Pedestrian Law a Menace to All

In New Jersey, drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. This well-intentioned law needs to be repealed. People on foot should take responsibility for looking both ways and crossing when the way is clear. To expect 4,000 pound vehicles to stop every time someone steps off the curve is ridiculous.

The end result of this law has been that pedestrians routinely walk into crosswalks without even looking. They've been empowered by the law to do so, and they've developed an "attitude" along with it. You can see this in downtown Toms River on any busy weekday. Vehicles passing the library or the corner of Robbins & Washington have to jam on their breaks as people move right into the path of oncoming vehicles without even looking. These walkways have a cone in the center of the street. This is supposed to signify a right-of-way for the pedestrian, but all it does is create a traffic hazard. The walker is in jeopardy of getting run over, and the vehicle may get hit from behind because of the sudden stop. Let's use some common sense. Get rid of the cone AND the law...let pedestrians pay attention to traffic, look both ways, and cross when the way is clear.

Cell Phones, Cars, and Hands-free Talking

I don't know about everybody else, but I'm still seeing tons of drivers around Toms River talking with cell phones up to their ears. With hands-free kits and bluetooth (those funny bug-like ear inserts), there's really no excuse to still hold the phone up to your ear. The law has changed but people's habits haven't.

What's worse, I've actually seen people slunk down in their seats while talking on the phone, presumably so the rest of us (including the police, of course) won't notice. Trouble is, this only makes it more likely that they're going to rear-end someone or run a red light.

Maybe it seems like a small thing to be complaining about, but not when you think about the possible consequences. We're seeing more collisions, cars running off of the road, and vehicles hitting pedestrians. Sure, there are many causes for accidents, but I'd bet that people talking on cell phones and texting while they're driving (yikes!) accounts for a significant percentage of them.

I think the only way to really change the situation is for all of us to stop our friends and family from doing it. When you get in a car and the driver puts the phone up to his ear to make a call, say "Don't you have a hands-free kit?" If they say they don't, tell them they should have one because it makes talking on the phone easier, and safer (and of course, legal). A little negative feedback can go a long way.

Increase in Parkway Tolls a Big Blow to TR

What is going on here? A few years ago people were talking about removing tolls from the Parkway altogether, and now NJ residents -- and Ocean County / Toms River commuters in particular -- will get slammed with an incredible increase in Parkway tolls. Granted, something has to be done about the state debt, but this is the wrong remedy.

Big tools will make commuting from Toms River to NY or North Jersey too costly. We'll find good, hardworking local people having to move back North in order to be able to afford to get to their jobs.

And what about tourism? Will day-tripping North Jersey folks continue to come down here in droves? The average person is already paying more for food, rent, heat, etc. High tolls could just be the last straw. Seaside Heights will no doubt feel an impact. Our area could go into its own recession -- say what you want about the "bennies" -- but they are sure important to our local businesses. Let's not discourage them from coming down by picking their pockets at the toll booths.

Riverguy would rather see spending cuts, and if necessary, an increase in the state sales tax. If there has to be economic pain, let's do it so that everyone has to share the burden -- and areas like ours won't get singled-out.

Big Stink Leaves Something to Think About

On Friday, January 4th, a mysterious invisible cloud of smelly air engulfed much of Toms River. We would find out later that the smelly air travelled over 5 NJ counties.

Riverguy first noticed it as a burning, petroleum smell. It was subtle at first in the house, but when I opened the door the stench was so strong the the air was practically unbreathable. As time passed, more of it seeped into the house....and I began to wonder....what if this stuff is toxic? What if it just keeps getting stronger? After all, once is fully permeated the house, there would be nowhere else to go. I seriously considered jumping in the car to see if I could get out of the path of the smell.

Riverguy's wife called the police, and they said they knew about it (actually they we getting inundated with calls), but they didn't know what is was. Nothing was mentioned on local radio (at least that I could find).

In this age of terrorism, weren't we supposed to get some instructions about what to do? Stay put? Evacuate? Listen to a radio station for updates? What happened to all of our preparedness? Lots of money has been spent on Homeland security. We should have been informed quickly and clearly -- but instead we were all left guessing.

Also....how about tracking down the source? The wind direction and data on call reports should allow this to be pinpointed. Aren't there supposed to be air monitors in place?

How about lingering health effects on people? On animals? Sure, I'm probably over-reacting, but we'll never know if they don't find the source of the cloud, and the substance involved.

We deserve better.

To Spend Big Bucks...or Not?

There is an important Toms River School District Referendum on Dec. 11th -- you will be asked to vote on a $10 million dollar (local share) program to construct a new Kindergarten building, as well as additions and improvements to other local schools.

This referendum is coming up (too) fast...doesn't leave much time for discussion. And big money is involved. Riverguy is leaning toward voting "No" to send a message that we are not happy with these things being pushed through quickly -- and under the radar.

Maybe if the kids coming out of our schools could find Canada on a map, I'd have more confidence that our money is being well-spent.

In any event, to see an explanation of the referendum and the allocation of funds -- copy this link into your browser: http://www.trschools.com/referendum/pdf/referendum_information.pdf

Crime Increasing in Our Area

We've been very fortunate in our area for quite some time...compared to most parts of New Jersey, and the rest of the country for that matter, very been very safe in our parks, streets, and shopping centers. Lately, however, we've had a murder in Berkeley, gunshots in Brick Plaza, and a jogger attacked in Toms River.

More public awareness and outcry is needed to focus attention on the problem and find solutions -- before these isolated incidents become a trend. Most of the crime seems to be related to gangs -- either real ones or, more likely, regular kids acting out with a gang mentality. Whether more cooperation is needed between the police and school system, or Police need more resources, Riverguy is not smart enough to know. But I do think awareness of the problem -- early on -- is the first step toward solving it.

Wellness Center Switched to Kindergarten...Ok, But...

Riverguy is a little puzzled....changes seem to be made around here quickly, and seemingly under the radar. A good case in point is the Wellness Center that was going to be built on the grounds of Toms River Intermediate East. Not too many people seemed to know about it, or understand how it came about. Just as awareness was growing, we suddenly learn that the plan has changed. A new building for a Kindergarten will be built on the site instead. Now, this seems to make more sense, and I'm not condemning the idea (actually I'm prone to praise it), but once again we had a fast action that didn't allow much discussion in the community. Now I know planning meetings do occur, and the more astute of you are thinking..."well, these other folks are sloppy citizens, and just need to pay more attention, and get to the meetings." Ok....but let's be real a minute. People are busy, distracted, and yes, a bit lazy. But the movers and shakers in the community owe it to all of us to announce and publicize the meetings and discussions of pending important decisions in a bigger way -- and well in advance. The public, collectively, does have a lot of common sense, and should be allowed to fully weigh in on things going on around town. Getting some public consensus will also dispel that feeling of things happening "under the radar."