Camden County and Gloucester County The Truth

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The property is owned by a member of the Gloucester City Small Business Asso.

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NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER FIRES REPORTER OVER FREEDOM OF SPEECH ISSUE | cnbnews.net

“Being a reporter in a small town is not an easy job. You will always have someone mad at you. Especially if you are doing your job right.” 

 

George F. Cleary Sr.,  Gloucester City News Publisher Emeritus 1948-1985

 

 

BY BILL CLEARY

 

(CNBNews.net)I started working in the newspaper business when I was 14-years-old cleaning up the printing press at Publishers Inc, here in Gloucester City. I also worked for 11 years as a letter carrier. Throughout that period I continued to work part-time at theGloucester City News. Over the course of my 54-year working career I had never been fired from a job. 

 

That is until now. 

 

You can imagine my surprise when I received an email on Monday, April 15 from Albert Countryman, publisher and editor of the Gloucester City News telling me I was fired. 

 

It reads in part, 

 

I cut this out {the GCEDC cheer} because of the many complaints I heard from Bob Booth, president of the GCBA and members of the Gloucester City Economic Development Corporation – especially when I came back from Ireland. At this point, it is time to terminate our relationship and let both entities, Clearysnotebook and the Gloucester City News, stand on their own. This decision is final, as I have consulted with my father and my fiancé.

 

Countryman was responding to my question about why he left out acheer from my column in last week’s Gloucester City News. (see column) I had given credit to Gloucester City Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) for taking on the monumental task of trying to revitalize the city’s dying business community.  This is the second time I had given the seven trustees a compliment for volunteering their services. (see article)

 

I have been writing a weekly column for the Gloucester City Newssince my wife and I sold Countryman the paper in 2002. My weekly “Tips and Snippets” column covered a variety of news events. I also wrote an opinion column every so often, some of which were controversial. And, I did many investigative articles on a number of topics. 

 

Those articles also appeared on ClearysNoteBook (CNBNews.net), which was founded in 2006. Originally I built that blog for theGloucester City News. When it was finished Countryman said he was no longer interested in owning a website. 

 

After all that work, I wasn’t keen on letting the website die. Thus ClearysNoteBook was born. Today the news site contains 21,947 articles and 18,557 comments. 

 

Anyone who has followed my newspaper career knows that I am not one who is easily intimidated by threats when it comes to printing the truth. I have always tried my best to give both sides of a story. If I am wrong, I will admit it, and make an effort to correct my mistake.  If someone is critical of my work, I print that opinion too. 

 

One of the phrases I like to quote was written by the French writer Voltaire, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.“

 

So, what happened?  Why did I get fired?

 

In late December or early January I was trying to find out information about the Gloucester City Economic Development Corporation. I asked a number of people about the GCEDC, including Countryman. He said he heard about it but didn’t know anything further. Later I found out that a resolution, along with an ordinance (see #022-2012) was passed, at the November council meeting authorizing the dissolution of the Enterprise Zone Development Corporation (UEZ), and transferring responsibilites to the GCEDC. The resolution that was approved dealt with the $400,000 UEZ loan to the trustees. The ordinance was published in the Gloucester City News. Why he didn’t mention that to me is a mystery.  I had also asked Kathy Jentsch,city clerk, a similar question in December about the corporation’s financing. She too, said she didn’t know? 

 

As I continued to do research about the corporation I kept hitting blind corners. For that reason it took weeks for me to put all the facts together about the GCEDC. 

 

As previously mentioned, I had never been fired before, so to say I was shocked is an understatement. The fact that Mr. Countryman, a man whom I had mentored for years, did not have the decency to discuss this issue with me in person, or at the very least, call me, is an insult. 

 

After reading his email I telephoned Countryman at the office. I asked again, “Albert, why didn’t you print the cheer for the GCEDC?”  His para phase response, “They don’t {meaning the GCEDC)} want anything in the paper that is written by you about them, be it good, or bad.”  

 

Did I miss something? Has Gloucester City been moved to a Third World country?  Doesn’t  the city editor, along with the GCEDC trustees, realize that our constitution gives each of us freedom of speech?

