An appreciative customer

By: centraljersey.com
We would like to take a moment to thank Phil, manager at IHOP on Route 27 in Franklin Park, for his recent act of kindness toward our family.
When our granddaughter was accidentally locked into her car seat incorrectly, Phil went above and beyond by helping my husband dislodge the lock and most importantly setting our granddaughter free from the seat itself.
This took much time and energy and they worked diligently together to get the task done.
Our young granddaughter was a heroine, as well, being very brave during the episode.
It was such a good role model for the children to see these two grownups working together and a total stranger helping out others for no personal gain.
Thank you again, Phil. We will try to pay it forward and help someone else one day soon.
Jill Rubenstein Kendall Park
Caring place for tough times
To the editor:
The last letter I sent to a paper was around 1970, to the Central Post. I was 10 years old and it was a poem I had written – a child’s view of the Vietnam War, rampant illegal drugs, and the injustice of racism. My father was very proud of me. It’s now 40 years later, and this letter is sent in memory of my father, Irving B. Medell, to give support to the wonderful work of Haven Hospice at JFK Medical Center in Edison.
My father suffered several strokes three weeks ago, and we found ourselves in the challenging situation of implementing his living will. Through a quick series of events we were guided to move my father to Haven Hospice. Little did we know at that moment what a beautiful gift this would be to my father and to my family. They cared for him at Haven with a grace and compassion that goes beyond words. They supported my mother as she stayed by his side day and night, and helped us through his final days with gentle hands and guiding hearts.
The woman who is the driving force behind Haven Hospice is Mary Anne Hale, a Eucharistic minister who has volunteered her time at JFK for more than 30 years. She was volunteering there the day my father passed, and I spoke with her. She told me she saw the need many years ago for a place of comfort and caring for patients requesting hospice and for their families – and that is what Haven is. I told her I was overwhelmed by the supportive community of hospice, and that I would spread the word of its compassion.
You can find information on Haven Hospice at www.havenhospicenj.org, or by calling them at 732-321-7769.
Thank you, Mrs. Hale, and everyone at Haven Hospice. In a time and place that some might only find sorrow, you reminded us of the gift of love.
Susan Medell Scurato Monmouth Junction
Township should explore solar
To the editor:
I was delighted at the recent township Planning Board meeting to hear a warehouse developer, Hadley, proposing green building concepts including solar energy installations.
The company plans to put solar panels on its warehouse roof and over the large infiltration basin. From the looks of the plans and their responses to questions I asked during the break in the meeting, they have experience and success with such systems in other towns.
But some of the Planning Board’s questions indicated that not everyone in the decision making process was fully educated in solar energy systems like this one.
It’s time South Brunswick began making some serious thinking about such alternative energy.
I have solar panels at my house and in nearly two years since their installation, my electric bill has been zero. This summer, with constant use of air-conditioning, I am still running a credit with Public Service, Gas & Electric. Theoretically, if a homeowner or the township were able to completely pay for a solar system designed to meet the needs of average energy use, there would be no electric bill to pay.
But, that does not necessarily mean my house is directly "solar powered." Solar energy produced by solar panels goes out to the grid, meaning that the electricity generated by my panels leaves my house and goes out to be part of PSE&G’s general supply. I am still using energy supplied by PSE&G from their lines to power my house. I earn credit for the energy my panels produce. When it rains or is cloudy, I still have electricity supplied to my house by the energy company.
At the end of last year, I produced more energy than I used, and received credit and a check from PSE&G for that "overage." A large system, such as the one proposed by the warehouse developer, might well produce far more energy than the warehouse uses, giving the developer a nice profit. Furthermore, a solar system can earn "green tags," energy credits that can be sold for more profit each year, earning even more money from the system.
As newer solar technologies develop, solar energy becomes a better and better option for producing electricity. As some other letter writers have suggested, there are many alternatives for homeowners, communities, and others who might want to install solar systems. Under one program, a property owner can have a solar system installed at no cost and lower energy bills by 20 percent. While that’s a lot less than zeroing out your electric bill, it’s still a savings and a green alternative that decreases our dependency on fossil fuels.
South Brunswick needs to step forward, like some of our more enterprising developers, and explore the options of solar energy for public buildings. The 2010 budget allots $600,000 for electricity. That is 1.5 cents of the municipal the tax increase. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a way to lower or even eliminate that bill completely?
We have plenty of open roofs, open parking lots and sunlight in our township. Let’s step into the sunshine to start exploring ways to take advantage of them.
Jean E. Dvorak South Brunswick
Ms. Dvorak is an independent candidate for Township Council.