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| Tuesday, March 27, 2007 |
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Bellmawr Landfill Project Meeting Details
By mark @ 11:58 PM :: 3772 Views ::
49 Comments ::  :: Landfill Projects
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(C) Copyright Mark Matthews, 2007
Monday there was a special meeting at the Bellmawr Boro Hall to present information regarding the application for "Brownsfield" development status at the landfill project. This meeting discussed many key aspects of the Bellmawr Landfill development project, including Landfill Capping, Public Parks, Development, Water Run-Off, and the Missign Moves Road.
A Brownsfield designation is when a previously industrial and contaminated area is cleaned up and redeveloped for the good of the community. Achieving Brownsfield status makes special government loans available to the project. The recent large projects proposed for Camden (Cramer Hill) and Pennsauken are two examples of other project that were being considered for Brownsfield. The presentation on Monday covered the closing of the landfill, the rain water culvert project, the Green Acres aspect of the project, as well as the latest building layout (not finalized).
I also attended the Council meeting last Thursday, and based on my comments and questions, the Mayor and Borough Solicitor also discussed the Landfill project. Some of that information is embedded in this commentary.
There was also a meeting last Wednesday regarding the project... it was different aspects of the project, and truthfully I missed last Wednesday's meeting and don't know the distinctions between the two... but here is Monday's meeting highlights.
A few quick "teaser" points:
1. Deptford is on board.
2. Capping has not started, but is expected to start this year and take 10 months
3. The trees had to be removed, as they will break the seal on the top of the landfill. After capping of the landfill is complete, the trees will be replanted.
4. Development work is expected to start NEXT YEAR.
5. Multi-phased, but will take up to 10 years to be fully developed.
6. Bellmawr will recieve the area’s "Premier" recreational facility, as all of the waterfront will be converted into parkland... FIRST!
7. All levels and sections of the Government see this project as a Win, Win, Win, Win.... and are working very closely with the developer and town to make this project happen.
At the Council Meeting, I specifically asked the mayor about Deptford’s “buy-in” on the project. He strongly stated they are 100% on board with the project, are actively engaged in the discussions, and to a degree are following our lead. The Deptford land in the landfill does not have any access points (short of building a bridge across the creek) so it really can not be developed without Bellmawr. One thing I do disagree with the Mayor on.. Is that he explains the Deptford land as being just a small, relatively unimportant parcel. But actually, the Deptford land is the center section of the land fill… shaped like a mushroom cloud with the top of it almost meeting up with Creek Rd at mid-point between the Creek Rd Curve and Essex Ave. While it may not be large, its placement is key. (Additional commentary later)
There were at least a dozen people in attendance, and only a few from Bellmawr (who were not in council). A key presenter was an Ecological consultant. The developer, Charles Gallub (Develcom) also presented. Also on hand were the borough solicitor, and an Environmental Attorney.
Landfills:
There are actually three landfills within "the dump", one of which is located in Deptford... and surprisingly it is the center portion that is within Deptford. The portion where the eco-center is located is the Dewey Blanton landfill, the center is Fazzio Deptford, and to the right (along Rt 42) is Fazzio Bellmawr. The center parcel falls within Deptford because at one time the creek actually curved up close to Creek road, and the boundary between Bellmawr and Deptford was established to follow the river (as is normally the case). As the landfill progressed, Fazzio was given permission to fill this in creating new land, but the border between the two towns remains as if the creek still traveled that way! (can you imagine someone trying to fill in a river with trash in 2007.. it would never happen!). The section closest to Rt 42 is the Fazzio Bellmawr land. It is also the area that is the highest as it was open the longest time and received the largest portion of trash.
The consultant then spoke of the history of the landfills, showing aerial shots from 1971 and 1978, as well as current. He also described that the landfills never received an official permit to operate, and they were operating under a temporary permit while many factors were being reviewed. It wasn't until the Environmental agencies started demanding monitoring wells and other requests, that the dumping stopped. The developer was also looking to increase the acreage that the landfill was operating on. According to the consultant, amazingly because the landfill was never given an official permit, the landfill operators where able to skip-out without ever closing off the landfill. As crazy as this sounds, in hindsight we should just be glad the whole process ended because if he had received an official landfill permit, who knows how large the pile of trash would be... not to mention a higher level of contamination.
Run-off Water Control:
A key early portion of the discussion reviewed the plans for controlling water run-off. The environmental company (RT Environmental) was hired to do soil samples, water and other samples... and in this process they realized 2 large drainage pipes that run under the landfills were unusable (one was blocked and unstable, the other was never located and it is speculated that the landfill operator removed or crushed it). The need for these pipes, and a replacement system, is to move water that "runs-off" from the center part of Bellmawr, Rt 42, the landfill, and the new development. The piping actually starts on the other side of 42. Right at the exit of 42 is a small water collecting pond and pipe entry, and I believe other pipes (from streets) feed into this piping. The pipe runs under Rt 42, and when it meets up with the landfill it takes an angle down towards the Creek. With the collapsed pipes, this water has no place to go. The presenters and the mayor made very strong statements about the current risks associated with the broken pipes... such as flooding potentials in that entire area.
The plan to correct this is a 6 million dollar project that will build a culvert alongside Rt 42 (between 42 and the landfill) which will run to the creek to carry the water. The culvert will be 35 feet under the ground, and will be engineered to handle an enormous amount of water! It is also being placed so deep so that future construction such as roadways, buildings or the Patco Speedline extension can be built on top. Federal funding is being solicited to pay for this project, and responsibility is being split across multiple parties.
Capping:
If you were to walk the landfill, especially in the low lying areas, you would see trash coming up to the surface. This is evident in the newsletter at BellmawrWaterfront.com. The low areas are of particular concern in that they are so low, they frequently flood. This is unacceptable in a landfill as that flooding allows contaminants to enter the water and streams. Also, as noted in the bullets, the trees HAD to be cleared as the roots of the trees, coupled with no capping soil, was introducing points for the contaminants to exit the soil. When the capping is complete, trees will be replanted. The consultant then reviewed the multi-layered process of capping the landfill. It amounts to about 12 feet of new soil (and other clean fill), as well as a protective membrane. Even with the variation of height between the high and low section (he says it is 14 feet... but man, it still looks like more than that to me) they expect to be able to regrade the property with no more than a 3% slope... and they will not be moving any existing landfill material, only adding clean soil.
Capping is expected to start early fall of this year, and take 10 months to complete. The dirt that has been brought in now is really just to stabilize the ground for truck and monitoring activities.
Green Acres, and the Premier Park:
Developer Charles Gallub spoke about the Green Acres problem, and also gave information on the current status of the project's overall design. To start, Green Acres is a state program started decades ago to protect open space for public use. In the 70s, Bellmawr applied for, and was granted, a $40,000 Green Acres loan for the area where the Eco-Center now stands. The landfill underneath the environmental center was not properly capped. Note: It was mentioned that under today's guidelines for Green Acres, the eco-center land would not qualify!
The problem today is that rules were put in place to protect land acquired via Green Acres funds. Basically, the government didn’t want to provide loans or funds for land, turn it over to a town, and then have the town sell the property to developers at a profit. One rule that was implemented to protect this from happening is that if Green Acres land were to be redeveloped, it must be replaced with other land.... 2 acres for 1. (It was implied that there are different ratios and that 2 for 1 is the best ratio available. This had to be applied for and approved). Many options were investigated regarding where to find this extra land, including talking to Gloucester Twp to see if something could be done with the Moffa's Farm land.
