Letters to the editor

‘Gang of Four’ doesn’t deserve votes

To the editor:
   
This year the three Republican candidates are known as "The South Street Republican Gang of Four." Three candidates are really four candidates since we have Bob Patten and Kathy Patten as the Yang and Yin campaigning jointly for mayor, and their neighbors Niebo and Keeler along for the campaign. What these four are for is talking about consolidation of police services with East Windsor but being against consolidation.
   They are for self-promotion and taking credit of all that has happened these past four years but ignoring the Borough Council Democratic majority that participated in any accomplishments. They are for four more years of Bob Patten but against total consolidation of services with East Windsor that would reduce our total tax bill by 15 percent.
   I added up the total property tax valuations for the South Street Republican Gang of Four just to see how they are affected by this $5.70 tax rate and I find that the Republican candidates pay less than half than the three Democratic candidates, Sikorski, Quattrone, and Schneider pay in property taxes.
   No wonder these three Republicans are refusing to actually support consolidation outside of promising to hold discussions. They don’t feel the pain and pay less property taxes per person than most Hightstown residents. Bob Patten has fought revaluation for the past four years. We pay and he plays mayor, wedding officiator and Republican spokesman and attack dog for the Republican party. Bob Patten bad mouths the very Democratic Party legislators who provided extraordinary aid to the borough and he insults the East Windsor mayor, as well, while trying to negotiate. No wonder consolidation talks are a total failure.
   When I compare candidates for mayor, Bob Patten has spent four years raising taxes each year, being against consolidation of services and failing to recognize we can’t afford the costs to run this town.
   Walter Sikorski has voted against these raises in taxes for the past four years. Bob Patten had refused to consider consolidation of services until Walter Sikorski, his opponent, forced a resolution by Borough Council to make Patten discuss consolidation with East Windsor.
   When I compare these candidates I find Patten a dictator with the "my-way-or-the-highway approach," and the Sikorski process oriented in achieving what is best for Hightstown.
   Do we want four more years of a mayor who claims energy and passion yet he combines that with his exclusion and antagonism of his opponents. If anything we have a mayor with energy and passion for self-promotion, self-aggrandizement and self-destruction. Where is this energy and passion to reduce property taxes through consolidation? Don’t be fooled by this self-promotion when it is not directed at economies and efficiency in government. Patten does support George Bush. Vote Nov. 7. Beat Bush and Patten. Walter Sikorski will do the best job.
Eugene E Sarafin
Hightstown
Patten a man of character

To the editor:
   
The job of mayor should depict a person of strength, character and compassion. These traits are exhibited by Bob Patten, whose leadership and concern has been exemplified during his tenure thus far.
   As a consulting member of the Hightstown Animal Welfare Committee, Iwould like to point out that he has been instrumental in enabling us to spay/neuter over 60 cats since he initiated the committee last December. When you consider that during the course of a few years, a female cat and her offspring can produce hundreds more, this has saved the borough a huge amount of money since Animal Control was not needed for these cats. The savings just for the call to the borough has been $2,700, which is a conservative figure, given that additional monies would have to be distributed if they had to be taken to the shelter, boarded or euthanized.
   Rarely have I seen someone in this position respond to calls andconcerns about animals under their jurisdiction.
   In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
   In the words of Ashley Montagu, socialist and resident of Princeton, "The indifference, callousness and contempt that so many people exhibit toward animals is evil first because it results in great suffering in animals, and second because it results in an incalculably great impoverishment of the human spirit."
   For this reason and for the many other accomplishments benefiting the borough, I ask that you re-elect Bob Patten as mayor of Hightstown.
Anne Soden
East Windsor
Resident wants eighbor elected

To the editor:
   
Have you ever had a great neighbor?
   Let me tell you about one of my great neighbors in Hightstown. Bob Patten has been my neighbor for eight years. From day one, he always offered to lend a hand … and tools! He is the first person I see after a snowfall. While I’m shoveling my driveway, he is shoveling the sidewalks and always helps me dig out that cavernous dip at the driveway. A couple of years ago he suggested we buy a snow blower together, which was a great idea, as none of us is getting any younger.
   Bob and Kathy have many neighborhood parties in their home, inviting the whole street to share Bob’s great cooking. All of us feel welcome to stop by anytime, just to say hi, or if we need an extra hand. Bob is always ready, willing and able to help.
   When the weather is good, the neighbors meet each other on the street to catch up. If Bob is there, it seems that every car that drives by waves and stops for a minute to say hi to him. Bob loves Hightstown, and South Street, which has become a perfect example of a warm little town with good values. If you ever hear Bob say, "Treat each other like neighbors," you can know that he sets this example every day himself and believes this is the foundation of a fine, stable community.
   I also know that as Hightstown’s mayor, he views the town as one big neighborhood, and extends these feelings and actions beyond South Street.
   Pet sitting…mowing the lawn when you can’t…borrowing eggs…sharing mulch deliveries…getting mail and watching the house when you’re gone…many of these are just the neighborly thing to do. But Bob does all that and so much more, with energy and a smile, and is the best neighbor I have ever had. I hope we both live in Hightstown for many more years.
Barb Harrington
Hightstown
Comcast, others deserve kudos

