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Message |
    
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1807
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 7:12 am: | 
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Art,
Maybe the TC is onto something - I just got this article, which I'd post the entire thing but I don't have the link:
EAST ORANGE, New Jersey (Reuters) - Lenox Avenue in suburban East Orange was long a hotbed of drugs and gun mayhem and one of New Jersey's toughest streets. But Big Brother has cleaned it up.
Police here say that thanks to new technology there has not been a single violent crime in almost a year on a street where the notorious Bloods gang sold $10 hits of crack cocaine and drive-by shootings were once commonplace.
Now high-tech cameras and gunshot sensors are mounted at each end of Lenox Avenue, and on many other East Orange streets. The residential avenue of mainly multifamily homes is blocked from traffic and, with the exception of the 24-hour police presence, it looks as tranquil as most New Jersey suburbs."
If they work that well on Springfield avenue, that would be terrific. Fortunately I don't think we need the gunshot sensors. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5056
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 11:51 am: |
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"Fortunately I don't think we need the gunshot sensors."
I know, I believe there have only been a couple shootings I've heard of on the Avenue in the past few years...  ...and thanks for the information Lydia.
As for there not being a single violent crime in almost a year, I'd say that's pretty cool and worth any loss of "PUBLIC" privacy on our streets in town. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the gangs and drug pushers moved out of East Orange and Irvington haven't found things much more comfortable here in Maplewood. I’m confident that law enforcement has mug shoots of these criminals. Cameras at their known hangouts can confirm this. Quite honestly I'm still pissed about the Township Committee’s lack of urgency and the delays in moving this matter of video surveillance forward…
What say you, Dave and Vic? In light of this EAST ORANGE, New Jersey (Reuters) report, would either of you like to change your votes or opinions on the subject? Personally, I’d like to see more decisive movement on this matter. Would anyone else opposed want to this issue like to change their opinion, or just continue to hang out in your dirty diapers?
What’s more important, improving the town’s safety procedures used to help protect our residents and their families, or the continued paranoid stance on civil liberty? IMHO, this should be an easy decision for everyone, safety first!
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ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5064
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 9:52 am: |
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BUMP! |
Crazy Guggenheim
Citizen
Username: Crazyguggenheim
Post Number: 889
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 10:18 am: |
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Call me crazy, but I guess they don't make Pampers the way they used to! |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14076
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 10:22 am: |
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Crazy Guggenheim, call me crazy for correcting you, thank you for fixing up your sentence.
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Crazy Guggenheim
Citizen
Username: Crazyguggenheim
Post Number: 890
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 10:36 am: |
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Call me crazy, but Drug Fair has great deals on "readers"! |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5066
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006 - 10:57 am: |
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Call me crazy, but doesn't Drug Fair have video surveillance cameras too? |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5074
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 2:33 pm: |
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In light of the recent news article on EAST ORANGE, New Jersey (Reuters) - Lenox Avenue in suburban East Orange was long a hotbed of drugs and gun mayhem and one of New Jersey's toughest streets. But Big Brother has cleaned it up.
Police here say that thanks to new technology (CCTV) there has not been a single violent crime in almost a year on a street where the notorious Bloods gang sold $10 hits of crack cocaine and drive-by shootings were once commonplace.
"What’s more important, improving the town’s safety procedures used to help protect our residents and their families, or the continued paranoid stance on civil liberty? IMHO, this should be an easy decision for everyone, safety first!"
The question remains unanswered, what’s more important? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14124
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 2:38 pm: |
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Art, to be honest, I see both sides of the issue. If I were hired as a debater, I could earn my money on either side of the police camera debate. And I'm not sure where I come down on the issue, precisely because I see both sides. I implore you to take a look at the civil rights side.
I believe we can have a breakthrough, however, where we can increase security and not sacrifice civil liberties. I really don't think we should be making a choice between them.
The story of East Orange is, I admit, compelling. But so are the civil liberties concerns.
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ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5076
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 3:13 pm: |
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"But so are the civil liberties concerns."
Tom, we live in Maplewood, New Jersey and there are gangs walking around and drugs being sold on our streets.... What civil liberty concerns can we possible have here in Maplewood?
“Please do me a favor” and just name me your top 10 concerns for Maplewood. Thanks Tom, this is a serious issue for me, and you know I'm always good for a favor, right?
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14130
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
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Art, I appreciate your willingness to drive us last week, and I hope you weren't too ticked off when I wasn't there at the appointed time.
I don't want to list ten concerns, but I'll put crime among the top ten (happy?), along with civil liberties. If you don't know what civil liberty concerns a Maplewoodian has, I'd like to know which article is your favorite in the Bill of Rights.