The plan that looks like will be approved, is to split the land requirements into two areas. First, approximately 15 acres of land near West Deptford's Riverwinds complex will be purchased and deeded as public park land. The most exciting part is 18 acres of land within the landfill... the most beautiful part of the landfill.. the waterfront, will be converted into a public park. The entire waterfront will be a park, with a Marina and additional public use buildings. All of the land, marina, and buildings will be turned over to the government to be owned and managed (local or county government ownership to be determined).
Both the developer and the consultant spoke about how healthy and clean the Timber Creek is in the area of the landfill, and that already this area is being used by recreational boaters and water skiers. (I’ve seen this myself, and have pictures of people using this waterway… including someone on a jet ski!)
Mr Gallub presented aerial photos of the landfill, indicating the parkland. He also stated very clearly, that the parks will be among the first thing built. In fact, I don’t believe he has much choice as the Green Acres issue must be resolved before he (and NJDOT) can build in other parts of the landfill. That being said, Mr. Gallub comes across as very genuine and honest in making this a premier park and place to visit. To paraphrase, he stated that "they were taking one of the worst examples of a Green Acres project and turning it into a premier park". He clearly stated, that at minimum, the landfill will be properly capped, and the Waterfront park will be built… all to the benefit of Bellmawr.
An interesting statement by Mr Gallub, one in which I’ve heard rumor of before, is that there are plans (talks, ideas) to redevelop the rest of the Timber Creek waterfront, all along Creek Road… so that from the Landfill (and maybe even further down the creek) up to the entrance of the Delaware River, the waterfront will be completely redeveloped. Those areas are outside the scope of Mr Gallub’s project, so I’ll have to remember to ask more questions of our elected officials, or even better.. our County officials. (This is less than a block from my house, which is near Bellmawr Lake.. so I really want to find out the details.)
Missing Moves:
The missing moves project was also discussed. Missing Moves is the NJDOT road project that will connect 295 (from Gloucester County) to Rt 42 (and the AC expressway). Currently you can not drive 295 from the south (Delaware) and enter onto Rt 42 South. This causes traffic on our local roads as cars must exit 295 in Bellmawr and drive to a Rt 42 entrance. Likewise, traveling on Rt 42 North (from AC) you cannot connect to 295 south.
The most obvious and direct route is to run a road through the land fill... the exact same place as the proposed development. The original plans put forth by the NJ Department of Transportation had the road running closer to the water front, closer to the ground, and provided no entrance for the residents of Bellmawr. The developer mentioned that the Mayor was instrumental in working with the NJ DOT to change their designs to accommodate the reuse of the landfill and to provide Bellmawr residents and access point to the new road (near "Dead Man's Curve" at Creek Road).
The current plan is that the Missing Moves road will be further from the waterfront allowing the previously mentioned parks, new development, access from Bellmawr roads and access roads underneath (original plan would have completely shut-off the waterfront as it did not accommodate roads). The developer showed additional aerial shots that showed the current projected placement of the road, and the most recent layout for the development.
Development
Mr Gallub then presented the most current project map, which indicates the waterfront parks, the Missing Moves roadway, and finally the building layout. In comparison to early project renderings, it does seem that there are fewer buildings slated for the project now. The project is will be implemented in 3 phases, with the area closest to Rt 42 being developed first. Unfortunately I can’t recall 100% which is part is next, but I believe the eco-center section would be developed second.
There will be at least two roads into the landfill, the current main road into the landfill, and I believe a second new road at Creek Road. I couldn’t determine if there was a new overpass at 42 as was shown in other project drawings.
The layout ends up being “pistol” shaped. The area closest to 42 has a roadway that loops around that section.. basically following the outline of the higher part of the landfill. This is where most of the buildings will be located. The road then continues across the landfill towards the eco center (the barrel of the pistol). The center portion is actually Deptford, and currently there was only one large building and I believe a few smaller buildings depicted. As the road moved into the Eco-Center area it did another small loop (the sight of the pistol) and had buildings surrounding the looped road.
Also depicted next to Rt 42 was an office building, which included a dotted line representation of the expanded Patco Speedline connecting with the new building. While this Speedline expansion is not approved and the final choice has not been made, the developer was allocating space for the Speedline.
Based on my questioning, Mr Gallub also discussed another project of his in Voorhees that was recently cancelled. He sited several reasons to the press for that project being cancelled, and in the meeting he clarified that none of those factors come into play for the Bellmawr project. I’ll spare you the details…
Patco
I had noticed the dotted line on the aerial shot, and asked about the Patco Speedline project. Actually, I asked a TON of questions, many which turned into information presented here. Specific to Patco, I asked if the Patco Terminal in Bellmawr was a deal-maker for the landfill project. The developer had made this clear earlier in the project.. that “transit village” status was key. It now seems that either this isn’t as important now, or the developer has a pretty good indication that the Speedline is coming to Bellmawr (my interpretation). Mr Gallub stated that 3 of the 4 proposed Patco routes head down Rt 42, so odds are pretty good that the expansion would head down 42. The 4th proposed route would head down 295 area I believe, utilizing existing rails. While that may make it easier to implement, I believe that when you consider the Bellmawr project is moving along somewhat rapidly (with an amazing scope), and the rapid population growth taking place in Deptford, Washington Twp, Gloucester Twp, and a Williamstown.. that a Patco route down 42 would be more favorable.
Now for my third mention of Deptford. Considering the location of Depford’s land in the project and that it really was inaccessible from Deptford (and not maintainable) I asked if there was a possibility for Bellmawr to take over the land. For development alone, it seems like dealing with one town would stream line things… but then I asked about municipal services… If Deptford has no direct access, how could they provide fire, police, and schooling? Would it come down to a block by block designation? Bellmawr has its own water department, so would the outer sections be Bellmawr water, and the interior section something else?
Well, this is obviously already on the radar of the government and the developer. They had no specifics, but they clearly stated they are discussing different options on how to handle it…all ideas are being considered.
Speaking of water… a consideration comes to mind as I type this. Bellmawr is very fortunate in the area of water because we have been able to stay below our mandated usage minimums and can continue to provide our own drinking water. Once we cross over the quota, we need to find another source, which probably means the American Water Company.. whose rates are rumored to be FOUR times Bellmawr’s. So.. the question… will all this growth in Bellmawr put us over our quota and kick-in the American Water Company Rates?
After the meeting, in a small discussion, I even asked about Liquor Licenses. A big project like this will probably want restaurants or taverns serving alchohol. I was informed that there may be no avaiable Liquor Licenses in Bellmawr. The one from the Finish Line was allowed to expire by the owner, and it can’t be reclaimed. I believe the Coral Reef license is still out there, but is attached to the Coral Reef property… and Bellmawr Lake purchased the Disalvio’s Liquor license for a measly $11,000 just a few years ago. My point is that there aren’t many options for Liquor licenses, and it may make the few options available VERY valuable when the developer comes knocking to purchase. Extreme examples…The Cheesecake Factory and the Cherry Hill Mall each spent 1 million dollars for what really amounted to was a liquor license.
