The last independent pharmacy in Gloucester City will be closing its doors on Tuesday, July 22. RxD Pharmacy at 525 Monmouth Street has been located at that address for 25 years. Kings Pharmacy at Market and Broadway closed a few years ago after serving the community for over 50 years.

City residents will still have a choice between CVS Pharmacy at 417 South Broadway or Lipkins Pharmacy in nearby Brooklawn.

It is sad to see the \”Mom and Pop\” stores get eaten up by the big chains.

No matter how hard the CVS, Walgreens and other corporations try they will never compare with the personal touch you receive when you walk into a privately own business where everyone knows your name.

Thanks Steve for the TIP

At long last the environmental cleanup at the Klemm Avenue and Highland Blvd. intersection in Gloucester City has been completed. The work to remove contaminants dumped their many years ago by the defunct Welsbach Gas Mantle Co began in 2005. Both roads are now open to traffic.

RE: OPRA REQUEST submitted by the Gloucester City News

Dear Mr. Countryman, \”The information requested in your OPRA dated June 27, 2008, refers to confidential, inter-agency, intra-agency advisory, consultative, and or deliberative material and is therefore exempted from the Open Public Records Act.\”

Paul Kain, City Administrator/Municipal Clerk

I am told The City News plans to file a request with the NJ Government Records Council to decide the matter. Related City News files OPRA request

 

The last few days I have been overwhelmed with all the comments. Yesterday for example 61 comments were received. Most are criticizing the City School Board and Administration for not hiring local candidates for teaching positions in the District. Thanks to everyone for sharing your views.

Once again I urge you to stay away from name calling, no profanity, along with making accusations without proof. To those submitting 300 words essays; most people are going to skim over those long boring remarks or not read them at all. You can make your point in less words if you try. And finally if you see something that is untrue or out of line DO NOT POST A COMMENT, instead contact me via Email [email protected]

TODAY’S BLOG NEWS

 

ShapTalk.com has a comment on a study completed recently on the business climate in New Jersey. The results of the Study are a troubling sign for New Jersey’s economic future.

Please click on the link below to read the full column…

Link: http://shaptalk.blogspot.com/2008/07/troubling-sign-for-new-jerseys-economic.html

Corzine Wrong on Offshore Drilling

The SaveJersey.com Blog condemns Governor Corzine and his Democrat cohorts for blocking offshore drilling for oil. They write, \” Next time you pull up to the gas station and notice that the prices have increased since your last visit, you can blame Jon Corzine and all of the other \”no drilling in my backyard\” politicians who are opposed to drilling for oil in the outer continental shelf along America\’s coast.

READ MORE

If you have a TIP you would like to share send it to [email protected]

Related: Bill\’s Tips and Snippets …………………..

 

By Lois Staas NEWS Correspondent

 Superintendent Annette Castiglione presented the results of the 2007-2008 Bellmawr Public Schools Community Survey during the recent Board of Education meeting.

The survey was distributed to all district families and had 345 respondents.

Printed results were distributed as Castiglione highlighted the assessment.

The ongoing controversy over the length of the spring break was put into perspective.

Survey results indicate that 254 are in favor of a break as it was scheduled this year (one week); 75 were opposed, and 16 had no opinion.

\”We agree,\” Castiglione said to the 16 respondents who offered opinions that the teachers and principals are doing an excellent job.

As to the two respondents who expressed concerns over the changes to the middle school curriculum, the superintendent replied, \”We are planning a parent meeting to explain how this schedule will work to benefit students.

\”Also I believe in a rigorous program. To the respondent who expressed a need for less homework and fewer project-based learning activities, we try to give students multiple opportunities for learning and for assessment. Projects are an enjoyable way for students to demonstrate what they have learned.\”

Board Member Betty Sheppard said, \”Welcome back to Mr. Beail after his leave from surgery.\”

\”Thank you. I am looking forward to September,\” Beail said.