 

Apparently not!

 

 What is even more disturbing to me is that a newspaper publisher would capitulate to outside pressure to silence someone. It makes you wonder.  Have there been other times that he hasn’t printed something just because of it being a controversial issue? Or because a politician had threaten to take away the city's legal notices?

 

As for my critics, I realized long ago you can’t please all the people, all of the time. It just can’t be done, so I gave up trying.

 

I’ll continue to write about what is happening in this city and elsewhere. I do it not for the money, obviously, but because I enjoy it. Furthermore, I feel I provide a service to the public. They know that I will present the news uncensored, news that is not influenced by politicians, or others, who have their own personal agenda. This is my way of saying thank you to the public for supporting theGloucester City News during the 54 years it was owned by the Cleary family.

 

Related articles

Gloucester City Economic Development Committee Wants to Rebuild Commercial Base

YOUR MONEY: Some Information Made Public by Gloucester City Economic Development Group

NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER FIRES REPORTER OVER FREEDOM OF SPEECH ISSUE | cnbnews.net

“Being a reporter in a small town is not an easy job. You will always have someone mad at you. Especially if you are doing your job right.” 

 

George F. Cleary Sr.,  Gloucester City News Publisher Emeritus 1948-1985

 

 

BY BILL CLEARY

 

(CNBNews.net)I started working in the newspaper business when I was 14-years-old cleaning up the printing press at Publishers Inc, here in Gloucester City. I also worked for 11 years as a letter carrier. Throughout that period I continued to work part-time at theGloucester City News. Over the course of my 54-year working career I had never been fired from a job. 

 

That is until now. 

 

You can imagine my surprise when I received an email on Monday, April 15 from Albert Countryman, publisher and editor of the Gloucester City News telling me I was fired. 

 

It reads in part, 

 

I cut this out {the GCEDC cheer} because of the many complaints I heard from Bob Booth, president of the GCBA and members of the Gloucester City Economic Development Corporation – especially when I came back from Ireland. At this point, it is time to terminate our relationship and let both entities, Clearysnotebook and the Gloucester City News, stand on their own. This decision is final, as I have consulted with my father and my fiancé.

 

Countryman was responding to my question about why he left out acheer from my column in last week’s Gloucester City News. (see column) I had given credit to Gloucester City Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) for taking on the monumental task of trying to revitalize the city’s dying business community.  This is the second time I had given the seven trustees a compliment for volunteering their services. (see article)

 

I have been writing a weekly column for the Gloucester City Newssince my wife and I sold Countryman the paper in 2002. My weekly “Tips and Snippets” column covered a variety of news events. I also wrote an opinion column every so often, some of which were controversial. And, I did many investigative articles on a number of topics. 

 

Those articles also appeared on ClearysNoteBook (CNBNews.net), which was founded in 2006. Originally I built that blog for theGloucester City News. When it was finished Countryman said he was no longer interested in owning a website. 

 

After all that work, I wasn’t keen on letting the website die. Thus ClearysNoteBook was born. Today the news site contains 21,947 articles and 18,557 comments. 

 

Anyone who has followed my newspaper career knows that I am not one who is easily intimidated by threats when it comes to printing the truth. I have always tried my best to give both sides of a story. If I am wrong, I will admit it, and make an effort to correct my mistake.  If someone is critical of my work, I print that opinion too. 

 

One of the phrases I like to quote was written by the French writer Voltaire, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.“

 

So, what happened?  Why did I get fired?

 

In late December or early January I was trying to find out information about the Gloucester City Economic Development Corporation. I asked a number of people about the GCEDC, including Countryman. He said he heard about it but didn’t know anything further. Later I found out that a resolution, along with an ordinance (see #022-2012) was passed, at the November council meeting authorizing the dissolution of the Enterprise Zone Development Corporation (UEZ), and transferring responsibilites to the GCEDC. The resolution that was approved dealt with the $400,000 UEZ loan to the trustees. The ordinance was published in the Gloucester City News. Why he didn’t mention that to me is a mystery.  I had also asked Kathy Jentsch,city clerk, a similar question in December about the corporation’s financing. She too, said she didn’t know? 

