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.”