Every Wonder About That I-295/I-76/42 Boondoggle?

Well, they keep saying SOMEDAY, it WILL be completed. SOMEDAY . . .

Exactly What IS Going On Here, Huh?

Pride month may have (mercifully) ended but we're still left to wonder about this display at the entrance to the children's section of the Camden County (NJ) Library. It remained up throughout the month at the library's main branch in Vorhees and this is at least the second year we've encountered it. Similar displays were the norm at many area libraries -- some of which have no such displays or recognition of America's 250th birthday this month.

Take a look at the titles of some of the books -- all placed conveniently at eye level for children. It does give one pause, and might make one wonder exactly what's at play here -- information, or vigorous advocacy, if not outright grooming. 

Just something to think about -- especially if you're a parent of grandparent.

Ideas For A Group That's 'Too Puny To Be Picky'

It's not just another town.

Sitting within the shadow of America's birthplace it has continued to grow and prosper while some other Philadelphia suburbs have withered. It has always benefited from its prime location and has long since supplanted the City of Camden as the largest community in Camden County, NJ. Today, it is the undisputed business and commercial center of South Jersey.

But in some ways it's no different from troublesome urban centers like Trenton and Newark. Because, it's been 41 years since any Republican was elected to local office in Cherry Hill. Forty one long years!

Now, progressive Democrats on one side and a "new" Cherry Hill Republican Party on the other, have set out to challenge the entrenched Democrat machine that has controlled the town and the county for decades.

We've already offered five big suggestions for the new leaders of the local GOP but that's not enough. So, here are five more:

1) If all politics really are local (and it's hard to argue with that mantra) then start by building a grassroots army, neighborhood by neighborhood and street by street. Do the math. Check the voting results from recent elections and begin in the neighborhood that gives you your most votes. Start where you are strongest and build from there.

2) Get people involved by soliciting their opinions. Give them a stake in their own future. Take a poll to see what voters are concerned about -- what they're worried about; what keeps them up at night. It's easier than ever to set up a survey, especially online. Do it and pay attention to the results.

3) Seize upon an issue. Armed with the facts, go after the one issue where you feel you have the best chance to win over voters. You may glean that from the survey or, if you're lucky, an issue may drop into your hands right out of the headlines. However it may happen, be alert, make that issue yours and ride it home.

4) Find a sugar daddy. Sure, money can be raised fairly quickly in small donations online and that needs to be part of any funding effort. But there's bound to be a businessperson or well-heeled, civic-minded hotshot who's been thinking about getting involved as well -- maybe someone who's disgruntled or feels left out of or mistreated by the regime in power. Bingo! There's your opportunity!

5) Votes are won by adding, not subtracting. Put personalities aside and banish petty squabbles. Keep your eyes on the prize and welcome everyone. You're too puny to be picky. 

A Great New Attraction For South Jersey!

 

Five Big Ideas For A NEW Local GOP Group

Here in New Jersey, we have a new leadership team at the helm of of state Republican Party, we may be on the verge of getting new leaders in Camden County and we are now welcoming a group locally calling itself the NEW Cherry Hill Republican Party.

Yes, NEW is one of the three most powerful words in the English language (the others being "free" and "you") so it does carry a built-in cachet. But NEW will only get you so far. Voters are impatient, and you've got to back that up with bold ideas and policies or you'll be perceived as irrelevant (if not downright old) before you know it.

Mind you, the local GOP hasn't won an election in Cherry Hill in more than 40 years. With that in mind, here are five strategic ideas for the new Cherry Hill GOP:

1) Acknowledge and thank all those who have served the party locally up to this point. Yes, there's been a clean leadership sweep, but that is no reason to forget those who kept the party going over all these lean years. Do the right thing. Start on a positive, appreciative note.

2) Welcome everyone into the new party. For a minority organization, exclusivity is simply not an option, nor is excess selectivity. Remember: even a majority of a minority is still a minority, so your base must be "all in" if you're to have any chance at all.

3) Start with a simple, four or five word mission statement or a cogent tag line -- something that crystallizes what this new effort is all about. Often, less is more. Look how powerful Make America Great Again (four words!) turned out to be.

