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READER'S WRITELetters from our readers. June 2002 - December 2002 DEMOCRAT HYPOCRISY OVER LOTT AFFAIR Brick, NJ The Democrats and other liberal do-gooders have succeeded in embarrassing the Republican Party over a casual statement made by Sen. Lott at a birthday party. He has stepped down from his post as a result. SEASONS GREETINGS FROM MAYOR
PARKINSON I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Middletown residents a safe
and FIRST AVENUE PROJECT DISRUPTS ATLANTIC
HIGHLANDS SHOPS What genius made the decision to tear up First Avenue one week before
Christmas? LINCROFT SIDEWALKS SHOULD BE
ACCESSIBLE TO ALL With reference to the story (Public Transportation Enhanced in Lincroft Village), you need to know that the Task Force members in Lincroft were NOT in favor of the placement of the benches, lights, trash buckets on the Lincroft sidewalks. The contractor landscape engineer from T&M gave them no input. Therefore, the benches etc., were placed in the accessible pathway, making the usable sidewalk space much too narrow under the ADA. There are signal lights in the way as well, even in a curbcut, I believe.
IT IS TIME FOR AHES BOARD TO LISTEN TO THE
MAJORITY I have just read Dr. Wallauer’s comments in the December 12, 2002 AHHerald. They are, to say the least, quite remarkable. The voters again rejected the overreaching plans of the AHES School Board and again the response is “The residents are wrong and do not know what they are talking about.” REGIONALIZE ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
AND HIGHLANDS SCHOOLS In regard to the recent defeat of the Atlantic Highlands school funding issue, why not consider combining the elementary school systems of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands. POINT TO POINT AIR
TRAVEL, NOT HUBS, IS THE WAY TO GO The collapse of United Airlines has brought a new spate of theories about the problems facing today's remaining airlines. Many blame the labor unions, but few face up to the assorted, combined, difficulties. MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AND
TORT REFORM After reading the article entitled "The Medical Malpractice Claim" written by Mr. Marcolus, I was very disappointed in the short sightedness expressed in his column. My first thoughts were, "Here we go again--Another scripted trial-attorney's response to a very serious, multifactorial problem." Mr. Marcolus would have the general public believe that the insurance companies alone are to blame for the malpractice crisis in New Jersey, and in the United States for that matter. He and the rest of the trial attorneys in our great state would have you believe that the legal system is not at all responsible for this problem and that tort reform will not help to solve it. FOUR THOUSAND
PARKING SPACES The recent election saw the passage of two important open space initiatives by substantial margins. Ironically, the same week also saw the distribution of a glossy circular touting the virtues of the town center mall being proposed by the Mountain Hill Group (MHG) developers, which in effect, would obliterate the largest remaining undeveloped tract of open space left in Middletown. This advertisement is the latest in a long string of public relations salvos designed to sway public opinion at a time when the sentiment to rein in development and save what little open space remains is at the forefront of the public’s consciousness.
AHES REFERENDUM: Tuesday night’s presentation for the upcoming Bond Referendum was very well done and very informative. Among other things, the cost to the taxpayers of A.H. for the renovations and construction via the passage of the referendum was addressed. More importantly however, the costs of not passing the referendum were also discussed. Anyone who’s overriding concern is a tax increase really needs to think about this. The issue is not a black and white one. Passage of the referendum will SAVE A.H. taxpayers money in both the near term and long term. I am absolutely convinced of that. Why? Three simple reasons. 1) NECESSITY 2) FREE MONEY 3) CHEAP MONEY. I will elaborate below:
TAXING NEW JERSEY COMMUTERS KILLS JOBS The last thing New Jersey residents working in New York City need is another tax on top of those already imposed on them, such as the city’s income tax and its high sales tax. Taxes only lead to less jobs and less businesses moving elsewhere to get away from these oppressive fiscal burdens. AZZOLINA SUPPORT
OF DEMS TRANPARENT It would seam I hit a nerve with Republican Assemblyman Joe Azzolina! His latest round of personal attacks on me come as a result of my uncovering his support for Democrats in the recent Middletown Committee Election. It was no secret, the Middletown Democratic Chairman may as well have flown a banner over the township announcing that he had sold the party to Azzolina. I understand that members of the Middletown Democratic organization are calling for an investigation into the flow of money and contributions in kind that don't seem to add up. SHORT RAN AN POSITIVE CAMPAIGN
Karen Lyn Jenkins Atlantic Highlands, NJ On 22 May 02, our 18 year old son, Geoffrey P. Edwards, died in his sleep. In one day, I went from a mother of a Senior in high school to a mother of the child who had died. I went from the excitement of attending his Graduation from Middletown South, planning his Graduation Party, attending Wesley College's Freshman Orientation, choosing college courses and all the things that graduating seniors go through to burying an 18 year old who had his life before him. HOMELAND SECURITY EXPANDS FEDERAL POLICE STATE Ed Toner Brick, NJ Congress recently gave us the Department of Homeland Security. This new law expands what is becoming a federal police state. As Dr. Ron Paul MD, a Republican member of Congress from Texas, explains, "The list of dangerous and unconstitutional powers granted to the new Homeland Security department is lengthy. Warrantless searches, forced vaccinations of whole communities, federal neighborhood snitch programs, federal information databases, and a sinister new 'Information Awareness Office' at the Pentagon that uses military intelligence to spy on domestic citizens are just a few of the troubling aspects of the new legislation." MCGRATH STRIKES OUT – AGAIN! Joe McGrath of Middletown continues to write malicious and mendacious letters defaming the Azzolina family and their laudable plan to create a Town Square at Middletown. Anyone who follows the media regularly knows that Joe McGrath has been exposed several times as a “pathological liar” who has been kicked out of both the Democrat and Republican parties. CLEAN OCEAN ACTION
'CLEAN SWEEP' TOTALS Clean Ocean Action was swept away by the dedication of the estimated 1,500 volunteers who participated in our 17th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps. We applaud the many community groups, girl and boy scouts, students, families, and individual citizens who braved the stormy weather conditions on October 26th to sweep the beach, contributing to a cleaner marine environment. Clean Ocean Action also thanks the extraordinary Beach Captains for organizing Sweeps sites and commends the towns and parks that hosted the Sweeps. A
SOLDIER'S REWARD What is it about a soldier that fascinates everyone so. Since the beginning of our nation, men have sacrificed their lives on the line for the freedom and safety of the country’s citizens. From World War I to the most recent reign of terror, from the Tuskegee Airmen to the Green Beret. Men and now women have left their family and given up their lives as they new it, to protect what we all value in our lives. MIDDLETOWN DEMOCRATS
SELLOUT! For the second year in a row the Middletown Democratic Chairman Joe Caliendo has sold out his candidates for a few bucks. You don't have to be an insider to understand who owns the pro development wing of the Monmouth County Democrats based in Middletown. With an election as close as 30 votes, the Middletown Democratic Chairman and his puppet lawyer, Scarano's former running mate and delusional self proclaimed candidate in next years committee race, intentionally ignored the absentee ballots in their recount of the November 5th election.
AMERICA
DUPLICITOUS IN DEBATE OVER IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION Perhaps we should look at the source of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction, that are being mentioned on a daily basis as justification for an invasion of Iraq to make it an oilman's colony of the USA. The fact is, the USA and Britain sold Saddam Hussein the technology and materials Iraq needed to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction. ABORTION, THE AMERICAN HOLOCAUST Holocaust, a word that means the mass slaughter of people. What then is abortion? Eleven years ago I stood on line with a number of different women. It was like an assembly line each of us waiting to enter the infirmary. I remember the girl behind me. She must have been at least six months pregnant because her belly was very large. I kept saying why did she wait so late, she is killing her baby? Not realizing that though my stomach was flat, I was doing the same.
CASE HAS NOT BEEN MADE FOR AHES SCHOOL
ADDITION I have read Dr. Wallauer’s weekly columns with great interest. What a tremendous lost opportunity! We could have been “educated” on why we need the Addition and why alternative are not going to work. We could have been given some hard figures on the costs. We have pleaded for information regarding the proposed Addition. And, as shown below, we still haven’t gotten any answers.
FACING REALITY OF
THE HOUSING CRISIS Once again, the Press has taken up the endemic scourge of lack of affordable housing in New Jersey ("On the Threshold of a Housing Crisis," Asbury Park Press, Nov. 17, 2002). The Press quotes a policy coordinator at the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, one Arnold Cohen, to the effect that "the real issue to solving homelessness is strengthening the resolve of government officials." Not so. The real issue is to face reality.
SUPERINTENDENT
CANDIDATES' CONFLICTS EASILY REMEDIED Much has been made of the conflicts of interest of the superintendent candidates for the Middletown school system. In actuality there are only two areas of conflict according to state statute and those are easily remedied. The candidate could not evaluate his spouse or an immediate supervisor, which is already the case under current administration practices. The principal and assistant superintendents in the district handle those evaluation responsibilities.
HOLIDAY CATALOGS: KEEPING COUNT Reading catalogs peddling Christmas merchandise while sitting on the beach in September seemed strange. Then I remembered: the same thought had occurred to me last year at about the same time when the annual holiday catalogs had begun to clog up my mailbox.
HOW TO LIVE TO BE ONE HUNDRED Don’t you get so tired of reading yet another "How to Live to be One Hundred" article that always turns out to be written by a forty year old? After reading the last article I almost lost the will to live to my next birthday. I was having very gloomy thoughts of trying to complete all their stupid tips, and I knew it would take one hundred years. What kind of a lifetime goal is that?
MEDIA BIAS LIMITED VOTER CHOICES IN U.S.
SENATE RACE IN NEW JERSEY 2002 Green Party U. S. Senate Candidate The dominant mass media institutions that cover New Jersey politics, with very few exceptions, are very practiced in the task of choking off any popular interest or respect for alternative party candidacies. Day after day, as election campaigns move toward election day, they repeat the constant siren song that democracy equals two parties only, that anything else is "fringy," "unrealistic," a silly diversion from the main match.
DEMOCRATS HELPED WITH RECENT REPUBLICAN VICTORIES As a registered Republican, I am grateful to both U.S.
Representatives David REMEMBERING GROUND ZERO It has taken me almost 9 months to be able to sit down in front of a blank screen and to put together my experiences concerning ground zero and the 6 months that I had the opportunity to work there. It has taken that long to put together all the flashbacks and experiences into an organized and coherent story. It has taken this long, perhaps to make sense of it all. I had the honor to work as part of an investigative team at ground zero for 6 months. We were under contract with the City of New York to monitor every commercial vehicle that was involved with debris removal. Our job was to ensure that the debris, whether it be ruble or steel, was delivered to the destination it was intended - rather than ending up in a commercial scrap yard to be eventually sold for a profit. Prior to our arrival during the first week of October, there were cases of loads of steel ending up in New Jersey under suspicious circumstances. RAINBOW FOUNDATION "NIGHT WITH THE DUPREES"
BIG SUCCESS The Rainbow Foundation would like to extend our thanks to the committee members of Dinner/Dance, The Duprees, Shore Casino, Koch Florist, Fameablia, the business owners who donated beautiful merchandise and gift certificates for the gift auction and most of the all, the attendants of our Annual Dinner/Dance for making it a resounding success. A wonderful night was had by all who attended. RACIAL CASTE
SYSTEM IN THE NFL There is only one white starting cornerback in the NFL out of 60 players who start at that position. There are zero starting white tailbacks. No white running back has run for over 1,000 yards in nearly 20 years. Only about five percent of starting wide receivers and safeties are white.
REPUBLICANS MOVE
MIDDLETOWN FORWARD The Middletown Democrats' signs and bumper stickers tell us they want to "Take Middletown Back". This goal of the Democrats' campaign requires all of us to ask - What do they want to take us BACK to? MIDDLETOWN VOTERS SHOULD SAY NO TO DEMOCRATS
The ethics plagued and deficient political party of Robert Torricelli and local candidates Bova-Scarano and Beaver has reaffirmed over the past week that it does not stand for anything other than an unprincipled desire to win at any cost. Do the Democrats really believe that it is right to change the rules of an election in the middle of the game? More importantly, does the Democratic Party really care? Or is it simply enough that the Democratic Party is so desperate to win that it is willing to do anything, even ignore the clear mandate of the law, so that it can claim victory on election day. The voters of Middletown who respect the law and live their lives according to the rules should be outraged by the actions of the Democratic Party.
VICTIM PAYMENTS SILENCE GOVERNMENT CRITICS Concerning the 911 lawsuits, and victim compensation, consider this. If you lost a family member in the September 11 attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million. If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable. Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. THE PUBLIC INTEREST In the legal documents and the oral pleadings which took place before and on October 2 before the N.J. Supreme Court, there was much talk about "the public interest," about "voter choice," about "democracy." Nice words. But behind the nice words is the fact that the primary concern on October 2nd was not democracy or voter choice but, instead, "preserving the two party system," in words also used many times in both the legal documents and the oral discussion. As the U.S. Senate candidate of the Green Party of New Jersey, this was difficult to take. TOWN SQUARE WILL NOT
MAKE LIVES BETTER I want to thank Joseph McCarthy for his suggestion that I present hard evidence for my position. As I respond to his letter, I'd like to return the favor and make a suggestion to Mr. McCarthy. Before accusing people of libel, please get your facts straight.
POETRY READING A SUCCESSFUL EVENT The poetry reading at Shrewsbury Presbyterian Church on Sept 17 was a huge success thanks to the Atlantic Highlands Herald. Your article brought 50 poets out to share their poems and a few poetry lovers simply came to listen. It was a memorable evening and Writer's Ink Poetry Group thanks you.
GOLFERS
SUPPORT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS, RAIN OR
SHINE Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County would like to thank the many corporate sponsors, golfers and volunteers who weathered the rain in great spirits on September 26th at Spring Lake Golf Club. The 13th Annual Golf Classic raised over $85,000 to support Mentoring Programs for children living in Monmouth County who have lost a parent.
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR'S FISHING Bonita Rose Too Just wanted to say thanks for a great time we had at Atlantic Highlands marina. Did some fishing and got 10 blues and fish I didn't know what they were.
PARKINSON AND O'GRADY PRODUCE
POSITIVE RESULTS Although I am a registered Democrat, I have always decided how I will vote based upon the records and positions of the candidates without regard to their political party. I have done it again this year and it is clear that Republican Mayor Patrick Parkinson and Committeeman Raymond O’Grady deserve to be reelected.
CONCERNED
CITIZEN'S OF MIDDLETOWN SCHEDULES CANDIDATE'S NIGHT US Senate, House of Representatives, Freeholder, and Township Committee Candidates have been invited to attend Concerned Citizens of Middletown Second Annual Candidate's Night on Tuesday, October 29, from 7-9pm, in the Meeting Room at the Middletown Public Library, New Monmouth Road, Middletown. TOWN SQUARE WILL
PROVIDE BEAUTIFUL PLACES FOR ARTISTS I don’t understand why there is opposition to the Town Square at Middletown. As a business woman, I often use Middletown sites and scenes as a background for my work in the creative arts.
FULL DISCLOSURE ON AHES IS NEEDED, NOT
PERSONAL ATTACKS Atlantic Highlands, NJ I have now written three recent letters and we all know what remains absent: Full and complete disclosure on the AHES Referendum. No disclosure of the proposed budget. No disclosure of the plans. No disclosure of the hidden costs for items simply left. Only personal attacks.
TOWN SQUARE OPPONENT'S COMMENTS
UNFIT FOR PUBLICATION A letter to the editor by Nora Devine of Middletown claims the “Town Center will bring noise, filth and corruption” to Middletown. Ms. Devine offers no proof or evidence of corruption in Middletown. How can The Atlantic Highlands Herald publish such a libelous letter and column – without requiring the letter writer to verify their accusations with hard evidence. This is totally irresponsible from both the letter writer and editor of AH Herald.
ANNUAL KEANSBURG MONSTER BASH FUN FOR THE
WHOLE FAMILY On behalf of the Keansburg Borough Council. and the Keansburg Recreation Board/Halloween Committee, I would like to inform all residents of an upcoming community event. On Saturday October 26, 2002 from 4-8 PM, Keansburg will host the "3rd Annual Keansburg Halloween Monster Bash." Registration is from 4-5 PM and the parade portion begins promptly at 5:00 PM. The event will take place on Beachway between Raritan and Belleview and on the property adjacent to the beach. The rain date for the event will be Sunday October 27, 2001 from 4-8 PM. 9/11 AFTERMATH - LAWSUIT OR VICTIM'S
COMPENSATION FUND Many families who lost loved ones on September 11 are now faced with a difficult decision. That is whether or not to accept compensation for their losses from the fund set up by Congress as part of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act enacted on, September 22, 2001. This fund more commonly referred to as the Victims’ Compensation Fund was put in place with the purpose of compensating the victims and their families for their economic and non-economic losses (pain, suffering and emotional distress). In return for accepting this payment, the claimants are required to give up their right to file lawsuits against the airlines, the Port of Authority and other domestic parties that might be held negligent in some way or another thereby contributing to the losses of September 11th. HOVNANIAN PLANS FOR HOFBRAUHAUS
I carefully looked at the ‘Hovnanian zoning change request’, and also received a mailing called “High Density Development Alert” – unsigned, no reply address. I’d like to offer my thoughts, in order of importance, on the Hovnanian plans, my personal opinion on how best to discuss it and a comment about that anonymous letter.
MIDDLETOWN EMS INTRODUCES NEW AMBULANCE
AT MIDDLETOWN DAY Middletown Day is here again, and as usual Middletown Emergency Medical Services will be setting up a display and demonstrations of what we of who we are and what we do. This year though, we will have an addition to our display. SHOOTING FROM THE HIP ON AHES
REFERENDUM Once again, Eric Goldring is shooting from the hip about a proposed referendum, in this case Henry Hudson Regional School’s $14.6 million proposal. As in his first attack last spring against the AHES proposal to purchase the vacant land next to the school , Mr. Goldring writes first and researches last. While he purports to know what has gone on in the two districts for the past several decades, he never set foot in either building, nor had he attended a board meeting or public presentation prior to his letter writing campaign. He appears to have made crucial decisions about his own children’s schooling without ever conferring with school administrators or faculty about our own quality schools. This lack of information, coupled with the nastiness of his attacks have led many citizens with whom I have spoken to believe that Mr. Goldring has political aspirations. I know this, if any students in AHES had done as little homework as Mr. Goldring, they would be failing!
AHES AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING IS ABSURD I was greatly disappointed by the letter written by Mr. Ed Mahoney. It is not because of his disagreement with my positions, it is because of the personal attacks upon me. Whether he agrees with my positions or his perception of my conduct it is simply irrelevant to the issues which OUR community is concerned about.
PRECIOUS OPEN SPACE NEEDED - NOT FRIVOLOUS
MALL This is in response to the letter from Mike Gallagher supporting the town center mall project. Mr. Gallagher clearly has a personal, financial interest in the mall, one that precludes the vast damage it will do to Middletown overall. His argument is based on the same tired, trite mantra that implies the people of Middletown are virtual nomads wandering aimlessly through life searching for a place to give meaning to their existence.
HENRY HUDSON PLAN - DO IT NOW!
