The Ocean County Gazette Blog

Dear Friends, 

As I was listening to a news program last night, I watched in horror as Barack Obama made the statement with pride. . .’we are no longer a Christian nation; we are now a nation of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, . . .  As with so many other statements I’ve heard him (and his wife) make, I never thought I’d see the day that I’d hear something like that from a presidential candidate in this nation.  To think our forefathers fought and died for the right for our nation to be a Christian nation–and to have this man say with pride that we are no longer that.  How far this nation has come from what our founding fathers intended   it to be. 

I hope that each of you will do what I’m doing now–send your concerns, written simply and sincerely, to the Christians on your email list.  With God’s help, and He is still in control of this nation and all else, we can show this man and the world in November that we are, indeed, still a Christian nation! 

Please pray for our nation!    B.E. Jenkins

I am happy to see that presidential candidate John McCain now agrees with an issue that has always been on the policy platform of the United States Constitution Party which is to allow offshore oil drilling as well as opening additional fields in Alaska. One of the reasons we are in an oil price crisis today is because of the obstacles that liberals have put on our domestic oil production. In addition to this, there hasn’t been a new refinery built in decades due to NIMBY attitudes and over-regulation.
Opponents say that the focus should be on alternative forms of energy and I agree that new sources should be sought also, although I feel both avenues can be pursued. The rationalizations against offshore drilling doesn’t even make sense. They say that it will ruin the environment although the evidence shows that it is already done successfully without adverse effects to the environment throughout many places in the world. The critics also say that it would take about ten years to benefit from any new drillings which is true, which makes it even more urgent to start right away. The same people who point out this time lag doesn’t go into detail how long it will take for their new green technologies to take effect either. Some green technologies such as ethanol production have already produced side effects such as raising the demand on corn and creating global food shortages.
I believe that the sensible thing to do is to pursue both, domestic oil production and alternative fuel sources and technologies. Liberals such as Joseph Kennedy say that if you make the cost of gasoline skyrocket it will spur conservation and alternative technologies. This is what has been done in Europe for years where their gas costs are almost double and that has not worked.
by Joseph A. Lypowy

My Response From Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Thought you might find this interesting and informative.
Yes, even I, care about our economic future and the hardships our Oil costs are putting on all of us.  See what our Senator has written to me. PSC.
 
Dear Mrs. Santello-Christensen:
 
Thank you for contacting me regarding the price of gasoline and diesel. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.
Almost 75 percent of the price of a gallon of gasoline or diesel depends on the price of oil. Other costs factored into the price of fuel are taxes, distribution and marketing costs, and state and federal taxes. While supply and demand play a large role in the price of fuel, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the cost of gasoline and diesel.
I support a strategy that combines conservation, the development of alternative sources of energy, and an increase in domestic oil and gas production. I have recently introduced legislation that would allow for production of domestic resources in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), both of which are areas that are off limits to domestic production. Combined, these areas contain over 125 billion barrels of oil and as much as 565 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The domestic oil reserves in both the OCS and ANWR, when combined with existing U.S. reserves of 21 billion barrels, is more than Iran’s total oil reserve of 136 billion barrels. However, we cannot produce these domestic resources, because Congress has enacted a moratorium on production in these areas. The legislation will repeal this misguided policy and allow for production of these critically important resources.
Conservation measures, corporate average fuel economy standards, and the use of advanced cellulosic ethanol must all play a key role in our energy policy. There is no silver bullet to our energy needs. The U.S. must maintain a comprehensive policy that includes everything from production, to conservation, to alternative sources.
On April, 29, 2008, I sent a letter to President Bush urging the administration to immediately halt deposits of domestic crude oil into the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Temporarily halting deposits into the reserve can provide relief by increasing the supply of domestic oil available for refinement into gasoline and diesel fuel. While this is not a long-term solution, halting SPR deposits will show that the U.S. Government will take necessary measures to address the exorbitant crude oil prices that negatively affect the global economy. In response to Congressional pressure, the U.S. Department of Energy announced on May 16, 2008, that it will not sign royalty-in-kind contracts this year for the receipt of up to 13 million barrels of crude oil to the SPR. By not entering into these new contracts, no oil will go into the SPR the rest of this calendar year, which allows more oil to enter the U.S. supply.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is currently in the process of writing a regulation regarding the implementation of a tax deduction for expenses related to oil refinery expansion. With this tax incentive, refineries will be encouraged to expand their refining capacity, allowing more automotive fuel to enter the marketplace, and thereby bring down record high prices at the pump. This tax provision was enacted into law in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, but requires the Treasury Department to issue regulations before it can be used. In an effort to bring relief to consumers by increasing the supply of gasoline and diesel, I sent a letter to the Treasury Department urging their expedited promulgation of this regulation on May 28, 2008.
I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope that you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison, United States Senator