My Summary:
This project is real. This project is going to happen. It really does solve a lot of tough issues for many people…. I believe that every facet of the regional Government sees tremendous value in this project, and I believe that the Government (and agencies) are all working together to make this project work. One easy piece of evidence is that the Missing Moves road development was supposed to start this year, and they have delayed the project and re-worked the design.
I remember following the approval of new stadiums in Philadelphia for the Eagles and Phillies, where for the longest time it seemed like all we heard was random comments and chatter, and then BAM.. they started building. I see the Bellmawr Project as being in that stage where a lot of “up-front” work is being done, some stories are getting around… and one day before too long many people in Bellmawr are going to be surprised when the start seeing major things happening at the landfill.
Nothing is a Win-Win. And there are still many questions to be asked, especially from the residents of Bellmawr. I have additional questions I want to ask to confirm “what is Bellmawr’s monetary involvement in this process (i.e. drainage pipes)”, or what happens to our water costs as development increases? Please feel free to contact me if you have comments or questions markmatt@comcast.net... Also, the Mayor and the developer have both stated that they are eager to answer questions regarding this project.
As I mentioned, I also attended the Council meeting and I have copious notes on the discussion. Work and family has kept me busy this week, so I chose to focus on the comments about the development. I expect that in a few days I’ll go back and post information from the council meeting. |
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| Comments |
 By
Diane @
Friday, March 30, 2007 7:56 AM
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If it wasn't for your blogs, most of us would be in the dark about what is going on in Bellmawr. Thanks for keeping us posted.
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Tim Baldwin @
Friday, March 30, 2007 8:44 AM
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Wow. Nice job Mark. So much info. Thank You.
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Stephen L @
Friday, March 30, 2007 2:25 PM
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Mark,
Fantastic post! I can't believe you managed to capture so many terrific details. You paint a rather positive image of the project, and the pessimist in me is scared to believe it. :) But I hope things continue down what seems to be a positive path.
Keep up the great work, and if you know a schedule of future meetings, if you could put up the dates maybe more of us could attend the meetings as well.
Thanks again!
Stephen
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Kevin @
Monday, April 02, 2007 12:14 AM
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Mark,
Way to go, man. Even from Korea, I can keep up on the details of my town. You make Bellmawr sound like a big present under the Christmas tree that I can't wait to come home and open. I'm pretty excited about the future of the town. Thanks again--this information is invaluable!
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By
Johan @
Friday, April 06, 2007 11:47 AM
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Why doesnt the mayor send out this information?
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By
also concerned in Bellmawr @
Saturday, April 07, 2007 2:05 PM
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I also appreciate that you take the time to attend town meetings and pass the word on to those of us who are often not capable of making it to the meetings.
In my early twenties (mid 1970s) I often saw tankers releasing their contents at this landfill. That was before there were hazardous waste rules barring landfilling of liquids, or even rules determining what was a hazardous waste. Continental Van Guard (also owned and/or operated by Fazio) was in the hazardous waste hauling business in the 1980s and possibly the early 1990s (I can't remember when they closed). I would believe that they hauled the same types of hazardous materials to that landfill before the rules went into effect as they hauled to other facilities after enactment of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and set up of the NJDEP.
I have some questions that I was unable to send to you via your email address (the problem appears to be on my end).
My questions are 1). Who will pay for the Landfill clean-up when they start hitting hazardous materials (which I'm sure will occur when they put in the 35 ft deep culverts).
2). Will Bellmawr incur costs to the developer if the project falls through.
3). When all these heavy trucks start bringing in loads on our town roads, who will pay to keep them repaired? and protect our children from speeding dumptrucks whose drivers are being paid by the load?
4). Will the homes of persons along the Timber Creek (Bellmawr side) be taken under imminent domain as they are currently attempting to do to home owners in Deptford?
5). What plans do they have to prevent settling of the culvert sections as the materials in the landfill settle, and thus prevent potentially large sinkholes in the development, or structural damage to the buildings and roadways?
Note - Acquaintances of mine say that question 5 has a relatively easily engineered remedy, but I work with engineers all the time and just because they went to college doesn't make them rocket scientists. It just allows them to go back to the drawing board when their plans fail without anyone holding them accountable for their sometimes large scale screw-ups. I could probably go on and on, but I might digress.
I am an environmentalist with over 25 years in the clean-up business, and at least two dozen superfund clean-ups under my belt. I chose to raise my family in Bellmawr because of all the roads leading in every direction (convenient for emergency response to spills and travel to distant clean-up Sites) and close proximity to the Philadelphia Airport. Just remember not everyone in the environmental clean-up industry cares about the environment. Most care only about their wallets or the company coffers they work for. After all we live in a capitalist society.
The environmental industry changed significantly with the introduction of the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (every large engineering and consulting firm wanted those billions ... not just the ones that cared). It was a noble bill and it has allowed me to participate in many clean-ups and watch the country become cleaner everyday (no more rivers on fire ... or silent springs).... but please look into the background of the environmental consultants, firms, and lawyers involved in this project. How many potentially responsible parties did they defend and what side were they (or are they currently) on (the environment or the developer/municipality paying them).
While I embrace the fact that development is often in a communities best interest (we don't want Bellmawr to become any more run-down than it seems to be getting), and that better living has been achieved through modern chemistry, no money is made from a canceled project. Which brings about the last set of questions..... Would they pull the plug if they run into heavy contamination?; who eats the cost of development up to the point of project cancellation (i.e. planning, landfill capping, etc.)?, who came up with the idea of developing the landfill (would Fazio or any other past landfill owner benefit from this)?, and what is the developer's political affiliation and who are his primary financiers?
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By
me @
Saturday, April 07, 2007 7:13 PM
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fillipeck will be gone by then Don Bowers is campaigning against him all over town.He said he is tired of the political machine Go Don!
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PAT W @
Saturday, April 07, 2007 7:46 PM
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BELLMAWR WILL BECOME ANOTHER OVERDEVELOPED TOWN IN SOUTH JERSEY, WITH PLENTY OF TRAFFIC, NO REAL ESTATE VALUE. "LINDENWOLD BY THE CREEK". YOU TRY BUILDING ANYTHING ON A PILE OF TRASH ON YOUR PROPERTY. HOW ABOUT THE NEED FOR A PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT TO SERVICE HIGH RISE BUILDINGS ? LEAVE THE SWAMP, LANDFILL AS IS AND SAVE THE TAXPAYERS OF BELLMAWR THE MONEY AND AGGRAVATION.
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T. Ferguson @
Saturday, April 07, 2007 8:21 PM
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I think Bellmawr is perfect the way it is now more building, more traffic,more taxes,more headaches!
As far as politics I would vote for Don Bowers I hear he is going to make some necessary changes not unrealistic ones.Hooray the Fillipeck era will finally be over soon. GOD BLESS.
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Joe @
Saturday, April 07, 2007 8:32 PM
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progress never stops when did it start
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mark @
Saturday, April 07, 2007 8:36 PM
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I am being upfront...I deleted one comment, where the poster used a profanity to describe someone.
I don't think anyone gains by people making wild accusations or curses. If you have a question to ask, a point to make... let's present it as adults.
This site does support registering and logging in, but I haven't turned it just yet as I think it keeps people from commenting... we'll see how this goes!
