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
CHEERS: To working to save the lives of others. When Pepi Dragotta suffered a heart attack while on a local athletic field, thankfully there were folks around him who knew what to do. And that included the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) that helped him survive the ordeal. Dragotta believed that experience showed him that he needed to give back and possibly save other lives. He raised funds to provide 11 AEDs to athletic leagues in the Cumberland and Salem County areas -- especially leagues who could not afford to purchase their own. He also created the Heroes Foundation to continue the work. Dragotta's near-death experience is something that will aid others for years to come.
JEERS to shattered youth. Who in their right mind tells a 2-year-old to put up their hands and fight? Probably the same people who wouldn't bat an eyelash after unloading a volley of gunfire on a city street and striking an 8-year-old girl in the head. Jamil Baskerville Jr., who would have tuned 3 in four months, died as a result of his injuries allegedly inflicted by Pennsauken man Zacchery Tricoche. The Camden girl left in extremely critical condition following Wednesday night's shooting hung on through the first night. A murder charge is not enough to bring Jamil back. A $5,000 reward won't turn back time and put a bullet back in the chamber. This world is not a playground for criminals and two children robbed of their youth is two too many.
CHEERS to paying the (medical) bills. Of the 42 people injured during an Aug. 5 railing collapse at the BB&T Pavilion, 17 have joined in a lawsuit against LiveNation, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa and we back it. If the fence had been recently -- and shoddily -- repaired, as lawyers for those injured claim, then something was already amiss. If the artists encouraged concert-goers to pile on against said fence, venue security should have stepped in. The injuries described in the lawsuit aren't pretty. Accidents happen, but this one appears to have been preventable given better planning. Even if these 17 folks never see a cent, we support what some would dismiss as a money grab.
JEERS: To a bizarre and scary act. It was late at night last weekend when a man pulled up to a Salem County travel plaza and dropped off two contains that clearly appear they could hold dangerous explosives. Luckily, after careful examination and wise evacuations, the containers marked "Projectile" and "Ammunition" were found to be empty. The incident caused real concern -- including evacuations and the shutdown of major roadways for a time -- and many police, fire and rescue members spending hours making sure those in the area remained safe.
CHEERS: To Cliff and Shannon Trovillo as they work to rebuild their lives following a 2015 car accident that left Cliff, a Franklin Township police officer, with serious injuries. He suffered two broken wrists, a broken ankle, fractured hip and broken tailbone in the crash with an alleged drunken driver. Ten months later, Cliff continues his struggle with the basic skills of daily living and doesn't know when -- or if -- he will ever return to his job. Shannon gave up her job to care for her husband and has taken on the household duties that he can no longer handle. His family, including their two children, has demonstrated courage and resilience and we wish them all the best as their journey continues.
CHEERS: To Katie Fair of Mantua for organizing the Back the Blue Jeep Run last weekend in Gloucester County. Fair was looking for a way to show appreciation for the hard work of our men and women of law enforcement and decided to put together this event, with stops planned at several area police stations. As word spread via social media, Back the Blue grew into a much larger celebration than originally planned, with several Jeep and motorcycle clubs getting involved. Working with local police, Fair pulled it all together and the event was hailed as a success. "This effort my wife put forth was amazing," said her husband, Paul Fair. We agree and we hope this becomes an annual event, because its message of solidarity with police is one that bears repeating as often as possible.
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