Headline News

Hearing slated on Camden proposal

By ALAN GUENTHER
Courier-Post Staff

CAMDEN. The legal battle to improve the Waterfront South neighborhood is scheduled to begin today before state Superior Court Judge Irvin Snyder.At issue is whether a city plan to allow more industry in the already polluted neighborhood should be permitted to move forward.

The neighborhood of mostly African-American and Hispanic residents is host to a sewage treatment plant, a trash-to-steam incinerator and a cement manufacturing company. Lula Williams, president of the South Camden Citizens in Action, said her friends and neighbors have too much dirt and grime around their homes.

"Lord, if they could just clean it up," she said. "People don't want to leave their homes."

About 1,400 people, including 600 children, live in the area, she said. Her group, represented by South Jersey Legal Services, wants the redevelopment plan halted. More industry shouldn't be permitted, and something should be done to improve the quality of life for the residents, said Legal Services attorney Olga Pomar.

Camden Chief Operating Officer Theodore Z. Davis said it wouldn't be appropriate for him to comment on a matter that's about to be heard by the court.

Reach Alan Guenther at (856) 317-7871 or aguenther@courierpostonline.com
Published: March 26. 2007 3:10AM

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