Introduction
Alice Kline Predmore was born about 1883 in Philadelphia. Married to Roy H. Predmore, she moved to East Camden around 1918. The Predmore family made its home at 210 Wilmot Street, not far from Woodrow Wilson High School.
Alice K. Predmore became involved in city and county politics, served as a committeewoman for the Democratic party from the 12th Ward of Camden, and at one time was vice chairman of the Democratic County Committee for Camden County. When her husband passed away in 1931, she worked as a legal secretary in Philadelphia. In 1935 she became a member of Camden’s Board of Education, and served in that capacity until her death on July 9, 1951 at the age of 67. She also was involved with the Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic organization. Alice Predmore was survived by a son and three daughters, and her sister.
Photos
Twelfth Ward Clubs Support Commission
Camden Courier-Post —
The Women’s Democratic Club of the Twelfth Ward and the Democratic Association of the Twelfth Ward unanimously have adopted resolutions opposing any change in the present form of city government.
In a statement issued by Alice Kline Predmore, committeewoman of the ward, she said:
We have searched all available records up to the present time and could find no sound reason or excuse, other than petty spite work on the part of persons lacking in the elements of true sportsmanship, for a desire for the change.
“The clubs are with the commissioners now in power one hundred percent, realizing they have worked hard for the betterment of Camden since elected, so they should be given the opportunity of fulfilling the many plans now in their infancy for the people of Camden and the development of this great city.
School Estimates Board Defers Action on $1,978,225 Budget
Camden Courier-Post —
The Board of School Estimates met yesterday and adjourned without 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 suggestion 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 yesterday’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 indefinitely 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 existing 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 improvements 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 previous 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 coordinated activities, $40,956; property maintenance cost, $74,455; fixed 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.
1942 Purple & Gold Yearbook
Board of Education
Named: Camden High School 1942 Purple & Gold Yearbook, Board of Education: Dr. Ethan A. Lang, President, Dr. Henry Wisniewski, Vice-President, Albert Austermuhl, Secretary, Mary W. Kobus, Alice Kline Predmore, Dr. Richard Bowman, Samuel T. French, Benjamin Mackler, Albert E. Osmond, Russell L. Weldy, Dr. Leon N. Neulen, Superintendent of Schools, Alfred L. Dudley, Superintendent of Supplies, and Raymond G. Price, Supervisor of Janitors and Buildings.
Joseph Balzano, 11, Selected As City’s No. 1 Young Citizen
Camden Courier-Post —
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 school. 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 to 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 others 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 use to describe Joe, but I 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 on 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.
Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
