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Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 119
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 4:49 pm: | 
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What we need is a campaign to inform and engage the voters and taxpayers of South Orange. A method to form a cohesive collation of residents, fed up with the status quo and want change now. A group that supports the taxpayers with no influence from special interest groups who have much to lose and have gained control of every election I’ve witnessed in South Orange for 14 years.
The first step is to publish a non-profit alternative paper to the NR, the paper should be informative & entertaining but most importantly a serious critique of the current issues and solutions to the crisis we will be facing. This is critical if we are to unseat the SO incumbents in 13 months, this is not something that should be done at the last minute. It needs to be started now! I'm willing to sacrifice my time and expertise to this effort - this can be done using a twofold method - physical newsprint and also PDF document to email to residents. I've laid out a newspaper before and would have no problem doing it again in the right context.
I'm getting frustrated just reading everyone ranting and raving about this and that yet no one has real solutions. We should do this ourselves in print and get the word out. I hear the clock ticking.....we as a force can be a catalyst for change through the spread of information - if the voting public was truly aware of the current level of incompetence we have in government the whole inept group would be placed on permanent leave. It is important that we all recognize the power structure that controls our destiny; they will not give up power without a fight. Let’s not wait until their mass mailings next spring as they all take photo ops in front of the newly opened SOPAC – an informed public will see through that but they will not get the real news through the News-Record or Star Ledger.
Ideally, if we had enough people interested and it was set up as a non-profit assuming most of the articles are submitted pro-bono then the only cost I could think of would be that of the offset printing. But remember given that almost everyone has email at this point the long term aspiration is to collect email addresses and build a e-paper (electronic newspaper) sent via email would reduce or eliminate the cost of printing and still get the word out. With the Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free download) the paper would be converted from the native layout application to Adobe Acrobat so regardless of Operating System or hardware you will be able to view the paper on any computer.
When it comes down to it if we can find individuals who are dedicated to making this a reality, we all know what’s hanging in the balance – higher taxes or a plan for tax stabilization – a good school system for our children or the continued deterioration as has been observed over the last 2 decades – a community we could all be proud of that shows fiscal responsibility and responsible management.
This if successful will yield a method through citizen consensus to galvanize action to make our politicians accountable when they don’t do what is in the interests of the taxpayers of our community. Remember a closed government is more then often a corrupt government – having control of the press (NR) helps keep the status quo in power and operating and the masses ignorant and wondering.
The real cost of this is a pittance to what it will cost us if we do nothing and allow the mismanagement on all levels to continue unchecked.
The time is NOW - 3 BOT & President seats are up in 2007 - the opportunity is at hand we just have to focus & organize. I've thought about this for 5 years and feel it's now or never this is the only way to break open the process - remove the dead wood, stabilize taxes and regain control of our village.
Politcalmon
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Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 681
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 4:59 pm: |
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I'm confused.
I'll offer help if it is going to be an 'independent' news source.
If it's leaning towards 'candidate material' just 13 months in advance, I'm not really interested and I think it alienates people and leads to skepticism.
I think we'll find ourselves being in the same boat as the powers that be by not representing all facts but rather putting our special unique spin on it and saying it's 'truth'.
I would love to help with an independent publication that gave everyone a chance to speak and state their opinions, etc. That includes BOT members, the Village Attorney and the Village Administrator, etc..... along with us (educated and informed S.O. residents).
So I guess - my first question is what would be the mission/goals? |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 330
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 5:37 pm: |
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Politicalmon, here are a few questions I've wondered about. MOL serves an audience of people who are computer saavy. I think something in hard copy format is needed to reach those who don't go online to find out what is happening in SO for whatever reason. What I am thinking about means handing out printed versions at the train station and other places. It could be computer printed initially, and avoid offset printing fees. If there were interest, ads could be sought and it could grow. But you would have to have some pretty humble beginnings to test the waters, to see what kind of response there were at first. And someone would have to absorb or carry those costs up front.
There could also be an electronic version, as you described. But I think you might be reaching the same people who visit MOL. I am interested in extending the reach beyond the electronic world. |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1721
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 6:50 pm: |
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Politicalmon et. al. - You may want to get in touch with Dan Jacobson, publisher of the Tri City News in Asbury Park. Dan has been publishing this alternative newspapaper for several years now and it is highly successful. It's distributed free in supermarkets, restaurants, retail establishments, etc.
http://www.trinews.com/ |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1801
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 8:54 am: |
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You say you want to be independent and publish "the real news," but it sounds like you have a pretty clear bias to me. Not one I necessarily disagree with, mind you. But that's not a newspaper. That's a campaign.
