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"POLL OF THE PEOPLE" COMMENTS:
Moved down here 2 years ago this October 31st from Middletown, NJ. I have regretted it every day since.
It'll be difficult for anyone to beat the bias in you question. Why didn't you word the questions this way:
Also thank you Mr. Gamble for your suggestion for how to word the poll, but I could not vote "No. Barnegat is a wonderful place to live." You won't find this in any local newspapers, but Barnegat was voted the 270th best place to live in New Jersey. Barnegat's not even close to No. 1 in Ocean County anymore. I know we USED to be a "wonderful place to live". I just hope with better leadership we can be No. 1 again.
Finally, it is sad Mr. Gamble that people feel they have to "beat" a poll question because in the end it has been the Barnegat taxpayer that has been beaten too often. Maybe things will change this November. Keep reading!
Can someone tell me why we have two different fire departments in this town.
Examples of mismanagement:
No question that it would be nice to have the benefits that neighboring townships have enjoyed, but we need to do the math and add $$ that our cable bills have risen. We have lost channels and are paying more. Our cable committee needs to consider the price we would really pay for these privileges proposed. If we were not experiencing more cost and less service/channels I don't think that anyone would have a valid problem with the proposal. I think it would be great! I think that during this period of recession, our committee members need to keep costs down, services at least stable (not less) and protect the citizens they represent. Wouldn't that be nice?
I would like to answer your latest poll question, but as it's written I am afraid that I cannot. Although I think it would be good to have a way of viewing the meetings, I know that it is not realistic to believe that the availability of necessary equipment is "free" to the taxpayers. The cable contract increases charges the customers for the materials needed to provide access. If we were not experiencing increased chargesÊand less channel choices per $ it would be a great idea. Unfortunately, we have to really look at what we'reÊbeing told we're getting for "free" and decide whether or not we can afford it.
I am of the firm belief that an "open public meeting" is not genuinely "open" until it is made available for public observation via both physical attendance and available technology. When I was privileged to serve as President of the Barnegat Board of Education, several meetings were videotaped in the hope that they would be broadcast over the Southern Regional network. Unfortunately, that did not come to pass.
Local access television is available over the Comcast cable system. Internet-based webcasts are also commonplace. It should not be problematic to have township committee, Board of Education and other Board and Commission meetings televised. I am confident that media students from area schools would welcome the opportunity to advance their education and hone their skills by producing such public service broadcasts at minimal, if any, cost to taxpayers.
Written minutes of a meeting do not capture the entirety of a public meeting. And if questions arise as to the veracity of published minutes, an unedited video is as valuable as the instant replay we take for granted when watching a sports program. This would be the impartial record that would clear any uncertainty quickly. It would also allow constituents a means to judge the demeanor and effectiveness of those entrusted with public office.
The people of our township deserve complete transparency of government. It is not always possible for residents to attend meetings. Employment, health, family and other such concerns might prohibit attending. If meetings are broadcast, today's electronic devices make it a simple matter to record the broadcast for viewing at a later time. Then, people will get a first-person look at how their elected representatives are serving the community.
It would certainly help cut through the endless stream of campaign propaganda and make it easier for voters to make an informed decision on Election Day.
I think the idea of televising our township meetings is a win, win situation for all involved. What better way for our high school youth who are interested in the media to get first hand experience, and the transparency it would lead to in local government would be a breath of fresh air for all Barnegat residents who many times are skeptical of local government by what they read in the newspaper or hear second hand. Some of the more progressive townships in Ocean and Monmouth County have already availed themselves of such a servive. Let's count Barnegat as one of those towns!
Having watched Stafford Township's televised Township Committee Meetings and a host of other township and school events on Comcast's channels 21 and 22, there is no question that this would be a huge plus for Barnegat Township residents! Stafford and other townships have received grants from Comcast to help fund the necessary audio/video equipment. The actual filming is handled by high school students active in the school's AV program. Again, what a great opportunity for our young people to get hands-on experience in this exciting field and, at the same time, allow Barnegat residents whose busy lives do not allow them to attend the township meetings actually view them from their homes.
Conserving open space means NO building! Our township has already been developed beyond capacity as far as REAL necessary infrastructure (roads etc..) Comparatively speaking those involved in baseball/softball/soccer are still a minority vs. the total population. Let it go to referendum and PROVE the real need!
In these troubled times of high property taxes and other taxes going up the government should not be spending more money without equal cut backs elsewhere. Barnegat has enough parks and school grounds for the children to play in.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The choice "Have the County pay for the park like they promised" on our current poll has been edited, and the "like they promised" part was taken out. DowntownBarnegat.com has been told that the County did not promise to build this specific recreational facility. We do not wish for this question to be debated on this point...the point we would like to make is that the County SHOULD help with recreation if we are in the "crisis" that the Twp. claims. We are also in a high-tax crisis and people like Committeeman Hartman will not address this. We would also like to know if our readers think that 6 million dollars of their money could be spent in other ways. Keep voting, and as always, tell us what you think!
I wanted to answer your latest poll, but realized that I don't yet have an answer as the poll is written. I was looking for a "too early to tell" option. Do I have new hope? Yes, but time will tell. There is still a 3 to 2 split on the committee. The blame game has been played for so long and gotten us nowhere fast. Let's hope that this election brings a new life to our town. I sincerely hope for a better Barnegat.
I strongly believe that the current regime that leads our town is out of touch with the people and more concerned with their hidden agendas. It has become apparent that the town has down nothing over the past year to improve quality of life. In fact the opposite has occurred. Our taxes, which during the past election were not suppose to, skyrocketed, our streets are in the worse shape they have ever been in, and we have countless developments under construction with so many houses under foreclosure, up for sale, or just plain vacant.
