From the Feb. 27 edition of the Register-News.
By:
Snow removal
was effective
To the editor:
Three cheers to those who planned the removal of all the mounds of snow in Bordentown.
These fellows and the police moved the plows and trucks and traffic with such precision they could give the Philadelphia Motorcycle Show a run for its money.
Some people still call Bordentown a "one-horse hick town." I’m one of the "hicks" and proud of it.
Sola M. Valentini
Bordentown City
Let’s make program
worthwhile
To the editor:
I would like to respond to various articles appearing in the local newspapers concerning the accusations of politics in the Mansfield Township Recreation Program.
Perhaps it is time for the volunteer Mansfield Township residents that donate their time for the softball, baseball, basketball and soccer programs to operate their programs outside the control of the Mansfield Township Committee.
The Mansfield Township taxpayers should fund these programs after the necessary expenses exceed the sponsor’s contributions. This would solve all of the alleged problems dealing with anyone using the Mansfield Township Recreation Program for their political agenda and a political base.
There would be no need to propose an amendment to expand the number of residents on the Mansfield Township Recreation Committee for 13 to 21 and no need to have a Mansfield Township ordinance that requires a developer to donate $1,350 to the Mansfield Township Recreation Trust Fund.
Proposed Senate Bill No. 556 and Assembly Bill, No. 594, specifically states that municipalities be enabled to levy impact fees on new developments to build new, or expand existing, school facilities which are necessary to accommodate new development.
Many of the volunteers, who have children participating in these programs, would continue their support, perhaps even more, if the political aspect was removed.
In reference to the Mansfield Township Recreation Committee being the envy of other towns in our district, it is noteworthy to mention that Mansfield Township has the only paid recreation coordinator. Chesterfield, North Hanover and Springfield townships have volunteers that supervise its recreation programs.
Let’s stop the divisiveness techniques and concentrate on making the recreation program, for all residents of Mansfield Township, a worthwhile, rewarding experience.
Just think what could be accomplished if all of the rhetoric was utilized to address the important issues facing Mansfield Township.
Ernest Dubay
Columbus
It’s clear who
the real men are
To the editor:
As a resident of Mansfield Township, I would like to respond to comments made by Mansfield Deputy Mayor Patrick DeLorenzo in an article in your last issue of the Register-News regarding the Mansfield Township Recreation Committee.
Mr. DeLorenzo was quoted as saying in reference to Township Committeeman Ray Stupienski, "If Mr. Stupienski was a real man, he would either give up his chairmanship of the NBIAA (Northern Burlington Instructional Athletic Association), step down from the Recreation Committee, or step down from the Township Committee."
It amazes me that Mr. DeLorenzo, as someone that was elected to represent us, could actually question a fellow committeeman’s manhood because that committeeman does "too much" for the community.
Mr. Stupienski spends endless volunteer hours providing recreation services to the residents of this town through both his leadership roles (Chair of the NBIAA, President of the Junior Greyhounds Football Association, Recreation Committee, etc.) and in his many sleeves-rolled-up duties as a coach, field preparer, announcer, clinician, uniform sorter, concession stand worker, official or whatever else it takes to support the kids.
And after doing all that, he dedicated countless hours to representing the best interests of all residents of Mansfield Township as a Township Committeeman. Ray Stupienski is the role model of what a community spirited individual should be. I wish we had 1,000 more like him.
Your article stated that Mr. DeLorenzo has called the Recreation Committee issues "nothing more than sour grapes’ because the old committee members want to build a new recreation center estimated to cost $500,000" and that "taxpayers cannot afford the project."
The only sour grapes are those that come from Mr. DeLorenzo’s mouth. As a Township Committeeman, Mr. DeLorenzo knows that there is nearly $300,000 in the Recreation Trust Fund now, and that about $1,300 is added to the fund by the home builders each time another new home is built. With hundreds of additional homes in various stages of approval or construction, it won’t be long before all the funding for the new building will be available, with no tax dollars required.
Why does Mr. DeLorenzo continue to mislead the residents of Mansfield Township? This tactic may have fooled the people long enough to get him elected, but the residents are getting wiser each day.
I urge all residents of Mansfield to come out to the Township Committee meetings (second and fourth Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.) and see what kind of men claim to represent you. I think it will be clear to all who the real men are.
Kurt Fenstermacher
Columbus
What is
a real man?
To the editor:
Mr. (Patrick) DeLorenzo’s statement concerning Mr. (Ray) Stupienski not being a real man is appalling and unprofessional. It simply shows Mr. DeLorenzo’s ignorance and short-sightedness.
The fact that Mr. Stupienski is part of these programs, such as the NBIAA, the Recreation Committee and the Township Committee, as well as coaching multiple teams during each season, shows the effort he is willing to put forth and his commitment for the town, its residents and the children.
Many of the problems and hostility directed at Mr. DeLorenzo stems from his own mouth. Statements made by Mr. DeLorenzo during a recreation sub-committee meeting in January created much of the initial resentment.
Statements such as "the Mayor and I" want to use T-shirts with advertisements; "the Mayor and I" want to eliminate all participants past the 8th grade; "the Mayor and I" want to raise the registration fee angered some of the members of the committee.
When the members questioned the reasons for the changes, and discussed reasons for not making the changes, Mr. DeLorenzo got frustrated and stormed out of the meeting, threatening to take the issues to the solicitor.
Instead of discussing these issues intelligently, with an open mind, Mr. DeLorenzo acted like a child. He definitely did not act like a real man.
In the first full-scheduled Township Recreation Committee meeting in January, when the audience questioned the committee as to who said they wanted to change to t-shirts, eliminate children over 8th grade and raise the fees, Mr. DeLorenzo remained silent until the chairman directed the question specifically to him.
At that point, Mr. DeLorenzo said "the mayor" wanted the changes. He did not mention himself in the statement. A real man stands by what he says. A real man does not try to hide or blame someone else.
Mr. DeLorenzo made it clear in the February Recreation Committee meeting that he has no intentions of participating in any subcommittees. He said he even asked the solicitor if he was required to be on any subcommittees. In other words, he couldn’t think this through for himself. He wasted the solicitor’s time, which is billable to the township, to find out he did not have to do any work.
Is this the action of a real man? A real man stands up for what he believes and stands behind what he says. A real man is willing to sacrifice of himself to help others.
Real men and real women volunteer their time and effort to the Recreation Committee without asking for anything in return other than the enjoyment of watching the children play sports.
Real men and real women put the children and the program first.
If Mr. DeLorenzo was a real man, he would resign as recreation director and from the Recreation Committee to allow someone with the time and interest to serve and work on the committee, rather than taking up a valuable slot on the committee.
Tom Calvert
Columbus

