For the Feb. 7 issue
By:
Use common sense
with pets in winter
To the editor:
In what is turning out to be one of coldest winters in recent history, the governor’s Domestic Companion Animal Council wants to remind readers to keep their pets secure and healthy this season.
In addition to the risk to your animal, you could be subject to legal action for failing to shield him or her from harsh winter weather conditions. New Jersey state law 4:22-17 states that any person failing to provide an animal with proper shelter or protection from the weather can be fined $1,000 and/or sentenced to six months in jail.
The council offers the following guidelines to make 2003 a happy and safe year for your animal companions:
Don’t leave dogs outdoors when the temperature drops. Most dogs, and all cats, are safer indoors, except when taken out for exercise. Regardless of the season, shorthaired, very young or old dogs and all cats should never be left outside without supervision. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks.
No matter what the temperature, wind chill can threaten a pet’s life. A dog or cat is happiest and healthiest when kept indoors. If your dog is an outdoor dog, however, he/she must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.
Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet’s water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to metal.
Warm engines in parked cars attract cats and small wildlife, who may crawl up under the hood. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car’s hood to scare them away before starting your engine.
The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet. Wipe the feet with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates his/her mouth.
Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that may attract animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze (and all household chemicals) out of reach. Better yet, use antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol; if swallowed in small amounts, it will not hurt pets, wildlife or your family.
Whatever the weather, remember that your pet will be safest and happiest at home with you. A little common sense (and a lot of affection) will go a long way toward making this season a comfortable, happy one for both of you!
Chair, State of New Jersey
Domestic Companion Animal Council
More students
to get breakfast
To the editor:
Many in New Jersey are unaware that countless students in their own communities attend school not eating what has been called "the most important meal of the day," breakfast.
Harvard researchers found that not only are hungry children more likely to have academic problems, they are also more likely to experience irritability, anxiety, aggression, as well as tardiness.
This lack of proper nutrition has one of the most devastating impacts on educational programs throughout the state. The billions spent on classrooms, teachers, and books would be wasted if the students are not prepared to participate in the educational opportunities New Jersey is offering.
While some parents have chosen not to require their children to eat breakfast, many homes do not have the resources to provide this meal.
My initiative, S-1498, seeks to address this issue by requiring schools, where 20 percent or more of the students are eligible for federally-subsidized meals, to implement a school breakfast program. This mandate will not come at a cost to New Jersey taxpayers. Instead it will bring needed federal funds into New Jersey that otherwise would go to other states.
Thanks to the efforts of numerous concerned organizations such as Mercer Street Friends, HomeFront and many religious and educational groups, my bill was recently signed into law by the governor.
As of this moment, New Jersey ranks last in the nation for school breakfast participation. Only 16 percent of the state’s school districts have a school breakfast program, as compared to a 40 percent rate for school districts participating in the federal school lunch program. Under this new law, these statistics will improve dramatically.
All of New Jersey’s students deserve the opportunity to reach their highest academic potential. Providing children with a breakfast that meets their nutritional needs, at no additional cost to New Jersey, is a step in the right direction.
Hamilton
Rescue squad held
annual dinner
To the editor:
On Saturday night, Jan. 18, the East Windsor Rescue Squad District II Inc. located on Twin Rivers Drive, held its annual Installation Dinner at the Ramada Inn in East Windsor. The officers and executive board were given the oath of office by former East Windsor Township police chief and honorary member of the squad, Barry Barlow. Those taking the oath were President Rita Tuebner, Vice President Susan Bernstein, Secretary Shari Benson, Treasurer Steve Schienvar, Trustee Sandra Farkas, Chief Don DeZarn, Deputy Chief Norman Deitch and Supply Officer Veronica Nash.
Ed Conway from the Knights of Columbus awarded special honors to Arlen and Marilyn Frost as EMT of the Year. Ed Conway also presented a check from the Knights of Columbus to President Rita Tuebner as a donation to the squad. John Fiore, with the PAL, presented Tristen Torres with a plaque for being Cadet of the Year. A special plaque was presented by President Rita Tuebner and Chief Don DeZarn to East Windsor Township Dispatcher Glen Scotti for all of his years working with the squad. Glen Scotti also was made an honorary member of the squad.
The East Windsor Rescue Squad District II always is looking for new members who are willing to give of themselves for the good of the community. The squad will provide all the training necessary to become an active member. If you are interested, please call 448-8992 and leave your name and a telephone number along with the time of day you may be contacted.
East Windsor Rescue Squad District II
East Windsor
Check-Out Hunger
donors thanked
To the editor:
On behalf of the Mercer Street Friends Food Cooperative, I wish to thank all the caring and generous people of our community who made donations to Check-Out Hunger at Acme, Genuardi’s, Marrazzo’s Thriftway, McCaffrey’s Market, Pathmark, Pennington Quality Market, Risoldi’s Thriftway, ShopRite, Superfresh, and Wegmans Food Markets; Wawa stores or Fleet Bank offices. One hundred percent of the donations made in Mercer County will go to our food bank and support our work to alleviate hunger.
