Wednesday, March 27, 2013
A look back at Toms River, Ciba-Geigy and Reich Farm
Chances are, many who lived in Toms River nearly 30 years ago didn't know that Ciba-Geigy was quietly pumping millions of gallons of treated chemical waste into the Atlantic Ocean every day. They didn't know about the 10-mile long pipeline that ran underground from the company's plant in North Dover, across Barnegat Bay and the barrier island and spewed its discharge 2,500 feet into the surf off Second Avenue in Ortley Beach. They didn't know until one spring morning in May 1984, when the pipeline sprung a leak at Vaughn and Bay avenues. Then everything changed. Then everybody knew. The pipeline leak spawned The Ocean County Citizens For Clean Water, Save Our Ocean and other nonprofit environmental groups. They all had one goal - to shut …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
South Seaside Park resident Courtney Chibbaro is asking for help to keep the group here for the forseeable future
- OPINION
-
Wednesday, March 20
No one could have imagined that when we left our homes on October 28 that when we returned our lives would never be the same. The destruction, despair and sadness still remain over four months later. I personally knew that as a resident of the barrier islands I needed to do something to help, but didn't know where to begin. I decided as the holidays were approaching that I needed to show those who heroically helped during the storm that we truly appreciated all they did for us. This is how I met most of you through my initial event of Christmas On The Island. After that amazing event that reached so many during our darkest times I partnered up with many amazing groups, specifically AmeriCorps. Through maintaining my relationships with the…
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Teachers union picks Democratic Challenger
The New Jersey Education Association released the following statement of endorsement: The 195,000-member New Jersey Education Association has endorsed Senator Barbara Buono for governor. “Barbara Buono has supported public education for her entire career in the Legislature,” said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian. “She is a proud graduate of New Jersey’s public schools, and understands the vital role they play in the aspirations of middle class citizens.” “Unfortunately, over the past three years, teachers and school employees have seen their budgets slashed, their colleagues laid off, their class sizes increased, and their programs cut. It’s time for new leadership,” said Keshishian. “Barbara Buono will be a governor who will believe in …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Four months after Superstorm Sandy slammed into Ocean County, the roads that run through Seaside Heights, Ortley Beach and other towns still show much damage
This is not going to be over soon. Superstorm Sandy has forever transformed the lives of those who were directly affected by it. There is no going back to life the way it was. And only those who are living this nightmare each day and night can understand the constant daily stress, fear and worry. Those who never had to leave their homes on that dark and terrifying day of Oct. 29, they cannot understand. Maybe they lost power for days and they were cold. Maybe some trees came down. And there are some who wonder why storm victims can't just get on with their lives and forget about Sandy. They do not and cannot understand. We can't forget. The old cliche "unless it happens to you" is particularly apt here. Sandy is not over for too many of us…
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The NJ Department of Health may be giving hospitals guidelines on swaying new mothers to choose breastfeeding over bottles. Should that be the role of government?
A new mother has just delivered a healthy, crying cherub of a baby. It's time to feed the infant. The New Jersey Department of Health has just issued what may become new rules for hospitals to encourage and teach their new moms to breastfeed their infants and wean the mothers off using baby formula. The goal is "to increase exclusive breast-feeding rates, improve health outcomes of mothers and infants, reduce childhood obesity rates and contain health care costs," the Department of Health told the Star-Ledger. That would make New Jersey one of four states with written guidelines for hospitals on breastfeeding. By doing so, the Department of Health may have walked into a field of landmines. The topic of whether to breastfeeding - or not - …
Friday, February 15, 2013
Engineering firm's attorney issues statement after latest court proceedings
- OPINION
-
Friday, February 15
In response to the recent article, "Bradley Beach Woman Second to Plead Guilty at Monmouth Engineering Firm," Joseph Hayden, Attorney for Birdsall Service Group, responded with the following statement: “The allegations outlined by the Attorney General’s charges all occurred under previous management at Birdsall Services Group and have all been fully addressed by the new leadership of the company," Hayden said. "We have been fully cooperating with the Attorney General’s Office throughout the course of this investigation and the company’s leadership has taken swift action to address the matter which has resulted in a new CEO, significant personnel changes, and the hiring of former New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice James Zazzali, who …
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Is today a holiday or not?
Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is just one week before Presidents Day, the holiday introduced as George Washington’s Birthday in 1885 and now a day to celebrate all presidents. While Presidents Day is recognized as a federal holiday, Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12) is not. Lincoln Day is a public holiday in Connecticut, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey and New York but only some municipalities still observe it as one. Most states have absorbed Abe's birthday into Presidents Day. Fun Facts about Lincoln and his birthday:
Monday, February 4, 2013
Constant stress, confusion bring on relentless fatigue for many
"Oh, a storm is threatening My very life today If I don't get some shelter Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away" - from "Gimme Shelter" by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards It's been over three months since Superstorm Sandy roared into the Jersey coastline, changing landscapes and lives forever. At first, some people were optimistic the mess could be turned around in a relatively short period of time. Now we know better. Now the sickening realization that things will never be the same has sunk in. Township Council President James J. Byrnes had it right when he said at a recent council meeting that storm fatigue had set in. I've got it and so do too many other people. I'm tired of acronyms like FEMA, ICC, ABFEs, SBA. I'm tired of all the things I've…
Senator requests information from NRC based on nuclear plant's performance during Sandy
- OPINION
-
Monday, February 4
Editor's note: The following letter was drafted by U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg and sent to Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Allison Macfarlane concerning the safety of Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. Dear Chairman Macfarlane: I am writing to request an update on actions being taken by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to address safety concerns that have been reported at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station following Superstorm Sandy. As you know, Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey on Oct. 29, 2012, bringing unprecedented damage to our coastline, our infrastructure and homes throughout the state. Given that New Jersey is home to four nuclear reactors that provide approximately 50 percent of the state’s electricity…
Monday, January 21, 2013
Former Ocean County Director of Human Services upset with confusing mandates, insurance delays
- OPINION
-
Monday, January 21
An open letter to: President Obama, All the members of Congress, Governor Christie and members of New Jersey Senate and Assembly and to local mayors and council members MY DESCENT INTO MADNESS BY WAY OF THE RABBIT HOLE Super Storm Sandy has displaced seven people in my family. We all lived in Seaside Park, New Jersey. We are no different from the thousands of people who are facing what seems like insurmountable obstacles towards rebuilding our homes, our lives and our communities. During the height of the storm our local rescue workers, emergency personal and police were heroic in their efforts to save lives and mitigate damages. The weeks following the storm were also filled with countless stories of families, neighbors, friends and …
Adam N.
7:58 am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
As some one who worked for the EPA from 1989 to 1992 & was at both; Ciba-Geigy & Reich Farm, all I can tell you is that you MAKE SURE you buy either Poland Spring or Fiji Water (not the other crap water) or get yourself a superior water filter system like Zero Water or a Alkalizing Water System (I have this one ---> https://www.vollara.com/Site/LivingWater) ~ I say this from the heart because not… more ›