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Thanks to help from my friend Bernie Sayers, I took a crash course in New Jersey Open Public Records law this week. Here is a summary of what I need to know:   Guide for Public Record Custodians http://www.state.nj.us/grc/pdf/Custodians_Handbook%20.pdf    NJ Government Records Council http://www.nj.gov/grc/. Download and read the last pages on the records requet form.  …

We have become so accustomed to government’s procedural difficulties that it is actually newsworthy when the process works as intended. We experienced this last week when our township was presented with a check for $543,500 to fix the road and seawall in front of my house. I had been working on this since 2003 and joined with several neighbors in…

When it comes my time to go, I want to die peacefully in my sleep like grandpa, not kicking and screaming like grandma on the back of his bike.

Last night I enjoyed a plate of barbecued oysters; barbecues with salsa; the first for 2009. Early indications are that it will be a strong season at Money Island for oysters, striper and weakfish. Crabbing season picks up soon so we will have a better indication by the end of May.

Vermont’s legislature voted 2:1 to approve same sex marrages. Meanwhile, proposals in other states continue to push bans on the same. We already know which direction the courts will favor. Anyway it just occured to me that I would be in support of a ban for all marriages. From my own life expereince there is enetered into…

Earlier this year the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection revised its fish safety recommendations with little public or media attention. The primary concern for many years has been cancer-causing PCBs that accumulate in fish tissue, especially in the fatty meat. These chemical pollutants are no longer used in industry, but remain in the environment for many years.…

Warren Buffet’s annual report for Berkshire Hathaway published this morning had these comments on effects of stimus package: "This debilitating spiral has spurred our government to take massive action. In poker terms, the Treasury and the Fed have gone “all in.” Economic medicine that was previously meted out by the cupful has recently been dispensed…

http://www.co.cumberland.nj.us/content/163/241/581.aspx

A decade ago the Delaware Bay was a mess of pollution despite the tightening of laws and an increased public awareness of the importance of preserving our natural resources. Predictions of the death of the commercial fishing and shellfish industries were widely accepted. Articles like http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/factsheets/delaware.html had a decidedly pessimistic tone.   Over the past…

"I wondered if hell has a special media room for the overly curious writer". Taras GrescoWriting is not without its risks. I know I push the limit at my own risk but I would not do it any other way. I saw a PBS documentary about Woody Guthrie and those who knew him best said…