Nov. 3, 2005
For Kemp,
Cacciabaudo
To the editor:
I fully support Arlene Kemp and Robert Cacciabaudo for Hopewell Township committee. The Township Committee has enjoyed great progress over the past 11 months under Republican Leadership. Gone are the days of vitriolic & rancorous clashes under the former leadership. Gone are the days of runaway spending and costly litigation. Arlene Kemp has promoted a leadership style that builds relationships instead of tearing them down. We must continue down the path of cooperation and collaboration. Under the Republican leadership, the Township Committee will approve an affordable housing plan, formed an Open Space and Agricultural Coalition that is now working together, and has gathered NJ DOT and Hopewell Township residents to work toward solving the traffic crisis on Route 31.With Arlene and Robert, politics will never be about "what’s in it for me." They will always look at what is best for Hopewell Township’s residents.
Mark Iorio
Hopewell Township
For Sandom, Murphy
To the editor:
Vanessa Sandom and John Murphy are a team that will make a difference for Hopewell Township.
Vanessa has proven herself time and time again as a clear-thinking, hard-working committeewoman who has steered clear of the controversy that has beset other committee members over the last several years.
John has great command of the issues facing Hopewell Township and, in my interactions with him, has shown a great ability to clearly articulate his views about the complex issues that face the township.
Hopewell Township faces many tough issues: escalating taxes, budget constraints, growth and development, traffic, affordable housing and wastewater management.
The team of Vanessa Sandom and John Murphy will ensure that these issues are dealt with in a forthright and responsible way.
On Nov. 8, I urge you to vote for both Vanessa Sandom and John Murphy.
Ken Zeldis
Hopewell Township
A vote for Kemp
To the editor:
It has been a pleasure serving the residents of Hopewell Township this past year. Although the challenges can be demanding at times, the time and energy that we invest in this position would be even more difficult if we could not work together to resolve the issues that face us. Civility has once again returned to local government which enables us to concentrate on the issues and serve the best interests of Hopewell Township residents.
Serving on the Township Committee with Mayor Arlene Kemp has been a very rewarding experience. She is a leader who serves this community with dignity and pride and has many fine qualities both as a person and as a professional.
Together, we were successful in implementing a Wastewater Management Plan that had been on the shelf for six years. We have settled expensive lawsuits that have burdened the taxpayers and worked diligently to keep government spending under control. With Arlene’s leadership, we are also working on innovative solutions to our affordable housing mandates in order to minimize development. By providing affordable housing opportunities through the use of existing housing and non-profit builders, we can keep the developers at bay and plan for our future without them planning our future for us.
Arlene has also been working hard to help solve the traffic issues on Route 31. She has once again opened up the lines of communication with the NJDOT and involved the residents of the affected neighborhoods to participate in these forums. With resident participation, we will be looking at real solutions to make this road safer not only for those who live in this area, but for those of us who travel this route.
This past year also saw the establishment of a Senior Advisory Board made up of residents that represent the entire Hopewell Valley. Together, we will work with this hard-working group of people to find ways to meet the needs of our senior population and provide some of the services they need and deserve.
Together, we have also acted on the recommendations of the Kinsey Recreation Report and committed the funds necessary to resolve safety and compliance issues at the Municipal Athletic Complex so the recreation needs of our children can be met.
I am asking that you join me in supporting our mayor, Arlene Kemp, on Nov. 8. She has served our township with dedication and enthusiasm and I look forward to working with her to maintain the level of professionalism and pride that we once again enjoy on the Hopewell Township Committee.
Judy Niederer
Hopewell Township
The choice is clear
To the editor:
I can only assume that some Hopewell Township residents who plan to vote in the upcoming election might still be wondering which local candidates they should choose. For me, it is very clear. I have just finished watching the Candidates’ Forum on local cable channel 19. The township is extremely lucky to have two outstanding, passionate, intelligent, caring and well-qualified candidates. Those candidates would be current township Planning Board member John Murphy and current township Committeewoman Vanessa Sandom. I know these individuals are sincere in their interest to make Hopewell Township a place we can all be proud to call home. I encourage Hopewell Township residents to watch the Candidates’ Forum and you will reach the same conclusion. Please join me on Nov. 8 in supporting John Murphy and Vanessa Sandom for Hopewell Township Committee.
Heidi Kahme
Titusville
An excellent leader
To the editor:
I first had the opportunity to work with Vanessa Sandom on the Dublin Road Task Force. I found her to be capable, hard-working, intelligent and very practical in her approach to a problem which the township had not encountered before. I also believe that she has the best interests of the Valley taxpayers at heart by looking for solutions that will not cost us an arm and a leg. Putting all these attributes together makes her an excellent leader. She works for us in a way that combines common sense with a view for the long term good of the entire community. I’m very sincere when I say she should have the support of all voters who are interested in what is best for Hopewell Township.