To the editor:
   
This weekend marked a new era of community service in our area. The delay of Hightstown’s Hometown Harvest didn’t hinder Comcast Cares Day, a joint initiative with Community Action Service center and the borough. Over 20 Comcast employees and their children rolled up their sleeves and provided the energy and muscle needed to help local seniors clean out their garages and homes. They restocked CASC’s pantry with donated food, and once the skies cleared, helped to set up the biggest Greater Goods yard sale in history.
   Sunday’s sale was one for the record books, courtesy of the kind folks at Wachovia Bank who provided their parking lot as a last-minute location. Many thanks also to Rev. Ron Troup, the First Baptist Church, and the ladies of the Live Wire Thrift Shop for their hospitality. Mayor Bob Patten and the Hightstown Police Department kept watch over the Greater Goods stash overnight.
   The rescheduled date caused a flurry of action as a legion of angels descended on Sunday to help out. Norman Billings, Mark Dahlinger, Gene Sarafin, Torry Watkins, Pete Bussone, Rick Pratt and Mayor Bob Patten loaded and hauled a 40-foot trailer’s worth of donations to the fair. Then helping hands appeared to unload and arrange thousands of items: Jackie Hart, LyndaLu Hiles, Betty Winkler, Cathy Valendo, Sue Bottino, Judy Watkins, Helen Paterson, Suzanne Schafer Coates, Barbara Dahlinger, Connie, and others dug in and brought order to the chaos. Miranda Contreras-Peterson provided face painting for kids, then generously donated her proceeds to the cause. Business boomed as new customers were introduced and old friends returned to Greater Goods.
   When the dust settled at the end of a busy day, the First United Methodist Youth Group cleanup crew brought a boost of energy just when we needed it most: Laurie Depino with daughters Michelle and Olivia, CJ and Jonathan Martin, Randy Kosmides, Miranda and Ariel Contreras, Emma Bussone, BethAnn Applegate and Casey Shedlock pitched in to pack up the remains. Larry Blake and the Hightstown Department of Public Works helped clear boxes and bags.
   Over 100 people pulled this off within the course of 48 hours, including the good people at Shop Rite of East Windsor, who provide our collection site; Triangle Repro of East Windsor, who printed our fliers and brochures; Matt Lucas, who helped with trash disposal; and our many new friends from Comcast. Our deepest thanks to every one of you. Special thanks to Tracy Days and Lessley Chiriboga, for representing the very best of CASC, and to Kerrie Peterson, for thinking faster and working harder than any of us.
   Greater Goods raised another $1,200 this weekend, and will soon announce an exciting development in our quest to open a thrift store that will fund family support programs and community partnerships through CASC. To learn more, visit www.CASCmercer.org or join our mailing list by e-mailing [email protected] or calling (609) 448-2702.
   We are delighted and honored to serve in a community that always rises to the occasion.
Amanda Porter
vice president
CASC board of directors
Harvest late but great

To the editor:
   
Hightstown’s Hometown Harvest was glorious … worth waiting an extra day for! I’d like to thank the fair committee for this special day and all their efforts to make it a success: Bonnie Emigholz, Paul Bryne, Jennifer Peppe, Christian Kirkpatrick, Linda Harris, Sue and Dean Bottino, Shirley Olsen, Kathy Patten and Pastor Mark MacLean.
   Our Public Works Department, along with Peddie School’s John Luc, used their problem-solving skills and knowledge to provide electricity for vendors, set up stages and assist in cleanup. Our Police Department provided security and our borough clerk’s office worked diligently to handle questions and endless details.
   We included some delightful new elements this year in the fair. Our apple pie bake-off, the pedal boats on the lake and the engaging children’s activities were great fun and very well-received. Added to the regularly scheduled entertainment, the wonderful assortment of foods, the arts and crafts as well as the information provided by organizations … all provided such a memorable, fun-filled day.
   Combining with Comcast and the Community Action Service Center proved to be an exciting new aspect of the fair as well. Thank you to Comcast’s crew of volunteers who cleaned out attics for seniors, organized the Green House’s pantry and worked with Greater Goods to stage their biggest yard sale yet! Their financial support was greatly appreciated as well. Comcast certainly lived up to their logo — Comcast Cares — this weekend.
Nancy Walker Laudenberger
Hightstown
Herald biased against district

