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 real courage. On Tuesday Pennsville's Kyle Pszenny was presented with the South Jersey Coaches Association's "Most Courageous" award for scholar athletes. Those who know Kyle's story -- his determination to recover after being critically injured in a hit-and-run accident a year ago - know that "courageous" is a word that is perfect to describe this young man. The 18-year-old and his family have been fortunate to have many there to aid in his comeback. From his Pennsville Memorial High School classmates and football team members, the entire Pennsville community is pulling for one of their own.
JEERS: To animal cruelty. We've seen many causes of animal mistreatment over the years in South Jersey but this has got to be one of the most bizarre and sad. A friendly pit bull was discovered along a road in Commercial Township in Cumberland County. He obviously was injured, but no one realized how terrible his wounds were, said Shelly Denhardt of Millville-based TLC Animal Rescue. X-rays showed the dog, now named Mr. Biggs had been shot and bullets were still lodged in his bead and leg, Surgery will run $4,000. Want to help? Donate at www.tlcarescue.com/info/donate
CHEERS to the industrial revolution. Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but the fate of Camden would be nearly sealed if we don't try. Holtec International and its $280 million 380,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is rising on the banks of the Delaware River. It's putting Camden residents to work, giving local construction businesses a place to peddle their wares and providing hope that this project could be -- dare we say it -- the one. The one that lifted families out of poverty, the one that encouraged more businesses to move into the "city invincible," the one that perfectly complimented the other ongoing projects elsewhere in Camden. Will it work? We hope so.
JEERS to having to go to South Korea in the first place. The fact that Humane Society International had to save more than 170 dogs from an overseas meat farm -- where it is legal to eat that kind of stuff -- is disheartening. Don't get us wrong: the Humane Society deserves an enormous "thank you" from dog-lovers out there -- so does Voorhees' Animal Welfare Association for taking three pups in -- but this practice needs to be considered a societal taboo everywhere. In the long run, 170 lives saved is a drop in the bucket. We can only hope this week's story about three dogs who could have just as easily been breakfast, lunch and dinner opens some eyes.
CHEERS: To all of the businesses recognized in the Best of Gloucester County 2016. The annual competition gives locals a chance to vote for their favorite businesses in a variety of categories, including best restaurant, accountant, golf course, karate studio, farm market and on and on. This program is about more than free advertising. This is about local pride and the support that area residents show for their neighbors who own, operate and work for many of these establishments. Check out the list and consider giving these folks your businesses. All of the 2016 honorees will be recognized June 2 at a another local business, Auletto Caterers.
JEERS: To no one apparently telling the family of James H. Johnson that they were taking his name off the library in Deptford Township. The family apparently learned when they saw the name -- James H. Johnson Memorial Library -- had been removed from the building. The new name is simply "Deptford Township Library." James Johnson was a founding member of the library board and served as board president from 1961 until his death in 1976. No one says the township was obligated to keep the name forever, but the least someone could have done is given the family notice that this was happening. As a result, the issue has blossomed into a needless controversy.
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