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The Community Deserves a 1-Year BOE Candidate Panel

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EB BOE

East Brunswick voters deserve better than a rushed or bundled introduction to their Board of Education candidates — especially when it comes to the one-year unexpired seat. This is not a side note. This is one of the most important votes of the year.

There are three candidates running for the one-year term, and the person elected will immediately join a board facing enormous decisions. Yet right now, there’s no dedicated panel scheduled to hear directly from them — just them. That’s a problem.

Our Community Deserves Clarity

The community deserves the opportunity to:

  • Hear these three candidates individually and fairly

  • Understand their priorities, level of knowledge, and sense of urgency

  • Ask themselves: Who is ready to make decisions on Day One?

Lumping the one-year candidates into a single general forum with the three-year candidates doesn’t give voters what they need. It muddies the waters and minimizes a race that could shape the direction of the district during a crucial transition year.

This Seat Has Immediate Power

The person who wins this seat won’t have the luxury of a warm-up period. They will be:

  • Voting on real-time policies and budgets

  • Collaborating with a brand-new superintendent

  • Helping rebuild trust in a divided town

  • Representing your voice in every vote they cast

The decisions made by this person will ripple across classrooms, households, and the entire community — almost immediately. Voters should not be asked to cast a ballot without having a clear, unfiltered opportunity to evaluate the candidates head-to-head.

Eyes On EB Is Ready to Host

To ensure fairness and transparency, Eyes on EB is offering to host a separate 3-way panel just for the one-year seat. Here’s how we’ll do it:

  • Each candidate will have equal time and opportunity to share their ideas

  • One representative from each campaign will be invited to help organize the format, ensuring neutrality

  • The conversation will focus solely on the unique responsibilities and urgency tied to this one-year term

  • The panel will be recorded and shared widely for voters to watch on their own time

This is not about picking sides. It’s about respecting the voters and giving the community what it deserves: a chance to make an informed decision.

Let’s Not Wait Until It’s Too Late

If we want a better Board, we need a better process — and it starts with transparency. Let’s raise the bar for how we engage with candidates. Let’s demand a space where every voice can be heard clearly, not lost in the crowd.

The people of East Brunswick are paying attention. They care deeply about their schools, their tax dollars, and their kids. They deserve to see these candidates speak directly to them — without distraction, without confusion.

Let’s make this happen — together.

To the campaigns: Reach out. Let’s schedule the panel.

To the voters: Share this post. Speak up. Demand what you deserve.

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Eyes on EB: Because informed communities make better decisions.

Following Up: Breaking Down the Data from the August 14 BOE Meeting

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By Rob W.

Our last piece, Community Voices at the August 14 BOE Meeting, captured the emotion of parents and residents as they raised concerns about testing and equity. This follow-up focuses not on the public commentary but on the board members themselves — the questions they asked, the concerns they raised, and in some cases, the gaps in understanding that surfaced during a data-heavy presentation.

ACCESS for ELLs: Language Proficiency Under the Microscope

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Boley opened with the ACCESS for ELLs exam, a state-mandated test for multilingual learners. Students must score a 4.5 overall to exit ESL services.

East Brunswick currently has 410 ESL students speaking 31 languages, while over a third of the district’s total student population speaks a non-English language at home.

Vice President Liwu Hong quickly zeroed in on the trend lines. “This year we have more students staying in ESL for three, four, even five years. That is a very alarming sign,” he warned.

Board President Heather Guas, meanwhile, revealed a surprising gap in awareness when she asked if students are tested in their home language — a question that underscored how technical and complicated the state’s process can be even for decision-makers.

Board Member Laurie Herrick pressed for strategy. “We saw about 20% of ESL students meet the 4.5 proficiency criteria. What targeted plans are in place to increase that percentage?”

And Board Member Wilbur Pan asked about the very structure of the exam. “If proficiency is 4.5 on a six-point scale, why do we have a six-point system? Is that standard?” Dr. Valeski explained that it is a national measure.

