Just Another Day?

A Bridgewater Sunrise.

As the sun rose in the east today, just outside the window from my writing desk, I marveled at how often I take for granted – as I suspect many of us do – that we will be around to see it rise tomorrow, the day after that, the following day, and for an endless string of sunrises and sunsets  . . . 
 
. . . and that we will be able to enjoy another day of work; of studying; of being loving parents; of admiring the progress of our children and grandkids; of rejoicing with friends and relatives who are close to us; or of merely engaging in all of the other myriad activities of life. 
 
But there is no guarantee that what we are pursuing now will see the dawn of tomorrow.  There never was.  There never will be.  Fate can intervene at any time for any one of us, no matter how rich or how poor, how healthy we may be at the moment, or how much absolute control we think we have over our individual destinies in life.

A Christmas Reality

Image by Bergeron

December 25^th can be somewhat of a challenge for Christians, because there is the constant struggle to keep the commemoration of this day in faithful balance and, therefore, in its proper context. 

Its significance is rooted in the meaning of the event of the birth of Jesus.  But it also has enormous economic implications in the West because of the massive spending associated with it, as people celebrate the occasion with an exchange of gifts. 

A paradox of this Christian feast is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep in balance the contrast between the religious and the secular aspects associated with honoring the birth of Christ. 

Each year at this time, the bigots come out from the darkness of their closets, fully arrayed in the armor of their anti-Christian bias and bigotry, targeting the slightest perceived injustice, as they march to courtrooms across the U.S. waving the Constitution before judges in well-planned attempts to snuff out the joy of Christmas.

School Budget Increase Pegged at $3.9 million.

Peter F. Starrs, at Tuesday evening's Board of Education meeting.
(Bergeron Image)

At a Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education meeting last night at the Wade Building in Martinsville, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Schilder – aided by School Business Administrator/Board Secretary Peter Starrs – presented a proposed 2012-2013 school budget of $133.8 million, a 3%, or $3.9 million increase over last year’s $129.9 million budget.
This represents a Tax Levy Increase of 2%, the maximum amount permissible under New Jersey law, should the proposed budget remain unchanged between now and the April 17^th, 2012 school election. 

In his presentation, Dr. Schilder explained  that reducing expenditures which reflect the 2% tax levy increase currently built into the proposed 2012-2013 school budget down to either 1.5%; 1.0%; or 0%; respectively, would reduce the proposed tentative budget of $133.8 million by $595,774; $1,191,500; or $2,383,101, respectively.

Key factors such as wage and salary increases and the amount of state aid – both of which are unknown at this time – could have a significant impact on the final budget. 

Administration to Present School Budget

Tomorrow evening, on Tuesday, December 20^th, the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education will convene at 7:00 pm in the Wade Administration Building to discuss the status of contract negotiations between it and the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association. 

Lynne Hurley, Finance Committee Chairperson (Center), discusses a
topic with Board Member Jill Gladstone, as Assistant Superintendent
Cheryl Dyer reviews a document.

This meeting, which will conclude at 8:00 pm, will be in executive session.  (The Regular Session of the Board will open to the public at 8:00 pm.)

In a conversation with Board President Evan Lerner, last Thursday, he confirmed that a mediation session between the Board and the Teachers’ Union took place on December 8^th. 

He described it as “an interesting session . . . we are in one room, they are in the other . . . it’s a very slow process.  You don’t walk away with knowledge of what was accepted.”  Lerner added that “We want to get a deal done that is right for both parties.”

He did not, however, discuss any specifics of just what offers, if any, were presented to the mediator to in turn convey to representatives of the Teachers’ Union, or what counter-offers, if any, were proffered by the BREA.

Teacher Pay Raises: A Comparative View

Joshua P. Starr (Credit/Wash. Examiner)

 

 

In my last visit to the Washington, D.C. area, I came across an article entitled “Pay raises proposed for Montgomery teachers” in the paper edition of Gazette.Net, a Maryland community newspaper which covers Montgomery County.

Unlike New Jersey, Maryland schools do not have local school boards as we do in The Garden State.  Instead, the fiscal and educational management of schools in the Old Line State is consolidated at the county level, including, naturally, the school budget.

