Letters to the Editor

March 18, 2024

December 12, 2023 marked the Hilltop Conservancy’s 20-year anniversary. The Conservancy, together with its more than 100 volunteers, is dedicated to preserving and caring for the Hilltop Reservation, a 284-acre passive-use facility of the Essex County Parks system, located within the borders of ...

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Dear editors, I am writing to support, wholeheartedly, current Board of Education president Sonal Patel in her re-election efforts for Westfield’s Board of Education. As a longtime friend and fellow educator, I have witnessed Sonal’s respect for, and dedication to, the Westfield school system ...

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To the Chatham Community, In early February, two students from Chatham High School named Lacey and Sadie walked into my restaurant asking me if LaRosa wanted to be part of a fundraiser called Bailey's Warriors. They explained to me that the fundraiser was for a little girl from Chatham named ...

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Our 11 year old children are victims of cyber crimes right here in Berkeley Heights, NJ.  Trouble found them more than two months ago in the form of ongoing impersonation, harassment, hate speech, and threats. The toll it has taken on our children is devastating. We are writing this in the hope ...

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Dear Editor: Since last fall, the Scotch Plains administration, directors, and chiefs have been focused on identifying big picture needs to present to the Township Council for consideration and potential adoption in the 2024 Capital Budget  This is a detailed process involving internal ...

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Dear Editor: We see our politicians indicted for many reasons, but using their knowledge as a politician to buy stocks is not currently illegal.  Any other job that gives you insider information requires oversight and restrictions on trading.   The Ending Trading and Holdings in ...

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Dear Editor, Two years ago, there was a ton of support for Ukraine and even though over the past year it has taken a back seat to other stories in the news, support for Ukraine and what it stands for is still strong. Although Ukraine is a country far away, it’s still a local issue to many of us.

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The Union County Manager has proposed a 1.75% tax increase. For the average Westfield resident, that is in excess of $325. Coming on top of last year's $500 school tax increase and the proposed $347 school tax increase, residents are looking at a total INCREASE of almost $1,200 a year. It is ...

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To the Editor: Attention: Mayor and Committee Members, Township of Chatham and Mayor and Council Members, Borough of Chatham I am a resident of Chatham Township, NJ. I am writing concerning the proposed legislation in Trenton concerning the "reform" of the Open Public Records Act ...

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To the Editor: They are looking out for us. I have lived in Raritan Township for 41 years. We moved here because it was a nice semi-rural farm community. Prior to that, the only time I was out this way was when we picked up food or seed or to go to the races and the Flemington Fair. For the ...

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Please take action now.  New Jersey residents and elected officials throughout the state have expressed concern over A4/S50, the “fast-tracked” Affordable Housing Bill, which was passed in the Assembly on February 12th, and is now scheduled to be heard in the Senate Budget and Appropriations ...

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Dear Editor: As a Gulf War veteran, I was very pleased to learn the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is now providing health care services to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service. Beginning this week, they will now be able to enroll in VA health care – ...

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Dear Editor, We are celebrating Women’s History Month this month, highlighting women who make our town great. I am very proud to be one of the many women mayors in Union County, supported by a majority female Council. Spring begins on March 19 and that means the start of our events ...

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Another year and another “vote” to raise school taxes. The current proposal could weigh down taxpayers with an additional $347 on top of last year's $500 increase. How about finding ways to increase productivity or efficiency or eliminating wasteful spending programs? How long until Westfield ...

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**STANHOPE RESIDENTS** We need your help!  If you would like to prevent the rezoning of the Stanhope Village Business District that will enable the demolition of The Stanhope House and the construction of a five-story 56-unit apartment building, please submit your interest here.  The goal is to ...

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Dear Editor, As a taxpayer, I have concerns about where the direction of the Jersey City Board of Education is heading. After last week’s appalling meeting, I noticed former Governor Jim McGreevey posted online about a community town hall on education. I thought that was odd timing. I ...

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Dear Editors, We are writing to express our enthusiastic support for Julie Steinberg as a candidate for the Westfield Board of Education. Our family has lived in Westfield for over 12 years. Our children grew up together, and throughout the years, we have witnessed firsthand her unwavering ...

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Dear Bordentown Regional School District Community, As many of you know, Bordentown is proud of its tradition of educational achievement. From Clara Barton to Reverend Walter A. Rice, from Bordentown Military Institute to the Bordentown Female College, we have always been a community in pursuit ...

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Due to a cancelation of a cruise, I have extra money in my credit card account. I called the Montville tax office to pay my taxes for at least this year in advance. I was told that in order to pay by credit card, there will be a 3% charge. I would think the tax office would appreciate having ...

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I want to acknowledge how lucky I am to work with such fine people. Over the past three months, the Senior Center has experienced a growth spurt - while I am excited about the increase in memberships, programs, transportation and classes, an extra set of hands is always needed. I want to ...

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In the world of high school athletics, there are coaches, and then there are those rare individuals who transcend the title. In the realm of track and field, one such luminary shines brightly: Coach Chris Tafelski. In a sport that celebrates individual achievement, he has fostered a team culture ...

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This is a political year, and political opinions will find a way to be heard. This “incident” within our community appears to be decried for the succinct use of a common expletive in expressing the opinion in question. Critics claim that use of such an expletive in an opinion may be deemed somehow ...

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I am a 25-year resident of Westfield, NJ and was absolutely appalled by the display by Mayor Shelley Brindle during this week's town council meeting. The mayor began the meeting by reading from a court document and sharing the details of the case brought by taxpayers to block the massive ...

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Dear Editor, I am a proud resident of Westfield and have called it home for eight years. We have a wonderful community full of some truly incredible people — people who make a difference in the world beyond our town. It’s been an amazing experience living here and developing relationships with ...

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A recent article highlighted: “S1253 would establish an elementary school wellness program that uses therapy dogs. Therapy dogs that have been trained and registered to a handler would provide ‘animal assisted therapy’ in classrooms. The program is a part of state initiatives to improve student ...

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The bill of rights is the cornerstone of our constitution, and the first amendment is the foundation it sits on. Unfortunately, free speech can be abused and that’s what’s happening on DeMott Lane by some who pathetically is starved of attention. If you haven’t seen it, this gentleman has placed a ...

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Lorem Ipsum es simplemente el texto de relleno de las imprentas y archivos de texto. Lorem Ipsum ha sido el texto de relleno estándar de las industrias desde el año 1500, cuando un impresor (N. del T. persona que se dedica a la imprenta) desconocido usó una galería de textos y los mezcló de tal ...

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Dear Editor, Every March, we dedicate the month to celebrating the achievements of women throughout history and their ongoing contributions. Women's History Month serves as a vital reminder of the often-overlooked roles women have played in shaping life in Scotch Plains and beyond, as well as a ...

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As an owner/operator of a working farm and animal sanctuary in North Jersey, I am deeply disappointed with the cleanup of the Passaic River, which has been polluted for decades due to various industrial and commercial activities.  Seven years after the EPA selected a clean-up plan, and the agency ...

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Dear Editor, I'm nervous about the upcoming special election where Robbinsville residents can vote for a tax increase to help ensure our school district remains properly funded. I'm nervous because this is such an important vote, and it's hard to fathom what the negative impact will be if this ...

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