In Case You Didn’t See the Announcement . . . (To Be Rescheduled!)

The town hall meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1^st, featuring Governor Chris Christie, and originally scheduled to be held at the 4-H Center on Milltown Road in Bridgewater has been cancelled. 

MCJ.com had an announcement to that effect, but it appeared last Saturday evening when many folks were away for the weekend, and some of you may have missed it.  Thus, I’m posting this reminder. 

Today, around mid-morning, I called the Governor’s office with a question about that meeting and was told that it was cancelled, but would be rescheduled; yet no new date was immediately available as of the time of my call. 

Commemorating what we Shouldn’t Forget

The 9/11 memorial at Harry Dunham Park (Photo/R. Bergeron)

During his recent visit to the nation’s Capital, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu impressed me a great deal.  There is in this man a core of stability, determination, consistency and integrity which cannot be ignored. 

The U.S. Congress, it seems, must share similar sentiments because, in a joint meeting of the House and Senate this week, he united Democrats and Republicans, as, on one point after another, they rose from their seats and enthusiastically punctuated his statements with applause and admiration – a gesture seldom expressed by that group with such frequency, especially for a visiting foreign dignitary.

I couldn’t listen to Netanyahu’s address without noting the unpretentiousness with which he speaks, and with the forcefulness by which he underscores his laser-like intent, which is to preserve the continued existence of Israel.

Middle East Christians: Washington’s Throwaways

Some things need to be said, and this is one of them:  The passivity with which President Obama and the Congress of the United States continue to ignore the wanton destruction of Christian churches, the killing of Christians, and the forced exile from their countries of origin in the Middle East and parts of Asia is a national disgrace.

The "Arab Spring" is not unfolding as peacefully as is this flower in my garden.

It’s like a malignant virus spreading across the region.  Christians in Iraq, Egypt, and Pakistan have been set upon violently while celebrating their sacred liturgies or as they openly exercised their rights:  They are erratically beaten and gunned down in their own neighborhoods, or blown up in their churches as they quietly and peacefully pray. 

Stories of these religious atrocities keep rolling off the newswires, yet the problem remains effectively unaddressed by Washington elected officials, its power brokers, and the Pentagon. 

Schools’ Staff Proposes a “More Efficient” Learning Model

Board member Lynne Hurley seeks the floor, as Cindy Cullen looks on.

Tuesday evening, May 17^th, at the Wade Administration Building in Martinsville, Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder and Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Dyer outlined a proposal for a Magnet School Program for English Language Learners (ELLs), who are studying English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL).

Schilder and Dyer were supported by District staff members present in the audience who were on hand as subject-matter experts to take questions and to expand on certain points.  This program, if approved, will be implemented at the Bradley Gardens Primary School as early as next September.

The Magnet School proposal was put on the table because, in the words of Dr. Schilder, “Our ESL program is not meeting the needs of our kids.”  There are approximately 112 ELL students, about half of which employ Spanish as their primary language.

BREA President Offers his Views on Contract Negotiations

Left to right:  Messrs. Beatty & Dohenny, BREA; Lynne Hurley

Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Steve Beatty, President of the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association returned my call from the previous day. 

During that conversation we discussed the current status of negotiations between the union which he represents (BREA),  and the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education, which is expected to take up the BREA’S latest response at a closed session meeting on May 17^th.

Those of you who regularly follow this blog are aware that I have previously asked both parties what the offers and counter-offers have been, hoping that this information could be passed on to you, the public and union members, while discussions are still in progress.

Mr. Beatty indicated that the Association wants to do “what is fair and right.”  He explained that the reason both parties “have chosen to be more tight-lipped” is to ensure “better success” in negotiations.  He added that “we both see value in keeping (negotiations) private.” 

