North Hanover candidate
reflects on election results
To the editor:
With regards to the general election, I am extremely thankful to the North Hanover township residents who supported my campaign with their vote and in particular to the voters of District 3 which is the largest farm belt portion of our township. Since I reside in District 3, it is truly humbling that I won this district and I sincerely appreciate the continued support over the years.
Being the architect of the farmland program in North Hanover, beginning in 1989, I am extremely proud of our success with our preservation program over my previous 15 years on the township committee. I can only hope that this will continue, however, I truly believe that the current township committee’s actions are not for farmland preservation, but, are for pro-development including high-density.
In a brief analysis of the election results, I believe the residents need to assess the reason for the substantial cash investment into the DeLorenzo campaign effort and ask why two state Assemblymen, Mr. Malone and Mr. Dancer and a U.S. Congressman, Mr. Saxton would endorse a single candidate for the local township committee position without including the Republican state or county candidates, which includes Mr. Forrester for Governor.
I truly realize that these state and federal representatives have every right to endorse whom ever they wish, but these endorsements of a single local candidate appears to be very interesting. When reading the Malone and Dancer endorsement, it is interesting to note their claim that DeLorenzo has brought North Hanover to the forefront of the state and county’s attention and 826 acres in farmland were preserved over the last two years.
Although DeLorenzo has been the township liaison for the farmland programs over the last two years, I am not aware of any farms being preserved during this time nor have any of the 36 additional smaller farms which were targets been acquired by the $3.3 million preservation grant which was obtained in 2003 entered this program. If Malone or Dancer are reading this editorial, perhaps you should read the Register-News article from Thursday, Nov. 3 and the comments made by Hope Gruzlovic, a SADC spokeswoman who reported that this $3.3 funding will remain in place at least until the SADC’s next internal review in April 2006, when the North Hanover money could potentially be shifted to another municipality is what you are referring to.
When reading Mr. Saxton’s high gloss campaign endorsement for DeLorenzo, it is interesting to note that DeLorenzo has done a wonderful job fixing the fiscal mess North Hanover was in just a few years ago and that he’s even been recognized on the state and national level for these efforts to streamline government and deliver high quality services. If increasing the budget in 2004 and using $640,000 of township surplus funds leaving a balance of only $3,500 in reserve without any documented, clear revenue recovery plan and by using $607,500 of deferred school tax revenue as surplus to balance the 2005 budget which results in deficit spending is any indication of good fiscal management, no wonder the Federal Government is having budget and spending problems in Washington.
I am not aware of DeLorenzo being recognized on a national level, however, on the state level, I am wondering if Mr. Saxton is referring to a state DCA 2004 innovation in governance award. If this is the award, the same was presented to North Hanover Township in recognition of regionalization of services by municipalities for a 2002 animal control project. If this is the award for which credit is being given to DeLorenzo, this was for a 2002 project and was in place one year before DeLorenzo was on the township committee.
John Kocubinski
North Hanover Township
Candidate thanks
Florence voters
To the editor:
I started this campaign feeling that if I worked hard and met a few people in town, that it would have been worth it, win or lose. Well, for being a resident of this great township for only two and a half years and winning 46 percent of your vote, I am touched very deeply by your support and kind words throughout this long race. I am fortunate for the opportunity to meet so many of my neighbors and truly feel like I am part of the Florence Township family.
Now, I urge you to go out and attend our Township Council meetings, which meet every first and third Wednesday of each month, be a part of the process and witness first-hand the level of our representation on council. Go out, ask questions and demand answers.
Again, I thank you very much and look forward to you support in the future.
Tom Stanuikynas
Florence Township
Vietnam vet moved
by flag ceremony
To the editor:
Vietnam Veterans of America NJ Chapter 899 President Michael Engi coordinated with Major Peter Webster/command officers to have members attend a flag lowering ceremony at Fort Dix on Thursday evening.
Especially fitting for me since it was the Marine Corps birthday. As the brisk cool breeze ruffled the flag and chilled our bodies, the movement of the flag as it was lowered chilled my being as well. I thought of the ultimate sacrifice of our soldiers throughout the years/today to enable a ceremonial respectful lowering of our symbol of freedom and the price paid by the families (as aptly pointed-out by the command speaker whose words were so poignant) let alone the veterans and active/reserve personnel to allow for the raising of that flag.