Welcome, Sir. Your input in this debate is highly valued as it will help our readers understand what is really going on here in this country. You also mention that you are a lawyer. What an admirable profession. But, as a lawyer you know and are taught that “Words” are very important. A “Word” can change a contract. A “Word” can change the whole essence of a document.
So what we intend to do here over the next couple of weeks is examine the words in your letter, which by the way, when you telephoned my office you absolutely assured me that everything that you will say is gospel, based on documented facts and as you rightly pointed out at the end of our conversation “You are a lawyer”.
So let’s take a look at the words.
“Bush and Cheney shamelessly lied to America”.
Taken out of context this statement on the surface appears to be true. We did not find WMD’s in Iraq. However, this was not what this war was about.     I would like to offer you an analogy.          
If I was a father (which I am with four children) and I come home one day, my house was burned down, my car vandalized and my family were in fear for their safety. What do you suggest I do. Go to the police (The UN), make a complaint, wait for reports (The World Court), no one knows for sure who really did it , but we know it is local crooks, or vandals or bullies who are intimidating everyone. In the meantime my family is afraid for their lives, some are already dead. Now, also, bear in mind, this is not the first attack my family has had to put up with, there were many other incidents ( i.e. 1993 World Trade Center, The Cole, The Embassies).
I am the father, the head of the household  (just as President Bush is of America). Would you have me quiver in fear, talk to everyone (as the Democrats suggest we do with the rest of the world) and do nothing. Or, for the sake of my family, do I take the “lame law”
(UN) into my own hands as President Bush did after “9/11”, after we were attacked on our own soil. He made a decision (rightly or wrongly) as I would have done. I would have gone around to all my neighbors for help (our allies), I would have gone into every
sleezy night club, bar and alley way,  where all the derelicts frequent, and would beat everyone up until they told me who did it. It is called “an eye for an eye” “a tooth for a tooth” if you read the bible. Now obviously, this is not necessarily lawful, but they attacked us and it did get the message out in my neighborhood, “if you do not want me rampaging around the area beating up all the crooks, then leave my family alone”. If you attack me again, I am coming back.  The police on the other hand cannot allow this, although it is effective and stops the violence against my family.  They  will probably arrest me ( just as the Democrats are trying to do to President Bush by impeaching him) but I will take the hit. My family will be safe. That is my responsibility as head of the household and the father of my family.
So, Presisdent G.W. Bush as one father to another, as one man to another, I salute you.
For every action there is a reaction and now we have to deal with the aftermath of two violent acts.
“They seek to exploit our anxiety of $4. per gallon”
Anxiety, are you crazy, “anxiety”, how about we will all be riding bicycles, how about we have to choose between eating or driving, take a look at food prices, take a look at all the things that are being effected by rising gas prices.  My very close friend Dee, is a teacher, an active Democrat and Environmentalist who now has to pay over $1,000 per month to drive up to Plainfield (in her not so environmentally friendly SUV).
Anxiety, how about survival. How about (on the Fox network last Sunday) that 76% of Amercans agree with drilling for oil on our own soil and keeping our money and jobs here in the US and not selling our children and childrens’ childrens’ future, by saddling them with Trillions of dollars of foreign debt. (You conveniently, do not seem to be familiar with world economics or conveniently prefer not to mention it)
“Bush Cheney’s latest attacks blaming environmentalists for the price of Gasoline”
The problem here is that, taken out of context again, you can say that, but that is not what the problem is. Several administrations of both parties are at fault here. The reality is that not one administation ever, put forth a coherent long term “Energy Plan”. But, now it is here, the inevitable. The Democratic administrations along with the environmentalists have blocked repeatedly any attempts to set up a plan. Right now, the Domocratic Congress ARE blocking all plans or even debates about the energy crisis. Right now, it is the Democrats and Environmentalists fault, as they even refuse to debate the issue. Someone has to make a decision and unfortunately the Democrats and Environmentalists have a proven track record of being the “INDECISION PARTY”. The Democratic Party and Environmentalists keep telling us where we should be in the future (and everyone agrees) but refuses to tell us how to get there.
Someone has to make a decision here, just as President Bush did after 9/11. The Democrats and Environmentalists all keep ramming down our throats what we should not be doing but refuses to LEAD US and tell us what to do.
On that note, we will finish up this week and continue with the “Words” that are in the Sierra Club’s letter,  next week.
Ray Hoather
Editor

