It is amazing to me how quickly some people open their mouth, just to put their foot in it. Such is the case of Raymond Kostanty’s July 12 letter in which he minimizes the issue of safety of the children of Manalapan to lazy parents who do not take responsibility for their actions, including breeding (Manalapan is a community, not a horse farm) and the rare occurrence of harm befalling a young child who is left at a bus stop without obvious parental custody.
Would Mr. Kostanty like to disregard the worth of the child who happens to have irresponsible parents? Would he like to tell the parents of Polly Klass and Megan Kanka that their children’s abductions were so rare as not to warrant legal changes?
Wake up and smell the coffee, Mr. Kostanty. If the bus drivers, the Manalapan-Englishtown Board of Education and Manalapan Township do not want to take responsibility for the safety of all of the children, we have failed as a community.
As a resident, parent and taxpayer, I expect and demand the safety and education of our children be always addressed, and changes be made when applicable. It is a no-brainer to see a potentially dangerous situation emerge from leaving a young child at a bus stop unattended.
Mr. Kostanty also questions the property tax allocation for schools in his community. The success of these schools makes your community a desirable place to live, thereby increasing your property value, Mr. Kostanty. The No. 1 reason a young family moves to this community is the success rate of its schools, not the sparkling personalities of some of their potential neighbors.
Mr. Kostanty questions whether Manalapan as a community should demand the best teachers in our schools. His experience is not to always want the best things in life. My experience is to always strive for the best. I expect my children to strive for the best. I expect my financial adviser to strive for the best. I even expect my lawn service to strive for the best. Should I not also expect my town and school board to strive for the best?
Would Mr. Kostanty like to make Manalapan’s motto — "We’re second best … and we don’t try harder"?
Next time, Mr. Kostanty, please make sure both feet are firmly on the ground before you open your mouth.
Mary Fox
Manalapan