In that regard, Joshua P. Starr, Superintendent of Montgomery County, MD Schools recently proposed a pay increase of 0.61 percent, or an $8.6 million increase to the current “$1.4 billion budgeted for salaries and wages, excluding other compensation.” 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Draws Many

A view of the Martin Luther King, Jr.,
sculpture near the Tidal Basin,
Washington, D.C.

On a quiet Saturday afternoon after Thanksgiving Day, the most visited of the memorials that we came upon near the Tidal Basin in the nation’s Capital was the one recently dedicated to the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., the peaceful, yet forceful advocate for civil rights in America.  For his approach, as has happened to others of his period, he was rewarded with assassination. 
 
Upon entering the Memorial’s site, you will pass between two towering blocks of stone, before you walk past another two of the same size.  From one of the four carved blocks of stone juts the full, imposing figure of a sculpted MLK standing resolutely, his gaze steadily focused ahead.
 
What you may not immediately observe until you have passed by the four stone carvings and then turn around is the granite wall which slopes behind the four stone monoliths, and extends from both sides of the Memorial’s entrance, to its left and to its right. 
 
It is reminiscent of the Vietnam War Memorial, and each of its panels has inscribed in it an aphorism from the writings of MLK.
 
There are many of them, but one of my favorites is the one carved into the first panel on the right side.  It reads simply, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

Board & Teachers’ Union to Begin Mediation

Negotiations between representatives of the Bridgewater-Raritan School District (B-R BOE) and those of the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association (BREA) have not seen meaningful progress since June.  As a result both parties are scheduled to begin formal mediation sessions as of tomorrow, December 8.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Schilder and Board President Evan
Lerner at the July 26, 2011 School Board meeting where the topic
 of contract negotiations was discussed.  (Image/Dick Bergeron)

A brief recap:  The current 3-year contract for BREA members, which includes all teachers and certain other school employees, expired on June 30, 2011.  That agreement had provided for a salary increase of slightly below 13% over the contract period.

Although discussions for a new contract had begun well before the beginning of the current 2011/2012 school year which started on July 1^st, complications entered into the negotiations between the B-R BOE and the BREA when the State of New Jersey enacted legislation which affected the negotiations in progress.

When no agreement was reached by early summer, the BREA negotiations team declared an impasse and proceeded to apply for the assignment of a mediator.

BREA President Provides His Views

Following my telephone discussion with Board President Evan Lerner described in the previous post, I was able to also have a telephone discussion with Steve Beatty, President of the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association (BREA).

BREA President Steve Beatty speaks at the July 26, 2011 School
Board meeting, where the topic of contract negotiations was discussed.
(Image/Dick Bergeron)

Mr. Beatty confirmed that the BREA had “finally got our first mediation,” and that it was scheduled for December 8, highlighting the impasse between the teachers’ union and the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education (BR-BOE).

Beatty underscored that when the 2011/2012 school budget was presented in the first quarter of this year (one which provided for a zero percent pay increase), it was his understanding that, although the School Board and Administration explained to the public that the budget was extremely austere and left no room for salary increases, that if there subsequently were “found money,” the issue would be revisited by the Board.

Asked what his expectations of the BR-BOE now are, Mr. Beatty was not overly specific, but provided the BREA’s three points for an agreement:  a) That it be “fair,” b) “A three-year contract,” and, c) in response to a question about what level of percentage salary increase the BREA is seeking, Beatty was non-committal, except to say that the negotiations team is “looking for a (salary) guide that structurally is strong and provides for short-term and long-term money that is good for the Board and the BREA.”

Occupy D.C.

'Occupy Washington, D.C.' tents set up in Lafayette Square, with the
Capitol building in the background.  (Image/Dick Bergeron)

On the way to our first visit to the Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington, D.C., we came upon an unexpected surprise:  As we crossed Pennsylvania Avenue from the J.W. Marriott Hotel, Pris and I noticed a tight grouping of weatherproof tents on the concrete slab of Lafayette Park. 

 
The sign outside one of these shelters read “Welcome to Washington, D.C.,” and the marking on the largest one read “First Aid.”  It was, to my surprise the peaceful encampment of an “Occupy Washington” contingent.
 
