Letters
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March 19, 2025
Mission Accomplished
This past winter, the New Jersey Maritime Museum faced several capital improvement challenges, including repairs to our HVAC, hot water heater, fencing and elevator. Several of our volunteers…
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March 19, 2025
Responsible Investment
The following responds to a letter last week from Saul Ellman (“Restaurant Plan Too Intensive for Harvey Cedars”).
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March 13, 2025
Wrong Direction
The U.S. is becoming a third world country under our current leadership.
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March 12, 2025
Handle With Care
My father, John Francis Harvey, was a man of resilience, dedication and unwavering commitment. Like many fathers and grandfathers, he served in World War II, joining the U.S. Army at just 17. He…
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March 12, 2025
Restaurant Plan Too Intensive for Harvey Cedars
Our town of Harvey Cedars is one of the quieter towns on LBI, with the perfect mix of commercial and residential. In fact, for a town that is only about 2 miles in length, we have seven eating…
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March 12, 2025
Scary for Shore
I am writing to express my concern about withdrawing funds from Medicaid in the House budget bill.
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March 5, 2025
Hot Button Issue
I confess that I need AC to sleep on the hottest days of summer. My electric bill for one summer month in 2024 was $700. With a 20% proposed increase, that means in the summer 2025 it will be $840…
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March 5, 2025
Go Green
Green Drinks just marked its 10-year anniversary at The Mainland. The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 5:30-7:30. Join us Tuesday, April 1 for the next gathering.
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March 5, 2025
Peaceful Transition
On Saturday, Feb. 1, my wife, Sandra W Smith, had a stroke. She received excellent care at Southern Ocean Medical Center. However, the stroke proved to be terminal.
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February 26, 2025
Teacher’s Advice
I read and reread the Feb. 19 Commentary (“Get on Board the Trump Train: Country Is on the Right Track”). I had many ideas for a response. The column was typical of the MAGA crowd.
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February 26, 2025
Headline Faux Pas
The SandPaper’s headline on John Imperiale’s smart exposition about the pitfalls of Trump’s hubris at taunting statehood for Canada seems not to capture the subject, tone or theme of what he wrote…
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February 26, 2025
Separate Church/State
I am writing in support and agreement with resident Claire Edelstein’s remarks at the Feb. 4 Barnegat Township Committee meeting (“Heated Debate Marks Opening of Town Hall,” 2/21).
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February 19, 2025
Match Sealed on LBI
My granddaughter, Alison Christie, and her boyfriend, Sean Catteral, from London, were recently on Long Beach Island. The couple now live in Brooklyn. Ali was transferred to Amazon in London, where…
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February 13, 2025
Stop Musk
Think about all the ways your government protects and provides for you: aviation security, national defense, Social Security and Medicare, disease control, food inspections, your passport and so much…
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February 12, 2025
Spreading the Warmth
Kiwanis of LBI has completed the ninth year of our “Happy Feet” new sock project. We are deeply grateful for the incredible support, generosity and service of our LBI community, mainland communities…
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February 12, 2025
Failure to Represent
My neighbors and I have been discussing why we bother to have taxpayers associations for LBI. Their main objective should be to represent all the homeowners on the Island in the face of any state…
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February 12, 2025
Pile of Crazy
In 1946 the U.N. General Assembly unanimously voted to declare genocide a crime. It defined genocide as the intentional destruction of a national, racial, religious or ethnic group.
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February 12, 2025
Any Wonder?
This country, by electing President Trump, has served notice that, we the people, are no longer happy with the direction this country has taken on the immigration issue. We also are concerned and…
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February 12, 2025
Threats to Democracy
I take pen in hand and write because when democracy in the U.S. is threatened by an autocratic president who wants to be a king you have to respond. You can’t remain silent, even if it falls on deaf…
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February 12, 2025
Leadership, Not Control
Our nation has become chaotic and it shows. We have drifted away from God. Our freedoms, democracy, rule of law, even the very soul of our nation are at risk and in danger. Instead of our leaders in…
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February 6, 2025
Dangerous Labs
There are people in the U.S. who want Americans to be afraid of new viruses and bacterial infections that have appeared over the last 35 years or so. Unfortunately, a crucial factor is almost always…
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February 6, 2025
Ugly American
President Trump used his opportunity to talk about the horrific collision of a Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle flight 5342 in Washington, D.C. to blame Obama, Biden, Pete Buttigieg, DEI and…
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February 6, 2025
Plan Lacks Nuance
Recently the president suggested that Palestinian refugees not attempt to go back to their homes. He then urged neighboring countries to take in the millions of people looking for places to live.…
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February 6, 2025
One More Timeless Shot of the Old Garvey
I loved the cover on The SandPaper last week of the old garvey. Your photographer did a wonderful job. I, too, love that old boat and have been photographing it for many years. Here is one of my…
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February 5, 2025
Nothing Like America
If Dorothy had recently dropped into the U.S. instead of Oz, she probably would have said, “I don’t think we’re in America anymore, Toto.” I’m afraid we’ve elected a president more intent on…
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February 5, 2025
Legal Fee Protection
As a trial lawyer for 35 years, I know the cost and inefficiencies of trial practice, at least in New Jersey. Obviously, I have no firsthand knowledge as to why President Biden granted pardons, as…
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February 5, 2025
My Dad, My Hero
This poem is dedicated to my dad, Steve Mottola of North Beach, my go-to guy.
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January 30, 2025
Welcoming Workforce
Ninety-eight percent of Costco’s shareholders recently supported the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies. According to the board chairman, since its founding Costco has always been…
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January 29, 2025
Sound Coverage
The “Sound Waves” column last week by Monique M. Demopoulos covering the local open mic scene, old and new, was well done. Extra credit for including events that are all-music and those that also…
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January 23, 2025
Bridge Project Comparisons Beg Question ‘Why So Long?’
Perspective is “a way of thinking about and understanding something.” I am thinking about and trying to understand why it has taken so long to complete the Manahawkin Bay Bridge and infrastructure…