I have some thoughts of my own regarding the recent comments posted today... but heading out now for a late dinner. Catch ya later tonight.
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By
mark @
Saturday, April 07, 2007 8:41 PM
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One quick comment...
Nice to see others showing interest in running for government, but the election was this past November!
I have to admit, I don't even know how long a a municipal mayor term is, but i would guess its at least 2 years... so anyone would have at least 18 months to wait. Landfill project will be well on its way by then!
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George C @
Saturday, April 07, 2007 8:42 PM
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I have been involved in Bellmawr for a really long time and I agree leave well enough alone, if its not broke don't fix.Park and ride are they nuts ?
What about the eye sores at both corners of Browning road & bell road how about dealing with the projects still unfinished retirement home.apparently they ran out of money.Hopefully there is a new leader coming I'd vote for Don Bowers also. thanks Mark
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PAT W @
Sunday, April 08, 2007 9:32 AM
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THE RESIDENTS OF BELLMAWR WERE TOLD WHEN THE KORMAN INDUSTRIAL PARK ARRIVED THEY WOULD SEE TAX DECREASES, FROM THE AMOUNT OF RATABLES. HAS THIS EVER CAME TO BE ? THE SAME LINE OF RUMORS ARE BEING FLOATED AROUND ABOUT THIS LANDFILL PROJECT. THE LAND WAS WELL USED AS AN ECO-CENTER MULCH, COMPOST, FILL, LEAF COLLECTION. THE ECO-CENTER WAS SELF SUPPORTING, OFFERED EMPLOYMENT AND REVENUE.
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By
JIMMY WISPERS @
Monday, April 09, 2007 3:10 PM
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I HAVE CLEAN FILL DIRT,CAN I DONATE IT TO HELP CAPP THE LANDFILL AND SAVE THE TAXPAYERS MONEY,BECAUSE YOU KNOW IN THE END WHO WILL BE PAYING FOR ALL THIS.
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By
george c @
Monday, April 09, 2007 3:21 PM
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waterfront,you mean a moat?
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By
JIMMY WISPERS @
Monday, April 09, 2007 3:57 PM
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YOU SEE THE SIGNS THAT READ PROGRESS NEVER STOPS ALL OVER BELLMAWR.LETS CONTINUE PROGRESS BY REMOVING TOM CALHOUN FROM THE POSTION OF CHIEF AT THE BELLMAWR PARK FIRE DEPT AND APPOINT SOMEONE WITH A BRAIN,LIKE JIM BURLIEGH.JIM BURLIEGH IS THE CHIEF OF BELLMAWR FIRE DEPT.WHICH IS OVER BY THE POLICE STATION,AND DOES A EXCELLENT JOB.I KNOW HE WOULD DO A BETTER JOB THAN TOM CALHOUN. TOM CALHOUN HAS RUN THAT DEPT. INTO THE GROUND. ANY TAX PAYER CAN ASK TO SEE THE MONTHLY REPORTS AND SEE FOR YOURSELF HOW FAR IN DEBT THE FIRE DEPT IS IN.IT IS ASTONISHING THAT THIS IS BEING ALLOWED.THE MAYOR SHOULD STEP IN AND ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.BUT I DOUBT HE WILL BECAUSE ,IF IT DOESNT BENIFIT HIM HE DOESNT CARE.I BET DON BOWERS WOULDNT LET THIS GO ON.NEXT ELECTION VOTE FOR DON BOWERS.......
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By
mark @
Monday, April 09, 2007 11:21 PM
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A few rambling comments, to the comments.
To "A concerned citizen in Bellmawr"...
You raise a lot of excellent questions; well thought out in content and presentation. I too have many of the same...
First though, I think a few of my comments were mis-read, or i didnt write clearly enough.
The 35 ft culvert will not go through the landfill. It will run along the side of 42... between the landfill and the roadway (the grass edge). But, to your point, to support construction of buildings and the Missing Moves road they definately will be driving pilings into the landfill and down into the solid ground underneath (similar to the Borgata construction).
Also, there shouldnt be any homes taken for the project. The project in question is 100% within the landfill. There was a mention of a higher level master plan of the County government to redevelop all of Timber Creek waterfront, but i think thats more of a "forward thinking, where we want to be in the far off future" kinda thing. I live on the first block off of Creek, so i'll keep my ears open.
Regarding the costs of newly found hazards, or if the developer pulled out of the project: According to the developer, because of environmental regulations, the capping of the land fill, and the parkland on the waterfront must be done first, before they can start building anything. Green acres has become very protective of the program, and they are going to want to see completed usable parks before the Developer (and NJDOT) will be able to build in the ecocenter area. And of course, the EPA isn't going to allow buildings to go in if the landfill is not closed. (am I repeating myself?). Basically, the project would have to be abandoned very early for us to be left with something unfinished.
The environmental consultant made a point in saying that they will not move any of the landfill, only adding capping soil.
That being said, one would think there is still a chance that something is lucking under the landfill that could be punctured... a question that needs to be asked.
Truthfully... Bellmawr is at risk RIGHT NOW. What is stopping the EPA from coming in today and saying "Bellmawr, you are responsible for a big portion of that uncapped landfill... it needs to be closed properly and immediately, and you must pay for it"? It could be argued that the developer coming in to cap this land fill is reducing a huge risk for all of us!!! There was a landmark case involving Bellmawr, where we were sued for trash we dumped in another landfill (mantua?). EPA wanted to clean-up that landfill and wanted to make everyone pay. So, again... He is looking to clean up the landfill to EPA standards, and pay for it. But, not to say there aren't still a lot of questions to be asked about "who is really paying for it?!"
Money, money, money... I have alot of those same questions too! This is a huge project, so where did this developer come from? Who is paying for this development? Who is paying for the early stages of the project (loans for cleanup, culvert).
"Concerned Citizen".. you are a Bellmawr resident, and you have 25 years experience in the landfill remediation industry?? YOU HAVE TO GET INVOLVED!! email me at markmatt@comcast.net
The town needs your expert opinions!
Pat W: Lindenwold by the creek? The town does not want to apartments. It wants higher end townhomes. The town is so against apartments that around 10-15 years ago it tried to take over Spruce Manor by condeming it! The town wanted it torn down!
George C: Park & Ride? Woodcrest is a park and Ride. What they want to do in Bellmawr doesnt even compare. Good point about the Senior Home... At least someone is trying to do something with the SuperFresh site.
Jimmy Wispers: Actually, they are looking for clean fill. But there it needs to meet government standards for clean dirt.
George C: moat? I've walked along that Creek multiple times. It really is beautiful, and is something we should be proud to have. I hope that we really are able to enjoy the creek, close to what is planned... in the not too distant future.
Pat W: Great point about Korman. Would be interesting to know the tax dollars brought in by the Industrial Park, and what it would mean to our taxes if it wasnt built. I am sure I can find out. Regarding the mulching business.... when that was started, it was the only game in the area. Very quickly other towns and counties started thier own, and with the competition.... well, it was discussed in the meeting that the best year was a break-even year.
A few things I am doing...
I'll post information about upcoming meetings. Would be great to see more people come out.
I am also going to be looking to get answers to these questions, both what people have presented and questions I have on my own. I have a plan... give me a day or two and I'll post more.
