Rehashing the past, trying to predict the future

The YMCA on Main Street in Hackensack.

By Victor E. Sasson
Editor

The Record's lazy, bored local news editors are expert at dwelling on the past or trying to predict the future, as today's front page demonstrates once again.

I spent about 10 minutes going through this Sunday edition, trying to find something relevant to my life in North Jersey.

The Local section from head Assignment Editor Deirdre Sykes and Deputy Assignment Editor Dan Sforza was another disappointment, especially a Road Warrior column that shrugs at an epidemic of speeding.

Staff Writer John Cichowski glorifies morons like Don Quinn of Harrington Park who think they are doing "a good deed" by warning speeders of enforcement, as if breaking driving laws and not getting caught is some sort of sport (L-1). 

Drive, they said

The Corner Table column on the Better Living front (BL-1) and the lead Business section story (B-1) assume readers like nothing better than jumping in the car, fighting traffic and driving 15 miles to 20 miles to eat out and shop.

On the Opinion front, Columnist Mike Kelly (aka "The Shit-Eating Grin") can't seem to find a current issue to write about (O-1).

At least an editorial questions why Governor Christie isn't holding NJ Transit officials accountable for more than $120 million in Superstorm Sandy damage to locomotives and rail cars (O-2).

Of course, mass transit users are the lowest of the low, as far as The Record's transportation reporters are concerned, and a story on the quality of bus and rail service is an extremely rare find in its news pages.

Second look

The Road Warrior's Friday column tried to predict how many road fatalities would occur in New Jersey, compared to previous years.

And he showed once again an unwillingness to call the DOT and find out when the Route 17 north ramp to South Summit Avenue will reopen.

A concerned reader made that call and found out the ramp will open in early September. 

Cichowski also reported incorrectly that parents can't get discounts on insurance, if their children drive less than full time, according to the reader's e-mail to management and the editors:

"In his Aug. 23 column, the Road Warrior makes up his own estimates and facts that contradict the pace and tally of state road fatality statistics v. previous years.

"The Road Warrior indicates it is a myth that parents can get further discounts, if their children drive only part time and that insurance rates ares strictly based on the number of drivers.

"Based on insurance agents I spoke with, it is not a myth.  Insurance rates can be discounted further, if the child does not use one of the cars full time.

"Once again, the Road Warrior provides no answer on when the Route 17 north ramp to South Summit Avenue will open.

"His inability is striking since I was able to find out on Aug. 12 and again on Aug. 23 when the ramp will open, and instructed John on Aug. 12 about DOT personnel he could contact to get this info.

"Road Warrior then has the unmitigated gall to instruct readers to complain to Creamer and Sanzari company personnel since their companies were involved with the work, because John does not want or know how to do his job.

"Shame on The Record for allowing this ghastly practice due to the Road Warrior’s incompetence."

The full e-mail can be read on the Facebook page for Road Warrior Bloopers:


For Road Warrior, facts are out of reach