4) Back it up with a few daring ideas for the future of the town. Make them clear, easy to understand and most of all, practical. Local issues revolve around non-idealogical bread and butter concerns like taxes, clean streets, safe neighborhoods, etc. 

5) Start with baby steps. Choose your first battle strategically. Focus on getting just one elected official into office. Maybe it's a Township Council member or Board of Education member -- wherever and whenever the opportunity seems most advantageous. 

Remember, the longest journey (and this one is still decidedly  uphill) begins with a single step -- and a welcoming, can-do attitude.  Avanti!

Proud To Totally Support New CCGOP Leadership!

 

A New Team For Cherry Hill GOP, And Beyond

I live in one of the bluest towns in one of the bluest counties in one of the bluest states in the country.

In New Jersey, registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by about 15 percentage points.  In Camden County, the gap is even wider -- a full 29 percentage points. And in Cherry Hill Township, it's a nearly identical 26 percentage points.

Republicans don't win in Camden County and they don't win in Cherry Hill. In fact, Cherry Hill has not elected a Republican  to local office in more than 40 years. 

Yet incredibly, there's been an active, local Republican Party in Cherry Hill  as long as I can remember -- a testament to group of people determined to sustain the two-party system. Mind you, it's not a very large group and its members have a history of fighting amongst themselves. Why? A friend explained it this way: "We fight because we lose." Or maybe it's the other way around. Who knows? Still, they're keeping democracy alive.

Now, the local Cherry Hill GOP has had another donnybrook and a new team has taken the helm of the organization, such as it is. To their credit, the new team has apparently managed to fill a complete slate of county committee posts and those new committee members will be sworn in by our dear friend, Matt Rooney of Save Jersey. 

We wish the new Cherry Hill GOP team well, recognizing that hope springs eternal and even the most daunting journey begins with just a single step. Two steps that can help get things going? First, stop the infighting, start the remediation process and welcome everyone and every point of view into the party. The party deserves nothing less. Second, begin with an achievable goal. Aim to win back just one single elected office.

And this final thought: The Camden County GOP can benefit from a strong Cherry Hill organization as Cherry Hill is the county's largest municipality and its economic center. Go into the county reorganization meeting united behind a completely new Camden County GOP leadership team -- one that the county group so desperately needs. 

Avanti!

Camden County: Remembering The Good Gray Poet

 

A Fascinating Story From My Hometown

 

Walt Whitman died on March 26, 1892, in Camden after years of declining health caused largely by strokes he suffered beginning in the 1870s. 

By the end of his life, Whitman had become something unusual in American culture: a living literary icon. Admirers, writers, artists, and curious pilgrims regularly visited his modest home on Mickle Street to sit with the aging poet. Interesting to note: Whitman designed his tomb himself and he reportedly visited it while it was being completed. 

 Whitman’s funeral drew hundreds of mourners, including laborers, intellectuals, artists, politicians, and ordinary readers, a remarkably diverse crowd that reflected the democratic ideals Whitman held dear. His coffin was displayed in his Camden home, and people reportedly passed through to pay respects before burial. 

Whitman’s brain was removed for scientific study by the American Anthropometric Society to analyze his genius. However, the brain was accidentally dropped and destroyed by a laboratory assistant before it could be properly examined. The remains were discarded, making it a "spectacular failure" in early brain studies. 

What makes Whitman’s burial site in Harleigh Cemetery so powerful is that it feels deeply connected to his character and poetry itself, rough, rooted, public, imperfect, democratic, intimate, and strangely alive more than 130 years after his death. "The powerful play goes on..."

Camden County Announces Free Summer Concerts

The Camden County Government announced its free outdoor concert series for the summer here in South Jersey. Here's the complete lineup:

Fourth of July: The Commodores headline Freedom Festival at Wiggins Park

Sunset Jazz Series at Wiggins Park, Camden City Waterfront

Mondays at 8 p.m. | Presented by Rutgers University – Camden

• June 8: Tank and the Bangas

• June 15: Brian McKnight

• June 29: Pieces of a Dream

• July 13: Kid ‘N Play

• July 19: Boney James

• August 3: Minute By Minute: The Music of Michael McDonald

• August 24: Will Calhoun: 100th Anniversary of Miles Davis

• August 31: Miguel Zenón Quartet

• September 14: Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers

Haddon Lake Park Sundown Music Series

McLaughlin-Norcross Memorial Dell in Haddon Heights | Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

