Letters to the Editor, Dec. 22, 2005

Think about it
To the editor:
   
Two suggestions for greater accountability for our locally elected officials!
   I thought of them while reading your account last week of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) plan approval for Hopewell Township. The mayor was absent.
   My first suggestion is for the members of the Township Committee. If planning to be absent or inadvertently absent from a meeting with a critical agenda item, why not use today’s technology. Let your colleagues — and subsequently the public — know how you would have formally voted. Of course, it is pretty obvious why it should be done before the meeting on a confidential basis to the township clerk and then informally announced by the clerk only after the agenda item is adopted.
   As for your newspaper (which does an excellent job reporting the issue — and also including the names of the absentees) why not consider a total box score on the issue briefly describing it and how each Township Committee member voted. When election time rolls around, a composite of the accumulated box scores would certainly help balance out highly polished, highly selective political campaign literature and ads.
   As they say, "think about it."
Norman Goldman
Hopewell Township
A fond farewell
To the editor and dear friends:
   
It’s finally time. After 22 years of service in Pennington as a package delivery driver for UPS I have decided to hang up the browns and call it quits.
   Circumstances have dictated to me that it is time to leave and pursue other avenues in life. I can’t tell you how much each and every one of you have meant to me over the past 22 years. Thanks for making my stay in Pennnington a memorable one.
   I’ve had the opportunity to know you and watch each family grow. I’ve seen your kids grow from cradle to college and beyond. Likewise you have seen me grow and experience changes as well. My two sons were born while I was here. My daughter grew up and got married while I wore this uniform.
   I’ve been through many personal changes while under your watchful and understanding eyes. I thank so many of you for your support. I remarried over a year ago and now live 65 miles away. I need to devote more time to my family. I will carry with me so many memories of you all, the Pennington Day celebrations, the dog shows, the bake-offs and the dances.
   It is with a heavy heart that I leave. It is also with great joy that I remember all you have done for me and I pray that God’s blessing will be on all of you. My last day on the job will be at the end of December 2005.
David Jackson
UPS deliveryman
A family says thanks
To the editor:
   
On behalf of the entire family of my dear wife Anny Sabatino, who passed away on Dec. 2, I wish to commend and thank Captain Cindy Orlando and the Pennington First Aid Squad for their kind and able assistance in helping Anny and our family through very challenging times.
   Several times in October and November the squad faithfully responded to our calls for help in skillfully transferring Anny — who by then had lost the use of both of her legs — out of her bed and safely out of our home. These transfers enabled us to transport Anny back and forth to New York City for cancer treatments in the comfort of our family minivan. Each time the crew members summoned for this assignment were punctual, adept and compassionate.
   Anny loved the community spirit of Pennington and Hopewell Valley. The kind attention that the First Aid Squad provided to her in the last weeks of her life truly exemplified that wonderful spirit. We are most grateful.
Jack M. Sabatino
Pennington
Local businesses helped
To the editor:
   
The Woman’s Club of Lawrenceville held a fundraiser at the home of Elizabeth Duffy and John Guttman to raise money for our scholarship recipient who is attending Columbia University. One of the club’s main efforts is to support a Lawrence Township senior girl through four years of college study with a monitory award. The club hosted a cocktail buffet and a Silent Auction; and our success was largely due to the members who and businesses that donated their services and wonderful items.
   Among them are Hopewell Valley’s Amber Spa, Jann’s Sweet Shoppe, Pennington Market, Potter’s Alley and ShopRite Liquors.
   Thank you all for your support.
Jill Hendershott, chairwoman
Scholarship Committee