 

As I continued to do research about the corporation I kept hitting blind corners. For that reason it took weeks for me to put all the facts together about the GCEDC. 

 

As previously mentioned, I had never been fired before, so to say I was shocked is an understatement. The fact that Mr. Countryman, a man whom I had mentored for years, did not have the decency to discuss this issue with me in person, or at the very least, call me, is an insult. 

 

After reading his email I telephoned Countryman at the office. I asked again, “Albert, why didn’t you print the cheer for the GCEDC?”  His para phase response, “They don’t {meaning the GCEDC)} want anything in the paper that is written by you about them, be it good, or bad.”  

 

Did I miss something? Has Gloucester City been moved to a Third World country?  Doesn’t  the city editor, along with the GCEDC trustees, realize that our constitution gives each of us freedom of speech?

 

Apparently not!

 

 What is even more disturbing to me is that a newspaper publisher would capitulate to outside pressure to silence someone. It makes you wonder.  Have there been other times that he hasn’t printed something just because of it being a controversial issue? Or because a politician had threaten to take away the city's legal notices?

 

As for my critics, I realized long ago you can’t please all the people, all of the time. It just can’t be done, so I gave up trying.

 

I’ll continue to write about what is happening in this city and elsewhere. I do it not for the money, obviously, but because I enjoy it. Furthermore, I feel I provide a service to the public. They know that I will present the news uncensored, news that is not influenced by politicians, or others, who have their own personal agenda. This is my way of saying thank you to the public for supporting theGloucester City News during the 54 years it was owned by the Cleary family.

 

Related articles

Gloucester City Economic Development Committee Wants to Rebuild Commercial Base

YOUR MONEY: Some Information Made Public by Gloucester City Economic Development Group

Wallacegate Special Video

The below video was sent by a follower.  Enjoy.

http://www.jibjab.com/view/JyxAJ7R2SvO15tDacVDAsA?utm_campaign=URL+Copy&utm_medium=Share&utm_source=JibJab

Starring: 

Mayor Barbara Wallace

Business Administrator Bob Smith

Director of Municipal Services Nick Pileggi 

Supervisor of Municipal Services Francis Campbell

Events Coordinator Lisa Collins 

 

Did The Council Meeting Which Exposed Wallacegate Get Pulled from Local TV By Washington Township????

Camden County and Gloucester County The Truth, recieved a message from a reader informing us that the Township Council Meeting from 4/10/2013 is no longer being shown on the local TV.  The meeting aired on Friday night and Saturday night but apparently will not be shown this week.  Accoring to local residents that is not normal.  A past council meeting will be aired instead.

One has to wonder if the Township's administration does not want people to learn the truth about Wallacegate.  

 

Wallacegate Scandal…The Watergate of Washington Township

“I don’t play games when it comes to the residents of Washington Township.  I don’t play politics.”  - Mayor Barbara Wallace (Does anyone believe this, after the administration tried to cover up Wallacegate).

In what one person called Wallacegate after the Watergate scandal which led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, Camden County and Gloucester County The Truth has received questions about what happened.  This site is committed to helping the residents of Washington Township who want to know exactly what happened and who is responsible.  Like in Watergate, it was the actions of those appointed by the executive which led to Nixon’s resignation. 

Mayor Barbara Wallace should tell the residents who is responsible and resign as this issue is casting a dark cloud over the Township and in the days, weeks and months ahead will most likely continue to do so.  Unfortunately it appears Wallace is going off of the Nixon playbook instead of learning from history.

The following questions need to be asked at this time:

 1. Why did Council Vice President Giancarlo D’Orazio Recuse Himself from Voting?

 2.  Does he want the truth to come out or does he support covering up Wallacegate?

  3.  What about GOP councilman Chris Del Borello?

  4.  What about Norcrats Scott Newman and Michelle Martin? (It’s probably safe to assume they              will do the Norcrat Shake and follow Barbara and Bob in the long line of those loyal to King                George).

