Yes, there will be a chicken bbq on Newfield Day

In that land of yesteryear of the 1950's, the Newfield Fire Company, being all volunteer with no support from local tax dollars,  needed to raise money for equipment.  A new idea was being tried out - this is before Perdue and other corporations became a huge poultry industry - and that was to grill chicken halves over a open pit of charcoal on a hot summer Sunday.  Local farmers would donate or sell at cost to the Fire Company fresh ears of corn, ripe tomatoes and rolls.   The Fire Company's Women's Auxiliary would help out by holding a bake sale and Kiwanis would arrange for games like coin tosses and pony rides.

Other local fire companies were doing the same thing and families loved it.  The food was good and the price was reasonable.  The firemen joked over the fire pits as they learned what to spray on the chicken halves to season them and keep them moist (mixture of water, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper) and how often to turn the improvised-out-of-chicken-wire baskets to cook the chicken evenly without burning it.  It was truly a sweltering job but the camaderie and teamwork were rewarding.  Their faces would be black and greasy with smoke smeared with sweat, my father's among them.

The bbqs were a success -- money was raised, families had fun, the town met as a community.  Over the years the bbqs got bigger as a parade was added along with more community activities.  Now the one idea has become Newfield Day.   The Public Library sells peach related desserts; the Business Alliance holds a Chinese Auction; the local dance studio has a recital; local marching bands participate.  It's summertime Americana at its best.  Any midwesterner would feel at home even though this is New Jersey.

The Fire Company debated whether to pull out from Newfield Day this year as they feel so beleaguered by the actions and ordinances of the Town Council.  The vote was last night; I held my breath.  I just couldn't imagine no chicken bbq again (last year's was cancelled due to damage from derecho).  The company chose family, kids, and community.  I am relieved and proud.  They took the high road.  Well done.

My son wrote and delivered a funny and touching eulogy for my Mom

The day went smoothly.  Downpours were threatened from mid-morning onward but held off until late evening.  It seemed my cousin would not make it in time to read the 23rd psalm but she did.  The computer with the slideshow of old photos did not fall over or hit any electrical glitches.  No one fainted from the heat but a chair did fall over.  Everyone of the more than 200 people who needed a seat found one - the firemen stood in the back in case they needed to answer a call and the fire truck was stationed outside too, just in case.  The flower arrangements were gorgeous and looked like my mother had been whispering in the ear of the florist as to what exact blooms to choose.  My grand nephew did not trip on the easel holding the large photo of my mom as he walked by it to light the candles on the altar table with an open flame at the end of long brass candle snuffer/lighter.  We had plenty of micro cupcakes (I do not exaggerate when I call them that) and cookies and punch and cups and napkins.  Songs my mother sang at Malaga Camp Meeting soared through the sanctuary.   The attendees were smiling with touches of sadness as they spoke the traditional "I am sorry for your loss" as they reflected on the loss for themselves, the church, the public library or Newfield itself.  It was good to hear the gasps and laughter as my son spoke these words.  All in all it was the perfect tribute to my mother.

Mom - Betty Jane Davis, 85, Elementary School Librarian

Betty Jane Davis was born in Port Norris, NJ to Verna and Archie C. Shull in 1927.   She lived in Newfield with her beloved husband of 63 years, Richard F.Davis, who predeceased her in 2009.   Betty Jane is survived by a sister - Mary Ann Knudsen, 2 daughters - Maggie Davis and Arlene Schulgen, 6 grandchildren - Richard E. Moncrief, Brent Simmons,Melissa Hayman, Richard T Neeley, Jake Moncrief and Sarah Knopf, and many nephews, nieces, and great grandchildren.  She has taken into her heart many other sisters, brothers, daughters, and sons who will miss her loving attention.

Growing up in the Great Depression provided her with many stories of moving and living in Bridgeton where she went to elementary school and part of high school and then onto Malaga Camp.  She graduated from Vineland High School in 1945 and remained friends with high school buddies from both schools throughout her life.

