Category: Independent Opinion
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Time of ‘snoozing and losing’ in Keyport over
On March 12, the Keyport Borough Council almost unanimously passed the resolution to expand the business improvement district (BID) to encompass the entire town. The officials who voted for the BID demonstrated their leadership, vision and courage in adopting this critical business redevelopment tool. Without the expansion, the town would have remained unfairly divided on…
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Holmdel’s Strickland will maintain standards in schools
A Holmdel school board election is coming up April 16. If you don’t usually vote in such elections, you should think of it this way: our property values are tied to the excellence of our schools. That’s what many people move here for. And the schools are now facing a rocky transition, having lost 11…
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Association urges town to support proposed budget
Perhaps Middletown is facing the most significant educational decision in the history of the township. The recent labor strife, so devastating to the community, exposed a fundamental financial problem in our school district. According to the report issued by the court-appointed mediator, Ronald J. Riccio, our education system has been underfunded for years and, as…
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Some area residents will be shocked this week when they read about tax increases associated with school budgets for the 2002-03 school year.
Some area residents will be shocked this week when they read about tax increases associated with school budgets for the 2002-03 school year. A damaging blow was dealt to school boards and to residents when Gov. James McGreevey announced that as one way of dealing with the state’s multi-billion-dollar deficit, state aid provided to local…
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Outgoing Holmdel board member endorses candidate Tai
Dr. Ray M. Tai is an extremely strong candidate for the Holmdel Board of Education. I have known Dr. Tai for more than 10 years on both a work-related and a personal level. He is a trustworthy, enthusiastic and hardworking individual whose volunteer activities range from serving as an HYAA coach to being the principal…
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Matawan senior rebuts recent guest columnist’s views
In response to the March 13 "Your Turn" by Gifford Bowne, I am sorry I was unable to discuss the subject of senior trips by telephone, but since I have never heard of you before and do now know your telephone number, this was not an option. A discussion would not have solved anything because…
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It’s time to preserve, restore Middletown’s history
The oldest settlement in New Jersey, Middletown, was originally settled by Englishmen and Hollanders back in 1613. Rich in history and cultural landmarks, Middletown is a close-knit community with history, beaches, wildlife preserves, and more. Middletown is full of wonderful stories of pirates, Revolutionary raids and Civil War meetings. There are famous landmarks, historical churches,…
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Bennett lashes out over Pallone’s fund slashing support (Open letter to Congressman Frank Pallone):
Bennett lashes out over Pallone’s fund slashing support (Open letter to Congressman Frank Pallone): As a lifetime resident of our beautiful Jersey shore, I was somewhat surprised and deeply disturbed to learn of your recent support of Gov. McGreevey’s plans to significantly slash state funding of shore protection. And while at the time of your…
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Town square would be a definite plus for Middletown
I read with great interest the letter titled "Middletown Town Square Proposal Came 10 to 20 Years Too Late." As a local business owner and someone who grew up in Middletown, I could not disagree more. I believe town square is perfect for Middletown. It gives this community what it sorely lacks — a downtown;…
