Letters to the editor

School cuts felt by children

To the editor:
   Earlier this year, an informative and urgent campaign was waged for the passing of the Mansfield Township school budgets because some of us learned that the existing budgets would not be able to carry the expanded load.
   We called for your attention and assistance — at home, at the schools and all around the town in gathering places — and a great number of residents answered that call with hearts and minds wide-open.
   Despite those tremendous efforts, not enough residents understood or believed those earnest pleas and the budgets were defeated for the fifth consecutive year.
   Well, school is back in session and there have indeed been cuts. You or someone you know is feeling it. The children have in fact been impacted. Basically, we have moved backwards.
   What will be cut next if still more of us don’t get involved and think forward? Please make it a priority to support our community, through our schools, even those of you who don’t currently have children in the system. See a need, fill a need. Wear your passion proudly and show it off when you vote "Yes" on April 17, 2007.
   Regis Rose Scelza
Columbus
Community made festival a success

To the editor:
   On behalf of the Downtown Bordentown Association, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the following groups and individuals that exhibited irreplaceable efforts to ensure the success of the 17th Annual Cranberry Festival.
   Much thanks to Stephanie Pecht, the DBA member who is first to raise her hand and work with an unbelievable amount of energy and stamina. DBA Vice President Mary Barnes, who donated many hours to this event with her expertise, hard work, and spirit of volunteerism.
   DBA Board of Directors, John Schroeder, Doug Palmieri, George Karousatos, and Tom Moyer for their efforts behind and "on the scene" during the Cranberry Festival weekend and the months prior.
   DBA board member Quentin Hausser with assistance from new member Leon Stanley for coordinating another impressive car show featuring the Lotus. Despite adverse weather on Saturday morning, the show was well attended. Additional thanks to Brandon Chevrolet for their contribution to this annual feature.
   Patti DeSantis and the Garden Club for mum planting and sprucing up the city.
   Special thanks to former festival chairperson, Jackie Reed, who walked us through the festival step by step, and answered every panicked phone call with sound advice that led to immediate resolve.
   Mayor John Collom and Commissioners James Lynch and John Wehrman for their continued assistance in helping the DBA host such an ever growing and major event in Bordentown City.
   Chief Matthew Summons, the Bordentown City Police and Police Explorers for overseeing the weekend festivities and accomodating the increasing crowd with ease and expertise.
   Bob Erikson and Public City Works for always knowing what we need and having it there like a well-run ship.
   Consolidated Fire Co. for providing additional parking for crafters/vendors in a specified section of their lot.
   The three judges of the Cranberry/Craft/Fine Art categories of the festival, namely John Chambliss, Ed Comeau, and Michael Bionds.
   A big thank you to our co-sponsor, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., who not only donated to this event, but sent a wonderful and cheerful staff which I was grateful to during Saturday morning’s inclement weather.
   To the pioneers of our first Sunday Farmers Market, Fernbrook and Strawberry Hill Farms, both of Chesterfield, and Robin’s Flowers and App’s Hardware, both of Bordentown. Remember, you were the first ones!
   Special thanks to DBA members Mak Kieffer, Joseph Salera, Ann Faris and Russell Puches for stepping up to the plate and giving their assistance the minute they were asked.
   On behalf of the Downtown Bordentown Association, I thank all the residents of Bordentown City for their patience over Cranberry Festival weekend. It is our mission to create not only a viable, high-quality business district, but one that is part of a community we can all be proud of.
   C.J. Mugavero, President
Downtown Bordentown Association