opinion John Cichowski North Jersey Record Published 2:39 PM EST Jan 6, 2019 No matter how long or enjoyable the ride, it’s never wise to overshoot the exit, so as of this week I’m retiring as The Road Warrior for NorthJersey.com, The Record and the USA TODAY Network New Jersey. For anybody with a calculator or odometer, that totals 1,700 columns and about a quarter-million miles of traffic jams, highway crashes, broken street lights, long inspection lines and other Infuriating Driving Issues Of the Day that I call IDIODs. What a hoot! Way back in 1990, The Road Warrior began as a forum for commuters to vent about road, rail and bus conditions to my predecessor Jeffrey Page, who was given just three orders: Emphasize the warriors who use these systems, not the bureaucrats who run them, be as irreverent as you dare, and try to fix something. So, from potholes and predatory tows to drivers who text, drink, speed and doze, the next 28 years amounted to a … [Read more...] about Road Warrior John Cichowski bids farewell
The road warrior
What are your Road Warrior 2019 New Year’s resolutions?
John Cichowski North Jersey Record Published 9:43 AM EST Dec 31, 2018 Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? You know, the promises you make to yourself to avoid unnecessary contributions to the New Jersey traffic chaos that took 624 lives in 2017. If you did so a year ago, pat yourself on the back. Your effort may have helped reduce the state’s road-fatality count by nearly 10 percent in 2018. Do such resolutions really matter? We think so. This column publishes a year-end reader Wish List, and over the last 15 years, these resolutions sometimes helped promote change — as in laws banning rooftop snow, predatory towing, texting while driving and failing to belt up in the back seat. Persistent reader gripes published here also contributed to shorter waits at Motor Vehicle Commission offices and a concierge service that now provides reasonably priced rides for the elderly and the blind in northwest Bergen County. Not all our seeds bore … [Read more...] about What are your Road Warrior 2019 New Year’s resolutions?
Road warriors truly define Palm Harbor University volleyball players
PALM HARBOR — The microphone was put away for the day, so Palm Harbor University volleyball coach Dexter Rogers had to shout. Luckily, the intimate crowd at Carwise Middle School was easily within earshot.It was senior night, and the Hurricanes' five upperclassmen were being honored prior to an Sept. 11 match against Pinellas Park. PHU hasn't been able to play on its home floor since the season opener against Calvary Christian. During that match it was discovered that the floor was sinking.That left Rogers scrambling for a place to practice and play home games. Practices are at the Coachman Center in Clearwater and home games have been at Palm Harbor and Carwise middle schools.After a Pinellas County Athletic Conference match the day after senior night, the rest of the season will be played on the road."Ever since our freshman year we have been watching seniors have their night in our gym and we have an image in our head," senior libero Zeena Khazendar said. "But here we are, and … [Read more...] about Road warriors truly define Palm Harbor University volleyball players
Road Warrior: Filling potholes in June and July?
John Cichowski Road Warrior Published 12:48 p.m. UTC Jul 2, 2018 Winter weather stretched well into spring this year, so it’s not uncommon to see road crews still patching potholes in June and early July just as they get busy with the even bigger job of paving mile after mile of local roadways and major highways that have become too shabby for patching. This double duty continues throughout the summer “regardless of the severity of the preceding winter weather,” explained Steve Schapiro, chief spokesman for the state Department of Transportation. That’s good. It means DOT crews have filled nearly 160,000 holes since January, according to Schapiro. If you’re wondering where part of your contribution to last year’s 23-cent-a-gallon hike in the state fuel tax went, the agency’s tab for filling holes so far this year has been $1.8 million — 27 percent more than the January-to-June figure last year. If that seems like a lot, it … [Read more...] about Road Warrior: Filling potholes in June and July?
Everything you need to know about going to the 2018 Warriors Over the Wasatch air show
HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Planes of all shapes and sizes will take to the sky above Hill Air Force Base this weekend for the 2018 Warriors Over the Wasatch air show. The show, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24, is expected to bring at least 500,000 people to the base over the weekend. An intimidating crowd size for sure, but show organizers said people shouldn’t let that stop from coming out and having a good time. “Don’t be scared to come to the show. There’s going to be waits, there’s going to be lines, but it’s going to be awesome,” base spokesman Micah Garbarino said. “It’s going to be a really, really exciting show this year.” The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are the star of the show, but Garbarino said there’s at least 15 civilian and military acts that “have or could headline another show.” Those performers include Brad Wursten, a … [Read more...] about Everything you need to know about going to the 2018 Warriors Over the Wasatch air show