Hey, Ed, I stopped at a well-known coffee chain’s shop and spotted an employee outside smoking a cigarette. He’s supposed to wear plastic or rubber gloves while on the job handling food. So there he is, one hand gloved and one bare, and he’s holding his cigarette with his gloved hand. Talk about sanitary! I hope he sees this in Backtalk.

Squeaky clean

Hmm, it makes me wonder what he did with his other hand BEFORE this cigarette ...— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, It’s a shame, the city of Trenton is dying and the chief mortician is Doug Palmer. May they rest in peace in Hopewell Township.

Laying in wake

Dear Mayor Palmer, can you hear what people are saying about you? Do you care about Trenton? Yeah, we didn’t think so, either.— Ed. Note

Ed, I was disgusted reading the story that the EPA missed toxic contamination. Do we have a bunch of blind people running things? Are they so greedy they don’t care about life or their grandkids? Remembr the school they built on a toxic site? Our beloved former Governor Whitman, who they made head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, couldn’t clean up her own state! I say to the politicians, the next time you look at your kids or grandkids, think about all the things you allowed that will affect them physically later in life.

Unleaded

Why would politicians look at their kids when they keep looking for illegal handouts?— Ed. Note

Ed, I read that Rutgers Prof. William Dowling was criticized for his remarks that athletic scholarships should not be given to functionally illiterate athletes to play for Rutgers. He said these scholarships should be given to intelligently brilliant students who are going to play a sport. He’s absolutely right.

Mr. Know-It-All

Perhaps the more important issue is how the school’s bonehead official called Dowling’s remark racist. Perhaps that official ought to go read the back of a cereal box instead of spouting off serious charges that someone’s a racist.— Ed. Note

Ed, I’ve got a gripe about the press coverage given the Hamilton West vs. Steinert game, where Hamilton beat Steinert for the first time in 10 years. If you weren’t a Hamilton fan, you would have missed the story completely. Today, I look at the paper, and there’s Steinert beating another defeated team, which to me absolutely stinks. Why is Steinert put on such a high pedestal when they’re no better than Hamilton? It’s not fair to the kids.

Someone’s grandma

Life’s not fair. But being the sports fanatic I am, a big ol’ hearty congratulations goes out to the fine boys of Hamilton. Steinert still doesn’t know what hit ’em.— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, My brother and I want you to settle an argument about Jackie Robinson. Was Jackie able to bring his record over from the black American League to the white American League, or did his record start when he joined the white American League? If it was the latter, could someone tell me why?

Jackie fan for life

Jackie Robinson was a great man who endured more hate-filled crap than you ever could imagine. Any stats he accrued began when he was called up to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, “El-Cheapo” was upset that we have to pay $2 to get into the Mercer Park Italian Festival? Well, maybe you can tell us where that $2 goes to, otherwise I’d be angry, too, having to spend $2 for the honor of spending more of my dollars on everything else inside. Heck, they should pay us to come!

Mr. Expensive

Word on the piazza is that next year the plan is to pay everyone in attendance $25. Mark your calendars.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I just read about the man complaining about the $2 admission to the Italian Festival. What’s the matter with these people who always find something to complain about? It’s his option to stay home. Don’t they realize that thousands of us find pleasure and feel it is so worthwhile being there? I’d like to extend my thanks to the special people who run these events, whether it’s a trip to Atlantic City or a gigantic thing like the fest.

Thankful

I once found pleasure in a special friend named, err, nevermind. I’m sure Italian-American Festival organizers are appreciative of your kind words.— Ed. Note

Ed Note, I’m answering “short on change,” the reader who complained about the $2 admission to the Italian American Festival and the cost of rides and food. Tell these people to stay home. We don’t need them! I’m an Italian American and I think this is a wonderful heritage festival. You don’t want to eat the food or put your kids on the rides because it’s too expensive?, Stay the heck home! You don’t want to pay $2 admission? Stay the heck home! Who do you think pays for cleaning up all that mess after you are finished throwing your garbage on the ground? Who do you think picks up all the garbage in the buckets and cleans the bathrooms? Do you think there’s maid service? We need people at the festival who are enthusiastic, invigorating, and want to keep this heritage going. The man who arranged this festival worked very very hard. I know because I am on the committee. So, tell them to stay the hell home. It’s a shame that in this country, they don’t deserve nice things. They knock everything good down. I see in the paper each day murder and what not going on. Why can’t we enjoy life?

Life is so short.

And as Rodney King beckoned to the world, “Can’t we all just get along?”— Ed. Note

Ed. Note, I am infuriated reading about that ex-Hamilton cop getting beat up by gangs. What is truly going on in this township? When they catch these hoods, they ought to line them up on a guillotine and knock off their heads with a bat. Who do they think they are that they can just come in and terrorize people? I think our judicial system needs to be tougher and give them a dose of what they’re giving out. I can’t stand these people. They don’t need to be living.

The punisher

Hmmm. Not sure a bat would really knock their heads off. Probably just squish them in. And if you’ve got the guillotine set up already, the bat seems like a crude option. But it’s the thought that counts.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed., Mayor Gilmore is the person who annointed the fifth police captain, even though our ordinance doesn’t call for it. Well, now it’s time for Gilmore to step up and have these policemen do something about these gangs. A retired cop and volunteer fireman beaten with bats in broad daylight is ridiculous. Gilmore, stop posting signs that Hamilton is the 10th-safest city in America. You know it’s not true. You can make it happen if you step up and tell the police to start doing something.

Kid in the Emperor New Clothes

Would you feel any better if he changed the signs to say “11th-Safest City”?— Ed. Note

Good morning, Ed. Guess it’s time for Hamilton to outlaw baseball bats, or require bat registration and a permit to own one. You see, if we outlaw guns, man will just find some other weapon to batter each other or kill.

Charleton Heston

Bats don’t kill people, people do. Sometimes people kill bats, too. But I digress ...—Ed. Note

Ed., where were the ministers who asked for an apology to Lofton because he was portrayed as a clown, but they never came out for the children. How can they defend an adult, who can defend himself, but not the students, when their records were tampered, when 10th-graders were at the Sherman Avenue campus illegally, when students had to take additional courses to graduate, when course schedules were not ready in September? The ministers should stick to Sunday sermons because their priorities are all mixed up. How can you defend adults but you won’t defend children? What kind of ministers are they?

Heretic

The ministers are distinguished gentlemen who strive to do the Lord’s work, so they deserve respect. That said, you’ve got a point here. Some of the ministers told The Trentonian that they would have focused on the school fiasco but they were sidetracked by the more pressing concern of blasting the newspaper for its irreverent portrayal of an important authority figure.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed., we are the old cronies who called the other night about you and the mayor, and asked if his pants are up or down when you kiss his butt. We just want to tell you, we respect and admire you 100 percent. We never thought we’d see it in the paper. We’re behind you 100 percent.

Smoochers

Now who’s kissing whose butt? Get your nose out of there; it tickles.— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, the planes using Mercer County airport are flying very low over our homes in West Trenton. What happened, did they change their route?

Air traffic controller

Are you sure your house didn’t grow taller?—Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, Sept. 29 marks the 74th anniversary of Tom Glover, Mr. Hamilton History. Thank you, Tom, for all you do for Hamilton to preserve its history plus all the volunteer work you do at senior centers and nursing homes. Excellent man!

History buff

Here’s to Tom!—Ed. Note

Ed, I’m calling about the prices to get into the Italian festival, not only the $2 admission, but once you get in there everything is twice as expensive as it was at the September Fest. How come a kiddie merry-go-round ride that lasts about three minutes costs $3, yet you can ride the River Line from Trenton to Camden for $1.65 and that takes an hour?

Short on change

Well, you could always stick your kid on the River Line to save a few bucks. But with the price of a return ticket, you’ll be over $3 anyway.—Ed. Note

Ed, it’s so obvious that the picture of the swastika on your front page is fake. It’s just a dish cloth that someone cut into the shape of a swastika with a sharp knife or scissors. You can see the edges of the dish cloth and it’s just been laid out on someone’s lawn. That’s where you can see the green. Everyone knows corn is green, not pink! Who are you trying to kid with this picture, it’s so phony! My God, you can see the edges of the rag at the lower left-hand corner of the picture. I’m surprised you were duped. This is stupid.

Know-it-all

Great detective work! We are so stupid; you are so smart. Actually, genius, that photo was taken by a television news helicopter. So unless Action News is into staging dishtowels-that-look-like-corn photos, you might want to reel in the rightous sarcasm.—Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I don’t care what people say about you, you are the common man’s voice. I am upset over the treatment of Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by Lee Bollinger, the president of Columbia University. Bollinger should have listened to him and not embarrassed him in his introduction. Ahmadinejad was so sad to look at; even though he’s a bad guy, he is a head of state. He said he loved the American people. People need to know that you’ve got to listen to someone and hear what they’ve got to say. Sometimes people might have a change or heart. How can you put someone on the spot like that? I think President Bush was behind this.

Too nice

Well, after they blasted him, they did listen to what he had to say. And he’s a whacko! Just because he’s in power doesn’t mean the evil dictator deserves respect. —Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, Thanks to Backtalk, I found my missing cat Ginger. The lady who saw the lost notice in Back Talk and called you had her, and now everybody is so happy now. Thanks for your help.

