Category: Independent Opinion

  • Obituaries

    John C. Hughes Mr. Hughes, 58, of Sayreville, died Dec. 10, 2006, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in Perth Amboy, he resided in South River prior to moving to Sayreville in 1975. He served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He was a member of American Legion Post 214,…

  • Coda

    Tax reform: they Greg Bean I wish somebody would explain some elements of this plan to reform property taxes in New Jersey, because there are parts of it I’m apparently too dumb to grasp. For example, one of the proposals to reduce property tax is to do away with the homeowner rebates most of us…

  • Are We There Yet?

    It Lori Clinch Decorating for Christmas is a little different at the Clinch household than most others. Where some have efficient systems and well-organized procedures to retrieve decorations from the attic, we have a fine group of elves to do our bidding. Every year the younger elves wear their felt elf caps, complete with ears…

  • Pieces falling into place for the Austin Academy

    Middletown alternative education program slated to begin after new year BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer MIDDLETOWN – With the newly created Austin Academy slated to open after the start of the new year, its staff is slowly starting to take shape. The academy, a twilight program that will run Monday through…

  • Coda

    Boys and girls in uniform are children of our village Greg Bean I remember when Jimmy Mac was a goofy kid with a devilish twinkle in his eye. The best friend of my youngest son, he was as polite as could be. His company manners were impeccable, since his mom and dad had drilled them…

  • Are We There Yet?

    He’s texting just like it’s his full-time job Lori Clinch My darling son Vernon is at that fun age where he believes that he is invincible, unconquerable and wise beyond his years. Even when others suffer the consequences of bad judgment, Vernon thinks nothing of smiling in the face of adversity and saying, “It’ll never…

  • Devastation still evident in Mississippi

    Last week I and nine other AmeriCorps members of New Jersey Public Interest Research Group’s Community Water Watch took a service trip down to Mississippi. We went to help with the continued rebuilding effort in an area that, a year later, is still ravaged from Hurricane Katrina. I had seen the images on TV of…

  • First Matawan Turkey Trot a great success

    Even before Robert Cavanaugh crossed the finish line in 16:34 to be the inaugural winner of the Matawan Borough 5k Turkey Trot Nov. 25, this event was a tremendous success. In my eyes, the success of this race is not solely based on the over 200 registered runners and walkers who participated, but on the…

  • Help group rennovate Keyport’s parks one at a time

    Do you ever wish you had a clean, safe, well-maintained park that you could enjoy with your children right in your own neighborhood? Do you find yourself driving out of town in search of an enjoyable, attractive place for your kids to play? Keyport is unmatched in the beauty of its waterfront, its people, and…