Thanks to the
500 or so people who are following us. We apologize for the delay in
writing, but it has been a very busy month. With this entry, Erock’s Beat
has its own version of ‘Darts and Laurels.’ Here are some of the things
we have noticed over the past month:
Thumbs up:
To the ground breaking for a new firehouse-as many have said, we are 25 years
overdue for a firehouse. Let’s hope we can pay for it.
Thumbs
down: To the fact that the new firehouse had to be built on one of the
few open spaces where children can play.
Thumbs up:
To no tax increase in the preliminary 2012 budget. Two years in a row and
no local tax increase.
Thumbs
down: To the budgeting process in the Borough. First, there is
little opportunity for people to speak with their representatives in an actual
meeting. Second, our 2011 budget absorbed hundreds of thousands in lost
projected revenue yet still stayed afloat. Why does the Borough so
grossly overestimate its spending?
Thumbs up:
To ER4PC. I guess Camden Iron’s tax revenue was not needed if we have
gone two years without any of their money, without any tax increase, and
without any loss in services.
Thumbs
down: To the closed-minded thinking of some ‘leaders’ in the Borough who
too still think that judging people by race or using derogatory language is
acceptable. Here’s a hint for you:
the 60s called and said this type of behavior is uncalled for.
Thumbs up:
To basketball starting at Lighthouse Hall. The kids love it.
Thumbs
down: To some of the parents that either don’t show up at all or who show
up and cause a problem during the youth games. It’s okay for everyone to
cheer for his or her child’s team without being disrespectful.
Thumbs up:
To the volunteers at Lighthouse Hall, especially the ones who do not have a
child participating in any of the games. Without the volunteers, there
would be nothing for the kids to do.
Thumbs
down: To the lack of volunteers helping run activities for kids. It
would be great for the kids to have something other than basketball. It
would also be great if the leaders would welcome in all volunteers and not just
a select group of cronies.
Thumbs up:
To the idea of holding yoga classes at Lighthouse Hall. It was suggested
nearly 2 months ago. Maybe the Councilman in charge of recreation will
take the time to bring it up in a Council Meeting. His platform was to expand recreation, wasn’t it?
Thumbs
down: To the lack of things to do for children once they hit the teenager
years.
Thumbs up:
To Shoprite. They continue to
donate money to the Borough for our younger children. A great corporate neighbor.
Thumbs
down: To Walmart-how is it that they account for almost 25% of our police
work, yet they do not pay for an officer?
It is funny how billion dollar corporations make all the promises in the
world before they come into a community but forget what it means to be a ‘good
neighbor’ once they are here.
Thumbs up:
To the Eddystone Maintenance Department-getting the leaves up in the Borough is
no small task. Job well done, men!
Thumbs
down: To the Code enforcemen:
if your lawn is too high, expect a fine. What about the house on 9th Street across from Scarianno’s? It
has been burnt out for almost 3 years.
Thumbs up:
To Mr. Orio and Mr. Call, who suggested that offering a variance for rental
property owners to turn houses into duplexes is a step backwards and that
street parking comes at a premium.
Thumbs
down: To zoning variances allowing rental properties to become
duplexes-it moves away from the ‘owner occupy’ direction the town needs to go
into if our property values are going to increase. It also crowds already overcrowded streets with more cars.
Thumbs up:
To Exelon-every year, the company donates coats to the children of our Borough
without taking any public credit for their act.
Thumbs
down: To the Eddystone GOP-Dave Paterson should have been included in all
of the Party’s events, literature, etc. during the election and his name should
not have been crossed off of the Republican ticket. This simpleton thinking will not help the Borough grow.
Thumbs up:
To the upcoming Christmas luncheon for senior citizens in the month of December. Wouldn’t it be nice to hold monthly
activities for our senior citizens?
Thumbs
down: There are too many homeless children living within the
Borough. Our leaders need to do more to help families who are struggling.
Thumbs up:
To the toy give away and Jolly Ol’ St Nick riding around on the fire truck
beforehand. Thanks to the VFW and American Legion for their efforts and
the Recreation Board and its volunteers for manning the event.
Thumbs
down: To the wasteful spending on the beautification project. It was a great idea, however it lacked
sustainability. Was there no other
low maintenance and cost project that could improve the Borough landscape?
Thumbs up:
To the new sidewalks by RE Steel. It is nice to see legitimate corporate
neighbors taking care of our Borough.
Thumbs up: To
one more year without CIM. Call this one an addition by subtraction for
the Borough.
Thumbs
down: To the fact that too many renters are being thrown out because of
OOC issues. Good people living in the Borough is far better than vacant
or abandoned homes.
Thumbs up:
To the steady crowd at council meetings. Even if they are quiet, people
are showing an interest in their Borough. Well done.
Thumbs
down: To rising crime in the Borough. Drug use is evident (baggies
and needles being found on sidewalks and in alleys) and there was a rise in theft
from vehicles. Better communication needs to come from the Police to the
residents when things like this are occurring.
Thumbs up:
To the three Townwatch men that walk around on most every night. These
three men have single-handedly made this program work.
Thumbs up:
Did I mention Camden Iron is not here yet? It is a good thing that ‘a
done deal’ does not mean what it used to mean. We obviously did not need
the revenue, and now maybe the Borough leaders will look for someone that will
actually create jobs for our residents without bringing the potential harm to
our community. Our house values need help being increased, not decreased.