Wagner Spray Tech and Techtronic Industries Agree To Pay $800,000 Civil Penalty for Delay in Reporting Overheating Battery Chargers
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that Wagner Spray Tech Corp., of Plymouth, Minn. and Techtronic Industries Co. LTD, of Hong Kong, including its wholly-owned subsidiary Techtronic Industries North America Inc., of Anderson, S.C., have agreed to pay an $800,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles a federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota alleging that Wagner and Techtronic failed to timely report to CPSC as required by federal law the overheating of certain defective cordless power drill battery chargers.
Why the Education System Is Broken
June 4, 2009 by Editorial Writer
Filed under Opinions
If you read the daily newspapers or tune in to the nightly news you may get a bad taste in your mouth. Worse, if you listen to your child after a long day at school you may also get an uncomfortable feeling. Yes, it does seem that the educational system is broken and, yes, it may be beyond repair.
There are many fractures in the fault line of the educational system. Ask parents, students, and yes, even teachers, and you will find plenty of examples. The disintegration of the educational system is due to a variety of factors. In recent years the spate of school shootings and other violence has irreparably tarnished public and private schools. Fighting in school is up and worse, it seems that laws to protect the educational rights of students who cause many of the problems in schools actually hurt the students who come to learn every day. In many schools students can get away with bullying, fighting, stealing, and disrupting the classroom environment. They may get suspended for a short time, but usually they return and pick up where they left off.
In order to save money on programs for children with special needs, schools have begun to widely mainstream students requiring special education needs into regular classrooms. While this effort is meant with good intentions, it does not always bear fruit. Oftentimes, this combination of students can do more harm than good.
When you think back to your time in school how many excellent teachers can you recall? Nearly everyone can think of one or two – if you can think of more than that you should consider yourself lucky. There are many excellent teachers in schools; however, there are even more unqualified teachers. Due to the need for teachers and the poor environment offered by many school districts, teachers who are unqualified are often hired. Many teachers are given second and third chances after they have proven to be inept at previous schools. The pay for teachers is notoriously low in many states and this does not lend itself to a highly motivated and highly qualified workforce.
The education system is indeed broken. Besides a lack of funding leading to the use of outdated books, few computers, the lack of opportunity for field trips and hands-on learning, it seems that the entire framework of education is coming apart at the seams. The only way the education system can be repaired is through massive funding and a strong dedication by society to make the system work. With treasury coffers fairly empty this does not look like it will happen anytime soon.
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Another rainy day in Jackson another vehicle loses control on Route 527
Jackson NJ – As has been the norm for several months now, each new rainy day in Jackson Township, New Jersey brings with it disaster on Route 527. The road which has been host to dozens of critical and many fatal accidents over the past few years has recently been in the media spot light after two high profile accidents, one claiming the life of a 40 year old Jackson man and another sending young Chesley Thomas to the hospital in critical condition, still recovering from her injuries, has been a source of contention within the community.
On Tuesday night at 6:45pm, local Jackson mom Christine Stilton was stopped at the red traffic light at the intersection of Jackson Mills Road and Route 527 along with her 6 year old daughter when she looked in her rear view mirror and saw a black sedan veering out of control behind her which had lost control and apparently unable to stop for the traffic light. The car veered off the road narrowly missing Mrs. Stilton’s vehicle and another vehicle behind hers and came to a stop after hitting the trees just a few feet away, narrowly missing the guard rail.
The passenger of the vehicle was alright and Mrs. Stilton immediately called 911 to report the accident in which Jackson Township Police responded to within minutes. The vehicle was later towed away, showing minor damage.
The ironic twist to this accident is that Mrs. Stilton is the wife of Phil Stilton, a Jackson Township father who has been lobbying the Jackson Township Board of Education unsuccessfully for over one year to relocate bus stops where children are unnecessarily waiting on Route 527. Mr. Stilton’s efforts began in June of 2008 when he was notified by the Jackson Township Board that his six year old kindergarten daughter would be expected to wait for her school bus on the busy 50 mph highway that has been host to so many tragedies over the years instead of within the safe confines of the development which he resides.
