LETTERS

From the issue of April 13, 2006.

Make voice heard: Vote ‘no’ Tuesday
To the editor:
   There are some government school advocates who have claimed that having good schools increases the value of your property.
   The greatest increase of property values in the last several years have been in Newark, Asbury Park, New Brunswick, and Camden. Are their schools that good?
   Do you believe property taxes are too high in New Jersey?
   Voting no to school budgets on April 18 would shake up the political establishment in South Brunswick and in Trenton.
   Elections give you the power to be heard.
Fred Stein

Dayton

Appreciation from SBCDC
To the editor:
   The board of South Brunswick Community Development Corporation wishes to thank you for the excellent coverage of the 25 anniversary of Charleston Place.
   This low-cost housing for seniors has served the community well and the care that our executive director, Karen Scalera, and her staff have given to these elderly people is deserving of recognition.
   Our thanks, too, to the many people who participated with ads, donation and their attendance. It is a source of great pride that we live in a caring community.
   The volunteer board of directors also gives generously of its time and energy. The need for more affordable housing is urgent and anyone wishing to help this cause should contact me at (732) 422-3282.
   Once again, thank you for being a newspaper that truly serves South Brunswick.
Muriel Leonard

Secretary

Kendall Park

Parker’s efforts warrant election
To the editor:
   In my 21 years as a member of the South Brunswick Board of Education I was privileged to work with many community members on the district’s ad hoc committee. One of the most talented and hardworking was Steve Parker. I was pleased when he decided to run for the board, and would like to encourage you to vote for him.
   From his volunteer work for the community on district committees dealing with hard issues such as redistricting, curriculum and budget, Dr. Parker is quite familiar with the workings of the board and district personnel. His two sons are products of our school system, which has given him much insight into both the strengths and weaknesses of our programs. He was an avid fan of their extracurricular activities and is a knowledgeable advocate of our athletic and music programs.
   Dr. Parker’s commitment to young people has been exemplified by his long association with scouting and as a mentor of confirmation students at church.
   Dr. Parker’s interest in and dedication to a superior school system was fostered by his family of educators. He has a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering, but has recently worked more in software engineering than rocket science. However, both his research background and computer expertise will bring a valuable knowledge base to the board as our district complies with increased science and technical emphasis from the No Child Left Behind legislation.
   His intelligence, patience and skill as a listener, which have been used by the board several times in the past, will make him a strong board member. He has always attended and watched board meetings to keep himself current with changes in the school system. He supports the proposed because he has watched and questioned during the development process.
   I encourage you to vote for Steven Parker and this year’s budget. Both will continue the tradition of strong South Brunswick schools.
Gail Barcelo

Kingston

Bob Long brings right attributes
To the editor:
   Our township overall and our schools in particular are fortunate that Bob Long is willing once again to run for our school board.
   I’ve known Mr. Long personally and professionally for many years, and have always been impressed with his dedication to South Brunswick in many ways.
   He brings the right blend of practical common sense and fiscal discipline to the school board, while understanding the human side of running the district.
   I urge all voters to return Bob Long to the school board; our students, staff and community will all benefit.
Gil Gordon

Monmouth Junction

Government picking pockets
To the editor:
   The South Brunswick Township Council and Board of Education have their Hands in my pockets once again.
   As an almost lifelong resident of South Brunswick, it is hard for me to express my absolute displeasure with the proposed tax hikes of both the Township Council and the Board of Education. Not only are we the citizens being faced with massive tax hikes on a state level, both of these entities propose tax increases that demonstrate an on-going, year-after-year invasion of my ability to live and save for the future.
   I do not want to hear about tax hikes. I want rather to hear terms like "cost-cutting," "reductions" and "sacrifice" used in the vocabulary of all the members of both entities, because that’s what I have to do to meet their tax increases every year.
   Each and every member of the Township Council and the Board of Education must look in the mirror and ask one simple question, " Have I made the right choices and done everything in my power to keep the tax hike to a reasonable level for all the citizens of South Brunswick?"
   I challenge them that they have not completely examined.
   The Board of Education announced it was looking for a 12.5-cent increase this year. If you recall last year the increase was above this and also included a few cents from the bond issue. Have our costs increased that much in one year? If so someone is not managing costs?
   Being that the state is not giving us additional funding this year, I challenge all the board members to have the administrators’ identify what could be cut, yes, cut from the budget.
   South Brunswick schools do not have to have the best of everything. If I hear about one more bond issue I may scream. I agree we should maintain high academic curriculum and good schools, but there are plenty of opportunities for cost elimination that need to be examined.
   The Township Council introduced a budget of 8-cents-plus in increases this year using $4.3 million of the surplus. Not only that, but they announced that they will take the surplus down to about $400,000 which is just ridiculous. This act is just playing with disaster and the township needs to think twice before doing this.
   Then they are looking to offset the budget with $750,000 in state money, if by an act of God it is awarded.
   Is this fiscal responsibility? May I suggest to the council it is time to cut and freeze expansion and building projects. Can you imagine what the tax increase will be next year if the council has no reserve to offset the budget? It is time to re-examine the budget with a magnifying glass.
   Let me close by saying times are good right now, so I cannot imagine what the tax increases will be when times get tough. Send each of the Township Council members, the township manager and the Board of Education members an e-mail and let them know that enough is enough. Keep your hands out of our pockets.
Richard F. Kish