The unexpected retort from the cannon (that likely cleared the cholesterol from the veins of many of us older soldiers) and the bugle reverberating throughout the silence, reminded me of those whose bodies were chilled by the ultimate sacrifice. As I shivered in the breeze, the chill rekindled memories that strangely made me feel warm/close to heroes taken as payment to allow my presence.
Election Day, the Marine Corps birthday, and Veterans Day all in succession speak volumes to the freedom oh so often we take for granted. For those who didn’t vote, it was as if you stepped on the graves of each and every one of those fallen heroes; for my Marine Corps family, Semper Fi; for the Command at Fort Dix, thank you for inviting us; for our fallen soldiers, rest in peace; for our active duty soldiers eternally vigilant to give us the freedom to think/pontificate and act upon whatever freedom means to oneself, and to Fort Dix Command/Troops, thank you!
For those who just do not care, take a moment out of your important busy agenda to remember, at least here/today, you can.
Joe Meheski
VVA NJ Chapter 899 Member
Experts agree that
downzoning doesn’t work
To the editor:
NJ Farm Bureau’s Helen Hendicks and Jim Miller during their presentation July 7, 2005, at the Jacksonville Community Center, Gabi Grunstein (an attendee), NJ Farm Bureau water quality field representative, all say (downzoning) 3 acres to 10 acres does not work.
Dan Mott Kennedy, Burlington County Farmland Preservation Program Coordinator, said in his presentation on July 26, 2005 at the Jacksonville Community Center, after the moratorium ending 2008-2009, the 10-acre zoning will decrease any financial considerations (regarding) preservation pay-outs to the farmers, and that is only if those lands are in a priority zone. All others are not even considered at all. It was pointed out; you could volunteer for preservation at a financial (downward) risk.
Werner Thiessen, senior vice president of acquisitions and his associate John Pagenkoopf, vice president of land planning and landscape architecture, from Toll Brothers, a nationwide developer, gave a very informative presentation at the Jacksonville Community Center on July 27, 2005. They were invited to speak regarding down- zoning and how that would impact the township. They advised one acre would be more realistic considering the information they had, which suggested that Springfield Township would be developed in 10 years no matter what the rules are now.
This also was conceded at a planning board meeting. That prediction could be a valid one. The difference, however, is the lawyers, developers (and the courts) will make the money and the farmer will have checked out earlier, because of escalating land taxes. Small guy is out again.
Recently, the courts found in Medford Township, for the developers. Medford’s downzoning scheme, after 10 years, backfired.
Franklin Township, Gloucester County, another downzoning scheme (may have) backfired. That may be the scheme of schemes! However, the landowners checked out earlier and were on the sidelines again watching the lawyers, developers and township go at it.
The Farming Magazine, Moose River Publishing LLC, November 2005 issue, article by Martin Harris advises: watch out for politically correct schemes, which in the long run will rob you of the value of the land. He also points out that most real farmers must have two or more jobs. He says you can read those stats for yourself in the "2005 Statistical Report" of the USDA’S National Agricultural Statistical Service, which shows that the average 2004 farm-household income derived $8,248 from farming and $62,247 from off-farm work. This points out once again the average farmer needs his land value to either pass on to the next generation or to check out (the land being his 401K, health insurance, and final resting place costs).
Springfield Township’s existing zoning (3 acres/building lot) has worked. The surrogates of the remaining lands have proven they can be trusted. We should give them our support. They have supported this township for generations. Why change what has been working for all of us? Just say no to downzoning. Three- to 10-acre zoning just will not work.
Roger Lord
Springfield Township
City cats need
neighbors’ help
To the editor:
So far Bordentown City Cats have fixed 276 cats under our trap/neuter/release program. Further, we have adopted 81 cats out to good homes. These were dropoffs from out of town very often, or poor little abandoned cats from apartments (both instances are against the law) or kittens caught in the wild early enough to be adoptable.
Our efforts continue for the good of the cats as well as the good of the community. Not one dollar of tax money has been spent in this endeavor. All our work is funded through donations. Anyone who would like to help is welcome to call the pussycat line, (609) 324-3896.
Mak Kieffer
Bordentown City Cats