As I looked over the polling questions I could not help to notice that you had put all issues at hand on there. What I could not understand is why you did not have "all of the above as a choice"? The problem is all of the above. You can see I am very vocal and I like to pay attention to what is going on in the township.
But what we need to know is what the candidates are going to do to improve what is going on in Barnegat. I already know Mr. Novak is going to make jokes about it. But we have no clue what Mrs. Ryan's intentions are on handling the problems. What I mean is, will she go an hang at WaWa with her other democrat elected official and say I can't do nothing because it is still 3 against 2? As Mr. Morano is asked questions his excuse for not doing anything is because it is 4 against 1. You see as and elected official why is he not at town hall on his spare time looking over books and the operation of the township? He is around all day but yet he is not asking any questions nor is he taking concern in the issues that are on the poll. I don't care if it is 1 against 4 or 2 against 3. We elected you to help improve the infrastructure and the quality of life in Barnegat. We elected you on the promises you made for our votes. We did not elect you to hang in front of WaWa like a juvenile. Besides if our children were to hang in front of WaWa I am pretty sure the police would be called and they would be toted away for loitering. And that I know for sure by listening to my scanner. So I ask you to please grow a back bone and start doing what we elected you for and what you promised us for our votes. You see I am an equal opportunity critic. I attack all politicians whether they are Democrat or Republican. As you must be noticing I say what I feel and hold back no punches. I know I have alot of people I hurt but you see in politics you need to be honest and speak out for what you believe in no matter how many are against you or hate you for what you say or do. Politics is about working and helping the very people you are elected by. So I ask you to spend more time in what we elected you for or resign.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Lightbody - we actually considered having an option for "all of the above" for this question but decided against it. We wanted to know out of these 3 issues which one was the most important. If an "all of the above" option was available, most people -- including yourself and us -- would have chosen it. That way we would never have known what one issue is the most important to the people of Barnegat. What these questions are supposed to do is spur dialog, and we're happy to see your comments and that you feel that they are all equally important. If more people would get involved like you, Barnegat would be a better place.
Also -- Dorothy Ryan and the other Democratic candidates, along with yourself, participated in our Candidates' Forum last year. We know exactly where Dorothy Ryan stands on the issues. These issues last year are exactly the same issues we face this year because absolutely nothing was done to address them. Novak had no answers to Barnegat's problems...and for his year in office he has done nothing about them. That is absolutely black and white so we must ask ourselves do we vote for a coward or do we vote for someone who has addressed the issues. Everyone should click here to see where Ryan stands on the issues that face Barnegat.
The people need to remember -- YOU (Mr. Lightbody) had answers...Ryan had answers...Novak had no answers.
AS I LOOK AT YOUR POLL I SEE THAT THE PEOPLE OF BARNEGAT WANT POLICE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL MORE THEN THE OTHER SCHOOLS IN OUR TOWNSHIP. THAT MAKES ME WONDER WHAT MAKES A HIGH SCHOOL MORE LIKELY TO BE HIT BY A GUNMEN THEN ALL THE REST? WHAT I MEAN ANY PERSON AT ANY AGE CAN PICKUP A GUN AND BRING IT TO SCHOOL AND START SHOOTING IT. ALSO ANY PERSON CAN WALK INTO ANY SCHOOL AND ABDUCT ONE OF OUR KIDS. ALSO TAKE IN FACT THAT ANY GUNMEN CAN WALK INTO A SCHOOL AND HOLD HOSTAGES. DOES IT MATTER TO THEM WHETHER IT IS HIGH SCHOOL OR GRADE SCHOOLS? DO YOU REALLY THINK A CRAZED GUNMEN OR CHILD MOLESTER IS GOING TO PAST BY A SCHOOL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A HIGH SCHOOL? THINK ABOUT THIS. IF ANY OF THESE WERE TO HAPPEN YOU ALL WOULD BE THE FIRST TO ATTACK THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE POLICE FOR NOT PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN MORE, YOU ALL WOULD BE THE FIRST TO BE RUNNING TO THE NEWS MEDIA AND HIRING LAWYERS TO SUE THE VERY SAME PEOPLE YOU ARE CONDEMING FOR WANTING TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. I WANT YOU ALL TO LOOK AT YOUR CHILD WHILE EATING BREAKFAST AND WONDER HOW CAN I PUT A PRICE TAG ON THERE FOREHEAD WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING THEM SAFE, YEARS AGO WE KISSED OUR CHILDREN AND SENT THEM TO SCHOOL KNOWING THEY ARE SAFE, TODAY WE HAVE TO WONDER IF OUR CHILD WILL RETURN HOME SAFE. I WOULD RATHER PAY FOR MY CHILD TO BE SAFE AND COME HOME TODAY THEN SORRY AND PLAINING A FUNERAL TOMORROW. AND IF YOU CALL THAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY THE I FEEL SORRY FOR ALL OF YOU. I SEE MORE WASTE IN THIS TOWNSHIP THEN HAVING THE MEANS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND THAT I WILL ADD AT A LATER DATE.
Anyone who tries to put the focus on the School District and not at least equally on the township should have their motives questioned. Either they are strongly anti-School Board or partisan Republicans, both too blind to see the truth. On the Republican web site last year they stated "GOP takes lead in protecting Barnegat school children". They took full credit for putting officers in the school, and used the children as a reason to vote for the GOP. Now, they just don't want to pay for the officers since they broke their promise not to raise taxes.
