Borough Engineer Char-les Riebel Jr. of KEI Associates presented an outline, complete with design drawings and answered questions on the plan.

Some improvements to the \”Circle\” area will include a stone screening border, decorative bollards contributing to a nautical theme, a \”Welcome to Brooklawn\” sign and plantings. Concrete sidewalks with accented bricks and removal of vegetation, slope stabilization and natural grass plantings are in the plan, also.

\”Later on, a fountain/aerator may be installed in the circle area,\” Riebel said.

Mayor John Soubasis and Council members are looking forward also to the creation of a Town Center.

Landscaping, brick pavers, benches, decorative street lights, flagpoles and a tall clock are some of the improvements.

According to the engineer\’s outline, decorative bus shelters will be installed at the Town Center.

The governing body discussed the use of advertising on the already-in-place bus shelters, and may opt to not having any advertisements on the shelters. Bus stops on Marne Road will be eliminated.

Some trees may be removed and new shade trees would be planted.

Councilwoman Theresa Branilla asked if some of the more attractive trees could be saved, and was told that that was possible if they did not interfere with a good tree line.

Enhancement of the Chestnut Street Island is included in the project. It includes stone screening, decorative bollards, a \”Welcome to Brooklawn\” sign and the relocation of the existing \”Legion National Champions\” sign.

So far, the Borough has received $200,000 from the Camden County Freeholders, and had received federal earmarked funds in the amount of $320,000.

Once approved, the Borough can go out to contractors for bidding.

In other business, Council talked about painting the water tank.

The engineer and Donna Domico, Public Works manager, suggested that since the tank has not been painted since 1984, it should receive an inspection first and then painted. The matter will be further discussed.

If a foreign person planned to become a Japanese citizen they will always be a gaijin or foreign devil. Oh, by the way my wife didn\’t take the job when they called her; she took the high school job as an English teacher, and she\’s still there teaching, almost 20 years now.

In the part of Kitakyushu where we reside people are good to us and very kind. I almost never hear that word gaijin used, I am accepted part of the landscape here and we also have many good friends.

Struggling with another language and culture, not just for a few weeks but for every single day of every single year, year-in and year – out…

Raising three kids between two lands and a pair of families separated by a wide world of differences and understanding…Sweating through the boiling cost of living that overcooks even the smallest of expenditures. And perhaps the hardest task of all…watching other folks in similar situations not survive, but rather pack up their bags and head home.

But we still survived it here for the last 31 years we still find it a great challenging effort to hang on and survive.

Believe me it\’s been a real challenge but we\’re happy and enjoy our lives so very much. We have raised three really great kids here we have experienced the best of two worlds. At least we\’re comfortable and own our home and have a successful business, THE MILLER ENGLISH SCHOOL JAPAN.

\”Something else I worry about,\” I confess to my wife Keiko,\” is that so many longtime residents here turn out a trifle weird. You know what I mean? \”She smiles.\”Yes, I think I do. But survivors can\’t be picky, can they? \”Besides she pats me on the hand,\” for some survivors, it may already be too late.\”

Warm Regards from Kitakyushu City, Japan.

Have a great autumn!

Hank, Keiko the Miller Family

Note: Hank was born and raised in Gloucester City, NJ after he was discharged from the service he settle in Japan.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST