Marlboro enjoyed its "15 minutes of fame" with the exciting announcement that its Township Council will introduce an ordinance which would "prohibit the use of cell phones while driving, except in emergency situations."
Of course rushing to capitalize on an issue that had the distinction of energizing the first township in New Jersey to suggest such a restriction, had cable Channel 12, ABC’s Eyewitness News, and FM 101.5 jumping on the bandwagon based on the ordinance’s unique and provocative news appeal.
This well-meaning ordinance is currently being addressed in some similar forms by the state Senate and state Assembly containing aspects of the concept. But there is no doubt the legislation will die an excruciating death in their respective Republican-controlled committees. So, in the near future, don’t look for the placement of strategic "checkpoints" at our township’s borders.
One of the redeeming points concerning the suggestion of such a cell phone containment ordinance remains with the fact that certain telecommunication mega-bigwigs are disturbed at the possibility of such legislation.
Efforts of such a nature could result in a climate leading to the general public, themselves, being regulated concerning the dangerous cultural changes generated by the phenomenon of cell phone communication.
Herbert Resnick
Marlboro