To the editor:
   
I want to reiterate the public statements I made in our board meeting this past Monday regarding your editorial bias against this school district.
   Our district administrators made a compelling presentation two weeks ago highlighting the spectacular improvements and accomplishments of our students and staff. The presentation was witnessed by your reporter, who followed up that week with several hours of interviews with our administrators. So where is the story? Why are the complaints of a few parents made front page news while the success of 5,000 students is ignored?
   Parents of this district rely on this paper to report more than a few classroom activities and sports scores. Our staff willingly met with your reporter to clarify the story and really make the information meaningful to the entire community. You failed your readers and worse, you failed the students and staff of this district.
   Since they cannot rely on this paper for information, parents should try to see the presentation for themselves this Monday at 7 p.m. in the Hightstown High School auditorium. And stay tuned to Channel 27.
Bob Laverty
member
East Windsor Regional
Board of Education
Patten is experienced leader

To the editor:
   
Hightstown is blessed to have two dedicated public servants running for mayor who really want the job. Both have lived here all of their lives and even attended Hightstown High School around the same time. Both are retired school teachers. Both have served on the Planning Board as well as the council. Both have worked hard as members of the same committee to realize the redevelopment of the mill. So what is the difference between the two candidates? Why should you vote for one over the other?
   Experience. Besides the fact that Bob Patten has served us well for four years as mayor, he has served 16 years on the Planning Board, three years on council and been a vital part of many community groups for over 20 years. Walter Sikorski’s involvement in borough government and the community started three years ago with his election to council.
   Leadership. Bob has persevered with a council that has often looked disjointed, brought about consensus where possible and was not afraid to be critical when the situation warranted it. He has reached out to our neighboring communities in an effort to help one another in many ways. He has established strong liaisons with our state legislators and county leaders, working hard to secure our extraordinary aid from the state this year.
   Walter has been a good councilman and has many times been the lone voice on difficult issues. He was the only one to vote against this year’s budget after it was introduced by the other five members. He has a sharp pencil but most often ignores the big picture.
   Time on the job. Both have clearly put in time and effort. Many on council should follow their lead. Where they differ is in the quality of their time and effort. Bob realizes that we have a very capable borough administrator and department heads. He sets the course of action and lets them do their job. Walter also spends a lot of time at borough hall but in a micromanaging style that is often counterproductive.
   There is a difference. The choice is yours.
Catherine Tolmie
Hightstown
Ms. Tolmie is the wife of Jeff Bond, a leader of the Democrats for Patten group.

Bond wrong about choice

To the editor:
   
Bob Patten for mayor? I do not think so!
   My answers to all of Jeff Bond’s questions appearing in last week’s Windsor-Hights Herald are yes, yes, and yes, etc. We want to replace Bob Patten — quickly!
   Forget about Jeff Bond’s analysis of Mayor Bob’s past exploits. Walter Sikorski is not an abstraction. Walter Sikorski is not an enigma which should make him difficult to define. Walter Sikorski is real, trustworthy, and will do no harm.
   People should know when they have an asset, but sometimes we need a little reminder. Walter Sikorski for mayor … imitations not acceptable.
   Bob Patten is probably a good and decent man. In my opinion, Walter Sikorski is a much better, much more impartial candidate for mayor.
   There is an old Germanic saying which when translated is "enough is enough." The current elected borough officials (meaning the mayor and his wife, and all of their cronies) are now "long in the tooth" and are in dire need of some serious soul-searching. Hopefully, they will find an answer for themselves, and an answer for the woes of Hightstown. The refuge of choice is a strong conviction and vote for Walter Sikorski. Walter will be a great and long remembered mayor of Hightstown.
   Just one more short narrative. Remember, the time to rig for stormy weather is before the tempest hits, not in the middle of it. Vote for the strongest rigging now, while you still have a chance. Walter Sikorski is that rigging.
Douglas Elkins
Hightstown