Category: Independent Opinion
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Monmouth County freeholder applauds Middletown’s open space efforts
I am writing to commend Middletown Mayor Patrick Parkinson and the Township Committee for their ongoing and enthusiastic pursuit of new ways to preserve open space. Recently, the governing body authorized the placement of a referendum to gauge voter opinion on whether to increase the open space tax from 1 to 2 cents per $100…
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Ferry’s finally here, but parking will be dilemma
The Harry Larrison Jr. Regional Ferry Terminal is finally ready! The county and its handpicked ferry operator N.Y. Waterway have announced service will start at the new terminal in Belford Oct. 28. The ferry company will provide three large boats that will make nine morning trips to Wall Street, offering more than 2,600 seats. There…
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Seniors warned not to pass proposed referendum
This is addressed to my senior friends about the upcoming referendum in the amount of $36.8 million on Sept. 24 for the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District. I remind you of the case of the recently passed annual school budget, which was approved only after it was reduced by $650,000. That budget resulted in a tax…
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Commission extends thanks to circus supporters
The circus has come and gone — all in one day. But, the fun and excitement lingers on, and so do the profits. We dedicated these proceeds to our 2003 fireworks display, and are very happy to announce we are halfway to our goal, thanks to all of you! Your support of this event was…
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Guest Column
Gemma and Andrew MajorResidents insist snowmobiling is detrimental to wildlife Gemma and Andrew Major Residents insist snowmobiling is detrimental to wildlife Although we are reluctant to dwell on this issue much longer, we feel we must respond to Gerald F. Gergasko’s strong criticism of our stance on snowmobiling in Yellowstone. He implied our letter contained…
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Obituaries
Greater Media Newspapers prints obituaries as a free community service, at no charge to the families of the deceased or to the funeral homes that provide the information. JEAN M. O’NEILL, 82, of Hazlet died Aug. 24 at Bishop Gray Inn Nursing Home, Davenport, Fla. Born in Jersey City, she had lived in Union Beach…
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Settling down to educating
After more than a year of tumultuous contract negotiations between the Middletown Board of Education and the Middletown Township Education Association, which culminated in a seven-day teachers’ strike where 228 educators ended up in jail, an agreement has been reached by both sides. The union and its members took some hard hits over the past…
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Candor, not inaccuracy, needed before elections
After Labor Day, we, the people, begin our serious business of studying the political candidates seeking election to positions in our local, county and federal governments. During the two months until Election Day, candidates will promise us this and that, and criticize their opponents for this and that. I believe the most important quality we…
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Guest Column
Manuel Blasco Manuel Blasco ‘Fix was in from beginning’ New Jersey style politics are alive and well in Middletown. In July of 2001, the Middletown Township Committee (comprised of then Mayor Joan Smith, Deputy Mayor Rick Brodsky and committee members Patrick Parkinson, Rosemarie Peters and Raymond O’Grady) held a vote that seemingly downsized the town…
