Community has done its part
To the editor:
None of us will ever forget where we were on Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists slammed hijacked airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon in Washington, killing thousands of innocent Americans.
What we must never forget is a country that immediately, after being viciously attacked, sprang into action.
New York’s finest and bravest raced into an inferno of monumental magnitude to rescue the thousands trapped inside. Hundreds of these heroes made the ultimate sacrifice.
Locally, our emergency operations center was opened immediately and ambulances were dispatched to the New York area to assist with the rescue.
The Police Department was placed on alert with officers ready to go to New York and help. Police officers were dispatched to all of our schools to assist with orderly dismissal and to provide additional security.
All of our fire departments were mobilized and stood ready to assist as needed.
As time passed our fire departments became drop-off points for needed relief supplies and on Friday tractor trailers loaded with local donations left the Hopewell Firehouse en route to New York.
We have all shed tears and we will shed more every time the pipers play "Amazing Grace" and one of the bravest or finest is laid to rest, but we must stand tall and proud knowing that our community has done its part and will continue to do so until this tragedy is behind us.
Michael A. Chipowsky, chief, Hopewell Township Police; president, Union Fire Company; executive director, Hopewell Valley Office of Emergency Management
From this tragedy, let us emerge stronger!
To the editor:
Like everyone, we have been touched by the horrific events of Sept. 11. Our thoughts are with you as we all try to come to terms with this tragedy. We realize that words are completely inadequate at a time like this. We simply want to extend our deepest sympathies to those whose acquaintances and loved ones have been lost or are missing.
We do want to recognize Hopewell Township employees, especially the Police Department and administration who have worked to make sure that the local response was sensitive to the needs of anguished residents.
Hopewell should be proud of the numerous public works employees who have volunteered and are currently on stand-by to be called up to assist in the relief efforts in New York. Their special expertise in heavy equipment is exactly what is needed now in the clean-up efforts. The Township Committee will introduce a resolution on Sept. 20 (tonight) that will ensure that their time is compensated by the township, and that they need not use any of their own leave or vacation time to provide this valuable service.
Each member of the Township Committee has individually received dozens, and collectively, hundreds of phone calls and e-mails from residents who seek the chance to help. We have put all the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management) and Red Cross numbers out on Channel 9 and on the Hopewell Township Web site (www.hopewelltwp.org). In an awesome display of community concern, the fire and rescue squads already have put together a caravan of trailers delivering much needed supplies to the rescue workers. We have been informed that further donations should be put on hold until those that have been delivered have been depleted.
All three Valley municipalities, the regional school board and Valley area faith communities are meeting in concert this week to seek to address both our immediate as well as regional, community needs. As always, we seek your input. In closing, we ask that, in the days and weeks ahead, understandable anguish and grief do not give way to any intolerance toward members of any religion, belief or racial-ethnic background. From this tragedy, let us emerge with a stronger, more unified community.
Marylou Ferrara, Jon Edwards, Kathy Bird, Bob Higgins and Fran Bartlett, Hopewell Township Committee
A great need for money
To the editor:
When terrorists attacked America last Tuesday, we were all affected. The first response was one of horror and disbelief. These feelings were immediately followed by a desire to help. How can we best help in the time of such loss? There is no lack of volunteers or of food and clothing. There is, though, a great need for money.
For some time we have been wondering what to do with our tax refunds. We didn’t think that spending this money would jump-start the economy, nor did we feel the need to buy more things. Now it is clear the Red Cross needs our tax refund, and that’s where we will send it.
All Americans want to find some way to help the victims of this tragedy. We think this is a good way. We suggest everyone who can spare it send their tax refund, or some part of it, to the Red Cross or other organizations that are helping in the relief effort.
Roger Thorpe and Clair Ransom, Hopewell
‘Let it begin with me’
To the editor:
I would like to thank all the people who made the candlelight memorial a success:
Councilman David Nettles who obtained quick approval for the use of the park.
Louise McClure who pulled together the Hopewell Community Orchestra, the backbone of the evening. The orchestra is a volunteer summer orchestra. These young people pulled together with one day’s notice and performed two moving pieces. Then, Louise McClure and her husband Ted played a stirring duet.
We also were fortunate to have Ann Wild play guitar and sing for us. Hopewell residents may know Ann from her Monday morning sing-along at the coffee shop. Ann was up half the night putting together her tribute and practicing. She was open to me singing out of pitch hymns across the phone line and worked magic to move us all to song.
The pastor, whose name I did not get, gave a poignant and warm blessing. Thank you for offering your service.
The manager at Staples used his employee discount toward our poster board and paper for fliers.
Thanks to my husband Roger and children Zayne, Quinn and Alanna all of whom, patiently and faithfully executed the orders mommy barked out.
