If you know of someone or something you would like to nominate for a cheer or a jeer, please send the information to sjletters@njadvancemedia.com
JEERS: To a lack of transparency. The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office issued a press release Monday afternoon about the arrest of a Monroe Township police officer accused of a serious charge. The accusation is that Robert E. Marzi allegedly sought a sex act in return for helping someone facing charges. The release goes on to note that this officer's previous cases are being reviewed to see if anything untoward may have happened before. The problem we have is in how this information was revealed to the public. Marzi was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 10, and released after posting $25,000 bail. We first learned of this case Monday morning via an anonymous tip. From there, we sought information from the prosecutor's office and police. Hours later, we get an announcement. Why the delay? This is a very serious allegation that could affect other cases. We receive timely announcements of serious charges all the time. Would any announcement of these charges have come had it not been for the tipster? We have a great deal of respect for the men and women of law enforcement and go out of our way to highlight their good deeds as often as possible. When it comes to allegations of wrongdoing, however, we expect them to be held to the same standard as anyone else. We hope the prosecutor shares that view.
CHEERS: To a new era for education in Cumberland County. We got the first peek this week at the new Cumberland County Technical Education Center's state-of-the-art campus in Vineland. The nearly $70 million, 200,000-square-foot school opens on Sept. 12 as a four-year, full-time high school. There are 78 instructional areas inside the building -- including spaces for dentistry, cosmetology, health science, construction trades, culinary arts and a chemistry lab. The new gym will hold 1,800. This school will provide new educational opportunities never available before for Cumberland County students.
JEERS: To danger across the river. A report this week said that the Delaware City Refining Co. near Delaware, City, Delaware spewed nearly 19 tons of potentially toxic chemicals into the air over a two-year period. In 2014, three tons of sulfur dioxide were released and the next year 16 tons of six different chemicals were released into the air. The refinery sits near the shores of the Delaware River, just across from Salem City, Elsinboro and Pennsville -- closer to many Salem County residents than those in Delaware. For New Jersey what goes on at the refinery continues to be a concern.
CHEERS to challenging perceptions. Saturday morning will put more than JP Corman's physical abilities to the test. The 8-year-old from Barrington is blind and his body and soul will be on the line during a triathlon for handicapped children at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Ahead of the event organized by KidzTri3, JP and his mother came to the Virtua campus in Washington Township so the boy could practice swimming, biking and running alongside his 13-year-old aide, who is the son of a blind Olympic athlete's race guide. We heartily "cheer" KidzTri3, Virtua, JP and every other participant who'll hit the pool and pavement Saturday. Life isn't fair, but it isn't stopping you.
JEERS to sweeping everything under the rug. North Hanover's new police chief has a sexual harassment settlement in his past and the town's leader says he "didn't know" the details surrounding it. While we believe Mayor Jim Durr, it's ridiculous that the other committee people who appeared to have an inkling of Chief Theodore Budd Well's confidential settlements out of Medford couldn't do more to address the issue. The township's attorney even told one committeeman to 'be careful" when dancing around Well's past. Rules are rules and under certain circumstances, the confidentiality that stems from the settlements is needed. In this case, maybe the guy who was accused of sexual harassment and cost Medford a $300,000 settlement shouldn't have risen to the rank of chief in the first place.
CHEERS: To a program that will give students a great way to pursue careers as teachers. Williamstown High School is partnering with Rowan University to develop a teacher academy. Students in grades 8 and 9 will be able to apply during the school year to enter this new program. For the upcoming school year, 15 high school freshman have already signed up to join. Students will take courses in line with Rowan's teacher preparation program, including history of education and child psychology. If they meet their goals, they will enter Rowan University with three college credits already in the bag and application fees waived. We need great teachers and anything we can do to encourage that love at an early age is important for all of us. This program marks another smart idea for encouraging students to pursue higher education while also making that process a bit more affordable.
If you know of someone or something you would like to nominate for a cheer or a jeer, please send the information to sjletters@njadvancemedia.com