Camden People - Alice K. Predmore

Camden Courier-Post * February 16, 1938

School Estimates Board Defers Action on $1,978,225 Budget
SUM HELD TOO HIGH BY CITY OFFICIALS; REDUCTIONS SOUGHT
Mrs. Kobus Urges Employ ment of Auditor to Aid in Paring Costs
TEACHER EXPENSE RISES

The Board of School Estimates met yesterday and adjourned with out taking any action on the proposed $1,978,225 budget approved by the Board of Education.

The education budget is $135,244 more than the $1,842,981 provided for the 1937-38 year.
Mayor Brunner and City Commissioner Hartmann insisted at the board of estimates meeting that the budget was too high and would have to be pruned. At the sug gestion of Commissioner Kobus, who also is president of the Board of Education, the meeting authorized City Comptroller McCord to employ an auditor to report on school costs.

It seemed the sense of yester day's meeting that the items calling for additional teachers and janitors would have to be cut and that perhaps employment of new teachers for the Davis School to take care of Westfield Acres pupils could be reduced by transfer of some teachers from other schools.

Held Due to Salaries

In addition to the commissioners, the estimates board includes Mrs. Alice K. Predmore and E. George Aaron. The latter was absent.

The estimates board, which must approve the budget, adjourned in definitely to meet again at the call of the Mayor when McCord's audit is completed.

Mrs. Kobus explained that virtually the entire increase is due to restoration of one-half of the exist ing 10 percent salary cuts and the proposed additions of 20 new teachers and two janitors.

The president added that 15 of the new teachers are assigned to the recently enlarged Davis School, three to the two high schools and two to junior schools.

Half of the increase will appear in Camden City's 1938 budget, which operates on a calendar year as contrasted with the school fiscal year.

Five-Cent Rise on 1938

The total rise is equivalent to 10 cents on the tax rate, so that half the amount means a five-cent increase on the 1938 rate

Mrs. Kobus said she with other board members did everything possible to prevent an increase and pointed out that the only unusual increase, other than teachers' salaries was for supplies and materials.

In making up the budget the board members pared several appropriations in an effort to apportion $43,000 as a sponsor's share to obtain a PWA grant of $232,000 for additions, alterations and im provements to several schools.

The appropriation for teachers is $1,487,061, compared to $1,388,745 for the last fiscal year, an increase of $98,316.

For other salaries, including executive, office, clerical and janitors, $262,579 was appropriated. The total for the previous year was $236,386, an increase of $27,868.

The amount for supplies, materials and other items is $226,910, an increase of $9160 over the pre vious year when the total was $217,850.

The city's apportionment of revenue to be appropriated is $1,692,225. In estimated sources of revenue, $100,000 is expected to come from an additional state appropriation. Additional state funds include, appropriation, $169,463; manual training, $5000; crippled children, $1500; evening schools, $500.

Other anticipated revenue items include tuition fees, $1000; teachers absence refunds, $3000; miscellaneous, $3000.

Secretary Albert Austermuhl stated additional funds may be anticipated from enrollment of students from schools outside the city. He also stated the state has not paid the city its share for the "education of crippled children. The amount in arrears for two past years is $3000,
he said.

For instructions in elementary, high, junior high schools and manual training the amount is fixed at $1,431,117.

The sum of $135,884 is set up for supervisory instruction, with $41,615 for administration.

Costs for operation of elementary schools is placed at $130,067. The cost for the operation of the high schools is $47,605 with $37,750 appropriated for junior high schools.

Other budget items include co ordinated activities, $40,956; property maintenance cost, $74,455; fix ed charges, $13,760; auxiliary agencies, $8900; special schools, $15,116.

Total salaries for teachers in elementary, kindergarten, special classes and correction classes total $874,955. For high school teachers the amount is $259,467. Junior school teachers salaries total $156,169.

The increases for teachers are: elementary and other classes, $53,535; high schools, $19,146; junior schools, $10,279. Manual training costs increased $5066.

