Opinion
Back to School, Back to the Books: The Value Behind Textbooks
The high price of college textbooks is getting a lot of press. Legislators are considering bills to bring down costs, such as requiring professors to use the least expensive “educationally sound” option. »
School Colors Should Always Include Green
Environmental problems often result from millions of small decisions. It’s no surprise, then, that the inverse may be true: many small, positive actions can add up to a healthier environment. As kids head back to school, the transition into a new daily routine is a great time to go greener! »
State Colleges Need Opportunity to Control Workers Compensation
“Doing more with less” is a recurring theme these days for families and businesses. It’s also true for New Jersey’s state colleges and universities. Step one is figuring out what you’re spending in the first place. In the case of the state colleges, their workers compensation costs are a surprisingly large expense. »
Scanners: No Place to Hide
As the surveillance state expands around us, entangling us in a web from which there is no escape, what we used to call “privacy” is fast becoming a thing of the past. »
Persecuting a Conciliator
If a YMCA or a YMHA were planned for 51 Park Place in Lower Manhattan, two blocks from the Twin Towers’ former site, who would have noticed? »
Mayor Calls For Government Overhaul
Linden’s form of government is out of date and in need of an overhaul. The City of Linden operates under the Wildwood Act, commonly known as the city form of municipal government, which was established in 1897. »
Education is Not a Competitive Sport
For New Jersey, the Race to the Top was a race nobody won, especially not the students of New Jersey. »
For Shame! Fear Is Back, with a Vengeance
Something remarkable happened on November 4, 2008. Despite economic distress, uncertainty and insecurity, voters went to the polls and chose hope over fear electing Barack Obama President of the United States. »
The School Lunch Program: A Nudge in the Right Direction
If you blinked, you might have missed Senator Blanche Lincoln change what your child likely eats for lunch at school. Recently, in the wake of Elena Kagan’s confirmation, the Senate quickly and unanimously passed Lincoln’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. »
Voice of the People: Christie’s $400 million mistake
Why are no Democrats calling for an impeachment after New Jersey lost $400 million in "Race to the Top" funding for public education because Gov. Christie Todd Christie failed to follow instructions on the application? »
The Poisons All Around Us
Lately I’ve been reminded of an old campfire skit. The leader is speaking calmly to the gathered campers when someone races in with arms flailing, shouting: “Help! Help! It’s all around me!” The host reacts with genuine concern: “What’s all around you?!” The intruder smiles, shrugs and replies nonchalantly: “The air.” »
Loss Of Nature Threatens Area Neighborhoods
I am writing to express my outrage that one of the few nature areas we have left is being paved over. The woods and wetlands comprising much of the D'Annunzio property in the Dismal Swamp are being bulldozed for more overdevelopment. »
Trinitas Responds To Column
I am writing in response to your editorial (Ban Killer Hospitals) in which you state, among many inaccuracies, “Trinitas Regional Medical Center tried to kill Ruben Betancourt because the man was uninsured while in a coma and in need of kidney dialysis.” »
Obama Invites Confusion About His Faith
The recent poll by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life is generating much discussion over its provocative finding that an increasing number of Americans (nearly one in five) believe that President Obama is a Muslim. The survey was completed before Obama's recent comments endorsing the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero. »
Martin Luther King Jr.: We Are Killing the Dream
Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his now-historic “I Have a Dream” speech which envisioned a world in which blacks and white would work together in harmony for the cause of freedom. »
Carteret Does Need A Full-Time Mayor
Before I deconstruct Mr. Failace’s August 13, 2010 response to my editorial, I must say it is an honor to have the ex-mayor of Carteret so fervidly object to my points discussed. In his long-winded editorial, Mr. Failace took the hapless reader for a trip down his distorted perception of the world. »
Imagining A World With Paid Sick Days
There are many areas of life in this country where it appears that we live in two worlds. And that’s no different when we consider paid sick days. In the first world, if you’re sick, you stay home from work, take care of yourself, and have the time to get better. »
Sica & Reiman Rebuilt Carteret
I read with disgust ex Mayor Jim Failace’s letter to the editor in the Home News Tribune. Failace was soundly defeated by Reiman eight years ago this year. Failace now attempts to take credit for everything good in Carteret while blaming others for everything bad. »
Zoning Officer Defends Mayor On Cell Tower Issue
I serve as the Zoning Officer and Construction Official for the Borough of Carteret and have worked in the Borough for 40 years and for the borough of Carteret for 20 years under three different administrations. While I have had a good relationship with all the Mayors I’ve worked for none has been a... »
Join The Conversation On America’s Great Outdoors
The Obama administration is developing a comprehensive, cutting-edge strategy for preserving America’s natural heritage, and the time is now for citizens to join this conversation about conservation! »