DO IT RIGHT! I must compliment Brian A. Zychowski on all of the information he provided at the September 17, 2002 public meeting, including hand-outs with relatively detailed information and, more importantly, a strong working knowledge of the necessary and applicable programs and requirements coupled with a plan which shows foresight, restraint and concern for ALL students and our general population. In other words, he presented a well reasoned proposal that is neither overreaching nor skewed towards any particular "pet projects" or sector of the student body. And he did this with an eye towards OUR community.
9/11,
IRAQ AND THE CLINTON WHITEHOUSE I believe that the 9/11 attack on the United States would not have happened had the United Nations and the Clinton White House acted responsibly and forced Iraq to abide by the Gulf War cease fire agreement. Since the UN and the Clintons let Iraq get away with defying the treaty, the wrong message was conveyed to all terrorists around the world ever since. The message is "If Iraq can defy the UN and the US with no consequences, so can others." WAR IS JUST A RACKET We are being primed for another war of aggression against Iraq, a nation that had nothing to do with the 9-11 attacks, while we are still at war with Afghanistan, another nation that never did a thing against us. The Hawks promoting this are Bush, Cheney, Perle, Wolfowitz, Fleisher, Rumsfeld, and Ashcroft, to name a few. All managed to avoid service in either Korea or Vietnam. These are veritable Chickenhawks. OPEN LETTER TO
REVEREND MCGRAIL Dear Reverend McGrail, I'm sorry to say that your letter in the Sept 12 issue of the Atlantic Highlands Herald, a follow up to your Sept 5 letter, and probably a response to my letter, misses the mark. I do not believe I misread your letter of September 5. You said the people of Highlands have a "Hitler Syndrome" You compared Highlands to Keansburg, as if Highlands is suffering from the same racial tensions and crime that Keansburg is. You started the letter stating that Mayor O'Neil should be going to Sensitivity Training with the Mayor of Keansburg.
PUT A BINDING REFERENDUM ON TOWN
SQUARE BEFORE THE VOTERS As the Chairman of the Binding Referendum Petition Drive to place the question of the proposed Town Center/Square up for a public vote, I am pleased that over eight thousand registered voters of Middletown have signed our petitions. This is not enough unfortunately to make the November Ballot. We are going to continue and complete the task as the response from all over Middletown has been terrific!
A.H.
PARENTS NEED TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION In the near future the residents of the Borough’s of Atlantic Highlands and Highlands will be faced with the decision to support the funding of the much-needed improvements to the local school facilities. Having served on the Ad-Hoc Committee for the prospective improvements to the Elementary School, one thing I have learned is the critical importance of doing one’s own homework rather than letting someone else do it for you.
COMMUNITY DOESN'T COME TOGETHER AT A MEGA
MALL One of the many feeble points Mountain Hill has used in trying to promote their mall is that Middletown is a divided community and that the present and future residents are missing and, will miss, quality time together as a community. According to them, there is a definite distinction from one neighborhood to another. They have a strange idea that Middletown residents have not and, will not, be able to come together as members of one big community until they build us a center of town. Their solution is, of course, the mega mall which will help remedy the divisions we have suffered through over the past 337 years.. Unfortunately, if Mountain Hill repeats their idea enough times, we will all begin to believe it. TOWN SQUARE IS
CENTRAL ATTRACTION THAT RESIDENTS NEED
In 1992, when I was looking
for a location to open a restaurant, Redheads, Middletown was the ideal place.
By putting my restaurant right on Route 35, I helped fill a void in the
community: the lack of a meeting place for people to gather. I have since sold Redheads, but am now setting my sights on locating a restaurant in the proposed town center. For me, as well as the entire business community, Town Square will serve as the central attraction that township residents need. BAYSHORE LEARNING FACILITY BELONGS IN
KEANSBURG This is in reference to the article in Friday's Asbury Park Press by Mr. Kamin. He is an independent journalist from Fair Haven. The article states how wonderful for the town that a Bayshore Learning Facility would be for Keansburg. I couldn't agree more.
WHAT CRISIS? WHY THE HURRY ON HENRY
HUDSON AND ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL RENOVATIONS? Once again the residents of Atlantic Highlands are being requested to pay for years of neglect, mismanagement and poor planning; this time regarding Henry Hudson. I have previously written regarding the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School plans and budget...and will have more to say on that subject shortly (...especially having been "invited" to join the Ad Hoc Committee and then not being given any substantive information to support the claims made by the Board of Education and certain Committee members, despite promises that the information would be provided...last May!) ALLEGATION OF RACISM IS DIVISIVE AND INACCURATE Art Gallagher Highlands As a Highlands resident, I am appalled by the comments of Rev McGrail (EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL) as published in your September 5th issue. To accuse Mayor O'Neil of being a racist is inflammatory and divisive. I expect better from a man of the cloth. I suspect that Rev McGrail's irresponsible and reckless comments are driven by an agenda that is less than divine. OJ SHOULD HAVE HAD
SENSITIVITY TRAINING The Rev. McGrail's letter entitled "Equal Justice For All" implies that such equality does not exist for minorities, and goes as far as recommending "sensitivity training" for certain persons in law enforcement. The most memorable case in recent history involved a minority man, who murdered two white people. It was a cold blooded, premeditated slaughter, and the perpetrator is now free, and enjoying golf on the public links. LETTER SPOKE OF HATE AND PREJUDICE IN
THE WORLD Regarding my letter to the editor captioned "Equal Justice For All," it is sad that a very small percentage of the readers of that article have taken my opinion and observation beyond it's intention. I continue to believe that ALL leaders, including myself, should participate in "Sensitivity Awareness Training. As our world is challenged and changing very rapidly, I personally enjoy counsel on the very issue, and attend as many conferences as I am able to on that very subject. For me it is crucial if one is going to involve oneself with people of diversity. My letter speaks truth about hate and prejudice in the world, and is not, nor was it ever intended to be directed towards any one individual.
TOWN CENTER/SQUARE IS DETRIMENT TO COMMUNITY I am writing because I am frustrated of hearing that the Concerned Citizens Of Middletown (CCOM) is a party of 2, 3 or now 39! Further, besides this group that opposes the Town Center/Square [which currently has over 6,000 signatures on their petition], there are also many citizens that Mr. McOmber represents over in Navesink, Locust and Monmouth Hills.
PARENTAL NOTIFICATION EXCLUDED FROM "KEEP KIDS SAFE" BILLS
Republican Co-Senate President John Bennett recently announced a seven-bill
package of legislation designed to "Keep Kids Safe" in New Jersey. The Senate
Democrats have also pledged bipartisan support and full cooperation in getting
this so-called Child Protective legislation passed as well.
