Letters-Dec. 22, 2005

Hole-in-one

club congratulated
To the editor:
   Hunterdon County’s Heron Glen Golf Course in Ringoes would like to congratulate all of their 2005 Hole In One Club members on their outstanding achievement during the golf season and to thank all Heron Glen golfers for making 2005 a wonderful season.
   Sixteen holes in one were achieved this season by 15 golfers.
   They were:
   Hole 5 — Liza Brightly, June 3, 5 iron; and John Konquka, June 4, 5 iron.
   Hole 7 — Therese Dupree, May 24, sand wedge; Bud Clark, July 9, 8 iron; Richard Allen, July 13, 8 iron; Scott Cozart, July 17, 8 iron; Winnie Siemon, Sept. 13, 8 iron; Robert Borello, Oct. 9, pitching wedge; and Jeffrey W. Carlo, Oct. 16, pitching wedge.
   Hole 12 — Allan Malinowski, May 13, pitching wedge; Scott Cozart, Aug.. 14, 9 iron; Karen Madden, Aug. 18, 5 iron; and Paul Weichler, Aug. 20, 8 iron.
   Hole 15 — Robert Holdsworth, July 26, 4 iron; and Tom Alesi, Aug. 27, 3 wood.
   Hole 17 — Jim Secula, Aug. 15, 8 iron.

Jennifer Winecker
Heron Glen Golf Course
Ringoes

A few suggestions

for traffic-calming
To the editor:
   I, too, attended the meeting at the Lambertville Justice Center concerning the reconfiguration of Route 165.
   After a week of digesting the Department of Transportation’s plan and the concerns of impacted businesses and residents, of which I am, I would like to make a few observations and suggestions.
   Since I do not have a degree in any kind of traffic science, I doubt the DOT would take these promulgations seriously. Also, no plan anyone comes up with will make everyone happy.
   The roundabout at Bridge Street is probably unnecessary because once the light at Main Street turns red, it of itself creates a backup. Remember, this is a project of traffic-calming (slow-down) so creating a traffic-jam would certainly accomplish that.
   I would like to see the elimination of all left turns in both the north and south directions. Roundabouts at Mt. St. Hope Street and Route 518 would make this possible.
   In addition, anyone wanting to go north from Mt. Hope Street and Main Street could do so without having to go through town.
   Especially dangerous is the left turn into Valpariso’s parking lot where you have to cross two lanes of opposing traffic and enter a one-way street. The Lilly Street stop sign is at the corner, which is past the entrance, and there are no striped crosswalks.
   I realized the illogic of this design when I was hit by a car making a left turn as I walked across Lilly Street. Does anyone know who has the right of way? Instead, the entrance should be on the southbound lane.
   The roundabout would make all the businesses accessible to northbound traffic.
   If there is going to be a reduction of lanes to one lane in each direction, parking spaces would be created from Bridge Street all the way to the Laceworks in both directions; a landscaped median is a waste of space and costly to maintain.
   I think the creation of a bike lane is a bad idea, especially if the traffic can make left turns. Since you have to be an addlepated pinhead to ride a bike on that street in the first place, this is like accommodating idiocy.
   The towpath is safe, scenic, and signs can be posted to direct cyclists to it.
   No matter what shape this plan may take, a roundabout at the Route 518 intersection seems to be its best feature because that intersection has quite a few complications.
   To all my detractors, please reread sentence number four.

Keith Kraemer
Lambertville

Alliance needs

more volunteers
To the editor:
   The moon was darkened by a passing cloud, making it difficult to identify the chilled faces as I crossed the parking lot and entered the building.
   Immediately, my nostrils were romanced by the aroma of freshly baked confections mingled with the nutty fragrance of exotically brewed coffee.
   It was then she approached me, clad in a kilt proclaiming the colors of the Hunting Stewart, mid-weight, breaking gently just at the knee; a charcoal gray Piper’s jacket offset by square silver cast buttons and a large Celtic broach that harkened back to the days when the clans gathered as the members were tonight.
   The South Hunterdon Municipal Alliance end-of-the-year wrap-up party was in full swing as stories of bravely canvassed poinsettia sales combined with valiant wreath forays resounded through the night. A fast moving snowstorm had not defeated the dedicated volunteers in their commitment to deliver the Jersey Fresh, Hunterdon County grown holiday plants and wreaths on time.
   Support from the Lambertville Police Department guaranteed customers could pick up their purchases safely.
   In order to accommodate the buying enthusiasm of the local folks, the volunteers unselfishly sold their own preordered plants rather than have anyone leave Lambertville’s Justice Center empty-handed. The merchants of Lambertville graciously bolstered wreath sales, smiling as volunteers arrived with boxed wreaths in hand and left with the words, "Sure, its for kids, we’ll help," echoing in their ears.
   When there was simply no more left to sell, one member ventured out alone to the place of the beginning to make more green joy for all.
   Knowing that next year’s springtime raisers were rapidly approaching, the volunteers discussed once again how such a small group could continue to serve so well without fresh support. We need to hear more voices. We need more, to do more, for our friends and neighbors from school age to silver status.
   You have asked for more programs and we, the committee, need more members — parents of school-age children, yes, but also the vital and productive youthful elder members can surely serve.
   Our South county family deserves the best we all can give. Please support our fundraisers and community programs in the future at the very least.
   We welcome any who would care to volunteer. Thank you to all who supported South Hunterdon Municipal Alliance’s fundraiser and to all a "good night."

