From the Aug. 2 edition of the Register-News
By:
Attend tonight’s
meeting in Mansfield
To the editor:
Tonight, a joint meeting of the Mansfield Township Committee, Planning Board, Planning & Development Committee and Environmental Committee will be held at the Mansfield Township Municipal Complex on East Main Street in Columbus. The purpose of the meeting will be a continuation of the discussion on updates and revisions to the township Master Plan.
The meeting will likely include discussion on the proposed transfer of development rights ordinance, as well as possible revisions to the cluster ordinance and other ordinances that could impact current and future development in Mansfield Township.
There was a similar meeting held two Thursdays ago, July 18, and there were three people in attendance other than members of the aforementioned boards and committees.
The discussions and decisions made by these boards will help shape the "look" and future of our township. If you are interested in learning more about what is going on and how it may affect you try to attend the meeting tonight. The discussions should be informational and enlightening.
Raymond F. Stupienski III
Columbus
Councilman, paper
failed to do homework
To the editor:
Over the past several weeks there have been an article and an editorial in your paper concerning the Kaufman Minteer Building and the use of this former Superfund site as a new home for the Springfield EMS Squad. I applaud this move by the present council. However, I am saddened by both Councilman McDaniel’s apparent inability to do his homework and state the facts of how this location and effort evolved, and your newspaper’s willingness to accept his history as gospel, instead of doing your homework too.
The facts are that the previous council members (Bender, Majoros and Mayo) set up a visit with EMS squad representatives, recreation committee members, Police Department members and Assemblyman Joseph Malone in February 1999 at the Kaufman Minteer Building. The purpose of the visit was to examine the potential possibilities that this building could offer to all three community services. This concept was also shared with the federal regional EPA office in New York to see if this was plausible.
After receiving input from all three entities, a report was forwarded to Assemblyman Malone, who began the process of seeking a grant to make this a reality. We were notified of the successful grant, in the amount of $95,000, in the summer of 1999 two years ago, not four years ago as stated by both Councilman McDaniels and your paper. The money did not become available until January 2000. Plans were put forward to move ahead with the project, which included clearance from the state DEP.
The need for a new well and an evaluation of the septic system delayed the project. We then in the fall of 2000 asked for, and were granted, a one-year extension of the grant money of $95,000 to ensure that it would be available in 2001, regardless of who was in office.
These, folks, are the facts, and it saddens me that some elected officials are not willing to do their homework and discover the truth and the real facts before speaking and grandstanding. We should expect nothing less then the real facts from them or our newspapers, which also have a responsibility to seek and report the truth. To our EMS volunteers, all the best in your much needed and deserved new-home-to-be. You deserve it and have earned it!
Gary W. Bender
Springfield
Taking over
for Sgt. ‘Mac’
To the editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Sgt. Norman Hand and I have been chosen as the replacement for Sgt. Ray McNamara, who was the community policing officer for Bordentown Township for many years. Sgt. "Mac" retired in January and filling his vacancy has been an enormous task.
I am new to the position of community policing officer, so some of the programs that Sgt. Mac had been doing have been temporarily delayed until I am able to administer those programs with the same amount of knowledge and skill that Sgt. Mac had been for years.
Aug. 7 is the 18th annual "National Night Out" and many communities are holding rallies and events in order to bring the residents of those communities together. Some events that are traditionally held include cookouts, flashlight walks and anticrime rallies, and residents are asked to turn their outside lights on from dusk until 10 p.m. I am not at this time able to bring a rally or event to Bordentown Township and I apologize.
I would like to offer some safety tips for residents to help make your home less of a target for burglars when you do go out.
1. Lock all outside doors before you leave or go to bed.
2. Lock all windows.
3. Leave lights on when you go out.
4. Leave your garage door closed and locked, especially overnight.
5. Don’t allow papers and mail to accumulate when you’re gone.
6. Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed low when against the house or under windows.
There will be several programs available for township residents at the Bordentown Township Community Day, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Bordentown Community Center. I am available to answer any questions about the programs the Bordentown Township Police Department will be showcasing at the Community Day or about community policing in general. I can be reached at 298-4300, ext. 2134.
Sgt. Norman Hand
Bordentown Township Police