EDITOR'S NOTE: We checked, and the website referred to above is still up online. To view it, click here. Committeeman Novak better have it taken down quickly. People might see what a hypocrite he is. It is Novak that clearly used our childrens' safety as a reason to vote for him last year. He takes the votes, he takes the credit, he just doesn't take the responsibility. One more thing...Novak's website last year also re-printed an editorial from a resident and put up their own headline saying "Parents Pleased with GOP Plan For Increased School Security". The writer of the editorial was horrified to learn that her words were being used to endorse Novak and the other GOP candidates. She was clearly praising the Board of Ed and the Police Department. But Novak jumped in and tried to make it look like she was praising him. Click here to read what she had to say last year. Also -- what was that headline again? "Parents Pleased with GOP Plan For Increased School Security." This was a GOP plan? OK, I guess the plan is to have officers work for free. Or, just stay in schools long enough for Novak to get elected. Someone has to pay, and we all know who that is...us...the taxpayer. Many of us don't mind paying for our childrens' protection. The Police do a great job. We just don't want Novak playing politics with our childrens' safety. And if you want to take credit for it, Committeeman Novak at least take responsibility for making the taxpayer pay for it.
During this campaign season we taxpayers have alot to consider - the tax issue, the growth and direction of it and the problem with the school district management. While we can all disagree on who or exactly how we arrived at this juncture - I think we all, as a community, can agree that the world we live in today, mandates we address school safety. This recent high profile debate was never about anyone not wanting to secure a safe educational environment - it was about money and patronage. The school had budgetted for the expense already and the township did not want to have to go back to the taxpayers with another change in costs. The school district had already taxed us for this - but they wanted the township to pick up the tab and spend that line item money elsewhere - remember, the school district is in financial turmoil. I think people need to get past the emotions and understand the accounting of it. Second - this also had everything to do with political deal making - as the push for a middle school SRO was to reward a former board member for not running for re-election last spring. We all know that. We all also know that the school district paid for this board member/police officers SRO training - not the police department as is the proper progression. So try to take the emotions of child safety out and look at the two key issues that drove this to the public forum Monday night. Whomever you find at fault - there are many problems this community faces in the next fiscal year in both the township and school district. It is a shame to see children suffering the reprocusions of ego and manipulation. We need to bring integrity back to the platform.
EDITOR'S NOTE: We disagree that the "problem with the school district management" is an issue in this November's election. It should certainly be addressed in April. It is the November election that this is all about. And that election is for Twp. Committee. The SRO issue points out that our children suffer the "reprocusions of ego and manipulation" of Committeeman John J. Novak, and that cannot be glossed over as we -- as citizens -- hold ALL of our leaders responsible. Are we emotional when it comes to the safety of our children? You bet. We asked Committeeman Novak to help us with safety concerns regarding the Twp.'s use of hazardous chemicals in front of our home where our children and other children play. Novak wouldn't even respond to us. But he did take the time to complain about something we wrote on this site a year ago. Talk about ego. We of course, made sure our children were safe despite the fact that Novak did not care to help. Are we emotional? Yes. But does it cloud our judgement? No. Novak has no credibility when it comes to our childrens' safety. A criticism he justly deserves. So when it comes to the SRO issue, it doesn't surprise us that it is he -- Novak -- who puts our childrens' safety in jeopardy, and then uses the children to grandstand. You say "we need to bring integrity back to the platform." We could not agree with you more. From what we know first hand, Novak has no integrity when it comes to many issues, including the safety of our children. The election in November is for Twp. Committee. Let's not forget that. The SRO issue is clearly used by Novak as a political ploy to use our children to re-elect a Committeeman to a seat his actions and inactions dishonor. We ask all our readers to please look at Committeeman Novak and tell us how he has any integrity on safety, taxes, cutting spending, responsiveness, out-of-control growth, civil rights, improving infrastructure, and quality of life. You know, all of the things that he is responsible for, yet he takes no responsibility. You will see how he is using and blaming others to hide his ineffectiveness as a Committeeman. We have a First Amendment right to speak our mind, and hold all our leaders responsible. But as some play Novak's game and focus on the school district -- and not the Twp. for this November's election, who's manipulating who?
There absolutly should be a police officer at both the middle school and the high school. We don't live in the world that we adults grew up in. Todays kids can go to any number of websites and learn how to make a bomb! We will never be sorry for the help that a trained officer can provide in a crisis...we can only regret not having one there. Get with it township committee...the world isn't a safe place but our schools should be!!!
Security starts at the perimeter. There should be a gate at the entrance to the high school. In the morning, vehicles with a pass would be allowed to enter and those without a pass would not. This is 2007 and with all the technology we have, the students should be able to swipe an ID card to gain entry to the school, and also to exit the school. This would maintain a log of where everyone is at any particular moment. If you have business at the school, you call and access is granted. If your child is sick, and you have to pick them up, the nurse's office calls to the gate and allows you access. If what you are afraid of is a Columbine type incident, then that is how you prevent it. With ever increasing taxes, we have to look at viable alternatives to hiring additional employees. It doesn't matter if you take your money out of your right pocket (township budget) or your left pocket (school district budget), it is still your money as a taxpayer. And remember your 2 back pockets are reserved for the Federal govt. and the state govt. and they take just as much if not more and then dole it out in little chunks to the schools and the township.
Deflecting blame to anyone other than the committee that approved the final budget is politics as usual. Everyone knows that the standing twp committee passes/approves the budget, therefore owning responsibility! Responsible people would have looked at those things out of their control such as school taxes etc. and tailored the budget accordingly in order to keep the promises that they made at election time. Clearly that did not happen! A responsible committee would have also insured the infrastructure of the town before approving as many residential communities as well. It's time for a change. Don't you think?