Something else I think the town needs to do... well, quite honestly, its probably only a few, but are the more vocal folks... I think everyone needs to take the finger off the trigger just a bit, so that you don't send buckshot into every idea coming along. It is actually possible that good things can come to us in Bellmawr!!! Hey, no guarantees that this project is a winner, but man I'm not going to automatically shoot the guy in a fancy suit who is knocking on my door, 'cause it just may be Publisher's Clearing house with a BIG check for me! I'm gonna ask who it is and what do they want first :-) (ok, weak attempt at humor, but you get my point)
Take a second to listen to what is being presented. Ask questions. See how things add up.
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By
USA @
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 1:14 PM
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Mark, you're NOT the Minister Of Propaganda. You're Filipek's HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OPERATOR! Here is how it works, if you don't know already. You see, our good friend Mark, reports like an unbiased observer of what is going on in Bellmawr. The trail balloon is now released to the public for viewing. This will create a response from the readers, which if you haven't noticed, Mark will have all the answers. This is because he reports back all of our comments so that our concerns are spun in support for the development. Ever wonder how he knew there was a meeting at all? I never heard of it, I know some people have asked for one to happen. but was it advertised or do you have to be in the loop to know? My guess is the latter because look who attended the meeting. Jeff Brickner (who ran for Mayor) and Mark. Everyone's concern listed above is a valid one, and Mark's answers are straight from the Developer or Filipek's Office. How confident am I that this is the case? Because when you start talking about lawsuits, Green Acres, and EPA regulations, either you have a lot of time on your hands, or you have someone researching the information for you. Gee, wonder who that would be? You don' think the Developer or the Mayor would you? Obviously your not as unbiased as you want us to believe. It would be a good idea for everyone to stop voicing their concerns on this forum about this issue, and go to a Council meeting and ask your questions. This way the Mayor and Council would have to answer them in real time, on the record. Not through a forum posted on the internet. By asking them here only gives the Developer, Mayor and Council time to formulate an answer to justify the travesty about to happen to Bellmawr. Mark stick to talking about parades and events and historic information, maybe you can regain your creditbility.
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By
george @
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 4:05 PM
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HOPE EVERYONE IN BELLMAWR RECEIVED THERE VOTING BALLOT TODAY. HOW MANY TIMES WILL THEY TRY TO PASS THIS BUDGET? BELLMAWR IS A BLUE COLLAR TOWN , CHECK THE MEDIAN INCOME . INSTEAD OF FIGURING A WAY TO HIDE THAT DUMP ON CREEK ROAD, OUR HARD WORKING DEMOCRATS SHOULD FIGURE A WAY TO RE-WORK BELLMAWR'S AGREEMENT WITH THE BLACK HORSE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO LOWER OUR CONTRIBUTION. THAT WOULD BE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!
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By
mark @
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 6:14 PM
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USA:
Two things you are right about. People should attend the meetings, and yes, I apparently do have too much time on my hands. Everything else is incorrect.
I knew about the Developer meeting because I went to the Council meeting 4 days prior. There was also a prior developer meeting that I missed, as I didnt know about it. I publically argued with the council that they need to do a better job of getting the information out (they replied that the Developer meetign was posted in the Courier Post). The council meetings dates are published on Bellmawr.com. If you attended the council meeting, you would known also. There also was a post on the NJ.com forums about the developer meeting. I see Jeff posting there, so I would take it that is where he learned about the meeting.
A quick repeat. I do not know the mayor, or anyone in the council. I have had NO conversations with them, except for at the last council meeting when a Council person recognized me as someone who went to grade school with his son. We had a pleasant "what has so and so been doing" conversation. I do not know the developer, and the Monday meeting was the first time I spoke to him.
USA.. the funny thing is you dont know how much you are grasping at straws connecting the Mayor, Jeff and Myself together. Jeff ran against the mayor... and I would bet that the mayor is not a member of Jeff's fan club. I don't think Jeff has a problem with me saying he hasn't been too favorable of the mayor (its all out there on NJ.com forums). Also, if you were at the Monday developer meeting (which you would have known about by attending the council meeting), you would've HEARD THE MAYOR COMPLAINING ABOUT ME!! He heard of something I wrote and didnt like it, didnt realize I was in the room, and openly commented that I was putting out wrong information and that I was on the anti-council side. I had to stand up and identify myself "Mr Mayor... Mr Mayor... I am RIGHT HERE. What can I clear up?". Jeff also didnt recognize me (we have never met) as he posted on NJ.com that he was the only resident in the meeting, and I was sitting right behind him. (i knew it was him as the mayor addressed him).
So... Jeff didnt know me. The mayor openly complained about me when I was 15 feet in front of him so he didnt know me... yet you, Mr USA, think we are all in this together?!! Hah!
Of all the comments... the above bugs me the most... not because of the mis-association to the mayor, or to Jeff... but because if YOU had gone to the council meeting you would've heard all this and saved me and you a lot of typing. As passionate as you are on these boards in your writing (under multiple names), you don't attend the meetings.
Regarding the information about the lawsuits, and the attempt to shut down Spruce manor. I found this information on the internet. Yes I apparently have too much time on my hands. My very first post at the courier, I comment that I was interested in uncovering our town's history. In that research I found other interesting facts. Over a period of a year, i spent dozens of hours googling Bellmawr a million different ways. I went to the library and looked up books on the area... some going back to the 1850s (and found articles about the original Bell farms). I found maps from the 1600s of Creek rd and Timber Creek. I even went to the Camden County Historical Society near Lourdes hospital (Camden) and went through news clippings and historical deeds.
For the internet, I googled Bellmawr and Landfill, and found the mantua suit article. I then found googled on Bellmawr and Lawsuit and found the Spruce Manor article.
I wrote about the mantua landfill back in September on NJ.Com....
http://www.nj.com/forums/bellmawr/index.ssf?artid=1539
and provide links.
The spruce manor story is also posted on the internet. Here is a few examples: http://www.greenbaumlaw.com/Articles/article16.html
http://www.smartgrowthgateway.org/local_redev_req_know.shtml
Both the landfill and the Spruce manor cases are cited numerous times on the internet as very important cases within the associated subject matter.
How deep is my web researching... I will tell you RIGHT now there are pictures on the internet from 1942 of the Bellmawr Park development. Shows the buildings under construction. The insides of houses. Photos of the day care center. Wouldnt the current residents of Bellmawr Park love to see photos of thier homes and streets from 60 years ago?! There are also photos out on the net from the 30s of 4 historical houses that stood as late as the 40s. There are desctriptions of the homes, architectural drawings and historic facts (A house at the end of McClelland was a hospital for the Red Coats after the battle of Gloucester, and was rumored to have been haunted). All this is out there now, and no one else has found them. I found them a year ago, commented about them in my blog, and I bet still no one else in town knows about them.
If I didnt have to spend so much time defending myself in these replies, I would've had the historical article done about the cool information above. I had also wanted to write an article on the two legal cases I found. (of course, now that I let the cat out of the bag, everyone will find the historical information before i have a chance to write/finish the article)
...and Yes, I apparently have too much time on my hands.