Yet, Senator Bennett has refused to include the Parental Notification
Constitutional Amendment (a law to "notify" a parent if their minor child
decides to have an abortion) in the package, despite its overwhelming public
support. EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL It would be good if the Mayor of Highlands, like the young Mayor of Keansburg and his staff rec'd such an invitation from the Sheriff's Office to attend this training course on September 18th, as Highlands Borough takes on a newness of diversity and culture in the forthcoming years. Diversity is a blessing of God, many do not yet understand this, nor do others of our society want to accept it. This sadness of insecurity precedes our generation and goes back thousands of years even before the first coming of Jesus Christ, and remains very true today. Perhaps sensitivity training would enlighten those amongst us whom have been bestowed with certain responsibilities over human life. Our officials here in America have been elected, and entrusted into office to "govern" or care for ALL of the people with an equal fairness and justice.
TOWN CENTER DOES NOTHING TO FOSTER A FEELING OF COMMUNITY What seems to be forgotten when it comes to the "Town Center" debate is what brought people to Middletown in the first place. Many residents, including myself, are originally from Hoboken, Jersey City or other locales in Hudson County. We worked hard in order to have a better life that what those dirty, overcrowded, noisy cities - complete with corrupt governments, few parks and poor schools - had to offer us.
AMERICAN HEART WALK TO RAISE CRITICAL DOLLARS Dear Friends & Neighbors, As many of you may know, I recently had heart surgery. Besides me, everyone knows someone affected by heart disease or stroke. For those I love, I will be walking in this year’s American Heart Walk, Sunday, September 29, 2002, Thompson Park, Lincroft, NJ. I have set a personal goal to raise funds for the American Heart Association. We are raising critical dollars for heart disease, stroke research and education.
A
SENATOR’S INTRANSIGENCE
IT
IS TIME FOR PALLONE TO GO I found out that our Representative, Frank Pallone is not all that different from Robert Torricelli. First off, Pallone believes in nothing. He started his days in politics as a Conservative Republican on the Long Branch Council and slowly moved left. He used to be Pro-Life, now he’s Pro-Choice. What issue will he flip flop on next? How can we trust a man like this to represent the 6th? Even Democrats are fed up with Pallone! The Long Branch Democrats gave their support to the Republican Challenger, Ric Medrow. Those Democrats crossed party lines to support a man who stays pat on issues and truly believes in what he says. LET THEM WALK TO SCHOOL Douglas Haviland Red Bank, NJ A recently published national study found that very few school children walk to school. Further more the study contends that our children’s’ growing waste lines are directly linked to the fact that most of them are being driven to school. I couldn’t help but think of those far off days when I walked to school, and walked home for lunch, and back again! Yes, this was Red Bank and it really wasn’t all that long ago. QUICK ACTION AND THE PROPER EQUIPMENT
HELPED SAVE A LIFE AT NAVESINK FIREMAN'S FAIR On Dec. 31, 1997 one of our firefighters died after returning from an alarm. Thomas “Murph” Ryan arrived back at his house after the call and collapsed just inside his house. Our truck while returning, hearing the call, responded to the house and tried unsuccessfully to revive “Murph”. Donations were sent to the Navesink Fire Company in “Murph’s” name. After a lot of discussion it was decided to purchase an “AED” (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator) to keep on the truck, just in case. THANKS
FOR STORM-RELATED HELP I would like to take this opportunity to thank Middletown’s Police, Fire, First Aid, Auxiliary Police, Emergency Management Office, Public Works Department and Parks and Recreation for their outstanding response to the storm that hit our area on August 2. PARENTS CAMPAIGN FOR
ENFORCEMENT OF DRUG LAW The N.J.S.A 2C:35-9 states: New Jersey law provides strict liability for drug-induced deaths. Even if the victim voluntarily takes the drug, the person who distributes or dispenses the controlled dangerous substance can be prosecuted for a homicide. We are campaigning for the enforcement of this law. If it saves one life it is worth it.
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS HENRY HUDSON BUILDING PROJECT Dear Highlands and Atlantic Highlands Residents: After many months of planning, revising, and anticipating the release of state funding, I am pleased to announce the following public meetings to discuss Henry Hudson’s building project: • Wednesday, August 21st 7:00 p.m. Henry Hudson Cafetorium
OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE HENRY HUDSON
REGIONAL SCHOOL As a community member of Highlands, Head Guidance Counselor at Henry Hudson Regional, and a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, I strongly support the improvements to the Henry Hudson Regional School District proposed under the September 2002 referendum. I see first hand the soaring enrollment numbers and the need we have for space to grow. But with this growth we also know the importance of keeping our small-school, big-family philosophy intact. In my opinion, knowing every child is one of our greatest assets. Space prohibits me from listing all the improvements we need to do and all of the educationally sound initiatives we want to accomplish for our children. I encourage you to attend the public meetings on August 21, 27, September 12, and 17 to ask questions about where the money that we are asking you to provide is going.
SUDDEN CITY PLAN SHOULD NOT GET VARIANCE WAIVERS This is in reference to the Sudden City Plan. Conifer Realty, L.L.C. has applied to the planning board of Middletown for a preliminary and final major site plan approval for the 180 Unit - Four Story Senior Housing "facility" on Route 36. They are filing variances for rear yard set back of 66 ft. wherein 100 ft. is required. And building height of 54 ft. wherein 50 ft. is permitted. Among other variances and design waivers. BE A SPORT ABOUT HUNTING Various media have reported hunters' raising money and lobbying the New Jersey State Legislature to thwart a proposed study of non-lethal ways to manage the bear population and to allow bow-hunting on Sundays. I propose that the Legislature set up a blue-ribbon panel to study ways to equalize both the bears' and the hunters' chances of winning in this sport, especially as the bears-- the game--are involuntary participants.
THE HEART OF A RACIST Jesus once said, "Listen to a mans tongue and you will know his heart." This police officers tongue tells me he exactly what his heart is...a racist period. It seems to me that far to many police officers have many excuses lately for their misuse of power and entrusted authority. His behavior is unacceptable, regardless, of his excuse or attempt to maintain his position. A fine of $10,000 or 1 million dollars is meaningless, it's like transferring a sick and tainted clergymen who defiles our expectations to another beat.
SEEKING JUSTICE IN KEANSBURG Keansburg’s Open Public Meeting on July 25, 2002 was nothing more than a slap in the face to the entire Keansburg community. For weeks we have all heard on the news and read in the newspapers that the NAACP, ADL, B-CAP’s, Nation of Islam and many other civil rights organizations would be attending the meeting. Therefore, the Borough Council should have previously made more adequate accommodations. I do recall when United for Change was trying to get a certain Public Safety Director voted in, the accommodations were made for 1,000 people to attend a meeting at the Keansburg High School.
