Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Sometimes the Christmas lights get out of hand. And so do the lack of Christmas lights.
In honor of the season, Springfield Patch presents this classic holiday article. -AB No matter what you celebrate at this time of year, 'tis the season to be festive, and in this neck of the New Jersey woods we take festive seriously. I don't think there is any official rule book or anything, but the competition to see who can outdo their neighbors by putting up the most and the brightest decorations has gotten totally out of hand. Some people here cheerfully indulge in the festive nature of the season by hanging a few strings of lights outside their home or even putting one of those marginally scary inflatable Santas on their front lawn. Others enthusiastically indulge their "totally gone 'round the bend" side by covering every square …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
85-year-old Springfield resident urges Lance to use voice for gun control.
- OPINION
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Thursday, December 20, 2012
Dear Congressman Lance, The recent tragedy has left me,as well as all the world so very sad. The beautiful lives of the 20 children and adults is heart breaking. I am only one woman (85 years old and a 60-year Springfield resident) and I would hope thatyou being a very important Congressman could use your voice on gun control. I grew up in a better time, I could play outside and never be scared, and the only gun I ever saw was on a policeman. My children grew up the same way, but sorry to say not my grandchildren or my great grandchildren. I would like to do something to ease the pain, What are you doing to make America safer? I would like to help in any way possible. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families and may G-d bless …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Union County Freeholder looks ahead to new year.
Between the global economic meltdown of 2008 and a series of natural disasters culminating in Hurricane Sandy, Union County has seen its share of crises over the past four years. We have also been touched by the sorrows borne by communities not so very far away; here in New Jersey, the devastation of shore towns by the storm, and in Newtown, Connecticut, a human tragedy from which no real recovery is ever possible. While our hearts and minds reach out in sympathy, we can also look inward and prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead. And as this year comes to a close, there is cause for renewed hope in the future. One cause for optimism has been the growth of new relationships all across the spectrum of our community. In this regard, …
Monday, December 17, 2012
U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg will ask Congress to approve a ban on ammunition magazines of more than 10 rounds. Do you agree with his proposed bill?
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, December 17, 2012
In the wake of the mass shooting in Newtown, CT, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) announced plans to reintroduce high-capacity magazine ban legislation in the 113th Congress. Lautenberg’s bill, the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act, would prohibit the manufacture and sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds. It also would ban ammunition magazines that could be readily converted to accept more than 10 rounds. “In light of yet another horrific shooting tragedy, it is clearer than ever that there is no place in our communities for deadly high-capacity gun magazines and I will keep working to pass my bill to reinstate the ban on them,” Lautenberg said in a statement. “If we don't pass a high-capacity …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Parent decries new rules for students about gifts for teachers.
- OPINION
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Thursday, December 13, 2012
When I chose to move to Springfield and raise my children here, one of my major deciding factors was the quality of its public school system. Over the last few years I have not been disappointed with my choice. In fact, ever since my eldest daughter began attending Walton School, I have had nothing but praise and admiration for our schools and the district. However, over the past few years many parents, including myself, have noticed an unhealthy shift from moderation, towards extreme political correctness and inflexibility by the leaders in our schools. First, when the Superintendent and/or Principals determined that there should be no sweets in our schools, I, like many others, felt it was bit excessive, yet I refrained from commenting…
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Millburn-Short Hills organization, Residents for Traffic Safety, write a letter to the editor on their stance against a new supermarket in a recap of their latest forum.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
To Millburn-Short Hills Patch: About 20-25 residents attended the Residents For Traffic Safety forum on Thursday, Nov. 29 to express their concerns, ask questions, and offer their ideas regarding the Stop & Shop development planned to be built on Millburn Avenue. Generally, the comments centered around public safety and lowering of the quality of life in the area due to the greatly increased car and truck traffic that the supermarket will draw. As resident Mary Fran Johnson stated, ”I can’t believe that an additional 6,000 cars a day would NOT have an impact on the quality of our neighborhood and town.” Attendees agreed that all trucks should not be required to enter and exit on Millburn Avenue and that there should be a traffic light at…
Patch reader proposed alternate Hanukkah symbol for town hall.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Why are some Springfield residents afraid of lighting and displaying eight lights of the Menorah during the Holiday celebration of Town Hall? Where is the good will toward men? Why can't our Jewish children look toward town hall and feel they are part of our holiday festivities and lights? Springfield is scared to display the eight lights of the Menorah on its town hall grounds. In a township with a significant Jewish population, this slight is inexcusable and unbelievable in 2012. Mayor Shehady and his committee are making poor excuses to stifle a display of eight lights where over four hundred holiday lights are lit on the premises of town hall lawn. The Menorah is a symbol to Hanukkah just as the Christmas tree is to Christmas. The …
Monday, December 10, 2012
Patch reader noticed safer driving in hurricane but worries drivers have returned to bad habits.
During and immediately following Superstorm Sandy drivers in New Jersey (at least in Union County) seemed to driving with a little more sanity and courtesy than they normally do. Now that Sandy has gone away they have returned to their old habits. During recent rainstorms and our snow this month I saw many driving without their headlights on. Also, while driving from Springfield through Summit to my job in New Providence, recently, I was cut off by two drivers exiting driveways and stop streets on Mountain Avenue, Springfield, and by two drivers in Summit who completely disregarded stop signs. I also have been tailgated several times. It is time for NJ drivers to abandon their maniacal and reckless habits. If they don't, law enforcement …
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Tell us what you think.
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the annual question: should Springfield add a Menorah to the holiday decorations at town hall? Town hall sported a Menorah in the '80—see this story for background—but has since refrained from including the Hanukkah symbol. What do you think? Tell us in the poll below. Keep the conversation going by liking Springfield Patch on Facebook.
40.70853
-74.31354
Springfield Municipal Building
100 Mountain Ave, Springfield, NJ
/articles/poll-should-springfield-town-hall-have-a-menorah
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Thursday, November 15, 2012
County Official looks forward in letter to the editor.
This has been an extraordinary time in Union County history, and we’ve seen some extraordinary things. We’ve seen the worst of the damage and destruction that a powerful storm can bring, first with Hurricane Sandy and then with the nor’easter Athena. We’ve also seen the best of human nature, as Union County residents pulled together to keep each other safe at the height of the danger. So many people have been involved in the response and recovery that it’s impossible to thank them all, so I’d just like to say that as a lifelong resident of Union County I could not be more proud to say that this place is my home. We’re not out of the woods yet. Tragically, two deaths in Union County have been attributed to the storm, and people are still …
Mitch Slater
11:00 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
So proud of my Mom's comments-I hope Lance listens to the people that sent him to Washington- The only "right" that really matters is the Right for kids to grow up. Sandy took houses from kids-but Newtown took kids "forever' from their houses. more ›