This Week at NJ21st: Berkeley Heights Spins Again, A Storm Shakes Jersey, Calls for School District Unification, and a Closer Look at NJ’s Prison Economy
Mid-Summer Suprise We begin with a troubling Town Council meeting in Berkeley Heights. The story starts with the Township rejecting the only bid on the Sewage Plant (Sewer Sale Stalls) that then snowballs into a web of no-bid contracts, questionable settlements (including one where taxpayers foot the bill for a vendor’s error), and a quiet vote to raise bid thresholds (Deals Light on Details). Residents had questions (13 Questions to Ask). The Township had confusing answers (What the Council Didn’t Explain).
Housing Development Chickens Coming Home to Roost A sudden, devastating storm swept through Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Plainfield, and North Plainfield — and NJ21st documented it all (Storm Coverage). We cover the Governors visit to the area (Governor’s Visit), but many saw it as more theater than subtance — especially in light of recent policy changes around affordable housing and flood protections (Policy Backlash).
Unifying Kids, Not Bureaucrats An educator in the community makes the case for school district unification — specifically between Berkeley Heights and Mountainside (Too Many Bosses) — arguing that consolidation could potentially redirect millions from administrative overhead into classrooms where the money belongs.
Who Is Impacted by NJ’s Prison Economy? Our latest analysis of Department of Corrections data reveals a grim, familiar pattern: poor Black and Hispanic residents are incarcerated at disproportionate rates compared to wealthier White counterparts. The data lays bare the systemic inequities in sentencing, admissions, and the broader prison pipeline. Visualize the disparities
On the Social Media Front We broke down New Jersey’s major property tax relief programs in an info-graphic showing how this year’s budget can benefits seniors, renters, and low- to middle-income families.
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