Not that ya asked... but let me tell you a little about myself as I think this will help you understand how I've gotten this information. For one, i am a geek. A software developer, working in the financial industry. Whatever level of success i have though, is not from being a geek.. its that when I get something on my mind I'll dig and dig. This is what I really do on my job. I have business people coming to me saying "I need a system to do this...." and its my job to take a high level idea and ask questions, dig in to the details, research... its almost a game to me, that I want to uncover the details. I do the same with technology... New computer languages, software techniques, infrastructure implementations... I'll push myself to dig in and get the answers. People have come to trust that they can come to me with any idea for software and I'll dig into to get the details. And when I say it can or can't be done, they almost always trust my opinion.
Some like the challenge of beating thier golf score, or winning more at the poker tables. For me... "digging in to understand" is my thing. (well, according to my family, its one of about a dozen of "mark's things"!)
This is exactly what I've been doing in my posts for Bellmawr. I made up my mind I want to know more about the town and its new projects, and I started digging and researching. USA.. look at my posts... my replies... the only way someone would put this much time into something is to just really want to do it for themselves.
One other connection to work.. is I hate meetings that ramble on and on... people complaining, or making random comments... and no-one gets to the meat of the issue. I try to be that person to get to the core. Same with random comments on the Bellmawr forums and comments. Don't toss out random thoughts, find out more information first!
Maybe its hard to believe that someone is just into this for the sake of wanting to do it. Its funny, that in our society we all know and understand people who spend every free moment hotrodding their cars, or heading to the casinos, or hanging in bars to get the hottest "chick". But I decide I want to put time into helping out my neighbors in the town by uncovering information... and people can't believe it is possible!
Lastly, if i did get my information from our town officials, and was in cahoots with our leadership... why would they want the negative stories out? Why would they want the question out there about "will the project put us over the Water cap?" Why would they want me putting any thing out that was against the project?
I'm tired of writing this stuff... I shouldnt even have invested this much time into responding to you. I want to focus on the real issues. I will bring it up one more time at the council meeting (in a polite manor) so that the officials and the PACKED room full of residents can hear where I am coming from... and then it will be done.
I also have to finish my taxes.
I look forward to meeting you at the Council meeting.
Mark
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By
george @
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 6:55 PM
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WELL I GUESS YOU ARE RIGHT AGAIN MARK NOBODY ELSE KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE THEY DONT ATTEND THE COUNCIL MEETINGS.I THINK PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT VALID POINTS UP AND HAVE RESEARCHED THINGS FOR INSTANCE YOU ARE ON EVERY BLOG ON THE INTERNET PROMOTING THIS RIDICULOUS PROJECT.
LETS START ONCE AGAIN ON THE TRAFFIC ON BHP , CREEK ROAD , BROWNING RD.HOW IS THIS GOING TO BE FIXED WITH ANOTHER RICICULOUS PROJECT 295/42 I LIVE IN BELLMAWR 28 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM GETTING AROUND WHO NEEDS A MONSTROCITY IN THEIR BACKYARD.PARK &RIDE YOU SAID WOODCREST STATION WELL IT IS NOT PINNED DOWN IN THE CORNER OF THE BOROUGH WITH ONLY 2 WAYS OUT CREEK ROAD &CREEK ROAD FIX THAT ONE.HOW ABOUT THE SENIORS COMPLEX ONCE AGAIN WHERE IS THAT CASH?PREMIER RECREATION CENTER WHO WILL FOOT THE BILL TO UPKEEP THE PROPERTY ?THEY DONT EVEN TAKE CARE OF THE ONE THEY HAVE NOW,WHO ASKED FOR IT ANYWAY? THE BIGGEST JOKE IS PREMIER WATERFRONT THAT WATER IS DISGUSTING WOULD YOU LET YOUR KIDS PLAY IN THAT WATER WITH THE OLD TIRES AND OIL DRUMS AND HOW ABOUT THE CONSTANT ENVIROMENTAL CLEANUPS. THAT AREA SMELLS LIKE THE ELEPHANT TENT AT THE CIRCUS! 8 PEOPLE AT THE MEETINGS SHOULD SHOW YOU HOW GUN HO EVERYONE IS ABOUT THIS CAN OF WORMS. LEAVE IT ALONE.ALL OF A SUDDEN WE ARE AT RISK FOR THE EPA TO COME IN TO OUR TOWN AND SUDDENLY WANT THIS DUMP CAPPED OFF C,MON YES YOU ARE CORRECT I DONOT ATTEND MEETINGS BECAUSE I UNLIKE YOURSELF CAN NOT SIT THERE AND LISTEN TO THE LIES.NEXT MEETING ASK ABOUT THE PLANS FOR THE POLICE/BOROUGH HALL THAT IS GOING TO BE MOVED TO THE SUPERFRESH ALONG WITH 1 FIRE HALL FOR BOTH SIDES OF TOWN.THANKS MARK. BY THE WAY WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH OUR NON PREMIER RECREATIONAL CENTER IF THE NEW 1 GETS BUILT ON THE DUMP MORE TAX CASH TO UPKEEP A VACANT PARK?I DROVE THROUGH THE DUMP THE OTHER DAY AND WHEN I GOT HOME IT WAS DARK AND MY CAR TIRES WERE GLOWING IN THE DARK .GO DON BOWERS.
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By
four98 @
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 6:59 PM
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Mark - I wonder why people are so afraid of real, pertinent information coming out about Bellmawr that they trash you and your motives instead of finding out the truth, like you said, for themselves.
Except for you, the only other place where I have seen written information about what goes on in all of the local towns in the Gloucester City News, but they're not online. You can't read their posts online. You actually have to buy the paper.
I appreciate all of the information you have been posting and all of the time you put in. I tell everyone to read it.
I really don't think that the "powers that be" like that this is out in the open. But hmmm, what is your First Amendment right again?
Re: Donald Bowers running for something -- I thought he ran for a leadership position within the Bellmawr Park organization itself. And that was a while ago.
Mark - ignore the negative people - keep the posts coming.
Keep up the good work.
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By
mark @
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 7:16 PM
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George,
Excellent... excellent commentary, and questions. I too want these same answers and will try to get them answered. I've lived here for 40 years, and want to see things running smoothly also. Hell, My dad was probably your mailman 20 years ago. The comment about Superfresh being a new municipal hall is completely new to me! Thanks for the great lead!
I was initially posting at Nj.com forums cause it had a lot of activity. Was gonna start my own site, and jumped onto the courier. I am here at BellmawrBlogs now, cause I put a lot of effort into these posts and I want to retain ownership to what I write.
BTW: I know Don very well and wish him all the luck in the world! I've known him since we were kids, and when I was first married my wife and I rented a Duplex in Crescent Park and Don was our upstairs neighbor. I have plans tonight, but I am going to reach out to him... give him a forum to discuss his concerns. So many people have brought up his name here, its only fair that he has a chance to get his story out.
Don, send me an email with your number and I'll give ya a call! markmatt@comcast.net
Thanks Four98!!
I want to keep doing this... but I have to admit some of the comments do have me concerned. While I understand people being frustrated (Heck I am living with the same town problems), I don't udnerstand why thier frustration is vented on me!