However, unlike what’s been happening in Manhattan with “Occupy Wall Street,” the Washington version seemed to be a model of civility.  Indeed, I couldn’t determine whether or not there was anyone occupying any of the tents!  Nor did I see any protesters on the pavilion.

Downey Road Gets a Facelift

Ten-wheelers prepare to cart away the old road surface of Downey
Road which has since been completely stripped and resurfaced.
(Image/Dick Bergeron)

One of the results of budget tightening in Bridgewater since the financial and real estate debacles of 2007/2008 is that this Township, as well as other municipalities throughout New Jersey, has had to carefully watch expenses and the outflow of cash.

 
The poor condition of some of the roadways in this Township seems to have been an unintended casualty of the need to address fiscal austerity.
 
For example, Downey Road is a short, very busy little connector that runs from Route 202/206 near the Green Knoll Grille.  It links up with Woodlawn Avenue and Garretson Road, at the point where these two streets meet at the overpass that spans 202/206.

An American Thanksgiving

Annalee Dolls in our home reflect the joyous spirit of the day.
(Image/Dick Bergeron)

This morning, after yesterday’s Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family just outside of the Nation’s Capital, I was reminded not only of how uniquely American this national holiday is, but also of how it has come to be such a significant day of celebration and gratitude for newly-minted American immigrants as well

In an above-the-fold article on this morning’s front page of the print edition of The Washington Post, writer Luz Lazo quotes Abraham Lima, a Salvadoran immigrant who says, “How can I not be thankful?” 

Several photos depict Mr. Lima with his wife, his grown children, and his granddaughter sitting at their dining room table, offering up a pre-meal prayer of gratefulness for the blessings which have been showered upon them in their new country.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Santa awaits his kids on the other side of
this three-story high Christmas tree. 
(Image/Dick Bergeron)

Each year the Bridgewater Commons Mall sets up its tall Christmas tree for the Holiday Season in the open area of the three-story atrium at center court.  That’s where parents have already begun to bring their young children to visit Santa Claus so that they can ask him to fulfill their favorite wish.

There are also two other much smaller, though just as significant Holiday trees where some of the neediest people, although they may not be able to visit the Mall and Santa Claus, can still ask in absentia for a favored wish:  

These are the two Salvation Army make-a-wish Angel Trees upon which needy people of all ages, sizes, desires, and cultures get a chance to have a tag hung on one of two trees on their behalf.

One of the Angel Trees is prominently displayed next to the up escalator near the huge Santa Claus Holiday tree in the Atrium area, about 20 feet across the aisle from the entrance to Godiva Chocolate.

Board Picks Petrozelli

At an open public meeting which began at 7:30 p.m. last night and finished nearly four hours later, the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education elected Daniel M. Petrozelli to fill the School Board seat vacated by Anda Cytroen who resigned in September.

A happy Daniel Petrozelli after his appointment to the Board
of Education.  (Dick Bergeron Image.)

Mr. Petrozelli is a licensed electrician, a seven-and-a-half year Bridgewater Township resident, and has a daughter who will be entering elementary school in this district.

He served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service from 1983 to 1986, and earned his Associate’s Degree from Raritan Valley Community College in 1989.  Petrozelli worked his way up the ladder in his trade and is currently employed by Local 102 of the IBEW in Parsippany, where he works as a certified instructor to electrical apprentices.

In a process which was completely transparent and open to the public for observation, the Board interviewed 11candidates who were queried separately in the conference room at the Wade Administration Building.  Of thirteen people who had submitted applications, eleven showed up.

Each person was allotted five minutes, during which time they were asked to explain why they wanted to be on the Board; what skill sets and experience they would apply in their role as a Board member: and, what ideas did each have to improve the educational and budgetary issues facing the School District.

This was followed by a five-minute questioning period by individual Board members, including a one minute summary by each candidate.

There even was a touch of high technology in the process, as Jacqueline Barlow, one of the candidates who was out of the country on business, was accommodated by the Board – she joined the process via a Skype video conference call.

Candidates to be Interviewed for Board Seat Tomorrow Night

Since my post of November 2nd, when I reported that six candidates had filed for an open seat on the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education, seven other candidates have since filed their petitions to be considered for this post. 

