The Hammonton Gazette 03/25/15 Edition | Page 6

Page 6 • Wednesday, March 25, 2015 • The Hammonton Gazette The Hammonton Gazette “The Paper of Record” Gabriel J. donio, Publisher Gina rullo, Editor-in-Chief dan russoman, Sports Editor Benny Mendez, Staff Artist Marysusan hoffman, Paul J. Macrie iv, Michael hozik, donna Brown, Joseph Bruno, Brittany Mauro, Lauren Bucci, Lauren crescenzo Staff The Hammonton Gazette is located at 233 Bellevue ave. to reach a staff member, call 704-1940 or fax at 704-1938. the mailing address is P.o. Box 1228, hammonton, nJ 08037. editoriaLs The Hammonton Gazette is published Wednesdays, by The Hammonton Gazette, Inc. Copyright © 2015. All rights reserved. ISSN 1093-6181 safety first The Hammonton Town Council made the right decision when it voted to approve an ordinance that will make property owners who are doing work to their properties place dumpsters on their properties if at all possible and only use the streets of the town if it is a last resort. Several years ago a person lost their life when the car the person was driving struck a dumpster that was sitting in the street. Tragedies like that one will be averted if most of the dumpsters are on people’s properties, rather than in public areas. If a dumpster absolutely must be on the street, it will have to be properly marked with safety measures that will ensure no one will be able to miss it while driving. In addition, the removal of most dumpsters from local roadways will beautify the town, taking the dumpsters out of the main line of sight when people are driving down the streets of Hammonton. The town continues to see renovation and remodeling projects on many of its streets, which makes this a timely ordinance that should be enforced to the fullest. In neighborhoods throughout town, there are streets that will be made safer because a person driving down them, particularly at night, will have less of chance of colliding with a dumpster. While the town should never act as a hindrance to anyone who wishes to work on their property to make it better, there must be allowances made for public safety and the overall character of the community. It will be good to see fewer dumpsters on the streets. We commend the town council on this action, which promotes safety and beautification at the same time. spring sports arrive After another long winter, it’s good to see the teams back on the fields for the spring sports season. High school baseball and softball are back at Hammonton and St. Joe, and the HHS boys and girls track teams are readying for another season. Sports like boys tennis at HHS, co-ed golf, as well as boys and girls track at St. Joe are also making their return. Seeing athletes playing outside again is a sure sign that the warmer weather is not far from returning. There is something about seeing the groundskeepers prepare the baseball and softball fields, followed by the players practicing on the field — and then playing games for that matter. It always makes us feel hopeful for another strong spring sports season from the two high schools. The spring sports season is different than the fall and winter — where football, soccer and field hockey, for example, are usually played regardless of the elements, and basketball, bowling and hockey are played indoors, spring sports embrace the best weather of the sports year. Make sure you take in a baseball or softball game this season, or a track meet or other high school sporting event. Sit outside and enjoy the weather while the game is played in front of you. Spring has returned, and so has the spring sports season. It’s time to enjoy a game or meet under blue skies and warm sunshine. to the editor: Letters to the editor Hammonton recently lost one of its legends, Frank “Chick” Gibase. Born during the Depression, he was among a group of St. Joseph graduates of the late 1940s. Following the maturity of military service, for many, he and his classmates hit the ground running. Chick’s contributions were many and his presence could make the most mundane meeting an entertaining event not to be missed. Recognizing someone on the street, his effusive and sincere greeting made the recipient, for the moment, feel just a little bit taller. Chick used his spark, energy and vitality, surely God’s gift, to touch lives in the community, in business and always with his loving family. Bill Parkhurst hammonton PersPective/Pastor’s corner Someone yelling, “Let’s play ball,” officially announces spring. Springtime and baseball seem to go together, as if God created springtime just for the national pastime. Something about that first baseball game seems to shake away all the gloomy aspects of the past winter. As soon as Old Man Winter strikes out for the last time, good old springtime steps up to the plate and a new game is afoot. You can tell an old man is trying to act young when he puts away long pants and dons short pants. Somebody needs to tell these men that knobby knees are not in fashion this year and the less seen the better, I assure you. Several weeks ago, it was my privilege to watch my granddaughter play her first softball game. With a good hot cup of coffee and a seat where I could survey the whole process, I settled down to watch a relaxed softball game. Then, the game took on a new status. My granddaughter came up to bat and I was on the edge of my seat. At that point, the whole game changed for me. Sitting next to me, a man began yelling at the pitcher. “Go ahead, pitcher,” he screamed, “burn one across the plate, the batter’s a bum, she can’t hit nothing.” I demurely turned to the gentleman next to me and opined, “You shouldn’t yell at the kiddies that way. They’re just having fun.” Without even looking at me, he shot, “Mind your own business, Buster.” I am not easily roused, but this man, what should I say, irritated me. Yes, that is the word, “irritated.” Then, still not looking at me, he snipped, “The pitcher’s my daughter.” With all the dignity I could muster under the circumstances, I retorted, “But the batter is my granddaughter. And granddaughters out-rank daughters every time.” I noticed the information stunned him a little. Old Bubba was trying to process this and I could see he was having a little bit of trouble. I did not mind because for a moment he could not think of anything to say, which is good no matter which side you are cheering for. At this point, the situation turned ugly. When I say ugly, I mean Mrs. Bubba inserted herself into the tête-à-tête. I was not afraid of good old Bubba; it was Mrs. Bubba who put the fear of God into me at the time. Men can have a loud, obnoxious, chest puffing argument, then when it is all over, go, buy each other a cup of coffee and slap each other on the back celebrating the winning team. Women are not like that; at least Mrs. Bubba was not like that. Mrs. Bubba, who was sitting on the other side of Bubba, leaned forward and simply said, “Oh yeah?” It was not what she said, or even how she said it that bothered me. The last thing I remember was her left hook interfacing with my left eye. Driving home, I mused on what the Apostle Paul wrote. “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” (1 Timothy 5:21-22 KJV.) Sometimes, one strike and you are out. the rev. James L. snyder silver springs shores, Fla. The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores, Fla. Call him at [phone] or e-mail [email protected] or website www.jamessnyderministries.com. The Hammonton Gazette welcomes letters to the editor that are no more than 800 words long. All letters must include the name of the author and an address and telephone number for verification. Letters should be mailed to The Hammonton Gazette, Editorial Page, P.O. Box 1228, Hammonton, NJ 08037. Letters also will be accepted via fax. The fax number is 704—1938.  Or by email to [email protected]. Deadline for all submissions is 2 p.m. Monday. The Hammonton Gazette reserves the right to edit any submissions. The opinions expressed in letters, perspectives or in guest columns do not necessarily reflect those of The Hammonton Gazette.  The Gazette is not responsible for factual errors in letters, perspectives or in guest columns. The Gazette retains the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.