Category: Independent Opinion

  • Consensus of residents will decide water plant issue

    The decision to sell the Keyport water system requires minute scrutiny. Trying to get all the information — pro and con — into public view, a decision of this importance should not be tied to political wrangling. Democratic, Republican and independents, every resident of Keyport needs to look hard and listen carefully to all the…

  • Obituaries

    Obituaries Marie Quarto Rispoli Marie Quarto Rispoli Mrs. Rispoli, 71, of Highlands died Sept. 18 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she resided in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown prior to moving to Highlands five years ago. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, whom she married…

  • Parent grateful for passage of Hazlet school budget

    Parent grateful for passage of Hazlet school budget Now that we have returned to our schools, I hope all the parents can see what we accomplished by passing the school budget. The class sizes are smaller in the lower grades, which benefits not only the children, but also helps our teachers. More programs are to…

  • Board re­call un­decided

    BY JOSH DAVIDSONStaff Writer BY JOSH DAVIDSON Staff Writer MIDDLETOWN — Efforts to recall four township Board of Education members are still on hold. Whether or not the United Parents of Middletown will continue efforts to recall board members Marjorie Cavalier, Thomas Conroy, Joan Minnuies and Michael Roberts is "up in the air," group President…

  • Removal of flags from graves disturbs resident

    Removal of flags from graves disturbs resident If you have a loved one buried in the veterans’ section of Fairview Cemetery, Middletown, are you aware all flags were removed from each individual grave? It looked like a barren desert. With sadness and shock, I went to the office with my complaint. Do you know the…

  • Your Turn

    Your Turn Pat Cambies Guest Column Letter writer disagrees with Cultural Arts council member’s assessment of new Middletown cultural arts center (Open letter to Alfred D. Faust, Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council) Regarding your letter in the Sept. 4 issue of the Independent concerning the recent politically motivated letters and ads criticizing the work-in-progress…

  • Your Turn

    John J. MerlaGuest ColumnMayor John Merla sets record straight on Keyport Borough Your Turn John J. Merla Guest Column Mayor John Merla sets record straight on Keyport Borough’s water/sewer system John J. Merla Guest Column Mayor John Merla sets record straight on Keyport Borough’s water/sewer system Once again, residents are subject to half the truth…

  • Vote ‘above party’ in November, re-elect Fink

    Vote ‘above party’ in November, re-elect Fink In baseball, it’s three strikes and you’re out. In land development, it seems that as long as there’s money to pay attorneys and other professionals, a developer can go on forever. A plan to develop a $150 million town center in Middletown was recently rejected by the township’s…

  • Middletown’s debt shows irresponsible spending

    Deficit spending represents an attitude — it’s a state of mind that says live for today and the heck with tomorrow. This is the attitude that is indicative of the spending habits of the Middletown Township Committee. They presently have an accumulated debt of $73 million. When you spend money you don’t have, you are…