In With the New . . . .

Tonight, when you tune your TV to the celebration in Times Square, you will see that the ball coming down to welcome 2008 is a brand new creation. Phillips lighting has developed and manufactured custom LEDs (light emitting diodes) to replace the incandescent light bulbs which were previously used. Would you believe that there are over 9500 LEDs, all of which can be color-controlled for maximum effect?

The Ireland-based Waterford Crystal company has designed and manufactured 762 individual, triangular-shaped crystals which are cut on each side to provide even more light refraction.

So . . . to all of you in Bridgewater and elsewhere who have taken the time to periodically read this blog:

Have a very Happy New Year!!

And, in the spirit of all those good Irish hearts, “May the road rise to meet you … May the wind always be at your back … May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”


Note: For more information about the New Year’s Eve Ball, see the Times Square Alliance at, http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_ball.html

Hate Doesn’t Have a Position in Football

Steve Politi, a sports columnist for the Star-Ledger, has a big chip on his shoulder. He doesn’t like the New England Patriots and he thinks that no one else does either – unless, of course that “no one else” happens to live in New England. In fact, he hates the Patriots, and he seems to think that you should too! Why? Well . . . just because they are on a 15-game winning streak and, tonight, if they are lucky and skillful, they may shatter a host of individual and team football records.

Politi claims that tonight’s Patriots’ pre-game 15-0 winning record makes them a “perfect” team, that people “hate” other people whom they deem to be perfect; and, in a twisted form of logic seems to conclude, therefore, that you, too, should hate the Patriots.

Politi has dubbed the Patriots as “the most hated team in sports.” I’ve got news for him, the Red Sox Nation is ubiquitous, and it includes Pats fans. Oh, and did I forget to mention basketball’s Boston Celtics who, at this writing, just happen to be streaking along at a 24-3 win/loss clip?

Winning comes with training, patience, skill, luck, resources, and still more training. Every sports team goes through the same cyclical process. It takes years to establish a great winning club. That formula applies in every sphere of life. Some win, some lose. Sooner or later, everyone gets a dose of both.

Every sports fan knows that eventually the New England Patriots will lose. I just hope that it’s not tonight – nor in any of the playoff games leading to the Super Bowl. If they do, I’ll be very disappointed and downcast, replaying in my mind everything that they might have done to have established the best records ever to have been set in football. I’ve learned to do that very well with the Red Sox who, for a long time, had forgotten what it was like to win.

In my mind and in my heart-of-hearts, though, I know this: Americans love winners, and they like to see records broken. I don’t see where hate plays a position on any of America’s teams.

Note: Steve Politi’s column appeared on December 28 at http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/politi/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/11988201743620.xml&coll=1

Good, Any Time of Year

The following piece, written by a friend, Maureen Wild of High Road Solutions of Bridgewater, appeared in the At Work section of Monday’s Courier News.

“Courtesy and refined manners have absolutely nothing to do with what you drive, what you wear, where you eat, where you shop or where you live. There are plenty of perfectly rude people who are living luxurious lifestyles . . . There is absolutely no correlation between refinement and disposable income.

As we prepare to step into a new year, I would encourage everyone to put others first, watch what comes out of your mouth, set a good example for young people and small children and try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.

Be more patient, behave more gently, slow the ego, do good as often as you are able. Choose the harder right over the easier wrong . . . If more people would behave with dignity, kindness and selflessness, oh what a beautiful life all of us would enjoy.”

Boy! If I could internalize a few of those precepts, I’d be doing great!

It’s that Time of the Year

The celebration of Christmas is associated with great joy and gift-giving. It is a time for Christians to unite in the birth of their savior and to partake in memorable family traditions. At least, that’s the ideal. But not all people find themselves in a position to enjoy the holiday in that fashion.

That fact was vividly brought to mind for me, when my spouse and I received a Christmas card from a friend in Bridgewater who recently lost her husband. The personal note at the bottom of the card read as follows (for obvious reasons, no names are used):

"Thank you so much for your expressions of sympathy. It’s not been easy. I miss him so much. Our life was so good. So . . . . Love one another. Cherish each moment! Life is so short."

Ponder the simplicity and great wisdom in those words: It gives us all – regardless of our religious persuasion – reason to pause and to assess our current status in life. For those of us for whom life has been kind, it may not be a bad idea to think of some of our friends or relatives who could use a lift right now.

Think, for a moment, of the fundamentally profound meaning behind the old AT&T commercial, “Reach out and touch someone.” It's a good sentiment, especially for a hurting person. You may have within you a gift far greater than anything that you could purchase in a store.

Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education Releases 2008-2009 Budget and Approves New Wage Hikes

This evening the BR-BOE acted on two major fiscal and educational matters: First, it presented its total preliminary budget of $135.5 million for the next fiscal year. That amount includes $127.9 million for the operating budget; $5.5 million for debt service; and $2.1 million for what is designated as a special revenue fund.

What you mostly will be hearing and reading about in the coming months, leading up to the April, 2008 elections, is the $127.9 million associated with the schools operating budget. The State of New Jersey mandates a 4% cap on budget increases, and this budget does not exceed that cap.

This preliminary budget (preliminary budgets are rarely changed) represents an increase of 3.2% over the current budget of $123.9 million, or a rounded increase of $4.0 million.

It was a busy night. The second major item upon which the board took definitive action was the acceptance of a wage and benefits contract with the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association (BREA). The board voted unanimously to grant a three-year package effective at the start of the next fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2008, and ending on June 30, 2011.

The agreement calls for increases of 4.2%, 4.25%, and 4.35% respectively in each of the next three fiscal years, for a total three-year increase of 12.8%. The deal also continues to provide fully-paid medical benefits. The first-year wage hike of 4.2% is already included in the $127.9 million operating budget, both of which will take effect with the new fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2008.

You, the public, should you so choose, will have plenty of time to give your feedback. Public input sessions are scheduled in the evening for January 8th & 22nd, and in the morning on January 16th. The board’s finance committee will conduct an ongoing review in January and February. There will be a final public hearing on March 25, and the board will approve the budget the next day.

You, the voter, will have the final say on April 15.

Key Meetings

There are two important governmental meetings tomorrow, December 18. The first is the Somerset County Freeholders meeting (7:00 p.m.) at the county administration building in Somerville. The second is the regular meeting of the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education (8:00 p.m.) at the Wade Building on Newmans Lane, Martinsville.

Freeholders’ Meeting: Although I couldn’t find what could be the most interesting item on the county’s agenda for tomorrow, there most likely will be a vote concerning the continuation of the Somerset County Park Commission.

The outcome is hardly in doubt since, for all practical purposes, the decision to retain the Park Commission was cast several months ago, when the Freeholders decided not to place that topic on the November ballot. Legal counsel advised the Freeholders that they had the power to decide the fate of the Park Commission. A vote by the Freeholders was then delayed until now.

School Board Meeting: Tomorrow evening, Bridgewater-Raritan Schools Superintendent Michael Schilder, and Peter Starrs, Business Administrator, will give a preliminary budget report for the next school year, 2008-2009. Although you won’t be voting on this until next April, the administration is working hard to get this information before you as soon as possible.

An important factor in this equation is the teachers’ contract which is currently in the midst of negotiations. The result is usually a multi-year agreement, the first-year impact of which will be felt in the 2008-2009 school year budget

Thieves at Work

This morning, it was around 10:50 a.m., as my wife and I walked past the Nature’s Best kiosk at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, next to the Verizon store. I could tell from a distance that something was wrong. Two of Bridgewater’s finest were speaking with two young ladies who staff that kiosk daily, and who work darn hard at finding customers.

At we moved close enough to see what was going on, those were two definitely bummed out young persons and, rightfully so, because the two police officers weren’t there just to exchange pleasantries. I think it’s safe to say that the officers were investigating an irregularity, possibly a theft, and were taking down a report. The dejected look on the faces of those two workers said it all.

There are always people who will try to take advantage of someone else’s status in life. It really bugs me that some slug(s) would try to take advantage of two young people who are working so hard trying to make a living during this holiday season. But that’s what human slugs do, isn’t it: they try to take other people for a roll. I hope they get caught

The New Motor Vehicle Agency

I couldn’t believe the transformation when my wife and I walked into the offices of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Agency on Roosevelt Place, in Somerville. I still remember the look and service of the old place, and that’s not a good memory.

This, however, is completely different. The Agency has remodeled the entire building. There is new, bright lighting, and the office environment is much more conducive for its employees to do good job. Half-an-hour after we walked in, we had our new digital licenses in hand and were good to go!

If you haven’t been there yet, you will notice a much-improved, very efficient system for moving people along and for processing licenses. You even get a bonus: The persons who operate the high-tech computers that take your picture even ask you if you like the photo. If you don’t, they will gladly snap another head shot. There is a flat screen monitor in front of you, so it’s easy. Nice touch.

