The Woodbury Warbler

10/31/2025

Why Independent Local Journalism Matters: A Series (4/5)

What You Didn't See: Part 3

You might think: "Maybe the mods just don't want controversial stuff."

But here's what else got blocked:

📰 Coverage of local business openings
📰 Community event announcements
📰 "Good news" human interest stories
📰 Updates about local improvements/projects
📰 Positive coverage of community achievements

Countless weekly newsletters sharing all kinds of events and resources have been blocked from local town Facebook groups since I started publishing back in May. People missed out on back to school resources, community events, and important information about their towns.

When I sent nudges, sometimes I was ignored. Sometimes it was allowed to post. Why some times and not others? Why blocked in the first place? No idea!

Meanwhile, that same information being shared by individual residents or business owners? That goes through fine.
Same information. Different source. Different result.

It's not about the content. It's about control.

Some moderators don't want "news outlets" posting, even when those outlets are:Locally-ownedCommunity-focusedProviding free informationNot monetizing the postsServing the same community as the groupThe message seems to be: Information is fine if it comes from "regular people," but not if it comes from "media."

Even when the "media" is your neighbor trying to help you stay informed.

This is why the Warbler needs to exist independently.

Tomorrow: The bigger pattern and what it means for our community.

10/31/2025

🎃 TRICK-OR-TREAT TIMES FOR THE W TOWNS 🎃

Save this post and share with your neighbors so nobody has to ask in 47 different Facebook groups! 😂

👻 Woodbury: Oct 31, 3-8pm
🎃 Woodbury Heights: No set hours
🐈‍⬛ West Deptford: Oct 31, 4-8pm
🧹 Westville: Oct 31, 4-8pm
🔮 Wenonah: Oct 31, 4-8pm
🧟 National Park: Oct 31, 4-8pm

🚨 Curfew is 8 p.m. in all towns 🚨

Pro tip from this week's Warbler: turn those extra leaves into a pollinator habitat: https://woodburywarbler.com/events-oct-29-nov-5-election-day-craft-shows-and-capybaras/

Have a safe and spooky Halloween, flock!

10/31/2025

⏰ Tonight at midnight is the ANCHOR property tax relief deadline!

Don't leave money on the table - file today: https://woodburywarbler.com/changes-to-nj-anchor-property-tax-rebate-program-for-2025/

10/31/2025

Attn: Pitman Neighbors

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CiVRj1PbA/

10/30/2025

Stay safe out there kids!

If you're under 18, curfew is 8 p.m. in The W Towns on Mischief Night 👻

https://www.facebook.com/share/17JL2GFzoF/

Did you know most Americans don’t even have a name for the night before Halloween? Not in New Jersey.

This Mischief Night (and tomorrow), drive slow, stay alert, and watch out for little Jersey Devils on the move!

10/30/2025

Whatcha doing tomorrow afternoon? 👀

10/30/2025

🎃 WEEKEND PLANS? 🎃

Halloween is TOMORROW and we've got you covered:

🎨 Holiday craft shows
🍂 Flea market at Evergreen Antiques
🎭 Philly Zine Fest at Temple
🚚 Pitman Food Truck Festival (12 trucks!)
🎃 Plus: Haunted houses, costume contests, and all your trick-or-treat times

Full weekend guide: https://woodburywarbler.com/events-oct-29-nov-5-election-day-craft-shows-and-capybaras/

What are you doing this weekend? 👇

10/30/2025

Why Independent Local Journalism Matters: A Series (3/5)

What You Don’t See: Part 2

I recently covered a city council meeting that ruffled some feathers – not because the information was inaccurate, but because the community was concerned about some things that were discussed during the meeting, rightfully so.

Someone shared Warbler’s coverage in a local Facebook group, along with their comments on what transpired, and as it tends to go on Facebook, the drama llamas showed up and the entire conversation – including the productive contributions – got deleted. I only heard about this because someone reached out and asked why my article had gotten deleted!

Numerous times over the course of election season I’ve tried to share candidate questionnaire responses and voting resources in local Facebook groups. In one town – the only town where all five school board candidates responded to questionnaires – admins have either refused to allow the post in their group or have left it sitting there while they continue to greenlight lost pets and complaints.

Council meeting summaries? Deleted. Candidate questionnaire responses? Blocked. Nonpartisan voting information? Blocked.

One admin told me that she doesn’t allow “one-way” politics and that was why I was having issues posting.

Warbler does, and always has, provided equal coverage to ALL political parties.

Covering what your elected officials are doing isn't "political content" - it's civic journalism. It's literally what local news is supposed to do.

Here's what you might have missed:

- local candidate election guide
- changes to the ballots in Gloucester County
- voting resources

Meanwhile, in those same groups:

• Opinions about politicians? Allowed.
• Arguments about politics? Allowed.
• Actual news coverage of public meetings? Blocked.

Editorial opinion gets through. Factual reporting gets blocked.

This is backwards. And it means many neighbors never saw nonpartisan, unbiased information that could have helped them make informed decisions about candidates asking for their vote.

This is why independent platforms matter. When journalism has to pass through gatekeepers with inconsistent standards and no accountability, communities lose access to information they need.

You can access all Warbler election coverage, council meeting summaries, and civic information directly on the website or in your inbox.

Tomorrow: When "good news" got blocked too.

10/30/2025

You're going to get a lot of year-end requests for donations over the next couple of months.

You won't be getting them from Warbler!

Warbler's entire wishlist this year is civic engagement, and in the next newsletter I'll be providing many ways you can do that which cost you little more than your time.

That said, local news needs your support.

