Nancy Bennett, West Windsor
To the editor:
If you live in West Windsor, the quality of your life just took a huge hit on Monday night. On Monday the Town Council decided that they could save a few dollars by firing our animal control officer of 18 years, Bettina Roed, and contracting out her services to the ACO from East Windsor who would charge West Windsor by the hour for his services.
So now if you find a stray dog in your backyard or your pet escapes from your property, or there is a raccoon stuck in your chimney you will call the West Windsor police who will call the East Windsor police who will call the East Windsor ACO who will show up after he’s finished his work in East Windsor (and Hightstown) where he is a real, full-time ACO.
Only he won’t show up for the raccoon because he’s only going to handle rabid wild animals. (So you’ll pay several hundreds dollars to a “pest control” service who will probably kill it.) And he sure isn’t coming out to help look for your pet. He might take the stray dog to a kill-shelter in East Brunswick.
Bettina Ms. Roed was given one week’s notice before the council meeting.
About 40 or 50 people showed up at the meeting from all around the state, including a police officer, many rescue and shelter workers, residents of both West Windsor and East Windsor.
Bettina Roed is a legend. Literally. She has won awards for her work as an ACO. For every hour she gets paid she probably puts in two or more unpaid hours.
I made a statement at the council meeting on Monday. I did not show up to ask the council to have “mercy” and not fire her because I felt sorry her. Rather, I asked the council to show “mercy” to the animals of West Windsor and to me a taxpayer and long-time resident of the township.
Story after story was told of the things that Bettina Ms. Roed has done. Last year when, in 100-degree heat, Bettina she climbed a 20-foot fir tree to rescue a kitten.
Council cut off comment after about five speakers. Council then “discussed” the issue among themselves for about two minutes. Their comments made it clear they had already made up their minds. No minds were changed. They then voted: Morgan, Geevers and Khanna to fire BettinaMs. Roed. Ciccone and Borek (bless you) against.
And just like that West Windsor threw away one of the most amazing resources this township has ever had to save (they think) a few thousand dollars. And there’s not a thing we can do about it except for how we respond in the next election. In the meantime, pray your dog doesn’t get lost or you hear chirping sounds from your chimney.
Nancy Bennett
West Windsor

