Here are some Internet sites I found with the most comprehensive story coverage.

1/18/03--dailyrecord

Story with photograph--dailyrecord

Story with photograph--firehouse.com

Fire victim's funeral set--dailyrecord

Story --Observer

A kitchen fire + four people and a dog in the House + working smoke detectors + no open windows (winter--less oxygen to fuel the fire) + a little girl on the floor upstairs ( low to the ground) + 6:30 at night + less than a mile from a firehouse != Just doesn't (or shouldn't) add up to this sad result.

I found this little USA Today item regarding the "big news" in Mendham.

Whitney cited

Whitney Houston faces a fine of up to $1,000 for a violation of the lawn-watering ban in Mendham Township, N.J., where she shares a mansion with husband Bobby Brown. Police were called to her home after neighbors complained that her sprinklers were on. Houston and Brown weren't home at the time, her spokeswoman said.

This Observer Tribune story, covers the other apparently less important townfolk directly involved in these apparently not very Organized "water" Crimes. Too bad they don't have TV cameras in Water Court- there's no way this (sept 11) wasn't entertaining. All joking aside: "Appearance tickets" for this crime seems really stupid. I think a sensible approach would be to give first offenders a "you selfish jerk" warning, and second offenders a mandatory thousand dollar fine. Third offenders should just be shot at dawn.

Police, Fire (I saw 4 trucks) and Rescue (2 ambulances) were on the scene within 10 minutes.

A couple of hundred yards uphill from the intersection of Ironia Rd. and Mountainside Road, a tandem tar truck (how it was described to me) tipped over attempting to make the incredibly steep, incredibly sharp, curve we locals call "that stupid incredibly steep incredibly sharp curve". An earwitness to a third person eyewitness account reports that the truck apparently wiped out two telephone poles (My power was out for some four hours) as it tipped over onto the embankment that shoulders the high degree curve on the steeply sloped section of Ironia road. There were apparently no serious injuries-- the truck driver reportedly kicked out a window to make his escape. Another vehicle was apparently also involved--struck by one of the telephone poles.

This close to home incident provides an opportunity for me to editorialize a little bit regarding the flawed vision of our local government. The only good thing about accidents is that we can learn from them. Unfortunately, in this town the positive potential to prevent bad history from unnecessarily repeating itself is not being realized. Generally speaking most accidents are the consequence of stupid mistakes that would not have been made if some individual involved would have been inspired to exercise a little more caution. The fact is seeing someone else do something really stupid does inspire a desire in us not to make the same stupid mistake. It is my contention that by simply making general information regarding the when, where, and hows of local accidents publicly accessible--we can, in all probability, prevent some unnecessary damage, injuries and perhaps deaths. I would also contend that it would cost the town virtually no inconvenience or expense to provide this basic "what happened" and "don't you let this happen to you" information (a three minute daily briefing hardly seems like too much to ask of $80,000 per year employees). In my opinion instead of a "Krafty" mayor what this town needs is a mayor with a little imagination and some real desire to keep us well informed and in turn wiser and safer.

Added:8/20/02: Road should be open by tuesday afternoon.

Added 8/28/02

By JULIE LANGE

Staff Writer

MENDHAM TWP.- A two-mile stretch of Ironia Road was closed for about 30 hours after an asphalt truck struck two utility poles and tipped over on its way to Mendham on Monday shortly after noon.

Police Chief Thomas Costanza said Tuesday that two police officers had been on site around the clock redirecting traffic between Burnett and Mountainside roads as workers from Verizon and JCP&L replaced the damaged poles and restrung phone and power lines.

Costanza said the driver had been downshifting and attempting to slow down as he descended the hill through a series of three curves on Ironia Road when he lost control of the 40-ton tandem truck owned by Mahedy Trucking of Sparta.

The driver, Mitchell Aquilino, 31, of Hopatcong, was not seriously injured, Costanza said.

One of the struck utility poles snapped in two places, and the other pole was leaning over and fractured so severely that both poles had to be replaced.