Special Education: The DLM Debate

The Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) assessment, designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities, saw scores drop after the state shifted 122 higher-functioning students into the regular NJ SLA testing pool.

Scores appeared to plummet:

  • ELA proficiency fell from 58% to 43%.

  • Math dropped from 59% to 34%.

  • Science dipped from 25% to 21%.

Hong challenged the explanation, insisting the numbers were still a red flag: “We are not talking about a handful of students. We are talking about hundreds, and the percentage is drifting down.”

Board member Marianne Tanious pushed back on the usefulness of the data: “What is the value of this information if we can’t benchmark it properly? Data doesn’t mean anything without a plan to address it.”

Dr. Valeski countered that this was the first year of the new eligibility rules and that comparisons would be more meaningful starting next year.

NJGPA: Strong Results, But Gaps Remain

The New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) showed East Brunswick ahead of state averages: 92% passing in ELA (compared to 81% statewide) and 80% in math (versus 58% statewide).

But subgroup data told another story. Students with IEPs, English learners, and those identified as economically disadvantaged lagged significantly.

Board Member Jaime Falco expressed concern: “Children with IEPs are no less intelligent than any other child. They just learn differently. These gaps point to inequities in how we educate them.”

Board Member Dr. Lou Figueroa honed in on ESL students whose parents declined services: “What are we doing for that 5% so those students still have a chance to succeed?” Dr. Valeski responded that supervisors call every parent and principals work to build relationships to ensure support.

A Board Looking for Clarity

The meeting highlighted how board members are engaging deeply — and sometimes struggling — with the data presented.

  • Dr. Anna Braun focused on curriculum pilots: “In these new elementary pilots, are ELL and special education students being included? We can’t have kids falling through the cracks just because we’re testing new programs.”

  • Heather Guas reflected on demographic shifts: “Our influx of students right now is staggering. This isn’t going to be like a ripple in a pond — this is going to be like throwing in a major boulder.”

  • Tim Cummings took a high-level view: “The town is growing, and the challenges are increasing… Ten years ago we weren’t having these conversations, but now the needs are everywhere. This is a great challenge for your team.”

Even Pan suggested more transparency, noting that student services presentations are valuable but hidden in committee: “It would be great if the public could see more directly what teams are doing. There’s incredible work happening that no one gets to hear about.”

The Bigger Picture

Throughout the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Victor Valeski tied the data to broader social realities. “There’s a family structure behind every student, and that has changed tremendously,” he said. “People are coming here at every expense to access quality education, but then they are struggling to maintain. That’s what has changed in the last five or six years.”

What stood out just as much as the numbers was how board members engaged with them. Board President Heather Guas asked if students are tested in their home language — a question that revealed just how technical and complicated these assessments can be, even for someone who is both a teacher and a board leader. Later, Guas and Board Member Marianne Tanious appeared surprised to learn that nearly every East Brunswick school is already designated Title One.

Other board members raised thoughtful but varied points. Laurie Herrick pressed about ESL exit rates. Wilbur Pan wanted clarity on why ACCESS is scored on a six-point scale. Dr. Anna Braun pushed to ensure that special education and ELL students were included in curriculum pilots. Jaime Falco emphasized inequities for IEP students. Tim Cummings stepped back to highlight the broader challenge of a growing, more diverse town.

Taken together, the evening showed how much board members are expected to know — and how challenging it is to keep pace with shifting demographics, changing state requirements, and complex assessment systems. But it also showed something else: the value of their questions. The community has voiced frustrations at past meetings, yet this one felt different. The questions board members asked cut to the heart of the issues and opened space for deeper conversations.

In many ways, it was the most productive board meeting in some time, because it revealed that everyone — from administrators to board members to parents — has a lot to learn. No one can be an expert in every detail, but progress comes when leaders are willing to ask, listen, and keep learning alongside the community they serve.

That’s why the upcoming November Board of Education election is so important. Voters deserve to understand where each candidate stands on these issues, and hopefully every candidate will campaign actively and share their knowledge with the community. The more transparency there is, the better informed our town will be when choosing who will help guide East Brunswick through these challenges.