Reunited

Making another life a little brighter. All in a day’s work here at Back Talk.—Ed. Note

Ed, all these black organizations and black leaders, including Mayor Palmer, are marching for the Jena 6 and are claiming a double standard. Where the hell where they when the Duke lacrosse players were being crucified? These same black leaders and organizations convicted and sentenced these lacrosse players without a trial or evidence, and these are the people who are claiming a double standard? I think they are a bunch of hypocrites.

Coach K

Yes, indeed, who is speaking up for the privileged drunk white frat boys of this world?— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I just wanted to call “I pee in the cup” in Sunday’s paper. I wanted to add, it’s not just the Trenton schools, but also the Hamilton schools and Ewing schools.

Pee Too

Is there a public school system anywhere that’s not mired in mediocrity?— Ed. Note

Hi, my father was a Yankee fan, I’m a Yankee fan, and my son Adam is a third-generation fan. I have a question about Joba Chamberlain. Please ask your excellent sports department these two questions: Is it true that Chamberlain is part American Indian, and if yes, what tribe is he from? And what years did he play on the Trenton Thunder?

Yankee fan

Joba grew up in poverty in Nebraska, and his father was born on a Winnebago reservation. That’s the Winnebago Indian tribe, not some kind of camp for large RVs. Joba’s ascent through the Minor Leagues was meteoric. He played only eight games as a member of the Trenton Thunder, in between stints at single A Tampa and triple A Scranton. All of that happened this season, and he was called up to the Yankees on Aug. 7— Ed. Note

Good morning, Ed, six people beating up on one person? Cowards. It seems the norm for black and white violence. No attempted murder charge? Did anyone ask the victim if he thought about dying? It’s not fair. Thanks, Ed.

Throw the book

If the guy thought about dying, then the attackers should definitely be charged with murder. And also with that Rider University alcohol thing.— Ed. Note

Hello, Ed, I’m calling about Britney Spears driving in California without her driver’s license. They said in the paper that in California, if you move there, after 10 days you are required to get California license. What I want to know is, how can people live in Trenton for a year with Pennsylvania or North Carolina tags? Half the people in South Trenton got North Carolina and Pennsylvania tags and are not paying the New Jersey DMV a cent. How is that!?
Local driver
Britney Spears has been spotted in South Trenton? Seriously, though, those people with out-of-state plates just haven’t made their minds up yet on whether they really want to be living in South Trenton.— Ed. Note

Ed, this is, according to you, the “Jesus Freak.” Don’t worry, I’m not calling to place a curse on you, I’m calling just to tell you that you are stupid. In the future, when referring to my God, please capitalize the “H” in Him. He has already forgiven your ignorance. You’re probably in the same category as Kathy Griffin.

Jesus Freak

Glad to know we have someone in our midst who can speak for God. We cover a lot of issues in Back Talk that could use “His” input, so please call frequently.— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I think it’s really funny that all these towns across the U.S. are trying to ban teenagers from wearing their pants real low so that their underwear is showing, and yet on the pages of The Trentonian, in recent days, you have pictures of naked behinds. Do we need to look at THAT in the morning? Give US a break!

Crack of dawn

Those behinds weren’t naked. Just nearly naked.— Ed. Note

Ed, I am not surprised one bit that the Jena 6 Bell boy is being held without bail. Not just our people but everyone is going to learn that this is the pain and hurt you get from the struggle. It’s been happening to me for over 25 years. But I’m going to stand strong no matter what, and I hope everyone joins the bandwagon. If everyone knew the history of that prison, you’d ask why that kid was sent there, and why it is still standing. What happens to one happens to all. It has nothing to do with race but with dignity, trust, honesty. Peace!

Joining the fight

We were moved by the speeches our local leaders gave about the Jena 6 last week. If you missed them, check out the video we have up at www.trentonian.com.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m one of the senior citizens that you seem to be irritated with, and we are having a big argument here. Maybe you can publish this and tell us the truth. When you kiss the mayor’s butt, are his pants up or down? We would really like to know that.

Gray Panther

The only butt that Ed. Note wishes to kiss is his own, but he’s found that physically impossible.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, recently my son and I passed a grammar school on Greenwood Avenue. The children looked so nice; they wore uniforms and looked cared for and friendly. Later that same day I heard some parents complaining about the dress code. They didn’t know why the children should be subject to school rules. Now I undnerstand how gang attitudes develop. Throw away all the rules, and, if it is easier for you, just let the kids do what they want.

Law and order

Dress codes hamper our children’s freedom of expression. So do handgun laws.— Ed. Note

Ed, I understand the outrage in the black community in the Jenna 6 case, but where is the black outrage in our community about all the killings among their own people in Trenton?

Don’t get it

Outrage over black-on-black crime? It’s about time.— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, if anyone thinks Mayor Palmer did not act in political retribution towards Capital Health System, there’s a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you. Pleaes note that in two recent high-profile injuries, the Mercer County sheriff’s officer shooting and social worker stabbing, the victims were treated at Capital Health System-Fuld Campus, where they received high-quality care. Please don’t tell me that in the future, cases like these will be sent to Robert Wood Johnson. RWJ is not a certified trauma center and cannot administer the same quality of care as CHS at Fuld. Of course, if you do not live in Trenton, like Mayor Palmer, who cares?

Someone who cares

Doug Palmer? Political payback? What would ever make you even think about breathing those words in the same sentence?— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m calling to complain about the Italian Festival coming up in Mercer County Park. I think that organization has a lot of nerve charging $2 to get in when it was $1 last year and free the years before. Maybe they should charge the vendors a little bit more. Why do we have to pay when we have the September Fest, which is free admission, and we get the same food at both events. They have a lot of nerve.

El Cheapo

Two bucks? You’re complaining about spending two bucks on this great event? Think about what it costs you to go to a movie, or even rent a movie.— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I am a faithful reader of the Trentonian. I read it every day. But I was totally disgusted with your Sept. 20 front page, showing the photo of Jeri-Lynn Dotson lying there dead. I can’t believe your paper would stoop that low to show a picture of the dead body, especially with her children now coming of age and seeing that.

Ruined my day

See the comment above. Gang violence is real, and it affects women, children, parents, families, friends, not just the gangsters themselves.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, about this gang woman, Jeri-Lynn Dotson, who was murdered, the gang members smoked and did whatever in her children’s bedroom. What kind of mother was she? I feel sorry that she was brutally murdered, but when you belong to a gang, what can you really expect? This is a horrible thing, but it should be an example for other young women with babies who hang out with gang members. They think it’s “cool.” May Ms. Dotson rest in peace.

Don’t go there

Take another look at The Trentonian’s front page on Thursday, and you’ll realize that there’s nothing glamorous about the gang lifestyle.— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, why don’t they give Trenton public school teachers and all the teachers drug-screening tests? The kids might learn a lot and find out what’s going on with the teachers.

Suspects something

The question is, would Trenton schools even fire them if the tests came back positive?— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, it’s Mary calling from Tender Hearts (the thrift shop at 320 Scully Ave., Hamilton) about a recent letter from the mom who is on a mission. If she’s interested, her son can help us out at the shop on Wednesday nights from 6 to 8:30, rather than have him go door-to-door, not knowing what type of people he will encounter. We have lots of young people come here in on our one late night, Wednesday, and her son could help them pick out clothes and help us out. Also, do any of your readers have a 102-cup coffee urn? We’re having our fundraiser Nov. 2, and our coffee pot is worn out after 29 years of use. Perhaps one of your readers has one they no longer need?

Ways to help

Any former coffee makers who could help?— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I read the article about the 400 marchers walking across the Trenton Makes Bridge. I wonder what effect those 400 marchers would have on fighting crime if they walked down Walnut Avenue or Brunswick Avenue or some of those streets. Where are they when they are needed here?

Act locally

Many feel what is happening in Louisiana has a lot to do with what the people of Trenton do or could face every day. But while they’re at it, why not make a stand against local problems?— Ed. Note

Hello, Ed, I read about the speech Kathy Griffin gave when accepting her creative arts Emmy Award. She said other people thanked Jesus for their award, but Jesus had nothing to do with her award, and then made off-color remarks about him. Were there no Christians in that audience to defend Jesus? I will do it now. I think Kathy Griffin is an ignorant, egotistical, miserable human being. The fact that she mocked Jesus tells me that she does believe in him, therefore there is still hope for her. May there be such a crisis in her life, such a terrible occurrence, that she will kneel and beg his forgiveness.

Jesus Freak

“What would Jesus do?” Make something horrible happen in this woman’s life? That’s not very Christ-y of you.— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m the guy who called in about Katrina, and elicited the response from Wind Tunnel, who said I didn’t have any compassion. The compassion stopped about a year ago. If you can get hundreds of people together to have barbecues and toot their horns and tubas, playing “When The Saints Come Marchin’ In,” these same 100 can pick up shovels to clean their streets, gut their houses, and do whatever they have to do to get things moving. That’s what I was talking about. Pass it on to Wind Tunnel.

Windbag

Boy, you’ve summed up the whole thing with such poignance. It’s so simple. We blame the whole tragedy on Dixieland jazz. If every jolly musician would just cut out that incessant tooting and instead throw a few sandbags, the world would be a better place.—Ed. Note

Ed, I’m calling about the dress code and white shirts in school. I work in the school, and those white shirts mean bad news. They should definitely be banned. No white shirts any time in school.