Board Members Arthur Mathur and Anne Marie Mead enjoy a
light moment at a meeting in September. (Dick Bergeron Image)

The opening is the result of the resignation of Anda Cytroen who was up for election to another 3-year term in the April, 2012, School Board/Budget Election.  Whoever is appointed to the post will need to run again for the job in April.

In addition to those who filed on November 2^nd; namely, Jacqueline M. Barlow, John Chang, Michelle Moore, Joan L. Muldoon, Daniel M. Petrozelli, and Terri B. Yessman, seven other aspirants have submitted their paperwork.  Filing for the job was closed on November 9^th.

Tomorrow night, Tuesday, November 15^th,  at a Special Board Meeting, and following a one-hour closed-door meeting on another topic which will begin at 6:30 pm in the Wade Administration Building in Martinsville, the Board will reconvene in open public session  at 7:30 pm to interview candidates for this vacancy.

The names of the additional seven candidates are listed below in alphabetical order:

Penn State at Halftime

Both teams pause in a pre-game prayer for victims of sex abuse.
(TV Screenshot/Dick Bergeron)

The second quarter between the Nittany Lions and Nebraska’s Cornhuskers has just ended as I am writing this post. 

But it’s halftime for more than just a football team today.  The leadership of Penn State University, as well as that of its athletic program is also in the midst of its own halftime. 

Both are losing badly.  Maybe we should put the kids in charge. 

It’s hard to find the right words to categorize the shameless acts which are alleged to have been committed on the campus of Penn State University by people entrusted with the welfare of young people. 

Bridgewater Township Election Results: Republicans Win Mayoral and Council Seats

The Great Seal of Bridgewater Township, NJ (Image/Dick Bergeron)

The contest for the Bridgewater Township Mayor's post and the two Council seats is over.

Dan Hayes garnered 3,815 votes for the Mayor's job, defeating Jim Ventantonio and George E. Jones who tallied 2,552 and 1,613 votes, respectively. Hayes will succeed current Mayor Patricia Flannery who declined to run for another term.

Similarly, Republican incumbents on the Bridgewater Township Council, Matthew Moench and Christine Henderson-Rose garnered 4,679 and 4,567 votes, respectively, defeating Democrat challengers Mary Pranzatelli and John Rooney who won 3,068 and 2,927 votes, respectively.

Bridgewater to Select New Mayor on Tuesday

Initially, Bridgewater officials did not expect such a large turnout for the debate between the three mayoral candidates which took place on Thursday evening, November 3^rd, at the Bridgewater Municipal Complex. 

However, the world of politics in Bridgewater is still vibrant, and that means that high-profile local contests usually attract large gatherings.  Bridgewater residents had already filled a relatively small conference room to overflow capacity, even as other citizens began to fill the corridors.

Dan Hayes, Council Member and mayoral candidate.  (Image/Dick Bergeron)

Nonetheless, contingency plans had already been made by the League of Women Voters and the Township – the venue was quickly changed to the much larger public meeting room just a few feet away. 

The Township Council had already been in closed session, but it graciously gave up the larger room, and a swap was quickly made.

Running for the mayor’s office are three very qualified candidates, all of which have experience in the affairs of Bridgewater, and some of whom know this town like the back of their hand.  This race was prompted by the announcement by current Bridgewater Mayor Patricia Flannery that she would not run for another term of office.

In alphabetical order:

Six Candidates Apply for School Board Vacancy

Much of the attention in the local Bridgewater political realm is currently focused on the general election that will be held on November 8, 2011, for candidates hoping to fill the empty mayoral spot created by Mayor Patricia Flannery, who decided not to run for a third term, prompting a three-way race for that seat. 

The ballot for next Tuesday’s election  also includes contests for two seats on the Bridgewater Township Council; two on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders; and, in the 23^rd District, one seat for State Senate and two for the Assembly. 

Anda Cytroen, far left, with Board colleagues, 5/17/2011. (Image/Dick Bergeron)

However, there is another open seat for which you won’t get to vote for until April 2012, but which is also a critical post:  A vacancy occurred as the result of the resignation by Anda Cytroen, who, until recently, was a member of the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education.

Ms. Cytroen’s 3-year term was scheduled to expire next April, at which time, in the normal course of events, she would have decided whether or not to run again.