Dave Gore
Hopewell Township
The team to elect
To the editor:
Two candidates for the Hopewell Township Committee have distinguished themselves from the rest of the field. Vanessa Sandom and John Murphy have the integrity, the experience, and the skills to serve our township.
Having worked with both Vanessa and John on the Planning Board, and having had the privilege to work with Vanessa for the past two years on the Township Committee, I can say without reservation that they are, by far, the best qualified candidates to serve Hopewell Township.
I look forward to working with Vanessa and John next year to manage our township’s finances, control unneeded growth, develop recreation opportunities for all ages, and continue the quest for a Hopewell Township government that is as good as its people.
Please join me in voting for Vanessa Sandom and John Murphy on Nov. 8.
David Sandahl
Hopewell Township
‘Steady, solid
leadership’
To the editor:
My experience working with Vanessa Sandom on the Dublin Road Task Force showed me that she is a great choice for the Hopewell Township Committee. At a time when many were quick to make snap judgments (close the road, don’t close the road) based on scanty evidence, Vanessa had the foresight and persistence to set up a task force of area residents to gather the detailed data needed to make an informed recommendation. She also exercised wise judgment in recruiting David Sandahl to lead the task force. Mr. Sandahl, whose profession involves guiding companies through a structured process to make sound business decisions, was perfect for this job. His deliberative approach has been welcome on the Committee as well.
Vanessa’s steady, solid leadership on the Dublin Road Task Force was instrumental in helping us arrive at a good decision to keep the road open and address safety concerns by building a sidewalk. This approach culminated in a successful Local Aid application to NJDOT for a new sidewalk on Dublin Road from Glenwood Drive to Pennington-Titusville Road. The fruits of Vanessa’s labor are on Dublin Road today: a well-functioning road with a much-needed, well-designed sidewalk, serving students and local residents alike. Vanessa Sandom has served Hopewell Township well, and will continue to do so if given the opportunity.
Andrew Swords
Hopewell Township
For Sandom, Murphy
To the editor:
I will be voting for Vanessa Sandom and John Murphy for Hopewell Township Committee on Nov. 8. Vanessa and John are proven candidates with experience in working constructively with the complex issues Hopewell Township faces: Vanessa has been a member of Township Committee since 2001 and John has served on the township Planning Board since 2003. Vanessa and John are responsive to township residents’ concerns and favor open communication: they are willing to listen to what residents have to say and in turn to tell residents what they are thinking. In particular, from working with Vanessa, I know her to be a principled, thoughtful leader who is willing to engage in dialogue and to stick with things and see them through. Whatever her stand on a particular issue may be, I know that Vanessa always has the best interests of township residents at heart. Therefore, I know I can trust her to work through complex issues with this concern for residents guiding her. Vanessa and John make a good team, and will put their combined talents to work solving Hopewell Township’s problems in a way that puts residents first and keeps residents informed. Please vote for Vanessa Sandom and John Murphy on Nov. 8.
Molly Weigel
Hopewell Township
Watch TV debate
To the editor:
In asking the residents of Hopewell Township to support the two Democratic candidates Vanessa and John Murphy, I ask all voters to watch the debate among the candidates running for Hopewell Township Committee and the three candidates running unopposed for seats in Pennington.
I was in attendance for the live debate and strongly urge the residents of Hopewell Township to support Ms. Sandom and Mr. Murphy. Voters of Hopewell Township should be extremely proud of our present committeewomen, Vanessa Sandom, and newcomer John Murphy for answering the call to step up and serve the good people of Hopewell Township. Both candidates exemplified what you like to see in elected officials honesty, the willingness to work with everyone and the ability to listen to all.
I strongly encourage the residents to view the debate, which is being rebroadcast (channel 19) Nov. 3-7. Times may vary. Please check listings.
Ron Cefalone
Hopewell Township
Murphy gets vote
To the editor:
I am going to vote for John Murphy for Hopewell Township Committee. Beyond the newspaper clips and beyond the campaign sound bites, John is an impassioned contributor to the affairs of Hopewell Township and cares deeply about its future. He considers and debates all sides of an issue until he is able to unequivocally fight for who and what he believes. He wants to responsibly make the township economically stronger by carefully weighing the cost of new businesses and housing to our schools and roads. He does not oppose growth he only wants to ensure that projects are chosen carefully and their effects assessed. I trust that he would do an excellent job if elected on the Hopewell Township Committee!