Fashion police

Let’s keep the white-shirt wearing to Hooters, shall we?—Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, gotta love Jersey. I just got my homestead rebate check. They were talking about how much bigger they were going to be this year. The freaking morons. Last year I got $900. This year I got $235. Who did they give the promised extra money to, the people on welfare, like they did some years back? Next time the bearded wonder Corzine promises anything to us, you know he’s lying. Tell him to go back and run Goldman Sachs.

Rebate envy

Put it all in perspective. The value of your home is probably plummeting, so it’s only fair that your rebate shrivels. —Ed. Note

Ed, last Friday the buses lined up outside the new middle school in Burlington Township, the one that cost so much money. A girl got on the bus lighting matches. The bus driver asked for help and was told to take the girl home. And the girl was still lighting up matches. Burlington Township is going to the dogs. They need somebody to do their job over at that new middle school. The kids are doing what they want and nobody is stopping them.

Old school

I guess it would have risked a lawsuit to, I dunno, maybe take the matches away from the girl! —Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I wonder what kind of Trenton tour Doug Palmer took the visiting mayors and govs on. The vacant industrial lots? Rusting marine terminals? Blighted neighborhoods? Mannix movie studios? A city without a major chain store or a supermarket or movie theater? Maybe they toured Palmer’s country estate in Hunterdon County and went fox hunting. I can’t wait for 2010. A new mayor. These are glory days for old Trenton.

Tour guide

All the mayors have such problems in their respective cities, so there’s no need to depress them with ours. The point is that your very own mayor is president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors! You mean that’s not doing anything for you?—Ed. Note

Ed, I liked the article about the Mates Inn restaurant located at the Department of Corrections. This is a great idea, chefs teaching culinary arts to inmates. We need more positive ideas like this. How about bringing in carpenters to teach inmates construction and home improvement, teaching them the craft and a sense of purpose. It’s not going to totally transform the problem, but it’s a step in the right direction. Mayor Palmer, are you listening?

Positive change

It is a great program. Believe it or not, there are a lot of people out there actually making things better with solutions that work, not just yapping about it.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m just wondering, when is Mayor Palmer going to move back into the city and in which school will he enroll his little girl? Trenton is so wonderful, and the school system is so great.

Hall monitor

He’s waiting to see how the first day of school goes next year.— Ed. Note

Good morning, Ed, I’m answering the person who complained about seeing no flags on Sept. 11. My heart goes out to the victims’ families, but that’s a day I’d rather forget. It was the worst day for terrorist attacks in our country’s history and not a day I look back on fondly. I’m sure lots of people feel the same way. My sympathies to the families and all who were affected, but I just don’t see it as some kind of holiday.

Flagged out

It’s not a “holiday.” But, like the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, it’s a day that we will forever mark and commemorate, whether it bugs you or not.— Ed. Note

Ed Note, It’s getting closer and closer to election time. We need to remind the people of New Jersey to start thinking about how we are going to vote all of these crooked and corrupt politicians out of office. No excuses! No rationalizations! Vote them all out! And for all you honest, sincere, trustworthy people who want to be in government, now is your chance to become part of our state government. We definitely will vote for you because we want new blood.

Winds of change

Amen. Just get ready to vote out all those sincere, honest, trustworthy people next time around after they become everything you despise. — Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m just wondering if I’m the only one who thinks that Jeff Edelstein is a whiny little mama’s boy.

Edelstein hater

No, Jeff prides himself on that. Not everyone can be a macho man.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m reading about Weedman and he’s driving a tractor-trailer. How can he get a driver’s license when he’s smoking marijuana? Every person in the U.S. who drives a private or commercial vehicle needs to get a drug test on a yearly basis. That includes foreigners here as visitors.

No privacy

Once a year? Even the Weedman could pass a test once a year if he drank that special tea. Let’s test everybody once a week. Better yet, cars should have ignition systems that require urinalysis before you can even turn the key. “Pee to Key,” we’ll call it.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I heard this rumor about Vanessa Hudgens in the nude, and I went to check it out. Oh, My God! She’s all nude! Has Disney gone porno? And I wonder who took her pictures and put it on the Web site?

Too hot to be shocked!

P.S. With all the candles lit in the bedroom, she looks like she’s in the mood for lovemaking. Shame on her!

You don’t see Mickey complaining, do you?— Ed. Note

Ed, I’d like to start a food drive. I have a 15-year-old child, and I’d like to keep him occupied and do something good for the community, like maybe go door-to-door collecting canned or boxed food and then donate it to the Trenton Soup Kitchen, Rescue Mission, or Salvation Army. Is it legal? Do I need a license, and who should I contact? Maybe your readers can advise me through your column.

On a Mission

Good for you and your teen. What a great example to set. BackTalkers, what advice can you offer?— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, my grandson recently started school. He always has to be strapped into a car seat. But on his first day of school I noticed the school bus that picked him up had no seat belts or booster chairs. How can this be happening? Now when he gets off the school bus, he’ll say he does not have to be in a car seat or booster chair. I wonder what Corzine would say about that.

Strapping grandparent

Yes, when is Gov. Corzine going to weigh in on the seat belts or no seat belts on the school bus issue? He’s got nothing better to worry about.— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I can’t understand it. A friend was sitting on Cass Street, next to the AA club, about five feet from his car, and he had his music on in the car but it wasn’t loud. A Trenton police officer drove by in Car No. 412, stopped the car, backed up, and asked him for his license, registration and insurance. He gave it to her and said “I’m just sitting here at the club waiting for the AA meeting, so what did I do wrong?” And she said, “You left your car running.” He said the car was not running. “Well, you left your music playing,” the officer replied. Since when is it against the law to play music in your car? It’s not like it was real loud. There were four or five people out here and we’re all trying to figure, what is her problem? The Trenton police got nothing better to do than harass people who are playing music that’s not loud?

Live and let live

You've got it all wrong. The music wasn’t loud enough. It’s so annoying when you can kind of hear it, but not really enough to enjoy. — Ed. Note

Ed, I wonder if Mayor Palmer told all the mayors from around the U.S. not to walk Trenton’s streets at night. It’s too dangerous. Only fair warning; only right.

Neighborhood watch

Come on, he didn’t need to tell them that. These are smart people. They used their own common sense on that one.— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I live in Hamilton and yesterday when school was closed I was visited by three schoolchildren asking me to buy candy for their school. Where are their parents? Don’t they know this is why we have the Megan Kanka Law and why sex offenders have to register? These kids are not supposed to go door to door. They are supposed to sell it to their family, and if they can’t sell it, they can’t sell. Period.

Stranger With Candy

What has the world come to that a kid can no longer safely extort complete strangers by shaming them into buying a $2 candy bar to support teacher in-service workshops?

— Ed. Note

Ed, those Hamilton politicians keep talking about taxes and traffic jams. Why doesn’t anybody talk about our miserable school system? The middle school and the high school constantly rate at the bottom tier of schools in New Jersey. The only schools rated lower are Trenton, Camden and Newark. Hamilton is definitely not utopia. So please, stop short-changing our children. I am a disgruntled Hamilton parent looking to move due to the school system.

Class dismissed

Why not move to the Trenton School District? Didn't think so.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m outraged by the recent AP story in The Trentonian, “A Call To Action,” where Philadephia’s police chief calls for 10,000 black men to help patrol the city’s streets to quell crime and violence. It sounds a bit racist, or reverse racism. What if I’m white and I want to go out and clean up their streets, I can’t do it because I’m white. I think that’s unfair. I hope we can shed some light on this and bring it to the attention of more people because this is an atrocity and an insult to white people all over the place.

Whitey

Why doesn’t everyone just get a grip and stop seeing everything through racial lines? Who cares if the chief wants to recruit black cops to work in predominantly black neighborhoods?

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I heard a rumor that a go-go bar in Florence was going to reopen soon. Nobody here knows anything, and I wonder if any of your readers know if this is true.

Eager Beaver

Word on the future of adult entertainment in Florence, anyone?

— Ed. Note

Ed, would you please ask Sheriff Larkin to have his name printed LARGER on his vehicles. The other day I wasn’t more than a quarter-mile away, and I could barely make out his name.

Farsighted

Hey, when you get to be mayor, you can decorate the cruisers any way you want. At least he doesn’t put a photo of himself on the cars.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I can’t understand it. A friend was sitting on Cass Street, next to the AA club, about five feet from his car, and he had his music on in the car but it wasn’t loud. A Trenton police officer drove by in Car No. 412, stopped the car, backed up, and asked him for his license, registration and insurance. He gave it to her and said “I’m just sitting here at the club waiting for the AA meeting, so what did I do wrong?” And she said, “You left your car running.” He said the car was not running. “Well, you left your music playing,” the officer replied. Since when is it against the law to play music in your car? It’s not like it was real loud. There were four or five people out here and we’re all trying to figure, what is her problem? The Trenton police got nothing better to do than harrass people who are playing music that’s not loud?

Live and let live

You've got it all wrong. The music wasn’t loud enough. It’s so annoying when you can kind of hear it, but not really enough to enjoy.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, my grandson recently started school. He always has to be strapped into a car seat. But on his first day of school I noticed the school bus that picked him up had no seat belts or booster chairs. How can this be happening? Now when he gets off the school bus, he’ll say he does not have to be in a car seat or booster chair. I wonder what Corzine would say about that.