Of course, you should still plan your visits not to coincide with peak people traffic. That means avoid the end of the month, if you possibly can.

The Somerset County Park Commission Gets to Stay in Place.

At tonight’s work session of the County Freeholders, there was a spirited debate about the fate of the Park Commission. The new face of the commission showed itself in the presence of its members. Steven Fuerst, commission president, made his case for keeping the commission intact.

No vote was taken by the freeholders on whether or not to dissolve the commission. However, as the evening wore on, and as some freeholders made their opinions known, notably Jack Ciattarelli and Rick Fontana, it was clear where that body stood. Next Tuesday, seven days before the Christmas holiday, the freeholders will make the decision at their regular session.

Here is my prediction for what will happen next week, unless there is a complete sea change in sentiment by a few freeholders (there are five in total):

A motion will be re-introduced to dissolve the Somerset County Park Commission, and this is the most likely outcome:

Voting Against Dissolution will be:
Robert Zaborowski, Director
Peter S. Palmer, Freeholder
Rick Fontana, Freeholder (Swing Vote)

Voting For Dissolution will be:
Denise Coyle, Freeholder
Jack Ciattarelli, Freeholder

In a prior blog, several months ago, I had stated that Rick Fontana is the swing vote on this issue. He still is. His decision will carry the day. Denise Coyle is recently on record as having said that the Commission structure is outdated and needs to go: only political expediency will make her change her mind. Jack Ciattarelli has made a near-impregnable case for why the Commission has served its purpose. He is unlikely to move from that position. Tonight’s silence by Zaborowski and Palmer, together with their prior voting records, has cemented their stance.

Last fall, Rick Fontana had lined up with Coyle and Ciattarelli to dissolve the commission, but Fontana had a last-minute change of heart. Together with Palmer and Zaborowski, he voted instead to delay a decision until December.

Rick Fontana could make a last-minute turnaround, but that is very unlikely, especially considering his strong defense this evening in favor of maintaining a “hybrid structure” which calls for keeping the Somerset County Park Commission intact

A Scapegoat in the Desert?

Joseph Lucas is a former Somerset County Park Commission Construction Manager. On November 16, he was convicted on a charge of official misconduct. Is Lucas taking the fall for a few elected and appointed officials, as well as for certain park employees who may have been part of the same corrupt system?

In ancient Judaism, there existed a ceremony attached to celebrating the Day of Atonement. There is a very old Jewish tradition in which the community came together at the Jerusalem Temple to offer sacrifice intended to make amends for sin. As part of this solemn ceremony, the high priest laid his hands on a goat and confessed the sins of all Israel over it. The goat, now burdened with community transgressions, was led into the wilderness, never to return. This represented transference of guilt and sin – a cleansing of conscience.

The paragraph you have just read is a synopsis of how the word ‘scapegoat’ evolved into modern English to mean, “One that is made to bear the blame of others.”

So I ask again: Is Joseph Lucas a scapegoat?

Note: The religious definition – the etymological basis for the modern meaning of the word, ‘scapegoat’ – is described in all good dictionaries and encyclopedias.

The Circulation Crunch of Bridgewater Newspapers Affects Us All

Two newspaper vignettes caught my eye this past week. Both reflect the inexorable force that new technologies can have on markets and companies. The first was a small, dry, relatively innocuous article in the Star-Ledger which mentioned that, because of declining circulation, management will approach its various unions, seeking help.

The second was a three-column advisory by the editor of The Catholic Spirit, the newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen. It explained that although the Courier News had been printing the official newspaper organ of the diocese since that newspaper’s inception in 1996, that the C-N was “shutting down its presses and moving its printing operation to the Asbury Park Press in Freehold.” (Both are owned by the parent company, Gannett.) Arrangements have already been made to have The Catholic Spirit printed elsewhere.

I love newspapers. I read as many as I can lay my hands on. I scour them; I vigorously mark up stories with comments; I clip articles of note and they accumulate, much to my spouse’s dismay. I never fail to pick up a copy of the local press when I travel, because, next to talking to the locals, it is the best and quickest way to get insight into a community.

But the Internet has been intruding for a long time, and it continues its slow, negative impact on the daily dissemination of printed news. The plethora of cable news channels is not helping any. The resultant decrease in circulation, of course, shows up directly in a newspaper's bottom line, forcing it to gradually cut back and to find economies in order to survive and, above all, to constantly seek innovative ways to address its audience.

You might think that this doesn’t affect you very much, but it does, and very directly. One of the casualties is a sharp drop-off in the consistent coverage of public meetings by reporters. You don’t get to fully know what’s really going on, as you once might have.

In the 1990’s, when I was on the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education, and before that, when I attended many board meetings and was an active participant on committees, the Courier News and the Star-Ledger employed dedicated reporters to show up and to extensively cover the meetings. When reporters called me, they knew what to ask. Brother! Did that keep me on my toes.

Today, newspapers simply can no longer afford widespread, physical coverage of public meetings. For economic reasons, this happens now only when there is a major issue at stake, something that editors are reasonably sure you will want to read about. Like for instance, the shenanigans of the Somerset County Park Commission, or a controversy affecting a school referendum.

“The Doctor,” An Wang -- (See Teaser Question from the last Blog)

Dr. An Wang is generally credited with developing and manufacturing the most popular line of programmable desktop scientific calculators. It was in the mid 1960’s and was followed with a competitive rush into this marketplace by companies such as Hewlett-Packard and Texas Instruments, firms which now dominate the field.

However, Dr. Wang, a subsequently naturalized American citizen who emigrated to the U.S. from Shanghai, China, was an imminently successful inventor, entrepreneur and businessman. He played a major role in the progress of computers when, in 1949, together with his colleague, Way-Dong Woo of Harvard University’s Computation Laboratory, he developed the ferrite core memory.

This was a crucial technological event, because it sped the development of computers. It enabled Jay Forrester of MIT, another famous individual in the early days of computing, to modify Wang’s design and to use it in his work with Whirlwind, the first real-time computer used by the U.S. Air Force in flight simulation.

Although the company founded by Dr. Wang, is now non-existent and largely forgotten in the business world, at its peak Wang Laboratories was a highly profitable, multi-billion dollar revenue producer which employed as many as 30,000 people worldwide.

Dr. Wang was an agile business strategist. Following the advent of solid state components and integrated circuits, he guided the evolution of his product lines away from scientific calculators, to word processors and mini-computers. Under his guidance, Wang Laboratories went on to become the worldwide leader in the word processing marketplace of the 1970’s.

For All You Bridgewater Technophobes -- II

To recap, yesterday’s blog posed two questions: 1. “Which company invented, manufactured and sold the first four-function pocket calculator?” and, 2. “Which company developed and manufactured an extremely popular financial calculator in 1981, which is still widely in use today?”

Under the ‘comments’ section of yesterday’s blog, ‘Stable’ took a shot at the second question and hit the bulls eye – Hewlett-Packard produced the HP-12C, its longest and best-selling calculator. Although it has been improved with modern components, it still looks just as it did when it was introduced in 1981. Congratulations, ‘Stable!’

No one responded to the first question, so…... Bowmar is the company which sold the first four-function, pocket-size electronic calculator in 1971 at an initial price of $240. It was manufactured largely from components purchased from Texas Instruments which, at the time, was not yet a calculator manufacturer. Bowmar went on to become the biggest U.S. seller of pocket calculators. However, emerging competition forced it to file for bankruptcy in 1975. When the company that I then worked for purchased one for me –Bowmar model 901B – the price had dropped to $125.

Here’s another teaser: Which person is generally credited for first developing and manufacturing the most popular line of programmable calculators? The company subsequently became the market leader in the manufacture and sales of distributed word processors. (This is before the PC!)

Hint: This person was born in Shanghai, emigrated to the U.S., worked at Harvard’s Computation Laboratory, and is associated with the invention of the ferrite core memory. This entrepreneur and businessperson was widely admired and respected by his employees and was affectionately known within the company as, “The Doctor.”

Any takers?

Note: Answer in the next blog.

For All You Bridgewater Technophobes

As I was rummaging about in the basement, helping to bring up the Christmas tree and Christmas ornaments, my mind wandered to that one item that I’ve been looking for down there for years and which I just can’t seem to find – too much accumulation that needs to be cleaned out: We’re working on that.

I thought I’d turn my quest for the misplaced item into a quiz for you folks who are technology aficionados. This is no recent thing, though, so it will test your skills. If you are a baby-boomer, no fair using search engines! If you are a GenXer, I’ll forgive you if you use Google or the others.

1. OK, here it is: Which company invented, manufactured and sold the first four-function pocket calculator? Hint: The calculator used eight red LED lights for its display, and the firm was located in Acton, Massachusetts.