With all but two schools now Title One, ESL enrollment climbing, special education needs growing, and more families struggling economically, the question is no longer whether these changes are happening. They already have.

What comes next is how East Brunswick responds. Our town must embrace the diversity of its students and commit to meeting kids where they are — not where we wish they were — with the resources, support, and leadership they need to succeed.

East Brunswick’s First Food Truck Festival: Let’s Eat!

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This Saturday, August 23, East Brunswick is serving up something brand new and absolutely delicious — the town’s first ever Food Truck-A-Palooza! From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Community Arts Center is turning into a foodie playground, complete with live music, lawn games, a beer garden, and, of course, food trucks galore.

And yes, Rachel B and Rob W will be there — not just capturing content but also doing what they do best: eating their way through every fabulous bite. Cameras in one hand, tacos in the other. That’s balance.

What’s on the Menu?

With 13 different food vendors rolling in, there’s going to be something for everyone — burgers, BBQ, sweet treats, and all the culinary creativity that food trucks are famous for. The Habit Burger Grill is even tossing in freebies while supplies last. So, if you see Rachel and Rob hovering near that truck with suspiciously happy faces, you’ll know why.

And here’s a pro tip: pick up a Food Truck Passport while you’re there. Try out different dishes, get your passport stamped, and you might just walk away with a Rec Swag Basket. Think of it as foodie bingo with prizes.

Picnic Vibes, EB Style

Organizers are encouraging everyone to bring lawn chairs and blankets, which means the Arts Center lawn is about to turn into the coziest outdoor dining room in Middlesex County. Imagine rows of families and friends lounging on blankets, kids running around with ice cream, adults juggling sliders and craft beer. That’s Saturday in East Brunswick.

And in true EB fashion, Rachel and Rob will be working hard to “capture the vibe.” Which, in translation, means you might catch Rob in a full sprint chasing down the ice cream truck for a shot — or just a cone.

Why You Should Go

Food Truck-A-Palooza isn’t just about eating (though let’s be honest, that’s the highlight). It’s about community. It’s the kind of event that lets us all slow down, hang out, and enjoy the simple things together. It’s a chance to bump into neighbors, hear some live music, and experience something brand new in town.

Eyes on EB will be on the ground, covering the event from the first sizzling burger to the last sweet treat. So come hungry, bring your chairs, and maybe get in a photo or video if you spot us.

East Brunswick, this is your night to eat big and celebrate together. Don’t miss it.

Community Voices at the August 14 BOE Meeting

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The most recent East Brunswick Board of Education meeting brought out frustration, emotion, and pointed criticism from members of the public over the district’s handling of test scores and student support. Parents took to the microphone to highlight concerns with equity, accountability, and the way special education and economically disadvantaged students are represented in district data.

Rachel Botnick Calls Out Testing Practices

Eyes on EB Rachel Botnick spoke, and her frustration was evident. She argued that the district’s reliance on uniform testing without differentiated instruction is at the core of declining scores.

“Two words: differentiated instruction. It’s lacking in this district,” Botnick said, noting that she had repeatedly emailed the board about this issue. She emphasized that students formerly placed in DLM testing were now pushed into the NJ SLA without adequate preparation or accommodations.

“These kids who were in DLM for years are now thrown into a different environment. That’s why your test scores are going down,” Botnick added. She pointed out that teachers are being forced to stick to rigid pacing guides, with little room to adjust instruction for special education, 504, or gifted students.

Her comments underscored frustration that systemic issues in instruction are being ignored while the district continues to lean on test results.

Clip From Rachel’s Portion

Antoinette Evola Speaks

When Antoinette Evola took the microphone, the emotion in her voice was unmistakable. She told the board she was disappointed and disrespected by the way the district presented student performance data, particularly separating children by income level.

“I was free and reduced lunch when I was in school, and I was very smart. That is the most biggest excuse I ever saw in my life,” she said.