Sierra Club:  Bush Energy Policy Just More “Snake Oil”
It’s not a big secret that Bush and Cheney shamelessly lied to America.  They exploited our patriotism and mined our personal fears to foolishly embark upon a seemingly endless war in Iraq.  Now they seek to exploit our economic anxiety over $4 a gallon gasoline to garner support for energy proposals that will only benefit “Big Oil” and do nothing to reduce Americans’ “pain at the pump.”  True to form, it’s another incubus they bore with unconscionable deceit.
I am referring, of course, to the Administration’s proposals to drill in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the “Polar Bear” seas, drill off NJ’s Outer-Continental Shelf (OCS), extract “Shale-Oil” in America’s West and Bush-Cheney’s latest attacks blaming “environmentalists” for the price of gasoline.
The Sierra Club is the largest citizen-based environmental organization in the US with over 1.3 million members and supporters.  As Chairman of the Sierra Club in Ocean County, I follow energy issues closely. But I also follow public perception.  I am dismayed that too many of us on the environmentally sensitive Jersey Shore are all too willing to trust the Bush-Cheney sleazy “snake-oil” tag-team salesmen again.  In doing so, we trade our children’s environmental future in a devil’s bargain where only the devil wins.  Yes, some truths are inconvenient but they are facts nonetheless:
First, we annually use 25% of the world’s oil.  Meanwhile, we have 3% of the world’s proven oil reserves.  Trying to drill our way out of our energy problem is like trying to squeeze a Hummer into a sardine can.  It just can’t be done.  And it’s a national disgrace when America needs to beg Saudi potentates, as Bush just did, for “just a little bit more oil, please”.
Second, although we can’t drill our way out of the problem, it’s untrue that environmentalists have unduly prevented drilling and refining in America.   “Big Oil” is sitting on over 68 million acres of leased federal lands it has not even tried to develop despite billions in federal tax breaks.  And environmentalists are not to blame for lack of refinery capacity.  “Big Oil” has not even submitted a new refinery application in almost 30 years.  Why?  Because by constricting supply now in locking up leases and limiting refining capacity, they’re betting on making even bigger profits when they can force gasoline prices even higher.
Third, yes, the Sierra Club wants to protect pristine public lands such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, NJ’s Coast, the “Polar Bear Seas” and untouched parts of America’s West.  These lands are special places that belong to all Americans and should be “off-limits” to oil development.  And Jersey Shore “tourism” is a $34 billion dollar year industry (roughly equal to the size of this year’s entire NJ State budget).  A single oil spill could ruin our beaches for generations.
Fourth, “Shale-Oil” development would rape and irreparably destroy millions of acres in America’s West.  To date, the main impediment to production has been economic, not environmental. As gasoline prices rise, extracting shale-oil becomes more feasible.  But since its economic feasibility is dependent upon even higher gasoline prices it could not possibly help consumers.  It’s just another attempt by “Big Oil” to tie-up federal land leases before their oil-buddies, Bush and Cheney, take their long overdue exit.
Fifth, and if we foolishly open up these areas to oil drilling it would have little impact on gasoline prices anyway.  For example, opening up the Arctic Refuge to drilling would save Americans only 2 cents on a gallon of gas. Drilling off our outer-continental coasts would result in an “insignificant” reduction in gasoline prices.  And these puny “savings” would not be realized for at least 10 years.  These are not the Sierra Club’s figures, they are official US Department of Energy estimates.
Sixth, unfortunately the recent spike in gasoline prices is largely the function of basic economics.  “Fossil fuels” like gasoline represent a finite resource.  Meanwhile, emerging economies like China’s and India’s are increasing their gasoline demand.  And the devaluation of the US dollar by the Federal Reserve has the unintended bitter consequence of raising the price of imported oil.
The real solutions to our energy conundrum are increased conservation and efficiency, more reliance on renewable energy sources, and continued research and investment into clean alternative energy.  The SIERRA CLUB supports the “Consumer-First Energy Act” to give consumers real relief to reduce gasoline prices now while building our economy on 21st century technology, not empty policy pronouncements by “fossil fools.”
The transition to a “sustainable” energy economy will not be easy.  However, someone once wrote that the definition of insanity is “doing the same foolish thing over and over again and each time still expecting a better result.”  Our current bankrupt policy of assailing America’s environment to try and drill our way out of our energy problems, sadly meets that definition.
 