2. Next question: Which company developed and manufactured an extremely popular financial calculator in 1981, which is still widely in use today? It’s a small handheld unit that I used myself at Digital Equipment Corporation and at other companies in my career.

More hints: The first company lasted only a few years. The second one is still in business.

Note: Answers forthcoming with the next blog.

They Called Her “Millie”

In reading The Bernardsville News, I stumbled upon the story of an award presented to a friend, Charles Lind of Basking Ridge. Mr. Lind was honored with the Millicent Fenwick Memorial Civic Award for his work with senior housing and the VNA of Somerset Hills.

Millicent Fenwick could not have been a better model for people such as Charles, who volunteer their time in the public square, or who serve as elected officials. Seeing her name in print jogged my memory back to the time when my family and I moved to Bridgewater in mid-1970, shortly after Mrs. Fenwick was first elected to the U.S. Congress at the age of 64.

Tom Kean, who wrote the foreword to her 2003 biography, Millicent Fenwick: Her Way, observed that, “You couldn't invent Millicent Fenwick. She was unique. The best writers of fiction might have struggled to make her believable, but they would have failed.” Gary Trudeau, author of the comic strip Doonesbury recognized her inimitability and cast her in the role of his famous pipe-smoking character, Lacey Davenport.

For me, though, Kean’s best and most accurate description of Fenwick is that, “Above all things, she hated hypocrisy and those who abused the public trust.”

A wealthy New Jersey patrician, Mrs. Fenwick was, nonetheless, a tireless worker and a pioneer in advancements on a broad spectrum of civil rights. I think that we still have a few people of Fenwick’s caliber around today, but it’s getting harder for them to make an impact and to maintain their integrity in the way that she was able to. Mrs. Fenwick served four terms in Congress and, in 1982, narrowly lost a bid for the U.S. Senate to Frank Lautenberg.

Giving Credit

There’s a lot of criticism about public employees lately; some of which, I think, is due to the scandalous financial condition of the State of New Jersey and its Rube Goldberg efforts to fix it. Because of that, many public employees who go through their day just trying to get the job done often don’t get much credit for what they do.

Some of those jobs are not so easy or pleasant. Take, for example, the crew that has to pick up deer from the edge of your property after being struck by a vehicle. It’s annoying to you, and it’s not the best duty for the Bridgewater Public Works employees dispatched to remove the remains.

That’s why, yesterday, upon returning from Thanksgiving with our family, I was grateful to see the quick response by employees of Bridgewater’s Public Works Department. One of my neighbors had called the Township as I was driving home. He was assured that someone would be there at 3:00 pm to pick up and dispose of the deer. A two-man crew arrived promptly and, bingo, problem gone!

Despite all of the issues, some things really do work in public service; and this, albeit a modest one, is a good example of that.

Note: Somerset County assumes responsibility for this job if the animal is on its own roadways, while Bridgewater Township will step up if the animal is on your property.

Paying the Piper

Would you purchase a car if the salesperson tried to close the deal by offering you the following incentive?: “I’ll sell it to you for $35,000 with low monthly payments, but if interest rates go up, we reserve the right to increase your payments regardless of your ability to pay.” Sounds unattractive and economically unsound, doesn’t it? Why would you do that to yourself?

Nonetheless, this is precisely the type of agreement that millions of homeowners throughout America and, by inference, some right here in Bridgewater entered into when they purchased homes, mortgaging them with what became known as “sub-prime” loans.

This began in the bygone heydays of abnormally low interests rates engineered by Alan Greenspan, the prior chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. He reduced rates to soften the economic downturn caused by the last stock market bubble, which he labeled as characterized by “irrational exuberance.”

Problem is, Mr. Greenspan got his timing wrong. He forgot to turn off the spigot which was pouring out a gusher of artificially low interest rates. Home builders, banks, and financiers aren’t stupid: They rushed in to fill the gap and stimulated a construction boom in the housing market. This resulted in the sale of homes to many naïve or unsuspecting consumers who temporarily benefited from low mortgage payments. Through the magic of sub-prime financing, these loans would rise to unaffordable levels when interest rates began their slow but inexorable climb back to normal. A real estate bubble was in the making.

The financial pages of newspapers and web sites are now full of fancy explanatory acronyms such as SIV, CDO, and other highfalutin terms to let you think that people knew what they were doing at the time and, “not-to-worry-thank-you, we are simply helping people pursue the American dream.”

Well, these structured investment vehicles and collateralized debt obligations are derivative securities far removed from the original mortgage loans and the homes which were intended to be their collateral. They were traded over and over again in a financial game of musical chairs. The game is over now, and many people are left sitting on the floor.

The problem is so bad that not even the big investment firms can readily move these securities, because no one knows precisely what their value is. The bottom has dropped out of the market. That’s why, as you are reading this, companies on Wall Street that specialize in valuing these types of financial instruments are frenetically working overtime, analyzing and setting prices on bundles of these SIV’s and CDO’s, whose plummeting worth is causing billions of dollars in write-offs to the suckers left holding them.

And what is the Federal Reserve’s response to this? Ben Bernanke, the newly-appointed chairman is lowering interest rates. Again!

Giving Thanks for a U.S. Blessing -- Freedom

His name is Abdul-Rahman al-Lahem; he is a 36-year old human rights lawyer in Saudi Arabia. If you think that the last phrase in the previous sentence is an oxymoron, you are right. According to today’s edition of the Washington Post, Lahem’s license to practice law in the Saudi kingdom was revoked because of “belligerent behavior, talking to the media for the purpose of perturbing the judiciary, and hurting the country’s image.”

Mr. al-Lahem is defending a 20-year-old woman from Qatif, Saudi Arabia, who, according to the Post, was “sentenced on a morals charge after she was gang-raped by seven men,” following her kidnapping and that of a male friend while both were sitting alone in a car. Both were sentenced to six months and 200 lashes!

Sharia law, as interpreted and enforced by the judiciary of that country, “prohibits unrelated men and women from mingling.” The kidnapping and raping apparently is viewed as an unrelated issue and has no bearing on the punishment of the woman and man.

Tomorrow morning, as you walk out of your home in Bridgewater to hit the stores, or to tend to some other priorities, you might want to remember how ubiquitous American freedom is and how dearly it has been purchased for us by generations of American patriots.

For a full account of this story see the Washington Post at, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/21/AR2007112102232.html

The Angel Wish Tree

If you’d like to perform a good act for a deserving person, the Bridgewater Commons Mall would like to help. It has designated two places within its building where Salvation Army Angel Trees are adorned with Angel Wish cards.

On the lower level, by the newly-relocated Guest Services Kiosk, a six-foot Angel Tree sits unobtrusively, tucked in a corner by the two water fountains close to the new rest rooms near the entrance. The second Angel Tree is located near the Macy’s Wing on the main level.

Each tree features a card with the name of a person and that person’s wish. If you’d like to give yourself an extra dose of holiday goodwill while helping a needy individual, select a card from one of those trees, check what the person would like, and purchase the item if it fits your budget. Should you have kids, encourage them to help you to select the Angel Wish card that you all think is best.

All you need to do to complete your good deed is to drop off the unwrapped gift at the Guest Services Kiosk on the lower level with your selected Angel Wish card. It’s that easy. The Bridgewater Commons Mall is facilitating a really good thing. It would be encouraging to many deserving folks if, through your benevolence, those Angel Wish cards flew off the trees.

Black Friday

During the past ten days, there’s been a tempest in a teapot brewing about the fact that New Jersey state workers lost the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday. Although it’s never been an officially negotiated day-off, it was regularly granted to state workers by gubernatorial proclamation, since around 1962.

I can understand the disappointment with Governor Corzine in that he did not continue that tradition; but let’s get realistic – it’s simply not a big deal. Things change, and this is one of them. State employees have known for a year that this was coming down the pike, so last minute protestations by some of them are falling largely on deaf ears. Corzine has not said that state employees can’t take the day off; he’s just saying that it will be charged to them. Thirteen paid holidays is not a chintzy benefit.

I don’t believe that those who are making the most noise represent the thinking of all state employees. Other state workers who have paused to consider how their job security, medical benefits, and defined pension plan compares quite favorably with those in private industry must be blushing over their colleagues’ weak claims of entitlement.

Note: For a more thorough discussion of this issue see the following AP story which appeared in the Courier News on November 18, 2007, http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071118/NEWS03/711180454/1007

Santa’s Premature Arrival

The Bridgewater Commons Mall had no sooner completed the refurbishment of its three-story atrium section, than the annual Christmas tree began to rise. From the center of the atrium floor, the enormous tree reaches all the way up to the walkway of the third level.

