Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: 'Don't Give Up the Ship'

The writer is Lawrence Township resident Kyle Collins, who ran unsuccessfully for Lawrence Township Council on the Republican ticket in last November's general election.

Over the past year Lawrence residents have been shaken from a deep slumber. For years Lawrence seemed liked the ideal suburb. We saw ourselves as a peaceful township, with few concerns. We were the type of place people left other townships for to raise their children, and their children chose to stay to raise their children. However, a number of events have shaken us from our dream into a much bleaker reality.  One party rule has resulted in a wane of accountability in our local government. First, we have had a revenue problem for years, which council has done little to fix. This resulted in an attempt by council to bully residents into approving a 17 percent tax hike, or cough up even more taxes to have our trash taken away.  This type of…

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Musings on Mother's Day

Inspired by a chid's question, the writer ponders what the world would be like if God was a mother.

When my son, Jack, was three-years old he asked me if God had feet. Seeing how thrown I was by that question (Does God have feet?) he softballed me with this follow-up: how do we know God is a father and not a mother? Instinctively, I answered, “Because no mother would ever create order out of chaos and then go and undo it by creating man." “Also," I continued, "Two days tops to create a universe because no mother has the luxury of seven days to get anything done." His question did force me to think what the world might be like if God was a mother. And so I wrote: If God Was a Mother, her Commandments would read: Do not waste thine time carving what I say onto stone tablets for no one will read them and, undoubtedly, someone will break …

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Hitchcockian Humor in "The 39 Steps"

The comedic show will run at the George Street Playhouse through May 20.

Many casts in live shows are referred to as ensemble, but every once in a while you get a show that demonstrates the true meaning of what an ensemble cast is capable of. "The 39 Steps" is that show. Directed by Mark Shanahan, the George Street Playhouse's final show of the season is the stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's famous 1935 film, which was adapted from a 1915 novel, both of the same name. Extremely fast paced and comedically over the top, the show tells the story of English chap Richard Hannay, played by Howard McGillin, who was previously seen at the Playhouse this season in the musical "It Shoulda Been You." Set in London in 1935, Hannay, morose and bored with his life, goes to the theater, where he encounters the mysterious…

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Poll: Are Kids Getting Priced Out of Baseball and Softball?

A New York Times article explores the era of the $250 baseball bat

Have you bought a baseball glove for your Little Leaguer lately? Did you pay more than $100 for it? How about a $250 bat? A New York Times story headlined "Big Price Tags Attached to Even the Littlest Leagues," looks at the big business of equipping youngsters for participation in youth baseball and softball leagues, quoting those costs and more. "A batting helmet protects tiny heads for $39.99," the Times reports. "A pair of Nike Jordan Black Cat cleats will make your child fast and fashionable at $51.99 until he or she outgrows them." So what do you think? Has the cost of bats and gloves taken our kids too far from the simpler days of sandlot and playground ballgames? Or have you had better luck finding more modestly-priced equipment for…

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Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Groeger Thanks School Board Supporters

The writer is Jo Ann Groeger, who was reelected to the Lawrence Township Board of Education on Tuesday.

Lawrence Township Residents, Thanks so much to all who came out Tuesday to vote.  Let me assure you that I will continue to do my utmost to represent the students, staff and residents of Lawrence to the very best of my abilities.  Thanks again for your trust. Finally, thanks to my wonderful family for their continuing to support and encouragement. - Jo Ann Groeger, Temple Terrace

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Political World

Township Gets Taste of Voters' Wrath

Lawrence municipal budget question, school board tally were among the very few to get nixed by voters in New Jersey this year.

In the end, Lawrence Township voters made it clear that they wanted nothing to do with an 17.8 percent municipal tax hike, and they did so by voting in overwhelming fashion. By a 2-1 margin, voters nixed a 9-cent municipal tax rate increase -- which was on top of an approved 5-cent hike -- that the township sought to balance the 2012 municipal budget without further cutting staff or services. The Lawrence school budget also went down, though by a relatively narrow margin, in what school board President Laura Walters called "collateral damage." “Residents of Lawrence Township are concerned over taxation, not just taxes from Lawrence Township municipal government but all levels of government," Lawrence Township Manager Richard Krawczun told …

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Patrick

12:11 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012

Well, I'm not sure what you can cut besides police. You can't cut the courts, there is that red light camera now and you'll have lots of people wanting to contest... You can't really cut public works, many of these jobs have already been out sourced... You could cut the parks and rec budget, but that doesn't even play for the pick up of snow on a light dusting next winter... You could fire the …   more ›

Sign of the Times: Former Mayor Protests Referendum

Carol Harle, who served as mayor of Lawrence Township in the 1980s, has been going around town this week dressed like Uncle Sam and holding a sign encouraging residents to vote against the municipal tax increase referendum next week.

Carole Harle has been an outspoken critic of the municipal tax increase referendum that will be put to voters next Tuesday, April 17. She has spoken against the tax increase at several recent township council meetings. Now the Review Avenue resident – who served on Lawrence Township Council, including a stint as mayor, in the 1980s – is going around town trying to encourage residents to vote against the referendum. Dressed like Uncle Sam, Harle has spent the last few days standing at prominent intersections holding a sign reading “Vote No!” that also describes the referendum as a “Violation of the Public Trust.” On Wednesday, she was spotted near the intersection of Lawrence Road (Route 206) and Gainsboro Road.  

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