Introduction
John R. Marini
John R. Marini was an active participant in the civic life of Camden for many years. Born to Joseph A. and Josephine Marini, he attended Valley Forge Military Academy, Camden Catholic High School at Broadway and Federal Streets, and St. Joseph’s College. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
John R. Marini was a coach and former president of the Whitman Park Youth Organization, past president of the South Jersey Midget League Football Association. He served as a councilman for the City of Camden for 10 years where he served as City Council President. In the mid-1970s he owned and operated Pepe’s Restaurant in Pennsauken, on Route 130 South and 47th Street.
After leaving Camden, John Marini moved to Cherry Hill. His later years were spent in Margate, NJ. He passed away on April 6, 2003 at the age of 70. After a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Peter Celestine Roman Catholic Church he was buried at Calvary Mausoleum in Cherry Hill, NJ.
John Marini was survived by his wife, Ursula Moles Marini, his son Joseph Marini of Ventnor NJ, and two grandchildren.
Firemen Oppose Ending Job
Camden Courier-Post —
Safety Director
By JAMES SMITH Courier-Post Staff
Three organizations, representing 90 per cent of Camden’s 250 firemen, strongly protested the proposed abolition of the director of public safety to city council last night.
James R. Asher, battalion chief and president of Local 788 of the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO, said firemen fear the division of the fire and police departments might result in a lack of protection for firemen during periods of civil strife.
He added that many firemen also feel that a disparity will result between the salaries and working conditions of policemen and themselves.
Have Common Boss
“If we have trouble in the streets and the chief of police, whoever he may be, decides he can’t spare officers to accompany firemen during alarms, we’ll be out there by ourselves,” Asher said.
He added, “We don’t want to be victims of this because as it stands now the chief of police and chief of the fire department are answerable to a common director.”
Chief of Police Harold Melleby is now acting director of public safety. He has proposed, in accordance with a recently-completed police department study, that the position of director be abolished and replaced with separate chiefs answerable to the mayor.
Not Included
Commenting on the survey report, Asher said it did not include the fire department and noted the recommendations only apply to the police department.
He said the proposal that police salaries be increased by at least $1,000 could result in a disparity with firemen’s salaries. Presently both make a base salary of $8,300.
Leon Puszczykowski, president of the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association, said abolishing the directorship “could put us in a very uncomfortable seat.”
Asher noted the purpose of the closed-door session was to inform council of the “seriousness of the problem.” He added that Spencer H. Smith Jr., president of the Police and Fire Association of Camden, could not attend due to ill health.
Council president Mrs. Elizabeth Hawk said she had no comment on the meeting. She said a meeting will be held with Mayor Alfred R. Pierce before any action is taken by council. Council recently met with Melleby.
John Marini, councilman, said he supports the police department “100 per cent” but noted that this does not necessarily reflect council’s view.
It was his belief the city should back its police force and law enforcement agencies. He said he could see no real problem that would be caused by abolishing the public safety director.