This year, Thanksgiving comes early. But guess what comes even earlier: Santa. That’s right, Santa! And not just an image of Santa, but a real, in-the-flesh Santa stationed on the first floor of the atrium apparently ready to go. Only one problem, though: He doesn’t seem to have much to do over there. He was observed in the last two days ambling about, chatting with a couple of workers who clearly were not his elves.

I couldn’t tell whether he was supervising holiday preparations, or if someone simply called him on the job too quickly. It seems to me that he must have many other obligations in his workshop up at the North Pole than to be distracted so early in the season by well-meaning but unthinking Bridgewater Commons management.

It would be much better, don’t you think, to save Santa for when it’s getting a little bit closer to Christmas? Heck, at this point, the Bridgewater Commons Mall could easily be suspected of overreaching. Even the little kiddies who spot Santa at the mall so soon must be wondering what he’s up to. He just seems terribly lonely and out-of-place right now.

Bridgewater Newspaper Trivia

Did you know that the Courier News of Bridgewater played a major role in the rollout and progress of USA Today? I’m going by memory on some of this, so I stand corrected if there are a few holes. USA today – the nation’s largest newspaper – was founded 25 years ago, largely through the efforts of Allen Neuharth, a self-labeled S.O.B. according to his 1989 autobiography, Confessions of an S.O.B.!

What I now recollect from Neuharth’s book is the classification of his corporate opponents as “good S.O.B.s” and “bad S.O.B.s.” The former, he wrote, worked to obstruct his progress in establishing USA Today but were not particularly mean, while the latter pursued the same purpose, but were malicious, not to be trusted, and had to be watched closely.

If I remember accurately, Bridgewater’s Courier News facility was a prime founding contributor in the publication of USA Today, the nation’s first newspaper to offer color on a wide scale, while keeping stories short and not referring readers to an interior newspaper page for story continuation. Both newspapers are part of the Gannett media organization.

Additionally, the Courier News became an executive feeder source for future USA Today top executives. In the early days, for example, there was Tom Curley, Courier News publisher in 1983-1985; and Ken Paulson, who was managing editor of the C-N in 1980-1984. Both rose to prominent positions at USA Today. Later, a few other people also followed their path from Bridgewater, N. J., to USA Today’s headquarters in the Washington, D.C. suburbs.

That newspaper now has a circulation of about 2.3 million. With printing locations throughout the U.S. and abroad, it also boasts one of the print media’s most popular web sites.

Congratulations Bridgewater!

One of the nicest surprises about Tuesday’s election in Bridgewater was the 43% voter turnout. To all of you faithful constituents out there, partisan and non-partisan alike who graced the polls with your presence, give yourselves a well-deserved pat on the back. You definitely deserve it.

There are few things better than an election where the incumbents are challenged and compelled to run hard. It sharpens everybody’s wits and clarifies the issues, giving voters a much better basis upon which to decide. Although it’s a real personal bummer for those of you candidates who didn’t make it, don’t waste any time second-guessing having entered the race, or what you might have done differently that would have made a difference.

Our system, despite all of its practical shortcomings, is based upon gutsy, aspiring office holders willing to question current political policy and practice, while risking the possibility of bruising their egos in a contest which they might lose.

The downside of our democracy is that it is often grimy, exasperating, non-responsive, inefficient and costly. Worse yet, some of it is populated with corrupt people – just pick up today’s newspaper to verify that.

Nevertheless, so far as I can see, there doesn’t appear to be any other structure of governance anywhere else than that of our U.S. democracy that’s better able to get the job done. In the end – even though at times it seems interminably long – the system seems to self-correct and to respond to the collective will of us all. The miracle is that the darn thing works at all.

We’ll Survive this Also!

There’s not much more that can be said or done on the last evening before Election Day. Probably most of you have made up your mind on the candidates and the questions. If you haven’t kept on top of it and aren’t sure what to do, remember this: The most important single thing that you can do is to go out and vote.

You’d be surprised if you knew how many elections have been determined by a tiny margin, simply because people just didn’t show up at the polls. Here’s a real life example that I’ll never forget: An incumbent candidate for the Bridgewater-Raritan School Board, a friend of mine and a good person, once lost his re-election bid by a single vote. He appealed via a re-count, but the numbers held.

The irony of that true-to-life story is that, at the last minute, I had asked two people to go out and to vote for him. Not thinking their vote important, they stayed away from the polls. Those two votes would have kept him in office for another three years!

Telemarketing Electioneering

We were sitting in the family room anticipating the beginning of the best football matchup of the season, the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts, both undefeated at game time, when the unwelcome, computerized electioneering calls started up again.

For the past seven days, my caller ID has been recording an incessant stream of these inane messages from out-of-area and unidentified political telemarketing firms, wasting more $ that could be put to better use. Does anyone seriously believe that this practice will have any impact upon voters, except to annoy the dickens out of them?

When politicians make law, you can always rely on this: They will invariably make sure to look out for their own self-interest. Guaranteed! When the Do-Not-Call Registry went into effect on October 1, 2003, legislators exempted themselves. The result has been incessant election-time barrages of computer-driven phone calls.

It isn’t soliciting voters over the phone that’s bad. It’s that none of these calls are personally from a human being asking for support. Getting a personal call from an elected official: Now that’s something tangible and worthwhile. What you receive, instead, is a flood of digital computer 0’s and 1’s coming to you over the phone in the guise of a human voice. And to make matters worse, they just don’t quit.

There is a way to intercept this political garbage, but why should you and I pay a fee to the phone company to block computerized calls from politicians and special interest groups? Not receiving unsolicited, unwanted telemarketing calls is precisely what the Do-Not-Call Registry is designed to do. Except, that is, for politicians.

Note: To read consumer facts about the National Do-Not-Call Registry, see the Federal Trade Commission at, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/tmarkg/donotcall.shtm

Counting Sunsets

My wife called out to me from the other side of the house, remarking on how beautiful the sunset was. I picked up my camera and walked towards the bedroom window. I would have to move quickly, or I would miss the chance to freeze the moment. It was already 6:12 p.m. Friday – the setting sun doesn’t wait for the unprepared.

Since tropical storm Noël carried with it a solid, cloud-covered sky as it brushed past us from the east today, this would be the penultimate sunset before the last full day of daylight savings time.

Beautiful as sunsets are, we don’t always pay much attention to them when we spot them, sometimes while on vacation, from our backyards at home, or at other times while driving home from work.

Although quotidian, sunsets are quite extraordinary occurrences and for most of us, young or old, they can be spellbinding. They faithfully recur with daily precision and regularity, like a metronome marking off the days. During our lifetimes though, young or old, there will be only a relatively few: The next time that your child or loved one points one of these out to you, pause and marvel at this brilliant phenomenon of creation.

The Downside of Wealth

In your mail lately, you’ve received piles of fancy brochures heralding political candidates and issues. Think about all of the cash that those glossies represent.

It strikes a chord of reality in these parts. You and I – no matter what our individual resources may be – live in one of the richest sections of the nation. Somerset County, NJ ranks #7 in the country among all U.S. counties in per capita income, as well as in median household income (2000 census). That means a lot of money is available to do a lot of good. It also means that a lot of moola is available for graft, favoritism, nepotism and corruption.

Keep that in mind when you cast your vote on Tuesday. Take, for example, what you have consistently heard if you have kept abreast of the goings-on with the Somerset County Park Commission: It’s been said that we have one of the best park systems in the country and that it is the envy of many other states. Indubitably true!

But consider this: If you had the skills and were put in charge of growing a top-notch system of parks and also given the green light to construct superb golf courses and a ball park, while being provided with wads of cash to get there, wouldn’t you do just as well?

Maybe it’s the sweet sound of the Somerset County cash register as it goes, “ka-ching! ka-ching!” that all of these other states really envy.

Note: For wealth statistics on Somerset, Morris, and Hunterdon counties, see, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highest-income_counties_in_the_United_States#100_highest-income_counties_by_per_capita_income.07UNIQ71e0ea9b62c960f3-nowiki-00000006-QINU.071.07UNIQ71e0ea9b62c960f3-nowiki-00000007-QINU.07

The Rivalry is Still Alive!

In 2004, when the Red Sox won the World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals in four straight games, after previously winning over the Yankees in you-know-how-many-come-from-behind-straight-games, I was visiting my then 93 year-young mother-in-law at her home in Massachusetts. She was sitting in her favorite reclining chair, Red Sox cap on her head, actively engaged in cheering for her favorite team. So were her daughter and her son-in-law.

That night on October 27, under a total lunar eclipse, the curse was broken. Every major TV station in New England ran virtually non-stop coverage of the games for the next 36 hours. The next morning, I had to drive to several stores to find press coverage, because most newsstands were sold out. Retail stores in the area quickly bulged with Red Sox paraphernalia.

