Letters to the Editor, May 22, 2003

Timberlane trees
   The following letter was written to Robert Sopko, superintendent of schools, and submitted to the HVN for publication:
   
I read in the Hopewell Valley News that our regional school district has arranged for the harvest of 200 to 300 cedar trees from the Timberlane Middle School property in anticipation of developing athletic fields. These trees are to be used by the woodcutter in making furniture, fence posts and other objects.
   Have you obtained an estimate of the value of the wood to be harvested? How does that number relate to the estimated $2,000 in savings you say the district will have? As a public body, I believe you are required to ask for bids for this type of work.
   I understand as well that the creation of the athletic fields has not obtained the requisite approval to proceed with construction. Under what authority are you proceeding with this work?
Charles C. Townsend Jr., Hopewell
Who should resign?
To the editor:
   
Several letters in last week’s Hopewell Valley News called for the resignation of two very dedicated township committee members over what is being referred to as "gavel gate." Perhaps these letters are a political springboard. It certainly appears that way. But I think we should examine why gavel gate occurred in the first place.
   At the May 1 Township Committee meeting, Arlene Kemp, with the support of Vanessa Sandom, tried to introduce a resolution that would have avoided spending our tax dollars to defend Jon Edwards in a lawsuit over "untrue statements." These statements were made in an e-mail he sent regarding an attempted political bribe that apparently never happened. Deputy Mayor Marylou Ferrara insisted on disallowing the introduction of this resolution. Basically she wanted the township to pay for Mr. Edwards’ legal fees. What Ms. Kemp and Ms. Sandom did was a courageous act of defiance in order to do the right thing for the citizens of the township.
   My wife and I have attended township meetings for over 30 years (if you watch the gavel gate tape I’m the old bald guy on the right). In our experience this is the first time that a committee member was prevented from introducing a resolution that was not on the agenda. It is common practice for extemporaneous resolutions to be read into the record. It happens all the time. But Ms. Ferrara pursued her political agenda without regard for the rules of order.
   Let’s step back and think about who should resign. Should it be the committee members who were protecting the township’s interests or should it be a committee member who is a publicly confessed teller of untruths? I think the latter.
Robert Beyer, Hopewell Township
Edwards’ ‘courageous step’
To the editor:
   
With his recent retraction, Jon Edwards has put an end to a very public episode that began with an e-mail intended for a private distribution list. I commend Jon for taking this courageous step. With this distraction out of the way, perhaps now the Township Committee can focus on the real issues that affect our everyday life, the ones they were elected to tackle.
   In the haze created when that e-mail was leaked, by someone who breached the confidence and violated the trust of everyone who was party to that distribution list, it might have been easy to forget that for the past four and a half years Jon Edwards has worked tirelessly to improve safety on our roads, control sprawl, protect our natural resources, and to recruit the most highly qualified people for professional and volunteer positions. He has gone to bat for this township fighting airport expansion, big rigs on our roads, environmental and security lapses at the prison and, where it all started, the massive Trenton sewer plan. He took the vision that galvanized the community five years ago and turned idealism into action. In all these years, and through all these skirmishes, there has never been a single reason to question Jon’s personal integrity nor his trustworthiness.
   There is plenty of support out there for Jon, I’m hearing it everywhere. This probably is not what his detractors intended. He deserves a lot of credit for his accomplishments but I think the people of the Hopewell Valley also deserve credit for having the sense to see through the smoke.
Patricia P. Sziber, Titusville
Tail of sports wags dog of education
To the editor:
   
It is possible to have too much of a good thing.
   Last summer, the Ivy League college presidents agreed to mandate athletic "rest periods" — each sport has to have seven true weeks off during each academic year. They also agreed to reduce the number of admissions places each school will allot to football players. In 2000, Swarthmore College dropped its century-old football program altogether.
   Administrators at these elite educational institutions are concerned because the amount of time and energy students put into sports has increased hugely over the past 25 years, to the point where, they believe, it has tipped the proper balance between academics and athletics.
   I believe that the April 2001 vote against a football program was (in part) due to Hopewell Valley voters sharing these concerns.
   In our country as a whole there’s a tendency for the tail of sports to wag the dog of education: media coverage of high school and college sports, for instance, far outweighs coverage of other afterschool activities, much less the actual education children are supposed to be getting. How can children look at that and not think, "grownups care more about sports than education?" And they will also conclude, "grownups care more about children who play sports than about children who don’t." Even if we say we care about all children equally, our children will recognize that, as the Football Report says, athletes get more adult attention than nonathletes.
   The school board’s continuing emphasis on the extracurricular athletic program — on football, on Back Timberlane, on expanding the athletic director position — is not going to send our children a different message. It’s not the school board’s fault that there is going to be very little public input into the superintendent search, but I worry that the school board will unconsciously focus on finding a superintendent who agrees with their athletic priorities, not one who is willing to join Hopewell Valley voters (and Ivy League presidents) in bucking a nationwide trend.
Mary Ellen Curtin, Hopewell Township
More apologies needed
To the editor:
   