ALL THE LIES THAT THE BOARD OF ED TOLD US. ANOTHER BIG LIE IS THE FLYER THAT JUST WENT OUT TO ALL THE RESIDENTS OF BARNEGAT. DO THEY THINK THAT WE ARE THAT STUPID? HOW CAN THE BOARD OF ED PUT ON A FLYER THAT THE SCHOOL TAX WILL NOT GO UP FOR 25 YEARS. I GUESS THAT THE TEACHERS ARE NOT GETTING A RAISE FOR 25 YEARS OR THE SCHOOL WILL NOT NEED ADDITIONAL WORK OR EVEN THAT THE GAS PRICES ARE NOT GOING UP. HA, HA. ANOTHER LIE. GET RID OF THIS GROUP OF CORRUPT INDIVIDUALS.
The Township Committee ought to be ashamed of themselves for what they did to the kids downtown. They have nothing.
Emergency services must take a priority to recreation. After all, McMahon and his puppet Linda Mitchell should welcome the taxpayer's use of the school district's fields.
Infrastructure comes next. Sidewalks, repaving streets, etc. What ever happened to all the money Breeden said the township received to rehabilitate Ravenwood Blvd?
Cirulli, Hartman, Melchiondo and Novak The Orator are strictly playing to the crowd in the hope of getting Novak reelected when they go off on the receration speeches.
If ever there was a person who should be a one-term wonder, it is John "I have guidance from The Almighty" Novak.
your site rocks! you are a real asset to Barnegat.
Hello,
Just came over your web page and enjoyed reading it. You seem to have alot of love for Barnegat.
I came to barnegat about two years ago from Lacey Twp. Barnegat always got a bad rap. Now that i live here(in the Mirage) i have to admit, Barnegat is such a beautiful town. The people are so nice, the downtown area is great, but could be much better. It has so much promise.
I think history is very important to a town like Barnegat. I would like to express my point of view on the naming of the new school. Ronald Reagan was a great leader of this country. However i dont think he never heard of Barnegat NJ. On the other hand Mr watts was , as im told was a real outstanding member of this great town. As a former member of the Lacey Board of Education i strongly support your question, WHAT SHOULD WE NAME OUR NEW SCHOOL-- MR WATTS HAS MY VOTE
While I am aware of discrepencies in assesments of comparable properties, as a taxpayer, my concern is not in accepting the fair real estate market value, but more so, the legitimate and understandable tension arising in the knowledge that between the cut off for re-val appeals in April and the new rate being set in July by the county - both the Township Committee and School Board will be producing new budgets.
One major factor in that tension was the fraudulent representation handed to residents who attended the open committee dialogue on the re-assesment at the high school 12-18. The flyer, supposedly designed by the BHS PLE Club, stated the re-val was "unrelated to the school district."
First - any material handed out on school property has to be approved by the Board of Education. For the BOE to approve such a blatant and factual lie is either intentional or ignorant, there is no in between or excusing it. The property re-val has everything to do with both the township and the school district - it is fundamentally and legally tied to it on every level. The NJ Department of Education bases it's district aid formula on the total property values for the community. If our total property value increases, we get less state aid for the school.
For this flyer to have been handed out to the public exemplifies the need for real truth to take back control of our school district.
When erroneous and misleading information is so frequently presented to the community - you must ask yourself who, not why. We all know the why is for someone's benefit, but we should ask who that beneficiary is - because it sure isn't the Barnegat Township Taxpayer.
The docks are falling apart, meadowedge park just sits there, the bay beach is disappearing, and the playgrounds must I say, have not improved anywhere in barnegat except the opening of project playground (eventhough our pulic works dept. will have time to fix them up after the privatization of trash) my choice would be none
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"POLL OF THE PEOPLE" COMMENTS:
Moved down here 2 years ago this October 31st from Middletown, NJ. I have regretted it every day since.
J.D.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes J.D. The last 2 years in Barnegat have been pretty bad for everyone. Please don't give up though...we are optimistic that Barnegat can change for the better.
It'll be difficult for anyone to beat the bias in you question. Why didn't you word the questions this way:
- "Yes. Let's take a chance we could make things worse"
- "No. Barnegat is a wonderful place to live."
Jeff Gamble
EDITOR'S NOTE: Thank you for your comment Mr. Gamble, but your accusation of bias is off the mark. The poll question is about being excited at the possibility that change will finally come to Barnegat. At this time, I would probably vote "NO. IF THE REPUBLICANS KEEP CONTROL, NOTHING WILL CHANGE." I feel this way because unfortunately, many people are uninformed about simple facts. For example, the Republicans have raised the Twp. Tax for the last 2 years in a row. The local press will not report that these same Republicans "promised" the people of Barnegat that they would stabilize taxes. One newspaper incredibly wrote that taxes weren't raised at all! Uninformed voters are easily fooled. But maybe not this year. So far it looks like most people are excited for the opportunity for change. So maybe I'm wrong. This poll's results so far make me feel more optimistic that we will finally have accountable leadership because it looks like people are excited about change, and they may not be fooled by the press.
Also thank you Mr. Gamble for your suggestion for how to word the poll, but I could not vote "No. Barnegat is a wonderful place to live." You won't find this in any local newspapers, but Barnegat was voted the 270th best place to live in New Jersey. Barnegat's not even close to No. 1 in Ocean County anymore. I know we USED to be a "wonderful place to live". I just hope with better leadership we can be No. 1 again.
Finally, it is sad Mr. Gamble that people feel they have to "beat" a poll question because in the end it has been the Barnegat taxpayer that has been beaten too often. Maybe things will change this November. Keep reading!
