Community Voices: A Resident’s Perspective on Affordable Housing and Flooding in Berkeley Heights
by Luann Alario The following is a firsthand account from a Berkeley Heights resident, who has lived in town since 1986 and recently began attending public meetings. It reflects her direct experience and concerns shared during Planning Board discussions. I’ve been a resident of Berkeley Heights since 12/1/86, and attending town meetings is a new experience for me. And it’s...
Loretta Rivers: ‘We must not allow silence to be the response to tragedy.’
Following our Deadly Discretion report on the killing of 68 year old Deborah McCalla Terrell, NJ21st invited community members and leaders to share their perspectives. Loretta Rivers, Piscataway school board member and former Democratic candidate for New Jersey’s 17th Legislative District Assembly seat, responded with the following statement: Hello NJ21St, I appreciate the curiosity of allowing me to respond. I...
Three Floods, Zero Answers
Joseph and Jacqueline Cinque Are Residents of Berkeley Heights, NJ Recently, my husband and I attended the August 7th township meeting regarding the bond that the town seeks to remedy storm damage. I was particularly disappointed to not see anything mentioned on measures that can be taken to mitigate future flooding, particularly in the neighborhoods of Briarwood Dr E, Lawrence,...
Curse of the PILOT
Bruce Paterson is a Resident of Garwood, NJ As an existing homeowner, the question arises why our property taxes continue to soar; especially after watching so many high-density luxury-rate residential complexes being built in the last 5-10 years. You can chalk it up to the “curse of the PILOT”. Although occurring statewide, we will look at our local area as...
Outgoing Berkeley Heights BOE Treasurer Raises Concern with Missed July–August Payment Authorization
Harold Kessler is the Treasurer of School Monies for the Berkeley Heights Board of Education My name is Harold Kessler and I have been the Treasurer of School Monies for the Berkeley Heights Board of Education for the past seventeen (17) years. It has been my honor to work for the Board of Education and report directly to the Board...
Medicaid Cuts, Forced Treatment…The Resurgent War on the Poor & What’s Coming for NJ’s Vulnerable
-John Migueis I’ve lived in New Jersey my whole life, and I’ve come to see this state as one strange neighborhood—a dysfunctional family, but still a family. With all it’s defects, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love NJ, I love saying I’m from NJ and I feel really fortunate to be able to raise my kids here....
Assigning the Right Person to the Right Role: Rethinking the Library Liaison
Assigning the role to an administrator would be more helpful for student literacy and summer reading assignments. -Written by an Educator in our District At the June 5th, 2025 Berkeley Heights Board of Education (BHBOE) meeting, Personnel agenda item M titled “Approve re-appointment of school district liaison to the library board,” which would have appointed the Berkeley Heights Public Schools...
Too Many Bosses, Not Enough Students – A Case for School District Unification in Union County
Consolidating two school districts would save on administrative costs, create curriculum alignment, and keep Mountainside students at Governor Livingston High School. -Written by an Educator in our District School district consolidation is an issue that has been studied at the state level in recent years. Currently, New Jersey has 590 school districts, which is more than the number of municipalities...
Statement from BOE Representative Sai Akiri on the June 26 resolution to submit plans to the State for Approval
The Board was asked to approve one step in the process toward a referendum during the June 26 meeting—specifically, to approve submission of the applications to the state for review. Let me be clear why I could not support this. In the past, I have said it may be better to discuss issues as a full Board versus our current...
Providing Complete Board Transparency by Modifying The “OPMA” Definition Of “Agenda”
Michael Gottesman is the Founder of New Jersey Public Education Coalition. This Contribution was written as a response to ‘Another Marathon BOE Meeting Reveals Clear Lines Between Board Factions‘ Throughout our state, as a result of the politicization of local Boards of Ed and major controversies being addressed at this time, BOEs have been making it increasingly more difficult for...
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