Letters to the editor

For the week of Sept. 13.

By:
Police Department

is in good shape
To the editor:
   The Washington Township Police Department P.B.A. Local 344 wishes to respond to a recent letter to the editor from Ms. Veronica Hiatt and the article written by Mark Moffa, staff writer, regarding testing for the police chief job.
   Up to recently, the morale of the officers of this department was extremely poor. Officers were treated like second-class citizens and were judged only be the number of motor vehicle tickets they wrote.
   Things have changed drastically for the better. Morale is at an all-time high. Opinions are listened to — everyone matters. Community policing is stressed. Mayor Dave Fried and the majority of the Township Committee have been extremely supportive in reinforcing the good morale of this department.
   Recently, the officers have been undergoing more training than they have been in the past. The training has been spread out equally amongst the officers. New weapons are replacing outdated ones and video cameras will soon be placed in patrol cars.
   While testing is important to see how knowledgeable a person is for the job he is looking to take over, experience should most definitely count as well. Lt. Woodruff has been with this department since 1973 and Lt. Masseroni since 1980. Recently there have been a number of chiefs of police in Mercer County who have retired and the successors have not had to take a test. It should be added here that Chief Paul Krych himself was never required to take a test to be a patrolman, a lieutenant, or the chief of police.
   Ms. Hiatt is erroneous in her statement that all police officers are EMTs. One-third of the officers are EMTs.
   We, the officers of the Washington Township Police Department, wish to assure everyone that we are running at full efficiency. We are professional, dedicated and proud to serve.
   Lt. Woodruff and Lt. Masseroni have been receptive to any and all concerns. They have worked long and hard, are knowledgeable and above all are fair. With their leadership and integrity they have been extremely effective in running the Police Department.
   We wish to thank Mayor Fried, the Township Committee and Township Administrator Dick Van Noy for all their support in making this transition period go smoothly. Their concern has not only been for the Police Department but also for the citizens of Washington Township. They are true assets to Washington Township.
Scott M. Texidor
President
P.B.A. Local 344
Keep horse trails

part of park plans
To the editor:
   The Millstone Township Planning Board has recently made a recommendation to the Township Committee restricting equine access at the proposed Wagner Farm Park. This is the first time in Millstone’s history that the township seriously considered restricting horseback riding for a section of township-owned land. No ordinances exist restricting horseback riding on any of the town’s property. We feel that this sets a dangerous precedent. We know that the township leaders are in favor of horse trails, why hasn’t the Planning Board followed in their direction?
   What happened to the proposed horse trail at Wagner Farm Park? A member of the Recreation Committee has advised us that the recommendations submitted to the Planning Board did not have any restrictions on horseback riding. Our group attended Recreation Committee meetings to advise the town on the needs of Millstone’s equine community, specifically relating to planning of the park. The sign in front of the property and the early plans for the park included a horse trail. Why didn’t the Planning Board accept the recreation committee’s proposal? Why are horses banned from the Wagner Farm Park trail?
   The original concept of the park was to include a multi-use trail that included horseback riding, walking, jogging, bicycling, etc., similar to those in other county and state parks. Wagner Farm Park represented the perfect opportunity to start an interconnecting trail system. If the Planning Board had requested a minor change in the Wagner Farm subdivision application, this trail would have benefited not only the horsemen, but also the people using Wagner Farm Park. Three developments between Conover and Woodville roads would have had access to the park by foot or bicycle. Instead the children will have to be driven there or have to travel narrow roads without sidewalks.
   The Horseman’s Association of Millstone Township would like to thank the Township Committee for its work in proposing trail corridors. We want to urge them to continue to work to develop a trail system that would benefit all residents of Millstone Township and to not restrict horseback riding on any property in the township. This would maintain the horse-friendly heritage of Millstone.
Judy Canavan
Horseman’s Association
of Millstone Township
Step out for heart walk

at Mercer County park
To the editor:
   Do you know that American Heart Walk dollars come back to benefit every town and every citizen in Mercer County? My 10-year-old daughter, Jenna , is the "red cap" survivor ambassador of the American Heart Association’s 2001 Mercer County American Heart Walk taking place on Saturday, Sept. 15. She’s living proof that cardiovascular research finds answers and saves lives.
   Whether it’s a free brochure, a call to an American Heart Association toll-free number, a visit to its Web site, a free community program or speaking engagement, information about support groups, cholesterol, exercise or bypass surgery, or research dollars impacting heart disease and stroke, all of us in Mercer County benefit from the work of the American Heart Association and money raised in American Heart Walk. As a Mercer County resident, I urge you to join us on Saturday, Sept. 15, to Step Out, Save Lives! — Strengthen the Chain of Survival at Mercer County American Heart Walk at Mercer County Park.
   Last fall, Jenna, then 9 years old, was diagnosed with an irregular heart beat that led to a further diagnosis of a congenital heart defect. The heart defect was serious. Jenna essentially had three atriums. Only nine months ago, on January 9, Jenna underwent open-heart surgery to correct the defect. Less than three weeks later she was back at school and six weeks later she was playing in a basketball tournament. Jenna is living proof that research works! As the red cap survivor ambassador of Mercer County American Heart Association, Jenna is Fighting Back! — by supporting research and education.
   We join with the American Heart Association to urge all Mercer County residents to strengthen the American Heart Association’s chain of survival. Know the warning signs of heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest and know to call 911 immediately in such an emergency. Learn CPR and support the widespread availability of defibrillators. Help save the life of someone you love.
   On Saturday, September 15, Step Out, Save Lives—Strengthen the Chain of Survival! and join us at 2001 Mercer County American Heart at Mercer County Park. Form a team, join a team or just come out and walk. TO register for American heart walk, call your local office of the American Heart association at (732) 821-2610.
Sally and Jenna Comisski
American Heart Association
Red Cap Ambassador Family
2001 Mercer County
American Heart Walk