The Board of Education balked at Mr. Stilton’s request stating that Route 527 makes for a safe stop for a Kindergarten students, in light of the dozens critical and many fatal accidents each year in the area of the proposed bus stop. After attending many BOE meetings pleading with the Board of Education, board member and current President Barbara Fiero told Mr. Stilton ”We are not the Police Department” and that if Mr. Stilton is concerned about vehicles illegally passing school buses, he should “bring pencil and paper to the bus stop and record the license plates yourself”
“It’s disheartening to learn that the people who have been elected to the position of caretakers of our children’s education flat out reject a parent’s legitimate safety concern for his daughter.” Stilton said of the decision “as a parent with children just entering the public education system, I was not expecting a year long battle between the determination of the Board of Education and myself to ensue, but early on, I was told by the Superintendent that he was against opening the floodgates when it came to changing bus stops. He told me if he did it for one parent, he would have to do it for all parents and to think this is how our district handles safety is appalling”. In the Asbury Park Press forums, Joe Fiero, husband of Board President Barbara Fiero called Mr. Stilton a “Whiney first year dad who threw a tantrum when he didn’t get his way” in regards to Stilton’s persistance regarding the Board of Education taking children off this dangerous highway. “I never realized the sort of people running the show in Jackson would resort to childish personal attacks just because you’re concerned about safety” Stilton said of Mr. Fiero’s comments.
In a meeting held between Luanne Meinders and the Board of Education Transportation subcomittee in December 2008, assistant Superintendent Meinders alluded that if Mr. Stilton was so concerned about his child safety, driving her to school himself was an option. “I was floored that instead of providing a safer alternative for my child that the district would sit on their decision and instead tell me that if I don’t like it, I can drive my child and pick her up from school every day” Stilton Continued “To this day, I still don’t understand why the district is making such a huge issue out of nothing. Every other bus company services the development in safe manner, the same should be expected by our public schools.”
Today’s accident hit close to home as the very road Mr. Stilton has been tirelessly lobbying the Jackson Township Municipal Council, Jackson Police Department, Ocean County Engineer Department and the Board of Education to make necessary changes in policy and the road itself to present unecessary loss of life and injury in the future as it was just a few feet from potentially making his wife and daughter another statistic in the road’s lengthy and destructive history.
“I’ve seen so many bad things happen on this road in the 5 years since I moved to Jackson after being a lifelong Toms River resident” says Stilton “In Toms River we had a similar issue back in the 1990’s on Church Road, where the county and the township eventually worked together to lower the speed limit, install many new traffic lights that broke up and stopped traffic and the results were amazing, significantly lowering the amount of fatalities by nearly 100% and reducing the number of accidents on that road significantly. I don’t see why the same isn’t being done here”.
Mr. Stilton was recently quoted in the Asbury Park Press after several critical accidents within 1/8th mile of his daughter’s bus stop as saying “It is a bad place to stop a bus, it is just a matter of time before this happens where there is a corner loaded with children.” regarding the increased amount of vehicles losing the control due to driver inattention and driving in execess of the speed limit on the road.
To this day, very little has been done by the Board of Education and Mr. Stilton is still lobbying the district to reconsider the placement of children on route 527 at least until the county completes its plan to make the road safer by widening and minimizing curves where possible and possibly a speed limit reduction. A recent phone call to Mr. Stilton was made by Superintendent Thomas Gialanella stating that the district will take another look at the situation in September of 2009, but Mr. Stilton feels the longer we wait, the higher the risk will be for the children in the meantime.
Jackson Township students display their artwork in online art gallery
Jackson, NJ – 7 Jackson Township Schools have participated in Artsonia, an online art gallery in which parents, relatives and friends can browse through their children’s artistic creations in school and have them printed onto a very large selection of gift items from coffee mugs to holiday ornaments to mousepads.