She met the love of her life, Dick Davis, at a birthday party July 12, 1943.  He was tall and handsome and she was "almost" 5 foot 2 with eyes of blue.  Neither had eyes for any other from that day on and they were married in May of 1946.

Settling into a house on Church Street in Newfield in 1950 with her husband and 2 daughters, Betty Jane supported many town organizations and endeavors including the United Methodist Church, Edgarton Memorial School PTA,  Newfield Swim Club, Rose Hill Cemetery, and the Newfield Library.   Although an "adopted daughter" of Newfield, Betty Jane and Dick were a team working to keep Newfield a great small town to live in.

With one of their daughters in high school and the other almost there, Betty Jane, her husband and daughters moved into the large house behind the squab farm and there, along with Betty and Bruce Candler, ran a restaurant and catering business called White Dove Farm. 

When her daughters were grown and had children of their own, Betty Jane fulfilled a life-long dream by attending Glassboro State College to earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in library education.  While she was getting these college degrees, Betty was establishing a vibrant elementary school library at Rosenhayn, adding computer literacy classes in the late '70's.  It's not unusual for one of her daughters to encounter a former Rosenhayn student who attributes part of their success to Mrs Davis's encouragement of them.

Retirement from the school library in Rosenhayn brought a move to a smaller house, travel, and a stronger devotion to the Newfield Public Library.  Along with Hazel Moore, she was a driving force in getting a new library built in the Newfield Grove as well as forming a partnership with the Gloucester County Library System.  Prior to this, the library was open for several hours one night a week and now it is a true resource for the town of Newfield, open 6 days a week with special activities for children and free-to-use computer resources.  Betty Jane remained an active member of the Library Board until June of this year, when she and Hazel Moore were honored for all their endeavors over the years.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Sunday July 28th in  the Newfield United Methodist Church, Columbia And Elmo Ave, Newfield, NJ 08344.  Internment will be private.
  

In lieu of flowers, her family asks donations in her memory be sent to the Newfield United Methodist Church or the Newfield Public Library.
 

Someone I am proud of ...

Look beyond the ponytail to the stage.  You can not really see him, but that is Dougie Johnson, a junior at Delsea Regional High School, getting a People's Choice Award at his school.  It should really be called a teachers' choice award as teachers nominate students for the award.  In Doug Johnson case, it was an award by the Drama Teacher for all the work he did in making sure the school play actually made it on to the stage.  Not only did he work hard and provide a quiet behind-the-scenes competence, but he is sweet and kind.

I agree wholeheartedly with his teacher as I see the same qualities when he is here at my house doing handyman and gardening duties.  He has grown into a fine young man from the gawky pre-teenager I met four years when he came over to help me move boxes of books.

Dougie is not family but he makes my heart swell with pride anyway.

Town Council not only alienating Volunteer Fire Company

The next group they managed to upset is the Newfield Business Alliance (NBA) , which is a volunteer group of the business owners in town.  Typically, the NBA has two fund raisers per year.  A Beef'n'Beer event in the late winter/spring and a chinese auction at the annual Newfield Day festivities.   Funds raised are given to a worthy organization or defray event costs such as the Newfield Library or the local National Night Out.

This year, the Council sponsored/funded/managed Newfield Recreation Commission wanted the money to go to defraying the cost of this year's Newfield Day, so they asked to take responsibility for the Beef'n'Beer event.  Carrying out that task did not go well for the Recreation Commission and the event was cancelled one week before it was to be held.