Man... I think I already broke my "no defending myself" statement. :-)
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By
george @
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:05 PM
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HI GANG I FORGOT TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW ABOUT ANOTHER NUCLEAR PROJECT HUNTER STREET IN GLOUCESTER
EMINENT DOMAIN WAS ENFORCED AND THE PEOPLE WERE PUSHED OUT AND THERE IS A OPEN FIELD SITTING THERE FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF .APPARENTLY THEY COULD NOT GET MORE CASH TO CLEAN UP THE TOXIC LAND THOSE POOR PEOPLE DID NOT HAVE MUCH TO BEGIN WITH BEFORE BUT AT LEAST THEY HAVE A NICE (PREMIER) OPEN FIELD TO STARE AT!!!!!!!!!! FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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By
four98 @
Thursday, April 12, 2007 7:32 AM
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Didn't they take those houses in Gloucester for the new middle school? When the the School Construction Company (SCC) ran out of money all demolition of the houses stopped and therefore no building of the new school. So now it's all just sitting there.
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By
george @
Thursday, April 12, 2007 5:30 PM
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yes four 98 THEY GAVE THOSE PEOPLE WELL BELOW MARKET VALUE FOR THEIR HOMES ON HUNTER STREET IN GLOUCESTER AND NOW THERE IS A VACANT LOT .SO BASICALLY SAME SCENARIO AS BELLMAWR DUMP PROJECT PRIVATE CONTRACTOR THAT COULD EASILY SQUANDER THE MONEY AND HAVE NO STATE TO BACK UP PROJECT.THE STATE CAN NOT EVEN PROVIDE FOR OUR SCHOOLS SO THEIR TRYIN TO RAISE THE BUDGET AGAIN IN BLACKHORSE PIKE SCHOOL DISTRICT WICH COULD COST THE AVERAGE HARDWORKING BLUE COLLAR BELLMAWR RESIDENT A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS A YEAR SO VOTE NO FOR THE INCREASE.ON A SMELLIER NOTE I KNOW AN OLD TIMER WHO WORKED FOR THE BOROUGH SOME TIME AGO AND SAID HE/SHE REMEMBERS THE TANKER TRUCKS PULLED IN AND RELEASED THE VALVES ON THE TRUCK AND LETTING OUT A STEAMING BLACK SUBSTANCE RIGHT ON THE GROUND IMAGINE WHEN THEY START TURNING EARTH WHEN IT RAINS WHICH STORM DRAINS THAT WILL END UP IN ! I AM NOT TRYING TO KNOCK THE DUMP PROJECT BUT IT IS ENVIROMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY.
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By
USA @
Friday, April 13, 2007 1:04 PM
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Great, Don Bowers who lives in the Park, and pays no taxes is going to run for Mayor in four years. All because he is tired of the machine, that I'm sure he has helped keep in power. I can hardly wait!
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By
george @
Friday, April 13, 2007 4:21 PM
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WELL MARK YOUR RIGHT PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF CHANGE DON BOWERS IS A STAND UP BELLMAWR NATIVE WHO WOULD MAKE A GREAT LEADER. COMPARED TO THE OTHER CRONIES
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By
four98 @
Friday, April 13, 2007 8:23 PM
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We got our Vote ballots in the mail for the school board. My daughter goes to Bellmawr Park and they are having "incentives" to get the parents to come out and vote. The class with the most kids whose parents voted gets a prize, you get to vote on the name of the principal's fish and if a certain percentage of the people come out and vote, the principal is supposed to kiss a live donkey. I'm still voting no - tired of the high taxes.
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By
george @
Saturday, April 14, 2007 6:48 PM
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PRETTY SAD WHEN THEY HAVE TO USE SCUMBAG ANTICS TO GET PEOPLE TO VPTE NO
NEW JERSEY HIGHEST TAXES IN AMERICA MAYBE THE WORLD!
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By
jack.heath@ssa.gov @
Monday, April 16, 2007 1:44 PM
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Mark,
You do a great job on the Blog. It's essential reading for anyone who lives in Bellmawr and I appreciate all your hard work. As far as the next mayoral election, the candidate in favor of taking us out of the BHP school district and in favor of aligning us with a smaller district like Audubon will get my vote. Bellmawr residents will be supporting 3 high schools in various states of repair-- that is where your tax increases will come from in perpetuity. Bellmawr had the chance to align with Mt Ephraim and Audubon in one school district years ago and blew it. How many other towns in the country are paying to support 3 schools at least one of which our kids will never attend like Bellmawr and Runnemede. Astronomical school taxes (and votes every 3 months till it passes) are what is going to lead to move out of town. I am interested to hear what the great Don Bowers views on aligning with another school district are. If he has no opinion, I have a feeling things wont be any better than with the current administration.
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By
USA @
Monday, April 16, 2007 5:25 PM
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Jack, in 2002 Filipek used the BHPRSD to get elected. So don't get fooled again. Then he used the re-development with the help of his co-hort here Mark Matthews. Now Marc "knows" Mr. Bowers and will interview him. Yeah ok, we were all born yesterday. Can't wait to read what our next Mayor has to say.
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By
four98 @
Monday, April 16, 2007 5:48 PM
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Mark - look out - there's another poster on here who may have more computer savvy than you -- Mr. Heath (20 years later and what's he two years older than me and I can't call him "Jack") - he taught me computers way back in '85 at Glou Cath. Maybe it was on the Radio Shack Tandy or was it the ENIAC? A good guy and very smart!! Anne
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By
george @
Monday, April 16, 2007 8:55 PM
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I JUST READ ON THE BELLMAWR BLOG ON THE <COURIERPOSTONLINE.COM> THAT SOMEONE SAW WAYNE BRYANT AT A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP BUYING A NEW ESCALADE HAVE THESE PEOPLE NO SHAME?TO BELIEVE THAT JOE ROBERTS WILL GO AS FAR AS TO STICK UP FOR THIS MAN AND TALK ABOUT ALL THE POSITIVE THINGS WAYNE HAS DONE.SOMEBODY SHOULD LOOK INTO JOES AFFAIRS AND SEEING HOW HE SEES NOTHING WRONG WITH WHAT WAYNE DID MAYBE HE HAS A FEW NO SHOW JOBS AS WELL .THE ONLY THING WAYNE BRYANT DID THAT WAS POSITIVE WAS INCREASE HIS OWN BANK ACCOUNT!THIS GUY MADE OVER $550,000 LAST YEAR WITH HIS NO SHOWS ,HIS LAW FIRM,SENATE SPOT,GLOUCESTER COUNTY NO SHOW JOB.HOW MANY PEOPLE IN CAMDEN COUNTY OR LAWNSIDE FOR THAT MATTER MADE $550,000 LAST YEAR OR THE LAST TEN YEARS SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CAN WASH OUT THE BAD WITH THE GOOD THINGS THIS MAN WAS GONNA GET AROUND $ 100,000 A YEAR IN PENSION MONEY. EVEN FUNNIER ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO EZ PASS PAID HIS LAW FIRM $250,000 TO COLLECT EZ PASS VIOLATORS FINES HE COLLECTED $15,000 AS PER THE COURIER POST ARTICLE . GREAT GUY HUH MAYBE IF HE IS CLEARED ON ALL CHARGES HE CAN RUN FOR GOVERNOR IN A FEW YEARS!