 Definition of a Norcrat: A Norcrat is part of the political class who derives their financial success through the good graces of George Norcross. To be elected in South Jersey as a democrat it is all but required to be a Norcrat. Further, to be a bureaucrat also requires allegiance to King George. Contracts are given to political friends and family of the Norcrats. You, your wife, brother, his wife all have government jobs, that makes you a Norcrat. No moral fiber, no shame and total contempt for those who question you, that makes you a Norcrat. Blind faith in the cause of robbing the tax payers, that makes you a Norcrat. Oh and some republicans are absolutely Norcrats. If you are willing to serve the King and abuse the system, that makes you a Norcrat.

 

Mayor Wallace had a heated exchange with Councilman Chris Del Borrello at the April 10, 2013 meeting in which Del Borrello claimed the Mayor was trying to make the Republican members of council appear that they don’t want to cut taxes.  Last month, the council along a 3-2 party line vote, voted to reduce the percentage of the Open Space Tax from 2 cents per $100 of the assessed value to up to 1.2 cents.  Currently the Township is collecting a little over $500,000 from the Open Space Tax but because of a recent property reassessment that amount would double to over $1 million.  To prevent a tax increase Del Borrello proposed collecting up to 1.2 cents, which would bring in the same amount of money thus avoiding a tax increase.  Wallace does not support Del Borrello’s proposal.

At the April 10, 2013 meeting Wallace said:

“I don’t play games when it comes to the residents of Washington Township.  I don’t play politics.” 

Wallace, although stating her administration does not want to see tax increases signed off on a contract never approved by council, giving raises to members of the Supervisors and Coordinators union.  This site previously asked what did Wallace and those in her administration know?  From the reaction of Bob Smith, to questions about the contract one has to wonder.  By affixing her signature to a contract, which one would assume she read before signing Mayor Wallace is raising taxes on the residents and business owners of Washington Township.  What type of games is this Mayor and her administration playing?

Mayor Wallace supports an illegal contract which RAISED TAXES.

 Washington Township operates under the Fulkner Act or Optional Municipal Charter Law under the Mayor-Council form of government.  Under this law it states:

 40:69A-37. Investigative, removal powers 

The council, in addition to such other powers and duties as may be conferred upon it by this charter or otherwise by general law, may: 

(a) Require any municipal officer, in its discretion, to prepare and submit sworn statements regarding his official duties in the performance thereof, and otherwise to investigate the conduct of any department, office or agency of the municipal government; 

 

At this time, on behalf of our readers and residents of Washington Township who contacted this site after seeing the story posted last night, Camden County and Gloucester County The Truth is calling on the GOP led Council, and Council President Daniel Morley to open an investigation and require the following municipal officers to prepare and submit sworn statements regarding Wallacegate:

 

-Business Administrator Bob Smith

-Township Clerk Mary Lou Bergh

-Director of Municipal Services Nick Pileggi (Formerly worked for West Deptford at Riverwinds)... (http://gcnj.typepad.com/gloucester-city-nj-the-tr/2012/05/the-west-deptford-story-democrats-norcrats-questions-and-a-334800000-increase-in-debt-service.html)

-Supervisor of Municipal Services Francis Campbell

-Events Coordinator Lisa Collins (who as a result of Wallacegate got a raise).

-Municipal Services Coordinator Kenneth Patrone (who as a result of Wallacegate got a raise).

-Golf Course Superintendent Wendell Beakley (who as a result of Wallacegate got a raise).

-Parks and Rec. Coordinator Kathleen Wenzel (who as a result of Wallacegate got a raise).

-Any Support staff/secretarial staff in the office of Administration and Municipal Services (Parks and Rec. and Public Works).  Denise Kowalski, Margie Love, Missy Miller and Gianna Tarasevich.

 

Tell the GOP councilmembers to do the right thing and stand up to the Norcrats!

