Category: Independent Opinion

  • Make price, quality criteria for contracts

    It’s been described as “legalized political bribery,” and that’s exactly what it is. But unfortunately, the practice known as pay-to-play remains alive and well in the state of New Jersey, despite years of pleading from activists, politicians and ordinary citizens that the system be reformed. Several dozen towns in New Jersey and some counties have…

  • Just a few requests before taking office

    Coda Greg Bean You’ve got to give Jun Choi, Edison’s mayor-elect, credit for having chutzpah. Newcomer Choi used a guy in a chicken suit to oust Democratic Mayor George Spadoro in the primary, and he won the general election against independent William Stephens by a very small margin. And what was Choi’s first order of…

  • It’s not the thought, it’s the gift that counts

    Are We There Yet? Lori Clinch It’s Christmastime, and for me the season officially arrived the second I heard that dang dog barking out “Jingle Bells” on the radio. Oh, the unadulterated bliss. The big day is just around the corner, and I’m taking every shortcut available to me. I’m regifting last year’s fruitcake, I’ve…

  • Full-day kindergarten considered in Hazlet

    BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer BY DAN NEWMANStaff Writer HAZLET — Many school districts, countywide and statewide, have gone from running a half-day kindergarten program to a full-day operation. For varying reasons, some see it as a good move, while others are against the idea, and now it’s Hazlet’s turn to determine if this is…

  • Obituaries

    Harold S. VanBrunt Mr. VanBrunt, 85, of Rumson, died Nov. 28 at home. He was a lifelong resident of Rumson. He was employed at New Jersey Natural Gas Company for 37 years, retiring in 1986. He served with the U.S. Army Air Force in the South Pacific during World War II from 1942-45. He was…

  • Letters

    Development actually low in Keyport In response to the letter written by Glenn Eastmond, which was somewhat confusing, I do agree more media should pay more attention to all meetings, not just Planning Board meetings. In response, yes, Planning Board members are the mayor’s appointments, there are still members on the board from the previous…

  • These homeowners say they’re getting robbed

    Coda Greg Bean If you think we’re making progress eradicating organized crime, you probably ought to take a look at Long Branch, N.J., where there are plenty of people who’d argue the city fathers have turned municipally organized crime into an art form. Recently, the city took its first legal step in condemning 11 of…