But Cytroen’s in-term resignation means that the B-R BOE must fill her position with a person who, after appointment to the Board of Education, will occupy that post until next April, when the seat will be up for grabs again in the School Board/Budget election.

Halloween at the Mall

The Wicked Witch!!  (Image/Dick Bergeron, Homestead Farm, Poolesville, MD.)

Early this afternoon, when I visited the Bridgewater Commons Mall, it was overflowing with young people ranging from tiny ones in strollers, small munchkins walking about in their Halloween costumes, and teenagers taking advantage of school closings, courtesy of the treacherous snowstorm which closed down so many school buildings.

The big hit this afternoon was the bevy of tiny tots in their Halloween costumes who were old enough to walk from store to store in a safe and welcome environment, guided by their moms and dads who helped them to collect their treats, as they sauntered from one place to the other.

One of the best spots was the Lego storefront which had a lady dressed in princess regalia standing at the entrance to the store, ready to greet the trick-or-treaters.

Beats having the wicked witch of the west coming after you!

The All-too-Early Wind and Snows of October

The old big-box TV goes out for recycling.  (Image/Dick Bergeron)

This was to be the weekend that, after seventeen years with our old and trusted TV, we would have it hauled out and replaced with a new flat-screen model. 

However, although the old one was picked up early Saturday morning as the storm began to rage, delivery and installation of the new one scheduled for late that same day, was delayed until the middle of next week.  The snow and wind proved to be unforgiving.  (Not to mention that we may have lost that beautiful pin oak in the front yard.)

Our big old cabinet model Zenith TV was manufactured with ‘state-of-the-art’ technology when we purchased it in 1994.  But technology does not stand still and, a year later, Zenith came under the control of South-Korea based LG Electronics whose products are now carried by major store chains such as Costco and P.C. Richard. 

A Matter of Judgment

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

The New Jersey Constitution seems to be quite clear on the question of whether or not Governor Chris Christie and the Legislature of this state were within the letter and the spirit of that document when public employee compensation reforms were codified into law in June, 2010.

Those reforms provided for increased contributions by state employees for their pension and health benefits.

But – it seems – at least two members of the state judiciary think that the law does not apply to them, claiming that this legislation reduces their ‘salary’ under provisions of New Jersey’s constitution.

A plain reading of that document is quiet clear on this matter to anyone else with even a scintilla of common sense:  “The justices of the Supreme Court and the judges of the Superior Court shall receive for their services such salaries as may be provided by law, which shall not be diminished during the term of their appointment.” 

(If you want more, Click here for the full source of this quote and scroll down to the Judicial section to read Paragraph 6, under Article VI, Section VI.)

Pretty simple, yet this has become a controversy which is now headed to the New Jersey Supreme Court under pending appeal by the Christie administration.

Bridgewater-Raritan Schools Seek to Fill Board Seat

Anda Cytroen at 5/3/11 Board Mtg. (Dick Bergeron Image)

With the recent resignation of Bridgewater-Raritan School Board member, Anda Cytroen, the position needs to be filled by an appointment to that post. 

New Jersey law requires that the B-R School Board solicit candidates, interview them, and appoint a person from their ranks to take Cytroen’s place on the Board until the end of her 3-year term of office.

The person selected to fill this vacant spot will occupy it for the remainder of that term which expires in April, 2012, at which time the appointee and two other incumbents – if they so chose to run again – will be up for re-election by voters for another 3-years of service.  There is no number of term limitations on school board positions.

(Each year, on or about April 17, three of nine school board seats come up in rotation for approval by voters together with the school budget.)

PTSD and the Wars that Won't go Away

Book Jacket.   (Dick Bergeron Image)

Potomac, MD.  The testimonials on the back of the book jacket for “In the Name of Honor” don’t do it justice.  I wonder if any one of those whose names appear on it ever read the book front-to-back, if at all.

The author, Richard North Patterson, is a master storyteller with a disciplined grip on the English language. 

Throughout this highly readable 400-pager, he skillfully employs words and phrases to buttress his main thesis – that the deadening  impact of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) on American families and their loved ones returning home from Iraq has not been counted into the price of that war.