Jon Edwards has publicly apologized to Sam Plumeri and Josh Markowitz for statements he made about them in e-mails he sent on June 3, 2002, Jan. 17 and 20, 2003. The apologies were made following an investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office that concluded "the allegations are without corroboration and are unsubstantiated." In the report Prosecutor Giaquinto stated "serious accusations of corruption such as these, made more than a year after the alleged occurrence, present difficulties in timely rooting out criminal conduct or clearing the innocent."
   Mr. Edwards claims, and Mayor Fran Bartlett along with Deputy Mayor Marylou Ferrara agree, that Mr. Edwards was acting in his official capacity as a Hopewell Township committeeman when he sent three e-mails to a select group of individuals. Therefore, the three feel the township should pay his legal fees. Why then did he, and they, fail to notify the prosecutor’s office and their constituents at the time of the alleged incident in November 2001, and/or when Ms. Bartlett and Ms. Ferrara became aware of it?
   The e-mails were not "political party caucus" discussions on the strategy of replacing a Republican professional with a Democrat. The contents of his e-mails to a select group which included all members of the Hopewell Township Committee openly discuss township business, performance of a township professional and qualifications of another individual who possibly could be considered for a future position as a township professional. Normally the Township Committee considers this type of information as justification for "Closed Session" discussion at a Township Committee meeting and excludes the public as they did during the interviewing process of candidates (following Kathy Bird’s resignation) to fill the vacancy on Township Committee in October 2001.
   When Mr. Edwards sent his first e-mail on June 3, 2002, Arlene Kemp had been a regular attendee at the Hopewell Township Committee meetings and very much interested in township business. She was a Republican candidate for the committee and a member of the public. She was not privileged to this information, which can be assumed to be public by Mr. Edwards’ e-mail distribution list.
   In the November 2002 general election, Ms. Kemp was elected to the Hopewell Township Committee, and took her oath of office in January 2003. When Mr. Edwards sent e-mails on Jan. 17, 2003 and Jan. 20, 2003 discussing township business, that of an alleged bribe offer and replacement of the township attorney he, as well as others on the Township Committee, acted in a discriminatory and exclusionary manner. They all failed to include Ms. Kemp, as a duly elected committeewoman who was not on the e-mail distribution list, with the dissemination of information contained in Mr. Edwards’ e-mails. It was imperative for her to receive this information in order to make an informed decision in the rehiring of the township attorney and/or consideration of other applicants for the position. Mr. Edwards’s e-mails contained relevant information.
   The e-mail discussions did not take place during an open public Hopewell Township Committee meeting. However, four other members of the Township Committee, representing a quorum, did receive the e-mails.
   According to the New Jersey Statutes:
   "Meeting" means and includes any gathering whether corporeal or by means of communication equipment, which is attended by, or open to, all of the members of the public body, held with the intent, on the part of the members of the body present, to discuss or act as a unit upon the specific public business of that body — (under NJSA 10:4-8 Definitions).
   "Public business" means and includes all matters, which relate in any way, directly or indirectly, to the performance of the public body’s functions or the conduct of its business (under NJSA 10:4-8 Definitions).
   The e-mail discussions thereby denied the public, as well as an elected township committeewoman, of the right to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of public bodies. This is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process according to the Legislative Findings and Declarations (NJSA 10:4-7).
   Are further apologies in order? Yes, and they should all take place at a Township Committee meeting.
   1) Mr. Edwards should apologize to Ms. Kemp, as an elected township committeewoman, for denying her right to be present at all meetings and for withholding information from her. In addition, he should apologize to his constituents that he denied their right to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of the public body.
   2) Fran Bartlett was mayor and Marylou Ferrara was deputy mayor at the time of the January 2003 e-mails and both should apologize to their constitutes and Ms. Kemp for the same reasons as Mr. Edwards.
   3) Former Committeeman Bob Higgins was deputy mayor at the time the June 3, 2002 e-mail was sent. He should also apologize to his former constituents that he denied their right to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of the public body.
   Will these apologies ever take place. I doubt it. Those elected, including the Township Committee and county committee people, are all good people. However, some have changed and I guess it’s the power that destroys.
   After reviewing the May 1 meeting tape, I can only say that in 14 years of attending and following Township Committee meetings I have not seen such arrogance, and rudeness. Acting Mayor Ferrara asked for a second to a motion to go into closed session, which was given by Mr. Edwards. Ms. Ferrara then announced "we will go into executive session." Is Hopewell Township now under dictatorship rule" No vote was actually taken and if it were taken it probably would have been a 2-2 (tie) vote meaning it would have been defeated. Ms. Ferrara’s actions are making a previous committee from the mid-90s look very mild.
   I hope all levels of elected representatives take the time to read their oath of office. Also, it would be helpful for the Township Committee to supply the township library with a current copy of "A Primer: New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act," which is published by the NJ State League of Municipalities, and that all elected representatives take the time to read it.
Carol Ferry, The Villages, Fla. (formerly of Hopewell Township
VA care delayed is care denied
To the editor:
   
