Letters to the Editor---Aggressive Driving

Saw this one on Sunday, June 21st in the Burlington County Times and was much amused. It's written by Noni Bookbinder Bell of Shamong.

I am constantly tailgated on Branch Pike in Cinnaminson while doing the 35 MPH posted speed limit as I head towards Moorestown. There's a good reason for that speed limit. It's a residential area, there's one school (St. Charles) on the road, and another one (Cinnaminson Middle School) just to the right.

By the way, what do you do if you are tailgated by a police car? Several months ago my wife and I were tailgated by a police car on Church Road headed towards Route 38. It's a 25MPH zone, and the police car was about 5 feet from our bumper. What's a person to do?

At any rate, here's Nono's letter.

Aggressive driving comes back to haunt

While driving down Bear Head-McKendimaen Road in Medford (as usual doing the speed limt), the driver of a big SUV began aggressively tailgating my tiny car. I double-checked that I was not driving under the 30-mph speed limit.

Just minutes before, on another Medford Road, another SUV had been riding my tail as I tooled along at the speed limit. I wondered, as I drive, "Why am I obligated to speed and why do I have to endure these antagonistic morons putting my life and others' in danger?" At this time of year, deer, small animals and --- oh yes --- children can run out suddenly into local residential streets and roads.

Obviously, it's important to be on guard for them, not to mention (for) distracted and careless drivers. I would think that's why lower speed limits are imposed on such roads.

After a minute or two of impatiently riding my tail (close enough to see the whites of his eyes) the driver sped up and blew past me.

In doing so, he just missed a head-on crash with a fully dressed (motorcycle) coming the other way.

At first, I just gaped at the averted tragedy. Next, I had to smile when I realized this was a motorcycle cop.

After the copy made an expert U-turn, the red and blue lights began to flash. I rounded a curve in the road, still chugging along at 30 mph. There, I observed the young man in the SUV pulled over and reaching for his credentials.

Sorry about the Schadenfreude, but I couldn't help gloating as I saw the office approaching the driver. The driver looked about the same age as the 19-year-old who caused my head-on crash in March.

Most of the days since then, when I am on the road driving the speed limit, I am returning from a medical appointment or a physical therapy session.

There's isn't too much else I can do since I was injured when that kid ran a stop sign on Route 306 on the icy night when all hell broke loose.

This is for the cop who pulled that aggressive driver over yesterday: Thanks.

I'm glad he didn't plow into you as he was whipping past me in annoyance.

Perhaps next time, that young driver may think twice before he lets his impatience and arrogance take over the wheel.

Noni Bookbinder Bell
Shamong

Cinnaminson Recycling Blue Buckets

It's been a while since I've had anything to say about the Burlington County New Jersey Blue Bucket Recycling plan.

I wrote about its introduction in the Cinnaminson area a few months ago, and everything has been running smoothly until...

Last night, my wife went out to the RecycleBank website

http://www.recyclebank.com

The website is a nice idea---you can accumulate reward points based on the amount of recycling that the recycling people pick up. Since every blue bucket has a unique RFID device (Radio Frequency Identification Device---that's redundant, I know) each household can earn credits. They can be used for gift cards to places like Acme

Strangely, when my wife signed into the website with out account information, the 2 pickups in June weren't showing up. So far, our totals look like this...

Pickup Date Pounds
5/20/2009 67.5 pounds
5/06/2009 55.0 pounds
4/22/2009 72.5 pounds
4/08/2009 75.0 pounds

I called their toll free support number (1-888-727-2978) a few minutes ago, and a very nice woman named Rowena asked for my account number, and the dates of my missing pickups, and told me she would credit me for 2 pickups using the average weight of the 4 pickups she had on record.

Together with a bonus of 40 points for registering with the website, that should give us close to 500 points, which can save us some money at Acme.

If anyone else in the area has noticed a problem with their transactions at Recyclebank.com, give them a call--they're very helpful.

Once again, their toll free number is:

1-888-727-2978

Route 130 Road Paving in Cinnaminson to Begin In July

Just got this in the Township Newsletter---thank God!