The forcefulness and validity of that message is wrapped within the story of two military families.  The first can boast of an intergenerational West Point succession of high-ranking Army officers whose current patriarch is a general and the Army Chief of Staff.  He is slated to become head of the Joint Chiefs. 

The Vietnam Wall Pays a Visit

The Washington Monument serves as a sentinel to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

Potomac, MD -- As chance would have it, while I was driving north on Route 202/206 by the Bridgewater Commons Mall on Wednesday, a column of police cars and motorcycles moving southbound on the other side was escorting a decorated trailer containing the Traveling Vietnam Wall.

It formed an impressive motorcade – one that was impossible to miss.  The exhibit may be seen at North Branch Park in Bridgewater, where it is open to the public until Sunday afternoon.

Against the Tide

(Photo/Google Images)

You can’t push an incoming wave back into the sea.  No matter what you do, it’s going to come crashing down upon the sand. 

The same may be said of business ventures which, for whatever reason, are about to hit the beaches of the bankruptcy courts.  This applies whether a company is in the field of solar energy or in any other emerging market where competition is tough and the future uncertain.

The rate of failure among start-ups, especially among those in new, cutting edge industries is very high – often 60% or greater within the first four years.  One study that employed Census Bureau data shows that only 29% of new businesses which started in 1992 were still operating in 2002.

That is why, in the United States, the traditional source of funds for unproven start-ups has been venture capitalists, not the Federal Government.  

Venture capital firms usually spread their risk among a diverse group of young emerging companies and perform a high degree of analysis on a fledgling enterprise, its founders and its markets.  Their due diligence is pristine.

Sunday: Last Day for the VNA Rummage Sale

Leaving the Fairgrounds at closing time! (Photo/Dick Bergeron)

Sunday afternoon is the last opportunity for you to benefit from enjoying the fall Rummage Sale sponsored by the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills. 

It’s a semi-annual event which also takes place in the spring.  This affair always seems to take on a festive character, especially when the weather is as perfect as it has been Friday and Saturday, and as it will be on Sunday.

It wasn’t always like that.  There have been times when I’ve had to step deep into the muck during wet, chilly weather to get to some of my favorite tents – but, not today.  Priscille, I and our two grand-daughters, M&m, moved about a few of the tents and came out with some goodies – (me with a bag full of books: any surprise?).

Welcome to the Fall Season



This last, lonely apple is probably destined for the cider press.

Well, it finally arrived – fall, that is.  Yes . . .  I know:  The official start of fall came nearly two weeks ago on September 23^rd.  But it never felt that way – too much rain, too many gray, cloudy, overhanging days.

Fall is supposed to be accompanied by brisk cool weather and puffy clouds against the backdrop of a blue sky.  If AccuWeather keeps its promise, the sun will shine for the rest of this week and into the next, punctuated with rain on the last three days of October.
 
Expect cool nights and comfortable daytime temperatures.  That is, if Mother Nature does not change her mind in between now and then:  It’s been known to happen quite frequently. She can be unpredictable.
 
Nonetheless, for the next ten days it’s worth your planning for any outdoor activities which you may have been thinking about.

Bradley Gardens School PTO: Clothing & Bargain Bicycle Sale on Saturday



Mrs.  Buckley-Johnson prepares to address the B-R BOE on 9/27/11.

Below is an insert describing a wide variety of clothing items, as well as bicycles which will go on sale this Saturday morning, October 1, through early afternoon at the Bradley Gardens primary school in Bridgewater. 

Bridgewater-Raritan PTO members are very active in the support of their schools and spend a lot of time and effort in being involved in their welfare.

If you have a few minutes to spare and think that you may be in need of some of the items listed below, drop by the school. 

Anne Buckley-Johnson will be happy to answer any of your questions at the number below, if you would like to know more.

$1-2-3 Clothing and Bargain Bicycle Sale

Sat., Oct. 1, 2011 from 9am to 1pm at Bradley Gardens School, 148 Pine St., Bridgewater.
 
Find gently-used infant thru adult clothing neatly displayed on tables organized by size and gender. All shirts are $1; sweaters, sweatshirts, skirts, pjs are $2; pants, jackets, winter coats, shoes, boots, Halloween Costumes are $3; bicycles are $10 and up.