Aquilino was charged with reckless driving, Costanza said.

As of noon Tuesday, traffic on Ironia Road was still being rerouted and electric service had been restored to all but two homes.

I received an e-mail from the town clerk Denise Fuchs informing me that August 9th was her last day as an employee of the Borough of Mendham. She gave no reason as to why she was leaving but the fact that the town has no slated replacement for her would indicate a sudden decision. I associate Denise with few of the problems I've had with local government officials and believe our town is losing a long-standing, valuable resource.

Tom Miller remembers the days when there were problems at the borough's treatment plant off Ionia Road.

Algae had built up in the plant's processing ponds and goose droppings covered the driveway and grassy area around the facility. Employees would use a water truck to hose down the driveway a couple of times a week.

The answer to the problems have come in the form of two graceful but aggressive swans- Perry and Elsa. Perry came from a Peapack-Gladstone pond six years ago, while a Bernardsville woman donated Elsa to the borough four years ago, said Miller who is the borough's Superintendent of Public Works.

... The two ponds are also filled with Japanese Koi fish, which eat algae, and catfish that consume sludge and other residue, he said.

... Wright said he cut back the food supply in order to make the swans more aggressive.

"Perry patrols the area like a sentry," said Wright, "and will even follow us around the ponds."

... Last year, Elsa gave birth to two baby swans, called cygnets, but in February, Perry decided it was time for the two to be out on their own and chased them off the property.

Miller decided to move them to the Borough Park off Mountain Avenue.

... Since then, residents have come out to see the majestic young swans as they swim around the pond with several Canadian geese. Wright said he hasn't had as much luck with controlling the geese in the park because residents have been feeding both the swans and geese.

In May, Elsa had another brood of babies that are currently with their mother at the treatment plant. If one of the babies turns out to be a female, she will be moved over to the pond at Borough Park should the two swans there end up being males.

The 26-acre treatment facility has attracted plenty of other wildlife with deer, foxes, and even coyotes spotted on the property. Birdhouses are located on a fence around the facility. Barn swallows eat insects during the day. There's even a bat house for the nocturnal creatures that eat 30 times their weight in insects a day, Miller said.

... Wright said he was interested in hearing from anyone who had suggestions for names for the baby swans at the treatment facility. He said he is also looking for anyone in town who might have swans they want to donate to the borough.

The new law governing access to public records goes into effect July 8th. This should mean better access to information regarding the function of our Local Government. If there is some government held information you would like to see published on-line (on this site) please post a request here. As the town administrator loves to play loophole word games please make your request as specific and inclusive as possible.

Here is the text of some "very exciting" additions to the Borough code.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 215, ZONING, OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF MENDHAM WITH REGARD TO LOT AREA AND BULK REQUIREMENTS

and

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 215, ZONING, OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF MENDHAM TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF BUILDING FOOTPRINT

Back on April 20th the town held an auction of surplus items. Somewhere around April 7th they had published a legal notice "informing us all" of the big day. Unfortunately only 4 (11 total buyers) local residents "chose" to attend.

Maybe sometime in the distant future someone will invent some kind of Internet computer thing that will enable people to know what's going on around them without having to read through pages of microscopic legal gibberish in some overpriced "adverpaper". I can even envision a day when pictures of things can be easily captured electronically and in minutes made viewable to the world. If I really pushed my imagination to the limits I can almost see cyber places where you could have a internet auction with millions of participants. But why wishfully imagine a better world? It won't be until like 1990 that any of this kind of stuff is possible.

Good Grief #1,897,980

See the results of the Great Mendham Throw-a-way.

Added 6/19/02

Denise,
Upon reading over the council minutes, I noticed reference to some properties sold by the town. If possible I would like to request a listing of what was sold, for what price. I also would like to request a complete as possible listing of all assets (including investment capital) owned, or in the possession of, the borough of Mendham. Restating a past request, I would like to be sent a copy of all information provided to other local media organizations, including legal notices.

