Merry X-Mas

Merry X-Mas
to all of you and your kin!
:) :):) :):) :):) :):):):) :):) :)

http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf

and for other entertainment please go here to www.youtube/mkrull1

Holiday Time is Really Here

..And it had lots of traffic at the Cumberland Mall
Its Dec 22nd. See the video

Poetry on High at Bogart's Books Dec 16

December 16 was the monthly "Poetry on High." Its held at Bogart's Books each month the Sunday after 3rd Friday's in Millville NJ. Rita Lyman was the host of this event and the featured artist was George Anderson who is pictured. Chris Ney read several poems. There were several people who read for the first time. Music by Dom, Bob White, and others was fine indeed. Of course my dog June was there enjoying all her friends.

Stop Retroactive Immunity for Telecoms!!!!

This week the Senate will be voting on FISA reform legislation that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies.I found this from http://www.crooksandliars.com today. US Senator Christopher Dodd is going to Filibuster this bill
Please read below:
The New York Times Reports that the telecom companies are aiding the govt in domestic eavesdropping

"The N.S.A.’s reliance on telecommunications companies is broader and deeper than ever before, according to government and industry officials, yet that alliance is strained by legal worries and the fear of public exposure.

To detect narcotics trafficking, for example, the government has been collecting the phone records of thousands of Americans and others inside the United States who call people in Latin America, according to several government officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the program remains classified. But in 2004, one major phone carrier balked at turning over its customers’ records. Worried about possible privacy violations or public relations problems, company executives declined to help the operation, which has not been previously disclosed.

In a separate N.S.A. project, executives at a Denver phone carrier, Qwest, refused in early 2001 to give the agency access to their most localized communications switches, which primarily carry domestic calls, according to people aware of the request, which has not been previously reported. They say the arrangement could have permitted neighborhood-by-neighborhood surveillance of phone traffic without a court order, which alarmed them." (Emphasis added)

Menendez, Robert (D-NJ) Call (202) 224-4744 You can go here instead
It is unclear whether or not this Senator opposes Dodd's Filibuster

Encourage them to declare their support by using the following example text when you call:

"I'm calling to find out if the Senator will be joining Chris Dodd in opposition to legislation that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies. Please pass my request to the Senator that he/she reconsider this position and instead stand up for the Constitution and the rule of law alongside Chris Dodd."

Casey, Robert P., Jr. (D-PA) Call (202) 224-6324 or go here

Specter, Arlen (R-PA) Call (202) 224-4254 or go here

You also can Email the Senate and ask that they vote against any legislation that includes retroactive immunity for telecoms. You can go to the Chris Dodd website now

VICTORY!

Bill has been postponed till Jan 2008!!!!!

A Holiday Greeting from the Boss

This is our "Holiday Message" from Denise Chambers the Excutive Director of the Philadelphia County Assistance office. Paragraph #4 is is quite NICE. Please note where she UNDERLINED!
This is very unprofessional to say the least. You can write to Ms Chambers at the address below.
Office
Headquarters
Philadelphia State Office Building
1400 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130-4088

End of the Year Message from the Executive Director

First I want to wish you Season Greetings. I hope all of you enjoy the time off that we’ll have near the end of the month and that you spend some time enjoying friends, and family. Second I want to thank you. Thank you for accomplishing two out of our three main goals. We reached and maintained for many months 50% TANF participation and we maintained our high standard of accuracy.

This year we saw many of our friends and coworkers retire, nearly 200 from Philadelphia County Assistance Offices. This brought about significant change. The ripple effect was felt in many ways. This provided opportunities for promotion, however, many promotional opportunities were delayed until we were able to have more caseworkers trained and in the offices. Logic dictates that one newly trained worker can not carry a full caseload and is not immediately as proficient as experienced workers could be, therefore even though we have filled most of our positions; you will see higher caseloads for more months to come.

Other changes we saw included non-alpha caseload assignment and greeter implementation. Non-alpha caseload assignment should be implemented in all districts this month. This was created and approved by a joint workgroup of management and labor in response to your justified complaints about the constantly changing caseloads. If implemented correctly, this will resolve some of those issues. The Greeter functions, as well as the CSR and self-serve phones, was implemented this fall as part of the State’s Modern Office concept. The Greeter’s main function is to ensure that the lobby is running smoothly by directing clients to various options and thereby eliminating long lines. Though there are some who don’t like the function, there are more who do both internally and externally.