Angela Jacobs
Hopewell Township
For Murphy, Sandom
To the editor:
I strongly support two people of high integrity and extensive management experience for Hopewell Township Committee John Murphy and Vanessa Sandom.
Good government depends on good people not on any certain type of government. Vanessa and John are two good people who will keep Hopewell Township government responsive to the public, civil to all, and fiscally sound. They are also committed to the continued saving of open space, preserving our limited water supply, and protecting our zoning.
Vanessa has been a committeewoman for five years and was also the mayor. She understands the budget process, planning and zoning issues, desires for open space and recreation, and administrative management duties. She is very sensitive to the needs of Hopewell Township residents. She has unusual empathy for others and is very responsive to the needs and concerns of township residents.
John has a law degree and 20 years of experience working with business and government entities, advising them on good management practices. He has served for three years on the Hopewell Township Planning Board dealing with the critical development plans of Merrill Lynch, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Beazer, and Berwind along with the major issue of the housing/Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) allocation. John is very competent, listens to all sides of complicated issues, and studies them before making decisions.
I respect them both extremely and urge you to join me in voting for two very good people on Nov. 8 for Hopewell Township Committee Vanessa Sandom and John Murphy.
Billie Moore
Hopewell Township
A vote for Murphy
To the editor:
I have had the privilege of knowing John Murphy for over six years as a friend and a neighbor on New Road in Hopewell Township. In this time I have become very good friends with John and have learned a lot about him and his family. First, I see John as a committed parent and family man. It is obvious that he adores his two children, Caelin and Riley. He is very involved with his children, and is often playing with his children in his yard. He and I have had many conversations about the "art" of parenting and I know that John takes his role as "dad" very seriously. I know that John is involved in his children’s education. He participates in preschool and elementary school activities with them and also has been involved in Caelin’s summer camp activities. The bottom line is that John not only talks about the importance of education, but also is directly involved in the education of his own children. In addition, John and his wife, Jennifer, and their children have been involved in raising money for Hurricane Katrina victims, Multiple Sclerosis and many other charity organizations.
I am fortunate to share a give and take relationship with John. I can rely on John’s helping hand when I need it at my home. This may seem like a small thing, however, I believe neighbors help create the kind of community that we live in. And John is the kind of neighbor that I want to have living next door to my family and me.
Through the years I have had many conversations with John and have found him to be an excellent communicator who has the rare ability to not only clearly express his views but to listen to others and find the common ground on very complex issues. He is always interested in others’ views on important topics. And yet, John can speak with conviction and be a very persuasive communicator on topics about which he is most passionate.
I am confident that John is the person that we want to serve on the Hopewell Township Committee. He has high integrity, boundless energy, and the kind of commitment that the residents of Hopewell Township will want in a committee person. I highly endorse John Murphy for this position.
Alfred R. Mangino
Hopewell Township
Votes for Sandom
To the editor:
About a year ago, we were asked to represent the community interests on the Jacobs Creek Bridge Commission, which was created to propose recommendations to the county about the future of the bridge. Other members of the committee resented township emergency response, corporate interests, historical preservation, and bridge engineering. Given that diversity, many of us had very different ideas about what an ideal set of recommendations might look like.
Our first few meetings were not very fruitful. It was clear that we were not going to reach any consensus until a process was put in place that would be deemed fair by the entire committee.
When Vanessa learned of our lack of progress, she stepped in and helped us to put that process in place. Under Vanessa’s lead, we devised a weighted matrix that lead us to a set of recommendations that we think were an excellent representation of the consensus view of the committee. Whatever her personal preferences were for a recommendation, Vanessa remained completely impartial while guiding us to a solution.
When you think about it, isn’t that what leadership should be? Vanessa did a terrific job bringing disparate points of view together and we offer our endorsement for another term.
Peter Brittingham, Titusville
Robin Fogel, Titusville
Hoping for support
To the editor:
I would like to personally thank my friends and neighbors who have expressed their support during this campaign. I would also like express my appreciation to John Murphy for stepping forward as a candidate for the Hopewell Township Committee. I am proud to be his running mate and urge you to support us as the team we are on Nov. 8.
Experience and integrity have never been more important in selecting our elected officials. John has 20 years as an advisor to government and business and has worked hard alongside other residents to use his expertise for the benefit of Hopewell Township.
His experience on the Planning Board will be invaluable to the Township Committee’s efforts to find solutions to long-standing development issues in the southern tier and Elm Ridge Park. His legal, business and financial background will serve us well in responding to other complex issues our Township must address including controlling taxes, developing our recreational facilities and resolving our traffic problems.
