Highland Park Planet (http://highlandparkplanet.org/category/local-news/page/2/)
Highland Park must not be a flashpoint for the ills of society. That’s a useless exercise. What Highland Park must be is a leader in taking those big issues and figuring out how to implement solutions on the local level. As a community, we can’t assign blame elsewhere, we can’t point fingers at the state for under-resourcing communities, we have to act locally and put upward pressure on higher levels of government. READ MORE
I am thrilled to endorse Monique Coleman for mayor and Austin Morreale for council. IMonique and Austin are committed to ensuring we have a transparent and open government that is responsive to all people who live in Highland Park. I first met Monique after her son was racially profiled by the Highland Park Police Department. Monique has tirelessly worked to root out systemic racism in our town — not just because it has affected her family but because this work is a continuation of her lifelong commitment to racial justice. Austin works to ensure people who are coming out of the county jail have the support and services they need. READ MORE
I am the current chair of the Highland Park Equity Commission, and I’m writing to correct a false statement made about the Commission in the council/mayoral debate on Thursday, May 30. READ MORE
Dear Editor:
I’m a partner and mother, an author and editor, a teacher and,
occasionally, when I can get it right, a mentor. I didn’t anticipate
that I’d ever help on the fringes of a local election campaign; yet
suddenly, my yard is sporting a sign, and my kids set off on a
canvasing adventure while I nursed a baby. They returned with
predictable reactions: my older, more introverted son needed to
recover, and my younger, more social son wanted to know when he could
do that again. And early in the campaign, because Monique and I work
together as teachers of the blind and visually impaired, I wrote the
following endorsement, by which I still stand, but which, now I
realize, almost too late, lacks the personal:
“Monique is a community minded individual who truly believes in
equality and equity in all services and experiences. The activities
she organizes foster tolerance and inclusion and help people to
understand what we all share. READ MORE
To the Editor:
My name is Skot Kremen. I’ve lived in Highland Park for the last 11 years, and my family has been here since the 1940s. Basically, I’ve been connected to Highland Park for my entire life. I’m happy to call it home, and I wanted to take a minute to talk about why I’m voting in the primary for Gayle Brill Mittler in the June primary. The good part of about living in a small town, is that you know what’s going on. READ MORE
I think that from the trenches of the daily grind, we tend to miss the forest for the trees; we see our local government in terms of the extraordinary -the once-in-a-while headline or sensational event- rather than in terms of its everyday functions. In light of that, I’d like to share my street’s eye view of our community as someone who walks the town nearly every day: READ MORE
All Highland Park residents are encouraged to attend the Thursday May 30 candidates forum at the high school cafeteria. READ MORE
Mom served as a PTO member, Temple President, Volunteer Member of the HP Educational Foundation, Town councilwoman and most recently Mayor. Meeting after meeting, emergency after emergency, event after event – she is there. This town is her passion. The betterment of Highland Park has been her goal, her vision and her only mission for the last decade. READ MORE
As a devoted special needs educator, parent advocate, and resident determined to see fairness in her town, Monique will bring much needed energy to borough hall. Having known Austin for several years, I can say his tireless work with marginalized communities is matched only by his generous character. He’s proud to speak up for low-income families and LGBTQ residents by naming these groups, not staying with safe, electable doublespeak. READ MORE
The Highland Park Public Library today announced that it would move its May 20 board meeting to June 5, when it is slated to discuss the appearance of the author of a controversial children’s book on Palestine. Golbarg Bashi, a Pace history professor and former Rutgers Iranian-studies instructor, penned the book, P Is for Palestine, and had been tapped to speak at the library, generating considerable concern from the community, including from the Borough’s Jewish community, for its content. Residents concerned by the author’s appearance and the alphabet book, which assigns the letter I to “Intifada.” Residents and individuals from other groups are also expected to attend to defend Mr. Bashi and the book’s content. The library shelved the speaker for now, opting to discuss the issue at its May 20 meeting. READ MORE