Open Thread: The Bookmobile in South Brunswick

The Library Board of Trustees in South Brunswick is ending the practice of having its Bookmobile visit the township’s elementary schools. It plans to use the money allocated for the Bookmobile for more in-library programs.

What do you think?

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Doing the math

Let’s do some math.

First, 78 percent of school budgets on the ballot yesterday — including all four in the towns my papers cover — were approved. It was the highest approval figure since 2001.

Then add the results of the Quinnipiac Poll released yesterday:

Sparked by increased approval for his property tax reduction plan, the poll results released today are Corzine’s highest ever, and show “little apparent effect from his auto accident,” according to Quinnipiac.

Here are the numbers:

51 – 36 percent approval among more than 800 registered voters surveyed April 10 – 12, before news of his accident was widely known;
52 – 35 percent approval among almost 500 voters surveyed April 13 – 16, or after the accident;
51 – 36 percent overall approval for the entire survey.

Voters approve 71 – 21 percent of the property tax cut Corzine signed recently. The Governor still gets a negative 41 – 44 percent approval for his handling of property taxes, but this is his highest score on this issue, up from 33 – 57 percent February 28.

The numbers, when added together, would seem to indicate that a tax revolt similar to the 1991 purge that gave the Republicans a majority is not in the offing.

But then, the Legislature remains in the red in the poll. But there is another number that probably needs to be added into the mix: the Democrat’s 4-1 financing advantage.

(Rider University Professor David) Rebovich said safe districting and Democratic Party cash advantages will likely prevent any power shift in the coming election.

“Plus, most residents like their individual lawmakers while disapproving of the institution,” Rebovich said.

So much for an angry electorate.

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

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So much for a new direction

Now that the smoke has cleared on this year’s Monroe school board race, it seems pretty clear that all the talk about a need for new leadership was just talk.

In the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s vote, the Press received several letters critical of sitting school board members — in particular, President Kathy Kolupanowich and board members Amy Speizer and Lew Kaufmann. Ms. Speizer and Mr. Kaufman were running for re-election.

But voters apparently disagreed. The only change on the board was the defeat of longtime incumbent Carol Haring, who while supporting the plan to place the new high school in Thompson Park had been critical of the board’s unwillingness to explore a backup plan.

And it wasn’t even close. Ms. Speizer and Mr. Kaufman were runaway winners, while Ira Tessler — running on a slate with the two incumbents — won the third seat.

Finishing at the bottom? The two most critical candidates, Ms. Bjornsen and Ms. Haring.

I’ll let the reader consider the meaning in all of this.

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

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Runner’s diary, Tuesday

Didn’t run yesterday — illness, storms, etc.

Today: 10 miles on the stationary bike in just under 28 minutes, followed by three miles running on the treadmill in 27:40.

iPod: Amy Winehouse, Back to Black, and Bruce Springsteen, We Shall Overcome

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

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