5 Things You Need to Know: Township Committee Close Out Meeting

West Deptford Patch has five things you need to know about Dec. 28 township committee close out meeting.

With the township committee close out meeting held in the middle of the day on Friday, not too many residents were able to show up. If you were one of those who wanted to be at the meeting, but couldn’t make it because of work, school or previous engagements—Patch has you covered. Here are the five things you need to know about the close out committee meeting: 1) Mayor Raymond Chintall announced that treasurer Richard Giuliani would begin his retirement effective Jan. 1. Chintall joked that he hoped Giuliani’s golfing game improves during his retirement. Addressing the audience, Giuliani said that his 27 years and 10 months at West Deptford had been very enjoyable. Later in the meeting, it was learned that the township would have no …

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West Deptford Playing a Part in Superstorm Sandy Relief

Fundraising efforts for the American Red Cross are underway in West Deptford for those affected by Superstorm Sandy.

It is hard to believe a month has already passed since Superstorm Sandy devastated the East Coast, and still the effects of the storm remain for many. Last weekend, Gov. Chris Christie announced the storm caused an estimated $29.4 billion in damages. While West Deptford was fortunate enough to brave Superstorm Sandy with minimal damage, the township is not taking such good fortune for granted. After Mayor Raymond Chintall initially announced intentions to set up a sort of West Deptford-based funding, canisters are now popping up around West Deptford. Canisters are set up in various locations throughout West Deptford for donations. There is one at the Municipal Building, as well as RiverWinds Community Center and the West Deptford Public …

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Vignettes

Aftermath

After Sandy, a new appreciation for our home state emerges.

I’m having a hard time finding the words. This past week has been a long one for most of us. Long, and not particularly kind. We started the week preparing to ride the storm out, and ended it feeling a little older, a little broken, a little sad. All these things, and above all else, blessed. Is it possible to feel guilty about your blessings? This week, our hometown walked away almost untouched by the devastation that came with hurricane Sandy. Oh, sure, there were some broken tree limbs, some flooded streets and some power outages. Some of us were shut out of jobs, the schools were closed, and we all lived through a barrage of automatic phone calls about the date we’ll be trick or treating. But when we turned on the news or signed into …

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Hurricane Sandy

Help Loved Ones Know You're Safe On Red Cross Website

This website allows people to tell loved ones they are safe.

Following Hurricane Sandy, it can be tough to reach all of your friends and family to let them know that you're OK. The American Red Cross has a "Safe and Well" registry that can help spread the word. You can go to the site and enter your information, and confirm that you're "safe and well." Then, friends and family can also go to the site and search for your name. Here are instructions from the Red Cross site: Register Yourself as “Safe and Well” Click on the “List Myself as Safe and Well” button to register yourself on the site. Search for Loved Ones Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well” by clicking on the “Search Registrants” button. The results of a successful search…

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Emergency Shelter in West Deptford Braces for Onslaught

The Red Cross shelter at West Deptford High School is ready to accommodate up to 300 people.

Paul Pierce isn't rolling the dice on Hurricane Sandy.  The 60-year-old resident of Clayton, Gloucester County, was one of the first to arrive at the emgergency shelter at West Deptford High School after it opened at 8 a.m. Monday.  "There's no sense in waiting until it's too late," mused Pierce, as he lay on a cot in the school's gynasium.  Pierce was one of about a dozen people who had sought shelter at the high school by mid-morning Monday.  The American Red Cross is coordinating the shelter, which can accommodate up to 300 people.  "But, once we reach about 200 people, we yell, 'help,' " said Steve Freiman, the shelter manager.  Williamstown Middle School has been designated as an alternate shelter if West Deptford High School reaches …

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Blood Supplies at Emergency Levels, Red Cross Calls for Donors

The organization has had a shortfall of 50,000 donations this month.

With a shortfall of 50,000 donations so far in June, blood shortages have reached emergency levels, and American Red Cross officials are calling for all eligible donors to give as soon as possible. The shortfall has left the Red Cross with half the readily available blood products on hand now compared to this time last year, and donations are particularly needed from people with O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative blood types. “Blood must be available at a moment's notice when seconds count to help save or sustain a life,” said Donna M. Morrissey, director of communications for the American Red Cross Blood Services's Northeast Division. “We have reached an emergency situation and the blood will not be there without the …

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Handy Numbers Ahead of Hurricane Irene

Keep these numbers on your fridge, and remember, 911 is for emergencies.

As Hurricane Irene approaches New Jersey, emergency workers are reminding people that call volume skyrockets during a crisis. Many of the calls are non-emergency calls that could be better handled by another agency or non-emergency police dispatch. Only call 911 in the event of an emergency. To reach West Deptford Police for any non-emergency situations, call 856-853-2940. The Gloucester County chapter of the American Red Cross's disaster services can be reached at 856-256-8300 x11 or after hours at 609-743-1643. In the event of any evacuations locally, West Deptford High School is a designated Red Cross shelter. If you have any questions on preparing ahead of the storm, Gloucester County's Office of Emergency Management, which is open …

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