Can someone tell me why we have two different fire departments in this town.
John McClory
Examples of mismanagement:
- Paying for sidewalks in front of business in the downtown area.
- Attempting to bond for 13 million for fields when lower shore was available.
- Paying for Breeden to commute from his home in Ocean City with a Town SUV and gas.
- Bonding for 4 SUV's when there is a gas crisis.
- Paying for trailers for the PD when what they really need is a new police hq.
- Doing away with the budget adhoc committee who gave ideas to save money.
- Allowing unbridled development when the infrasturture was not in place.
- Taking donations from the leading builder in Barnegat to fund their campaigns.
Vince Greene
No question that it would be nice to have the benefits that neighboring townships have enjoyed, but we need to do the math and add $$ that our cable bills have risen. We have lost channels and are paying more. Our cable committee needs to consider the price we would really pay for these privileges proposed. If we were not experiencing more cost and less service/channels I don't think that anyone would have a valid problem with the proposal. I think it would be great! I think that during this period of recession, our committee members need to keep costs down, services at least stable (not less) and protect the citizens they represent. Wouldn't that be nice?
Anonymous
I would like to answer your latest poll question, but as it's written I am afraid that I cannot. Although I think it would be good to have a way of viewing the meetings, I know that it is not realistic to believe that the availability of necessary equipment is "free" to the taxpayers. The cable contract increases charges the customers for the materials needed to provide access. If we were not experiencing increased chargesÊand less channel choices per $ it would be a great idea. Unfortunately, we have to really look at what we'reÊbeing told we're getting for "free" and decide whether or not we can afford it.
Anonymous
I am of the firm belief that an "open public meeting" is not genuinely "open" until it is made available for public observation via both physical attendance and available technology. When I was privileged to serve as President of the Barnegat Board of Education, several meetings were videotaped in the hope that they would be broadcast over the Southern Regional network. Unfortunately, that did not come to pass.
Local access television is available over the Comcast cable system. Internet-based webcasts are also commonplace. It should not be problematic to have township committee, Board of Education and other Board and Commission meetings televised. I am confident that media students from area schools would welcome the opportunity to advance their education and hone their skills by producing such public service broadcasts at minimal, if any, cost to taxpayers.
Written minutes of a meeting do not capture the entirety of a public meeting. And if questions arise as to the veracity of published minutes, an unedited video is as valuable as the instant replay we take for granted when watching a sports program. This would be the impartial record that would clear any uncertainty quickly. It would also allow constituents a means to judge the demeanor and effectiveness of those entrusted with public office.
The people of our township deserve complete transparency of government. It is not always possible for residents to attend meetings. Employment, health, family and other such concerns might prohibit attending. If meetings are broadcast, today's electronic devices make it a simple matter to record the broadcast for viewing at a later time. Then, people will get a first-person look at how their elected representatives are serving the community.
It would certainly help cut through the endless stream of campaign propaganda and make it easier for voters to make an informed decision on Election Day.
FRED RUBENSTEIN
I think the idea of televising our township meetings is a win, win situation for all involved. What better way for our high school youth who are interested in the media to get first hand experience, and the transparency it would lead to in local government would be a breath of fresh air for all Barnegat residents who many times are skeptical of local government by what they read in the newspaper or hear second hand. Some of the more progressive townships in Ocean and Monmouth County have already availed themselves of such a servive. Let's count Barnegat as one of those towns!
Ralph Toro
Having watched Stafford Township's televised Township Committee Meetings and a host of other township and school events on Comcast's channels 21 and 22, there is no question that this would be a huge plus for Barnegat Township residents! Stafford and other townships have received grants from Comcast to help fund the necessary audio/video equipment. The actual filming is handled by high school students active in the school's AV program. Again, what a great opportunity for our young people to get hands-on experience in this exciting field and, at the same time, allow Barnegat residents whose busy lives do not allow them to attend the township meetings actually view them from their homes.
Barbara Marotti
Conserving open space means NO building! Our township has already been developed beyond capacity as far as REAL necessary infrastructure (roads etc..) Comparatively speaking those involved in baseball/softball/soccer are still a minority vs. the total population. Let it go to referendum and PROVE the real need!
Anonymous
In these troubled times of high property taxes and other taxes going up the government should not be spending more money without equal cut backs elsewhere. Barnegat has enough parks and school grounds for the children to play in.
William M Pitman
EDITOR'S NOTE: The choice "Have the County pay for the park like they promised" on our current poll has been edited, and the "like they promised" part was taken out. DowntownBarnegat.com has been told that the County did not promise to build this specific recreational facility. We do not wish for this question to be debated on this point...the point we would like to make is that the County SHOULD help with recreation if we are in the "crisis" that the Twp. claims. We are also in a high-tax crisis and people like Committeeman Hartman will not address this. We would also like to know if our readers think that 6 million dollars of their money could be spent in other ways. Keep voting, and as always, tell us what you think!
I wanted to answer your latest poll, but realized that I don't yet have an answer as the poll is written. I was looking for a "too early to tell" option. Do I have new hope? Yes, but time will tell. There is still a 3 to 2 split on the committee. The blame game has been played for so long and gotten us nowhere fast. Let's hope that this election brings a new life to our town. I sincerely hope for a better Barnegat.
anonymous in Barnegat
I strongly believe that the current regime that leads our town is out of touch with the people and more concerned with their hidden agendas. It has become apparent that the town has down nothing over the past year to improve quality of life. In fact the opposite has occurred. Our taxes, which during the past election were not suppose to, skyrocketed, our streets are in the worse shape they have ever been in, and we have countless developments under construction with so many houses under foreclosure, up for sale, or just plain vacant.
