NJ21st 11/17/2024 Newsletter
What’s Important to Know About Our Local & State Government This Week….
This week’s newsletter opens with an in-depth analysis of the recently released 2025 US News & World Report rankings for elementary and middle schools. Notably, these rankings appear to be based on 2021-2022 proficiency scores, as indicated in the report.
Next, we delve into a contentious discussion from the latest Town Council Meeting. Concerns were raised over a $450,000 taxpayer-funded grant to repave a road that underwent significant work just last year, with council members reportedly failing to review the project’s specifics beforehand.
The focus then shifts to Jordan Hyman’s public statement addressing the OAL findings against him, Ms. Stanley, Robert Cianculli, and other members of the former BOE Majority. Unsurprisingly, his remarks did not include an apology. We’ve also included responses from Ms. Akiri and two members of the public, as well as Laura’s summary of the November 14, 2024, BOE meeting agenda.
John explores how government press releases targeting private citizens surface on politically-funded, for-profit hyperlocal news blogs. Meanwhile, important stories about politicians violating ethics, breaking laws, or voting on costly projects with little understanding are frequently overlooked, downplayed, or spun to mislead the community.
We also highlight an opportunity for residents to provide feedback to state representatives about ballot design and share an important message for our neighbors.
Finally, the newsletter wraps up with photos and notes from the week and a recap of our top three articles from October.