Letters for the week of April 27

Cutting governments will save dollars
To the editor:
   
I applaud the request (The Ledger, April 20) that people submit their suggestions for how to save money in New Jersey rather than just complaining about the governor’s efforts to balance our budget with a sales tax increase. I hope you get many responsible suggestions, they are published and forwarded to the governor.
   New York pays 8.5 percent sales tax, California 8.5 percent sales tax and Alabama pays 9 percent sales tax. Those states tax clothes and some tax food and drugs. Our income tax is not the highest in the nation.
   What kills New Jersey is the property tax. And why? We have over 1,000 units of government. We should look at the elephant in the room in this state and reduce the number of units of government. For example, we have over 600 school district, each with their own superintendent. Just think, it cost the state at least $92 million to pay these superintendents. That assumes that we only pay $100,000 per year plus benefits. We know we pay much more to some. And the New York Times reports there is shortage of superintendents in this state.
   If we eliminate all except 21 units of government — one for each county — we could pay $300,000 per year and it would cost the state $6 million. I think $85 million in cost savings is not insignificant.
   And we might look at county-wide purchasing agents. And just think, we would have only a few people the taxpayers would have to monitor and follow, and only a few officials that the papers would have to investigate and keep honest.
   County government is the norm for the rest of the country. We should really consider it. I know a lot of elected officials would be out of work but the cost savings would be huge.
Jane S. De Lung
Green Avenue
Tougher stance needed on illegal students
To the editor:
   I think that the school board has missed a wonderful opportunity this year not to raise our property taxes. The budget passed by about 50 votes only with 7 percent of eligible voters. The superintendent and school board president immediately rushed to claim credit for the school budget approval.
   Board of Education President Laura Waters explained the very low 7 percent voter turnout — well below the state average — in this dubious, at best, way (The Ledger, April 20): "I think the low voter turnout is a sign of the community’s feeling of stability regarding the school system. We have just emerged from a cycle where there was a lot of dissatisfaction and people came out to vote. When the perception is that the school board accurately represents the community, interest wanes."
   Dr. Waters, you are wrong, dead wrong. The reason for the very low voter turnout is that the Lawrence homeowners do not believe that their votes matter anymore. Two years ago with a much higher voter turnout the school budget was defeated. What happened after that? Ignoring the will of the community the municipal council went ahead and approved the school budget anyway.
   In response to my inquiry about the recently disclosed information that about 20 students were dismissed from the Lawrence schools because of their improper residency status, school board member Leon Kaplan told me that no one knows exactly how many nonresident students there are in our schools. It seems to me that the school board is reluctant to seek reimbursement from the parents and guardians of those dismissed to return the money to the Lawrence residents who paid the cost of educating those dismissed through the property taxes — more than $11,000 per student, per year.
   Dr. Kaplan, don’t you think it is about time to know how many nonresident students are in our schools? I am sure many Lawrence residents will appreciate if the school board and local government could tell us what action they will undertake to resolve the residency issue in our schools.
Wieslaw Marszalek
Baker Street
Farewell to BJ, a most faithful dog
To the editor:
   
We know every pet owner is heartbroken when the time comes to say goodbye but we wanted to write a tribute to our dog, BJ.
   He was truly a neighborhood dog. All the local kids used to come and take him to play at their houses. He joined them every day at their bus stops. The parents didn’t mind. Their kids were with a 125-lb. black Lab who would protect them with his life. The parents also didn’t have to give into their children’s begging for a dog — after all, the kids basically had BJ whenever they wanted.
   He frequently visited the neighbors — where everyone kept large dog bones just for him —for morning snacks. When Lawrence celebrated its 400th anniversary, we went to view the parade with our dogs. The school floats went by and all the kids were yelling "There’s BJ!" Then the fire trucks came by and the firemen were yelling "There’s BJ!" He actually had a more active social life than we did.
   Kids who grew up with BJ have stopped by through the years and been thrilled that he was still alive. They had so many good memories with him. It’s going to be tough to tell them he’s gone. We have three other dogs at home and love them all but none have come close to BJ’s personality.
   So to honor BJ, we wrote this obituary:
   Departed this life, at his residence, in Lawrence, on April 17, the black lab, BJ, at the advanced age of 14 years. BJ started life, it is not known where, but eventually found his way to Caldor’s and subsequently to our home in Lawrence where he made a large circle of acquaintances, and many fast friends.
   As a young dog, BJ was known to go on walkabouts around southern Lawrence, and make friends with all he encountered, especially children.
   He was a big fan of the girls’ field hockey teams at Notre Dame High School. He even looked in on the classes at Notre Dame on occasion, once being mistaken for a bear.
   He spent a useful life, never losing his dignity, or character, providing unending love and affection, to all who encountered him. He will be sorely missed.
June Langley