It is quite discouraging to hear people from other areas refer to us as Barnegetto or the slums of Manahawkin. This is and still has the potential to be one of the best smaller communities in new jersey to live.
John Novak has done nothing he said he would do during his last campaign. He mocks our residents and thinks everything is a joke. I strongly believe that Mr. Novak thinks the resident of Barnegat are nothing more than some pine baron hicks who he can manipulate for his own self worth. To all of Barnegat this should be evident and we should show him that this town is made up of hard working people of all types of backgrounds. We are not ignorant pineys.
Nothing has been done to assist the families of Lexington. Everyone has heard about this area and have formed opinions whether just or not. I can tell you from visiting this place that there are many hard working families who live here due to low income housing. With that said our town should adopt policies to clean up the area and force the owners to clean up the houses and the neighborhood. Our current town officials are more concerned with which clubhouse they can try to go speak at...Mirage, Heritage Bay etc. We have a responsibility to our less fortunate just as much as our seniors.
Now I am not saying Dorothy Ryan is the choice. Quite the contrary i dont think she as been vocal enough and expressed her plans so that more people can understand what her view is. I did read the survey she responded to last year however she needs to drive home the issues if she truly believes in what she wants to accomplish.
I need to see a spark, a willingness to improve Barnegat and our quality of life. Thus far no candidate has proven worthy. However in closing we know what we got or did not get with John Novak and I can honestly say we need new direction in this town. John Novak must be replaced.
If we elect a "Board of Buddies" as we have now out town is headed for disaster and will crumble around us. Lets make sure Barnegat thrives and is the place everyone wants to live instead of the ghetto that everyone wants to get out of.
Anonymous
As I looked over the polling questions I could not help to notice that you had put all issues at hand on there. What I could not understand is why you did not have "all of the above as a choice"? The problem is all of the above. You can see I am very vocal and I like to pay attention to what is going on in the township.
But what we need to know is what the candidates are going to do to improve what is going on in Barnegat. I already know Mr. Novak is going to make jokes about it. But we have no clue what Mrs. Ryan's intentions are on handling the problems. What I mean is, will she go an hang at WaWa with her other democrat elected official and say I can't do nothing because it is still 3 against 2? As Mr. Morano is asked questions his excuse for not doing anything is because it is 4 against 1. You see as and elected official why is he not at town hall on his spare time looking over books and the operation of the township? He is around all day but yet he is not asking any questions nor is he taking concern in the issues that are on the poll. I don't care if it is 1 against 4 or 2 against 3. We elected you to help improve the infrastructure and the quality of life in Barnegat. We elected you on the promises you made for our votes. We did not elect you to hang in front of WaWa like a juvenile. Besides if our children were to hang in front of WaWa I am pretty sure the police would be called and they would be toted away for loitering. And that I know for sure by listening to my scanner. So I ask you to please grow a back bone and start doing what we elected you for and what you promised us for our votes. You see I am an equal opportunity critic. I attack all politicians whether they are Democrat or Republican. As you must be noticing I say what I feel and hold back no punches. I know I have alot of people I hurt but you see in politics you need to be honest and speak out for what you believe in no matter how many are against you or hate you for what you say or do. Politics is about working and helping the very people you are elected by. So I ask you to spend more time in what we elected you for or resign.
matthew lightbody
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Lightbody - we actually considered having an option for "all of the above" for this question but decided against it. We wanted to know out of these 3 issues which one was the most important. If an "all of the above" option was available, most people -- including yourself and us -- would have chosen it. That way we would never have known what one issue is the most important to the people of Barnegat. What these questions are supposed to do is spur dialog, and we're happy to see your comments and that you feel that they are all equally important. If more people would get involved like you, Barnegat would be a better place.
Also -- Dorothy Ryan and the other Democratic candidates, along with yourself, participated in our Candidates' Forum last year. We know exactly where Dorothy Ryan stands on the issues. These issues last year are exactly the same issues we face this year because absolutely nothing was done to address them. Novak had no answers to Barnegat's problems...and for his year in office he has done nothing about them. That is absolutely black and white so we must ask ourselves do we vote for a coward or do we vote for someone who has addressed the issues. Everyone should click here to see where Ryan stands on the issues that face Barnegat.
The people need to remember -- YOU (Mr. Lightbody) had answers...Ryan had answers...Novak had no answers.
AS I LOOK AT YOUR POLL I SEE THAT THE PEOPLE OF BARNEGAT WANT POLICE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL MORE THEN THE OTHER SCHOOLS IN OUR TOWNSHIP. THAT MAKES ME WONDER WHAT MAKES A HIGH SCHOOL MORE LIKELY TO BE HIT BY A GUNMEN THEN ALL THE REST? WHAT I MEAN ANY PERSON AT ANY AGE CAN PICKUP A GUN AND BRING IT TO SCHOOL AND START SHOOTING IT. ALSO ANY PERSON CAN WALK INTO ANY SCHOOL AND ABDUCT ONE OF OUR KIDS. ALSO TAKE IN FACT THAT ANY GUNMEN CAN WALK INTO A SCHOOL AND HOLD HOSTAGES. DOES IT MATTER TO THEM WHETHER IT IS HIGH SCHOOL OR GRADE SCHOOLS? DO YOU REALLY THINK A CRAZED GUNMEN OR CHILD MOLESTER IS GOING TO PAST BY A SCHOOL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A HIGH SCHOOL? THINK ABOUT THIS. IF ANY OF THESE WERE TO HAPPEN YOU ALL WOULD BE THE FIRST TO ATTACK THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE POLICE FOR NOT PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN MORE, YOU ALL WOULD BE THE FIRST TO BE RUNNING TO THE NEWS MEDIA AND HIRING LAWYERS TO SUE THE VERY SAME PEOPLE YOU ARE CONDEMING FOR WANTING TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. I WANT YOU ALL TO LOOK AT YOUR CHILD WHILE EATING BREAKFAST AND WONDER HOW CAN I PUT A PRICE TAG ON THERE FOREHEAD WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING THEM SAFE, YEARS AGO WE KISSED OUR CHILDREN AND SENT THEM TO SCHOOL KNOWING THEY ARE SAFE, TODAY WE HAVE TO WONDER IF OUR CHILD WILL RETURN HOME SAFE. I WOULD RATHER PAY FOR MY CHILD TO BE SAFE AND COME HOME TODAY THEN SORRY AND PLAINING A FUNERAL TOMORROW. AND IF YOU CALL THAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY THE I FEEL SORRY FOR ALL OF YOU. I SEE MORE WASTE IN THIS TOWNSHIP THEN HAVING THE MEANS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND THAT I WILL ADD AT A LATER DATE.
