Remember veterans, past and present
To the editor:
Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. It was on 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 is now 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 Prisoner of War. Every man and woman who has worn the uniform of the U.S. 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.
Charles Robbins
State Commander
American Legion
Bugler appreciated at funeral service
To the editor:
I attended my neighbor Lou Stefani’s brother’s funeral on Oct. 26 in Hopewell. Retired Army 1st Sgt. Richard Pinter was there and did an excellent performance. I commend him, admire him, and I am proud to call him my friend. I would publicly like to thank him.
Jack Fithian
Chesterfield
Past candidate endorses ‘Unity Team’
To the editor:
This letter is a response to items that have appeared in the Oct. 26 edition.
Over the last few weeks we have had the pleasure of reading many articles written by Springfield Township residents in support of their local government.
Mrs. (Ingrid) Wood loves the local politicians for preserving the rural character of Springfield. She should, she lives on a small lot subdivided off of one of our nice farms from which she has subdivided and sold a yet smaller building lot to line her pockets with. Exactly the actions she so strongly opposes in this township. The local politicians also allowed her to have an alpaca sale at the township municipal complex. Yes, our tax dollars are supporting her private business. Sounds like a political favor to me. Apparently we not only sell votes at the municipal complex, we also sell alpacas.
How about Councilman (Richard) Toone, one day I get a circular in the mail about not wanting to build a new school and the next I see an article in the Register-News about him supporting education. Which is it, do you support educating our children or just babysitting them. I’m sure we could still be teaching them in a one room schoolhouse with one teacher if you would like.
Councilman (Peter) Sobotka mentions some problems they have been experiencing with signs. If you don’t want them to be taken down, you should ask the property owner if they can be put up first. He also loves to take credit for starting up the Springfield cleanup day. It was however, originally started by the democratic candidate Greg Quagliato to clean up Juliustown Park about eight years ago.
This leads us to the question of why the golden boys are having so much trouble getting more support from the county freeholders. Why haven’t they publicly endorsed the incumbents aside from one state funded publication. The reason is they have their own campaign to run, and are stressing their tough stand on ethics. With all the lawsuits revolving around ethics this township could face, they have chosen to distance themselves from it. If they won’t support the incumbents, why should we.
Their actions have been deplorable and could cost our township millions in ethics-related lawsuits. We can stop the bloodshed now or give them four more years to help themselves and their friends and hand us the bill.
All the members of the Unity Team have shown a true unbiased commitment to the community and have pledged to run a fair, transparent government. It is time to give someone else a chance to lead our township and explore it’s possibilities with open ears and open minds.
I’m tired of paying for favors for others. My vote will be for the Unity Team because of their pledge for fair planning, financial accountability and a tough stand against favoritism and corruption. Gold signs! Gold diggers!
James R Specca
Springfield Township
Resident’s choice is for incumbents
To the editor:
Springfield Township is at a crossroads. The election on Nov. 7 will decide if we continue to preserve farmland or if a change in leadership dooms us to building houses and a school. The choice is one or the other.
The current council understands that farmland doesn’t require the support of public services the way houses and businesses do. Added people require added services (education, police, fire etc.) and so property taxes rise. Preserving farms and controlling new construction will slow the growth of property taxes. Our candidates also realize this approach will preserve our rural lifestyle and eventually reward us with much higher property values.
The bottom line is this: Our current council needs your support to continue providing all residents the benefit of their vision for Springfield in the future. Should we fail to provide that support the result will be to the benefit of the few people who hope to steer the opposition slate. The rest of us will be left with a lot more houses, higher taxes and, oh, a new school.
If you plan to live in Springfield go to www.Springfield2006.com. Consider the quality of the candidates and the complexity of the issues they face. Get answers to your questions from the source. I think you will agree that the Preservation Team is far and away better qualified to handle the challenges of government now and in the future.
Pick the best candidates! Please don’t punish those who have done so well for you locally. They are doing an outstanding job and deserve your support. The Real Republicans in Springfield stand for responsible government and slower tax growth, not to mention increased property values.
This is a very important election and it will affect you! Try and put any petty concerns aside and look at what is really important. Don’t let them fool you.
Vote Preservation (Column 2) for McDaniel, Toone, and Sobotka, your best choice for the future of Springfield.