A "newspaper" established with such an agenda would have no more credibility than the Gas Light.
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SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 331
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 9:28 am: |
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Monty, every real newspaper has a bias. It is unavoidable. That doesn't mean better than worse efforts can't be made to report various sides of an issue. I agree with you about the Gas Light not being a newspaper. |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 120
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:39 am: |
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Sheena;
I will attempt to address your questions. First, it takes an idealist to believe that any newspaper on this planet is truly independent. Every paper has an editor with a vision and an agenda. Whether a paper decides to report or not report a story based on protecting an advertiser or politician happens every day in every publication in the real world. Look at the Star Ledger for instance they have the ability to break the UMDNJ scandal with good honest investigative journalism yet are unable to seriously investigate the corrupt political power base that has run Newark into the ground over the last 20 years? Here is a heads up Star Ledger take a look at the history of the beachfront property Sharp James purchased in Brick, you know the place where he docks his yacht. You know the same Sharp James who arrived as mayor with nothing and is leaving as a multimillionaire. Why is it that the only criticism of James would appear in the editorial section? Then theirs the NY Times a paper I started reading from cover to cover starting at the age of 12. I won’t even get into the Judith Miller fiasco on WMD but an even better example of a lack of independence occurred back in the last 70’s concerning South Africa’s apartheid regime, autocratic regimes in the Middle East, Central American Oligarchy – I could go on and on. I hope I made my point.
Having been a subscriber to the NR for 13 of the 14 years I’ve lived in South Orange I can say that they are not (politically) independent and have their own ax to grind concerning certain issues. What I am proposing is something to neutralize this force and create a more balanced view that will represent the view of the taxpayers of South Orange for it is the taxpayers of this community that pay for the police, fireman, the municipal workers, subsidies to Seton Hall, SOPAC, downtown development and the public schools just to name a few. As Governor Corzine stated in a speech last week we as New Jerseyians have to take a hard look to force change in the antiqued municipal political system that is bankrupting this state. A microcosm of this exact problem can be found in our backyard for those who decide to take a close look.
There are currently no alternative candidates to speak of. There is a hope that with the spark of interest in our community being provided by an alternative news source the stage will be set to sow the seeds of interest for individuals with similar principals and desires that will run for political office. I don’t expect you to understand the impetus for the immediate desire for change, you would need to pay property taxes and watch them double as your services are reduced and also bring up a family in South Orange to really get where I’m coming from.
In addition to this I expect the paper to also include local news, art, literature and positive articles about the community by people within the community. Ideally I would like to divide South Orange into 4 sections with the thought of having an individual who lives in each section gathering stories whether human interest, promotion for an SO based event, a child’s poetry, music or theatre review ect.
This would help in tying the community together as contributors to a paper that represents the people, the same people who keep this village afloat.
I would have no problem allowing the local incumbents access to present their positions – whether they would be so forthcoming is another question in that they have their historical record to defend which speaks volumes.
If a politician were to present his or her position they will also have to defend their record. Given the past performance of most of our local politicians I have a hard time believing most would be willing to put themselves in that spot knowing their past mistakes will be illuminated. Those politicians who can run on their past record more power to them.
Mission – To create a nonprofit entity that will generate an alternative community
newspaper for the village of South Orange. A paper which would help bring together the community, increase awareness of the problems and long term solutions to issues that will effect all people in South Orange with an added emphasis on the liabilities to the taxpayers of our Village. so the voting public can make the correct decisions to initiate change.
Goals – The majority of the articles would help promote a positive picture of the community of South Orange. In the long run I hope to change the political landscape of our community – to revamp the municipal infrastructure from the 1950s mentality into a modern taxpayer friendly model. To make the voting population aware of the long term liabilities bonding, pensions and how we can reduce our exposure.
To insure that we are all on the same page and understand the problems and tough decisions that have to be made to resolve our dilemma. To provide information so the voting public can make the correct decisions to initiate change if they so desire. I would like to see a newspaper, which has the interests of the taxpayers in South Orange as their number #1 concern.
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Lucy
Supporter
Username: Lucy
Post Number: 3549
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:43 am: |
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Where can I subscribe? |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 684
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:56 am: |
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Politicalmon - Thanks for your well written response. Once a group of volunteers is put together, I'd like to hear what direction they would like to see as well so I hope there is interest.