Evola also raised concerns about racial disparities, pointing out that Black and brown students had only a 50 percent advantage in graduation rates. “Why are those children not a focus for everybody?” she asked.

She tied her concerns to her own family’s experience as the parent of a child with a 504 plan. She said too many parents are left in the dark about staff assignments and too many teachers lack the qualifications or training to meet students’ needs. “I have to constantly reach out to the teachers,” she said, adding that her son’s needs were often overlooked.

At one point, she pointed to her husband’s experience as proof that economic or language barriers should not be used as excuses. “My husband grew up in Palermo. He came here when he was 14. He didn’t speak English. He’s an ESL and he makes a lot of money,” she said, arguing that labels around poverty or language ability should not be used to explain away poor performance.

Her testimony reflected both anger at how the data was presented and the personal toll on families navigating the system.

Fran Snowise Pushes Accountability

Fran Snowise shifted the tone toward solutions. Rather than call for more money or new programs, she argued the district needs stronger accountability at the classroom level.

“What we need to be doing is holding the teachers accountable, which means our principals have to have a tight notch on what’s happening in the classrooms,” she said. Snowise urged the district to better use vice principals, seasoned teachers, and other existing resources to support instruction.

She pointed to past examples like the workshop model for math, which blended whole group, small group, and paired instruction. “That difference right there, same curriculum, same expectation—that was a teacher thing,” she said, noting that consistent implementation made the difference in whether the program succeeded or failed.

Her comments pressed the board to focus less on data presentations and more on leadership inside the schools.

Clip From Fran’s Portion

Dom Sclafani Demands Clear Answers

Finally, Dom Sclafani challenged the board to stop speaking in generalities and to provide clear, direct answers about declining scores.

“What is currently being done clearly isn’t working. The numbers are going down,” Sclafani said. He dismissed comparisons to past student groups as a “cop out” and called on the board to outline specific steps for improvement.

Clip From Dom’s Portion

 

Run for Board of Education? Nah… I’ll Pass!

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By Rachel B.

Why I Will Never Run for the Board of Education

People often ask me why I don’t run for the Board of Education. Honestly, there are so many reasons that I usually laugh and say something like: “Reason #5,762 why I will not run for a Board of Education seat is…” and then share one from the long list.

But the main reason—the one I come back to again and again, the one I will never waver from—is this: I am not now, nor will I ever be, willing to make moral and ethical concessions for things I know are fundamentally wrong for the children of our town or any other town I am a part of.

Case in Point

Most people probably don’t realize this, but due to a schedule change in the elementary schools, the elimination of specials pushed instructional time 15 minutes over the contractually allowed time for teachers. The solution? Dr. VV and BG decided it would be fine for kindergarten through second grade students to sit in an auditorium or some other dumping ground—likely supervised by an aide—for that extra time. This is another example of the REACTIVE vs. PROACTIVE mentality of the EBBOE. And the board? They’ll probably just rubber stamp this in what they love to call “consensus” votes, which I call “herd follower” votes.

For the better part of 30 years, I’ve been on the receiving end of bad Board of Education policies. I’ve had to implement new curriculum, endless and excessive testing, pilot programs, grant-funded initiatives—you name it, as they have been rubber stamped and rolled out by people who have very little knowledge of how those decisions directly affect actual classroom routines, learning processes, and everything else that goes into the teaching day. I’ve had no choice but to sit back and roll out poorly planned, poorly thought-out mandates year after year, board member after board member, superintendent after superintendent.  Unfortunately the process doesn’t change much, regardless of the people in the seats…. 

Naively, I thought East Brunswick Public Schools would be above that minutiae. I was in a fantasy bubble when my kids were in K–5, because they hadn’t been tested, and because for some bizarre reason, EBPS does not give actual grades until middle school. 

Reality hit like a slap in the face from a kickball flying in the courtyard at recess (yes, that has happened to me on more than one occasion). The sting hit hard and my disappointment in this district overwhelmed me, as a mom, but more importantly as an educator. 