Where we have failed as a county this year is in our customer service. We are still viewed as nasty (that word is actually used continuously) and uncaring. We present that image by the way we handle our work. There are staff who view clients as people not our equals and therefore not worthy of our respect and courteousy. What I don’t understand is - one out of every four of our employees were clients at some point in our life. Do you hate yourself that much? Have you forgotten the struggles that you had/have? How would you make it if your next check was delayed two weeks? Because if the truth were told, many are just one paycheck away from disaster.

During this holiday season, one of giving, can you open your hearts, search your behavior, and start treating our clients, the reason why we have a job, with dignity and respect. Feeling overworked and/or stressed is no excuse for rude behavior. When you call any place of business you expect to speak with someone who will resolve your issue. So do our clients. When we refuse them, that small dignity of answering or returning their calls, they become frustrated and we have put a confrontational situation into play.

We have to change our perceptions, and the public’s perception of us. Our very survival depends on it. No one will buy a car that runs sometime, they’ll buy a car that they can depend on; no one wants a doctor who may be right sometimes, you’ll go to a doctor you can depend on; and no one wants a worker who will respond to their needs sometimes. Though we may think no one else provides the services we do, the answer is not today but maybe tomorrow. If you believe in government workers, if you believe that we have a valuable expertise which is needed by society, than show it by your actions. Live our mission, Philadelphia CAO – Serving the Community Because WE CARE.

I challenge those who already provide caring service, to continue your excellent work. I challenge those who could improve to take a critical look at yourself and change your approach. The end of a year is always time for reflection. I wish you peace and excellence in this and every year to come

Soul of the Season Sat Dec 8

Had a nice time at the Soul of the Season. I volunteered to help and got a carriage ride to boot.

June

Pearl Harbor Day at Oar House w/Subculture

Hello. After enjoying Millville's Soul of the Season last night, we went to the Oar House in Millville's Arts District. Well, a funny and fun time was had by one and all. First off we sat with 2 good friends of ours and ordered dinner and in my case a cold Sierra Nevada. Over at the next table someone cried out "WAYNE'S WORLD...WAYNE'S WORLD!!" Of course I was caught off guard and laughed a bit. Well, this person saw the lawyer of WAYNE'S WORLD." Anyway the band Subculture was rockin out and folks were dancing the night away! They did covers of Helter Skelter, did a Tom Petty tune and some Nirvana. I only wish my pup June could have joined n the merriment. Scroll to the bottom and listen to Subculture jam!Well, its time to work the Saturday version of Soul of the Season with the horse carriages

Soul of the Season Friday Dec 7th 2007

he Annual Soul of the Season -- 6 - 10 p.m., Arts District, Horse-Drawn carriage rides, live entertainment, Santa's Shop, holiday shopping for unique gifts (fine arts, hand crafted, original, etc.). The Glasstown Arts District of Millville, New Jersey holds a number of special events every year.
The Vineland Regional Dance Company performed parts of the Nutcracker Suite on Friday Dec 7th at the Glasstown Plaza. The threatened sleet did not materialize but the threat canceled the horse driven carriage rides. The RRCA had a nice turnout. Today its nice and all should go without a hitch. I am volunteering at the horse station tonite. Here are some pictures and video from last night. Hope you will enjoy them and come out.

August 7 to 10th 2008

There are 2 HUGE events happening next Summer in Cumberland County New Jersey. The Thunderbolt Raceway will have its first races and the Vineland Music Festival will have 100 bands and about 30,000 concert goers camping out for 3 days.
The potential traffic problem will begin at Route 55. About 50,000 visitors coming from the north and the south are likely to use the same Millville exits to get to their respective events - and from that point, the roads are only one lane.

Local police departments would have to deal with any increase in traffic on smaller local highways.

A Word About the Arts District

Info from Marianne Loads of the MDC:

Out of the original 14 Pioneer Artists 8 are actively showing their work in the Glasstown Arts District. Three have full time art galleries for their own work and show many other artists' work. One's husband died and she moved back to her home town. Another one sold her building for profit, thus, her gallery closed. One retired and closed her gallery. The remainder are either still working artists here or their businesses failed. However, let me point out that we have 10 full-time galleries and three part time ones. The gallery owners tell me the number of artists they represent and the total is approximately 100 during any given month. Some people succeed and some people fail at business. It doesn't matter if it is the arts, retail, personal or professional services, etc. It is a fact of trying your hand as an entrepreneur. The Glasstown Arts District and Main Street Millville are growing. In 8 short years enormous strides have been made, many during harsh economic times for our region and country.

