Opinion
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•October 2, 2025
Upon the Passing of a Lady – Plaudits and New Discoveries
It is with great regret we inform you of the passing of our Lady Kenmore, five-cycle washing machine to the great agitator in the sky.
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October 2, 2025
Join the Protest
My family built the house where I live, at 14th Street and Atlantic Avenue, in 1955. Growing up I spent my summers here and 10 years ago became a permanent year-round resident (and registered voter).…
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October 2, 2025
Reliving a ‘Most Wonderfully Terrible Storm’
The following letter was written after the frightening 1935 northeast storm by Bea Gurtcheff, photographer David Gurtcheff’s aunt, who grew up in Ship Bottom and went to Barnegat High School. Bea’s…
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October 1, 2025
Pragmatic Record
I read with concern the letter praising Jack Ciattarelli and attacking Rep. Mikie Sherrill (“Vote for Change,” 9/24). While political debate is vital, it must be rooted in fact, not exaggeration or…
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September 25, 2025
Vote for Change
I met Jack Ciattarelli at a local gathering where Jack fielded questions on important New Jersey issues such as school choice, the highest property taxes in the U.S., high crime, declining school…
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•September 25, 2025
Future of US Public Lands Imperiled By Funding Cuts
“Public Lands Threatened!” “National Wildlife Refuges Face Funding Cuts!”
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September 24, 2025
Sticking With Shoobies
Re: “Shoobie, Benny, Apple Knocker – When Are Labels Acceptable?”(9/10). Please tell S. Fox I’m not going to stop calling visitors shoobies – or bennies, for that matter – just because he got his…
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•September 24, 2025
Father-Son’s Field of Dreams Pilgrimage a Hit
There’s been a lot of change in Barnegat Light recently with the sale of White’s and with Kelly’s and Mustache Bill’s up for sale again. Having no dog in the fight, I’ve enjoyed the Facebook comments…
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September 18, 2025
Caring Community
Our family is honored to extend our deepest gratitude to several local businesses whose generosity recently brightened the lives of two families confronting the challenges of childhood cancer. Thanks…
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September 18, 2025
Requiem for the Mast: Gone But Never Forgotten
through calm, through gale, through endless dark.
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September 18, 2025
Service Appreciated
The Ship Bottom Taxpayers Association held its annual membership meeting on Saturday, and we were honored to welcome Chief Matthew Whitlow, executive petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard station in…
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September 17, 2025
Thanks for Support
The summer has come quickly to a close after a vibrant and busy couple of months. The all-volunteer Surf City Fire Co. and Emergency Medical Services experienced a very demanding summer responding to…
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September 17, 2025
Had to Be There
As a kid on LBI in the early ’60s, hanging around Ron Jon’s was a requirement for our admittedly narrow definition of “being cool.” We’d browse the boards, pointing to the ones we were definitely…
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September 17, 2025
Youth Falling Behind
As a nursing student and nurse advocate, I want to draw attention to a growing concern in Ocean County: adolescent physical inactivity and its impact on obesity and mental health. Healthy People 2030…
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September 17, 2025
Backlash Growing
An urgent action letter that I submitted to the borough of Ship Bottom at the Aug. 26 meeting details the public safety concerns of the road realignments within Ship Bottom and the unsafe conditions…
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•September 17, 2025
Request to Our Legislators: Fix Unfair School Tax Now
Assemblymen Brian Rumpf, Greg Myhre and Sen. Carmen Amato: Gentlemen, wake up! It’s time to get up and get to work – for us, your constituents. We on LBI have waited too long for your long…
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•September 11, 2025
Let’s Not Forget a Mosaic of Shore Memories
So ends another season at the Jersey Shore, and you may not be able to store all the memories in a photo album, but let’s not forget …
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September 11, 2025
Troubling Trend
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the growing influence of the gun lobby, as well as the actions of public figures like Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem and the current head of Health…
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•September 11, 2025
Shoobie, Benny, Apple Knocker – When Are Labels Acceptable?
Individuals who are quick to categorize and label strangers may want to reconsider their actions. The commentary titled “Local Oldster: Summarizing Summer’s Shoobie-isms” in the Aug. 27 issue of The…
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September 10, 2025
Hoping to Give Back
I graduated with a B.S. in education from the University of Virginia in 1986, and an MEd in special education technology from George Mason University in 1988. I was a special education self-contained…
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September 10, 2025
Thanks for Generosity
Thank you so much for the article “Pickleballers Give Boost to Compassion Café” (8/13). As a parent of one of of Compassion Café’s employees, it has been a beneficial and wonderful experience for us.…
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September 10, 2025
Ducky Reminder
Last week’s mail brought a bit of delight: a copy of an article I had written in The SandPaper’s Nov. 11, 1981 issue along with an Aug. 20 letter to the editor from Grove Conrad referencing my…
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September 3, 2025
Write-In Bid Launched
My name is Tom Tallon, and I am launching a write-in campaign to be re-elected to the Ship Bottom Borough Council. Although I lost the Republican primary to an unendorsed candidate by just 10 votes…
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September 3, 2025
Ideals Compromised
I completely endorse the sentiments expressed in last week’s letters titled “Bipartisan Call” and “Chaotic Response.” This country is in the midst of severe strain that has compromised the ideals…
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September 3, 2025
Flawed Reasoning
Perhaps Rich Joline from Baldwin Place, N.Y. (“Stick to Surfing,” 8/27) should reconsider his annual visit to LBI and go elsewhere. If he can ask Jon Coen, an essential member of the local LBI…
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September 3, 2025
Swell Surfmen
Please allow me to express my appreciation for your in-depth article last week on the training, skills and mindset of the U.S. Coast Guard heavy weather surfmen who stand prepared and always ready to…
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September 3, 2025
No Political Courage
President John Kennedy defined political courage as the willingness to risk personal and political consequence to do what one believes is right for the greater good. Members of the Little Egg Harbor…
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September 3, 2025
Fan Mail
Every week I go down to the corner to pick up a copy of The SandPaper. My favorite writer is Jon Coen. I look forward to his balanced perspective on LBI and local inland topics. His wit and humor are…
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•September 3, 2025
Healthy Habits Aside … White Towers Beckon
I think of myself as a bit of a health food proponent. I love vegetables and fruit and I’m careful to moderate the use of sugar, salt and all the things that enhance the joy of eating. I’m not a…
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•September 3, 2025
Overarching Motto: ‘Never Ever Give Up’
As summer is winding down and the surf ramps up, I thought about all the events and activities of the season. Those who are fortunate to experience LBI are privileged to enjoy all our island’s slice…
