Letters to the Editor, Nov. 10, 2005

Hopewell Library

needs your help
To the editor:
   
The trustees of the Hopewell Borough Public Library are seeking expressions of interest from persons wishing to serve on the library Trustee Board beginning in January 2006. Under state law, the nine-member trustee board is responsible for the overall planning and financial management of library operations. The board’s efforts are devoted to supporting and promoting library programs and services to the community. In so doing, the board seeks to maintain a cooperative working relationship with the municipal governing body.
   The Board of Trustees meets monthly in the evening for its regularly scheduled meetings and may hold additional committee meetings as needed. All board meetings are open to the public.
   Library trustees need not live in Hopewell Borough, but preferably would be familiar with the library. Appointments to the Board of Trustees are made by the mayor of Hopewell Borough. The trustees will forward the names of interested persons to the mayor, and may, if requested by the mayor, recommend one or more persons as candidates to fill the single vacancy.
   Expressions of interest and questions should be directed to Jennifer Spencer, library director, 13 E. Broad St., Hopewell, 08525, or by e-mail to [email protected]. The library’s telephone number is 466-1625.
Jon Noonan, president
Hopewell Public Library
Board of Trustees
Seniors need services
To the editor:
   
The Older Adult Ministry Committee of the Pennington Presbyterian Church supports the hiring of a Senior Services coordinator and the establishment of a Senior Center.
   At present Hopewell Valley is the only community in the Mercer County area without a senior center. The Senior Center is needed to provide services such as wellness with blood pressure checks; education with a stimulating lecture series; volunteerism to provide school aids; socialization with a place to have seniors gather; recreation and nutrition.
   Seniors, aged 55 and older, number approximately one fifth of Hopewell Valley. This figure includes Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, and Pennington Borough.
   What do seniors receive for the taxes they pay each year? Seniors receive very little for the high taxes they pay. The Older Adult Ministry Committee of the Pennington Presbyterian Church believes that a portion of our high taxes should support a Senior Center. Thank you for your support.
Older Adult Ministry
Committee, Pennington
Presbyterian Church
Inclusive housing
To the editor:
   
The Hopewell Township Committee does do some things right. The township’s housing development plan off Scotch Road will meet legally mandated COAH requirements. This was accomplished by including needed community-based housing for people with developmental disabilities. Conversations with ARC, a statewide advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities, resulted in the provision of group homes for people with disabilities. A group home is a community residence that provides services for a small number of people with developmental disabilities. Thousands of people with developmental disabilities reside in community-based residences throughout New Jersey.
   Another 3,000 people are in institutions waiting for community placement. Research indicates that the quality of life of people with developmental disabilities has been significantly improved by living in the community when compared to institutional placement.
   Hopewell Township Committeewoman Judy Niederer, while admitting "not knowing much about group homes," expressed a concern that parents are worried about the safety of their children. She called for some public education on the question. Here are two research findings: (1) People with disabilities pose no greater harm to their neighbors than others in the community; (2) Group homes do not result in a decreased of property values. In fact, group homes are well-maintained and neighborhood property values increase.
   State zoning laws prohibit discrimination in housing for people with disabilities. In a 1999 Supreme Court decision, Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W., ruled that states have an affirmative obligation to provide disability services in the community rather than unnecessary institutional settings.
   What makes good living in the three Hopewell municipalities is its respect for human diversity. There are families that have a member with a disability. For the most part children with disabilities are well served in education programs in our schools. More can be done in all three municipalities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing reasonable accommodations so adults can have greater access to public and private services.
   Hopefully the public hearing on Nov. 29 will inform the public on the ramifications of the township’s housing development plan. But whether or not a group home for people with developmental disabilities has a rightful place in the township is a legally settled matter and should not be used as a reason to oppose the plan. This is not in keeping with the character of the Hopewell community.
Stan Vitello
Hopewell Borough
KatrinAid account

still is open
To the editor:
   
On Oct. 23, over $5,000 was raised by friends, neighbors, and local merchants for the benefit of Habitat For Humanity. Viviane Rowen of Titusville, and Cissie Clement of New Hope, Pa., organized an event, KatrinAid, that was fun for everyone and will directly help Hurricane Katrina victims. They tapped into the talents of Bill Clement, two-time Stanley Cup champion and studio host for NHL coverage on OLN and NBC, who held a lively and highly successful auction.
   The co-chairs’ children helped with tickets, 50-50 raffle, and the auction. Vivian’s son, Brandon, entertained everyone by juggling baseballs, raising more money than any single item in the auction. I, a Pennington Borough fire commissioner, donated the use of the Pennington Fire Company’s hall and The DADZ, a local rock & roll band, provided free entertainment.
   Special thanks go to the co-chairs and their families for their leadership and hard work; to local businesses: Queenstown Gallery, Serendipity, Pennington Market, Wooly Lamb, Vito’s Pizza, Clemens Market, Artisans Gallery, Sansones Farm Market, Brittney O’Donnell Garden Design, Pennington Apothecary and River Horse Brewery, who donated goods and services.
   To our community, who gave unselfishly at the event; and, to Habitat For Humanity for providing a way for communities to reach out and effectively and efficiently help other less fortunate communities and families in need.
   The KatrinAid account is still open for anyone who would like to donate. All checks should be payable to "KatrinAid" and be sent to Viviane Rowan at 55 Fiddlers Creek Road, Titusville, 08560. All the money raised at the volunteer event, including both halves of the "50-50" — thanks to George Kurteson of New Hope — and all subsequent donations will be donated directly to Habitat For Humanity
Tom Timperman
Pennington
Want Santa

