Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Palmyra NJ Councilman attacked by skaters on Saturday, April 10, 2010

Pretty despicable to pick on someone like this....from the Philadelphia Inquirer

PALMYRA -- As many as 10 teenagers assaulted a borough councilman Saturday afternoon (April 10, 2010) at Legion Park, police said Monday.

Borough Councilman Theodore Scott was walking through the park off Broad Street at 4:23 p.m. when he encountered eight to 10 teenagers skateboarding on benches and walls. Scott approached the teens to tell them to move to the borough’s skate park when the youths knocked him to the ground and punched and kicked him.

The teenagers — described as males between the ages of 17 and 20 — eventually ran away and left Scott on the ground in need of medical attention, police said. Scott was taken to an area hospital with a broken leg. His condition was not available.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Palmyra police at 856-829-0198.

Cinnaminson OKs school budget; 18 teachers to be cut

From the Philadelphia Inquirer, April 10, 2010


CINNAMINSON - After nearly three hours of discussion that at times got heated, the school board adopted a 2010-11 budget that calls for a hefty tax hike and the elimination of 18 teachers and several aides.

"No one likes this budget," Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi told more than 100 people gathered at the middle school Tuesday night for a public hearing.

The $42 million spending plan not only cuts staff at all four schools, but also increases the school tax rate 12.99 cents, from $1.425 to $1.555 per $100 of assessed property value.

If voters approve the $29.47 million tax levy at the April 20 school election, the owner of a home assessed at the township average of $294,500 would pay $4,580 in school taxes, an increase of $382 over last year.

Resident Bill Conley told Illuzzi and the board members that he's tapped out.

"Some people may say it's only $382, but I don't have any more to give," Conley said.

The budget will cut a combined nine teachers at the New Albany Elementary and Eleanor Rush Intermediate schools, three at the middle school, and six at the high school. Six support staff and five teaching aides also will be terminated.

The cuts were made because of a loss of $3.4 million in state aid and surplus funds that were required to be spent under state mandate over the last several months.

Throughout Tuesday's hearing, residents and teachers complained that the district is in this predicament because of the escalating salaries of the administrative staff.

"The salaries of the administration are out of control," one woman yelled out to a round of applause.

Illuzzi said the administrative raises, which average 4.73 percent annually over a three-year contract, were approved by the board in 2008 before the economy soured.

He said the raises were below the county average of 5.1 percent and were approved by the county superintendent of schools.

Illuzzi also noted that all of the contracts were publicized and that the school board held public hearings on them.

Discussions with the district's bargaining units to change insurance plans and offer buyouts to teachers near retirement age could result in fewer teaching positions being eliminated next year.

"It's that savings that will allow us to bring back some of the staff that's being let go," Illuzzi said Wednesday.

If the unions agree to the changes, he anticipated that more than a half-dozen teachers slated to be laid off would be spared. At least six teachers are expected to retire and Illuzzi was hopeful that even more will agree to early retirement.

Ultimately, the voters will decide what happens to the budget.

"If it's defeated and it goes to the Township Committee, it's a safe bet they'll chop the budget (more)," Illuzzi said

For more on the article, check this link...

http://bit.ly/9XTzjX

Monday, April 12, 2010

Garmin 405 Forerunner Frozen

I've been using my Garmin 405 Forerunner running watch for nearly a year (my wife gave it to me last year for Father's Day.)

It's been a great watch---accurate, always works, never gave me a problem until last Monday when it appeared frozen or stuck after finishing a run. I let it sit on my desk and when I came back the display was blank. I charged it overnight and it seemed fine until today when it froze again after a run.

This time it seemed really dead.

I checked the Internet and it was suggested that I hold the 2 buttons down for 30 seconds to unfreeze it.

I had to do this twice, and it finally 'unfroze' and came back to life.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Palmyra NJ Titanic Survivor

Just read an interesting article in the Burlington County Times about a Palmyra, New Jersey Titanic Survivor. It's a fascinating story---given up for dead, and sewn into a body bag.

His grave is local---I'll try to get a picture.

Here's a link to the article...

http://bit.ly/alx1ks