Category: archives

  • Speaker examines evolving learning climate

    Featured presenter at annual League of Women Voters meeting By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer    Times have changed.    In the “good old days,” teachers sorted out which students would go to college and which would go to work after high school, said Willa Spicer, the state’s deputy commissioner of education.    It didn’t even matter if a…

  • DISPATCHES: Call it a builder bailout

    by Hank Kalet, Managing Editor    When opportunity knocks, New Jersey’s developers know they can get the state Legislature to open the door.    In this case, an economic downturn is being used by builders as an excuse to delay for four years implementation of new environmental and public health laws and changes in zoning and building…

  • REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: Katrina Pallop

    Reflecting on senior year, from ‘Grease’ to goats    I always fancied that my first day as a senior at Robbinsville High School would unfold like that opening montage from “Grease,” complete with a custom Thunderbird, self-assured swaggers, and a few pink ladies declaring their plans to “rule the school.” Of course, when the big day…

  • For teacher, township a home away from home

    by Davy James, Staff Writer    For most teachers, their influence on students is what they take with them when the school bell rings for the final time.    As the sun sets on a 38-year career that has included extensive contributions to both academics and athletics in South Brunswick, Richard Verasca, of both Crossroads North and…

  • School budget bill lacks safeguards

    Walter Dabrowski, Robbinsville To the editor: This is in response to the editorial “School budget vote no longer worthwhile,” published in the June 5 issue of The Messenger-Press.    The proposed change of moving school board elections to November, rather than having them in April, is a good idea. It would attract more voters. But there…

  • New rules irk Country Fair Committee

    Funding issues in dispute By Linda Seida    WEST AMWELL — Although officials voted weeks ago to make changes to the Country Fair Committee, some volunteers who organize the event remained miffed enough over the changes to devote a lengthy portion of a recent Township Committee meeting to saying so.    Former longtime Township Clerk Betty Jane…

  • Cheerleader for beleaguered BOE member speaks out

    Robert A. Kusek, Lannigan Drive I was happy to read Jamie Titus’ Letter to the Editor in last week’s edition and want to assure him he has not insulted anyone. His letter should have awakened the "closet" supporters of Mr. John Gregg. I happen to support Mr. Gregg’s effort to get his message out to…

  • Bordentown Jottings

    Bordentown Township Senior Citizen Club meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at the Senior Community Center on Municipal Drive.    The next meeting will be held June 16. Doors open at 11 a.m., meeting at 1 p.m. Light refreshments and bingo follow. All township residents age 55 and over welcome.…

  • Survivor of brain cancer now helping others cope

    By Jessica Ercolino, Staff Writer    PLUMSTED — There was a time when Bruce Blount was given two weeks to live. Now, 13 years later, the brain cancer survivor is helping people across the nation cope with the disease.    Mr. Blount, 50, was honored at a recent Plumsted Township Committee meeting as he accepted a proclamation…