Kendall Park

Board’s been careful with tax money
To the editor:
   The taxpayers of South Brunswick Township have much to be proud of the educational system they have supported over the years.
   We have outstanding academic classes, superb performing and visual arts programs, high quality sports programs, various leadership opportunities and advanced technology to lead our children.
   We need to continue to support our school budget. No one wants to spend more than is necessary but we need to keep funding in place for our excellent programs.
   This year the district has faced many challenges in preparing the budget. I feel that in order to continue providing for our programs as well as educating 233 more students with the same money received from Trenton, the board has been very careful in funding only what is truly necessary to continue our path of excellence.
   Please join me in voting "yes" on Tuesday, April 18. Remember – every vote counts.
Barbara P. McWilliams

Kendall Park

Re-elect Bob Long
To the editor:
   We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to vote in the school budget election on this Tuesday, April 18 and also to ask you to support the candidacy of Mr. Bob Long for re election to the school board.
   Mr. Long has dedicated much of his time and effort to the Board of Education and has served as president. His vast experience and expertise have served the people of South Brunswick well.
   Mr. Long always listens to every option and tries to find the best possible solution to the problem at hand while keeping costs in check at the same time.
   Mr. Long takes his role on the board very seriously and is very conscientious of his duty of providing the best education for our children while also maintaining fiscal responsibility.
   For these reasons, we wholeheartedly support Bob Long for re-election. Please remember to vote on Tuesday, April 18.
Mary Ellen and Joseph Mastronardi

Kendall Park

Support the budget
To the editor:
   Another year, another school budget and another opportunity for voters to play an active role in our children’s, grandchildren’s and neighbor’s children’s quest for the finest education possible.
   With the help of our South Brunswick school system’s excellent faculty, support staff, administrators and quality facilities, our pupils’ efforts will reap rewards many times over in their lifetimes.
   While we recognize that there are voters on fixed incomes and many family budgets are tight, please remember our children are educated only once and we can’t afford the luxury of not supporting them. They are our investment. Don’t let them down. On Tuesday, April 18, vote yes for the school budget.
Dean and Sandra Behrend

Kendall Park

Long, Watts, Parker for board
To the editor:
   I am pleased to recommend three people for election to the South Brunswick school board.
   Robert Long has demonstrated his commitment to the community and the schools and has earned re-election. (Mrs. Long also deserves our appreciation for all her volunteer work in the schools.)
   Daniel Watts, who occupies an endowed chair at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, has served longer than anyone else on the board. In fact, he is the only remaining member of the board that hired me in 1992.
   His knowledge of our district’s history and his wisdom about educational issues are critical resources in managing the difficult issues facing the school system.
   Both of these men know the significance of putting teachers and students first in creating high performing schools.
   Steve Parker, while a new candidate, knows the schools well and is extremely well qualified. He has extensive experience working on various committees for the board, in the schools, and in the community.
   He earned his doctorate from Princeton University, works in software development for the defense industry, and his sons were outstanding students in academics, sports, music, drama, and art.
   He knows from experience the importance of a balanced educational program in building the lives of young people. He knows and respects the power of teachers and the importance of creating a nurturing environment where teachers are encouraged to put their minds and hearts in their work.
   He understands firsthand the college application process from helping his sons earn acceptance into highly competitive schools, including Princeton.
   He spent years working in the Scouting program all the way through the Eagle level.
   He worked on some of the most important committees of the board over the past decade including both school restructuring and school reorganization. In years past, whenever we had a challenging problem, we wanted Dr. Parker to put his intellectual power to work.
   He is both brilliant and compassionate, a wonderful human being who will stand firm for our values.
   Please join me in voting for Bob Long, Dan Watts and Steve Parker.
Sameul Stewart

South Brunswick
Dr. Stewart is a former superintendent of schools in South Brunswick.
Vote for Long and for budget
To the editor:
   Next Tuesday each of us will have an opportunity to vote for or against passing the school budget and also elect four members to the school board. As a 20-year resident of South Brunswick and one who has lived through the incredible growth and development of our township, I implore you to get to the polls on Tuesday and cast two votes: the first, a "yes" vote for the passing of our school budget and the second for the re-election of Bob Long to the school board. The success of both measures are critical to maintaining the excellent school system we have come to expect for our children.
   We cannot afford to risk having another dollar shaved from our already stretched and over-extended operating budget. In order to balance our district’s continuing enrollment growth against stagnant state aid for the past several years, the board responded by eliminating administrative excesses and streamlining the budget to include only those items essential to the district’s academic and instructional excellence. Any further cuts will threaten programs thought to be sacrosanct to our community, including full day kindergarten, extracurricular activities and courtesy busing. Don’t let that happen!
   Lastly, steering our district through these difficult financial times takes experience and leadership. I can think of no better candidate to ensure our safe passage than Bob Long. He has a proven track record, not only with the Board of Education, but in his business and personal endeavors, as well. Mr. Long combines his business savvy and experience with a deep personal commitment to the welfare and advancement of the children of our community. We cannot afford to lose his voice and contribution to our Board of Education.
   The Board of Education has done its part to ensure the continued success of our school district. Now it’s up to us: Vote yes for the passage of the school budget and cast your vote for Bob Long for re-election to the Board.
Christine Mariano

Monmouth Junction

Vote ‘yes’ for children
To the editor:
   I’d like to take a minute to encourage everyone to vote "yes" on the school budget.
   I have been a resident of South Brunswick for seven years and the cost to run my home has certainly increased during this time. The same goes for the school district’s expenses.
   I am in support of the new budget. Our children’s education is important because they are the future leaders of the country. We want them to be well-educated and prepared for the future.
   This budget preserves and protects the necessary components that help our school system produce well-rounded and successful students.
   Join me in voting yes on April 18. A no vote would be a vote against our children.
Stacia Neals

Dayton