Paradoxically, in a nation where obesity is a major health problem, so is hunger. While food is abundant, the healthiest foods fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meat tend to be the costliest. Many poor children and adults can look overfed, while in actuality be undernourished.
The Mercer Street Friends Food Cooperative distributes more than 1.25 million pounds of food each year to help feed people who are hungry. Yet, we have not tackled the problem of hunger and are seeing an alarming increase in the number of people in need of charitable food assistance because of job losses, reduction in work hours, diminished retirement income for seniors and the overall recession.
The dollars we receive from Check Out Hunger will help our food bank to distribute even more food for the thousands of people coming to local food pantries and meal programs.
I thank everyone who made donations to Check Out Hunger, all the retailers who participated in the campaign and statewide sponsor Fleet Bank for joining with us in the fight against hunger.
Mercer Street Friends Food Cooperative
Trenton
Staff writer thanked
for Pane article
To the editor:
Your staff writer Scott Morgan did such a beautiful job eulogizing my husband, Michael Pane, that I cry every time I read the article that appeared in your Jan. 17 issue. Mr. Morgan movingly captured the many aspects of my husband, the different sides of him that I tried to achieve when selecting speakers for his memorial service.
I wish to thank you and community members for their generous support and sympathy over the past weeks and given enough time I hope to be able to thank all of the latter personally.
East Windsor
Sarafin not fit
for public service
To the editor:
I write this in response to the calamity that Mr. Sarafin has caused. He has not earned the title of councilman in my view, so I will not address him as such. What a regrettable decision was made by those who appointed him. It is an embarrassment to residents of Hightstown to have to claim him as their own.
Hiding behind the curtain of "free speech" and "public service," Mr. Sarafin shows poor judgment as well as insincere accountability for his actions. He desperately seeks to blame anyone for his ineptitude, even going so far as to chastise Candace Gallagher because the recorder was still on during his "free speech." It seems quite apparent that Mr. Sarafin is an indignant and self-serving person, whose goal is to cause as much disharmony as possible. In a confused mind, that would appear as strength. In a stable mind, it can be perceived as evil. In my view, Mr. Sarafin does not being in public service seemingly fit would be anger management classes and counseling.
Former Hightstown resident
Resident upset about
more Sarafin comments
To the editor:
At the Jan. 21 Borough Council meeting, the mayor and at least two council members appropriately reprimanded Mr. Eugene Sarafin for his profane language and denunciation of all members of the Planning Board, and apparent religious bias and insensitivity toward several members of the community. They were referring to his comments made during the Dec. 16 council meeting.
Most disturbing was Mr. Sarafin’s comment, "So stick your "Catholic (expletive) up your (expletive)," made to the council after he was reprimanded. It is clear that Mr. Sarafin has no intention of modifying his vulgar and profane behavior or sees anything wrong with a public official behaving the way he does. Basically, he has dared the council to try and stop him.
The Borough Council of Hightstown should take the initiative to censure these activities by asking Mr. Sarafin to resign.
Hightstown
Wally letter mangled
judge’s decision
To the editor:
Perhaps there is one miserable soul left who finds some reality in Al Wally’s letters to your paper, besides of course Dianne McCarthy and Hiram Bar-Akiva who are using him as their shill and go-between in the current lawsuit they brought against the Twin Rivers Community.
In his letter to your paper (Jan. 31), Mr. Wally again misrepresents the ruling found by Judge Lennox regarding access to Twin Rivers’ books in records.
Mr. Wally quite clumsily tries to use a legal argument put forth by the attorneys of the plaintiffs (Mr. Bar-Akiva was originally a plaintiff suing Twin Rivers in 1995), and paints it as an opinion and order of the judge, when in fact this legal argument by those suing the community was found to be irrelevant in the case.
In Judge Lennox’s opinion, which Mr. Wally so brutally mangles, Judge Lennox wrote, "There is no basis for denying the Board its right to reasonably restrict access to documents such as those which are of confidential nature, or the disclosure of which would impose an unreasonable burden on the Association."
Judge Lennox further stated that, "To allow unfettered inspection of sensitive materials would unnecessarily expose individuals to disclosure of personal and private matters, perhaps merely to satisfy the curiosity of the examiner, or even for an unlawful or vindictive purpose."
It is vindictiveness that is basis of this lawsuit, not civil liberties. The only persons who fail to realize this are Mr. Wally, Dianne McCarthy, Hiram Bar-Akiva and the law professor who has not done his homework in this case and who appears to revere Stalin more than Jefferson when it comes to the democratic principles practiced and adhered to by the Twin Rivers board and the Twin Rivers community.
East Windsor
The writer is a former member of the Twin Rivers board of directors.