Dave Wood
Jacksonville
Library opening ‘treat for sore eyes’
To the editor:
Joy to the world, our beloved Bordentown Library is ready for reopening by 2007. We do hope it is as close to Jan. 1, 2007 and not a day later. Kudos to Ms. Sweet and her assistants. I’m sure the new library will be a treat for sore eyes.
I do hope that I’m being considered to execute the "grand opening." I should expect the key in the mail at least two to three days before the eventful day. Am I being too presumptuous? Happy holidays to all, and don’t forget to vote.
Peter A. Losinno, Sr.
Columbus
Vote on position, not party line
To the editor:
Voting is a constitutional right and privilege. It is our responsibility as citizens to exercise the right given to us. Unfortunately, too many citizens either don’t care or pull the level along party lines. Occasionally a vote is cast because a candidate did them a favor. Unfortunately, rarely, does anyone examine the candidate’s record or position.
Who should one vote for?
On NJN-TV Sen. Peter Inverso and Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman were seen bickering over the composition of, and number of, invidivuals to serve on committees for the special session of the legislature rather than resolving the problems which caused the session to be necessary. Is uncivil behavior, as exemplified by the legislators and local town councils, what should be teaching our children?
What caused the need for the special session? It was the failure of legislators to do the necessary work for the public good. The problems began with the legislature borrowing money from the system to balance the budget and not repaying the loan. In addition it was because these same individuals allowed towns not to contribute to the pension system.
Now those towns are faced with a payback which they can’t afford without raising taxes.
The Transportation Trust Fund went bankrupt because these same legislators failed to provide a stable source of funding. The special session became necessary due to high property taxes and the clamor for relief, initiated by the governor, not by our duly elected representatives.
To his credit, Assemblyman Joseph Malone wrote an op-ed article that appeared in the Register-News in which he suggested, in part, school administration and school district consolidations. This is the only issue that has been discussed openly and in print by anyone seeking our vote. Regrettably, candidates are too busy slinging mud in their advertisements and not discussing the issues. Regrettable also is that the proposition will probably not be successful because of local fiefdoms and opposition, particularly in northern New Jersey, and by the education community.
Sen. Martha Bark wrote a letter to her constituents bragging about how she was able to convince the governor not to have the state police bill rural towns in her district for police protection. Now the entire population of the state has to foot the tab while her towns get police protection free. All she did was shift the burden onto the unsuspecting public. Is this was taxpayers deserve, shifting monies and not resolving basic problems? And you wonder why the public is so cynical!
Maybe we should seriously consider term limits. That, too, has a fat chance of success unless the public demands it.
I urge you to go vote, but be careful of what and, more importantly, who you are voting for.
Seth Barton
Columbus
Ghost Walk was fun for all
To the editor:
The Downtown Bordentown Association, myself and my co-chair, Stephanie Pecht, would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped make this year’s Ghost Walk a success. We sold out quickly and can’t thank the community enough for their continued support of this event!
Most importantly we couldn’t have made it happen without the help of these volunteers.
Thank you to Doug Palmieri at the Old Book Shop of Bordentown who handled all of the ticket sales and scheduling, Tom Moyer for printing the tickets and flyers, Betty Burke for seeing that the flyers were hung up everywhere in town and to our homeowners, the most important people of this Ghost Walk, who allowed us to use your homes to tell the stories. Thank you for sharing your ghost with all of us.
Thank you to our storytellers Robert Pecht, Suzanne Wheelock, C.J. Mugavero, Stephanie Pecht, Sara Blann-Crafts, Bobby Taylor, Jackie Reed, Jane Rooney, Jeff Szur and Molly O’Dowd, and Linda Thompson. You were all wonderful and helped to bring these stories to life.
And finally our tour guides Joan Corbo, Joanne Wilson, Gary Wheelock, Randy Ellis, Patty DeSantis, Janet Denney, Karen Stewart, Beth Neylan, Brenna Jobes, Jerry Vaughan and Debbie Tams. Even through the dark of night you led your groups on and lost not a one. A special thanks to Bordentown City’s finest police department and the Bordentown City Crime Watch. You all kept a close watch for all to be safe. Job well done, guys!
We certainly appreciate all of the time and support you all gave and hope to work with you all next year.
To the rest of the community who weren’t able to get tickets: we will be running additional tours of the Ghost Walk through the month of October next year so look for the details early.
And a very, very special thank you to Arlene Bice who started it all. Thank you for entrusting us with something so close to your heart.
Patti DeSantis
Stephanie Pecht
Co-chairs, Ghost Walk

