Open All Night

As published in today's News Record and yesterday's Star Ledger, NJ Transit has backed down from their proposed plan to close South Orange Train Station earlier in the day. Initially, the proposal was to close the station at 1PM. That was later renegotiated to close the station at 9:45pm - a position still unacceptable. Closing the station so early would force people taking the train home late from NYC to the stairwells at South Orange Avenue or 2nd Street - both of which are too far from the NJ Transit Lot and SOPAC.

Huge Thank Yous are owed to Village President Newman who immediately took up this issue working directly with NJ Transit to strongly express the Village's concern. The cause was then also taken up by Assemblywoman Jasey and Assembly McKeon who also expressed their concerns to NJ Transit. Finally, Governor Codey got involved and wrote a strongly worded letter to NJ Transit which seemed to have sealed the deal to have the station remain open. Thank you to all for stepping up for South Orange and Thank you to NJ Transit for listening to and agreeing to our appeals.

Red Light, Green Light, 1-2-3

Last night at the Public Safety Meeting, we heard a presentation from a company called Redflex. The company is a provider of automated photo enforcement systems for Traffic Lights. When someone runs a red light that is monitored, photographs and video are captured and sent electronically to the Police for review. Once an officer reviews the violation, a citation can be issued to the owner of the car. (However, the driver is not identified and charged, therefore it is not treated as a moving violation for insurance purposes).

I was initially skeptical mainly over concerns of cost. However, we learned that the systems are installed and maintained at absolutely zero cost to the Village. The program is completely funded by a portion of the violation fines. The system is also not allowed to be used for anything other than the actual red light violation. (Currently, NJ state law prohibits use of these devices for other infractions such as speeding - although that has been changed in other states and may ultimately change in NJ).

Certainly, there are still many questions to still be addressed and no decision or recommendation is imminent, but the concept is an interesting one and one that seems to have gained momentum in other parts of the country.

I'd be interested to hear what you think.....

Obama for President

It's so interesting that for the first time that I can remember, New Jersey actually has a say in the determination of who gets the Party nomination for President. On Tuesday February 5, we have a very tough choice between Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama. I find them both to be incredibly smart and thoughtful - a far cry from our current President - and ultimately I will be happy with either as our next President.

I have long been a big fan of Bill Clinton and the prospect of having Bill Clinton back in the White House is appealing. The problem is that Bill Clinton is not running, Hillary Clinton is - despite how it sometimes appears. In fact, in recent weeks, we have not seen the charismatic Bill Clinton we all remember and instead we have seen a much more divisive side, which is disturbing.

After all the partisanship and divisiveness of the past 7 years, I think it is now time for a new generation of leadership and someone who will try things differently and can try to start to bring this country back together within itself and with other countries. I think the person who can best accomplish that is Barack Obama. I hope you will join me in giving him your support on Tuesday.