Dave Shea
Drexel Avenue
LHS principal is a caring leader
To the editor:
   I recently learned that Lawrence High School Principal Donald Proffit will leave the high school in August. I find that a loss for the township as well as the school itself.
   I was an employee for the township public schools as a substitute teacher for two years. Not that it amounts to an full-time teaching profession, but as a substitute you did the job of the full-time teacher, sometimes wondering if your sanity would stay intact.
   Mr. Proffit had a lot to place on his shoulders and he ran an excellent school. His kids, in my opinion, were the best and I know they will miss him. He was an excellent boss, and he always made an attempt to see who was teaching his kids.
   I do feel that his staff was exceptional — from Carol Weber, who oversaw substitute assignments to Vice Principal David Milinowicz who taught me history at Notre Dame during the 1970s. Other Lawrence High School staff members, including Vice Principal Mindy Milavsky, and those who handled discipline duties, did a fine job. And that’s why these kids are prepared for the grownup world.
   If I had to do it all over again I would have listened to my father and attended Lawrence High School instead of Notre Dame, because after all I was, and still am, a Lawrence boy (I attended Eldridge Park Elementary School and St. Ann’s School).
   Mr. Proffit made Lawrence High School a place to experience life and for students to be ready for college years as it was like a stepping stone to new and better things. Many have seen the additions to the high school and can see that the township is evolving into a place for giving its children all that is possible.
   It will be an empty place though without his leadership, his compassion, and his style of giving Lawrence what it needed in a post-Sept. 11 world.
   Good luck Mr. Proffit.
Peter F. Lieggi
Rossa Avenue
Help strengthen local families
To the editor:
   
Mercer families need our help.
   Stories about child abuse appear in the headlines when a particularly depraved incident captures our attention, such as the tragic events of a 5-week-old-baby recently shaken to death in Mr. Laurel, and the horrible death of 7-year-old Nix Marie Brown in New York City. Thousands of other children will suffer in silence, out of the spotlight of the media. Child abuse happens in every community, even where material resources are plentiful. The long term effects of emotional abuse and cruelty know no boundaries.
   The state Division of Youth and Family Services received a total of 2,236 referrals for intervention and services in Mercer County during 2003, the most recent year for which statistics are available. They received a additional 1,728 of referrals which they categorized as family problems.
   Much of this suffering is avoidable when parents are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to raise their children. Parents must be able to find the information and support they need. For this reason, I am proud to serve as a volunteer director to the Board of Trustees of Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey (PCA-NJ). Each day, the staff and volunteers of PCA-NJ work in communities to provide parents with the necessary skills and knowledge to raise their children in a loving and supportive manner.
   Nationally, April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, symbolized by the Blue Ribbon. I wear a Blue Ribbon to display my support for New Jersey’s children and hope my fellow readers will do the same. To obtain a Blue Ribbon or for more information about Prevent Child Abuse-NJ call (800) CHILDREN or e-mail [email protected].
   Maybe some day we’ll see headlines about communities supporting families.
Nicholas D. Borrelli
Ege Avenue
Hopewell
The writer is a board member and treasurer of Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey.
‘Go Red for Women’ for a healthy heart
To the editor:
   
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 health threat facing women today. Nearly 500,000 females die annually from cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke, including close to 14,700 New Jersey women. Since 1984 the number of cardiovascular disease deaths for females has exceeded those for males. At all ages more women than men die from stroke.
   What can women do? Love your heart, make a change and take charge of your life by attending the fourth annual New Jersey American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon on Tuesday.
   The American Heart Association Go Red For Women movement is a national effort to make women aware of their risk for heart disease and stroke and take action to reduce that risk. The Go Red For Women movement in New Jersey is about our mothers and daughters, sisters and grandmothers, aunts, best friends, coworkers, and all the women in our lives.
   Love your heart is the message the American Heart Association is delivering to women across the country and at the Go Red For Women Luncheon on Tuesday. By loving your heart, you can save it. Why? Because heart disease and stroke can be prevented.
   The recent recipient of the prestigious 2006 State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Division on Women Wynona M. Lipman Award for Service in Healthcare to Women, the American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon provides women with life-saving information, resources and hope to live a longer, stronger life. There will be inspiring survivor stories, educational sessions, and a keynote address urging women to find their real heart, their real selves, and live healthier more authentic lives.
   Do something today to make you feel proud. Make a change. Love your heart by attending the statewide American Heart Association Go Red For Women Luncheon on Tuesday at The Palace in Somerset. Then leave a legacy for future generations of New Jersey women by sharing the information with other women. Learn more by calling the American Heart Association at (609) 538-0713.
Diane Turton
Co-chairwoman
American Heart Association
2006 Go Red For
Women Luncheon
2550 U.S. Route 1
North Brunswick
Give inner-city kids a great summer
To the editor:
   
Each year, families and individuals in Princeton make summer special for inner-city children from New York City as volunteers for The Fresh Air Fund. As National Volunteer Week approaches, I would like to give my deepest thanks to our Fresh Air heroes: dedicated hosts, volunteers and supporters. Year after year, they demonstrate their compassion and concern for the well-being of others by their commitment to New York City children from low-income neighborhoods.
   Our caring Fresh Air host families open their homes and share the everyday joys of summertime with their Fresh Air guests. Our local volunteer leaders — many of whom are also hosts — give by serving on our local Friendly Town Committee, planning summer activities, raising funds for special events, publicizing the program and interviewing prospective host families. I would also like to thank all individuals and businesses that have generously given their time and resources to make the Friendly Town program throughout this area a great success each summer.
   The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children since 1877. For more information on how you can help to continue this wonderful tradition of volunteering, please call Betsy Bloemeke at (609) 448-1027 or The Fresh Air Fund at (800) 367-0003.
Amanda Cortese
Director of Public Relations
The Fresh Air Fund
New York