PROUD TO BE AMERICAN? I was going to buy a flag shirt for 4th of July. And as I was looking at the tag for my size I saw Made in Mexico. How Proud an American can I be? If I buy a Flag shirt made in another country. It was cheep enough, but I wanted to show how proud I was by buying American Made Flag shirt. And so went my search. Kmart had shirts Material made in USA assembled in Honduras. That is about as close to American as I found. No shirt this year. TOWN SQUARE MODEL REPRESENTS PHONY
CONCEPT I have been opposed to the Town Center since the idea of it was first broached a year or so ago. Living in the center of the Village Historic District and seeing the degradation of Kings Highway as the increased traffic from AT&T and the gigantic railroad station has been painful to me in the seven years I have lived here, but trying to imagine what it will be like if the mall with its 4,000 plus parking spaces and attendant congestion right across Highway 35 actually comes into being is even more horrible.
CALL FOR REFERENDUM ON TOWN CENTER Concerned Citizens of Middletown has always believed that the Azzolina and Scaduto families deserve to make a fair profit on their land. The Azzolina's and Scaduto's have fought tooth and nail against every attempt to purchase the land at fair market value, making attempts by the officials that we, the people of Middletown, elected to pursue Green Acres and other conservation funding moot. The CCOM Board and many of our members support the referendum and firmly believe that the people of Middletown should have a voice in determining the use of the last large tract of land on Route 35 which we believe will have a devastating effect on the quality of life in this community.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILS TO
SATISFY THE VICTIMS AND THEIR LOVED ONES Once again, I have to sadly write about this sad and tragic situation that has fallen on my family, with no justice or satisfaction from the courts. On May 22, 2002, my nephew Geoffrey Edwards sadly died of a heroin overdose. This young man apparently experimented with this dangerous drug and died on his first use of it.
HOFBRAUHAUS UPDATE Last night (7/24/02) I attended the meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council to discuss the rumors of the pending sale of the Hofbrauhaus and construction of town houses in its place. The comments made to me and the responses to the questions I asked painted quite an interesting picture of the mindset of the mayor and some of the councilmen.
PUBLIC SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY AT ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS FIREWORKS I would like to respond to a recent report in the Courier about fireworks in Atlantic Highlands as it was totally one-sided and a very low blow to our members and the neighboring Fire Companies who came to assist the Borough with a safe fireworks display. I would like to start out by saying that a lot of planning goes into the Borough-sponsored fireworks program that coincides with the Fireman's Fair each year. FIREWORKS
DISPLAY JEOPARDIZED HOMES This letter reiterates my public appeal to the Atlantic Highlands Council in their meeting of Wednesday July 10th and addresses the contents of Adam Hubeny’s, letter to the Atlantic Highlands Herald, concerning the events of the fireworks on July 5th in Atlantic Highlands. As the Fire Chief in Atlantic Highlands, I can certainly understand why Mr. Hubeny would want to defend the actions of his department, other departments, the town Administrator and Council. That he does so without suggesting that anything would have been done differently on July 5th, given the benefit of hindsight provided in the July 10th Council meeting, is disappointing and a cause for serious concern. WHY THE DELAY ON HHRS REFERENDUM
INFO? In response to Councilman Jack Archibald’s article, “No Info on Henry Hudson Referendum”, I think all of his points would be valid if they were applicable to Henry Hudson’s Referendum. Councilman Archibald’s article is very general and void of facts. I do not think the Councilman is being contentious or malicious, but I do wish he had phoned me to give me the opportunity to respond to some of his points. However, since he did not call the school or me, I am compelled to write this rebuttal. DRUGS AND THE PARENTS OF TEENAGERS One of the most challenging elements of contemporary parenting is dealing with the issue of drug abuse. Unfortunately, when dealing with the issue of drug abuse, the familiar stand-bys of marijuana and cocaine come to mind; but the scene has changed. Dramatically. Ecstasy, Heroin5 Gnu and a very potent form of marijuana are now the present choices. To make matters worse, with the exception of marijuana, the aforementioned drugs are lethal. Worse yet, most kids refuse to believe this to be so. REMEMBRANCE OF THE HIGHLANDS
AIR FORCE STATION TOWN CENTER IS LARGE STRIP MALL Though we are very happy in the community we live in, once we get onto the major roads in the area, Rte. 37, Rte. 70, Rte. 9, and other contiguous roads, it's like another world. Unimaginable traffic, accidents, and strip malls all over, some half occupied, some never occupied. This is the way Highway 35 was when we left. Just around the corner from where we lived, the Chapel Hill Shopping Center was almost a skeleton, with empty stores, and more to be like that as leases expire. A short distance from there, an empty Bradlees, and what next there? TOWN CENTER CONCEPT IS
INGENIOUS I had the opportunity to tour the model of the proposed town center and I’m thrilled to say the least. The designers of this model have really thought of everything, and have given the plan the Middletown flavor that will make the project the ideal enhancement for Route 35. GRIEVING MOTHER SEEKS
JUSTICE Does anyone else find it absurd that two men who stole a 1500 pound cast iron turtle should be facing a maximum of five years in jail and a maximum $15,000 find; when the young man who left my son in "deep distress" to die in his bed is facing a slap on the wrist and possible 2 years probation?SPEAKING BEFORE
PLANNING BOARD CAN BE NERVE WRACKING A few nights ago I attended the Planning Board’s forum for community discussion of the Middletown Master Plan. Speaking in front of an audience can be nerve-wracking enough, but looking around the meeting room at the Port Monmouth VFW and seeing that I was the only person in the college-age range made me even more anxious. SNEAKY SURPRISE WAITING AT MIDDLETOWN
TRAIN STATION I am a not a commuter, but every now and then I decide it would be nice just to travel to NYC for a day trip. I like taking the train as this is the best way to go. I drove over to the Middletown train station, I pulled into a huge parking lot. I looked around for signs as to whether there were any restrictions for parking there. None were to be found. NJ TRANSIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WARRINGTON MISLEAD CONGRESS AS FORMER AMTRAK CEO Sal Genovese, Chairman PACE Los Angeles, CA We at PACE, Pro-Amtrak Coalition For Employees, are calling on Congress to hold Congressional Hearings of possible Corporate Corruption that contributed to the recent financial collapse of Amtrak, under the direction of the former Chef Executive Officer and President of Amtrak, George Warrington, who resigned in March of 2002. POLICE NOT ADDRESSING MIDDLETOWN HEROIN
OVERDOSE In reference to the article on "Middletown Police Drops the Ball", I too am curious as to why the Middletown Police have not followed through on the questions this "grieving mother" has a right to have answered. It seems to me that the Middletown Police are trying to bury this entire incident as if it "never happened".