Receipts for tax purposes are available at drop off when you donate gently-used clothing and/or bicycles on Friday, Sept. 30 from 9am-2pm and 4pm-6pm at the school’s main entrance.

Please bag clothing by size and gender and label the bag. Ex., “girl 4T”; “Men L.” The school’s PTO runs the sale to help the community and to raise funds for the school.

Please call Anne Buckley-Johnson at 908-725-1611 with questions.

Thanks for reading, and have a good weekend.  The weather looks promising – for a change!

High School Glee Club to Appear on Rachael Ray Show Tomorrow

Glee Club members hold up $10,000 check before Staff & Board officers.

Not all Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education Meetings start off this way.  This one was a winner. 

Getting ready for their performance in the Wade Building.

Shortly after the opening of the public session last night at the Wade Building in Martinsville, Dr. Len Herman, Supervisor of Fine & Practical Arts (K-12), and Mr. John Wilson, Teacher and Conductor of the Glee Club took their turn at the lectern facing the Board.
  

Brooke Dobossy sings to accompaniment.

Not only did they announce that the Bridgewater-Raritan Glee Club would perform its rendition of “Heartbreaker” for the pleasure of the Board and attendees at last night’s meeting, but they followed up with an enthusiastic statement that famed singer/performer Kristin Chenoweth will be presenting a check for $10,000 on behalf of Tonic.com to the Glee Club.

Bridgewater Turns out for Monument’s Dedication

Yesterday afternoon, at 4:00 PM, in front of Bridgewater’s new Municipal Complex, citizens, dignitaries, contributors, Girl Scouts, and others all showed up to honor the Township’s march through history at the dedication of the Bridgewater Historic Monument.  

An orange ribbon falls to the ground after its ceremonial cutting by Bridgewater Mayor Patricia Flannery and Veronica Finlay, volunteer project co-ordinator, at the Bridgewater Historic Monument's dedication.. They are joined by Girl Scouts and some of the Monument's many contributors.

It is a very attractive and well-designed addition to the Township complex.  The Monument’s placement physically breaks up the distance between the road entrance and the spacious, open courtyard leading to the main buildings, thus adding an esthetically pleasing aspect to the overall surroundings.

Celebrate Bridgewater Township!

On Thursday, September 22, Bridgewater Township will commemorate its history when the new outdoor Bridgewater Historical Monument will be officially presented to the citizens of our township. 

The descriptive plaques (seven in all) below the new Bridgewater Historical Monument are temporarily supported by boards as their adhesive dries, a mere three days before the official dedication. (Photo/Dick Bergeron)

Its cost was originally included in the design of the Bridgewater Municipal Complex.  However, funding plans were since changed, and the monument has been entirely paid for through private and corporate sources, a not insignificant accomplishment given the times we live in. 

This memorial is in the form of a curved wall which depicts the continuum of Bridgewater’s history from the time that European explorers first made contact with this area’s original Native Americans, the Lenni Lenape Indians.  Subsequent, seamless sections of this integrated mural display Bridgewater’s steady march to the present time.

School Board in Very Early Stage of Redistricting

At its work session on Tuesday of this week, the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education entered into a brief, initial discussion about the need for the redistricting of its schools.  As demographic patterns continually shift within this large and widely dispersed school district, it’s a topic which comes up with unpredictable regularity.

Lynne Hurley, Chairperson of the Finance & Transportation Committee, led off the discussion as part of her committee report, explaining that “redistricting will help to balance out enrollment in our schools,” following up with “we (the committee) had a lively discussion” on this topic.

Penny Wolf, a 20-year Bridgewater resident, advises the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education not to consider any school building closings during the redistricting analysis. (Photo/Dick Bergeron)

Tuesday evening, the Board was working with a bare quorum of five of its members, with the other four unable to attend that evening.  As Board Vice-President and Facilities Chairperson, Patrick Breslin, pointed out – the accompanying observation is mine – the issues, challenges, and problems which inevitably accompany “declining enrollment will have a full Board discussion later.”

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Michael Schilder offered his view of what could be a six-step process for the Board’s consideration.  I have taken minimal journalistic liberty with the wording of the following recommended steps: