Gilford Park - Another View

There has been a lot of discussion lately about Gilford Park, and most of it has not been positive. A recent crime in that section of Toms River has started some people grumbling. People are painting a picture of Gilford park as a collection of run-down shacks, full of questionable people.

Riverguy can only tell you about his own experience. I take long bike rides, and I ride through Gilford Park quite a bit. Yes, many of the streets have small bungalows, but most of them are fixed up quite nice. A few here and there are rundown, but you'll also see some newer and larger homes of some of the lots now, as some of the old houses are replaced. The smaller places are affordable starter houses for new families.

Some of the houses look kind of cozy -- yards with nautical decorations, small ponds, and features to dress the places up a bit. Some have fireplaces. One house I pass in particular has beautifully trimmed shrubs, a large in-ground pool, small poolhouse, and nice cars in the driveway. I always think to myself that it would be a nice place to live...if I were lucky.

People I pass by on my travels always seem friendly. They say hi and are ready to pass a kind word or two.

I know there are people out there who may have a different perceptions and experiences in the area, but I can only tell you what I've found.

Hang in there, Gilford Park. Riverguy sends his regards.

Red Light Cameras - 'Round and 'Round We Go

News item: "State transportation officials Tuesday slammed the brakes on using red-light cameras in 21 towns to issue summonses to drivers until they can determine whether drivers are being given enough yellow-light time." (Asbury Park Press)

This latest chapter in the red light camera saga is sure to give opponents much more ammunition to get the whole program scrapped -- but don't look for that to happen. Most likely they will check all of the yellow-light times at locations across the state, and then resume the program. Refunds for those who were wrongfully ticketed? That is not impossible, but highly unlikely.

Any way you cut it, we are in a bad situation. Driver behavior is getting worse, so safety concerns are valid. But the automated cameras bring a "big brother" aspect, and there are too many variables to make the ticketing 100 percent accurate. The camera shows an offending car, but not who is driving.

Riverguy thinks that the cameras should be used in conjunction with live enforcement. Let the camera send a signal (a live image?) to an officer in a chase car, who can pull over the car that triggered the camera. That way, the correct driver gets any summons that's issued. And, the officer can listen to the driver's side of the story -- and cut a little slack if there is a good reason to do so. Or give a summons and a lecture...whatever is needed. The bottom line? Let's put a little human judgment, and personal interaction back into the situation, instead of relying on automated systems.

Scary Local Roadways

Maybe it's just me, but it seems that driving around Toms River has gotten especially scary lately. It could be that people have spring fever, but more likely it is that we've all become a bit frantic as traffic begins to increase.

Older drivers tend to slow down, and to become extra careful, perhaps further bogging down the flow of traffic. Younger drivers react by weaving in and out of traffic, and blowing the doors off someone that they think is going too slow..

And don't even get me started on people that are driving with one hand on the wheel and the other on a cell phone held to the ear. There is only one cure to this toxic mix -- common sense..

Older drivers need to keep up with the normal traffic flow....going excessively slow will only increase the chance of an impatient younger driver swerving around you and creating a hazard. And can I add -- ever so gently -- that you get regular eye and hearing checks. No one wants to take your freedom to drive away, so you need to make sure that you're ready for the road. Younger drivers need to realize that Rt. 37 isn't a drag strip. I know that many young drivers are actually good drivers, and tailgating or cutting in and out of traffic doesn't seem like a big deal to you, but what is does is cut down on everyone's margin of error. What happens if another car next to yours makes a sudden lane change just when you do? Believe me, you don't what the legal, insurance, and money hassles that come with an accident..

As for cell phones...get a hands-free kit or bluetooth so that you can at least have both hands available for driving.

Spring is in the Air...Now What?

So, the weather is improving, even if it back-tracks on some days, and we're all starting to look ahead to getting out doors more, enjoying our yards, decks, and patios.

The trouble is, spring put some hurdles in our way before we can get to the fun stuff. First, the trees and flowers blooming bring out our allergies, which can really slow you down. Our homes and yards need maintenance and cleaning before we can settle down and enjoy them. Maybe your deck needs waterproofing, or a fence needs painting, or the garage finally needs to be cleaned out once and for all.

Our bodies also need some maintenace. A winter of sitting around, and over-eating over the holidays has added a few pounds to most of us. So, a workout plan and diet may be in order.

All of this has me asking...When do we get to the fun part? Can't I cut down on some of these spring projects and chores?

In that spirit, Toms River Online has put together a "Springtime Resources" page. The page has a list of many the directories of local businesses that can help get your house and property into shape, so that you can get on with the serious business of spring fun.

As for the workout program... I recommend checking out our directory of "Gyms and Fitness Clubs"...remember that after spring comes summer days at the beach. Are you going to be ready to put that swimsuit on?

Combating Rising Gas Prices

Anyone who drives a car is keenly aware that gasoline prices have been rising quickly over the last few weeks. Prices in Toms River are not as bad as in most of the rest of the state, but that's not much consolation when you're handing over more cash for your gas.

All of the experts seem to agree -- prices are going to keep rising. There's more demand overseas, and also a ton on tension in the Mideast. On top of that, we'll also see the usual price manipulation that clobbers us every spring and summer.

So...what can we do?

First of all, know your prices. Sometimes there's a big difference between different gas stations. Be sure you get the best price! Toms River Online has a link to a handy list of prices at area stations, so you can compare at a glance. Go to our Home page, and click on the blue gas nozzle on the right-hand side of the page: Toms River Online Home page.

Another thing you can do to cut your consumption of gas is to go to events closer to home this spring and summer. Downtown Toms River has some great events... just to mention a few: Arts & Music/Food Fest, Chili and Salsa Fest, Ice Cream Fest, Crusin' Downtown (vintage cars)..etc! Find out more about Downtown events.

As for the bigger picture... consider getting a smaller, fuel-efficient car (the Chevy Sonic is a good new choice). Also let your elected representatives know your views...there are options that they can enact (reduce gas taxes, more drilling, release oil from national reserves, provide incentives for purchasing smaller vehicles...ETC!).

Snow is a No-Show This "Winter"

Ok, so Riverguy isn't really a big skier or anything like that, but I have to say that the extremely mild weather this winter is un-nerving me a bit. I can't remember a winter this mild....maybe there is something to this global-warming theory?

By this time last year, we had already had about 3 feet of snow...and so far this time we haven't even hit 3 inches. The forecast for February is more of the same...temps in the 40's and 50's.

While this weather is good for commuters and people who don't like winter,there are some bad economic impacts, too. We have a lot of contractors around here who do snow removal, and they're getting shut out right now...that's tough on their bottom lines. Stores that sell winter clothing or winter sports equipment have to be hurting, too.

On the plus side, we're all using less heat...that's a special blessing for people with oil burners.

Who knows...maybe this weather will bring out more "plungers" at the "Polar Bear Plunge" in Seaside Heights (Feb. 25th). Riverguy will be on the sidelines, cheering the plungers on (my plunging days are behind me). It's a great event, benefiting the Special Olympics.

Despite what the forecast says, Riverguy is going to keep his eye on the sky...mother nature might have a surprise or two in store for us before spring.

Toms River Now - Revisited

Some months ago Riverguy posted an item on this blog about "Toms River Now" (www.tomsrivernow.com) a web page that gathers local Twitter "tweets" (messages) in one spot.

At the time, I said:
"More and more, people just don't want to read "news" -- news is about what happened in the recent past-- but most often we want to know what is going on right NOW. Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking programs have made this possible, and we're getting used to real-time information. That's why you should check out "Toms River Now, " a single web page that lists "Tweets" (Twitter messages) that contain info about Toms River, Ocean County, and the Jersey Shore. You don't have to have a Twitter account to view these messages...everything is on a regular web page."

Well, since my original post, we've had an earthquake, hurricane, and numerous other accidents, traffic jams, and more. It turns out Toms River Now is a good place to turn to when something unusual happens. In less than 20 seconds after the earth shook, tweets were coming in from all over the area. People were comparing what they felt, and within a couple of minutes, information came through about the quake magnitude and epicenter. During the hurricane, people posted warnings about downed wires and flooded streets, helping all of us avoid trouble.

So...check out Toms River Now for both the mundane and the unusual...you'll never know what you're going to find.