My kids are in the Class of 2029, the same cohort left out in the cold after the pandemic. The same cohort of kids the district pushed into one school after the other, first HUES for one year, and then picking up and moving them to Churchill the following year, all while shuffling unwilling and unprepared staff around, forcing them to make decisions between leaving the schools they’d been in for years, and teaching the grade/content levels of their choice.  In addition to that, the district changed the math program at the exact same time, leaving staff to teach completely new ways of doing a skill that they had been teaching a different way for years, and requiring the students to rewire their thought processes all at the same time.  This, after being on remote/hybrid instruction for the better part of the two years before.  The dumpster fires were igniting at every turn.  This had an enormous effect on academic, social, and emotional well-being of both the students AND the staff. Now, the district is scrambling to fix problems for the younger grades, because the district realized they let the boat out to sea without lifejackets on board, while this grade, these students, are floundering at every turn.  

That’s when I got involved. That’s when my eyes opened. And what I saw was a failure of epic proportions—across nearly every area—only getting worse with time. And I’m not talking about test scores or disciplinary reports. I’m talking about the actions of the adults in the room. I’ve watched egos get in the way of effective change. I’ve watched people step on each other to climb higher, only to go back on every word once they got there. My emails over the past few years have been completely ignored by the board of education members and only answered by supervisors because they know I’m not going away.

Cynicism, Elitism, and Missed Opportunities

I make no excuses for my cynicism when it comes to this board. There is an elitist undertone in East Brunswick schools that desperately needs to change. Maybe it worked in the past, but today’s demographics demand innovative, diverse thinking.  The test scores are a direct representation of that. 

Classrooms here have never faced challenges like this before. The recent presentation, followed by shock at the data, made that painfully clear. I find it pathetic that increased diversity in our student population is viewed as a “hurdle” by the district’s leadership. That same diversity that perplexes this board has been at the forefront of every single class I have taught for the past 28 years, and has never stopped my colleagues or me from trying each and every thing we can to help our students be the best version of themselves, even if it may be a little out of the box. Example…. I once taught a student to write a comparative analysis essay on synthetic vs. conventional motor oil because he loved working on cars on the weekends with his uncle, but said he would never be able to write a complete essay.  Did I care that the topic wasn’t related to the articles we were reading? NO- because he didn’t care one bit about the articles and I met him where he was and brought him to where I knew he could go! We need to get out of our own way and remember what the common goal is! 

And then there’s this obsession with touting doctorate-level achievements, honors classes, and the like, as if those are the only measures of success. It’s disheartening—and frankly insulting—to those who’ve built meaningful, successful lives without a “Dr.” in front of their name. Success is not only measured in test scores and degrees. Perhaps this is East Brunswick’s biggest problem: we shut out innovative thinkers at both the board and district level—people who could bring fresh perspectives and recognize that everyone has value, even those who don’t fit neatly into the Tier 1 category.  

Wasted Talent and Deaf Ears

I have plenty of ideas that I’ve brought to the table many times but the district refuses to tap into community skills because doing so might threaten someone’s ego.

Make no mistake: I’ve offered my help for at least three years. I’ve begged to sit on committees. I’ve sat down with Dr. Sran, Dr. Boley, and numerous staff members at Hammarskjold and Churchill to offer suggestions, highlight inconsistencies, and point out services that aren’t being followed through on—some skirting the law entirely.

Most of it has fallen on deaf ears—until election season, when suddenly my ideas are “great” and everyone admits the district has problems. Then, like clockwork, promises are made, smiles are shared, and hands are shaken… only for the promises to disappear once the election is over. Meanwhile, educators are left to carry out bad decisions and face angry parents on the front lines, while being blamed either directly or indirectly, for the problems that pop up as a result.  