The "Town Crier", which is quarterly pamphlet published by the Recreation Commission, has a headlined column NEWFIELD BUSINESS ALLIANCE.  The first sentence of that column reads, "The Newfield Business Alliance has decided to forego it's [sic] annual Beef & Beer Fundraiser this year."  Technically, that is true.  But if you have the information sent to me by a member of the NBA,

"If you saw the Town Crier, it appeared as though the Business Alliance cancelled our Beef and Beer.  That was not the case.  We opted to allow the Rec. Commission do one to help defray Newfield Day Costs, however, like I said before there was some controversy about them actually raising money for this.  And as things go, the planning was not as good as it should have been.  They have limited members and you need to sell lots of tickets before hand. " 

 To rub salt in the wound, the next column headline reads 2013 NEWFIELD DAY.  The column goes on to give the planned date, that the event will be great because 2012's was cancelled due to the derecho storm,  and then says:

"The Newfield Recreation Commission is proud to give back to the residents. ...  We appreciate all the donations we receive, as they go right back into the community."

I bet there would have been even more donations if they had left the NBA alone to do their fundraiser. Duh.   Just another case of Council members believing they can do better than the volunteers because now they are elected officials? It's as if they believe that gives them special powers?  I certainly see they have a "control" problem.

Another Council Meeting Thursday Apr 11

There was a regular Newfield Borough Council meeting on Thursday, April 11th.  Contrary to the website, regular meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month, at least for 2013.  Budgetary and other ordinances and resolutions were passed.  Most of them were clearly identified by title and short description on the agenda provided to the public.  Some were done by the "kitchen gambit" but I don't believe any of those related to the fire company.

During one of the times when the floor was open for comment, one resident asked why the fire company ordinance had been "tabled".  The response was that there is on-going mediation.  And, it was clear from the report given by the Public Safety Chairman that data the Council had requested on fire calls was being provided.  In fact, that report stated that the trucks would be at the fire company's fund raiser Comedy Night so they could respond more quickly.  Sounds like cooperation to me.

One ordinance that was passed was for purchase of a 'trash' truck for picking up trash and recycling.  The ordinance also provided for purchase of new trash bins and recycle bins with lids.  They are switching from a business model where they pay a nearby township (Franklin) to pick up trash once a week and recycles twice a month to a model where trash and recycle pickup is once a week.  Needless to say, historical recycling rates are poor.  This new model should help.  The trash truck to be purchased is a demo model so the town is saving about $30,000 off the cost of a new one.  Franklin Township had offered to sell us one of their old trucks for about $6000, knowing it has problems backing up.  Whoop di doo, so helpful our neighbors.  The only sad part is that from the figures quoted on cost and savings, it will take about ten years to amortize the tax dollars laid out.

I took advantage of a open floor to read a letter (see below) about developing a disaster plan for the town.  One had been developed before but not implemented because of lack of buy-in.  Not surprising since the plan was put together without input from town organizations or residents.  Even big cities canvas neighborhood groups for ideas and volunteers when devising disaster response plans.

The good news is that the Council has hired someone as the "Office of Emergency Management" and he has asked for my assistance, which I am glad to provide.  He may not know it yet, but I will also change some of his opinions on how such plans are developed and implemented.  When you start out with "stone soup", too many cooks do not spoil the broth as much as invited to help in a reasonable manner they turn out a robust, hearty stew [Sorry for the metaphor; mixed as it is.]

I remember the 1950's in this town, when it wasn't usual to see for more than year a big thermometer with a red line inching up as the town organizations including the churches, businesses, PTA, Kiwanis, et al,  raised money for a new fire truck or to supplement the cost of addition of a gym/lunchroom/auditorium to the school.  Good government guides and coordinates before it provides.  Good government is inclusive before it is dictatorial.

Dear Sirs and Madam:

This is a letter to suggest that the Council pursue funding from the State of New Jersey for preparing a disaster plan for Newfield that coordinates the use of Borough and volunteer resources and organizations.  I spoke with Harold Spence, assistant to Stephen Sweeney of the Third Legislative District and he indicated such a request would have to come from the Mayor or a Council Member.

The derecho that hit Newfield in the early morning hours of June 30, 2012 exposed how unprepared Newfield and its residents are for responding to a disaster that knocks out power, whether it is another fiendish storm, hurricane, or blizzard.  The town and its volunteer organizations responded with many helpful activities but the efforts were disjoint and sometimes ineffective. 