I never got a definitive answer as to whether the area between Andover and New Albany would be re-paved.

CINNAMINSON - As the state Department of Transportation winds down rehabilitation work on Route 130 through several municipalities north of the township, preliminary work to repave the highway here has already begun.

As part of the $3 million project, about two miles of the six-lane highway will be resurfaced between Highland Avenue and New Albany Road, beginning today and continuing to September.
"Resurfacing Route 130 in Cinnaminson will improve safety and preserve the integrity of the roadway," DOT Commissioner Stephen Dilts said.

Shoulder work began last week. A single lane in each direction may be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the DOT.

St. Charles accident of June 12th update

I had posted an entry last week concerning an accident that occurred on the grounds of St. Charles School in Cinnaminson on Friday, June 12th. I waited until I saw some official word on it before updating.

On Tuesday, June 16th, this information was posted on the BCTNow.com website.

A teenage bicyclist was injured Friday after he was struck by a truck while riding on Branch Pike in Cinnaminson, police said.

According to investigators, the 14-year-old boy was riding near the intersection with Pamona(sic) Road at around 12:30 p.m. when the accident occurred.

The boy sustained serious leg injuries and was flown by helicopter to Cooper University Hospital in Camden for treatment, police said. The boy’s identity was not released and his condition was not available. Police described his injuries as not life-threatening.

The identity of the driver of the vehicle that struck the boy was not released. Police said the driver was not injured.

My note: It's my understanding he was struck by a Carnival truck

And more...

On the last day of school, Wednesday, June 17th, an end of year letter from the Principal of St. Charles, Diane Kinnevy, had this information.

As many of you know one of our 8th graders was hit by a truck on Friday. Jimmy is in Cooper's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. His legs were severely injured. So far he has had two surgeries. He probably will need more.

Jimmy can be reached by email at

jimmywalsh2009@gmail.com

Jimmy missed his scheduled graduation. If he wants one later this summer Fr. PJ and I are more than willing to make sure he gets it. Please keep Jimmy Walsh and his family in your prayers.

Considering the condition of the bike when I drove by the scene that day, I think it's amazing the young man survived. I'm happy to hear that he did, and I will pray for his recovery. I hope anyone reading this does also.

Route 130 Paving project---uh oh, did they miss the worst section

A week ago I happily reported that Route 130 in Cinnaminson/Delran is being repaved. I was happy because it's a life threatening highway. I just caught this announcement this morning--it appears that my initial optimism is unfounded. This is from the Web Portion of the Burlington County times--here's the link...

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/678/2009/june/03/work-begins-on-rte-130.html

and the tiny url...

http://tinyurl.com/ly7mla

The state Department of Transportation has kicked off a $2 million rehabilitation project on Route 130 that spans several Burlington County towns.

The project calls for crews to mill and pave most of the highway's northbound and southbound lanes in Burlington City, Willingboro, Edgewater Park, Delanco and Delran. Work began this week and is expected to be completed by June 19.

"NJ DOT's Route 130 Burlington County resurfacing project will improve safety and extend the life of the roadway," transportation Commissioner Stephen Dilts said.

The state-funded project will resurface all lanes of the roadway from north of Chestnut Hill Road near the Delran border to Bridgeboro Road in Delran and all northbound lanes from north of Bridgeboro Road to Levitt Parkway in Willingboro.

Portions of the three northbound lanes in Burlington City from Beverly Road to Wood Street will be resurfaced.

Also, portions of the three southbound lanes in Burlington City from Assiscunk Creek to Washington Avenue and in Edgewater Park and Delanco from south of Mount Holly Road to the Rancocas Creek will be resurfaced.

"Route 130 is critical for Burlington County residents and businesses," said U.S. Rep. John Adler, D-3rd of Cherry Hill, who, with Dilts, announced the Route 130 project after a local transportation roundtable in April. "Maintain-ing Route 130 will ensure the safety of families in our community. This is great news."

Lane closures may occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times.

The state will use portable messaging signs to inform motorists of traffic pattern changes.

Construction information and real-time traffic updates will be available at

www.mynj511.info.