• June 3: Goodbye June / Joshua Chase Miller

• June 10: Edgardo Cintron & the Inca Band perform Santana

• June 24: Devon Gilfillian

• July 8: Work Drugs

• July 15: Augustana

• July 29: Sixpence None the Richer

• August 12: Young Gun Silver Fox

• August 19: Sadie Gust

• August 26: The Verve Pipe

• September 16: Here Come the Mummies

Twilight Concert Series at Cooper River Park, Pennsauken

Jack Curtis Stadium | Thursdays at 8 p.m.

• June 4: Pop 2000s Tour feat. Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, O-Town, LFO, & Ryan Cabrera

• June 11: Max Weinberg’s Jukebox

• July 9: Color Me Badd

• July 16: Al Jardine & the Pet Sounds Band

• August 13: Paradise Island Luau

• August 27: South Jersey Pops Orchestra

Lindenwold Park - Fridays at 7 p.m.

• June 26: Suitcase Murphy: South Jersey Bar Band

• July 17: Chicago 9 (Chicago Tribute Band)

• August 7: No Surrender: Springsteen Tribute

Winslow - New Brooklyn Park (all shows at 6 p.m.)

• June 21: Wallstreet Motown, Philly and More!

• July 15: Philadelphia Catholic Gospel Mass Choir

• August 22: Let’s Groove Tonight: Earth Wind & Fire Tribute

Xponential Music Festival at Wiggins Park on the Camden City Waterfront - September 19-21

For more information, visit the county website: https://www.camdencounty.com/commissioners-announce.../

Photo credit: Camden County

Remembering Gayle Michael: Formidable And Tireless!

It happened while I was in New York this past weekend watching an old Noel Coward inspired musical. One character in the show said to the other "You're not gonna die. You're not the dying type."

That's when I thought of my lifelong friend and mentor, Gayle Granatir Michael. Gayle was simply "not the dying type" -- which is why it was a jolt to everyone who knew her when she passed away last week. 

Gayle was part of a special generation of women who were strong, determined and indefatigable. They were trailblazers who predated the modern women's movement.

My first contact with her occurred when I was a student and she was my English teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, NJ. Gayle told me I had "that certain something" and encouraged me to enter the school's prestigious speech contest, even though I was hesitant to do so. Eventually she ordered me to participate in the contest where I would present a dramatic reading -- just me, the stage and a single spotlight; no costume, no scenery, no props! Gayle coached me every step of the way and then pushed me out onto the stage. I won the contest!

Before I knew it, Gayle was more than my teacher -- she was a treasured family friend who often showed up at my house for dinner. My parents adored her! 

When I graduated high school, Gayle gave me a bottle of Monsieur de Givenchy, a classic French cologne. Gayle explained that she had intended to give the cologne to her father who passed away before she was able to do that. Today, on special occasions, I still wear Monsieur de Givinchy which  continues to be produced by the LVMH luxury group.

Gayle savored the better things in life — the better food, literature, clothing, hotels, sights, cities, places and, most of all  PEOPLE — and she went after all that. She selected friends carefully and connected them to one another. She was a networker long before the invention of the word and was very loyal to her friends. For example, even at the time of her death Gayle was still campaigning for her friend Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Paula Patrick. 

For Gayle, no goals was too high or unachievable. No want was necessarily out of bounds. Her philosophy was “reach for the stars.”

She was decidedly OLD SCHOOL but she always kept current. She was up on the news and the events of the day and even when social media came into play, she jumped into it. 

She was passionate about everything that she believed in and she wasn’t shy about what she believed in. She had opinions — lots of them .  First, at a time when people were not afraid to express their opinions and, later, when they were (and ARE!) she still expressed hers without hesitation. 

She was a patriot. She loved her country and was worried about what was happening, here and beyond. She was troubled about the current state of affairs and where we were headed. She really cared and was always determined to make a difference where and when  she could. 

I never heard her complain or explain; which is to say she was not a “woe is me” kind of person. She didn’t lament, and if you were looking for some deep psychological explanation from her about most things, you weren’t likely to get it because she was a person of ACTION. She didn’t spend time ruminating. She moved — and moved ON, when necessary.