TRAFFIC/ACCIDENT PROBLEMS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN EATONTOWN This letter is to address an on-going traffic/accident problem at the intersection of South Street and Clinton Avenue in the Borough of Eatontown. My concern directs the well-being of not only the motorists but also to the pedestrians and children at play. We have had numerous accidents at this corner and with the increase of traffic flow (those coming off the Parkway use this to access Fort Monmouth and businesses) my concern has been heightened.
ROUTE 520 CORRIDOR STUDY PROCESS MISCHARACTERIZED IN LETTER TO THE PRESS Reference is made to a recent letter published in area newspapers concerning an ongoing traffic study for the County Route 520 Corridor, including recommendations for the Lincroft section of Middletown Township. The specific purpose of this study is to identify safety concerns associated with pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and to make recommendations for realistic improvements which would correct identified problems while providing for the safe and efficient flow of traffic. The term "traffic" is specifically intended to include both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. KENNEDY JOB IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS The leading story about Police Chief Michael Kennedy having uttered a racial slur, and the criticism that has resulted from that minor slip of the tongue, makes my blood boil. "There's a bunch of them hanging out. There's a guy getting money at an ATM. They're all hanging out right there." WAR OVER AMTRAK THREATENS NJ ECONOMY
AND TRANSPORTATION NETWORK For those who support and rely on mass transit, the events of the past few weeks should serve as a warning that there is strong sentiment at the highest levels of power in Washington for terminating the federal commitment to Amtrak. However, if anything positive emerges out of that brinksmanship, it will be to prompt a serious re-evaluation about America's commitment to a national rail system. SHOULD NEW
JERSEY COUNT ON AMTRAK FOR COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE? Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox's letter in this issue lamented the recent threat of closing down three of NJ Transit's rail services, and disrupting all the rest, if Amtrak failed to get the emergency relief they demanded. He points out that the federal government spends $33 billion on highways and $13 billion on air travel while giving Amtrak only $512 million annually.
LETTER READS LIKE BROCHURE FOR TOWN SQUARE This letter is in response to "Building Pride on Route 35" by Frank Tomaino. Frank, I am sorry to say that your letter about the Town Square was indeed very square. A commend you on fully utilizing your thesaurus as you wrote your letter. Let me just quote a few of the laughable comments you made "...carefully conceived collection of buildings..." "...harking back to a time..." "...hodgepodge..." "...ubiquitous..." "...enjoy a stroll in bucolic surroundings..." "an oasis on Route 35." STOLEN PROPERTY
RIGHTS IN LONG BRANCH Today we celebrate the birth of our nations independence from an oppressive government. Sounds good to most of us, but not so good for the 12 property owners in Long Branch who are about to have their private property rights stolen from them so some kids can play with a ball. May I suggest the following: TOWN CENTER IS A RETAIL SHOPPING
CENTER, PLAIN AND SIMPLE I am responding to the letters that have appeared supporting the Town Center, as well as the letter from the architect for the Town Center, who naturally must have been paid by MHG to draft his plan. The benefits to him are "buildings of similar construction materials and architectural styles" instead of the other developments on Route 35. Is that supposed to make us feel better when l37 acres of open space is gone forever and cemented over for a similar in style in these retail buildings?
MIDDLETOWN POLICE DROPS THE BALL I recently saw the section (READER' WRITE - Questions from a grieving mother.) I had followed the story about this very nice and popular kid (boy scout and athlete) who died of a seemingly one time heroin use. I too would like to know the answers to these questions? Why was the person involved with this boy not arrested by Middletown, and why did the Middletown Police seem to just sweep this under the rug?
ISRAELI CRIMES AGAINST PALESTINIANS GO UNREPORTED It has been about 3 weeks since the last suicide bomb exploded near a bus outside Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has consistently pointed the finger at Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat for not doing enough to stop the violence while President Bush has concluded that peace in the Middle East will never be accomplished until the Palestinians get new leadership. TAXES ALREADY TOO HIGH I find that the governor's statement that the average corporation in New Jersey only pays $200 in taxes is ridiculous. What about the real estate taxes, FICA, gasoline tax, tolls, permits, license fees, etc. etc?
OPEN SPACE SHOULD NOT BE SACRIFICED FOR
MALL This is in response to Mr. Simmens’ recently published letter in support of the proposed town square mall. Mr. Simmens, who signs his letter as “Former Executive Director of the New Jersey State Planning Commission”, is actually a paid consultant for the Mountain Hill Group (MHG). In his letter, Mr. Simmens articulates a puzzling defense of the project that has caused the citizens of Middletown untold angst since its inception. It is puzzling because many of the problems facing New Jersey that Mr. Simmens outlines (suburban sprawl, congested roads, loss of open space) are exactly what the town square mall will exacerbate. His assertion that "building more...will save 100,000 acres of land and keep traffic congestion in check" is difficult to understand. The term "smart growth" is an oxymoron in a time when the township is over 85% developed and any growth that further upsets the already tilted balance of open space/development is extremely detrimental to the community. TOWN SQUARE WILL NOT CREATE IDENTITY FOR MIDDLETOWN This letter is in response to "Where Are All The People Opposed To The Town Square?" by Sharon Braverman. I would just like to say that Ms. Braverman sounds like she has been fooled by the politicians, lawyers, designers, contractors, and land developers on this Town Square. If this project ever gets started, and it probably will, Ms. Braverman and all of those in favor of the Town Square will quickly realize that it is nothing more than a glorified strip mall. Nature trails? Open space? Let's get real. If open space is such an issue, why not turn all of the area into one large community park. Like Holmdel Park or Huber Woods? Because they don't make big money.
BUILDING PRIDE ON ROUTE 35 Over the next few weeks, the architectural model of the proposed Town Square will be shipped up from Baltimore and put on public display in Middletown. As one of a group of architects who had input in the design, I am eager to help showcase the model to the community. To me, Town Square will have a positive impact - financially and socially - for the entire highway.
