Dispatches: Too many towns in New Jersey

This week’s Dispatches column on the need to streamline New Jersey government. Here are some other perspectives, from stories in the Monroe and Cranbury editions of The Cranbury Press.

And a response to the Monroe story:

Dear Editor,

Why does it not surprise me that everyone of the parties interviewed for the story on municipal consolidation in the August 4 edition of The Cranbury Press is opposed? They all have something to lose by consolidation — power and influence or money or both. They may claim to be looking after the interests of their communities, but I firmly believe that what we are hearing is self-interest.

A more important question may be, “Why did the reporter not interview people outside the power structure who would truly gain if staffs were reduced?” They are the people who will gain from consolidation. Who needs two police chiefs, two library directors, two library buildings, two mayors, two….(fill in the unnecessary duplicates of your choice)?

John Zoeller
Monroe

A fair question that I promise will be answered in future stories.

South Brunswick Post, The Cranbury Press
The Blog of South Brunswick

Author: hankkalet

Hank Kalet is a poet and freelance journalist. He is the economic needs reporter for NJ Spotlight, teaches journalism at Rutgers University and writing at Middlesex County College and Brookdale Community College. He writes a semi-monthly column for the Progressive Populist. He is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks, drinks too much coffee and attends as many Bruce Springsteen concerts as his meager finances will allow. He lives in South Brunswick with his wife Annie. View all posts by hankkalet