RANT: Gooferment “codes” change without notice or a chance to object

Friday, August 14, 2026

In trying to sell our “old” house, I have a few example of “spectacular stupidity”.

Evidently NOW to sell a house and get a Certificate of Occupancy, all the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors —  regardless of lifespan left —  must be replaced with a non-removable battery. 

WTH

My detectors were replaced when we bought the house 5 years ago because they were flakey and so were the carbon monoxide detectors because they were old and generating false alarms.  No Gooferment involvement!

Argh!

There’s a few dollars (more than 1,000) down the rat hole. And, now there is a fee for the City Inspector come out and confirm.

My Realtors, Handyman, and Contractor were all surprised by this.

And it’s not like a rental.  It was and will be owner occupied so there is NO motivation to cheap out.

Yet Another cash grab and expense incurred.  Glad to be out of the Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee.  Hope the last person out shuts the lights off!

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RANT: Clear cutting a small green island in 08901

Friday, August 1, 2025

Dear Mayor 

It’s a shame no one asked about the impact of clear cutting the “island” at Paulus Blvd and Route 18.  Today, the Public Works men show up and devastated the “island” of brush, trees, and anything green. So much for ecology and green spaces. Expect to see birds and deer displaced; maybe even more “accidents”. Spoke to the crew chief and hey said they had “orders from the mayor”. Argh!  

Supposedly, a fatal accident occurred there which was blamed on limited visibility. We never heard or read about it. An internet search did not revel any accident.  

Now let’s chat about the impact on my house.  

  • The traffic noise for 18, which was significantly muffled by the green space, is louder than ever.
  • Drivers coming up the ramp to “make the light” or “get ahead of the 18 traffic” don’t even have to pretend to stop at the stop sign. Talk about an accident waiting to happen.  
  • The value of my property has be hurt but I can’t quantify the amount.

Now what happens next:

  • Will the city put up a big ugly sound barrier?
  • Raise the berm to cut down on the noise?
  • Replant some hedges or trees?

If a neighbor did something like this, the various city agencies would ask for public comment. But the city does it with aout any “impact statements”.

My wife and I are very upset and we vote.

s/ Ferdinand J. Reinke

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