On election day, Nov. 8, I urge you to cast your vote for my extremely capable running mate, John Murphy.
Vanessa Sandom
Democratic candidate
for Township Committee
‘We’re in this
together’
To the editor:
With the campaign ending, we’d like to thank you for your support and encouragement both during our time on the Township Committee and Planning Board and over these last few weeks. Hopewell Township is fortunate to have so many friends and neighbors committed to preserving the Township’s heritage, natural resources, rural character and quality of life. Without your vigilance and stewardship, our town would look very different today.
During the campaign, we shared our vision about important issues like taxes, growth, traffic and recreation. Underlying all of this is the need for good government. This remains a priority for Township residents and for us as well. Because we believe in the concept and practice of good government we have pledged that as public officials, we will put the concerns of the community first at all times special interests, personal feelings or private friendships notwithstanding.
As Planning Board and Township Committee members, we make critical decisions that affect our planning or zoning. Therefore we have not and will not accept campaign contributions from developers, contractors, corporations, consultants, employees or others who might stand to gain financially from the election’s outcome, or benefit from Township matters including zoning, planning and litigation.
Further, to ensure the integrity of the planning process, our goal is to introduce a resolution extending the Township’s current anti-"pay to play" ordinance to developers, thereby prohibiting them from making contributions to elected officials’ campaigns. We also plan to introduce a resolution creating a firm and clear conflict of interest policy to prohibit Township Committee members from voting on matters involving applicants who made campaign contributions to them in the past.
A few years ago we began televising Township Committee meetings to expand access to the workings of our government. This year, at the urging of the Communications Task Force to which Vanessa is liaison, we expanded coverage to include planning board and other key township meetings. We are committed to continuing to find ways to bring the Township’s business to the community.
Hopewell Township has changed in many ways, but one thing has not the people who make our community special: empowered residents who care about how they live; active citizens who want to master their own destiny; educated people involved in all levels of our government from single issue, ad hoc efforts like the Dublin Road and Jacob’s Creek Task Forces to serving on our Planning and Zoning Boards, Environmental and Historical Commissions, Open Space, Recreation and Agricultural Committees. We intend to continue to put citizens to work collaboratively in maintaining and improving our way of life and encourage residents to continue to volunteer their time.
We sincerely appreciate all the advice and support you have given us and urge you to continue to speak your mind in the future. Whatever your party affiliation, age, interests or address, it’s the sense that "we’re all in this together" that makes our Valley truly unique.
On November 8, we ask for your support and vote in continuing the tradition.
Vanessa Sandom,
John Murphy
Democratic candidates
for Township Committee
Not for Corzine
To the editor:
I’m sick of being the butt of jokes just because I live in New Jersey. And it’s because many people here keep voting for corruption. Sen. Jon Corzine is out trashing the National Taxpayers Union who are only stating his true record of supporting taxes on anything that does or does not move and voting against tax cuts.
Sen. Corzine, you’re giving yourself away. Most voters are taxpayers, so how do you expect us to support you when you’re not supporting us? Not a very good strategy!
Al Degen
Pennington
A vote for Forrester
To the editor:
Your articles profiling both of the candidates for governor in "The Race for Governor" in the Oct. 27 Hopewell Valley News was very good. The articles highlight the fact that Doug Forrester is proposing the only real and viable solution for property tax relief for Hopewell Township and all of New Jersey homeowners. His 30 percent in three years plan will provide real and permanent property tax relief by backing it up with a state constitution change. To fund this plan, Mr. Forrester is taking a pragmatic approach. He is proposing to cut out the waste and corruption in this state, which we all agree costs the taxpayers of New Jersey way too much. In addition, he is proposing strong fiscal management of the state’s budget. New Jersey needs a governor committed to fiscal responsibility. Doug Forrester he has also made a "no tax increase" pledge. This type of commitment assures the people of New Jersey that a property tax cut won’t come at the expense of increases in sales, income or gasoline taxes.
Jon Corzine’s plan for property tax relief is a warmed over and very lame version of the current rebate program that makes no one happy, and more importantly, does not achieve the goal of relief or reform. Corzine’s plan also includes a constitutional convention that, at best, will only shift the tax burden to income, sales, business and/or gasoline taxes. That type of plan still keeps the citizens of New Jersey in the top tier of tax payers in the country. This type of tax burden stifles growth in jobs and businesses, encourages the elderly and young families to move away, and encourages corporations to find tax friendly states to expand in. Jon Corzine’s inability to take a pledge against tax increases should tell all of us something. Taxes will increase under Jon Corzine if he were elected governor.
Doug Forrester is the right candidate for property tax relief and no tax increases.
Bob Martin
Hopewell Township