Strapping grandparent

Yes, when is Gov. Corzine going to weigh in on the seat belts or no seat belts on the school bus issue? He’s got nothing better to worry about.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’d like to start a food drive. I have a 15-year-old child and I’d like to keep him occupied and do something good for the community, like maybe go door-to-door collecting canned or boxed food and then donate it to the Trenton Soup Kitchen, Rescue Mission, or Salvation Army. Is it legal? Do I need a license, and who should I contact? Maybe your readers can advise me through your column.

On a Mission

Good for you and your teen. What a great example to set. BackTalkers, what advice can you offer?

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, this is for the idiot from Trenton who owns two beagle puppies. He previously owned three before he decided to take them to an open lot on Klockner Road to run. Now one is dead, and this idiot needs to be brought up on animal cruelty charges. Give me his address and I'll run him over.

The anti-Michael Vick

Why doesn’t anyone get that worked up about the 18 murders of human beings we’ve had in Trenton this year?

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m a retired Trenton police officer. When I was on the force we used to have to fill out “lamp slips” on the midnight shift to report street lights that were out. In the morning we would turn them in, and the day shift would call Public Service. Today you ride around the city and there’s all kinds of lights out. I know the cops are busier today than when I was on the job, but the midnight shift is slower. Taxpayers are paying for these lights.

Just Curious

Let’s have the cops check electricity meters on every home while we're at it. They’re roaming around, anyway. And deliver the mail. Think of the savings.

— Ed. Note

Ed, this is just a note to some inconsiderate residents living on Edgemont Road in Yardville. Is it necessary that your neighbors, who live two blocks away, have to listen to your music all day and all night while our windows are vibrating from the noise? Can you show a little courtesy and move out?

Serenity Now

What kind of music? The penalty should fit the crime. Led Zeppelin, a stern warning. Rod Stewart’s Greatest Hits, the death penalty.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I don’t know if you watched our beloved president on television. He says that even after his term is over, Iraq’s going to need military and financial help. How much help is this country going to need? We’re truly in debt because of this war. Billions have disappeared over there. How much debt does Bush intend to saddle on the American people before he rides off to his ranch to enjoy the good life? As for Corzine, he seems to be trying to kill New Jersey. Where are we going from here?

Drained Taxpayer

Come on, you didn’t need that money, anyway. Why should you have pocket change to spend on your children’s college education, when there are bridges in Iraq we’ve blown up that need to be repaired.

— Ed. Note

Ed, this is my reply to your smart-aleck remark about the Amish at the Columbus Market. I shop there every week. They do have a delicious bakery, fresh meat, fresh food and sell furniture. If you’ve never been there, don’t put them down. And by the way, they don’t come by horse and buggy, they have drivers who bring them down from Pennsylvania. Check them out before you put them down!

Zeke

If they’re doing business in this area, they should branch into a more Trentonish fare ... automatic weapons, gang-color bandanas, buggies with secret compartments for crack.

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, what about having an advice column written in The Trentonian by our area senior citizens? They are loaded with experience on family, finances, and relationships. Maybe a BackTalk-like forum. Let’s tap that resource. The elderly have earned our respect.

Senior moment

Sounds like a great idea. They could write columns about how to get an AARP card before you’re 55, how to vote early and often at the senior center, and of course now that we know seniors like their nookie, we could read about all the ways to do it in a walker, on a wheelchair and without the grandkids catching you. I think this is a great idea. Any volunteers?

— Ed. Note

Ed, what kind of grounds do you need to file a class-action lawsuit against a company that blatantly discriminates against its black employees? I’ve been working for an area company for a year, and the verbal abuse and work conditions are terrible.

Sick & Tired

From what I know it appears that all you need to do is find a lawyer willing to take your case. Try the Yellow Pages.

— Ed. Note

Ed Note: So, Mayor Palmer has all the mayors from across the U.S. in Trenton for the big conference. I wonder if he’s going to take them down to Stuyvesant Avenue, or to Walnut and Chambers, or down Martin Luther King Boulevard, and let them see what Trenton is really about. Oh, no, he’s taking them to a basketball game and a restaurant. He should take off his rose-colored glasses show them the real Trenton because he doesn’t live in Trenton, he lives in his mansion in Hunterdon County.

Mayor Basher

Cut Hizzoner a break, at least he was trying to show-off our city. Seems most people just want to cut the place down. I wish people would just be proud of this place. We have a great history here, and a lot to be proud of around here. Now let’s pick-up our chins and show a little pride.

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, Mother’s Cheesecakes in Burlington has very good cheesecake. They sell imperfects, cheesecakes that may have cracked while baking, from a small store in the parking lot near their factory. They sell them real cheap, just a couple of bucks.

Apple Walnut

You’re trying to get me to buy an imperfect cheesecake? At least you’re up front about it. I’d like to try one of those imperfect cheesecakes, they just might be the perfect answer to an imperfect world.

— Ed. Note

Ed, cheesecake, cheesecake, cheesecake!!! That’s all I read in Friday’s paper. Just tell the people to make their own. Make it to your own taste, rich or not so sweet. It’s very easy and very inexpensive to make. Why spend all those big bucks for someone else to put their name on it? Make your own cheesecake.

Simple

Make it yourself? Are you kidding? Most people don’t have the time or the talent to boil up a couple of hot dogs and you want them to make their own cheesecakes? Are you baking one for me? Because I don’t have the time or talent to bake one myself. By the way, I’m still waiting to taste test all the cheesecake ideas we’ve gotten in the last few days.

— Ed. Note

Hello, Ed, about the teen who beat up that homeless man in Trenton, I hope to God that his family is held responsible for paying his medical expenses. It would only be right.

Responsibility counts

That would be the right thing, but when does it ever work out the right way?

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m calling about the homeless man in Hamilton who was beaten up by a juvenile. As a Hamilton resident and taxpayer, I want to know why isn’t something done by Hamilton for these poor homeless people, like put them in a facility where they will be safe. Not all homeless people are bad; maybe they’ve had bad luck, or they have no family, or they are sick. As a taxpayer I’d be happy and willing to let my tax dollars be used for this purpose, and I think most other people would agree.

Tax me, please

Yeah, just what a politician wants to hear: “As a taxpayer I’d be happy and willing to let my tax dollars be used for this purpose.” You keep up the good work and you’ll be signing over your entire paycheck before you know it.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m just wondering how proud the State of New Jersey is now of the Rutgers football team after that horrible display against Navy, shouting those vulgarities against a group of players who defend our country. Yes, keep calling Rutgers the State University of New Jersey. That’s why people like me are leaving New Jersey. Wonder what the average SAT score is at Rutgers because it doesn’t sound like too many of them have brains.

A real American

When did you say you were leaving? I think the football players for Navy are big boys and can handle anything anyone throws at them. I wouldn’t get too upset.

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, seeing how those older grandparents could not take care of their young grandchild, I hope the child welfare authorities let them see that child, bring him down on the weekends. so they can visit and not lose that loving connection. Don’t tear their hearts out; they have already been hurt.

Sympathetic

I wouldn’t count on it. The heartless agency that decided to rip this family apart hasn’t proven it can do anything right, yet.

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, why does The Trentonian list gang names when referring to a criminal? Why can’t you just say the person is related to a gang and not give the Bloods or Crips free advertisement? Something for you to consider.

The Ostrich

Something for you to consider: Let’s not ignore the problem in the hopes of it going away.

— Ed. Note

Ed, about that white teen who beat up that homeless man. I’d like to know why only he was charged when he had five white companions with him? If it had been six black youths, all six would have been charged. Trust me, there is racism in the court rooms.

Color focused

Could it be that the one kid admitted that he was the only one that beat the guy? Stop trying to find problems or create them. Take a stab at solving problems.

— Ed. Note

Ed, this is for my fellow residents of Hamilton Township. Do we need September Fest, Winter Wonderland, or Pumpkin Fest? September Fest just cost us a bunch of money and our tax rates keep going up. Let’s end the entertainment here in Hamilton and reduce taxes.

Disgruntled resident

Did you ever stop to think that these entertainments serve as a great distraction to the pinch of high taxes? As the old saying goes: Keep ‘em fat and happy.

— Ed. Note

Hello Ed, I’m responding to the man from the Midwest who was “Sick of Katrina” and complained about hurricanes. When was the last time Iowa was hit by a hurricane? Tell him to show a little respect and common courtesy, and how about a little compassion.

Wind tunnel

I think you missed his point. So calm down and let’s think about all this for a minute. Hurricane Katrina occurred two years ago, let’s move on already. We could get hit with a hurricane some day soon and I would hate to think that we would start bickering about how to respond to the tragedy. We should be learning from our past mistakes, not trying to beat each other up about them.

— Ed. Note

Ed, what a shame on this Sept. 11, 2007. Hardly anyone remembered. I saw no flags flying. Sad how people have forgotten so fast.

Patriot

This isn’t the World War II generation. People today are more focused on themselves and not remembering the past. Most people today can’t be bothered worrying about six years ago, when they need to figure out where they are going on their next vacation or which SUV to buy. Do you really think people want to worry about whether or not there could be a terrorist attack in their own hometown, or on the block where they live, or the place they go for recreation? Come on! Those things happen in other places, not here.

— Ed. Note

Ed, you’re wrong about the dress code. It does work. Some kids have more money than others, and if they weren’t rushing to keep up with the other kids and worrying about their clothes, they could possibly learn more. They would be concentrating more on their school work than on their wardrobes. Put them all in the same clothes and then there’s no competition. They’ll have to sit and learn something for a change. Too bad, but you are wrong. Think about it for a little bit.

Whipper snapper

You dare to tell the all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipotent Ed. Note that he is wrong? How dare you! You have no idea who you are messing with here buster. Now take it back. I’m warning you, take it back right now or else.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m livid about The Trentonian’s tacky front page caption on Sept. 13, describing that man and his “common-law wife” who saved the lives of the people on that bus. There is no such thing in New Jersey as “common-law” marriage. You could have just referred to the lady as his companion, but no, you had to make it trashy and cheap. What did you think you were going to get out of that? Oh, I forgot, you don’t have any taste.

High and Mighty

Trashy? That’s how he describes his wife? Are you calling him trashy? I would hope not. So how about coming down from your high horse and getting off your soapbox and try to see things from a different perspective.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I was on South Broad Street at the Broad Street Diner on Sept. 11, and I’d like to thank the couple who sat next to us and paid a portion of our bill.

Grateful

Hey! Where’s my free meal? Nobody’s picking up my tab at the diner. Are you hot? Are you some hottie who can make a guy want to pay for your dinner right in front of his own wife just because you are so hot? You are hot, aren’t you? I knew it! I’d pick-up your tab too, hottie.

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, for the person who was looking for cheesecakes like Michele Lorie’s, there’s Angelo’s Cheesecakes in the Foley Shopping Center on White Horse across from K-Mart in Hamilton.

Cheese setter

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I heard about this place. Got good reviews, but I ain’t seen hide nor hair of any cheesecake samples. I can only judge by taste ’cuz there is no way I’m taking your word for it.

— Ed. Note

Ed, tell that girl looking for cheesecake to go to Mastoris Diner. Their cheesecake is comparable to Michele Lori’s and really delicious.

Sexist eater

Who said it was a girl? In fact it was a guy. Are you prejudiced towards men? Are you a cheesecake-eating man-hater? Why did you assume it was a girl? Didn’t your professor in college ever explain the word assume to you? No? Thats a shame, dude. A real shame.

— Ed. Note

Hello, Ed, I’m calling about the cheesecakes. It’s really called the “New York” cheesecake, and you can get it at Sam’s.

Bone Appatight

And, don’t tell me, you favorite restaurant is the one you can find in nearly any strip mall across the country, right? I don’t think anybody will be looking upon your advise too seriously. Sam’s Club! Give me a break! These people are looking for real cheesecake, not processed foods.

— Ed. Note

Hello, Ed, I’m calling about the cheesecakes. It’s really called the “New York” cheesecake, and you can get it at Sam’s.

Bone Appatight

And, don’t tell me, you favorite restaurant is the one you can find in nearly any strip mall across the country, right? I don’t think anybody will be looking upon your advise too seriously. Sam’s Club! Give me a break! These people are looking for real cheesecake, not processed foods.

— Ed. Note

Ed, Tell that person looking for cheesecake to take Route 31 North to Ringoes. The place is called Madelina’s Catering. They were in business long before Michele Lorie, and they still make better cheesecakes. They don’t have a hundred kinds, but they have about a dozen, and they are far better than Michele Lorie ever was.

Mitsubishi

I once dated a girl named Madelina. Do you think it’s her? Is Madelina hot, ’cuz my Madelina was super hot back in the day. So Madelina is making cheesecakes now? I always pictured her … well never mind, but I sure didn’t picture her making cheesecakes. So, Maddy, how you doing babe? Its been a while. Still hanging out at that place down on the boardwalk? Still seeing that guy playing in the band?

— Ed. Note

Ed, If anyone wants great cheesecakes, go to Junior’s Restaurant on Flatbush Avenue and Fulton Street in Brooklyn. They send cheesecakes all over the world, and they come to Trenton and Princeton, where I live (I am originally from Brooklyn, can’t you tell?).

Brooklyn

Come on! Do you really expect people to believe that some guy named Junior is making a good cheesecake? Really? Not happening, pal. Junior fixes your car. Junior is the name of your plumber. Heck, Junior could even be your fishing guide on the Bayou, but ain’t no Junior making an edible cheesecake. Puh-leeze.

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m calling about the Michele Lorie cheesecake. You can get a very good cheesecake, if not better, at the Amish bakery in the Columbus market. They’re open every day except Sundays. You’ll find it’s the best cheesecake you’ve ever had.

Cheesecake fibber

Now I know you’re lying. Amish cheesecakes in the Columbus market? Yeah, right. So they drive their little horse and buggy all the way from Leola loaded with yummy cheesecakes just to sell them at the Columbus market? Do you know how far Leola is from here? Two hours by car. Must be two weeks by horse and carriage. But hey, nice try, fibber.

— Ed. Note

Ed, this message is for Mayor Palmer. Please get a movie theater in your lovely city. That would keep your gangs and thugs out of my Hamilton Township. A capital city with no movie theater is utterly ridiculous.

Cry Baby

No more ridiculous than some creep who thinks his Hamilton is better then everybody’s Trenton. Stop the crying and think about the area as a whole, not just your little corner of it.

— Ed. Note

Ed, do you remember when Newark and Camden were considered the worst two cities in New Jersey? Trenton is now Number 2. What a disgrace. Until all the businesses start moving out and taxes go up even higher for the people, nothing’s going to change.

Inn the No

Well I am so glad that you straightened that out for all of us. It would appear that the negative factions in this area are working triple overtime this week.

— Ed. Note

Ed, justice delayed is justice denied. I went to Hamilton Municipal Court to file a criminal complaint and the clerk told me they were not accepting complaints but I could call tomorrow to find out if they are. And if not, I could continue calling until they are. Isn’t that a violation of my rights, due process, and equal protection? Thank you, Hamilton Township Municipal Court, I guess the criminals will have a field day in Hamilton. What am I paying taxes for?

Robbed and robbed again

But wait just a minute. If I listen to the two slugs who called before you Hamilton is a Utopian paradise. Whassa matta did they take away all the sugar candy over there? Look, if you got a problem with signing a complaint call the AG’s office.

— Ed. Note

Ed, did they ever think they were going to get people to actually buy a townhouse in that Broad Street bank building? They should have just asked the Marriott, because they can’t even get people to stay one night in Trenton.

Land lordie

Oh would you please give these types of projects a fighting chance without all this negative energy. Geez, go back to your ivy-covered tower and sip your Congac quietly.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, what’s up with all these kids going to school with blue jeans and white T-shirts down to their knees? I think they should pass a dress code in the city schools. It's disgusting.

Agent Provocateur

Dress codes? Give me a break. Have you seen these kids in their uniforms? It looks like the beginning of the re-education camps are moving along just fine. Get over it. Kids should be able to wear whatever they want. Try teaching them right from wrong instead of trying to control their wardrobes.

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, the HTRBA had a picnic on Saturday, and Mayor Gilmore was supposed to attend to congratulate the kids and what not, but he sent one of his other men out there to congratulate us. It was very disappointing. I couldn’t figure out why he didn’t show up. But once I saw in the paper that this bench was dedicated to him, he was probably still sitting on it.

Shrugged it off

Mr. Mayor? Is this true? Did you agree to show only to send a flunky in your place? I don’t know if I like this ...

— Ed. Note

Ed, first Santiago and now the other ex-chief of Newark. Has anyone noticed that the mayor (Sharpe James) who hired these guys has been indicted by a federal court for corruption? Why do we keep getting Newark’s rejects in Trenton? It shows. We look like Newark now. Trenton is moving backwards.

Moving On Up

It is what it is, and it is what you make of it. If you think Trenton is moving backward you need to find a way to put it in gear. Don’t rely on the people who you know to be unreliable. Some thing you just have to do yourself.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m calling to say I’m sick of hearing about the New Orleans Katrina people. I’m from the Midwest where we have tornadoes, hurricanes, all kinds of storms. The community gets together and they start picking up the area and trying to repair their own place. They don’t wait for the government or a handout or anybody. They’ve got all these people marching up and down the street crying and waiting for someone to do something for them. It doesn’t cost anything to go to your property and start cleaning it out. You can do that on your own and for free.

Midwesterner

The people of Nawlins started picking up their area almost immediately. Did you forget about the news footage of all the looting? Certain cities are destined to follow the path of Atlantis. Give it time.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I find it strange that the Trenton taxi inspector issued taxi permits to convicted sex offenders at the same time he gave out tickets to Ewing cab drivers for picking and dropping off fares in the city of Trenton. He’s more worried about us taking people to work than allowing sex offenders to continue to drive taxicabs.

Hacker

Sounds like the makings of a cabbie war in the capital city.

— Ed. Note

Thanks for the opportunity to ask you a question. I went to Montclair State and I believe Montclair vs. Trenton State is the oldest football rivalry in New Jersey. Could you tell me the win-loss record of these two teams and how many times they played? I’d also like to know the date and location for this year’s game. Someone told me the oldest rivalry was Rutgers and Princeton. Can you tell me how many times Rutgers played against Princeton? I buy your paper every day. I read your column first and then go to the sports section.

Sports fan

It’s certainly comforting to know you have your priorities straight. Me first, sports second. The Princeton-Rutgers rivalry dates back to 1869, when the very first intercollegiate football game was played. The two sides haven’t played each other since 1980, but that’s a pretty long history. Montclair and Trenton State weren’t even accepting applications in 1869, and I didn’t even know Montclair had a football team in 2007 or even 1907.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I’ve been retired 19 years from the Trenton Fire Department and I have two sons on the job. Your paper has never mentioned that the Trenton Fire Department has donated to the Trenton Children’s Home Society 30 cases of toys every year for the last six years. Are you prejudiced or just too busy? We should get some recognition. I’d like a response in BackTalk, even if it’s nasty.

Papa Smurf

Nasty? Me? Come on. Do you call? Do you write? No! You keep these wonderful acts of generosity to yourself. Tell me about this stuff, and not after the fact. Call me a week in advance. Send me a short note. Attach a note to a carrier pigeon for all I care, but tell me about this kind of stuff, darn it.

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, I went to the SeptemberFest in Hamilton and it has now become known as the “Political Bowl of Hamilton.” Instead of calling it SeptemberFest, just call it that. There was nothing but political people yapping away about how they can do anything for the people, when we all know they can’t do anything. Why can’t we all just have one day where there is not one political person walking around asking for their votes so that we can enjoy something? After all, they are everywhere now, parades, picnics, SeptemberFest. What is next? The Hamilton Christmas Tree lighting?

Politicked Off

Do you really expect to see a politician to pass up the opportunity to gladhand with all the people that show up to these events? Think, if it were really about just giving the citizens something enjoyable to do, wouldn’t you think they would be doing these things in May or June? Stop feeding into it. Have you noticed all the things that the politicians that are running for re-election are doing now that the silly season is upon us? How many more ribbon cuttings and dedications can we take?

— Ed. Note

Ed, Ron Paul should be the next president. He wants to abolish the IRS. I think this is good.

Payee

Now that is a campaign promise I can get behind! You think you can get him to promise to abolish the state legislature? That would really put a dent in our tax bills.

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, I think you should write a book. You really have an idea about what the average Trentonian feels.

In Tune

I’m going to write a tell-all. I’ve got so many little secrets to reveal. Would you be interested in reading about how ...

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, I need some help. I recently went over to Michele Lorie’s and lo and behold they shut the place down. Please help me find a Michele’s quality cheesecake. I’m stuck and I don’t know where to go. There’s God, fresh air and Michele’s cheesecake. How are we going to live without it?

Blueberry Cheesecake

I’m with you, I could use a little Michele Lorie fix. I’ll give you a little-known tip about Michele Lorie Cheesecakes: You can buy them up in Brooklyn at the same place they bought them. Now all you have to do is figure out which cheesecake wholesaler in Brooklyn. If you figure it out let all the readers know.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I want to commend the Ewing High School for its pitiful orientation. I expected little and got even less. They should be ashamed of themselves. It’s nice to know what our taxes pay for ... nothing.

Disgruntled Mom

Why does a kid need an orientation in high school? It would seem pretty simple: This is where you smoke your cigarettes; this is where you hide during Algebra; this is where the hot chicks hang out during lunch; and this where you can buy a fake hall pass. Are you oriented?

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m so sick of reading about gangs and about this girl that was murdered. I guess that’s a great title to have: gang queen. Where were her parents when she was in the gang? What did they think was going to happen to her when she was in a gang?

Topple Ganger

All good questions.

— Ed. Note

Ed, there is no lead in the No. 2 pencils that our children have been using for years and years — that’s a graphite compound. So the caller’s concerns can be alleviated because there is no lead in your child’s pencils.

Sharp tip

Is there anything contagious about graphite people? Who wants to ban graphite? Anybody? Anyone at all?

— Ed. Note

Ed, whoever called to say that tattoos are ugly must be ugly themselves. Tattoos are a symbol of who you are not of what you want to be. I have plenty of tattoos and I think I look good. The person that called is ignorant, if you don’t like tattoos you might as well just stay in the house because everybody and their mother are getting them.

Tattoo you

As I said before, I like tattoos on a woman. I especially love trying to find the tattoos on a gorgeous babe. And those girls with the lower back tattoos just make my night. But don’t tell the Brunette.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Mayor Gilmore, when are we going to get a curfew in Hamilton Township? We really need one, especially in the Bromley area.

Timekeeper

And what time would suggest for this curfew? 8 p.m.? Earlier? Instead of a curfew how about a law mandating parent be parents and make them responsible for their kiddies actions?

— Ed. Note

What about the dads? What about the parents? What about these sorry men who fathered these children? They need to step up to the plate and help us. I am a single mom with three boys and I do my very best. When I go to work, who’s to say what they’re doing. I can’t say my kids are angels and I can’t say they’re all that bad. I just know I have to work awfully hard to pay the rent, electric bill and everything else we have.

Working mom

Good question. What about all these loser, dead-beat fathers who only know how to have the fun, but have no time for the results of the fun. You’re not a man unless you can step up to the plate. Until then you’re just a boy.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’d like to give three cheers for Hamilton Township Councilman Tom Goodwin for voting against giving the Hamilton chief and deputy chief a raise. When is enough enough? Hamilton’s taxes are already outrageous. I applaud Goodwin for being the lone council member to take a stand in the best interests of township residents.

Favorable outlook

That vote wouldn’t have anything to do with his campaign for higher office, would it?

— Ed. Note

Ed. Note, I was just wondering if any seniors out there have any experience with this reverse mortgage thing. Is it just another rip-off?

A little short

I would ask your kids if it’s a rip-off. They might be expecting that money after you’re gone.

— Ed. Note

Ed, your readers are the best. We got them to give us beds for the lady, end tables, pots and pans and we got the sheets. We got a beautiful quilt set, too. Your readers are the very best. We really appreciate all their hard work.

Mary

BackTalkers are the best! Thanks for calling, Mary. I love ya.

— Ed. Note

It seems our country is safe now that our main concern is whether Brad will do it with Angelina for pleasure or procreation. God bless our country.

Sarcasm

Whadda contree! I know there are a lot of volunteers ready to lend Brad a hand.

— Ed. Note

Ed, tattoos are ugly, ugly, ugly. What are people doing to their bodies? Everybody looks like trash with all these tattoos. These beautiful women who have these ugly, gaudy tattoos on their bodies. It’s terrible, terrible, terrible.

Holyman

To each his own. I love a nicely placed tattoo. I love seeing them on a hot girl. And I love trying to find them, too. Ahhh, the joys of a good tattoo hunt.

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, I get my mail about 4:30 every day and I have to admit that I like it that way because then my mail isn’t sitting in my mailbox all day. The way people steal things, I like the idea that I’m home when the mail comes.

Mail in waiting

You have trust issues, don’t you? But hey, at least you’re getting your mail your way.

— Ed. Note

Ed, why is it that prison guards are afraid to go to work every day? Is it because they’re afraid to do their job? This is ridiculous. I know there is overcrowding in the prisons but it really is time to bring back the death penalty.

Hangin’ judge

Bring out your dead! Bring out your dead!

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, I was down the shore the other day and saw this person wearing a T-shirt that read: Don’t steal, Jersey politicians hate the competition. I thought is was great.

Shore thing

Welcome to New Jersey: Come See for Yourself.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, tell the person who called about the stinky pet shop they can also call the state department of health. They have investigators who go out and check out these pet stores.

Tipster

Great tip. But I couldn’t find a number to call. You should have left it for us.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, every time there is a question about cable TV you say switch to satellite. Well, if we did that we would miss out on a lot of the local sports teams by switching to satellite because they black us out.

Sports fan

See! Then you would have the perfect excuse to go see the game instead of sitting home and watching it for free.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I took my son to the recent wrestling at the arena, and he lost his digital camera. If anybody found it, I’ll leave you my number.

Mom

Did you ground that little camera loser? Did you send him to his room without a snack? Whew! Glad to hear it.

— Ed. Note

Ed, L.A. Parker’s comments about Cadwalader Park were right on. I grew up in Trenton. We used to go to the Monkey House, go on the swings, look at the bears and watch the lawn bowling. We were at the park almost every week when I was a kid, and I think the park should be brought back to what it used to be.

Thinking back

I used to go to the Monkey House, too. Which kid were you? I was the kid with the lollipop, and as I got old, I was the kid with the short pants.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, what happened to the Ewing Diner on Parkway Avenue. I went by the other day and it’s nothing but a pile of rubble.

Eat, seat and retreat

I hear they are rebuilding the place. They have have the technology. They can rebuild it.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, with all the complaining about the lead-based toys, what about the lead pencils that kids use in school each year?

Sharpie

I guess they’re doing what we all did ... sharpening those pencils as an excuse to get a closer look at the cutest girl in class.

— Ed. Note

Ed, why are these kids riding up and down Stuyvesant Avenue on ATVs and stuff weaving in and out of traffic and the cops aren’t doing anything about it?

Bad weave

Could it be that those kids are having fun? Or is it that they are practicing for the motocross race that will be in town some time in 2056?

— Ed. Note

Ed, tell that caller looking for three-way light bulbs to go to any home store like Home Depot or Lowes because they sell them there. I’ve gotten them.

Bright idea

You got it? Is it catching? Am I going to get it now?

