The same forces that orchestrated the state takeover of Camden in 2002 are behind the current plan to create a major research university through the merger of Rutgers-Camden into Rowan: South Jersey Democrats headed by George E. Norcross. Just as the municipal recovery legislation garnered grand promises of Camden’s revitalization, so too this latest effort … Continue reading In Camden, it’s takeover all over again…
Camden
The View from Glassboro: What the Takeover Could Mean
In one of those fascinating documents that reveals what lies behind plans for a takeover of Rutgers-Camden, let me draw your attention to what Rowan University says about the process. It’s chilling reading for those who oppose the effort, not the least the promise that lies at the core of the document: “While the future … Continue reading The View from Glassboro: What the Takeover Could Mean…
Merger proposal will harm Camden’s effort to recover
This essay appeared in today’s Currents section of the Inquirer. I am posting it here because it was not linked electronically on the Inquirer’s web site. A companion essay on the site by Cooper Hospital board chairman George Norcross is posted and can be accessed here. Howard Gillette is Professor Emeritus of History at … Continue reading Merger proposal will harm Camden’s effort to recover…
Conceiving a Greater Camden
The Courier-Post’s Jeremy Rosen has proposed the creation of a consolidated “New City” in which Camden would be joined by the adjacent towns of Cherry Hill, Pennsauken, Collingswood, Woodlynne and Merchantville. He would approach the proposed consolidation of area police differently and would argue for the benefits to Camden in particular of other shared services, … Continue reading Conceiving a Greater Camden…
In Camden, Looking for Vision
According to news this week, the way has been cleared finally for Campbell Soup to acquire the historic Sears building on Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Camden. Although Campbell spokesman Anthony Sanzio says the poor economy has raised doubts about the company’s plans to build a suburban-style office center at the site, the presumption is that … Continue reading In Camden, Looking for Vision…
Looking Beyond Urban Ruins
The New York Times has joined the gaggle of news outlets featuring the ruins of Detroit. The accompanying essay from the August 21, 2011 Arts section discusses the tension between art for its own sake and its possible exploitation of a bad situation. To charges that such work can be considered “ruin porn,” Andrew Moore … Continue reading Looking Beyond Urban Ruins…