A refresher on your voting rights.
New Jersey voters have strong protections at the polls. Here’s what to keep in mind: Unaffiliated or Independent Voters are allowed to vote in the primary: NJ allows unaffiliated voters to declare a party at the polls and vote in that party’s primary. We received reports in Berkeley Heights during the 2022 primary of unaffiliated voters being wrongly turned away....
From Gurugram to Somerset County – India Deepens Ties With New Jersey
New Jersey released its statewide Global Economic Index (GEI) in late May, which revealed that, for the second year in a row, India leads the field. Published by the NJ Economic Development Authority, the index focuses on foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI can include a company from abroad opening shop here—whether it’s a pharmaceutical firm setting up a lab in...
Candidate Statement: Loretta Rivers on OPRA and Government Transparency
Photo Credit: Loretta Rivers for State Assembly We invited NJ Assembly candidate Loretta Rivers to share her thoughts on OPRA—the Open Public Records Act—and why it matters. She’s running in District 17 against Assemblymembers Joseph Danielsen and Kevin Egan, both of whom voted for the bill that weakened public access to government records. Rivers isn’t running in our district, but...
The Future of Turf Fields in New Jersey
It’s interesting, sometimes, the things you find when you’re looking for something else… the part to the broken item you finally threw away a month before, the twenty in the pocket of a jacket you haven’t worn for a year, or dozens of tiny paper cutouts of penguins with hockey sticks drawn by children when they were young, and stashed...
A Pragmatic Path for New Jersey: Why Sweeney Stands Apart
PhotoBy Lbiswim John Migueis is an Editor for NJ21st No angels, no illusions — just a platform that meets the moment. Steve Sweeney’s campaign recently responded to our questions — and a week later, I’m endorsing him. The two events are unrelated, except for this: the issues I’ve spent the last few years covering happen to align with what Sweeney is actually...
The Sewage Sale Debate: Lessons from Power Outages and Lost Accountability
If it feels like the power’s been going out more often in Berkeley Heights, you’re not imagining things. From schools to homes, businesses to traffic lights, outages have become a part of life here. And the most frustrating part? No one ever seems to explain why. Just this month, over 1,000 residents lost electricity — including Mary Kay McMillin...
Beyond the Payout: Lessons New Jersey Residents Can Learn from the Berkeley Heights’ Sewer Referendum
Pay Attention, NJ. Berkeley Heights political leadership stands to gain a great deal from the sale of our sewage plant: An influx of cash. The ability to pass off years of neglect—and the responsibility for raising rates—onto residents through a private entity. The ability to shift accountability for plant operations to another oversight body. Despite relieving themselves of the responsibility...
Privatizing Sewer Systems: What Berkeley Heights Residents—and All NJ Towns—Should Be Asking
Berkeley Heights is the latest New Jersey town to consider privatizing its sewer system—a move that could shape how residents pay for water services for decades. On the surface, the idea promises infrastructure upgrades and financial relief. But similar deals across the state suggest the long-term cost may fall on the backs of residents who are left with fewer avenues...
What Happened After Shots Were Fired: The Fight Over Police Transparency in Jersey City
States Newsroom, the New Jersey Monitor, and attorney CJ Griffin challenge Jersey City in a potentially defining court battle over police transparency. During an August 2019 party, an off-duty Jersey City police officer—Lt. Michael Timmins—allegedly got drunk, got angry, and fired his gun after an argument with guests. No one was hurt. But that’s not really the story. Despite the...
Turf Fields and Tutoring: Who Gets What in NJ’s Broken System?
The real tax issue in New Jersey isn’t about funding critical services for underserved communities—it’s about the relentless churn of money between politicians and special interests. Take Berkeley Heights as an example: the Township received a $250,000 grant for a turf field, pays $30,000 annually to a public relations firm, and brought in over $2 million in PILOT payments—with not...
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