Goose-meat frank might even be considered 'gourmet'

Up close, the exterior color scheme of the incomplete American Dream entertainment and retail complex in the Meadowlands doesn't look half bad. But the old name, Xanadu, continues to appear on at least one sign, below.

 

By VICTOR E. SASSON
EDITOR

If you're like me and didn't have a chance to read The Record today and Wednesday, you haven't missed much.

Two days in a row, Washington Correspondent Herb Jackson tries mightily to interest readers in the election pitting U.S. Senator Cory Booker against conservative Republican Jeffrey Who? of Leonia.

Trouble on wheels

Staff Writer John C. Ensslin covers Bergen County government so his knowledge of food presumably is limited.

On Page 1 today, he mentions Callahan's low-quality hot dogs and "gourmet" in the same story about a deal to allow food trucks to serve people in county parks.

Weenie lover

In a Second Helpings blog post today, the fine-dining Restaurant Reviewer Elisa Ung is beside herself about Rosie's Weenie Wagon setting up in Overpeck Park in Leonia.

Rosie's Sabrett franks are nothing special, just more mystery meat filled with preservatives, but she might want to pursue an agreement with state and county officials to reduce the park's population of geese.

This way, she could serve franks made from goose meat -- surely a lot more "gourmet" than Sabretts' beef hotdogs -- and help keep park sidewalks clear of droppings.

Worst governor

The story on Governor Christie being chosen as a "Father of the Year" makes no mention of when he'll receive an award for being the "Worst Governor of New Jersey" (A-1 and A-3).

Meanwhile, his former chief of staff was scheduled to testify before the legislative panel investigating last September's George Washington Bridge lane closures in Fort Lee (A-1).

Don't hold your breath for any revelations.

Apartment glut

On the Local front today, Hackensack reporter Christopher Maag exaggerates the impact of any delay facing the city in the development of Lot C, which is now a parking lot near Bowler City and the Ice House (L-1).

Lot C is only one piece of property where the city plans to allow apartment development, including nearly 20 acres along River Street owned by North Jersey Media Group.

One luxury complex is already open and another 200-plus apartments are under construction on State Street, a few blocks from City Hall.

Where the city will find room in its schools for children from all those new apartments hasn't been addressed.

 

'Eye on The Record' is taking a short break

My daily commentary on The Record of Woodland Park will resume in about a week.


You can rest assured the editors will continue to exercise their flawed news judgment and assign reporters to chase stories of little concern or relevance to the vast majority of North Jersey readers. At the same time, Hackensack residents will be told day after day their concerns do not matter.

Parting shots

One of my Anonymous commentators said a week or two ago he heard that Managing Editor Frank Burgos was given his walking papers. Burgos' name appeared on the editorial page today. He has long been the newsroom disciplinarian, specializing in veteran employees. If he has been terminated, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

With immigration, property taxes, special education and women's health programs to worry about, why are the editors assigning reporters to keep alive that laughable Russian spy story (A-1)? Staff Writer Giovanna Fabiano doesn't cover Englewood and Leonia on a good day, so why is head Assignment Editor Deirdre "Mother Hen" Sykes sidetracking her? Is it for comic relief?

Fabiano is such a great reporter, she can't even get a quote from Michel Bittan, the powerful Englewood businessman who has been linked romantically to one of the Russian suspects. Sort of reminds you of how Staff Writer Monsy Alvarado can't get any intelligent response from suspended Hackensack Police Chief Ken Zisa, despite all the months she has hounded him to chronicle in sickening detail his mounting legal troubles -- to the exclusion of any other Hackensack news.

In Local, county officials gave a preview of the new Overpeck Park -- which has been decades in the making -- but the paper only has room for a small photo (?!#%?). "See Saturday's paper for a fuller look," the editors say. Gee. Did that Russian spy story have to run so long? 


Kudos to Food Editor Bill Pitcher for putting his meat obsession aside to review an unusual kosher dairy restaurant in Teaneck. But in view of his size -- and the tens of thousands of his readers who are struggling with their weight -- can he really afford to be eating all of that dessert?