A borough by any name?

Is not the same, Hillsborough proves

By:Alec Moore
   A mix-up between two New Jersey communities resulted in a slew of angry phone calls for Mayor Tony Gwiazdowski last week.
   On Saturday, radio news reports pointed out that the mayor and other officials in Fieldsboro –– a tiny municipality in Burlington County –– were prohibiting residents in that community from putting up yellow ribbons on public property.
   The radio announcer’s brief, undetailed report and quick pronunciation of Fieldsboro left many to believe that the community banning the yellow ribbons was Hillsborough.
   Mayor Gwiazdowski himself, who was on his way to visit relatives when the report aired, was especially shocked to hear the news, which made no mention of Fieldsboro’s mayor, Edward Tyler.
   "I thought to myself, ‘What have I done now?’" said Mayor Gwiazdowski, who has received more than 20 phone calls at both his home and through the township over the mix-up.
   Despite the angry calls, the mayor said he was pleased that so many resident chose to voice their concerns over the matter.
   "I’m always happy when someone calls, because even if it’s a complaint, I can’t address the problem if I don’t know what it is," he said. "I’m always open to the public on any issue that may be of concern to them, I’ll never hide from the people I’ve been elected to serve."
   As a result of the mix-up, and to make it clear that Hillsborough supports the troops, Mayor Gwiazdowski personally bought 300 yards of yellow ribbon that he and several other municipal employees then cut and tied around trees all around the municipal complex.
   "We are 100 percent behind our troops," said Mayor Gwiazdowski. "Even though our young men and women who are fighting for us can’t see these ribbons, their families can and they will relay to them the pride that this community has for them.
   "We’re Hillsborough, we’re definitely not Fieldsboro," he said.