Category: Independent Opinion

  • A somber toast for the coming year

    Coda Greg Bean When the United States entered World War II in 1941, my maternal grandfather — who was born in a homesteader’s sod hut in 1907 — was 34 years old. He had grown up a cowboy, ridden rodeo as a young man and taught in a one-room schoolhouse before he married my grandmother,…

  • Letters

    Aeromarine still home of thriving businesses It has come to my attention that any time the Aeromarine term is brought out in an article, all that is said is that it is dilapidated and all the buildings are in disrepair. Ninety percent of these historic buildings have new roofs, windows and sprinkler systems. The article…

  • Home for the holidays, and down with the flu

    Are We There Yet? Lori Clinch Even though we knew others were suffering through the flu season, we Clinches had been getting along just swimmingly. We avoided the sick, kept our distance from sniffle-toting children and applied antibacterial lotion at every turn We’d heard tales of woe from parents regarding late nights and doctor visits.…

  • Letters

    DiMaso removes name from consideration for freeholder seat Many of you may have read that I was among those being considered to replace Freeholder Amy Handlin. While it is an honor to be considered for this freeholder post, I have informed the county and municipal chairmen I do not wish to be considered for this…

  • North students oppose transfer of counselor

    BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Over the past 15 years in Middletown, student awareness counselor Marie Hitchman evolved into one of the most popular people in the hallways, especially in the past nine years, which she spent at High School North. “She always takes the time to talk to…

  • Reader dismayed by Chapel Hill development

    Your Turn Don Watson Guest Column Don Watson Guest Column The day after the Nov. 8 election, a column from Middletown Mayor Tom Hall appeared in the Independent. The mayor explained how the town cannot stop development, particularly between Chapel Hill Road and Crestview Drive. The same sentiments were expressed in the Middletown Matters publication…

  • Middletown high schools may try block schedules

    Committee compares courses, day structures to five other districts BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Perhaps trying to follow the suit of many other districts statewide, Middletown has formed an ad hoc committee in an effort to potentially restructure the high school day and provide additional courses, among other things.…