The Surveilance State Comes to Pohatcong

When it came to spying on it's own citizens, the Stasi, the secret police of the now defunct German Democratic Republic (East Germany), certainly should be considered for top honors since they achieved the dubious distinction of having one of the highest citizen/spy ratios in recent history. Perhaps in an effort to do the Stasi one better, we are here in the home of the brave and the free, developing our own home grown snitch and spy program courtesy of head honcho and Big Sister Janet Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security and Walmart, Inc. The creepy, "If you see something, say something" campaign may soon be coming to a new Walmart Super Center being built near you.

If spying and snitching on your fellow citizens while shopping for the usual gaudy junk from China doesn't appeal to you, then despair not because the Pohatcong Town Council has provided
us with some comic relief. By unanimous vote, our council critters have given the okay to have traffic cameras installed at certain busy intersections along our big box corridor on Rt 22. But it's all about public safety after all so that's okay right? Never mind that this has never been proven because as one of the critters said to me "hey, the town could use the money" and that seems to trump all these days. Keep that in mind as you mail out that first infraction check and remember to smile as you do so or someone from Walmart nation may drop a dime on you. Big Sister loves you. You will learn to love her too.

Pohatcong Has an Election

The people of Pohatcong seemed to be hankering for a change in direction and they may have achieved this in part on May 1oth with the overwhelming victory of young James Kern over the his one remaining and tarnished politic rival.

In case you were not already paying attention, the field this year was narrowed due to the sudden passing of former councilman, Sam Souders and the prudent decision of our unpopular current mayor to withdraw. Regardless of these events, Kern seemed to have the game well in hand going in and his well run , energetic campaign really caught on with the public who showed up in far greater numbers than usual to vote this year.

Of course, the real challenge for Kern begins on July 1st once he has been sworn in and sets about trying to get a few things done. Pohatcong is no different from any other small town in New Jersey where the entrenched permanent government of public workers and contracted specialists tend to rule the roost and change of any kind is a mortal threat to their interests.
To overcome this inertia, Kern would be wise to continue enlisting his supporters to help carry out the task of reforming the worn- out and failed business-as-usual approach that has prevailed on Municpal Drive for too long. The people voted for some positive change this year and at least deserve an honest shot at getting just that.