Cost for elementary school janitor salaries is set at $81,217, an increase of $11,428. Most of the increase is due to additional janitorial service required for the Davis school annex.

The sum of $33,655 is appropriated for high school janitors, an increase of $1815. The amount for junior high school janitors is $27,000, an increase of $1483..

Camden Courier-Post * July 1, 1941

CRIPPLED CHILDREN TO ATTEND OUTING
100 Little Folks to Be Guests on Sgt. Ray Smith's Birthday

More than 100 crippled children from this vicinity will be entertained at the seventh annual Sgt. Ray Smith's crippled children's day and birthday party, next Monday.

The party, an annual affair, is staged by the Elks' crippled childrens committee and the Sgt. Ray's birthday party committee.

The youngsters will meet at the Elks Home, 808 Market street, and will be taken to Clementon Park in buses where Theodore Gibbs, manager of the park will throw open the entire facilities of the park for the crippled children, staging a special show in the afternoon. A luncheon will be served at the park by the committee.

At four o'clock the youngsters will be taken to the Silver Lake Inn where a special amateur show will be staged on the lawn by the crippled children themselves. A sports entertainment will be staged by Otto O'Keefe, of the Veteran Boxers Association of Philadelphia, then dinner arranged by John E. Weber, proprietor of the Silver Lake Inn. During the dinner hour the youngsters, will be entertained, by talent from Philadelphia and nearby night clubs, with Otto O'Keefe presenting the acts.

After the children's party, a dinner will be served in honor of Sgt. Ray Smith, on his 46th birthday.

Officers of the Crippled Childrens Committee headed by Smith include Homer H. Lotier, treasurer, and A. Lincoln Michener, secretary. Mrs. Florence A. Lovett is executive secretary.

The party committee is headed by Carlton W. Rowand and Charles W. Anderson. Surrogate Frank B. Hanna is the treasurer.

Those who have been invited to attend are Mayor George E. Brunner, Congressman Charles A. Wolverton, Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando, Firmin Michel, Albert E. Burling, Albert Austermuhl, secretary of the Board of Education, George I. Shaw, Mary W. Kobus, director of Public Safety; Dr. Henry J. Schireson, Camden county freeholders Robert Worrell, Mrs. Alice Predmore, S. Norcross 3rd, members or Veterans of Foreign Wars of Camden County Council and many business men and civic leaders.

Ladies of the Elks' Auxiliary who will assist with the children throughout the day are: Mrs. Alice Heck, president; Mrs. Sarah Austermuhl, Mrs. Reba Crawford, Mrs. Emma Vandergrift, Mrs. Tillie Weber, Mrs. Helene Sauerhoff, Mrs. Anna Rose, Miss Emma Lee, Mrs. Sallie Moore, Mrs. Marion Holdcraft, Mrs. Etta Preisendanz, Mrs. Eva Poland, Mrs. Lena Jantzen, Mrs. May Talman and Mrs. Irene Berg.

Camden Courier-Post

May 22, 1945

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Joseph Balzano, 11, Selected As City’s No. 1 Young Citizen

By Daniel P. McConnell

Camden’s outstanding young citizen for 1945, Joseph Balzano, Jr., a sixth grade pupil at Kaighn School, wants to be a "bone doctor" so that he can help other children get well again.

Last night before an audience of more than 500 adults and pupils this courageous youngster, the son of a longshoreman, accepted with calm dignity and a radiant smile the tumultuous applause that greeted the announcement he had been picked for this high honor in the annual contest sponsored by the Camden Lodge of Moose.

Known only to a few of the audience that taxed the capacity of the city hall commission chamber was the father of the “champ”, Joseph Balzano Sr., who after quitting work in Philadelphia rushed to Camden in time to hear his son called to the platform to receive a certificate naming him the outstanding citizen of his own school.

The audience virtually shrieked its approval of young Joe's selection. His surprised and excited father naturally jumped up and down for joy as the lad, attired in a gray suit with long trousers walked to the platform where he was received by Stan Lee Broza, director of the radio "Children's Hour" program; Dr. Ethan A. Lang, governor of the local lodge of Moose; Mayor Brunner and Supreme Court Justice Donges, Past Supreme Governor of the Loyal Order of Moose.

