Opinion
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January 14, 2026
Support FEMA
In our shore communities, disaster preparedness isn’t theoretical; it’s personal. Flooding, storm surge and extreme weather are facts of life along our coast. An estimated 38% of properties across…
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•January 14, 2026
Justice for All
This weekend our country and beyond will pause to remember and celebrate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Across our land, services of remembrance will be observed, humanitarian acts…
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January 14, 2026
Incredible Success
Our Toys for Tots holiday drive, under the leadership of our EMS Ship Bottom Division, officially wrapped up in mid-December, and we are thrilled to share that over 1,500 toys were collected. This…
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January 7, 2026
Abuse of Power
President Trump’s unauthorized bombing of Venezuela – and the forcible removal of Nicolás Maduro and his wife – marks one of the most brazen abuses of executive power in recent memory.
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January 7, 2026
Goodness and Joy
I attended the Beach Haven School’s concert, held at Surflight Theatre, demonstrating community at its best. What a delightful evening! Thank you to Mr. Elmo and his gang of elves, as well as Beach…
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•January 7, 2026
My Christmas Miracle Was the All-Time Best Gift Ever
During the pandemic shutdown, on a Christmas that saw me and my shadow dog, Mick, heading to the beach, I saved someone’s life. Or at least a limb.
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•January 7, 2026
Let’s All Resolve to Strive to Be People of Grace
In the spirit of that miserable green minuscule-hearted Grinch, I must say that it is easy to be a critic. Why else would there be so many of them? They are everywhere you look.
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January 7, 2026
LBIer in D.C.
When Long Beach Island is mentioned on a national broadcast, quite by reflex, I listen.
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January 7, 2026
Lower Gas Prices
Maybe someday our elected officials will work together for the betterment of the voters. However, that’s not today.
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January 7, 2026
Corvette Lovers’ Ugly Sweater Breakfast Is a Classic
It was the kind of winter morning that feels straight out of a Christmas card – 32 degrees, snow and sleet, and the perfect backdrop for the Beach Bums’ third annual Ugly Sweater Breakfast at…
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January 7, 2026
Do the Right Thing
U.S. educational institutions have an obligation to teach civics to all students. The importance and weight our votes carry are a basic tenet of American citizenship.
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December 25, 2025
Surprise Rowboat Santa and Elf Add to Local Holiday Cheer
Saturday began as a typical weekend day before Christmas. I was up and out to get the last-minute shopping done, then home to send out the final few Christmas cards. A few minutes allowed for a quick…
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December 18, 2025
New Short-Term Rental Rules Needed in Ship Bottom
I am writing to you as a concerned full-time property owner in Ship Bottom. It is my belief that the continued and vigorous regulation of short-term summer rental properties is critical for public…
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December 18, 2025
What’s Taxable
A lot of misinformation is floating around social media and also mentioned in the letters section of last week’s SandPaper. To be clear, VRLBI.com is a classified listing website. Just like Craig’s…
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December 18, 2025
Please Hold Off
The following was addressed to Ship Bottom Municipal Clerk Kristy Correnti.
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December 17, 2025
Stafford Voters Defied
In the Nov. 4 General Election, the three incumbent members of the Stafford Township Board of Education were reelected to their seats. I placed fourth, earning 3,867 votes, and Erica Petrillo came in…
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•December 17, 2025
It’s a Wrap for Our Roaming Christmas Fruitcake
And so, this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun. The saga of the fruitcake continues! Since the last of our family’s group from the “Greatest Generation”…
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December 17, 2025
All American
Happy holidays, America! Who knew it would be so controversial and political to wish our diverse fellow citizens greetings of comfort and joy? Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Forgive my ignorance of…
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•December 17, 2025
Among Greatest U.S. Speeches Is One From the Mouth of a Babe
It is generally agreed that Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is the most famous speech in American history.
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•December 11, 2025
Chegg’s Hot Wings Lead to Case of Writeophobia
When I was in high school, writing an essay or paper was about the worse thing for me to do. My mother used to hound me about getting it done. Somehow, the last evening before it was due, I managed…
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December 11, 2025
Lose-Lose-Lose
Only a few days after Santa delivers a sack full of toys, Ship Bottom Borough Council plans to deliver its own sack full of regulations via a poorly conceived short-term rental ordinance that serves…
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December 11, 2025
Damaging, Repressive
The borough of Ship Bottom has proposed an ordinance adding considerably restrictions and fees to short-term rentals. We have owned a home in Ship Bottom for 25 years and we have never rented. Still…
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December 11, 2025
Strong Opposition
As concerned property owners and taxpayers of Ship Bottom, we’d like to express our strong opposition to Ordinance 2025-09C. We respectfully remind the borough council that it’s their responsibility…
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•December 10, 2025
Viability of Ship Bottom Real Estate Market at Stake
I write this letter about Ship Bottom’s proposed short-term rental (STR) ordinance not only as a Ship Bottom rental property owner, but also as the owner of Sand Dollar Real Estate in Surf City. My…
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December 10, 2025
Generous Community
We are so grateful for the generosity of this community. We just held our fourth annual Helping out HOME for the Holidays at The Marlin. It is truly heartwarming to see our local businesses and…
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•December 10, 2025
Unfair, Punitive Measure Will Harm Economy
The following was addressed to Ship Bottom Mayor William Huelsenbeck and borough council.
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December 4, 2025
Nix Rental Ordinance
The Ship Bottom Borough Council attempted to pull a fast one by introducing a new rental ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. While most of us were preparing for Thanksgiving or spending…
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•December 4, 2025
Santa, Please Slow Down and Stick to the Schedule
’Tis the season, when everyone is busy and often running late. But not Santa.
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•December 4, 2025
Horizontally Speaking: Sadly Nothing Funny About Hospitals
If you haven’t been in the hospital lately, I am here to report on what’s going on in the antiseptic world of hospital hijinks, in the hopes that my experience might help you, should you find…