15% of all sales goes directly back to the child’s school in just another way local school teachers are establishing creative revenue streams to compensate in the reduction of state funding our town receives and to offset years of budget cuts by the Board of Education.
Since 2007, nearly 30,000 works of art by Jackson children have gone online in Artsonia’s virtual online art gallery. The gallery now has over 5,000,000 works of art for purchase from students nationwide.
Six of the district’s schools currently participate in this fundraiser. Two of our schools are ranked in the top 5 schools in New Jersey. Remarkably, our very own Howard C. Johnson Elementary School is ranked #1 in New Jersey and 17 Nationwide. while the students at Lucy N. Holman Elementary are ranked #4 in the state and #29 in the nation overall in generating sales and members.
The program allows parents, friends and relatives to purchase artwork on many items including sweatshirts, t-shirts, holiday ornaments, keychains, mousepads and more.
See what our kids have been up to…
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Christa McAuliffe Middle School — 631 artwork published since 11/19/2007 Jackson, NJ |
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Holman Elementary — 11367 artwork published since 8/22/2007 Jackson, NJ |
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Howard C Johnson Elementary School — 14265 artwork published since 10/30/2006 Jackson, NJ |
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Jackson Liberty High School — 656 artwork published since 11/17/2008 Jackson, NJ |
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Jackson Memorial High School — 3486 artwork published since 5/1/2002 Jackson, NJ |
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Ocean County Yam — 170 artwork published since 2/4/2008 Jackson, NJ |
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| Switlik Elementary School — 2362 artwork published since 9/5/2007 |
Here are some sample works of art from district children at Artsonia.com
Kindergarten Sunflowers taught by Lia Thomas. Art by Erin, a kindergarten student at Lucy N. Holman Elementary School.
Mixed Media Landscapes, taught by Megan Genz. Art by Rebecca, a student at Jackson Memorial High School.
Op Art, taught by Karen Blenner. Art by Mary, a student at Johnson Elementary.
Soft Pastel String Instruments taught by Maria Galang. Art by Katie, a Switlik Elementary School Student.
Be sure to visit http://www.artsonia.com/schools/list.asp?city=Jackson&state=NJ to check out the artistic talents of Jackson Township students.
Jackson BOE may reconsider senior parking fees
May 19, 2009 by Phil Stilton
Filed under Feature
This is the first Jackson NJ Online BOE meeting recap, a service that will be provided for parents who cannot attend the monthly meetings whenever I can attend myself. I’ll try my best to give a fair and honest representation and hope you enjoy. You would better serve yourself and your child to attend these meetings which are one night per month and just a couple of hours. Tonight’s Jackson Township Board of Education meeting started out with an awards presentation for district students. Unless something seems outlandish or extraordinary, I will not comment on it. I will try to get my hands on the most recent BOE meeting minutes as they become available, but was one of the topics discussed tonight and we’ll talk about that shortly.
A handful of parents stood up to protest the parking fees approved two months ago in which high school seniors would be charged a $25 parking fee to park their vehicles on school property. The school board initially agreed to investigate reopening the matter based on community feedback, but things got pretty heated as parents stood and asked why students are paying but out of town employees who do not pay taxes may park for free.
Marvin Krakower had to deflect initial criticism of Superintendent Thomas Gialanella and ask parents to address board members and not the Superintendent which is considered proper protocol and initial complaints seemed to be directed harshly at Mr. Gialanella. Most of the board members remained silent on the issue, but BOE president Barabara Fiero struck back at criticism of the plan by stating parents had the change to voice their opinions when the matter was being discussed at the March 31st meeting, however parents claimed they did not know of the plan until their children came home with the notice about parking fees.
