Fresh Jersey

On WOR with John Gambling: Talking about "convenience pricing"

It's the newest wrinkle in the state's toll mess. They call it "convenience pricing."  Translation:  If you want to avoid congestion, you get into a lane on, say, the Turnpike where you pay higher tolls.  This idea comes from State Senate President Dick Codey, but Governor Corzine is interested.  What do you think?   WOR's John Gambling asked me to come on the air this morning to talk about this issue.  To listen to my comments to Gambling, please click here:  Download wor_morning_show_070308.mp3

On WOR radio with John Gambling: Covering the NJ National Guard

WOR radio host John Gambling called this morning as I was covering the deployment of Foxtrot Company of the N.J. National Guard.  Foxtrot left its home at the Teaneck Armory at 4:30 a.m., bound for McGuire Air Force Base.  Just before 11 a.m., Foxtrot boarded a 747 jetliner and departed for Fort Bliss, Texas and 2 1/2 months of desert training before leaving for Iraq in September.  To listen to my radio interview, please click here:  Download wor_morning_show_062508.mp3

On WOR radio with John Gambling

WOR radio's John Gambling called today and asked me to come on the air to discuss the great mystery of New Jersey -- how our state will balance its budget.  Gambling is actually doing a great public service for New Jersey by continually highlighting the state's budget problems, which are extensive and difficult to solve.   To listen to our discussion, please click here:  Download wor_morning_show_061608.mp3

On WOR with John Gambling

WOR's morning radio host, John Gambling, called this morning to talk about today''s Democratic and Republican primary elections.   If you would like to listen, please click here:  Download wor_morning_show_060308.mp3

On WCBS radio with Wayne Cabot

WCBS afternoon anchor Wayne Cabot called yesterday and asked me to comment about the upcoming Democratic primary between U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Rep. Robert Andrews.  My segment aired at 5:30 p.m.

Unfortunately there was not much to talk about, except that this campaign could have been so much more fruitful if these two otherwise smart politicians engaged each other in debates.  As I told WCBS, imagine how the electorate might have been energized with a series of a dozen or more debates -- not unlike the debates (and energy) between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.  This campaign will be remembered more for what it was not than for what it was.

On WOR radio with John Gambling: Talking about NJ's budget mess and Corzine's falling poll numbers

WOR radio's John Gambling called this morning and talked with me about the lingering mess with the state budget and the falling poll numbers for Governor Corzine.  If you would like to listen to the interview, please click here:   Download wor_morning_show_052108.mp3

On WOR with John Gambling

Veteran radio talk-show host John Gambling is back on WOR AM radio -- and he invited me on the air this morning to talk about news in New Jersey.  We discussed, among other topics, the proposal to increase the gasoline tax, the McGreevey divorce proceeding and the immigration hearing of an Islamic cleric from Paterson.  To listen to the interview, please click here:  Download wor_morning_show_051208.mp3

On WOR: Talkin' about the Jersey budget woes, ATVs in the Meadowlands, and the possible move by the Nets -- and the return of John Gambling ... woah !!

I love radio -- I guess you can figure that out, since I'm on the radio so much.  But one of my favorite stations is WOR.  The morning team, Donna Hanover and Joe Bartlett, invited me on the air again this morning to talk about the New Jersey State budget mess.  We also discussed my column today -- about ATVs in the Meadowlands -- and the possible move by the N.J. Nets basketball team.   This is the last week for Joe and Donna as a team.  Next week, my friend John Gambling returns to WOR in the morning slot.  Joe will be on the air in the morning and Donna will move to several new assignments at the station.  I wish them all well.  They are true professionals.  If you would like to listen to today's WOR interview with me, please click here:   Download wor_morning_show_050108.mp3

Speech to Friends of Bergenfield Library

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of speaking at the spring luncheon of the Friends of the Bergenfield Public Library.  The "Friends" are a bulwark of support to the library, and more than 80 members (and non-members) gathered at the Clinton Inn in Tenafly.  I am extremely pleased to know that there is so much support for a town's public library -- and, by extension, support for reading.  The Bergenfield Library, which is run by Director Mary Riskind, is one of the largest and busiest in Bergen County, not only offering a wide array of books but also classes in English as a second language.  Yesterday's luncheon was chaired by Mary Ann Mannino.  Linda Mohr, the president of the "Friends,"  introduced me. As a gesture of thanks to me for speaking, the "Friends" donated a book to the library about the 1930s Teapot Dome scandal.   I spoke about terrorism and my journey as a journalist in covering events after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. If you would like to hear a recording of my speech, please click here:   Download bergenfield_library_friends_042708.mp3

Speech: "New Dimensions," Paramus

I had the honor of speaking to an audience of more than 100 people today at "New Dimensions" in Paramus.  The group, which meets at the Paramus Central Unitarian Church, is comprised primarily of retired men and women and is enormously intelligent and well-read on a variety of topics.  Today was the fifth time that I have spoken to "New Dimensions" -- and each time I enjoy it.  Today's topic:  "The War on Terrorism:  New Challenges for the Next President."   I recorded the speech. If you would like to listen to it, please click here:  Download new_dimensions_042208.WMA