N.J. budget hearings set for Camden Co.

Two legislative panels will hold public hearings in South Jersey on the proposed state budget.

The Assembly Budget Committee will meet March 24 at 9:30 a.m. in The Ballroom at Collingswood, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood.

The Senate Budget and Appropriations will hold a hearing March 25 at 9 a.m. at the Rutgers-Camden School of Law, 217 N. 5th St., Camden.

People wishing to testify can register at www.njleg.state.nj.us.

via N.J. budget hearings set for Camden Co. | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.

Housing council targeted

Courier-Post file

By JEREMY ROSEN and JULIA HAYS
Courier-Post Staff

New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill to abolish the Council on Affordable Housing that decides how many affordable homes each town must provide under a court mandate -- and they have the support of many local towns.

The measure would let municipalities decide whether they have fulfilled their obligation to provide affordable housing and let towns and cities decide how to plan for it.

Read more

Senate to vote on gay marriage tomorrow

A vote has been scheduled for Thursday in the State Senate on a bill allowing gay couples to marry in New Jersey.

Read more about the issue at: Senate to vote on gay marriage | courierpostonline.com | Courier-Post.

Senator James Beach, a Democrat who represents District 6 which includes Collingswood, has not yet declared how he will vote tomorrow. His office is at 1916 Route 70 East, Suite 3, Cherry Hill. His office's phone number is (856) 489-3442.

What do you think? Take the poll, and post a comment with your opinion.

Winter Weather Advisory issued

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Camden, Gloucester and northeastern Burlington counties, as well as the surrounding region.

The advisory is in effect until 4 p.m. and states that snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible, with the highest total to the north and east of Philadelphia.

Read more

Hey, Collingswood, how’s life?

Courier-Post file

New Jersey: Great State or Greatest State?

A recent poll among NJ residents shows that they think life has been so-so in the Garden State over the past decade.

So we want to know from you, Collingswood residents, how's life been for you in NJ since the new millennium?

Take the poll, and then check out the article after the jump.

Read more

Residents in Collingswood, N.J., discuss varied views on gay marriage | WHYY

The New Jersey Senate plans to take up the controversial issue of gay marriage on Thursday. A bill that would legalize same-sex unions cleared a senate committee last night. Collingswood, New Jersey is a diverse community but on the issue of gay marriage there remains a deep divide.

Read more and listen to audio of the interviews at: Residents in Collingswood, N.J., discuss varied views on gay marriage | WHYY News and Information | WHYY.

Same-sex nuptials could be decided

By JANE ROH
Courier-Post Staff

A legislative push to legalize gay marriage is speeding up in Trenton -- and for some South Jersey residents, that's just fine.

"It's OK with me. Because that's what they feel, they feel in love and they want to be happy and they want to do it right. So hey, get married," said Douglas Perry of Washington Township.

"If you love somebody and it works out for you then what difference does it make?" said Mary Jane Linker of Sewell.

That live-and-let-live streak among Garden State voters could persuade lawmakers to vote for the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act if it's considered this week as expected.

Read more

Mural Completed in West Collingswood

Artist Jen Ashmen completed her purple octopus mural, yesterday. The mural is part of a series of commissioned pieces intended to beautify the community. There are fifteen murals total, each painted by a different New Jersey artist. The works are on large potter's plants lining the White Horse Pike. Ashmen's colorful cephalopod is located on the corner of East Collingswood Avenue and the White Horse Pike. The octopus's name is "Pauline."

Clinton coming to Collingswood

AP Photo file

It's been reported that Governor Jon Corzine will have several high profile politicians coming to stump for his campaign in New Jersey. Among them will be former President Bill Clinton, who will attend a rally with state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, Corzine's running mate, next Tuesday afternoon at the Collingswood Ballroom.

Tickets for the event may be obtained via the NJ Democratic State Committee Web site.

N.J. takes plunge into vote by mail balloting

New Jersey voters have a new way to cast their ballots this year.

The state has replaced its absentee ballots with a "vote by mail" program. (Click here to access a vote by mail application from the NJ Division of Elections Web site.)

That means voters do not need to give a reason why they're not voting in person. Instead of requesting ballots one election at a time, they can ask to be sent ballots for all future elections.

Read more

A conversation with Rebecca Timms

In this episode of  the “Lubetkin on Communications Podcast” we present a conversation with Rebecca Timms of Haddon Heights, NJ, a Rowan University junior who is serving as 2009-2010 national president of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Read Rebecca’s official biography on the PRSSA website.

Download the podcast program

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(stereo MP3 file, 24.6 mb, duration 00:23:40.)

Read more

Middle Chamber Books Podcast Interviews Collingswood Author Jen A. Miller

The Middle Chamber Books Podcast is a regular series of interviews with book authors and other creative professionals. We are on the web at www.middlechamberbooks.com

In this episode of the Middle Chamber Books Podcast, we speak with Collingswood resident Jen Miller, a freelance writer and author of The Jersey Shore; Atlantic City to Cape May: Great Destinations: A Complete Guide: Including the Wildwoods (Great Destinations).

Jen also blogs Jersey Shore events and activities at Down the Shore with Jen.

Download

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

here (41.1 mb stereo MP3 file, 00:29:55 length).

Read more