In response to parents requesting and everyone or no one system where students, teachers, administrators, guests and BOE members should also pay, Ms. Fiero lashed out in a near tirade in support of the program. One board position was that students are offered bus service and teachers and staff are not. The Board of Education also claimed that the funds raised will not be used for maintenance of the parking, but instead will be deposited into the general fund, denying that such statements were ever made. This claim cannot be verified because the meeting minutes from the March 31st meeting have not yet been compiled, raising yet another request for timely dissemination from the audience.
The board claims that the only guidelines regulating the time to publish BOE meeting minutes stated only that they should be done in a reasonable amount of time. Other requests were made to have meeting minutes published on the website for which the board agreed is a good idea.
Paul Mayerowitz addressed the board regarding several financial issues including expanding the budget advisory board into the finance board for the district in which he was told that sensitive or confidential financial information cannot legally be shared with the public and Sharon Dey thanked the advisory committee and left the door open for future input from the general public regarding non-confidential financial assistance, but the board made no formal decision on Mr. Mayerowitz’s request.
It seems that the board is currently leaning towards making parents pay for not attending BOE meetings and not get involved, but this was purely from Fiero’s, Dey’s and Marvin Krakower’s comments of non participation. Most other board members remained silent on the topic, so we will have to wait until the next BOE meeting to see if this topic is discussed in the interim by the board and what the decision will be. For now it is still in the air, but effectively, students will still have to pay $25 per semester pending a reevaluation by the board. Paul Mayerowitz also went on record to state that while on the advisory committee, he was not aware of this charge but was countered by a fellow advisory committee member who claimed it was all clearly presented by the BOE. I was at that meeting and only remember a brief minute or so conversation before the vote occured and saw no mention of this line item in the school budget for which I spent countless hours combing through and matching up with the presentations given.
So as usual, it is time for personal commentary on tonight’s meeting. If there was ever a case study as to why parents should attend these meetings, tonight’s lashing by certain BOE members against lack of parental involvement as the sole excuse to justify not repealing the parking fee or modifying the program for the sake of being a done deal, tonight’s snooze you lose rebuttal was testament to parental participation. I was actually shocked that at this point the new BOE president became aggressive with the harsh questioning and completely lost her professional composure while other board members effectively maintained a professional demeanor. I am however split on the effectiveness of tonight’s protest because it turned into a heated argument in which Fiero clamored and one parent walked off in disgust. I would have liked to have seen both sides maintain composure, but it wasn’t in the cards tonight.
I applaud Paul Mayerowitz for addressing the board regarding bus safety for which Tom Gialanella confirmed that a meeting is in the works on the topic and thank Mr. Gialanella for being on board with the safety of our children in light of recent tragedies on the very roads where the concerns have been raised. I have no doubts at this time that after recent conversations with Mr. Gialanella and Mr. Olkowitz regarding bus safety that the wheels are in motion to do what’s right for the children which is why I did not speak at the meeting and was satisfied with the subject being addressed without my having to be the one to bring it up.
Jackson Police Department gets steamrolled by NJ State Police for charity
May 15, 2009 by Phil Stilton
Filed under Feature
Tonight was “Cheers for Chesley” as the Jackson Pop Warner club held a charity fundraiser for Chelsey Thomas, a JMHS student who was injured recently in an automobile accident. The event included a powder puff game between students from Jackson Memorial High School and was headlined by an intense game between the Jackson Police Department and the New Jersey State Police.
All money collected went to Chesley’s family and if you missed the event and wish to donate, please contact Rachel Brand 732 779 6349.
Jackson Township council president Mike Kafton was on hand along with councilman Scott Martin to start the ceremonies as the JMHS girls went head to head in an impressive 40 minute powderpuff game that was as intense and as exciting as the men’s game that followed. I was on the lookout for local school board members and administrators but either I missed them or they were a no show, but many district faculty members came out to show their support for one of their children.
Girls from the Jackson Jaguars national championship winning cheer squads were also on hand to cheer the Jackson Police team while the non competitive younger squads cheered on the victorious NJ State Police team. The game started on a high note from the Jackson Police Department with a long touchdown pass, but it was all downhill from there as the State Police squad schooled the local police department on the gridiron. Ok, in all seriousness, it was a good game for both sides and we really wanted the local team to win of course, but it just wasn’t in the cards. Both sides played their hearts out for Chelsey and the event seemed to be a success.
