Concerned about
Toby Rich’s platform
To the editor:
I learned two things about Toby Rich in The Beacon last week that make me very concerned he might win a seat on the West Amwell Township Committee in next week’s election.
First, his egregious and false accusation Pat Masterson’s family sold their farm to a developer said a lot about his character. We don’t need someone on our Township Committee who shoots from the hip first and asks questions later.
Second, in the article "Candidates Divided on Environmental Issues," I was distressed to learn Mr. Rich will likely act to roll back recent ordinances designed to protect West Amwell from development. I think it’s a good idea for West Amwell to be able to tell developers to stay away from our streams and not cut down so many trees.
Wisely, our Township Committee has said the same number of homes will be built, but we need to be able to tell them to build them in a different way. That is a policy that should be supported, not undone by Mr. Rich.
West Amwell
More land
to be preserved
To the editor:
I am writing in response to comments about West Amwell’s open space program in the Oct. 26 article, "Candidates Divided on Environmental Issues."
I have chaired the Open Space Advisory Committee since May 2006. However, the views represented in this letter are my own and should not be interpreted as an official representation on behalf of the committee or township.
In the article, Toby Rich said, "For the record, there have been no new commitments to our township’s open space program since early 2004."
For the record, as Bill Corboy correctly noted, so far this year about 250 acres have been added to the open space inventory. This represents three parcels on which the township purchased farmland preservation or conservation easements as well as four parcels, which Green Acres purchased directly in fee.
Since I was asked to serve as chair in May, the township has also closed with the county and state on funding reimbursements on three other parcels with reimbursements on three more projects moving toward closing in the near future.
Some other large reimbursements are also moving through the pipeline for closings in 2007 and 2008.
Open space acquisitions tend to be multi-year projects involving multiple agencies so I don’t wish to imply the current committee deserves all the credit for these accomplishments, but they do demonstrate land is continuing to be preserved in West Amwell by both the township as well as other agencies.
There are also new preservation projects. For example, Oct. 4, the township entered into a new contract on a new conservation easement purchase. The public hearings for the acquisition and funding ordinances for this project are scheduled for Nov. 1.
Green Acres should be closing on another parcel it has under contract in the near future and recently signed a new contract on another direct acquisition, which is expected to close in 2007.
The State Agriculture Development Committee is also working on preserving several large farms in the township.
Another potential project is the 218-acre parcel owned by Mr. Rich’s company, which Green Acres has expressed interest in acquiring. Of course, land preservation also requires a willing seller, and I am concerned the state may withdraw funding from this project if Mr. Rich’s company does not provide a timely indication they wish to move forward with preservation.
Funding at the state level is becoming very limited.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to remind your readers open space meetings are open to the public and are held at the municipal building at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month.
We are always interested in hearing suggestions on how we might do a better job. Our meetings are currently digitally recorded so if you’re unable to attend a meeting, you may also request a copy of the recording.
West Amwell
Superfresh didn’t
hire employees
To the editor:
The Clemens Market in New Hope was recently sold to Superfresh, a division of A&P.
The store will be shut down for three weeks while Superfresh makes changes. One of the first changes made was to put about 65 of Clemens’ 72 employees out on the street.
The Clemens employees were invited to apply for positions with Superfresh, but there were few, if any, job interviews. Of the 17 employees that were offered jobs, many were offered transfers to other stores Quakertown, for example or were demoted at lower pay rates.
Most of the Clemens stores were purchased by Giant, who kept on the Clemens employees. In the case of the New Hope Clemens Market, the close proximity of the New Hope Giant made that impossible, hence, the sale to Superfresh.
When Clemens acquired Delray Thriftway several years ago, they kept the existing employees. Unfortunately, the current employees thought that would happen this time. Clemens went out its way to employ seniors and those with special needs.
The Triplex Group LLC
New Hope
Remember vets
on Nov. 11
To the editor:
Nov. 11 is Veterans Day.
It was Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. that the guns of World War I, the "war to end all wars," fell silent.
While originally intended to recognize the men and women who served in that conflict, Veterans Day now is observed to recognize the service of the millions of men and women who served in subsequent wars and conflicts. Given the current war on terror, Veterans Day has even greater significance.
The men and women of our armed services have sacrificed much for America. Some have returned with disabilities while some remain classified as missing in action or prisoners of war. Every man and woman who has worn the uniform of the armed forces has made some level of sacrifice for our freedom and deserve our deepest gratitude.
As the state commander of the American Legion, I would like to encourage your readers to express their thanks to all veterans by attending any of the many Veterans Day programs sponsored by American Legion posts or other veterans organizations throughout New Jersey.
On behalf of the American Legion, it is my honor to extend thanks to all current and former members of the armed forces for their distinguished service to America.
state commander
The American Legion
Department of New Jersey
Trenton
Rich claims to have
‘good ole trashin’
To the editor:
I have been treated to a good ole-fashion trashin’ in the last few weeks in letters to The Beacon.
All, save one by Gary Robinson, took me to task for my intentions and motivations for running. l could respond directly to the various writers, but I think it is more important for the voters to understand who these people are.
Ron Shapella Ron was elected last year by running a smear campaign against Betty Jane Hunt.
He is managing my opponent’s campaign this year, and he is obviously using the same tactics against me. Ron says he would be "comfortable sitting next to Bill Corboy."
I’m sure he would since Bill would owe his election in large part to Ron.
Gary Robinson In addition to being Bill Corboy’s neighbor and fellow Democrat, Gary sits on four different township advisory committees and commissions. You have to wonder if his support for Mr. Corboy is genuine or motivated by self interest.
Catherine Urbanski Cathy sits on six or seven advisory committees and also chairs the Environmental Commission. She is Ron’s second-in-command in his little army.
E. Weston Pfeiffer Mr. Pfeiffer’s son, Sean, sits on four advisory committees plus the Planning Board. Sean is the current chairman of the Open Space Committee.
My campaign has been focused on the failure of the Open Space Committee to preserve more land so you can easily guess at his motives.
Pat Masterson Pat runs the local Democrat organization. She would support almost anyone as long as they ran as a Democrat.
I believe she has the only Menendez for Senate sign in the township in front of her house. If you are a registered Democrat and find a Corboy lawn sign planted on your property, chances are you can thank Pat.
Finally, John T. Marshall I’m not sure what John’s problem is. He is not one of these insiders, and his anger is palpable.
I do know he is suing the township over that terrible accident. Maybe his letter is more about that than me.
I hope he finds peace. I will say there is no investigation of me by the election law enforcement. If there were, I think I would know about it.
So this is the group currently running the township. If you run for office or just have a different opinion, they try to bury you with falsehoods and innuendo.
Just look at what I went through last week. Look at what others who spoke up have been going through.
We can be civil, we can be balanced, and we can do better. It’s time for a fresh start in West Amwell.
West Amwell