Broza presented the outstanding youth plaque to the winner. Justice Donges gave a plaque to Miss Emilia Corda, 16, of 1104 South Fourth Street, Camden High School junior, winner of the second award. Dr. Lang also gave a plaque to James Zitz, 16, of 702 Florence Street, Camden Catholic High School junior, who won the third award.

Suffered Blood Poisoning

Young Joe Balzano never dreamed as he lay on his pain-wracked cot in Hahnemann Hospital in January and February last year that this great honor would come to him. Joe had blood poisoning in his left leg. He suffered excruciating pain.

When the doctors stuck needles in his leg every two hours, day after day, he never cried. He only wanted to do one thing- go back to school.

When he was brought home he was told he could not go to schoo1. Members of the Camden Board of Education, of which Dr. Lang is president, assigned Miss Clara Mantini to give him home instructions. That was almost like going to school. Joe went back top school and ended the term in the upper quarter of his class, Miss Mantini said.

After he was whisked into a side room to escape well-wishers, fellow pupils and pothers who wanted to shake his hand, this typical American lad, taking it all in stride sat down to be interviewed.

Tells of Ambition

"My ambition in life is to be a bone doctor,” he said. “While I was in the hospital I watched the doctors and nurses who treated me so fine. They told me I would walk again, and I did. I want to be that kind of doctor so I can help other boys and girls who were stricken as I was. I want to do something when I become a man to show my gratitude for what was done for me by the doctors in the Hahnemann hospital.”

Obtaining a perfect score of 80 points in the contest, young Balzano was rated for courtesy, kindness, trustworthiness, sportsmanship, cleanliness, obedience, thrift, loyalty, reverence, leadership, cooperation, punctuality, initiative, leisure time activities, school activities- extra curricula and social attitude.

His regular teacher, Miss Rosolia Cioffi, gave him a testimonial to the judges. She lauded his courageous spirit, among other attributes.

Rev. Michael Argullo, acting pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, had this to say about Joe. "He is an outstanding boy endowed with many fine qualities. He is a boy of fine character, manly, a good sport, faithful to his religious duties and has the necessary qualifications for the honor of the outstanding young citizen."

Miss Mantini, who taught him at home, added this: "He is pleasant, good natured and above all, a courageous boy. I have never known him to complain. There are many words I could us to describe Joe, but 1 prefer you see and speak to him personally.

Mrs. John Beskett, director of recreation, Deaconess Home and Community center, also praised the citizen award winner. As a member of the center’s boys club, she said, he accepts responsibility, is honest, trustworthy, ambitious and is willing at all times to help others.

The winner and the two runners up will receive two additional awards. Sunday all will appear on the "Children's Hour" broadcast over WCAU at 11.30 AM.

Going to Washington

In addition, they will be taken ion a two-day trip to Washington. The escorts will be Justice and Mrs. Donges.

Mayor Brunner said the three winners and each of those picked as outstanding citizen of the other public and parochial schools are the future citizens of the community, state and nation. The mayor congratulated all the outstanding young citizens and praised the local lodge of Moose for conducting its second annual award program.

Offering his congratulations, Justice Donges warned against optimism over the early end of the war with Japan. Sacrifices on the home front, he added, must be endured until the victory is won.

Dr. Lang presided at the exercises. Rev. William L. McKeever, assistant rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, gave the invocation. Vocal selections were given by the Cooper School choir under the direction of Mrs. Anna Malloy. Rev. Everett W. Palmer, pastor of Centenary-Tabernacle Methodist Church, offered benediction.

Among: those attending were Leon N. Neulen, superintendent of public schools; Daniel R. Weigle, executive vice-president, county Chamber of Commerce; David Balsam, director of youth activities, Federation of Jewish Charities, and Mrs. Alice K. Predmore, member of the Camden Board of Education.

Camden Courier-Post - July 12, 1951

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