Thanks,
Gary Mosher

I was sent the (now on site) Legal notices and I was sent a Xerox of the "auction of surplus items" documentation-- But inquiring regarding the rest of the information requested unfortunately led to this less than charming exchange with the town administrator.

"They" are saying two more weeks till completion.

Added 8/28/02:
I found this link to the "Nickelodeon" Playground Park Fund

MENDHAM TWP.- These days one needs a scorecard to keep up with the police department's newest officers and their ranks.

...Last Tuesday, officers Steven Crawford and Vito Abrusci were both promoted to sergeant at a Township Committee meeting. s

...The police departmen------- has 15 officers.

Hughes said Officer John Santucci Sr., will be promoted to sergeant on Monday, June 10.

Hughes said Sgt. Vincent Romano retired last month after nearly 20 years with the department.

In January, Lt. Terry Rigos also retired after 26 years with the department.

...Sgt. Thomas Zenick will retire next month, said Hughes.

...Also last month, Brian Herchick, 27, was appointed as a patrolman. Herchick had worked as a Philadelphia Housing Police Officer for three years.

Steve Bittman, 23, joined the force in January after working at the Passaic County Sheriff's Office.

New American flags are flying in the borough thanks to a successful fund raising effort that involved two town organizations, participation by students, and an enthusiastic response from residents.

The borough's 100 new flags, already flying along Main Street and Mountain Avenue, were purchased from money raised by "The Old Glory Fund," an effort initiated by the Woman's Club of Mendham and the Mendham Business Association.....

MENDHAM - Larry Haverkost may have retired 11 years ago but that doesn't mean he's not busy.

Besides doing consulting work, the incumbent Borough Councilman is in the thick of issues affecting the borough ...

"I think I've flunked retirement," said the 69-year-old Republican councilman who is running unopposed for reelection in the June 4 primary.

Haverkost has served on all six borough committees and has chaired the Planning and Zoning, Personnel, and Recreation Committees. He is a liaison to the Board of Health and chair of the Recreation Committee.

...The councilman said he was proud of the creation of a historic district that protects historic buildings in the center of the borough from being demolished.

..."The ordinance was driven by the idea that people like the town the way it is. We wanted to maintain Mendham's small-town historical look," he said.

Haverkost said the borough also wants to expand recreational opportunities for young people and seniors. Some ideas on the table are exercise and walking trails, along with soccer and softball fields.

In last Wednesday's interview Haverkost spoke at length about his concerns about proposed expansion plans in the West Morris Regional High School District and its impact on taxes and infrastructure in the borough.

"I feel the off-campus arrangement characterized as a Mendham campus will be unpalatable to many voters," said the councilman adding that the borough would also oppose plans for further expansion at Mendham High School.

...The councilman said he had spoken to many borough residents who want their own high school for students from the Mendhams and "resented being underrepresented on the board and paying more than their share for the rest of the district."

...Haverkost said he was concerned that the student enrollment could peak by 2005 and then start to decline. He said he'd talked to residents who said they would put up with the temporary inconvenience of larger class sizes rather seeing the district move forward with expansion and possibly overbuild.

..."I think I'm reflecting the attitude of many of my constituents," said Haverkost.

...The councilman said that finding solutions to the problems, either through deregionalization or other alternatives, was necessary.

....Haverkost said he hadn't planned on running again for Borough Council but that no one else had thrown his or her hat in the ring. He said it was important to encourage younger residents to run for the council and that he had been a strong supporter of current councilmen Neil Henry and Stanley Witzcak.

"I enjoy working with people. We have a terrific mayor and a good mix on the council both in terms of age and expertise," he said.

He also said he'd like to see a woman on the council.

MENDHAM TWP. - The district's school board has decided not to appeal the Township Committee's decision to cut $272,800 from the defeated 2002-03 school budget.

The board made its decision at a meeting last Tuesday basing it on a recommendation by Interim Superintendent John Fanning that an appeal would not be in the district's best interest, said Board President Jane Aldea last Friday.....