Since then, though, I’ve never discounted the chances of a winner-take-all Yankee comeback. I still don’t. I always anticipate yet dread Yankees/Red Sox matchups, hoping that the Red Sox will trounce the Yankees, acknowledging full well that the Yankees can do the same.

Those of us who suffered through the interminable baseball drought that blanketed the Red Sox Nation before 2004 can empathize with what Yankees’ fans must now be undergoing. All I can say is thank heaven that the Steinbrenners don’t own the Red Sox!

Note: To read my June 2, 2007, discussion of Yankees/Red Sox competition, click on the label ‘Sports’ below, and scroll down a bit. If you’d like to read columnist E.J. Dionne’s assessment of Rudy’s Red Sox Romance, See the October 30, 2007 edition of the Washington Post at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/29/AR2007102901475.html?sub=AR

The Missing Question on the November Ballot

The Open Slots: Nine days from now on November 6, we the voters of Bridgewater get to cast our ballots for one of three candidates for the mayoral spot and for four guys vying for two council seats. As you examine your ballot, you’ll also see candidates competing for State Senate, New Jersey Assembly, County Clerk, Board of Chosen Freeholders, and for Sheriff.

The Questions: There are also four questions seeking your approval or rejection. The first deals with dedicating 1% of the state sales tax for property tax reform; the second asks for $450,000,000 for stem cell research; the third wants $200,000,000 for purchasing land and property for the public interest; while the last question proposes a constitutional amendment which would change the language denying the right to vote for certain persons.

The Missing Question: What you won’t see on this ballot though is what would certainly have been a critical fifth referendum question: “Do you approve the elimination of the Somerset County Park Commission and the realignment of all its responsibilities directly under the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders?”

The Background & Analysis: On August 21, the Somerset County Freeholders reversed their prior position and voted 3 to 2 to postpone until December any decision on whether or not to dissolve the Somerset County Park Commission. This move disfranchised you, the voter, because it took away any possibility that you would make this decision as you pull the lever in the ballot box on November 6.

Just as important, it prevented a potential backlash of voter turnout which might have affected the outcome of the election for some of the candidates’ open slots. No incumbent party wants this, because controversial public issues on a ballot tend to swell voter turnout and can often injure incumbents. We saw this in the last national election when the Administration lost control of the Congress.

Understand this: I am an independent voter and have no skin in this game. However, I like to see the public as involved in all aspects of direct decision-making as it is possible and reasonable to do so.

It was a good move for the Freeholders’ own interests to have pushed aside the Somerset County Park Commission ballot question. But it was demeaning to you – it seems to eliminate any lingering doubt about the faith that elected officials might have had in your judgment to do the right thing.

There were many passionate pleas made by a lot of prominent people on the evening of August 21 to pressure the freeholders into making the decision not to place the fate of the Somerset County Park Commission into the hands of you, the voters, on November 6.

The freeholders blinked. Jack Ciattarelli and Denise Coyle were the only two elected officials who voted against the majority that night. In an op-ed piece that appeared subsequently in the Courier News, Ciattarelli has since further justified his well-thought-out rationale for dissolving the Park Commission

It’s exasperating, isn’t it, thinking that you will vote a week from next Tuesday – some of you will stay away from the polls in disgust – and won’t have the option of deciding on one of the highest-profile issues affecting Bridgewater and Somerset County?

An Educational Icon Leaves Us

Dr. Peter Mazurak served in the Bridgewater-Raritan School District for 25 years until his retirement in 1991, the same year that I was elected to the school board. He was the district’s business administrator for all those years, while also filling the role of board secretary.

‘Pete,’ as he was known to his friends and close associates, was an iconic example of integrity in public service. He also became engaged in educational affairs at the state level. Acquitting himself very well in all of his roles, he became known for his extensive knowledge of school business matters and educational policy. The quality of his character in all of these functions earned him the informal title of ‘Dean of School Business Administrators’ in New Jersey.

One of the toughest jobs in a school district is that of business administrator/board secretary. You get to run not only the business aspects of a school district and, since your role as board secretary requires you to be present at all of the meetings to advise the board, you can easily become entangled in school politics.

Treading your way safely along this potentially conflicting dual path of responsibilities requires brains, tact, endurance and a heavy dose of moxie. Otherwise, people begin to use you as a doormat, and the job becomes impossible.

Pete had all of those qualities and more – he was a true gentleman and a genuinely likeable person.

Note: For Dr. Mazurak’s obituary, see the October 24, 2007 Courier-News at http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071024/NEWS04/710240337/1039

Moonbeams Over Bridgewater

Driving home after dark this evening, I observed a waxing moon. It reminded me of what I wrote, but did not post, back in May. Hope you like it.

As I arose at 5:00 am on Friday, the light of bright moonbeams shone through a south-facing window at the front of the house, cut through the open doorway facing the upstairs hall, and came to rest in the form of an irregularly luminous triangle splashed against the hallway wall.

Walking towards the source, I turned into the empty room towards the south window to discover the origin of that calming light. There, in the skies, framed between a large oak to the left of the front lawn and a tall hardwood evergreen to the right, was the brilliant disc of the moon.

Broad rays of silver energy poured through the windowpane and onto the dark green of the Christmas cactus sitting on its tall stand, covering it in silvery-white. These quiet intruders of light then completed their journey towards the hallway, spattering the carpet and the side of the open door with their peaceful radiance. They seemed to be saying, “Welcome to the coming day.”

An Autumn Day at Moorland Farms

The announcement that came over the loudspeaker claimed that this might be the biggest attendance so far at the 87th running of the Far Hills Annual Race Meeting. Some 50,000 people usually attend this event, and part of the proceeds goes to benefit the Steeplechase Cancer Center at the Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ.

The event is always held rain or shine, so each year prospective attendees keep their fingers crossed with an eye to the weather forecast, hoping for the best. This time everyone was rewarded with sunny weather accompanied by a steady cooling breeze and balmy temperatures. The dark cloud which you see in the photo above was the most that Mother Nature cared to threaten – just as a reminder of who is ultimately in control.

My spouse and I had not attended for a few years, mainly because of another family event which usually occurs on the same Saturday. But we had just visited with our out-of-state family, so this time we gladly accepted the annual invitation from our friends. Sometimes, everything works out well!

It’s satisfying to see so many thousands of people of all backgrounds and ages congregated in one spot and behaving so well. As business people are often fond of asking towards the end of a meeting, “What’s the take-away from this?” Two points at least: 1) How remarkable it is that people can be packed so tightly, yet act so civilly. 2) It’s all for the good isn’t it – to simply have some fun and to enjoy camaraderie while contributing to such a worthwhile cause.

Park Commission Sets Market Values; Establishes Rents Below That

Tonight, at 7:12 PM, the Park Commissioners for Somerset County adjusted rents for 12 rental properties occupied by park employees. The resolution was passed unanimously and without discussion by all seven of the Park Commissioners who were present. Voting were President Steven Fuerst, Vice-president Joanne Jaeger, and Commissioners Paul Consiglio, John Gillen, Dorothy Paluck, Gary Walsh, and newly-sworn-in Peter Schoberl. Absent were Robert Horowitz and Rose McConnell.

Here’s a summary: Fair market rental values were established for each property. However, an adjustment was made lowering the actual rental that will be charged park employees to below market value. The director’s home is the only exception. This new policy is retroactive to October 1.

Previously, the average rent paid for all twelve properties was an average of $357 per month. $2,067 is now the average monthly fair market rental value for these properties agreed to by the Park Commission. But that is not the average of what employees will be charged.

In its decision, the Park Commission consented to reduce the average fair market rental of $2,067 by $1,453, bringing the actual rental for park employees down to an average of $614 per month. This will result in a 72% increase over what these employees are now paying. Nonetheless, it will still leave the actual average monthly rental charged to park employees 237% below the fair market rental value which the Park Commission has used in its own calculations.

The Park Commission is reducing the average fair market rental value of $2,067 by $1,453 down to an actual of $614 to be charged on average to its employees. The reason given for this is that the reduction of $1,453 is considered to be a “lease obligation adjustment” given to park employees as an “offset” to account for the fact that these properties are “located on government owned property and occupancy is restricted to full-time employees.”

Consequently, the Park Commission claims that, “this restriction substantially reduces the rental value of the property.” Additionally, the Park Commission states that, “There are additional employee occupant obligations”… and that, “All obligations carry clear additional rent offset duties.”

Note: I emphasize that I have compiled the detailed information provided by the Park Commission into averages to provide a bird’s-eye view. At least one park employee has seen his rent increased significantly, while another, whose rental home carries a fair market rental value of $3,700 will continue to pay no rent at all.

Strategic Planning for Bridgewater-Raritan Schools

Tonight, at 8:00 pm in the Bridgewater-Raritan High School cafeteria, the Board of Education is kicking off a presentation by Joanne Borin of the School Boards Association. All members of the public are invited to attend.