Finally, I would like to thank Rep. Rush Holt who had just arrived in from Washington D.C., read a notice and came to our memorial. Rep. Holt spoke with compassion and knowledge and warmth. I am always proud to have voted for him.
We raised $533.82 for the relief effort as well as physical donations dropped at the firehouse.
Deposited in our collection bucket was a letter from a group of young residents … "Please accept this money and use it for those in need This is the profit from our lemonade sale, my mom wrote the check for. We all hope this can help in some way. We’re doing what we can and today’s sale was one of our ideas. We hope this helps. Sincerely, Kelly J. Briehler, Sarah L. Sickels, Jordan Antebi, Lisa P. Lafferty and everyone else who helped " (They raised $150).
I did not expect as large a turnout, so not everyone was able to receive the handout I made. I will bring additional copies to the library for anyone who would like a copy. It is my humble opinion that revenge is not justice. Love and caring are justice. I think the best way to memorialize these thousands of lost souls is to be the best example of humanity we can. In so doing then their lives stood for something good. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Delia M Pape-White, Hopewell
Schluter comments on workhouse investigation
The following was sent to Marylou Ferrara, mayor of Hopewell Township, and submitted to the HVN for publication:
Your Resolution #01-246, adopted Sept. 6, 2001, expresses the position of the Hopewell Township Committee with respect to security and management problems at the Mercer County Correction Center (Workhouse) located in the northwest corner of your municipality.
I agree with your basic assessment and recommendations, although, I am not fully apprised of the reasons and responsibility for conditions at the workhouse. The record shows that I urged the county executive several months ago to allow officials from Hopewell Township to participate in a more thorough inspection of the facility.
Part of your resolution asks for a "comprehensive investigation" into this matter by an appropriate agency of state government. Please be advised that I have instructed the Office of Legislative Services to draft legislation to:
1. Analyze and identify the appropriate agency of state government to carry out the purpose of your resolution;
2. Direct such agency or agencies to undertake the investigation;
3. Establish a task force to oversee and monitor the investigation, which task force shall include a broad range of officials;
4. Appropriate the necessary funds to accomplish these objectives in an expeditious manner.
Please be assured that I will work with you and other officials of Hopewell Township to resolve this matter as quickly and as satisfactorily as possible.
Bill Schluter, NJ Senate, 23rd District, Pennington
Cub roundup Friday
To the editor:
Is your child learning your values? Do you want your son to grow up to be self-reliant, dependable, and caring? Is it important to you that he learns traditional values such as honesty, trustworthiness, and respect for others and the environment?
If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then you should check out what Cub Scouting has to offer boys in first through fifth grades.
Pack 1776, chartered by the Bear Tavern PTA, joins with America’s favorite cool cat Garfield and his buddy Odie to invite you and your son to become a part of one of America’s leading values-driven organizations. The Cub Scout program is a valuable resource that can help families accomplish worthy goals while building and strengthening relationships within the family. Pack 1776 will be hosting a recruitment campaign, and Garfield encourages all boys to bring a buddy.
Our "Round Up" recruitment night will be held at Bear Tavern Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. Please join us for all of the information you’ll need or call me at 730-1296 or Assistant Cubmaster Chris Rogers at 730-1020. We also want to invite you to our first Pack Meeting of the year on Sept. 28 for a night of family fun!
Cub Scouting: Everything you could want for your son and more.
George Helmstetter, Cubmaster, Pack 1776, Hopewell Township
Thanks for fireworks donations
To the editor:
Once again we asked and received! What a community! Fireworks Friday Sept. 21 at the elementary school. Don’t miss a spectacular show!
The fireworks committee would like to express a huge thank-you to all who have donated to the Hopewell Harvest Fair fireworks. We could not have this awesome event without your generous donations.
Please check the donation board and show your support to all who do for us. Thank you!
Donations for 2002 can be sent to PO Box 73 Hopewell, 08525, or contact Donna or Bill Walker, 466-0734.
Donna Walker, co-chairwoman, Hopewell Harvest Fair Fireworks Committee
Regarding the last toot
To the editor:
I have not been asked. But at this juncture I think we all should consider ourselves fortunate in having our local train.
It reminds us daily that we are here and alive. If the toot annoys or awakens you turn over and go back to sleep and then thank God you have that option.
I think for the next long while our minds (and our local newspapers) should be filled with discussion of the turmoils regarding our very important serious problems problems we should be facing involving things local and distant.
Especially Mr. Hamden. I am sure with a short trip north he will find a real distraction to keep him busy.
So this is it!
So long from up here on the worm farm. We won’t harvest again until the duration. Thank you choo choo. Toot your heart out loud and long. Keep on chugging. Kilroy was here!
Stella Reeves Hall, Hopewell