A. Gregory Auriemma, Esq., is a Brick attorney and Chairman of the Sierra Club of Ocean County.

The Domocratic Congress along with the Sierra Club, continue its war against
Obesity in America.
 
Forget about $5. a gallon for Gas, it looks like we could be heading towards $6 and $7 later this year looking at Futures.
This means that a lot of us will be walking to work. Now, that solves more of our health programs, we will have forced exercise, breathe fresh air, swing our arms and generally be in great health again.
But there is a down side to all this healthiness. We will not need to go to our doctors except for our annual check up. Forget about the shortage of nurses, we won’t need as many. Pharmacuetical companies profits will dip for the first time, as we will not need all those pills.
If we are all walking, what do our great cops do for tickets, ( fine us for walking at 4mph instead of a steady 3mph). The State won’t be able to collect it’s $250 surcharge on each ticket written. The State won’t be able to collect as much tax on gas ( we won’t be using any), Sales tax revenues will plummet, so you think this state is in a mess now, wait and see.
Recession, we are talking about a depression.
It was not our intention to ever get into the political arena with this newspaper, but this is not about politics this is about an international economic war that has been declared on America. It smells of a very long term conspiracy, and as I stated last week, “they” have finally figured out how to get us all. “They”, we will be discussing later, who “They” are. But for now we need to discuss some myths that the liberal media has been feeding us all these years.
The war is costing us $350 billion per year. Our military is funded by our taxpayers’ money, which is spent on American companies, manufacturers, industry,  which is being spent here in the US and creating a lot of employment. Sure our troops are over there, (and we will get into the war later), but that money is staying here in the US. According to which political party you listen to (we have 2 opposite camps)  that taxpayers money may have been diverted more to the military, but that money is not being sent overseas.
The illegal Alien situation is costing us $330 billion dollars a year. This is also a partial truth, sure illegal aliens are taking advantage of our medical system and other social programs, but at least that money is being spent here in the US. What is costing us, is the fact that they are not contributing by paying taxes, so that is costing us. What is also costing us is the fact that they send that money (tax free home, out of the country) so in that respect it is costing us. From an overall economic viewpoint we may as well legalize them all, at least they will pay taxes and contribute. If they want to send the money home after taxes that is their right. (well after all we all take vacations abroad and spend our money over there).
Oil and Natural Gas. Now that is costing us money. Our refusal to drill for our own oil or Natural Gas. means that trillions of $ each year is being sent out of the country to “them over there”. The argument that Al Gore, Sierra Club etc..has put forward over the years,  is totally misguided, as this “green” policy is what is causing this situation right now. It is all about economics, basic math. Supply and Demand that basic driving force behind economics. The “carbon footprint” is the root of the problem. Proponents of the “Green Earth” theory, are of course correct. This is a tremendous leap in our civilization and it is admirable and very intelligent for certain people to have the courage to stand up and believe in this, this is the future.
However, like every technological leap, it takes time for the people to catch up. Take Microsoft for instance, all this computer age started in the early 80s, way ahead of it’s time, now 25 years later we are all catching up. Everyone, including our elderly people are getting computers, playing with them and over the next few years more or less everyone will be on line. But that took 25 years for the people to catch up.
This “Green” leap is the same technological leap. It will take time for this whole generation to grasp the concept of the “Green Leap”.
Isolationism.  Al Gore again as the main proponent of the World Government”. This is another brilliant idealogical “Leap” and this will also take time, but also not NOW.
If America goes back on line, ( if we take our bat and ball and come home) and tell the world that we are not playing any more because “they are not nice” and “they refuse to play by the rules” that will send a message that will reverberate around the globe. Sure, without our intervention the world will probably be chaotic with a bunch of dysfuntional nitwits fighting each other, but” CHARITY STARTS AT HOME”. Right now we are hurting. This Liberal idealism (which I agree with) is causing all of our problems. If America announces that we are going back on line, then, instead of all the politicians talking about taxing the oil companies because of record gains, (which will be passed onto us) and all the talk about futures and the investigation of “who is behind it” (we will have debates, subcommittees, investigative branches) which will take years (now we are back to the “Fifth Column” designed to destroy this country), how much will their FUTURES  be worth now. So, if America goes back on line, then all those speculators and manipulators (and you cannot blame them, that is smart on their part) will be sucking wind.
So in one swoop we could fix them all.
If America goes back on line, then all that money which we are sending to “not so friendly countries” will stay here, it will generate, jobs, industry, security, and wealth for this country. Then, once we solve the current international economic crisis, then, we can discuss “Green Earth” from a position of strength, not from a position of weakness and chaos, where everyone is confused and  being hurt. Now we can generate our own natural resources at a much cheaper price so that we can all get back to normal. If we are smart and now that we have learned our lessons, we will encourage manufacturing again, start making things, and with the Dollar being so weak (Oh! wow is us), that is to our advantage, as when you ship things overseas, the currency is in our favour, we are cheaper, our products are cheaper and we can start to get our money back over here. We can thwart the “fifth Column” movement in one swoop also, by being a manufacturing nation again. (the very thing this country was founded on).
There will be more next week and the Blog will be up today.
Editor.

To, Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator
Robert Menendez, Representative Jim Saxton, Governor Jon Corzine.
Dear Sirs,
I find it hard to believe that over several administrations no one has come up with a clear and comprehensive energy plan for the US.
Everyone believes in “Green”, “alternative Fuels”,”leaving a carbon imprint”. We are the leaders of the world in this respect.
However, we have allowed our dream of “eutopia” to box us into corner in what is now, a world economic war.
We are fighting with our hands tied behind our backs.
Everyone knows that we have to change. Al Gore’s and Sierra Club’s message was a great one. But like every technological leap, it takes time for the people to catch up.
Microsoft, was the last huge leap we experienced in our lifetime and look how long it has taken for the populous to catch up. Two thirds of Americans are now on line, but it took almost 25 years for that to happen.
This new philosophy of a “Green Earth” is a wonderful one, but it is a leap and it will take time for the populous to catch on to the fact that,we have to change.
But, in the meantime we cannot allow this incredible but new philosophy to destroy us. In the meantime, we need to live as a civilized country and enjoy the benefits of living in the greatest country in the world.
We have huge natural resources, it is time for us to use those for the benefit of the American people. We cannot drill off our coasts, yet a few feet over that imaginary line in the ocean the Chinese and Brazilians can. They can have spills too. Why? Cannot, we, drill for Natural Gas off our coastlines. That does not leave a “carbon footprint”. You never heard of a “Gas Spill”.
It is time for everyone to get together, put our differences aside, and create a war effort to put America back on line.
If we go “back on line” this will keep all the wealth here in the US, create jobs, solve the unemployment problems, create new wealth, which can be used for investment to create the alternative energy solutions that we so desperately need.
If we go back on line, we can then afford to have everything. We can have a strong military, have universal health care and all the social programs that we all deserve, create new wealth and once we are a strong country and economy, we can then, go back into the world arena, in a position of strength, help to solve world hunger, push the “green” philosophy, export our new “Alternative Energy” products to assist the rest of the world, to catch up to us, not the other way around.
I urge you to put aside your differences, get together and solve these problems, which is now effecting everyone here in the US.
America, is under economic attack, it is time to act. I think it was Admiral Yamamoto or Vice Admiral Nagumo who coined the phrase, “ I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant” after the battle of Pearl Harbor. We are being attacked again, we need a war effort to get this country back on line not in 10 years, but now.
Thank you for receiving this letter
 
Ray Hoather, Editor of The Ocean County Gazette. NJ.

