Jazz, Trees and 600 Communities

The Chatham Township Committee may have already approved the removal of some trees at the , but our readers seemed to feel the discussion should go on. Most of those leaving comments, like , thought the loss of shade was a loss of distinction for the pool: "I believe they took trees down last year as well, I'm sorry to see more coming down. I'm very dismayed about this," she wrote.  But frequent commenter  answered back (with a little sarcasm): "It's a pool, people. It's supposed to be sunny. It's actually one of the things that has always turned me off about Colony - the dark, mildewy feel from lack of sunlight. If you want to swim in the shade I'm sure there's a suitable cave somewhere." What sort of environment would you prefer to swim in? .

Some of the other comments Morris, Somerset and Sussex Patch sites received over the last week may have been a bit less, erm, jazzy, but we appreciate the feedback and input.

It was only a few months ago Patch made a big media splash by hitting a milestone:  

Well, we've sped past that. Patch now has more than 600 sites (it was 500 just a few weeks ago), serving communities in 19 states. It's enough to make an individual site feel ... almost insignificant in the grand scheme of Patchy things.

But we're glad at least some people in the community don't seem to think so.  (yes, jazz lovers, that Rio Clemente) popped in this week to leave some congratulations on Morristown Patch's very first article, originally published on Aug. 16—editor John Dunphy's welcome letter to the community:

Major kudos John. Great start. Looking forward to meeting you in person. Merry Christmas and a 100derful New Year!

Those congrats are music to our ears, Rio.

Visitors to Morris Township-Morris Plains Patch are still apparently enjoying 's photos of fans enjoying the Morristown High School football team's Dec. 5 championship win over Nutley.  observed: "Everyone looks so happy to be there." And just a few days earlier, a very excited  told us: omggg! i love the pics! thanks so much for uploading!!!!"

We would have done it even if you'd only used, say, two or three exclamation points at the end of that line, . But we appreciate the enthusiasm. Be sure to check out Keith's gallery of the  "," as well as our ).

Comments were still rolling in this week on our piece asking, "" — which ran across several Patch sites (the link here goes to the Madison Patch installment).  offered up: "New Jersey: Our Governor is Bigger Than Your Governor" (ouch).  was a little more upbeat: "How about going with a positive image: There's more to New Jersey than what you've dreamed!"

Look, you can get to your senior year of  high school, you can graduate from a State Trooper program—but to family members, you'll always be their "little guy." Montville reader  wrote on story about John Stretavski III's achievements: Super job little guy. I am very proud of you and love you so much. — Uncle Jess."

John, when Uncle Jess picks out nicknames, does he consider that if you continue along the path to a law enforcement career, someday you might carry a gun?

If you're driving to (or in) Hopatcong this winter, watch out: Parking your car on the street when the borough declares winter-weather advisories .

Our commenters were split on whether this weather rule is a good idea. Reader  argued for it:  "... most of the roads around here are narrow enough and some with curves or up/downhill slants. Add to it people parking their cars on BOTH sides of the street, some directly across from each other and you have a road reduced to the width of maybe a one car driveway. Add to that people speeding on the road, and two way traffic, then add in bad weather (like snow and ice), oh and don't forget the people walking on the road or walking their dogs or kids on the road, all that and man, you have one mess on your hands." But  notes: "... there are some who do not have driveways. Or, if there is family or friends over when it snows or worse, they are over, and it gets bad quickly and need to stay, are we going to fine everyone or just those who CAN park in their driveways but don't?"

How do you feel? Should cars clear off the road in bad weather, or else? 

Reader  didn't take kindly to the news this week that four men are accused of bilking a total of $2.1 million from the Bernards Township school system: "This is equivilant to someone coming in and stealing money from your safe or wallet. We paid taxes which went into a bank account. They stole from that bank account, the school children, our schools. If you look at the state documents posted online, you see their home addresses. Nice addresses with nice homes, pools, etc. So these guys stole from you and they are out laughing and enjoying those nice pools, nice cars, nice houses. Begs the question about why home robbers are treated worse than these criminals (ahem, alleged criminals...)."

We'll note (as TJ did, if reluctantly) that the four haven't been convicted of the alleged crime at this time.

Reader  seemed just about as upset to learn from newly launched Hillsborough Patch that  could be going up next year. He hit on a theme we hear a lot from residents in several communities, that a fee doesn't have to be a "tax" to hurt the wallet: "I hope when all you government folks talk about low inflation and 2% caps you explain to all us common folks how a 111% increase in this fee doesn't impact our available funds. I know, I know, you had nothing to do with it. just passing along the users fee increase imposed on you. How about FIGHTING to save MY money? By the way, make the fee too high and people will just stop getting licenses."

And lastly, this week we welcomed Kinnelon-Butler Patch into the ever-growing Patch family. The site's brand-new, so it doesn't have many comments yet—but head on over and tell new editor  how she's doing!