nee DiPietro) and the late Paul, Sr. Magnificent father of LeeAnn Hallinan (Jim), Paul Profera (Camie) and MaryLou Profera (Mike). Most Treasured Pop Pop of Anthony Profera, Alexis Profera, Michaela Lee Murphy, Gianna Hallinan, Paul Nicholas Profera, Dominic Murphy and Anthony Caputi. Brother of Louis Profera (Chris) and the late Maria Marshall. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Paul was the former co-owner of Shorty\’s Newsstand in Fairview. He previously owned and trained thoroughbred race horses and was a former member of the NJ Thoroughbred Racing Assoc. He was a dedicated Sr. Corrections Officer in the hospital at Riverfront State Prison.
Paul proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He was also a former member of VFW Post #7410. He was a devoted family man who was always available 24 hours a day for his wife, children and grandchildren. Nothing made him happier or more proud than his grandchildren.
There will be a viewing from 6 to 9pm Tuesday eve and 8:15 to 9:15am Wednesday morning at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE. Funeral Mass 10am Wednesday at Annunciation BVM Church, Bellmawr. Interment New St. Mary\’s Cemetery, Bellmawr. Family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made in memory of Paul Profera, Jr. to Bishop Eustace Prep Football Program, 5552 Rt. 70, Pennsauken, NJ 08109, Attn: Nick Italiano. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to [email protected].