SEPTEMBER 2010 CHEERS AND JEERS

JEER-A burglar broke into the honor box located at Charlie’s Ice, Daly Street, Gloucester City, in September stealing some change and a few dollar bills. Mr. Charlie said, \”I have been in the ice business here in Gloucester City for about 25 years, 10 years at Broadway and Ridgeway Street and the last 15 years on Daly Street. There wasn’t much money in the box. I use an honor system and it bothers me that someone would violate that arrangement\”.

CHEER-It is nice to see the formation of the Gloucester City Republican Club. Wil Levins the organizer says, \”The City GOP is going to be actively involved in helping our community, county, state and country bring about the oversight and fiscal restraint needed to conduct the people’s business responsibly. As you well know, our city, county, state and congressional district have all been dominated by one party over the past 20 years. More precisely, we believe our region has been controlled by a small group of individuals, less interested in the good of their party or the people they serve, seeking only to enhance their own power and influence.\”

JEER-In yet another unbelievable act of arrogance, the board of the Delaware River Port Authority in September rescinded a reform that had been pushed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The board’s action once again permitted free bridge trips for DRPA employees commuting to work. Not unexpectedly, Christie vetoed that action.

JEER- The Press of Atlantic City reported last month that a quarter of the South Jersey Transportation Authority’s full-time workforce has collected nearly half of the agency’s raises since 2007, averaging more than 10 percent in annual pay increases, while private-sector raises nationally averaged less than 3 percent. Two overriding factors — a lucrative labor contract and political connections — have provided the group of 78 authority employees with dramatic pay increases, with many receiving $15,000 to $37,500 in raises and promotions since 2007. Employees receiving the high raises include staff members and officials connected with Camden County Democrats.

CHEER-Michael Battersby, a 16-year old Gloucester City resident and GHS student was seriously injured when he was hit by a freight train at George Street and the railroad. No doubt Michael\’s life was saved because of the expertise of the Gloucester City EMT\’s, City firefighters and doctors/nurses at Cooper Hospital. He suffered serious multiple injuries and will be in the hospital for sometime recuperating.

JEER-To the Judge who sentenced a 66-year- old to prison for defending himself against a Hells Angel gang member. Keith Degroof has been jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to causing grievious bodily harm to a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang. Degroot became embroiled in an altercation with the gang member in the Duck and Drake pub, in which the pensioner\’s glasses were knocked from his face by the burly biker.

CHEER to those who use their signals in the Brooklawn circles. When you\’re sitting by Verchio\’s waiting to move, it\’s so nice to know where someone is going, instead of having to wait. It was also taught in Driver\’s Education to use your signals in a circle. A Jeer to those who don\’t use them!

JEER-The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), spent $823,200 of economic stimulus funds in 2009 on a study by a UCLA research team to teach uncircumcised African American men how to wash their genitals after having sex. The genitalia-washing program is part of a larger $12-million UCLA study examining how to better encourage African Americans to undergo voluntary HIV testing and counseling – however, only the penis-washing study received money from the 2009 economic stimulus law.

CHEER-I have tremendous respect and appreciation for our Police Dept. We are blessed to have so many intelligent, devoted, and compassionate individuals serving our city. May God bless and protect all of you each and every day ! ~Bernadette Gorman

JEER-Gloucester City Mayor Bill James appointed an advisory committee to study a change in our government. Gloucester City continues to operate under the out-dated-ward system. The committee met for months and submitted a report in time for a referendum to be place on this year\’s ballot so the public could vote yes or no for the change. Because the mayor and council did not act on the report residents will have to wait another year. One of the promises made four years ago by this administration as candidates was to change the ward system. Enough delay! Under our present form of government residents can petition to put a question on the ballot without the consent or decree of mayor and council.

CHEER for the Shamrock Festival it gets better each year.

JEER-A resident writes, \”The new $9 million Gloucester City Water Plant has not solved anything. The water still has a bad taste, like medicine. Come on you guys less chlorine . We don\’t need water that tastes like bleach.\”

CHEER to neighbors and friends of Eric Fedderolf who are helping Monica cope with her tragic loss. 

JEER- To the management of the city who can get rid of an employee (ie FIREFIGHTER/EMT laid off June 28th) saying that it doesnt have money and contnue to enjoy spending our tax payer money on frivolus things while refusing to pay the employee for the benefits he was promised and worked so hard for isnt that called stealing? Thanks mayor and councel for the kick in the teeth. ~Cody Bank

Contributors, Connie Lynn Woods, Joe Sloan, Pat Maiden, William John, Cody Banks, Dave Townsend, Paula Conroy, Bernadette Gorman, Dawn Watson.

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