Why I Won’t Run

So, why won’t I run for the Board of Education? The reasons are too numerous to count, but here are the main ones:

  • “Us vs. Them” Mentality
    There’s a clear divide between the Board/Central Office and the educators on the ground. Once someone transitions from teacher to administrator, it’s often joked that they “drink the Central Office Kool-Aid” and forget where they came from, many times placing over-under bets on how long it will take. I will never be a “them.” I started as an “us,” and I will retire as an “us.”
  • Contracts
    I will never vote against educator contracts or minimize the work teachers do. Yet I’ve watched it happen here, over and over again, during every negotiation, budgetary issue, and curriculum problem that arises.
  • HIB Incidents
    I will not call a clear case of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) “normal conflict” just to keep numbers down for optics. I’ve seen it happen firsthand—to my daughter. The damage was palpable and forever changed her. That will never be me.
  • Mental Health
    I will never sit on a board of education that fails to address social-emotional wellness, mental health, and student needs beyond academics. Yet that’s exactly what I’ve watched this board do.

The Bigger Picture

What I’ve realized in recent weeks—after sending out invitations to the candidates, some of whom are sitting board members and have been for years—is that candidates aren’t put off by a platform. They want “fluff”, not “tough”….. They’re intimidated by tough questions. Questions they often don’t have answers for. 

And that, my friends, speaks louder than any interview one could ever give.

Stay informed. Stay involved. Stay open-minded. If you don’t, you’ll only continue the cycle—and you’ll have no one but yourself to blame. Inaction is still action. Doing nothing is not a pass.

I’ll leave you with this: 

Our children are always watching. Make sure you’re modeling the change you wish to see in the world—or at least right here, in our corner of it.

Cranbury Road Crackdown Has East Brunswick Buzzing

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🚨 Cranbury Road just became the scene of East Brunswick’s latest Facebook saga.


One driver says he got pulled over for something he couldn’t avoid — and over 100 comments later, the town is split between “it’s the law” and “it’s a trap.” Somewhere in the middle, we also started arguing about loud cars and barking dogs.

Read the full blow-by-blow here ⬇️

Picture it. A weekday afternoon on Cranbury Road. Cars inch toward a red light. J.G. is behind the wheel, daughter in the backseat, minding his own business — or so he thought. Up ahead, a police SUV sits on the shoulder with another vehicle already pulled over. J.G. slows, staying in his lane because the left is full.

The light turns red. He stops.

Then the second officer’s lights flip on. Into the lane he comes, right behind J.G. Cue the sinking feeling.

“Sadly looks like a trap,” J.G. later posted on East Brunswick Helping Each Other.

Within minutes, the post became the hottest thread in town, with over 100 comments. And like any great EBHO moment, it had everything — law lectures, conspiracy theories, completely unrelated noise complaints, and at least one “Hope u got a ticket” for good measure.

The Law & Order Crowd Arrives

The first wave of replies came in with the precision of a traffic safety seminar.

“It’s the NJ Move Over Law — been around for about 15 years.”
“Even if it wasn’t the law, it’s common sense. Give them some room.”

These folks weren’t here to debate feelings — to them, the law is the law, and ignorance doesn’t buy you a free pass.

But some comments hit harder, like folding chairs in a wrestling match:
“Hope u got a ticket.”

The Trap Theorists Push Back

Others took J.G.’s side, pointing out the impossible position of trying to merge left when the lane is packed.

“You don’t have to explain yourself… they’re just trapping people.”

To this camp, the situation sounded less like safety enforcement and more like fishing in a stocked pond. And the fact that it all went down while cars were stopping for a light? That made it feel even sketchier.

Side Quest: Loud Cars and Barking Dogs

Somewhere around comment fifty, the conversation did what all EBHO threads eventually do — it drifted.

“What about enforcing the loud noise law after hours? We can’t even sleep at night because of loud cars by Race Track Road and 18.”

Suddenly we were deep into noise ordinance territory, debating drag racing, decibel meters, and dogs that apparently treat 1 a.m. as their personal barking hour.

The Ending Only EB Could Deliver

By the time it wrapped up, the thread had turned into a uniquely East Brunswick cocktail: one part legal advice, one part community bickering, a splash of unrelated grievances, and a twist of sarcasm.

