Letters-Oct. 13, 2005

All knew about

missing tape
To the editor:
   Has Mayor Palladino been out to lunch since 2003?
   Everybody else knew about the missing tapes.
   Early in April 2003, I went to the township building to review and copy the original tapes of March 25, 2003. I was told by a very concerned Betty Jane Hunt that Board of Adjustment member Richard Anderson had been absent from the March 25 meeting and had borrowed the tapes to listen to them while making a trip to South Carolina.
   During that trip and a food stop, Anderson’s car was broken into, and his jacket, which held the two tapes, had been stolen.
   I think it was then Mr. Anderson should have made a police report and where the theft occurred than his personal report to the West Amwell Township Committee as it was not Mrs. Hunt’s place to do so. Why would Mrs. Hunt file a report for an occurrence that was not in her domain and for objects she was not then currently custodian?
   Considering a lawsuit was pending, I’m surprised if all of West Amwell didn’t know about the stolen evidentiary tapes taken under oath so why not Ms. Palladino?
   I think The Beacon is misled by Ms. Palladino. "Surprise" tends to claim innocence, thus leaving room for accusation by innuendo, not gracious support by a Republican for a Republican candidate for Township Committee, and I wonder why?

Patricia Comly
West Amwell

Boats foundation

for future tragedy
To the editor:
   I was watching the tragic tourist boat accident at Lake George, N.Y., on TV
   I lived in Lambertville for 12 years. My residence was one block from the bridge.
   During the summer months, I would watch the smaller and what I called fragile tour boats on the Delaware River.
   My daughter and grandchildren wanted to ride on one. I talked her out of it.
   The "water shooters" that race at high speed past the tourist boat, plus the other boats that go by at excelled speed, are a foundation for a future tragedy. Nothing is done about it.
   I don’t believe the tourists on the board are given life preservers.

Joseph Savoni
Frenchtown

Wine tasting had

many benefactors
To the editor:
   The members of the Stockton Fire Company wish to express sincere appreciation to a special group of business people and businesses for the financial assistance they provided to us with the wine tasting held earlier this summer.
   We also want to apologize for not publicly acknowledging their help sooner. We have been involved in restoring our firehouse, which was damaged by the April flood. The restoration is now complete, thanks in part to the aid we received from those below.
   Our benefactors include Dick Phillips of Phillips Fine Wines, who has been a longtime contributor to us; and Kevin McDonald of The Stockton Inn, who hosted the event and provided food. Beverage distributors include Allied Beverage; Fedway Associates; Raitman & Royal; Gallo; Vintage Imports; Lauder; Beer Imports; ADD American BD; Paterno Imports; Maximum Distributors; Northeast; T. Edwards; Beringer Estates; and Skurnik.
   Our thanks also to Ricky Franco of Atrio Restaurant and Dawn McBeth, whose food supply and preparation were, as always, excellent.
   There are times when a simple "thank you" does not covey the depth of gratitude. We hope all realize how deeply appreciative we are today. Your help will not be forgotten.

Jim Kuhn
secretary
on behalf of
officers and members of Station 23
Stockton Fire Company

Shapella best one

to keep town rural
To the editor:
   For all West Amwell Township residents — Democratic, Republican and independent — I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your support for Ron Shapella for West Amwell Township Committee.
   Ron has been a very hard worker in trying to protect and preserve our township. Ron is the chairman of the West Amwell Environmental Commission and recently helped to write and defend publicly the stream corridor ordinance. This ordinance will protect our streams from any future large development.
   Ron has also been very vocal in his efforts to keep sewers out of the township, thereby discouraging large-scale development in West Amwell.
   Why would I and many other Republications endorse Ron, a Democrat, for Township Committee? We feel Ron is the best person for the position.
   I personally believe this election is more about issues, not party politics. It is extremely important to me West Amwell remains rural, and I believe Ron is the best candidate to protect the rural character of the town.
   I moved to this township six years ago from a fast-growing town in Mercer County, and believe me when I say, you do not want that to happen here.
   Ron served on the Township Committee in 2004 and is familiar with the current activities and issues. He accomplished much in the short time he served on the committee and will continue to work tirelessly when elected Nov. 8.
   I believe a vote for Ron Shapella will result in continued progress toward maintaining the beautiful rural community we all treasure here in West Amwell.
   Join me and other Republicans Nov. 8 and vote for Ron Shapella for Township Committee.

