Every Saturday on its editorial page, 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 on its editorial page, 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 news that a much-loved Gloucester County eatery could soon reopen. Diners were dismayed when Geets Diner closed its doors last summer as a result of a bankruptcy. Geets was an institution in our area and the reaction to news of a possible return drew quick praise from many this week. A judge approved sale of the property last week and we wish the new owners much success in their plans to bring the place back and enhance its offerings.
CHEERS: To efforts by police in Gloucester County to make our roads safer. A three-week effort by 13 departments to conduct special patrols resulted in 33 arrests for drunken or drugged driving, while more that 200 summonses were issued for speeding, reckless driving, failure to wear a seat belt and texting while driving. This enforcement effort was funded via a state grant distributed by the county prosecutor's office and we hope the publication of the results will give motorists something to think about. Sadly, some will never learn their lesson until they are stopped by police or they harm themselves or others in a crash. Let's all try to make smarter decisions behind the wheel.
CHEERS: To more help for pets in need. The Salem County Humane Society, based in Carneys Point, has broken ground for a new kennel wing at its facility. The milestone comes after nearly five years of planning. The organization has provided care and adoption services for pets over the past 40 years. The new canine wing will replace the older kennels which have reached the end of their useful life. Looking to adopt a pet or want to help aid the group in its mission? If so, call 856-299-2220 or visit the group's website at www.salemcountyhumanesociety.org.
JEERS: To the loss of local jobs. General Mills has filed notice with the state that it is beginning the process of laying off its 338 employees who work at its Progresso Soup plant in Vineland. In July General Mills announced plans to close the plant and in September made it official. This will be a big hit to the local economy -- and to the many families whose livelihood was based on work at Progresso. Vineland officials say they have been in talks to find another company to take over the plant, but so far no word on who that could be.
JEERS to altering artistic visions. We'll start by saying this: Our argument to keep the "n-word" in Cherry Hill High School East's production of "Ragtime" is in no way us giving a pass to a truly ugly offense. As a member of the local NAACP branch rightly argued to the school district, it's use refreshes raw emotions associated with the slur. However, the play itself deals in immigrants and minorities in New York City during the early 1900s -- not exactly an era known for its widespread acceptance of various social classes. Proponents of keeping the slur in the production claim its removal is a white-washing of history, to which we agree. Moreover, removal likely means the licensing agency will but the kibosh on the production. This will surely serve as a teaching moment for the cast and audience alike and therefore this show must go on.
CHEERS to ending an epidemic. The face of homelessness -- an older man in a well-worn jacket and empty coffee cup asking for change -- is changing. That's according to those on the front lines in Camden City as part of the federally-mandated count that divvies up funding for local governments tasked with ending the epidemic. As we accompanied a trio of workers Wednesday, the urgent need to change things systematically or culturally in this country became quite clear. Can you, dear reader, ever fathom waking up under an overpass having just spent a January night on a padded mat of some sort that you found god only knows where? The face of homelessness is getting younger and it's likely to have either a drug history or steady employment in its past.
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