Every Saturday, the South Jersey Times cheers those who make our area a better place in which to live and jeers those whose actions merit derision.
Every Saturday, the South Jersey Times cheers those who make our area a better place in which to live and jeers those whose actions merit derision.
CHEERS to expanding the education conversation. Two dozen protestors appeared outside of a panel discussion regarding the impact schools are having on Camden to decry Renaissance schools in the city. The private schools that are publicly funded offer an option beyond those within the city school district, which is overseen by state-appointed Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard. Despite protestors calling for his resignation, Rouhanifard said the protests prove the importance of educating the city's young minds. Vocational, Renaissance, charter, public; let the parents choose and the most appropriate outlets will be left standing.
JEERS to seeing red over green. An 8-year-old Winslow Township elementary school student was sent home after a dispute over the color of her polo shirt. School district policy requires polo shirts worn by students to be dark green and not the kelly green variety the female student was wearing that day. While her mother admitted the color was a bit off, she criticized the school for sending her daughter home for the day. Indeed, the school code does allow administrators to suspend a student one day per infraction but really, what's more important -- a child's education or a sense of uniformity?
CHEERS: To some good, dirty fun for a great cause. The Bill Bottino Mud Run took place Saturday at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds. Participants maneuvered through the obstacle course all for an important purpose -- raising money for cancer research. The mud run is named in honor of Bill Bottino Sr., who died of lung cancer in 2006. He was the president and CEO of Bottino's ShopRite. Marking its eighth year, the annual race has raised more than $600,000.
JEERS: To those who think it's OK to fire guns on city streets. Salem City Police have arrested two men and are seeking more in a strange incident Sept. 13 when multiple shots were fired along East Broadway. Why? Police haven't given a motive yet. Luckily, no one was reported to be hurt, but just think of what could have happened. It's senseless and the penalties for anyone convicted of unloading bullets on a public street needs to face stiff penalties.
CHEERS: To Rowan University's purchase of the Inversand fossil site in Mantua Township. The sprawling property will become an outdoor classroom for paleontology students, and with the $1.95 million purchase Rowan will continue to grow its commitment to the sciences. The fossil treasure trove could help researchers learn more about what led to the mass extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago while at the same time expanding Rowan's reach as a world-class university. Are there any other universities that can say they own a dinosaur graveyard?
CHEERS: To two important events honoring Gloucester County veterans today. First, the county will present its Military Service Medals to 101 veterans in an 11 a.m. ceremony at RiverWinds. This is the 15th year the county has honored local veterans for their service. Following that event, the annual People for People Veterans Picnic will take place at noon at the Gloucester County Fairgrounds in Harrison Township. The free event is open to veterans, their families and the general public. The event drew more than 1,200 attendees last year and we hope for a great turnout again today. Leave extra time to get there, though, given the expected traffic congestion associated with the pope's visit to Philadelphia.
If you know of someone or something you would like to nominate for a cheer or a jeer, please send the information to letters@southjerseymedia.com.