I agree with your assessment of other papers but the closer we get to fair and balanced the better. That's how I see an alternative paper gaining legitimacy especially for advertisers (where most revenue generally comes from for papers).
I don't believe your statements regarding that you don't expect me to understand because I haven't been here long enough and that I don't pay taxes/have raised a family is fair simply 1) because I have been here for 4 years which I believe is close to the average of how long most people reside in a community now a days 2) I'm trying to get an education so I can become a successful and active community member so being tax exempt is only temporary which most of you have gone through(actually - in a couple weeks I will no longer be when I move into South Orange) 3) I can absolutely sympathize with the problems that have occurred in South Orange and the need for change, I may just go about it in a different way from others...
But anyways - your proposed mission and goals seem very reasonable and tangible and I hope it comes to fruition and if as a whole, the community would like an alternative paper that isn't simply prospective candidates raving about incompetence of the board, I would be more than happy to participate. I'm more inclined to lean towards proposing solutions and presenting facts rather than attacking individuals.
Thanks again for the response. 
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joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 406
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:16 pm: |
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What about an alternative paper as a SHU journalism course project, to continue indefinitely?
jd |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 687
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:21 pm: |
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Hey Joel,
Howard actually brought a similar idea up to me last summer and I know many students would be interested. I don't know necessarily as a "course" but many of them wanted field work experience on covering stories, etc. If this gets off the ground, I will bring it back up to them again. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4793
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 2:39 pm: |
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Polit-
We've discussed this here before. Even though a number of us were for it and volunteered to help, nobody got the ball off the ground. I'd be happy to help in some way. Maybe we could also approach the publishers of the Item (Millburn's paper) and the Tribune (Livingston's paper) to publish a better paper. |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 359
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 3:16 pm: |
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Will this be South Orange only or Maplewood/South Orange? |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 121
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 4:34 pm: |
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SORising,
I agree with you concerning the initial need for a hard copy version, the main SO & Mountain stations are perfect spots the only issue would be discerning between residents and non residents. Perhaps placing the paper on cars in the reserved residential parking area would also serve as a start in getting things started. I have a laser printer and would carry the initial costs to get this off the ground if we decide that this is the best route to take initially.
I live in the Montrose section of town and will present this idea to a number of socially conscience neighbors. I hope to gather feedback and hopefully volunteers to assist in making this a reality. If we could find like minded individuals in other parts of town would be an added bonus. Once we’ve established a good core group then we could meet and do analysis concerning offset printing vs. desktop publishing and brainstorm how we would raise the money to cover those costs.
Once a paper is created a table with volunteers should be resident at every event in South Orange with the thought of promoting and signing up households in South Orange as subscribers. A form can be created for pertinent information on customers and the collection of email addresses with the question of whether they would be interested in accepting delivery of an electronic based newspaper.
Once circulation reaches a couple thousand households the advertisers will follow.
Scully –
I believe initially the focus should be on South Orange - if we can create a model that is sustainable and once the dust has settled, and then we could add Maplewood to the mix. The reality is that the separation of Maplewood and South Orange as a community years ago has had an adverse effect on taxes and we both have the same issues to contend with. Given the complexities and doing this on a shoe string budget I don't want to take on more then I can chew - let's get the machine operational in South Orange first.
Spitz -
Thanks for the heads up - I will attempt to contact the publisher to see how he got started - I know why he started it having lived at the Jersey shore and seeing the issues concerning development in Asbury Park stall - sound familiar doesn't it?
JTA -
I never had this discussion prior to making the statement on another thread last week. I've only been posting on MOL for a couple months so anything that predates Nov 2005 I'm not familiar with. This has been something that has been brewing in my head for 5 plus years.
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9286
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 4:52 pm: |
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I'll write the movie reviews. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4795
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 9:47 pm: |
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Polit-
I'm just glad someone is actually doing something this time! Let me know what you need. I'll be more then glad to help! One thought though. There are just as many non residents parking at Mountain Station and South Orange sation as non residents.
You mentioned you live in the Montrose section of town. I'm curious, if you were one of the people Ms Anedt spoke to about 'Tau.' She informed those frsutrated by the lack of information she spoke with many people and the Montrose area was one of the five-eight areas she claims to have held meetings in. Would the new paper include subjects so many disagee on, such as 'Tau?' |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3835
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:47 pm: |
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Oops.
http://www.southorangevillage.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?tpc=3133&post=591695#POST5916 95
-s. |
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