If you go, the high school is located on Garretson Road, just across from the Somerset Valley YMCA. The cafeteria entrance is on the left side of the building complex, and there is plenty of parking available.

In an e-mail of September 19, Superintendent Michael Schilder explained that, “We need community members to volunteer to serve on a wide range of committees, which will all be explained by Mrs. Borin.” Even if you don’t intend to be on a committee, the meeting will still be useful, because it will give you valuable insights into where the board and administration are heading.

Wednesday evening, October 17, at the same location, but in the high school library at 6:30 pm, there will be a Budget Information session. That meeting will be the last of three such gatherings. I attended the previous one, and found it very informative, particularly since it explains in detail how the Bridgewater-Raritan school budget is put together.

These meetings are nuts-and-bolts discussions. The real challenge will come into play as the year progresses and into early next year, when strategy is adopted and when the actual figures come together for the budget.

A Real Star

Recently, I viewed a DVD entitled, The Aviator, the story of the eccentric over-achiever, Howard Hughes. Not only was he a perfectionist to a ‘T’, but he was full of little quirks like, for example, compulsively scrubbing his hands for fear of germs. One scene in the film depicts him in a wash room, terrified of handing over a towel to a handicapped person. Although the movie doesn’t cover the end of his life, Hughes is thought to have never adequately faced some of his extreme behavior patterns.

Which brings me to the gist of this post: Bridgewater has a very brave young soul who is directly confronting similar behavior issues after being diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Her name is Caitlin Carey; she lives in Bridgewater and is a junior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School on Garretson Road.

What is so extraordinary about this person is that she has met the challenge head-on early in life, has sought help, and has gone public so that it may help others in a similar situation. Caitlin has decided to chronicle her experiences on a web site dedicated to people with OCD, http://stepoutofthesilence.org/default.aspx. Another one of her significant traits – not a minor one – is that she identifies her strong faith as a critical factor in her life.

All those elements are quite a bundle of positive characteristics wrapped up in a remarkable Bridgewater teenager. When we think of people as ‘stars,’ one of the first things that come to mind are those who excel in sports. In this case, Caitlin Carey appears to be an outstanding star in the biggest game of all – the game of life.

Source: This blog post is based on a story of Caitlin Carey written by Peggy O’Crowley of The Star-Ledger. It appeared on October 12, 2007.

Back to School!

The turnout was disappointingly low at Wednesday night’s 8 p.m. information session at the Wade building in Martinsville. Only 8 people showed up for an excellent, informal presentation and discussion about how the Bridgewater-Raritan school budget gets put together and what challenges lie ahead. At a similar meeting earlier in the day, 13 people came.

Board members Jeffrey Brookner and Christine Schneider, together with Superintendent Michael Schilder, and Business Administrator-Board Secretary, Peter Starrs, were present Wednesday night to field questions from the audience.

If you’ve ever sat before a person who really knows his stuff, then you would have benefited from listening to Peter Starrs. Since the school budget process pulls together literally everything in one spot, Starrs probably knows more about resources, transportation costs, general expenditures, income sources, school programs, and tax impact than perhaps any other single person in the Bridgewater-Raritan School District. That’s no criticism of anyone else; it’s just that the person who puts together the numbers usually gets to know what’s where.

Beginning with a well-prepared agenda, Mr. Starrs highlighted the critical timeline for budget preparation between now and next April’s election; the use of account coding; and the rules for state caps, which are now based on revenue, not expenditures. Using a copy of the approximately 70-page BR-BOE approved budget for the current school year (2007-2008) as a guide, he successfully navigated through an overview of all major budget items e.g., salaries, benefits, supplies, the cost of programs, etc., etc.

If you had been there, for example, you would have discovered that 25% of total supervisory salaries goes towards ongoing training – that’s right; check it out: Fund 11, account 11-000-223-102-00-32. Hey! If you want to know, you gotta do the work. You could find out a lot more, too! Just ask questions.

It’s not too late. There will be another identical information session on this topic at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17th, at the High School library on Garretson Road. It’s not a bad idea to get on board with some of this stuff before emotions run high again at the April 15th, 2008, budget and school board elections.

Note: See Kara L. Richardson’s story of October 10, 2007, under Past Week’s News-Main News at http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=NEWS06

Beauty and the Park Commission

If you have ever appreciated the random symmetry of a well-stacked wood pile, then perhaps you can relate to its applicability in other spheres of life.

The author, Pearl S. Buck, in an article for a Sunday newspaper insert – it may have been PARADE – was asked what beauty is. Quite simply she responded, “Beauty is order.” Consider an example: The essence of the beauty of a rose is the shape and color of its petals, together with the geometrically proportioned manner in which they are arranged, that makes an enthusiast gaze upon it in focused admiration.

In a different dimension, think about how many times you yourself may have uttered the expression, ‘beautiful!’ when you have concluded a successful meeting, completed a job around the house, or have watched children cooperatively at play. Was it really the physical aspect of the situation that made you consider the event ‘beautiful,’ or was it the experience of having felt a well-ordered human process at work?

Translated to other ordinary events in life, such as a political assembly, a key factor that can make such a meeting ‘beautiful’ is the consideration and respect for the public interest which should be inherent in open deliberations and in the outcome of that gathering.

Perhaps that is why, when we see that Somerset County Park Commission employees have been provided homes at below-market rates, we instinctively feel that the proper order of things has been disrupted, and we cry, “Foul!”

Not so beautiful.

More About the "Pod"

On Monday, October 1st, the Bridgewater Township Council, at its regular session meeting introduced an ordinance “amending Chapter 105 of the Municipal Code entitled ‘Outdoor Storage.’” This revised ordinance will regulate the nature and duration of storage containers placed on private property. Action was initiated after the council was made aware, at its previous meeting on September 17th that a cargo container sat on a property located at 303 Old York Road in Bridgewater.

The modified ordinance will no longer permit the siting of an ancillary structure such as the one which you see in the photo above. The owner of this cargo container spoke at Monday night’s Council meeting. He told the councilors that he had been given prior authorization by the Township to keep this container as a permanent ancillary structure on his property provided that he met the three following conditions:

1. That the cargo container be moved further back from the road and placed on a concrete pad.
2. That two windows be installed to soften the visual impact.
3. That T-111 siding be installed on the cargo container. (A Google query returned a response defining this type of siding as a wood composite material.)

The previously authorized engineering approval was recently revoked after a number of adjoining neighbors objected to having this monstrosity (is there any reasonable doubt?) next to their back yards. Apparently, the approval to modify the cargo container had been given, because there was a loophole in the original ordinance that allowed it.

Jeez! Where was the common sense? It seems to me that the Township officials who approved retention of this cargo container as a permanent ancillary building could have brought the question to the attention of the mayor and the council long before it became such a controversy.

I don’t think that it was very good judgment on the owner’s part, but he was merely trying to get away with what he thought he could under the law. Imagine one of these things next to your own back yard. How long would you put up with it?

Note: See my 9/23/07 blog post on this topic at
http://cnbergeron.blogspot.com/2007/09/pod-grows-in-bridgewater.html

Open Government & Closed Meetings

Boy, don’t I know about that! On Wednesday, October 03, 2007, Joe Tyrell of the Star-Ledger wrote about John Paff, a Franklin Township citizen who is concerned about how the Somerset County Park Commission is fudging its closed sessions.

Good for him. I firmly believe that many if not most elected and appointed deliberative public entities abuse the privilege extended to them under New Jersey’s Sunshine Law.

That statute explicitly states that an agenda has to be published with a 48-hour public notice, and that the subject of the closed session must be clearly stated. It also requires that complete minutes be kept and published. But public bodies get around this all the time, because the statute is not monitored and rarely enforced, giving the implied assumption that elected officials meeting in such a manner will be honest. Whew! What an assumption.

For example, if a public body goes behind closed doors to enter into labor contract negotiations, it might simply label the topic as “Negotiations” on its agenda. You won’t necessarily know with whom the negotiations are taking place, let alone the even more important aspects of the proposed deal, such as the initial offer being put on the table by the bargaining unit, or the counteroffer being offered by the public entity.

This is all under the guise that to progressively disclose such information would jeopardize the negotiations themselves and, therefore, an outcome favorable to the public. Of course, the outcome of such secret deliberations is almost always injurious to the public interest.

Since you don’t have the facts, you cannot, as an informed citizen, voice your opinion in public to the elected body. That would make it too uncomfortable for politicians who don’t want citizens running pass interference.

Another example occurs when a public body goes behind closed doors with its attorney: It may simple label the subject of the meeting as, “Attorney-Client Privilege.” Some privilege!

I don’t think that’s what the legislators had in mind when they enacted the Sunshine Law. Or was it?