 

To contact Council President Morley please call (856) 589-0520 x 213 or email him at [email protected]

To contact Councilman Del Borrelo please call (856) 589-0520 x 213 or email him at [email protected] 

 

To contact Council Vice-President D'Orazio please call (856) 589-0520 x 213 or email [email protected] OR https://www.facebook.com/councilman.dorazio?fref=ts

The Federal Bureua of Investigation (FBI)/State Attorney General Needs to Investigate Washington Township and the Wallace Administration……Breach of Public Trust Never Heard of Before Is Being Swept Under the Rug!

This site has provided detail about the corruption and arrogance of the Norcrat political machine throughout our area.  This post is about a situation which occurred in Washington Township, Gloucester County.   Under the township form of government the mayor is not part of the governing body.  The governing body consists of three Republicans and two Democrats.  Both Democrats, Councilmembers Scott Newman and Michelle Martin served on council at the time Gloucester City BA and career Norcrat Jack Lipsett served as BA under Norcrat Assemblyman Paul Moriarty.

 

The former Mayor of Washington Township, who succeeded Moriarty was Matt Lyons.  Lyons, resigned in August of 2011 after a NJ Supreme Court committee released an opinion that Lyons could not serve as Mayor of a Fulkner Act governed town in the county where he was County Counsel.  He was replaced by well-connected Norcrat Barbara Wallace, wife of former NJ Supreme Court Justice John Wallace, a close ally of NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney, who is the de facto head of the Gloucester County Norcrat machine.

 

Wallace, who won a full term as Mayor last fall has surrounded herself by career Norcrats.  The current BA of Washington Township is Bob Smith, a former Democrat Assemblyman who served with triple-dipper Fred Madden and now Gloucester Township Mayor Dave Mayer.

 

So now the readers know a little history of the players in Washington Township here is the story:

 

On February 27, 2013 the Washington Township council in a unanimous cross party line vote, voted to approve a contract between the Township and the Municipal Services Supervisors and Coordinators Union.  The purpose (main change) of the contract was that it does not include an annual sick buy-back provision, which according to minutes was stated by Council President Daniel Morley (R).

 

At the April 10, 2013 the council was questioned about how an ordinance gets to the mayor’s desk for either approval or veto.  If council approves an ordinance the Council President signs the ordinance and the clerk, who under state statue is the secretary of the governing body (council) gives it to the Mayor’s office.  A reasonable person would assume the same process would be followed for the contract. 

 

On March 13, 2013 the Township council passed a resolution to enter into executive session to discuss the contract between the township and the union and this past Wednesday the council voted to amend the contract. 

 

A reasonable person would ask why if the contract was approved on 2/27 would it be changed on 4/10.  The answer is shocking.

 

After Council President Morley signed the contract and it was given to the executive branch for signature (Mayor Wallace who attends all meetings had a copy of the contract approved on 2/27) it was changed to give union members (who are supervisors/coordinators NOT the rank and file employee) salary increases, which Mayor Wallace affixed her signature to.

 

After a threat of litigation by the union, who was represented by Moriarty's attorney John Eastlack, a well known player in Norcrat machine; the council agreed to the raises which were illegally placed into the contract by someone in the Wallace administration.  The council voted 3-1 to approve the change with Council President Daniel Morley being the lone no vote.  Council Vice President Giancarlo D’Orazio did not vote, even though he was present at the meeting.

 

The FBI which is better equipped to invesitgate matters or the AG's office needs to investigate and prosecute the individual or individual(s) responsible for this.  Did Mayor Wallace know what she was signing, one would assume the Mayor before signing or vetoing a contract or other document would read it? 

 

The administration, rather then tell the public what happened appears to be trying to sweep the issue under the rug.  Someone needs to be held accountable.  What does the Mayor know?  What does Bob Smith know?  Why would Bob Smith verbally attack a member of the public for asking questions about what happened? 

 

Last year Morley lost to Wallace in a race for Mayor.  With Morley voting no to changing it, he is sending a message that people expect their government to be transparent and not sweep things under the rug, especially a situation such as this.  

Morley vs. Wallace 2013.  

The Truth vs. The Cover Up???

Council President Daniel Morley (R)

(from nj.com)

Vs.

