An open letter of appreciation to the good citizens of Gloucester City:

Gloucester City News-I’m a Ground Combat U.S. Marine Veteran who served in ’67 & ’68 in the Republic of Vietnam. On behalf of Veterans who commemorate our brothers and sisters who have served this great country of ours, I wish to thank the community who, as a whole, chose to fly our national colors in appropriate manner.

It is so refreshing to drive the streets of Gloucester City and see the American Flag flown on almost every porch and front lawn.

As a veteran I don’t need monuments, parades or a gushing thank you. Simply fly our flag. I can not express the disappointment that is clearly on the faces of my WWII Veteran’s friends when we march in a Memorial Day or Fourth of July parade day and march for blocks in some communities, only to see pennants with leaves or crab pots.

It does not take much. A simple twelve inch American flag in a flower pot will do just fine. So thank you Gloucester City. You make old Veterans swell with pride by a simple gesture.

Semper Fidelis

George Wise, Former SSGT USMC

 

A Warning to Gloucester City Residents

Take heed and don’t make the mistake I made. As you may know, Gloucester City is in the process of building a new \”water treatment\” plant. Here’s my story. On Monday, the water in my fish pond was extremely low so I took the garden hose and filled it up. I then fed my eight gold fish that have lived in my pond for three years. After a couple hours, I went out in the yard to check on the water level and found eight \”dead\” fish.

Since I was shocked with my discovery, I phoned Bill’s Wonderland of Pets and told my story to a very attentive guy. He asked me where I lived and when I answered Gloucester City, he said, \”want to hear a story?\” He continued to tell me about a woman, who lives in Gloucester and that she breeds \”Angel Fish\” for the store and recently lost a couple of her tanks of fish. He then said there is very likely a problem with Gloucester’s water having too much chlorine and ammonia which killed the fish.

So, to anyone with tropical fish or backyard fish ponds, DO NOT change or add any Gloucester City water without first getting the water tested and treated!

A Sad Pet Owner

By Leigh Anne Hubbs

NEWS Correspondent

GLOUCESTER CITY NEWS-During the recent Mount Ephraim Board of Education meeting, many students were recognized for their artistic and academic abilities, as well as for their generosity.

Principal Michael Hunter presented to the School Board members a certificate of appreciation which was awarded to students of Mary Bray School by American Legion Post 150, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6262 and Troop Support 08059 for their time and effort in supporting local men and women who are currently serving overseas.

The students\’ involvement began with a letter writing activity in observance of Memorial Day, but soon evolved into a wonderful project where each grade collected and donated various items that were later sent to the troops, items ranged from snacks to DVDs.

 Gloucester City News

Board member Betty Sheppard was a life-long resident of Bellmawr where she and her husband Jack raised four children and grandchildren who attended the Bellmawr schools. In 1979, Mrs. Sheppard was elected to the Board of Education because she had desire to improve the educational process for all children. One of her first actions as a Board member was to approve services for special education students. She spent the next 35 years working toward approving educational advances not only special education services in our district but for all children in our district.

By Chris Concannon

NEWS Correspondent

Gloucester City News-Eighth Grade students from area schools overtook the recent Bellmawr Borough Council Meeting.

The all-female \”Mayor and Council,\” led by \”Mayor\” Madeline Bekier, opened the meeting by passing three resolutions they themselves developed and discussed.

Councilman Lou Di Angelo then described the student’s day, which included an extensive tour of county departments, with stops at a CSI lab among them. There they learned how long a case is really solved with DNA evidence, far longer than the one hour on the CBS crime dramas.

NJ Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-5) swore in the student stand-ins that morning.

The 2009 Bellmawr Student Government Participants are:

Gloucester City News

Brooklawn American Legion Post 72 recently sent eight delegates to the 64^th Session of American Legion Jersey Boys State at Rider University.

Legion Program Chairman Ted Howarth said Boys State developed from the concept that youth should be offered a better perspective of the practical operation of government.

American Legion Boys is an activity of high educational value, born out of the need for youth training in practical citizenship.

Qualified male high school juniors get a chance to take part in a practical government course. It develops in young citizens a working knowledge of government structure.

Howarth said the programs are governed by a set of standards geared to meet certain objectives.