The Pioneers are: Dennis Tawes - here Kevin Yarborough - gone Pam Uddin - gone (husband died) Beverly Hughes - here Beverly Tipton - gallery gone, she's still here Mary Rowson - gallery closed, she's retired Brett Fauver - theatre producer, he is ill Maryann Cannon - here Katherine Pokorny - sold her gallery bldg, she is still here Rita Lyman - gone Mike Importico - gone Ellen Gavin - here Donald Cossaboon-DeGregorio - here Lyle Galloway - gone Joan Galloway - gone New Artists Jim Penland -- Casa do Felize and J.B. & M.E. galleries Isabelle Samul -- Isabell Studio 135 Artist Galleries operating now that were never pioneers: Clay College Fath Gallery Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts The Refrigerator Door Gallery Brush in Hand Full Spectrum Marsh Hen Studio

We Honor Carmen DeGregorio

First Snow

It was very picturesque.

Friends pay tribute to Carmen DeGregorio

Viewing is Weds night and Funeral is Thursday at Christy Funeral Home.
I thought the best way to honor Carmen is to let the people who knew him best.
This is from the Daily Journal. May he rest in peace.

Friends pay tribute to Carmen DeGregorio

He was a great man. We just want to keep their family in our prayers.

They are the best family and they were always happy and cheerful. We just want everyone to remember him as a hero that saved a girl's life and a guy who is looking down at us and seeing everything we do and how much everyone misses him and cares about him so much.

We will never forget all he has done for Millville, and he was just a great guy who always had a smile on his face and made you smile.

-- Erin N. Chard and Courtney N. Chance

When Carmen came to the Millville Police Department I had already been an officer for 13 years. You could tell that he wanted to be the best police officer that ever served the city of Millville, as did the rest of the officers.

It takes a great person to do what Carmen did. I don't think the people in the city of Millville will ever forget that he put his life on the line to help someone he didn't even know, but you had to know him to understand the reasons why he did it.

Rest in peace friend, we will all miss you.

-- Herbert Williams, retired Millville Police officer

I was one of the original nine Millville police walking patrolmen, beginning my career with the Millville Police Department in 1973, and staying until I left to join the FBI in 1984.

I first met Carmen while walking my post on North High Street, just before Christmas 1973. As I recall, Carmen's dad operated a gas station near the old Wheaton Plaza, and Carmen worked for him there. Carmen and I would talk about police work (even though I had less than two weeks "experience" at the time) and talk about how much he wanted to be a cop. As I continued my career with Millville police, I saw Carmen become a member of the Millville Police Reserve, and become employed as a dispatcher with Millville police where we worked together for a number of years.

Just before I left Millville for the FBI, Carmen realized his dream of becoming a full-time Millville police officer. I lost touch with Carmen after I left Millville, but on reading the news of the vicious attack on him as he tried to save another person's life, I realized that his actions did not surprise me in the least. Carmen was a "sheepdog" -- one of those individuals who were born to protect others from the wolves, and he did so with pride and honor.

One of the funny anecdotes I remember about Carmen was during his service as a police dispatcher. He bought a big, old car that looked very much like a much-used old police car, and he took a lot of kidding about that car. Looking back, I see that that car was just one more way he was showing that he was always a good cop, and always will be.

Rest in Peace, Brother! You did your duty, and you did it well.

-- Walt Clemens, former Millville Police Sergeant and former FBI Special Agent

MILLVILLE -- Black bunting draped the outside of the Millville Police Department entrance Friday while officers inside dealt with the loss of one of their own.

Carmen DeGregorio, a retired city police officer, died Thursday afternoon, a little more than 36 hours after he was run down in a gas station parking lot after intervening in a domestic dispute.

"Everybody is holding up as best as can be expected under the circumstances," police Capt. Ed Grennon said Friday afternoon.

Counseling teams have been made available for all of the department's 83 officers, including those who were working at the time of the incident, according to Grennon.

The Police Department is setting up a memorial fund, but the details weren't complete Friday afternoon, Grennon said.

Christy Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for DeGregorio, 51. The arrangements are expected to be set today.

Elsewhere in Millville, there were other signs of the lasting mark DeGregorio made on the city in his 25 years on the force.

At 2nd and High streets, a city message board proclaimed: "Carmen we know you will be spending Christmas in heaven this year."

