Gloucester City: Planning Board Denies K of C Variance Request

By John P. Schmidt

NEWS Correspondent

The Gloucester City Planning and Zoning Board denied a request from the Knights of Columbus Epiphany Council #3485 for a D and Use Variance for 1610 Market St. during last week\’s meeting.

Epiphany Council #3485 is currently located in an old convent at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in the Fairview section of Camden.

Epiphany Grand Knight Joseph Viggiano explained to the Board that as a result of parishes merging in the Diocese of Camden, the Council had to find a new meeting place.

The property which the Council is buying from an estate was formerly a delicatessen, has been vacant for years, and is in bad condition.

Many Board members and residents expressed concern about parking, as well as the fact that the area is all residential.

The Council has 95 members, of which about 15 show up to meetings on a regular basis.

Resident Eileen Koontz mentioned that many residents in the area would like to see the property used for residential use.

\”We would really like to see that building knocked down and have a residential zone instead of commercial zoned,\” Keentz said. \”We would like to see a house built on that property.\”

Also, Ed Walton, Grand Knight of Council #674, in Gloucester City, spoke before the board.

Walton said there has been some confusion about the proposed moved and wanted to clarify that the KOC Council #674, is Gloucester City\’s council.

They received their charter in 1902 and have been serving the community of Gloucester City for 106 years, he said.

The Board denied the request by a vote of 0-7-1, with member Jess Torres abstaining.

The Board also unanimously passed a recommendation from the historical society for a sign for the new Irish Tavern which is being built on Burlington Street, where Billy\’s Place formerly was located.

The name of the restaurant will be Auld Dubliner.

The Board also passed two other motions.

The first authorizes the Board to conduct a preliminary investigation to establish redevelopment areas in what is presently the Gloucester Catholic complex.

Also, Chairman Daniel Spencer asked the Board to send a resolution to mayor and council to ask for a replacement Board member for Jack Brandt.

Spencer noted that Brandt has been absent from meetings and he would like mayor and council to appoint a new member.

The Board unanimously approved the request.

Finally, Board Member Bob Bevan mentioned that Holt has agreed to build a barricade between their facilities and the neighborhood on King Street, and recommended the Board appoint a sub-committee to meet with Holt.

The committee will consist of board members Ralph Randolph, Ryan Murphy and Jess Torres.

Torres will serve as chair of the committee.

The next meeting of the Gloucester City Planning Board will be August 21 at 313 Monmouth St.

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Mt. Ephraim: Weekend Storm Was a Whopper!

Photos by Bill Bates

TREE LANDS ON TOP OF HOUSE / POWER LINES – The recent hail storm over the weekend sent a large tree crashing threw the home on the 300 block of Lowell Avenue, just off Bell Road.

Power was disrupted for a short while before it was restored. Mount Ephraim Police and Fire Department\’s were summonsed to the scene where no injuries were reported.

Units stayed on location until PSE&G arrived to secure the power and worker\’s from the Department of Public Works could remove part of the tree that was blocking the roadway.

HAIL BALLS – Large size hail balls can be seen on the back door mat of this photographers home. Something of this magnitude has never been seen in this area during a storm.

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California Guard Rescues Nation\’s Largest Ponderosa Pine

By Air Force Lt. Col. Lloyd J. Goodrow
Special to American Forces Press Service

HAYFORK, Calif., July 29, 2008 – California National Guard\’s Task Force Pick came to the rescue when wildfires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest here threatened the nation\’s tallest Ponderosa pine tree.

Ponderosa pines are plentiful in the forests of the western United States and are among the most widely distributed pines in North America. They have an average height of 180 feet, and they usually can live for 300 to 600 years.

When the team of about 20 Guard firefighters reached the pine\’s location, a few miles north of the Forest Glen campsite, they knew this tree was something special.

Standing at 240.5 feet high — almost 24 stories — with a trunk nearly eight feet thick and estimated at an age of 700 years, this tree had to be saved.

The significance of the tree was verified by the U.S Forest Service team member as being documented by American Forests\’ National Register of Big Trees.

\”It was a lot of hard work and heart that went into keeping this incredible tree safe,\” said Army Spc. Diana Diaz. \”This majestic tree has witnessed a lot of history and stands as a symbol for survival. There have been wildfires through these forests before, … and this tree still stands. We\’re working hard to make sure that she makes it through this fire, too.\”

That task wasn\’t easy. With low-hanging branches, the tree was threatened by sparks and embers from nearby fires that could easily ignite the tree if the wind shifted just right.

The team of Guardsmen spent hours trimming the low-hanging threats and cleared a wide area around the tree that would eliminate any fuel source on the ground.

Two Guard members spent the entire day cutting down neighboring trees, and the rest of the team stacked piles of wood that would burn a safe distance from the tree. They also set up a water sprinkler system that will keep the cleared area moist.

\”Rescuing a tree that some might consider a national treasure has been one of the most unusual missions I\’ve ever been on,\” said Army Spc. David Walker. \”Being here in the Shasta-Trinity Forest with the other members of my unit has been a rough, but rewarding, mission. I\’m proud to be here, and I\’m very proud of my fellow soldiers who are serving here with me.\”

(Air Force Lt. Col. Lloyd J. Goodrow serves with the Vermont National Guard.)

Related Sites:
California National Guard

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Wheelchair Games Provide Therapy, Fun for Disabled Vets

Link: DefenseLink News Article.

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service

OMAHA, Neb., July 29, 2008 – About 500 disabled veterans, including recently wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan, are entering their final day of competition here today at the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
The event is the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports competition. It brings together veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations or other mobility or neurological conditions to compete in 17 different events.

Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake, who opened the competition July 25, called it a big part of the veterans’ rehabilitation and said the games provide \”a therapeutic extension\” of the top-notch health care veterans receive in VA medical centers.

\”Rehabilitation is crucial to living a full life following an injury,\” Peake said. \”I applaud all of the veterans participating as they strive to achieve their goals during this week of athletic competition.\”

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