May 21, 2020 MESSAGE FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL - CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)


Good afternoon today is Thursday, May 21st, 2020. I am Mayor Paul Medany on behalf of Deptford Township Council, we’re here with our regular update on the crisis situation.
Today we are taping at our Deptford Veterans Memorial Park, as you can see behind me. The park was created in 2014. It was the idea of Councilman Joe Scott along with the Deptford Township Veterans Committee with the support of Township Council. The design was by our very own local artist Frank Seder.
Before we begin, let’s get to our daily statistics and information. Deptford as of today, has 460 cases, 334 of them are from our long term care facilities. Gloucester County has 2,002 and New Jersey has 151,472 and 10,843 people in New Jersey have passed away from complications of COVID-19.
This weekend as we all know is Memorial Day. We honor all of our soldiers who have died fighting for our freedom. There is no more important day on the calendar.
Point of information last Saturday was Armed Services Day where we honor active duty soldiers. Coming up is Flag Day on June 14th. Veterans Day is when we honor those who have served in the armed forces.
Without these men and women and their sacrifice we would not be the country we are right now. We honor them and their families who have suffered the loss of sons and daughters and brothers and sisters.
One visible way to honor these heroes is to fly the flag. The flag represents Hope and Freedom. It should be flying full mast right now! We urge you to read the Flag code, the flag is our Symbol of Freedom.
Yes, we are flying our flags at full mast, it would do a dishonor to the flag and to our soldiers to do otherwise.
So, with memorial services being canceled we must still honor their memories and their service.
Another way to do this is to read stories of their heroic acts and then teach our children about them.
Right here in Deptford lived Jonas Cattell who ran from Haddonfield to Fort National Park to warn our patriots about the coming of the hessians.
Here in front of the school behind us, there is a school on this ground right now which you can’t see from right here, Private First Class (PFC) Elmer Buddy Powell’s memorial is out front. Buddy was 19 years old Killed in Action (KIA), lived in Oak Valley. Buddy was a paratrooper with the 1st cavalry division. Left high school early to join the army and serve his country.
Salvatore Corma, a Deptford resident, 2008 west point graduate Killed in Action (KIA) in Afghanistan on April 29, 2010 by an IED. Salvatore saved as many as 19 other soldiers’ lives that day by his heroic act.
Behind me are the monuments of each branch of the service dedicated to the memory and to the service of our freedom fighters.
We ask you to come here, there’s benches behind us, and sit and reflect on the unbelievable acts of heroism and bravery.
Learn the lesson of public service, sacrifice and patriotism here.
During this time of crisis, we are reminded of the lessons of history, which I try to put out in all of our videos:
Thomas Jefferson, “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them”
“When you abandon freedom to achieve security, you lose both and deserve neither”
Getting back to Deptford and the State, we are in the 9th week of shutdowns. We must get back to open. The virus is here. It is not leaving. We must deal with it, live with it, and we must defend against it.
Take the power away from the virus. It needs a place to live. It can only get you through your mouth and nose, and your eyes. Think about that. So, stay away from people, wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitize your hands, and don’t spread droplets by coughing or sneezing.
Simply defend yourself. Don’t let others in your personal space. Draw an imaginary circle around you by six feet and don’t let anybody in it.
So, we always tell you this, buy newspapers and get news online from reputable area news agencies. Learn what’s happening. Please contact the Governor’s office with your opinions. Contact your state legislatures with your opinions.
Honor the heroism of these soldiers by getting your voice heard and contributing to the open or not open debate. Call, mail, use other social media but get your voice out there.
One person should never ever have enough power to set our direction. We have the Assembly, The Senate, and The Congress. Get them to acknowledge that you are watching, and your power is your vote if you don’t like the direction they are taking you in.
That is what the founding patriots wanted and what our soldiers died for.
Have a great weekend of reflection. Stay smart, stay safe. Let’s stay together, that’s what this weekend represents, and we’ll see you soon.

Mayor Medany Message - May 21, 2020