Castiglione acknowledged the resignation and service of Spanish teacher Ms. Susan Page, who has \”accepted a position at another district.\”

In his committee report Board Member Ron Henry assured everyone, \”The buildings are sound and are basically in very good shape with few problems.\”

Regina Andrews-Collette, president of the Bellmawr Education Association, asked for clarification concerning the roof repairs to the Bellmawr Park and Ethel Burke schools.

\”Some roof repairs need to be taken care of, as well as the carpets at Burke and Bellmawr Park,\” Henry said. \”As a matter of fact the air quality has been tested the past two years.\”

Mr. Beail requested and received confirmation that the needed work would be completed by school opening so that the buildings would be safe for employees, as well as students.

A special highlight of the evening occurred as Ethel Burke School student Anjali Patel, a fourth grader, accepted an award for placing fourth in the Camden County Poster Contest.

Presenter Ron Henry applauded Anjali, \”an enthusiastic student who is always willing to share ideas and is creative in all of her work, especially art.\”

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Belmawr BOE will be Tuesday, August 24, and the Board will go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.

 Submitted by Bernadette Gorman

On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was… How many steps does the guard take during his walk across The Tomb of the Unknowns —- All three missed it –

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns and why?

· Twenty-one steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and

· Why? Twenty-one seconds for the same reason as answer number one.

3. Why are his gloves wet?

· His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?

· He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

· Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

· For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb he must be between 5\’ 10\’ and 6\’ 2\’ tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30\’. Other requirements of the Guard:

They must commit two years of their lives to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 wreath pins presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds, or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty, a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery…

A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the notables are President Taft, Joe E.Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy {the most decorated soldier of WWII}, of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took two days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, \’No way, Sir!\’

Soaked to the skin, marching in the > pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment; it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The Tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7,since 1930.

God Bless and keep them.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/

Source Gloucester City\’s website

After much discussion on the appropriate way to honor those whom made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States, the Mayor\’s Advisory Committee has a recommendation that should please the families of the 68 individuals and the present residents of the City. The 68 persons were as follows: three from the Civil War, five from World War I, forty-nine from World War II, two from the Korean War and one from the War on Terror.

The committee has selected a 2 foot by 4 foot banner with a picture or a symbol, when a photo is not available, and name, the date and location of death and the war. The banners will be flown from the existing poles along Broadway during the months of May and November.

The committee needs the help of family members to supply a photo and the specific information on the individuals to be honored. The names that information is needed are as follows:

Civil War – William Bernard Campbell, William Groves, Sergeant Patrick Reilly

World War I – David Barnaby, Fredrick Baynes, Amon Lane, John Sheldon, Townsend Young

World War II – Robert Anderson, Joseph Barron, Ralph Batzel, William Boddingham, Daniel Booth, Samuel Burns, Alden Cochran, Thomas Costello, Albert Crabtree, Edward Crouthamel, Frank Dickinson, Joseph DiSantis, John Elliot, Albert Godalla, Fredrick Gehrig, Davis Ginsberg, Samuel Goldy, Joseph Harrison, Albert Harvey, John Hegener Jr., Albert Hobbs, Harold Holloway, Ross Hunt, Joseph Johnson, Thomas Joseph, Edward Keenan, Joseph Kobby, Gerald Lyons, Jack McDermott, Paul Mailley, James Myles Jr., Francis Newcombe, Albert Parker, John Pletkin, Edward Rogers, Joseph Scheurich, Thomas Sheridan, Hyman Small, William Spencer, Walter Springer, John Stainker, James Stinsman, Walter Stuhl, Fred Walker, Walter Walker, Joseph Wessell, James Wilkie, William Williams, Walter Williamson

Korean War – C. Richard Eppleman, Frank Sullivan

Vietnam War – Ronald Bates, Harry Brannon, Wayne Colantuono, Christopher Daniels, Paul Flaherty, William Hamacher, William Ridge, John Rodgers, Micheal Walters

War on Terror – Sgt. Mark Ryan

All information on the above can be sent to Ted Howarth at 315 Orlando Ave., Gloucester City, NJ 08030.

Chairman Howarth states that with the help of family and friends of our decreased veterans, plans are to have the banners on Broadway in November.

A sample of the banner will be on display at the Municipal Building for the next few weeks.