The Gift of Summer’s End

It was a week ago Monday, when I sauntered down the driveway to check on the mail’s arrival, that I spotted the dogwood tree near the road getting ready for winter. Every year, it seems, the color of the leaves and the quantity and quality of the berries vary considerably – especially the berries.

The sun was beaming in intensely from the southwest, lighting up the entire dogwood. But a person has to be close and has to stop for several moments to really appreciate that nature is in the midst of assuring life’s renewal process. All it will take is for a few birds to drop by for lunch, feast on some red berries, fly off, and let their digestive system assist in depositing seeds somewhere else in Bridgewater.

Hey, who knows? Maybe a few years from now, one of this blog’s readers may have a new dogwood tree pushing up from the earth, taking root in a corner of your backyard for your kids or grandkids to enjoy.

The Solitary Biker

Last Tuesday, at the northern end of Country Club Road where it winds its way between open fields, I spotted this biker rapidly cycling around and down a curve. I motored by, stopping about a half mile ahead, got out of my car and captured this shot as he sped by me.

As you can see, this is not an ordinary bike. It is designed for handicapped athletes who must use their upper-body strength, their hands and arms to propel themselves along. I hesitate to use the word “handicapped,” because his well-muscled arms were pushing that bike along at a rapid clip, and that man must be in admirable cardio-vascular health. He would, I surmise, make some of us who may consider ourselves in good condition think twice before competing with him on a regular bike.

The other thought that surfaced is to remind myself of how much I can do with what I have, and to stop complaining about what I could do if I had more. I don’t know who this person is. Nevertheless he is a shining light for many of us, an example of what can be overcome, and of what can be done with what is.

Rummaging About

The weekend of October 5, 6 and 7 will mark another beneficial weekend with the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills in its efforts to raise cash for its compassionate caring for those in need in this area.

What you can’t see in this photo are all the busy bees around and under the tents, who are laboring to sort out all of the donations. Since September 8th, this wonderful group of professionals, supported by dozens of volunteers, has been receiving donations of everything except, perhaps, the kitchen sink. Wednesday, September 26, between 10 am and 1 pm is the last day for dropping off donations.

Yesterday, my spouse and I headed for the Far Hills Fairgrounds. We made two round trips with the Subaru – back seats down – filled to capacity with countless items, about which we kept deluding ourselves we would have a yard sale. Good intentions. Never happened! This solution is much more satisfying, and the proceeds will be put to better use.

If you’d like to contribute some good stuff, you still have tomorrow if you hurry. This event is well organized and, even before the rummage sale begins in October, there already is a tired but, I hope, happy bunch of volunteers who are working their butts off receiving all the contributions. Now, they have only about a week left to complete preparations for the expected crowds. Tough work, but good rewards.


Note: See the VNA home page for more info: http://www.visitingnurse.org/

A Pod Grows in Bridgewater

It looks like there may be an inadvertent loophole in Bridgewater’s recent ordinance on the use of storage containers (pods).

This current photo depicts what looks like a cargo container situated on private property in the Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater. It’s located about halfway down a long access driveway leading directly to the Sellars Maintenance Facility at 301 Old York Road.

The long, rectangular lot on which it sits is a grassy, well-maintained piece of land which also abuts the back yards of many homes lining the east side of Red Oak Way. However, according to an explanation by a township official at the regular meeting of the Bridgewater Township Council on Monday evening, September 17th, this unit is not in violation of existing township regulations, provided that it is given the proper setback and that it is placed on a permanent footing.

That came as a complete surprise to all five of Bridgewater’s Township Council members who were completely taken aback.

It was through the efforts of the Sarafinos who reside on Red Oak Way and of some of their neighbors who were at the Court House Annex that Council members heard of this situation on Monday, as they were handed a petition and photos by Mrs. Sarafino, who spoke at the meeting.

The reaction of Council members was swift and stern: “This is a heck of a big loophole that we need to close,” said Mr. Norgalis. “We need to take a long hard look at accessory structures,” said Mr. Hsing in astonishment, “we did not do our job right – shameful – we did not do our job,” Mr. Hsing went on, in reference to the regulations on the use of pods. “It defies the logic of being a pod,” added Mr. Kurdyla. Clearly concerned, Mr. Scaglione forcefully underscored that, “We let it go on too long.”

Summarizing the feelings and intentions of all Council members, Mr. Albano, Council President, concluded with, “We need to reexamine (the use of) accessory building structures,” on private property in Bridgewater Township.

If you persevere, “city hall” really can listen to your pleas.

A Frustrating Somerset County Parks Commission Meeting

Tonight’s meeting lasted about 15 minutes short of three hours and, although the six commissioners present (the commission now has a full complement of nine people) did their best as a group to hammer out specific proposals to major issues confronting them, they managed not to implement a single one of the critical recommendations made by individual commissioners tonight on four items of major concern.

Commissioners Steven Fuerst, Joanne Jaeger, Paul Consiglio, John Gillen, Robert Horowitz, and Gary Walsh thoroughly discussed the issues now facing the new parks commission. However, the commission as a whole could not agree, and significant resolutions to address the issues below were either returned to committee, soundly defeated, or hung up in a 3/3 vote.

1. Process improvements relating to the commission’s approval of bill payments.

2. A new policy for county employees who currently have vehicles assigned to them.

3. A housing policy for county managers who now occupy county homes at below-market rents.

4. A recommendation made in the waning minutes of the meeting to adopt a high-standards ethics policy.

It wasn’t fun observing so many talented people trying so hard and, yet, just not seeming to be able to come to closure on matters of urgency to Somerset County. As an observer, I came out with the impression that things will definitely change, but not necessarily in the direction that most residents of this county seem to be demanding that they should.

It’s late. More to come . . . . .

Big Sky Apple Country

One of the most pleasant pastimes starting in September is to do your own apple-picking at a nearby farm. It’s a great family treat, and kids of all ages can participate. The really little ones can meander along apple tree rows under your supervision and discover nature like only a child can, as you pick fruit one by one.

Melick’s Town Farm in Oldwick (http://www.melickstownfarm.com/) is very close to the Bridgewater area, and has a large selection of apples. Currently, varieties ripe for picking are Empire, Macoun, Golden Delicious, and Cortland. But there will be other types coming soon, and the checkout stand has many taste-tempting goodies. You decide!

One of the best treats, yesterday, was for my wife and me simply to get out under the warm sunshine on this hilltop farm overlooking a rolling countryside topped by an arresting sky view. We were equipped with a couple of woven slat baskets with plastic bag inserts that made selecting the apples of our choice as easy as pie. We decided on Macouns and Cortlands. Cortlands are one of the best, but they need to be fresh in order for their white fleshy crispness to please your taste buds.

Hint: To make a clean pick, grasp an apple with one hand, and gently twist it off the branch. You’ll probably save a few more from falling down to waste.

Note: If you wish to see the photo in full resolution on your PC screen, double click on it.

Beauty Among the Deadwood

. We need to be grateful for each and every day that comes our way and for the little things that normally go unnoticed, like, for example the first sprig of leaves that comes wafting down at the end of summer.

The photo above was snapped with my digital camera in my back yard just a week ago today. I was out raking some ground debris near the wood pile, when I spotted this array of four yellow leaves heralding the advent of the fall season.

That was it. Just four joined leaves, all by themselves, still attached to their former lifeline. There were no others. It’s as if Mother Nature wanted to underscore the point that it’s time to get ready for a change of seasons. Today, I wandered back to the wood pile to see if there was any sign left. Nothing! The week’s weather had dried them out and blown them away to another place.

Life is like that, isn’t it? One day we are part of the great community of our peers. And the next day, it’s time for a change of seasons. Enjoy the significant moments of your life and discard the trivia.

A Sad Bunch of Senators

Early last evening, I sat down to about an hour of news TV to catch the results of the U.S. Senate’s questioning of General Petraeus about the impact of the recent troop surge in Iraq and of his related recommendations. I was appalled at the conduct of some of the senators. It outraged me that these politicians would use a national forum on a day like 9/11 to inflate their political and presidential ambitions by treating one of America’s finest soldiers with such impunity and indignity.

Except for perhaps less than a handful of senators on the panel, not a one is qualified to even tie the shoelaces on the boots of such a distinguished American warrior as General Petraeus.

Don’t misunderstand me about what’s happened in Iraq: I think that President Bush grossly misunderstood and miscalculated the nature of the conflict in the Middle East. He never wrapped his mind early enough around the intense tribal and religious distrust between Iraqi Sunnis and Shi‘as. But so has today’s cadre of irresponsible senators who, on the platform offered by 9/11, used it to bloviate incessantly to the tune of their own voices.

Yesterday, the elected officials who spoke eloquently at Bridgewater’s 9/11 commemoration ceremony outside the municipal complex, honored the dead of the Twin Towers, their families and survivors, and America’s military personnel. Flannery, Bateman and Ferguson did not use the occasion of this solemn day, as did senators in Washington, to sully the national honor with pointless, obtuse accusations.