Tom Molnar
deputy mayor
West Amwell

Argument predicated

on of hatred
To the editor:
   Poor Dr. M. Jay Goodkind.
   Does he feel the Republican party has let him down? Why else would he write a letter so full of bitterness and contempt without regard for reality?
   I get the idea he views America as being comprised of two groups of people: the corporate elitist swindlers and the rest of us hapless, unwashed masses who cannot bear the burdens of life without a government program. This is the same class-envy thinking that made Lenin and Trotsky famous.
   To me, the "elite" are arrogant snobs like senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry and 1960s throwbacks like Barbara Streisand. For all their stinging rhetoric and work to help "the people," they have done nothing.
   All of Dr. Goodkind’s complaints about the way in which the Gulf Coast storm destruction was handled can be traced directly back to the incompetent and corrupt city and state governments that perpetuated the entitlement mentality for generation after generation. In addition, it was the mainstream media, which frightened away all those who could have helped by falsely reporting massive rapes, looting and murder.
   Ever since President Lyndon Johnson’s 1964 "war on poverty" began, six and one half trillion dollars have been confiscated from the producers and given to "the people." Yet, the same poverty still exists in the same places as before. This is the glaring example of the benevolence the Democrats have showered upon us. It did not take a storm to reveal this to those of us with opened eyes.
   Perhaps the corporations like big oil, big tobacco, big beef and big beer, found a way to siphon off all of the money. Then they move overseas so they can avoid paying corporate taxes, hire workers for peanuts, lay off Americans to cause more poverty while they laugh all the way to the banks, which are probably owned by Republicans, too.
   It is no accident Dr. Goodkind singled out Halliburton for vilification. President Clinton hired it to work in very dangerous places around the world when it was run by Dick Cheney.
   No one hated it then. Now that the administration has changed to a Republican one, Halliburton is being portrayed as one of the devils’ horns, impaling poor people every chance he gets.
   Since Hallibuton is the only company that can guarantee gasoline delivery in a war zone and extinguish oil-well fires, who would you hire?
   In his letter, Dr. Goodkind exhibits no clarity of thought and no factual accuracy because those things do not matter to someone whose argument is predicated upon emotions borne of hatred. I believe that the good doctor suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder: liberalism.

Keith Kraemer
Lambertville

Ege, Pittore

hard workers
To the editor:
   Since making Lambertville my home in 2000, I am frequently reminded why this charming river town attracted me.
   It is the involvement of a number of individuals that the town is made so special.
   I met Cindy Ege and Ron Pittore as a volunteer on the Planning Board and the Stormwater Committee. I have been impressed with their hard work and dedication to the great people of our city.
   They have earned my support in their bid for Lambertville City Council.

John A. Miller
Lambertville

Give GRIP

a chance
To the editor:
   First of all, I would like to thank Mr. McManus for bowing out of the council race, regardless of the reason.
   Secondly and foremost, I would like to thank Mayor Del Vecchio for accepting Mr. McManus’s resignation and nominating Mr. Pittore to fill the vacated position.
   I feel this gives me a choice to exercise the GRIP concept, which means Get Rid of Incumbent Politicians.
   This will also allow me to vote for two new faces, Mr. Pittore and Mr. Rayner, whom I hope have fresh ideas and would work with the citizens to improve our community.
   It seems to be very difficult to break through the inner circle once elected, but this offers people like myself a vote for change. I don’t care about their political affiliation, but I do think a change within this council is necessary.
   I also think term limits should be looked into for mayor and City Council positions and placed on the next ballot for a vote. This allows the elected officials to be in office for a certain number of years, depending on the length of their term.
   It would allow each elected official to serve only two terms if reelected and would also give the voters the opportunity for new faces and ideas instead of the same people making decisions until they decide to leave, retire or die.
   The longer elected officials remain in office, the more complacent and comfortable they become. That doesn’t make a good elected official; it makes a career politician.
   If term limits are good enough for the president of the United States and the governor of our state, then I think term limits should be established for every office that is held by an official, starting with our senators and congress people right down to our mayors and city council people.
   Perhaps then the corruption wouldn’t be as bad as it has become within our nation. There should be no such thing as a career politician. After all, we are the ones who pay for it in the end and, frankly, it’s getting too expensive; I can’t afford them anymore.
   So please, people, give GRIP a chance. If you don’t GRIP, you can’t GRIPE. Each one of us can make a difference.

Judy L. Wyckoff
Lambertville

Thanks given to

Jack Skudris
To the editor:
   All of us at New Hope Arts Inc. would like to offer special thanks to Jack Skudris at Memorable Affairs’ Occasions.
   Jack was kind enough to sponsor a thank you party for all the volunteers who helped make the July "Showcase the Arts of New Hope" a success.
   He has also pledged $10 of each ticket sale of his monthly gourmet wine dinner series to be donated to New Hope Arts Inc. if you request it.
   The dinner series will be held monthly through April.
   Thanks, Jack!

