Little town runs
on volunteer spirit
To the editor:
In the events of today’s world, one hears many comments relative to the lack of volunteerism within our community. Based upon the happenings and the events of the past two weeks, I cannot agree with these comments.
On April 29, approximately twenty volunteers joined with Al Barker and his Shade Tree Committee members and proceeded to plant 25 new trees within our community. This is the largest number of trees that have been planted by the Shade Tree Committee on their annual Arbor Day planting.
The previous Saturday, a group of volunteers under the guidance of Mike Hunninghake and the members of the city’s Enviromental Committee conducted a "cleanup" of Thorntown Creek. On May 6, this same committee undertook a planting of new tree seedlings in an open parcel of land located at the end of Oliver Street at Chestnut Street.
On May 6, the city’s Garden Club under the guidance of Patti DeSantis undertook their annual flower planting in the flower beds of the city’s memorials and they also planted and hung the hanging baskets along Farnsworth Avenue.
The city also continues to receive volunteer help in the construction of the new Veterans Memorial which is slated for completion by early summer. The city continues to receive assistance from a group of concerned citizens who are involved in control of feral cats within the city. The Planning Board is "manned" by volunteers as is the city’s Environmental Committee. Crime Watch is also a group of concerned city residents, as are our Fire Department and Ambulance Squad.
Knowing that I have probably missed some volunteers, do not feel that you have been forgotten, because you are not. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by the City Commissioners and on behalf of Mayor John Collom, (Commissioner) James Lynch, city employees and the residents of Bordentown, we thank you and we salute you. It is through your efforts that the "little city with a lot of charm," has just acquired that much more charm.
John H. Wehrman
Director of Public Works,
Parks and Property
Bordentown City
Plan to subdivide lots
should be scrutinized
To the editor:
The royal empire of Springfield Township Council and the dukes and duchesses of the Springfield Township Planning Board are floating another scheme to destroy the value of lands owned by the township block 402, lot 3. That land was acquired for schools and parks and was so memorialized in the Springfield Township Master Plan. That royal group even changed that master plan.
The real hurt may come on May 16 when the Planning Board meets to review the worst of worst plans. It has been proposed to subdivide two 1-acre lots for a COAH multi-use facility (low cost housing), smack in the middle of that land. Note, not in a corners, or in the back where Burlington Township already has city water and sewer hookups, but in the middle. That positioning, surely does not enhance the utility of that land. On the contrary, it eliminates any real possibility for a school or park or any other public use.
The Springfield Township royalty has deemed, they do not have to follow the new rules they just set into place. The new 10-acre per house zoning, the TDR disguised new rules of sending and receiving areas for instance.
The once deemed necessary 3 acres for a building lot to support a well, a gray water and a black water septic system plus the setbacks and building itself surely must still be counted. The proposed is not a single family home, but multi-use facility. I wonder if the well and septic systems should be larger than a 1-acre lot could support.
It seems to me another poorly thought out scheme, which continually waste the taxpayer’s money. This royal group has wasted much of the township’s money. Count the unnecessary, expensive lawsuits just levied against them, which tells the tale. Waste and more waste! See you May 16 at the municipal building.
Roger Lord
Springfield
‘Relay for Life’
can make a difference
To the editor:
With this year’s annual New Egypt Relay for Life only a few weeks away, I wanted to share my personal story of the battle against cancer.
My son and I participated in New Egypt’s Relay for Life three years ago for the first time. What better way to show my support and celebrate my father who is a cancer survivor. So I did my part. I helped my team raise money, and I attended the team meetings. Frankly, it was a lot of fun.
Then it was time; relay day had finally arrived. Boy, was I in for a real shock. I never expected the first lap around the track, the Survivor lap, to have the impact it did on me. When my father’s name was announced, my two-year-old son Mason, met him on the track, held his hand and completed the first lap with him and all the other Survivors. While he was too young to understand my father’s battle with cancer, Mason knew that we were celebrating his "beach gampop."
Then later when it got dark and the luminaries that lined the perimeter of the track in memory of or in honor of a loved one were lit, my son was almost mesmerized. As I carried him around the track he asked me why people were crying. I simply told him that cancer, a bad disease, took their relatives or friends to heaven.
Ever since then, whenever we drive by New Egypt High School, he gets excited and asks me when we can decorate the luminaries and go walk around the track again at Relay. Now my son is five and he is still too young to make sense of cancer. However, he knows how passionate we are about being a part of Relay where together we can make a difference.
If anyone wants more information about Relay for Life at New Egypt High School on June 10 and 11, wants to join a team, make a donation, or find out how you can help, please contact me at (609) 723-0271. Everyone is welcome. Thank you!
Julie Bell
Chesterfield