Flags outside City Hall and around the city flew at half-staff Friday.

Mayor James Quinn said DeGregorio's family, friends and co-workers were still struggling Friday to come to grips with his death.

"It's very somber, to say the least," Quinn said. "There's just been a lot of reminiscing about what a great guy Carmen was and how he really and truly cared about people.

"It's mind-boggling," Quinn said. "There's no rhyme or reason for something like this to have happened."

Anthony Wieners, president of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association said Friday in a written statement: "Carmen was a cop's cop, laying his life on the line to save a woman. Although retired from active duty, Carmen never retired from the instinct to help others."

DeGregorio intervened when he saw Robinson trying to shove the woman into the trunk of his car, authorities said. After freeing the victim, DeGregorio pushed her toward a nearby Wawa convenience store and then ran toward the store's gasoline pumps.

DeGregorio retired in 2004 and was married with school-age children. He had survived a heart attack while still a police officer.

"The entire police department is extremely proud of Officer DeGregorio and we consider him to be a hero in every sense of the word," Grennon said.

Post a Comment View All Comments Survivor Wow Carmen met and knew a lot of people. From local police, prosecutors officers, state police, corrections officers, to a FBI agent. I never knew that this man was well known and liked. He was a reserve police officer, police dispatcher, and then a police officer. I hope that full and part time officer's alike can remember that it dosent matter if your on or off duty, you are still observed by the public eye and your actions will be known. Carmen never told me he was a Part Time Officer before. I just learned the other day that Carmen used to do undercover work, and apparentley was good at it. Carmen was old fashioned in my oppinion, he never appeared to care much for the newest fad's and did what he wanted no matter what others would say. He and a few of the older Officers I met that retired, were apart of a time that was fading and changed when things slowley started becoming a Politally Corect Society. He reminded me of the AMC movies where if you crossed the line, he would put you in your place. Old fashioned indeed. He said what was on his mind, and didn't care who would disagree with his comments. I recall him one time while he was on duty, going off about Politics, and stated that he couldn't wait to retire. I asked him what would he do, and told him that I thought he was one of those guys who would miss his job. He looked at me and stated that he did his time, and that if people had a problem with what he said then the heck with them. Well that was of course a different word "Heck". I know that he like many others that worked in the public eye, put up with a lot of $hit, and that times were changing and what was once ok to do or say was slowley becoming a thing of the past. Carmen will be like an American Classic, someone that will go down in history as a MANS-MAN who told it like it is and stood his ground even when others tried to go up against him. I lost my father when I was young, and he too was in Law Enforcement all his life. But what I didn't understand was, why did people talk so highley of him at the funeral, but never once did this to his face or in front of my family? I under stand about respect for the family, but it just seems that we all go through life as someone who did a job. Why can't we say nice things about each other while we are still alive? Carmen you could have just went into that Wawa on that cold night, but instead you got involved in something that would become your last good deed. I sit here and think about how many people are considered a good person once they are gone. Were they considered this before they past away, or is it just one of those things where once your gone, all of the sudden people have good stuff to say about you. I knew Carmen and yes he was a good guy, he was the JOHN WAYNE of his time's, just like most of the Police Officers that walked the beat . I never heard many people say much about him once he retired, and yet now he went from a cop who moved on to a Hero that on one cold dark night, got involved in a Domestic that he didn't have to get involved in. Most people now a days would see something like this happen and would look the other way, due to fear of retaliation or say its not worth any problems. It takes a true man to do the right thing, even if it might cost him his life. I don't truley think that Carmen knew he would be taken away before his time was up. I just wounder why no one else got involved and tried to help. It truly upset me when I heard of a Heroic act performed by a man who just wanted to go on in life and get away from A$$ whole criminals, but in turn would sacrifice and give the ultimate price for someone else's freedom. He unselfishly gave his life to help a person in a bad position who most likely would have her self been killed later on that night if no one got involved. I think that in a moment of desperation, she called out to the heavens and made a plea for help, whether she deserved it or not, is not up to me to decide or judge, only the MAN above can make that decision. God must have had other plans for her somewhere down the road, and I believe that is when he picked CARMEN of all people to do an act of kindness. I think that Carmen was put in this place at this time for a reason, even though its not fair or right in our eyes. He picked Carmen, in my opinion only, because he was the last of a dying breed of people who do what had to be done, and most likely the only candidate at this time who could have saved her. Carmen pulled up and saw what was happening and did what was expected of him to do. Carmen not once questioned GOD, he did it just the ultimate act and got involved. Only Carmen and the MAN up stairs can answer the question "WHY" ??? I hope that his wife and children know that he wasn't just another person, he was put on earth for a reason, he did what GOD put him here to do and that was to SERVE and PROTECT. Carmen, I'm sure, will be looking down on his family and they will be taken care of. No good deed goes unnoticed. Carmen, I salute you SIR. P.S. Say a good word for me to the big guy. Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:04 pm Singer4God To Adrienne and all of the DeGregorios...please know that our prayers and thoughts are with you...we will lift you up during this difficult and very sad time. Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 3:46 pm sjquadrider Having known Carmem really showed me the that there are still good hearted people in this world..He was a true gentlemen around the clock.He will be greatly missed,but set the bar very high for the meaning of a hero..He wasnt on the clock doing his duty,he just did what came natural to him..Righting a wrong..Thats a hero to me.. SJM Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 3:22 pm camerosity57 Carmen was a really nice guy, a trully good man, better than most. It's really sad that someone could kill a man during the holiday season for asolutely no reason. I hope his family somehow gets through this nightmare. Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:06 pm BigGuns4 The way Carmen DeGregorio lived his life made his friends and family proud. The way his life ended should make our entire city proud that he was one of our finest. He raised the word hero to a whole new level. The way he lost his life should change each and every one of us. How can any of us, with a clear conscience, look the other way when witnessing an injustice now? I know I won't be able to. Let's make sure that his courageous act changes more than one girls life. Let it change all of us in the City of Millville. We need to stop looking the other way. We need to start taking action against the POS that have come into our town with NO respect for our way of life. We need to make this more than a good good man being run down by a low-life piece of crap. We need this to open our eyes and we need to refuse to turn our town over to the rats that left Camden ,Baltimore and other ghettos and settled here. God Bless Carmen DeGregorio and may God comfort his family and friends during this extremely difficult time. Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:51 am Post a Comment View All Comments