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ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5077
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 3:22 pm: |
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...no problem, as you know I'm always willing to help a guy out. I'll think about your request and get back to you. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5105
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 1:08 pm: |
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Tom, after some careful consideration, I pass.
The Bill of Rights, civil rights, and the subject at hand is way to complicated for guys like you and me to deal with without really getting down and dirty. Our friendship is not worth the price.
Personally, I feel enough has been said on this matter in other threads, and I’ve found through my vast experience that anyone convinced against their will, is of the same opinion still. Let’s move on...
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14220
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 1:50 pm: |
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Thanks, Art. My point is that you could look at any of them and realize that it's not dispensible. And every one shows a healthy distrust of government.
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ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5153
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 2:32 am: |
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Tom, being free and bringing freedom to the rest of the world is what makes America great, so what will it take to get people to trust our government again? |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7504
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 8:41 am: |
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Art:
I know your question was directed to Tom but it is one all of us should be considering. Since this question is posted in the Maplewood section, I will present my response as geared to local government issues but it could be expanded to apply in some ways to national and state-wide government as well.
To me what it takes is becoming so active in local government: watching TC meetings on TV; attending open meetings of our local governing bodies; participating in workshops on local issues; speaking with local elective and appointed officials on matters of public interest; reviewing the township and/or board of education budget(s); becoming and remaining aware of local problems and pushing for workable solutions to those problems; etc. All of these, when taken together are ways in which this can be accomplished.
Doing even one more of the above than one has been doing up to now is a good start. If each of us were to take at least some of the above actions, each of us would be able to cast a more informed vote each year and that in turn would help to make our local government more informed, more responsive, more accountable, and most important more successful in meeting the needs of the community. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14504
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 10:23 am: |
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Good answer, Joan. Art, we need to distrust government, the institution and trust government, the people. In other words, we want to elect people so good that we can trust them, but we must set things up because we know that power corrupts and also that people are not always as competent as we wish.
When I say healthy distrust for government, I don't mean a disgust so deep that one thinks that government is useless or worse.
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C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2645
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 4, 2006 - 5:23 pm: |
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Having lived in East Orange and worked in Newark and other NJ cities all my adult life I have to say that the police takeover of one street has one effect: the criminals find a new place to hang and do their "business." It doesn't really solve the bigger problem but it's great for the locals and for PR. But honestly, those bad characters simply relocate to the next neighborhood or next town. They deal with it like any other business whose location becomes problematic in a big way. Because this is their business. If your place of business is irreparably damaged, you take your assets and move. But probably not too far because you have a loyal customer base. And in this business, when one "owner" gets sent up the river, there are 10 guys or gals ready to jump into his place. There's so much money in illegal drugs that we have an entire secondary economy built around it that intertwines with our regular economy. What did Prohibition do? Made the guys in the mob rich. What is the "drug war" doing? Making gangbangers rich. |
davel
Citizen
Username: Davel
Post Number: 156
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 5:22 pm: |
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<<Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 5:31 pm:
Amazing how the rhetoric has disintegrated just as the race is beginning.
I hope the level of discourse rises - so far this is just pathetic.>>
So much for my naive hopes six weeks ago.
Does anyone have some suggestions to help raise the level of local races next time? Yes, all politics is local, but why do we ape Karl Rove?
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Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5657
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 5:31 pm: |
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Davel,
The clearest answer is independent candidates...the factions are fully aware of how many folks feel about things, but that doesnt outweigh attaining the prize to them. And it wont stop tomorrow morning...it will continue. Its unfortunate because there are a lot of intelligent and hardworking people in all this, both elected officials and some of their supporters, but theyre too caught up. Its also unfortunate because some of these elected officials, who certainly care about the town, seem to at times make decisions based on what is most politically expedient to their faction rather than what is best for the town. They seem to put more effort into securing loyal district leader spots than in securing ways to improve township departments that have perenially failed to meet the needs of the citizens. Maybe elected officials independent of either faction can help get everyone re-focused. |
Nohero
Supporter
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 5493
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 5:47 pm: |
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Quote:The clearest answer is independent candidates.
Now, if we can only figure out why South Orange has even nastier elections, when they are non-partisan. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5659
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:02 pm: |
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as you know, Nohero, the elections in South Orange are non-partisan, but the candidates arent necessarily independent. In our town, I mean candidates independent of the two factions...but you knew that. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1921
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:10 pm: |
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Hank,
Quote:They seem to put more effort into securing loyal district leader spots than in securing ways to improve township departments that have perenially failed to meet the needs of the citizens.
Well said.
I've heard this election is showing a very low turnout - and no wonder.
The two-party Maplewood Democrats are both interested in only their own survival, not the healthy governance of our town.
I realized a while ago that I really don't have a beef with anyone except the powers-that-be that can't stop fighting.
3 years ago I thought Maplewood politics could be easily separated into right/wrong, left/right, DeLuca/Profeta.
