Salem County News Roundup

by: Hopeful

Wed Aug 08, 2007 at 07:22:07 PM EDT

( - promoted by njdem)

Promoted by njdem

It's been a while since I did one of these. Various environmental and health issues are featured. Okay, so the style is not as colorful as the Hudson Observer's diaries, but whatever style you prefer, why don't you tell us what's going in your county?

Senator Bob Menenedez said yesterday at the opening of the Salem County fair:

"I understand that New Jersey is the Garden State," said Sen. Robert Menendez, a North Jersey legislator who came to show his support for local agriculture. "And Salem County is the garden spot in the Garden State."
...
"We appreciate what Salem County does. I may live in North Jersey, but I like to eat," he said with a laugh. "You provide it and we eat it."

Hopeful :: Salem County News Roundup

Salem County gave out potassium iodide tablets for use in the case of a nuclear accident. Residents applauded how well run the procedure was. I wish, though, that the 10 mile radius be expanded a bit...

Governor Corzine is worrying about bridge maintenance, but dams can be just as big a problem. Here's the latest on the broken dam that no one wants to own, and here's a story on a Salem County bridge closing:

"It seems like when you walk on it and cars go over it (at the same time), it's a whole different experience because the whole bridge moves," [William Sumiel] said. "After this much attention that has been brought on bridges, we really don't need that."

The Pennsville township committee voted to give up its health benefits to save the township money, apparently unphased by the fact the insurance saved the life of councilman David Birchmire. It's just another story that should you should put on the scale in favor of universal healthcase.

Why not turn the methane that escapes landfills into power? A new project will power a Salem Community College glassblowing center and make electricity.

The energy company will collect the gas, clean and process it, produce electricity and send gas through underground pipes to the college facility for glass making.
The gas sent to the college would be valued at approximately $250,000 a year.
DCO Energy will sell electricity to SCUA at a reduced rate, and will also improve the electrical grid system between here and Quinton Township, providing electricity to about 400 homes, Chapman said.

njbiz.com has the same story.

Development has many side effects. Apparently building a new housing development and golf course has increased the water running into Woodstown's Chestnut Run. Residents who have it in their backyard are steadily losing ground. Since I happen to live near this run, I can show you this photo I took (this is NOT my backyard) to show what I think residents are complaining about:

David Layton is the replacement Republican Woodstown Borough Councilman. This is the third replacement this year. He now has the advantage of running as an incumbent this November, an advantage the Republican majority shamelessly denied Robin Weinstein.

The Woodstown diner gets some love in Pittsburgh.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mentioned the huge fire in downtown Salem City last month.

Tags: energy, landfills, methane, Salem City, Pennsville, health insurance, bridges, Bob Menendez, Woodstown, Salem County, (All Tags)

Print Friendly View

Send As Email

Salem County News Roundup | 4 comments

10 mile radius (0.00 / 0)

Looks like you could have gotten the tablets, too:

"We had a very successful program. People seemed to really like the way it was run," Roeschke said. "People were able to walk up and receive pills as well. We didn't turn anyone away, even if they were outside of the 10-mile radius."

by: Juan Melli @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 01:50:36 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

good catch (0.00 / 0)

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 04:42:47 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Chestnut Run (0.00 / 0)

I'm just guessing, but the photo looks like it was taken in April - at the time of the big nor'easter ? That was a huge storm, and it caused considerable flood damage in NJ. Folks who suffered some backyard erosion might consider themselves lucky.

by: jfc521 @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 11:58:55 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

getting acquainted (0.00 / 0)

For those who live in highly urban parts of N.J., these issues in the most undeveloped part of the state may seem remote, but I see the urban and rural welfare of the state as being intimately connected. If we can't save open space (and sustain engineering structures like the dams) in Salem Co., then the entire state is doomed, too (Hopeful had a recent post on this topic). The connection between urban violence in Newark and Camden, with rural open space and farming needs in Salem and Warren Counties affects all of us, whether we are urban, rural, or suburban New Jerseyans.

Further, it is nice to see Menendez and Corzine, the latter of whom recently attended the Gloucester County 4-H fair, spending a lot of time in the Southern part of the state. Besides Menendez's appearance at the Salem Co. fair, Corzine had this entertaining moment:

During his afternoon visit to the Gloucester County 4-H Fair, Corzine found himself named track official and safety coordinator for the Sue Wee! Pig Races. One of Corzine's responsibilities would be to handle any of the hogs' accidents' during their run.Those gathered at the race laughed and cheered as the governor shed his jacket and stepped into the pen, and fairgoers seemed genuinely pleased to see Corzine taking part in the closing day of the festivities

Nice to see the governor and senator get a bit dirty!

by: Martin @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 15:40:08 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Salem County News Roundup | 4 comments