Originally published December 1, 2007

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A Mural at a Phila Housing Authority Home

This one sticks out when I drive on the Sure-Kill Expressway on the way to work.

Train Line to Millville?

Last night I went to the Cumberland Mall to see proposals for a train line to Cumberland County.
2 of the proposals involve expanding service to Cumberland County. The local lines would connect Camden to Glassboro in the 1st phase and then to Millville in a second phase. One of the Millville routes would travel on the median of Route 55; the other would run on existing railroad lines and travel through local towns along and near Route 47.
As someone who has to drive to Phila 5x week, I welcome this proposal except option #3 which will do us in Millville and Cumberland County no good. I urge all Cumberland County residents to email or call PATCO
Telephone: (856) 968-2252
Email: contact@patconjexpansion.com
For updates and more information, go their website
http://www.patconjexpansion.com
The route could be decided within a year
I have copies of the survey they gave out. Copies will be at the
Riverfront Renessance Center starting tomorrow Nov 30th. Please make your voice heard!!!
Here is a video I took.

The Fouth Estate..Why is it Late??

I was thinking bout this time of year and how the media with its splashy sexy stories creates a reality that is not the truth. It can be the NY Times with that crack reporter Judith Miller who bought into the lies of the Bush administration with the Iraq War. Or even a local paper the Daily Journal with its hard-hitting Articles . The media does have a role to play in keeping the govt honest and sometimes it does what I believe it is supposed to do such as uncovering the Bush Administration's wiretapping of Americans. Too often the media is infatuated with"stars"in entertainment and politics and it becomes corrupted and enamored with itself. Its troubling when a local reporter is moved to another beat after a nice story about slumlords in our town.

Thanksgiving 2007

Thanksgiving weekend was pretty eventful. First we went to Al's Hideaway in Shellpile Nj and enjoyed a feast prepared. Next the Fall colors were out in force and it was 70 degrees outside and sunny. There was the Millville Christmas Parade. I volunteered to help with the parade to keep traffic away and to make sure there was no 20 minute Delay like last year. Liz and Carl and I visited Big Don at his shop to get warm since it was bitter cold outside.Here are some photos. The cloud cover was quite amazing when we got to Al's hideaway and the view though the window was very pretty as you can see. After the Oar House, I stopped to see Sitar Bob, Rita, and others at his place Brainchurch for more turky and fixins. Thanks Bob it was very tasty.