A Soggy 9/11

At the first remembrance ceremony which I attended at 8:46 am today in Somerville, Robert Zaborowski, Somerville County Freeholder Director, holding back emotion, made a brief announcement at the memorial and clock tower near the courthouse, prior to the tolling of the bell in memory of those from our county who lost their lives on this fateful day 6 years ago.

One unanticipated personal tribute was that of a woman who, after the official ceremony was over, walked to the tower, rested her outstretched arm against one of its columns, and held that position for a few moments with her head bowed. As she walked away, I thought that I recognized her simply as “Judy,” the person who is behind the counter at Shanahan’s Stationery in downtown Somerville.

Later, at 12:00 noon, outside the Bridgewater Municipal Building, several tents were in place to shield the dignitaries and Bridgewater family members who suffered losses on that fateful day.

Almost as if on command, the skies emptied torrents of rain on those assembled. Most were not under cover. A line of umbrella-wielding people stood in front of the building, while others managed with only raingear as protection. A brave law enforcement honor guard stood in mute attention the whole time, in columns six across and four deep, as the rain completely soaked their uniforms.

Bridgewater Mayor, Patricia Flannery, stepped to the lectern for a short statement and presented Rabbi Ron Isaacs of Temple Sholom in Bridgewater for the introductory prayer. The mayor herself; NJ Assemblyman, Kip Bateman; as well as Congressman Mike Ferguson, addressed the crowd with brief but significant patriotic messages about the meaning of 9/11, our troops in Iraq, and for the need never to forget. Bridgewater Councilman Howard Norgalis, who is also a fire commissioner read A Fireman’s Prayer.

The wreath-laying ceremony took place at the height of the storm, with the mayor under cover of an umbrella, as she quickly scuttled across the lawn and back to the protection of the tent.

I was buoyed by the fact that here, in Bridgewater, we can still proudly and publicly recite the unaltered pledge of allegiance, have a Rabbi offer a prayer at an official ceremony, and hear a bagpipe-playing officer render the beautiful sounds of “Amazing Grace” rising up during a torrential downpour.

Campaigning on Polhemus Lane

Stuff had to go, and we didn’t have any place to dispose of it -- too big for the regular trash collection. There were two plastic recliners that had badly faded in the sun, two bags of hardened concrete mix, and a cracked bird feeder. The bird feeder was made of cast reinforced cement and was too heavy to lift: It broke in pieces under the blows of my sledge hammer.

Everything was placed in the back of the Subaru, and off we drove towards Polhemus Lane to off-load this junk at Bridgewater’s bulky waste disposal site. Check out www.bridgewaternj.gov/ for dates and times.

The long driveway into the disposal site has become a popular campaign spot for office seekers. Last Saturday, a bevy of politicians was waiting in a well-spaced line to greet everyone driving in.

Pat Walsh, Green Brook Mayor who is running as a Republican for Somerset County Freeholder, was the first to greet my wife and me. Walsh is a fiery woman who told us she is demanding the discharge of some top-level employees working for the Somerset County Park Commission. She wasn’t afraid to label some of the goings-on there as a result of the “old-boys” network.

Republican Patricia Flannery, incumbent mayor of Bridgewater who is running for re-election, was out campaigning with Matthew Moench, a newcomer hoping to garner his first seat on the Bridgewater Township Council.

In a subsequent telephone call to me later that day, Flannery advised me that the last Bridgewater Township budget went up by only 2.7%, while the corresponding share of the tax rate rose by 1.9%. We should be so lucky in hoping that the Bridgewater-Raritan School Board and its administration will hold their spending increases to the same level!

Not to be outdone, Democrats Bill O’Neill, hoping to unseat Flannery as mayor of Bridgewater, and Tony O’Reilly, hoping to land a township council seat were also there pumping hands. Bill O’Neill and his team are running on a “Coalition for Change.” O’Neill was Bridgewater’s Township Administrator under a previous Democrat mayor.

It’s not too early for we Bridgewaterites to start paying close attention to what these folks are saying. By now, we all know of the unfolding scandal at the Somerset County Park Commission and of the tug-of-war going on for its existence. We also know that Bridgewater has just embarked on a major building project for the new municipal complex.

Management issues at both these levels of government have now become prime topics in your consideration of who should be elected to oversee these responsibilities.

A Model Meeting

Tuesday night’s meeting of the Somerset County Freeholders at the Administration Building in Somerville was a model of effectiveness. The agenda was relatively short, and all items of business passed, except for a resolution dealing with the county’s upgrades to its security systems. That topic was tabled until the freeholders’ next meeting.

There were only a handful of people in attendance, most of whom were the subjects of citations and awards given out at the beginning of the meeting. At least one of the other persons was a county employee who raised a few points about security issues, which, in turn, led to its postponement.

Robert Zaborowski, Freeholder Director, ran a good meeting. He was prepared and moved the agenda along with no distractions. Too bad more of the public wasn’t there to see how things get done in the absence of controversy. It shouldn’t take a scandal for a public meeting to become filled to capacity once in a while.

We elect public officials to do their jobs and we don’t want to look over their shoulders at everything that they do. Integrity is still expected, even though today’s skeptical public may have become a tad jaded, given recent events.

How to Guard Your Identity From Theft

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing forms of crime in the U.S. A March 7, 2007 report by Gartner, a research and advisory company (see hyperlink below), indicates that fraud stemming from identity theft rose more that 50% from 2005 to 2006.

There are steps that you can take to decrease the chances that you will fall in that category of victims. The first is easy and can be completed with one phone call: You may place a fraud alert on your credit records by calling any one of the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian. Their telephone numbers are 1-877-478-7625, 1-800-680-7289, and 1-888-397-3742, respectively.

A call placed to one agency requires it to notify the other two that you are requesting a fraud alert to be placed on your records. The result is that potential creditors cannot issue new credit in your name without obtaining your permission beforehand. If someone has stolen your identity and applies for credit in your name, you will get a call asking whether you are the one asking for the credit. This alert is good for 90 days only and must be renewed by you.

Another way to help reduce the chance of identity theft is to obtain a free copy of your credit report and to review its activity on a regular basis. You can check this out by going to www.annualcreditreport.com. It’s a good idea to request a report once every four months from one of the three credit reporting agencies and, four months later, from the second agency, etc. That way, you are on top of your credit on a regular, rotating basis.

The third way to insure against identity theft comes with a fee. Each of the three credit companies listed above offer services beyond the legally-required free annual credit report.

Go to their web sites (www.equifax.com, www.transunion.com, and www.experian.com), to review the different levels of fee-based credit watch services. TransUnion, for example, offers a 3-bureau credit monitoring service which includes unlimited reports and credit scores, for $14.95 monthly. Check the other two companies to compare prices, monthly/yearly payment, and level of service.

Another form of fee-based service is offered by a company called LifeLock. For $10 monthly it will make sure that your fraud alerts are automatically renewed, get your name removed from pre-approved credit card and junk mail lists, etc., (See www.lifelock.com).

Most of what LifeLock does is something that you could do yourself; but for a fee, it will do them for you. This company claims that, “If your Identity is misused while you are our client, we’ll spend up to $1,000,000 to make it right.”

I hope that you have found these hints helpful. Remember, there are no fool-proof methods.


Notes:
Gartner: http://news.com.com/Study+Identity+theft+keeps+climbing/2100-1029_3-6164765.html)

See http://www.privacy.ca.gov/sheets/cis1english.htm for a discussion of the "Top 10 Tips for Identity Theft Protection.”

Protect Your Identity

The letter signed by Dorothy Attwood, Chief Privacy Officer for AT&T, was waiting for me when my wife and I returned from vacation. I didn’t like what it had to say:

“This letter is to advise you of a recent theft of a laptop computer containing legacy AT&T Corp … information … including … names, Social Security numbers, etc., etc.. Unfortunately, some of your personal information was contained in these files … this information could be fraudulently used to open or access your credit accounts.”

The laptop was stolen from an employee of a professional services firm doing work for AT&T. Although the letter did not specify the circumstances of the theft, a call placed to an AT&T representative advised me that the person had left his (her) laptop unattended in an automobile.

In 1969, AT&T Bell Labs gained fame within the industry for developing the reliable and super-secure UNIX® operating system for computers. That system, which has since grown and branched out, is still in use today. How is then, that the new AT&T would tolerate confidential information to be placed on a laptop not under the direct control of one of its employees, and for that laptop to take flight?

To its credit, AT&T provided information on how to help prevent private records from being used illegally. I quickly implemented each of those steps. I hope that it wasn’t too little, too late.

Next Blog Post: How you can protect your own identity from theft.