I have once again gotten into the fray of local politics.

By cutting off state funding to schools, Governor Christie has forced town councils around the state to make tough decisions. If one is looking for a positive side to this debacle, it has brought people to town council meetings and the voting booths in record numbers. It has forced political representatives to take sides, instead of making empty political gestures. That's all good.

However, it has also brought out all the underlying resentments and bitterness percolating under the surface. There's anger at state employees, including teachers, who appear to enjoy greater benefits and security than those in private sector. There's the seniors v. parent rumble, which ain't pretty. The seniors harken back to cost saving measures of the Great Depression, and the parents want to take back the town's Senior Van and movie night at the library. There are those who can afford a raise in taxes and those who can't; that division cuts across age lines.

This Tuesday, the Town Council held an open meeting to discuss the failed school budget. The town council wants the schools to cap teachers' pay and contribute towards their health insurance. The school districts says that they can't legally open up a contract, so any cuts would involve firing even more teachers and increasing class sizes to illegal levels.

I was uncharacteristically quiet. I wanted to hear the town officials and the other residents before opening my trap. The room was packed. I sat on the floor jammed up against the front desk. This morning, I sent a letter to the town council and had my say.