Letters to the Editor
By STEVE LENOX
May 11, 2026
Dear Editor:The family of David W. Brown extends our deepest gratitude to all who have shown us such love, support, and kindness during this difficult time. Your compassion has meant more to us than words can fully express. We are especially thankful to the Wall Township and City of Bayonne ...
To the Editor:The council’s approval of Mayor Moench’s 2026 budget — imposing a shocking municipal tax increase of more than 10% on Bridgewater homeowners — is a complete betrayal of the promises made to voters last year. After campaigning on “change” and “affordability,” the new Democratic ...
We are all familiar with the annual State of the Union address. What woulda State of Sparta address look like? I think it would have to be characterized as very troubled. It's now clear that the township finances are so tight we must renege on our promises to veterans as well as not fund parades ...
A senior center in the middle of town sounds like a good ratable as there would be minimal impact on schools, etc., and service the need of our seniors, which is well documented. Let’s bring it forward and collect some revenue! We did engage Diamond Chip informally about the warehouse situation or ...
The May 6 meeting of the New Jersey Tidelands Resource Council made one aspect unmistakably clear: the Council entered the hearing having already decided to approve the Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) tidelands lease across Raritan Bay. More than one hundred residents and organizations ...
To the Residents of Jefferson,I am writing regarding the current Republican primary between Mayor Eric Wilsusen and his team and Christian Barranco and his team. Before continuing, I want to be transparent that I support Mayor Wilsusen’s ticket and have publicly expressed that support. However, ...
To the Editor:Anyone who actually sat through the April 28 board of education meeting knows what happened went far beyond a mere disagreement. What we witnessed was not a lapse in judgment, it was an abdication of professional responsibility. Superintendent Robert Beers’s decision to publicly ...
The East Windsor Planning Board voted to allow QTS to build their data center expansion. After three meetings in which hundreds of voters showed up to tell them to vote “no”.I should explain that the Planning Board, like the East Windsor Council, works very hard to keep their employers out of ...
Last Friday, my team faced a critical deadline with goals that didn’t just stretch expectations—they shattered any typical benchmark. We delivered. We exceeded. And I showed up fully, even as life threw everything it had at me.In the weeks leading up to that deadline, one of my children underwent ...
If you’ve been paying attention over the past several weeks, you’ve likely noticed a sharp increase in Letters to the Editor and public discussion on social media focused on the current and future direction of Sparta.Residents are raising serious and valid concerns around: A depleted municipal ...
To the Editor,The NJ Freedom to Read Act (PL 2025,c.96) was signed into law in December 2024. The law’s intent is to ensure that any attempts to remove books from school or public libraries must go through a thoughtful and thorough process. The law also protects school librarians and staff against ...
I was surprised to learn Sparta Township Manager Jim Zepp had pulled funding for the Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades—deeply hurting veterans, their families, and residents who cherish these traditions. These parades are not just events; they are moments of honor, remembrance, and ...
Dear Neighbors,I am writing to share some background on the candidates running for Borough Council this year. As a member of the Planning Board, Chair of the Environmental Commission, and Chatham Democratic Committee member, I have a unique perspective on both candidates, as I have served alongside ...
This year there are three candidates running for two slots in the Democratic primary for Chatham Borough Council. I urge you to support Sophia Hull and Nicholas Eck.I had the opportunity to meet Sophia Hull recently after learning that she was running for Chatham Borough Council. I was curious to ...
Dear Hartz Mountain,Please accept our sincerest apologies for running you out of our quaint little town. How were we supposed to know the clown show that currently occupies the Federal Government would purchase a warehouse in our sleepy little suburb with the dreams of running a gulag? If we only ...
To the Editor, We have an important primary election for Livingston Town Council on June 2nd when Livingston voters will have an opportunity to choose candidates that will appear on the November ballot in the general election. The League of Women Voters of Livingston will be hosting a candidate ...
The Revolution Reimagined delivered an immersive and creative experience at “A Night of Justice.” This one-of-a-kind community centered program blended history, Hip Hop Dance, art, music and social justice. As part of New Jersey’s 250th Celebration of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolution ...
Sparta Town Budget: Take a quick glance at what has happened: Every year, hopefully, Sparta Township starts January 1st with a budget surplus: 2018: $7,759,9532019: $9,132,0462020: $10,025,6722021: $10,784,7162022: $11,639,0752023: $11,039,2052024: $7,276,0732025: $5,190,2222026: $2,423,257 In 3 ...
Earlier this week, despite continuing strong opposition from residents and veterans, the Sparta Town Council voted 4–1 to advance Ordinance 26-06. This is the third attempt to ram this through, and quite frankly, it’s not a good look. If adopted, this ordinance would reduce tax refund eligibility ...
To the Editor:During my six years on the Flemington Borough Council, I noticed a serious problem: we had a town full of smart, dedicated and passionate people who rarely got a chance to simply gather and talk to one another about ideas big and small. Experts have documented the collapse of civic ...
LAWSUITS: DEVELOPER’S WILL OR THE PEOPLE’S WILLThe following is a statement I made during the April 28th Sparta Town Council meeting.Tonight, a lot of people blamed lawsuits for the reason for our budgetary woes. That’s inaccurate. Our legal expenses last year represented about 1-2% of the budget.
To the Editor:Our community is fortunate to have Sophia Hull and Nick Eck running for the Democratic nomination for Chatham Borough Council. Sophia and Nick share a clear dedication to preserving what makes Chatham special: its small-town character, walkable neighborhoods, and strong sense of ...
Dear Editor:As a sixteen-year-old girl in high school, my focus should be on getting a driver's license and my education. Instead, I spent the last two years anxiously awaiting a solution to my chronic back pain. While my situation was extreme — eventually requiring a partial laminectomy and ...
I am a Hightstown resident and the founder of Relay Arc, a cardiac emergency platform I am building for people who cannot afford an ambulance, live far from a capable hospital, or find themselves in a crisis with no map and no warning system.Every day, families in communities like ours and in rural ...
To the Editor:I have noticed one key thing that sets Chatham Borough apart from many other towns is the willingness of our residents to volunteer their time to improve our community. Sophia Hull and Nick Eck are two of those dedicated neighbors who have been volunteering for years in the Borough, ...
My husband and I are writing this letter in our unwavering support of Congressional representative Tom Kean Jr. who represents CD7. Tom Kean has championed many efforts enhancing the quality of life for his constituents in our district. His steadfast position on the increase of the Salt Deduction ...
To the Editor:I am thrilled that Nick Eck and Sophia Hull are running to serve on Chatham Borough Council. I have known Nick for many years as a generous volunteer with a range of community groups, from the Chatham Performing Arts Boosters, to the Lacrosse Club, to the Chatham Democrats. He has ...
At the township's budget workshop meeting on March 7th Town Manager Jim Zepp states the budget shortfall is $700,000 and at 25:44 of the video Mr. Zepp claims the “Vet Tax” cost the town $275,000 in 2025. On a recent post from his Councilman's Facebook account Sparta Councilman Neill Clark stated, ...
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the North Caldwell Historic Preservation Commission will unveil a new historic marker at Walker’s Pond in Walker Park, located at 400 Mountain Avenue in North Caldwell.This property has gone from a quiet plot of private land to a truly active public space, and ...