This coming Memorial Day, another 1,800 World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans will die. Among this daily quota are many that needed and waited, unsuccessfully, on long lists. They waited for care the Veterans Administration (VA) could not provide. In New Jersey, the waiting time for the VA is six months for entrance and four-five months for treatments. Just as justice delayed is justice denied, VA care delayed is VA care denied. This Memorial Day, we honor our dead. Please remember these living veterans.
   Not all veterans need or turn to the VA for help. However, those who returned from the service with shattered minds and bodies deserve and must receive full-time or outpatient care. Still others, often aging veterans and veterans often with limited means, look to the VA for help with service and non-service connected disabilities.
   Today, most veterans face VA delays or VA denials, but there is a solution. If you agree, forward this to your federal legislators and request their help. Congress can and must enable the VA system to provide proper and timely care for all veterans. Don’t let more veterans die while waiting for the care they were promised.
   There are two problems that must be addressed.
   First, delayed treatments: It took years after each of our 20th-century wars before the new problems that affected veterans were recognized and care was finally provided.
   Second, inadequate funding: Annually, veterans’ organizations battle Congress for adequate funding. Traditionally, when there is no war or the war is unpopular, VA funding suffers. Even today, while we are at war, many in Congress and the administration oppose properly funding the VA budget. Thus, continual under-funding creates more years of delayed care and denies care to more veterans.
   However, with two well-understood steps, Congress could alleviate these problems.
   First: The VA’s budget is "discretionary." This means it falls in a pot — a pot Congress uses for pork-barrel appropriations. Discretionary funds are used to give the squeakiest wheel the most grease. Since the VA budget is a big item in that pot, it’s easy to attack and easy to cut. The solution: Make VA funding mandatory — just as we have done with many of the nation’s entitlement programs.
   Second: The VA is not allowed by law to collect money from Medicare and Medicaid for treatments they provide (subvention). The answer: Congress can enact a law to let the VA collect the same money that Medicare and Medicaid would pay had private doctors and hospitals provided these services.
   If the public brings the above items to the attention of their legislators, particularly this Memorial Day, they may remember the promises and obligations they made to veterans (if not, they will emulate the CEO’s who promised to take care of the stockholders, employees and retirees). Change will not happen unless you support change by action.
   When you hear "Taps" played on Memorial Day, promise not to let this nation desert the veterans who preserved it. Don’t let more veterans who need help die without needed care. Contact your legislators this Memorial Day. Ask them to make VA funding mandatory. Ask them to let the VA collect and use Medicare and Medicaid money for veterans health care. Remind them that, like justice, VA care delayed is VA care denied.
John E. Hein, past state commander, New Jersey American Legion, Hopewell
Pennington Day kudos
To the editor:
   
The Pennington Day Board of Trustees would like to thank the wonderful and dedicated people who volunteered their time and talents for this year’s Pennington Day. Our sincerest thanks go to our hardworking co-chairs, Jennifer Joyce and Lauri Rossi. Their tireless efforts to make this day happen were greatly appreciated by everyone connected with Pennington Day.
   A special thanks to all the committee chairs and their volunteers whose dedication to their part of Pennington Day truly makes the whole event so successful.
   We would like to thank the following groups for their continued support of Pennington Day: Pennington Borough Council; the Pennington Police Department; the Pennington Public Works Department and The Pennington School. We are continually grateful for the generosity and support of the business community in Pennington and throughout the Hopewell Valley. Also, a special thanks to the residents of Pennington for their patience and cooperation.
   We would also like to acknowledge and thank HIKE who set up the tables and chairs at the start of the day and Junior Girl Scout Troop 109 who helped make sure our streets were clean at the end of the day.
   The money raised from Pennington Day is returned to the community in the form of grants. Last year, The Pennington Day Grants Committee was able to disburse close to $15,000 to worthwhile organizations. We encourage any not-for-profit group interested in applying for a grant to obtain an application at the Pennington Borough Hall, the Pennington Library, Three Dog Video, the Hopewell Borough Library or the Mercer County Library-Hopewell Township Branch.
Pennington Day Board of Trustees: Sharon Di Falco, Molly Lytle, Linda Finkral, Mary Griffin, Kim Hansen, Nicole Hoops, Stacey Izzard, Regina Phillips, and Bonnie Piper
A glorious finale
To the editor:
   