matthew lightbody
Anyone who tries to put the focus on the School District and not at least equally on the township should have their motives questioned. Either they are strongly anti-School Board or partisan Republicans, both too blind to see the truth. On the Republican web site last year they stated "GOP takes lead in protecting Barnegat school children". They took full credit for putting officers in the school, and used the children as a reason to vote for the GOP. Now, they just don't want to pay for the officers since they broke their promise not to raise taxes.
Anonymous
EDITOR'S NOTE: We checked, and the website referred to above is still up online. To view it, click here. Committeeman Novak better have it taken down quickly. People might see what a hypocrite he is. It is Novak that clearly used our childrens' safety as a reason to vote for him last year. He takes the votes, he takes the credit, he just doesn't take the responsibility. One more thing...Novak's website last year also re-printed an editorial from a resident and put up their own headline saying "Parents Pleased with GOP Plan For Increased School Security". The writer of the editorial was horrified to learn that her words were being used to endorse Novak and the other GOP candidates. She was clearly praising the Board of Ed and the Police Department. But Novak jumped in and tried to make it look like she was praising him. Click here to read what she had to say last year. Also -- what was that headline again? "Parents Pleased with GOP Plan For Increased School Security." This was a GOP plan? OK, I guess the plan is to have officers work for free. Or, just stay in schools long enough for Novak to get elected. Someone has to pay, and we all know who that is...us...the taxpayer. Many of us don't mind paying for our childrens' protection. The Police do a great job. We just don't want Novak playing politics with our childrens' safety. And if you want to take credit for it, Committeeman Novak at least take responsibility for making the taxpayer pay for it.
During this campaign season we taxpayers have alot to consider - the tax issue, the growth and direction of it and the problem with the school district management. While we can all disagree on who or exactly how we arrived at this juncture - I think we all, as a community, can agree that the world we live in today, mandates we address school safety. This recent high profile debate was never about anyone not wanting to secure a safe educational environment - it was about money and patronage. The school had budgetted for the expense already and the township did not want to have to go back to the taxpayers with another change in costs. The school district had already taxed us for this - but they wanted the township to pick up the tab and spend that line item money elsewhere - remember, the school district is in financial turmoil. I think people need to get past the emotions and understand the accounting of it. Second - this also had everything to do with political deal making - as the push for a middle school SRO was to reward a former board member for not running for re-election last spring. We all know that. We all also know that the school district paid for this board member/police officers SRO training - not the police department as is the proper progression. So try to take the emotions of child safety out and look at the two key issues that drove this to the public forum Monday night. Whomever you find at fault - there are many problems this community faces in the next fiscal year in both the township and school district. It is a shame to see children suffering the reprocusions of ego and manipulation. We need to bring integrity back to the platform.
Lisa Becker
EDITOR'S NOTE: We disagree that the "problem with the school district management" is an issue in this November's election. It should certainly be addressed in April. It is the November election that this is all about. And that election is for Twp. Committee. The SRO issue points out that our children suffer the "reprocusions of ego and manipulation" of Committeeman John J. Novak, and that cannot be glossed over as we -- as citizens -- hold ALL of our leaders responsible. Are we emotional when it comes to the safety of our children? You bet. We asked Committeeman Novak to help us with safety concerns regarding the Twp.'s use of hazardous chemicals in front of our home where our children and other children play. Novak wouldn't even respond to us. But he did take the time to complain about something we wrote on this site a year ago. Talk about ego. We of course, made sure our children were safe despite the fact that Novak did not care to help. Are we emotional? Yes. But does it cloud our judgement? No. Novak has no credibility when it comes to our childrens' safety. A criticism he justly deserves. So when it comes to the SRO issue, it doesn't surprise us that it is he -- Novak -- who puts our childrens' safety in jeopardy, and then uses the children to grandstand. You say "we need to bring integrity back to the platform." We could not agree with you more. From what we know first hand, Novak has no integrity when it comes to many issues, including the safety of our children. The election in November is for Twp. Committee. Let's not forget that. The SRO issue is clearly used by Novak as a political ploy to use our children to re-elect a Committeeman to a seat his actions and inactions dishonor. We ask all our readers to please look at Committeeman Novak and tell us how he has any integrity on safety, taxes, cutting spending, responsiveness, out-of-control growth, civil rights, improving infrastructure, and quality of life. You know, all of the things that he is responsible for, yet he takes no responsibility. You will see how he is using and blaming others to hide his ineffectiveness as a Committeeman. We have a First Amendment right to speak our mind, and hold all our leaders responsible. But as some play Novak's game and focus on the school district -- and not the Twp. for this November's election, who's manipulating who?