Though she endured the loss of her handsome and accomplished husband, Vincent Michael, early in their marriage and was left with two young boys to raise, Gayle didn't flinch. Today, her sons are successful attorneys, outstanding citizens, husbands, fathers and distinguished professionals. 

Gayle understood that life is a performance. So, you get up each day — no matter what — and you dust yourself off, dress yourself up and get out there. And she did that — often against near insurmountable odds. And she always looked her best, just as you would if you were stepping out into the spotlight, on stage. 

She loved politics (and don’t we all?) but she also understood that everything is connected to everything else. So she was also into art, literature, music, sports, theater, the movies, the popular culture — whatever sparked curiosity and conversation — she was there.

She was a VIVID personality.— and formidable. But, my goodness -- what an incredible life she led! She remains one of my unforgettable characters and a defining influence in my life. She will be dearly missed!

Click here for Gayle's complete obituary.

What The Hell Happened To The Cherry Hill Schools?

Another day, another chaotic headline out of Cherry Hill. When did educating the next generation turn into this sideshow? Meanwhile, real priorities get sidelined. Time for change? 🎭 #NJSchools #PrioritiesMatter pic.twitter.com/xVug4bWCIk

— New Jersey Project (@fight4newjersey) February 7, 2026

The Way A Lot Of Us Are Feeling Right Now!

 

Why Nobody 'Came For' My Immigrant Grandparents!

The meme that you see to the left has been making the rounds on social media.

It's dumb, outrageous, abhorrent and offensive. It also happens to be totally false and, as a third generation Italian American, I'm here to set the record straight.

My maternal grandparents (Clotilda Pistonesi Perozzi and Giovanni Perozzi) emigrated to this country legally from Italy. The Perozzi family was from the Marche region of Italy along the Adriatic coast. My mother, who was born here, was named Italia after the ship that brought her mother to America. The Perozzis were merchants who pursued the American dream, opening a grocery store at Third and Pine Streets in Camden, NJ. My grandparents lived above the store, which served the Italian American community in South Camden, and both my grandfather and my grandmother worked in the store every day. They worked very hard and raised four children, supporting the family via the business. 

My paternal grandparents (Nunziata Santone Cirucci and Domenico Cirucci) emigrated here legally from Italy. The Cirucci family was from the mountainous Molise region of Italy. My grandfather, got a job with the local post office as a boilerman. As far as I know, my grandmother was a homemaker. The family lived at 322 Benson Street in South Camden where Domenico and Nunziata raised their eight children. Doubtless, my grandparents worked very hard to house, feed and clothe such a large family and they were strengthened by their faith. My grandparents on both sides worshiped at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel RC Church at 832 South 4th St. in Camden. 

Standing near 322 Benson St.
in Camden NJ where my
grandparents raised their family.

Did my grandparents face prejudice and discrimination in this country? I'm sure they did. One hundred years ago (in 1926) many faced prejudice. But nobody was "coming for" my grandparents or for my parents. Nobody was attempting to round my grandparents up because they were here legally. They didn't sneak into the country or surreptitiously breach the border. They came into the country through the proper channels, passed through immigration services, had the proper papers (were documented) and eventually became US citizens. Was it easy for them? No! Did they have to struggle at times? Yes! Is there much to learn from their story? Absolutely!

And be sure of this: their story was replicated over and over again by so many others who came to this country legally, followed the rules, worked hard and succeeded. In my paternal grandfather's case, not only did the federal government not attempt to apprehend him but they put him to work for the US postal service. And my maternal grandparents were free to start and run a successful business. 

All of this is why equating their story and their plight with those who broke the law to enter this country (and who are now here illegally) is absolute nonsense! It flies in the face of history and is an affront to all human sensibility and common decency. (Not to mention the fact that many who the federal government are "coming for" now have criminal records and long rap sheets.)

So, if you fell for this unconscionable meme, shame on you!   

An Important Message From Jack Ciattarelli

Please, your entire campaign is lying about stock trades (NJ Globe cleared it long ago) and mislead video about "costing an arm and a leg"

And sorry if we hate an unpopular president trying to cut back on benefits to not starve people https://t.co/OWZFgJIjwq

— umichvoter (@umichvoter) October 31, 2025

TOMORROW, TUESDAY in Cherry Hill: Rally For Jack!

