Letters to the Editor, Feb. 20, 2003

Take long, hard look at the football report
To the editor:
   
The Football Advisory Committee presented its report to the school board during the Feb. 10 meeting. The 14 members of the committee did a good job of exploring many areas relating to the football question. The facts, opinions and conclusions included in the six-page report were just what Robert Sopko and board members wanted to hear — continue the football program for the 2003 season.
   There are many questions that need to be raised about a report that failed to give important details on actual future costs of a football program that was voted down by 2,848 citizens of the community — a disturbing case where the school board violated the voting rights of folks who foot the bills that are on the increase each year.
   The report lists on page five, eight future considerations to the budget that included field development, scoreboards and training supplies, to mention a few, but did not indicate just what all this might cost. If the committee wanted to be thorough in their research, they could have consulted the Feasibility Study for Football at Hopewell Valley Central High School which showed the sum of $302,000 — not including regular team costs. I’m sure additional items would eventually be added to raise the cost figure.
   The presentation by athletic director, Kiki Enderle, was naturally very enthusiastic and understandable since this is her "business." She expressed her opinion to the effect that she would back any and all sports as long as it was for the good of the children. We hear the "children" reference constantly and it is an effective propaganda tool. But let us go one step further and consider the tax-paying public who see their taxes escalated year after year due to the extravagant spending policies of the school board.
   We hear the cry from the pro-football people that "children" need more sport opportunities to fill their empty hours. Well, let us take a close look at the cost of the athletic program for males and females, during the 2000-2001 season. The cost for coaches alone amounted to the sum of $217,560 — including the cheerleading squad. Add to that the sum of $218,398 for transportation rentals, equipment and officials, brings the total of both to nearly a half million dollars. If one equates these dollars with opportunities for the "children," it is clear that our students have generous choices if they desire to be active in sports. For these reasons, the need for an expensive football program is out of the question, especially during the current downturn in the economy.
   The members of the school board need to take a long hard look at what the advisory committee has put forth in their report and the conclusion to continue football this coming fall.
   An important consideration is the forthcoming ruling by the Department of Education on the petition contesting the board’s action which ignored the will of the people in the 2001 election.
Joseph J. Dutko Sr., Hopewell Township
Want to help ill, injured wildlife?
To the editor:
   
Volunteer support is needed to assist the efforts of the Mercer County Wildlife Center. The center cares for wild birds and animals who become injured, ill, or displaced, providing medical treatment and a temporary refuge prior to release back into an appropriate, wild habitat.
   The center is staffed 365 days a year by one full-time licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and two part-time assistants. The center could not exist without our dedicated volunteers, including three veterinarians, who help care for our patients. During 2002, over 1,800 birds and mammals were brought to the center. The center also responded to over 10,000 phone calls.
   There are many ways that you can assist the center’s efforts to rehabilitate our native wildlife. To work directly with the animals, you need to commit to a regular four-hour shift from April until October due to the feeding requirements and housing demands of the animals. The center provides the training.
   Other vital roles with more flexibility include setting up and sales at our monthly flea markets, helping our much-needed fund-raising efforts or staffing a community outreach event such as Pennington Day or Hopewell Harvest Fair. We also need a maintenance crew to work outside cleaning the bird and animal cages as well as construction support.
   We will be holding our only two volunteer orientations for 2003 on Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 30, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The orientation will include a tour of the center, which is closed to the general public due to the need to minimize human contact. Volunteers must at least be 18 years of age. These are the only orientations, which are held all year and are mandatory for anyone who wants to work with the animals.
   The facility is located on Route 29, just south of Lambertville, on the grounds of the Mercer County Corrections Center. If you are interested in registering for either session, or for more information, please call me at 219-0090 or e-mail at: [email protected].
Kathy Coffey, community outreach director