The Democratic Congress has finally solved the “Obesity Problem” in
America; Along with the Sierra Club.
When Gas hits $5. per gallon, which it is expected to do very shortly, they will have solved some of the problems facing America today.
“When Gas hits $5., the average person will no longer have to worry about “Universal Health Care” because if they cannot afford to go to work at ‘$5 per gallon, then they can no longer put food on their tables, which will mean that they cannot afford to be “fat” (ooops, have to be politically correct “Obese”). So if we are not fat, which is supposedly an epidemic, and causing all of our health problems, who needs “Universal Health Care?” We will all become healthy again as we will all soon be “skinny”
So thank you Democratic Congress, thank you Sierra Club, for all your illicit contributions to control us. Some of us will not be able to afford to go to work at $5. per gallon. My children thank you because I cannot afford to be fat, so therefore, I will now be healthy my whole life, just like my ancestors were for hundreds of years, before you told us that junk food commercials were correct. You then told us that we were obese and needed to exercise and pay to go to a Gym, to exercise, to balance out the pills that every doctor is feeding us (and making money on).
Thank you, Al Gore and the Democrats, for leading us into destruction. Allowing the Chinese to drill for oil off the coast of Cuba and drill into our oil fields at an angle, while we are not allowed to. Thanks for creating a Government that spends 330+ billion dollars a year to take care of our “illegal aliens.” We are in an economic war with the world and our hands are tied behind us. We cannot fight properly, because we are forced to abide by rules set by the “Fifth Column” in this country, yet everyone else in the world can do what they want.
McCarthy, was crazy. Unfortunately, he was right. Although he went about things the wrong way, there was a “Fifth Column” left here. The communists left a legacy, which if left unchecked, will bring this country down. They are here, right now, they have been in our school and government system for 30 years or more, they have produced the most non productive and ill prepared generation ever, even though they are the highest paid civil servants and government officials, in the history of the world. Some of the younger generation cannot read or write correctly, they have been sold a bill of goods, (remember Hillary Clinton, “ It takes a Village to raise a child, not the parents”). Now things are coming home to roost. We (all of us) did not prepare this generation for an international economic war.  We are in a war, they finally figured out how to get us.
Take a close look at the generation not so very far behind us, they have the same genes as us, they have the same “God Given” intelligence as us but they have not been prepared for this international economic war and the hardships that might follow.If, we do not go back to working harder, smarter and become a producing nation again, we could be come a third world country also.
So, what is the answer? Well we know one thing. If gas hits $5. per gallon, everyone, (and I mean everyone)including “Sierra Club” members, have some soul searching to do. I agree with Al Gore about “Global warming” I agree with “Green” I agree with the Sierra Club, but, if it is a choice between putting food on the table for our kids, gas for our cars, or the doctors bill, or only picking one of them, then there is no choice. For some working people, this is already a critical situation.
We need to forget about our petty little differences, forget about our politics, forget about our community squabbles. The very essence of America is under attack. It is time for America to stand up, go back to work, start using our intelligence, start making things again, start exporting, and get all our money back from them “over there.”
As you read this NASA is drilling for “ICE” on Mars, yet, we cannot drill on our own continent!
Why are we sending Chavez (who hates America) $130 million dollars per day for oil?
If any one wishes to comment on this, please do so, I promise to reply. Maybe, it is time for the White Knight to ride again, I am very perplexed by recent events, aren’t you?    Your Editor.

Letter to the Editor
Michael Forcella is your hearing impaired?  Norma Spice and Brian Vernachio wrote and obtained the $7,000 student service learning grant from the Barnegat Bay Estuary Program, NOT YOU!  You had nothing to do with this accomplishment.  In fact, if you knew anything about kids, schools, and grant writing, you wouldn’t embarrass yourself by trying to hone in on this honor.  It’s not about you or your ego concerning the development of bayside park.  The students will study the landscape plants and animals and learn from this school program.  This is not about you or your neighbors or the editorials or the Gazette editor.  This is about kids studying science for their educational benefit.  Are you capable of wishing anyone well without trying to shine the spotlight on yourself? Be happy for them and leave them alone.  Don’t ruin their program by saying stupid, inane comments about what they will do for Ortley Beach.  It’s not their job to please you, or even more absurd, that these children will take the “issue away from personal emotions and opinions”.  You have created this mess with your obsessive need to control everyone and everything.  Leave these kids alone.  Don’t go near them for photo ops for your own political gain or some other self serving need.  They do not know how important you think you are and they are not working on this project to serve you.
Furthermore, the parents of my students you claimed to keep from harm will be at the meeting Saturday.  Don’t embarrass yourself.  They work for law enforcement.  They believe you trampled on their rights as parents and their daughter’s rights to be in an accredited educational program for selfish reasons, not the so-called protection of children as you lamely attempted to claim.  They are in direct contact with the Police about their concerns over your interference.  Dr. Ken May, high school principal has been given a copy of all the OBVTA documents you dropped off in person to my superintendent and everyone there is looking forward to your return.  Does your board of directors know that you called my superintendent again on March 13 to try to get another face-to-face appointment to spew premeditated malice and continued character assassination?  Did you tell everyone that the Toms River police sent a detective to investigate the first time you came to my job on March 2?  Do your board friends know that you left a very long, rambling voice mail message to my superintendent all over Ortley Beach and to the Toms River superintendent?  Well, the police in both towns know and so do the parents of my student because you put her name in that vicious letter.  Feel free to get your board friends to organize another eighty-mile trip; a lot of folks are waiting for you.
Dee Falato
Ortley Beach