 

Mayor Barbara Wallace (D) 

-Also pictured Buisness Admin. Bob Smith

(from nj.com)

Gloucester City School Reports Released by the State Education Department

coldsprings -  
maryethel -  
gloucesterhigh -  

A federal grand jury in Philadelphia is investigating millions of dollars of politically connected "economic-development" spending by the Delaware River Port Authority

PAUL NUSSBAUM, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

POSTED: Thursday, April 4, 2013, 2:05 PM

A federal grand jury in Philadelphia is investigating millions of dollars of politically connected "economic-development" spending by the Delaware River Port Authority, The Inquirer has learned.

The DRPA's chief attorney and inspector general sent a memo to DRPA employees last Thursday warning them to preserve all documents related to the agency's economic-development projects.

DRPA chief executive John Matheussen said Wednesday, "I can confirm that we have been served with a subpoena by the U.S. Attorney's Office."

He declined to discuss the timing or scope of the subpoena issued last week by the office of U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

DRPA spokesman Tim Ireland said that the DRPA "will cooperate fully" and that "we will make certain our compliance with this subpoena demonstrates a renewed commitment to transparency" by the agency.

DRPA, which operates four toll bridges and the PATCO commuter rail line between Philadelphia and South Jersey, spent nearly $500 million over 15 years to underwrite museums, sports stadiums, a concert hall, a cancer center, the Army-Navy football game, and other nontransportation projects.

Much of the money went to politically influential recipients, as the Pennsylvania and New Jersey delegations on the DRPA board got equal amounts to spend. Fourteen of the 16 board members are appointed by the governors of New Jersey and Pennsylvania (two Pennsylvania members - the state treasurer and state auditor general - are on the board by virtue of their elected offices).

Last year, New Jersey state Comptroller Matthew Boxer issued a report critical of political cronyism and mismanagement at DRPA, saying that "in nearly every area we looked at, we found people who treated the DRPA like a personal ATM, from DRPA commissioners to private vendors to community organizations. People with connections at the DRPA were quick to put their hand out when dealing with the agency, and they generally were not disappointed when they did."

A spokeswoman for Memeger declined to comment on the grand jury investigation.

Sources close to the probe, however, said it appeared to focus on economic-development spending in Pennsylvania.

The federal investigators were said to be particularly interested in spending that was funneled through the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp., a development lender created by the city and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

The PIDC, which is governed by a board appointed by the mayor and the president of the chamber, received more than $13 million from DRPA in 2010, ostensibly to help "small, emerging, and new businesses."

In fact, most of the money was directed by DRPA officials to well-established tourism groups or nonprofits, some with close ties to DRPA board members. In one case, $500,000 was given to a multibillion-dollar commercial real estate developer.

The Philadelphia Orchestra, the National Constitution Center, public broadcaster WHYY, the Pro Cycling Tour, the Variety Club, the Independence Visitor Center, and other organizations collected $13.3 million in DRPA funds in 2010.

John Grady, president of the PIDC, said Wednesday he could not comment other than to say that the PIDC "cooperates with all investigations" by law enforcement agencies.

He said the PIDC's role as agent for DRPA's economic-development funding ended at the end of 2011, when the money ran out.

Economic-development spending by DRPA has long been controversial, as it contributed to a $1 billion debt that now consumes more than 40 percent of the agency's revenue. Motorists and some board members have complained that DRPA should not spend money on nontransportation projects while borrowing hundreds of millions to maintain its bridges and rail line.

DRPA allocated the last of its economic-development money in December 2011. Its then-chairman, Gov. Corbett, said it would no longer be involved in economic-development spending.

The scope and duration of the federal investigation was not clear Wednesday.

However, sources close to the investigation said DRPA general counsel Danielle McNichol and inspector general Thomas Raftery issued a memo late last Thursday, just before the three-day weekend, telling employees not to destroy documents related to DRPA economic-development spending.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20130404_U_S__probing_DRPA_spending__sources_say.html#ixzz2PjvL9Mcq 
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20130404_U_S__probing_DRPA_spending__sources_say.html#ixzz2PjvDTIAY 
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else

Driver injured in Gloucester City car crash

 

Driver injured in Gloucester City car crash.