John and Barbara Hencheck
co-chairpersons
South Hunterdon Municipal Alliance

People bringing

‘end times’
To the editor:
   While the House of Representatives wants to cut Food Stamps, healthcare, child support and educational assistance for low-income families and again lower the taxes for the wealthiest, our president, the president of the wealthiest nation in the world and also the biggest greenhouse gas-producing country in the world, doesn’t want to commit to any major fight against global warming because it would "hurt our economy."
   But he is willing to spend billions upon billions on war. This is all extremely disturbing.
   But to add insult to injury, from some of a certain political bent, I am now receiving Christmas newsletters, which conclude that, "It is looking more and more like the end times are coming."
   What ever happened to peace on earth or hope or goodwill? Can’t people see God is not the one bringing these "end times" to us, we are.
   And don’t they see we could do something about it?

Nancy Brown
Solebury

Old-Fashioned

Xmas a success
To the editor:
   The Lambertville Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone who made the first ever "Old-Fashioned Christmas" such a success.
   The evening featured a variety of activities, including a children’s story hour, traditional English caroling and a visit from Santa Claus who made his entrance in an old-fashioned horse and buggy.
   Children from Lambertville Public School and their parents ran a gift-wrapping center with the proceeds benefiting the PTA.
   This was truly a memorable event, and there are numerous groups and people the Lambertville Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank for their time and hard work in putting this together.
   Among them, Bruce Imber and Jobert Abueva of Monkey Hill; Tom Lynch; Bucks County Carriages; Jennifer Sirak of the Lambertville Public Library; the Lambertville Traditional Carol Society; the First Presbyterian Church; Lambertville Public School; Maryellen and Edric Mason of Lambertville House; Kate Marchesini and Mary Freedman for decorating the gift-wrapping center; Valerie Greene who took photos at the event; and last, but not least, our merchants for staying open late and for their hospitality.
   We look forward to an Old-Fashioned Christmas being a tradition in Lambertville.

Tom Martin
president
Lambertville Area
Chamber of Commerce

Many helped

Angel Patrol
To the editor:
   On behalf of the board of trustees and staff of the Hunterdon County YMCA, I wish to convey our thanks for the tremendous support shown by our members and the Hunterdon County community for our annual holiday Angel Patrol program.
   Your generosity helped make the holidays joyous for many in our extended community family who are experiencing financial hardship at this time.
   More than 1,000 items were collected and distributed to individual families and several community agencies, including Anderson House, Dart’s Mill, Fisherman’s Mark, Friendship Center for New Beginnings, High Bridge Food Pantry, Hunterdon Youth Services, Hunterdon County Youth Shelter and Women’s Crisis Services.
   I would also like to thank our community partners, Team Link, Quantitative Technologies Inc., Maser Consulting, Newcomers Club Central Hunterdon County, Hunterdon County Planning and Zoning Administrators Association and the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, whose generosity and assistance was again overwhelming.
   Last, but not least, I’d like to express my appreciation to the staff of the YMCA who spent countless hours sorting, wrapping and distributing the gifts.
   You and the Hunterdon County community have shown yourselves to be true angels: messengers of the real meaning and spirit of the holiday season.

Lu Ann Aversa
human resource director
Hunterdon County YMCA

Two groups

resolve problems
To the editor:
   We would like to thank the Lambertville Peace Coalition for cooperating with us in resolving problems arising out of our recent "Taste of Lambertville" event and the coalition’s "War and Peace" art exhibit.
   The chamber and the coalition were booked into Prallsville Mill with overlapping dates.
   When we arrived Nov. 19 to set up for our event, we found it necessary to remove artwork on the second floor in order to prepare for a silent auction of donated items.
   Although care was taken, works by two artists were slightly damaged. We are attempting to resolve this damage with both of the artists involved.
   We regret this happened but had to make decisions which, in consideration of the short time involved, necessitated our having to move approximately 40 works of art.
   Needless to say, the promoters of the exhibit were upset by our actions. They had been led to believe their exhibit would complement our event and didn’t expect the exhibit to be dismantled.
   We regret the lack of communication, which resulted in this occurring.
   The following week, members of both organizations met to discuss the situation, and we feel that, through discussion and understanding of each other’s points of view, the matter has been resolved.
   We look forward to continued cooperation between the two groups.

Tom Martin
president
Lambertville Area
Chamber of Commerce