The Hopewell Valley Chorus recently presented its 43rd spring concert, "With a Psalm in Your Heart." It was a glorious finale to the season.
   We were honored to dedicate this concert to the memory of Walter Anderson, who lent us his strong bass voice for over 40 years. The concert also was the occasion for presenting our 29th scholarship to a Hopewell Valley Central High School senior. This year’s winner, Joseph Stellino, of Hopewell Township, is an exceptional, multi-talented musician, who served as our piano accompanist that evening in "Bless the Lord."
   In 2003, as always, we find much to be grateful for, including help from The Hopewell Valley News in publishing news about our concerts and other activities. We appreciate the hospitality of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, the Pennington Presbyterian Church and the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Washington’s Crossing. Moreover, we are blessed with an indispensable auxiliary of volunteer photographers, greeters, ticket takers, and ushers —— just a few of the many non-singing performers who contribute to the success of a community chorus.
   Our numbers and our musicianship continued to grow this year. We have a superb director, Marjorie K. Herman, and engage top instrumentalists, thanks to generous gifts from people and businesses throughout our region. In addition, we enjoyed maestro-level support from the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Our Web site, www.princetonol/.groups.hvchorus, continues to grow and inform.
   While choral singing is a weekly pleasure for our members, singing for and with the community is our greatest joy. We thank all who lent their voices, hands, and spirit to help create the two other landmark events this past season: our holiday concert and, in March, Spring into Song, a collaboration of eight groups with and for the Trenton Children’s Chorus.
   The Hopewell Valley Chorus is this area’s only non-auditioned community chorus. On Sept. 8, we will begin preparing for our 2003 holiday concert. For information on joining us, please call our membership director (538-0777), or e-mail us: [email protected].
Maureen S. Bentley, president, Lambertville
‘Being victim of SLAPP suit is sign of honesty’
To the editor:
   
Hopewell is lucky to have a public official with the exceptional integrity of Jon Edwards.
   Mr. Edwards was the victim of a SLAPP suit, which stands for "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation." It is a term of art for a lawsuit brought against an individual or organization to basically "shut them up," for speaking out on a certain subject.
   I, too, was the target of a SLAPP suit when I lived in Atlantic Highlands. I saw a police car drive a voter to the polls in a school election. After investigating further, I wrote to the borough council complaining of the police misconduct and alleging that a poll worker allowed unregistered people to vote.
   Under the law, communications between voters and their representatives are the most heavily protected. So, Patricia Murray, a Democratic council member, over the objections of the council attorney, read my letter at a public meeting with the poll worker in the audience. The poll worker then claimed to have been humiliated by the "publication" of the charge against her, and sued for slander.
   Although the poll worker had no trouble finding Eugene LaVergne, a lawyer who had run a losing race as a Democratic candidate for State Senate and who has been subsequently suspended from practicing law for six months, to handle her fabricated case, I almost could not find any lawyer to represent me at all. I had to go to an acquaintance from Amnesty International who finally, out of guilt, agreed to handle my defense; but even he missed the statutory deadline for summary dismissal of the complaint.
   As it turned out, I was wrong to say the poll worker allowed unregistered people to vote and immediately apologized. She had not validated the voters’ signatures, as the school board secretary had told me. All she did was open and close the voting booth curtain. The truth was that she was not allowed to be a poll worker at all, because under the existing statute, board employees were not allowed to be poll workers at a school election in their own district. Anyway, this tenured teacher wanted damages.
   I was sued, not for failing to figure out which law the poll worker actually violated, but to punish me for being stupid enough to complain about the police driving voters to the polls.
   In the end, I agreed to pay $500 to prevent the case from coming to trial. Like Jon Edwards, I found it unconscionable to clog the court system with its huge backlogs of serious criminal and civil cases with proceedings whose only purpose is political, not to mention the thousands of dollars a trial would have cost us personally. Anyone can be sued, but only the lawyers or the wealthy can afford to defend themselves at a trial. So, lawyers can easily manipulate the law for political effect. Hopewell is lucky to have a councilman like Jon Edwards who puts government policy ahead of partisan politics. Being the victim of a SLAPP suit is a sign of honesty.
Josh Leinsdorf, Princeton