Hello, North Brunswick! Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m an import to our township. My mother grew up in Woodbury. My father is from Albany, N.Y., which is where I was born and lived until January 1978. Then, despite the ice storm that year, I moved into our Garden State.
My husband and I have two children. They have both attended one of our fine public elementary schools since beginning their primary education. Throughout their kindergarten to their fifth-grade year their experiences have been good, so far.
Our family is devoted to this town on many levels. Four years ago we moved from one side of the Hidden Lake development to the other, simply because we couldn’t envision raising our children, or wanting to live, elsewhere. Our town has it all — convenient shopping, well-maintained parks, a variety of municipal services and recreational programs, nice neighborhoods, and a public school system that strives to be the best.
Sure, we’ve had some challenges, too. We’ve had our share of political infighting, traffic complications, Board of Education controversies, etc.; however, in what town anywhere in the world has everything been coming up roses all of the time? Occasionally, if it’s handled responsibly and it doesn’t get too personal or vicious, a little controversy just makes us all a bit more honest and perhaps more interesting.
Our education system here in town offers a plethora of opportunities to our children, and I personally will be supporting the upcoming referendum on Tuesday, Jan. 22. I do this for selfish reasons. First of all, I graduated from an excellent high school in New York where I had a superb education experience. Therefore, I hope my children will be offered a similar opportunity. Secondly, the most common question asked by prospective buyers to their real estate representative is "How are the schools?" At present we have a Blue Ribbon high school. However, should the worst case scenario befall us, and if this referendum does not pass, not only would our township’s education system suffer, but we would also be adversely affecting our own property values.
What are the two guarantees in life? Death and taxes. Well, we have little control over the ultimate change of life. What we do have is the power to vote on how to best spend our education tax dollars. To me this choice is crystal clear since our tax increase is obviously inevitable, regardless of which path is taken. Our family would rather seize this timely opportunity than foolishly let it pass us by.
Currently the state is co-supporting the development of this project for close to $8 million. The need for this overhaul is patently obvious to anyone who’s done any research on the demographics. We also have interest rates that are favorable right now. At this time, we currently have a win-win opportunity here, friends and neighbors. Trailers may be fine, but they are not where I would choose for my children, or yours, to attend high school!
Let’s seize this moment and do the right thing for our property values, our township, and our local school system. Let’s do this for our most cherished responsibilities, our daughters, sons, grandchildren, et al. Please join me by voting in support of our referendum. Thank you.
Elizabeth E. Kielty
North Brunswick