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By
george @
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 9:47 PM
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I WAS RIDING BY THE DUMP PROJECT TODAY AND HAPPENED TO SEE SOME STATE VEHICLES ON THE PROPERTY SO BEING CURIOUS I DROVE UP AND NOTICED IT WAS EPA EMPLOYEES I WONDER IF THE NOREASTER WASHED UP SOMEONES DIRTY BUISINESS ON THAT MOUND OF CRAP OR THERE WAS A OIL OR RADON SLICK OF SOME SORT THEY WERE ALSO WEARING TYVEK SUITS AND TAKING SOIL SAMPLES..WHO KNOWS ,ON A LIGHTER NOTE I HEARD THE STATE WAS PUTTING A HALT ON ALL NONECESSARY PROJECTS INCLUDING THE MISSING MOVES PROJECT BECAUSE OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY/PENDING THE ACTING GOVERNORS DECISION ON COSIDERING NEW JERSEY A DISASTER AREA I GUESS THEY FIGURE THE MONEY IS NEEDED FOR MORE IMPORTANT THINGS.I AGREE MAYBE ITS LIGHTS OUT FOR THE DUMP PROJECT AS WELL.
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By
george @
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 9:51 PM
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I SPOKE TO DON BOWERS AND CONTRARY TO WHAT IS SAID IN HERE HE IS GOING TO RUN NEXT TERM AND ASSURES ME HE WILL WIN!
DIGEST THAT ONE! HATERS COMPLAING EVERYONE ELSE IS AFRAID OF CHANGE GIVE THE GUY A CHANCE.
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By
Hank @
Monday, April 23, 2007 1:20 PM
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Regardless of Mark's perceived biases, at least someone is posting information regarding Bellmawr's present and future plans. Most of this information should be posted on the Boro's website. Unfortunately, notihing of importance is posted there. Iit has to be the WORST local government website in the county. I've looked at Haddon Height's, Deptford's, and Cherry Hill's websites and there is a ton of information from community events, to local ordnances, to council meeting info. Bellmawr's is a joke. If you want to send an email, it goes to the police department. I guess it's another way for the local political machine to keep the public in the dark.
I've been living in Bellmawr 5 years and if it wasn't for stumbling onto this blog, I'd have no idea what was happening.
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By
coyote @
Monday, April 30, 2007 6:14 AM
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alot of this reminds me why i now live in North Carolina...
scott m
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By
coyote @
Monday, April 30, 2007 6:15 AM
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and Don Bowers is going to be the mayor??? hahaha....
scott m
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By
ccblog1 @
Monday, May 07, 2007 11:54 PM
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Mark,
Just read through your info on the re"dump"velopment projects. What I find disturbing are the umber of bashers who have nothing better to do with their net time, than take a swing at anyone trying to keep people informed. I am privvy to more info than the average resident, in part due to my associations with several politicians. As I have made clear on my C-P blog (www.courierpostonline.com/blogs), I am no one's crony, nor am I in anyone's pocket. I back the people I believe in, it's as simple as that. A lot of people in town think they have a better mouse trap, not just Don Bowers. I hope his intentions are true, and not just to kick up dust. Others have tried in the past and failed miserably. The Republican machine in Bellmawr, is like a bus with no wheels. The same holds true for any non-democrat outfit. It's almost like beating on the Washington Monument with a toothpick. What needs to happen, is for the administration, in whatever configuration, with whomever at the helm, to fix what's broken, work to constantly better all aspects of the borough, for the common good, and not for their own gains. The simple fact is that for too many years, past and present officials have abused their positions, and forgot the commoners who vote for them. If the re"dump"velopment projects become a reality, the only way they'll succeed is with absolute support from multiple levels of government, and continued involvement from the very residents who will utilize the facilities. If it's a white elephant (I use that one a lot), then the detractors win again. The point to it all, is at least something seems to be getting done. If it fails before ground is broken on the first phase, the dumps will lay as they have since I was a child. Deptford found a way to redevelop otherwise dead space, and the result is a sports complex on Almonesson Road near Turkey Hill Road. I truly hope this works, but my chief concerns lean more toward the 42/295/76 project, as it affects my neighborhood, and it involves people I've been friends with for years.
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By
wjaw @
Saturday, July 21, 2007 3:49 PM
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This is a little of the subjet on the dump. but MR JIMMY WISPERS Ido not know you but i am sure we will meet some day . I hope you are a volly in the fire departmeny at bellmawr park .YES JIM IS A GOOD PERSON IN GHARGE OF BELLMAWR # 1 . BUT TOM BELONG TO #1 FOR A SHORT TIME WENT BACK TO TRY AND FIX A SCREWED UP PLACE . IT IS NOT HIS DOING . SO IF YOU BELONG THERE HELP HIM AND IF YOU DON'T BELONG JOIN AND HELP HIM . Is far as i am concern if you aer not a volly you do not have your heart in bellmawr . Being a volly you are not going to get rich
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By
wjaw @
Saturday, July 21, 2007 3:57 PM
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Back to the dump . Why don,t the moyor or one of his stooges put these meeting on the dump project in one of these furums . Istop over the boro hall put a bullten board up so we can read the bull . as far mar statement he could not get all that imformation at one meeting . he had to have siome inside help
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By user review samsung d500 @
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 1:51 PM
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By user review samsung d500 @
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 1:51 PM
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By user review samsung d500 @
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 1:51 PM
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By
Mike Bowman @
Sunday, June 01, 2008 8:03 AM
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Mark, what is the website that shows the old Bellmawr Park photos from 1942?
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By
Maggie Mae @
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4:12 PM
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I e-mailed Mark at his e-mail address and I think these dump trucks are a hazard. Creek Rd in that area is like a dust bowl I have to put up my car windows everytime I drive by there. Now what is going to happen with our taxes now that the $300,000 state funding is gone are we the tax payers going to get hit with the difference. We already had our houses reassessed and I just paid off my house this February hoping I would have some extra money what is it going to have to go toward our taxes going up now. We never get a break in New Jersey. I'm ready to move to Delaware..... I live on one of the worst streets in Bellmawr, Edgewood Ave. and talk about truck traffic mostly now these dump trucks that are going to this new Waterfront Project. That street should have never allowed homes to be built there and if they need that area to be bought out for this new project going up if offered the right place I would give up my home and move to Delaware no sales tax and cheaper Property Taxes. This new Govoner is like the rest the only one I think who ever helped me with my street in the past and with the state was Christine Whitman. The only bad thing was putting up those walls on 42 and 295 to stop the noise from the highway but where I live it doesn't bother me. We need another new woman Governor in this state. It's ashame Hillary Clinton didn't win instead of Obama. Look there has been a threat on his life already. I'm getting off the subject. When is construction starting on this so call Waterfront Project. I can't wait until these dump trucks are done. I also contacted Rob Andrews about putting up bigger and better signs on Edgewood Ave. to stop these trucks and tractor trailers from still parking to go into that WaWa. That should have never been built there either but it's a gold mind for WaWa because of where it's located close to 42. I WANT SOME RELIEF AND HELP IN THIS TOWN. I wrote the Mayor a few times with no reply. Now Mayor Infantani (God rest his soul) was a great mayor and did do stuff for my street by posting signs but these truck drivers can't read and if you tell them to move you have to watch for your life. A Angry Bellmawr Resident of 41 years, Maggie Foyle
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By
Maggie Mae @
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4:16 PM
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Me again what I meant to say if they wanted to buy out our homes on Edgewood Ave. I put place I meant to say the right price I would sell in a minute..... I"M DISGUSTED..... HELP......
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