Update on School Labor Contract Negotiations

Evan Lerner, Patrick Breslin and Lynne Hurley at May 3rd Board Meeting

At the May 3^rd post-election reorganization meeting of the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education, newly installed Board President Evan Lerner alerted the audience that on Tuesday, May 17^th, at the next meeting, the Negotiations Committee will update the full Board in closed executive session on the status of negotiations with the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association. 

In a telephone conversation this evening, Mr. Lerner disclosed that although the Negotiations Team had not met with representatives of the BREA since the School Board’s reorganization on May 3^rd, that it had, nonetheless, "received a proposal" from the teachers’ union. 

Mr. Lerner was unable to disclose the contents of that proposal, but indicated that in its executive session next Tuesday, the full  Board will hear the specifics in closed session, will discuss it, and  “will be crafting a response for the Negotiations Committee” to bring back to the BREA. 

The Board may also consider the question of “whether or not to disclose the BREA’s offer” to the public, but there was no indication of what the sense of the Board might be on this issue.

A Happily Deserved Mother’s Day to All You Moms

Springtime at the Bridgewater Township Administration Building

Recognition and thanks goes out to all of you wonderful ladies in Bridgewater and beyond who have chosen such a noble profession.

Few people call it that, because motherhood doesn’t always fit in with the temper of the times which links success with the amount of bucks accumulated, let alone recognizes this endeavor as a job onto itself.

Nonetheless, the hand that rocks the cradle is truly the one that rules the world, despite any claims to the contrary.  There are only a couple of professions in life which demand such a lifelong commitment of time, energy, and love.  Yet there are few which can be so absolutely and frustratingly demanding, despite the dignity of it all.

VNA Rummage Sale Started Friday on the Fairgrounds in Far Hills

Spring, 2011, VNA Rummage Sale. (Photo/R. Bergeron)

The spring rummage sale held on behalf of the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills began today and continues for two more days.  It will be open for bargain hunters tomorrow morning, Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Sunday, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

According to the VNA’s website, “This famous Rummage Sale, held every fall and spring at the Fairgrounds in Far Hills, New Jersey, is New Jersey's largest and oldest. As a major fundraiser for the VNA, 100% of the proceeds support the VNA’s programs and enable the VNA to care for those who are uninsured or underinsured.

If you haven't been before, prepare yourself! Bargains are everywhere, and the selection, spread out over 75,000 square feet, is incredible – you name it and you'll find it there.”

I always try to go each year, because I’m a bookworm on the lookout for an unusual edition on an interesting topic, or for a good novel or other notable work of literature.  (I found seven books for $12, about the price of a single electronic version.)  

Flash Report: School Board Appoints New Leadership

At its annual post-election reorganization meeting this evening, Tuesday May 3^rd, the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education unanimously voted to install Evan Lerner as Board President and Pat Breslin as Vice President.

Lerner succeeds Jeffrey Brookner, last year’s Board President, while Breslin assumes Lerner’s former position as Vice-President.

Prior to that action, and as a result of last week’s public voting of April 27^th, Arvind Mathur, Ann Marie Meade and Evan Lerner were each sworn in to three-year terms on the Board.

Participation of Student Representatives Emphasized, as the B-R BOE Reorganizes.

Katherine Wullert, Student Board Representative.

Tuesday night, May 3rd, at 8:00 p.m. in the Wade Administration Building in Martinsville, the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education will conduct its post-election reorganization, followed by a regular meeting of the new board, once the President and Vice President are elected and installed. 

The evening’s 10-page agenda is taken up largely with once-a-year items designating persons and institutions for specific roles and responsibilities, as well as to consider and to approve other motions concerning administrative and educational matters.

To be sworn in as members of the Board are incumbents Arvind Mathur and Evan Lerner from Bridgewater, as well as newcomer Ann Marie Meade from Raritan.  This first meeting following last week’s District-wide voting is also to a large extent a celebratory event for the winners.  After that, it’s getting down to business.

There are nine elected officials – not counting the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Board Secretary – who sit around the table and who oversee educational and business matters on behalf of the community.