I am offended by Sy Smolin’s letter in the News Transcript. It is insulting to assume that Gert Feldman is senile. Think again! Her smarts can put you under the table anytime. When I moved to Covered Bridge in 1994, I was appalled at the lack of a traffic light on Union Hill Road and Wild Turkey Way.
There was no activity that I was told about on the part of Covered Bridge to obtain one, in spite of the history of several accidents, including a fatality a few years prior.
I understand Covered Bridge made a few futile attempts several years prior. They were put on hold and left it there. I requested the trustees to get the light for us, but got no reply.
I then obtained a petition signed by 300 Manalapan residents and went to Mayor Noreen Hanlon with it.
At an open trustees meeting, I cornered Richard Frenkiel, who was then a Manalapan committeeman, and suggested he check traffic at the intersection of Wild Turkey Way and Union Hill Road.
While I had hoped for a light, the result was the placement of acrylic strips on Union Hill Road. Subsequently, Gert Feldman and I met and decided to join forces. We should thank Gert for the light.
Twice a month we attended Township Committee meetings. We continued to press for the light at every meeting. I don’t recall seeing Mr. Smolin at any one of them.
Meanwhile, we sent letters to Gov. Christie Whitman, Sen. John Bennett and others for resolution of our problems. We have their answers on file.
During Mayor James Gray’s term, Gert and I obtained 400 letters from Manalapan residents, businesses, professionals and parents of children using the school bus, stressing the importance of a traffic light at the Union Hill Road and Wild Turkey Way intersection.
In 1998, Gert and I appeared before Mayor Gray and presented the entire committee with the 400 letters from Manalapan taxpayers. At this time, Gert already had the promise of a light from the state transportation commissioner.
By the end of 1998, Sen. Bennett advised Gert that the money for the light was available.
Stuart Moskovitz was still an audience observer when Mayor Gray advised us we would be in the 1999 (municipal) budget. Mayor Moskovitz did not enter the picture until he was elected to the Township Committee in 1999. Prior to that he was an audience observer.
It was a arduous task, but we prevailed.
Lillian W. Schaffer
Manalapan