Again, if you missed the event and are interested in making a donation, contact rachel at the number above to get the details. Remember this week, the pop warner club will be holding open registrations on Wednesday, May 20th between 7 and 8pm. Visit http://www.jacksonpopwarner.org/ for more information and directions. Pop Warner football and cheer are great team building activities and from the support they have given to a child in need and showed their true colors as a supportive family friendly organization goes beyond the field.
Somebody forgot to tell the Jackson Police Department this was not the Super Bowl. This second and 10 play sent the JPD quarterback scrambling to the right with a huge pass to the receiver for a touchdown pass and reception worthy of ESPN replay. The final score was 28-15 after trailing 21-9, the Jackson Police Department made a 4th quarter comeback attempt to bring the game within 5, but a quick retaliation touchdown by the State Police with a few minutes sealed the deal.
Enjoy these pictures from the event.
JMHS girls square off against each other at the start of the Powderpuff football game.
The JMHS girls played a tough and competitive 40 minute game.
The blue team runs the field on the yellow team.
No mercy was shown for the ball carrier in the opening game.
Blue team runs the ball back against the yellow team.
After a tough and gritty game, the girls head to the sidelines during intermission between games.
Cheerleaders from the junior cheer squads hang out in the bleachers before getting ready to cheer on the State Police team.
This “friendly” game of football saw some fierce competitive action as the NJ State Police in yellow squared off against the Jackson Township Police Department in blue.
Girls from the national championship Jackson Jaguars pop warner cheer squads cheer on the Jackson Township Police Department.
What to do in NJ This weekend. May 15-16, 2009
May 14, 2009 by Phil Stilton
Filed under Opinions
| New Jersey Ballet: Giselle Event Information The Community Theatre Date: May 16,2009 Location: 100 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960 Get More Information: New Jersey Ballet: Giselle |
| Horseshoe Crab Day Event Information Jenkinson’s Aquarium Date: May 16,2009 Location: 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 Get More Information: Horseshoe Crab Day |
| Fine Art & Crafts at Verona Park Event Information Verona Park Date: May 16,2009 Location: Bloomfield Ave., Verona, NJ 07044 Get More Information: Fine Art & Crafts at Verona Park |
| Pathmark Mulitcultural Arts Festival Event Information Woodbridge Center Date: May 16,2009 Location: Woodbridge Center Dr., Woodbridge, NJ 07095 Get More Information: Pathmark Mulitcultural Arts Festival |
| Born to be Shorn Event Information Cooper Gristmill Date: May 16,2009 Location: 66 State Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930 Get More Information: Born to be Shorn |
| Richie HavensRichie Havens Event Information Algonquin Arts Theatre Date: May 16,2009 Location: 173 Main St., Manasquan, NJ 08736 Get More Information: Richie HavensRichie Havens |
| McCarter Theatre Gala Benefit Event Information McCarter Threatre Date: May 16,2009 Location: 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540 Get More Information: McCarter Theatre Gala Benefit |
| Blast from the Past Event Information Medford Township Date: May 16,2009 Location: Main St., Medford, NJ 08055 Get More Information: Blast from the Past |
| A Taste Of Tango & More Event Information Montclair Art Museum Leir Hall Date: May 16,2009 Location: 3 South Mountain Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042 Get More Information: A Taste Of Tango & More |
| Spring Arts & Crafts Festival Event Information Star of the Sea Parish Hall Date: May 16,2009 Location: Washington & Lafayette Sts., Cape May, NJ 08204 Get More Information: Spring Arts & Crafts Festival |
| Everything Jersey City Festival Event Information Central Ave. Date: May 16,2009 Location: Central Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07307 Get More Information: Everything Jersey City Festival |
| Beginning Birding Event Information Duke Farms Date: May 16,2009 Location: 80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 Get More Information: Beginning Birding |
| Fire Control Tower No. 23 Opening Ceremony Event Information Sunset Blvd. near Sunset Beach Date: May 16,2009 Location: Sunset Boulevard, Cape May, NJ 08204 Get More Information: Fire Control Tower No. 23 Opening Ceremony |