Robin Larsen
New Hope Arts Inc.
New Hope

Board member

proud of record
To rhe editor:
   Nov. 8, voters in the New Hope-Solebury School District will be asked to go to the polls and finalize their choices for those candidates seeking appointment to the district’s school board.
   Having served on the board for almost a year and a half, I am proud to say our school district has achieved unprecedented success on multiple levels.
   I am a firm believer in being a fiscal watchdog for the community and believe, as a school board member, it would be irresponsible to not recognize the needs and concerns of those in our community that don’t have children in the school district or who are living on a fixed income.
   To that end, I am proud to have been part of a school board that brought in a 2005-06 budget that contained a tax increase of just 1 percent. This achievement was the embodiment of fiscal responsibility.
   This fiscal responsibility did not come at the expense of our students. Last year, our students posted the highest SAT scores in the county for the second year in a row.
   Recently, Philadelphia magazine rated the New Hope-Solebury School District as the 12th best in the five-county Southeastern Pennsylvania area.
   Finally, the recent PSSA standardized test scores from our elementary, middle and high school students were again in the upper echelon of the entire state, and our arts program has received numerous accolades.
   As a board member, I strive to give our students every opportunity to find their passion and succeed in life. Their performance, academic success and independent recognition are achievements earned by the students themselves with the assistance of their instructors.
   Bravo students and faculty!
   With the student’s well-being in mind, we have also recently chosen to tackle the issue of childhood obesity head on by reviewing food and snack choices within the district as well as engaging in collaborative discussions with the Bucks County YMCA.
   I believe hard work, open discussion and constant communication with the community is a recipe for success that should be unwaveringly employed by the NH-S School board.
   Academic excellence within conservative budgeting is a home run for everyone in the community, students, parents and seniors.
   I feel very strongly it is critical for the board to maintain a sense of balance and diversity while holding the line on tax increases. I look forward to the opportunity to continue my service to the community and encourage everyone to vote Nov. 8.

Sean Hopkins
member
New Hope-Solebury
School Board of Directors

Vote Hunt for

sensible leadership
To the editor:
   It used to be that in West Amwell people ran for Township Committee to serve the community.
   After one or two terms, they simply returned to their normal lives. No one used the township as a steppingstone for political ambition.
   The result of this culture was small, efficient, municipal government and relatively low taxes.
   However, lately it seems people are running to serve themselves and their personal political agendas. The result of this new culture is unavoidable: partisan politics, mudslinging campaigns and a general inflation in the size and cost of government.
   Betty Jane Hunt has served West Amwell Township for 32 years as municipal clerk, in numerous other positions where the pay is more of an honorarium and on various volunteer boards and committees.
   As a candidate for Township Committee, she merely wants to continue that unselfish service. We need Betty Jane on the committee to stop the nasty, purely political infighting that has occurred over the past few years and bring us back together as a true leader of our community.
   She stands for the best traditions of West Amwell, and those traditions can be seen all around you in our beautiful landscape and healthy environment.
   Nov. 8, vote for Betty Jane Hunt for sensible leadership.

Janie Shute
West Amwell

Reader interested

in positive outcomes
To the editor:
   I feel I have to comment on the negative spirit that the Rayner campaign has brought to this editorial page.
   No longer can one express an opinion without receiving a threatening sly retort. Some write it off to politics. I just cannot accept the premise these hard words are what I or my neighbors want to hear.
   I, for one, am more interested in positive outcomes.
   I like to read about our successes as a community — a successful scholarship drive at the Shad Festival, the city donating funds and getting grants to support our firehouses, new street surfacing for Buttonwood and Swan streets, new bathrooms and playground equipment at Ely Field and new turf for Cavallo Park.
   I just read the city has received over $1 million dollars to implement traffic-calming measures we asked the mayor and City Council for. Now that’s a pleasure to read about.
   Yes, I support Ege and Pittore for City Council because I like the way they express themselves.

Tish Secula
Lambertville

Reckless charges

made by candidate
To the editor:
   We write to respond to the distortions and flat-out inaccuracies contained in the Oct. 6 letter to the editor submitted by key supporters of Marcus Rayner.
   Unfortunately, this letter continues a pattern established by Marcus Rayner and his campaign of making reckless charges without the facts to back them up.
   For example, the letter accuses the Lambertville Sewerage Authority of giving the city $150,000 with no strings attached.
   In fact, this money was designated to help with the cost of the Justice Center because the Lambertville Sewerage Authority planned to use the space within the center for public meetings. The existing authority location was inadequate for this purpose and did not provide the accessibility that ensured maximum public participation.
   Before the Justice Center closed due to the damage caused by the flood, the authority already had held two meetings there.
   The Lambertville Sewerage Authority allocated these funds only after public hearings and a thorough legal review. In addition, the $150,000 is budgeted at $30,000 a year for five years, not as a large one-time amount as the letter appears to claim.
   Further, Al Komjathy is not the chairman of the Lambertville Democratic Committee as the letter falsely claims. That position is, and has been, occupied by Stewart Palilonis. Al does play an active role in the Democratic Party, but, once again, if Rayner’s supporters are going to make various charges, it would be helpful if they got the facts straight.

Steve Stegman
Rich Buscavage
Aladar G. Komjathy
Lambertville