Category: Independent Opinion

  • Keyport developers similar to mosquitoes

    The rampant increase of developers submitting plans to overdevelop Keyport is so noticeable and annoying that it brought to mind mosquitoes, except that mosquitoes are not around all 12 months. For one, they are both hungry. They both survive by doing what they do most often – bite into new territory, whether it is your…

  • Hometown heroes honored during Red Cross Month

    March is Red Cross Month and this year we are honoring our local “hometown heroes” to bring awareness to the community about individuals who dedicate their time to serving their community through the American Red Cross. What’s a hero? Like art, heroism is in the eye of the beholder. You know a hero when you…

  • Benefits should not be available to committee members

    I am writing in support of Committeeman Patrick Short in Middletown, who is proposing the end of benefits for township elected and appointed politicians. I agree this needs to be finished because it is a waste of tax dollars. Municipal government should not be a well-rewarded part-time position. Municipal government should be something that concerned…

  • Greg Bean

    Coda New Jersey behind China on eminent domain reform If Americans want to prevent losing their homes to eminent domain abuse, maybe they ought to consider moving to a place that has a higher regard for the notion of private property rights. Somewhere like China. According to a recent story in the Washington Post, lawmakers…

  • Compensation for Middletown officials laughable

    I read with interest a recent letter appearing in a local newspaper regarding health benefits and pensions for local officials. I decided to investigate, and decide for myself whether this has any merit. This is what I found: The practice of offering health benefits and pensions to local officials was instituted many years ago as…

  • Greg Bean

    Coda An election where the few spent the money of many The next time you think your vote doesn’t count, just look at the recent Fire District No. 1 election in East Brunswick, where each of 30 votes was worth about $200,000 in bonding. Fire district elections in New Jersey are notoriously low-turnout affairs. They’re…

  • Lori Clinch

    Are We There Yet? Digital photos: Just as easy as brain surgery Ever since my parents bought me my very own Polaroid camera back in 1972, I’ve been a shutter-bug. I’ve been known to capture breathtaking images, to reflect life with still photos, and to swing down from a tree during a family reunion to…

  • Republicans upset Short has shaken the status quo

    This is in response to “Committeeman’s e-mail deemed Short on class,” which does not seem to tell the whole story as to what is happening in Middletown. The Middletown Township Committee is having a difficult time getting along these days. It stems from the fact that the majority is having a hard time dealing with…

  • Court decision boosts N.J. residents’ rights

    The New Jersey Supreme Court struck a blow for the rights of Garden State citizens last week when it delivered a unanimous ruling that people have a right to videotape public meetings. The case that was decided by the court arose from an issue in Pine Hill, Camden County, where the local government refused to…