A funny thing happened along the way. I began to dislike fighting other people's battles, and questioning how I was perpetuating the rancor. I opted out and I've never been happier - maybe it's turning 40, maybe it's walking through this great town of ours and seeing the good, maybe it's just regaining my conscience.
If anything good has come from this messy and mean primary it's that I know I'm not alone.
There are many, probably a majority of people/voters who just want their elected officials to consider Maplewood first and stifle their ego-soaked gripes and honor the people who voted for them.
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yabbadabbadoo
Citizen
Username: Yabbadabbadoo
Post Number: 353
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:15 pm: |
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You're only 40?
FF |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1922
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:23 pm: |
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I'm 62 years young.
I claim I'm 40 to keep away that danged AARP magazine. |
Nohero
Supporter
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 5494
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:27 pm: |
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Hank -
I know. Unfortunately, after a few years even independents may coalesce into "factions". Having non-partisan elections doesn't keep those factions from happening.
If there is utter calm, that may mean that there is an unfortunate uniformity in thinking, which can cause other problems.
The real trick is to disagree, without being disagreeable. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2761
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:36 pm: |
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Lydia: 40? I don't believe you. 30, 35 maybe, but you certainly can't be 40! |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 15122
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:37 pm: |
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22 |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9747
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:40 pm: |
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19 |
sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 15123
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 6:42 pm: |
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I'll see your 19 and give you 17 |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14613
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 8:45 pm: |
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Lydia is hot.
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Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6471
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 10:04 pm: |
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you know what they say...A picture is worth a thousand words. 
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crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 646
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 12:13 pm: |
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Does anyone else have a problem with all of these male-chauvinist-pig-style responses to Lydia's last post?
You guys are vultures.
Imagine if a guy wrote the post. Would females have ignored everything that the poster said and just talked about his *ss?
You should all be ashamed.
Thanks for all you have contributed to this town, Lydia. |
Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 632
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 2:25 pm: |
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Crabby-
Quite agree.
But aren't we in a post-feminism Susan Faludi era anyway?
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9763
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 2:26 pm: |
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Crabby is hot.
Duncan is hot. |
Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2577
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 2:30 pm: |
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Two, or rather, three wrongs don't make a right. However if Lydia sees nothing wrong then never mind....... |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9764
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 2:30 pm: |
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Maplewood is hot.
Lunch was hot. |
crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 652
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 3:25 pm: |
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My lunch was cold. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14620
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 5:16 pm: |
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We're pigs and vultures for saying Lydia is good looking?
What other qualities and tendencies do pigs and vultures share?
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crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 653
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 5:53 pm: |
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On a political thread, you guys change the subject to booty? Is that appropriate? (I'm asking in all seriousness) What is she, a piece o' meat? Now, if this were a thread on looks, well fair game!
Now, if you think I'm being nuts, I'll try changing the subject to how the poster is so hot and ignore what the poster has actually said on another thread (political thread, of course) and see what happens (you'll probably love it ). |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14622
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 5:58 pm: |
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To paraphrase some recent posters here, thread drift happens. Get over it.
New topic for this thread: Imagine if in-person conversations had titles and people chastised each other for straying from the titles. What would life be like?
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9775
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 5:58 pm: |
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I'm talking about temperature only. |
crabby
Citizen
Username: Crabbyappleton
Post Number: 654
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 6:09 pm: |
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Tom- I could give a sh*t about thread drift. I'm NOT talking about merely changing the subject - that would be ridiculous. Without her coming back onto this thread though, it sounds like you all are talking about her like meat. My opinion.
Dave- you've always been hot.
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Factvsfiction
Citizen
Username: Factvsfiction
Post Number: 635
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 6:14 pm: |
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Are they putting something in the water in Maplewood?  |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14624
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 6:19 pm: |
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crabby, this all happened after Lydia mentioned her age. Let's all blame her.
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9777
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 6:21 pm: |
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Can you believe Sbenois was actually trying to wager with me? I say we burn him at the stake or with a steak. |
yabbadabbadoo
Citizen
Username: Yabbadabbadoo
Post Number: 354
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 11:52 pm: |
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I was guessing 44.
FF |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2764
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 9:47 pm: |
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Lydia mentioned turning 40. yabba said "only 40". I expressed surprise that Lydia was not younger. I don't think I have ever met a woman who upon turning 40 wouldn't be happy on hearing that someone was surprised that she was that old.
By the way many years ago I heard Harry Belafonte say that for a woman everything before 40 is just "preparation". |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 5176
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 9, 2006 - 12:57 am: |
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...preparation for what? I've also heard after 40 they're too old to yell, too old to swell, and too old to tell. However, I can tell you the only truth about women over 40 is they keep getting better with age... |
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