Email: tmchale@phillyBurbs.com

Hmmm...if I'm reading this correctly, I'm afraid the project has missed the worst section.
The Northbound lanes of Route 130 South of Chester are treacherous---there are literally gullies in the lanes.

Transportation Secretary Dilts and Representaive John Adler should drive North on Route 130 from the Dunkin Donuts in Cinnaminson and they will see that the repaving project is missing the worst section.


It's no coincidence that there have been a large number of fatal automobile accidents on that stretch of road in the last 5 years.

I'm a little frustrated

I'm a little frustrated about the lack of news coverage of the accident that occurred in the St. Charles Borromeo school yard on Friday, June 12th at around 12:15.

I haven't seen anything in either the Philadelphia Daily Inquirer or the Burlington County Times.

I also don't see anything online in the Courier Post.

Some Goodwill Centers will accept old computer equipment

According to the Goodwill website, some Goodwill Centers will accept old computer equipment

http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about/howweoperate/donations/tipsfordonatingacomputer

The very helpful woman at the Cinnaminson Public Works was correct--thanks!

I'll keep you posted on this---I need to find a nearby center that will accept it.

20 minutes later....

Just found the number for the Goodwill Donation Center on Route 73 in Maple Shade.

The very pleasant man I spoke to on the phone said that they will accept any and all computer equipment you have---it doesn't have to work, and you can just bring in the parts. Here's the contact information

Goodwill Donation Center
2835 Route 73 Soute
Maple Shade, NJ - (856) 439-0174

Cinnaminson Township Ordinances are online

While I was navigating the Cinnaminson Township Website a few minutes ago, I was reminded that all of the Township's many ordinances are online.

You can find the forms here...

http://www.cinnaminsonnj.org/formsapplications.htm

You can find the ordinances here...

http://www.cinnaminsonnj.org/ordinances.htm

You'll be directed to click on a link which previously opened an Adobe Acrobat Reader .pdf for you to read but which now takes you here...

http://www.ecode360.com/?custId=CI0302

There's a lot to it, but it's pretty interesting. For instance, you'll discover that walking a dog unleashed is a violation of the township code, and not very smart either. And, if noisy neighbors are a problem for you (my neighbors are very quiet, thank goodness), you can read about the Township's Noise Control Ordinance. Here's an example of what you may have to read, however, as you can see, it may be difficult to interpret.

Impulsive sound between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. shall not equal or exceed 80 decibels. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., impulsive sound which occurs less than four times in any hour shall not equal or exceed 80 decibels. Impulsive sound which repeats four or more times in any hour shall be measured as impulsive sound and shall meet the requirements as shown in N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.2.

Getting rid of old computer equipment in Cinnaminson

OK, I've had some old computer equipment (PC, Monitor, Ink Jet Printer) sitting in my garage for 2 years.

I tried to give the stuff away at my neighborhood yard sale last Saturday with no luck.

I put the stuff at curbside on trash pickup day this past Wednesday with a sign that said 'free' and no one picked it up.

I know that I can't just put this stuff in the trash---it's against the law because of the potentially environmental harmful components.

Let me check the Cinnaminson Website to see if there is a mention of what to do with it...

Let me call my friendly Cinnaminson Municipal number and see what happens...

Hmmm...

http://www.cinnaminson.com

takes me to the School District Website. I don't want that. But wait, there is a Cinnaminson Township link

http://www.cinnaminsonnj.org/

Let's click on the Services menu...yes, there's another menu. How about Public Works? That takes me to another menu, but nothing about trash. Hmmm, it looks like everything I click on the Services menu takes me to the same menu, with Parks Highlighted. Must be something broken.

I take matters into my own hands and manipulate the url directly like so...

http://www.cinnaminsonnj.org/publicworks.htm

That takes me to what appears to be the correct window, but nothing specific about computer equipment (or for that matter the old paint I have).

I then called the number listed for Public Works

856-829-6703

and within 2 rings, a very pleasant woman answered the phone. I explained I had some computer equipment and old paint.