One egregious problem was the lack of coordination and prioritization with and for Atlantic City Electric as they restored power.  The school building, which could have provided respite from the heat, was one of the last buildings to get power, and instead, residents had to trek to Malaga to a Red Cross Center set up there.  

Worse, Atlantic City Electric left Newfield late Wednesday July 6^th believing Newfield was fully restored when; in fact, many Rosemont Avenue residences were still without power.  I know because I called them Thursday morning to inform them the power was still out for my elderly mother and her neighbors and they explained this.

So, I suggest you canvas residents to compile a list of those items that worked and those that didn’t and put together a coordinated plan that builds on the activities that were successful and improves or adds new activities to address the problems.  The plan might also uncover items to be purchased such as portable or fixed generators and perhaps one of the volunteer organizations such as the Business Alliance could be in charge of raising funds.  In other words, addressing the problems doesn’t necessarily have to come out of tax dollars.

I want to stress that all of the burden of planning and response should not be on town employees or officials but include volunteers from town organizations such as the churches, businesses, and volunteer organizations.  I would like very much to see Newfield prepared for that next terrible physical event. I don’t think I am alone.

Same old gambit, new "kitchen"

One assignment I had in college was to attend a local government meeting and make a report on the proceedings.  At that time, Newfield Council meetings met in the old fire hall, which did double duty as a place for town events like Kiwanis, weddings, birthdays etc since it included a kitchen.  The meeting I chose to observe was sparsely attended including one member of the press.  I stood out, of course, being about 19 years old and was queried by the Mayor as to why I was there.  I explained and since there was no reason I couldn't be there, they went ahead with the meeting.

However, I observed a curious behavior.  Whenever there it was time to have a serious discussion, one of the members would suggest a smoke/rest room break and the Mayor and Council would all file into the kitchen, making sure the door and pass through areas were closed off.  I could hear muffled voices and often the break lasted way past 10 minutes.

At the conclusion of the break, the Mayor and Council would re-take their seats and call the meeting back to order.  Then, someone would make a motion whose meaning was clear to them but obscure to the spectators.  For instance, a motion would be made to "amend ordinance xyz in the manner previously discussed".  A vote would be held and lo and behold, the motion would pass.

I called this so not transparent method of governance, the "kitchen manuever".  I don't know if they did it all the time or just because some young woman was attending their meeting and they didn't want her to report substantively on what they did.

I thought this kitchen gambit was long gone since the old fire hall was replaced by a combined municipal offices, senior center, fire station, and police station.  It turns out I was wrong.  It just takes on a new character when there is no longer a need for a kitchen.

Thursday, March 28th, the Council held a special meeting.  Word got out that the purpose of the meeting was to "table" the controversial ordinance regarding the fire company.  I hoped that was true so I attended along with a few other spectators, since the meeting was held at 4:30pm when many residents are still at work.

When I arrived, I found a copy of the agenda.  It listed that they intended to vote on tabling the ordinance, giving its number and name, and that they would be voting on an increase to the budget.  There was no mention of what the budget increase was for.  The meeting was opened for remarks by the public, and, silly me, I didn't ask what the budget increase was for as I thought I would hear as they discussed and voted on it. 

By the way, all public comment occurs before they transact business never during business as you see on old TV shows.  In other words, the Mayor/Council setup is not a town meeting form of government.

Now, you can guess what happened, the Council had already invoked the kitchen gambit via phones, cell phones, or email, and all that happened was a motion to increase the budget was made.  Someone on Council said what I quote approximately "You all know this is a safety issue", which was answered affirmatively by all.  Then, the motion passed.  I have no idea what they voted on.  It could have been related to the fire company ordinance or something completely different.  I have no idea, nor did any of the spectators around me.

Fortunately, the Council also passed a motion to table the fire department ordinance.  I will remain vigilant about going to meetings - special or regular - because they could bring the ordinance back for a final vote at any time, especially if they believe the public no longer cares.  I guess I am almost as naive as that 19 year old student I was in the 60's.  Sigh.