QUESTIONS FROM A GRIEVING MOTHER I have questions for the Middletown Police Department: 1. Why wasn't the young man who drove my son up to Newark to buy the Heroin and had heroin in his urine arrested? 2. Why have the Middletown Police told me that "most parents don't know their children are drug addicts" when the Prosecutor's Office says that this was a first time, possible 2nd time drug use? TAX HISTORY IS REPEATING ITSELF UNDER
McGREEVEY It seems like yesterday that we were listening to Gov. Florio rationalize the biggest tax increase in New Jersey state history. Well history is again repeating itself with another Democrat who is cut from the same mold as Jim Florio. When are these politicians going to learn that tax increases are bad for the economy??? Maybe because they are so beneficial to the politicians that want to raise them!!! THOUSANDS OPPOSE TOWN CENTER I tried to find a way to respond to this letter printed in your recent issue. I would suggest to Ms. Braverman that she attend one of the meetings of Concerned Citizens of Middletown.
MOTHER SPEAKS OUT ON THE RECENT HEROIN DEATH OF SON I am the mother of the young man, Geoffrey P. Edwards whom we found dead in his bed 2 weeks after his 18th birthday. He died from a heroin overdose given to him by a "friend." The "friend" drove his own car up to Newark and purchased 4 glassine bags of heroin. He gave my son two bags to snort up his nose. This "friend" left our house and said "Good Night" to us without telling us that my son was in severe distress from his little "gift" to him.
PEOPLE DESERVE NJDOT TRAFFIC STUDY ON TOWN CENTER IMPACT Mr. Herb Simmens speaks highly about the benefits of a town center. In his article ( TOWN SQUARE ... SMARTER GROWTH FOR MIDDLETOWN AND NEW JERSEY ), dated 20 June 2002, he say’s, “What is Town Square at Middletown? It’s a carefully planned, richly designed environment for the people of Middletown to live, work, and play.” As a concerned citizen of Middletown I have waited patiently for a “carefully planned, richly designed environment.” So far, what I have seen is one that does not incorporate traffic and transportation improvement studies, or analyzes the impact to the environment.WHERE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE OPPOSED TO THE TOWN SQUARE? NEW EYES SEE SHOCKING
FILTH IN KEANSBURG I am a brand spanking new resident of Keansburg (3 weeks today). Today I decided that I would take my 3 year old niece to the boardwalk to ride some of the kiddie rides, maybe take a walk on the beach, and grab a bite of traditional boardwalk fare. (hot-dogs, French fries..) We arrived at the boardwalk at about 1:00pm, parked in the far end of the lot, paid the meter, stepped out of the van ... right on to a used condom. It is still there, I checked, farthest parking spot from the amusements, second meter just in front of the boardwalk that ascends to the beach. INACTION ON ELECTION REFORM BY BOTH
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS When we speak of freedom, especially at this time in our nation's history, we must call to mind the things we have. We must also call to mind the things we do not have as we strive to make our nation a more inclusive mosaic. I wish to gently ask your assistance regarding two issues that affect freedom and equitable, fair treatment of specific people under our system of government.
TOWN SQUARE – MORE THAN 40 PERCENT
OPEN SPACE One of the most common misconceptions I have heard regarding Town Square is that it would have a negative impact on the environment, covering it “with pavement, concrete and construction.” FEW SIMILARITIES
BETWEEN MIDDLETOWN TOWN SQUARE AND WASHINGTON TOWN CENTER With
all due respect to Mayor David Fried ( Washington Town Center prides itself on being the first Town Center designed by the municipality with the interests of the municipality in mind. The Middletown mall is designed by a private developer with the developer in mind. Washington Square is 400 acres with 250,000 feet of office/commercial/retail. The Middletown Project crams more than four times the amount of office/commercial/retail into about one-third of the space, or 137 acres. IF NOT NOW, WHEN? Imagine that as you sleepily go out to retrieve your morning newspaper you find a small bag on your lawn. Curious, you pick it up and find that it is a sand-filled bag with a leaflet. "Harmless trash," you may think. Trash it is, but harmless it is not. It is a small "bomb of hate," meant to frighten you with its message against minorities. More and more of these hate notes are appearing in Monmouth County and throughout the state. The perpetrators seek to frighten the victims and to recruit more members for their groups.
MCGREEVEY'S ARENA PLANS SLAP ALL NEW JERSEYANS IN THE FACE Jim McGreevey's plans for new arena's in both Newark and Harrison demonstrate just how much of a "political hack" he is. Let me illustrate. Despite the fact that recent polls show nearly 80% of New Jerseyans oppose taxpayer funding of new sports arenas for private enterprise, Mr. McGreevey is still pushing for this plan. What's his motivation? Pay back his supporters in both of those areas, plus dole out more taxpayer funded union jobs.
TOWN
SQUARE ... SMARTER GROWTH FOR MIDDLETOWN AND NEW JERSEY New Jersey has endured more than fifty years of suburban sprawl…low density, single use, automobile-dependent development. Such planning has destroyed open space and farmland and leapfrogged across developed areas to our pristine woodlands and farmland throughout New Jersey. LOOKING TO THE PAST, FOR MIDDLETOWN'S
FUTURE Last spring I was in Rome, Italy. As I toured the Colosseum, a structure that was built in 72 AD , I thought of Middletown. I thought of the current proposal for a Town Square. I thought of the fight that many fellow Middletown citizens having been waging to preserve the 137 acres of open space which would be forever destroyed once it was covered with pavement, concrete and construction.
TOWN SQUARE LAND: ONCE GONE, IS LOST
FOREVER This letter is in response to Peter Geronimo's letter supporting the town center mall. Mr. Geronimo is apparently surrendering to the propaganda put forth by the developer, rather than stepping back to look at the overall impact this mall will have on Middletown. NORTHERN
MONMOUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENDORSES SANDY HOOK PROPOSAL
Lynn Conover Open Letter to Congressman Frank Pallone: The Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce endorses the Sandy Hook Partners’ proposal for the rehabilitation and redevelopment of Fort Hancock, providing the necessary and overdue restorations to the structures while also complementing and enhancing the current and proposed usage.
IT'S TIME TO FULLY INVEST IN TOBACCO
PREVENTION Investing in effective programs is the cornerstone of Governor McGreevey’s Administration. It is clear that continued or additional funding for any state program will be based largely on the ability of that program to produce measurable results.
HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT WRONG FOR ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS Here we go again! Another attempt to build a high density project in Atlantic Highlands. Are you aware of the latest development scheme currently in the works on Ocean Blvd? PRESERVING COMMUNITY, SAVING TAX DOLLARS With great interest, I have been following the plans to construct a town center in Middletown. I am surprised to hear that there has been some controversy around the development of an attractive town center that will provide $4 million in property tax revenue, endless amenities, hundreds of permanent jobs and a central place where the community can gather.
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