| Adult Workshop: Plaster Casting Event Information Grounds For Sculpture Date: May 16,2009 Location: 18 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619 Get More Information: Adult Workshop: Plaster Casting |
| Tots on Tour! Event Information Grounds For Sculpture Date: May 16,2009 Location: 18 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619 Get More Information: Tots on Tour! |
| Historic Metel Crafts: Beginners Blacksmithing Event Information Historic Speedwell Date: May 16,2009 Location: 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960 Get More Information: Historic Metel Crafts: Beginners Blacksmithing |
| Mayfest Event Information Historic Smithville – Village Greene Date: May 16,2009 Location: Rt. 9 & Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, NJ 08205 Get More Information: Mayfest |
| The Lindbergh Kidnapping Event Information Tulipwood Date: May 16,2009 Location: 1165 Hamilton St., Somerset, NJ 08873 Get More Information: The Lindbergh Kidnapping |
| New Egypt Day Event Information Oakford Lake Park Date: May 16,2009 Location: Lakeview Drive, New Egypt, NJ 08533 Get More Information: New Egypt Day |
| Pirates Day with Captain Kidd Event Information 26th St. Date: May 16,2009 Location: 26th St., North Wildwood, NJ 08260 Get More Information: Pirates Day with Captain Kidd |
| Bike MS ‘Coast the Coast’ Event Information Monmouth University Date: May 16,2009 Location: 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764 Get More Information: Bike MS ‘Coast the Coast’ |
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| Woodbridge Street Fair and Craft Show Event Information Downtown Woodbridge Date: May 16,2009 Location: Downtown Woodbridge, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 Get More Information: Woodbridge Street Fair and Craft Show |
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| Basking Ridge Charter Day Streetfair & Festival Event Information Downtown Basking Ridge Date: May 16,2009 Location: East Oak Street, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 Get More Information: Basking Ridge Charter Day Streetfair & Festival |
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| American Heart Association HeartWalk Event Information Sports & Civic Center Date: May 16,2009 Location: 6th & Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226 Get More Information: American Heart Association HeartWalk |
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| NJ Safe Boating Class Event Information Minmar Marine Date: May 16,2009 Location: 14 Old Sea Isle City Blvd, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243 Get More Information: NJ Safe Boating Class |
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| Great Cape May Footrace 2009 Event Information 30th Annual 5K and 10K run. Race through the beautiful historic district & beachfront of Cape May. Enjoy a flat, fast course with chances to win cash prizes. Fee required to enter. Date: May 16,2009 Location: Beach Ave in Cape May, front of Convention hall Get More Information: Great Cape May Footrace 2009 |
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| Rubber Ducky Race & Family Fun Day Event Information Benefiting Virtua Memorial Hospital Burlington County Date: May 16,2009 Location: Mirror Lake in Medford Lakes, NJ 08055 Get More Information: Rubber Ducky Race & Family Fun Day
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Mike Reina addresses township about age restricted housing bill
Jackson Township’s official website has a new update from Mayor Mike Reina.
Source: http://www.jacksontwpnj.net/Townhall/Administration/mayordesk.html
Overcrowding and runaway development is a serious concern for me, the Council and every resident of Jackson Township. Unfortunately, various mandates from Trenton and the Courts have placed significant strains on our resources and unsustainable development remains a potential problem for our community.
With that in mind, I want to share with you that Governor Corzine has Conditionally Vetoed legislation that would have permitted any age-restricted development not already under construction to switch the houses to non-age restricted housing. The legislation as drafted could have led to changes in housing approved by the Planning Board that would have severely strained Jackson’s taxpayers and our infrastructure. The Veto calls on the Legislature to change the bill to give local government additional approval authority in these cases.
