We're sick of reading about cops

The Record reports today that new residential buildings in Fort Lee would attract more cars to the borough's already congested streets and result in "holdups."

Manhattan. Paris. Life has been good for veteran journalist Marty Gottlieb, who took over as editor of The Record a little over a month ago.

But how familiar is he with North Jersey and how the Woodland Park daily has covered local news, including Hackensack, where it prospered for more than 110 years before pulling up stakes?

Growing diversity in North Jersey police departments has been evident long before today's Page 1 trend piece, and the focus on the Hackensack force merely piles on numerous stories about the suspended chief in the past two years -- often to the exclusion of other news.

Although it's good to read a positive story about Hackensack cops, the focus is too narrow. Communities have diversified other workers, including health inspectors.  Where has head Assignment Editor Deirdre Sykes been?

Skeleton edition

OK. It's Monday, so how much can you expect from The Record's skeleton staff?

There is a second trend story -- about the risks crossing guards face -- but the top of the page is all about the Oscars and Governor Christie's wisdom on the Three Stooges who are vying for the GOP presidential nomination.

Christie says he would never exit gracefully and become Mitt Romney's vice president, but instead seek reelection next year. 

Good luck. Now that he's protected millionaires from tax increases and failed to keep his original campaign promise to cut property taxes for the middle class, it will be payback time.

French influence

It's hard to understand why Gottlieb held the front page for a big photo of Jean Dujardin, who won the Oscar for best actor, under the trite "SILENCE IS GOLDEN" heading. 

After sitting through hours of boring acceptance speeches Sunday night or going to sleep before the ceremony was over, is that really what readers want to see on the front page of their local paper?

Cars still popular


On the front of the Local news section, Sykes delivers breaking news -- if a developer builds two 47-story residential towers in Fort Lee, people moving in will bring their cars with them (L-1).

And if you believe the second paragraph, crime will follow:

 "Drivers ... would experience more holdups [my italics] unless traffic lights are installed and the timing on some light signals are changed, the study suggested."

On L-3, a story about a celebration by the 35 Plaza shopping center on Route 4 has many readers wondering why Sykes has never assigned stories on how downtowns in Hackensack, Englewood and Teaneck have weathered the recession.

Stale obit filler

Sykes apparently had no local news for L-5 today and decided to plug the hole with one of the longest wire-service obituaries I've ever seen, filling two full columns. Who died? 

Anita Bryant's former husband -- a month ago.

Correction needed

I called Picnic Garden in Englewood Cliffs today after reading Restaurant Reviewer Elisa Ung's Sunday column, which reported the expensive Korean buffet "offers about a dozen varieties of raw, marinated meats ... and seafood that you ... grill at your table."

I was told seafood -- shrimp, crab and squid -- is available only at dinner for from $26.95 (Monday to Thursday) to $29.95 per adult and $13 for children.

That means the family of four adults and three children shown in an F-6 photo would pay $146.80 for dinner before tax and tip.

Picnic Garden isn't the "good value" Ung claims, especially if you don't eat meat.