There absolutly should be a police officer at both the middle school and the high school. We don't live in the world that we adults grew up in. Todays kids can go to any number of websites and learn how to make a bomb! We will never be sorry for the help that a trained officer can provide in a crisis...we can only regret not having one there. Get with it township committee...the world isn't a safe place but our schools should be!!!
Patrcia Brescia
Security starts at the perimeter. There should be a gate at the entrance to the high school. In the morning, vehicles with a pass would be allowed to enter and those without a pass would not. This is 2007 and with all the technology we have, the students should be able to swipe an ID card to gain entry to the school, and also to exit the school. This would maintain a log of where everyone is at any particular moment. If you have business at the school, you call and access is granted. If your child is sick, and you have to pick them up, the nurse's office calls to the gate and allows you access. If what you are afraid of is a Columbine type incident, then that is how you prevent it. With ever increasing taxes, we have to look at viable alternatives to hiring additional employees. It doesn't matter if you take your money out of your right pocket (township budget) or your left pocket (school district budget), it is still your money as a taxpayer. And remember your 2 back pockets are reserved for the Federal govt. and the state govt. and they take just as much if not more and then dole it out in little chunks to the schools and the township.
Anonymous
Deflecting blame to anyone other than the committee that approved the final budget is politics as usual. Everyone knows that the standing twp committee passes/approves the budget, therefore owning responsibility! Responsible people would have looked at those things out of their control such as school taxes etc. and tailored the budget accordingly in order to keep the promises that they made at election time. Clearly that did not happen! A responsible committee would have also insured the infrastructure of the town before approving as many residential communities as well. It's time for a change. Don't you think?
Anonymous
ALL THE LIES THAT THE BOARD OF ED TOLD US. ANOTHER BIG LIE IS THE FLYER THAT JUST WENT OUT TO ALL THE RESIDENTS OF BARNEGAT. DO THEY THINK THAT WE ARE THAT STUPID? HOW CAN THE BOARD OF ED PUT ON A FLYER THAT THE SCHOOL TAX WILL NOT GO UP FOR 25 YEARS. I GUESS THAT THE TEACHERS ARE NOT GETTING A RAISE FOR 25 YEARS OR THE SCHOOL WILL NOT NEED ADDITIONAL WORK OR EVEN THAT THE GAS PRICES ARE NOT GOING UP. HA, HA. ANOTHER LIE. GET RID OF THIS GROUP OF CORRUPT INDIVIDUALS.
Anonymous
The Township Committee ought to be ashamed of themselves for what they did to the kids downtown. They have nothing.
Anonymous
Emergency services must take a priority to recreation. After all, McMahon and his puppet Linda Mitchell should welcome the taxpayer's use of the school district's fields.
Infrastructure comes next. Sidewalks, repaving streets, etc. What ever happened to all the money Breeden said the township received to rehabilitate Ravenwood Blvd?
Cirulli, Hartman, Melchiondo and Novak The Orator are strictly playing to the crowd in the hope of getting Novak reelected when they go off on the receration speeches.
If ever there was a person who should be a one-term wonder, it is John "I have guidance from The Almighty" Novak.
Eric Thomas
your site rocks! you are a real asset to Barnegat.
Anonymous
Hello,
Just came over your web page and enjoyed reading it. You seem to have alot of love for Barnegat.
I came to barnegat about two years ago from Lacey Twp. Barnegat always got a bad rap. Now that i live here(in the Mirage) i have to admit, Barnegat is such a beautiful town. The people are so nice, the downtown area is great, but could be much better. It has so much promise.
I think history is very important to a town like Barnegat. I would like to express my point of view on the naming of the new school. Ronald Reagan was a great leader of this country. However i dont think he never heard of Barnegat NJ. On the other hand Mr watts was , as im told was a real outstanding member of this great town. As a former member of the Lacey Board of Education i strongly support your question, WHAT SHOULD WE NAME OUR NEW SCHOOL-- MR WATTS HAS MY VOTE
Kenneth J. Thomas
While I am aware of discrepencies in assesments of comparable properties, as a taxpayer, my concern is not in accepting the fair real estate market value, but more so, the legitimate and understandable tension arising in the knowledge that between the cut off for re-val appeals in April and the new rate being set in July by the county - both the Township Committee and School Board will be producing new budgets.
One major factor in that tension was the fraudulent representation handed to residents who attended the open committee dialogue on the re-assesment at the high school 12-18. The flyer, supposedly designed by the BHS PLE Club, stated the re-val was "unrelated to the school district."
First - any material handed out on school property has to be approved by the Board of Education. For the BOE to approve such a blatant and factual lie is either intentional or ignorant, there is no in between or excusing it. The property re-val has everything to do with both the township and the school district - it is fundamentally and legally tied to it on every level. The NJ Department of Education bases it's district aid formula on the total property values for the community. If our total property value increases, we get less state aid for the school.
For this flyer to have been handed out to the public exemplifies the need for real truth to take back control of our school district.
When erroneous and misleading information is so frequently presented to the community - you must ask yourself who, not why. We all know the why is for someone's benefit, but we should ask who that beneficiary is - because it sure isn't the Barnegat Township Taxpayer.
Lisa Becker
The docks are falling apart, meadowedge park just sits there, the bay beach is disappearing, and the playgrounds must I say, have not improved anywhere in barnegat except the opening of project playground (eventhough our pulic works dept. will have time to fix them up after the privatization of trash) my choice would be none
Anonymous
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