The bill remains a concern however and we will be reviewing the veto language further to ascertain its impact on our community. I believe that we should continue to oppose additional State Mandates on development in our community and I would like to thank our 30th District Legislative Team of Senator Singer, Assemblyman Malone and Assemblyman Dancer for representing Jackson’s interests in opposition to this legislation.
Is Chris Christie Jackson’s Governor?
May 12, 2009 by Phil Stilton
Filed under Opinions, Politics
After watching tonight’s Republican Gubernatorial debate, I can’t help but think Chris Christie is the man for the job and that he is somebody who would be on Jackson Township’s side as the Governor of our state.
Many of the topics Chris Christie covered tonight seem to be in line with the bipartisan desires of local politicians. They seem to be things we need to take our township back from the Abbott districts, from COAH, from the DEP and most importantly tax cuts instead of increases for residents.
While John Corzine has taken away tax rebates to all but seniors, Christie instead spoke of reducing government spending in order to restore tax rebates to homeowners.
When talking about the abbot districts and what to do for students whose schools have failed them, Lonegan talked about vouchers and spending more money for children to get an education. Christie hit hard and close to home for Jackson residents and claimed “The Abbot Experiment has failed” and expressed his commitment to fixing the problems created by the failed Abbott districts in our state that takes hard earned tax dollars from residents in towns like Jackson and gives that money to “less fortunate” towns like Lakewood. That money was supposed to help those districts compete and provide a quality education, but has instead lead to out of control spending in many districts who received the funding. This leaves towns like Jackson with schools that are falling apart, kids learning in trailers and school boards making poor decisions such as charging seniors to park to compensate for lost tax revenue under this program.
COAH? Christie said that COAH was a fundamentally flaw concept that is holding back growth. In Jackson COAH is promoting growth, but very irresponsible growth that will put a burden on our town and our taxes for years to come.
Chris Christie also supports maintaining what open space is left in New Jersey. Jackson happens to have a lot of open space in which the folks currently in Trenton have their greedy little eyes set on, trying to force us to build more low income housing under COAH forcing us to change the dynamic of our town.
There are many people in our town on both sides who will always ride the party line right off the cliff, but when you think responsibly about the future of Jackson from the state level, there’s really only one politician who seems to be in our corner and that man is Chris Christie.
Democrats will undoubtedly support John Corzine as he continues to support legislation and policy that will eventually destroy the very fabric of our community, such is always the way in politics. I just don’t see at this point in time how anybody who truly cares about the future of Jackson will be able to continue to publicly support John Corzine and be able to look the taxpayers of Jackson in in the eyes and say “I’m working for you”.
The unfortunate part of this story is that I cannot vote in the Republican primary because I am not registered with a party and will not. I will always back the right guy and so far it’s turning out to look like Chris Christie. I’ve always been very socially and environmentally liberal, but militarily and financially very conservative which really doesn’t sit well with either party, so I continue to ride the center line and voting the person, the agenda and the future and not the party.
What are your thought’s on tonight’s debate and Chris Christie?
New Jackson school budget increases spending but decreases staff and programs
March 19, 2009 by Phil Stilton
Filed under Education, Opinions
On Tuesday, the Jackson Township Board of Education, led by board president Marvin Krakower approved a preliminary 2009-10 budget that would include staff and extra curricular program reductions on the heels of last year’s superintendent pay hike in a move that seemingly mimicks the disasters we’ve seen on Wall St. To some residents, it just doesn’t make sense that the board can increase upper management salaries at the same time as they are proposing cuts to services and programs for children and potential layoffs within the district.
The proposed $137.6 million dollar budget passed and a public meeting will be held at Jackson Memorial High School on March 31st at 7:30pm before it is voted on by residents April 21st.
What are your thoughts on the proposed 2009-10 Jackson school budget?
