Category: Independent Opinion

  • Obituaries

    Christine A. Cerrina DePippa Mrs. DePippa, 61, of Hazlet, died Feb. 26 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in New York City, she resided there prior to moving to Hazlet 27 years ago. She was the manager of a Hazlet medical office. She was predeceased by her father, Christopher Cerrina; and her stepfather, John Krawczyk.…

  • Reagan started problem with Social Security

    Our representatives in Washington are telling us Social Security is once again in financial trouble. The problem began when that great communicator, Ronald Reagan, was president. Two people, David Stockman and Richard Darmen, came up with the plan of taking Social Security and putting it on as a budgeted item. Social Security was not part…

  • Merla should do ‘the sensible thing’ — resign

    I attended the Keyport Borough Council meeting of March 1 with a large contingent of residents, hoping that Mayor John Merla would do the sensible thing and resign his post. Few of us were surprised when he half-heartedly declared he would stay on and fight the “alleged charges.” He didn’t even say “false accusations.” The…

  • Without daily attention, virtue tends to erode

    In the best of all possible worlds, honest leaders and enthusiastic residents go perfect together. In such a union, personal and civic aspirations are focused upon, even achieved. Almost a marriage made in heaven, we muse. And so the rush of feelings in varied directions is all the more intense when our leaders stumble, even…

  • Corrupt activities should be enforced by law

    It’s the enforcement, stupid. Ask any motorist. They’ll tell you there are certain stretches of road where it is posted for 25 mph, where you’ll be stopped for doing 26, and others where you can breeze right through at 45 with no consequences. Now, they can change the law, pass new laws, up the penalty,…

  • Band-Aid not answer to resolve town hall dilemma

    The Hazlet Township Committee has announced a new municipal town hall will be constructed on township-owned land, abutting the Cullen Center at Veterans Memorial Park off Union Avenue. Attending the Township Committee meeting March 1, I first applauded the committee for withdrawing further consideration of the old town hall site on Middle Road for the…

  • Forget the MOM line and give light rail system a try

    Let’s face it, the ridiculous MOM railroad line will never materialize because of the infantile objections of the Middlesex County NIMBY communities. So, let’s get on to a light rail system that uses existing right of ways and rail lines that make sense. One example would be to start service at Englishtown, continue through western…

  • County information director thanks peers

    On Feb. 1, I will have retired from my position as the director of public information with Monmouth County. I want to thank those of you who were most cooperative and supportive in helping me over the years bring the messages of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to the public. Also, I want…