There is something very wrong with priorities. Literally, thousands of people have read the headline that used a nickname based on the person’s last name. Eisenhower was frequently known as Ike.
Blackie, was Mr. Black of Connors fame, those of us old enough remember Herbert “Whitey” White of the Lindy Hoppers, all are frequently nicknames for folks who share their last name with colors.
Mac is used for McCarthys, McNamee, Mc Doogle and many more “Macs” or “Mc.s’. Guys named Fisher are often called Fish, and Murphys are called “Murph.” Smitty is used more often than Smith and the list goes on.
Yet the vast majority of comments and opinions have been about the headline. Not about the story which was read by the thousands who spent more than an average three minutes each reading about the subject.
Hidden in all the hoopla is the fact very few of these people are asking why the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council is saying its residents do not have the same rights that residents of Sea Bright and Highlands have.
Those towns want to hear from their residents on whether they want Sea Bright in the regional school district. It’s been the topic of discussion, for years now, and sadly caused much division between the towns. Why not simply ask the folks want they want, listen to them, and maybe take their opinions into consideration?
Non-binding questions on a ballot don’t cost a cent. People don’t even have to answer if they don’t want. They don’t have to stand up at a public meeting and voice their thoughts, they don’t have to give their names. They simply check off yes or no and the results can give guidance to the governing body and even the school board on how they want to act.
Atlantic Highlands thinks it’s important enough to put a non-binding question on the ballot to find out if residents want to pay two cents more in their tax rate to help preserve open space in that borough. Yet the Mayor said she thinks the question on whether the regional district should include their neighbor a little to the east is “frivolous.’ Why is a question on education ‘frivolous’ and one on open space not?
The Mayor of Highlands has a non-binding question on their ballot concerning whether those residents want a wall surrounding the town from flooding or not. She even had all the Army Corps experts come to answer questions to be sure the people are informed, But she still wants the residents’ opinion before taking any action. She thinks the education question is also important enough to get the people’s opinion so those voters will have TWO non-binding questions on their ballot.
Sea Bright wants to know what their voters think. They only have a handful of kids in the school system, and like Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, don’t show any signs of growth in the younger population. So they want to get some input from all the residents.
What a shame Atlantic Highlands voters are not given that same option.
If Sea Bright is ever to come into this regional district, all three towns have to agree. So quite simply, why not quit wasting time and money. If it’s clear any one town doesn’t want to proceed, then elected officials have to re-think their future actions.
The Atlantic Highlands Mayor is a smart lady and very definitely loves her town and works hard for it. So do all the members of Council
But it’s never wrong to hear from the people.
As a former resident of Atlantic Highlands and Seabright I am shocked by the lack of interest and support of bringing the Seabright School system into the fold. The people of Atlantic Highland should not be denied the opportunity to vote on this.
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