to stop by?
To the editor:
   
The Hopewell Fire Department and Emergency Medical Unit are arranging to have Santa and his elves deliver Christmas presents by fire engine. The volunteers are anxiously planning to bring this special event to our community.
   If you are interested in participating, a minimum $25 donation per household is requested. All proceeds will be applied to the Hopewell Fire Department building facilities. We ask that you wrap one small, inexpensive gift per child and label it clearly with your child’s name and address. Volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel will visit every block within our fire district to deliver the gifts. Be sure to capture your child’s joy and excitement on film!
   Please plan to bring the gift(s) to the firehouse, located at the corner of Greenwood and Columbia avenues in the borough, on one of the following evenings: Nov. 29, 30, or Dec. 1 between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the drop-off, please call the firehouse at 466-0060 between 6 and 9 p.m. The presents will be delivered during the nights of Dec. 4, 5, and 6 between 6 and 9 p.m. When you drop the present(s) off at the firehouse, you will be told the date Santa will arrive at your home.
   If you are unsure if you are within the Hopewell Fire Department’s response district or have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 466-0060 and someone will be happy to assist you. If there is no one available at the time of your call, leave a message (ext. 30) and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
   Don’t forget to join Santa on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. as he lights the Hopewell Christmas Tree on the corner of Broad Street and Greenwood Avenue Afterwards follow Santa to the firehouse for some warm beverages and a chance for your child to sit with Santa and give him his/her list in person.
Hopewell Fire Department,
Emergency Medical Unit
Thanks for Charter

Day support
To the editor:
   
On behalf of Hopewell Township’s 250th Charter Day committee, we would like to thank all those who helped celebrate Hopewell Township’s rich history by joining us in marking the township’s 250th anniversary of being chartered by King George II of England.
   The crisp afternoon began with the Germantown Dancers and the Libertytones, who lead the crowd in spirited dancing and choral rounds. Imaginations were captivated by Levram the Magnificent, whose period conjuring entranced his audience of both the young and the young at heart. Crafters wove colorful blankets and carved intricate wooden stamps and each attendee left with a metal Colonial toy soldier, poured and hammered before them by our "local" 18th century whitesmith. The celebration ended with a bang as a colorful display of fireworks lit up the evening sky.
   Our most sincere thanks to the local businesses whose funding made this event possible, including Bristol Myers-Squibb, Merrill Lynch, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Hopewell Valley Community Bank, Amboy Bank, Yardville National Bank, and Pennington Quality Market. We also would like to thank the many volunteers who shared their time and talents and made the day a success including, Bill Carlton and his team from Weidel Realtors in Hopewell Borough, Doug Pitchell and the New Jersey Frontier Guard for sharing their extensive collection of items from the French and Indian War, Charlie Hatch and Boy Scout Troop 41, the American Red Cross of Central NJ, George Skic, Howell Farm for donating pumpkins, the Mega Group for donating copies of the original charter for the children, Sgt. Judy Ayala and the staff of Washington Crossing State Park, Jim Kurtzenburger, the Washington Crossing Association of New Jersey, Ruth Luse, Sheryl Stone, John Hart of Rosedale Mills, Nancy Canto, Richard Armington, Desiree Fogler, Bruce Hilling, and Jim McGuire, Bryan Malkiewicz and Jan Crum and all the volunteers from the Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad.
Vanessa La Franco,
RBC Dain
Rauscher Financial
Sharon Fink,
Hopewell Valley
Community Bank
Co-chairwomen,
Royal Charter Day 2005
Thanks

for everything
To the editor:
   
We want to thank our families and our family of friends for all of the dedication, motivation and support they have given to us time and time again throughout our campaign. You have been the "wind beneath our wings." We also want to thank all of the residents of Hopewell Township for their encouragement and inspiration. We decided to seek election to the Hopewell Township Committee because Hopewell Township is a community well worth serving. The residents of our township have continuously demonstrated the high caliber of integrity, intelligence and activism that makes Hopewell Township so great.
   Thanks again for everything.
Vanessa Sandom
John Murphy
Democratic candidates
for Township Committee