She told me that I missed the computer equipment pickup which was May 16th (I missed the announcement) and suggested that Goodwill Centers might take it.

As far as paint, she told me that if it's less than half a gallon, I can mix it with kitty litter and put it out normally. Any more than half a gallon, I can drop it off at the Cinnaminson Department of Public Works...

Department of Public Works
1601 Union Landing Road
Cinnaminson, N. J. 08077

I'll let you know how I make out with the Goodwill Centers.

Five Guys Burgers coming to Cinnaminson, NJ

According to the Burlington County Times, Five Guys Burgers is coming to Cinnaminson

http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bct/five-guys-coming-to-cinnaminson/

Saladworks Calculator is amiss

Hmmm...the Saladworks Online Calculator is a great idea, and it's a step in the right direction...

http://www.saladworks.com/calculator/Salads

However, my wife noticed that if you compare the BLT salad with the Create-your-own having the same ingredients, the totals don't equal---they should :)

BLT 461.5 Calories, 33 grams of Total Fat
Create-your-own 308.5 Calories, 21 grams of Total Fat

I think the programmer needs to work on this.

Say it isn't so, Father Mike Figler is being transferred

I received this letter in the mail on Thursday---it's a letter from my pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Riverton indicating that he's being transferred to another parish. Father Mike is a wonderful young priest, full of energy, a great sense of humor, and will be hard to replace.
Here's his letter.

Dear Friends,

On Monday, June 1st, Bishop Smith called me and said he had an emergency situation. He told me that because of the poor health of a fellow pastor, he needed me to be the pastor of the two churches and school that were left vacant. He explained that with the shortage of priests, he has no experienced pastors available for this very complicated situation. I was saddened by this news but I realized that the bishop has a difficult task trying to do so much with so few priests. For this reason, I knew I had to put my own preferences aside and agreed to help in this pressing task. He then named me pastor of St. Agnes in Atlantic Highlands, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Highlands as well as Mother Teresa grade school. All three are in the northeast corner of the diocese.

I am writing this with a heavy heart, because I have been very happy here at Sacred Heart and I will miss all of you very much. You are the first parish in which I served as a pastor, and you will always be dear to me. I think of the words of Saint Paul to the Phillippians, when he said, "I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."

I am sure that you are wondering who the new pastor will be and I am happy to say that one of the finest priests in the Diocese is coming here. His name is Fr. Michael J. Waites. I find him to be consistently pleasant, a real gentleman. Most importantly, he is a faith-filled priest and a tried and true shepherd. I am sure that you will welcome him just as warmly as you did me.

If you are upset or unsure, just remember that Jesus is the Shepherd of shepherds and after 130 years of His providence here, we can be sure that He will continue to provide for this wonderful parish community long into the future.

You will always remain in my thoughts and prayers,

Fr. Michael B. Figler

PS- If you would like to contact me, I can be reached at:

Fr. Michael Figler
Saint Agnes Church
103 Center Avenue
Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey 07716

Hallelujah---Route 130 in Delran to be paved

I'd love to think I had something to do with this, but I doubt it.

I was driving on Route 130 North last night around that bread place that runs out of soup every night (Panera Bread, I believe) when I saw a sign indicating that night paving will necessitate lane closures.

I've been complaining, writing, emailing about the appalling condition of this roadway for years---it literally has an 8 inch mound in the middle of each lane---I shudder to think of the number of collisions, injuries and deaths this roadbed has caused.

Thank goodness, and whomever else is responsible, for finally re-paving the road.

Let's hope that takes care of this mess.

Where have you gone Ron Martin

My thanks to Patricia S. Walker, Executive Editor of the New Jersey Burlington County times for promptly answering my email as to what happened to Ron Martin---he is no longer with the paper. I hope this is not a health issue, nor an issue arising out of the Mitch Williams soccer ejection last Fall.

My email...

Can you tell me what happened to Ron Martin, Executive Editor of the Burlington County Times?

I used to look forward to his front page shorts...I haven't seen anything from him for about a year.

John Smiley

Response

John:

Ron no longer is the editor of the paper. He left in October.

Patricia S. Walker
Executive Editor