Some left knowing more about the Move Over Law than they ever expected. Others were still convinced it was all just a setup. And a few probably logged off thinking, “Next time I see flashing lights on Cranbury Road, I’m just going to take a whole different route.”

Because in EB, the laws may be clear, but the comments are anything but.

What’s Cooking” Rebrands as “Diana’s Dream: A Place for All

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EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — A well-known local program is stepping into a new era. The initiative formerly known as What’s Cooking has been reintroduced as Diana’s Dream: A Place for All, a move its founder says better reflects its mission to create a fully inclusive community space.

Founded by Audrey Weiner, the program began as a culinary instruction effort for individuals with developmental disabilities, with the vision of opening a café-style employment program. “It was given the name What’s Cooking relating to the concept of a café and food,” Weiner explained. “Now that we have a more set vision of making doggy treats and simple human foods, we decided on the name Diana’s Dream: A Place for All as the community-focused space we’ve been dreaming about.”

The new name honors Diana, Audrey Weiner’s daughter, whose story has inspired the program’s inclusive mission. Born at just 24 weeks and weighing 1 pound, 2 ounces, Diana was given only a 10 percent chance of survival. She has cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia, and, in her mother’s words, “has survived the unsurvivable because of her inborn determination. She is sweet and feisty and has a mind of her own. Her story motivates me to create more for her and people of all abilities.”

Over the years, the program’s offerings have grown far beyond cooking. Milestones include sensory art sessions in partnership with local artist Dana Winston, job training at Cozy Cup Café, and collaborations with the East Brunswick Public Library to provide social and learning opportunities.

According to its mission, Diana’s Dream is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience that empowers individuals of all abilities to work, socialize, volunteer, and learn. The program’s guiding values include celebrating diversity, creating equal partnerships with families, and fostering a culture of acceptance.

Looking ahead, Weiner hopes to secure a permanent location where “everyone can succeed and feel accepted and loved, while celebrating our differences and the ways they make us the same.”

Community members interested in getting involved or supporting Diana’s Dream: A Place for All can connect through its social media pages or reach out directly to the organization.

When the Township Hits the Mute Button

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By Rob W.

The Township shut off comments on their Facebook page, as they often do when things start to heat up, and sometimes even when the comments are not the problem at all. People noticed. A lot of us think cutting off public input is the opposite of what we need right now. Facebook is one of the easiest ways for residents to speak up, even vent, without having to wait for a meeting or hunt down the right email address.

The Mayor just did a podcast from a lazy river. Creative? Sure. But when property taxes just went up ten percent and it looks like it could happen again, seeing the Mayor floating around with another township employee while many residents are at work busting their hump is not exactly the best look. Imagine working on a roof all day, taking your 25 minute lunch break, and pulling out your phone to see that video. Meanwhile you are struggling to live here and you cannot get from point A to point B without sitting in a mess of a traffic jam. It sends the message that the day to day struggles of many residents are not a top priority.

We do not have to act like the town is perfect. There is no reason to pretend everything is fine because nobody feels that way. The gaslighting for many is getting old. People want to be heard. Even if comment sections can get messy, at least they give taxpayers a voice. If this was any other business or industry, ignoring your customers would never fly. That is a big part of why people get so frustrated with government and why trust is so hard to rebuild once it is lost.

What would actually help is being real with the public. Share the wins, but also be upfront about the frustrations. Explain the plan for the future and how it will benefit everyone. Acknowledge what is going wrong just as much as what is going right. That builds trust and makes people feel like they matter.

A little more listening and a little less muting could go a long way toward keeping the community on the same page and maybe even getting everyone paddling in the same direction.

Another Chicken Place?!

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East Brunswick: Where Fried Dreams Never Die

Move over, cultural landmarks — the old Red Lobster is likely becoming a Raising Cane’s. And with that, East Brunswick’s evolution into the undisputed Chicken Capital of the Eastern Seaboard inches closer to completion.

“Another Chicken Place?!”

