Category: Independent Opinion
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Resident wants simple question placed on Nov. ballot
Resident wants simple question placed on Nov. ballot The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders (April 11) and the Ocean County Board of Freeholders (April 3) both refused my request to place the following question on their respective county ballots: "Is taxation thievery?" The question consists of only three words, but the impact of a "yes"…
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Governor’s order shameful
Just one day after a new public access law took effect, Gov. James McGreevey placed it under fire. McGreevey signed Executive Order 21 which, according to some, may significantly reduce the availability of information that had just come into the light of public scrutiny. The governor said that he did this in order to protect…
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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. JOSEPH P. BALDONI JR., 77, of Hazlet died July 8 at home. Born in Union City, he lived there before moving to Hazlet 40 years ago. He…
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Much has been said and written about the recent decision by the Supreme Court concerning the legitimacy of vouchers and their use in the education process in Cleveland, Ohio, and the wider ramifications nationwide, including those systems here in New Jersey. Some would paint it as a conflict between urban and suburban systems, others as…
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Fizzling fireworks have Middletown resident upset
I am shocked and appalled that the Middletown fireworks display that was set for July 5 had to be postponed. The Bayshore area has been neglected for many years now, and this celebration of our nation’s pride had all of us excited and exuberant about the return of an event stolen by politicians who always…
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Middletown does not need a ‘Disney-like’ main street
The person who implied that only two people are against the town square project is sorely mistaken. If one takes a short drive to the immediate vicinity of the planned project site, one cannot help but notice "no town square" signs and "for sale" signs. Those who put up the former group of signs are…
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Congressman deserves praise, not condemnation for proposal geared to protect natural parks from snowmobilers
This letter was prompted by Greg Bean’s article, "Mind your business, Rush, and don’t be minding theirs," which appeared in the July 3 Independent. Mr. Bean is upset that New Jersey Congressman Rush Holt, jointly with a Republican representative, has introduced a bill to ban snowmobiles from national parks like Yellowstone. Greg Bean’s main point…
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Guest Column
Michelle CarneyReader explains why Michelle Carney Reader explains why ‘paid consultant’ backs center This is in response to Mr. Herb Simmens’ recently published letter in support of the proposed town square mall. Mr. Simmens, who signs his letter as "former executive director of the New Jersey State Planning Commission," is actually a paid consultant for…
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Resident suggests repairs, not replacements
Regarding your opinion concerning time to come for Hazlet Town Hall, I beg to differ. After two years of double-digit property tax increases in Hazlet and some very confusing statements concerning the location of a new Town Hall, I say let’s have a referendum so the taxpayers can decide. Also, the library is only 28…
