Letters to the Editor for the week of Nov. 3

By:
Candidate responds

to deputy mayor
To the editor:
   I am responding to North Hanover Township Committeeman Mr. Tilton’s letter to the editor that appeared in your newspaper on Oct. 27 which in my opinion is nothing more than outrageous political jargon coupled with a personal attack.
   Since Mr. Tilton is an elected official of North Hanover Township his comment implying that I was trying to purchase a farm with township farmland funds is totally untrue, unfounded and inappropriate. To repeat my formal verbal request at the North Hanover Township committee meeting of Oct. 27, I am giving you the opportunity to retract your statements, via the same manner as published.
   I challenged Mr. Delorenzo to a public debate and was hoping to convey my positions in a public forum. To my surprise, he refused my challenge and is relying on rhetoric. In response to your claims, Mr. Tilton:
   • The amount of deferred school taxes in 2003 and 2004 was $985,000 which you increased by $240,000 in 2005 for a total of $1,225,000, of which you used $607,500 in surplus to balance the 2005 budget. This surplus of $607,500 is the complete result of deferred school tax revenue.
   • The financial plan which you claim will reduce the use for borrowing deferred school tax revenue is commercial ratables in the redevelopment zone; however, without an independent planning expert to analyze the impact of high-density housing which will come with this project is extremely important. This issue requires substantial research and input from our township residents.
   • The Township’s Joint Land Use Board was sued by two applicants, one being a farmer in 2003 and the township committee was required to defend these suits, and the township committee did not file the suits.
   • If the $4,300 phone bill amount is correct, the purpose was for conducting township business. Committee members handle responsibility for various departments, police, public works and administration. We saved $59,748 per year, an annual savings, by performing these services without a business administrator.
   • The township most definitely had an accounting system for the sale of waste facility stickers which is reviewed annually by the township auditor.
   • Farmland preservation is extremely important and I am thankful that 24 township families entered into this program which covers over 3,000 (acres) during my 15 years experience as committeeman. An apology is owed to the involved farmers for your reference to this land as "swamp land."
   • Placing township attorney (Nick Costa) on the payroll and affording him a pension, with township monies, is totally untrue. His pension was paid by the state.
   • Contrary to your implication that I directly hired my daughter is once again, totally untrue. My daughter was hired, part time, by the Township Clerk, as a result of her qualifications at approximately $7 per hour. This temporary position grossed her $734.81, without any fringe benefits, in 2003.
   In closing, Mr. Tilton, there are two types of people in this world. Those that are part of the problem, like Lou DeLorenzo or those that are part of the solution, like myself. Vote Nov. 8, John Kocubinski.
   John S. Kocubinski
North Hanover Township
Committee Candidate
Fire Commissioners

oppose consolidation
To the editor:
   Mayoral candidate Lawrence Durr gave an interview to the Register News that ran on Oct. 28. In that interview, Mr. Durr ran down the list of his positions about his plan for the future of the township. One of his proposals deals with fire service in the township, deserves a closer look. His proposal in both public meetings and interviews is to consolidate the fire companies.
   His main position is that consolidation of the two companies will save the township some money.
   In 2006, the budget allowed from the total Fire Tax to the Crosswicks Fire Company was $20,000. This is a miniscule amount of total taxes collected and is a very good bargain for all of the services that Crosswicks Fire Company provides.
   Fifteen years ago, the TDR Program put the wheels in motion that have pushed the expansion and build-up around the community of Crosswicks into a small area. Much of this growth was to take place in the jurisdiction of the Crosswicks Fire Company, and as the years have passed, it has. Droves of new citizens have moved into the area. This major responsibility requires a lot of work. The District was able to accommodate this unprecedented amount of growth and provide the same essential services that it has for the last 187 years.
   The volunteers of the Fire Company donate their time and energy in order to save thousands of tax dollars. They pool together and hold fund raisers to keep the firehouse up and running. Anyone who has attended a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner knows that the volunteers and their families work hard so that the fire and emergency response can work for the community. All of this is provided to the taxpayers almost free of charge — the $20,000 goes directly to rent of the building and essential upkeep of the equipment.
   Aside from providing top-shelf fire and ambulance emergency response at bargain-basement costs, the firehouse is also a center of the community. Throughout the year, the firehouse hosts many events, including the tree lighting, a Christmas visit from Santa Claus, Halloween parades, fire prevention programs in schools, and is used by the Scouts.
   The Township of Chesterfield covers a vast amount of space. Keeping a fire and ambulance emergency response team in two separate places makes sense. The closer the initial responders are to the emergency, the faster they can get there. A few minutes saved in transit could mean life or death.
   We are all concerned with rising taxes and want to keep them at a reasonable level. The volunteers of the Fire Company and the Fire Commissioners are taxpayers too. Mr. Durr has proposed this plan before and a committee of Commissioners determined that no money would be saved by consolidation.
   Of all the money that is collected through taxes in Chesterfield Township, is the saving of the paltry amount of $20,000 worth all the risks of losing one of our Fire Districts? Especially when Mr. Durr is also proposing the expensive construction of a new Municipal Building and increased spending on roads and police.
   Stanley Lewis
The Board of Fire Commissioners
District No.1
Chesterfield/Hamilton Township