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m a senior citizen living in Trenton, and I’d like to know how I can help get eye exams for the Trenton police. They sit at night and watch children at 1 a.m. screaming, yelling, and carrying on, but they do nothing about it. I’d like the police to do their job. That’s what we pay them for.

Cop chop

You think you pay police officers to parent kids. I think the cops should go arrest the parents for being responsible enough to allow their kids to act like that in public at such a late hour. Parents need to parent, so the cops can fight the real criminals.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Mayor Gilmore, when are we going to get a curfew in Hamilton Township? We really need one, especially in the Bromley area.

Clock watcher

Curfews are a joke. If the parents won’t parent their kids do you really think a curfew is going to work? Think again.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I think what Michael Vick did was horrible, but I don’t think he ought to be taken off the Falcons. He should pay a couple million dollars to a pit bull society for stray animals. He should not be allowed to have a dog for the rest of his life. He should make a broadcast that he’s openly sorry, not just in court, and put on probation for 10 years. I am a Trentonian reader and 73 years old.

Dog patch

I wish people would get as upset with the gang slugs and other lowlife that go around killing actual people.

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, about RiverLine, there is a monthly pass that you can buy at the stations, and there are guards on the trains who know the regulars, so they can get on and off the train without a ticket because they have a monthly pass. Please pass that on to the people who pay $1.25. If they use the pass a lot, they could be saving money.

Swami RiverLine

Ahhh, I love it when wisdom appears out of the darkness. You are now knighted the Swami of RiverLine. Everyone take notice! I, Ed. Note, declare this Swami of the RiverLine knighted from this day forward! And he will be called Rider with Long Tail.

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, When is Hamilton Township going to get the lights fixed on the soccer field in Veterans Park? They’ve got beautiful fields and lights that don’t work. I don’t think they’ve worked for five years. What does it take to get lights working on soccer fields? Keeps kids out of trouble at night.

Soccer bulb

You meant to say it keeps your kids out of trouble at night, right? Did you ever stop to think that the mayor is totally in the dark about the lights being out?

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, I’d like to “thank” Comcast the cable company for refusing to air Rutgers home games if you live in South Jersey because we are part of the Philadelphia media market. I think that’s absurd, and there should be a special place in hell for the chairman of Comcast.

Fairweather Johnson

Oh, come on! You weren’t even a Rutgers football fan until last year and now you want to complain about not getting a free look at the game? If you’re such a big fan go up there and buy a ticket, sit in the seats and scream and yell with the rest of the fairweather fans, and those few true fans of the Scarlet Knights.

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, with this tax crunch, government workers in this state — at the state, county and municipal levels — should have to give back their eye and dental benefits. That dental care is killing taxpayers, and their salaries should be cut. And if they want to yell that they’re going to quit their jobs, I’d like to see where they’re going to go and find the kind of sweet deal that they have now. If they do quit, three million New Jerseyans will be banging on the doors, trying to get those jobs, including me!

Envy Us

State workers give up something? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Not as long as Mr. Katz is governor.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m responding to the guy who wants to save money by drying clothes on a clothesline. Here’s two more ways to save: battery-less flashlights, which cost a dollar and are great when you don’t necessarily need to turn on the light. Put one in every room. Also, energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs. Forty percent less energy needed to operate. In this day, pennies count.

Wrinkle Krinkle

Let’s all eat Ramen Noodles in a cold, dark room tonight. We’ll be millionaires in no time.

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’d just like to remind everyone that Sept. 21 is National POW-MIA Recognition Day. Their sacrifice ensured our freedom, and we need to let the POWs, MIAs and their families know they are not forgotten by many veterans. If our government isn’t going to help locate them, send us back. I’ll go. How many people still keep that flame burning for these guys who have been missing and unaccounted for by the Vietnamese government for years? The Vietnamese were known to keep the French prisoners of war forever after the French fell in Vietnam in 1954. Our citizens need a history on other POWs. Other than flying the black POW-MIA flag, what are we and our government doing to keep their memory and hope alive? Help me out, Back Talk.

A vet who still cares

You don’t hear about this anymore. It seems people really have forgotten. Thanks for reminding our readers.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m calling about that “what about the parents” comment. I agree 100 percent. I am the single parent of a 15-year-old son who is a good student and isn’t even allowed to stay up past 11 p.m. on weekends because I’m the parent. He has to do what I say. I teach him love by showing him discipline. He has chores, homework hours. I’ll be damned if he’s going to raise a hand on me or hang out on the streets until 11 or 12 and I’m not going to know where he is. And he knows it. If some parents don’t know where their 11-year-old child is, they need to be convicted right along with the kid, because the discipline begins with the parent. If they fail to put their foot down when these children are 9 to 11 years old, they will be out of control when they are 15. They should take a parenting class.

Old School

Hasn’t anyone informed you that you’re hurting your child’s self-esteem. Better to leave it up to the psychiatrists and public-school educators. They’ll have your kid safely locked away in a mental hospital or state penitentiary before you know it.

— Ed. Note

Ed, since you have the Eagles’ cheerleaders pictures in your sports pages, why don’t you use the 76ers’ dancers pictures, especially since two of their new dancers are from Hamilton and Trenton. Wouldn’t it be fitting to use their photos, too, instead of the cheerleaders?

Equal time

One thing you will always get from Ed. Note is support for more pictures of beautiful women in the paper. Spread the hotness.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I couldn’t believe what I saw on Myrtle Avenue on recycling day. A neighbor had stuffed half of a swimming pool in one yellow bucket and the other half at the curb. Since when are used pools recyclable? I’ve even seen slacks on a yellow bucket. Aren’t yellow buckets for plastics and glass, and green buckets for papers? The county spends money for a colored pamphlet and these idiots can’t even make sense of the pictures? Who’s the bigger fool, the guy who put as pool in the bucket or the guy who put it in the recycling truck? I hear the recyclers make a lot of money, but the amount of money you make does not indicate how smart you are. So, if the county is this lenient on recyclables, I have an old couch with dog hair that I will put out with my buckets on the next recycle day.

Border line

Czy mówisz po angielsku? Ti razumiesh anglisku movu? Parlet l’ingles? Beszél maga angolul? An féidir leat Béarla a labhairt? Em có nói tiéng Anh không? Sisam itak eeramam ya? ¿Habla usted inglés? Didn’t think so.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’d like to see New York Mayor Bloomberg run as an Independent for president of the United States. He would make the Republicans and Democrats —who are in bed with big business — deal with the issues. What do you think? And do you think Al Gore should run as Green Party candidate? If he did, he could still fight global warming. Please give me your opinion. I hope other BackTalk readers will call in and respond to your answers.

Elec Tore It

Your ideas are hollow. Bloomberg IS big business, so do you really think he’ll be any different? And the idea of Al Gore running for anything but a professional eating contest is beyond anything most Americans could handle.

— Ed. Note

Ed Note: I recently had a problem with a smoke detector and got hold of the new fire department on West State Street. Mr. Dale (sounds like) and his buddies came right down and solved the problem for me. They are a bunch of great guys and kind enough to fix my problem without any hassles. I really appreciated their kindness and expertise. Thanks guy for the great job.

Detectible

That’s just a typical day of work for these firefighters. Just goes to show you that they would rather spend time fixing your smoke detector instead of being called out to fight fires. So typical. And thank God, too. I’d much rather have them out fixing smoke detectors so they don’t have to pull you out of a fire. Three cheers to our firefighters! Hip Hip Hooray!

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, this is for Edelstein. I loved your article about watching football and the stupid garbage women want to watch, like shopping, or whatever you said. This one today, leading a dog’s life, I laughed my behind off. Taking a whiz on the shrubbery. Keep up the good work. Later.

Morrisville Flash

Remember you can get four doses of Jeff every week, a double dose of L.A. Parker and a dose Charlie Webster, too. So tune in every day for a dose of your choice.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, boy, I wish that guy who got fined $1,000 lived on my block. I would love to have a neighbor like that clean the street all the time. Congratulations.

Clean sweep

You could be that person on your block if you picked up a broom and started pushing.

— Ed. Note

Hi Ed, I’m calling about the headline, “Elderly AIDS Outbreak.” I just want you to know that we seniors have been carrying AIDS for a long time. This is not news. We have hearing aids, walking aids, Band-Aids, seeing aids, and most of all, aids to our children.

Senior Jester

Yeah, well don't forget MedicAID, lemonade and the Ice Capades.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’d like to answer the recent complaint about late mail delivery. Thee letter carriers would reach area homes much sooner in the day if their shifts started at 7 a.m. instead of 8 or 8:30 a.m. It’s that simple. But the man who runs the post office insists that they start later. And before they hit the streets they must spend about three hours getting their route organized. Blame it on their boss.

Postal madman

I will not! Do you really expect letter carriers to just waltz out onto the streets and try to figure out what letter goes where without pre-sorting before they leave the post office. Get a grip.

— Ed. Note

Ed, this is a “lice alert.” Robbinsville and Hamilton Square have lice spreading. It’s the beginning of the school year and time for that precious haircut. So I hope the hairdressers are on the lookout as well as the public and the private schools. Parents, please check your child’s hair for the little white spots on the hair that look like dandruff but don’t shake off, or the little moving sesame seed-looking creatures. If your family has lice, please tell the people with whom you had contact. It’s so important.

Lice Meister

Oh, come on! What’s a few lice between friends and classmates. Aren’t we supposed to encouraging our kids to share?

— Ed. Note

Ed, well the Democrats are at it again. The more they take in from taxes, the more they spend and the more they steal. Anyone who votes for a Democrat in this upcoming election is a New Jersey idiot. And there’s plenty of idiots in this state or we wouldn’t be billions of dollars in debt. Those Democrats, all they know is tax, tax, tax, and then they spend twice as much.

Jack Ash

Oh, I forgot, the Republicans have done such a better job in the past. How about not voting for either of the big parties and looking for people who really want to help the commoner, the middle class, the working stiff — otherwise known as the rest of us. Do you think you can do that?

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’d like to offer a few facts about the RiverLine train for those who are too cheap to buy a single-fare ticket. The discounted cost is just 65 cents for kids age 5-11, seniors 62 and older, and persons with special disabilities. A regular ticket is $1.35. Each validated ticket will work the entire 24-mile length, 20 stations, for two hours (you can get off and shop and resume your journey if it’s all within two hours). A $45 one-zone monthly bus pass will work the entire system every second of the month that the train runs. So for those too cheap to buy a ticket, think of it this way, if you are caught without a ticket, you will receive a $75 fare infraction ticket — that’s 55 times the regular ticket price. And maybe fare enforcement officers should start giving out $75 tickets to every single person who does not have a valid ticket. And they will take you off the train to give you this ticket.

Teaching rider

Were y’all paying attention?

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, does anyone at the Trenton Police Department own their own vehicle? They all have city vehicles. Now this crazy Captain Sleepy smashes up a car going home to Burlington Township. Who’s got to pay for that? The taxpayers. It’s time that these guys who make $130,000-$140,000 a year buy their own cars.

Car & driver

It’s the same old excuse: They need to take those cars home in case something happens in the middle of the night so they came show up quicker. Now stop laughing, that is the company line from the police, as well as DYFS, city-hall workers, state workers, etc. Can you believe it? We shell out millions each year in free gas, free car insurance, free wear-and-tear, and everything else so these “special” people can get a commuter car on our dime. But voters will continue to vote for the same politicians that allow these free rides to continue. We can all be proud.

- Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I’m not Jewish or male, but I see in Monmouth County that they want to press charges against a rabbi who was holding a minyan (prayer service) at his house for 10 men. It’s not against the law for those 10 men to get together to watch a football game or drink beer or play cards, so why is it against the law to pray?

Observant

Good question. Who really knows the answer? But I would bet that it has something to do with the rabbi not donating to the right political minion.

— Ed. Note

Ed, as a fan of World War II aircraft honoring our servicemen and women, I’d like to thank Ronson Aviation out at Mercer County Airport for having the Collings Foundation World War II aircraft and the B-17 that was out there this week. Much appreciated.

Fly by sight

I love those warbirds. The EEA B-17 that was flying around here last week buzzed over our building a few times. It was awesome!

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’m a very hardworking citizen, and I was recently cheated at a gas station. My tank was half-full and asked for $10 worth. The man said he gave me my gas, but the needle didn’t move. So I asked for him a receipt, and he gave me a receipt for Feb. 28, 2007. When I said something to him about it he got smart with me.

Working

So stop going to that station. But I would also suggest calling the state’s division of weights and measures (732) 815-4840.

— Ed. Note

Hey, Ed, it’s really great that Lawrence is getting its own zip code, or at least its own designtion as Lawrence. It’s a kick in the butt to all the companies that try to use Princeton in their names to sound hoity toity, and now it will show they are really not located in Princeton. I’d like to see Ewing get off its butt and do the same thing.

Home ruler

No! All these personalized zip codes feed into this silly home-rule mentality in this state that is feeding the high taxes that feeds the corruption that feeds off the high taxes. No! No new zip codes!

— Ed. Note

Ed, do you or any of your readers know if you can use compact flourescent lightbulbs in three-way lamps? Do they work as well?

Lit up

I don’t know, but on the bright side, I’ll bet somebody can shed some light on the subject.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’d like to thank the security guards at City Hall for helping me. About a month ago, I was followed down East State Street to City Hall while trying to pay my water bill. This person followed me into the building and harassed me as I walked down the hallway toward the water department. The security guards abruptly threw him out. As I emerged from the water department, I saw the security guards coming back in the building, and I said, “Don’t tell me he’s still here.” One guard actually walked me to my car so that I could leave safely. I would like to thank him very much and the other security guards for being so kind, thoughtful and caring.

The blonde-haired girl

Yeah, it’s really difficult finding the incentive to protect a young blonde like you. I don’t know how they found the courage but I’m sure glad they did. They are knights in shining armor.

- Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, it’s obvious that when Gov. Corzine had his accident he damaged his brain because he’s making all these concerns about immigrants into a study panel instead of deporting these people who are here illegally. I have a better solution: Instead of sending them back to Mexico, we’ll move to Mexico and let them come over and take over the U.S., like they’re doing anyway.

Southbound

You can’t deport future voters! These illegal aliens are the future of American politics. Do you really think a guy like Corzine wants to jeopardize his standing in the illegal community? Come on, get a grip.

— Ed. Note

Hello, Ed, on behalf of the Ewing Township Animal Shelter, we’d like to thank all your readers who made donations. They were very generous. Also, we have a lot of nice dogs, cats and baby kittens that need a good forever home. If anyone is interested in adopting, the number is (609) 393-9608.

Shelter worker

See! I told you the loyal BackTalk Army would come to your rescue! I am so proud of the men and women who make up the ranks of the BackTalk Army. Consider yourselves all promoted with a corresponding raise.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’d like to ask everyone: How did we get so crazy to allow all these TV people to trick us into buying their services when years ago, when I was young, all you needed was rabbit ears to turn on your TV? Now I’m paying close to $200 a month for cable television and Internet. They take forever to come out on service calls, and even though I live only a few blocks, I have to wait all day for service. My cable TV is constantly going out. The young kids they send to do the repairs know nothing about what they are doing. One guy told me he had to dig up everything on my street. Turns out he was absolutely wrong. We’ve gotten crazy. We’re afraid to get rid of cable. How did I get so crazy?

Straitjacket

You’re actually scaring me! Now go sit down and have a cold drink. Iced tea! I don’t trust you with anything stronger.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I’ve lived in Bordentown City for 30 years and I’ve never seen the crime that’s going on here. Why aren’t the police doing anything? I’m going to have to put my house up for sale. I’m afraid for my family.

Runner

That’s the best solution — move. Don’t stand for any of that crime anywhere. Move to the suburbs. Move out of state. Move to another country. Moving is the best solution. Yeah, right.

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, when Vick is sentenced, don’t send him to jail, have him work for the SPCA for one year, on-call 24-hours a day, to remove abused and terrorized animals. Also make him pay fines, court costs, and restitution to those who removed dead dogs from his compound. Make him see the hurt he has inflicted on these dogs. Finding God is good, but remember that God spelled backwards is “dog.” That’s what Vick is, a dog.

Avenger

You want Michael Vick to be a linebacker?

- Ed. Note

Ed, Now that Michael Vick has admitted his guilt, more or less, we should try to put him in a cell with Ambrose Harris. That would be a fitting conclusion to this incident. What do you think?

Idea man

Why you being so easy on Michael? I think he should be forced to do his jail time at Neverland Ranch. Michael could make Michael feel the pain of his sins.

— Ed. Note

Ed, I recently visited an area pet shop and I’d like to comment on how deplorable the conditions were. The smell was overwhelming when I walked in, the pens were dirty, and some of the animals looked sick. I hope someone with legal clout can look into this and do something, like shut this place down!

Pet lover

Why not use your own clout and give the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs a call at (973) 504-6200, or give the local ASPCA a call.
— Ed. Note

Hi Ed, Tender Hearts is looking for twin bedding for some children. Their mother came into the shop. She does have the mattresses, she just needs the bedding. If anyone has twin beds and can help us, we’d appreciate it. We also need some end tables, pots and pans, and also school supplies for our back-to-school drive. Call me at (609)890-3517.

Mary

Let’s get those BackTalk fingers pushing a few buttons on your phone, please.

— Ed. Note

Ed, My ducks were stolen out of my yard in Hamilton last June. I’m still offering a $50 reward for their return.

Mother Goose

D___, d___, goose. Anybody seen any duckies roaming around with a lost look on their beaks?

— Ed. Note

Hey Ed, football season is approaching but Cablevision still is not carrying the NFL network. So I’m going to miss eight games this year. If you can find out what the problem is, what’s going on, I’d appreciate it.

Armchair quarterback

Can you say satellite hook-up?

— Ed. Note

Hi, Ed, I am a senior citizen, born and raised in this country, and to get my driver’s license, I had to have three ID’s, and that is a crying shame. How many do these illegal immigrants have to have to get their licenses? Make it or fake it?

Senior sense

I always hated word problems in school.

— Ed. Note

Hi Ed, isn’t it getting a little ridiculous for all these police officers and what not to be bringing their (official) cars home, especially if they live as far away as Burlington County. In the township where I live, we see official cars parked in the driveways of three municipal cops, a park ranger, a Mercer County sheriff’s deputy, and I don’t know how many fire department cars. There’s even an employee of the Garden State Parkway who brings home a big SUV.

KarFacts

It’s an epidemic, and it’s spreading like a virus in a kindergarten.

— Ed. Note