To the editor:
I’m very concerned and upset by the bickering going on as to the use of township cars as outlined in your article from last week’s paper. This seems to be more of a personal negative effort against the chief of police and the command staff rather than a real problem.
First of all, the use of township cars for use by the chief and other officers has been authorized going back to at least the late ’80s, as the chief was quoted as saying. I was on the Township Committee and the mayor during this period was well aware of this policy and approved this use. If someone really cared about the facts of such they would have asked. Second, the mayor is quoted as saying "it has always been a subject of contention and a subject of discussion." If this is the case and well known by the Township Council, then why is the Township Council using the manager to make an issue of the same when all they have to do is act on something of which they are already aware? The issue of insurance problems is a red herring as they are in fact using the vehicles for the purposes of responding to emergencies. Does not anyone in authority appreciate the fact that these people are on duty 24/7, responding to the needs of the citizens of this township? It takes them away from their families, which they understand goes with the job, but you think that allowing them to use township vehicles is a small price to pay for such loyalty and dedication.
I’ve said nothing before as there was no forum for such but, consider the following: It is my understanding the township manager since taking the position has been reported staying overnight on a regular basis at the Municipal Building, having nothing to do with weather or other emergencies. Back during my nine years on the Township Committee, we had several employees who traveled long distances daily. The township administrator traveled from Bergenfield in Bergen County, daily. The head of construction official traveled from Teaneck in Bergen County, daily. The township engineer traveled here from Wayne and when he had a night meeting, stayed overnight at a local motel. If we’re going to ask questions, how about using township property in the form of the Municipal Building as a motel?
Warren E. Monroe
South Brunswick