 

This Interminable Project Drives Us MAD!

🚧 The NJ 295/42 Direct Connection Project: A Modern-Day "Big Dig" Nightmare? Why Is This Highway Interchange Taking FOREVER? 😤🗞️

If you're a South Jersey commuter stuck in the eternal traffic jam at the I-295/I-76/Route 42 interchange in Bellmawr, you know the pain. This… https://t.co/oEno9Nisbn pic.twitter.com/W7V2HnYhVq

— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) September 1, 2025

The following is from Wake Up NJ:

The NJ 295/42 Direct Connection Project: A Modern-Day "Big Dig" Nightmare? Why Is This Highway Interchange Taking FOREVER?

If you're a South Jersey commuter stuck in the eternal traffic jam at the I-295/I-76/Route 42 interchange in Bellmawr, you know the pain. This "Direct Connection" project meant to fix one of NJ's most congested and crash-prone spots by building elevated bridges and direct ramps started construction in March 2013 That's 12+ years in (as of September 2025), with full completion now delayed to 2032. We're talking 19 years total for what should be a straightforward highway upgrade! Original plan? Done by 2021 But nope—utility issues, right-of-way fights, and a massive retaining wall collapse in 2021 (costing $90M+ to fix) have turned it into a black hole of bureaucracy and delays. At a cool $900 million (and climbing), it's already rivaling Boston's infamous Big Dig in absurdity But here's the kicker: Compare this to ACTUAL modern marvels built in under 15 years. These beasts involved insane engineering, harsh conditions, and billions in costs—yet they got done FASTER than our little NJ interchange! Check this out: - Channel Tunnel (Chunnel): 6 years (1988–1994), $21B. Digging a 31-mile undersea link between UK and France? Met in the middle despite floods and fires - Hoover Dam: 5 years (1931–1936), $1B (adjusted). Taming the Colorado River with millions of cubic yards of concrete in 120°F heat! During the Depression! - Millau Viaduct (tallest bridge on Earth): 3 years (2001–2004), $400M. "Rolling" a massive cable-stayed span over a windy French gorge - Mini Sky City(57-story prefab skyscraper): Just 19 days assembly (2015), $160M! Even ancient wonders like the Great Pyramid of Giza took only 10–14 years (~2580 BCE) with 20,000 workers and copper tools hauling 2.3 million stone blocks. No cranes, no computer, just ramps and grit. And the Colossus of Rhodes? 12 years for a 108-ft bronze statue on a tiny island The 295/42 project? It's "only" reconfiguring ramps and bridges for 150,000 daily drivers, improving safety (crunches are 7x the state average), and adding noise walls/utilities. Sure, it's in a tight urban spot near homes and a cemetery, but with modern tech, lasers, and endless funding—why 19 years? Delays from compressible soils, groundwater "boat sections," and that Wall 22 fiasco (slid due to sandy foundations) are legit, but come on, NJDOT— we've got robots building space stations faster! South Jersey deserves better. This endless construction is shaking foundations, clogging locals, and burning cash while traffic weaves at 35 mph. When it's done (if ever), it'll be great—direct 60 mph flow to Philly, Shore, and Delaware. But at this rate, my grandkids might be driving it

You Don't Wanna Miss THIS Event!

 

From The Camden County (NJ) Republican Committee

 

Roy Rogers Returns To South Jersey, Big Time!

It took several decades (at least) but Roy Rogers (complete with burgers, fries, roast beef, fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits and that famous Fixins Bar) is back. And here in South Jersey, Cherry Hill's got 'im!

So, yeah -- you can dress your burger just the way you like it with all the fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, etc. that you want. And you can refill your drinks as much as you want and do it all at a very economical price. And don't forget the ice cream, shakes, brownies and strawberry shortcake.  We stopped at Roy's today and the food is every bit as good as we remember it -- actually even better! 

Hey, Americans love a comeback and Roy is back Big Time. So, it's no wonder the place is packed with parents and grandparents who remember Roy's and now have their kids and grandkids in tow. Howdy, pardner! Welcome back!