Resident supports

Democratic ticket
To the editor:
   I urge Bordentown Township residents to vote for Nick Renna and Joe Luisi to serve on the Bordentown Township Committee.
   Nick Renna and his family are long time residents of Bordentown Township and have owned a successful business in the township for many years. Nick is a graduate of Bordentown Regional High School and earned a bachelor’s degree at Rutgers University with a special focus on public policy.
   Joe Luisi and his family are lifelong residents and have close ties to the Bordentown Township community. Joe Luisi uses his business degree as a sales representative for a local business.
   Very proud of their community, Nick and Joe will do everything in their power to keep the same small town traditions and pass them on to future generations of Bordentown township residents.
   If elected, Nick Renna and Joe Luisi will work toward keeping property taxes stable, especially important to our seniors on fixed incomes and young couples just starting out in our township. They will keep a tight rein on expenses without cutting services and are committed to keeping our streets safe by supporting our local police department.
   We need a new direction. Joe Luisi and Nick Renna will work diligently to prevent overdevelopment, control taxes, and ensure our hard earned tax dollars are used wisely and efficiently.
   Pauline Angelo
Bordentown Township
Halloweenfest Committee

thanks participants
To the editor:
   Springfield Township Halloweenfest Committee would like to thank all those community members who helped make our 10th annual Halloweenfest a success. Many residents dedicated hours of preparation to the organization of this event.
   Special thanks to Chief Gerber and his staff for providing safety and security for the event throughout the day. Also to Jobstown and Jacksonville Fire Departments and EMS for keeping everything under control from the bonfire to the loading areas.
   A huge thank you to all the "haunters" and guides, tractor drivers, and parents who volunteered their time and baked goods.
   With the proceeds from 600 tickets, food sales, and games Recreation Committee will be able to offer more programs to our children of Springfield.
   However, due to the small amount of volunteers this year, the Halloweenfest is canceled for 2006. Anyone interested in continuing the event may contact Springfield Recreation at (609) 723-2479.
   Special thanks to the 2005 Halloweenfest Committee:
   Chairpersons: Candice Fillipine, Diane Aufiero, Theresa and John Ainsworth, Rachel Glickel, Robert Faulhaber, Deidra Gakeler, Diane & Rick Traver, Sherry Vocaturo, Annette Waite, and Linda & Carmine Pastore.
   Linda Pastore
Diane Aufiero
Halloweenfest Chairwomen
Mansfield Township

at critical juncture
To the editor:
   There are two issues in the local press recently that are closely intertwined, but appear to be advancing as independent discussions: the potential relocation of Mansfield Township’s municipal complex and the potential for sewer service in the Village of Columbus.
   Local officials should be commended for recognizing the benefit of concentrating future growth around the existing village. However, they should be cautious that a decision to relocate the municipal complex from the village does not undermine the potential for this vision to succeed.
   Mansfield Township is at a critical juncture. It is poised to either replicate the failed development trends occurring across the nation for the past 50 years by encouraging suburban sprawl through poorly planned development or it can embrace the concept that development can occur while also preserving the rural character that makes this a desirable place to live. The good news is that we are still ahead of the curve regarding suburban sprawl. In fact, the opportunity exists now to influence development by creating a shared vision for the future and than making informed decisions that support it.
   Mansfield Township is about to make a decision regarding the relocation of the municipal complex to Route 206 that could influence the town’s future. Two fundamental questions should be addressed prior to making this decision. What is the total cost of purchasing and renovating the New Millenium property and does the proposed location of the municipal complex support a future vision for the Village of Columbus?
   Have other costs associated with converting both the exterior and interior of the facility to accommodate the unique needs of municipal government, fire and police been considered? Have costs associated with parking, lighting, septic, ADA compliance, and highway access been quantified?
   Will the relocation of the municipal complex result in a lost opportunity for future growth? The municipal complex, which can be the hub for a walkable community will be relegated to an automobile dependent suburban style setting without any apparent connectivity to Main Street. Mansfield Township will not only be shouldering the cost of the new property, but the vacant facilities in the village as well. Businesses that could benefit from the daily presence of municipal employees and visitors stand to lose. Potential uses being discussed for the vacated facility such as large national chains may actually deter the village from realizing its fullest potential unless local zoning and building regulations are adequate to prevent the typical building setbacks, parking lots, and limited sense of place that suburban development is known for.
   The key is for all stakeholders in Mansfield Township to be involved in creating a shared vision for the future while the opportunity still exists, and making informed decisions based on this vision.
   Michael Russo
Columbus

Recognize veterans

on Nov. 11
To the editor:
   Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is a day that was first established as Armistice Day in a proclamation issued by President Woodrow Wilson on Nov. 11, 1919 to commemorate the first anniversary of the truce that ended World War I. It offers Americans the opportunity to recognize and thank the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
   When one takes the time to consider the numerous events that have occurred in the past several years that have required members of our Armed Forces to respond the one can only be thankful that we have men and women who willing and able to confront those challenges. They are engaged in the war on terror in places like Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. The were ready to assist the victims of hurricane Katrina and did so in outstanding fashion.
   Millions of other Americans endured the sacrifices and hardships necessary to successfully carry out the missions of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts. Still others were involved in action in Lebanon and Grenada, Panama and the Persian Gulf. All gave some and some gave all and they did so without reservation or equivocation. They come from all walks of life with great diversity but they all share a common belief in the United States of America and the ideals that our founding fathers set forth in the Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4, 1776.
   We owe much to the men and women who have served our great nation and it is a debt, which we can never adequately repay. But veterans are proud individuals who don’t seek great reward for what they’ve done. They appreciate the benefits that are afforded them by virtue of their service but what they appreciate even more is a simple "Thank you" expressed by a fellow countryman. I encourage all Americans to participate in one of the many Veterans Day Services that will be held around New Jersey this Nov. 11 or to simply say thank you to the friends and neighbors they know served our great nation. It’s what Veterans Day is all about and those two little words are sure to bring a smile to the face of every veteran.
   Joseph M. Gugliuzza
State Commander,
New Jersey American Legion