As a member of NJ News Commons, Warbler is able to offer coverage of state level government, elections, and other resources shared by the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University, NJ Spotlight News, and also the many hyperlocal newsrooms who are filling the gaps in our news desert here in New Jersey.

Local newsrooms are invaluable resources in towns where our "local newspaper" covers literally zero things happening in Gloucester County and offers zero context for how federal or state government actions impact our communities.

We used to have this kind of coverage, and I'm working my tailfeathers off to bring it back. But in the meantime, I'm grateful to be able to share these resources with you.

NJ Spotlight News is one of the few newsrooms in New Jersey that provides news without dramatic ragebait headlines. I come away from their platform feeling more informed, better equipped to do Warbler work, and most specifically ::not angry::

If you value this, as I do, and you have the means, I urge you to consider supporting NJ Spotlight News.

10/29/2025

❤️

With a heavy heart, we found out just a few minutes ago that local legend, DJ, and all around good guy Pierre Robert has passed. We're not sure what to say at this time; we're still in a state of shock. Should anyone wish to come here to simply not be alone, they would be welcomed to do so. We are here should one need us.

10/29/2025

Glad to see the community discussing this issue!

As noted in our coverage of this ordinance, there are several key questions that are not addressed in the proposed ordinance.

🔥 Would residents be billed directly for emergency responses to their homes or businesses?

🔥 Would billing target drivers’ insurance companies for vehicle accidents or homeowners’ insurance companies for dwelling fires?

🔥 Would businesses be billed for hazmat or other commercial incidents?

🔥 Under what specific circumstances would billing occur?

🔥 What oversight would be put into place to ensure that billing for fire department services is implemented consistently and fairly?

This ordinance is up for second reading at the November 12 council meeting, which Warbler will be covering.

While the Fire Department's explanatory post is helpful, Facebook posts are not part of municipal code.

The best way to ensure your questions about this ordinance are answered is by contacting your councilperson or coming to the next meeting.

🚨 There’s been some discussion about an upcoming city ordinance — here’s what you need to know:

🔥 Understanding Ordinance 2438-25 – What It Means for Woodbury Residents

The City of Woodbury recently placed Ordinance 2438-25 on the agenda for its First Reading before adoption, which has raised some questions from residents about possible additional charges.

This ordinance, when passed, will allow the Woodbury Fire Department to recover certain costs when responding to emergency and non-emergency incidents — but here’s what’s important for our residents to know:

✅ This does NOT create new charges or taxes for homeowners or local taxpayers.
This ordinance simply allows the Fire Department to bill insurance companies or responsible parties (for example, at-fault drivers in vehicle accidents, commercial spills, or negligent incidents) to recover the costs of equipment, materials, and manpower used during those responses.

✅ You will NOT receive a bill for a house fire or an accident that wasn’t your fault.
This is a cost-recovery program, not a new tax or fee on the community. It ensures that the costs of emergency services are covered by those responsible — not by the average taxpayer.

🔥 Why This Ordinance Matters
• It helps keep local taxes stable by avoiding increases tied to rising response and equipment costs.
• It ensures the Fire Department remains well-equipped and trained to respond to emergencies.
• It places financial responsibility where it belongs — on insurance carriers and responsible parties, not residents.

This is a common practice across New Jersey and the country, designed to make sure emergency services can continue providing top-level protection without increasing the tax burden on our residents.

If you have any questions about Ordinance 2438-25 or how it works, please email Fire Administrator Brian Hauss at [email protected].

👨‍🚒 The Woodbury Fire Department remains committed to serving our community — professionally, fairly, and responsibly.

10/29/2025

Why Independent Local Journalism Matters: A Series (2/5)

What You Didn't See: Part 1

Warbler created a comprehensive resource page including:

Food bank locations and hours
SNAP/WIC application assistance
Health insurance enrollment support
Community meal programs

With SNAP/WIC benefits changing and open enrollment happening NOW, I wanted to make sure neighbors had this information.

I posted it in a local Facebook group. Last time I checked it was sitting in the moderation queue.

No explanation. Just sitting there. If this were an isolated incident I'd give the admin a nudge, as I did the first few times this happened, but I've nudged enough that it's clear this is intentional.

Meanwhile, in that same group over the past week:

Promotional posts for local businesses ✅
Political debates ✅
Lost pet posts ✅
"What's that noise?" posts ✅

But food resources in the face of SNAP/WIC funding expiring? ❌

Here's the information that may still be sitting in the queue:

https://woodburywarbler.com/food-banks-gloucester-county-guide/

Ask yourself: Why would someone prevent this information from reaching people who might need it?

I don't know the answer.

And again, this is not to call out any specific local group admin -- this is an issue that happens in ALL of them.

If you don't run a Facebook group, you might not know that admins can enable posts to go live without moderation. In some local groups, the admins have given Warbler this permission because I've demonstrated that Warbler provides valuable information to the community and I'm a helpful, considerate guest in their community. In other groups, Warbler was given permission to post without moderation and then that permission was revoked with no explanation.

There's no difference in how Warbler shows up and interacts from town to town. This is just a symptom of our broken information ecosystem, where ONE person can arbitrarily decide what information a community gets.

However local Facebook group admins want to run their group is fine with me! I built Warbler to work around this issue, and local Facebook groups are not Warbler's primary distribution channel - I post there to be helpful, not to market the newsletter.

But is it fine with you that local Facebook group admins don't allow you to see information provided by your neighbors?

This is why you should follow the Warbler directly: through our newsletter and on our website. No gatekeepers. Just information you need.

Tomorrow: The council meeting coverage that got deleted because the drama llamas showed up.

Complete guide to food banks, food pantries, and food assistance in Gloucester County, NJ. Hours, locations, eligibility, and resources to help.