Week of May 17
By:
Congratulations to community for passing school budgets
To the editor:
By Madam Editor’s leave, it is with great admiration for my community that I write at length as my faith is restored and a celebration is in order. You are all heroes. Supporting the education of our future speaks volumes about your acumen. Way to show your determination! On that note, please remember to come out again year after year, because your help is needed to get our leaders back on track and ensure the necessary budget to get them there. Our work is not done.
In honor of the passing of the Mansfield Township Elementary and NBC Regional School District budgets, special thanks must certainly be delivered. Thank you to Jim Sarruda (superintendent, NBCRHS), Richard Kaz (business administrator, NBCRHS), Lisa Giovanelli (business administrator, Mansfield Township schools) and Diane Bacher (superintendent, Mansfield Townshipschools) for all of the information and detailed explanations (and link to the NJBOE Web site) provided.
Jennifer Ferro (principal, JHES) and Joseph Langowski (principal, MTES) deserve special kudos for taking good care of our elementary schools. Congratulations to G. Szatkowski, R. Wainright, J. Golowski and D. Kane on your successful election to the township Board of Education. All of you are doing a fantastic job.
The executive board of the Columbus Home and School Association is comprised of some of the most wonderful women you’ll ever know. Thank you for your support and participation in getting the information out to our parents. The loving membership of moms and dads who support our schools can move mountains if they so choose. We’ve just seen it! Awesome.
Sincere thanks to Michelle Ferrell, Debbie Pribell, JoAnn Gangel, Lynn Stanley, Tracey Visalli, Debbie McMullen and Rosemarie Johnson, as well as Nancy Sager’s dedicated group of elementary teachers, for your steadfast support and assistance. The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are applauded for your excellent work. The editor and staff of the Register-News deserve laudable thanks for knowledgeable reporting of the critical facts and allowing us to voice our concerns. Moreover, my deepest appreciation goes out to the seniors in the community who had the moxy to do the right thing. I knew you were out there. Good on you!
Furthermore, the sending districts of Springfield, Chesterfield and North Hanover have really come alive and solidified a common good that will undoubtedly enhance our beautiful region.
Finally, my fondest personal regards and a large debt of gratitude is owed to our teeny-tiny committee. It hasn’t been an easy journey for sure, but the residents really heard us this time. A lot of information was distributed, public meetings held and many "light bulbs" went on. I am so very proud of each of you for your time and efforts in this campaign. Leigh Kelly is our soft-spoken dynamo. Melanie Heminghaus truly steps up to bat. Debbie Calvert is ready and rock steady. Colleen Herbert has a reach and charisma like nobody’s business.
And then there’s Ann Flynn my school budget buddy and mentor. The things we’ve learned over the past two years through the countless hours spent on research and all of the people we’ve talked to! This has been some haul. Many thanks for your invaluable hospitality, drive, guidance, intellect and feedback, girlfriend.
On behalf of the entire population of children of Mansfield, thank you for believing in them and supporting their future by thinking forward. We need them as much as they need us. Although the last five budget defeats have, amongst other things, caused the loss of four elementary teachers next September (resulting in larger class sizes), we are extremely relieved to know that our community continues to value science and art and chose to retain those programs in this election.
Knowledge is Power. Go ahead and flex you all deserve it.
Regis Rose Scelza
Mansfield
Arbor Day celebrated with planting of trees
To the editor:
On Saturday, April 28, the Bordentown Shade Tree Committee celebrated Arbor Day by planting 20 trees throughout Bordentown City.
Trees were planted in response to homeowner requests and also on sites where trees had been removed. Some of the species planted this year included oak, London plane, compestre maple, and elm. For the first time, the Shade Tree Committee planted ivorysilk lilac trees that were developed specifically to grow in confined, tree lawn areas.
The Shade Tree Committee would like to thank the approximately 20 volunteers that helped plant trees this year. Without their hard work the planting would not have been possible. These volunteers allow the committee to plant trees as a free service for all Bordentown residents. If you would like information on next year’s planting, please call 298-7459.
Finally, the committee would like to thank the City Commissioners for all of their funding and support.
Bordentown Shade Tree Committee
Al Barker, Chairman
Steven Lutz
Quentin Hausser
Robert Pecht
Debbie Tams
Margaret O’Gorman
George Karousatos