R.B. said it best: “Another chicken place?! We are going to become the chicken capital of the world!” He meant it as a joke, but let’s be honest — at this rate, we could host the United Nations of Fried Poultry and still have a few chains left over for the afterparty.

Meanwhile, D.K.C. offered the town’s mission statement: “Just what the town needs!!” — though the “Lol” at the end suggests she may be rethinking her priorities.

The Sit-Down Restaurant Resistance

J.A., the thread’s unofficial leader, dropped this lament: “I wish we were replacing a sit down place with a sit down place. Sigh.” That sigh wasn’t just text — you could practically hear the collective exhale of every EB resident who’s tired of balancing a meal on their lap in the car.

E.D. brought the gourmet hot take: “Any place that has utensils wrapped with paper napkin is fast food.” Somewhere, a Raising Cane’s executive is reading that and thinking, “So… linen napkins at the drive-thru?”

The Flavor Wars

J.A. threw some extra shade at “the religious place down the road,” while S.D.P. doubled down with “for folks allergic to flavor and seasoning.” If this keeps up, we might need a Chicken Peace Accord just to get people through the intersection at Route 18 without a food fight.

The “Leave Town” Strategy

J.W. helpfully suggested Casablanca and Bluewater Seafood, but the moment the border to North Brunswick or Spotswood is crossed, E.D. was quick to clap back: “I have a different view on fantastic—Gustos is not it. I guess my standards are a little higher than yours.” And just like that, the Great Restaurant Schism of 2025 was born.

The Final Wingbeat

No matter which side of the fryer you’re on, this is happening. As S.M. reminded J.A.: “Don’t forget Wingstop.” And J.F. asked the real question: “Is there a bingo card for chicken joints?”

We might not have fine dining, but we’re about to have the most competitive chicken market in the state. Who needs Orchard Park when you can have Route 18’s very own Poultry District?

East Brunswick — come for the traffic, stay for the tenders.

EBHS Senior Leads Babysitting Program to Support EBEF

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Contact Nicolas:

Phone: 908-529-6878

Email: nicolas.p.langella@gmail.com

When Nicolas Langella saw the growing need for reliable babysitters in East Brunswick, he decided to do something about it. What started as a simple babysitting job at his mother’s friend’s house turned into an organized program involving a team of fellow EBHS students. The best part? Forty percent of the revenue goes directly to the East Brunswick Education Foundation (EBEF) to help address the impact of budget cuts on classes and extracurricular activities.

In just five months, Nicolas and his team have already donated $500, and they are aiming to double that by the end of the year. Their goal is to donate $1,000, and they are well on their way.

How to Support Without Booking Babysitting

Even if you do not need babysitting services, you can still help Nicolas and his team reach their $1,000 goal. You can contribute directly through their GoFundMe page, and every dollar goes toward supporting the East Brunswick Education Foundation.

Connecting With Families


The team has been creative in spreading the word. They have put up posters around town, relied on word of mouth, and are currently working on designing yard signs to place throughout East Brunswick. Scheduling is simple yet effective. Whenever a parent needs a babysitter, at least one team member is available to help.

Making an Impact


For Nicolas, the most rewarding part has been knowing the program is making a difference. Parents trust them because of their reliability and responsibility, and that trust has been deeply gratifying for the entire team.

“Even if $500 is not an immense amount, the fact that we have already done it means that we could do it again and again,” Nicolas shared with a smile.

Looking Ahead


After he graduates, Nicolas plans to pass the program on to his younger brother and step-sister, both rising juniors at EBHS. He is confident they will carry on the work with the same dedication and commitment.

How the Community Can Help


The path to $1,000 is simple. The more jobs they get, the more they can donate. Nicolas hopes more families will hear about the program and choose to hire their team, not only for quality babysitting but also to support EBEF in enriching the education of East Brunswick students.

If you are looking for a dependable babysitter and want to help fund valuable programs in our schools, this is your chance to do both at the same time. Nicolas and his team are ready to help, and every booking brings them one step closer to their goal.

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